Compressor for a refrigerant circuit, refrigerant circuit, and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a compressor (150) for a refrigerant circuit (100), which compressor is designed to compress a refrigerant, which contains propane in particular, from a suction-side low-pressure level to a discharge-side high-pressure level, the compressor (150) comprising a compressor housing (151), the compressor housing (151) comprising an integrated refrigerant reservoir (300) which is designed to store the refrigerant compressed by the compressor (150). The invention also relates to a refrigerant circuit (100) comprising such a compressor (150) and to a vehicle comprising such a refrigerant circuit (100).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] Compressor for a refrigerant circuit, refrigerant circuit and vehicle

[0004] The present invention relates to a compressor for a refrigerant circuit, a refrigerant circuit with this compressor and a vehicle with such a refrigerant circuit.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] Particularly in the automotive sector, compressors can be used to compress refrigerants (e.g., R1234yf). These compressors can be connected to heat exchangers and other components of the refrigeration circuit, for example, via external refrigerant lines. Typically, a separate refrigerant storage tank is provided between the first and second heat exchangers to store refrigerant condensed in the first heat exchanger.

[0007] Disclosure of the invention

[0008] According to the invention, a compressor for a refrigerant circuit, a refrigerant circuit with such a compressor, and a vehicle with such a refrigerant circuit, comprising the features of the independent claims, are proposed. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

[0009] The compressor according to the invention is configured to compress a refrigerant, in particular containing propane (R290), from a suction-side low-pressure level, which can be selected, for example, from a range between 120 kPa and 1,000 kPa, to a discharge-side high-pressure level, which can be selected, for example, from a range between 1,400 and 3,600 kPa. The compressor has a compressor housing that includes an integrated refrigerant storage tank, which is configured to store the refrigerant compressed by the compressor. In other words, the compressor housing has an integrated cavity that serves as a refrigerant storage tank. "Integrated" means, in particular, that the refrigerant storage tank is a monolithic part of the compressor housing, i.e., it consists of the compressor housing as a single piece. The compressor housing can, for example, be a casting or welded together.A refrigerant storage unit integrated into the compressor housing in this way offers the advantage of an overall minimized amount of refrigerant, as no additional lines to the refrigerant storage unit are required, and on the other hand, fewer components are needed, resulting in fewer sealing points that are generally prone to leakage.

[0010] In embodiments of the invention, refrigerant lines between the compressor and other components of a refrigerant circuit (such as, in particular, heat exchangers), especially all refrigerant lines of the entire refrigerant circuit, are integrated into the compressor housing, so that external refrigerant lines can be completely or at least partially dispensed with. In at least one embodiment, the compressor housing has, for this purpose, at least one integrated refrigerant interface for connecting at least one other component (in particular, a heat exchanger) of the refrigerant circuit, wherein the at least one integrated refrigerant interface has a refrigerant outlet for supplying the at least one other component with the refrigerant and / or a refrigerant inlet for returning the refrigerant from the at least one other component to the compressor housing.Thus, for example, a first heat exchanger on the hot side and / or a second heat exchanger on the cold side can be connected directly to the compressor housing, eliminating the need for intermediate lines. This reduces interfaces prone to leakage and minimizes the overall volume of the refrigerant circuit. This is particularly advantageous because some commonly used refrigerants pose potential hazards, such as being highly flammable, toxic, or environmentally harmful. In the configuration described here, the first heat exchanger serves to cool and at least partially condense the compressed refrigerant, while the condensed refrigerant expands upstream of the second heat exchanger (and downstream of the refrigerant storage tank) and is heated in the second heat exchanger, where it is at least partially evaporated.

[0011] Within the scope of this invention, the term "cold-side" refers to a subsystem of a heat exchanger within which a medium is guided that absorbs heat in the heat exchanger. Conversely, a medium that releases heat in the heat exchanger is guided on the "hot-side" with respect to the heat exchanger.

[0012] According to at least one embodiment, the compressor housing has at least one integrated receptacle for a sensor for determining the temperature and / or pressure of the refrigerant. Alternatively or additionally, the compressor housing can have an integrated receptacle, in particular a valve seat, for an expansion valve for releasing condensed refrigerant. This further increases the level of integration and thus reduces the number of sealing points even further. Coolant channels to and from the sensor / valve are also advantageously integrated into the housing.

