Accumulator

Abstract

To provide an accumulator easy to assemble and capable of reducing a manufacturing cost.SOLUTION: An accumulator includes a shell, a header including a refrigerant inflow hole and a refrigerant outflow hole and provided at one end of the shell, a bag storing dryer, and a pipe arranged in the shell where refrigerant can be passed, the pipe including a grip part for gripping part of the bag. A rod-like member at least part of which extends in parallel to an axis of the pipe is mounted to an outer periphery of the pipe. The bag can be gripped between the rod-like member and the outer periphery of the pipe.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an accumulator. [Background technology]

[0002] Receiver tanks, accumulators, etc. are used to separate the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle into gas and liquid and store the refrigerant. Some accumulators of this type have a tank that separates the refrigerant that flows into the inside into a gas phase refrigerant and a liquid phase refrigerant and stores the liquid phase refrigerant inside, and the tank has a built-in desiccant to remove moisture from the refrigerant.

[0003] The desiccant is contained in a bag and installed inside the tank, but it is necessary to prevent the movement of the desiccant-containing bag when the accumulator is subjected to vibration, etc. Therefore, as shown in Patent Document 1, for example, a method is to fold the desiccant-containing bag in half and wrap it around an outer pipe, and then place a cable tie around it to tighten and secure the bag. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-61543 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Although the use of cable ties can reliably secure the desiccant-containing bag, it is problematic in that the work is time-consuming, and in particular, the installation work using cable ties is difficult to mechanize and must be done manually, which increases the manufacturing cost of the accumulator.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to provide an accumulator that is easy to assemble and can reduce manufacturing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the accumulator according to the present invention comprises: The torso and a header provided at one end of the body and including a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet; A bag containing a desiccant; A pipe disposed in the body and through which a refrigerant can pass, The pipe has a gripping portion that grips a part of the bag. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an accumulator that is easy to assemble and can reduce manufacturing costs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an accumulator according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a top view of the configuration of FIG. 1 taken along the line AA. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the accumulator of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the outer pipe of the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a front view of the bag. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the bag attached to the outer pipe. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view showing the bag attached to the outer pipe. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an accumulator according to a modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a top view of the configuration of FIG. 8 taken along line BB. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an accumulator according to a modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an outer pipe according to a modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which a bag is attached to an outer pipe according to a modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an outer pipe to which a bag is attached, which is disposed in the accumulator of the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a side view of an outer pipe to which a bag is attached, which is disposed in the accumulator of the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view seen from the rear side of an outer pipe to which a bag is attached, the outer pipe being disposed in an accumulator according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an outer pipe according to the second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 of an accumulator according to a second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 of the accumulator of the second embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an outer pipe disposed in the accumulator of the third embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a front view of a bag disposed in the accumulator of the third embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the outer pipe of the third embodiment with a bag attached thereto. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an accumulator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, a state in which a member is disposed between the surfaces of two members (which may be the same or different parts) can be said to be "sandwiched between the two surfaces," and one of the members that is sandwiched is sometimes called a "sandwiching portion."

[0011] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an accumulator 1 according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a top view of the AA cross section of the configuration in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the accumulator 1, showing the inside in a see-through state.

[0012] The accumulator 1 has a tank body 2, a double pipe 5 arranged in the tank body 2, a bag 11 containing a desiccant (moisture absorbent) DA, a cup 16, and a strainer 20. Hereinafter, "upward" refers to the direction from the body 3 of the tank body 2 toward the header 4, and "downward" refers to the direction from the header 4 of the tank body 2 toward the body 3.

[0013] The tank body 2 includes a body 3 and a header 4. The body 3 is formed in a tubular shape with at least an open upper end, and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape as an example. The header 4 covers an opening at one end of the body 3. The header 4 is joined to the body 3 by circumferential joining, for example, via a weld 10, and covers the opening of the body 3. The body 3 and the header 4 are both formed of a metal such as an aluminum alloy. In this specification, the header 4 side is referred to as the upper side, and the bottom side of the body 3 is referred to as the lower side.

[0014] For example, the header 4 formed in a substantially disk shape has a refrigerant inlet hole 8 and a refrigerant outlet hole 9 formed penetrating vertically. The refrigerant is an example of a fluid as referred to in the present invention. An inner pipe (also called an outlet pipe) 6 extending to near the inner bottom of the body 3 is connected to the refrigerant outlet hole 9. An outer pipe 7 is fitted around the outside of the inner pipe 6, thereby forming a double pipe 5.

[0015] A cup 16 is provided below the header 4 as a gas-liquid separating member that separates the mixed refrigerant (a refrigerant containing a mixture of gas and liquid phases) from the refrigerant inlet 8 into a high density liquid phase refrigerant and compressor oil (hereinafter referred to as "oil") and a low density gas phase refrigerant. The cup 16 is made of, for example, a resin. The cup 16 has, for example, a cylindrical shape with an upper end, and is disposed opposite the refrigerant inlet 8 and the refrigerant outlet 9.

[0016] The inner pipe 6 is made of, for example, a metal, and an example of the metal is an aluminum alloy. The inner pipe 6 has an open lower end and an upper end that is connected by press fitting to a refrigerant outlet hole 9 of the header 4. The outer periphery of the inner pipe 6 is fitted into a plurality of pipe ribs 7u protruding from the inner periphery of the outer pipe 7, so that the inner pipe 6 is stably held within the outer pipe 7 with a gap therebetween.

