Refrigerating device having a refrigerant pipe

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerating device (100) having a refrigeration circuit with a high-pressure region comprising a compressor (103, 133) for compressing a refrigerant, with a refrigerant transfer point, a liquefier for liquefying the refrigerant and a refrigerant line (107, 120, 133) between the refrigerant transfer point and the liquefier for transporting the refrigerant, wherein the refrigerant line comprises a compressor connection port (121, 135) and a refrigerant pipe (106, 122, 134). The refrigerant line has a line region (111, 113, 115; 125; 136, 138, 142, 144) with a first flow cross section and a constriction (112, 114, 116; 126; 137, 139, 143, 145) with a second flow cross section which is smaller than the first flow cross section.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigeration device having a refrigeration circuit with a high-pressure region comprising a compressor, a condenser for condensing the refrigerant, and a refrigerant pipe connecting them. In particular, the invention relates to a refrigeration device having the features of the preamble of the first claim. Such a device is known from EP 2 060 861 A1.

[0002] Compressors in refrigeration units cyclically compress gaseous refrigerant, causing pressure pulsations in the high-pressure section of the refrigeration circuit. This pressure pulsation can be perceived as an annoying noise.

[0003] WO 2008 / 030060 describes a refrigeration circuit with a high-pressure region comprising a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser for condensing the refrigerant, and a refrigerant pipe between the compressor and condenser for transporting the refrigerant. The refrigerant pipe between the compressor and condenser has fluidically parallel pipe sections in which sound waves propagate. These pipe sections meet at the pipe nodes and are intended to cancel each other out, thus reducing noise.

[0004] Silencers in the refrigerant pipe between compressor and condenser are known, for example, from CN 203501571, EP 2 060 861, and for automotive air conditioning systems from US 5,183,974.

[0005] In refrigeration appliances, noise also occurs in the refrigeration circuit at the injection point of an evaporator. WO 2014 / 166805 proposes that an inlet pipe for admitting the refrigerant into an evaporator have a pipe section with a first flow cross-section and a constriction section with a second flow cross-section that is smaller than the first flow cross-section.

[0006] US 5,521,340 provides for a sound-damping pipe section with extensions or constrictions in a hydraulic system, US 5,435,699 in a motor vehicle air conditioning system.

[0007] The object underlying the invention is to provide a refrigeration device in which noises caused by pressure pulsation in the high-pressure area of ​​the refrigeration circuit are reduced.

[0008] This object is achieved by subject matter having the features according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the figures, the description, and the dependent claims.

[0009] A refrigeration device according to the invention has a refrigeration circuit with a high-pressure region comprising a compressor for compressing a refrigerant with a refrigerant transfer point, a condenser for condensing the refrigerant, and a refrigerant line between the refrigerant transfer point and the condenser for transporting the refrigerant, wherein the refrigerant line comprises a compressor connection piece and a refrigerant pipe. The refrigerant transfer point transfers the refrigerant from the condenser to the refrigerant line. The refrigerant line has a line region with a first flow cross-section and a constriction region with a second flow cross-section that is smaller than the first flow cross-section. As a result, the geometry of the refrigerant pipe is changed in such a way that improved noise behavior results due to a changed flow.This achieves the technical advantage, for example, of reducing the noise caused by pressure pulsations in the high-pressure area of ​​the refrigeration circuit.

[0010] A refrigeration appliance is understood to mean, in particular, a household refrigeration appliance, i.e. a refrigeration appliance that is used for household management in households or in the catering sector and is used in particular to store food and / or beverages at certain temperatures, such as a refrigerator, a freezer, a fridge-freezer combination, a freezer chest or a wine refrigerator.

[0011] According to the invention, the constriction region is formed by at least one concave curvature in a pipe wall of the refrigerant line. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that the concave curvature maintains the stiffness and bending moment of the refrigerant line.

[0012] In a further advantageous embodiment of the refrigeration device, the constriction area forms a chamber in the refrigerant line. This provides the technical advantage, for example, of the chamber forming a buffer space for the incoming refrigerant and further reducing noise.

[0013] In another advantageous design of the refrigeration unit, the refrigerant line includes several constricted sections. This achieves the technical advantage of further reducing noise generation.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment of the refrigeration device, at least two constriction areas (109) have different second flow cross-sections. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage of reducing noise generation in different frequency ranges.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the refrigeration device, a line section is arranged between two constriction areas, which has a constant, first flow cross-section over a predetermined length. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that the flow is stabilized along the length with the constant flow cross-section.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment of the refrigeration device, pipe sections of different predetermined lengths are arranged between several constriction areas. This provides the technical advantage, for example, of being able to influence noise development in different frequency ranges.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the refrigeration device, the constriction area has a circular, rectangular, or star-shaped cross-section. This provides the technical advantage, for example, that the constriction area can be easily manufactured with a reduced flow cross-section.

