Refrigerant circuit with a low-pressure refrigerant store for steam content stabilisation, and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a refrigerant circuit for a motor vehicle, having a refrigerant store (10) which is arranged downstream of an evaporator of the refrigerant circuit and upstream of a compressor of the refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant store (10) has an inlet tube (26) with a dispensing opening (28) via which the refrigerant coming from the evaporator can be introduced into a receiving space (30) of the refrigerant store (10). The refrigerant store (10) has a extraction suction device (34) with an intake suction opening (36). Gaseous refrigerant coming from the receiving space (30) can be introduced into the extraction suction device (34) through the intake suction opening (36). The refrigerant store (10) has at least one filter element (70) which is permeable for the gaseous refrigerant and which is designed to hold back liquid refrigerant (48). The extraction suction device (34) is protected, by way of the at least one filter element (70), against liquid refrigerant (48) entering the extraction suction device (34) through the intake suction opening (36). The invention also relates to a motor vehicle having the refrigerant circuit.

Description

[0001] Refrigerant circuit with a low-pressure refrigerant storage for vapor content stabilization and motor vehicle

[0002] DESCRIPTION:

[0003] The invention relates to a refrigerant circuit for a motor vehicle, comprising a refrigerant reservoir arranged downstream of an evaporator of the refrigerant circuit and upstream of a compressor of the refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant reservoir has an inlet pipe with a discharge opening. The refrigerant coming from the evaporator can be introduced into a receiving space of the refrigerant reservoir via the discharge opening. The refrigerant reservoir has an extraction device with an intake opening. Gaseous refrigerant originating from the receiving space can be introduced into the extraction device via the intake opening. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle with such a refrigerant circuit.

[0004] A refrigerant storage tank located downstream of the evaporator and upstream of the compressor in the direction of refrigerant flow through the refrigerant circuit is also referred to as a low-pressure refrigerant storage tank. Depending on the amount of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit, the liquid refrigerant level in the refrigerant storage tank can vary.

[0005] During operation of the refrigerant circuit, it is desirable for the refrigerant extracted from the refrigerant storage chamber via the extraction device to be predominantly gaseous. However, a certain proportion of liquid refrigerant in the two-phase mixture that is fed from the refrigerant storage to the compressor during operation of the refrigerant circuit is advisable. This is because, on the one hand, the liquid refrigerant portion in the mixture can cool the compressor. On the other hand, liquid refrigerant is better suited to binding lubricating oil or, due to the better solubility of lubricating oil in liquid refrigerant portions, to returning the lubricating oil originating from the compressor and circulating in the system or refrigerant circuit back to the compressor. This is advantageous for ensuring long-term functionality of the compressor.

[0006] On the other hand, it is disadvantageous if the mixture extracted from the refrigerant storage tank via the extraction device contains a comparatively high amount of liquid refrigerant and correspondingly little gaseous refrigerant. This is because, at a constant mass flow of refrigerant delivered by the compressor, the cooling capacity of the evaporator is reduced. The difference in the enthalpy of the refrigerant at the inlet to the evaporator and at the outlet from the evaporator is smaller when the proportion of liquid refrigerant fed to the compressor from the refrigerant storage tank increases. Such an enthalpy loss can be compensated for by increasing the mass flow of refrigerant delivered by the compressor, but at the expense of system efficiency due to the increased drive power consumption at the compressor.

[0007] Particularly if the refrigerant circuit does not have an internal heat exchanger, in which heat is transferred internally from the refrigerant compressed by the compressor to the expanded refrigerant supplied to the compressor, this can lead to increased suction of liquid refrigerant by the compressor, depending on the fill level of the liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant reservoir. This causes the unfavorable case of wet suction of refrigerant by the compressor and possibly even wet compression. This operating condition can have a negative impact on bearing stability due to lubricating oil washout, but can also have a detrimental effect on the effectiveness of an oil separator in the compressor. DE 103 55 496 A1 describes a hydraulic accumulator for a motor vehicle air conditioning system.A fluid inlet tube assembly of the hydraulic accumulator includes a deflector section configured to direct refrigerant flowing through a first section of the fluid inlet tube assembly toward sidewalls and downwardly away from a top surface of an accumulator housing. This is intended to prevent the occurrence of turbulence in the hydraulic accumulator.

[0008] Further refrigerant storage devices integrated into a respective refrigerant circuit are described, for example, in EP 3 550223 A1 and in US 4 651 540 A.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerant circuit of the type mentioned at the outset, in which a vapor content of the refrigerant extracted from the refrigerant storage device is particularly insensitive to different filling levels of refrigerant in the receiving space of the refrigerant storage device, and to specify a motor vehicle with such a refrigerant circuit.

[0010] This object is achieved by a refrigerant circuit having the features of patent claim 1 and by a motor vehicle having the features of patent claim 10. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent patent claims and in the following description.

[0011] The refrigerant circuit according to the invention for a motor vehicle comprises a refrigerant reservoir, which is arranged downstream of an evaporator of the refrigerant circuit and upstream of a compressor of the refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant reservoir has an inlet pipe with a discharge opening. The refrigerant coming from the evaporator can be introduced into a receiving space of the refrigerant reservoir via the discharge opening. Furthermore, the refrigerant reservoir has an extraction device with an intake opening. Gaseous refrigerant originating from the receiving space can be introduced into the extraction device via the intake opening. The refrigerant reservoir has at least one filter element, which is permeable to the gaseous refrigerant and which is designed to retain liquid refrigerant.The extraction device is protected by the at least one filter element against the penetration of liquid refrigerant into the extraction device via the intake opening.

[0012] Accordingly, the at least one filter element ensures that no or virtually no liquid refrigerant can penetrate or enter the extraction device via the intake opening when the refrigerant circuit is in operation. This is because the at least one filter element holds back the liquid refrigerant and allows the gaseous refrigerant to pass through. This ensures that liquid refrigerant does not enter the extraction device in an undefined manner. This in turn means that a desired vapor content, i.e. a desired proportion of gaseous refrigerant in a two-phase mixture that is extracted from the refrigerant storage tank via the extraction device when the refrigerant circuit is in operation and which contains gaseous refrigerant with a certain proportion of liquid refrigerant, can be very easily and reproducibly adjusted.

[0013] In this case, the vapor content of the two-phase mixture refers to the gaseous portion of refrigerant in the two-phase mixture. Thus, with a vapor content of 0%, only liquid refrigerant is present, and with a vapor content of 100%, only gaseous refrigerant is present.

