Refrigerant storage unit with heating fluid flow through a heating line section, thermal management system with such a refrigerant storage unit, and motor vehicle with such a thermal management system

Abstract

A refrigerant storage unit (10) of a refrigeration system (60) for a motor vehicle (100) is described, wherein the refrigerant storage unit (10) is connected to at least one heating device which is in thermal contact with the housing (12) of the refrigerant storage unit (10). The heating device is provided to have at least one heating conductor section (24) extending along and / or through the housing (12), through which a heating fluid flows. Furthermore, a thermal management system with such a refrigerant storage unit (10) and a motor vehicle with such a thermal management system are described.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a refrigerant reservoir of a refrigeration system according to the preamble of claim 1 for a motor vehicle, wherein the refrigerant reservoir is connected to at least one heating device that is in thermal communication with the housing of the refrigerant reservoir. Furthermore, the invention relates to a thermal management system having such a refrigerant reservoir and a motor vehicle having such a thermal management system.

[0002] Such a refrigerant storage device is known, for example, from US Pat. No. 5,233,842 A. Furthermore, it is known from the prior art to provide an electric heating device on a refrigerant storage device, particularly on the low-pressure side of a refrigeration system, in order to heat the refrigerant as needed during operation of the refrigeration system. Reference is made, for example, to DE 102 52 063 A1, DE 10 2018 205 432 A1, DE 10 2017 208 227 A1, and DE 10 2017 208 225 A1. In addition, reference is made to DE 10 2021 131 215 A1, which discloses a refrigeration system having a heat exchanger connected to a coolant circuit.

[0003] Heating the refrigerant can be particularly advantageous during service work on the refrigeration system, as it supports the essentially complete removal of the refrigerant from the refrigeration system (emptying the refrigeration system). Furthermore, heating the refrigerant can also be advantageous in a refrigeration system, especially if it has a heat pump function.

[0004] The object underlying the invention is to provide a refrigerant storage device that can be heated in an energy-efficient manner, in particular using heat sources already present in a motor vehicle.

[0005] This object is achieved by a refrigerant storage device, a thermal management system, and a motor vehicle having the features of the respective independent patent claim. Advantageous embodiments with useful further developments are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0006] The invention therefore proposes a refrigerant reservoir for a refrigeration system for a motor vehicle, wherein the refrigerant reservoir is connected to at least one heating device that is in thermal communication with the housing of the refrigerant reservoir. The heating device comprises at least one heating line section extending along and / or through the housing, through which a heating fluid flows.

[0007] By means of one or more such heating line sections, it is possible to heat refrigerant contained in the refrigerant storage tank due to a heat transfer from the heating fluid to the housing and the refrigerant contained therein.

[0008] In the coolant storage device, the heating line section can be part of a coolant circuit configured to cool at least one component of the motor vehicle. In particular, the coolant circuit can be provided to cool an electrical component, such as an electric drive unit and / or a high-voltage battery.

[0009] If the heating line section is part of such a coolant circuit, the coolant itself that dissipates waste heat can be used as a heat source to heat the refrigerant in the refrigerant storage tank.

[0010] In addition, controllable electrical heating elements can be provided in the coolant circuit, which in turn transfer heat to the coolant so that the coolant can temper a refrigerant and / or at least a refrigerant storage unit.

[0011] In the case of the refrigerant storage unit, the heating line section is part of a ventilation device or a ventilation system for an interior of the motor vehicle, which is designed to convey tempered ambient air and / or recirculated air.

[0012] This makes it possible, in particular, to convey tempered air to the refrigerant storage unit so that its housing is acted upon or flowed around by air, which leads to the desired heating of the housing or the refrigerant contained therein.

[0013] In this context, reference is also made to the German patent application filed by the applicant at the same time, entitled “Air conditioning system for a motor vehicle with a heating air duct section to a refrigerant storage device and motor vehicle with such an air conditioning system”.

[0014] The refrigerant storage unit can have a jacket housing that at least partially surrounds the housing, with a gap formed between an inner side of the jacket housing and an outer side of the housing forming the heating line section. The jacket housing can also completely or almost completely surround or enclose the housing. This makes it possible to heat the refrigerant storage unit at least partially or essentially completely, but in any case evenly, when the heating fluid is conveyed through the gap.

