Gas-liquid separator, air conditioning system and vehicle

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of gas-liquid separation, and particularly relates to a gas-liquid separator, an air conditioning system and a vehicle, the gas-liquid separator comprises a shell and a heating pipe, the shell is provided with a separation cavity and an air inlet communicated with the separation cavity, and the air inlet is used for allowing gas to flow into the separation cavity; at least part of the heating pipe is located in the separation cavity, the heating pipe can heat gas, the heating pipe is provided with an internal channel, a gas inlet end and a gas outlet end, the gas inlet end is provided with a gas inlet, and the gas inlet communicates with the separation cavity and the internal channel so that the gas in the separation cavity can flow into the internal channel; the air outlet end is provided with an air outlet communicated with the internal channel, and the air outlet is used for allowing air in the internal channel to pass and flow out of the shell; according to the gas-liquid separator, the heating pipe can heat the gas and guide the gas to be exhausted, namely, the heating piece and the exhaust pipe are integrated into one heating pipe, so that the gas-liquid separator is more compact in structure, and the number of parts and the occupied space are reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of gas-liquid separation, and in particular, relates to a gas-liquid separator, an air-conditioning system and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of electric vehicles, air conditioning systems have become an indispensable part of electric vehicles; air conditioning systems use circulating refrigerants (such as Freon, etc.) to cool or heat the air inside the vehicle. The gas-liquid separator in the air conditioning system is used to separate the gaseous and liquid parts of the refrigerant to prevent the refrigerant liquid from entering the compressor for compression circulation, thereby ensuring the normal operation and high efficiency of the air conditioning system. However, the gas-liquid separator in the related art has a complex structure, a large number of components, and occupies a large space.

[0003] The above statements are only used to provide background information related to the present application and do not necessarily constitute prior art. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of the embodiments of the present application is to provide a gas-liquid separator, an air-conditioning system and a vehicle, including but not limited to solving the problems of the gas-liquid separator in the related art having a complex structure, a large number of components and occupying a large space.

[0005] The technical solution adopted in the embodiment of the present application is:

[0006] In a first aspect, a gas-liquid separator is provided, which includes an outer shell and a heating tube, the outer shell having a separation chamber and an air inlet connected to the separation chamber, the air inlet being used for allowing gas to flow into the separation chamber; at least a portion of the heating tube is located in the separation chamber, the heating tube can heat the gas, the heating tube has an internal channel, an air inlet end and an air outlet end, the air inlet end has an air inlet, the air inlet connects the separation chamber and the internal channel, so that the gas in the separation chamber flows into the internal channel; the air outlet end has an air outlet connected to the internal channel, the air outlet is used for the gas in the internal channel to pass through so as to flow out of the outer shell.

[0007] The gas-liquid separator of the embodiment of the present application, when in use, has an air inlet located at the upper part of the shell, so that after the refrigerant enters the separation chamber through the air inlet, the refrigerant liquid is deposited at the bottom of the shell under the action of its own gravity, and the refrigerant gas can enter the internal channel of the heating tube from the upper air inlet, and flow to the air outlet through the internal channel, and finally be discharged through the air outlet, thus achieving gas-liquid separation. In this process, the heating tube can heat the refrigerant while guiding the refrigerant gas to be discharged, that is, the heating element and the exhaust pipe are integrated into one heating tube, making the structure of the gas-liquid separator more compact, and also reducing the number of components and the occupied space.

[0008] In some embodiments, the heating tube includes a tube wall and an electric heating element, the tube wall is arranged to form an internal channel; the tube wall has an electric heating element embedded in it; and / or the outer wall surface of the tube wall is connected to the electric heating element; and / or the inner wall surface of the tube wall is connected to the electric heating element.

[0009] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the electric heating element can be flexibly arranged to meet different heating requirements.

[0010] In some embodiments, the electric heating element includes at least one of an electric heating wire and an electric heating film.

[0011] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the structure of the electric heating element can be flexibly set to meet different heating requirements.

[0012] In some embodiments, when the electric heating element includes a heating wire, the heating wire is spirally arranged along the extension direction of the tube wall.

[0013] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the heating wire is spirally arranged along the extension direction of the tube wall, so that the heating wire can cover the entire circumference of the tube wall, thereby improving the uniformity of heating of the heating tube, which is beneficial to improving the heating effect of the refrigerant and reducing flash evaporation.

[0014] In some embodiments, the pipe wall is an insulating pipe wall.

[0015] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the pipe wall adopts an insulating pipe wall structure, and the pipe wall is not charged, which is beneficial to improving the reliability of the gas-liquid separator.

[0016] In some embodiments, when the electric heating element includes an electric heating film, the tube wall is a metal tube wall.

[0017] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the electric heating film has insulating properties and the metal tube is not charged, which is beneficial to improving the reliability of the gas-liquid separator; in addition, the metal tube has good thermal conductivity, which is also beneficial to improving the heating effect of the refrigerant.

[0018] In some embodiments, the heating tube further comprises a connector for electrically connecting to an external power source, the connector being electrically connected to the electric heating element, and the connector being exposed outside the housing.

[0019] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment and the setting of the joint, the heating tube can be conveniently electrically connected to an external power source, thereby realizing electrical heating of the heating tube.

[0020] In some embodiments, the heating tube includes a first straight line segment, a second straight line segment and a connecting segment. The first straight line segment and the second straight line segment are arranged in parallel and spaced apart. The connecting segment is connected between the ends of the first straight line segment and the second straight line segment located on the same side. The end of the first straight line segment away from the connecting segment forms an air inlet end, and the end of the second straight line segment away from the connecting segment forms an air outlet end.

[0021] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the refrigerant flows a long distance in the heating tube, which prolongs the heating time of the heating tube for the refrigerant. The heating effect of the refrigerant is good, which can effectively reduce the liquid content in the discharged refrigerant and better reduce the flash evaporation phenomenon.

[0022] In some embodiments, the connecting segment is spirally wound around an end of the first straight segment away from the air inlet end.

[0023] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the connecting section is spirally shaped, which can effectively increase the length of the heating tube and better extend the heating time of the heating tube for the refrigerant. The heating effect of the refrigerant is better, and the liquid content in the discharged refrigerant can be better reduced, and the flash evaporation phenomenon can be better reduced. In addition, the connecting section is spirally wound around the end of the first straight section away from the air inlet end, so that the end of the first straight section away from the air inlet end is located on the inner side of the spirally shaped connecting section, and the structure between the first straight section and the spiral section is more compact, which is conducive to reducing the space occupied by the heating tube and reducing the space occupied by the gas-liquid separator.

[0024] In some embodiments, the gas-liquid separator further includes a desiccant, and the desiccant is located between the end of the first straight section away from the air inlet end and the connecting section.

[0025] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the desiccant can absorb moisture in the refrigerant, reduce corrosion of components such as pipes, ice blockage of the expansion valve and other problems; in addition, the desiccant can be installed using the gap space between the first straight section and the connecting section, making the structure of the gas-liquid separator more compact, which is conducive to reducing occupied space.

[0026] In some embodiments, the gas outlet is further provided with a pressure equalizing hole, which connects the separation cavity and the internal channel.

[0027] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, since the internal channel and the separation chamber are connected through the pressure equalizing hole, when the compressor is restarted, the pressure in the internal channel will not be significantly reduced under the suction of the hydraulic press, thereby reducing the refrigerant liquid entering the compressor and reducing the risk of liquid hammer damage and abnormal noise in the compressor.

[0028] In some embodiments, the air inlet and the air outlet are located on the same side of the heating tube, and an oil return hole is provided on the side of the heating tube away from the air inlet and the air outlet, and the oil return hole connects the separation chamber with the internal channel.

[0029] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, a very small amount of oil deposited at the bottom of the separation chamber can flow back to the compressor through the oil return hole, thereby lubricating the compressor and reducing the wear and abnormal noise of the compressor.

[0030] In some embodiments, the gas-liquid separator further includes a filter element, which is disposed at the oil return hole to filter the oil flowing into the oil return hole.

[0031] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the filter element can remove impurities in the oil flowing into the oil return hole, reduce the wear of the compressor, and reduce the blockage of the circuit.

[0032] In some embodiments, the filter is mounted on the portion of the heating tube where the oil return hole is located.

