Heat exchanger device and refrigeration system and motor vehicle with refrigeration system

Abstract

Heat exchanger device (10) of a refrigeration system of a motor vehicle through which refrigerant flows, with a plurality of heat exchangers (12, 14, 121, 141) arranged substantially parallel to one another, which are connected in series to one another in refrigerant connection, wherein each heat exchanger (12, 14) has a refrigerant distribution section (12a, 14a) along a first side and a refrigerant collection section (12b, 14b) along a second side, wherein a refrigerant collection section (12b) of a heat exchanger (12) preceding it in the flow direction (SR1, SR2) of the refrigerant is connected to the refrigerant distribution section (14a) of the subsequent heat exchanger (14), and wherein the flow direction (SR1) of refrigerant between the refrigerant distribution section (12a) and the refrigerant collection section (12b) of a preceding, first heat exchanger (12) is different from the flow direction (SR2) of refrigerant between the refrigerant distribution section (14a) and the refrigerant collection section (14b) of a subsequent, second heat exchanger (14) which immediately follows the first heat exchanger (12), characterized in that a valve device (22, 24) is arranged upstream of the refrigerant distribution section (12a, 14a) on at least one of the plurality of heat exchangers (12, 14) and the flow direction (SR1) of refrigerant in the first heat exchanger (12) and the flow direction (SR2) of refrigerant in the second heat exchanger (14) are substantially orthogonal to each other.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a heat exchanger device according to the preamble of claim 1 for a refrigeration system of a motor vehicle with a plurality of heat exchangers arranged substantially parallel to one another, which are in fluid communication with one another in series.

[0002] Such a heat exchanger device is known from the prior art, for example from DE 10 2006 055 837 A1.

[0003] DE 10 2016 218 088 A1 shows a heat exchanger device in which refrigerant is diverted from a first heat exchanger into an adjacent second heat exchanger separately for each refrigerant line of the heat exchangers.

[0004] From US 6 422 308 B1 a heat exchanger device is known with two heat exchangers arranged parallel to each other, each with upstream valve devices.

[0005] DE 10 2007 022 859 A1 shows series-connected heating heat exchangers that are integrated into a coolant circuit in which the coolant (water or exhaust gas) is heated directly by the engine.

[0006] It has been shown that such heat exchanger devices result in an inhomogeneous temperature distribution on the air side, so that air flowing through the heat exchanger device has different temperature levels, in particular at outlet nozzles to an interior of a motor vehicle.

[0007] The object underlying the invention is seen in specifying a heat exchanger device in which an improved temperature distribution and thus improved homogeneous temperature distribution is achieved in the air flowing through.

[0008] This object is achieved by a heat exchanger device having the features of patent claim 1, by a refrigeration system having the features of patent claim 8 and by a motor vehicle having the features of claim 9. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0009] Thus, a heat exchanger device for a refrigeration system of a motor vehicle is proposed, comprising a plurality of heat exchangers arranged substantially parallel to one another and fluidly connected in series. Each heat exchanger comprises a refrigerant distribution section along a first side and a refrigerant collection section along a second side, wherein a refrigerant collection section of a preceding heat exchanger in the direction of refrigerant flow is connected to the refrigerant distribution section of the subsequent heat exchanger.

[0010] With such a design, after the refrigerant flows through a first heat exchanger, the refrigerant is collected in the refrigerant collection section of the first heat exchanger. The collected refrigerant is then redistributed in the refrigerant distribution section of the subsequent heat exchanger. The collection and redistribution of refrigerant leads to improved mixing of the refrigerant as it flows through the individual heat exchangers, thus improving the temperature distribution. The parallel heat exchangers can also be described as forming flow planes for the refrigerant.

[0011] Each heat exchanger can have several adjacent, particularly parallel, refrigerant lines between its refrigerant distribution section and its refrigerant collection section. The refrigerant lines can be designed, for example, as flat tubes. These refrigerant lines can be connected to each other on the air side by fins. Air flows around them, with which heat exchange occurs.

