Collector with a permanent closure for a refrigerant circuit

Abstract

A collector (S), preferably for a refrigerant circuit (100) for a motor vehicle, comprising: a pipe (RZ1, RZ2), at least one cover (D1, D2), and an axial direction (AR). The pipe (RZ1, RZ2) each has at least one reduction (R1, R2), and the at least one cover (D1, D2) each has at least one bulge (B1, B2). The at least one bulge (B1, B2) and the at least one reduction (R1, R2) are in contact such that the at least one cover (D1, D2) closes the pipe (RZ1, RZ2) in the axial direction (AR). The at least one cover (D1, D2) has a displacement in the axial direction (AR) approaching zero. The pipe (RZ1, RZ2) and the at least one cover (D1, D2) are materially bonded and the pipe (RZ1, RZ2) has at least one further circumferential bead (ZS1, ZS2) that is at least partially connected.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a collector for a refrigerant circuit of a motor vehicle and to a method for producing the collector as well as to the use of the collector in a refrigerant circuit of a motor vehicle.

[0002] Document EP 1 533 580 A1 describes a condenser for a refrigerant circuit (for an air conditioning system) of a motor vehicle, comprising a finned-tube block with manifolds arranged on both sides and a collector. The collector is connected to a manifold via an inlet line and a drain line (inlet and outlet openings), and the collector contains a filter (filter device), a sealant (seal), and a desiccant (drying bag or dryer) for the refrigerant. The filter is formed integrally with a flow guide element and ends not far above the inlet line. The flow guide element ensures that the desiccant either does not enter the area of ​​the inlet line or that the flow does not have direct contact with the desiccant. The collector is closed by two non-removable covers.The capacitor is assembled from its individual components and the header and joined in a soldering furnace. The filter and desiccant are inserted into the header after the capacitor has been soldered. The header is open on at least one side. The open end(s) of the header are then permanently sealed. The permanent closure is achieved using a welding process, with cooling of the area of ​​the header where the filter is located being provided if necessary. Using a welding process results in detrimental heat input into the header. The filter is made in one piece from a suitable plastic. At higher temperatures, plastics lose their rigidity and begin to melt. The heat input during welding can adversely damage the filter.The desiccant can also contain heat-sensitive components and can therefore be adversely damaged by the heat input. Damage can be avoided by cooling the area of ​​the collector where the filter and desiccant are located. Cooling adversely increases the energy required to manufacture the collector. Heat input through a material-to-material process such as welding leads to a heat-affected zone in the collector material. Collectors are often made of an aluminum alloy. The good thermal conductivity of the aluminum alloy can cause the formation of a very wide heat-affected zone. In a heat-affected zone, the properties of the material are poorer. Typical problems in the area of ​​a heat-affected zone are: increased brittleness, weld cracks, residual stresses, reduced strength, and reduced corrosion resistance.The resulting residual stresses and the reduced strength can be compensated for, for example, by a disadvantageous increase in the wall thickness of the tube. This also increases the weight of the header and results in higher costs. When the individual components of the capacitor are joined together with the header in the brazing furnace, the strength of the header material can deteriorate due to the temperature introduced during brazing. By using a manufacturing process for the tube such as extrusion, the strength of the finished tube is greater than the strength of the material in its initial state. This increase in the strength of the tube material is lost again in a brazing furnace. To compensate for this, a disadvantageous increase in the wall thickness of the tube may be necessary. This increase in wall thickness leads to greater material usage, more weight and higher costs.

[0003] The device according to the invention with the features of the independent patent claim has the advantage that the properties of the material of the pipe are retained or substantially retained and heat input to the filter and the desiccant can be avoided.