[0017] The outer pipe 7 is made of, for example, synthetic resin, and is attached inside the body 3 with its upper end open. A cylindrical strainer 20 is provided at the bottom of the outer pipe 7. The strainer 20 is composed of a cylindrical case 21 with a bottom, made of, for example, synthetic resin, and a cylindrical mesh filter 22 integrated with the case 21 by insert molding or the like. The strainer 20 may be brought into contact with, for example, the bottom surface of the internal space of the body 3. When the strainer 20 is in contact with the bottom surface of the internal space of the body 3, the cup 16 is sandwiched between the body 3 and the header 4 via the inner pipe 6.

[0018] A bag 11 containing a desiccant DA is disposed between the outer pipe 7 and the inner circumference of the body 3. The method of attaching the bag 11 will be described later.

[0019] The header 4 is formed by stacking a large cylindrical portion 4a and a thin-walled annular portion 4b having a smaller diameter than the large cylindrical portion 4a in a continuous manner, and a step portion 4c is formed between the large cylindrical portion 4a and the thin-walled annular portion 4b with which the outer periphery of the upper end of the body 3 engages. The upper surface of the large cylindrical portion 4a is formed, for example, into a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0020] A cylindrical boss 4d protruding downward from the large cylindrical portion 4a is formed on the lower surface of the header 4. A refrigerant outlet hole 9 is formed through the boss 4d so as to vertically penetrate the header 4, and a refrigerant inlet hole 8 is formed adjacent to the boss 4d so as to vertically penetrate the header 4. The lower surface of the boss 4d is formed, for example, as a flat surface, and abuts against the upper surface of a cylindrical recess 16e formed in the top wall 16b of the cup 16.

[0021] The refrigerant outlet hole 9 has a large diameter hole 9a formed at an upper end and a small diameter hole 9b formed at a lower end. The inner diameter of the large diameter hole 9a is larger than the inner diameter of the small diameter hole 9b.

[0022] The cup 16 has a cup body 16d and a recess 16e. The cup body 16d faces the header 4 inside the body 3. The cup body 16d is formed by connecting a side wall 16a and a top wall 16b. A through hole 16c is formed in the bottom surface of the recess 16e. The through hole 16c is an example of a communication part in which a part of the inner pipe 6 is disposed. The communication part is formed in the cup body 16d in a shape that communicates the header 4 side with the opposite side, in other words, the bottom surface side of the body 3. The communication part is not limited to a through hole. In another example, the communication part may be a notch that penetrates the cup body 16d and opens to the side surface of the cup body 16d.

[0023] The inner pipe 6 is formed of, for example, a metal, for example, an aluminum pipe. The inner pipe 6 has a thin flange portion 6a near its upper end, which is plastically deformed by, for example, bulge processing and has an expanded diameter. The outer diameter of the flange portion 6a is larger than the inner diameter of the through hole 16c. The method of forming the flange portion 6a is not limited to bulge processing. In another example, the flange portion 6a may be formed by bead processing, in other words, by tying processing.

[0024] A pressure equalizing hole 6b is formed below the flange portion 6a of the inner pipe 6. The pressure equalizing hole 6b penetrates the inside and outside of the inner pipe 6. The pressure equalizing hole 6b is a hole for preventing the liquid phase refrigerant accumulated in the inner pipe 6 from being sucked up by the compressor when the compressor is started again after the refrigeration cycle is stopped (after the compressor stops operating). In other words, the pressure equalizing hole 6b allows not only the liquid phase refrigerant in the inner pipe 6 but also the gas phase refrigerant outside the inner pipe 6 to be sucked up by the compressor, thereby preventing the liquid phase refrigerant from being sucked up.

[0025] Figure 4 is an oblique view of the outer pipe 7, Figure 5 is a front view of the bag 11, Figure 6 is an oblique view showing the bag 11 attached to the outer pipe 7, and Figure 7 is a side view showing the bag 11 attached to the outer pipe 7.

[0026] The outer pipe 7 includes a cylindrical pipe body 7a and a tapered portion 7b formed at the upper end of the pipe body 7a and expanding in diameter as it goes upward. A first upper beam 7c, a second upper beam 7d, and a third upper beam 7e are connected to the tapered portion 7b, which extend in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the pipe body 7a (here, horizontal and radial directions) from the same height position. A first lower beam 7f, a second lower beam 7g, a third lower beam 7h, and a fourth lower beam 7i are connected to the outer periphery of the pipe body 7a at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the tapered portion 7b, which extend in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the pipe body 7a (here, horizontal and radial directions). The cross-sectional shapes of these beams perpendicular to the axis are preferably, for example, a common T-shape. The first upper beam 7c, the second upper beam 7d, the third upper beam 7e, the first lower beam 7f, the second lower beam 7g, and the third lower beam 7h are collectively referred to as beam members. Note that, although an example of the arrangement of each beam is shown, the position is not limited to the above, and for example, the upper beam may be arranged on the pipe main body 7a.

