LU103335B1 - Interconnection device for a heat exchanger block of a heat pump, heat pump, drying device and method for operating an interconnection device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection device (115) for a heat exchanger block (200) of a heat pump (110), wherein the connection device (115) comprises an inlet pipe (210) for introducing a coolant and/or refrigerant into the connection device (115), a tripod element (215) for dividing the coolant and/or refrigerant in parallel into a first temperature control circuit (220) and at least one further temperature control circuit (225), wherein the tripod element (215) is fluidically connected to the inlet pipe (210), at least one further tripod element (230) for combining the divided coolant and/or refrigerant from the first temperature control circuit (220) and the further temperature control circuit (225), and an outlet pipe (235) for releasing the coolant and/or refrigerant from the connection device (115), wherein the outlet pipe (235) is connected to the further Tripod element (230) is fluidically connected.

Description

'LU103335

Description

Interconnection device for a heat exchanger block of a heat pump, heat pump,

Drying device and method for operating a connecting device

The invention relates to a connecting device for a heat exchanger block of a heat pump, a heat pump, a drying device and a method for operating a connecting device.

DE 10 2017 118 433 A1 describes a heat exchanger for a refrigerant circuit of a

Heat pump unit for a household appliance, pipe connector and

Heat pump unit for a household appliance.

The approach presented here aims to improve

Interconnection device for a heat exchanger block of a heat pump, an improved

Heat pump, an improved drying device and an improved method for

To create an operating circuit device.

According to the invention, this problem is solved by a connection device for an i5 heat exchanger block of a heat pump, a heat pump, a drying unit and a

Method for operating a switching device with the features of

The main claims are resolved. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are described in the following dependent claims.

The presented approach can create a way to

The aim is to reduce manufacturing costs while simultaneously increasing efficiency. Furthermore, the described approach can simplify the assembly of the device and/or its individual components.

A connection device for a heat exchanger block of a heat pump is presented, wherein the connection device has an inlet pipe for introducing a

coolant and additionally or alternatively a refrigerant into the connection device, a tripod element for the parallel distribution of the coolant and additionally or alternatively the

The refrigerant flows into a first temperature control circuit and at least one further temperature control circuit, wherein the tripod element is fluidically connected to the inlet pipe. Furthermore, the

Interconnection device: at least one further tripod element for combining the divided coolant and additionally or alternatively refrigerant from the first

temperature control circuit and the further temperature control circuit as well as an outlet pipe for releasing the coolant and additionally or alternatively refrigerant from the connecting device, wherein the outlet pipe is fluidically connected to the further tripod element.

The connection device can, for example, be designed as a multi-section pipe that can be used for a heat pump. The refrigerant or cooling agent can be introduced directly into the system at a single point via the inlet pipe.

The connection device is incorporated. The tripod elements can advantageously implement a branch for the cooling medium or refrigerant. For example, the

Tripod elements can be implemented in T- and/or Y-shaped forms. Through the use of

Tripod elements can be used to implement the two temperature control circuits or to connect them together, through which the cooling agent and/or refrigerant can flow simultaneously.

Advantageously, the wiring device can be made possible by using the

Tripod elements can be manufactured cost-effectively. Furthermore, only a small amount of refrigerant or coolant is required for distribution, resulting in further cost savings. The inlet and outlet pipes, along with the late division of the temperature control circuits within the manifold, allow for a

The efficiency of the interconnection device is improved because a subcooling section with a high mass flow rate can be achieved. Advantageously, the refrigerant can be routed through the

Use of the tripod elements within the heat exchanger block on the two

Temperature control circuits are split and then rejoined.

According to one embodiment, the inlet pipe and, additionally or alternatively, the outlet pipe can be meandering, at least partially, within a wall of the

Heat exchanger blocks are arranged. Advantageously, space can be saved by having the inlet and outlet pipes pass through the wall. Through the

The meandering shape can therefore reduce the space required for connecting pipes.

