REFRIGERANT COMPRESSOR

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a refrigerant compressor comprising a compressor unit with a compressor housing and at least one compressor element arranged in the compressor housing for compressing refrigerant, a drive unit with a drive housing and an electric motor arranged in the drive housing and with connection terminals for the electric motor arranged on the drive housing and further comprising an electronic functional unit.

[0002] Such refrigerant compressors are known from EP 1 245 912 A2, wherein one compressor function of the electrical functional unit is a parameter acquisition function, wherein another compressor function is a Protective function is, whereby for the execution of the Protective function the Parameter acquisition function is executed and the recorded Function parameters with at least one Reference parameters be compared, whereby if the at least one reference parameter is exceeded or not reached, a Shutdownof the refrigerant compressor, whereby a further compressor function is an operating status monitoring function, whereby to carry out the operating status monitoring function a recording of the Execution which has at least one Parameter acquisition function and at least one Protective function wherein the recording of the functional parameters and the execution of at least one protective function takes place over time and wherein the electronic functional unit communicates with a communication unit for exchanging data with an external higher-level system control.

[0003] The invention is therefore based on the object of improving a refrigerant compressor of the generic type in such a way that sufficient information is available about the respective operating state of the compressor.

[0004] This object is achieved by a refrigerant compressor according to claim 1.

[0005] With regard to the compressor function to be performed by the electronic functional unit, no further details have been given in connection with the embodiments explained so far.

[0006] It is particularly advantageous if the compressor function is a parameter recording function and that, in particular for carrying out the parameter recording function, at least one of the functional parameters such as voltage at the electric motor, current consumption of the electric motor, inlet pressure of the refrigerant, inlet temperature of the refrigerant, outlet pressure of the refrigerant, outlet temperature of the refrigerant are recorded.

[0007] This solution is also particularly advantageous because it provides very short paths for recording the functional parameters of the electric motor and also the other functional parameters of the refrigerant compressor.

[0008] In particular, damage to the compressor can be avoided by executing one or more protective functions.

[0009] According to the invention, it is preferably provided that the compressor function is a protective function which compares the at least one functional parameter detected in the parameter detection function with at least one reference parameter and, if the at least one reference parameter is exceeded or undershot, causes the refrigerant compressor to be switched off in order to avoid damage to the same.

[0010] In addition, alternative or additional compressor functions are preferably advantageous for the operation of the refrigerant compressor.

[0011] Advantageously, it is provided that the compressor function is a control function and that, to carry out the control function, at least one of the units such as a lubricant heater, an additional fan, a control element for the compressor output, an injection element for compressed refrigerant for additional cooling, in particular for injecting liquid refrigerant, preferably into a suction channel and / or on the high-pressure side in the region of a valve plate or a high-pressure chamber, and / or an engine control is controlled.

[0012] In the case of motor control, for example, a motor start-up control and / or the motor itself is controlled with regard to its speed, for example if the electronic functional unit includes a frequency converter.

[0013] These additional control functions make it possible to operate the refrigerant compressor optimally within the intended operating limits.

[0014] A further advantageous solution provides that the compressor function is an operating condition monitoring function and that, in particular for the execution of the operating condition monitoring function, a recording of the execution of at least one parameter acquisition function and / or at least one protection function and / or at least one control function is carried out.

[0015] By recording such functions in this way, it is possible to monitor the operating states of the refrigerant compressor according to the invention during the entire operation of the compressor and to detect even brief exceedances of the respective permissible operating states or to detect exceedances of the respective operating limits in an operating diagram.

[0016] It is preferably provided that the recording of the at least one functional parameter and / or the execution of at least one protective function and / or the execution of the at least one control function takes place over time.

[0017] In order to be able to communicate with other external devices using the refrigerant compressor according to the invention, it is preferably provided that the electronic functional unit is provided with a communication unit for exchanging data with external devices.

[0018] Such a communication unit can be designed to exchange data either wired or wirelessly.

[0019] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the electronic functional unit is provided with at least one display element which displays at least one execution state of a compressor function or its result.