[0012] In other words, in a previous heat exchanger, the inflowing refrigerant is first distributed to the individual refrigerant lines and then collected again, before the refrigerant is again distributed to its individual refrigerant lines in the subsequent heat exchanger and finally collected again.

[0013] According to the invention, the flow direction of refrigerant between the refrigerant distribution section and the refrigerant collection section of a preceding, first heat exchanger differs from the flow direction of refrigerant between the refrigerant distribution section and the refrigerant collection section of a subsequent, second heat exchanger, which immediately follows the first heat exchanger. The flow direction of refrigerant in the first heat exchanger and the flow direction of refrigerant in the second heat exchanger are essentially orthogonal to one another. The term "flow direction" used here describes a main flow direction of refrigerant, as it occurs in the individual refrigerant lines of a single heat exchanger.

[0014] According to the invention, a valve device is arranged upstream of the refrigerant distribution section on at least one of the multiple heat exchangers. Such a valve device can be used to vary the inflow behavior of the refrigerant quantity flowing into the respective heat exchanger. Such a valve device can be designed to be adjustable. By means of a valve device, the inflow behavior of the refrigerant quantity flowing into the respective heat exchanger can be kept as constant as possible.

[0015] A refrigerant inlet of the heat exchanger device can be connected to the refrigerant distribution section of the first heat exchanger, and a refrigerant outlet of the heat exchanger device can be connected to the refrigerant collection section of the last heat exchanger. The refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet of the heat exchanger device are the points at which the heat exchanger device is integrated into the refrigeration system, or connected to it.

[0016] The individual heat exchangers can be fluidically and structurally connected to one another in such a way that the heat exchanger device is designed as a holistic heat exchanger module. The heat exchanger device is thus a package or a holistic module formed from at least two interconnected heat exchangers and can be installed or integrated into a refrigeration system via the aforementioned refrigerant inlet and refrigerant outlet. In other words, the multiple heat exchangers form an overall heat exchanger resulting from a composite of individual components.

[0017] A deflection section connecting the two heat exchangers can be arranged between the refrigerant collection section of a preceding heat exchanger and the refrigerant distribution section of an immediately subsequent heat exchanger. Accordingly, the entire refrigerant flows through this deflection section, in contrast to known solutions in which each individual refrigerant line of a heat exchanger has a respective deflection section to a corresponding refrigerant line of the adjacent heat exchanger.

[0018] The deflection section can be designed such that the refrigerant is deflected from one heat exchanger to the subsequent heat exchanger essentially at the same height of the two heat exchangers, based on an installation position of the heat exchanger device in a motor vehicle, in particular in the region of an upper edge or a lower edge of the two heat exchangers. The arrangement of the deflection section at the same height represents a simple structural solution. Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the deflection section to be designed such that it is connected, for example, to the refrigerant collection section of one heat exchanger at an upper edge and to the refrigerant distribution section of the subsequent heat exchanger arranged at a lower edge, or vice versa.

[0019] In the heat exchanger device, the heat exchangers can be surrounded by air. The air can be cooled as it flows through the heat exchanger device, but preferably it can be heated.

[0020] The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a refrigeration system for a motor vehicle with a heat exchanger device as described above. Furthermore, a motor vehicle with such a refrigeration system can be provided.

[0021] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the patent claims, the following description of preferred embodiments, and the drawings. Herein: Fig. 1 in the sub-figures A) to D) schematically and simplified different arrangements of two heat exchangers of a heat exchanger device; Fig. 2 in the sub-figures A) to C) schematically and simplified further arrangements of two heat exchangers of a heat exchanger device; Fig. 3 shows schematically and simplified an example of an arrangement of two heat exchangers according to the Fig. 1A, wherein valve devices are additionally shown; Fig. 4 schematically and simplified an arrangement with more than two heat exchangers, the example being a combination of the arrangements of the Fig. 1A and Fig. 1C shows.