[0018] According to the invention, the constriction area is located close to the compressor. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, of noise reduction taking place close to the compressor.

[0019] According to the invention, the constriction area is located less than 250 mm downstream of a compressor. This also achieves the technical advantage of further improving noise performance.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment of the refrigeration device, at least one line section with a constriction is arranged in the compressor outlet nozzle. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, of noise reduction occurring close to the refrigerant transfer point. The noise reduction thus begins immediately downstream of the actual compressor, namely downstream of a check valve following the outlet of a compression cylinder. Downstream of this valve in the direction of flow, the refrigerant line, which is subject to pressure pulsation, begins.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment of the refrigeration device, at least one line section with a constriction is arranged in the refrigerant pipe. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that only the refrigerant pipe needs to be machined to apply the invention. A refrigerant pipe machined in this way can be connected to various compressors like a conventional refrigerant pipe.

[0022] However, a combination of the aforementioned configurations is also possible, namely, that of several constriction areas, at least one is located in the compressor connection nozzle and at least one in the refrigerant pipe. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that the distance between the refrigerant transfer point and the next constriction area can be optimally adjusted to the respective refrigeration circuit.

[0023] In a further advantageous embodiment of the refrigeration device, the ratio between the first flow cross-section and the second flow cross-section is greater than 3:1. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, of achieving flow conditions inside the evaporator that cause particularly low noise.

[0024] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

[0025] They show: Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a refrigeration device; Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a compressor with a refrigerant tube in a first embodiment; Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of the refrigerant tube in a further embodiment; Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of a compressor with a refrigerant tube in a further embodiment; and Fig. 5 shows diagrams of the noise development of the evaporator with and without a constriction region.

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a refrigerator representative of a refrigeration appliance 100 with an upper refrigerator door and a lower refrigerator door. The refrigerator serves, for example, to cool food and comprises a refrigerant circuit with a high-pressure region comprising a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser for condensing the refrigerant, and a refrigerant pipe between the compressor and condenser for transporting the refrigerant.

[0027] The compressor draws refrigerant vapor from an evaporator, compresses the refrigerant, and expels it at a higher pressure to the condenser. The actual compressor, as defined by this invention, terminates behind a check valve following the outlet of a compression cylinder. To facilitate the connection of a refrigerant pipe, the compressor is provided with a connection piece as a structural unit. However, as defined by this invention, the connection piece is part of the refrigerant line, which is subject to pressure pulsations. This pressure pulsation in the refrigerant line generates noise, which is effectively reduced by this invention.

[0028] The potential for noise reduction according to the invention thus begins immediately behind the actual compressor, namely behind a check valve located downstream of the outlet of a compression cylinder. From this valve, the actual refrigerant line, consisting of the compressor connection piece and the refrigerant pipe, begins.

[0029] Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a compressor 103 with a compressor connection piece 105 and a refrigerant pipe 106. The compressor connection piece 105 and the refrigerant pipe 106 are components of a refrigerant line 107 and are connected by a solder joint 108. The refrigerant pipe 106 is guided through an evaporation tray 110, in which condensate accumulating in the refrigeration device 100 is collected and evaporated.

[0030] In the Fig. 2In the embodiment shown, the refrigerant pipe 106 is modified according to the invention, but the compressor connection piece 105 is not. The refrigerant pipe 106 and thus the refrigerant line 107 has a line region 111 with a first flow cross-section and a constriction region 112 with a second flow cross-section that is smaller than the first flow cross-section. Following the constriction region 112, the refrigerant pipe 106 has two further line regions 113, 115 with a first flow cross-section and two further constriction regions 114, 116 with a second flow cross-section that is smaller than the first flow cross-section.

[0031] The constriction regions 112, 114, 116 can have different second flow cross-sections. The constriction regions 112, 114, 116 are arranged at a distance of less than 250 mm downstream of the compressor 103.

[0032] The pipe sections 111, 113, 115 have different lengths, while their flow cross-section is the same as that of the refrigerant pipe.

[0033] Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of a refrigerant line 120 in another embodiment. A refrigerant pipe 122 is soldered to the compressor connection piece 121 at solder joint 123. The refrigerant pipe 122 has a line region 125 and a constriction region 126 repeated three times in a straight section of the refrigerant line 120, starting from solder joint 123.

[0034] The line sections 125 have the same length and the same first flow cross-section. The constriction sections 126 have the same second flow cross-sections. The constriction sections 126 form chambers 127, 138, and 129 in the refrigerant line 120.

[0035] The constriction regions 126 are formed by concave indentations 131 in a tube wall of the refrigerant tube 122. The constriction regions 126 can have a circular, oval, rectangular, or star-shaped cross-section. The constriction regions 126 are arranged near a compressor, namely directly at the compressor connection nozzle 121.

[0036] The ratio between the first flow cross-section and the second flow cross-section is greater than 3:1 for all line regions 125 with respect to the directly following constriction regions 126.

