Refrigerant collection device for a refrigeration circuit, in particular for an R744 refrigeration circuit, and motor vehicle with a refrigeration circuit

Abstract

In order to provide a refrigerant collection device for a refrigeration circuit, in particular for an R744 refrigeration circuit, at which a plurality of refrigerant lines of the refrigeration circuit can be brought together, whereby mechanical loads on the connections of the refrigerant lines to the refrigerant collection device are reduced and whereby separation of a lubricating oil carried in a refrigerant can be prevented, a refrigerant collection device (100) for a refrigeration circuit (10), in particular for an R744 refrigeration circuit, comprising a housing (11) is proposed, wherein the housing (11) has at least two refrigerant inlets (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e) and at least one refrigerant outlet (13), wherein a refrigerant collection line (14) is formed in the housing (11), wherein from each of the refrigerant inlets (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e) there is an inlet line (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d,15e) leads to the refrigerant collecting line (14) and is fluidly connected to the refrigerant collecting line (14), wherein the refrigerant collecting line (14) opens into the at least one refrigerant outlet (13), and wherein a pressure relief valve (17) is arranged in the refrigerant collecting line (14).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerant collecting device for a refrigeration circuit, in particular for an R744 refrigeration circuit, comprising a housing, wherein the housing has at least two refrigerant inlets and at least one refrigerant outlet, wherein a refrigerant collecting line is formed in the housing, wherein from each of the refrigerant inlets an inlet line leads to the refrigerant collecting line and is fluidically connected to the refrigerant collecting line, wherein the refrigerant collecting line opens into the at least one refrigerant outlet.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle with a refrigeration circuit, in particular an R744 refrigeration circuit.

[0003] In refrigeration circuits with an internal heat exchanger, multiple refrigerant lines are converged at the internal heat exchanger. For this purpose, the refrigerant lines are connected to the internal heat exchanger, specifically by screwing. If multiple refrigerant lines are connected, a statically overdetermined system exists, in which residual stresses in the refrigerant lines can lead to additional stress on the connections between the refrigerant lines and the internal heat exchanger. This creates the risk that the connections between the refrigerant lines and the internal heat exchanger are leaking or will become leaking over time.

[0004] From DE 10 2014 105 097 A1 a valve block arrangement for a plurality of valves, in particular expansion and / or shut-off valves, is known, comprising a valve block with a plurality of flow paths for fluids and a plurality of adjustment units with associated drive units, wherein the valve block is formed in two parts from a flow path element with the flow paths and from a limiting element.

[0005] US 2021 / 0148616 A1 discloses a cooling system for a vehicle with a refrigeration circuit having a double-flow heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger can be operated as a refrigerant condenser / gas cooler for air conditioning operation or as an air heat pump evaporator for heat pump operation. The first flow path of the heat exchanger has a first refrigerant connection, and the second flow path of the heat exchanger has a second refrigerant connection. With double flow through the heat exchanger in air conditioning operation, the first refrigerant connection is a refrigerant inlet, and the second refrigerant connection is a refrigerant outlet. With single flow through the heat exchanger in heat pump operation, the second refrigerant connection is a refrigerant inlet.

[0006] DE 10 2018 213 547 A1 discloses a cooling unit for a cooling device for cooling a battery, comprising a collecting block having a first main connection for connecting a coolant supply line and a second main connection for connecting a coolant discharge line, as well as at least one first and second cooling element connection. Furthermore, the cooling unit has a first cooling element through which a coolant can flow for cooling at least one side of a first battery module of the battery. The first cooling element has a first connection for supplying the coolant to the first cooling element and a second connection for discharging the coolant from the first cooling element. The first connection of the first cooling element is directly connected to the first cooling element connection of the collecting block, and the second connection of the cooling element is directly connected to the second cooling element connection.