[0033] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the filter element can filter the oil entering the oil return hole from any angle, and the oil filtering effect is good, which can better reduce the wear of the compressor and reduce the circuit blockage.

[0034] In some embodiments, the gas-liquid separator further includes an oil blocking cover, which is located in the separation chamber, between the air inlet and the air inlet hole, and the orthographic projection of the air inlet hole on the oil blocking cover at least partially overlaps with the oil blocking cover.

[0035] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the positive projection of the air inlet hole on the oil baffle cover at least partially overlaps with the oil baffle cover, so that the refrigerant flowing into the separation chamber from the air inlet hole can collide with the oil baffle cover, the refrigerant gas and the refrigerant liquid can be better separated, and the refrigerant gas-liquid separation effect is better.

[0036] In some embodiments, the oil-blocking cover includes a plate portion and an annular side wall portion, the annular side wall portion is connected to the periphery of the plate portion and protrudes from the plate portion, the air inlet end and the air outlet end pass through the plate portion, the annular side wall portion is located on the side of the plate portion facing away from the air inlet hole, and the air inlet is located on the inner side of the annular side wall portion.

[0037] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the annular side wall portion can guide the refrigerant liquid to flow to the bottom of the separation chamber. In addition, the air inlet is located on the inner side of the annular side wall portion, which can also reduce the refrigerant liquid flowing into the air inlet and improve the gas-liquid separation effect of the refrigerant.

[0038] In some embodiments, a height of the ring side wall portion protruding from the plate portion is greater than a distance from the air inlet to the plate portion.

[0039] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the annular side wall portion can shield at least a portion of the air inlet, making it difficult for the refrigerant liquid to enter the air inlet, thereby improving the gas-liquid separation effect of the gas-liquid separator.

[0040] In some embodiments, the outer shell includes a shell and an end cover, the end cover is covered at the opening of the shell, the end cover and the shell are surrounded to form a separation chamber, the heating tube is connected to the end cover, the air inlet is arranged on the end cover, the end cover is provided with an air outlet, and the air outlet is connected to the air outlet.

[0041] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the outer shell adopts the structural form of an end cover and a shell, which has a simple structure and is easy to process and manufacture; in addition, the air inlet and the air outlet are both arranged on the end cover, and the refrigerant enters and exits from the same side of the outer shell, which can facilitate the arrangement of a heating pipe with a longer distance, improve the gas-liquid separation effect, and also facilitate the connection between the gas-liquid separator and components such as a compressor.

[0042] In a second aspect, an air conditioning system is provided, comprising the gas-liquid separator as described in the above embodiment.

[0043] In a third aspect, a vehicle is provided, comprising the air conditioning system as described in the above embodiment.

[0044] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present application. In order to more clearly understand the technical means of the present application, it can be implemented in accordance with the contents of the specification. In order to make the above and other purposes, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation methods of the present application are listed below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative labor.

[0046] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a vehicle provided for some embodiments of the present application.

[0047] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of an air-conditioning system provided in some embodiments of the present application.

[0048] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of a gas-liquid separator from one perspective provided in some embodiments of the present application.

[0049] Figure 4 for Figure 3 An exploded schematic diagram of the gas-liquid separator is shown.

[0050] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of the gas-liquid separator from another perspective is shown.

[0051] Figure 6 For along Figure 5 Sectional view along line AA.

[0052] Figure 7 for Figure 3 The exploded schematic diagram of the gas-liquid separator shown behind the hidden shell.

[0053] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A schematic structural diagram of a heating tube from one perspective is shown in FIG.

[0054] Fig. 9 For along Figure 8 Sectional view along the midline BB.

[0055] Fig.10 The heating pipe provided in some embodiments of the present application Figure 8 Sectional view along the midline BB.

[0056] Fig.11 The heating pipe provided in some embodiments of the present application Figure 8 Sectional view along the midline BB.

[0057] Fig.12 for Figure 7 A schematic structural diagram of the heating tube from another perspective is shown in FIG.

[0058] Among them, the reference numerals in the figure are:

[0059] 1000, vehicle; 1100, air conditioning system; 1200, vehicle body; 1300, battery; 1400, wheel; 100, gas-liquid separator; 10, housing; 101, separation chamber; 11, housing; 12, end cover; 121, air inlet; 122, air outlet; 123, third through hole; 124, protrusion; 20, heating tube; 201, internal channel; 21, tube wall; 22, electric heating element; 22a, electric heating wire; 22b, electric heating film; 23, first straight line segment; 231 , air inlet end; 2311, air inlet; 24, second straight section; 241, air outlet end; 2411, air outlet; 2412, pressure equalizing hole; 25, connecting section; 251, oil return hole; 26, joint; 30, desiccant; 40, filter element; 50, oil blocking cover; 51, plate portion; 511, first through hole; 512, second through hole; 52, ring side wall portion; 200, first heat exchange module; 300, second heat exchange module; 400, expansion valve; 500, reversing valve; 600, compressor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial effects to be solved by the present application more clearly understood, the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0061] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by technicians in the technical field to which this application belongs; the terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application; the terms "including" and "having" in the specification and claims of this application and the above-mentioned figure descriptions and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions.

[0062] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the technical terms "first", "second", etc. are only used to distinguish different objects, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number, specific order or primary and secondary relationship of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features.

[0063] Reference to "embodiments" herein means that the specific features, structures, or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiments may be included in at least some embodiments of the present application. The appearance of the phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It is explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments in any suitable manner.

[0064] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the term "and / or" is only a description of the association relationship of the associated objects, indicating that there may be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0065] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the term "multiple" refers to more than two (including two), and similarly, "multiple groups" refers to more than two groups (including two groups), and "multiple pieces" refers to more than two pieces (including two pieces). "Several" means one or more than one, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0066] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the orientations or positional relationships indicated by technical terms such as "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", and "circumferential" are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the embodiments of the present application.

[0067] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, technical terms such as "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0068] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or indirectly on the other element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or indirectly connected to the other element.

[0069] With the rapid development of electric vehicles, air conditioning systems have become an important component of electric vehicles; air conditioning systems can adjust the temperature, humidity and circulation of air inside the car, improving the comfort and driving safety of drivers and passengers.

[0070] In the related art, in order to prevent the refrigerant liquid from entering the compressor, a gas-liquid separator is often added at the inlet of the compressor. The gas-liquid separator is used to separate the gaseous and liquid parts of the refrigerant, preventing the refrigerant liquid from entering the compressor for compression cycle, thereby ensuring the normal operation and high efficiency of the air-conditioning system. The gas-liquid separator usually includes a shell and an exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipe is arranged in the shell. When the refrigerant enters the shell, the refrigerant liquid will accumulate at the bottom of the shell under the action of its own gravity, and the refrigerant gas enters the exhaust pipe from the upper part of the shell and is discharged through the exhaust pipe, thus achieving the gas-liquid separation of the refrigerant.

[0071] However, when the compressor starts, flash evaporation will occur inside the gas-liquid separator. Flash evaporation refers to the excess refrigerant liquid accumulated in the gas-liquid separator after the compressor stops. When the compressor starts next time, the pressure in the gas-liquid separator suddenly drops under the suction of the compressor, and the refrigerant liquid will suddenly boil. The boiling gas-liquid mixed refrigerant enters the compressor, which can easily cause liquid shock damage to the compressor and make abnormal noises, reducing the user's car experience.

[0072] In order to solve the above problems, it is proposed to arrange a heating element around the outer shell of the gas-liquid separator. When the compressor is started, the heating element can heat the refrigerant in the gas-liquid separator in time, reduce the liquid content in the refrigerant, and reduce the flash evaporation phenomenon; however, the heating element around the outer shell of the gas-liquid separator has a complex structure, a large number of components, and occupies a large space.

[0073] Based on this, the embodiment of the present application provides a gas-liquid separator. After the refrigerant enters the separation chamber from the air inlet of the shell, the refrigerant liquid will accumulate at the bottom of the shell under the action of its own gravity, and the refrigerant gas enters the internal channel from the air inlet of the heating tube, flows along the internal channel to the air outlet, and finally is discharged through the air outlet, thus achieving the gas-liquid separation of the refrigerant. In this process, the heating tube can heat the refrigerant while the refrigerant gas can be discharged from the heating tube, so that the heating tube can also be used as the exhaust pipe of the gas-liquid separator, that is, the heating element and the exhaust pipe are integrated into a heating tube, making the structure of the gas-liquid separator more compact, and also reducing the number of components and occupied space of the gas-liquid separator.