[0020] Thus, an advantageous solution as an alternative or in addition to the embodiments described so far provides that the connection terminals are provided in a housing arranged on the drive housing and that the electronic functional unit, which carries out at least one compressor function, is provided in the housing.

[0021] The advantage of the solution according to the invention is that it provides a compact solution, which consists in the fact that the electronic

[0022] Functional unit is integrated and can therefore be supplied by the manufacturer of the refrigerant compressor already connected to the refrigerant compressor and permanently installed.

[0023] The housing can be designed in a variety of ways.

[0024] An advantageous solution provides that the housing has a connection housing unit in which the connection terminals are arranged.

[0025] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the housing has a control housing unit in which the electronic functional unit is arranged.

[0026] It is preferably provided that the connection housing unit and the control housing unit are individual modules of the housing from which the housing can be assembled.

[0027] A particularly advantageous solution is that the connection housing unit is arranged on the drive housing and can therefore be firmly mounted with the drive housing.

[0028] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the control housing unit is arranged on the connection housing unit.

[0029] This means that the terminal housing unit supports the control housing unit.

[0030] A particularly advantageous solution provides that the control housing unit is arranged on a side of the connection housing unit opposite the drive housing.

[0031] This makes it possible to first mount the connection housing unit on the drive housing and then additionally mount the control housing unit on the connection housing unit after mounting the connection housing unit.

[0032] In particular, this makes it possible to arrange the connection housing unit and the control housing unit one above the other in the form of stacks.

[0033] A particularly advantageous solution provides that the control housing unit covers the connection housing unit, i.e. in this case the control housing unit can serve to cover the connection housing unit and close it on its side opposite the drive housing.

[0034] It is particularly advantageous if the control housing unit is detachably connected to the connection housing unit.

[0035] This makes it possible to first implement the necessary connections in the connection housing unit, particularly with the connection terminals, and then to assemble the control housing unit and connect it to the corresponding units and / or sensors.

[0036] For example, the control housing unit could be designed in such a way that it itself has a cover.

[0037] In order to be able to realize a particularly simple assembly and simple wiring of the electronic functional unit in the control housing unit, it is preferably provided that the control housing unit is covered by a housing cover on a side facing away from the connection housing unit.

[0038] Further features and advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the drawing of an embodiment.

[0039] The drawing shows: Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a refrigerant compressor according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a partial longitudinal section through a housing according to the invention and a drive unit supporting this housing; Fig. 3 is a perspective exploded view of a modular housing, comprising a connection housing unit and a control housing unit as well as a cover; and Fig. 4 is a plan view of the control housing unit according to the invention with the cover removed in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 3 .

[0040] An embodiment of a refrigerant compressor according to the invention, designated as a whole by 10, shown in Fig. 1, comprises a compressor unit 12 and a drive unit 14 for driving the compressor unit 12.

[0041] The compressor unit 12 is arranged in a compressor housing 22 and comprises at least one compressor element 24 for the refrigerant, e.g., designed as a piston-cylinder element. Furthermore, the drive unit 14 is arranged in a drive housing 26, with the compressor housing 22 and the drive housing 26 preferably forming subsections of an overall housing 28 of the compressor unit 10.

[0042] The drive unit 14 comprises, as in Fig. 2 schematically shown, in particular an electric motor designated as a whole by 32, which has a rotor 34 and a stator 36 surrounding the rotor 34, wherein the stator 36 is arranged stationary in the drive housing 26.

[0043] As in Fig. 2As shown, the stator 34 is provided with a set of connection terminals 42, 44, 46 which are led out of the drive housing 26 and project into a connection housing unit 48 placed on the drive housing 26.

[0044] Within the connection housing unit 48, a connection is made between a motor supply line, designated as a whole by 52, which has, for example, three phases 54, 56, 58, wherein each of the phases 54, 56, 58 is connected to one of the connection terminals 42, 44, 46 within the connection housing unit 48 and the motor supply line 52 is led out of the connection housing unit 48 by means of a cable bushing 62.

