Swing plate and heat pump with swing plate

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a vibrating plate (1) of a heat pump (100), in particular an air-to-water heat pump with R290 as the refrigerant, wherein the vibrating plate (1) comprises: a lower part (2) configured for direct or indirect connection with a base plate of the heat pump (100), an upper part (4) configured for receiving components of the refrigeration circuit, and a middle part (6) connecting the lower part (2) and the upper part (4), wherein the vibrating plate (1) is configured in the region of the middle part (6) to guide at least one refrigeration circuit pipe. The disclosure also relates to a heat pump (100) with a vibrating plate (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a vibrating plate of a heat pump as well as heat pumps with vibrating plates. It is particularly advantageous for air-to-water heat pumps using R290 as a refrigerant, but is not limited to these and is applicable in all types of heat pumps with refrigeration circuits.

[0002] Refrigeration circuits for heat pumps, as well as heat pumps in general, are known. It is also known that refrigeration circuit components of the heat pump stand on a vibration plate or base plate, and that the refrigeration circuit pipes or lines are routed alongside or above the components.

[0003] Sufficient pipe lengths are required to ensure adequate vibration isolation of the individual components of the refrigeration circuit. Arranging the pipes and components side-by-side necessitates more floor space. Therefore, as is common practice in the prior art, buildings are often constructed vertically.

[0004] Against this background, one of the objectives of the present invention was to keep the installation space, i.e. the base area of ​​a refrigeration circuit, as small as possible while maintaining the necessary pipe lengths for vibration decoupling.

[0005] According to the invention, the problem is solved by a vibrating plate according to claim 1 and a heat pump according to claim 9. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0006] According to a particular feature of the invention, the object comprises a vibrating plate for a heat pump, which is specifically designed for use in an air-to-water heat pump with the refrigerant R290. This vibrating plate consists of three main components: a lower part, an upper part, and a middle part.

[0007] The lower section is designed so that it can be connected either directly or indirectly to a base plate of the heat pump. This allows for stable mounting of the vibration plate within the heat pump structure.

[0008] The upper part is specifically designed to accommodate components of the refrigeration circuit, enabling efficient integration and arrangement of these components.

[0009] The middle section acts as a connecting element between the lower and upper sections. A special feature of the vibrating plate is that the middle section is designed to guide at least one refrigeration circuit pipe.

[0010] This allows pipes to be routed below the refrigeration circuit components according to the invention, so that only penetration points are required as additional space.

[0011] Additional vibration decoupling of the pipes is made possible by further levels or additional bends in the pipes.

[0012] Furthermore, according to the invention, pipe lengths can be increased for vibration decoupling and the accessibility of the components is improved by the improved spatial arrangement.

[0013] Finally, the vibrating plate according to the invention allows the existing pipe routing to be scaled to larger devices or larger pipe diameters.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the vibrating plate includes a recess in the upper part, which serves to guide the refrigeration circuit pipe and prevents the refrigeration circuit pipe from coming into contact with the plate.

[0015] This specific design of the recess in the upper part of the vibrating plate allows for smooth and secure guidance of the refrigerant circuit pipe through the plate without the pipe making direct contact with the plate. This helps to prevent mechanical stress and potential damage to the refrigerant circuit pipe that could be caused by vibrations or movements of the vibrating plate. The recess ensures that the refrigerant circuit pipe remains free of mechanical stress, which increases its service life and reliability. Furthermore, the contactless guidance ensures that the pipe is decoupled from the vibrations of the vibrating plate.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the central part of the vibrating plate has at least one recess for the passage of the refrigeration circuit pipe. The recess in the central part allows for the controlled guidance of the refrigeration circuit pipes through the vibrating plate.

[0017] In one embodiment, the vibrating plate comprises a central section with openings for accessing solder joints, in particular elongated holes for reliable soldering of the pipe connections. The central section of the vibrating plate serves as a connecting element between the lower and upper sections and plays a key role in guiding the refrigeration circuit pipes. The integration of openings in the central section significantly improves access to the solder joints. These openings, especially in the form of elongated holes, allow technicians to access the solder joints of the pipe connections more easily and safely, making the soldering process more efficient and reliable. The elongated holes provide sufficient space and flexibility to perform the soldering work precisely without having to disassemble or reposition the vibrating plate.This reduces the probability of errors and increases process reliability when soldering the pipe connections guided in the vibrating plate.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the vibrating plate of a heat pump, in particular an air-to-water heat pump with R290 as a refrigerant, is designed such that it can be manufactured from different materials and using different manufacturing processes. These manufacturing processes include castings, bent parts or laser-cut parts as welded constructions, bent parts or laser-cut parts as bolted constructions, bent parts or laser-cut parts as riveted constructions, and one or more deep-drawn parts that are joined by means of joining processes.