[0074] The technical solution described in the embodiments of the present application is applicable to air-conditioning systems and vehicles using air-conditioning systems.

[0075] The automobile air conditioner provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to various types of vehicles, for example, an internal combustion engine vehicle, a smart electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, or the vehicle can also be a hydrogen energy vehicle or other power type vehicle.

[0076] The vehicle may be an autonomous driving car, which may be a vehicle with partial autonomous driving functions or a vehicle with full autonomous driving functions. That is to say, the autonomous driving level of the autonomous driving car may refer to the classification standards of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and be divided into no automation (L0), driving assistance (L1), partial automation (L2), conditional automation (L3), high automation (L4) or full automation (L5).

[0077] like Figure 1 As shown, a vehicle 1000 is exemplarily provided, and the vehicle 1000 includes a body 1200 , a battery 1300 , and a plurality of wheels 1400 .

[0078] The body 1200 is the main part of the vehicle 1000, including doors, windows, seats, chassis, and basic components such as the powertrain system located inside the body 1200. The battery 1300 is detachably suspended under the chassis, and a plurality of wheels 1400 (for example, 4, 6 or 8, etc.) are rotatably distributed on the chassis. The battery 1300 serves as the power source of the vehicle 1000 and provides electrical energy for the powertrain system. The powertrain system is connected to the wheels 1400 to convert the electrical energy of the battery 1300 into driving force and transmit it to the wheels 1400 to drive the vehicle 1000.

[0079] For example, the powertrain system includes a motor and a transmission. The battery 1300 supplies power to the motor. The output shaft of the motor is connected to the wheel 1400 through the transmission. The motor drives the wheel 1400 to rotate, thereby driving the vehicle 1000 to travel.

[0080] For example, the vehicle 1000 provided in the embodiment of the present application can be a passenger car (such as a small car or a passenger bus) or various types of trucks. In this case, the interior of the vehicle body 1200 has a passenger space for passengers and / or a cargo space for carrying goods.

[0081] For example, the vehicle 1000 provided in the embodiment of the present application can be various types of automobiles that can be driven by electricity, such as a battery electric vehicle (BEV), a range extended electric vehicle (REEV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

[0082] like Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle 1000 also includes an air conditioning system 1100. The air conditioning system 1100 is capable of adjusting the temperature of the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1000. The air conditioning system 1100 may refer to a heat pump air conditioning system 1100, which is an air conditioning system that integrates cooling and heating functions, and transfers heat from one place to another by using heat pump technology to achieve indoor temperature adjustment. The heat pump air conditioning system uses the reciprocating working principle of the refrigerant to complete the cooling and heating process through components such as a first heat exchange module, a compressor, a second heat exchange module, and an expansion valve.

[0083] like Figure 2 As shown, an air conditioning system 1100 is provided by way of example, and the air conditioning system 1100 includes a first heat exchange module 200, a second heat exchange module 300, an expansion valve 400, a reversing valve 500, a compressor 600 and a gas-liquid separator 100 which are connected through pipelines. The first heat exchange module 200, the expansion valve 400, and the second heat exchange module 300 are sequentially connected in series and connected to the compressor 600 through the reversing valve 500 to form a closed loop. The gas-liquid separator 100 is provided on the pipeline between the air inlet of the compressor 600 and the reversing valve 500. The reversing valve 500 can change the flow direction of the refrigerant, and the functions of the first heat exchange module 200 and the second heat exchange module 300 can be interchanged to realize the interchange of cooling and heating of the air conditioning system 1100.

[0084] During cooling, the flow direction of the refrigerant can refer to the direction indicated by the solid arrow. The compressor 600 will compress the refrigerant into a high-temperature and high-pressure gas. Then, the refrigerant gas enters the second heat exchange module 300 and is condensed into liquid. Then, the refrigerant liquid enters the first heat exchange module 200 through the expansion valve 400, and evaporates and absorbs heat in the first heat exchange module 200 to cool the air in the car. The evaporated refrigerant is finally sucked into the compressor 600 after passing through the gas-liquid separator 100. This cycle is repeated to realize the refrigeration cycle.

[0085] During heating, the flow direction of the refrigerant can refer to the direction indicated by the dotted arrow. The compressor 600 will compress the refrigerant into a high-temperature and high-pressure gas. Then, the refrigerant gas enters the first heat exchange module 200 to be liquefied into a low-temperature and high-pressure liquid. At this time, the refrigerant will release a large amount of heat and heat the air in the vehicle; after that, the low-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant liquid is depressurized by the expansion valve 400, and then evaporated by the second heat exchange module 300. The evaporated refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 600 after passing through the gas-liquid separator 100, and this cycle is repeated to realize the heating cycle.

[0086] See also Figures 3 to 12 , which is a schematic diagram of a gas-liquid separator 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application. In the following exemplary embodiments, the gas-liquid separator 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application is described by taking the application in an air conditioning system 1100 as an example. It is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that in order to apply the relevant design of the gas-liquid separator 100 provided in the embodiment of the present application to other application objects, various modifications, additions, substitutions, deletions or other changes are made to the following embodiments, and these changes are still within the scope of the principle of the gas-liquid separator 100 provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0087] It should be noted that the gas mentioned in the following embodiments of the present application may be a refrigerant, wherein the refrigerant may also be mixed with substances such as engine oil and water vapor; the reason why substances such as engine oil exist in the refrigerant is that the compressor 600 will increase the temperature and pressure of the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant gas by compression, and then discharge it. These discharged gases may contain a small amount of engine oil, water vapor, impurities, etc. The gas-liquid separator 100 provided in the following embodiments of the present application is described by separating the gaseous and liquid states in the refrigerant. Of course, in other embodiments, the gas may also be other substances that need to be separated into gaseous and liquid states.

[0088] like Figures 3 to 6As shown, in some embodiments of the present application, a gas-liquid separator 100 is provided, which includes a shell 10 and a heating tube 20, the shell 10 has a separation chamber 101 and an air inlet 121 connected to the separation chamber 101, the air inlet 121 is used to allow gas to flow into the separation chamber 101; at least part of the heating tube 20 is located in the separation chamber 101, the heating tube 20 can heat the gas, the heating tube 20 has an internal channel 201, an air inlet end 231 and an air outlet end 241, the air inlet end 231 has an air inlet 2311, the air inlet 2311 connects the separation chamber 101 and the internal channel 201, so that the gas in the separation chamber 101 flows into the internal channel 201; the air outlet end 241 has an air outlet 2411 connected to the internal channel 201, the air outlet 2411 is used for the gas in the internal channel 201 to pass through, so as to flow out of the shell 10.

[0089] The shell 10 may refer to a hollow shell 11 structure, the internal cavity of the shell 10 forms a separation chamber 101, the air inlet 121 may refer to a through hole penetrating the wall of the separation chamber 101, and the air inlet 121 may connect the outside of the gas-liquid separator 100 and the separation chamber 101, so that the refrigerant can enter the separation chamber 101 through the air inlet 121. The separation chamber 101 may provide an installation space for the heating tube 20, and may also protect the heating tube 20.

[0090] The heating tube 20 may refer to a hollow tube, the inner hole of which forms an internal channel 201. The heating tube 20 may also generate heat so that the heating tube 20 can heat the refrigerant flowing through the internal channel 201; or, the heat generated by the heating tube 20 may heat the refrigerant outside the heating tube 20, that is, the refrigerant flows into the separation chamber 101 from the air inlet 121 and is heated by the heating tube 20, and then flows into the compressor through the air inlet 2311, the internal channel 201 and the air outlet 2411; or, the heat generated by the heating tube 20 may heat both the refrigerant flowing through the internal channel 201 and the refrigerant outside the tube 20, that is, the refrigerant flows into the separation chamber 101 from the air inlet 121 and is heated by the heating tube 20, and then enters the internal channel 201 through the air inlet 2311 and is heated by the heating tube 20 again, and finally the refrigerant flows into the compressor through the air outlet 2411.