[0045] As in Fig. 1 , 2 and 3 As shown, the connection housing unit 48 sits with a mounting side 64 directly on a mounting surface 66 formed by the drive housing 26 and is connected to the drive housing 26.

[0046] The connection housing unit 48 further comprises an access side 68 opposite the mounting side 64, via which the connections between the connection terminals 42, 44, 46 and the phases 54, 56, 58 are accessible, as shown in Fig. 2 and 3 shown.

[0047] In particular, the connection housing unit 48 comprises, for example, four housing outer walls 72, 74, 76 and 78 which rise above the mounting side 64, wherein the housing outer walls 72 and 74 as well as the housing outer walls 76 and 78 each run parallel to one another, so that they form a housing frame, designated as a whole by 82, with a preferably rectangular outer contour 84, which rises between the mounting side 64 and the access side 68 and is accessible in particular from the access side 68.

[0048] Preferably, the mounting side 64 and the access side 68 extend in planes parallel to one another, so that the housing frame 82 rises with the same extension on all sides above the mounting side 64 up to the access side 68.

[0049] A control housing unit designated as a whole by 88 can be placed on the connection housing unit 48.

[0050] The control housing unit 88 comprises an electronic functional unit 92 for executing one or more different compressor functions, such as protection, monitoring, control, diagnostic, communication and regulation functions, which are described in more detail below by way of example.

[0051] The control housing unit 88 in turn has a mounting side 94 and extends to an access side 98, wherein a support base 96 is arranged between the mounting side 94 and the access side 98, which support base is preferably located near the mounting side 94 and which supports the electronic functional unit 92.

[0052] The control housing unit 88 also comprises housing outer walls 102, 104, 106 and 108, wherein the housing outer walls 102 and 104 as well as the housing outer walls 106 and 108 preferably run parallel to one another and thus form a rectangular housing frame 112.

[0053] Preferably, the housing frame 112 of the control housing unit 88 is designed such that its outer contour 114, which is rectangular, for example, is identical to the outer contour 84 of the housing frame 82, so that the housing frame 112 can be placed congruently on the housing frame 82 with the mounting side 94, wherein the mounting side 94 completely covers the access side 68 of the connection housing unit 48.

[0054] Preferably, the access side 68 of the connection housing unit 48 and the mounting side 94 of the control housing unit 88 are also provided with form-locking elements, so that the housing frame 112 of the control housing unit 88 can be fixed in a form-locking manner on the housing frame 82 of the connection housing unit 48 in the mounted position against movements in the plane defined by the access side 68.

[0055] In the control housing unit 88, the mounting side 94 and the access side 98 are also preferably located in mutually parallel planes, so that the housing frame 112 rises the same distance on all sides from the mounting side 94 to the access side 98.

[0056] Furthermore, the control housing unit 88 can be closed on its access side 98 with a cover 118 which extends over the entire access side 98 of the control housing unit 88 and preferably has an outer contour 122 which corresponds to the outer contour 114 of the control housing unit 88.

[0057] In the solution according to the invention, the control housing unit 88 can be releasably fixed to the connection unit 48 when placed thereon and, in addition, the cover 118 can be releasably fixed at least to the control housing unit 88.

[0058] This is realized, for example, in that the cover 118 has screw openings 132a, 132b, 132c and 132d, which are arranged coaxially with screw channels 134a, 134b, 134c and 134d in the control housing unit 88 and these screw channels 134 are in turn arranged coaxially with threaded bores 136a, 136b, 136c and 136d.

[0059] This allows screws 138a, 138b, 138c and 138d to be passed through the screw openings 132 and the screw channels 134 and to be screwed into the threaded holes 136, so that the cover 118 can be fixed to the control housing unit 88 by the screws 138 and, at the same time, the control housing unit 88 together with the cover 118 can be fixed to the connection housing unit 48.

[0060] In the refrigerant compressor 10 according to the invention, the connection housing unit 48, the control housing unit 88 and the cover 118 form a modular housing unit 142, wherein the connection housing unit 48 and the control housing unit 88 as well as the cover 118 each represent a module of this housing unit 142.