The inlet pipe, the outlet pipe, the first temperature control circuit and additionally or alternatively the second temperature control circuit may have sections in different planes of the wall of the heat exchanger block, with through-hole sections for connecting the sections lying in different planes in each row of pipes made of a

Multiple rows of pipes can be arranged. The two planes can be aligned parallel to each other. The connecting device can advantageously be used to connect the sections arranged in the different planes.

They have connecting pipes that can also be aligned parallel to each other and perpendicular to the planes. The sections can be arranged in different pipe rows of the

The wiring device must be arranged. This is merely an example of how the following may be arranged:

The inlet pipe and, additionally or alternatively, the tripod element can be arranged in a second row of pipes. The further tripod element can, for example, be located in a third-to-last row.

The pipe series must be arranged from the majority of pipe series.

Furthermore, the first temperature control circuit can be located in a first area of the

The connection device may be arranged. The second temperature control circuit may be arranged in a second section of the connection device adjacent to the first section. Furthermore, the outlet pipe may be arranged in a third section of the connection device adjacent to both the first and second sections. In particular, the sections may be arranged in the same plane.

Advantageously, an overlap of the temperature control circuits can be achieved through the adjacent

The arrangement of the areas is prevented. Advantageously, the temperature control circuits can be combined in the third area.

According to one embodiment, the first temperature control circuit and the second

The temperature control circuits should have at least approximately the same length. This advantageously improves the temperature control effect on the coolant and, additionally or alternatively, on the refrigerant. At the same time, the thermal load can be distributed evenly.

Furthermore, the diameter of the inlet tube, the tripod elements, and additionally or alternatively the outlet tube can be 3.5 mm to 4.5 mm, preferably 3.9 mm to 4.2 mm, and in particular 4 mm. Advantageously, the diameter can be adjusted to accommodate a rise in a

Pressure loss is prevented. In modern heat exchangers, the

Pipe diameter is typically around 5 mm. Due to the reduced pipe diameters, including those inside the heat exchanger, a longer pipe system is possible with the same output.

Internal volume of the piping system or a reduced internal volume of the

The piping system is provided. This allows the heat exchanger to provide improved heat transfer from the piping system to the process air. If the piping system with the aforementioned pipe diameter of 3.5 mm to 4.5 mm, preferably 3.9 to 4.2 mm, is designed such that a reduced internal volume of the

Due to the piping system, the heat pump can be operated with a smaller amount of refrigerant compared to a conventional heat pump with a piping system with a pipe diameter of approximately 5 mm within the heat exchanger.

The dimensioning of the aforementioned pipe diameter is suitable for the heat pump for a

Clothes dryers are particularly well-suited or intended for this purpose. The aforementioned reduced

A pipe diameter in the range of approximately 3.5 mm to 4.5 mm, preferably 3.9 mm to approximately 4.2 mm, is specifically intended for the evaporator heat exchanger. The condenser heat exchanger and the downstream piping system can utilize a conventional design.

The pipe diameter is approximately 5 mm. The entire piping system, including the evaporator and condenser, can also be constructed with the reduced pipe diameter.

The tripod element and, additionally or alternatively, the further tripod element can be designed in a Y-shape. Advantageously, the temperature control circuits can be connected by the

Tripod elements may be limited. This also advantageously allows for a uniform [effort/effort].

A tempering effect can be achieved.

According to one embodiment, the interconnection device can first

have temperature control circuit pipe sections that are located between the tripod element and the further

The tripod element can be connected in the first temperature control circuit. Additionally or alternatively, the connection device can have second temperature control circuit pipe sections that can be connected between the tripod element and the other tripod element in the second temperature control circuit. In particular, different types of the first can be connected.

Temperature control circuit pipe sections and additionally or alternatively different of the second

Temperature control circuit pipe sections in different levels of a wall of the

The heat exchanger blocks are arranged. The temperature control circuit sections can, for example, each be implemented as a part of the previously mentioned sections and, for example, be arranged in the first and second areas of the interconnection device.

The first temperature control circuit pipe sections and additionally or alternatively the second

Temperature control circuit pipe sections can be arranged in a meandering pattern, at least partially within the wall. This advantageously allows for a compact design of the connection system.