[0027] As another example, the second upper beam 7d and the third upper beam 7e are disposed at positions where both ends in the circumferential direction of the bag 11 can be grasped, and the first upper beam 7c is disposed at a position where the center of the bag 11 can be grasped in the circumferential direction. As another example, the first upper beam 7c, the second upper beam 7d, and the third upper beam 7e are disposed at 90 degree intervals as shown in Fig. 2. As another example, the distance from the inner circumferential surface of the body 3 to the portion of the outer pipe 7 where the first upper beam 7c is provided along the extending direction of the first upper beam 7c is longer than both the distance from the inner circumferential surface of the body 3 to the portion of the outer pipe 7 where the second upper beam 7d is provided along the extending direction of the second upper beam 7d, and the distance from the inner circumferential surface of the body 3 to the portion of the outer pipe 7 where the third upper beam 7e is provided along the extending direction of the third upper beam 7e.

[0028] It is preferable that the axis of the second upper beam 7d and the third upper beam 7e are perpendicular to the axis of the first upper beam 7c, but this is not limited thereto. The axis of the outer pipe 7 is eccentric with respect to the axis of the body 3. In addition, in this embodiment, as an example, the lengths of the first upper beam 7c, the second upper beam 7d, and the third upper beam 7e are set to dimensions such that the tip of each of them abuts against the inner circumference of the body 3. Furthermore, the tip surfaces of the first upper beam 7c, the second upper beam 7d, and the third upper beam 7e are formed in a shape that makes surface contact with the inner circumference of the body 3. Here, the length of the first upper beam 7c is the longest, and the lengths of the second upper beam 7d and the third upper beam 7e, which are shorter than that, are common, but this is not limited thereto.

[0029] In the above example, the first upper beam 7c, the second upper beam 7d, and the third upper beam 7e have dimensions such that their respective tips abut against the inner peripheral surface of the fuselage 3, but are not limited thereto. In another example, at least one of the first upper beam 7c, the second upper beam 7d, and the third upper beam 7e may abut against the inner peripheral surface of the fuselage 3.

[0030] In yet another example, the first upper beam 7c, the second upper beam 7d, and the third upper beam 7e may have dimensions that do not contact the inner circumferential surface of the fuselage 3. For example, each of the first upper beam 7c, the second upper beam 7d, and the third upper beam 7e may have a dimension that provides a minute gap between the first upper beam 7c, the second upper beam 7d, and the third upper beam 7e and the inner circumferential surface of the fuselage 3.

[0031] In this way, each of the first upper beam 7c, the second upper beam 7d, and the third upper beam 7e may have a dimension that abuts against the inner surface of the fuselage 3, or may have a dimension that leaves a gap between them and the inner surface of the fuselage 3.

[0032] The first lower beam 7f, the second lower beam 7g, and the third lower beam 7h have a shape and length that allows them to overlap, for example, the first upper beam 7c, the second upper beam 7d, and the third upper beam 7e when viewed in the axial direction of the outer pipe 7. Here, the fact that the first lower beam 7f has a shape and length that allows them to overlap with the first upper beam 7c means that the first lower beam 7f and the first upper beam have substantially the same shape and substantially the same size, the first lower beam 7f is provided at the same position as the first upper beam 7c in the circumferential direction of the outer pipe 7, and the shape of the first lower beam 7f is such that the outer edge of the first lower beam 7f overlaps the outer edge of the first upper beam 7c when viewed in the axial direction of the outer pipe 7.

[0033] Similarly, the phrase "the second lower beam 7g has a shape and length to overlap with the second upper beam 7d" means that the second lower beam 7g and the second upper beam 7d have substantially the same shape and size, the second lower beam 7g is provided at the same position as the second upper beam 7d in the circumferential direction of the outer pipe 7, and the shape of the second lower beam 7g is such that the outer edge of the second lower beam 7g overlaps with the outer edge of the second upper beam 7d when viewed in the axial direction of the outer pipe 7. Similarly, the phrase "the third lower beam 7h has a shape and length to overlap with the third upper beam 7e" means that the third lower beam 7h and the third upper beam 7e have substantially the same shape and size, the third lower beam 7h is provided at the same position as the third upper beam 7e in the circumferential direction of the outer pipe 7, and the shape of the third lower beam 7h is such that the outer edge of the third lower beam 7h overlaps with the outer edge of the third upper beam 7e when viewed in the axial direction of the outer pipe 7. The first lower beam 7f has the longest length, and the second lower beam 7g and the third lower beam 7h, which are shorter than the first lower beam 7f, have a common length, but are not limited to this.

[0034] In this embodiment, as an example, the lengths of the first lower beam 7f, the second lower beam 7g, and the third lower beam 7h are set to dimensions such that the respective tips abut against the inner circumference of the fuselage 3. Furthermore, the tip surfaces of the first lower beam 7f, the second lower beam 7g, and the third lower beam 7h are formed into shapes that make surface contact with the inner circumference surface of the fuselage 3.

[0035] Although an example has been described in which the first lower beam 7f, the second lower beam 7g, and the third lower beam 7h have dimensions such that their respective tips abut against the inner circumferential surface of the body 3, this is not limiting. In another example, at least one of the first lower beam 7f, the second lower beam 7g, and the third lower beam 7h may abut against the inner circumferential surface of the body 3.

[0036] In yet another example, the first lower beam 7f, the second lower beam 7g, and the third lower beam 7h may have a dimension that does not abut against the inner circumferential surface of the fuselage 3. For example, each of the first lower beam 7f, the second lower beam 7g, and the third lower beam 7h may have a dimension that has a small gap between them and the inner circumferential surface of the fuselage 3. In this manner, each of the first upper beam 7c, the second upper beam 7d, and the third upper beam 7e may have a dimension that abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the fuselage 3, or may have a dimension that has a small gap between them and the inner circumferential surface of the fuselage 3.

