Tank

Abstract

To provide a tank capable of coping with enlargement of the tank and having excellent vibration resistance.SOLUTION: The tank includes a body, a header having a refrigerant inflow hole and a refrigerant outflow hole and provided at one end of the body, an inflow pipe connected to the refrigerant inflow hole, and a support member attached to the inflow pipe, wherein the support member is in contact with the body, the support member is attached to an end portion of the inflow pipe on a side opposite to the header, and the support member has a communication path through which an inside of the inflow pipe and an outside of the support member communicate with each other, and a flow direction of a refrigerant entering the communication path and a flow direction of a refrigerant discharged from the communication path are made different from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tank. [Background technology]

[0002] Tanks such as receiver tanks and accumulators are used to separate the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle into gas and liquid and store the refrigerant.

[0003] In the refrigeration cycle, high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows into the condenser, where it exchanges heat with outside air to be cooled and condensed. The liquid refrigerant condensed in the condenser undergoes gas-liquid separation in a receiver tank and is then reduced in pressure through an expansion valve to become an atomized gas-liquid phase. After being reduced in pressure, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the air blown by the air conditioner blower in the evaporator, evaporating and undergoing heat exchange. The refrigerant that passes through the evaporator undergoes gas-liquid separation in an accumulator before being drawn into the compressor.

[0004] The header of the receiver tank has a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet that communicate with the inside of the receiver tank. The refrigerant inlet is connected to the condenser via a pipe, and the refrigerant outlet is connected to the expansion valve via a pipe.

[0005] In the receiver tank disclosed in Patent Document 1, the lower end of the supply pipe into which the refrigerant flows after passing through the refrigerant inlet is located below the liquid level in the receiver tank, and the outlet portion at the lower end of the supply pipe is bent in an arc shape. With this configuration, the speed of the refrigerant is reduced as it passes through the arc-shaped bent outlet portion, thereby enhancing the gas-liquid separation effect. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-169881 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, there is a demand for increasing the capacity of a receiver tank without increasing its outer diameter. To meet this demand, the length of the receiver tank must be increased. Increasing the length of the receiver tank requires correspondingly longer supply and outlet pipes for refrigerant discharge. However, in the prior art, the supply and outlet pipes have a cantilever structure in which only one end is fixed to the header, making them relatively susceptible to vibration. Therefore, when increasing the pipe length, it is necessary to consider measures to prevent vibration.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and has an object to provide a tank that can accommodate larger tanks and has excellent vibration resistance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the tank according to the present invention comprises: The torso and a header provided at one end of the body and including a refrigerant inlet and an refrigerant outlet; an inlet pipe connected to the refrigerant inlet hole; a support member attached to the inlet pipe, the support member abuts against the body, the support member is attached to an end of the inlet pipe opposite to the header, and has a communication passage that communicates the inside of the inlet pipe with the outside of the support member; The flow direction of the refrigerant entering the communication passage is made different from the flow direction of the refrigerant discharged from the communication passage. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a tank that can accommodate larger tanks and has excellent vibration resistance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a receiver tank according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower part of the receiver tank. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the support member. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view of the AA cross section of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2, showing a receiver tank according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2, showing a receiver tank according to a third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2, showing a receiver tank according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, taking a receiver tank as an example of a tank.

[0013] Generally, a refrigeration cycle includes a receiver tank, a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and an accumulator. In the refrigeration cycle, high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows into the condenser, where it exchanges heat with outside air to be cooled and condensed. The liquid refrigerant condensed in the condenser undergoes gas-liquid separation in the receiver tank and is then depressurized by the expansion valve to become an atomized gas-liquid phase. After depressurization, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the air blown by the air conditioner blower and evaporates, thereby completing heat exchange. The refrigerant that passes through the evaporator undergoes gas-liquid separation in the accumulator before being drawn into the compressor. Such a refrigeration cycle is configured, for example, as a part of a vehicle air conditioner.

[0014] In a refrigeration cycle, the amount of liquid-phase refrigerant circulating through the refrigeration cycle may vary depending on the operating state of the refrigeration cycle. For example, if the refrigeration cycle has multiple evaporators, the amount of liquid-phase refrigerant circulating will vary depending on the number of operating evaporators. Furthermore, if the refrigeration cycle is installed in an electric vehicle and configured to also provide a heating function, the variation in the amount of refrigerant circulating will be even greater.

