Mounting structure of energy accumulator

Abstract

The invention provides a mounting structure of an energy storage device, which can prevent the energy storage device from moving out of intention. A mounting structure for an accumulator (30) is provided with: an accumulator (30) which is incorporated in a vehicle-mounted air-conditioning device (10) and which separates a refrigerant having CO2 as the main component into gas and liquid; and two or more brackets for attaching the energy storage device (30) to a fixing member (100), the two or more brackets including annular brackets (44U, 44L) that surround the energy storage device (30) in the circumferential direction, and a shaft-side bracket (60) at least a part of which is joined so as to overlap an axial end surface of the energy storage device (30).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present specification discloses a mounting structure of an accumulator provided in a vehicle-mounted air conditioning device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Generally, in an air conditioning device, heat is moved by compressing, expanding, evaporating, and condensing a refrigerant, thereby generating air conditioning air, in a process of circulating the refrigerant. Such an air conditioning device has a case where an accumulator separates the refrigerant into gas and liquid.

[0003] In Patent Literature 1, a refrigeration air conditioning device having an accumulator is disclosed. In Patent Literature 1, a refrigerant and PAG oil are stored in the accumulator. Moreover, in Patent Literature 1, in order to prevent the densities of the refrigerant and the PAG oil from being reversed in size as the temperature decreases, a heating device is provided in the accumulator. By being configured as such, the refrigerant is appropriately separated into gas and liquid.

[0004] In addition, conventionally, a fluorine-based refrigerant is used as a refrigerant for air conditioning. However, in recent years, in consideration of the load on the environment, a CO2 refrigerant using carbon dioxide (hereinafter referred to as "CO2") as a main component is proposed as a substitute for the fluorine-based refrigerant. The global warming potential of the CO2 refrigerant is significantly reduced compared to the fluorine-based refrigerant. Patent Literature 1 uses the CO2 refrigerant. On the other hand, compared to the fluorine-based refrigerant, the CO2 refrigerant needs to be pressurized to a high pressure.

[0005] PRIOR ART LITERATURE

[0006] PATENT LITERATURE

[0007] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-121926 SUMMARY

[0008] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0009] A case where an air conditioning device using such a CO2 refrigerant is mounted on a vehicle is assumed. In this case, there is a possibility that a strong impact is input to the air conditioning device due to a collision of the vehicle or the like. At this time, when a pipe connected to the accumulator among the pipes of the CO2 refrigerant is broken, the CO2 refrigerant at a high pressure is ejected from the accumulator. Moreover, there is a possibility that the accumulator is violently moved due to the ejection pressure of the refrigerant.

[0010] In order to prevent such unintended movement of the accumulator, the mounting structure of the accumulator needs to be sufficiently studied. However, in Patent Literature 1 and the like, the mounting structure of the accumulator is not sufficiently studied.

[0011] Therefore, in the present specification, a mounting structure of an accumulator capable of preventing unintended movement of the accumulator is disclosed.

[0012] Means for solving the problem

[0013] The mounting structure of the accumulator disclosed in the first aspect of the present specification is characterized by comprising: an accumulator which is assembled in a vehicle-mounted air conditioning device and which performs gas-liquid separation on a refrigerant mainly composed of CO2; and two or more brackets which mount the accumulator on a fixed member, the two or more brackets including a ring-shaped bracket which surrounds the accumulator in a circumferential direction and at least one shaft-side bracket which is joined to an axial end surface of the accumulator in an overlapping manner.

[0014] In this case, it can also be configured such that the ring-shaped bracket is provided in two in a manner spaced apart in the axial direction of the accumulator.

[0015] Further, it can also be configured such that one end of the shaft-side bracket is joined to the axial end surface of the accumulator and the other end of the shaft-side bracket is connected to the ring-shaped bracket to be integrated.

[0016] Further, the mounting structure of the accumulator of other aspects is characterized by comprising: an accumulator which is assembled in a vehicle-mounted air conditioning device and which performs gas-liquid separation on a refrigerant mainly composed of CO2; and one or more brackets which mount the accumulator on a fixed member, the one or more brackets holding the accumulator in a manner to restrict movement of the accumulator caused by gas injection when a refrigerant pipe near the accumulator or the accumulator is broken.

[0017] In this case, it can also be configured such that the one or more brackets have a surface opposite to the accumulator in the direction of the gas injection.

[0018] Effects of the Invention

[0019] According to the mounting structure of the accumulator disclosed in the present specification, the bracket can receive the gas injection pressure generated along with the breaking of the refrigerant pipe near the accumulator or the accumulator. Therefore, unintended movement of the accumulator can be effectively prevented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 A diagram showing the structure of an air conditioning device having an accumulator.