[0091] At least part of the heating tube 20 is located in the separation chamber 101 . It is understandable that part of the heating tube 20 is located in the separation chamber 101 , and the other part is located outside the separation chamber 101 . The heating tube 20 may also be completely located in the separation chamber 101 .

[0092] For example, the air inlet end 231 of the heating tube 20 passes through the outer shell 10 and is exposed outside the outer shell 10 , and the rest of the heating tube 20 is located in the separation chamber 101 .

[0093] For example, the air outlet end 241 of the heating tube 20 passes through the shell 10 and is exposed outside the shell 10, and the rest of the heating tube 20 is located in the separation chamber 101; the air outlet 2411 can also be directly located outside the shell 10 to achieve the discharge of the refrigerant.

[0094] By way of example, the air inlet end 231 and the air outlet end 241 of the heating tube 20 are both located in the separation chamber 101 , and the rest of the heating tube 20 is located outside the housing 10 .

[0095] One of the two ends of the heating tube 20 is an air inlet end 231, and the other end is an air outlet end 241; the air inlet 2311 may refer to a through hole formed by the tube wall 21 of the air inlet end 231, the air inlet 2311 is located in the separation chamber 101, and the air inlet 2311 may connect the separation chamber 101 and the internal channel 201; the air outlet 2411 may refer to a through hole formed at the end face of the air outlet end 241, or may refer to a through hole formed by the tube wall 21 of the air outlet end 241, the air outlet 2411 may allow the refrigerant in the internal channel 201 to pass through so as to be discharged outside the shell 10; wherein, the air outlet end 241 may directly pass through the shell 10, so that the air outlet 2411 is located outside the shell 10 to realize the discharge of the refrigerant; or the shell 10 may be provided with an air outlet hole 122, and the air outlet end 241 is inserted into the air outlet hole 122, so that the air outlet hole 122 and the air outlet 2411 are connected to realize the discharge of the refrigerant.

[0096] The gas-liquid separator 100 of the embodiment of the present application, when in use, has the air inlet 2311 located at the upper part of the housing 10, so that after the refrigerant enters the separation chamber 101 through the air inlet 121, the refrigerant liquid is deposited at the bottom of the housing 10 under the action of its own gravity, and the refrigerant gas can enter the internal channel 201 of the heating tube 20 from the upper air inlet 2311, and flow to the air outlet 2411 through the internal channel 201, and finally be discharged through the air outlet 2411, thus achieving gas-liquid separation. In this process, the heating tube 20 can heat the refrigerant while guiding the refrigerant gas to be discharged, that is, the heating element and the exhaust pipe are integrated into a heating tube 20, so that the structure of the gas-liquid separator 100 is more compact, and the number of components and the occupied space are also reduced.

[0097] In some air-conditioning systems 1100, the heating element is mostly arranged in the coolant circuit; when the air-conditioning system 1100 is heating, the heating element first provides heat to the coolant, and then transfers the heat to the refrigerant through heat exchange. Multiple heat exchanges cause the heating efficiency to decrease and the energy consumption to increase; while the gas-liquid separator 100 of the embodiment of the present application can directly heat the coolant through the heating pipe 20, which reduces the number of heat exchanges and improves the heat exchange efficiency. It can also increase the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant at the inlet of the compressor 600, thereby improving the heating performance and working efficiency of the air-conditioning system 1100.

[0098] The gas-liquid separator 100 of the embodiment of the present application can heat the refrigerant through the heating tube 20 before the compressor 600 is started, thereby reducing the refrigerant liquid content in the gas-liquid separator 100, reducing the flash evaporation phenomenon, and reducing the problems of liquid hammer damage and abnormal noise in the compressor 600.

[0099] In some embodiments of the present application, see Figures 7 to 11 As shown, the heating tube 20 includes a tube wall 21 and an electric heating element 22. The tube wall 21 is arranged to form an internal channel 201; the tube wall 21 has an inherent electric heating element 22 embedded therein; and / or the outer wall surface of the tube wall 21 is provided with the electric heating element 22; and / or the inner wall surface of the tube wall 21 is connected to the electric heating element 22.

[0100] The tube wall 21 may also refer to the portion of the heating tube 20 used to enclose and form the internal channel 201 ; the wall surface of the tube wall 21 facing the internal channel 201 is the inner wall surface, and the wall surface of the tube wall 21 facing away from the internal channel 201 is the outer wall surface.

[0101] The electric heating element 22 may refer to a component that converts electrical energy into thermal energy, and is used to heat an object or medium. The electric heating element 22 may be made of a resistance wire or a resistor. When current passes through the electric heating element 22, the resistance wire or the resistor generates heat and transfers it to the object or medium to be heated. The electric heating element 22 may have a variety of shapes, such as a spiral shape, a long strip shape, a tube shape, etc.

[0102] An electric heating element 22 is embedded in the tube wall 21. It can be understood that the electric heating element 22 is located between the inner wall surface and the outer wall surface of the tube wall 21, so that the electric heating element 22 and the tube wall 21 are integrated into one component; the tube wall 21 can also protect the electric heating element 22, reduce the corrosion of the electric heating element 22 by the refrigerant, and increase the service life of the heating tube 20.

[0103] The outer wall surface of the tube wall 21 is connected to an electric heating element 22 . It can be understood that the electric heating element 22 is located outside the tube wall 21 , and the heat generated by the electric heating element 22 heats the refrigerant in the internal channel 201 through the tube wall 21 .

[0104] The inner wall surface of the tube wall 21 is connected to an electric heating element 22. It can be understood that the electric heating element 22 is located on the inner side of the tube wall 21, that is, located in the internal channel 201. The electric heating element 22 can directly heat the refrigerant in the internal channel 201. The heating effect of the refrigerant is good, which reduces the refrigerant liquid content in the gas-liquid separator 100 and reduces the flash evaporation phenomenon. It can also increase the temperature of the refrigerant at the inlet of the compressor 600, thereby improving the heating performance of the air-conditioning system 1100.

[0105] In a possible implementation, the tube wall 21 has an internal electric heater 22 ; or, the outer wall surface of the tube wall 21 is connected to the electric heater 22 ; or, the inner wall surface of the tube wall 21 is connected to the electric heater 22 .

[0106] In another possible embodiment, the tube wall 21 has an inherent electric heating element 22 embedded therein, and the outer wall surface of the tube wall 21 is connected to the electric heating element 22; or, the tube wall 21 has an inherent electric heating element 22 embedded therein, and the inner wall surface of the tube wall 21 is connected to the electric heating element 22; or, the outer wall surface of the tube wall 21 is connected to the electric heating element 22, and the inner wall surface of the tube wall 21 is connected to the electric heating element 22.

[0107] In another possible implementation, the tube wall 21 has an internal electric heater 22 , the outer wall surface of the tube wall 21 is connected to the electric heater 22 , and the inner wall surface of the tube wall 21 is connected to the electric heater 22 .

[0108] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the electric heating element 22 can be flexibly arranged to meet different heating requirements.

[0109] In some other embodiments of the present application, the electric heating element 22 includes at least one of an electric heating wire 22a and an electric heating film 22b.

[0110] The heating wire 22a may refer to a component that can be heated after being energized, also known as a resistance wire; the heating wire 22a is usually made of one or more slender metal wires. The heating wire 22a is a type of electric heating element. When current passes through the metal wire, the metal wire will produce a resistance heating effect, converting electrical energy into thermal energy, thereby heating the surrounding objects or media. The material of the heating wire 22a includes nickel-chromium alloy, iron-chromium-aluminum alloy, etc. For example, the heating wire 22a can be embedded in the tube wall 21; for example, the heating wire 22a can be spirally wound on the outer wall surface of the tube wall 21; for example, the heating wire 22a can be spirally extended along the inner wall surface of the tube wall 21.

[0111] The electric heating film 22b is a thin film material that uses the principle of resistive heating for heating. It is usually composed of a conductive material and an insulating material. The heating function is achieved by coating the conductive material on the surface of the film and then covering the conductive material with a layer of insulating material. The conductive material can be, but is not limited to, copper and silver; the insulating material can be, but is not limited to, polyester film, polyimide film, silica gel, and polyamide film.

[0112] For example, the electric heating film 22 b is coated on the outer wall surface of the tube wall 21 ; for example, the electric heating film 22 b can be covered on the inner wall surface of the tube wall 21 .