[0015] If the amount of circulating liquid refrigerant decreases due to the above fluctuations, the excess refrigerant is stored in the receiver tank. If the amount of circulating liquid refrigerant increases due to the above fluctuations, the shortage is supplied from the receiver tank. In this way, the receiver tank not only functions to separate the gas and liquid refrigerants, but also to absorb fluctuations in the amount of circulating refrigerant.

[0016] In consideration of the latter function, there is a demand for further increasing the capacity of the receiver tank. However, for example, under vehicle conditions, it is often difficult to increase the outer diameter of the receiver tank. Therefore, increasing the capacity of the receiver tank by increasing its length has been considered. The following embodiment is suitable for a receiver tank with an increased length.

[0017] (First embodiment) The specific configuration of the receiver tank will be described below. Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a receiver tank 1 according to a first embodiment. The receiver tank 1 has a tank body 2, an inlet pipe 7 arranged in the tank body 2, an outlet pipe 6, a bag 11 containing a desiccant (moisture absorbent) DA, a support member 16, and a strainer 20.

[0018] A bag 11 containing a desiccant DA is disposed between the inlet pipe 7, the outlet pipe 6 and the inner periphery of the body 3.

[0019] The tank body 2 includes a body 3 and a header 4. The body 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape with at least an open upper end, and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape as an example. On the bottom surface 3a of the body 3, the area facing the inlet pipe 7 in the vertical direction and the surrounding area are, for example, a plane perpendicular to the axis of the body 3. The perpendicular plane here includes a plane that is strictly perpendicular, as well as a surface that is approximately perpendicular due to manufacturing errors. In this embodiment, the bottom wall 3b of the body 3 has a shape that bulges downward in a truncated cone shape. The center of the bottom surface 3a of the body 3 and the surrounding area are formed in a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of the body 3 or perpendicular to the axis of the body 3. The header 4 shields the opening at the upper end of the body 3. The header 4 is joined to the body 3 by circumferential welding, for example, via a weld 10, to shield the opening of the body 3. The body 3 and the header 4 are both formed of a metal such as an aluminum alloy. In this specification, the header 4 side is referred to as the upper side, and the bottom side of the body 3 is referred to as the lower side.

[0020] For example, the header 4 is formed in a substantially disk shape and has a refrigerant inlet hole 8 and a refrigerant outlet hole 9 formed therethrough from top to bottom. The upper end of an inlet pipe 7 is press-fitted into the refrigerant inlet hole 8 and then expanded in diameter to be attached. The upper end of an outlet pipe 6 is press-fitted into the refrigerant outlet hole 9 and then expanded in diameter to be attached.

[0021] In the inlet pipe 7 and the outlet pipe 6, for example, a metal pipe of uniform diameter can be expanded in diameter by bulging near the upper end thereof and compressed in the axial direction, thereby forming flanges 7a, 6a that protrude radially outward from the entire outer periphery, and the flanges 7a, 6a can be brought into contact with the lower surface of the header 4. This determines the distance from the lower surface of the header 4 to the lower ends of the inlet pipe 7 and the outlet pipe 6.

[0022] The inlet pipe 7 and the outlet pipe 6 extend to the vicinity of the bottom wall of the body 3, and their lower ends are located below the liquid level (not shown) of the refrigerant. The inlet pipe 7 and the outlet pipe 6 face each other in the vertical direction within the bottom surface of the body 3, within a plane perpendicular to the axis of the body 3.

[0023] A cylindrical strainer 20 is provided at the lower end of the outflow pipe 6. The strainer 20 is composed of a hollow case 21 with a window (not shown) on the side wall, and a filter 22 arranged around the entire periphery inside the case 21. The filter 22 has the function of collecting foreign matter contained in the liquid refrigerant inside the body 3 and allowing the refrigerant to pass through. The filter 22 is, for example, a mesh member.

[0024] Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower part of the receiver tank 1, with the bag 11 omitted. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the support member 16. Fig. 4 is a side view of the AA cross section in Fig. 3. The outer diameter of the inlet pipe 7 is φB, and the outer diameter of the outlet pipe 6 is φC. As shown in Fig. 2, the support member 16 is attached to the lower end of the inlet pipe 7.

[0025] 3 and 4, the support member 16 is molded from, for example, resin and comprises a large-diameter cylindrical portion 16a connected to a small-diameter cylindrical portion 16b having a smaller diameter than the large-diameter cylindrical portion 16a. A plate-shaped arm portion 16c is connected to the large-diameter cylindrical portion 16a so as to extend radially outward from the upper end of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 16a.