[0015] In the refrigerant storage tank, the heating line section can run in a loop-like manner around the housing or in a loop-like manner within the housing, particularly in the form of a heating line coil. This makes it possible, depending on the dimensions of the coil, to specifically heat a part or section of the refrigerant storage tank or the entire refrigerant storage tank. For example, a heating coil can be arranged in a lower area, such as a lower half or a lower third, of the refrigerant storage tank, where a liquid portion of the refrigerant is present, which should be evaporated and extracted as completely as possible during service-related drainage.

[0016] In the refrigerant storage unit, the flow of heating fluid through the heating line section can be adjusted as needed, in particular, enabled or interrupted. For this purpose, the heating line section can be opened or closed, for example, by means of a shut-off device, such as a valve or flap, so that, for example, coolant from the coolant circuit or air from the ventilation system can be directed to the refrigerant storage unit as needed.

[0017] Furthermore, a thermal management system for a motor vehicle is proposed, comprising a refrigerant circuit, a coolant circuit, and an interior ventilation system, wherein the refrigerant circuit and the coolant circuit are thermally connected to one another by at least one heat exchanger. It is provided that a refrigerant accumulator as described above is arranged in the refrigerant circuit, wherein the heating line section of the refrigerant accumulator is fluidly connected to the coolant circuit or to the ventilation system.

[0018] The refrigerant storage unit can be designed, in particular, as a low-pressure refrigerant storage unit or as a so-called refrigerant accumulator. In other words, the refrigerant storage unit is provided on a low-pressure side of the refrigeration system, in particular downstream of a conventional evaporator and upstream of a conventional refrigerant compressor of the refrigeration system.

[0019] A motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine and / or electric drive can be equipped with such a thermal management system.

[0020] Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the figures. Fig. 1 shows a simplified and schematic example of a refrigerant storage tank with a heating line section in a sectional view; Fig. 2 shows a simplified and schematic example of a refrigerant storage tank with heating line section in a sectional view; Fig. 3 shows a simplified and schematic example of a refrigerant storage unit with a heating line section in a sectional view; Fig. 4 shows a simplified and schematic example of a refrigerant storage unit with a heating line section in a sectional view; Fig. 5 shows us a simplified and schematic example of a thermal management system with a refrigerant storage tank. Fig. Figure 1 shows a simplified and schematic sectional view of a refrigerant storage device 10. The refrigerant storage device 10 has a housing 12 that defines and at least partially encloses an interior space 14 of the refrigerant storage device.

[0021] The refrigerant storage 10 further comprises a refrigerant inlet 16 and a refrigerant outlet 18, which are connected to a Fig. 1. The arrangement of the refrigerant inlet 16 and the refrigerant outlet 18 shown here on the top side of the housing 12 is purely exemplary; they could also be arranged on the side of the housing 12. A more detailed sketch or illustration of the interior of the refrigerant storage unit 10 is omitted here, since the functionality described below is independent of this.

[0022] In the example of Fig. 1, the housing 12 of the refrigerant storage unit 10 is completely surrounded or enclosed by a jacket housing 20. This creates a gap ZR between an inner side 20i of the jacket housing 20 and an outer side 12a of the housing 12. In this example, the gap ZR serves as a heating line section 24 through which a heating fluid can flow.

[0023] In this example, the heating line section 24 is designed as a hollow cylinder, allowing the heating fluid to flow around essentially the entire housing 12. In further embodiments, it is conceivable to reduce the vertical dimension of the hollow cylinder and thus allow heating fluid to flow around or act upon the refrigerant storage unit 10 only in sections. In particular, the hollow cylinder or the casing 20 can be arranged in a lower half or a lower third of the vertical dimension of the refrigerant storage unit 10.

[0024] The heating line section 24 comprises a heating fluid inlet 26 and a heating fluid outlet 28.

[0025] The heating fluid inlet 26 and the heating fluid outlet 28 can, for example, be connected to a Fig. 1 not shown coolant circuit, so that a coolant circulating and conditioned in the coolant circuit can be used as heating fluid.

[0026] The heating line section 24 can be opened or closed as needed by means of at least one shut-off device 30, such as a shut-off valve or the like, shown as an example at the heating fluid inlet 26, so that the flow of heating fluid around the housing 12 of the refrigerant reservoir can be enabled or prevented. As an alternative to the shut-off device 30 located upstream of the refrigerant reservoir 10, it can also be provided downstream of the refrigerant reservoir 10.