[0021] Figure 2 A perspective view of the periphery of an accumulator

[0022] Figure 3 A side view of the periphery of an accumulator.

[0023] Figure 4 Enlarged view of the main portion of the lower bracket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Hereinafter, the mounting structure of the accumulator 30 will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 A diagram showing the structure of an air conditioning device 10 having the accumulator 30. The air conditioning device 10 is mounted on a vehicle, and adjusts the temperature of the vehicle cabin. Note that the type of the vehicle on which the air conditioning device 10 is mounted is not particularly limited. Thus, the vehicle can be either an engine vehicle in which an engine is used as a power source, or an electric vehicle in which an electric motor is used as a power source. Further, the vehicle can be a hybrid electric vehicle in which both an engine and an electric motor are mounted, or a fuel cell vehicle in which a fuel cell is mounted, or a battery electric vehicle in which a battery is used as a power source.

[0025] The air conditioning device 10 has a refrigerant circuit 12. The refrigerant circuit 12 is a circuit in which a refrigerant is compressed, expanded, condensed, and evaporated to generate heat and latent heat in the process of circulating the refrigerant. The heat generated in the refrigerant circuit 12 is used for heating, and the latent heat is used for cooling. Note that, Figure 1 The illustrated circuit is used exclusively for cooling, and the heat generated by another heat source (for example, an engine or an electric heater) is used for heating.

[0026] Here, conventionally, a fluorine-based refrigerant has been used as the refrigerant. However, the fluorine-based refrigerant has a problem in that it has a high load on the environment. Thus, in the present example, a CO2 refrigerant in which CO2 is the main component is used. The CO2 refrigerant has a lower global warming potential and a smaller load on the environment than the fluorine-based refrigerant. On the other hand, the CO2 refrigerant needs to be used at a high pressure, in contrast to the fluorine-based refrigerant. For example, the fluorine-based refrigerant is used in a pressure range of 0.02 MPaG to 2 MPaG, and in contrast to this, the CO2 refrigerant is used in a pressure range of 0.8 MPaG to 10 MPaG. Thus, a higher pressure resistance is required for the equipment that handles the CO2 refrigerant.

[0027] The refrigerant circuit 12 has a refrigerant pipe 14 through which the CO2 refrigerant flows. A compressor 16, a gas cooler 18, the accumulator 30, a cooling expansion valve 26, and an evaporator 27 are provided midway in the path of the refrigerant pipe 14. The compressor 16 compresses the CO2 refrigerant in a gaseous state. As described above, the CO2 refrigerant needs to be pressurized to a high pressure, in contrast to the fluorine-based refrigerant. In order to satisfy such a pressure requirement, the compressor 16 is selected to be a large device with a large output power.

[0028] The gas cooler 18 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the CO2 refrigerant and outside air. This gas cooler 18 functions as a condenser that condenses the gaseous CO2 refrigerant during refrigeration operation. A fan 19 for efficiently sucking outside air is disposed behind the gas cooler 18.

[0029] The accumulator 30 separates the CO2 refrigerant into gas and liquid, and only sends the gaseous CO2 refrigerant to the compressor 16.

[0030] Further, in the example of Figure 1 , the accumulator 30 has a main body 32 that separates the CO2 refrigerant into gas and liquid, and a heat exchanger 34 disposed around the main body 32. The heat-dissipated CO2 refrigerant output from the gas cooler 18 goes to the refrigeration expansion valve 26 via the heat exchanger 34. During the passage through the heat exchanger 34, the heat-dissipated CO2 refrigerant exchanges heat with the gas-liquid mixed CO2 refrigerant stored in the main body 32. By exchanging heat from the CO2 refrigerant of the heat exchanger 34 to the CO2 refrigerant of the main body 32, the gasification of the CO2 refrigerant of the main body 32 is promoted.

[0031] Further, in the following, among the plurality of pipes connected to the accumulator 30, the pipe connecting the accumulator 30 and the compressor 16 is referred to as "first pipe PI", and the pipe connecting the gas cooler 18 and the accumulator 30 is referred to as "second pipe P2". Also, the pipe connecting the accumulator 30 and the refrigeration expansion valve 26 is referred to as "third pipe P3", and the pipe connecting the evaporator 27 and the accumulator 30 is referred to as "fourth pipe P4". As described later Figure 2 As illustrated, the first pipe PI and the second pipe P2 are connected to the lower portion of the accumulator 30, and the third pipe P3 and the fourth pipe P4 are connected to the upper portion of the accumulator 30.