[0026] A first opening 16d having an inner diameter φB is formed in the center of the upper end of large-diameter cylindrical portion 16a. A communication hole 16e is formed, bending in an arc from the inner end of first opening 16d to the side surface of large-diameter cylindrical portion 16a. The cross section of communication hole 16e, which serves as a communication passage, is preferably circular and has an inner diameter approximately equal to the inner diameter of inlet pipe 7. The lower end surface of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 16b is a plane perpendicular to the axis of the small-diameter cylindrical portion. The perpendicular plane here includes a plane strictly perpendicular to the axis and a plane that is approximately perpendicular due to manufacturing error. The axis of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 16b is parallel to the axis of the body 3. The small-diameter cylindrical portion 16b is in surface contact with a portion of the bottom surface 3a of the body 3 that is a plane perpendicular to the axis of the body 3.

[0027] A second opening (mounting hole) 16f having an inner diameter φC is formed near the tip of the arm portion 16c.

[0028] The support member 16 can be formed by injection molding using a slide core or the like. However, after the large-diameter cylindrical portion 16a is formed solid, the communicating hole 16e may be formed by a post-process such as machining. Alternatively, a separate member having the communicating hole 16e may be connected to the support member. The communicating hole 16e may also be composed of a first straight hole along the axis of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 16a and a second straight hole intersecting the first hole. In such a case, the first hole and the second hole can each be formed by drilling using a drill or the like.

[0029] When assembling the receiver tank 1, the upper ends of the inlet pipe 7 and the outlet pipe 6 are press-fitted into the refrigerant inlet hole 8 and the refrigerant outlet hole 9 of the header 4, and then the lower end of the outflow pipe 6 is inserted into the second opening 16f of the support member 16, while the lower end of the inlet pipe 7 is fitted into the first opening 16d of the support member 16. Then, the strainer 20 is attached to the lower end of the outflow pipe 6. This forms an assembly consisting of the header 4, inlet pipe 7, outflow pipe 6, support member 16, and strainer 20.

[0030] Next, this assembly is inserted into the body 3 through the opening in the body 3 from the strainer 20 and support member 16 side, and the lower end of the support member 16 is abutted against the bottom wall of the body 3. In this embodiment, the lower end surface of the support member 16 is flat and is in surface contact with the bottom surface 3a inside the body 3. Furthermore, the outer periphery of the header 4 is fitted into the inner periphery of the body 3, and the body 3 is welded to the entire circumference of the header 4. The interior of the body 3 is in communication with the outside via the communication hole 16e, the first opening 16d, the inlet pipe 7, and the refrigerant inlet hole 8 of the header 4, and also in communication with the outside via the strainer 20, the outlet pipe 6, and the refrigerant outlet hole 9 of the header 4.

[0031] In the receiver tank 1 configured as described above, a condenser is connected to the refrigerant inlet 8, and an expansion valve is connected to the refrigerant outlet 9. When the refrigeration cycle is operating, the gas-liquid mixed refrigerant supplied from the condenser enters the body 3 through the inlet pipe 7 and is ejected into the body 3 from the communication hole 16e of the support member 16 below the liquid level. At this time, the gas-phase refrigerant contained in the refrigerant rises to the liquid level due to buoyancy and moves further to the space above the liquid level. This separates the gas and liquid refrigerant.

[0032] Furthermore, since the communication hole 16e is curved, when the refrigerant enters through the inlet pipe 7, the flow direction of the refrigerant entering the communication hole 16e differs from the flow direction of the refrigerant being discharged from the communication hole 16e, and as a result, the flow velocity of the refrigerant is reduced when it is discharged compared to when it enters the inlet pipe 7, and this rectifying effect promotes gas-liquid separation.

[0033] On the other hand, the liquid-phase refrigerant below the liquid level passes through the strainer 20, enters the inside of the outflow pipe 6, and flows out to the outside through the outflow pipe 6. Because the strainer 20 is positioned below the liquid level, only the liquid-phase refrigerant flows into the outflow pipe 6, and not the gas-phase refrigerant. As a result, only the liquid-phase refrigerant flows toward the expansion valve on the downstream side.

[0034] According to this embodiment, the upper end of the inflow pipe 7 is attached to the header 4, and the lower end of the inflow pipe 7 is fitted into the first opening 16d of the support member 16 that abuts against the bottom wall of the body 3. In other words, because the inflow pipe 7 is supported by the body 3 at two points in the longitudinal direction, it is possible to suppress vibration of the inflow pipe 7, and even if the body 3 is made longer and the inflow pipe 7 is made longer in order to increase the capacity of the receiver tank 1, the vibration resistance of the inflow pipe 7 can be improved.

