Refrigerant reservoir

Abstract

A refrigerant reservoir (1) comprises a housing (2) having at least one inlet (3) and at least one outlet (4), in which a device (5) is arranged in the housing (2), which device is assigned to the inlet (3) and / or the outlet (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a refrigerant accumulator comprising a housing having at least one inlet and at least one outlet. Background Art

[0002] This type of refrigerant receiver is often used in mobile air conditioning systems, such as vehicle air conditioning systems.

[0003] A refrigerant circulates in the air conditioning system, which is brought to a higher pressure level by the compressor. It is necessary to provide the compressor with a lubricant to ensure its function. During the compression process, some of the lubricant enters the refrigerant and thus circulates in the refrigerant. In order to prevent the lubricant from continuously circulating in the cooling circuit and flowing back into the compressor, the lubricant is separated from the refrigerant in a refrigerant accumulator. The accumulator usually comprises a bottle-shaped housing which is closed at the top by a cover, wherein the cover is provided with an inlet and an outlet.

[0004] The refrigerant flows into the accumulator via the inlet and is influenced by the device arranged in the shell to form a flow inside the shell, in which the lubricant is separated from the refrigerant. The lubricant eventually accumulates in the bottom area of ​​the shell and can be discharged from the accumulator through a suction pipe or similar device and sent back to the compressor.

[0005] Another problem is that water has entered the refrigeration circuit (for example during installation). In order to remove the water, it is known in the prior art to place a desiccant, such as a silica gel-based desiccant, in the liquid reservoir. The desiccant is located in a gas-permeable container and absorbs the water contained in the refrigerant flowing through the liquid reservoir. Summary of the invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerant accumulator which can be manufactured at low cost and has a long service life.

[0007] This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. The dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments.

[0008] The refrigerant accumulator according to the invention comprises a housing having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, wherein a device is arranged in the housing and is assigned to the inlet and / or the outlet.

[0009] The device arranged in the housing influences the flow of the refrigerant through the inlet and may additionally be provided with other functions, for example a function for removing lubricant accumulating in the bottom region of the housing. The device is preferably a separate component inserted into the housing.

[0010] The device may have at least one guide element for influencing the flow of the refrigerant flowing into the housing via the inlet. In particular, the guide element may have a sectionally curved channel. The refrigerant flowing in via the inlet is introduced into the interior of the housing via the channel, and the refrigerant flow is deflected by the sectionally curved channel. This generates eddies, thereby increasing the separation efficiency of the lubricant carried in the refrigerant. Due to the centrifugal force acting on the lubricant, the lubricant is separated from the refrigerant on the housing wall and accumulates in the bottom area.

[0011] The housing can be closed by a cover, wherein the inlet and the outlet are arranged in the cover. This simplifies the manufacturability of the reservoir and also allows the cover and the housing to be made of different materials. For example, the cover can be made of a metallic material and the housing can be made of a fiber composite material. Alternatively, the housing can also be made of a metallic material. The device is preferably made of an injection moldable plastic.

[0012] The device can be held on the cover in a form-fitting manner. In this embodiment, the device and the cover can form a preassembled unit, which can be inserted into the housing, wherein after the cover has been inserted, the housing and the cover are connected to each other in a medium-tight manner. The form-fitting connection between the device and the cover means that the device is securely connected to the cover in a loss-proof manner and the connection can be easily made without the need for additional tools. The connection between the housing and the cover can be designed as a crimp connection. In order to improve the sealing, a seal can be provided between the cover and the housing.

[0013] The guide element can be held in the inlet using a form-fitting method. This means that the guide element is fixedly assigned to the inlet. Preferably, the device and / or the guide element are fixed to the cover by a snap-fit ​​connection. The snap-fit ​​connection is easy and inexpensive to manufacture and allows the device to be mounted on the cover without the use of tools. The snap-fit ​​connection comprises several hooks, preferably formed by the device, which preferably have projections that engage with correspondingly shaped recesses provided in the cover, for example provided in the inlet of the cover.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, the device can also be fixed in the outlet using a form-fitting manner. For this purpose, a snap-fit ​​connection can be formed by the device, which engages in a corresponding structure in the outlet in a form-fitting manner.

[0015] For an embodiment of a form-fit connection, in particular a snap connection, the device can have a tubular connection piece that is inserted into the inlet. The free end of the connection piece can be formed with a circumferential lug-like hook that engages in a form-fitting manner in a circumferential groove, wherein the groove can be provided in the inner wall of the inlet.

