Combination of a refrigerant accumulator and an internal heat exchanger for a refrigerant, connection member, internal heat exchanger and accumulator

Abstract

A combination (10) of a refrigerant accumulator (14) and an internal heat exchanger (16) includes a central portion (12) having fluid sections (24, 26), to which the accumulator (14) and heat exchanger (16) are attachable. A connecting member includes at least four fluid ports (24, 26), and components of the refrigerant circuit, particularly the accumulator (14) and / or heat exchanger (16), are mountable to the connecting member on at least two opposite sides.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a combination of a refrigerant accumulator and an internal heat exchanger for refrigerants, connecting components, the internal heat exchanger, and the accumulator. Background Technology

[0002] It is necessary to provide internal heat exchangers in vehicle air conditioning systems, especially when using newer refrigerants such as R744. A particular challenge here is limiting or preventing unwanted heat transfer from the heat exchanger to the storage area of ​​the accumulator, as this would impair efficiency. Furthermore, such combined components have a considerable longitudinal extension, which can lead to assembly and compatibility issues, as well as limitations in installation space. Finally, it is always necessary to be able to manufacture these components as cost-effectively as possible.

[0003] For example, the referenced components are known from US 2020 0047098A1, DE 10 2006 031197B4 and CN 000101799232B. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Technical issues

[0005] In this context, one object of the present invention is to provide an efficient combination of a refrigerant accumulator and an internal heat exchanger that can be manufactured in a cost-effective manner.

[0006] Solution to the problem

[0007] This objective is achieved by the combination described in claim 1, characterized by a central portion having a fluid port and two end portions, one of which is configured as an energy storage device and the other as a heat exchanger. The various components of the end portions, particularly the cap or cup-shaped portions as will be described in more detail below, can be attached to the central portion, and in particular, can be welded to the central portion, which can be achieved in a particularly simple manner by means of a single fillet weld. In any case, the central portion ensures that the functions of energy storage and heat transfer are spatially separated, thereby significantly limiting unwanted heat transfer from the heat exchanger to the storage area of ​​the energy storage device and improving efficiency.

[0008] According to the invention, all fluid ports can also be concentrated in the central portion, so that only the central portion needs to be processed in a suitable manner, such as by machining, which reduces manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the central portion can include any fastening devices, making corresponding devices on the end portions unnecessary and simplifying them. The central portion can advantageously be formed as a single piece. The central portion can also be referred to as a central flange and can be formed as an extruded component in a particularly effective manner. Alternatively, the central portion can be formed as a cast component, in which case the two halves of the central portion can taper a few degrees to facilitate release from the mold. The fastening devices concentrated in the central portion further simplify assembly.

[0009] Finally, the accumulator and heat exchanger can be constructed independently of each other in terms of size.

[0010] The outer casing of the aforementioned assembly constitutes a pressure vessel, inside which the pressure level of the accumulator section is dominant and corresponds to the low pressure of the refrigerant circuit. In idling mode, the entire low-pressure side volume of the accumulator and internal heat exchanger serves as a compensation volume for the refrigerant contained in the refrigerant circuit and prevents unacceptably high idling pressures.

[0011] To compensate for refrigerant losses due to unavoidable leaks at the compressor shaft and circuit junctions, the system (accumulator) typically contains slightly more refrigerant than required for operation. The more additional refrigerant, the longer the service interval for the air conditioning system. The amount of additional refrigerant introduced depends on the size of the compensation volume.

[0012] In the case of small pressure vessels, such as modular components, the free internal volume should not exceed one liter to avoid the special requirements of pressure vessel regulations. Advantageously, below the one-liter limit avoids the need for annual maintenance.

[0013] Therefore, according to existing technology, no combined component has ever exceeded one liter of free internal volume. The need for more additional refrigerant or longer service intervals is technically limited here. A second pressure vessel with the sole purpose of compensating for volume conflicts with all aspects of economy, cost, installation space, and weight.