[0013] The refrigerant circuit according to the invention comprises a compressor according to the invention with a refrigerant accumulator integrated into the compressor housing, which is configured to store the condensed refrigerant, a first heat exchanger for cooling and at least partially condensing a refrigerant compressed by the compressor, an expansion valve for expanding the condensed refrigerant, and a second heat exchanger for transferring heat from a temperature control medium, in particular a liquid, to the expanded refrigerant. The refrigerant circuit, particularly according to the embodiments described below, thus benefits from the advantages of the compressor according to the invention in a corresponding manner.According to at least one embodiment, the first heat exchanger is connected directly on the hot side to a first refrigerant interface and / or a second refrigerant interface of the at least one refrigerant interface integrated in the compressor housing. This eliminates the need for lines between the first heat exchanger and the compressor, resulting in reduced volume and improved sealing.

[0014] According to at least one embodiment, the second heat exchanger is directly connected on the cold side to a third refrigerant interface and / or a fourth refrigerant interface of the at least one refrigerant interface integrated in the compressor housing. This eliminates the need for lines between the first heat exchanger and the compressor, resulting in reduced volume and improved sealing.

[0015] According to at least one embodiment, the refrigerant storage unit has or contains a dryer and / or filter designed to remove impurities, especially water, from the refrigerant. This allows the quality of the refrigerant to be maintained for a longer period, thus avoiding replacement during the service life of the refrigerant circuit.

[0016] The vehicle according to the invention comprises a refrigerant circuit according to the invention and at least one component to be temperature-controlled, wherein the component to be temperature-controlled is thermally connected on the cold side to the first heat exchanger and / or on the warm side to the second heat exchanger. For example, the refrigerant circuit can be used to temperature-control (heating and / or cooling) a vehicle interior (driver's cabin) and / or a functional vehicle component (e.g., battery, drive unit, etc.).

[0017] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawing.

[0018] The invention is schematically illustrated in the drawing using an exemplary embodiment and is described below with reference to the drawing. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] Figure 1 schematically shows a refrigerant circuit according to an embodiment of the invention in perspective view.

[0020] Figure 2 schematically shows a compressor according to an embodiment of the invention in a perspective cropped view.

[0021] Embodiment(s) of the invention

[0022] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a refrigerant circuit according to the invention, designated as 100. Figure 2 shows a schematic, perspective cutaway view of the compressor according to an embodiment of the invention, designated as 150. The refrigerant circuit 100 in Figure 1 includes, for example, the compressor 150 shown in Figure 2. The figures are described together below.

[0023] The compressor 150 serves to compress a refrigerant, which in particular contains propane (R290) or consists of at least 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% of it, from a suction-side low-pressure level, which can be selected, for example, from a range between 120 kPa and 1,000 kPa, to a discharge-side high-pressure level, which can be selected, for example, from a range between 1,400 and 3,600 kPa. The compressor 150 has a compressor housing 151 into which a refrigerant storage tank 300 is directly integrated as a cavity. The refrigerant storage tank 300 serves to store compressed and, as explained in more detail below, at least partially condensed refrigerant.

[0024] In the example shown, a first heat exchanger 110 is arranged between the compressor 150 and the refrigerant storage tank 300. This heat exchanger cools the compressed refrigerant against a (particularly liquid) temperature control medium, such as water or thermal oil, and in the process at least partially condenses it. For this purpose, the first heat exchanger 110 is connected on its warm side to a first refrigerant interface 156, through which the compressed refrigerant leaving the compressor 150 flows into the first heat exchanger 110. A warm-side outlet of the first heat exchanger 110 is connected to a second refrigerant interface 116, through which the cooled and at least partially condensed compressed refrigerant flows back into the compressor housing 151 and is then directed into the refrigerant storage tank 300.The volume of the refrigerant storage tank 300 can be specified according to the application, so that sufficient refrigerant is available in the refrigerant circuit 100.

[0025] Downstream of the refrigerant storage tank 300, an expansion valve 122 is arranged for releasing the (condensed) refrigerant from the refrigerant storage tank 300. In the example shown here, the valve seat of the expansion valve 122 is integrated into the compressor housing 151.

[0026] A valve outlet 123 of the expansion valve 122, also referred to here as the third refrigerant interface 123, leads into a second heat exchanger 120, which heats the expanded refrigerant against a (further) temperature control medium (e.g., water and / or a thermal oil) and thereby at least partially evaporates it. Downstream of the second heat exchanger 120, the refrigerant is routed via a fourth refrigerant interface 152 back into the compressor housing 151 and to the compressor 150.

[0027] The refrigerant storage unit 300 serves, as already explained, to store (especially condensed) refrigerant and, in the example shown, also advantageously houses a filter and / or dryer for removing impurities (especially water) from the refrigerant.