[0007] DE 10 2006 055 837 A1 describes a heat exchanger, particularly for use as an evaporator in vehicle air conditioning systems. The heat exchanger consists of three heat exchanger registers arranged on three levels and flowing in series on the refrigerant side. These registers transfer the heat of the passing air to the liquid flowing through the heat exchanger registers and thereby evaporating. The heat exchanger registers consist of parallel-flow heat transfer tubes integrated into manifolds, and the heat exchanger registers are connected via one end of the manifolds.The connections of the first heat exchanger register and the third heat exchanger register are arranged alternately / diagonally, and the connections of the second heat exchanger register are arranged on the same side, wherein one connection of the first heat exchanger register and the third heat exchanger register serves to integrate the heat exchanger into the refrigeration circuit and a further connection is connected to the connections of the second heat exchanger register by a correspondingly arranged connecting element, wherein the passage cross section of the connecting elements is at least 60% of the passage cross section of the collecting lines.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerant collecting device for a refrigeration circuit, in particular for an R744 refrigeration circuit, at which a plurality of refrigerant lines of the refrigeration circuit can be brought together, wherein mechanical loads on the connections of the refrigerant lines to the refrigerant collecting device are reduced, and wherein separation of a lubricating oil carried in a refrigerant can be prevented.

[0009] To achieve the object underlying the invention, a refrigerant collecting device for a refrigeration circuit, in particular for an R744 refrigeration circuit, comprising a housing is proposed, wherein the housing has at least two refrigerant inlets and at least one refrigerant outlet, wherein a refrigerant collecting line is formed in the housing, wherein an inlet line leads from each of the refrigerant inlets to the refrigerant collecting line and is fluidically connected to the refrigerant collecting line, wherein the refrigerant collecting line opens into the at least one refrigerant outlet, wherein a pressure relief valve is further arranged in the refrigerant collecting line.

[0010] In an R744 refrigeration cycle, CO 2 used as a refrigerant.

[0011] The housing of the refrigerant collection device has at least two refrigerant inlets to which refrigerant lines of a refrigeration circuit can be connected. A refrigerant collection line is provided within the housing of the refrigerant collection device. Furthermore, the housing of the refrigerant collection device has at least one refrigerant outlet fluidically connected to the refrigerant collection line, to which a connecting line for discharging the refrigerant can be attached. Refrigerant from connected refrigerant lines can be supplied to the refrigerant collection line via the refrigerant inlets and the respective inlet lines. The refrigerant supplied to the refrigerant collection line can then exit the refrigerant collection device through the refrigerant outlet.

[0012] According to the invention, a pressure relief valve is arranged in the refrigerant collection line. Thus, the refrigerant collection device can advantageously be used on a low-pressure side of a refrigeration circuit and, in particular, can be connected upstream of an internal heat exchanger. In this case, the refrigerant exiting the refrigerant outlet is preferably fed to the internal heat exchanger, preferably via a connecting line.

[0013] The pressure relief valve is, in particular, a passive valve. By means of the pressure relief valve, the pressure within the refrigerant collection device or within a refrigeration circuit that includes such a refrigerant collection device can be reduced by selectively releasing refrigerant, thus protecting the refrigerant collection device or the refrigeration circuit.

[0014] Since the refrigerant lines no longer need to be connected directly to the internal heat exchanger when using the refrigerant collection device, stresses due to residual stresses in the refrigerant lines can be reduced.

[0015] It is preferably provided that the housing has a bottom side and a top side, and that the refrigerant collection line and / or the refrigerant outlet is arranged below the refrigerant inlets and / or the inlet lines with respect to a vertical direction directed from the bottom side to the top side.

[0016] The arrangement of the refrigerant collection line and / or the refrigerant outlet vertically below the refrigerant inlets and / or the inlet lines has the advantage that separation of a lubricating oil carried in the refrigerant can be prevented during operation of the refrigerant collection device in a refrigeration circuit.

[0017] The refrigerant collection line can also be designed vertically with respect to the vertical direction, as long as it is ensured that the refrigerant outlet is located below the inlet line and / or the refrigerant inlets.

[0018] It is further advantageous that the refrigerant collecting device comprises at least three, preferably at least four refrigerant inlets.

[0019] Furthermore, it can be provided that check valves are arranged in at least one, preferably in several, most preferably in all, inlet lines.

[0020] By arranging one or more check valves in the inlet line(s), backflow of a refrigerant fed into the refrigerant collection device through the refrigerant inlets can be prevented.

[0021] It can further be provided that the housing is a solid housing, preferably made of a plastic, and that the refrigerant collecting line and / or the inlet lines are formed as bores in the housing.

[0022] This simplifies the manufacture of the refrigerant collection device. If necessary, the refrigerant collection line must be plugged at the end.