[0035] Similarly, the upper end of the outflow pipe 6 is attached to the header 4, and the lower end of the outflow pipe 6 is fitted into the second opening 16f of the support member 16. In other words, because the outflow pipe 6 is supported at two points in the longitudinal direction relative to the body 3, vibration of the outflow pipe 6 can be suppressed, and even if the body 3 is made longer and the outflow pipe 6 is made longer in order to increase the capacity of the receiver tank 1, the vibration resistance of the outflow pipe 6 can be improved. Support of the inflow pipe 7 and the outflow pipe 6 at two or more points is sufficient (the same applies to the following embodiments).

[0036] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the bottom surface 3a inside the fuselage 3 is a plane perpendicular to the axis of the fuselage 3, and the lower end surface of the support member 16 is a plane that makes surface contact with the bottom surface inside the fuselage 3. In another example, the support member 16 and the fuselage 3 may be configured so that the lower end of the support member 16 makes contact with the bottom surface 3a inside the fuselage 3 in a manner other than surface contact. In this example, the lower end surface of the support member 16 is a curved surface that is convex downward, and the bottom surface inside the fuselage 3 is a flat surface. Alternatively, the lower end surface of the support member 16 is a flat surface, and the bottom surface inside the fuselage 3 is a curved surface that is convex downward.

[0037] In addition, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the second opening 16f of the support member 16 is a hole whose periphery and inner peripheral surface are continuous annular. The second opening 16f may have a shape other than a circular shape whose periphery and inner peripheral surface are continuous all the way around, as long as it can support the outflow pipe 6. As an example, the second opening 16f may have a shape in which the periphery and inner peripheral surface are not continuous, in other words, a shape in which a portion is cut out. In this example, the planar shape is a C-shape.

[0038] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which support member 16 abuts against one location on body 3. Specifically, the lower end surface of support member 16 abuts against the bottom surface inside body 3. In another example, support member 16 may be shaped to abut against two or more locations on body 3. As an example, support member 16 may be formed with an arm portion different from arm portion 16c, and this arm portion may abut against the inner circumferential surface or bottom surface 3a of body 3.

[0039] (Second embodiment) Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 2 showing a receiver tank 1A according to a second embodiment. In this embodiment, only the configuration of the support member 16A is different, and the other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, so redundant description will be omitted.

[0040] 5, the support member 16A is molded from, for example, resin and comprises a large-diameter cylindrical portion 16Aa and a small-diameter cylindrical portion 16Ab connected together, the small-diameter cylindrical portion 16Ab having a smaller diameter than the large-diameter cylindrical portion 16Aa. A plate-shaped arm portion 16Ac is connected to the large-diameter cylindrical portion 16Aa so as to extend radially outward from the upper end of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 16Aa.

[0041] A first opening 16Ad is formed at the center of the upper end of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 16Aa. A communication hole 16Ae extends straight from the innermost end of the first opening 16Ad to near the lower end of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 16Aa. A plurality of (here, five) small holes 16Ag are arranged vertically and formed at multiple locations (here, four locations) along the circumferential direction to connect the inner periphery of the communication hole 16Ae with the outer periphery of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 16Aa. The small holes 16Ag are circular holes. The total cross-sectional area of ​​the small holes 16Ag is preferably equal to or larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet pipe 7. Here, the communication hole 16Ae and the small holes 16Ag constitute a communication passage. The small holes 16Ag may be polygonal, such as rectangular or triangular.

[0042] A second opening (mounting hole) 16Af is formed near the tip of the arm portion 16Ac.

[0043] According to this embodiment, when the refrigerant enters through the inlet pipe 7, the flow direction of the refrigerant when it enters the communicating hole 16Ae is different from the flow direction of the refrigerant when it is discharged from the small hole 16Ag, and as a result, the flow velocity of the refrigerant when it is discharged is lower than when it enters the inlet pipe 7, and this straightening effect promotes gas-liquid separation.

[0044] Furthermore, as in the first embodiment, by providing the support member 16A, the inlet pipe 7 is supported at two points in the longitudinal direction relative to the body 3, thereby preventing the inlet pipe 7 from vibrating, and the outlet pipe 6 is supported at two points in the longitudinal direction relative to the body 3, thereby preventing the outlet pipe 6 from vibrating.

[0045] (Third embodiment) Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 2 showing a receiver tank 1B according to a third embodiment. In this embodiment, only the configuration of the support member 16B is different, and the other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, so redundant description will be omitted.