[0027] In Fig. 2 shows a simplified and schematic representation of another example of a refrigerant storage device 10. The same reference numerals in Fig. 2 denote the same parts of the refrigerant storage 10 as above with reference to the Fig. 1, so that a further explanation or enumeration is not necessary.

[0028] In the example of Fig. 2, the heating line section 24 is guided through an interior space 14 of the refrigerant storage unit 10, which is defined by the housing 12. Accordingly, such a heating line section 24 directly heats both the housing 12 and the refrigerant volume in the interior space 14.

[0029] A heating line section 24 running through the interior 14 of the housing 12 also has a heating fluid inlet 26 and a heating fluid outlet 28.

[0030] The heating fluid inlet 26 and the heating fluid outlet 28 can, for example, be connected to a Fig. 2 not shown coolant circuit, so that a coolant circulating in the coolant circuit can be used as heating fluid.

[0031] The heating line section 24 can be opened or closed as required by means of at least one shut-off device 30, such as a shut-off valve, changeover valve, metering valve or the like, shown as an example at the heating fluid outlet 28, so that the flow of heating fluid through the heating line section 24 can be enabled or prevented.

[0032] From the overview of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 it can be seen that a shut-off device with respect to a flow direction of heating fluid through the heating line section 24 on the inlet side ( Fig. 1) or output side ( Fig. 2) can be provided.

[0033] Fig. 3 shows another example of a refrigerant storage 10. The same reference numerals in Fig. 3 denote the same parts of the refrigerant storage 10 as above with reference to the Fig. 1, so that a further explanation or enumeration is not necessary.

[0034] In this example, the heating line section 24 runs several times through the interior 14 of the housing 12, so that the heating line section 24 which is in thermal connection with the refrigerant storage 10 has a greater flow length than, for example, the heating line section 24 in the example of Fig. 2.

[0035] The heating line section 24, which runs several times through the interior 14 of the housing 12, also has a heating fluid inlet 26 and a heating fluid outlet 28.

[0036] The heating fluid inlet 26 and the heating fluid outlet 28 can, for example, be connected to a Fig. 3 not shown coolant circuit, so that a coolant circulating in the coolant circuit can be used as heating fluid.

[0037] The heating line section 24 can be opened or closed as required by means of at least one shut-off device 30, such as a shut-off valve or the like, shown as an example at the heating fluid inlet 26, so that the flow of heating fluid through the heating line section 24 can be enabled or prevented.

[0038] Fig. 4 shows another example of a refrigerant storage 10. The same reference numerals in Fig. 4 denote the same parts of the refrigerant storage 10 as above with reference to the Fig. 1, so that a further explanation or enumeration is not necessary.

[0039] In this example, the heating line section 24 runs helically along an inner circumference, preferably in the lower section of the housing 12 of the refrigerant storage unit 10. Such a helical configuration of the heating line section 24 can also be arranged along an outer circumference of the housing 12.

[0040] The heating line section 24, which runs spirally in the housing 12, also has a heating fluid inlet 26 and a heating fluid outlet 28.

[0041] The heating fluid inlet 26 and the heating fluid outlet 28 can, for example, be connected to a Fig. 4 not shown coolant circuit, so that a coolant circulating in the coolant circuit can be used as heating fluid.

[0042] The heating line section 24 can be opened or closed as required by means of at least one shut-off device 30, such as a shut-off valve or the like, shown as an example at the heating fluid inlet 26, so that the flow of heating fluid through the heating line section 24 can be enabled or prevented.

[0043] The examples of refrigerant storage units with heating line sections 24 through which a heating fluid flows shown here show possible configurations in a simplified and schematic manner. In particular, the dimensions and / or geometrical profiles of the heating line sections 24 shown can also be configured differently on a refrigerant storage unit 10.

[0044] If, for example, air from a ventilation system (not shown) is to be used as the heating fluid, a flow cross-section of the heating line section 24 can be designed to be larger than in the case of a heating line section through which a coolant flows as the heating fluid.

[0045] Fig. 5 shows a simplified and schematic view of a thermal management system 50 for a motor vehicle 100.

[0046] The thermal management system 50 comprises a refrigeration system 60, which forms a refrigerant circuit 60k.

[0047] The refrigeration system 60 is shown here purely as an example as a kind of extended basic system, which can, however, also have further components not shown here, such as additional heat exchangers, for example a heating register, and the like.