[0023] A further solution to the problem underlying the invention consists in a motor vehicle with a refrigeration circuit, in particular an R744 refrigeration circuit, the refrigeration circuit comprising at least one compressor, one condenser, one, preferably first, evaporator and an internal heat exchanger, wherein it is provided that the refrigeration circuit has a refrigerant collecting device as described above.

[0024] The refrigeration circuit may further comprise an expansion valve.

[0025] The evaporator, preferably the first one, can be an air conditioning component for a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. In particular, the evaporator, preferably the first one, can be designed to cool the air in the passenger compartment. The aforementioned advantages can be achieved by arranging the refrigerant collection device in the refrigeration circuit of the motor vehicle.

[0026] The motor vehicle may preferably be a battery electric motor vehicle and / or a hybrid electric motor vehicle.

[0027] It is advantageously provided that the refrigerant collecting device is arranged in the refrigeration circuit in such a way that the refrigerant collecting line and / or the refrigerant outlet is arranged below the refrigerant inlets and / or the inlet lines, as seen in a vertical direction.

[0028] This arrangement and orientation of the refrigerant collection device in the refrigeration circuit of the motor vehicle effectively prevents separation of a lubricating oil carried by the refrigerant during operation of the refrigeration circuit.

[0029] In particular, it can be provided that the refrigerant collecting device is arranged on a low-pressure side of the refrigeration circuit.

[0030] The arrangement of the refrigerant collection device on the low-pressure side of the refrigeration circuit is made possible in particular by the pressure relief valve in the refrigerant collection line of the refrigerant collection device.

[0031] With further advantage, it can be provided that the refrigerant outlet of the refrigerant collecting device is fluidically connected to the internal heat exchanger via a connecting line of the refrigeration circuit.

[0032] The refrigerant to be supplied to the internal heat exchanger on the low-pressure side can thus be collected in the refrigerant collection device. The refrigerant is then supplied to the internal heat exchanger through the refrigerant outlet and the connecting line.

[0033] Furthermore, it can be provided that the refrigeration circuit has a heating gas cooler, and / or a chiller, and / or a second evaporator.

[0034] The heating gas cooler can be designed as an additional air conditioning component for the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. In particular, the heating gas cooler can be used to heat the air in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0035] The chiller is preferably used to cool a motor vehicle's drive battery. This is particularly advantageous if the motor vehicle is a battery-electric vehicle and / or a hybrid electric vehicle.

[0036] The second evaporator, which can also be called the rear evaporator, also serves to cool the air inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The second evaporator, specifically the rear evaporator, serves to cool the air in the rear part of the passenger compartment, whereas the first evaporator primarily serves to cool the air in the front part of the passenger compartment.

[0037] It can preferably be provided that the refrigeration circuit can be switched between a cooling mode and a heat pump mode.

[0038] Because the refrigeration circuit can be switched between cooling mode and heat pump mode, the air in the passenger compartment can be cooled via the first evaporator in cooling mode, and preferably the second evaporator. In heat pump mode, the air in the passenger compartment can be heated using the hot gas cooler.

[0039] It is preferably provided that a refrigerant inlet is connected to an outlet side of the, preferably first, evaporator via a refrigerant line of the refrigeration circuit.

[0040] Furthermore, it can be provided that at least one refrigerant inlet is connected via a respective refrigerant line of the refrigeration circuit to an outlet side of the second evaporator, and / or the heating gas cooler, and / or the chiller.

[0041] By means of the refrigerant collection device, the refrigerant flows of the preferably first evaporator, the preferably second evaporator, the heating gas cooler, and the chiller can be combined and fed to the internal heat exchanger.

[0042] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. They show: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a refrigerant collection device, Fig. 2 a refrigeration circuit comprising the refrigerant collecting device, Fig. 3 a motor vehicle with a refrigeration circuit comprising a refrigerant collecting device, and Fig. 4 a perspective view of the refrigerant collection device with connected refrigerant and connecting lines.

[0043] Fig. 1 schematically shows a refrigerant collecting device 100 for a refrigeration circuit 10 according to Fig. 2. The refrigeration cycle 10 after Fig. 2 comprising the refrigerant collecting device 100 can be used in a motor vehicle 200 according to Fig. 3 be arranged.

