Gas-liquid separator and heat pump unit

Abstract

The utility model provides a gas-liquid separator and a heat pump unit. The gas-liquid separator includes: a housing; an air return pipe; a slider; and a driving mechanism. According to the gas-liquid separator and the heat pump unit, the circulation area of the oil return hole is adjusted by adjusting the sliding piece, the circulation area of the oil return hole can be increased under the low-temperature condition, and therefore the amount of lubricating oil passing through the oil return hole can be increased, and the service life of the gas-liquid separator is prolonged. The problem that the oil return hole is blocked due to the flocculation condition of the lubricating oil at low temperature can be avoided, the oil return reliability is improved, and the flow area of the oil return hole can be reduced when the compressor works normally; the oil return amount of lubricating oil is reduced, so that the problems that the heat transfer resistance of a refrigerant and air is increased and the heat transfer efficiency is reduced due to the fact that oil films are generated on the inner surfaces of the pipe walls of the evaporator and the condenser are solved, and the working reliability of a refrigerant heat exchange system where the gas-liquid separator is located is improved; and the working reliability and the heat exchange efficiency of the heat pump unit under the low-temperature condition can also be ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of heat exchange systems, in particular to a gas-liquid separator and a heat pump unit. Background Art

[0002] In the existing technology, low-temperature heat pump products without oil separators mainly rely on gas-liquid separators for oil return, which are prone to oil shortage at low temperatures. The main reasons are: 1) Because at low temperatures, the lubricating oil will be stratified and float above the liquid refrigerant, the lubricating oil returning to the compressor is greatly diluted, so the quality of the lubricating oil cannot be guaranteed, resulting in the lubricating oil being unable to rely on suction to bring oil back to the system, causing oil shortage and wear of the compressor; 2) The lubricating oil will flocculate under low temperature conditions. When the aperture of the oil return hole is small, the lubricating oil will clog the oil return hole and further affect the oil return efficiency, eventually causing the compressor to be damaged due to lack of lubricating oil, resulting in the heat pump unit being unable to operate reliably under low temperature conditions. Utility Model Content

[0003] In order to solve the technical problem in the prior art that the compressor cannot reliably return oil and cannot operate reliably under low temperature conditions, a gas-liquid separator and a heat pump unit are provided to ensure reliable oil return of the compressor under low temperature conditions by adjusting the flow area of the oil return hole.

[0004] A gas-liquid separator, comprising:

[0005] shell;

[0006] an air return pipe, the air return pipe being disposed in the housing, and one end of the air return pipe protruding from the housing;

[0007] A sliding member, wherein an oil return hole is provided on the air return pipe, the sliding member is movably provided at the oil return hole, and the sliding member is capable of adjusting the flow area of the oil return hole;

[0008] A driving mechanism is provided outside the air return pipe, and the driving mechanism can drive the sliding member to move to adjust the flow area of the oil return hole.

[0009] The sliding member is provided with an adjustment inlet and an adjustment outlet that are connected to each other. The adjustment inlet is connected to the interior of the shell, and the adjustment outlet is arranged corresponding to the oil return hole. The sliding member can adjust the overlapping area of the adjustment outlet and the oil return hole by moving.

[0010] The gas-liquid separator also includes a sliding fitting shell, which is provided with an inlet and an outlet, the inlet is connected to the interior of the shell, and the outlet is connected to the oil return hole, the sliding member is movably arranged in the sliding fitting shell, and the regulating inlet is connected to the inlet, the regulating outlet is correspondingly arranged to the outlet, and the sliding member can adjust the overlapping area of the regulating outlet and the outlet by movement.

[0011] A limiting structure is provided on the sliding fitting shell, and the limiting structure is provided on one side of the sliding direction of the sliding member, and the sliding member can abut and cooperate with the limiting structure, and when the sliding member abuts against the limiting structure, the overlapping area of the regulating outlet and the outlet reaches a maximum; when the distance between the sliding member and the limiting structure reaches a maximum, the overlapping area of the regulating outlet and the outlet reaches a minimum.

[0012] A protrusion is provided on the inner wall of the sliding fitting housing, and the protrusion constitutes the limiting structure.

[0013] The sliding direction of the sliding member is a vertical direction. The driving mechanism is located below the sliding member and can drive the sliding member to move downward. The limiting structure is located below the sliding member.

[0014] The inlet is located on the lower end surface of the sliding fit housing.

