Refrigerant assembly for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a refrigerant assembly (2) for a motor vehicle, having an electric refrigerant drive (4) and at least one other component (6, 8), wherein the refrigerant drive (4) has a drive housing (18) with at least one refrigerant opening (22, 24), and the component (6, 8) is joined directly to the refrigerant opening (22, 24).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Refrigerant assembly for a motor vehicle

[0003] The invention relates to a refrigerant assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising an electric refrigerant drive, in particular a refrigerant compressor, and at least one further component.

[0004] Motor vehicles are regularly equipped with air conditioning systems that climate-control the vehicle interior using a system forming a refrigerant circuit. Such systems generally have a circuit containing a refrigerant. The refrigerant, for example R-744 (carbon dioxide, CO2) or R-134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane), is heated in an evaporator and compressed by a (refrigerant) compressor. The refrigerant then releases the absorbed heat via a heat exchanger before being fed back to the evaporator via a throttle.

[0005] A so-called scroll compressor is often used as a refrigerant compressor to compress a refrigerant. The design and operation of such a scroll compressor, used as a compressor for the refrigerant in a vehicle air conditioning system, is described, for example, in DE 102012 104 045 A1.

[0006] The various components in the refrigerant circuit of an air conditioning and / or heat pump system are typically connected via pipes. Due to the large number of components and interfaces, the assembly of the refrigerant circuit is comparatively complex. Furthermore, each additional interface represents a risk for refrigerant leaks. The invention is based on the object of specifying a particularly suitable refrigerant assembly for a motor vehicle. In particular, the number of interfaces—and thus the risk of leaks—in a refrigerant circuit is to be reduced.

[0007] The object is achieved according to the invention with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the subclaims.

[0008] The basic principle of the invention is that components of a refrigerant circuit of a motor vehicle, which are typically connected to each other via pipes or other additional components, are mounted directly to each other.

[0009] The refrigerant assembly according to the invention is intended for a motor vehicle and is suitable and configured therefor. The refrigerant assembly comprises an electric refrigerant drive, in particular a refrigerant compressor, preferably a scroll compressor, and at least one further component. The component is in particular a refrigerant circuit component, for example a heat pump component or a sensor element. The refrigerant drive here has a drive housing with at least one refrigerant opening, wherein the component is joined or can be joined directly, i.e. without an intermediate (pipe) line, to the refrigerant opening or the drive housing. In other words, the refrigerant opening is designed as a highly integrated connection for the component. This results in a particularly suitable refrigerant assembly.

[0010] The drive housing is designed in particular as a die-cast aluminum part. The refrigerant opening is in particular a refrigerant inlet through which refrigerant can enter the drive housing, or a refrigerant outlet through which refrigerant can escape from the drive housing. In a refrigerant compressor, the refrigerant inlet is in particular the suction side (low pressure side) and the refrigerant outlet is the discharge side (high pressure side). By directly coupling the component to the refrigerant drive, the number of necessary connections in the refrigerant circuit is reduced. This means there are fewer individual parts and fewer sealed connections, which lowers manufacturing costs, assembly effort, and the risk of leaks. Furthermore, the structural weight of the refrigerant assembly and its installation space requirement are advantageously reduced.

[0011] In one embodiment, the component directly connected to the refrigerant drive is designed as a refrigerant sensor, in particular as a pressure and / or temperature sensor for detecting the refrigerant pressure or the refrigerant temperature.

[0012] The conjunction “and / or” is to be understood here and in the following in such a way that the features linked by this conjunction can be formed both together and as alternatives to one another.

[0013] The refrigerant opening is preferably the refrigerant inlet (low-pressure side, suction side). This means that a pressure and / or temperature sensor is mounted directly in the refrigerant inlet area of ​​the refrigerant drive. This provides status detection (pressure and / or temperature) of the refrigerant directly at the inlet of the refrigerant drive, enabling improved regulation and / or control of the refrigerant drive operation.

[0014] In one conceivable embodiment, an interface for accommodating the refrigerant sensor is inserted into the drive housing transversely to the refrigerant opening. The refrigerant sensor is thus arranged essentially transversely to the direction of refrigerant flow.