[0037] In addition, the example has been described in which the external shapes of the first lower beam 7f, the second lower beam g, and the third lower beam h are substantially the same as the external shapes of the first upper beam 7c, the second upper beam 7d, and the third upper beam 7e, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The fact that the external shapes are substantially the same is because the first lower beam 7f, the second lower beam g, and the third lower beam h are provided on the pipe main body 7a, and the first upper beam 7c, the second upper beam 7d, and the third upper beam 7e are provided on the tapered portion 7b, and thus the shapes of the ends of the respective outer pipes 7 are different. In other examples, the shapes may not be the same or may not be substantially the same. For example, the tip positions of the first lower beam 7f, the second lower beam 7g, and the third lower beam 7h may be different from the tip positions of the first upper beam 7c, the second upper beam 7d, and the third upper beam 7e when viewed in the axial direction of the outer pipe 7.

[0038] The length of the fourth lower beam 7i is the shortest among the lower beams, and its axis here overlaps with the axis of the first lower beam 7f. The fourth lower beam 7i has, for example, a dimension that abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the body 3. Note that, although an example in which the fourth lower beam 7i has a dimension that abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the body 3 has been described, this is not limiting. In other examples, the fourth lower beam 7i may have a dimension that does not abut against the inner circumferential surface of the body 3. For example, the fourth lower beam 7i may have a dimension that has a small gap between it and the inner circumferential surface of the body 3. In this way, the fourth lower beam 7i may have a dimension that abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the body 3, or may have a dimension that has a small gap between it and the inner circumferential surface of the body 3.

[0039] When the first lower beam 7f, the second lower beam 7g, the third lower beam 7h, and the fourth lower beam 7i each have dimensions to abut against the inner surface of the fuselage 3 and their respective tip surfaces are in surface contact with the inner surface of the fuselage 3, the length and tip shape of the first lower beam 7f, the second lower beam 7g, the third lower beam 7h, and the fourth lower beam 7i are determined according to the distance to the inner surface of the fuselage 3 and the shape of the inner surface.

[0040] A first vertical beam 7j that connects the first upper beam 7c and the first lower beam 7f near their tips, a second vertical beam 7k that connects the second upper beam 7d and the second lower beam 7g at their intermediate positions, and a third vertical beam 7m that connects the third upper beam 7e and the third lower beam 7h at their intermediate positions are arranged parallel to the axis of the outer pipe 7. The cross-sectional shapes of these vertical beams perpendicular to the axis are preferably, for example, a common T-shape. The second vertical beam 7k and the third vertical beam 7m form a rod-shaped member.

[0041] A connecting plate 7n that connects, for example, a middle position of the first vertical beam 7j to the outer periphery of the outer pipe 7 is formed so as to be parallel to the first upper beam 7c and the first lower beam 7f.

[0042] In FIG. 5, the bag 11 is formed by sewing a cloth material such as felt having air permeability, water permeability and required shape retention. For example, a substantially rectangular cloth material is folded back at the center line and stacked, and a desiccant DA (FIG. 1) is placed inside. Then, the cloth material is sewn near the outer edge of the stacked cloth material along a sewing line SL, and the desiccant DA is enclosed inside the bag 11. As a result, the bag 11 has a storage section 11a that stores the desiccant DA, and a peripheral section 11b that is separated from the storage section 11a by the sewing line SL, is located around the storage section 11a, and is thinner than the storage section 11a. Here, the longitudinal direction of the bag 11 is the X direction, and the lateral direction of the bag 11 is the Y direction.

[0043] (Accumulator assembly process) In FIG. 1, the lower end of boss 4d of header 4 is brought into contact with the upper surface of recess 16e of cup 16 around through hole 16c, so that small diameter hole 9b and through hole 16c are aligned substantially coaxially.

[0044] Next, the inner pipe 6 is brought close to the cup 16 from below, and the upper end thereof is inserted into the through hole 16c, and then fitted into the small diameter hole 9b of the header 4 by press fitting.

[0045] When the inner pipe 6 is pushed toward the small diameter hole 9b, the upper surface of the flange portion 6a comes into contact with the lower surface of the cup 16 facing the recess 16e, and the inner pipe 6 does not approach any further toward the header 4. In this state, the cup 16 is sandwiched and held between the boss 4d and the flange portion 6a.

[0046] In parallel with (or before or after) the above steps, the bag 11 is attached to the outer pipe 7 having the strainer 20 assembled at its lower end. Specifically, the bag 11 containing the desiccant DA is folded in half along the X direction, and while the inner central portion is pressed against the first vertical beam 7j of the outer pipe 7, one end of the bag 11 in the X direction is inserted into the gap between the outer periphery of the outer pipe 7 and the second vertical beam 7k, and the other end of the bag 11 in the X direction is inserted into the gap between the outer periphery of the outer pipe 7 and the third vertical beam 7m. At this time, the storage section 11a containing the desiccant DA is held in a state in which the range from the lower end to the upper end of the bag 11 is disposed between the second vertical beam 7k and the third vertical beam 7m and the outer pipe 7, with the storage section 11a abutting against the second vertical beam 7k and the third vertical beam 7m and the outer periphery of the outer pipe 7. The lower end of the bag 11 is placed on the second lower beam 7g and the third lower beam 7h. The first lower beam 7f is a gripping portion that supports the lower end between both ends of the bag 11. The second vertical beam 7k and the third vertical beam 7m form a gripping portion that grips the bag 11 between the outer pipe 7, and the second upper beam 7d and the second lower beam 7g and the third upper beam 7e and the third lower beam 7h form a connecting portion that extends from the outer pipe 7 to the inner circumference of the body 3 and connects the second vertical beam 7k and the third vertical beam 7m to the outer pipe 7. The gripping portion and the connecting portion form the gripping portion. This state is shown in Figures 6 and 7.

