PULSATION DAMPER ARRANGEMENT

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a pulsation damper arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Various technical fields require the transfer of media. These can be gases such as air, exhaust gas, and the like, as well as fluids. Fluids can include, for example, water, oil, fuel, urea, refrigerants, and the like. The transfer of the medium can be achieved primarily using pipes and hoses.

[0003] During the conveying of the medium, pressure surges can occur, representing dynamic pressure changes of the medium, also known as pulsations. These pressure surges can cause pressure increases within the media conveying system, which can stress and potentially damage the system components, leading to leaks, for example. They can also generate noise that may be perceived as disturbing by a user.

[0004] Therefore, pulsation dampeners are typically used in such media conveying systems to compensate for or at least reduce pressure surges. Pressure surges are usually unavoidable when media conveying is regulated, but they can be mitigated by using pulsation dampeners. Pulsation dampeners also help achieve a relatively constant conveying speed and flow rate. Furthermore, they can reduce noise generation, which is why pulsation dampeners can also be considered a type of silencer.

[0005] A system for media conveyance is also the refrigerant circuit of an air conditioning system in a motor vehicle, so that the previously described pulsation dampers can also be used in such refrigerant circuits with a refrigerant as the medium or fluid.

[0006] In such applications, a pulsation dampener is typically implemented by creating a large-volume hollow chamber through which the fluid flows. The inlet and outlet of the hollow chamber each have a significantly smaller flow cross-section, allowing pressure surges to propagate, distribute, and thus be reduced within the large-volume hollow chamber. The hollow chamber can therefore act like a silencer.

[0007] In any case, it is known to reduce noise in flowing media by means of additional sound-absorbing elements, which can accordingly be called silencers. For example, reflection silencers and absorption silencers are known for use in motor vehicles, e.g., in the exhaust system.

[0008] In addition to the previously described pulsation of the medium, such vibrations can also be introduced into the refrigerant as a medium or fluid by the compressor, as well as by vibrations from the engine and / or the chassis, in a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle, and these may need to be dampened.

[0009] A disadvantage of known silencers, and especially known pulsation silencers, is that they can incur comparatively high manufacturing and / or assembly costs. Furthermore, such silencers, and particularly pulsation silencers, can occupy a certain amount of installation space, which can be limited, especially in the engine compartment of motor vehicles.

[0010] DE 10 2014 100 347 A1 describes a damping device designed to attenuate sound energy generated by a fluid flowing through a fluid system. The damping device comprises a hollow, tubular housing with a first end, a second end, and a collar located between the first and second ends. The tubular housing is arranged in at least one channel of the fluid system and forms a space between the inner surface of the channel and the first end of the tubular housing, and a second space between the inner surface of the channel and the second end of the tubular housing.

[0011] DE 102 21 277 A1 describes a damping device for installation in fluid systems, particularly hydraulic systems. This device comprises an expansion hose with a largely rigid damper tube, oriented against the flow direction, located inside the hose. The damper tube has a completely closed wall, which ensures effective damping. Preferably, the damper tube is significantly less flexible in the radial direction than the outer expansion hose. This significantly enhances the damping effect.

[0012] US 2008 / 0272589 A1 describes a pressure pulsation damping fluid supply line comprising: a flexible sheath tube having opposing end sections; tubular elements, each having first axes connected to the end sections; respective couplings connected to the tubular elements so that they are freely rotatable; respective flexible tubes, each having fixed sections connected to the respective couplings, and respective free sections radially opposed to each other.

[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide a pulsation damper arrangement of the type described above, which can be manufactured and / or assembled at a lower cost and / or requires less installation space than previously known pulsation damper arrangements of this type. Additionally or alternatively, the tightness, robustness, and / or durability of such pulsation damper arrangements are to be improved. At the very least, an alternative to known pulsation damper arrangements of this type is to be created.