[0004] The starting point for the invention is a collector for a refrigerant circuit. The collector according to the invention can preferably be used in a refrigerant circuit for a motor vehicle, wherein the collector according to the invention can comprise: a tube, at least one cover, and an axial direction. A tube is understood to be an elongated hollow body extending along the axial direction. It is conceivable for the elongated hollow body to have a circular base. Alternatively, other base shapes such as an oval, a polygon, or mixtures of different basic shapes are conceivable. The axial direction can run parallel to the outer surface of the tube.The pipe can each have at least one reduction and the at least one cover can each have at least one bulge, wherein the at least one bulge and the at least one reduction can touch each other so that the at least one cover can close the pipe in the axial direction, wherein the at least one cover can have a displacement in the axial direction that tends towards zero. It is conceivable for the at least one bulge to be represented as a reduction in the outer diameter in a region of the at least one cover. For example, the bulge can be designed as a constriction in the form of a circumferential bead. Alternatively, the at least one bulge can be represented as an enlargement of the outer diameter of the at least one cover. For example, the bulge can be designed as a thickening of the outer diameter of the cover. The at least one cover and the pipe can be connected by a material fit.Magnetic pulse welding can be used as a material-bonding process. Magnetic pulse welding is based on what is known as electromagnetic forming. The process setup can essentially consist of a pulse current generator, a tool coil (often referred to as an inductor) geometrically adapted to the respective joining task, the joining partner to be formed (the so-called flyer), and the static joining partner (the so-called target). For joining, the ends of the flyer and target can be positioned overlapping at a defined distance. The capacitor of the pulse current generator can be charged and then discharged via the tool coil, allowing a damped, sinusoidal current to flow, which can induce a corresponding magnetic field and a current in the flyer that is opposite to the coil current.This can cause Lorenz forces to develop in the flyer, which, when they reach the yield stress of the material, can cause plastic deformation of the flyer away from the tool coil. This effect is known as electromagnetic forming. Once the initial distance between flyer and target has been overcome, the two joining partners collide. If the impact conditions lie within a process window that depends on the material combination to be joined, a material-to-material bond between the two joining partners can occur. For example, the at least one cover can be the carrier and the tube the flyer. The at least one reduction can be produced using magnetic pulse welding. As a result of the connection through a high-speed collision, the at least one cover and the tube can be joined with almost no heating. The formation of a heat-affected zone can thus be advantageously avoided.The material-tight connection ensures that the pipe is fluid-tightly sealed by the at least one cover. A fluid-tight connection can be understood to mean that no medium or only a negligible amount of a medium can pass through the connection. The interior of the pipe can be under pressure when the collector according to the invention is in operation. This pressure can load the at least one cover in the axial direction. Due to the material-tight connection and the at least one reducer, the at least one cover can no longer shift in the axial direction. A collector according to the invention can be tested before use with a significantly higher pressure than the pressure that occurs during operation.When testing a collector according to the invention, it may be possible that the at least one cover only moves in the axial direction at a significantly greater pressure and that the collector according to the invention is no longer fluid-tight only at a greater pressure. In a first exemplary embodiment, the tube can be open at both ends. In this case, the tube of the collector according to the invention can be closed with two covers at each of the two ends. In a second exemplary embodiment, the tube can be open at the upper end and closed by a base at the lower end. Such a tube could, for example, be produced by a welding process from a circular base and a shell surface. The circular base and the shell surface can comprise a metallic material. In a further exemplary embodiment, the tube can be open at the upper end and closed at the lower end, for example by a fold.In another embodiment, the tube can be open at the top and closed at the bottom. The tube and the base can be formed as a single piece. This is possible, for example, through primary forming and reverse extrusion.

[0005] In a further exemplary embodiment, the tube can have at least one further, at least partially continuous circumferential bead. The at least one further bead can be arranged below or above the at least one cover and can touch the cover. The bead can be designed as a groove-shaped circumferential depression and can be produced, for example, by a radial pressing process. The bead can advantageously prevent the cover from slipping in before the material-to-material connection between cover and tube is produced. The further bead can also increase the flexural rigidity of the tube. In this way, the tube can better absorb the forces generated in the axial direction by the high-speed collision between cover and tube. In this way, damage during production of the collector according to the invention can be avoided.