[0015] The gas-liquid separator further includes a heating mechanism, which is disposed on or inside the shell and can heat the inside of the shell. The heating mechanism is electrically connected to the driving mechanism.

[0016] The gas-liquid separator further includes a temperature detection mechanism, which is capable of detecting the ambient temperature of the environment in which the gas-liquid separator is located, and the temperature detection mechanism is electrically connected to the heating mechanism and / or the driving mechanism.

[0017] The gas-liquid separator is applied to a refrigerant heat exchange system, which further includes an air-side heat exchanger. The temperature detection mechanism is provided on the air-side heat exchanger.

[0018] A heat pump unit comprises the above-mentioned gas-liquid separator.

[0019] The gas-liquid separator and heat pump unit provided by the utility model can adjust the flow area of the oil return hole by adjusting the sliding part. The flow area of the oil return hole can be increased under low temperature conditions, thereby increasing the amount of lubricating oil passing through the oil return hole. It can also avoid the problem of clogging the oil return hole due to flocculence of the lubricating oil at low temperatures, thereby improving the reliability of oil return. When the compressor is working normally, the flow area of the oil return hole can be reduced, and the amount of lubricating oil returned can be reduced to avoid the problem of oil film on the inner surface of the tube wall of the evaporator and condenser, which increases the heat transfer resistance of the refrigerant and the air and reduces the heat transfer efficiency. It improves the working reliability of the refrigerant heat exchange system where the gas-liquid separator is located, and can also ensure the working reliability and heat exchange efficiency of the heat pump unit under low temperature conditions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a gas-liquid separator provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A local schematic diagram of point A;

[0022] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of a sliding member and a sliding fitting housing provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 4 Another structural schematic diagram of a sliding member and a sliding fitting housing provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 5 A schematic structural diagram of a heat pump unit provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0025] In the picture:

[0026] 1. Outer shell; 2. Air return pipe; 21. Oil return hole; 3. Sliding part; 4. Driving mechanism; 31. Adjustment inlet; 32. Adjustment outlet; 5. Sliding fitting shell; 51. Inlet; 52. Outlet; 53. Protrusion; 6. Heating mechanism; 7. Temperature detection mechanism; 8. Air-side heat exchanger. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0028] In order to help those skilled in the art better understand the present invention, the following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," and the like in the specification and claims of the present invention and the accompanying drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or precedence. It should be understood that the terms used in this manner are interchangeable where appropriate for the embodiments of the present invention described herein. In addition, the terms "including" and "having," as well as any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus comprising a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses.

[0030] It should be noted that in the description of this utility model, terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "inner," and "outer" indicating directions or positional relationships are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are used solely for ease of description and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or component described must have a specific orientation, be constructed, or operate in a specific position. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0031] Furthermore, it should be noted that, in the description of this utility model, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "installed," "set," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they may refer to direct connections, indirect connections through an intermediate medium, or internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0032] In the prior art, low-temperature heat pump products without oil separators mainly rely on oil return from vapor-liquid separators, which are prone to oil shortage at low temperatures. The main reasons are: 1) At low temperatures, the lubricating oil will be stratified and float above the liquid refrigerant. The lubricating oil returned to the compressor is greatly diluted, so the quality of the lubricating oil cannot be guaranteed, resulting in the lubricating oil being unable to rely on suction to bring oil back to the system, causing the compressor to be short of oil and wear; 2) The lubricating oil will flocculate under low temperature conditions. When the aperture of the oil return hole is small, the lubricating oil will clog the oil return hole and further affect the oil return efficiency, eventually causing the compressor to be damaged due to lack of lubricating oil, resulting in the heat pump unit being unable to operate reliably under low temperature conditions. To this end, the present application provides a method such as Figures 1 to 5 The gas-liquid separator shown includes: a shell 1; a return air pipe 2, the return air pipe 2 is arranged in the shell 1, and one end of the return air pipe 2 protrudes from the shell 1; a sliding member 3, a return oil hole 21 is provided on the return air pipe 2, the sliding member 3 is movably arranged at the oil return hole 21, and the sliding member 3 can adjust the flow area of the oil return hole 21; a driving mechanism 4, the driving mechanism 4 is arranged outside the return air pipe 2, and the driving mechanism 4 can drive the sliding member 3 to move to adjust the flow area of the oil return hole 21. By adjusting the sliding part 3 to adjust the flow area of the oil return hole 21, the flow area of the oil return hole 21 can be increased under low temperature conditions, thereby increasing the amount of lubricating oil passing through the oil return hole 21, and avoiding the problem of clogging the oil return hole 21 due to flocculence of the lubricating oil at low temperatures, thereby improving the reliability of oil return. When the compressor is working normally, the flow area of the oil return hole 21 can be reduced, and the amount of lubricating oil returned can be reduced to avoid the generation of oil film on the inner surface of the tube wall of the evaporator and condenser, thereby increasing the heat transfer resistance of the refrigerant and air and reducing the heat transfer efficiency, thereby improving the working reliability of the refrigerant heat exchange system where the gas-liquid separator is located, and also ensuring the working reliability and heat exchange efficiency of the heat pump unit under low temperature conditions.