[0061] Thus, for example, it is possible to retrofit a refrigerant compressor 10, which is only equipped with a connection housing unit 48, which is covered by the cover 118 on its access side 68, with an electronic functional unit 92, which is arranged in the control housing unit 88, by removing the cover 118, and to close this control housing unit 88 in turn on its access side 98 by the cover 118 removed from the connection housing unit 48.

[0062] To explain the various possible compressor functions that can be detected and / or monitored and / or controlled by the electronic functional unit 92, examples are given in the Fig. 1 , 2 and 4 various possibilities are shown, whereby the exemplary representation of the various compressor functions is merely exemplary, so that not all such compressor functions necessarily have to be carried out when implementing the control unit according to the invention and the compressor functions shown can also be supplemented by further compressor functions.

[0063] The electronic functional unit 92 carries out, for example, a parameter acquisition function as a compressor function, in which at least one functional parameter, preferably several functional parameters, are acquired.

[0064] For example, the electronic functional unit 92 is provided on a connection side 152 with inputs 154, 156 and 158 for detecting the voltages at the connection terminals 42, 44, 46, so that corresponding lines are led from the inputs 154, 156 and 158 to the connection terminals 42, 44, 46 in order to detect the voltages UM at these connection terminals 42, 44, 46 as function parameters.

[0065] Furthermore, the connection side 152 is also provided with an input 162 for a current signal, from which a line 164 leads to a current sensor 166, which encloses, for example, one of the connection terminals 42, 44, 46 and detects a magnetic field generated by the current IM flowing through the enclosed connection terminal 42 and, in accordance with the magnetic field, transmits a signal for the current through this connection terminal 42 to the input 162 of the electronic functional unit 92.

[0066] Furthermore, the electronic functional unit 92 is provided, for example on the connection side 152, with an input 172 for information on the motor temperature TM, so that a line 174 leads from the input 172 to a temperature sensor 176, which is assigned, for example, to the stator 36, in order to detect a temperature of the stator 36 and to transmit a value for the temperature to the input 172 of the electronic functional unit 92 or only a signal for a permissible or impermissible, in particular too high, motor temperature.

[0067] All lines leading to the inputs 154, 156, 158 as well as to the inputs 162 and 172 are led through an opening 182 in the support base 96 directly from the control housing unit 88 into the connection housing unit 48 and there either connected to the connection terminals 42, 44, 46 or, in the case of the temperature sensor 176, led through the connection housing unit 48 directly to a current feedthrough element or to the stator 36.

[0068] Furthermore, it is possible to pass a line for any necessary heating to prevent condensation through the opening 182.

[0069] Based on the signals present at inputs 154, 156 and 158 as well as 162 and 172, the electronic functional unit 92 is thus able to detect and monitor the function of the electric motor 32 and, if necessary, to react to overload conditions.

[0070] In addition, as in Fig. 4shown, the electronic functional unit 92 is also provided with an input 192 for a lubricant temperature TS as a functional parameter, from which a line 194 leads to a temperature sensor 196 which detects a temperature of a lubricant, in particular a lubricant bath, in the compressor housing 22.

[0071] Furthermore, the electronic functional unit 92 is provided with an input 202, from which a line 204 leads to a sensor 206 for the lubricant level NS as a functional parameter in order to detect whether sufficient lubricant is present in a lubricant supply and / or in the lubricant bath.

[0072] In addition, the electronic functional unit 92 is also provided with an input 212, from which a line 214 leads to a pressure difference sensor 216 in order to detect a lubricant pressure PS as a functional parameter, preferably by measuring a pressure difference, for example, at a lubricant pump unit.

[0073] Furthermore, the electronic functional unit 92 is also provided with an input 202 for a value of an inlet pressure PE of the refrigerant, from which a line 224 leads to a pressure sensor 226 which is assigned to a suction port 228 of the refrigerant compressor 10 and thus detects the pressure in the suction port 228.

[0074] Furthermore, the electronic functional unit 92 is also provided with an input 232 for detecting an inlet temperature TE of the refrigerant, wherein a line 234 leads from the input 232 to a temperature sensor 236, which is also assigned to the suction connection 228 of the refrigerant compressor.