[0006] In a further embodiment of the collector according to the invention, the at least one first reduction of the first tube can be formed as a circumferential bead and the at least one first bulge of the at least one first cover can be formed as a circumferential constriction. The circumferential constriction can, for example, be formed as a circumferential groove-shaped indented point on the first cover, whereby the first reduction can be formed as a circumferential bead. The circumferential bead can be groove-shaped. It is possible to permanently deform the first metallic material, for example by magnetic pulse welding, and thus produce the first reduction. The first cover can have the first bulge before the first tube is closed. The at least one first cover can thus have a displacement in the axial direction that tends towards zero.The load on the at least one first cover due to a pressure occurring inside the collector can thus be advantageously introduced into the pipe and the collector can be closed in a fluid-tight manner.

[0007] In a further embodiment of the collector according to the invention, the at least one second reduction of the second tube can be formed as a circumferential indentation and the at least one second bulge of the at least one second cover can be formed as a circumferential indentation. The circumferential indentation can, for example, have an increasingly smaller diameter in the axial direction. It is possible to permanently deform the first metallic material, for example by magnetic pulse welding, and thus produce the second reduction. The second cover can have the second bulge before the second tube is closed. The at least one second cover can thus have a displacement in the axial direction that tends towards zero.The load on the at least one second cover due to an even higher pressure occurring inside the collector can thus be advantageously introduced even better into the pipe and the pipe can be sealed fluid-tight by the cover.

[0008] The tube of the collector according to the invention can have a first metallic material, wherein the first material can have a constant strength that can be greater than or at least equal to the strength of the first material before the tube is closed with at least one cover. It is possible for an aluminum alloy to be used as the first metallic material. Strength is understood to be the mechanical load-bearing capacity of the tube until it fails. A break or excessive permanent deformation of the tube can, for example, cause this failure. Material-bonding processes such as welding or soldering influence the strength of the tube, at least in some areas. When welding the collector and cover, the heat generated can create a disadvantageous heat-affected zone in which the strength can be significantly reduced.If the header and cover are soldered together in a furnace, the heat can reduce the strength of the first material. This reduction in the strength of the tube would have to be compensated for, for example, by a disadvantageous increase in the wall thickness of the tube. This can be avoided with the header according to the invention, since the tube can be closed with at least one cover using a process that generates hardly any heat. In this way, it is possible to use a tube with a smaller wall thickness and thus save material. The tube may be produced by a process such as extrusion. This process may increase the strength of the first material. Since the strength of the first material is at least not reduced by closing the tube with at least one cover, this increase in strength can be exploited to reduce the wall thickness even further.

[0009] The at least one cover of the collector according to the invention can be formed in one piece. This makes it possible to produce the at least one cover in a simple manner, for example, by extrusion. The at least one cover can contain bores as passages for the inlet line and the outlet line of the collector according to the invention.

[0010] The first material can be plastically deformed in the area of ​​the at least one reduction. The first material can be a metallic material. Plastic deformation can be understood as the permanent deformation of a metallic material, for example, after a compressive load. In this way, the at least one reduction can be produced in a simple manner. The strength of the pipe is advantageously not significantly affected.