[0028] The refrigerant interfaces 156, 116, 123, 152 are integrated into the compressor housing (in particular monolithically, e.g., as bores or at least materially bonded, e.g., welded), so that the first heat exchanger 110 and the second heat exchanger 120 each only need to be connected to the compressor 150 to be installed in the refrigerant circuit 100. Mounting points for sensors 170, 175 for monitoring the pressure and / or temperature of the refrigerant upstream and downstream of the compressor 150 are also integrated into the compressor housing 151.

[0029] In the example shown, the compressor is equipped with an integrated control unit 155, which serves to power a motor of the compressor 150, so that the control unit can control the operation (e.g., power and / or speed) of the compressor 150. As an alternative to the version shown here with the integrated control unit 155, the compressor 150 can also be connected to an external control unit (not shown in the figure) of the compressor 150, which then takes over the function of the integrated control unit described here.

[0030] The sensors 170, 175 are connected to the control unit (integrated or external) of the compressor 150 via data transmission in order to provide it with the information required to control the compressor 150.

[0031] The temperature control media used in the two heat exchangers 110 and 120 can be identical or different.

[0032] As explained at the beginning, usable heat can be extracted from the first heat exchanger 110, for example, to heat components connected to the cold side of the first heat exchanger 110 (e.g., the driver's cab of a vehicle, the traction battery, etc.). Waste heat can be supplied to the second heat exchanger 120 (or "usable cooling" can be extracted from it), so that it can be used to cool components connected to the warm side of the second heat exchanger 120 (e.g., the drive unit of a vehicle, the traction battery, the driver's cab, etc.).

[0033] It is understood that the features described here need not necessarily be present in the specific combination described. Rather, other combinations of features, and possibly even individual features on their own, can also be advantageously used. The embodiment of the invention described here is therefore not to be understood as limiting the scope of protection defined in the claims.

[0034] The refrigerant can be, in particular, propane (R290), CO2 (R744), R-1234yf, or a refrigerant blend, preferably comprising propane. Preferably, it is a propane-containing refrigerant consisting, for example, of at least 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% propane.

Claims

Claims 1. Compressor (150) for a refrigerant circuit (100) configured to compress a refrigerant, in particular containing propane, from a suction-side low-pressure level to a pressure-side high-pressure level, wherein the compressor (150) has a compressor housing (151) wherein the compressor housing (151) has an integrated refrigerant accumulator (300) configured to store the refrigerant compressed by the compressor (150).

2. Compressor (150) according to claim 1, wherein the compressor housing (151) has at least one integrated refrigerant interface (156, 116, 123, 152) for connecting at least one further component (110, 120) of the refrigerant circuit (100), wherein the at least one refrigerant interface (156, 116, 123, 152) each has a refrigerant outlet (156, 123) for supplying the at least one further component (110, 120) with the refrigerant and / or a refrigerant inlet (116, 152) for returning the refrigerant from the at least one further component (110, 120) to the compressor housing (151).

3. Compressor (150) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the compressor housing (151) has at least one integrated receptacle for a sensor (170, 175) for determining a temperature and / or pressure of the refrigerant.

4. Compressor (150) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the compressor housing (151) has an integrated receptacle, in particular a valve seat, for an expansion valve (122) for expanding condensed refrigerant.

5. Refrigerant circuit (100) comprising a compressor (150) according to one of the preceding claims, a first heat exchanger (110) for Cooling and at least partial condensation of a refrigerant compressed by the compressor, an expansion valve (122) for expanding the condensed refrigerant, and a second heat exchanger (120) for transferring heat from a, in particular liquid, temperature control medium to the expanded refrigerant.

6. Refrigerant circuit (100) according to claim 5 with reference to at least claim 2, wherein - the first heat exchanger (110) is connected on the hot side directly to a first refrigerant interface (156) and / or a second refrigerant interface (116) which has at least one integrated refrigerant interface (156, 116, 123, 152), and / or - the second heat exchanger (120) is directly connected on the cold side to a third refrigerant interface (123) and / or a fourth refrigerant interface (152) which has at least one integrated refrigerant interface (156, 116, 123, 152).

7. Refrigerant circuit (100) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the refrigerant storage (300) has a dryer and / or filter designed to remove impurities, in particular water, from the refrigerant.

8. Vehicle with a refrigerant circuit (100) according to one of claims 5 to 7 and at least one component to be tempered, wherein the component to be tempered is thermally connected on the cold side to the first heat exchanger (110) and / or on the warm side to the second heat exchanger (120).

Images