[0016] The snap connection can be assigned a fixing device which prevents the snap connection from being accidentally released. For this purpose, a fixing device in the form of a fixing sleeve can be inserted into the free end of the connector. The fixing device can be tubular and have a collar protruding radially outwards on one end face. When the hook is locked in the groove, the outer diameter of the fixing device preferably corresponds essentially to the inner diameter of the free end of the connector formed by the hook. The fixing device blocks the hook and prevents it from moving radially inwards and coming loose from the groove. This prevents the hook and therefore the device from accidentally detaching from the cover.

[0017] The device can be equipped with a holding device for receiving a desiccant container. In this embodiment, it is advantageous if the desiccant container can be arranged in a suspended manner in the housing, wherein the desiccant container can influence the flow of the refrigerant. It is particularly advantageous if the desiccant container has a large contact surface with the refrigerant and thus has a particularly good drying effect.

[0018] The holding device may be formed in the shape of a hook. In this embodiment, the desiccant container has an opening into which the holding device may be inserted. In this way, a simple installation of the desiccant container in the housing is possible.

[0019] The desiccant container preferably comprises a porous material, which can be in the form of a bag or the like. Advantageously, the porous material is a nonwoven fabric. Silica gel inserted into the container can be used as a desiccant. The desiccant container can be formed relatively flat, similar to a bag, and thus has two main faces which can also be curved.

[0020] The outlet can be assigned to a suction tube extending from the cover to the bottom of the housing. The suction tube can be used to drain lubricant collected in the bottom area of ​​the housing from the reservoir and deliver it to the compressor.

[0021] The device may have an outlet channel leading to the outlet, wherein the suction tube is connected to the outlet channel in a flow-conducting manner. A cross-sectional constriction may be formed in the outlet channel. In the region of the cross-sectional constriction, the cross section is preferably reduced by 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 of its initial cross section. In order to make the flow uniform, the cross-sectional constriction is formed into a cone at the transition point on both sides.

[0022] Preferably, the suction tube opens into an outlet channel in the region of the cross-sectional contraction. The refrigerant flows through the outlet channel and is accelerated in the region of the cross-sectional contraction. Due to the Venturi principle, a vacuum is generated in the region of the cross-sectional contraction, so that the lubricant is first sucked in from the bottom region of the housing via the suction tube and can then be conveyed out of the reservoir together with the refrigerant via the outlet. The arrangement of the outlet channel and the suction tube is particularly compact and enables the lubricant accumulated at the bottom of the housing to be sucked in in the direction of the outlet channel assigned to the cover. A particular advantage is that no auxiliary energy is required for suctioning and conveying the lubricant. The suction tube can form a preassembled unit together with the device.

[0023] The outlet channel may be fixed in the outlet in a form-fitting manner.Preferably, the outlet channel is part of the device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Some embodiments of the refrigerant liquid storage device according to the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings schematically show the following:

[0025] Figure 1 shows a perspective cutaway view of a refrigerant accumulator;

[0026] Figure 2 The device is shown in detail;

[0027] Figure 3 The guide element is shown in detail;

[0028] Figure 4 The snap-fit ​​connection between the cover and the device is shown in detail;

[0029] Figure 5 The fixture of the device is shown in detail;

[0030] Figure 6 An apparatus having a desiccant container and a straw is shown;

[0031] Figure 7 An apparatus having a desiccant container and a straw is shown;

[0032] Figure 8 The device with the holding device and the desiccant container is shown in detail;

[0033] Fig. 9 Shown according to Figure 8 equipment;

[0034] Fig.10 A housing with a device and a straw is shown;

[0035] Fig.11 a cross-sectional view of the device showing the outlet passage area;

[0036] Fig.12 A transparent view of the housing with cover, an alternative design device, and a desiccant container is shown;

[0037] Fig.13 A side view of the device showing an alternative design;

[0038] Fig.14 Shown according to Fig.13 A stereogram of the device;

[0039] Fig.15 Shown according to Fig.13 Bottom view of the device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The drawing shows a refrigerant accumulator 1 which is part of the air conditioning circuit of a mobile air conditioning system. A mobile air conditioning system is in particular an air conditioning system for a vehicle. The air conditioning system comprises a closed circuit in which a refrigerant circulates. The refrigerant is compressed by a compressor and then enters a condenser, where it is liquefied. After leaving the condenser, the refrigerant enters a throttle valve and then flows to an evaporator, where it absorbs heat. The refrigerant is then fed to the accumulator 1. In the accumulator, the liquid component is separated from the refrigerant and fed back to the compressor.

[0041] The refrigerant accumulator 1 comprises a housing 2 which is substantially cylindrical and has a cylindrical wall 13 and a bottom 11. On the side opposite to the bottom 11, the housing 2 is closed by a cover 8. In the cover 8, an inlet 3 and an outlet 4 are provided. In the housing 2, a device 5 is provided which is assigned to the inlet 3 and the outlet 4.