[0014] The extraction device preferably has an inlet for liquid refrigerant or a liquid refrigerant-oil mixture, which, during operation of the refrigerant circuit, is arranged below a liquid level of liquid refrigerant or refrigerant-oil mixture located in the receiving space of the refrigerant reservoir. A defined amount of liquid refrigerant can be added or mixed with the gaseous refrigerant via this inlet. This amount can be adjusted very easily by specifying the size of the inlet. The extraction device therefore preferably has at least two spaced-apart extraction sections, of which the first section is designed as the intake opening and introduces the gaseous refrigerant, and of which the second section is designed as the inlet and admixes the liquid refrigerant or refrigerant-oil mixture.

[0015] By adding a certain proportion of liquid refrigerant to the gaseous refrigerant, which enters the extraction device via the intake opening, a two-phase refrigerant state is established. This is advantageous for several reasons. Firstly, by supplying the compressor with the two-phase mixture containing gaseous and liquid refrigerant, the compressor can be cooled during operation. Furthermore, a lubricant, such as a lubricating oil or the like, can be particularly effectively returned to the compressor via the liquid refrigerant portion in the two-phase mixture, with the lubricant lubricating the moving parts of the compressor.

[0016] However, since the at least one filter element at least largely ensures the intake of the gaseous or gas-phase refrigerant and thus prevents liquid refrigerant from entering the extraction device via the intake opening, an uncontrolled entry of liquid refrigerant into the extraction device is avoided. This, in turn, means that, for example, even with a high refrigerant level in the refrigerant storage chamber, the two-phase mixture of gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant extracted from the refrigerant storage via the extraction device has the desired vapor content.

[0017] Accordingly, by providing at least one

[0018] Filter element, which protects the extraction system from penetration or

[0019] To prevent liquid refrigerant components from entering the extraction device via the intake opening, the vapor content of the refrigerant extracted from the refrigerant storage tank can be particularly well adjusted. Consequently, in the refrigerant circuit, the vapor content of the refrigerant extracted from the refrigerant storage tank is particularly resistant to varying refrigerant fill levels in the refrigerant storage tank's receiving chamber.

[0020] In particular, this makes it possible to ensure that the vapor content of the two-phase mixture of gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant extracted from the refrigerant storage unit remains essentially constant over a very wide range of different masses stored in the cold storage unit and equally different mass flows of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit during operation. Accordingly, this vapor content remains essentially constant even at different refrigerant fill levels in the refrigerant storage unit's receiving space. This is advantageous. The performance of an air conditioning system and / or heat pump comprising the refrigerant circuit is thus particularly good and particularly stable.

[0021] This also prevents unwanted leaching of oil or similar lubricant from the compressor or refrigerant compressor during operation of the refrigerant circuit. This applies particularly to sections of the compressor that require lubrication and can be satisfied with a lubricant. However, leaching of lubricant from the compressor can occur more easily if the proportion of liquid refrigerant in the two-phase mixture that the compressor draws in during operation of the refrigerant circuit is too high.

[0022] In addition, by increasing the mass flow of refrigerant delivered by the refrigerant compressor during operation of the refrigerant circuit, a performance increase, in particular of the evaporator of the refrigerant circuit, can be advantageously achieved without this leading to significant fluctuations in the vapor content in the two-phase mixture leaving the refrigerant reservoir. The two-phase mixture, which comprises gaseous and liquid refrigerant, generally also contains oil or a similar lubricant, which is returned to the compressor or refrigerant compressor together with the mixture to lubricate the compressor. Therefore, when the term "two-phase mixture" is used here, this term also applies to the refrigerant mixture containing oil or a similar lubricant, which is sucked into the compressor.

[0023] Furthermore, this enables a particularly stable thermodynamic and control-technically operation of a system that includes the refrigerant circuit.

[0024] It is particularly advantageous if the at least one filter element is permeable only to the gaseous refrigerant and is designed to at least almost completely retain the liquid refrigerant portion. This makes it particularly safe to prevent liquid refrigerant from entering a first section of the extraction device via the intake opening. This applies in particular if this property of the at least one filter element is maintained permanently and in all operating states of the refrigerant circuit, as is preferably the case here.

[0025] The extraction device can be provided by two coaxially arranged pipes, wherein an outer pipe of the extraction device has the extraction opening and an inner pipe of the extraction device has an outlet opening. The refrigerant originating from the receiving space of the refrigerant storage tank can be fed to the compressor via the outlet opening. This type of extraction device design is particularly advantageous when the space conditions in the receiving space of the refrigerant storage tank make it difficult to accommodate an extraction device designed as a U-shaped pipe. By arranging the inner pipe within the outer pipe of the extraction device, the extraction device requires particularly little installation space in the refrigerant storage tank. This is advantageous.The inner tube, through which the refrigerant originating from the receiving space of the refrigerant storage unit can be supplied to the compressor, is preferably open at an end located within the outer tube. This allows the refrigerant entering the outer tube via the suction opening to enter the inner tube from below without hindrance. In contrast, an end of the outer tube opposite the suction opening is preferably substantially closed.

[0026] The end of the outer tube opposite the extraction opening can have an inlet opening through which liquid refrigerant can be mixed with the gaseous refrigerant entering the extraction device via the extraction opening. This makes it very easy to adjust the desired vapor content of the two-phase mixture, which comprises gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant. A lubricant can also enter the extraction device via the inlet opening or similar inlet.

[0027] Preferably, the at least one filter element comprises a shielding device which is arranged in the receiving space of the refrigerant reservoir at a distance from the intake opening. Such large-area shielding of the intake opening can particularly effectively prevent the undesired entry of liquid refrigerant into the extraction device via the intake opening during operation of the refrigerant circuit. This applies even if, for example, eddies or turbulence should occur in the receiving space due to a high fill level in the refrigerant reservoir. Furthermore, by arranging the filter element in the refrigerant reservoir at a distance from the intake opening and correspondingly shielding the intake opening over a large area, low flow resistance can be achieved when the gaseous refrigerant enters the extraction device via the intake opening. This is advantageous.Additionally or alternatively, the at least one filter element can comprise a cover element that rests on the intake opening. Such a small-area shielding of the intake opening can be used to particularly effectively prevent liquid refrigerant from entering the extraction device via the intake opening during operation of the refrigerant circuit. Furthermore, providing such a small-area cover element on the intake opening is very inexpensive to implement.

[0028] The filter element can thus be positioned compactly and thus locally on or in the immediate vicinity of the intake opening. On the other hand, the filter element can also be implemented over a large area, meaning it shields a larger volume or area around the intake opening, thus providing a more extensive and shielded intake space for the intake opening.