[0032] The refrigeration expansion valve 26 is an electromagnetic valve that is throttle-controlled during refrigeration operation and is completely closed during heating operation. In the case where the refrigeration expansion valve 26 is throttle-controlled, the CO2 refrigerant is sharply depressurized when passing through the refrigeration expansion valve 26. The evaporator 27 is an evaporator that evaporates the liquid CO2 refrigerant, and is disposed in the flow path of the air conditioning air provided in the unit casing 70. The air around the evaporator 27 is cooled by the latent heat generated at the time of evaporation.

[0033] Further, although not illustrated in Figure 1 , several electromagnetic valves that switch the flow direction of the air conditioning refrigerant are provided on the refrigerant circuit 12. Also, on the refrigerant circuit 12, a plurality of PT sensors 28 for detecting the pressure and temperature of the CO2 refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe 14 are disposed.

[0034] A blow-out mechanism 72 is arranged in the vehicle cabin. The blow-out mechanism 72 is a mechanism that cools or heats air drawn in from the outside or inside of the vehicle and blows it into the vehicle cabin. The blow-out mechanism 72 has a unit case 70, a blower fan 20, and a heater core 22. A blow-out port (not shown) that discharges air-conditioned air into the vehicle cabin is formed at a downstream end of the unit case 70. Further, an evaporator 27 and the heater core 22 are arranged in the unit case 70. The evaporator 27 cools air sent from the blower fan 20 by latent heat when air-conditioning refrigerant vaporizes during cooling operation. The vehicle cabin is cooled by outputting the cooled air-conditioned air into the vehicle cabin.

[0035] The heater core 22 is heated by another heat source during heating operation. As the other heat source, for example, either an engine or an electric heater can be used. The heater core 22 is heated directly by the other heat source or indirectly via a refrigerant such as water. A mode switching door 24 is arranged on the upstream side of the heater core 22. The mode switching door 24 adjusts the amount of air passing through the heater core 22. During heating operation, the mode switching door 24 is moved to a position (a position of the broken line in FIG. 1) that does not block air blown to the heater core 22. Thus, air sent from the blower fan 20 passes through the heater core 22 and is heated. The vehicle cabin is heated by outputting the heated air-conditioned air into the vehicle cabin. Figure 1

[0036] Since the operation of such an air-conditioning device 10 has been known heretofore, detailed description thereof is omitted here. In addition, Figure 1 The structure of the air-conditioning device 10 shown is one example and can be changed as appropriate. Next, the mounting structure of the accumulator 30 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4 Figure 2 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the accumulator 30. Further, Figure 3 is a side view of the vicinity of the accumulator 30, Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of the lower bracket 42. In addition, in Figures 2 to 4 Fr, Up, and Rh respectively indicate the front, upper, and right side of the vehicle.

[0037] As described above, the CO2 refrigerant is high in pressure as compared with a fluorine-based refrigerant. When the accumulator 30 or the refrigerant pipe 14 in the vicinity thereof is broken due to a collision of the vehicle or the like, the high-pressure CO2 refrigerant is ejected. Due to the propulsion force generated by the ejection, there is a possibility that the accumulator 30 is launched like a rocket. In the present example, in order to prevent such launching of the accumulator 30, the movement of the accumulator 30 is restricted by the brackets 40 and 42. Hereinafter, this will be described in detail.

[0038] ​​The energy storage device 30 is, for example, disposed in the power unit compartment at the front of the vehicle. The power unit compartment is the space where the vehicle's power source (e.g., an engine or an electric motor, or both) is disposed. In addition to the power source, a portion of the air conditioning unit 10 (e.g., a gas cooler 18 and a compressor 16) is typically disposed in this power unit compartment and mounted on a fixed component 100 of the vehicle body or the like via brackets 40 and 42, which will be described later.

[0039] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the energy storage unit 30 is a roughly cylindrical shape that extends vertically. The main body 32 and the heat exchanger 34 are housed inside this cylindrical frame. Two connectors 36 are provided on the upper surface of the energy storage unit 30. A third pipe P3 and a fourth pipe P4 are connected to the two connectors 36 respectively. The third pipe P3 and the fourth pipe P4 extend horizontally from the connectors 36 and then bend vertically.

[0040] In addition, two connectors 36 are provided on the bottom surface of the energy storage unit 30. A first pipe P1 and a second pipe P2 are connected to the two connectors 36 respectively. The first pipe P1 extends horizontally and then bends upward. The second pipe P2 bends several times from the connector 36 while advancing horizontally and connects to the lower part of the gas cooler 18.