[0113] In a possible implementation, the electric heating element 22 includes a heating wire 22a. The electric heating element 22 adopts the structure of the heating wire 22a. The heating speed of the heating wire 22a is fast, which can quickly reduce the refrigerant liquid content in the gas-liquid separator 100 and better reduce the flash evaporation phenomenon.

[0114] In another possible embodiment, the electric heating element 22 includes an electric heating film 22b. The electric heating element 22 adopts the structural form of the electric heating film 22b. The electric heating film 22b has the characteristics of being thin, light, soft, and evenly heated, which is beneficial to reducing the space occupied by the heating tube 20 and heating evenly, which is beneficial to improving the heating effect of the refrigerant and reducing flash evaporation. The electric heating film 22b is soft and can better adapt to tube walls 21 of various shapes to meet the heating requirements of heating tubes 20 of different shapes.

[0115] In another possible implementation, the electric heating element 22 includes an electric heating wire 22a and an electric heating film 22b. The electric heating element 22 can take into account the advantages of both the electric heating wire 22a and the electric heating film 22b, and can also better meet the heating requirements of the refrigerant.

[0116] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the structure of the electric heating element 22 can be flexibly set to meet different heating requirements.

[0117] In some other embodiments of the present application, when the electric heating element 22 includes the heating wire 22 a, the heating wire 22 a is spirally arranged along the extension direction of the tube wall 21 .

[0118] The extension direction of the tube wall 21 may refer to the flow direction of the refrigerant in the internal channel 201 , or may refer to the length direction of the heating tube 20 .

[0119] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the heating wire 22a is spirally arranged along the extension direction of the tube wall 21, so that the heating wire 22a can cover the entire circumference of the tube wall 21, thereby improving the uniformity of heating of the heating tube 20, which is beneficial to improving the heating effect of the refrigerant and reducing flash evaporation.

[0120] In other embodiments of the present application, the tube wall 21 is an insulating tube wall.

[0121] The insulating tube wall may refer to a tube wall 21 made of an insulating layer material, and the insulating material may be, but is not limited to, rubber, plastic, etc. The heating tube 20 may be formed by wrapping the spiral heating wire 22a with an insulating material to form a hollow tube, which is then bent and heat-treated; the heating tube 20 may also be formed by placing the heating wire into a molding die, injecting the insulating material into the molding die to form a hollow tube, which is then heat-treated.

[0122] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the tube wall 21 is formed by adopting the structure of an insulating tube wall, and the tube wall 21 is not charged, which is beneficial to improving the reliability of the gas-liquid separator 100.

[0123] In some other embodiments of the present application, when the electric heating element 22 includes an electric heating film 22 b , the tube wall 21 is a metal tube wall.

[0124] The metal tube wall may refer to a tube wall 21 made of metal material, and the metal material may be but not limited to stainless steel, copper, and aluminum. For example, the electric heating film 22b is directly covered on the outside of the metal tube and then heated to obtain the heating tube 20.

[0125] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the electric heating film 22b has insulating properties, and the metal tube is not charged, which is beneficial to improving the reliability of the gas-liquid separator 100; in addition, the metal tube has good thermal conductivity, which is also beneficial to improving the heating effect of the refrigerant.

[0126] In other embodiments of the present application, see Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the heating tube 20 further includes a connector 26 for electrically connecting to an external power source. The connector 26 is electrically connected to the electric heating element 22 , and the connector 26 is exposed outside the housing 10 .

[0127] The connector 26 may refer to a component electrically connected to an external power source. The connector 26 is electrically connected to the external power source, and the electric heating element 22 can be turned on to achieve heating of the heating tube 20. The connector 26 may refer to a lead wire extending from the end face of the heating tube 20, or may refer to a socket plugged into the external power source. Of course, other structures are also possible. The external power source may refer to the battery 1300 in the vehicle 1000 and other components that can provide electrical energy. The connector 26 may be provided at the air inlet end 231 or at the air outlet end 241.

[0128] The connector 26 is exposed from the housing 10. It can be understood that the connector 26 is located outside the housing 10. By way of example, when the connector 26 is provided at the air inlet end 231, the air inlet end 231 may pass through the housing 10, and the connector 26 is provided at the portion of the air inlet end 231 located outside the housing 10. By way of example, when the connector 26 is provided at the air outlet end 241, the air outlet end 241 may pass through the housing 10, and the connector 26 is provided at the portion of the air outlet end 241 located outside the housing 10.

[0129] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the provision of the joint 26 can facilitate the electrical connection between the heating tube 20 and an external power source, thereby achieving electrical heating of the heating tube 20 .

[0130] In other embodiments of the present application, see Figures 4 to 7As shown, the heating tube 20 includes a first straight segment 23, a second straight segment 24 and a connecting segment 25. The first straight segment 23 and the second straight segment 24 are arranged in parallel and spaced apart. The connecting segment 25 is connected between the ends of the first straight segment 23 and the second straight segment 24 located on the same side. The end of the first straight segment 23 away from the connecting segment 25 forms an air inlet end 231, and the end of the second straight segment 24 away from the connecting segment 25 forms an air outlet end 241.

[0131] The heating tube 20 can be bent to form a multi-section structure, wherein a straight section near one end is a first straight section 23, a straight section near the other end is a second straight section 24, and a section of the heating tube 20 connected between the first straight section 23 and the second straight section 24 is a connecting section 25.

[0132] The first straight segment 23 and the second straight segment 24 are arranged in parallel and spaced apart, the air inlet end 231 and the air outlet end 241 are located on the same side of the first straight segment 23 and the second straight segment 24, and the connecting segment 25 is connected between the ends of the other side of the first straight segment 23 and the second straight segment 24. At the same time, the connecting segment 25 can extend the length of the heating tube 20, so that the refrigerant entering the internal channel 201 from the air inlet 2311 can flow through the first straight segment 23, the connecting segment 25 and the second straight segment 24 in sequence, and the refrigerant can have a longer flow distance in the heating tube 20, and the refrigerant has a longer heating time, which can effectively reduce the liquid content in the discharged refrigerant and better reduce the flash evaporation phenomenon. Among them, the shape of the connecting segment 25 can be various, such as: long strip, arc, spiral, etc.

[0133] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the refrigerant flows a long distance in the heating tube 20, which prolongs the heating time of the heating tube 20 for the refrigerant. The heating effect of the refrigerant is good, which can effectively reduce the liquid content in the discharged refrigerant and better reduce the flash evaporation phenomenon.

[0134] In other embodiments of the present application, see Figure 7 As shown, the connecting section 25 is spirally wound around the end of the first straight section 23 away from the air inlet end 231 .

[0135] The end of the first straight segment 23 away from the air inlet end 231 may refer to the end of the first straight segment 23 and the connecting segment 25 ; the connecting segment 25 is spirally wound at the end where the first straight segment 23 and the connecting segment 25 are connected.

[0136] For example, the connecting segment 25 starts from the lower end of the first straight segment 23 and extends spirally upward along the first straight segment 23 until it connects with the lower end of the second straight segment 24 .

[0137] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the connecting section 25 is spirally shaped, which can effectively increase the length of the heating tube 20, and can also better extend the heating time of the heating tube 20 on the refrigerant. The heating effect of the refrigerant is better, and the liquid content in the discharged refrigerant can be better reduced, and the flash evaporation phenomenon can be better reduced; in addition, the connecting section 25 is spirally wound around the end of the first straight section 23 away from the air inlet end 231, so that the end of the first straight section 23 away from the air inlet end 231 is located on the inner side of the spiral connecting section 25, and the structure between the first straight section 23 and the spiral section is more compact, which is conducive to reducing the occupied space of the heating tube 20 and reducing the occupied space of the gas-liquid separator 100.

[0138] In other embodiments of the present application, see Figures 4 to 7 As shown, the gas-liquid separator 100 further includes a desiccant 30 , which is located between the end of the first straight section 23 away from the air inlet end 231 and the connecting section 25 .

[0139] The desiccant 30 may refer to a component that can absorb moisture; the desiccant 30 is located in the separation chamber 101, so that the desiccant 30 can absorb moisture in the refrigerant, reduce corrosion of components such as pipes, ice blockage of the expansion valve 400, and other problems.