[0047] The bag 11 folded in half has a restoring force that tends to return it to a flat state, and the bag 11 assembled to the outer pipe 7 is urged against the second vertical beam 7k and the third vertical beam 7m by this restoring force, and the frictional force acting on these vertical beams increases, suppressing the bag 11 from being separated from the outer pipe 7. According to this embodiment, the bag 11 folded in half can be assembled simply by pushing the end of the bag 11 in the X direction in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the outer pipe 7, so that the manufacturing cost can be significantly reduced and the assembly of the bag 11 can be mechanized. Furthermore, the bag 11 can be assembled without the need for separate parts such as cable ties, which contributes to a reduction in the number of parts.

[0048] The inner pipe 6 assembled to the header 4 is inserted from the lower end side into the inside of the outer pipe 7 to which the strainer 20 and the bag 11 are attached, and these are housed in the body 3 brought close from below, and then welded to the header 4 to complete the accumulator 1. Unless otherwise specified, the order of the above steps is not limited to the order described.

[0049] In the case where the tips of the first upper beam 7c, the second upper beam 7d, and the third upper beam 7e, and the tips of the first lower beam 7f, the second lower beam 7g, the third lower beam 7h, and the fourth lower beam 7i abut against the inner circumference of the body 3, in the assembled state, the tips of the first upper beam 7c, the second upper beam 7d, and the third upper beam 7e, and the tips of the first lower beam 7f, the second lower beam 7g, the third lower beam 7h, and the fourth lower beam 7i abut against the inner circumference of the body 3, so that even when vibration or the like is applied from the outside, the vibration of the outer pipe 7 is suppressed, and the bag 11 can be suppressed from falling off. At this time, the bag 11 has a curved shape in which the outer pipe 7 is disposed on the inside when installed in the body 3. Therefore, in this embodiment, two gripping parts are provided to support one end and the other end of the bag 11 in the circumferential direction.

[0050] Furthermore, even if at least one of the tips of the first upper beam 7c, the second upper beam 7d, the third upper beam 7e, the first lower beam 7f, the second lower beam 7g, the third lower beam 7h, and the fourth lower beam 7i abuts against the inner surface of the body 3, the vibration of the outer pipe 7 can be similarly suppressed.

[0051] Alternatively, the tips of the first upper beam 7c, the second upper beam 7d, the third upper beam 7e, the first lower beam 7f, the second lower beam 7g, the third lower beam 7h, and the fourth lower beam 7i do not abut against the inner surface of the body 3 when assembled, and the gap between at least one of these beams and the inner surface of the body 3 is set to a gap that allows at least one of these beams to abut against the body 3 when vibration or the like is applied from the outside.This allows at least one of the above beams to abut against the inner surface of the body 3 when vibration or the like is applied from the outside, thereby suppressing vibration of the outer pipe 7.

[0052] (Accumulator operation) The operation of the accumulator 1 configured as above will be described. In the following description, an example will be given in which the accumulator 1 is disposed between the evaporator and compressor of a refrigeration cycle, moisture contained in the refrigerant from the evaporator is removed to generate gas refrigerant, and the gas refrigerant is returned to the compressor.

[0053] When the refrigerant is discharged from the evaporator, it is transported to the accumulator 1 through a connecting pipe (not shown). After reaching the accumulator 1, the refrigerant flows into the body 3 through the refrigerant inlet 8, and then collides with the upper surface of the cup 16, where it is separated into high-density liquid-phase refrigerant and oil, and low-density gas-phase refrigerant (gas refrigerant).

[0054] After gas-liquid separation, the liquid refrigerant and oil are stored in the body 3 due to their own weight. In the process, separation of the liquid refrigerant and the oil progresses, and the oil accumulates below the liquid refrigerant. At this time, the liquid level of the liquid refrigerant reaches a height position where a part of the desiccant-containing bag 11 is immersed. Therefore, both the moisture contained in the liquid refrigerant and the moisture contained in the gas refrigerant are absorbed by the desiccant DA.

[0055] On the other hand, the gas-phase refrigerant after gas-liquid separation flows in from the upper end opening of the outer pipe 7 and flows down inside the outer pipe 7. Then, it turns back at the bottom of the outer pipe 7 and flows inside beyond the lower end of the inner pipe 6, then rises inside the inner pipe 6 and is guided to the refrigerant outlet hole 9.

[0056] The oil that accumulates in the lower part of the body 3 together with the liquid refrigerant moves to the bottom side of the body 3 due to differences in specific gravity and properties with the liquid refrigerant, is sucked into the gas refrigerant sucked into the compressor suction side, passes through the mesh filter 22 of the strainer 20, the oil return hole 7v, and the internal space of the inner pipe 6, in that order, and is returned to the compressor suction side together with the gas refrigerant and circulates. As it passes through the mesh filter 22, foreign matter such as sludge is captured and removed from the circulating refrigerant (including oil).