[0037] The principle of reducing the inlet noise consists in a reduction of the flow cross-section in the refrigerant line 120 at the transition from one line section to the following constriction section and a subsequent increase of the flow cross-section at the transition from the constriction section to the following line section.

[0038] Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of a compressor 132 with a refrigerant pipe 134 in a further embodiment, in which a line region 136 with a first flow cross-section and a constriction region 137 with a second flow cross-section are arranged in the compressor outlet connection 135. The refrigerant pipe 134 and the compressor outlet connection 135 are both parts of a refrigerant line 133.

[0039] The constriction region 137 is followed by a line region 138 with a first flow cross-section and a constriction region 139 with a second flow cross-section, with the solder joint 140 located between the compressor outlet nozzle 135 and the refrigerant pipe 134 in the line region 138. The constriction region 139 is followed by two further line regions 142, 144, each with a first flow cross-section, and associated constriction regions 143, 145, each with a second flow cross-section.

[0040] Fig. 5shows diagrams 150 and 160 of the noise development of the refrigeration circuit with and without a constriction in the refrigerant line. In both diagrams, the volume (152 and 162) is plotted against the frequency (154 and 164) as bar graphs. The 400 Hz mark (155 and 165) is also shown. A comparison of the diagrams demonstrates the success of the invention, namely a noise reduction in many ranges of the frequency spectrum.

[0041] All features explained and shown in connection with individual embodiments of the invention can be provided in different combinations in the subject matter according to the invention in order to simultaneously realize their advantageous effects.

[0042] The scope of the present invention is given by the claims and is not limited by the features explained in the description or shown in the figures. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0043] 100 Refrigeration appliance 103 Compressor 105 Compressor connection piece 106 Refrigerant pipe 107 Refrigerant line 108 Solder joint 110 Evaporation tray 111, 113, 115 Line sections 112, 114, 116 Restriction areas 120 Refrigerant line 121 Compressor connection piece 122 Refrigerant pipe 123 Solder joint 125 Line sections 126 Restriction areas 127, 128, 129 Chambers 131 Curvature 132 Compressor 133 Refrigerant line 134 Refrigerant pipe 135 Compressor connection piece 136, 138, 142, 144 Line sections 137, 139, 143, 145 Restriction areas 150, 160 Diagrams 152, 162 Volume 154,164 Frequency 155, 165 400 Hz mark

Claims

1. Refrigeration appliance (100) with a cooling circuit with a high pressure region comprising a compressor (103, 133) for compressing a refrigerant with a refrigerant transfer point, a condenser for condensing the refrigerant and a refrigerant line (107, 120, 133) between the refrigerant transfer point and the condenser for transporting the refrigerant, wherein the refrigerant line comprises a compressor connection nozzle (121, 135) and a refrigerant pipe (106, 122, 134), wherein the refrigerant line comprises a line region (111, 113, 115; 125; 136, 138, 142, 144) with a first flow cross-section and a constriction region (112, 114, 116; 126; 137, 139, 143, 145) with a second flow cross-section which is smaller than the first flow cross-section, wherein the constriction region (112, 114, 116; 126; 137, 139, 143, 145) is formed by at least one concave curve (131) of a pipe wall of the refrigerant pipe (106, 122, 134), characterised in that the constriction region (112, 114, 116; 126; 137, 139, 143, 145) is arranged near the compressor (103, 133) at a distance of less than 250 mm downstream of the compressor (103, 133).

2. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that a chamber (127, 128, 129) is formed in the refrigerant line (107, 120, 133) by way of the constriction region (112, 114, 116; 126; 137, 139, 143, 145).

3. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the refrigerant line (107, 120, 133) comprises a plurality of constriction regions (112, 114, 116; 126; 137, 139, 143, 145).

4. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 3, characterised in that the refrigerant line (107, 133) has at least two constriction regions (112, 114, 116; 126; 137, 139, 143, 145) with different second flow cross-sections.

5. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that a line region (111, 113, 115; 125; 136, 138, 142, 144) is arranged between two constriction regions (112, 114, 116; 126; 137, 139, 143, 145), which line region has a constant, first flow cross-section over a predefined length.

6. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that line regions (111, 113, 115; 125; 136, 138, 142, 144) with different predefined lengths are arranged between several constriction regions (112, 114, 116; 126; 137, 139, 143, 145).

7. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the constriction region (112, 114, 116; 126; 137, 139, 143, 145) has a circular, oval, rectangular or star-shaped cross-section.

8. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one line region (111, 113, 115; 125; 136, 138, 142, 144) with a first flow cross-section and a constriction region (137) with a second flow cross-section is arranged in the compressor outlet nozzle (135).

9. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one constriction region (112, 114, 116; 126; 137, 139, 143, 145) with a second flow cross-section is arranged in the refrigerant pipe (106, 122, 134).

10. Refrigeration appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ratio between the first flow cross-section and the second flow cross-section is greater than 3:1.

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