[0011] In a further embodiment, at least one filter can be arranged inside the collector pipe. A liquid medium can flow through the collector. With the help of a filter, coarse dirt particles and any chips still present from the production process can be filtered out of the medium. The collector can be used in a refrigerant circuit together with other components. The filter can protect the other components from damage and contamination. In a further embodiment, at least one desiccant can be arranged inside the collector pipe. The desiccant makes it possible to remove moisture from the medium. In this way, the components of the refrigerant circuit can be protected from corrosion and possible malfunctions of the refrigerant circuit caused by water can be prevented.The desiccant can be, for example, a desiccant bag. In another embodiment of the collector, at least one filter and a desiccant can be arranged inside the tube to filter a medium and remove moisture from the medium.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the collector according to the invention, the pipe can be connected to a connection plate. The collector can, for example, be used in a refrigerant circuit together with other components. Using the connection plate, the collector according to the invention can advantageously be connected to other components of the refrigerant circuit. It is conceivable to connect the collector to one of the components using a force-fitting method, such as clamps. Alternatively, it is possible to connect the collector to one of the components using a form-fitting method, such as pressing or with a screw connection. The connection plate and / or the pipe can contain bores as feedthroughs for the inlet line and the outlet line of the collector according to the invention.The other components of the refrigerant circuit can be, for example, a condenser, an expansion valve, a compressor, or an evaporator. The components can be used in a refrigerant circuit, for example, in the following ways: a condenser for condensing a refrigerant, a receiver according to the invention for collecting and storing the refrigerant, an expansion valve for expanding the refrigerant, an evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant, and a compressor for compressing the refrigerant.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the collector according to the invention, the at least one cover can be connected to a connection plate. The collector can, for example, be used in a refrigerant circuit together with other components. Using the connection plate, the collector according to the invention can advantageously be connected to other components of the refrigerant circuit. It is conceivable to connect the collector to one of the components using a force-fitting method, such as clamps. It is conceivable that the connection plate is arranged on the cover at the upper end of the collector according to the invention. Alternatively, it is possible for the connection plate to be arranged on the cover at the lower end of the collector according to the invention. The connection plate and / or the cover can contain bores as feedthroughs for the inlet line and the outlet line of the collector according to the invention.

[0014] The inventive method for producing the collector according to the inventive embodiments can comprise the following steps. In a first step, the tube can be produced together with the connecting plate. It is conceivable for the tube to be extruded together with the connecting plate from a metallic material such as an aluminum alloy. Alternatively, it is possible to reverse-extrude or weld the tube. In a subsequent step, an inlet line and an outlet line can be produced. For example, by drilling a hole in each of the tubes. In the following step, the first cover can be positioned at the lower end of the tube. A further circumferential bead on the tube prevents the first cover from slipping into the tube.The first cover can then be firmly bonded to the pipe using magnetic pulse welding, and a first reduction can be created so that the pipe can be sealed fluid-tight and dust-tight at the lower end by the first cover. In a subsequent step, at least one filter and / or at least one desiccant can be introduced into the pipe. In a subsequent step, the second cover can be positioned at the upper end of the pipe. The second cover can then be firmly bonded to the pipe using magnetic pulse welding, and a second reduction can be created so that the pipe can be sealed fluid-tight and dust-tight at the upper end by the second cover.

[0015] The refrigerant circuit according to the invention for a motor vehicle can have the following components: a condenser for condensing a refrigerant, a collector according to the invention for collecting and storing the refrigerant, an expansion valve for expanding the refrigerant, an evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant, a compressor for compressing the refrigerant and the connecting lines, wherein a refrigerant flows through the refrigerant circuit. It is conceivable that R1234yf, for example, flows through the refrigerant circuit. Alternatively, it is possible for carbon dioxide (R744), propane (R290), or R134a to flow through the refrigerant circuit. With the help of the evaporator, heat can be extracted from the interior of a motor vehicle, for example, and this heat can be released to the environment via the condenser.The collector according to the invention advantageously serves to increase the efficiency of the refrigerant circuit under different ambient conditions by storing refrigerant in the collector according to the invention and releasing it again when needed. The collector according to the invention can be designed in such a way that, among other things, phase separation of a refrigerant containing gaseous and liquid components can take place therein, partly through gravity. Different ambient conditions can be understood, for example, as the different seasons. Since the refrigeration circuit is closed and has only a maximum of one collector according to the invention, the refrigeration circuit can function in a self-regulating manner with the aid of the collector according to the invention. The refrigerant circuit can have a high-pressure part with the condenser and a low-pressure part with the evaporator. In the high-pressure part, the refrigerant has a significantly higher pressure than in the low-pressure part.In a first embodiment, the accumulator according to the invention can be arranged in the high-pressure section behind the condenser. It is possible that the vaporous refrigerant in the condenser is not completely liquefied by cooling under pressure and therefore still contains vaporous components.

[0016] By arranging the inventive collector behind the condenser, it can be ensured that only saturated liquid refrigerant can escape from the inventive collector. It is possible that the refrigerant is further subcooled after exiting the inventive collector, for example, in a subcooling section of the condenser or another (internal) heat exchanger.