[0014] The problem is solved according to the invention by a pulsation damper arrangement with the features according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0015] The present invention thus relates to a pulsation dampener arrangement comprising a first media line with an open end, a second media line with an open end which incorporates the open end of the first media line, a connecting element which surrounds the open end of the second media line and holds it at least force-fit on the open end of the first media line, and an insert element with a connecting section which is arranged and formed at the open end of the first media line at least substantially within the first media line to support the open end of the first media line internally against the connecting element, wherein the insert element has a flow opening which connects the first media line and the second media line to each other in a media-carrying manner.

[0016] Such a media-tight, and in particular fluid-tight, connection between two media lines can be achieved, for example, by crimping a metallic connecting element against an insert element, so that the two media lines to be connected can be clamped radially between the connecting element and the insert element. The insert element can provide stability during the crimping process.

[0017] The pulsation damper arrangement is characterized in that the insert element has a longitudinal section facing away from the connecting section, which extends section by section away from the connecting section within the first media line, wherein a radial gap is formed at least section by section in the longitudinal direction and / or in the circumferential direction between the longitudinal section of the insert element and the first media line.

[0018] Thus, a cavity can be created between a radial outer surface of the connecting section of the insert element and the radial inner surface of the first media line. This cavity can be accessed by the medium that is conveyed or flows through the two media lines. This cavity can act as a pulsation damper and thus reduce vibrations in the medium.

[0019] In other words, it is known nowadays, in some cases, to insert a component, also called an "insert", into a hose fitting in order to stabilize the hose fitting for crimping by means of the insert.

[0020] Such an insert element can be used additionally or alternatively, for example, to reduce refrigerant pulsations in an air conditioning line. This is achieved by the insert element being designed to reduce air column vibrations in the refrigerant medium through the generation of acoustic interference. For this purpose, the insert element is extended longitudinally, i.e., in the direction of flow of the medium, so that it extends a defined length into the first media line. The resulting annular gap between the insert element and the first media line is a volume chamber with a defined access size in the form of the annular gap to the oscillating gas column. Depending on the design, this chamber can act as a Helmholtz resonator, counteracting a phase-shifted wave and thus neutralizing the incoming wave in the medium.

[0021] The advantage over known separate pulsation and silencers is that no additional component is required, which could lead to additional manufacturing and / or assembly costs. An additional component would also require additional installation space. Furthermore, leakage problems could occur, for example, between the media lines and the separate component. This, too, would lead to additional effort and, in particular, additional costs to ensure a tight seal.

[0022] Instead of using a separate component for a pulsation and silencer, the invention allows an insert element, which is already a standard component, to be used with its function extended. This can reduce the effort and, in particular, the costs associated with manufacturing and / or assembly. In particular, this can be achieved in a virtually "space-neutral" manner, since the insert element is located within the first media line.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, the radial gap is continuous in the longitudinal and / or circumferential direction. This can increase the design possibilities and / or enhance the effect of the radial gap as a hollow chamber.

[0024] According to a further aspect of the invention, the longitudinal section of the insert element and the connecting element overlap radially. This can increase the volume of the hollow chamber without having to lengthen the insert element. The insert element can therefore be kept correspondingly short, which can save material and / or installation space.

[0025] According to a further aspect of the invention, an open end of the connecting section of the insert element has a radially outwardly projecting stop against which the open end of the first media line rests at least partially, preferably completely, in the longitudinal direction. This can provide a secure and / or defined hold of the open end of the first media line relative to the insert element, at least on one side. Simultaneously, a defined positioning of the insert element within the flow opening of the first media line can be achieved. In particular, it can prevent the insert element from being inserted too deeply into the flow opening of the first media line and thus potentially losing its stabilizing effect relative to the connecting element. This can be achieved simply, cost-effectively, and / or reliably by forming a radial stop.The connecting section of the insert element can extend longitudinally beyond the radially outwardly projecting stop into the flow opening of the second media line, in order to form a radial gap here as well, if necessary.

[0026] According to a further aspect of the invention, an open end of the connecting section of the insert element terminates with a radially outwardly projecting stop against which the open end of the first media line rests at least partially, preferably completely, in the longitudinal direction. This allows the properties described above to be achieved while simultaneously keeping the length of the insert element as short as possible.