[0057] (Modification) Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an accumulator 1A according to a modified example. Fig. 9 is a top view of the BB cross section of the configuration of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the accumulator 1A according to a modified example, showing the inside in a see-through state. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an outer pipe 7A, and Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which a bag 11 is attached to the outer pipe 7A.

[0058] The accumulator 1A according to the modified example has a different shape of an outer pipe 7A. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the embodiment described above, so a duplicated description will be omitted.

[0059] The outer pipe 7A has an auxiliary beam 7o that is parallel to the first vertical beam 7j and connects the first upper beam 7c and the first lower beam 7f near the tip. The rest of the configuration of the outer pipe 7A is the same as that of the above-mentioned embodiment, so a duplicated description will be omitted. However, the first lower beam 7f, the second lower beam 7g, and the third lower beam 7h extend from the outer pipe 7A to the lower end between both ends of the bag 11, and serve as beams on which the lower end is placed, and the first vertical beam 7j or the auxiliary beam 7o constitute a column that extends from the beam along the outer pipe 7A and supports at least one of the surface of the bag 11 on the outer pipe 7A side and the opposite surface. The first lower beam 7f constitutes a gripping portion that supports the lower end between both ends of the bag 11.

[0060] When assembling the accumulator 1A according to the modified example, before folding the bag 11 containing the desiccant DA in half, it is inserted into the gap between the first vertical beam 7j and the auxiliary beam 7o along the X direction up to about the middle. Then, the bag 11 is folded in half starting from the first vertical beam 7j, and one end of the bag 11 in the X direction is inserted into the gap between the outer periphery of the outer pipe 7 and the second vertical beam 7k, and the other end of the bag 11 in the X direction is inserted into the gap between the outer periphery of the outer pipe 7 and the third vertical beam 7m. This state is shown in FIG. 12.

[0061] According to this modification, the center of the storage portion 11a of the bag 11 is sandwiched between the first vertical beam 7j and the auxiliary beam 7o, so that the bag 11 can be held on the outer pipe 7 more reliably.

[0062] Second Embodiment FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an outer pipe 7B to which a bag 11 to be disposed in an accumulator of the second embodiment is attached. FIG. 14 is a side view of the outer pipe 7B to which a bag 11 to be disposed in an accumulator of the second embodiment is attached. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the outer pipe 7B to which a bag 11 to be disposed in an accumulator of the second embodiment is attached, as viewed from the rear side. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the outer pipe 7B. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the accumulator 1B of the second embodiment similar to FIG. 2, but the bag is omitted. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the accumulator 1B of the second embodiment similar to FIG. 2.

[0063] An accumulator 1B according to this embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in the shape of an outer pipe 7B, but other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, so duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0064] The outer pipe 7B does not have a second longitudinal beam and a third longitudinal beam, but instead has a second upper gripping portion 7p on the lower surface of the second upper beam 7d, a second lower gripping portion 7q on the upper surface of the second lower beam 7g facing the second upper gripping portion 7p, a third upper gripping portion 7r on the lower surface of the third upper beam 7e, and a third lower gripping portion 7s on the upper surface of the third lower beam 7h facing the second upper gripping portion 7q. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, so duplicated explanations will be omitted. The second upper gripping portion 7p, the second lower gripping portion 7q, the third upper gripping portion 7r, and the third lower gripping portion 7s form a clamping portion that clamps the peripheral portion 11b of the bag 11 in the thickness direction, and the second upper beam 7d and the second lower beam 7g, the third upper beam 7e, and the third lower beam 7h form a connecting portion that extends from the outer pipe 7B to the inner circumference of the body 3 and connects the clamping portion to the outer pipe 7.

[0065] 17, the second lower gripping portion 7q has a second outer convex portion 7q1 and a second inner convex portion 7q2 formed at a distance from the second outer convex portion 7q1. It is preferable that the opposing surfaces of the second outer convex portion 7q1 and the second inner convex portion 7q2 are flat and parallel to each other.

[0066] The third lower gripping portion 7s has a third outer convex portion 7s1 and a third inner convex portion 7s2 formed at a distance from the third outer convex portion 7s1. It is preferable that the opposing surfaces of the third outer convex portion 7s1 and the third inner convex portion 7s2 are flat and parallel. Although not shown, the second upper gripping portion 7p and the third upper gripping portion 7r also have two similar convex portions and are formed opposite the second lower gripping portion 7q and the third lower gripping portion 7s.

[0067] When assembling the accumulator 1B according to this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the bag 11 containing the desiccant DA is folded in half, and while pressing the inner central portion against the first vertical beam 7j of the outer pipe 7, one end of the bag 11 in the X direction is brought close to the second upper gripping portion 7p and the second lower gripping portion 7q, and the other end of the bag 11 in the X direction is brought close to the third upper gripping portion 7r and the third lower gripping portion 7s.