[0044] The refrigerant collection device 100 comprises a housing 11 with five refrigerant inlets 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e and one refrigerant outlet 13. As shown, a refrigerant line 33 can be connected to each of the refrigerant inlets 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e. A refrigerant collection line 14 is provided within the housing 11. From each of the refrigerant inlets 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, an inlet line 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e leads to the refrigerant collection line 14 and is fluidly connected thereto, so that refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant inlets 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e can be collected in the refrigerant collection line 14. The refrigerant collection line 14 opens into the refrigerant outlet 13. Refrigerant escaping from the refrigerant outlet 13 can be discharged again via a connecting line 16.A pressure relief valve 17 is arranged within the refrigerant collection line 14, by means of which refrigerant can be discharged in a targeted manner in order to reduce the pressure within the refrigerant collection device 100 or within the refrigeration circuit 10.

[0045] The refrigerant collection line 14 is designed as a bore in the largely solid housing 11 and is closed with a plug 18 at the end opposite the refrigerant outlet 13.

[0046] The housing 11 of the refrigerant collection device 100 has a top side 19 and a bottom side 20. The refrigerant collection line 14 and the refrigerant outlet 13 are arranged below the refrigerant inlets 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e and the inlet lines 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e with respect to a vertical direction 21 directed from the bottom side 20 to the top side 19. A check valve 22 is arranged in one of the inlet lines 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e. In principle, check valves 22 can also be arranged in several of the inlet lines 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e.

[0047] Fig. 2 shows a refrigeration circuit 10 for a Fig. 3. The refrigeration circuit 10 comprises a compressor 23, a condenser 24, a first evaporator 25, an expansion valve integrated in a valve block 26, and an internal heat exchanger 27. Additional switching elements for controlling the refrigerant flows can also be integrated into the valve block 26. The refrigeration circuit 10 also has a hot gas cooler 28, a second evaporator 29, and a chiller 30 for cooling a drive battery (not shown in detail) of the motor vehicle 200. The refrigeration circuit 10 can be switched between cooling mode and heat pump mode. For this purpose, shut-off valves 31 and check valves are provided in the refrigeration circuit. The first evaporator 25 serves to cool the air in the front part of the passenger compartment 32 of the motor vehicle 200. The air in the passenger compartment 32 of the motor vehicle 200 can be heated by means of the hot gas cooler 28.The second evaporator 29, which can also be called the rear evaporator, serves to cool the air in the rear part of the passenger compartment 32 of the motor vehicle 200.

[0048] The first evaporator 25, the second evaporator 29, the heating gas cooler 28, and the chiller 30 are connected to the refrigerant inlets 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d of the refrigerant collection device 100 via refrigerant lines 33. The refrigerant outlet 13 of the refrigerant collection device 100 is connected to the internal heat exchanger 27 on the low-pressure side of the refrigeration circuit 10 via a connecting line 16. Refrigerant exiting the first evaporator 25, the second evaporator 29, the heating gas cooler 28 and the chiller 30 is combined via the refrigerant lines 33 and the refrigerant inlets 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d in the refrigerant collecting line 14 of the refrigerant collecting device 100 and then fed to the internal heat exchanger 27 via the refrigerant outlet 13 and the connecting line 16.

[0049] The refrigerant collection device 100 is arranged within the refrigeration circuit 10 such that the refrigerant collection line 14 and the refrigerant outlet 13 are located below the refrigerant inlets 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d and the inlet lines 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, as viewed in a vertical direction 21. The lower refrigerant collection line 14 prevents the separation of any lubricating oil entrained by the refrigerant.

[0050] The arrangement of the first evaporator 25, the second evaporator 29, the heating gas cooler 28 and the chiller 30 as well as the further elements of the refrigeration circuit 10 can furthermore be selected according to the installation space conditions in the motor vehicle 200 and does not necessarily have to be shown in the illustration with regard to the vertical direction 21 Fig. 2 correspond.

