EP4291835A1

EP4291835A1 - Heat pump

Info

Publication number: EP4291835A1
Application number: EP22705993.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thorsten Schmidt; Eduard LANG
Original assignee: Viessmann Climate Solutions SE
Current assignee: Viessmann Climate Solutions SE
Priority date: 2021-02-10
Filing date: 2022-01-31
Publication date: 2023-12-20
Also published as: DE102021103061A1; WO2022171239A1; CN116964393A; US20240093918A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat pump, comprising a compressor (1) that is connected via two refrigerant-conveying fluid lines (2) to a heat pump component (3) through which refrigerant flows, wherein each fluid line (2) has a longitudinal axis, wherein an imaginary direction vector (4.1) which coincides with the longitudinal axis points, on the route between the compressor (1) and the heat pump component (3), at least once in a different direction to an imaginary starting direction vector (4.0) which begins at the compressor (1), where it likewise coincides with the longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis extends in a space having three imaginary, mutually perpendicular planes (XY, XZ, YZ). According to the invention, the fluid line (2) is shaped such that the direction vector (4.1), on the route between the compressor (1) and the heat pump component (3), and with respect to all three planes (XY, XZ, YZ), extends so as to be rotated by an angle of more than 180° relative to the starting direction vector (4.0) at least once.

Description

heat pump

The invention relates to a heat pump according to preamble 5 of patent claim 1.

A heat pump of the type mentioned at the outset is known from document DE 10 2012 111486 A1. This heat pump consists of a compressor, which is connected via two refrigerant-carrying fluid lines to a heat pump component through which refrigerant flows, each fluid line having a longitudinal axis, with an imaginary direction vector coinciding with the longitudinal axis running between the compressor and the heat pump component at least once in 15 direction other than an imaginary initial direction vector beginning at the compressor and there also coinciding with the longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis being formed to run in a space with three imaginary planes perpendicular to one another. 20

The proviso used in claim 1, namely that "two" refrigerant-carrying fluid lines are provided, is to be understood in the sense of "at least two" fluid lines, namely at least one supply line to and at least one discharge line from the compressor. But there are also compressors with intermediate injection; in this case, three fluid lines would then have to be assumed.

The proviso used in claim 1, namely that "one" heat pump component is provided, to be understood in the sense of "at least one" heat pump component, namely, for example, a 4-3-way valve, with which the compressor is designed to be connected via two fluid lines. However, two heat pump components can also be provided, specifically when there is no 4-3-way valve, for example, and the compressor is designed to be connected on the one hand to an evaporator and on the other hand to a condenser. In addition, the compressor can also be connected to an accumulator.

As a precautionary measure, it is also pointed out that the said initial direction vector can point in any direction, starting from the compressor, ie also upwards, for example, namely when the fluid line is connected to the top of the compressor.

15

The object of the invention is to improve a heat pump of the type mentioned at the outset. In particular, the noise emitted by the heat pump should be further reduced.

20

This object is achieved with a heat pump of the type mentioned by the features listed in the characterizing part of patent claim 1.

According to the invention, it is therefore provided that the fluid line 25 is shaped in such a way that the directional vector runs between the compressor and the heat pump component and in relation to all three planes at least once rotated by an angle of at least 180° to the initial directional vector. 30 Expressed again in other, somewhat more precise terms, it is therefore provided that a vector projection of the directional vector is formed in the course between the compressor and the heat pump component on each of the three levels, rotated at least once by an angle of 180° to the initial directional vector. This requirement has the effect that a power transmission from the compressor to the heat pump component is effectively prevented in all three spatial directions X, Y and Z and in all three directions of rotation about the axes X, Y and Z, because the twisting or 10 the " Serpentine guidance" of the fluid line ultimately causes an increase in its elasticity. The fact that an extension of the fluid line is regularly required to implement this requirement is accepted with a view to the noise reduction achieved. 15

Provision is particularly preferably made for said rotation of the directional vector to be at least 270°, very particularly preferably at least 360°, in relation to all three planes. 20

Other advantageous developments emerge from the dependent patent claims.