[0022] In Fig. 1, the partial figures A) to D) show the heat exchangers 12, 14, which are part of a Fig. 1A. The heat exchangers 12, 14 are arranged essentially parallel to one another. The heat exchanger 12 is arranged on the inlet side of the refrigerant circuit, and the heat exchanger 14 is arranged on the outlet side. The refrigerant enters the first heat exchanger 12 via a refrigerant inlet 16 of the heat exchanger device 10. On the outlet side, a refrigerant outlet 18 of the heat exchanger device 10 is provided, which is connected to the second heat exchanger 14. The two heat exchangers 12, 14 are fluidly connected to one another in series.

[0023] The first heat exchanger 12 has a refrigerant distribution section 12a along a first side and a refrigerant collection section 12b along a second side. Likewise, the second heat exchanger 14 has a refrigerant distribution section 14a along a first side and a refrigerant collection section 14b along a second side. In the illustrated examples of the Fig. In Figures 1A to 1D, the first and second sides are respectively an upper and lower longitudinal side of the respective heat exchanger 12, 14, wherein a refrigerant collection section 12b of a preceding heat exchanger 12 in the refrigerant flow direction is fluidly connected to the refrigerant distribution section 14a of the subsequent heat exchanger 14. The flow direction SR1, SR2 of refrigerant in the respective heat exchanger is shown as a contour arrow.

[0024] In the two heat exchangers 12, 14, respective refrigerant lines 12c, 14c are indicated by simple lines. The refrigerant lines 12c, 14c each extend between the respective refrigerant distribution section 12a, 14a and the refrigerant collection section 12b, 14b. Another contour arrow illustrates the flow direction LR of air as an example of a medium that can be heated or cooled by the heat exchanger device 10. Of course, the heat exchangers 12, 14, in particular their refrigerant lines 12c, 14c, can also be surrounded by another medium, such as water or oil.

[0025] A diverting section 20 is provided to convey refrigerant from one heat exchanger 12 to the subsequent heat exchanger 14. The diverting section 20 connects the refrigerant collection section 12b of the preceding (first) heat exchanger 12 with the refrigerant distribution section 14a of the subsequent (second) heat exchanger 14. By collecting refrigerant in the refrigerant collection section 12b of one heat exchanger 12 and redistributing the refrigerant in the refrigerant distribution section 14a of the subsequent heat exchanger 14, the temperature distribution in the refrigerant and the mixing can be improved.

[0026] According to Fig. 1A, refrigerant flows into the refrigerant distribution section 12a of the first heat exchanger 12 at a refrigerant inlet 16 located below. The refrigerant flowing or flooding into the refrigerant distribution section 12a is distributed among the refrigerant lines 12c and flows upwards according to the flow direction SR1. In the refrigerant collection section 12b, the refrigerant from the individual refrigerant lines 12c is collected again and then flows to the deflection section 20. The refrigerant collection section 12b is thus connected to the deflection section 20 on the outlet side. The subsequent (second) heat exchanger 14 is connected to the refrigerant distribution section 14a located above on the inlet side and to the deflection section 20. The refrigerant flowing or flooding into the refrigerant distribution section 14a is distributed to the refrigerant lines 14c and flows downwards according to the flow direction SR2 into the refrigerant collection section 14b.At the refrigerant outlet 18, the refrigerant leaves the heat exchanger 14 or the heat exchanger device 10.

[0027] According to Fig. 1B, refrigerant flows into the refrigerant distribution section 12a of the first heat exchanger 12 at a refrigerant inlet 16 located at the top. The refrigerant flowing or flooding into the refrigerant distribution section 12a is distributed among the refrigerant lines 12c and flows downwards according to the flow direction SR1. In the refrigerant collection section 12b, the refrigerant from the individual refrigerant lines 12c is collected again and then flows to the deflection section 20. The refrigerant collection section 12b is thus connected to the deflection section 20 on the outlet side. The subsequent (second) heat exchanger 14 is connected to the refrigerant distribution section 14a located at the bottom on the inlet side to the deflection section 20. The refrigerant flowing or flooding into the refrigerant distribution section 14a is distributed to the refrigerant lines 14c and flows upwards according to the flow direction SR2 into the refrigerant collection section 14b.At the refrigerant outlet 18, the refrigerant leaves the heat exchanger 14 or the heat exchanger device 10.