[0019] The use of cast parts allows for high dimensional accuracy and strength, which is particularly advantageous for the structural integrity of the vibration plate. Furthermore, cast parts have a high weight, which supports the damping function of the vibration plate.

[0020] Edge components or laser-cut parts as welded constructions offer flexibility in design and allow for precise adjustment of the components, which facilitates the assembly and integration of the vibrating plate into the heat pump.

[0021] Edge-cut or laser-cut parts with screw connections offer the advantage of easy disassembly and maintenance, as the components are easily accessible and replaceable. Edge-cut or laser-cut parts with rivet connections provide a durable and stable connection, which is particularly advantageous in applications with high mechanical loads. The use of deep-drawn parts joined using joining processes enables cost-effective production and high dimensional accuracy of the vibration plate. These various manufacturing processes and material combinations offer high production flexibility and allow the vibration plate to be adapted to specific requirements and conditions. Furthermore, they contribute to optimizing the mechanical properties and durability of the vibration plate, thus improving the overall efficiency and reliability of the heat pump.

[0022] In one embodiment, the vibration plate consists of two edge sections joined by rivets. This special design enables a robust and stable connection between the two edge sections, resulting in increased structural integrity of the vibration plate. The use of rivets as fasteners offers the advantage of a durable and secure connection that remains reliable even under the mechanical stresses and vibrations that can occur during the operation of a heat pump. The riveted connection also ensures an even load distribution across the entire vibration plate, extending its service life and reducing maintenance requirements. The edge sections themselves can be designed to allow for optimal mounting of the refrigerant circuit pipes, thus optimizing the use of installation space.

[0023] Furthermore, using only two edge pieces can simplify the manufacturing and assembly of the vibration plate, as the parts can be prefabricated and then simply joined together. This can lead to a reduction in production costs and a shorter manufacturing time.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vibrating plate is further improved by the addition of a designated grounding connection. The grounding connection serves to safely dissipate electrical charges that can accumulate during operation, thereby reducing the risk of electrical interference or damage to the components of the refrigeration circuit. This is particularly important in systems using R290 as a refrigerant, since this refrigerant is flammable and must meet specific safety requirements. The grounding connection provides a reliable connection to the grounding of the entire system, which not only increases safety but also extends the service life of the heat pump by protecting its components from electrostatic discharge.

[0025] In one embodiment, the vibrating plate includes an additional weight, for example made of concrete, inserted into the plate. This embodiment improves the stability and vibration damping of the vibrating plate, which is particularly advantageous when used in a heat pump. The additional weight helps to minimize the vibrations caused by the operation of the heat pump by increasing the mass of the vibrating plate and thus changing the system's resonant frequency.

[0026] In another aspect, the problem is solved by a heat pump with a vibrating plate according to the invention and a refrigeration circuit.

[0027] The heat pump enables the achievement of the advantages described for the vibrating plate in the same way and can also be combined with the designs described there as preferred.

[0028] The use of R290 as a refrigerant offers an environmentally friendly solution that minimizes the heat pump's CO2 footprint. At the same time, the operating conditions of such heat pumps necessitate long pipe lengths in the refrigerant circuit to achieve sufficient decoupling of vibrations between individual components, particularly the compressor.

[0029] The interaction between the components of the heat pump is improved by the vibrating plate, as it provides a stable and low-vibration base on which the sensitive parts of the refrigeration circuit can be mounted.

[0030] In one embodiment, the heat pump comprises a refrigeration circuit containing refrigeration circuit pipes, with at least one of the refrigeration circuit pipes being routed in the area of ​​the central part of the vibrating plate without direct contact with the plate. This specific routing of the refrigeration circuit pipes offers several advantages. First, the lack of direct contact with the vibrating plate reduces vibrations and noise that could arise from mechanical interaction between the refrigeration circuit pipes and the plate. This contributes to quieter operation of the heat pump, which is particularly advantageous in residential areas or indoor environments. Second, the routing without direct contact allows for thermal decoupling of the refrigeration circuit pipes from the vibrating plate. This can increase the efficiency of the heat pump, as heat losses are minimized and the temperature of the refrigerant can be better controlled.Thirdly, as described, the installation space can be minimized because the routing of the refrigeration circuit pipes is not limited to the area next to and above the refrigeration circuit components.

[0031] Further advantages and preferred designs are explained below with reference to the attached drawings. Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a vibrating plate for a heat pump, designed to accommodate components of the refrigeration circuit and featuring a recess for the passage of a refrigeration circuit pipe. Fig. 2 shows another view of the vibrating plate. Fig. 3 shows another view of the vibrating plate. Fig. 4 shows another view of the vibrating plate. Fig. 5 shows another view of the vibrating plate.