[0015] In a suitable refinement, the interface features a threaded hole into which an external thread of the refrigerant sensor is firmly screwed. This ensures simple and reliable installation of the refrigerant sensor. Alternatively, the refrigerant sensor could also be soldered or welded into the interface, which would fulfill both the holding and sealing functions in one. However, the refrigerant sensor would not be replaceable in the event of servicing.

[0016] In a practical embodiment, the interface has a sealing surface molded onto the drive housing, against which a sealing element of the refrigerant sensor rests. This means that a machined interface with a thread and sealing surface is located in the aluminum die-cast housing of the refrigerant drive, which accommodates the refrigerant sensor.

[0017] The sealing element is preferably designed as an O-ring to ensure tightness. Alternatively, depending on the selected refrigerant sensor and its design, the sealing effect could also be achieved using other seal types, for example, a rubber-to-metal seal, a pure metal seal, or axial sealing discs.

[0018] In an additional or alternative embodiment, a heat exchanger assembly is joined directly to the refrigerant drive as a component. The heat exchanger assembly is designed and configured to conduct refrigerant, with a fluidic connection being established between the refrigerant opening and the heat exchanger assembly. The direct fluidic connection between the refrigerant opening and the heat exchanger assembly results in lower refrigerant pressure losses, as there are no potentially cross-sectionally narrowing or refrigerant-diverting pipes. This improves the performance of the refrigerant drive.

[0019] The heat exchanger assembly, designed, for example, as a heat exchanger / block brazed assembly, comprises several base plates, two plate heat exchangers ("chiller" and "internal heat exchanger"), several brazed aluminum blocks, sensors, valves, and seals. The aluminum block(s) are brazed onto the base plates of one or more plate heat exchangers. Both the aluminum block and the plate, as well as the heat exchanger(s) themselves, contain holes, openings, and other internal cavities through which the refrigerant flows.

[0020] Preferably, the aluminum block soldered to the heat exchanger forms the interface for direct mounting on the refrigerant opening, in particular at the refrigerant inlet.

[0021] In one conceivable embodiment, the heat exchanger assembly, in particular the aluminum block, has an upstanding nozzle which is sealingly inserted into a corresponding receptacle of the refrigerant opening.

[0022] This enables a particularly simple and effort-reduced plug-in assembly. The heat exchanger assembly or the aluminum block thus has a "father" nozzle, which preferably has an O-ring seal for sealing. The nozzle engages the "mother" mating contour of the mount on the drive housing. The nozzle (and the mating interface or mount on the drive housing) can also have a geometry for an axial seal.

[0023] In a suitable development, a through-hole is provided in the drive housing adjacent to the refrigerant opening. A screw element is seated in the through-hole, which is screwed into a threaded hole in the heat exchanger assembly, thus non-positively securing the heat exchanger assembly to the drive housing. For example, the aluminum block is provided with an M8 threaded blind hole. Near the mating mating contour or receptacle, the through-hole is provided for a screw element designed as an M8 screw, which secures the aluminum block to the drive housing.

[0024] Alternatively, other screw sizes and numbers can be provided for the screw element, for example, two M6 screws instead of one M8 screw. Alternatively, it is also possible to reverse the joining direction, i.e., to create the threaded hole in the drive housing and the through-hole in the aluminum block of the heat exchanger assembly. In one possible design, a joining pin is pressed into one of the two joining partners (heat assembly, drive housing), with a corresponding (receiving) hole provided in the counterpart. For example, the drive housing has a protruding joining pin, which engages with sufficient joint clearance in a receiving hole in the heat exchanger assembly. The joining pin and the receiving hole enable pre-positioning or rough positioning during assembly.

[0025] A "positive connection" or a "positive connection" between at least two interconnected parts is understood here and below in particular to mean that the interconnected parts are held together at least in one direction by a direct interlocking of the contours of the parts themselves or by an indirect interlocking via an additional connecting part. The "blocking" of mutual movement in this direction is therefore due to the shape.

[0026] A "positive connection" or a "positive connection" between at least two interconnected parts is understood here and below in particular to mean that the interconnected parts are prevented from sliding against each other due to a frictional force acting between them. If a "connecting force" causing this frictional force (this means the force that presses the parts against each other, for example, a screw force or the force of gravity itself) is missing, the positive connection cannot be maintained and can therefore be released.

