EP1764569B1 - Receiver tank with dryer-filter unit for a condenser - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a collector with dryer / filter unit for a heat exchanger, in particular a capacitor, as used for example for the air conditioning of a motor vehicle.

From the EP-A-1 533 580 is a refrigerant condenser known, but does not have a dryer / filter unit.

From the DE 103 38 527 A1 a refrigerant condenser with a tube / fin block and manifolds is known, wherein one of the manifolds is formed in two parts and consists of a pipe end receiving the bottom part and a cover part. Parallel to the manifold, a collector is arranged, wherein between the manifold and collector, a gap is provided. Between the manifold and collector two overflow openings are provided in the lower region, so that they are in fluid communication with each other. A dividing wall is arranged in the collecting pipe between the two overflow openings. In the collector, a dryer / filter unit which is open over its circumference is used, which is fastened in a groove of the collector by means of a holding means, such as a circumferential holding rib. The collector is down and up closed by a lid. The collector is designed as a one-piece tube.

Due to contamination in the refrigerant circuit due to undesired partial conversion of the oil as a result of thermal and / or mechanical stresses and / or graphite, the dryer / filter unit can clog, especially in the lower forced flow area, so that the power decreases. If the contamination is not collected in the granulate bed in the Trvckner- / filter unit, it may come to accumulation of contamination on the expansion valve, whereby its function is impaired, in particular by the deterioration of the moving parts thereof as a result of ablagemden pollution. Such an air conditioning system leaves nothing to be desired, especially with regard to the durability of the power.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved collector with dryer / filter unit available. This object is achieved by a collector with dryer / filter unit with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The revelation of DE 103 38 527 A1 , in particular with regard to the design of the fluid connection between the manifold and collector and the fixation of the dryer / filter unit, is expressly included in the following.

According to the invention, a collector is provided with at least one dryer / filter unit arranged in the collector, in particular for a condenser, wherein the collector has at least two overflow openings through which a refrigerant can flow in or out, and the dryer / filter unit has at least one free entrance surface through which the inflowing refrigerant can enter the dryer / filter unit, and at least a free exit surface, through which the refrigerant from the tracker / filter unit can flow, wherein between the free entrance surface and the free exit surface at least one element for preventing the refrigerant is arranged on an outside flow around the dryer / filter unit in the collector. In this case, the dryer / filter unit is formed closed over at least a portion so that a distance between the free entrance surface and the free exit surface is greater than a distance between the two overflow openings, wherein particularly preferably the closed formed portion at least in the region of the height of the overflow is arranged, through which the refrigerant in the collector and / or can flow out. By closing the direct transition, a significantly larger portion of the dryer / filter unit flows through, whereby the locally high concentration of contamination in the lower part of the dryer / filter unit is reduced and the contamination on almost the entire dryer / Fiftereinheit or optionally distributed now the much larger area forced through a granulate bed inside the TrocKner- / filter unit. The collecting effect of the dryer / filter unit is thereby improved and thus also the expansion valve, which is arranged in a refrigeration cycle, in which a corresponding collector is provided with dryer / filter unit, better protected.

The term "height" here does not necessarily refer exclusively to a vertical direction but also encompasses other orientations, in particular horizontal orientations, so that a lateral flow around the closed area takes place. In addition, the closed area can be flowed around with appropriate configuration also downwards, although a flow upwards should be the rule.

The closed-formed area of the dryer / filter unit is preferably directly adjacent to the element for preventing the refrigerant at one Flow around the dryer / filter booklet arranged. This element can be formed by a sealing lip or by a retaining rib and prevents at least partially an outside flow around the dryer / filter unit.

Preferably, the free entrance surface is greater than or at least equal to the free exit area of the dryer / filter unit. This ensures a large entrance surface and thus a large-area filter surface. Preferably, the free entrance area is at least twice as large as the free exit area. The height of the closed design of the dryer / filter unit in the region of the height of the refrigerant introducing the overflow opening is preferably at least 20 mm.

The closed area of the dryer / filter booklet is preferably formed by a wall formed on the truckner / filter unit. The wall is particularly preferably formed as a hollow cylinder.

Preferably, the wall of the dryer / filter unit in conjunction with the inner circumferential surface of the collector form an annular gap, in particular preferably with a constant gap width. Through this annular gap inflowing refrigerant is distributed over the entire circumference and also conveyed in the longitudinal direction, wherein due to the fluidically suitable design only a minimal pressure loss occurs.

The free entrance surface is arranged spatially above the free exit surface of the dryer / filter unit, so that liquid refrigerant is retained.