[0014] Due to its design or structure, the outer shell of the combined component according to the invention constitutes a series connection of two pressure vessels, allowing a total free volume of up to nearly two liters to be used as compensation volume for additional refrigerant. This requires almost no significant additional effort and greatly increases the flexibility to meet requirements, for example, those of automotive manufacturers. The accumulator section and the heat exchanger section constitute separate pressure vessels and are connected in series with each other by means of internal pipe connections (indicated by 28 in the figures) rather than by means of external pipes. Meanwhile, both the accumulator and the heat exchanger maintain a size of less than one liter.

[0015] Preferred embodiments of the combination according to the invention are described in the further claims.

[0016] Preferably, at least one end portion comprises a one-piece cap or a one-piece cup. In particular, the caps or cups of both end portions can have the same design to reduce part variety. This further contributes to cost reduction, as a separate container for said portion can be eliminated.

[0017] In terms of the required pressure resistance, it is preferred that at least one cap or at least one cup includes a hemispherical or semi-elliptical portion.

[0018] Furthermore, the number of individual components can be reduced in a favorable and cost-effective manner, as the central section also includes a hydrocyclone for separating the liquid phase from the gas phase at the accumulator inlet.

[0019] As mentioned above, for reasons of efficiency during manufacturing and ease of assembly, it is preferable that the central section also includes at least one fastening device.

[0020] The fastening device can be accommodated in the opening in the central section in a particularly simple manner.

[0021] Furthermore, the fluid port can be advantageously tilted relative to the longitudinal axis of the assembly, for example, to predetermine the flow direction entering the hydrocyclone.

[0022] In the sense of symmetrical design, the fluid port can be set in the center of the central part, but if the installation situation requires, the fluid port can also be set off-center or off-center.

[0023] To minimize unnecessary heat transfer from the heat exchanger to the accumulator, there is an additional advantage if the heat exchanger is positioned above the accumulator in the installed state.

[0024] Furthermore, the invention is embodied in the connecting member formed by the aforementioned central portion, which includes at least four fluid ports, to which components of the refrigerant circuit can be mounted on at least two opposite sides. The central portion or connecting member may also advantageously include at least one connector located between the end portions or components to be attached.

[0025] Finally, the invention also includes an internal heat exchanger or refrigerant accumulator that can be installed such that the fluid port is directed to another component, such as the accumulator or heat exchanger, rather than to an external pipeline as is common with separate components in the prior art. Regarding the combined component, this corresponds to the fact that the two components, namely the internal heat exchanger and the refrigerant accumulator, are located on opposite sides of the central portion, which makes the aforementioned advantages possible. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Embodiments of the present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings illustrate the following:

[0027] Figure 1 The first embodiment is shown in a perspective view;

[0028] Figure 2 It shows crossing Figure 1 Cross-section of the central portion of the embodiment shown;

[0029] Figures 3 to 5 It shows crossing Figure 1 Various longitudinal sections of the embodiments shown;

[0030] Figure 6 A perspective view of the second embodiment is shown;

[0031] Figure 7 and Figure 8 It shows crossing Figure 6 Various cross-sections of the embodiments shown;

[0032] Figures 9 to 11 It shows crossing Figure 6 Various longitudinal sections of the embodiments shown. Detailed Implementation

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, the assembly 10 according to the invention generally includes a central section 12, an energy storage unit 14, and an internal heat exchanger 16. Figure 1 In the overall perspective view, only the outer cup-shaped containers of the accumulator 14 and the internal heat exchanger 16 are visible, which have generally hemispherical ends. In the case shown, these containers are shaped in the same way to reduce part variety, and each container is connected to the central portion 12 by means of welds 18.

[0034] exist Figure 2 You can see more details in the middle. Figure 1 The fluid ports and fastening devices 20 are shown on the central portion 12. The fastening device 20 may include a damping block 22 made of a suitable soft material and may be inserted with a pin into a hole or opening 44 in the central portion 12. Two high-pressure ports 24 leading to the heat exchanger 16 and two low-pressure ports 26 leading to the accumulator are formed in the central portion 12, which is the only part requiring machining. The central portion 12 also includes a passage 28, in this case located centrally, for connection between the heat exchanger 16 and the accumulator 14. (As shown in...) Figure 2 As is clearly visible, the central portion can be constructed to be roughly cylindrical, and flat sections can be provided in those areas where fluid ports are located, such as... Figure 1 This can also be seen from the text.