[0033] When using the gas-liquid separator, when the ambient temperature of the gas-liquid separator is under low temperature conditions, the compressor may have the problem of poor oil return reliability. At this time, the driving mechanism 4 drives the sliding member 3 to move, increasing the flow area of the oil return hole 21 to increase the oil return amount, while avoiding the problem of flocculated lubricating oil clogging the oil return hole 21, ensuring that the compressor can return oil reliably. After the compressor has been working for a period of time, the temperature in the gas-liquid separator can avoid the problems of lubricating oil stratification and flocculation, that is, the lubricating oil can flow back to the compressor smoothly. At this time, the movement of the sliding member 3 can be controlled to reduce the flow area of the oil return hole 21 (for example, the oil return hole 21 is restored to the initial flow area). At this time, the compressor can return oil normally, and it can also avoid the problem of excessive lubricating oil entering the evaporator and condenser, causing a decrease in heat exchange efficiency, thereby ensuring the working reliability and heat exchange efficiency of the heat pump unit under low temperature conditions.

[0034] As an embodiment, the sliding member 3 is provided with an adjustable inlet 31 and an adjustable outlet 32 that are interconnected. The adjustable inlet 31 is connected to the interior of the housing 1, and the adjustable outlet 32 is provided corresponding to the oil return hole 21. The sliding member 3 can adjust the overlapping area of the adjustable outlet 32 and the oil return hole 21 by movement. The refrigerant and lubricating oil in the housing 1 can flow into the sliding member 3 through the adjustable inlet 31 under the negative pressure of the compressor and flow out of the sliding member 3 through the adjustable outlet 32. At this time, the movement of the sliding member 3 adjusts the overlapping area of the adjustable outlet 32 and the oil return hole 21, thereby controlling the actual flow area of the oil return hole 21, so that the gas-liquid separator can adapt to the normal operation of the heat pump unit under different working conditions.

[0035] Furthermore, the gas-liquid separator also includes a sliding fitting shell 5, which is provided with an inlet 51 and an outlet 52, the inlet 51 is connected to the interior of the outer shell 1, and the outlet 52 is connected to the oil return hole 21, the sliding member 3 is movably arranged in the sliding fitting shell 5, and the adjustment inlet 31 is connected to the inlet 51, the adjustment outlet 32 is correspondingly arranged to the outlet 52, and the sliding member 3 can adjust the overlapping area of the adjustment outlet 32 and the outlet 52 by movement. That is, an additional sliding fitting shell 5 is provided on the return air pipe 2, and the moving area of the sliding part 3 is moved from the return oil hole 21 to the sliding fitting shell 5, which facilitates the arrangement of the sliding part 3 and reduces the difficulty of processing the return air pipe 2. During installation, the sliding fitting shell 5 is provided on the return air pipe 2, and the outlet 52 is connected to the return oil hole 21. At this time, the adjustment of the flow area of the outlet 52 is equivalent to the adjustment of the flow area of the return oil hole 21. The sliding part 3 is then provided in the sliding fitting shell 5, so that the sliding part 3 can move freely in the sliding fitting shell 5, so that the overlapping area of the adjustment outlet 32 and the outlet 52 can be adjusted, and finally the actual flow area of the return oil hole 21 is adjusted, so that the gas-liquid separator can adapt to the normal operation of the heat pump unit under different working conditions.