[0042] The device 5 has a guide element 6 for influencing the flow of the refrigerant flowing into the housing 2 via the inlet 3. The guide element 6 is formed by the device 5 and has a segmented curved channel 7. The refrigerant flowing into the housing 2 via the inlet 3 is guided by the segmented curved channel 7 onto a circular path, forming a vortex in the housing 2. Due to the centrifugal force, the liquid lubricant is separated from the refrigerant. The lubricant is thrown out of the refrigerant onto the cylindrical wall 13 and collects on the bottom 11.

[0043] The outlet 4 is assigned to a suction tube 10, which extends from the cover 8 to the bottom 11 of the housing 2. The device 5 has an outlet channel 12 leading to the outlet 4. The outlet channel 12 is formed by the device 5. The suction tube 10 opens into the outlet channel 12 in the region of the cross-sectional constriction 15. When the refrigerant flows through the outlet channel 12, a vacuum is formed in the region of the cross-sectional constriction 15, which enables the lubricant to be sucked in from the bottom 11 of the housing 2 via the suction tube 10 and conveyed out of the reservoir 1 together with the refrigerant via the outlet 4.

[0044] The device 5 is formed from plastic and manufactured by injection molding. The device 5 is held on the cover 8 in a form-fitting manner. Form-fit elements are formed by the guide element 6 and the outlet channel 12, which engage in correspondingly shaped recesses in the inlet 3 and the outlet 4. The form-fit elements form a snap-fit ​​connection between the device 5 and the cover 8.

[0045] The device 5 is equipped with a holding device 9 for receiving a desiccant container 20. The holding device 9 is hook-shaped and receives the desiccant container 20, which is arranged on the holding device 9 in a suspended manner. The desiccant container 20 is formed in the form of a bag closed along the edges. The desiccant container is formed of a porous material, in this case a non-woven fabric. The area of ​​one edge of the desiccant container 20 is provided with an opening 14, into which the holding device 9 is inserted.

[0046] Figure 1 The refrigerant accumulator 1 is shown in a three-dimensional sectional view. The guide element 6 formed by the device 5 leads to the inlet 3 arranged in the cover 8. The connecting piece 25 is formed by the guide element 6, which extends into the inlet 3. On the free end of the connecting piece 25, a lug-shaped hook 22 is formed in the circumferential direction, which engages in a form-fitting manner in a circumferential groove 19 formed on the inner wall of the inlet 3.

[0047] Starting from the inlet 3, the connection piece 25 merges into the radially extending and spirally curved channel 7. In this way, the refrigerant flowing through the channel 7 is deflected into a circular path and flows into the interior of the accumulator 1 along the cylindrical wall 13 of the shell 2.

[0048] Figure 2 The device 5 is shown in detail. It can be seen that the connection piece 25 assigned to the inlet 3 and the connection piece assigned to the outlet 4 are both formed with hooks 22 along the circumference, and the connection pieces engage with circumferential grooves 19 provided in the inner walls of the inlet 3 and the outlet 4 in a form-fitting manner. This connection is also Figure 3 Shown in detail.

[0049] Figure 4 The snap-fit ​​connection between the cover 8 and the device 5 in the region of the inlet 3 is shown in detail. The device 5 has a tubular connection piece 25 which is inserted into the inlet 3. On the free end of the connection piece 25, lug-like hooks 22 are formed circumferentially which engage in a circumferential groove 19 formed on the inner wall of the inlet 3 in a form-fitting manner.

[0050] Inserted into the inlet 3 is a tube 26, which is fixed to the cover 8 by means of a flange 27 and a fastening element 28. The tube 26 is provided with a seal which bears sealingly against the inner wall of the inlet 3.

[0051] exist Figure 4In the embodiment shown, a fixing device 21 in the form of a fixing sleeve is inserted into the free end of the connection piece 25. The fixing device 21 is formed in a tubular shape and has a collar 24 protruding radially outwards on one end face. The collar 24 abuts against the end face of the connection piece 25 and prevents the fixing device 21 from sliding completely into the connection piece 25. The outer diameter of the fixing device 21 corresponds substantially to the inner diameter of the free end of the connection piece 25 formed by the hooks 22, wherein the hooks 22 are locked in the grooves 19. The fixing device 21 blocks the hooks 22 and prevents them from moving radially inwards. This prevents the hooks 22 and therefore the device 5 from accidentally detaching from the cover 8. In particular, the hooks 22 can be prevented from loosening during the assembly process of the tube 26.

[0052] Figure 5 The details are shown according to Figure 4 An embodiment in which the connecting member 25 and the hook 22 of the device 5 as well as the cover 8 and the fixing device 21 are shown in a cross-sectional view.