The interconnection device can have a plurality of pipe sections that are located between the further tripod element and the outlet pipe at different levels of a

The wall of the heat exchanger block can be arranged. In particular, the majority of pipe sections can be arranged in a meandering pattern, at least partially, within the wall of the heat exchanger block.

Heat exchanger blocks. The pipe sections can, for example, be implemented as part of the previously mentioned sections and, for example, in the third area of the

A connecting device may be arranged. This could, for example, be a third temperature control circuit, which is created by combining the other two.

temperature control circuits emerge.

Furthermore, a heat pump for a drying device is presented, wherein the

The heat pump comprises a heat exchanger block, a connecting device in a previously mentioned variant, which is at least partially arranged in a wall of the heat exchanger block, and a fluid system that is fluidically coupled to the connecting device.

The heat exchanger block can advantageously be designed to accommodate a condenser and, additionally or alternatively, an evaporator for the heat pump.

The connecting device can, for example, also be described as a piping system through which the refrigerant can be routed. The fluid system can advantageously be configured to introduce the refrigerant into the connecting device and additionally or alternatively to allow the refrigerant to escape from the

To route the interconnection device.

Furthermore, a method for operating a switching device in a previously mentioned variant is presented. The method comprises a step of inserting a

Cooling agent and additionally or alternatively refrigerant into the interconnection device through the inlet pipe, as well as a step of dispensing the cooling agent and additionally or alternatively refrigerant from the interconnection device through the outlet pipe.

The process can advantageously be controlled or carried out within a drying device, which can be used, for example, as a household appliance.

Furthermore, the approach presented here creates a control unit that is designed to...

To carry out, control, or implement the steps of a variant of the procedure presented here in appropriate facilities. This variant also allows for the implementation of...

An invention in the form of a device can solve the problem underlying the invention quickly and efficiently.

The control unit can be configured to read input signals and process them under

Using the input signals to determine and provide output signals.

An input signal can, for example, be a sensor signal readable via an input interface of the control unit. An output signal can be a control signal or a

Represent a data signal that can be provided at an output interface of the control unit. The control unit can be configured to process the output signals under

To determine the use of a processing instruction implemented in hardware or software. For example, the control unit may comprise a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, or a software module and may be implemented as a discrete component or comprised of a discrete component.

Another advantage is a computer program product or computer program with

Program code stored on a machine-readable medium or storage medium such as a

It can be stored in semiconductor memory, a hard disk storage device, or optical storage. If the program product or program is stored on a computer or a

Control unit executed, so the program product or program for execution,

Implementation and/or control of the steps of the procedure according to one of the embodiments described here may be used.

Furthermore, a drying unit with a control unit and a heat pump as mentioned above, and additionally or alternatively with a switching device in a previously mentioned variant, is presented.

The drying device can advantageously be used as a standard household dryer or as a

Washer-dryer combination. Furthermore, the drying unit can generally be a

The device must have a drying function. Although the described approach is based on a household appliance, it can be applied analogously to commercial or professional equipment, such as medical devices, cleaning or disinfection equipment, small sterilizers, large-capacity disinfectors, or container washing systems.

An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings ı5 and is described in more detail below. It shows

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a

drying device;

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a

Heat pump;

Figure 3 shows a schematic enlarged representation of an embodiment of a

Interconnection device;

Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of sections of a

Interconnection device according to an exemplary embodiment;

Figure 5 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for

Operating a switching device; and

Figure 6 shows a block diagram of a control unit according to an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a

Drying unit 100. The drying unit 100 is, for example, a standard household dryer or washer-dryer for drying textiles, such as laundry. The drying unit 100 has a drum 105 for holding the textiles to be dried, which are dried using process air. For this purpose, the process air is supplied, for example, using a

Heat pump 110 dried and tempered and then directed into drum 105.

Additionally or alternatively, the drying unit 100 has a connection device 115 and a control unit 120. The connection device 115 is designed or can be designed as a component of the heat pump 110. For example, it is used to pump the

Process air is supplied by a process air blower.

The heat pump 110 has an evaporator 125 and a condenser 130, which is also referred to as a condenser, as well as a fluid system 135, wherein the

The connecting device 115 is arranged in the area of the condenser 130.