[0017] In a second embodiment of the refrigerant circuit according to the invention, the accumulator according to the invention can be arranged in the low-pressure section downstream of the evaporator. It is possible that the liquid refrigerant in the evaporator is not completely evaporated by the supply and still contains liquid components. By arranging the accumulator according to the invention downstream of the evaporator, it can be ensured that only saturated vaporous refrigerant can escape from the accumulator according to the invention. Fig. 1 Exploded view of a collector according to the invention Fig. 2a, sectional view of a collector according to the invention with a first tube with a first cover and with a first reduction Fig. 2b Sectional view of a collector according to the invention with a second tube, with a second cover and with a second reduction Fig. 3a, Fig. 3b Sketch of a refrigerant circuit according to the invention

[0018] In Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a collector S in a first embodiment according to the invention. A medium (not shown) can be collected, dried, and stored in the collector S. The collector S has the first tube RZ1. The first tube RZ1 consists of a cylindrical hollow body. The first tube RZ1 is open at the lower end and the upper end. The axial direction AR runs along the longer side of the first tube RZ1 from bottom to top, wherein the first tube RZ1 can have a first metallic material. For example, the first tube RZ1 can be made of an aluminum alloy. It is conceivable that the first tube RZ1 is produced by extrusion. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the first tube RZ1 is produced by impact molding. The plate P is connected to the first tube RZ1. The plate P can, for example, be produced simultaneously during the production of the first tube RZ1.The collector S can be connected to the plate P, for example, with a condenser (not shown), either force-fitting or form-fitting. The plate P and the first pipe RZ1 have an inlet line ZL and an outlet line AL for introducing or discharging a medium (not shown) into the collector S. A filter F for filtering the medium (not shown) is arranged inside the collector S. The filter F can be made of a plastic, for example. The desiccant T arranged inside the collector S serves to dry the medium (not shown). The desiccant T can be a desiccant bag. The first pipe ZR1 is closed with two first covers D1 at the top and bottom. For this purpose, the two first covers D1 each have the first bulge B1 in the form of a circumferential bead. It is possible for the two first covers D1 to be made of a second metallic material.The two first covers D1 can be made of an aluminum alloy, for example. The two first covers D1 and the first tube RZ1 are integrally connected. The integral connection is created using the magnetic pulse process. The two first reducers R1 are created simultaneously using the magnetic pulse process. Since no or only a negligible amount of heat is generated when closing the collector S with the two first covers D1, damage to the filter F and desiccant T due to excessively high temperatures can be advantageously avoided. A reduction in the strength of the first tube RZ1 due to excessively high temperatures can also be advantageously avoided.

[0019] Shown in Fig. 2 shows a section through the upper part of the collector S according to the invention in a first embodiment according to the invention and a second embodiment according to the invention. The section runs along one of the planes of symmetry of the tube RZ1, RZ2. In each case, the upper part of the collector S is shown. The collector S has the tube RZ1, RZ2, the cover D1, D2 and the reducer R1, R2. The axial direction AR runs along the longer side of the tube RZ1, RZ1 in the direction of the cover D1, D2. The cover D1, D closes the tube RZ1, RZ2 in the axial direction, wherein the cover D1, D2 has the bulge B1, B2. The cover D1, D2 has the bulge B1, B2 completely or at least almost completely before the cover D1, D2 is installed in the tube RZ1, RZ2. It is conceivable that the cover D1, D2 is made of a second metallic material. For example, the cover D1, D2 can be made of an aluminum alloy and manufactured by extrusion.The pipe RZ1, RZ2 has the inner side ZI on the inner wall. The pipe RZ1, RZ2 has an inner diameter DI and an outer diameter DA. The bulges B1, B2, B3 and the reducer R1, R2 touch each other and thus create a connection between the cover D1, D2 and the pipe RZ1, RZ2. This connection is a material-to-material connection and is manufactured using magnetic pulse welding. The reducer R1, R2 is created and the pipe RZ1, RZ2 is sealed fluid-tight with the cover D1, D2. The interior of the collector S can be pressurized. The material-to-material connection advantageously prevents movement (e.g., pressing open) of the cover D1, D2 in the axial direction. The pipe RZ1, RZ2 has a first metallic material. For example, the pipe RZ1, RZ2 can be made of an aluminum alloy. The pipe RZ1, RZ2 has a further bead ZS1, ZS2.The additional bead ZS1, ZS2 is circumferential and groove-shaped and is arranged below the cover D1, D2 opposite the axial direction AR. The bead ZS1, ZS2 can be produced, for example, by a radial pressing process. The bead ZS1, ZS2 advantageously prevents the cover D1, D2 from slipping in before the material connection between the pipe RZ1, RZ2 and the cover D1, D2 is created. In this way, the position of the cover D1, D2 can be advantageously secured opposite the axial direction AR. The bead ZS1, ZS2 also advantageously increases the flexural rigidity of the pipe RZ1, RZ2.