[0029] With large-area shielding of the suction opening, the suction opening can be arranged within a cup-like device having a base part and a cover part, wherein a jacket wall of the cup-like device can be formed by the filter element. The jacket wall connects the base part to the cover part. The jacket wall is therefore preferably arranged around an opening gap formed or delimited by the base part and the cover part. And a section of the suction device having the suction opening can be introduced through the base part into the cup-like device.

[0030] By appropriately aligning the suction opening relative to the filter element, in particular one that opposes the force of gravity, it is also possible to prevent liquid refrigerant components from penetrating the filter element due to the effects of gravity. This is particularly advantageous if the filter element is not completely impermeable to liquid refrigerant. Preferably, the at least one filter element is formed by a wall material of a bag arranged in the receiving space, wherein the bag contains a desiccant. This is particularly advantageous because, due to the bag containing the desiccant, a dryer unit is arranged in the receiving space of the refrigerant storage device. The dryer unit advantageously ensures that potential water components or moisture are removed from the refrigerant or from the interior of the system or refrigerant circuit during operation of the refrigerant circuit.

[0031] By using the wall material of the bag as the at least one filter element, the at least one filter element can be provided with particularly low effort. Furthermore, this takes advantage of the fact that the wall material of the bag has a property that provides permeability for the gaseous refrigerant and the ability to retain liquid refrigerant.

[0032] Preferably, the at least one filter element is represented or functionally provided by a portion of the bag free of the desiccant. Accordingly, when filling the bag with the desiccant, for example in the form of granules, it can be ensured that the bag is not completely full, but that the portion of the bag remains free of the desiccant. This empty portion of the bag can be used particularly well as a filter element.

[0033] In this way, it is also prevented that the refrigerant, which passes through the wall material of the bag via the suction opening into the suction device, flows around the drying agent or, in particular, around the granular particles of the drying agent. As a result, the drying agent does not increase the flow resistance when the refrigerant is suctioned out of the refrigerant reservoir via the suction device. This is advantageous. Preferably, with respect to a transverse direction of the refrigerant reservoir, a center point of the discharge opening and a center point of the suction opening are at a greater distance from one another than two side walls of the receiving space. In this case, the side walls lie opposite one another in a further transverse direction containing a center of gravity of the refrigerant reservoir. In other words, the further transverse direction runs through the center of gravity of the refrigerant reservoir.This ensures that the discharge opening and the intake opening are spaced apart from each other by a particularly large distance, preferably as far as possible, in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction of the refrigerant storage device. This is advantageous to prevent liquid refrigerant escaping from the discharge opening from easily and directly reaching the intake opening of the extraction device, which could potentially cause a flow short circuit.

[0034] The large distance between the centers of the discharge opening and the intake opening can be achieved particularly easily if the refrigerant storage device has a shape that deviates from a rotationally symmetrical shape of the refrigerant storage device. For example, the refrigerant storage device can be rectangular in cross-section, wherein the discharge opening and the intake opening can be arranged in diagonally opposite corner regions of the rectangle. This is beneficial for providing a large distance between the centers of the discharge opening and the intake opening. Another geometrically advantageous cross-section would be that of an ellipse or an oval with the discharge opening and the intake opening positioned at the maximum distance from one another on the longitudinal axis of the cross-section.

[0035] Preferably, an end region of the extraction device has an opening, wherein the refrigerant originating from the receiving space of the refrigerant reservoir can be supplied to the compressor via the opening. The end region of the extraction device passes through a passage opening formed in a cover of the refrigerant reservoir, and the end region of the extraction device is sealed to a peripheral edge of the passage opening.

[0036] Such gap-free installation of the end section as it passes through the opening formed in the cover of the refrigerant reservoir reliably prevents liquid refrigerant from being sucked out of the refrigerant reservoir through gaps or leaks. Rather, it can be achieved that the two-phase mixture, which contains portions of the gaseous and liquid refrigerant, can only escape from the refrigerant reservoir via the suction device. This is advantageous. If a gap-free implementation of the joint of the suction device in the cover cannot be reliably guaranteed due to manufacturing tolerances, these gaps can be completely sealed to prevent flow using additional sealing elements, such as an O-ring.

[0037] Particularly when the extraction device is formed from at least two parts that are coupled together to provide the extraction device, it is advantageous if the parts are integrally connected to one another at a corresponding coupling point and / or are connected to one another in a tight-fitting manner. Thus, even with the multi-part construction of the extraction device, it can be ensured that liquid refrigerant enters the extraction device only at a defined location, such as the inlet for the liquid refrigerant, i.e., the second extraction section described above and preferably provided. This is advantageous.

[0038] In particular, by sealing the end region toward the peripheral edge of the passage opening and / or by tightly joining the extraction device in the multi-part construction of the extraction device, internal leaks can be avoided. Therefore, such minimization of joints is advantageous with regard to the stable formation of a vapor content to be adjusted and provided at the outlet of the refrigerant storage device.

[0039] Preferably, a base of the refrigerant reservoir is funnel-shaped, at least in part. This makes it easy to ensure that oil and / or similar lubricant collects in the funnel-shaped area of ​​the base. The extraction device has an inlet for liquid refrigerant near the base. Accordingly, the inlet or second extraction section is located, if possible, in this partial area of ​​the refrigerant reservoir, and the oil can be very easily introduced into the extraction device from the area of ​​the funnel, together with the liquid refrigerant.

[0040] Preferably, a base of the refrigerant reservoir has a collection point for liquid refrigerant. The extraction device has an inlet for the refrigerant, which is arranged at the collection point. This ensures that a certain amount of liquid refrigerant can enter the extraction device via the inlet. In particular, a lubricant can enter the extraction device via the inlet together with the liquid refrigerant. Accordingly, a mixture containing liquid refrigerant and the lubricant can be collected at the collection point, and this mixture can enter the extraction device via the inlet.

[0041] In order to provide the collection point, the base of the refrigerant storage tank can be inclined at least in some regions with respect to a direction of gravity. Additionally or alternatively, the collection point can be designed as a local depression in the base, into which the extraction device can protrude with its end opposite the intake opening. In this way, even when the fill level of liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant storage tank is low, liquid refrigerant can be introduced into the extraction device via the inlet in a particularly unhindered manner. The inlet of the extraction device can be formed at a free end of a line which opens into the outer tube of the extraction device if the extraction device is provided by two coaxially arranged tubes which comprise the outer tube and an inner tube.This advantageously allows the extraction device to be arranged largely independently of the location of the collection point in the refrigerant storage tank. This is particularly advantageous for achieving the greatest possible distance between the inlet pipe and the extraction device in the refrigerant storage tank.