[0068] The bag 11 has a peripheral portion 11b having a small thickness around the storage portion 11a. Therefore, when one end of the bag 11 in the X direction is brought close to the second lower gripping portion 7q, the peripheral portion 11b at the lower part near the one end enters between the opposing surfaces of the second outer convex portion 7q1 and the second inner convex portion 7q2 in an elastically compressed state and is held (held in the thickness direction) by friction acting between the two surfaces, and similarly, the peripheral portion 11b at the upper part near the one end is held (held in the thickness direction) by the second upper gripping portion 7p. That is, the peripheral portions 11b on both sides of the bag 11 in the Y direction are sandwiched between the second upper gripping portion 7p and the second lower gripping portion 7q.

[0069] Furthermore, when the other end of the bag 11 in the X direction is brought close to the third lower gripping portion 7s, the peripheral portion 11b at the lower part near the other end enters between the opposing faces of the third outer convex portion 7s1 and the third inner convex portion 7s2 in an elastically compressed state and is held (held in the thickness direction) by friction acting between the two faces, and similarly, the peripheral portion 11b at the upper part near the other end is held (held in the thickness direction) by the third upper gripping portion 7r. That is, the peripheral portions 11b on both sides of the bag 11 in the Y direction are gripped by the third upper gripping portion 7r and the third lower gripping portion 7s.

[0070] According to this embodiment, the process of attaching the bag 11 can be simplified, and the weight of the outer pipe 7B can be reduced.

[0071] In the first and second embodiments, "holding" refers to "clamping" the bag 11 with at least a pair of gripping parts, while in the third embodiment below, "holding" refers to at least engagement of hooks.

[0072] (Third embodiment) Fig. 19 is a perspective view of an outer pipe 7C disposed in the accumulator of the third embodiment. Fig. 20 is a front view of a bag 11C disposed in the accumulator of the third embodiment. Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the outer pipe 7C with the bag 11C attached.

[0073] The accumulator according to this embodiment differs from that of the second embodiment in the shapes of an outer pipe 7C and a bag 11C. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment, so duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0074] As shown in Fig. 19, the outer pipe 7C does not have the first to third lower beams, but instead has a first hook portion 7Cf, a second hook portion 7Ck, and a third hook portion 7Ch on the outer periphery of the outer pipe 7C on which the lower beams are formed. Also, the second upper beam 7d and the third upper beam 7e do not have gripping portions. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the outer pipe of the second embodiment, so a duplicated description will be omitted.

[0075] The first hook portion 7Cf constituting the hook-shaped hook member has a first horizontal portion 7Cf1 extending perpendicular to the axis of the outer pipe 7C and a first vertical portion 7Cf2 extending upward from the tip of the first horizontal portion 7Cf1. The tip of the first vertical portion 7Cf2 is preferably, for example, substantially hemispherical.

[0076] The second hook portion 7Ck constituting the hook-shaped hook member has a second horizontal portion 7Ck1 extending perpendicular to the axis of the outer pipe 7C and a second vertical portion 7Ck2 extending upward from the tip of the second horizontal portion 7Ck1. The tip of the second vertical portion 7Ck2 is preferably, for example, substantially hemispherical.

[0077] The third hook portion 7Ch constituting the hook-shaped hook member has a third horizontal portion 7Ch1 extending perpendicular to the axis of the outer pipe 7C and a third vertical portion 7Ch2 extending upward from the tip of the third horizontal portion 7Ch1. The tip of the third vertical portion 7Ch2 is preferably, for example, substantially hemispherical.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 20, the bag 11C has a first pocket 11Cc in the center of the outer surface of the storage section 11Ca, and also has a second pocket 11Cd and a third pocket 11Ce on either side of the first pocket 11Cc on the outer surface of the storage section 11Ca near the ends of the bag 11C.

[0079] The first pocket 11Cc, the second pocket 11Cd, and the third pocket 11Ce are preferably formed in the same shape and from the same material as the bag 11C, and here are, for example, semi-cylindrical with side walls and a top wall sewn to the storage section 11Ca, and one end in the Y direction is open. Other configurations are the same as the bag of the first embodiment, so repeated explanations will be omitted.

[0080] When assembling the accumulator according to this embodiment, the bag 11C is folded in half with the side with the pocket facing outward, and is then brought diagonally upward toward the outer pipe 7C, and the tip of the first vertical portion 7Cf2 of the first hook portion 7Cf is inserted into the first pocket 11Cc and pushed in until the lower edge of the peripheral portion 11Cb abuts against the first horizontal portion 7Cf1. The tip of the second vertical portion 7Ck2 of the second hook portion 7Ck is inserted into the second pocket 11Cd and pushed in until the lower edge of the peripheral portion 11Cb abuts against the second horizontal portion 7Ck1. The tip of the third vertical portion 7Ch2 of the third hook portion 7Ch is inserted into the third pocket 11Ce and pushed in until the lower edge of the peripheral portion 11Cb abuts against the third horizontal portion 7Ch1. At this time, the storage section 11Ca of the bag 11C is held between the first vertical section 7Cf2, the second vertical section 7Ck2, and the third vertical section 7Ch2 and the outer circumferential surface of the outer pipe 7C. Here, the first vertical section 7Cf2, the second vertical section 7Ck2, and the third vertical section 7Ch2 constitute a placement section that is placed in the first pocket 11Cc, the second pocket 11Cd, and the third pocket 11Ce through the openings of the first pocket 11Cc, the second pocket 11Cd, and the third pocket 11Ce, and the first horizontal section 7Cf1, the second horizontal section 7Ck1, and the third horizontal section 7Ch1 connect the placement section to the outer pipe 7C and constitute a connection section on which the bag 11 is placed. The placement section and the connection section constitute a grip section.