[0032] Figs. 1 to 5Figures 1 and 2 show different views of a vibration plate 1 for a heat pump 100, specifically for an air-to-water heat pump using R290 as a refrigerant. The vibration plate 1 consists of several parts, each fulfilling specific functions. For the sake of simplicity, the other components of the heat pump 100, particularly the components of the refrigeration circuit that causes the vibrations, have been omitted.

[0033] The vibration plate 1 comprises a lower part 2, which is designed for direct or indirect connection to a base plate of the heat pump 100. The lower part 2 forms the base of the construction and serves to securely attach the vibration plate 1 to the heat pump 100.

[0034] A top part 4 is designed to accommodate components of the refrigeration circuit (not shown, as mentioned). The top part 4 has several bores 42 and recesses 44, which serve for the fastening and routing of refrigeration circuit pipes and other components. In this example, the bores 42 are designed as through-holes for positioning.

[0035] The recesses 44 are designed to prevent the refrigeration circuit pipes guided in the area of ​​the vibrating plate 1 from contacting the vibrating plate 1 in order to minimize vibrations and mechanical stresses.

[0036] The middle section 6 connects the lower section 2 and the upper section 4 and is designed to guide at least one refrigeration circuit pipe. Specific recesses 62 are provided in the area of ​​the middle section 6, which allow the refrigeration circuit pipes to pass through.

[0037] These recesses 62 are designed to facilitate access to solder joints, enabling process-reliable soldering of the pipe connections.

[0038] The geometry, particularly of the upper part 4, is adapted to the actual refrigeration circuit and its requirements, and is therefore not limited to the geometry shown. Likewise, the number and distribution of the recesses 44 are not restrictive, but rather exemplary.

[0039] The middle section 6, as shown, connects the upper section 4 and the lower section 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the vibrating plate 1 consists of two edge sections 10 and 12. Edge section 10 forms the lower section 2 and a large part of the support walls of the vibrating plate 1 arranged in the middle section 6. Edge section 12 forms the upper section 4 and also a part of the support walls arranged in the middle section 6. Thus, both edge sections 10 and 12 together form the middle section 6.

[0040] In this example, the edge parts 10, 12 are securely connected to each other at several solder points 14. Other manufacturing methods are also conceivable.

[0041] The routing of refrigeration circuit pipes in the middle section 6 between the upper section 4 and the lower section 2 is possible both within the space formed by the edge parts 10, 12 and outside of it. List of reference symbols

[0042] 1 Vibration plate 2 Lower part 4 Upper part 6 Middle part 10, 12 Edge part 14 Solder joint 42 Drill holes 44, 62 Recesses 100 Heat pump

Claims

1. Vibration plate (1) of a heat pump (100), in particular an air-to-water heat pump with R290 as refrigerant, wherein the vibration plate (1) comprises: - a lower part (2) designed for indirect or direct connection with a base plate of the heat pump (100), - an upper part (4) designed to accommodate components of the refrigeration circuit, and - a middle part (6) connecting the lower part (2) and the upper part (4), wherein the vibration plate (1) is designed in the area of ​​the middle part (6) to guide at least one refrigeration circuit pipe.

2. Vibration plate (1) according to claim 1, wherein the upper part (4) has a recess (44, 62) for the passage of the refrigeration circuit pipe, which prevents the refrigeration circuit pipe from coming into contact with the plate.

3. Vibration plate (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the central part (6) has at least one recess (44, 62) for the passage of the refrigeration circuit pipe.

4. Vibration plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the central part has clearances for the accessibility of solder joints (14), in particular elongated holes for process-reliable soldering of the pipe connections.

5. Vibration plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vibration plate (1) is manufactured as: - a casting, - edge parts (10, 12) or laser parts as a welded construction, - edge parts (10, 12) or laser parts as a screw construction, - edge parts (10, 12) or laser parts as a riveted construction, and / or - one or more deep-drawn parts which are joined by means of joining methods.

6. Vibration plate (1) according to claim 5, wherein the vibration plate (1) consists of two edge parts (10, 12) joined by rivets.

7. Vibration plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which further comprises a characterized earthing connection.

8. Vibration plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which further comprises an additional weight introduced into the vibration plate (1), for example made of concrete.

9. Heat pump (100) with a refrigeration circuit and a vibrating plate (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Heat pump (100) according to claim 9, wherein the refrigeration circuit has refrigeration circuit pipes and at least one of the refrigeration circuit pipes is guided in a region of the central part (6) of the vibrating plate (1) without contact with the vibrating plate (1).

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