[0041] An upper bracket 40 and a lower bracket 42 are also installed on the energy storage device 30. Both the upper bracket 40 and the lower bracket 42 are used to connect the energy storage device 30 to the fixing component 100 (see reference). Figure 3 The metal fittings of the energy storage device 30 are combined with the annular bracket 44U surrounding the outer periphery of the energy storage device 30 and the mounting portion 62U. The annular bracket 44U uses two semi-annular bodies 46 to clamp the cylindrical body of the energy storage device 30. Each semi-annular body 46 has a flat plate portion 47 extending radially outward from its circumferential end. The flat plate portions 47 of the two semi-annular bodies 46 overlap in the thickness direction and are joined by bolts 50a. In addition, although in Figure 2 , Figure 3 The simplified diagram is shown, but the semi-circular body 46 is actually... Figure 4 Similarly, the lower annular bracket 44L shown has radially outwardly extending flanges 54 at its upper and lower ends. By providing the flanges 54 in this way, the section modulus of the semi-annular body 46 is increased, thereby increasing the rigidity of the semi-annular body 46.

[0042] In addition, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, a portion of the flat plate 47 is further extended to become a mounting portion 62U that is directly or indirectly mounted on the fixed member 100.Figure 2 、 Figure 3 In the example shown in FIG. 10, the mounting portion 62U is generally L-shaped, extending upward from the flat portion 47 and then bending in the horizontal direction. The distal end of the mounting portion 62U is coupled to the intermediate bracket 76U by the bolt 50b. In addition, a rubber mount 52 is disposed between the mounting portion 62U and the intermediate bracket 76U, and absorbs vibrations generated in the energy storage device 30 and the vehicle via the rubber mount 52. The intermediate bracket 76U is coupled to a fixed member 100 of the vehicle body or the like. Alternatively, the mounting portion 62U can be directly coupled to the fixed member 100 without the intermediate bracket 76U.

[0043] A lower bracket 42 is mounted at the lower portion of the energy storage device 30. The lower bracket 42 is generally divided into a ring-shaped bracket 44L, a shaft-side bracket 60, and a mounting portion 62L. In addition, the shaft-side bracket 60 and the mounting portion 62L are hidden from view by the energy storage device 30. Figure 2

[0044] The ring-shaped bracket 44L has substantially the same structure as the ring-shaped bracket 44U of the upper bracket 40. That is, it has two half-ring bodies 46 that sandwich the energy storage device 30, and the two half-ring bodies 46 are coupled together by the bolt 50c. As shown in FIG. 11, each half-ring body 46 has a flange 54 extending radially outward from the upper end and the lower end thereof. Figure 4

[0045] The mounting portion 62L is connected to the flange 54 extending from the upper end of the half-ring body 46, and the shaft-side bracket 60 is connected to the flange 54 extending from the lower end. As shown in FIG. 12, the mounting portion 62L extends from the ring-shaped bracket 44L and is directly or indirectly coupled to the fixed member 100 via an intermediate bracket 76L. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 12, a rubber mount is disposed at the coupling portion 104 of the intermediate bracket 76L and the fixed member 100, and absorbs vibrations via the rubber mount. Figure 3 Figure 3

[0046] As shown in FIG. 13, the shaft-side bracket 60 extends radially outward from the half-ring body 46, proceeds downward, and then extends radially inward after turning a U-turn. Thus, the shaft-side bracket 60 is generally angular U-shaped as a whole. The distal end of the shaft-side bracket 60 overlaps the axial end surface of the energy storage device 30, and is coupled to the energy storage device 30 by the bolt 50d. Figure 3 、 Figure 4

[0047] ​​​​​As is understood in the above description, in this example, annular brackets 44U and 44L and axle-side bracket 60 are installed on the energy storage unit 30. This more reliably prevents unintended movement of the energy storage unit 30. That is, as mentioned above, if the energy storage unit 30 or its surrounding refrigerant piping 14 is damaged due to a vehicle collision or other reasons, a strong gas ejection pressure will act on the energy storage unit 30. Due to this gas ejection pressure, there is a possibility that the energy storage unit 30 may be unintended and violently "launched" like a rocket.

[0048] For example, imagine in Figure 2 The fourth pipe P4 at position B1 has detached from connector 36. In this case, because high-pressure CO2 refrigerant is ejected radially from the damaged area, there is a radial (i.e.,) leakage from the accumulator 30. Figure 2 The arrow marking A1 indicates the possibility of a violent "launch". However, in this example, annular brackets 44U and 44L are installed around the energy storage unit 30. The annular brackets 44U and 44L have surfaces opposite to the energy storage unit 30 in the radial direction (i.e., the launch direction). Therefore, even if the energy storage unit 30 wants to move radially, its movement is restricted by the annular brackets 44U and 44L. As a result, radial "launch" by the energy storage unit 30 is prevented.