[0020] In Fig. Figure 2a shows a section of the upper part of the collector S along a plane of symmetry in a first embodiment according to the invention. The first tube RZ1 has the first reduction R1, with the first cover D1 having the first bulge B1. The first reduction R1 is designed as a circumferential bead, and the first bulge B1 is designed as a circumferential constriction. The first tube RZ1 has the circumferential first bead ZS1.

[0021] Shown in Fig. 2b shows a section of the upper part of the collector S along a plane of symmetry in a second embodiment according to the invention. The second tube RZ2 has the second reduction R2, with the second cover D2 having the second bulge B2. The second reduction R2 and the second bulge B2 are designed as a circumferential recess, with the circumferential recess having an increasingly smaller outer diameter in the axial direction AR. The second tube RZ2 has the circumferential second bead ZS2.

[0022] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a sketch of a refrigerant circuit 100 in a first embodiment according to the invention and in a second embodiment according to the invention, wherein a refrigerant flows through the refrigerant circuit 100. For example, a refrigerant such as R1234yf flows through the refrigerant circuit 100. The refrigerant circuit 100 has the following components: a condenser KO for condensing a refrigerant, a receiver S according to the invention for collecting and storing the refrigerant, an expansion valve EV for expanding the refrigerant, an evaporator VD for evaporating the refrigerant, and a compressor KP for compressing the refrigerant. With the help of the evaporator VD, heat can be extracted, for example, from the interior of a motor vehicle and this heat can be released to the environment via the condenser KO.The collector S according to the invention serves to increase the efficiency of the refrigerant circuit 100 under different ambient conditions by storing refrigerant in the collector S according to the invention and releasing it again when needed. The refrigerant can contain both gaseous and liquid components. The collector S according to the invention is designed so that phase separation can occur within it due to gravity. Different ambient conditions can be understood, for example, as the different seasons. Since the refrigerant circuit 100 is closed and has only one collector S according to the invention, the collector S functions in a self-regulating manner. In the high-pressure section with the condenser KO, the pressure is significantly higher than in the low-pressure section with the evaporator VD.

[0023] Shown in Fig. 3a shows the sketch of the refrigerant circuit 100 in a first embodiment of the invention. The inventive receiver S is arranged in the high-pressure section behind the condenser KO. This arrangement ensures that only saturated liquid refrigerant exits the inventive receiver S.