[0042] The lubricant can be introduced into the gaseous refrigerant via the inlet, along with the liquid refrigerant. The resulting two-phase mixture is extracted from the refrigerant reservoir via the extraction device during operation of the refrigerant circuit. Pressurizing the compressor with the lubricant or oil and the liquid refrigerant component of the two-phase mixture is beneficial for stable operation of the refrigerant circuit.

[0043] The extraction device can be designed, in particular, as a tube having an LI shape. The inlet for the liquid refrigerant or refrigerant-oil mixture can be formed, in particular, at a reversal point of the U-shaped tube. This ensures that the inlet for the liquid refrigerant-oil mixture is generally located below a liquid level that the liquid refrigerant, together with the oil content dissolved in the refrigerant, forms in the refrigerant storage tank during operation of the refrigerant circuit. This is advantageous for ensuring a defined suction of liquid refrigerant via the inlet of the extraction device.

[0044] Preferably, the receiving space of the refrigerant reservoir is divided into a first sub-space and a second sub-space by means of a partition wall. The partition wall has at least one first passage for liquid refrigerant, and the partition wall has at least one second passage for gaseous refrigerant. The provision of the partition wall makes it particularly effective to ensure that turbulence occurring in the first sub-space has no effect on the second sub-space.

[0045] Preferably, the inlet pipe is arranged in the first sub-chamber, and the extraction device is arranged in the second sub-chamber. As a result, the extraction device is accommodated in the refrigerant reservoir so that it is particularly unaffected by what is happening in the first sub-chamber. This is advantageous in order to largely prevent the entry or penetration of liquid refrigerant into the extraction device via the intake opening. The calming effect brought about by the partition wall has a beneficial influence on the quality of the refrigerant gas phase entering the extraction opening. The second passage in particular can, if required, be provided with a flow-calming element such as an additional filter element in order to separate any entrained liquid components.

[0046] Preferably, the first passage, intended for the liquid refrigerant, is arranged in the region of a base of the refrigerant reservoir, while the second passage, intended for the vaporous refrigerant, is arranged in the region of a cover of the refrigerant reservoir. This ensures, on the one hand, that there is a fluidic connection between the two subchambers. Furthermore, this ensures that the liquid level of the liquid refrigerant-oil mixture in the two subchambers is always the same, thus ensuring that the inlet or second extraction section is always surrounded by the liquid refrigerant-oil mixture.

[0047] Preferably, the discharge opening of the inlet pipe is located lower than the intake opening of the extraction device relative to the vertical direction of the refrigerant reservoir. This is also advantageous in terms of preventing the intake opening from being exposed to liquid refrigerant or liquid refrigerant components that could escape from the discharge opening of the inlet pipe during operation of the refrigerant circuit.

[0048] It has been shown to be further advantageous if the refrigerant reservoir has means in the region of the inlet pipe for reducing the exposure of the intake opening to liquid refrigerant. These means can be provided by a corresponding shape or design of the inlet pipe.

[0049] In particular, the design of the inlet pipe can ensure that the refrigerant flow entering the receiving chamber via the inlet pipe is guided along the inside of a wall of the refrigerant storage tank. This prevents foaming and turbulence of the liquid refrigerant in the storage tank. Furthermore, centrifugal effects can be utilized to achieve liquid separation in the incoming refrigerant. Both are advantageous for preventing the intake opening from being pressurized with liquid refrigerant as much as possible.

[0050] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the refrigerant entering the receiving chamber via the inlet pipe does not directly impact the refrigerant already stored in the refrigerant storage tank. This prevents foaming and turbulence of the refrigerant in the refrigerant storage tank.

[0051] Accordingly, the means can comprise a decentralized placement of the inlet pipe on the refrigerant reservoir and / or an alignment of at least a portion of the inlet pipe to prevent the refrigerant from flowing in the vertical direction of the refrigerant reservoir as far as possible. Furthermore, the means can comprise at least one baffle plate and / or baffle cap, which can be arranged downstream of the discharge opening of the inlet pipe in the receiving space. Additionally or alternatively, the discharge opening of the inlet pipe can have a cross-sectional shape that deviates from a round shape. For example, the discharge opening can be flat, in particular elliptical in cross-section. This is also advantageous in order to prevent the occurrence of turbulence in the receiving space when the refrigerant flows into the refrigerant reservoir.This applies in particular if the inlet pipe has a curved shape in which a section having the discharge opening is inclined relative to another section of the inlet pipe.

[0052] The motor vehicle according to the invention has a refrigerant circuit according to the invention. This ensures that, during operation of the refrigerant circuit, the vapor content of the refrigerant extracted from the refrigerant reservoir is particularly resistant to varying refrigerant fill levels in the refrigerant reservoir's receiving space.

[0053] Preferably, the refrigerant circuit is part of a refrigeration system designed for cooling and / or heating a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, either with or without heat pump functionality. This allows for a high level of driving comfort for occupants of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle during operation of the refrigerant circuit.

[0054] The advantages and preferred embodiments described for the refrigerant circuit according to the invention also apply to the motor vehicle according to the invention and vice versa.

[0055] The invention therefore also includes further developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention that have features already described in connection with the further developments of the refrigerant circuit according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention are not described again here. The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus.

[0056] The invention also encompasses combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also encompasses implementations that each comprise a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, unless the embodiments are described as mutually exclusive.

[0057] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. Shown are:

[0058] Fig. 1 shows schematically a low-pressure refrigerant storage device for a refrigerant circuit of a motor vehicle, the refrigerant storage device having a tall and slender structure in the manner of a tube;

[0059] Fig. 2 shows schematically the refrigerant storage tank in which a bottom is funnel-shaped;

[0060] Fig. 3 shows the refrigerant storage device in a plan view, from which the widely spaced arrangement of an inlet pipe and a suction opening of a U-shaped suction pipe can be seen from each other;

[0061] Fig. 4 shows a detail and schematic view of the arrangement of a filter element arranged as a shielding device in the region of the intake opening, wherein the shielding device is spaced from the intake opening;

[0062] Fig. 5 schematically shows the arrangement of a filter element designed as a cover element at the intake opening, wherein the cover element rests on the intake opening and is formed by a wall material of a bag which contains a drying agent;

[0063] Fig. 6 shows schematically a possible design of the inlet pipe and a baffle plate arranged downstream of a discharge opening of the inlet pipe;

[0064] Fig. 7 shows schematically a variant in which a baffle cap is arranged downstream of the discharge opening of the inlet pipe;

[0065] Fig. 8 schematically shows a curved design of the inlet pipe;

[0066] Fig. 9 schematically shows a further curved design of the inlet pipe, wherein the discharge opening of the inlet pipe is elliptical in cross section;