At the closed formed portion of the dryer / filter unit at least one element is preferably provided, which centers the dryer / filter unit in the collector. Distributed over the circumference are preferably provided at least three corresponding elements, wherein over the length of the dryer / filter unit also several, in particular two such centering arrangements of corresponding elements are provided, in particular in closed areas. The elements are preferably formed by ribs extending in the longitudinal direction of the dryer / filter unit. These can be rounded off for easier insertion and removal of the dryer / filter unit.

Above the free entrance surface, through which the refrigerant flows into the dryer / filter unit, a second closed area is preferably formed. This preferably has the same height as the first closed area.

Granules are preferably provided in the dryer / filter unit, but another suitable filter material, such as, for example, a fabric, may also be provided.

Such a collector with dryer / filter unit is preferably used in a heat exchanger, in particular a condenser, which serves the air conditioning of a motor vehicle.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische, aufgeschnittene Ansicht eines Wärmeübertragers im Bereich des Sammlers,

Fig. 2

eine Ansicht der Trockner-/Filtereinheit, wie sie im Sammler von Fig. 1 angeordnet ist, und

Fig. 3

Fig. 1 der DE 103 38 527 A1 (Stand der Technik) zur Verdeutlichung des allgemeinen Aufbaus des Wärmetauschers im Bereich des Sammelrohres und des Sammlers.

In the following the invention with reference to an embodiment with reference to the drawing, is explained in detail. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective, cutaway view of a heat exchanger in the collector,

Fig. 2

a view of the dryer / filter unit, as in the collector of Fig. 1 is arranged, and

Fig. 3

Fig. 1 of the DE 103 38 527 A1 (Prior art) to illustrate the general structure of the heat exchanger in the region of the manifold and the collector.

A capacitor 1, the basic structure - unless otherwise expressly described below - that of in Fig. 3 illustrated, the first embodiment of DE 103 38 527 A1 corresponds, in particular with regard to the configuration of the fluid connection between the manifold and a collector, in which a dryer / filter unit is arranged, and the fixation of the dryer / filter unit is arranged in a refrigerant circuit (not shown), in which as refrigerant R134a is circulated.

The condenser 1 has a tube / rib block 2, which is formed by flat tubes 3 and corrugated ribs 4 arranged between them. The ends of the flat tubes 3 open into a respective manifold 5, wherein in Fig. 3 only the right manifold is shown. Parallel to the manifold 5, a collector 6 is arranged, wherein between the manifold 5 and collector 6, a gap 7 is provided. In Ausführungsbeipielen not shown, the manifold and the collector on a common partition, so that then no such gap is given. Between manifold 5 and collector 6, two overflow openings 8, 9 are provided for a fluid connection of manifold 5 and collector 6, wherein for the reversal of the refrigerant flow, a partition wall 10 in the manifold 5 between the two overflow openings 8 and 9 is arranged.

In the collector 6, a dryer / filter unit 11 is inserted, which by means of a circumferential retaining rib 12 which engages in a groove 13 in the collector 6 is attached. The collector 6 is closed at the top and bottom with lids 14.

Inside the dryer / filter unit 11 granules (not shown) is arranged, for which the walls of the dryer / filter unit 11 are formed like a lattice.

In so far described, correspond to the structure of the capacitor according to the DE 103 38 527 A1 and the capacitor according to the invention.

In contrast to the representation of Fig. 3 For example, the dryer / filter unit 11 according to the present embodiment is formed in the region above the holding rib 12 over its entire circumference and part of its length closed with a wall 20 which is attached to the grid. The wall 20 is also referred to below as the first closed region 21.

In order to prevent an excessive overflow of refrigerant, which passes not necessarily completely sealingly arranged in the groove 13 retaining rib 12, is - in this case below the retaining rib 12 - a sealing lip 22 is provided which in sealing engagement with the inner circumferential surface of the collector. 6 is. The space between the retaining rib 12 and the sealing lip 22 may be used for storing liquid refrigerant which accumulates at the bottom due to gravity.

According to a variant not shown in the drawing, retaining rib and sealing lip are arranged reversed around, the wall extending to the sealing lip. This arrangement ensures that no refrigerant, bypassing a substantial part of the dryer / filter unit 11, takes the shorter path from the overflow opening 8 to the overflow opening 9.

The outer diameter of the wall 20 is smaller than the inner diameter of the collector 6, so that between the wall 20 and the inner circumferential surface of the collector 6 remains an annular gap 23, flows through soft refrigerant flowing through the overflow 8, over the entire circumference of the annular gap 23 distributed and flows upwards. The corresponding area through which the refrigerant flows after flowing through the overflow opening 8 and before entering the dryer / filter unit 11 is also referred to below as the inflow and distribution area of the collector 6.