[0053] Figure 6 A rear view of the arrangement consisting of the device 5 , the suction tube 10 and the desiccant container 20 is shown. Figure 7 Shows Figure 6 Front view of the device shown. Figure 8 The device 5 in the area of ​​the holding device 9 is shown in detail, including the desiccant container 20 attached to the holding device 9 . Fig. 9 Shown according to Figure 8 For better illustration, the opening 14 of the desiccant container 20 is shown at a distance from the holding device 9. Figures 6 to 9 In the device shown, two desiccant containers 20 are provided, which are arranged in a suspended manner on the device 5 by means of a holding device 9. For this purpose, the holding device 9 protrudes from the opening 14 of the desiccant container 20.

[0054] Fig.10 A transparent view of the housing 2 is shown, wherein a device 5 is arranged inside the housing 2 , the device 5 having a straw 10 and an alternatively designed connecting element 16 for fastening the device 5 to the cover 8 .

[0055] Fig.11 A sectional view of the device 5 in the region of the outlet channel 12 is shown in detail. In this embodiment, a connecting element 16 is formed by the device 5, which engages in a form-fitting manner in the cover 8. The connecting element 16 comprises a web 17 extending radially from the cylindrical wall 13. A curved hook 18 is formed at the free end of the web 17, which engages in a groove formed on the circumferential side of the cover 8, which groove is in the form of a circumferential groove 19.

[0056] The device 5 has an outlet channel 12 leading to the outlet 4. The outlet channel 12 is formed by the device 5. The suction tube 10 opens into the outlet channel 12 in the region of the cross-sectional contraction 15. In the region of the cross-sectional contraction 15, the cross-section of the outlet channel 12 is reduced by 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 compared to its initial cross-sectional area. When the refrigerant flows through the outlet channel 12, due to the Venturi principle, a vacuum is generated in the region of the cross-sectional contraction 15, which vacuum enables the lubricant to be sucked in from the bottom 11 of the housing 2 via the suction tube 10 and to be conveyed out of the reservoir 1 via the outlet 4 together with the refrigerant. The embodiment in which the outlet channel 12 has a cross-sectional contraction 15 and the suction tube 10 opens into this cross-sectional contraction 15 is independent of the embodiment in which the device 5 is attached to the cover 8 and can therefore also be used according to Figures 2 to 7 is implemented in device 5.

[0057] Fig.12 A transparent view of the housing 2 is shown, with the device 5 arranged in the housing 2 , with a desiccant container 20 and an alternatively designed connecting element 16 for fastening the device 5 to the cover 8 .

[0058] Fig.13 The device 5 is shown in detail before being mounted on the cover 8 . Fig.14 The device 5 mounted on the cover is shown in a three-dimensional view, Fig.15 The bottom view shows the Fig.14 Equipment 5.

Claims

1. A refrigerant liquid storage device (1), comprising a shell (2), the shell (2) having at least one inlet (3) and at least one outlet (4), wherein a device is arranged in the shell (2), and the device is assigned to the inlet (3) and / or the outlet (4).

2. The refrigerant storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device (5) has a guide element (6) for influencing the flow of the refrigerant flowing into the housing (2) via the inlet (3).

3. The refrigerant liquid storage device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The guide element (6) has a sectionally curved channel (7).

4. The refrigerant liquid storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The housing (2) is closed by a cover (8), wherein the inlet (3) and the outlet (4) are arranged in the cover (8).

5. The refrigerant liquid storage device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The device (5) is held on the cover (8) in a form-fitting manner.

6. The refrigerant liquid storage device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: The guide element (6) is held in the inlet (3) in a form-fitting manner.

7. The refrigerant liquid storage device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that: The device (5) and / or the guide element (6) are fixed to the cover (8) by means of a snap connection.

8. The refrigerant liquid storage device according to claim 7, characterized in that: A fixing device (21) is assigned to the snap connection.

9. The refrigerant liquid storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The device (5) is equipped with a holding device (9) for receiving a desiccant container (20).

10. The refrigerant liquid storage device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The desiccant container (20) is arranged in the housing (2) and is held on the holding device (9).

11. The refrigerant liquid storage device according to any one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that: The outlet (4) is assigned to a straw (10) which extends from the cover (8) to the bottom (11) of the housing (2).

12. The refrigerant liquid storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The device (5) has an outlet channel (12) leading to the outlet (4), wherein the suction tube (10) is fluidically connected to the outlet channel (12).

13. The refrigerant liquid storage container according to claim 12, characterized in that: The outlet channel (12) has a cross-sectional constriction (15).

14. The refrigerant storage device according to claim 13, characterized in that: The suction tube (10) opens into the outlet channel (12) of the device (5) in the region of the cross-sectional constriction (15).

15. The refrigerant liquid storage device according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that: The outlet channel (12) is fixed in the outlet (4) in a form-fitting manner.

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