[0067] Fig. 10 schematically shows an inlet pipe designed in the manner of a coiled tube, by means of which the refrigerant entering a receiving space of the refrigerant storage device is guided along an inner side of a wall of the refrigerant storage device;

[0068] Fig. 11 schematically shows the refrigerant storage device, in which the receiving space is divided into a first sub-space and a second sub-space by means of a partition wall;

[0069] Fig. 12 schematically shows the motor vehicle with the refrigerant circuit in which the low-pressure refrigerant storage device is arranged;

[0070] Fig. 13 shows a further variant of the refrigerant storage device, in which the extraction device comprises two tubes arranged one inside the other, in particular coaxially aligned; Fig. 14 shows a schematic plan view of the refrigerant storage device according to Fig. 13;

[0071] Fig. 15 shows a variant of the refrigerant storage device according to Fig. 13, in which a local depression is formed in a bottom of the refrigerant storage device, which serves as a collection point for liquid refrigerant;

[0072] Fig. 16 shows a further variant of the refrigerant storage device according to Fig. 13, in which the bottom of the refrigerant storage device is funnel-shaped, with the collecting point being formed in a center of the funnel; and

[0073] Fig. 17 shows a further variant of the refrigerant storage device according to Fig. 13, in which the collection point is provided due to an inclination of the bottom of the refrigerant storage device with respect to a direction of gravity.

[0074] The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components of the embodiments each represent individual features of the invention that can be considered independently of one another, each of which also develops the invention independently of one another. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to encompass combinations of the features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0075] In the figures, the same reference symbols designate elements with the same function.

[0076] Fig. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a refrigerant accumulator 10 designed as a low-pressure accumulator. Accordingly, the refrigerant accumulator 10 is arranged in a refrigerant circuit 12 (see Fig. 12) downstream of an evaporator 14 of the refrigerant circuit 12 and upstream of a compressor 16 of the refrigerant circuit 12. The refrigerant circuit 12 further comprises a refrigerant cooler 18, which, depending on the refrigerant used, can be designed as a condenser or a gas cooler. The refrigerant coming from the compressor 16 is cooled in the refrigerant cooler 18 and then expanded by means of an expansion device 20. The expanded refrigerant is then fed to the evaporator 14.

[0077] According to Fig. 12, the refrigerant circuit 12 can be used in a motor vehicle 22. The refrigerant circuit 12 can be part of a refrigeration system designed for cooling and / or heating a passenger compartment 24 of the motor vehicle 22, with or without a heat pump function.

[0078] By using the refrigerant storage device 10 described below in the refrigerant circuit 12, it is particularly largely ensured that a vapor content in a two-phase mixture which is sucked in by the compressor 16 lies within a predetermined range of possible vapor contents of refrigerant.

[0079] In addition to the gaseous refrigerant, the two-phase mixture contains liquid refrigerant or liquid refrigerant components as well as a lubricant circulating in the refrigerant circuit 12 together with the refrigerant for lubricating the compressor 16. The following explains which measures contribute to stabilizing the vapor content of the two-phase mixture of gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant components during operation of the refrigerant circuit 12 or to keeping it as constant as possible.

[0080] According to Fig. 1, the refrigerant storage unit 10 has an inlet pipe 26 with a discharge opening 28. The refrigerant coming from the evaporator 14 can enter or be introduced into a receiving space 30 of the refrigerant storage unit 10 via the discharge opening 28. The inflow of the refrigerant coming from the evaporator 14 via the inlet pipe 26 into the receiving space 30 of the refrigerant storage unit 10 is illustrated in Fig. 1 by a first arrow 32.

[0081] Furthermore, the refrigerant storage unit 10 has an extraction device 34, which can be designed, in particular, as a U-shaped tube. The extraction device 34 or the intake pipe has an intake opening 36 through which gaseous refrigerant originating from the receiving space 30 can be introduced into the extraction device 34. Furthermore, the intake pipe or the extraction device 34 has an end region 38 with an outlet opening 40. The refrigerant originating from the receiving space 30 of the refrigerant storage unit 10 can be fed to the compressor 16 via the outlet opening 40.

[0082] The two-phase refrigerant-oil mixture extracted from the refrigerant storage 10 via the extraction device 34, which contains gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant 48 originating from the receiving space 30 and mixed with oil components, is illustrated in Fig. 1 by a further arrow 42.

[0083] In addition, in Fig. 1, the entry of the gaseous refrigerant into the suction device 34 via the suction opening 36 is illustrated by a curved arrow 44.

[0084] In the present case, it is intended to ensure that only gaseous refrigerant enters the extraction device 34 via the intake opening 36. This is because, during operation of the refrigerant circuit 12, a desired proportion of liquid refrigerant 48 is admixed to the gaseous refrigerant via an inlet 46 of the extraction device 34, which can be designed, for example, as a bore.

[0085] In the refrigerant reservoir 10 shown in Fig. 1, this inlet 46 is arranged in a reversal region of the U-shaped tube, through which the extraction device 34 can be provided. A defined proportion of liquid refrigerant 48, or of liquid refrigerant 48 with a proportion of oil or similar lubricant, enters the extraction device 34 via the inlet 46. To prevent contaminants from entering the extraction device 34, the inlet 46 is preferably provided with a filter (not shown).

[0086] Preferably, the inlet 46 of the suction device 34 is located near a bottom 50 of the refrigerant storage tank 10. This ensures that even at low filling levels of the liquid refrigerant 48 in the receiving space 30 of the refrigerant storage tank 10, some liquid refrigerant 48 always reaches the suction device 34 via the inlet 46.

[0087] Together with the liquid refrigerant 48, the oil or similar lubricant also enters the suction device 34. Accordingly, this lubricant used to lubricate the compressor 16 is returned to the compressor 16, in particular together with the liquid refrigerant portion. The lubricant contained in particular in the liquid refrigerant 48 is sucked out of the refrigerant reservoir 10 by the compressor 16 via the suction device 34, together with the two-phase refrigerant mixture.

[0088] In Fig. 1, an arrow illustrates a vertical direction z of the refrigerant reservoir 10. From Fig. 1, it can be seen that, relative to the vertical direction z of the refrigerant reservoir 10, the discharge opening 28 of the inlet pipe 26 is preferably located lower than the intake opening 36 of the extraction device 34. This is advantageous in order to prevent liquid refrigerant 48 escaping from the discharge opening 28 from entering the extraction device 34 via the intake opening 36.

[0089] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the intake opening 36 and the discharge opening 28 are positioned as far apart as possible from their respective centers. Reference is made to Fig. 3 in this regard. Accordingly, a housing 52 of the refrigerant storage unit 10 can have a shape that deviates from a rotationally symmetrical shape. For example, Fig. 3 shows that the housing 52 of the refrigerant storage unit 10 can have a rectangular cross-section.