[0027] According to the invention, the connecting section of the insert element has at least one receptacle designed to receive the first media line radially in sections and to hold it in a form-fitting manner in the longitudinal direction. This can improve the connection between the insert element and the first media line, particularly during assembly before connecting the first media line to the second media line and especially before using the connecting element.

[0028] According to the invention, the connecting section of the insert element has a plurality of receptacles which are arranged offset from one another in the circumferential direction. This can enhance the effect described above and, in particular, distribute it in the circumferential direction.

[0029] According to a further aspect of the invention, the connecting section of the insert element is at least partially radially thicker than the longitudinal section of the insert element. This can increase or ensure the stability of the connecting section of the insert element in order to absorb radially external forces from the connecting element.

[0030] Conversely, the longitudinal section of the insert element can be radially thinner than the connecting section of the insert element. This can save material and therefore costs and / or weight, since the longitudinal section of the insert element does not have to absorb any forces and its wall thickness only needs to be sufficient to form the radial gap.

[0031] According to a further aspect of the invention, the connecting section of the insert element is radially thicker throughout its longitudinal and / or circumferential direction than the longitudinal section of the insert element. This can enhance or even completely effect the previously described properties of the connecting section of the insert element.

[0032] According to a further aspect of the invention, the insert element has a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction, which is configured to dampen a predetermined frequency of a medium's pulsation. In other words, the frequency to be dampened can be influenced by the length of the insert element in the longitudinal direction, which corresponds to the flow direction of the medium, and can be selected according to the application in order to specifically dampen the frequency that is problematic in that application. This allows for targeted frequency damping.

[0033] According to a further aspect of the invention, the open end of the first media line, directed radially outwards and / or radially inwards, exhibits increased roughness at least section by section in the longitudinal and / or circumferential direction. This can be achieved, for example, by a comparatively uneven surface. It can also include the formation of protrusions and / or depressions. In any case, this can improve the grip on the second media line and / or the insert element.

[0034] According to a further aspect of the invention, the first media conduit is a rigid tube. The tube can be made of plastic or metal, in particular. This allows the invention to be applied to such media conduits.

[0035] According to a further aspect of the invention, the second media line is a flexible hose. The hose, being a flexible media line, can be made of an elastomeric material such as rubber. This can enable the application of the invention to such media lines.

[0036] According to a further aspect of the invention, the insert element is an injection-molded plastic part or a metal part. This can keep the material costs and / or the weight of the insert element low. This can enable the application of the invention to such insert elements.

[0037] According to another aspect of the invention, the connecting element is a metal sleeve. This can reduce the material costs and / or the weight of the connecting element. This can enable the application of the invention to such connecting elements.

[0038] An exemplary embodiment and further advantages of the invention are explained below in connection with the following figures. These show: Fig. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal section through a pulsation damper arrangement according to the invention; and Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of an insert element according to the invention.

[0039] The above figures are described in cylindrical coordinates with a longitudinal direction X, a radial direction R perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and a circumferential direction U centered on the longitudinal direction X. The longitudinal direction X, the radial direction R, and the circumferential direction U can collectively be referred to as spatial directions X, R, U or as cylindrical spatial directions X, R, U.

[0040] A pulsation dampening arrangement 1 according to the invention comprises a first media line 10 in the form of a rigid tube 10 made of plastic or metal, a second media line 11 in the form of a flexible hose 11 made of rubber, a connecting element 12 in the form of a metal sleeve 12, and an insert element 13, which can be designed as an injection-molded part 13 made of plastic or as a metal part 13. The pulsation dampening arrangement 1 can also be referred to as a pulsation dampening system 1.

[0041] The rigid pipe 10 has a media conduit body 10a in the form of a pipe body 10a, which can also be referred to as the pipe wall 10a. The pipe body 10a extends in the longitudinal direction X and also has a flow opening 10b in the longitudinal direction X. In the representation of the Fig. 1The rigid tube 10, or rather its tube body 10a, terminates to the left with an open end 10c, in front of which a connection area 10d is located. The connection area 10d has a rougher outer surface than the rest of the rigid tube 10.