[0081] As a modification of this embodiment, the second upper beam 7d and the third upper beam 7e may be provided with a second upper gripping portion 7p and a third upper gripping portion 7r as shown in Figs. 16 and 17. In this case, the upper edge of the peripheral portion 11Cb near the end in the X direction is held by the second upper gripping portion 7p and the third upper gripping portion 7r, thereby suppressing buckling of the bag 11C. A gripping portion similar to the second upper gripping portion 7p may be formed on the first upper beam 7c to grip the upper edge of the center of the end in the X direction of the peripheral portion 11Cb.

[0082] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

[0083] This specification includes the disclosure of the following inventions. (First aspect) The torso and a header provided at one end of the body and having an inlet and an outlet; A bag containing a desiccant; A pipe disposed within the body and through which a fluid can pass; a gripping portion provided on the pipe and configured to grip a portion of the bag; Equipped with 1. An accumulator comprising:

[0084] (Second aspect) The gripping portion is a clamping portion that clamps the bag between the clamping portion and the pipe; a connecting portion that connects the clamping portion to the pipe; 13. The accumulator of claim 12, further comprising:

[0085] (Third aspect) The clamping portion is formed so that the range from the lower end to the upper end of the bag can be disposed between the clamping portion and the pipe. 2. The accumulator according to claim 1, wherein the first and second components are arranged in a first direction.

[0086] (Fourth aspect) The bag is placed on the connection portion. The accumulator according to the second or third aspect,

[0087] (Fifth aspect) The gripping portion includes a clamping portion that clamps the bag in a thickness direction and a connecting portion that connects the clamping portion to the pipe. The accumulator according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, characterized in that:

[0088] (Sixth aspect) the bag has a storage section that stores the desiccant, and a peripheral section that is formed around the storage section and has a thickness smaller than that of the storage section, The clamping portion clamps the peripheral portion. 5. The accumulator of claim 5,

[0089] (Seventh aspect) The bag includes a pocket that opens downward, The gripping portion includes a placement portion that is placed in the pocket through the opening, and a connecting portion that connects the placement portion to the pipe and on which the bag is placed. 1 is a schematic diagram of an accumulator according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0090] (Eighth aspect) The bag has a curved shape with the pipe disposed inside when the bag is installed inside the body, The gripping portion is provided with two gripping portions each supporting one end and the other end of the bag in the circumferential direction. The accumulator according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, characterized in that:

[0091] (Ninth aspect) A beam extending from the pipe to a lower end between the one end and the other end of the bag and supporting the lower end; a column extending from the beam along the pipe and supporting at least one of a surface of the bag on the pipe side and an opposite surface of the bag; An accumulator according to an eighth aspect,

[0092] (Tenth aspect) The gripping portion is provided to support a lower end of the bag between the one end and the other end. The accumulator according to the eighth or ninth aspect,

[0093] (Eleventh aspect) The connecting portion is a beam extending from the pipe to the inner peripheral surface of the body, The accumulator according to the second or fifth aspect, [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1 Accumulator 2 Tank body 3. Torso 4. Header 5 double tube 6 Inner pipe (outlet pipe) 7, 7A, 7B, 7C Outer pipe 8 Refrigerant inlet hole 9 Coolant outlet hole 11, 11C Bag 20 Strainer 21 cases 22 Mesh Filter

Claims

1. The torso and a header provided at one end of the body and having an inlet and an outlet; A bag containing a desiccant; A pipe disposed within the body and through which a fluid can pass; a gripping portion provided on the pipe and configured to grip a portion of the bag; Equipped with 1. An accumulator comprising:

2. The gripping portion is a clamping portion that clamps the bag between the clamping portion and the pipe; a connecting portion that connects the clamping portion to the pipe; The accumulator of claim 1 , further comprising:

3. The clamping portion is formed so that the range from the lower end to the upper end of the bag can be disposed between the clamping portion and the pipe.

3. The accumulator according to claim 2.

4. The bag is placed on the connection portion.

3. The accumulator according to claim 2.

5. The gripping portion includes a clamping portion that clamps the bag in a thickness direction and a connecting portion that connects the clamping portion to the pipe.

2. The accumulator of claim 1 .

6. the bag has a storage section that stores the desiccant, and a peripheral section that is formed around the storage section and has a thickness smaller than that of the storage section, The clamping portion clamps the peripheral portion.

6. The accumulator according to claim 5.

7. The bag includes a pocket that opens downward, The gripping portion includes a placement portion that is placed in the pocket through the opening, and a connecting portion that connects the placement portion to the pipe and on which the bag is placed.

2. The accumulator of claim 1 .

8. The bag has a curved shape with the pipe disposed inside when the bag is installed inside the body, The gripping portion is provided with two gripping portions each supporting one end and the other end of the bag in the circumferential direction. An accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A beam extending from the pipe to a lower end between the one end and the other end of the bag and supporting the lower end; a column extending from the beam along the pipe and supporting at least one of a surface of the bag on the pipe side and an opposite surface of the bag; 9. The accumulator of claim 8.

10. The gripping portion is provided to support a lower end of the bag between the one end and the other end.

9. The accumulator of claim 8.

11. The connecting portion is a beam extending from the pipe to the inner periphery of the body.

6. The accumulator according to claim 2 or 5.

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