[0090] Accordingly, with respect to a transverse direction y of the refrigerant reservoir 10, the centers of the discharge opening 28 and the intake opening 36 are spaced apart by a greater distance than two side walls 54, 56 of the receiving space 30. The two side walls 54, 56 are located opposite one another in a further transverse direction x of the refrigerant reservoir 10. In particular, the discharge opening 28 of the inlet pipe 26 and the intake opening 36 of the extraction device 34 can be arranged in corner regions of the rectangle, with the corner regions being located opposite one another in the diagonal direction of the rectangle.

[0091] If, in a variant (not shown), the housing 52 of the refrigerant storage unit 10 has an elliptical cross-section, the centers of the inlet pipe 26 and the intake opening 36 can, for example, lie on a longitudinal axis of the ellipse. This allows a particularly large distance between the inlet pipe 26 and the intake opening 36 to be achieved.

[0092] In addition, components arranged in the receiving space 30 can shield the intake opening 36 from the discharge opening 28. As an example of such a component, Fig. 6 shows a baffle plate 58, which the refrigerant exiting from the inlet pipe 26 impinges upon. Furthermore, the baffle plate 58 ensures that the refrigerant exiting from the inlet pipe 26 does not flow into the receiving space 30 along the vertical direction z, but is deflected as far as possible toward an inner side of the walls of the housing 52.

[0093] From Fig. 1 it can also be seen that the suction of the refrigerant from the refrigerant storage 10 and thus the suction opening 36 is placed comparatively high in the vertical direction z, for example close to a cover 60 of the refrigerant storage 10. This also advantageously results in the storage volume for the liquid refrigerant 48 in the receiving space 30 being particularly large.

[0094] According to Fig. 1, the refrigerant storage unit 10 can preferably have a tall, slender structure in the manner of a tube. This ensures that the refrigerant entering the receiving space 30 via the inlet pipe 26 does not stir up the already stored, preferably liquid, refrigerant 48. This is because a particularly large distance between the refrigerant inlet, i.e., the discharge opening 28, and the liquid level of the liquid refrigerant 48 can be achieved.

[0095] In order to prevent the refrigerant entering the receiving space 30 from directly impinging on the refrigerant already stored, the refrigerant flow can, for example, be guided along the inside of a wall of the housing 52. A corresponding shape of the inlet pipe 26, designed in the manner of a tubular coil, is schematically illustrated in Fig. 10. Accordingly, the inlet pipe 26 can be designed as a pipe bend, which is laid along the inside of a wall of the housing 52 in order to bring the refrigerant 48 specifically into the edge zone of the receiving space 30. Furthermore, centrifugal effects can be used in this way to separate the liquid refrigerant 48 or the liquid portion of the refrigerant 48 from the refrigerant flow flowing into the receiving space 30.

[0096] Another example of a shielding element for preventing direct impact of the refrigerant entering the receiving space 30 via the inlet pipe 26 is shown in Fig. 7 in the form of an impact cap 61, onto which the refrigerant exiting from the discharge opening 28 impacts.

[0097] From Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, it is further clearly evident that preferably no central entry of the refrigerant into the receiving space 30 via the inlet pipe 26 is provided. Rather, the discharge opening 28 of the inlet pipe 26 is preferably arranged decentrally. The introduction of the refrigerant close to an edge of the housing 56 or close to the inside of the housing 56 preferably takes place essentially along a plane spanned by the two transverse directions x, y (see Fig. 3). This also serves to prevent a vertical refrigerant flow in the receiving space 30 and thus reduces the risk of turbulence, particularly in the vertical direction z of the refrigerant storage device 10.

[0098] In order to realize such an introduction of the refrigerant into the receiving space 30, aligned in the plane spanned by the transverse directions x, y, the inlet pipe 26 can have a curved shape, as shown, for example, in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9. Accordingly, an end portion 62 of the inlet pipe 26 can be inclined relative to an inlet portion 64 of the inlet pipe 26.

[0099] In the embodiment of the curved inlet pipe or inlet pipe 26 shown in Fig. 9, a free end 66 of the end section 62 is also flatter than the upstream region of the end section 62. For example, by providing such a quasi-pinched end region or end 66 of the inlet pipe 26, the discharge opening 28 can have a substantially elliptical shape or an elliptical profile.

[0100] From Fig. 2, it is clearly evident that the bottom 50 of the refrigerant reservoir 10 can be funnel-shaped, at least in some areas. This is particularly advantageous for collecting the oil or lubricant in the funnel, which, together with the liquid refrigerant 48, enters the extraction device 34 via the inlet 46.

[0101] Furthermore, it can be seen from Fig. 2 that the end region 38 of the suction device 34, which has the outlet opening 40, preferably passes through a passage opening 68 formed in the cover 60 of the refrigerant reservoir 10. The end region 38 is preferably sealed to a peripheral edge of the passage opening 68.

[0102] This is particularly advantageous if the outlet opening 40 extends into a connection piece (not shown) which can be arranged on the cover 60. Via this connection piece, the suction device 34 can be connected to a corresponding line, via which the refrigerant originating from the refrigerant storage tank 10 can be supplied to the compressor 16 (see Fig. 4).

[0103] If a leak were present at the peripheral edge of the passage opening 68, for example in the form of an annular gap or the like, gaseous and / or liquid refrigerant could be drawn directly from the receiving space 30 of the refrigerant storage unit 10 via the connection piece. This can be largely avoided if the end region 38 is arranged gap-free or tightly fitting in the passage opening 68 formed in the cover 60.

[0104] In the present case, the refrigerant storage device 10 has at least one filter element to shield the intake opening 36 against unwanted entry of refrigerant 48 from the receiving space 30 via the intake opening 36 into the extraction device 34. The at least one filter element is permeable to gaseous refrigerant but is designed to retain liquid refrigerant 48.

[0105] According to Fig. 3, the intake opening 36 can have a cover element 70 as the filter element, which rests on the intake opening 36. If the filter element is provided as the cover element 70 (see Fig. 3), which directly covers the intake opening 36, the filter element provides a small-area and thus local separation device for separating the liquid refrigerant 48. According to Fig. 3, the flow through the cover element 70 is axial with respect to the intake opening 36 of the suction device 34. As a further variant (not shown in detail here), the filter element can be designed in the manner of an extended tubular element of the suction device 34, so that the gaseous refrigerant enters the intake opening 36 in the radial direction.In addition to the above-mentioned axial or vertical flow and the radial flow through the cover element 70, intermediate layers or other or intermediate orientations of the cover element 70 and the associated flows through this filter element are also conceivable.