[0049] Furthermore, it is envisioned that in Figure 3 At position B2, the connector 36 itself detaches from the energy storage unit 30. In this case, without the axial bracket 60 and only having the annular brackets 44U and 44L, the energy storage unit 30 may detach from the annular brackets 44U and 44L and move axially (i.e., Figure 3 The arrow marking A2 indicates the possibility of a violent "launch". On the other hand, in this example, a shaft-side bracket 60 is mounted on the axial end face of the energy storage device 30. The shaft-side bracket 60 has a surface opposite to the energy storage device 30 in the axial direction (i.e., the launch direction). Therefore, even if the energy storage device 30 wants to move axially, its movement is restricted by the shaft-side bracket 60. As a result, "launching" of the energy storage device 30 in the axial direction is prevented.

[0050] As described above, in the present example, the movement of the accumulator 30 in the radial direction and the axial direction is restricted by providing both the ring-shaped brackets 44U, 44L and the shaft-side bracket 60, whereby the unintended "launching" of the accumulator 30 can be effectively prevented. Further, generally, the accumulator 30 is in an elongated shape in the axial direction and is likely to be tilted. By mounting a plurality of (two in the present example) ring-shaped brackets 44U, 44L at intervals in the axial direction on such an accumulator 30, the tilting of the accumulator 30 can be effectively prevented. Further, in the present example, the shaft-side bracket 60 is integrated with the ring-shaped bracket 44L of the lower bracket 42. Thereby, the shaft-side bracket 60 does not need to be extended to the fixed member 100, and the shaft-side bracket 60 can be miniaturized.

[0051] Further, the structure described thus far is one example, and other structures can be appropriately changed as long as the structure described in the first aspect is provided. For example, although the shaft-side bracket 60 is integrated with the ring-shaped bracket 44L of the lower bracket 42 in the above description, the two can be provided as completely separate members. In this case, a mounting portion that is directly or indirectly connected to the fixed member 100 can be provided on the shaft-side bracket 60. Further, although the shaft-side bracket 60 is connected to the bottom surface of the accumulator 30 in the above description, the shaft-side bracket 60 can be connected to the upper surface. Further, the shapes and the number of the shaft-side bracket 60 and the ring-shaped brackets 44U, 44L can be appropriately changed. Further, although the accumulator 30 of the present example has the heat exchanger 34 built in, the mounting structure disclosed in the present specification can be applied to an accumulator 30 that does not have the heat exchanger 34.

[0052] Symbol explanation

[0053] 10... air conditioning device; 12... refrigerant circuit; 14... refrigerant pipe; 16... compressor; 18... gas cooler; 19... fan; 20... blower; 22... heater core; 24... mode switching door; 26... refrigeration expansion valve; 27... evaporator; 28... PT sensor; 30... accumulator; 32... main body; 34... heat exchanger; 36... connector; 40... upper bracket; 42... lower bracket; 44L, 44U... ring-shaped bracket; 46... half ring body; 47... flat plate portion; 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d... bolt; 52... rubber seat; 54... flange; 60... shaft-side bracket; 62L, 62U... mounting portion; 70... unit case; 72... blowing mechanism; 76L, 76U... intermediate bracket; 100... fixed member; 104... coupling portion; P1... first pipe; P2... second pipe; P3... third pipe; P4... fourth pipe.

Claims

1. An installation structure for an energy storage device, characterized in that, have: An energy storage device is assembled in the vehicle's air conditioning system and performs gas-liquid separation on the refrigerant, which is mainly composed of CO2. Two or more brackets are used to mount the energy storage device on a fixed component. The two or more brackets include an annular bracket that surrounds the energy storage device in the circumferential direction and an axial bracket that is at least partially coupled to the axial end face of the energy storage device.

2. The installation structure of the energy storage device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Two annular brackets are provided, spaced apart axially from each other, in the energy storage device.

3. The installation structure of the energy storage device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the axial bracket is connected to the axial end face of the energy storage device, and the other end of the axial bracket is connected to the annular bracket and integrated into it.

4. An installation structure for an energy storage device, characterized in that, have: An energy storage device is assembled in the vehicle's air conditioning system and performs gas-liquid separation on the refrigerant, which is mainly composed of CO2. One or more brackets are used to mount the energy storage device on a fixed component. The one or more brackets are used to hold the energy storage device in a manner that restricts the movement of the energy storage device caused by gas ejection resulting from a break in the refrigerant piping near the energy storage device.

5. The installation structure of the energy storage device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The one or more brackets have a surface opposite the energy storage device in the direction of the gas injection.

Images