[0028] In the examples of Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B, the refrigerant inlet 16, the refrigerant outlet and the deflection section 20 are each arranged on the same side of the heat exchangers 12, 14.

[0029] According to Fig. 1C, refrigerant flows into the refrigerant distribution section 12a of the first heat exchanger 12 at a refrigerant inlet 16 located at the bottom. The refrigerant flowing or flooding into the refrigerant distribution section 12a is distributed among the refrigerant lines 12c and flows upwards according to the flow direction SR1. In the refrigerant collection section 12b, the refrigerant from the individual refrigerant lines 12c is collected again and then flows to the deflection section 20. The refrigerant collection section 12b is thus connected to the deflection section 20 on the outlet side. The subsequent (second) heat exchanger 14 is connected to the refrigerant distribution section 14a located at the top on the inlet side to the deflection section 20. The refrigerant flowing or flooding into the refrigerant distribution section 14a is distributed to the refrigerant lines 14c and flows downwards according to the flow direction SR2 into the refrigerant collection section 14b.At the refrigerant outlet 18, the refrigerant leaves the heat exchanger 14 or the heat exchanger device 10.

[0030] According to Fig. 1D, refrigerant flows into the refrigerant distribution section 12a of the first heat exchanger 12 at a refrigerant inlet 16 located at the top. The refrigerant flowing or flooding into the refrigerant distribution section 12a is distributed among the refrigerant lines 12c and flows downwards according to the flow direction SR1. In the refrigerant collection section 12b, the refrigerant from the individual refrigerant lines 12c is collected again and then flows to the deflection section 20. The refrigerant collection section 12b is thus connected to the deflection section 20 on the outlet side. The subsequent (second) heat exchanger 14, with the refrigerant distribution section 14a located at the bottom, is connected to the deflection section 20 on the inlet side. The refrigerant flowing or flooding into the refrigerant distribution section 14a is distributed to the refrigerant lines 14c and flows upwards according to the flow direction SR2 into the refrigerant collection section 14b.At the refrigerant outlet 18, the refrigerant leaves the heat exchanger 14 or the heat exchanger device 10.

[0031] In the examples of Fig. 1C and Fig. 1D, the refrigerant inlet 16 and the refrigerant outlet are each arranged on the same side of the heat exchangers 12, 14, and the deflection section 20 is arranged on the other side of the heat exchangers 12, 14.

[0032] In the examples of Fig. In Figures 1A to 1D, the flow directions SR1 and SR2 are opposite to each other. Furthermore, the two flow directions SR1 and SR2 are essentially vertical, i.e., from bottom to top or from top to bottom.

[0033] In the example of Fig. 2A, the refrigerant distribution sections 12a, 14a and the refrigerant collection sections 12b, 14b are each arranged along a left and right side of the respective heat exchanger 12, 14. In other words, the refrigerant distribution sections 12a, 14a and the refrigerant collection sections 12b, 14b extend substantially vertically.

[0034] According to Fig. 2A, refrigerant flows through a refrigerant inlet 16 located below into the upwardly extending refrigerant distribution section 12a of the first heat exchanger 12. The refrigerant that has flowed or flooded into the refrigerant distribution section 12a is distributed among the refrigerant lines 12c and flows to the left in the width direction of the heat exchanger 12 according to the flow direction SR1. In the refrigerant collection section 12b, the refrigerant from the individual refrigerant lines 12c is collected again and then flows to the deflection section 20 located above. The refrigerant collection section 12b is therefore connected to the deflection section 20 on the outlet side. The downstream (second) heat exchanger 14, with the downwardly extending refrigerant distribution section 14a, is connected to the deflection section at the top on the inlet side. The refrigerant that has flowed or flooded into the refrigerant distribution section 14aThe inflowing refrigerant is distributed among the refrigerant lines 14c and flows to the right according to the flow direction SR2 into the refrigerant collection section 14b. At the refrigerant outlet 18 located at the bottom, the refrigerant leaves the heat exchanger 14 or the heat exchanger device 10.