[0035] like Figure 3 The high-pressure inlet 24 is clearly visible, and the pipeline connecting this inlet to the spiral section 30 of the heat exchanger 16 can be positioned relative to the longitudinal axis (in... Figure 1 and Figures 3 to 5 The pipeline, which is vertically inclined, is advantageously not constructed as a separate pipe, but rather as an internal conduit in the form of a bore or channel. This also applies to the high-pressure outlet 24.2 and the low-pressure side outlet (…). Figure 3 (slightly to the left of center) and further applicable to the supply channel leading to the low-pressure side cyclone separator 32, such as Figure 3 As shown, the cyclone separator 32 can be advantageously integrated into the central portion 12. Even if not shown, the channel can lead to the cyclone separator 32, particularly tangentially, to provide a favorable flow direction in an efficient manner. The inclined channel can be produced with an acceptable workload by means of machining, and also offers the advantage that the central portion 12 can thus be constructed to be compact and lightweight. However, in particular, if the central portion 12 is formed as an extruded part or a casting, and thus can therefore economically form a port protruding relative to the surface of the cylindrical shell, the illustrated supply line can also extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0036] The accumulator 14 also includes: a deflector 34; a container 36 for a desiccant in the form of a non-woven bag, however, the container 36 may also be located in the area of ​​the heat exchanger 16; and a suction pipe 40, which is located in... Figure 3 and Figure 4The central connector 28 is not visible, but it has an oil drain opening at its lower end. Liquid refrigerant drips into the storage volume of the accumulator 14 through the annular gap between the outer walls of the deflector 34 and the cyclone separator 32. Gaseous refrigerant is drawn in through the annular gap between the central connector 28 and the suction pipe 40, as described below. The inlet is located above the deflector 34. The gas phase first flows downward in the annular gap described above into the so-called oil trough of the accumulator, where the gas phase takes in and returns a certain amount of oil through the so-called oil sniffing hole. Then, the gas phase, together with the oil, transfers to the central connector 28 and flows upward into the heat exchanger 16 according to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] Therefore, the connector 28 extends upward into the upper region of the heat exchanger 16, in which the helical portion 30 is located in the outer region and the flow guide 38 is located radially inward. The helical portion 30 can be made of a generally smooth tube, but preferably includes radial ribs on the outer side to improve efficiency. As for the deflector, it is discussed that it is not constructed as a thin disc as is common in the prior art, but rather forms an annular channel from top to bottom, rather than an annular gap. This prevents part of the gas phase from entering the accumulator volume and agitating the separated liquid in the accumulator volume. In this regard, reference is made to the application filed by the same applicant on November 20, 2020, entitled "Deflector for Refrigerant Accumulator," the disclosure of which serves as the subject matter of this application. To save costs, if the size or volume of the accumulator 14 of the present invention is large enough, a deflector constructed as a flat disc can also be used, or the deflector can be omitted entirely. Furthermore, Figure 3 Corresponding to Figure 2 Section II, Figure 4 Corresponding to Figure 2 The cross section HH, and Figure 5 Corresponding to Figure 2 The cross section GG.

[0038] Therefore, the high-pressure outlet 24.2 and its inclined pipeline in the direction of the helix are in Figure 4 The middle is obvious. In all other respects, the diagram essentially corresponds to Figure 3 The illustration.

[0039] This also applies to Figure 5 , Figure 5 Also shown is the connector 28 that passes through all the components and the external suction pipe 40 surrounding the connector 28 in the region of the accumulator 14. It is also mentioned that O-rings can be provided for sealing in the connection areas of the inlet and outlet of the spiral section 30 and in the region of the connector 28 that is continuous with the central section 12.