[0027] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. The drawings show, in simplified representations:

[0028] Fig. 1 in side view a refrigerant assembly with a refrigerant drive and with a refrigerant sensor as well as with a heat exchanger assembly,

[0029] Fig. 2 shows the refrigerant assembly in front view, Fig. 3 shows the refrigerant assembly in top view,

[0030] Fig. 4a in sectional view along the section line IV-IV according to Fig. 3, a detail of the refrigerant drive and the heat exchanger assembly in a partially disassembled state,

[0031] Fig. 4b in sectional view along the section line IV-IV according to Fig. 3, a detail of the refrigerant drive and the heat exchanger assembly in an assembled state,

[0032] Fig. 5a in sectional view along the section line VV according to Fig. 2, a detail of the refrigerant drive and the refrigerant sensor in a partially disassembled state, and

[0033] Fig. 5b in sectional view along the section line VV according to Fig. 2, a detail of the refrigerant drive and the refrigerant sensor in an assembled state.

[0034] Corresponding parts and sizes are always provided with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0035] Figs. 1 to 3 show a refrigerant assembly 2 according to the invention from different perspectives. The refrigerant assembly 2 comprises a refrigerant drive 4, hereinafter also referred to as a refrigerant or scroll compressor, and two components 6, 8 joined thereto. Component 6 is embodied as a refrigerant sensor, in particular as a pressure and temperature sensor, and component 8 as a heat exchanger assembly.

[0036] The heat exchanger assembly 8 is, in particular, a heat exchanger / block brazing assembly with multiple base plates, two plate heat exchangers, multiple brazed-on aluminum blocks, sensors, valves, and seals. The figures show, in simplified form, only a base plate 10, an aluminum block 12 with a nozzle 14 (Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b), and a (plate) heat exchanger 16. The aluminum block 12 is integrally joined to the base plate 10 of the heat exchanger 16 by means of a brazed connection. The scroll compressor 4 has a drive or compressor housing 18. The compressor housing 18 is designed as a die-cast aluminum part. The compressor housing 18, which is cylindrical, for example, has an electronics area 20 in the form of a one-piece, i.e., one-piece or monolithic, molded-on electronics compartment, in which electronics (not shown in detail) are accommodated.The compressor housing 18 has in the opposite end areas a refrigerant opening 22, 24 as a (refrigerant) inlet 22 (refrigerant inlet, inlet) and as a (refrigerant) outlet 24, by means of which the scroll compressor 4 is connected to a refrigerant circuit.

[0037] The inlet 22 is molded adjacent to the electronics area 20 of the compressor housing 18, allowing cooling or temperature control of the electronics by means of the inflowing refrigerant. The outlet 24 is molded onto a bottom of a compressor housing 18. When connected, the inlet 22 forms the low-pressure or suction side (suction gas side) and the outlet 24 forms the high-pressure or pump side (pump side) of the scroll compressor 4.

[0038] According to the invention, the refrigerant sensor 6 and the heat exchanger assembly 8 are joined directly to the refrigerant drive 4 without any intermediate pipes.

[0039] The following illustrates the assembly of the heat exchanger assembly 8 on the refrigerant drive 4 in more detail with reference to Figures 4a and 4b. Figures 4a and 4b show a section of a direct fluidic connection between the inlet 22 and an integrated refrigerant channel 26, which is incorporated into the aluminum block 12.

[0040] The aluminum block 12 or the nozzle 14 form an adapter of the heat exchanger assembly 8 for connection to the inlet 22. The inlet 22 has a receptacle 28 corresponding to the nozzle 14, into which the nozzle 14 is inserted in a sealing manner. For example, an O-ring (not shown in detail) is placed on the nozzle 14 for radial sealing in particular. To prevent the nozzle 14 from accidentally slipping out of the receptacle 28, the aluminum block 12 is joined to the compressor housing 18 in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner by means of a screw connection.

[0041] As can be seen particularly in Fig. 4a, a through-bore 30 is formed adjacent to the inlet 22 in the compressor housing 18. The through-bore 30 is aligned with a threaded bore 32, in particular a threaded blind hole, in the aluminum block 12. To secure the aluminum block 12, a screw element 34, for example an M8 screw, is screwed into the threaded bore 32 via the through-bore 30. The adjacent arrangement to the receptacle 28 or the nozzle 14 enables sufficient and reliable sealing pressure by means of the screw fastening.