According to this embodiment, fluid system 135 has a throttle 140 and a

Compressor 145, with the throttle 140 and/or the compressor 145 between the

The evaporator 125 and the condenser 130 are arranged. Superheating the refrigerant at the outlet of the evaporator 125 ensures that the refrigerant is drawn into the compressor 145 in a gaseous state.

The heat pump 110 is described in more detail in Figure 2. The control unit 120 is designed to control and/or execute a method for operating a switching device 115 within the drying unit. For example, the

Control unit 120 is designed to control and/or execute the drying unit's device programs.

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a heat pump 110, as described in Figure 1 as part of a drying unit.

Heat pump 110 has a heat exchanger block 200 which is designed to

The condenser 130 and/or the evaporator 125 are used. The evaporator 125 is designed to condense the process air, which heats the refrigerant and/or coolant, causing it to evaporate. The refrigerant then condenses in the condenser 130.

Coolant and/or refrigerant, so that the heat generated is transferred to the process air, thereby heating it. Furthermore, the heat pump 110 features a

Interconnection device 115, as at least mentioned in Figure 1 and which is arranged at least partially in a wall 205 of the heat exchanger block 200.

Additionally, the heat pump 110 features the fluid system 135, which is fluidically connected to the

The interconnection device 115 is coupled. According to this embodiment, the

The throttle 140 of the fluid system is shown. The fluid system 135 is designed, for example, to introduce into and/or discharge the coolant and/or a refrigerant from the connection device 115.

The connecting device 115 has an inlet pipe 210 for introducing the coolant and/or refrigerant into the connecting device 115, so that the refrigerant enters the connecting device 115 via a single access point. Furthermore, the

Interconnection device 115 a tripod element 215 for the parallel division of the coolant and/or refrigerant into a first temperature control circuit 220 and at least one further

Temperature control circuit 225, wherein the tripod element 215 is fluidically connected to the inlet tube 210. Furthermore, the interconnection device 115 has at least one further

Tripod element 230 for combining the divided coolant and/or refrigerant from the first temperature control circuit 220 and the further temperature control circuit 225, as well as a

Outlet pipe 235 for draining the coolant and/or refrigerant from the

Interconnection device 115, wherein the outlet tube 235 is fluidically connected to the further tripod element 230. The tripod elements 215, 230 are arranged according to this

The embodiment is realized in a Y-shaped or T-shaped manner, so that the refrigerant flows into the two

Temperature control circuits 220 and 225 can be divided and later combined. This means that the first temperature control circuit 220 is arranged in a first area 240 of the interconnection device 115, and that the second

Temperature control circuit 225 in a second area arranged adjacent to the first area 240

The outlet pipe 235 is arranged in a third area 250 of the connection device 115, which is adjacent to the first area 240 and the second area 245. More precisely, the

Areas 240, 245, and 250 are arranged in the same plane, so that there is no overlap.

Areas 240, 245, 250 and the temperature control circuits 220, 225 are affected. The two

Temperature control circuits 220 and 225 have at least approximately the same length. A

Diameter of the inlet tube 210, the tripod elements 215, 230 and/or the

The diameter of the outlet pipe 235 is, for example, 3.5 mm to 4.5 mm, preferably 3.9 mm to 4.2 mm, preferably 4 mm.

Figure 3 shows a schematic enlarged representation of an embodiment of a

Interconnection device 115, as described or at least mentioned, for example, in at least one of Figures 1 to 2. According to this embodiment, the inlet pipe 210 and/or the outlet pipe 235 are arranged in a meandering pattern, at least partially, within the wall 205 of the heat exchanger block. The temperature control device 115 has a plurality of sections 300, 305 arranged in different planes. However, according to this embodiment, only the sections 300 on one side of the wall 205 are shown. The sections 305 are arranged on the opposite side of the wall 205, which is why the sections 305 are not shown in Figure 3. The sections 300, 305, and thus the different planes, are shown according to this

Exemplary embodiment connected by means of vias sections 310 which are oriented transversely to sections 300, 305.

Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of sections 300, 305 of a

Interconnection device 115 according to an embodiment, which corresponds, for example, to or at least resembles the interconnection device described in at least one of Figures 1 to 3. More precisely, according to this embodiment, a

The pipe system of the interconnection device 115 is shown with its meandering shape.

Sections 300 and 305 are located on a different level. Furthermore, sections 300 and 305, and thus the different levels, are distinguished by a plurality of

The vias 310 are connected to each other. In other words, the inlet tube 210, the outlet tube 235, the first temperature control circuit 220, and/or the second temperature control circuit 225 have sections 300 and 305 in different planes of the wall 205, which are arranged in different planes. The vias 310 are arranged in each tube row 400, consisting of a plurality of tube rows, to connect the sections 300 and 305 located in different planes. According to this embodiment, the vias 305 are configured as

Connecting pipes between sections 300 and 305 were installed and run transversely to the

sections 300, 305. For example, the inlet pipe 210 and the

Tripod element 215 is arranged in a second of the tube rows 315. The further tripod element 230 is arranged, merely as an example, in a third-to-last of the tube rows 315. According to this embodiment, the tripod elements 215 and 230 are arranged in the same plane as the sections 300 and are thus designed as part of the sections 300.

Sections 300, which lie between the tripod element 215 and the further tripod element 230

The first temperature control circuit, which is 220V, is also, for example, the first.

Temperature control circuit pipe sections 402 and 405 were implemented. Sections 300 and 305, which run between the

Tripod element 215 and the further tripod element 230 are connected in the second temperature control circuit 225, and are therefore realized as second temperature control circuit pipe sections 410, 415.

This involves different sections of the first temperature control circuit pipes 402, 405 and/or

Different aspects of the second temperature control circuit pipe sections 410, 415 in the different

Planes of the wall of the heat exchanger block are arranged. More precisely, they are arranged in a meandering pattern, at least partially within the wall. Sections 300 and 305, which are located between the further tripod element 230 and the outlet pipe 235 in different

Planes of the wall are switched and meander through the wall, for example, as pipe sections 420, 425.

In other words, this embodiment describes a condenser circuit with preferably 4 mm pipes. Key features include the refrigerant entering the circuit 115 through only one pipe, described here as the inlet pipe 210, and the inlet in the second of the

Pipe series 315. This achieves a so-called 1-2-1 configuration. This means that the refrigerant enters the connection device 115 via a single inlet pipe 210 and passes through the tripod element 215, which is also referred to simply as the tripod.

is divided into at least two parallel temperature control circuits 220, 225 before being submerged

The further tripod element 230 is combined into a common third circuit with a subsequent subcooling section and is connected via a single

Outlet pipe 235 exits. The parallel temperature control circuits 220, 225, for example, have

At least approximately the same pipe length. The refrigerant is then combined and further cooled, for example, on 33% of the total pipe length.

Interconnection device 115.

Figure 5 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method 500 for

Operating a switching device as described or mentioned in at least one of Figures 1 to 4. Method 500 comprises a step 505 of the

Introducing a coolant and/or refrigerant into the connection device by the

inlet pipe as well as a step 510 of the discharge of the coolant and/or refrigerant from the connecting device through the outlet pipe.

Figure 6 shows a block diagram of a control unit 120 according to an embodiment, i5 which corresponds, for example, to the control unit described in Figure 1 and is therefore suitable for a

The drying device is used. The control unit 120 is configured to control and/or execute a method for operating a switching device, as described, for example, in Figure 5. The control unit 120 has a

Inlet unit 600, which is designed to allow the inlet of a coolant and/or

to cause refrigerant to enter the switching device through the inlet pipe. Furthermore, the control unit 120 has an outlet unit designed to allow the release of the

to cause coolant and/or refrigerant to escape from the connection device through the outlet pipe.