[0035] The Fig. 2B shows an example of a combination of a first heat exchanger 12 of the Fig. 2A, which is flowed through from right to left in the width direction, with a second heat exchanger 14 according to the Fig. 1C, which is flowed through from top to bottom.

[0036] The Fig. 2C shows an example of a combination of a first heat exchanger 12 of the Fig. 1C, which is flowed through from bottom to top in the height direction, with a second heat exchanger 14 according to the Fig. 2A, which is flowed through from left to right in the width direction.

[0037] In the Fig. 2A to 2C, the same elements are marked with the same reference numerals as in the Fig. 1, whereby not all the same elements are described again and in detail. Their functionality is evident from the summary of the description of Fig. 1 and to Fig. 2A.

[0038] Fig. 3 shows purely by way of example a heat exchanger device 10 according to the embodiment of Fig. 1A. In this example, valve devices 22, 24 are arranged on the inlet side of the refrigerant distribution sections 12a, 14a. The valve devices 22, 24 can be adjustable, so that the inflow behavior and thus the distribution of the refrigerant across the width of the heat exchangers 12, 14 can be adjusted or regulated. It should be noted that a valve device does not necessarily have to be assigned to each heat exchanger 12, 14 on the inlet side. It is also conceivable to provide only one valve device for the entire heat exchanger device 10, for example, the inlet-side valve device 22 at the refrigerant inlet 16.

[0039] Fig. 4 shows an example in which four heat exchangers 12, 14, 121 and 141 are arranged in a heat exchanger device 10. The example of Fig. 4 represents a doubling of the heat exchanger according to Fig. 1A. For the heat exchanger device 10, there is also a refrigerant inlet 16 on the first heat exchanger 12 or its refrigerant distribution section 12a. The refrigerant outlet 18 is arranged on the last heat exchanger 141, in particular on its refrigerant collection section 141b. Corresponding to the increased number of heat exchangers, the heat exchanger device 10 also comprises further deflection sections 201, 202, so that the refrigerant is conveyed through all heat exchangers 12, 14, 121, 141 one after the other. SR1 to SR4 denote the respective flow direction of refrigerant in the respective heat exchanger 12, 14, 121, 141. For the construction and functioning of the heat exchangers 12, 14, 121, 141, please refer to the description of Fig. 1A. The explanations for heat exchangers 12 and 14 apply analogously to heat exchangers 121 and 141.

[0040] An arrangement with more than two heat exchangers 12, 14, 121, 141, as shown in Fig. 4 can also be achieved by other suitable combinations of heat exchangers of the Fig. 1A to 2C can be achieved. The number of heat exchangers is not mandatory. For example, three heat exchangers can be arranged in a heat exchanger device 10.

[0041] All examples presented here of Fig.1A to 4 have in common that the refrigerant in each heat exchanger 12, 14, 121, 141 is first distributed to the individual refrigerant lines via a refrigerant distribution section. After flowing through the refrigerant lines of a respective heat exchanger, the refrigerant is collected in the corresponding refrigerant collection section of the respective heat exchanger before being directed to the subsequent heat exchanger. This sequence of distribution and collection of refrigerant in a respective heat exchanger leads to improved mixing of the refrigerant and thus to a more homogeneous temperature distribution, which also affects the homogeneity of the temperature distribution of the medium to be heated or cooled, for example, air.

[0042] The heat exchanger device presented here is particularly advantageous for use in a refrigeration system or a refrigeration system with a heat pump function in a motor vehicle. If the heat exchanger device is used, for example, as a heating register for heating air, the air flowing through the heat exchanger device exhibits an improved and more homogeneous temperature distribution on the outlet side, particularly for refrigerants that operate subcritically near the critical point or supercritically, thus exhibiting little to no progression in the wet vapor region and thus exhibiting a different temperature at constant pressure at every point in the heat transfer process.