For the sake of completeness, reference is also made to the VITOCAL 300-A heat pump manufactured and sold by the applicant25, in which some fluid lines are twisted, curved or kinked several times, but not the ones from the compressor to the 4-3- Directional control valve-carrying lines, ie the heat pump component with which the compressor 30 is designed to be directly connected in this solution via the two fluid lines. The heat pump according to the invention, including its advantageous developments according to the dependent patent claims, is explained in more detail below with reference to the graphic representation of a preferred exemplary embodiment. 5

It shows

FIG. 1 shows schematically the heat pump according to the invention with the fluid line winding in all directions between the compressor and the heat pump component; and

FIG. 2 shows a section through the fluid line according to FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a heat pump with a support element for the heat pump components;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the compressor of the heat pump according to FIG. 3 positioned on a load transfer element 15;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the support element positioned on the load transfer element with the heat pump components of the heat pump according to FIG. 3; 20

FIG. 6 schematically shows a heat pump with a decoupled compressor; and

FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a heat pump with a unit, designed like a rigid body, made up of a support element and heat pump components. 25

The heat pump shown schematically in FIG. 1 consists first of all in a known manner of a compressor 1, which is designed to be connected 30 via two refrigerant-carrying fluid lines 2 to a heat pump component 3 through which refrigerant flows, with each fluid line 2 having a longitudinal axis 2.1 (see FIG. 2 in this regard), whereby an imaginary se 2.1 coincident direction vector 4.1 in the course between the compressor 1 and the heat pump component 3 points at least once in a different direction than an imaginary initial direction vector 4.0 beginning at the compressor 1 and there also coinciding with the longitudinal axis 2.1, with 5 the longitudinal axis 2.1 in a room with three imaginary planes XY, XZ, YZ perpendicular to one another.

In order to suppress vibration transmission from the compressor 1, which preferably comprises an electric motor, to the at least one heat pump component 3 as much as possible, the invention now provides for the fluid line 2 to be shaped in such a way that the directional vector 4.1 runs between the compressor 1 and the heat pump component 3 and, with reference to FIG. 15, all three planes XY, XZ, YZ are configured to run rotated at least once by an angle of 180° to the initial direction vector 4.0.

As explained at the outset, this stipulation as a whole leads to an increase in the elasticity or a reduction in the rigidity of the fluid line between the compressor and the heat pump component and thus to a reduced transmission of vibrations.

25

The solution according to the invention is ultimately based on the fact that the fluid line 2 is preferably formed from a metallic material. Optionally, plastic is also preferably considered. However, the more elastic the material actually used for the fluid line is, the less the approach according to the invention is logically required In order to realize a flow of the refrigerant through the fluid line 2 that is as undisturbed as possible, it is also preferably provided that the latter is designed to be continuously curved in all of its curved regions. The term "constant" here is meant thematically. In other words, it should be provided that the fluid line 2 does not have any sharp-edged kinks. In FIG. 1, the changes in direction of the fluid line 2 are shown rounded off accordingly.

10

Provision is furthermore preferably made for the fluid line 2 to be routed at least partially around the compressor 1 and/or the heat pump component 3 in the course between the compressor 1 and the heat pump component 3 . This requirement, which further contributes to reducing vibration transmission, applies to the fluid line 2 leading from the heat pump component 3 to the compressor 1 (as the corresponding arrows show).

Finally, as mentioned at the outset, it is particularly preferred that the deflection of the fluid line 2 not only takes place by at least 180°, but preferably by at least 270°. It is particularly preferred that the fluid line 2 is shaped in such a way that the direction vector 4.1 in the course between the compressor 1 and the heat pump component 3 and in relation to one of the three planes XY, XZ, YZ makes a complete 360° turn in comparison is designed to complete the initial direction vector 4.0. In Figure 1, both fluid lines 2 shown meet exactly this requirement.

30

Furthermore, the following is preferably provided: The heat pump shown in Figures 3 to 5 consists of a housing 5, at least one load transfer element 6 arranged on an underside 5.1 of the housing 5, the compressor 1 arranged in the housing 5 vertically above the load transfer element 6 and the other compressors, also arranged in the housing 5 Heat pump components 3, wherein an elastic insulating element 7 is arranged between the compressor 1 and the load transfer element 6.

In this heat pump it is preferred that several heat pump components 3 are positioned on a common support element 8 arranged vertically above a load transfer element 6 , with an elastic insulating element 9 being arranged between the support element 8 and the load transfer element 6 .

15

It is preferred that the underside 5.1 of the housing 5 is formed from a sheet metal arranged between the load transfer element 6 and the elastic insulating element 7, 9, see Figures 4 and 5. It is also preferred that the elastic insulating element 7, 9 at least partially is formed from an elastomer, preferably polyurethane foam. In addition, it is preferred that the compressor 1 is configured to be connected to the load transfer element 6 via at least three elastic insulating elements 7 (preferably arranged at the corners of an imaginary triangle). 25

Furthermore, it is preferred that two load transfer elements 6 are arranged on the underside 5.1 of the housing 5, preferably parallel to one another. Likewise, the load transfer element 6 is preferably at least three times, preferably six times, particularly preferably eight times longer than it is wide or high and/or the load transfer element 6 is preferably longer than out Sheet formed profile rail formed. In addition, it is preferred that the compressor 1 and the support element 8 are assigned to the same load transfer element 6, see Figure 3.