Claims (15)

Patent claims 1. Interconnection device (115) for a heat exchanger block (200) of a heat pump (110), wherein the interconnection device (115) has the following features: - an inlet pipe (210) for introducing a coolant and/or refrigerant into the interconnection device (115); - a tripod element (215) for dividing the coolant and/or refrigerant in parallel into a first temperature control circuit (220) and at least one further temperature control circuit (225), wherein the tripod element (215) is fluidically connected to the inlet pipe (210); - at least one further tripod element (230) for combining the divided coolant and/or refrigerant from the first temperature control circuit (220) and the further temperature control circuit (225); and - an outlet pipe (235) for releasing the coolant and/or refrigerant from the interconnection device (115), wherein the outlet pipe (235) is fluidically connected to the further tripod element (230). 2. Interconnection device (115) according to claim 1, wherein the inlet pipe (210) and/or the outlet pipe (235) is or are arranged in a meandering shape at least partially in a wall (205) of the heat exchanger block (200). 3. Interconnection device (115) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet pipe (210) and/or the outlet pipe (235) and/or the first temperature control circuit (220) and/or the second temperature control circuit (225) has sections (300, 305) in different planes of the wall of the heat exchanger block (200), wherein through-hole sections (310) for connecting the sections (300, 305) lying in different planes are arranged in each tube row (115) of a plurality of tube rows (400). 4. Interconnection device (115) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first temperature control circuit (220) is arranged in a first region (240) of the interconnection device (115), wherein the second temperature control circuit (225) is arranged in a second region (245) of the interconnection device (115) adjacent to the first region (240), wherein the outlet pipe (235) is arranged in a third region (250) of the interconnection device (115) adjacent to the first region (240) and the second region (245), in particular wherein the regions (240, 245, 250) are arranged in the same plane. 5. Interconnection device (115) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first temperature control circuit (220) and the second temperature control circuit (225) have at least approximately the same length. 6. Interconnection device (115) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the diameter of the inlet tube (210) and/or the tripod elements (215, 230) and/or the outlet tube (235) is 3.5 mm to 4.5 mm, preferably 3.9 mm to 4.2 mm, in particular 4 mm. 7. Interconnection device (115) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tripod element (215) and/or the further tripod element (210) is or are Y-shaped. 8. Interconnection device (115) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising first temperature control circuit pipe sections (402, 405) which are connected between the tripod element (215) and the further tripod element (230) in the first temperature control circuit (220), and/or comprising second temperature control circuit pipe sections (410, 415) which are connected between the tripod element (215) and the further tripod element (230) in the second temperature control circuit (225), in particular wherein different of the first temperature control circuit pipe sections (402, 405) and/or different of the second temperature control circuit pipe sections (410, 415) are arranged in different planes of a wall (205) of the heat exchange block (200). 9. Interconnection device (115) according to claim 8, wherein the first temperature control circuit pipe sections (402, 405) and/or the second temperature control circuit pipe sections (410, 415) are arranged in a meandering manner at least partially in the wall (205). 10. Interconnection device (115) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of pipe sections (420, 425) arranged between the further tripod element (230) and the outlet pipe (235) in different planes of a wall (205) of the heat exchange block (200), in particular wherein the plurality of pipe sections (420, 425) are arranged in a meandering pattern at least partially in the wall (205) of the heat exchange block (200). 11. Heat pump (110) for a drying unit (100), wherein the heat pump (110) has the following features: - a heat exchange block (200); - a connecting device (115) according to one of the preceding claims, which is arranged at least partially in a wall (205) of the heat exchange block (200); and - a fluid system (135) which is fluidically coupled to the connecting device (115). 12. Method (500) for operating a connecting device (115) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the method (500) comprises the following steps: - Inlet (505) of a coolant and/or refrigerant into the connecting device (115) through the inlet pipe (210); and - Outlet (510) of the coolant and/or refrigerant from the connecting device (115) through the outlet pipe (235). 13. Control unit (120) configured to execute and/or control the steps (505, 510) of the method (500) according to claim 12 in corresponding units (600, 605). 14. Computer program product with program code for carrying out the method (500) according to claim 12, when the computer program product is executed on a control unit (120) according to claim 13. 15. Drying device (100) with a control unit (120) according to claim 13, with a heat pump (110) according to claim 11 and/or with a connecting device (115) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.