[0040] Figure 6 The implementation differs substantially from the implementation described so far in that the generally elongated central portion 12 results in a pressure-tight seal between the accumulator 14 and the heat exchanger 16, provided by means of a significantly shorter cap, which is generally hemispherical or ellipsoidal in shape and has only a relatively short cylindrical portion oriented toward the weld 18. The fluid port is substantially the same as that shown in the previous figures, but in the illustrated case, the fluid port is formed at a different location in the axial direction. As in... Figure 6 Additionally, and more clearly visible, may be additional fastening devices on the upper and / or lower sides, optionally with fastening devices consisting of block-shaped parts made of soft material.

[0041] As in Figure 7 As is clearly visible in the present case, the high-pressure ports 24 are specifically configured such that they are radially opposite to each other and, within the central portion, along the direction of the heat exchanger 16, i.e., according to Figure 6 Slightly upward offset.

[0042] As in Figure 8 As is clearly visible in the diagram, in the illustrated case, both low-voltage ports 26 are formed according to... Figure 8 The lower half of the central section. Specifically, Figure 8 The low-pressure inlet on the right side can be downward, that is, along... Figure 8 The direction of the hydrocyclone is clearly tilted. Furthermore, in Figure 8 A tangential opening leading to the hydrocyclone 32 is clearly visible. Figure 7 and Figure 8 In each of them, the central connector 28 can be seen again in the center.

[0043] Generally speaking, and since the holes, pipes, and channels extend primarily orthogonally to the central axis, all four ports can be arranged at any angle to each other.

[0044] As in Figure 7 and Figure 8 The flat portions, clearly visible in the image, which are easily machined to form the fluid ports 24, 26, can extend from the outside of the cylindrical shape that forms the basic shape of the central portion 12, as shown in... Figure 6 It is clearly visible in the text. Furthermore, according to... Figure 6 and Figures 9 to 11 The fluid port is located substantially centered on the central section 12, but it can also be arranged off-center.

[0045] Figure 9 Corresponding to Figure 8 The cross section EE, Figure 10 Corresponding to section DD, and Figure 11 Corresponding to Figure 7The cross section CC. The internal structure basically corresponds to Figures 3 to 5 The internal structure, therefore due to Figure 10 In the specific configuration, the connection between the high-pressure port 24 and the helical part 30 is obvious.

[0046] The diagram also uses reference numeral 42 to indicate a filter. Therefore, the entire refrigerant and oil mass flow can be filtered advantageously, eliminating the need for a separate filter at the oil sniffing port. It is placed at the outlet ( Figure 9 This can further prevent the emission of inherent pollutants.

Claims

1. A combination (10) of a refrigerant accumulator (14) and an internal heat exchanger (16), the combination comprising a central portion (12), wherein the accumulator (14) and the heat exchanger (16) are capable of being attached to the central portion (12) at opposite end portions. wherein At least one high-pressure port (24) leading to the heat exchanger (16) and at least one low-pressure port (26) leading to the energy storage device (14) are formed in the central part (12) by machining.

2. Combination (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that At least one end portion includes a one-piece cap or a one-piece cup.

3. Combination (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that At least one cap or at least one cup includes a hemispherical or semi-ellipsoidal portion.

4. The combination (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The central section (12) also includes a cyclone separator (32).

5. The combination (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The central section (12) also includes at least one fastening device (20).

6. The combination (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The fastening device (20) is housed in the opening (44) of the central portion (12).

7. The combination (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of the at least high-voltage port (24) and the at least one low-voltage port (26) is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the combination.

8. The combination (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one high-voltage port (24) and the at least one low-voltage port (26) are centrally located on the central portion (12).

9. The combination (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that, In the installed state, the heat exchanger (16) is arranged above the accumulator (14).

10. A connecting component comprising a central portion (12) having two high-pressure ports (24) leading to a heat exchanger (16) and two low-pressure ports (26) leading to an energy storage device (14) formed therein by machining, wherein the energy storage device (14) and the heat exchanger (16) are capable of being mounted to the central portion (12) on at least two opposite sides.

11. The connecting component according to claim 10, characterized in that, The connecting component also includes at least one connector (28) located between components that can be attached thereto.

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