[0075] The electronic functional unit 92 is further provided with an input 242 for detecting an outlet pressure PA of the refrigerant, wherein a line 244 leads from this input 242 to a pressure sensor 246, which is assigned, for example, to a pressure connection 248 of the refrigerant compressor 10.

[0076] Alternatively or in addition to the pressure sensor 246 for the outlet pressure PA, it is also possible to provide a high-pressure switch which, when a predetermined pressure is exceeded, causes the electronic functional unit 92 to switch off the refrigerant compressor 10 for protection.

[0077] In addition, the electronic functional unit 92 is provided with an inlet 252 for an outlet temperature TA of the refrigerant at the pressure connection 248, wherein a line 254 leads from this inlet 252 to a temperature sensor 256 assigned to the pressure connection 248, which detects the temperature of the refrigerant, for example, at the pressure connection 248.

[0078] Due to the signals present at the inputs 222, 232, 242 and 252, the electronic functional unit 92 is thus able to detect the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant as functional parameters, namely when the refrigerant enters the compressor unit, for example via the suction connection 228, and when the refrigerant exits the refrigerant compressor, for example via the pressure connection 248.

[0079] This makes it possible to compare the respective functional parameters with reference values when executing a protective function and thus to intervene with control measures if the reference values are exceeded or undershot or, if necessary, to switch off the refrigerant compressor in extreme cases.

[0080] The electronic functional unit 92 is also provided with several outputs for executing control functions as compressor functions.

[0081] For example, an output 262 is provided, from which a line 264 leads to a lubricant heater 266, which is arranged in the compressor housing 22, in order to heat the lubricant provided therein by means of one of the control functions by suitably controlling the lubricant heater 266.

[0082] A further output 272 serves to control an additional fan 276 by means of one of the control functions via a line 274, which fan serves to additionally cool a refrigerant circuit at one or more points and / or the refrigerant compressor.

[0083] An output 282 serves to control at least one control element for the compressor output, for example a power control valve 286, by means of one of the control functions via a line 284 in order to control the compressor output.

[0084] Furthermore, an output 292 serves to control an injection element 296 by means of one of the control functions via a line 294, which injection element serves to inject high-pressure refrigerant into the refrigerant compressor in order to achieve either an additional cooling effect in the area of the compressor element or in the area of the electric motor 32 for cooling the same.

[0085] Preferably, the electronic functional unit 92 is also additionally provided with operating limits of the specific refrigerant compressor 10 and parameters of the refrigerant to carry out an operation monitoring function, so that it can determine, taking into account the functional parameters recorded at the inputs 154, 156, 158, 162, 172, 182, 192, 202, 212, 222, 232, 242 and 252, whether the refrigerant compressor is operating in a permissible operating state or outside of such a permissible operating state and, if necessary, by the units controlled via the outputs 262, 272, 282 and 292, to ensure compliance with the operating limits.

[0086] Furthermore, the electronic functional unit is provided with an output 302, via which, as one of the control functions, a motor control 306 can be controlled by means of a line 304, which serves to control the electric motor 32 in a suitable manner during start-up and / or in the respective operating states according to its design.

[0087] The motor control 306 can also be used simultaneously to switch off the electric motor 32 if at least one reference parameter is exceeded or undershot when a protective function is executed.

[0088] In addition, the electronic functional unit 92 is also provided with a communication unit 312, which is intended to communicate with the external devices 316, for example higher-level system controls.

[0089] The communication with a system controller 316 can be either wired via a line 314, for example a Modbus, or wirelessly, via common communication protocols, such as Bluetooth or WLAN.

[0090] In addition, the electronic functional unit 92 is also provided with a display element 322 which is capable of displaying at least one state or the result of a compressor function.

[0091] Such a state of a compressor function can, for example, be an indication of functional parameters and / or of permitted operating states and / or an indication of a triggered protective function and / or an indication of a control function and / or an indication of a fault, in particular in combination with the type of fault, and / or a combination thereof.