[0042] The flexible hose 11 has a media conduit body 11a in the form of a hose body 11a, which can also be referred to as the hose wall 11a. The hose body 11a extends in the longitudinal direction X and also has a flow opening 11b in the longitudinal direction X. In the illustration of the Fig. 1The flexible hose 11, or rather its hose body 11a, terminates to the right with an open end 11c, which radially surrounds the open end 10c of the rigid tube 10 and rests with its radially inner surface against the radially outer surface of the connection area 10d of the rigid tube 10. The grip between the flexible hose 11 and the rigid tube 10 can be improved, particularly during an intermediate assembly step to connect the flexible hose 11 to the rigid tube 10, by the comparatively rough outer surface of the connection area 10d of the rigid tube 10.

[0043] The insert element 13 has an insert element body 13a, which is formed in one piece, e.g., by injection molding. The insert element body 13a extends in the longitudinal direction X and also has a flow opening 13b in the longitudinal direction X, which connects the flow opening 10b of the rigid pipe 10 with the flow opening 11b of the flexible hose 11 in a media-carrying manner. The insert element body 13a forms the following in the illustration of the Fig. 1 to the left a connecting section 13f and to the right a longitudinal section 13h.

[0044] The connecting section 13f of the insert element 13 is arranged radially both within the connection area 10d of the rigid tube 10 and radially within the flexible hose 11, and is enclosed radially outside the flexible hose 11 by the connecting element 12. The connecting element 12, a metal sleeve 12, is radially crimped onto the section of the flexible hose 11 upstream of the open end 11c of the flexible hose 11, such that the flexible hose 11 is held media-tight on the rigid tube 10. During crimping, the connecting section 13f of the insert element 13 stabilizes the rigid tube 10 radially from the inside, enabling the crimping to be carried out with a sufficiently high force to achieve the required media tightness.

[0045] In the presentation of the Fig. 1The connecting section 13f of the insert element 13, or rather its insert element body 13a, terminates to the left with an open end 13c in the form of a radially outwardly projecting stop 13e as a flange 13e, against which the open end 10c of the rigid tube 10 rests completely in the longitudinal direction X. This can, in particular, improve the positioning of the insert element 13 in the flow opening 10b of the rigid tube 10 and prevent the insert element 13 from unintentionally slipping into the flow opening 10b of the rigid tube 10.

[0046] In the connecting section 13f of the insert element 13 or its insert element body 13a, several receptacles 13g are formed in the form of recesses 13g and in particular in the form of rectangular recesses 13g, see in particular Fig. 2, into which the material of the tube body 10a can be pressed radially from the outside during crimping. This can improve the hold between the tube body 10a of the rigid tube 10 and the insert element 13 or its insert element body 13a. The rectangular recesses 13g are arranged evenly distributed in the circumferential direction U.

[0047] Opposite in the longitudinal direction X, i.e., in the representation of the Fig. 1To the right, the longitudinal section 13h of the insert element 13, or its insert element body 13a, terminates with an open end 13d that projects freely into the flow opening 10b of the rigid tube 10. A radial gap 14 is formed between the radially outer surface of the longitudinal section 13h of the insert element 13 and the radially inner surface of the rigid tube 10, or its tube body 10a. This gap extends in the longitudinal direction X to between the flexible hose 11 and the metal sleeve 12. The radial gap 14 is continuous in both the longitudinal direction X and the circumferential direction U.

[0048] This radial gap 14 constitutes a hollow chamber 14 which, depending on its design, can act as a Helmholtz resonator and thus counteract vibrations and / or pulsations occurring in the flowing medium by generating a phase-shifted wave. According to the invention, damping of vibrations, sound, or pulsations can therefore be achieved without additional elements simply by extending the functionality of the insert element 13, which previously only served a purpose during crimping. This can enable, in particular, the damping of vibrations, sound, or pulsations with minimal effort and especially at low cost, and without requiring additional installation space. Reference symbol list (Part of the description)

