Condenser for a motor vehicle air conditioning system

Abstract

A condenser ( 1 ) for a vehicle air conditioning system comprises a finned tube block ( 2 ) and laterally arranged header tubes ( 3, 4 ). The finned tube block ( 2 ) has horizontally running tubes forming a condensing section (P 1 to P 5 ) and a supercooling section (P 6 ) arranged above the condensing section. A collector ( 5 ) arranged parallel to one of the header tubes accommodates a dryer-filter insert ( 10 ) and an ascending pipe ( 15 ). The collector is connected for refrigerant flow via a first overflow opening ( 8 ) to the condensing section (P 5 ) and via a second overflow opening ( 9 ) to the supercooling section (P 6 ). An inflow chamber ( 13 ) can be formed in the region of the first overflow opening ( 8 ) in the collector ( 5 ) and can be upwardly bounded by a stopper ( 11 ) and downwardly bounded by the dryer-filter insert ( 10 ), or a downward flow pipe 21 can transport refrigerant from the first overflow opening to the dryer-filter.

1 . A condenser for use in a vehicle air conditioning system, comprising: 
 a finned tube block having horizontally running tubes, and a header tube at each end of the tubes in the tube block, the finned tube block comprising a condensing section and a supercooling section arranged above the condensing section; and    a collector arranged parallel to one of the header tubes, wherein the collector includes a dryer-filter insert, a stopper and an ascending flow pipe, the collector being connected for refrigerant flow via a first overflow opening communicating with the condensing section and via a second overflow opening communicating with the supercooling section, wherein an inflow chamber is defined in the region of the first overflow opening in the collector and is bounded by the stopper on the upper side and is bounded by the dryer-filter insert on the lower side.    
   
   
       2 . A condenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising a storage space for the refrigerant is located below the dryer-filter insert in the collector.  
   
   
       3 . A condenser according to  claim 2 , wherein the ascending flow pipe passes through the dryer-filter insert and has an inlet opening arranged in the storage space and an upper outlet end which is connected via the stopper to the supercooling section.  
   
   
       4 . A condenser for use in a vehicle air conditioning system, comprising: 
 a finned tube block having horizontally running tubes, and a header tube at each end of the tubes in the tube block, the finned tube block comprising a condensing section and a supercooling section arranged above the condensing section; and    a collector arranged parallel to one of the header tubes and being connected for refrigerant flow via a first overflow opening communicating with the condensing section and via a second overflow opening communicating with the supercooling section, wherein the collector includes a dryer-filter insert, an ascending flow pipe and a downward flow pipe having a first inlet pipe end connected to the first overflow opening.    
   
   
       5 . A condenser according to  claim 4 , further comprising a stopper which extends from the first to the second overflow opening, and wherein the inlet pipe end of the downward flow pipe is accommodated in the stopper.  
   
   
       6 . A condenser according to  claim 4 , wherein the downward flow pipe comprises a pipe end on the outlet side which is arranged above the dryer-filter.  
   
   
       7 . A condenser according to  claim 4 , wherein the downward flow pipe passes through the dryer-filter and opens in a chamber arranged below the dryer-filter  
   
   
       8 . A condenser according to  claim 6 , wherein the pipe end on the outlet side of the downward flow pipe comprises diametrically opposite outlet openings.  
   
   
       9 . A condenser according to  claim 4 , wherein the dryer-filter is arranged in the lower region of the collector and the ascending flow pipe passes through the dryer-filter.  
   
   
       10 . A condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the ascending flow pipe comprises an upper pipe end accommodated in the stopper and is connected on the refrigerant side to the second overflow opening.  
   
   
       11 . A condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the stopper comprises a deflecting duct from the ascending flow pipe to the second overflow opening.  
   
   
       12 . A condenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising a circumferential seal comprising an O-ring on the stopper.  
   
   
       13 . A condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the stopper and the ascending flow pipe are formed integrally as a plastic injection-molded part.  
   
   
       14 . A condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the stopper, the ascending flow pipe and the dryer-filter insert comprise an exchangeable constructional unit.  
   
   
       15 . A condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the collector comprises a releasable closure member at its top end.  
   
   
       16 . A condenser according to  claim 4 , wherein the stopper, the ascending flow pipe and the downward flow pipe are formed integrally as a plastic injection-molded part.  
   
   
       17 . A condenser according to  claim 4 , wherein the stopper, the ascending  9  flow pipe, the downward flow pipe and the dryer-filter insert comprise an exchangeable constructional unit.  
   
   
       18 . A condenser for use in a vehicle air conditioning system, comprising: 
 a finned tube block having horizontally running tubes, and a header tube at each end of the tubes in the tube block, the finned tube block comprising a condensing section and a supercooling section arranged above the condensing section;    a collector arranged parallel to one of the header tubes, wherein the collector includes a dryer-filter insert, a stopper and an ascending flow pipe, the collector being connected for refrigerant flow via a first overflow opening communicating with the condensing section and via a second overflow opening communicating with the supercooling section; and    a refrigerant flow arrangement located in the collector for decreasing the flow velocity of the refrigerant, after it exits the first overflow opening, by an amount sufficient to permit at least some gaseous phase refrigerant to separate from liquid refrigerant.    
   
   
       19 . A condenser according to  claim 18 , wherein the refrigerant flow arrangement comprises an inflow chamber defined in the region of the first overflow opening in the collector and is bounded by the stopper on the upper side and is bounded by the dryer-filter insert on the lower side  
   
   
       20 . A condenser according to  claim 18 , wherein the refrigerant flow arrangement comprises a downward flow pipe having a first inlet pipe end connected to the first overflow opening.