[0140] For example, the desiccant 30 is wound outside the end of the first straight segment 23 away from the air inlet end 231 , and the connecting segment 25 is spirally wound outside the desiccant 30 , so that the desiccant 30 is located in the gap space between the connecting segment 25 and the first straight segment 23 .

[0141] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the desiccant 30 can absorb moisture in the refrigerant, reduce corrosion of components such as pipes, and ice blockage of the expansion valve 400; in addition, the desiccant 30 can be installed using the gap space between the first straight section 23 and the connecting section 25, so that the structure of the gas-liquid separator 100 is more compact, which is conducive to reducing the occupied space.

[0142] In other embodiments of the present application, see Figure 6 As shown, the gas outlet end 241 is further provided with a pressure equalizing hole 2412 , and the pressure equalizing hole 2412 communicates with the separation chamber 101 and the internal channel 201 .

[0143] The pressure equalizing hole 2412 may refer to a through hole opened on the portion of the gas outlet end 241 located in the separation chamber 101 . The pressure equalizing hole 2412 is located in the separation chamber 101 , so that the pressure equalizing hole 2412 can connect the internal channel 201 and the separation chamber 101 .

[0144] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, since the internal channel 201 and the separation chamber 101 are connected through the pressure equalizing hole 2412, when the compressor 600 is restarted, under the suction of the hydraulic press, the pressure of the internal channel 201 will not be significantly reduced, thereby reducing the refrigerant liquid entering the compressor 600 and reducing the risk of liquid hammer damage and abnormal noise in the compressor 600.

[0145] In other embodiments of the present application, see Figure 4 and Fig.12 As shown, the air inlet end 231 and the air outlet end 241 are located on the same side of the heating tube 20 , and an oil return hole 251 is provided on the side of the heating tube 20 away from the air inlet end 231 and the air outlet end 241 , and the oil return hole 251 connects the separation chamber 101 and the internal channel 201 .

[0146] The oil return hole 251 may refer to a through hole that passes through the tube wall 21 of the heating tube 20, and the through hole may connect the internal channel 201 and the separation chamber 101, so that the oil return hole 251 connects the separation chamber 101 and the internal channel 201; during the use of the gas-liquid separator 100, the air inlet end 231 and the air outlet end 241 are located on the upper side of the heating tube 20, and the oil return hole 251 is located on the lower side of the heating tube 20, so that the oil return hole 251 is close to the bottom of the separation chamber 101, and some oil (for example: engine oil, etc.) is deposited at the bottom of the separation chamber 101, so that a very small amount of oil can enter the internal channel 201 through the oil return hole 251, and then enter the compressor through the internal channel 201.

[0147] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, a very small amount of oil deposited at the bottom of the separation chamber 101 can flow back to the compressor 600 through the oil return hole 251, thereby lubricating the compressor 600 and reducing the wear and abnormal noise of the compressor 600.

[0148] In some other embodiments of the present application, the gas-liquid separator 100 further includes a filter element 40 , which is disposed at the oil return hole 251 to filter the oil flowing into the oil return hole 251 .

[0149] The filter 40 may be a component capable of filtering oil. The oil at the bottom of the sediment separation chamber 101 is filtered by the filter 40, and after removing impurities, the oil enters the oil return hole 251 and finally enters the compressor 600. The filter 40 may be a filter screen or the like.

[0150] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the filter element 40 can remove impurities in the oil flowing into the oil return hole 251, reduce the wear of the compressor 600, and reduce the circuit blockage.

[0151] In other embodiments of the present application, see Figure 4 and Fig.12 As shown, the filter element 40 is sleeved on the portion of the heating tube 20 where the oil return hole 251 is provided.

[0152] The filter 40 is disposed around the outside of the heating tube 20, and the heating tube 20 is located inside the filter 40; for example, the filter 40 is a columnar structure, a through hole is provided in the middle of the filter 40, the heating tube 20 is passed through the through hole, and the oil return hole 251 is located inside the filter 40. For example, the oil return hole 251 is provided at the bottom of the connecting section 25, and the filter 40 is sleeved on the bottom of the connecting section 25.

[0153] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the filter element 40 can filter the oil entering the oil return hole 251 from any angle, and the oil filtering effect is good, which can better reduce the wear of the compressor 600 and reduce the circuit blockage.

[0154] In other embodiments of the present application, see Figures 4 to 7 As shown, the gas-liquid separator 100 also includes an oil blocking cover 50, which is located in the separation chamber 101, and between the air inlet 2311 and the air inlet hole 121, and the orthographic projection of the air inlet hole 121 on the oil blocking cover 50 at least partially overlaps with the oil blocking cover 50.

[0155] The oil-blocking cover 50 may refer to a component used to collide with the refrigerant entering the separation chamber 101. The oil-blocking cover 50 collides with the refrigerant and diffuses radially. Under the action of gravity, the refrigerant gas will accumulate at the top of the separation chamber 101, and the refrigerant liquid or engine oil may flow along the inner wall of the separation chamber 101 and along the oil-blocking cover 50 to the bottom of the separation chamber 101, thereby improving the gas-liquid separation effect of the refrigerant; the oil-blocking cover 50 is located in the separation chamber 101, and the oil-blocking cover 50 is located between the air inlet 121 and the air inlet port 2311, so that the refrigerant enters the separation chamber 101 from the air inlet port 121, collides with the oil-blocking cover 50, and then enters the air inlet port 2311 after gas-liquid separation.

[0156] The orthographic projection of the air inlet hole 121 on the oil baffle cover 50 at least partially overlaps with the oil baffle cover 50. It can be understood that the plane where the surface of the oil baffle cover 50 facing the air inlet hole 121 is located is the projection plane, and the projection of the air inlet hole 121 on the projection plane along the direction perpendicular to the projection plane can be called the orthographic projection of the air inlet hole 121 on the oil baffle cover 50, and the projection can partially overlap or completely overlap with the oil baffle cover 50.

[0157] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the positive projection of the air inlet hole 121 on the oil blocking cover 50 at least partially overlaps with the oil blocking cover 50, so that the refrigerant flowing into the separation chamber 101 from the air inlet hole 121 can collide with the oil blocking cover 50, the refrigerant gas and the refrigerant liquid can be better separated, and the gas-liquid separation effect of the refrigerant is better.

[0158] In other embodiments of the present application, see Figures 4 to 7As shown, the oil-blocking cover 50 includes a plate portion 51 and an annular side wall portion 52, the annular side wall portion 52 is connected to the periphery of the plate portion 51 and protrudes from the plate portion 51, the air inlet end 231 and the air outlet end 241 pass through the plate portion 51, the annular side wall portion 52 is located on the side of the plate portion 51 facing away from the air inlet hole 121, and the air inlet port 2311 is located on the inner side of the annular side wall portion 52.

[0159] The oil-blocking cover 50 may refer to a hollow structure having an opening at one end, the bottom of the oil-blocking cover 50 opposite to the opening is a plate portion 51, the side wall surrounding the opening in the oil-blocking cover 50 is an annular side wall portion 52, the annular side wall portion 52 is annular, one end of the annular side wall portion 52 is connected to the periphery of the plate portion 51, and the other end of the annular side wall portion 52 protrudes out of the plate portion 51.

[0160] The air inlet end 231 and the air outlet end 241 pass through the plate portion 51, and the plate portion 51 is provided with a first through hole 511 and a second through hole 512. The air inlet end 231 and the air outlet end 241 are respectively passed through the first through hole 511 and the second through hole 512, so that the oil-blocking cover 50 can be fixedly connected to the heating tube 20. In this way, there is no need to set other fixing structures in the separation chamber 101 to fix the oil-blocking cover 50, which is beneficial to reduce the number of components and reduce the occupied space.

[0161] The annular side wall portion 52 is located on the side of the plate portion 51 facing away from the air inlet hole 121, and the air inlet port 2311 is located on the inner side of the annular side wall portion 52. It can be understood that the annular side wall portion 52 is located on the side of the plate portion 51 close to the air inlet port 2311, and the annular side wall portion 52 is arranged on the outer side of the air inlet end 231 and the air outlet end 241, and the air inlet port 2311 is located on the inner side of the annular side wall portion 52. In this way, after the refrigerant collides with the plate portion 51, the refrigerant liquid can also flow along the outer wall surface of the annular side wall portion 52 to the bottom of the separation chamber 101.