[0046] 6, the support member 16B is molded from, for example, resin and comprises a large-diameter cylindrical portion 16Ba and a small-diameter cylindrical portion 16Bb, which has a smaller diameter than the large-diameter cylindrical portion 16Ba, connected together. A plate-shaped arm portion 16Bc is connected to the large-diameter cylindrical portion 16Ba so as to extend radially outward from the upper end of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 16Ba.

[0047] A first opening 16Bd is formed in the center of the upper end of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 16Ba. A communication hole 16Be extends straight from the innermost end of the first opening 16Bd to near the lower end of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 16Ba. Vertically extending slits 16Bg are formed at multiple locations (four locations in this example) along the circumferential direction to connect the inner periphery of the communication hole 16Be with the outer periphery of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 16Ba. The slits 16Bg may be divided vertically. The total cross-sectional area of ​​the slits 16Bg is preferably equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet pipe 7. Here, the communication hole 16Be and the slits 16Bg constitute a communication passage. It is sufficient to provide one or more slits 16Bg.

[0048] A second opening (mounting hole) 16Bf is formed near the tip of the arm portion 16Bc.

[0049] According to this embodiment, when the refrigerant enters through the inlet pipe 7, the flow direction of the refrigerant when entering the communicating hole 16Be is different from the flow direction of the refrigerant when being discharged from the slit 16Bg, and as a result, the flow velocity of the refrigerant when being discharged is lower than when entering the inlet pipe 7, and this straightening effect promotes gas-liquid separation.

[0050] Furthermore, as in the first embodiment, by providing support member 16B, the inlet pipe 7 is supported at two points in the longitudinal direction relative to the body 3, thereby preventing the inlet pipe 7 from vibrating, and the outlet pipe 6 is supported at two points in the longitudinal direction relative to the body 3, thereby preventing the outlet pipe 6 from vibrating.

[0051] (Fourth embodiment) Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 2 showing a receiver tank 1C according to a fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, the support member is integrated with a case 21C of a strainer 20C, and other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, so redundant description will be omitted.

[0052] 7, strainer 20C includes case 21C, which is a support member, and filter 22. Case 21C is molded from, for example, resin, and includes cylindrical base 21Ca, multiple (four in this example) pillars 21Cb extending downward from the outer periphery of base 21Ca, bottom plate 21Cc whose outer peripheries are connected to the lower ends of pillars 21Cb, and extension 21Cd extending from base 21Ca toward inlet pipe 7. In an assembled state, the lower end of bottom plate 21Cc of case 21C abuts against the bottom wall of body 3. In other words, extension 21Cd is an example of an extension extending from inlet pipe 7 toward outlet pipe 6. Case 21C is provided on extension 21Cd. In this embodiment, a portion of the underside of the bottom plate portion 21Cc, for example, the center, forms a protrusion 21Ch that protrudes downward. The underside of the protrusion 21Ch is a plane perpendicular to the axis of the base portion 21Ca. Note that the plane perpendicular to the axis here includes a plane strictly perpendicular to the axis and a plane that is approximately perpendicular due to manufacturing error. The underside of the protrusion 21Ch is in surface contact with the center and surrounding area of ​​the bottom surface 3a within the body 3, which is a plane perpendicular to the axis of the body 3. The space between adjacent column portions 21Cb forms a window through which the refrigerant passes, and the window is covered by a filter 22.

[0053] A second opening 21Ce is formed so as to penetrate vertically through the base portion 21Ca, and the outflow pipe 6 penetrates the second opening 21Ce, with its lower end positioned inside the multiple pillar portions 21Cb. A first opening (mounting hole) 21Cf is formed in the extension portion 21Cd, and the lower end of the inflow pipe 7 is fitted into the first opening 21Cf.

[0054] A communication hole 21Cg is formed, extending in an arc shape from the inner end of the first opening 21Cf to the side surface of the extension portion 21Cd. The cross section of the communication hole 21Cg, which is a communication passage, is preferably circular and has an inner diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the inlet pipe 7.

[0055] According to this embodiment, since the communication hole 21Cg is curved, when the refrigerant enters through the inlet pipe 7, the flow direction of the refrigerant when entering the communication hole 21Cg differs from the flow direction of the refrigerant when being discharged from the communication hole 21Cg. As a result, the flow velocity of the refrigerant when being discharged is lower than when entering the inlet pipe 7, and this straightening effect promotes gas-liquid separation.