[0051] Fig.4 shows a perspective view of the refrigerant collection device 100 arranged in the refrigeration circuit 10. Refrigerant lines 33 coming from the first evaporator 25, the second evaporator 29, the heating gas cooler 28, and the chiller 30 are connected to the refrigerant collection device 100. The connecting line 16 connected to the refrigerant outlet 13 and leading to the internal heat exchanger 27 is arranged below the refrigerant inlets 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e and the refrigerant lines 33 connected to them with respect to a vertical direction 21 directed from the bottom side 20 to the top side 19. List of reference symbols 100 refrigerant collection device 200 motor vehicles 10 Refrigeration circuit 11 housings 12a-12e refrigerant inlet 13 Refrigerant outlet 14 Refrigerant manifold 15a-15e input line 16 connecting line 17 Pressure relief valve 18 plugs 19 Top 20 Bottom 21 Vertical direction 22 Check valve 23 Compressor 24 Capacitor 25 First evaporator 26 Valve block 27 Internal heat exchanger 28 heating gas coolers 29 Second evaporator 30 chillers 31 Shut-off valve 32 passenger compartment 33 Refrigerant line 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] DE 10 2014 105 097 A1

[0004] US 2021 / 0148616 A1

[0005] DE 10 2018 213 547 A1

[0006] DE 10 2006 055 837 A1

[0007]

Claims

[1] Refrigerant collection device (100) for a refrigeration circuit (10), in particular for an R744 refrigeration circuit, comprising a housing (11), wherein the housing (11) has at least two refrigerant inlets (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e) and at least one refrigerant outlet (13), wherein a refrigerant collection line (14) is formed in the housing (11), wherein from each of the refrigerant inlets (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e) an inlet line (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e) leads to the refrigerant collection line (14) and is fluidically connected to the refrigerant collection line (14), wherein the refrigerant collection line (14) opens into the at least one refrigerant outlet (13), characterized by that a pressure relief valve (17) is arranged in the refrigerant collecting line (14). [2] Refrigerant collecting device (100) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the housing (11) has a bottom side (20) and a top side (19), and that the refrigerant collecting line (14) and / or the refrigerant outlet (13) is arranged below the refrigerant inlets (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e) and / or the inlet lines (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e) with respect to a vertical direction (21) directed from the bottom side (20) to the top side (19). [3] Refrigerant collecting device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the refrigerant collecting device (100) comprises at least three, preferably at least four, refrigerant inlets (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e), and / or that check valves (22) are arranged in at least one, preferably in several, very particularly preferably in all, inlet lines (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e). [4] Refrigerant collection device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the housing (11) is a solid housing (11), preferably made of a plastic, and that the refrigerant collecting line (14) and / or the inlet lines (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e) are designed as bores in the housing (11). [5] Motor vehicle (200) with a refrigeration circuit (10), in particular an R744 refrigeration circuit, the refrigeration circuit (10) comprising at least one compressor (23), one condenser (24), one, preferably first, evaporator (25) and an internal heat exchanger (27), characterized by that the refrigeration circuit (10) comprises a refrigerant collecting device (100) according to one of the preceding claims. [6] Motor vehicle (200) with a refrigeration circuit (10) according to claim 5, characterized bythat the refrigerant collecting device (100) is arranged in the refrigeration circuit (10) in such a way that the refrigerant collecting line (14) and / or the refrigerant outlet (13) is arranged below the refrigerant inlets (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e) and / or the inlet lines (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e) as seen in a vertical direction (21). [7] Motor vehicle (200) with a refrigeration circuit (10) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by that the refrigerant collecting device (100) is arranged on a low-pressure side of the refrigeration circuit (10). [8] Motor vehicle (200) with a refrigeration circuit (10) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized by that the refrigerant outlet (13) of the refrigerant collecting device (100) is fluidically connected to the internal heat exchanger (27) via a connecting line (16) of the refrigeration circuit (10). [9] Motor vehicle (200) with a refrigeration circuit (10) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized bythat the refrigeration circuit (10) has a heating gas cooler (28), and / or a chiller (30), and / or a second evaporator (29), and / or that the refrigeration circuit (10) can be switched between a cooling mode and a heat pump mode. [10] Motor vehicle (200) with a refrigeration circuit (10) according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized by that a refrigerant inlet (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e) is connected via a refrigerant line (33) of the refrigeration circuit (10) to an outlet side of the, preferably first, evaporator (25), wherein further preferably at least one refrigerant inlet (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e) is connected via a respective refrigerant line (33) of the refrigeration circuit (10) to an outlet side of the second evaporator (29), and / or the heating gas cooler (28), and / or the chiller (30).

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