[0162] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the annular side wall portion 52 can guide the refrigerant liquid to flow to the bottom of the separation chamber 101. In addition, the air inlet 2311 is located on the inner side of the annular side wall portion 52, which can also reduce the refrigerant liquid flowing into the air inlet 2311 and improve the gas-liquid separation effect of the refrigerant.

[0163] In other embodiments of the present application, see Figure 6 As shown, the height H1 of the ring side wall portion 52 protruding from the plate portion 51 is greater than the distance H2 from the air inlet 2311 to the plate portion 51 .

[0164] The height H1 of the ring side wall portion 52 protruding from the plate portion 51 may refer to the distance between the end surface of the ring side wall portion 52 facing away from the plate portion 51 and the plate portion 51 .

[0165] The distance between the air inlet 2311 and the plate portion 51 may refer to the distance between the edge of the air inlet 2311 close to the plate portion 51 and the plate portion 51 .

[0166] For example, the height H1 of the annular side wall portion 52 protruding from the plate portion 51 is greater than the distance H2 from the air inlet 2311 to the plate portion 51, so that the end surface of the annular side wall portion 52 facing away from the plate portion 51 is located below the edge of the air inlet 2311 close to the plate portion 51, wherein the end surface of the annular side wall portion 52 facing away from the plate portion 51 is located between the edge of the air inlet 2311 close to the plate portion 51 and the edge of the air inlet 2311 away from the plate portion 51, so that the annular side wall portion 52 can cover a portion of the air inlet 2311; the end surface of the annular side wall portion 52 facing away from the plate portion 51 is located at the edge of the air inlet 2311 away from the plate portion 51, which overlaps with the edge of the air inlet 2311 away from the plate portion 51 or is located below the edge of the air inlet 2311 away from the plate portion 51, so that the annular side wall portion 52 can completely cover the air inlet 2311.

[0167] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the annular side wall portion 52 can shield at least a portion of the air inlet 2311 , making it difficult for the refrigerant liquid to enter the air inlet 2311 , thereby improving the gas-liquid separation effect of the gas-liquid separator 100 .

[0168] In other embodiments of the present application, see Figure 4 and Figure 7 As shown, the outer shell 10 includes a shell 11 and an end cover 12. The end cover 12 is covered at the opening of the shell 11. The end cover 12 and the shell 11 are surrounded to form a separation chamber 101. The heating tube 20 is connected to the end cover 12. The air inlet 121 is provided on the end cover 12. The end cover 12 is provided with an air outlet 122. The air outlet 2411 is connected to the air outlet 122.

[0169] The end cap 12 refers to a component that covers the opening of the shell 11 to enclose and form the separation chamber 101. Without limitation, the shape of the end cap 12 can be adapted to the shape of the shell 11 to match the shell 11. Optionally, the end cap 12 can be made of a material with a certain hardness and strength (such as aluminum alloy), so that the end cap 12 is not easily deformed when squeezed and collided, so that the gas-liquid separator 100 can have a higher structural strength and the reliability performance can also be improved. The material of the end cap 12 can also be a variety of materials, such as copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, plastic, etc.

[0170] The shell 11 is a component used to cooperate with the end cover 12 to form a separation chamber 101, wherein the separation chamber 101 is used to accommodate the heating tube 20, the oil-blocking cover 50, the desiccant 30, the filter 40 and the refrigerant liquid. The shell 11 and the end cover 12 can be independent components, and an opening can be set on the shell 11, and the internal environment of the gas-liquid separator 100 is formed by covering the opening with the end cover 12 at the opening. Without limitation, the end cover 12 and the shell 11 can also be integrated. Specifically, the end cover 12 and the shell 11 can form a common connection surface before other components are put into the shell, and when the interior of the shell 11 needs to be encapsulated, the end cover 12 covers the shell 11. The shell 11 can be of various shapes and sizes, such as a rectangular parallelepiped, a cylindrical shape, a hexagonal prism, etc. Specifically, the shape of the shell 11 can be determined according to the specific shape and size of the heating tube 20. The material of the shell 11 can be various, such as copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, plastic, etc.

[0171] The air outlet hole 122 may refer to a through hole for the refrigerant liquid gas to flow out. The air inlet hole 121 and the air outlet hole 122 are both arranged on the end cover 12. The refrigerant enters and exits from the same side of the outer shell 10. It is convenient to set a heating pipe 20 with a longer distance, improve the gas-liquid separation effect, and also facilitate the connection between the gas-liquid separator 100 and components such as the compressor 600; the air outlet end 241 is connected to the air outlet hole 122, so that the air outlet hole 122 is connected to the air outlet port 2411, so that the refrigerant gas can flow out of the gas-liquid separator 100 through the air outlet port 2411 and the air outlet hole 122; or, the air outlet end 241 passes through the air outlet hole 122, so that the air outlet port 2411 is exposed, so that the refrigerant gas is directly discharged from the air outlet port 2411.

[0172] The connection between the heating tube 20 and the end cover 12 may also be, but is not limited to, bolt connection, bonding, clamping, riveting, welding, one-piece molding, etc. Among them, one-piece molding refers to the use of an integrated process such as extrusion, injection molding, and die casting to form a molding. For example, the end cover 12 is provided with a third through hole 123, the air inlet end 231 passes through the third through hole 123, and the joint 26 is provided on the end surface of the air inlet end 231, and the joint 26 is exposed to facilitate electrical connection.

[0173] By adopting the technical solution of this embodiment, the outer shell 10 adopts the structural form of the end cover 12 and the shell 11, which has a simple structure and is easy to process and manufacture; in addition, the air inlet 121 and the air outlet 122 are both arranged on the end cover 12, and the refrigerant enters and exits from the same side of the outer shell 10, which can facilitate the arrangement of a heating pipe 20 with a longer distance, thereby improving the gas-liquid separation effect and facilitating the connection between the gas-liquid separator 100 and components such as the compressor 600.

[0174] In some embodiments, the end cover 12 is provided with a protrusion 124, which is located outside the separation chamber 101. There are two protrusions 124, one of which is arranged around the air inlet 121, and the other protrusion 124 is arranged around the air outlet 122 to form a pipe joint structure to facilitate the connection of the gas-liquid separator 100 to the circuit of the air-conditioning system 1100.

[0175] The present application is described below in conjunction with some specific embodiments.

[0176] Embodiment 1

[0177] In this embodiment, combined with Figures 3 to 9 and Fig.12 As shown, the gas-liquid separator 100 includes an outer shell 10 and a heating tube 20. The outer shell 10 has a separation chamber 101 and an air inlet 121 connected to the separation chamber 101, and the air inlet 121 is used to allow gas to flow into the separation chamber 101; at least part of the heating tube 20 is located in the separation chamber 101, and the heating tube 20 can heat the gas. The heating tube 20 has an internal channel 201, an air inlet end 231 and an air outlet end 241, and the air inlet end 231 has an air inlet 2311, and the air inlet 2311 connects the separation chamber 101 and the internal channel 201 so that the gas in the separation chamber 101 flows into the internal channel 201; the air outlet end 241 has an air outlet 2411 connected to the internal channel 201, and the air outlet 2411 is used for the gas in the internal channel 201 to pass through so as to flow out of the outer shell 10.

[0178] In this embodiment, the heating tube 20 further includes a connector 26 for electrically connecting to an external power source. The connector 26 is electrically connected to the electric heating element 22 , and the connector 26 is exposed outside the housing 10 .

[0179] In this embodiment, the heating tube 20 includes a first straight line segment 23, a second straight line segment 24 and a connecting segment 25. The first straight line segment 23 and the second straight line segment 24 are arranged in parallel and spaced apart. The connecting segment 25 is connected between the ends of the first straight line segment 23 and the second straight line segment 24 located on the same side. The end of the first straight line segment 23 away from the connecting segment 25 forms an air inlet end 231, and the end of the second straight line segment 24 away from the connecting segment 25 forms an air outlet end 241.

[0180] In this embodiment, the connecting segment 25 is spirally wound around the end of the first straight segment 23 away from the air inlet end 231 .

[0181] In this embodiment, the gas-liquid separator 100 further includes a desiccant 30 , and the desiccant 30 is located between the end of the first straight section 23 away from the air inlet end 231 and the connecting section 25 .