[0106] Additionally or alternatively, it is possible to shield the entire extraction environment of the extraction device 34 over a large area. Such a filter element, which is designed as a large-area shielding device 72, is shown schematically in Fig. 4. Here, the filter element in the form of the shielding device 72 is arranged in the receiving space 30 of the refrigerant storage unit 10 at a distance from the intake opening 36.

[0107] According to Fig. 4, the intake opening 36 can be arranged within a cup-like device 90, which is arranged in the receiving space 30 of the refrigerant reservoir 10. The cup-like or pot-shaped device 90 here has a base part 92 and a cover part 94. A jacket wall of the cup-like device 90 is formed by the filter element according to Fig. 4. In other words, the filter element is designed in the form of the shielding device 72 spaced apart from the intake opening 36 as the jacket wall of the cup-like device 90.

[0108] The casing wall connects the base part 92 to the cover part 94, wherein these surface elements can in particular be aligned substantially parallel to one another. In the variant of the refrigerant storage device 10 shown in Fig. 4, a section of the suction device 34 having the suction opening 36 is also introduced into the cup-like device 90 through an opening formed in the base part 92. However, other designs of the shielding device 72 are also possible. For example, the filter element in the form of the shielding device 72 can span the suction opening 36 over a large area and can be attached to an inner side of at least one wall of the housing 52 of the refrigerant storage device 10. Such large-area shielding in the vicinity of the suction opening 36 also very effectively prevents undesired penetration of liquid refrigerant 48 into the suction device 34 via the suction opening 36.

[0109] The cup-like device 90 can, as schematically shown in Fig. 4, be substantially cylindrical, wherein the filter element in the form of the shielding device 72 can be aligned substantially parallel to the suction device 34. Alternatively, the cup-like device 90 can be designed in the manner of a downwardly tapering truncated cone. In this case, the filter element in the form of the shielding device 72 is inclined to the walls of the housing 52 of the refrigerant storage unit 10 and inclined to the suction device 34. The distance of the filter element from a central axis of the suction device 34 decreases downward from the suction opening 36, i.e., in the direction of the inlet 46. In this way, the dripping of liquid components contained in the refrigerant from the filter element in the form of the shielding device 72 into the receiving space 30 of the refrigerant storage unit 10 is particularly well supported by gravity.The downwardly tapering truncated cone or funnel of the cup-like device 90 can in particular be designed to be rotationally symmetrical.

[0110] A further variant in the use of the at least one filter element will be explained with reference to Fig. 5. Here, the filter element is formed by a wall material 74 of a bag 76 arranged in the receiving space 30, wherein the bag 76 contains a desiccant, for example in the form of granules 78. The individual grains or beads of the granules 78 are indicated schematically in Fig. 5, wherein, for reasons of simplicity, only some of the beads of the granules 78 are provided with a reference symbol.

[0111] According to Fig. 5, the bag 76 is preferably not filled to capacity with the granules 78. Rather, the filter element is provided by a portion of the bag 76 that is free of the drying agent, present in the form of the granules 78, which can in particular rest on the suction opening 36 of the suction device 34.

[0112] Additionally or alternatively, a dryer unit separate from the filter element in the form of the bag 76 can be provided to dry the refrigerant located in the receiving space 30, for example in the form of another bag 76 containing a desiccant, such as granules 78. This dryer unit is then not directly involved in the separation process. Consequently, the dryer unit can be placed anywhere in the refrigerant storage unit 10 or refrigerant collector.

[0113] To avoid gravity effects and thus the penetration of liquid refrigerant particles through the filter element in the form of the wall material 74 into the intake opening 36, an adapted position of the intake opening 36 can be realized if necessary. In this case, it can be provided that the gaseous refrigerant is sucked in via the intake opening 36 into the extraction device 34 counter to the vertical direction z of the refrigerant storage device 10, illustrated by an arrow in Fig. 1. Likewise, the intake opening 36 provided with the wall material 74 can be inclined for this purpose, in particular perpendicular, to a plane spanned by the transverse directions x, y of the refrigerant storage device 10.

[0114] A further additional or alternatively realizable possibility for preventing the penetration of liquid refrigerant 48 via the intake opening 36 into the suction device 34 as far as possible will be explained with reference to Fig. 11. Accordingly, the receiving space 30 of the refrigerant storage unit 10 can be divided by means of a partition wall 80 into a first sub-space 82 and a second sub-space 84. In this case, the inlet pipe 26 is arranged in the first sub-space 82 and the suction device 34 in the second sub-space 84. The partition wall 80 in the present case has at least one first passage 86 for the liquid refrigerant 48. The first passage 86 is preferably arranged near the bottom 50 of the refrigerant storage unit 10.

[0115] Furthermore, the partition wall 80 has at least one second passage 88 for gaseous or vaporous refrigerant. The second passage 88, which in this case is located near the cover 60 of the refrigerant reservoir 10, provides fluid communication between the vapor spaces or gas spaces of the two sub-chambers 82, 84. The first passage 86 ensures that the liquid level of the liquid refrigerant 48 is the same throughout the refrigerant reservoir 10.

[0116] Fig. 13 shows a further variant of the refrigerant storage unit 10, in which, instead of the U-shaped tube shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the suction device 34 is provided by two coaxially arranged tubes 96, 98. The outer tube 96 of the suction device 34 has the suction opening 36, through which the gaseous refrigerant originating from the receiving space 30 is sucked in. The inner tube 98, in contrast, has the mouth opening 40, through which the refrigerant originating from the refrigerant storage unit 10 can be supplied to the compressor 16. The inner tube 98 passes, as described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, through a passage opening which is formed in the cover 60 of the refrigerant storage unit 10.

[0117] According to Fig. 13, the inner tube 98 can be open at its end opposite the outlet opening 40. In contrast, the outer tube 96 is essentially closed at its end opposite the suction opening 36, the lower end in Fig. 13, namely, closed except for the provision of the inlet 46. Liquid refrigerant as well as oil or similar lubricant can enter the suction device 34 via the inlet 46, which is formed in a bottom portion of the outer tube 96.

[0118] From Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, it can be seen how a very space-saving arrangement of the extraction device 34 in the refrigerant storage tank 10 can be achieved by arranging the inner tube 98 within the outer tube 96. In particular, a very large distance between the extraction device 34 and the inlet pipe 26 can be achieved.

[0119] In the variant of the refrigerant storage device 10 shown in Fig. 15, the base 50 has a local recess through which a collection point 100 for the liquid refrigerant and oil located in the receiving space 30 is provided. By placing the inlet 46 in the region of the collection point 100, even when the fill level of the liquid refrigerant 48 in the receiving space 30 is low, the liquid refrigerant 48 can be admixed with the gaseous refrigerant, which reaches the extraction device 34 via the intake opening 36.