[0042] The following illustrates the mounting of the refrigerant sensor 6 on the refrigerant drive 4 in more detail using Figures 5a and 5b. Figures 5a and 5b show sections of an interface for direct mounting of the refrigerant sensor 6.

[0043] As can be clearly seen in the illustrations of Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b, the interface has a receptacle 36, which is oriented as a threaded bore transverse to the inlet 22 or a refrigerant channel 38 of the compressor housing 18 opening therein. The receptacle 36 opens into the inlet 22 or the refrigerant channel 38.

[0044] The refrigerant sensor 6 has an external thread 40 on its front side, which is screwed into the thread of the receptacle 36 in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner for assembly. For sealing purposes, a raised edge is formed on the compressor housing 18 as a sealing surface 42, which surrounds an external opening of the receptacle 36. The refrigerant sensor 6 has a sealing element 44 in the form of an O-ring, which is brought into sealing contact with the sealing surface 42 when the external thread 40 is screwed into the receptacle 36. The claimed invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above. Rather, other variants of the invention can also be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the disclosed claims, without departing from the subject matter of the claimed invention.In particular, all individual features described in connection with the various embodiments can also be combined in other ways within the scope of the disclosed claims without departing from the subject matter of the claimed invention.

[0045] For example, in an embodiment not shown in detail, a joining pin is inserted into the compressor housing 18 or the aluminum block 12, wherein a corresponding (receiving) bore is provided in the respective other component 12, 18.

[0046] List of reference symbols

[0047] 2 Refrigerant assembly

[0048] 4 Cold medium drive Z-compressors, scroll compressors

[0049] 6 Component, refrigerant sensor

[0050] 8 Component, heat exchanger assembly

[0051] 10 Base plate

[0052] 12 aluminum blocks

[0053] 14 nozzles

[0054] 16 heat exchangers

[0055] 18 Drive housing, compressor housing

[0056] 20 Electronics department

[0057] 22 Refrigerant opening, inlet

[0058] 24 Refrigerant opening, outlet

[0059] 26 Refrigerant channel

[0060] 28 recording

[0061] 30 through hole

[0062] 32 threaded hole

[0063] 34 screw element

[0064] 36 Mounting, threaded hole

[0065] 38 Refrigerant channel

[0066] 40 external threads

[0067] 42 Sealing surface

[0068] 44 Sealing element

Claims

Claims Refrigerant assembly (2) for a motor vehicle, comprising an electric refrigerant drive (4) and at least one further component (6, 8), wherein the refrigerant drive (4) has a drive housing (18) with at least one refrigerant opening (22, 24), and wherein the component (6, 8) is joined or can be joined directly to the refrigerant opening (22, 24). Refrigerant assembly (2) according to claim 1, wherein the component (6) is a refrigerant sensor, characterized in that an interface for receiving the refrigerant sensor (6) is introduced into the drive housing (18) transversely to the refrigerant opening (22). Refrigerant assembly (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that the interface has a threaded bore (36) into which an external thread (40) of the refrigerant sensor (6) is screwed.Refrigerant assembly (2) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the interface has a sealing surface (42) formed on the drive housing (18), against which a sealing element (44) of the refrigerant sensor (6) bears in a sealing manner. Refrigerant assembly (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that the sealing element (44) is an O-ring. Refrigerant assembly (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the component (8) is a heat exchanger assembly, and wherein the heat exchanger assembly (8) is provided and configured to conduct refrigerant. characterized in that a fluidic connection is realized between the refrigerant opening (22) and the heat exchanger assembly (8). Refrigerant assembly (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that the heat exchanger assembly (8) has an aluminum block (12) as an interface to the refrigerant opening (22). Refrigerant assembly (2) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the heat exchanger assembly (8) has an upstanding nozzle (14) which is sealingly inserted into a receptacle (28) of the refrigerant opening (22). Refrigerant assembly (2) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that a through-bore (30) is introduced into the drive housing (18) adjacent to the refrigerant opening (22), wherein a screw element (34) is seated in the through-bore (30) and is screwed into a threaded bore (32) for the non-positive fixing of the heat exchanger assembly (8).Refrigerant assembly (2) according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the drive housing (18) has an upstanding joining pin which engages in a receiving bore of the heat exchanger assembly (8).

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