[0048] The refrigeration system 60 comprises a refrigerant compressor 62, a first heat exchanger 64, in particular a gas cooler or condenser, a second heat exchanger 66, in particular an evaporator, and a low-pressure side refrigerant storage 10. The refrigerant storage 10 can in particular be designed according to one of the above examples of Fig. 1 to 4 must be executed.

[0049] Optionally, the refrigeration system can have an internal heat exchanger 70. Furthermore, the refrigeration system can optionally have a third heat exchanger 72, in particular a chiller, which is connected to a coolant circuit 74, wherein the coolant circuit 74 is configured to cool at least one electrical component of the motor vehicle, such as an electric drive device, high-voltage battery, or the like.

[0050] From the Fig. 5 also shows, in a highly simplified manner, the heating line section 24 which leads from the coolant circuit 74 to the refrigerant storage 10. It is pointed out that in the Fig. 5 the heating line section 24 is shown only as a line, without a supply / return line to or from the refrigerant storage 10 being explicitly shown.

[0051] The refrigeration system 60 comprises at least one service connection 76.

[0052] In the example shown, the refrigeration system 60 has a low-pressure side first service connection 76-1 and a high-pressure side service connection 76-2.

[0053] The low-pressure side service connection 76-1 is arranged downstream of the second heat exchanger 66 or the optional third heat exchanger 72.

[0054] The low-pressure side service connection 76-1 can be arranged upstream or downstream of the refrigerant storage 10, which is illustrated by the dashed representation of the first service connection 76-1.

[0055] Alternatively, it is also possible for the service connection 76-1 not to be provided on a line section of the refrigerant circuit, but rather to be arranged on a housing of the refrigerant storage unit 10 or on a service line 78 connected to the housing of the refrigerant storage unit 10. The service line 78, as a passive line section, is separate from the refrigerant lines through which refrigerant circulates during refrigeration system operation.

[0056] In addition, Fig. 5 illustrates an extraction device 80 separate from the refrigeration system 60, which is or is coupled to at least one service connection 76-1, 76-2, which is illustrated by the dashed connecting lines.

[0057] The suction device 80 can in particular be coupled to the first, low-pressure side service connection 76-1 and the second, high-pressure side service connection 76-2.

[0058] Finally, with regard to heating refrigerant during service work using a suction device 80 and with regard to a corresponding method, reference is made to the German patent application filed concurrently by the applicant entitled "Method for emptying a refrigeration system of a motor vehicle and refrigeration system for carrying out the method." For example, a refrigerant storage device 10 described above can be used in the method and refrigeration system described therein.

Claims

[1] Refrigerant storage device (10) of a refrigeration system (60) for a motor vehicle (100), wherein the refrigerant storage device (10) is connected to at least one heating device which is in thermal connection with the housing (12) of the refrigerant storage device (10), wherein the heating device has at least one heating line section (24) running along the housing (12) and / or through the housing (12), through which a heating fluid flows, characterized by that the heating line section (24) is part of a ventilation device for an interior of the motor vehicle (100), which is designed to convey tempered ambient air and / or recirculating air. [2] Refrigerant storage device (10) according to claim 1, characterized byin that it has a jacket housing (20) which at least partially surrounds the housing (12), wherein an intermediate space (ZR) which is formed between an inner side (20i) of the jacket housing (20) and an outer side (12a) of the housing (12) forms the heating line section (24). [3] Refrigerant storage device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the heating line section (24) runs in a loop-like manner around the housing (12) or in a loop-like manner within the housing (12), in particular in the manner of a heating line coil. [4] Refrigerant storage (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the flow of heating fluid through the heating line section (24) can be adjusted as required, in particular can be enabled or interrupted. [5] Thermal management system (50) for a motor vehicle with a refrigerant circuit (60k), a coolant circuit (74), an interior ventilation system, wherein the refrigerant circuit (60k) and the coolant circuit (74) are in thermal communication with each other by at least one heat exchanger (72), characterized by that a refrigerant accumulator (10) according to one of the preceding claims is arranged in the refrigerant circuit (60k), wherein the heating line section (24) of the refrigerant accumulator (10) is fluidically connected to the ventilation system. [6] Motor vehicle (100) with internal combustion engine and / or electric drive and with a thermal management system (50) according to claim 5.

Images