[0120] The variant of the refrigerant accumulator 10 shown in Fig. 16 largely corresponds to the variant of the refrigerant accumulator 10 shown in Fig. 2. This is because the base 50 of the variant of the refrigerant accumulator 10 shown in Fig. 16 is also funnel-shaped. However, the suction device 34 according to Fig. 16 has the inner tube 98 and the outer tube 96, as is the case with the refrigerant accumulator 10 shown in Fig. 13. Furthermore, the inlet 46 for the liquid refrigerant 48 is connected to the outer tube 96 via a line 102. This ensures that the inlet 46 of the suction device 34 is arranged at a collection point 100 provided by a center of the funnel. However, the nested tubes 96, 98 do not also need to be arranged in the center of the funnel. Rather, the two pipes 96, 98 can be arranged at a particularly large distance from the inlet pipe 26.The preferred arrangement of the pipes 96, 98 at a great distance from the inlet pipe 26 is also clearly visible from the top view of the cover 60 of the refrigerant storage tank 10 in Fig. 14. In the variant of the refrigerant storage tank 10 shown in Fig. 17, the base 50 is inclined relative to a direction of gravity. Accordingly, the collection point 100 is arranged or formed at a lowest point of the inclined base. In particular, with the arrangement of the pipes 96, 98 of the extraction device 34 shown in Fig. 17 close to one of the side walls of the refrigerant storage tank 10, it is very easy to arrange the inlet 46 at this lowest point of the base 50 and thus at the collection point 100.

[0121] In the variants of the refrigerant storage device 10 shown in Fig. 13 to Fig. 17, a filter (not shown) can be arranged at the inlet 46 in order to prevent contaminants from entering the extraction device 34 via the inlet 46.

[0122] The refrigerant storage unit 10 can be coupled to an internal heat exchanger or can include an internal heat exchanger. The internal heat exchanger serves to transfer heat from a high-pressure side section of the refrigerant circuit 12 to a low-pressure side section of the refrigerant circuit 12. The internal heat exchanger (not shown here) can be connected to the extraction device 34 on the low-pressure side downstream of the outlet opening 40. From the internal heat exchanger, the refrigerant can then enter the compressor 16 during operation of the refrigerant circuit 12.

[0123] Overall, the examples show how advantageous design options for vapor content stabilization in the low-pressure refrigerant storage 10 or accumulator can be provided.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS: 1 . Refrigerant circuit (12) for a motor vehicle (22), comprising a refrigerant reservoir (10) which is arranged downstream of an evaporator (14) of the refrigerant circuit (12) and upstream of a compressor (16) of the refrigerant circuit (12), wherein the refrigerant reservoir (10) has an inlet pipe (26) with a discharge opening (28) via which the refrigerant coming from the evaporator (16) can be introduced into a receiving space (30) of the refrigerant reservoir (10), wherein the refrigerant reservoir (10) has a suction device (34) with a suction opening (36), and wherein gaseous refrigerant originating from the receiving space (30) can be introduced into the suction device (34) via the suction opening (36), characterized in that the refrigerant reservoir (10) has at least one filter element (70, 72, 74) which is designed for the gaseous refrigerant permeable, and which is designed to retain liquid refrigerant (48),wherein the suction device (34) is protected by the at least one filter element (70, 72, 74) against the penetration of liquid refrigerant (48) into the suction device (34) via the suction opening (36).

2. Refrigerant circuit (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the suction device (34) is provided by two coaxially arranged pipes (96, 98), wherein an outer pipe (96) of the suction device (34) has the suction opening (36) and an inner pipe (98) of the suction device (34) has an outlet opening (40), and wherein the refrigerant originating from the receiving space (30) of the refrigerant storage device (10) can be fed to the compressor (16) via the outlet opening (40).

3. Refrigerant circuit (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one filter element comprises a shielding device (72) which is arranged at a distance from the intake opening (36) in the receiving space (30) of the refrigerant accumulator (10), and / or the at least one filter element comprises a cover element (70) which rests on the intake opening (36).

4. Refrigerant circuit (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one filter element is formed by a wall material (74) of a bag (76) arranged in the receiving space (30), wherein the bag (76) contains a drying agent (78), and wherein in particular the at least one filter element is provided by a partial area of ​​the bag (76) which is free of the drying agent (78).

5. Refrigerant circuit (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, with respect to a transverse direction (y) of the refrigerant accumulator (10), a center point of the discharge opening (28) and a center point of the intake opening (36) are at a greater distance from one another than two side walls (54, 56) of the receiving space (30) which are opposite one another in a further transverse direction (x) containing a center of gravity of the refrigerant accumulator (10), and / or the refrigerant accumulator (10) has a shape which deviates from a rotationally symmetrical shape.

6. Refrigerant circuit (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a bottom (50) of the refrigerant reservoir (10) is funnel-shaped at least in some areas, wherein the suction device (34), which is designed in particular as a tube having an LI shape, has an inlet (46) for liquid refrigerant (48) in the vicinity of the bottom (50).

7. Refrigerant circuit (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a bottom (50) of the refrigerant reservoir (10), which is particularly inclined at least in regions with respect to a direction of gravity, has a collection point (100) for liquid refrigerant (48), wherein the suction device (34) has an inlet (46) for liquid refrigerant (48), which is arranged at the collection point (100).

8. Refrigerant circuit (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving space (30) of the refrigerant reservoir (10) is divided by means of a partition wall (80) into a first sub-space (82) and a second sub-space (84), wherein the partition wall (80), in particular in the region of a base (50) of the refrigerant reservoir (10), has at least one first passage (86) for liquid refrigerant (48), wherein the partition wall (80), in particular in the region of a cover (60) of the refrigerant reservoir (10), has at least one second passage (88) for gaseous refrigerant, and wherein the inlet pipe (26) is arranged in the first sub-space (82) and the suction device (34) is arranged in the second sub-space (84).

9. Refrigerant circuit (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, with respect to a vertical direction (z) of the refrigerant accumulator (10), the discharge opening (28) of the inlet pipe (26) is located lower than the intake opening (36) of the suction device (34) and / or the refrigerant accumulator (10) has means in the region of the inlet pipe (26) for reducing the exposure of the intake opening (36) to liquid refrigerant (48).

10. Motor vehicle (22) with a refrigerant circuit (12) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the refrigerant circuit (12) is part of a system for cooling and / or heating a passenger compartment of the Motor vehicle (22) designed refrigeration system, in particular with a heat pump functionality.

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