[0056] On the other hand, the liquid-phase refrigerant below the liquid surface passes through the windows between adjacent column portions 21Cb, enters the inside of the strainer 20C and the outflow pipe 6, and flows out through the outflow pipe 6 to the outside.

[0057] In this embodiment, too, by providing case 21C, the outflow pipe 6 is supported at two points in the longitudinal direction relative to the body 3, thereby preventing the outflow pipe 6 from vibrating, and the inflow pipe 7 is supported at two points in the longitudinal direction relative to the body 3, thereby preventing the inflow pipe 7 from vibrating. In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the extension portion 21Cd has an arc-shaped communication hole 21Cg as a communication passage has been described as an example. In another example, the communication passage formed in the extension portion 21Cd may have the same configuration as the communication passage described in the second embodiment. That is, it may have a configuration including a communication hole 16Ae and a plurality of small holes 16Ag. Alternatively, in another example, the communication passage formed in the extension portion 21Cd may have the same configuration as the communication passage described in the third embodiment. That is, it may have a configuration including a communication hole 16Be and one or more slits 16Bg.

[0058] While the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, the "tank" may be the receiver tank described above or an accumulator disposed between the evaporator and the compressor.

[0059] This specification includes the disclosure of the following inventions. (First form) The torso and a header provided at one end of the body and including a refrigerant inlet and an refrigerant outlet; an inlet pipe connected to the refrigerant inlet hole; a support member attached to the inlet pipe, the support member abuts against the body, the support member is attached to an end of the inlet pipe opposite to the header, and has a communication passage that communicates the inside of the inlet pipe with the outside of the support member; The flow direction of the refrigerant entering the communication passage is made different from the flow direction of the refrigerant discharged from the communication passage. A tank characterized by:

[0060] (Second form) the communication passage includes a communication hole communicating with the inside of the inlet pipe and a plurality of holes communicating between the communication hole and the outside of the support member, The flow direction of the refrigerant that has entered the communication holes is made different from the flow direction of the refrigerant that is discharged from the plurality of holes. A tank of a first type characterized by:

[0061] (Third Form) the communication passage includes a communication hole communicating with the inside of the inlet pipe and a slit communicating between the communication hole and the outside of the support member, The flow direction of the refrigerant that has entered the communication hole is made different from the flow direction of the refrigerant that is discharged from the slit. A tank of a first type characterized by:

[0062] (Fourth Form) a discharge pipe connected to the refrigerant outlet hole, The support member has an extension portion extending toward the exhaust pipe side, and a mounting hole formed in the extension portion to which the exhaust pipe is attached. The tank according to any one of the first to third embodiments, characterized in that:

[0063] (Fifth form) the support member is provided on the extension portion and includes a strainer case attached to an end of the discharge pipe opposite the header, The tank according to any one of the second to fourth embodiments, characterized in that: [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C receiver tank 2 Tank body 3. Torso 4. Header 6 Outflow pipe 7 Inflow pipe 16, 16A, 16B Support members 20, 20C strainer 21, 21C Case 22 filters

Claims

1. The torso and a header provided at one end of the body and including a refrigerant inlet and an refrigerant outlet; an inlet pipe connected to the refrigerant inlet hole; a support member attached to the inlet pipe, the support member abuts against the body, the support member is attached to an end of the inlet pipe opposite to the header, and has a communication passage that communicates the inside of the inlet pipe with the outside of the support member; The flow direction of the refrigerant entering the communication passage is made different from the flow direction of the refrigerant discharged from the communication passage. A tank characterized by:

2. the communication passage includes a communication hole communicating with the inside of the inlet pipe and a plurality of holes communicating between the communication hole and the outside of the support member, The flow direction of the refrigerant that has entered the communication holes is made different from the flow direction of the refrigerant that is discharged from the plurality of holes.

2. The tank according to claim 1 .

3. the communication passage includes a communication hole communicating with the inside of the inlet pipe and a slit communicating between the communication hole and the outside of the support member, The flow direction of the refrigerant that has entered the communication hole is made different from the flow direction of the refrigerant that is discharged from the slit.

2. The tank according to claim 1 .

4. an outflow pipe connected to the refrigerant outflow hole, The support member has an extension portion extending toward the outflow pipe side, and a mounting hole formed in the extension portion to which the outflow pipe is attached.

4. The tank according to claim 1, wherein the tank is a tank having a diameter of 100 mm or less.

5. the support member is provided on the extension portion and includes a strainer case attached to an end of the outflow pipe opposite to the header; 5. The tank according to claim 4.

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