[0182] In this embodiment, the gas outlet end 241 is further provided with a pressure equalizing hole 2412 , and the pressure equalizing hole 2412 communicates with the separation chamber 101 and the internal channel 201 .

[0183] In this embodiment, the air inlet end 231 and the air outlet end 241 are located on the same side of the heating tube 20 , and an oil return hole 251 is provided on the side of the heating tube 20 away from the air inlet end 231 and the air outlet end 241 , and the oil return hole 251 connects the separation chamber 101 and the internal channel 201 .

[0184] In this embodiment, the gas-liquid separator 100 further includes a filter element 40 . The filter element 40 is disposed at the oil return hole 251 to filter the oil flowing into the oil return hole 251 .

[0185] In this embodiment, the filter element 40 is sleeved on the portion of the heating tube 20 where the oil return hole 251 is provided.

[0186] In this embodiment, the gas-liquid separator 100 also includes an oil blocking cover 50, which is located in the separation chamber 101, and between the air inlet 2311 and the air inlet hole 121, and the orthographic projection of the air inlet hole 121 on the oil blocking cover 50 at least partially overlaps with the oil blocking cover 50.

[0187] In this embodiment, the oil-blocking cover 50 includes a plate portion 51 and an annular side wall portion 52, the annular side wall portion 52 is connected to the periphery of the plate portion 51 and protrudes from the plate portion 51, the air inlet end 231 and the air outlet end 241 pass through the plate portion 51, the annular side wall portion 52 is located on the side of the plate portion 51 that is away from the air inlet hole 121, and the air inlet port 2311 is located on the inner side of the annular side wall portion 52.

[0188] In this embodiment, a height H1 of the annular side wall portion 52 protruding from the plate portion 51 is greater than a distance H2 from the air inlet 2311 to the plate portion 51 .

[0189] In this embodiment, the outer shell 10 includes a shell 11 and an end cover 12. The end cover 12 is covered at the opening of the shell 11. The end cover 12 and the shell 11 are surrounded to form a separation chamber 101. The heating tube 20 is connected to the end cover 12. The air inlet 121 is provided on the end cover 12. The end cover 12 is provided with an air outlet 122. The air outlet 2411 is connected to the air outlet 122.

[0190] In this embodiment, the heating tube 20 includes a tube wall 21 and an electric heating element 22 . The tube wall 21 is arranged to form an internal channel 201 , and the electric heating element 22 is embedded in the tube wall 21 .

[0191] In this embodiment, the electric heating element 22 includes a heating wire 22 a . The heating wire 22 a is embedded in the tube wall 21 . The heating wire 22 a is spirally arranged along the extension direction of the tube wall 21 .

[0192] In this embodiment, the tube wall 21 is an insulating tube wall.

[0193] Embodiment 2

[0194] The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that: Fig.10As shown, the outer wall surface of the tube wall 21 is connected to an electric heating element 22 .

[0195] In this embodiment, the electric heating element 22 includes an electric heating film 22 b , and the electric heating film 22 b is coated on the outer wall surface of the tube wall 21 .

[0196] In this embodiment, the tube wall 21 is a metal tube wall.

[0197] Embodiment 3

[0198] The difference between this embodiment and the second embodiment is that: Fig.11 As shown, the inner wall surface of the tube wall 21 is connected to an electric heating element 22 .

[0199] In this embodiment, the electric heating element 22 includes an electric heating film 22 b , and the electric heating film 22 b covers the inner wall surface of the tube wall 21 .

[0200] In other embodiments of the present application, see Figure 2 As shown, an air conditioning system 1100 is provided, comprising the gas-liquid separator 100 as described in the above embodiment.

[0201] In other embodiments of the present application, see Figure 1 As shown, a vehicle 1000 is provided, comprising an air conditioning system 1100 as described in the above embodiment.

[0202] The above description of various embodiments tends to emphasize the differences between the various embodiments. The same or similar aspects can be referenced to each other, and for the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated herein.

[0203] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein by equivalents; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and they should all be included in the scope of the claims and specification of the present application. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, the various technical features mentioned in the various embodiments can be combined in any way. The present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions that fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A gas-liquid separator, characterized in that: include: A housing having a separation chamber and an air inlet hole communicating with the separation chamber, wherein the air inlet hole is used for allowing gas to flow into the separation chamber; A heating tube, at least part of which is located in the separation chamber, and which can heat the gas. The heating tube has an internal passage, an air inlet end and an air outlet end. The air inlet end has an air inlet, and the air inlet connects the separation chamber and the internal passage so that the gas in the separation chamber flows into the internal passage; the air outlet end has an air outlet connected to the internal passage, and the air outlet is used for the gas in the internal passage to pass through so as to flow out of the outer shell.

2. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating tube comprises a tube wall and an electric heating element, wherein the tube wall is arranged to form the internal passage; the electric heating element is embedded in the tube wall; and / or the outer wall surface of the tube wall is connected to the electric heating element; And / or, the inner wall surface of the tube wall is connected to the electric heating element.

3. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The electric heating element includes at least one of an electric heating wire and an electric heating film.

4. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 3, characterized in that: In the case where the electric heating element comprises a heating wire, the heating wire is spirally arranged along the extension direction of the tube wall.

5. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 4, characterized in that: The pipe wall is an insulating pipe wall.

6. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 3, characterized in that: When the electric heating element includes an electric heating film, the tube wall is a metal tube wall.

7. The gas-liquid separator according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that: The heating tube further comprises a joint for electrically connecting to an external power source, the joint is electrically connected to the electric heating element, and the joint is exposed outside the housing.

8. The gas-liquid separator according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that: The heating tube includes a first straight line segment, a second straight line segment and a connecting segment. The first straight line segment and the second straight line segment are arranged in parallel and spaced apart. The connecting segment is connected between the ends of the first straight line segment and the second straight line segment located on the same side. The end of the first straight line segment away from the connecting segment forms the air inlet end, and the end of the second straight line segment away from the connecting segment forms the air outlet end.

9. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 8, characterized in that: The connecting segment is spirally wound around the end of the first straight segment away from the air inlet end.

10. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 9, characterized in that: The gas-liquid separator further includes a desiccant, and the desiccant is located between the end of the first straight section away from the air inlet end and the connecting section.

11. The gas-liquid separator according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The gas outlet end is also provided with a pressure equalizing hole, and the pressure equalizing hole communicates with the separation chamber and the internal channel.

12. The gas-liquid separator according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The air inlet end and the air outlet end are located on the same side of the heating tube, and an oil return hole is provided on the side of the heating tube away from the air inlet end and the air outlet end, and the oil return hole connects the separation chamber with the internal channel.

13. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 12, characterized in that: The gas-liquid separator further comprises a filter element, and the filter element is arranged at the oil return hole to filter the oil flowing into the oil return hole.

14. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 13, characterized in that: The filter element is sleeved on the portion of the heating pipe where the oil return hole is provided.

15. The gas-liquid separator according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that: The gas-liquid separator also includes an oil blocking cover, which is located in the separation chamber, and between the air inlet and the air inlet hole. The orthographic projection of the air inlet on the oil blocking cover at least partially overlaps with the oil blocking cover.

16. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 15, characterized in that: The oil-blocking cover includes a plate portion and an annular side wall portion, wherein the annular side wall portion is connected to the periphery of the plate portion and protrudes from the plate portion, the air inlet end and the air outlet end pass through the plate portion, the annular side wall portion is located on the side of the plate portion facing away from the air inlet hole, and the air inlet port is located on the inner side of the annular side wall portion.

17. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 16, characterized in that: The height of the ring side wall portion protruding from the plate portion is greater than the distance from the air inlet to the plate portion.

18. The gas-liquid separator according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that: The outer shell includes a shell and an end cover, the end cover is arranged at the opening of the shell, the end cover and the shell are arranged to form the separation chamber, the heating tube is connected to the end cover, the air inlet is arranged on the end cover, the end cover is provided with an air outlet, and the air outlet is connected to the air outlet.

19. An air conditioning system, characterized in that: A gas-liquid separator comprising the gas-liquid separator according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. A vehicle, characterized in that: Includes the air conditioning system as claimed in claim 19.

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