[0092] The display can be made via a display element 322 provided on the housing or via a wired or wireless communication path to a stationary or portable display unit, such as a computer or a portable communication device.

Claims

1. A refrigerant compressor (10) comprising a compressor unit (12) with a compressor housing (22) and, arranged in the compressor housing, at least one compressor element (24) for compression of refrigerant, a drive unit (14) with a drive housing (26) and an electric motor (32) arranged in the drive housing (26) and, arranged on the drive housing (26), connection terminals (42, 44, 46) for the electric motor (32), and further comprising an electronic functional unit (92), wherein a compressor function of the electronic functional unit is a parameter detection function, wherein for carrying out the parameter detection function there are detected the temperature (TM) of the electric motor (32) as a function parameter and at least one of the function parameters such as lubricant temperature (TS), lubricant differential pressure (PS), preferably by measurement of a pressure difference, for example at a lubricant pump unit, lubricant level (NS), wherein a further compressor function is a protective function, wherein for carrying out the protective function there is carried out the parameter detection function and the detected function parameters are compared with at least one reference parameter, wherein upon overshooting or undershooting the at least one reference parameter there occurs a switching off of the refrigerant compressor, wherein a further compressor function is a control function, wherein a further compressor function is an operational status monitoring function, wherein for carrying out the operational status monitoring function there occurs a recording of the carrying out of the at least one parameter detection function and the at least one protective function and the at least one control function, wherein the recording of the function parameters and the carrying out of the at least one protective function and the carrying out of the at least one control function occurs over time and wherein the electronic functional unit (92) communicates with a communication unit (312) for the exchange of data with an external higher-level system control (316).

2. A refrigerant compressor according to claim 1, characterised in that for carrying out the control function there is controlled at least one of the units such as: lubricant heating (266), auxiliary fan (276), control element (286) for the compressor performance, injection element for compressed refrigerant for additional cooling, motor control (306).

3. A refrigerant compressor (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that for carrying out the parameter detection function there are detected at least one of the function parameters such as: voltage (UM) at the electric motor (32) and current consumption (IM) of the electric motor (32) and / or input temperature (TE) of the refrigerant and outlet temperature (TA) of the refrigerant, in that a further compression function is a protective function, in that for carrying out the protective function the parameter detection function is carried out and the detected function parameter is compared with at least one reference parameter, in that upon overshooting or undershooting the at least one reference parameter there occurs a switching off of the refrigerant compressor.

4. A refrigerant compressor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the motor control (306) comprises a motor start-up control and / or itself controls the electric motor (32) regarding its speed.

5. A refrigerant compressor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the communication unit (312) exchanges the data through wires and / or wirelessly.

6. A refrigerant compressor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the electronic functional unit (92) is provided with at least one display element (322), which indicates at least one execution status of a compressor function or its result.

7. A refrigerant compressor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connection terminals (42, 44, 46) are provided in a housing (142) arranged on the drive housing (26) and in that there is provided in the housing (142) an electronic functional unit (92), which carries out at least one compressor function.

8. A refrigerant compressor according to claim 7, characterised in that the electronic functional unit (92) is integrated in the housing provided for the connection terminals and is thus previously connected therewith and fixedly installed by the manufacturer of the refrigerant compressor.

9. A refrigerant compressor according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the housing (142) has a connection housing unit (48) in which the connection terminals (42, 44, 46) are arranged.

10. A refrigerant compressor according to any of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the housing (142) has a control housing unit (88) in which the electronic functional unit (92) is arranged.

11. A refrigerant compressor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connection housing unit (48) is arranged on the drive housing (26).

12. A refrigerant compressor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the control housing unit (88) is arranged on the connection housing unit (48) and in that in particular the control housing unit (88) is arranged on the connection housing unit (48) on a side opposite to the drive housing (26).

13. A refrigerant compressor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the control housing unit (88) covers the connection housing unit (48).

14. A refrigerant compressor according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterised in that the control housing unit (88) is releasably connected to the connection housing unit (48).

15. A refrigerant compressor according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterised in that the control housing unit (88) is covered by a cover (118) on a side facing away from the connection housing unit (48).