CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A REFRIGERANT COMPRESSOR

Electronic control device for a refrigerant compressor, comprising at least one drive unit and a compression mechanism which is in operative connection with the drive unit and has at least one piston which, in an operating state of the refrigerant compressor, moves back and forth in a cylinder of a cylinder block of the refrigerant compressor for the operational compression of refrigerant and is driven by a crankshaft of the drive unit, wherein the electronic control device of the refrigerant compressor is at least designed to detect at least one physical process parameter, preferably the rotational speed (n) of the crankshaft or the power consumption of the refrigerant compressor, and to detect a switch-off signal directed at the refrigerant compressor, said switch-off signal terminating a refrigerant compressor operating phase in which the refrigerant compressor is operated as intended with a positive operating torque; and is also designed to regulate a torque applied by the drive unit to the crankshaft so as to adjust the rotational speed (n) of the crankshaft, wherein the electronic control device is further designed to apply a braking torque to the crankshaft immediately after detecting the switch-off signal, wherein the braking torque is applied in the opposite direction to the positive torque acting during the operating phase and the value of this braking torque is a function of the detected physical process parameter, preferably the rotational speed (n) of the crankshaft or the power consumption of the refrigerant compressor.