[0049] Radial direction, circumferential direction, longitudinal direction 1. Pulsation damper arrangement; Pulsation damper system 10. First media line; rigid pipe 10a. Media line body; pipe body; pipe wall 10b. Flow opening of the first media line 10 10c. Open end of the first media line 10 10d. Connection area of ​​the first media line 10 11 Second media line; flexible hose 11a Media line body; hose body; hose wall 11b Flow opening of the second media line 11 11c Open end of the second media line 11 12 Connecting element; metal sleeve 13Insert element; injection molded part; metal part 13aInsert element body 13bFlow opening of the insert element 13 13cOpen end of the connecting section 13f of the insert element 13 13dOpen end of the longitudinal section 13h of the insert element 13 13eStop or flange of the open end 13c of the connecting section 13f of the insert element 13 13fConnecting section of the insert element 13 13gRecess or recess of the connecting section 13f of the insert element 13 13hLongitudinal section of the insert element 13 14 radial gap or hollow chamber between longitudinal section 13h of the insert element 13 and first media line 10

Claims

1. Pulsation-damper arrangement (1) having a first media line (10) with an open end (10c), having a second media line (11) with an open end (11c) which accommodates therein the open end (10c) of the first media line (10), having a connecting element (12) which surrounds the open end (11c) of the second media line (11) and holds said end at least in a force-fitting manner on the open end (10c) of the first media line (10), and having an insert element (13) with a connecting portion (13f) which is arranged at least substantially within the first media line (10) at the open end (10c) of the first media line (10) and which is configured to support the open end (10c) of the first media line (10) against the connecting element (12) from the inside, wherein the insert element (13) has a throughflow opening (13b) which connects the first media line (10) and the second media line (11) to one another in a media-conducting manner, wherein, directed away from the connecting portion (13f), the insert element (13) has a longitudinal portion (13h) which, within the first media line (10), sectionally extends away from the connecting portion (13f), and wherein a radial gap (14) is formed between the longitudinal portion (13h) of the insert element (13) and the first media line (10) at least sectionally in the longitudinal direction (X) and / or in the circumferential direction (U), characterized in that the connecting portion (13f) of the insert element (13) has a plurality of receptacles (13g) which are arranged offset from one another in the circumferential direction (U) and which sectionally radially receive the first media line (10) and hold said media line in a form-fitting manner in the longitudinal direction (X).

2. Pulsation-damper arrangement (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the radial gap (14) in the longitudinal direction (X) and / or in the circumferential direction (U) is of continuous form.

3. Pulsation-damper arrangement (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the longitudinal portion (13h) of the insert element (13) and the connecting element (12) overlap radially.

4. Pulsation-damper arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an open end (13c) of the connecting portion (13f) of the insert element (13) has a radially outwardly projecting stop (13e) against which the open end (10c) of the first media line (10) at least partially, preferably completely, bears in the longitudinal direction (X).

5. Pulsation-damper arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an open end (13c) of the connecting portion (13f) of the insert element (13) terminates by way of a radially outwardly projecting stop (13e) against which the open end (10c) of the first media line (10) at least partially, preferably completely, bears in the longitudinal direction (X).

6. Pulsation-damper arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting portion (13f) of the insert element (13) is configured to be at least sectionally radially thicker than the longitudinal portion (13h) of the insert element (13).

7. Pulsation-damper arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting portion (13f) of the insert element (13) is continuously radially thicker than the longitudinal portion (13h) of the insert element (13) in the longitudinal direction (X) and / or in the circumferential direction (U).

8. Pulsation-damper arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insert element (13), in the longitudinal direction (X), has a predetermined length which is configured for damping of a predetermined frequency of a pulsation of a medium.

9. Pulsation-damper arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the open end (10c) of the first media line (10) has, directed radially outwards and / or radially inwards, increased roughness at least sectionally in the longitudinal direction (X) and / or in the circumferential direction (U).

10. Pulsation-damper arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first media line (10) is a rigid pipe (10).

11. Pulsation-damper arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second media line (11) is a flexible tube (11).

12. Pulsation-damper arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insert element (13) is an injection-moulded part (13) composed of plastic or is a metal part (13).

13. Pulsation-damper arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (12) is a metal sleeve (12).