In addition, it is preferred that a heat exchanger 10, preferably a plate heat exchanger, an expansion device 11, a valve device 12 and/or a refrigerant collector 13 are or is optionally arranged on the support element 8, see Figure 5. It is also preferred that the support element 8 plate-shaped, preferably made of sheet metal. The 10 plate-shaped support element 8 is provided with bevels 8.1 on the edge. This serves to stiffen the support element 8 and promotes the rigid-body vibration behavior of the heat pump. Furthermore, it is preferred that the heat pump components 3 are attached to the support element 8 . Furthermore, the support element 8 is preferably designed to be connected to the load transfer element 6 without being fixed, apart from the contact via the standing surfaces resulting from the arrangement above the load transfer element 6 . Ultimately, this passive block simply stands on the load transfer element 20 6 , with lateral displacement being prevented in particular solely by the piping to the compressor 1 .

The heat pump shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 thus has a rigid body behavior in its above-described embodiments, which leads to good insulation of the low-frequency vibrations generated by the heat pump components 3 and in particular the compressor 1. This significantly reduces noise pollution from the heat pump.

30

The heat pump shown in Figure 6 consists preferably of the compressor 1 for compressing a refrigerant and the Heat pump components 3 through which the refrigerant flows, with the compressor 1 being designed to be connected to one of the other heat pump components 3 via fluid lines 2 for guiding the refrigerant, and with the compressor 1 and the other heat pump component 3 being designed to reduce the transmission 5 of structure-borne noise via spring elements with a housing 5 of the Heat pump connected are formed.

It is preferably provided that the spring elements (actually) shown only schematically in FIG.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that a first fluid line 2 is designed as a coolant supply line to the compressor 1 and a second fluid line 2 is designed as a coolant discharge line from the compressor 1 .

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the fluid lines 2 are optionally formed from a material with a rigidity such as a metallic material and/or from a metallic material.

In this heat pump, it is also preferred that the compressor 1 and the other heat pump component 3 are firmly connected to one another exclusively on the one hand via the fluid lines 2 connecting them and on the other hand via the elastic insulating elements 7, 9 connected to the housing 5 of the heat pump. This requirement leads to a particularly good decoupling of the compressor from the other heat pump components and thus to a very low-noise heat pump. Considered in more detail, it is particularly preferred that the further heat pump component 3 is designed as a valve device, in particular as a multi-way valve.

5

Furthermore, it is particularly preferably provided that the additional heat pump component 3 is positioned on a support element 8 . It is further preferably provided that the support element 8 is designed to be connected to the housing 5 of the heat pump via the spring elements. Furthermore, it is preferably 10 provided that other heat pump components of the heat pump, such as a heat exchanger 10, an expansion device 11 and/or a refrigerant collector 13, are positioned on the support element 8. These additional, passive (because they do not produce vibrations themselves) heat pump components 3 15 advantageously form an integrated assembly on the support element 8 , which is ultimately excited to vibrate only via the fluid lines 2 .

The heat pump shown in FIG. 7 consists, in a manner known per se, first of all of a compressor 1, which operates within an operating speed range and causes at least one first-order interference frequency, for compressing a refrigerant and other heat pump components which are arranged on the support element 8 and through which the refrigerant also flows 3.

Considered somewhat more closely, it is preferably provided that at least one heat exchanger 10, a valve device 12 and/or an expansion device 30 11 are optionally arranged on the support element 8 . Furthermore, it is preferably provided that a unit consisting of the support element 8 and the heat pump components 3 arranged thereon has a first natural frequency which is greater than the first-order interference frequency 5 transmitted from the compressor 1 working in the operating speed range to the unit acting like a rigid body.

It is particularly preferably provided that the compressor 1 has an operating speed range from 700 to 7200 revolutions per minute, particularly preferably from 800 to 6900 revolutions per minute, very particularly preferably from 900 to 6600 revolutions per minute.

In addition, it is particularly preferably provided that the unit consisting of the support element 8 and the heat pump components 3 arranged thereon has a first natural frequency of more than 100 Hz, particularly preferably of more than 120 Hz, very particularly preferably of more than 140 Hz.