[0036] The sliding-fit housing 5 is provided with a limiting structure, which is arranged on one side of the sliding direction of the slider 3. The slider 3 can abut against the limiting structure. When the slider 3 abuts against the limiting structure, the overlapping area between the regulating outlet 32 and the flow outlet 52 reaches a maximum; when the distance between the slider 3 and the limiting structure reaches a maximum, the overlapping area between the regulating outlet 32 and the flow outlet 52 reaches a minimum. The limiting structure is used to suppress the movement range of the slider 3, and the flow area of the oil return hole 21 is controllably adjusted. This prevents the slider 3 from moving too far and causing the oil return hole 21 to be completely closed, thereby ensuring reliable oil return to the compressor.

[0037] As an embodiment, a protrusion 53 is provided on the inner wall of the sliding-fit housing 5 , and the protrusion 53 constitutes the limiting structure. The protrusion 53 is used to reduce the cross-sectional area of the sliding-fit housing, so that the cross-sectional area of the sliding-fit housing where the protrusion 53 is located is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the sliding member 3 , thereby preventing the sliding member 3 from passing through the portion where the protrusion 53 is located, thereby achieving the purpose of limiting the position of the sliding member 3 .

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, the sliding direction of the slider 3 is vertical, the driving mechanism 4 is located below the slider 3, and the driving mechanism 4 is capable of driving the slider 3 to move downward, and the limiting structure is located below the slider 3. The driving mechanism 4 is capable of driving the slider 3 to move downward, thereby gradually increasing the overlapping area between the regulating outlet 32 and the outflow port 52, thereby achieving the purpose of increasing the flow area of the oil return hole 21 and improving the oil return reliability of the compressor. The limiting structure is located below the slider 3, which can prevent the slider 3 from continuing to move downward and prevent the slider 3 from moving too far, thereby preventing the oil return hole 21 from being completely closed, thereby ensuring the reliable oil return of the compressor.

[0039] Preferably, the inlet 51 is located on the lower end surface of the sliding fitting shell 5. That is, the refrigerant and lubricating oil in the outer shell 1 flow into the sliding fitting shell 5 from bottom to top, thereby pushing the sliding member 3 to move upward, reducing the overlapping area between the regulating outlet 32 and the outlet 52, and thus achieving the purpose of reducing the flow area of the return oil hole 21, reducing the return oil of the compressor to avoid excessive lubricating oil affecting the heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator and condenser, and ensuring the working reliability of the heat pump unit where the gas-liquid separator is located. Since the sliding direction of the sliding member 3 is vertical at this time, when it is necessary to increase the flow area of the return oil hole 21, the driving mechanism 4 and the gravity of the sliding member 3 itself can drive the sliding member 3 to move downward, and when it is necessary to reduce the flow area of the return oil hole 21, the driving mechanism 4 stops working, and the refrigerant and lubricating oil entering from the inlet 51 impact the sliding member 3 upward, causing the sliding member 3 to move upward.

[0040] Preferably, the driving mechanism 4 is a magnetic mechanism that can attract the sliding member 3 to move by the action of magnetic force. Figure 3 As shown, the magnetic mechanism is located below the sliding member 3. When the magnetic mechanism is working, the magnetic force generated by the magnetic mechanism can drive the sliding member 3 to move downward.

[0041] Under low temperature conditions, even if the lubricating oil is fed into the compressor, it cannot be reliably delivered to the scroll plate through the oil pump, which will still cause the compressor scroll plate to wear. In addition, it is necessary to increase the temperature in the gas-liquid separator as soon as possible to reduce the problems of lubricating oil stratification and flocculation. To this end, the gas-liquid separator also includes a heating mechanism 6, which is arranged on or inside the shell 1 and can heat the inside of the shell 1. The heating mechanism 6 is electrically connected to the driving mechanism 4. The heating mechanism 6 is used to heat the refrigerant and lubricating oil in the gas-liquid separator, increase the temperature of the lubricating oil, and suppress the problems of lubricating oil stratification and flocculation, so that the compressor can return oil normally as soon as possible. The heating mechanism 6 and the driving mechanism 4 work synchronously. While increasing the flow area of the oil return hole 21, the heating mechanism 6 is turned on for heating, further reducing the impact of low temperature conditions on the compressor and the heat pump unit, and improving the working reliability of the heat pump unit.

[0042] The gas-liquid separator also includes a temperature detection mechanism 7, which can detect the ambient temperature of the environment in which the gas-liquid separator is located, and the temperature detection mechanism 7 is electrically connected to the heating mechanism 6 and / or the driving mechanism 4. When the temperature detection mechanism 7 detects that the ambient temperature T reaches the set value, the heating mechanism 6 is turned on, the refrigerant evaporates, and the gaseous refrigerant on the low-pressure side increases. After a certain period of time t, the heat pump unit is turned on, and the compressor is able to inhale sufficient refrigerant, thereby increasing the suction pressure when the unit is turned on. The driving mechanism 4 is turned on synchronously to increase the flow area of the oil return hole 21, thereby improving the oil return stability of the compressor.