[0024] In Fig. Figure 3b shows a sketch of the refrigerant circuit 100 in a second embodiment of the invention. The inventive collector S is arranged in the low-pressure section behind the evaporator VD. This arrangement ensures that only saturated vaporous refrigerant escapes from the inventive collector S. List of reference symbols S inventive collector AR axial direction D1, D2, cover according to the invention B1, B2 inventive bulging R1, R2, inventive reduction RZ1, RZ2 pipe according to the invention ZI Inside of the pipe according to the invention P Plate for mounting the collector according to the invention ZL supply line for a refrigerant AL drain line for a refrigerant F filter element arranged in the collector according to the invention T Desiccant arranged in the collector according to the invention ZS1, ZS1 further circumferential bead on the pipe according to the invention DI inner diameter of the pipe according to the invention DA Outer diameter of the pipe according to the invention 100, 101 inventive refrigerant circuit VD evaporator arranged in the refrigerant circuit according to the invention KP compressor arranged in the refrigerant circuit according to the invention KO compressor arranged in the refrigerant circuit according to the invention EV expansion valve arranged in the refrigerant circuit according to the invention QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 1 533 580 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Collector (S) preferably for a refrigerant circuit (100) for a motor vehicle, comprising: - one pipe (RZ1, RZ2) - at least one lid (D1, D2) - an axial direction (AR), characterized by that the tube (RZ1, RZ2) has at least one reduction (R1, R2) and the at least one cover (D1, D2) has at least one bulge (B1, B2), wherein the at least one bulge (B1, B2) and the at least one reduction (R1, R2) touch each other, so that the at least one cover (D1, D2) closes the tube (RZ1, RZ2) in the axial direction (AR), wherein the at least one cover (D1, D2) has a displacement in the axial direction (AR) that tends towards zero. [2] Collector (S) according to claim 1, characterized by that the pipe (RZ1, RZ2) and at least one cover (D1, D2) are integrally connected. [3] Collector (S) according to claim 1 and 2, characterized bythat the pipe (RZ1, RZ2) has at least one further, at least partially connected circumferential bead (ZS1, ZS2). [4] Collector (S) according to claim 1, 2 and 3, characterized by that the at least one first reduction (R1) of the first tube (RZ1) is designed as a circumferential bead and the at least one first bulge (B1) of the at least one first cover (D1) is designed as a circumferential constriction. [5] Collector (S) according to claim 1, 2 and 3, characterized by that the at least one second reduction (R2) of the second tube (RZ2) is designed as a circumferential indentation and the at least one second bulge (B2) of the at least one second cover (D2) is designed as a circumferential indentation. [6] Collector (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one cover (D1, D2) is formed in one piece. [7] Collector (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the tube (RZ1, RZ2) comprises a first metallic material, wherein the first material has a constant strength which is greater than or at least equal to the strength of the first material before closing the tube (RZ1, RZ2) with at least one cover (D1, D2). [8] Collector (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one filter (F) and / or at least one desiccant (T) are arranged inside the tube (RZ1, RZ2). [9] Collector (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the pipe (RZ1, RZ2) is connected to a connecting plate (P). [10] Collector (S) according to claims 1-9, characterized by that at least one cover (D1, D2) is connected to a connecting plate (P). [11] Method for producing the collector (S) according to claims 1-10, comprising the following method steps: - Manufacture of the pipe (RZ1, RZ2) with the connection plate P - Construction of an inlet line (ZL) and an outlet line (AL) - Positioning of the first cover (D1, D2) at the lower end of the tube (RZ1, RZ2) - Producing a material-to-material connection between the pipe (RZ1, RZ2) and the first cover (D1, D2) by means of magnetic pulse welding while simultaneously producing the first reduction (R1, R2) so that the pipe (RZ1, RZ2) is fluid-tightly closed at the lower end by the first cover (D1, D2). - Inserting at least one filter (F) and / or at least one desiccant (T) into the pipe (RZ1, RZ2) - Positioning of the second cover (D1, D2) at the upper end of the tube (RZ1, RZ2) - Producing a material-to-material connection between the pipe (RZ1, RZ2) and the second cover (D1, D2) by means of magnetic pulse welding while simultaneously producing the second reduction (R1, R2) so that the pipe (RZ1, RZ2) is fluid-tightly closed at the upper end by the first cover (D1, D2). [12] Refrigerant circuit (100) for a motor vehicle comprising: - a compressor (KP) - a capacitor (KO) - an evaporator (VD) - a collector (S) according to at least one of claims 1-10 characterized by that the collector (S) is arranged after the condenser (KO) in the refrigerant circuit (100) or that the collector (S) is arranged after the evaporator (VD) in the refrigerant circuit (100).

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