[0043] If the effect of different temperature levels, for example, from top to bottom, is to be deliberately emphasized or utilized, it is conceivable for the deflection section 20, which in all examples shown here is arranged at the top or bottom, to be directed from a refrigerant collection section ending at the top to a refrigerant distribution section of the downstream heat exchanger beginning at the bottom. This allows a consistent flow direction to be achieved for several successively arranged heat exchangers, which supports the setting of different temperature levels, for example, via the height of the heat exchanger device 10, a so-called temperature stratification.

[0044] All examples shown here depict a countercurrent flow of air and refrigerant. However, the heat exchanger device 10 presented here can also be implemented in a cocurrent flow process.

[0045] In summary, it should be noted again that the heat exchanger device or heat exchangers presented here redistribute and combine (collect) the refrigerant at least twice in the heat exchanger, i.e., per flow. This improves the homogeneity of the temperature distribution on the air side, which can be used to improve interior comfort in a motor vehicle.

Claims

[1] Heat exchanger device (10) of a refrigeration system of a motor vehicle through which refrigerant flows several heat exchangers (12, 14, 121, 141) arranged essentially parallel to each other, which are connected in series to each other via refrigerant, wherein each heat exchanger (12, 14) has a refrigerant distribution section (12a, 14a) along a first side and a refrigerant collection section (12b, 14b) along a second side, wherein a refrigerant collection section (12b) of a heat exchanger (12) preceding it in the direction of flow (SR1, SR2) of the refrigerant is connected to the refrigerant distribution section (14a) of the subsequent heat exchanger (14), and wherein the flow direction (SR1) of refrigerant between the refrigerant distribution section (12a) and the refrigerant collection section (12b) of a preceding, first heat exchanger (12) is different from the flow direction (SR2) of refrigerant between the refrigerant distribution section (14a) and the refrigerant collection section (14b) of a subsequent, second heat exchanger (14) which immediately follows the first heat exchanger (12), characterized by , that a valve device (22, 24) is arranged upstream of the refrigerant distribution section (12a, 14a) on at least one of the several heat exchangers (12, 14) and the flow direction (SR1) of refrigerant in the first heat exchanger (12) and the flow direction (SR2) of refrigerant in the second heat exchanger (14) are essentially orthogonal to each other. [2] Heat exchanger device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by, that each heat exchanger (12, 14) has several refrigerant lines (12c, 14c) arranged adjacent to each other, in particular parallel to each other, between its refrigerant distribution section (12a, 14a) and its refrigerant collection section (12b, 14b). [3] Heat exchanger device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that a refrigerant inlet (16) of the heat exchanger device (10) is connected to the refrigerant distribution section (12a) of the first heat exchanger (12) and that a refrigerant outlet (18) of the heat exchanger device (10) is connected to the refrigerant collection section (14b, 141b) of the last heat exchanger (14, 141). [4] Heat exchanger device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the individual heat exchangers (12, 14) are connected fluidically and structurally in such a way that the heat exchanger device (10) is designed as a holistic heat exchanger module. [5] Heat exchanger device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that between the refrigerant collection section (12b) of a preceding heat exchanger (12, 121) and the refrigerant distribution section (14a) of an immediately following heat exchanger (14, 141) a deflection section (20, 201, 202) connecting the two heat exchangers (12, 14, 121, 141) is arranged. [6] Heat exchanger device (10) according to claim 5, characterized by , that the deflection section (20, 201, 202) is designed such that the deflection of refrigerant from one heat exchanger (12, 121, 14) to the subsequent heat exchanger (121, 14, 141) takes place essentially at the same level of the two heat exchangers, with reference to an installation position of the heat exchanger device (10) in a vehicle, in particular in the area of ​​an upper edge or a lower edge of the two heat exchangers. [7] Heat exchanger device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the heat exchangers (12, 14, 121, 141) are surrounded by air (LR). [8] Refrigeration system for a motor vehicle comprising a heat exchanger device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, which is provided as a heating register. [9] Motor vehicle with a refrigeration system according to claim 8.

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