In order to work toward the above-mentioned condition, it is also particularly preferable for the support element 8 to have a first natural frequency that is greater than the first-order interference frequency caused by the compressor 1 working in the operating speed range.

25

In order to work even further towards the above-mentioned condition, it is also particularly preferred for each heat pump component 3 to have a first natural frequency which is greater than the first-order interference frequency caused by the compressor 1 working in the operating speed range. 30 In the event that there is also a need for action due to a corresponding choice of material for a pipework 3.1 of the heat pump components 3, it is also particularly preferred that the unit including the pipework 3.1 of the heat pump components 3 has a first natural frequency 5 that is greater than that of the compressor working in the operating speed range 1 is the first order interference frequency transmitted to the rigid body acting unit.

In other words, it is therefore preferably provided that basically based on the local natural frequencies of the individual components, a coupled natural frequency of the entire unit is determined or designed such that it is above the first-order interference frequency of the compressor 1 .

15

For example, to increase the local natural frequency, as shown in FIG. 7, it is also provided that the support element 8 is designed as a plate with a bevel 8.1 to increase its natural frequency (as already mentioned above for the heat pump according to FIGS. 3 to 5). In addition, it can preferably be provided that the support element 8 is thicker than required for the actual load.

As can be seen from FIG. 7, it is further preferably provided that the compressor 1 is designed to be fastened to the housing 5 of the heat pump via one (typically—as also shown—several) elastic insulating element(s) 7 . In a comparable manner, it is also preferably provided that the support element 8 is fastened 30 to the housing 5 of the heat pump via one (or more) elastic insulating element(s) 9 . It is further particularly preferred that the elastic insulating element 7, 9 at least partially from a

Elastomer, preferably made of polyurethane foam, is formed.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the compressor 1 and 5 of the unit, apart from the required fluid lines 2 between the compressor 1 and the unit, are designed to be able to oscillate independently of one another.

Finally, in order to ensure a uniform load on the insulating element 10 (or the insulating elements 9), it is particularly preferred that a center of gravity of the unit--by a suitable arrangement of the heat pump components 3--is chosen such that a vertical introduction of weight force occurs results in the insulating element 9 (or in the insulating elements 9). 15

Reference List

1 compressor

2 fluid line

2.1 Longitudinal axis

3 heat pump component

3.1 Piping

4.0 Initial Direction Vector

4.1 Direction Vector

5 housing

5.1 Subpage

6 load transfer element

7 elastic insulating element

8 support element

8.1 Folding

9 elastic insulating element

10 heat exchangers

11 expansion device

12 valve means

13 refrigerant collector

XY plane, perpendicular to XZ and YZ XZ plane, perpendicular to XY and YZ YZ plane, perpendicular to XY and XZ

Claims

patent claims

1. A heat pump comprising a compressor (1) which is connected via two refrigerant-carrying fluid lines (2) to a refrigerant-flow heat pump component (3), each fluid line (2) having a longitudinal axis (2.1), with an imaginary one having the longitudinal axis (2.1) coinciding direction vector (4.1) in the course between the compressor (1) and the heat pump component (3) at least once in a different direction than an imaginary, beginning at the compressor (1) and there also coincides with the longitudinal axis (2.1). initial direction vector (4.0), the longitudinal axis (2.1) being formed to run in a space with three imaginary planes (XY, XZ, YZ) standing perpendicular to one another, characterized in that the fluid line (2) is shaped in such a way that the direction vector (4.1) in the course between the compressor (1) and the heat pump component (3) and in relation to all three planes (XY, XZ, YZ) at least once through an angle of 180° rotates to the initial direction vector (4.0) is formed to run.

2. Heat pump according to claim 1, characterized in that the fluid line (2) is designed to be continuously curved at all of its curved regions.

3. Heat pump according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fluid line (2) in the course between the compressor (1) and the heat pump component (3) is at least partially optionally routed around the compressor (1) and/or the heat pump component (3). is trained.

4. Heat pump according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fluid line (2) is shaped in such a way that the direction vector (4.1) runs between the compressor (1) and the heat pump component (3) and in relation to all three Planes (XY, XZ, YZ) rotated at least once by an angle of 270 ° to the initial direction vector (4.0) is formed.

5. Heat pump according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the fluid line (2) is shaped in such a way that the direction vector (4.1) runs between the compressor (1) and the heat pump component (3) and in relation to all three Planes (XY, XZ, YZ) rotated at least once by an angle of 360 ° to the initial direction vector (4.0) is formed running.