[0043] The gas-liquid separator is used in a refrigerant heat exchange system, which also includes an air-side heat exchanger 8. The temperature detection mechanism 7 is disposed on the air-side heat exchanger 8. By disposing the temperature detection mechanism 7 on the air-side heat exchanger 8, the ambient temperature can be effectively detected and analyzed, ensuring reliable control of the driving mechanism 4 and the heating mechanism 6.

[0044] A heat pump unit comprises the above-mentioned gas-liquid separator.

[0045] The above-described embodiments merely represent several implementation methods of the present invention. While the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art would be able to make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A gas-liquid separator, characterized in that: include: Housing (1); an air return pipe (2), the air return pipe (2) being arranged in the housing (1), and one end of the air return pipe (2) protruding from the housing (1); A sliding member (3), wherein an oil return hole (21) is provided on the air return pipe (2), the sliding member (3) is movably provided at the oil return hole (21), and the sliding member (3) is capable of adjusting the flow area of the oil return hole (21); A driving mechanism (4) is provided outside the air return pipe (2), and the driving mechanism (4) is capable of driving the sliding member (3) to move so as to adjust the flow area of the oil return hole (21).

2. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sliding member (3) is provided with an adjusting inlet (31) and an adjusting outlet (32) that are in communication with each other. The adjusting inlet (31) is in communication with the interior of the housing (1), and the adjusting outlet (32) is provided corresponding to the oil return hole (21). The sliding member (3) can adjust the overlapping area of the adjusting outlet (32) and the oil return hole (21) by moving.

3. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The gas-liquid separator further comprises a sliding fitting shell (5), wherein the sliding fitting shell (5) is provided with an inlet (51) and an outlet (52), wherein the inlet (51) is communicated with the interior of the housing (1), and the outlet (52) is communicated with the oil return hole (21), and the sliding member (3) is movably arranged in the sliding fitting shell (5), wherein the regulating inlet (31) is communicated with the inlet (51), and the regulating outlet (32) is correspondingly arranged with the outlet (52), and the sliding member (3) can adjust the overlapping area of the regulating outlet (32) and the outlet (52) by moving.

4. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 3, characterized in that: A limiting structure is provided on the sliding fitting housing (5), the limiting structure being provided on one side of the sliding direction of the sliding member (3), and the sliding member (3) being capable of abutting and cooperating with the limiting structure, and when the sliding member (3) abuts against the limiting structure, the overlapping area of the regulating outlet (32) and the flow outlet (52) reaches a maximum; when the distance between the sliding member (3) and the limiting structure reaches a maximum, the overlapping area of the regulating outlet (32) and the flow outlet (52) reaches a minimum.

5. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 4, characterized in that: A protrusion (53) is provided on the inner wall of the sliding fitting housing (5), and the protrusion (53) constitutes the limiting structure.

6. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 5, characterized in that: The sliding direction of the sliding member (3) is a vertical direction, the driving mechanism (4) is located below the sliding member (3), and the driving mechanism (4) can drive the sliding member (3) to move downward, and the limiting structure is located below the sliding member (3).

7. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 6, characterized in that: The inlet (51) is located on the lower end surface of the sliding fit housing (5).

8. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gas-liquid separator further comprises a heating mechanism (6), which is arranged on the outer shell (1) or inside the outer shell (1), and the heating mechanism (6) is capable of heating the inside of the outer shell (1), and the heating mechanism (6) is electrically connected to the driving mechanism (4).

9. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 8, characterized in that: The gas-liquid separator further comprises a temperature detection mechanism (7), which is capable of detecting the ambient temperature of the environment in which the gas-liquid separator is located, and the temperature detection mechanism (7) is electrically connected to the heating mechanism (6) and / or the driving mechanism (4).

10. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 9, characterized in that: The gas-liquid separator is used in a refrigerant heat exchange system, and the refrigerant heat exchange system also includes an air-side heat exchanger (8), and the temperature detection mechanism (7) is arranged on the air-side heat exchanger (8).

11. A heat pump unit, characterized in that: A gas-liquid separator comprising the gas-liquid separator according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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