How out Fig. 2 As can be seen, the wall 20 covers an area of the dryer / filter unit 11, which corresponds to between a quarter and a third of the total cylindrical area of the dryer / filter unit 11. Following the wall 20, ie the first closed area 21, an open area 24 follows, also referred to below as the entry area of the dryer / filter unit 11, which has approximately the same length as the wall 20. Above the open area 24, a second closed area 26, which is surrounded by a further, second wall 25 over its circumference, is again provided, which has approximately the same length as the first closed area 21.

Four support ribs 27 are formed over the circumference of the walls 20 and 25, which provide for the centering of the dryer / filter unit 11 in the collector 6 and thus for a constant annular gap 23. The support ribs 27 are rounded, so that a simple insertion of the TrocKner- / filter unit 11 is possible, wherein the support ribs 27 are each arranged in the vicinity of the free area 24, ie they are shifted in their longitudinal direction up or down. In this case, the three levels, in which the retaining rib 12 and the support ribs 27 are provided, are distributed relatively uniformly over the entire length of the drying / filter unit 11.

Below the holding rib 12, a further open area 28, hereinafter also referred to as the outlet area of the dryer / filter unit 11, is provided, which in the present case is approximately half as long as the entry area. Around the inlet area and below it, a collecting and outflow area of the collector 6 is arranged.

Due to the retaining rib 12 and the wall 20 of the direct transition into the outflow and collection area of the collector 6 is prevented, so that the refrigerant is distributed in the annular gap 23 and flows upward until the wall 20 ends. Here it can penetrate over the first, open region 24, namely the entry surface, into the dryer / fitter unit 11 over a large area and, while flowing through the granules arranged therein, down to the second, open region 28, ie to the exit surface and into the collecting and outflow region of the collector 6, from where it passes through the second, lower overflow 9 again in the manifold 5, but in the arranged below the partition wall 12, passes.

Claims (11)

1. A receiver tank, comprising at least one dryer-filter unit arranged in the receiver tank (6), in particular for a condenser (1), wherein the receiver tank (6) comprises at least two overflow openings (8, 9), through which a refrigerant can flow in or out, and the dryer-filter unit comprises at least one free inlet area (24), through which the inflowing refrigerant can reach the dryer-filter unit (11), and at least one free outlet area (28), through which the refrigerant can flow out of the dryer-filter unit (11), wherein at least one element (12) for preventing the refrigerant from flowing around the outside of the dryer-filter unit (11) is arranged in the receiver tank (6) between the free inlet area (24) and the free outlet area (28), wherein the dryer-filter unit (11) is designed to be closed over at least one sub-region so that a distance between the free inlet area (24) and the free outlet area (28) is greater than a distance between the two overflow openings (8, 9), characterized in that the closed region of the dryer-filter unit (11) is arranged directly adjacent to the element (12) for preventing the refrigerant from flowing around the dryer-filter unit (11), the element (12) for preventing the refrigerant from flowing around the filter-dryer unit (11) is formed by a peripheral rib (12) or a sealing lip, and the free inlet area (24) is larger than the free outlet area (28) of the filter-dryer unit (11).
2. The receiver tank comprising a dryer-filter unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the closed sub-region of the dryer-filter unit is arranged at least in the region of the height of the overflow opening (8) through which the refrigerant can flow into the receiver tank (6).
3. The receiver tank comprising a dryer-filter unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the closed sub-region of the dryer-filter unit is arranged at least in the region of the height of the overflow opening (9) through which the refrigerant can flow out of the receiver tank (6).
4. A receiver tank comprising a dryer-filter unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closed sub-region of the dryer-filter unit (11) is formed by a wall (20), which is formed on the dryer-filter unit (11).
5. The receiver tank comprising a dryer-filter unit according to claim 4, characterized in that the wall (20) of the dryer-filter unit (11), in conjunction with the inner lateral face of the receiver tank (6), forms an annular gap (23).
6. A receiver tank comprising a dryer-filter unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the free inlet area (24) is arranged spatially above the free outlet area (28) of the dryer-filter unit (11).
7. A receiver tank comprising a dryer-filter unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one element which centers the dryer-filter unit (11) in the receiver tank (6) is provided on the closed sub-region of the dryer-filter unit (11).
8. The receiver tank comprising a dryer-filter unit according to claim 7, characterized in that the element is formed by at least three ribs (27), which are distributed over the circumference and extend in the longitudinal direction of the dryer-filter unit (11).
9. A receiver tank comprising a dryer-filter unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a second closed region (26) is formed above the free inlet area (24).
10. A receiver tank comprising a dryer-filter unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that granules are provided in the dryer-filter unit (11).
11. A heat exchanger, in particular a condenser, comprising at least one header (5) and a receiver tank (6), which is connected to the header (5) via at least two overflow openings (8, 9) and in which a dryer-filter unit (11) is arranged, characterized the heat exchanger (1) comprises at least one receiver tank (6) comprising a dryer-filter unit (11) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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