Heat exchanger integral type accumulator

Abstract

To enhance the capability of a heat exchanger integral type accumulator and convenience related to installation.SOLUTION: A heat exchanger integral type accumulator 10 includes an accumulator 12 which is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in a vertical direction and can temporarily store a low-temperature refrigerant in an inside thereof, a heat exchanger 14 which is provided above the accumulator 12 and performs heat exchange between the low-temperature refrigerant and a high-temperature refrigerant, and a joint 16 which is provided between the accumulator 12 and the heat exchanger 14 and has an inlet and an outlet of the low-temperature refrigerant and an inlet and an outlet of the high-temperature refrigerant.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger integrated accumulator.

Background Art

[0002] An internal heat exchanger integrated accumulator has been disclosed in which an inflow pipe for low-temperature refrigerant and an outflow pipe portion of a heat exchange pipe are provided on the upper end side of the accumulator, and an outflow pipe for low-temperature refrigerant and an inflow pipe portion of the heat exchange pipe are provided on the lower end side of the accumulator (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the structure in which the inflow portion and the outflow portion of the refrigerant are separately provided on the upper end side and the lower end side of the cylindrical outer member as in the above-described conventional example, the connection portions of the pipes are dispersed, so that a large piping handling space is required. Further, in the structure in which the heat exchange pipes are arranged spirally around the accumulator, the overall outer diameter increases due to the presence of the heat exchange pipes. Further, since the low-temperature refrigerant in the accumulator is heated by the heating of the high-temperature refrigerant, it is considered that the liquid storage function of the accumulator deteriorates.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to enhance the performance of a heat exchanger integrated accumulator and the convenience in installation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The heat exchanger integrated accumulator according to the first aspect is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction, and includes an accumulator capable of temporarily storing a low-temperature refrigerant inside, a heat exchanger provided above the accumulator for performing heat exchange between the low-temperature refrigerant and a high-temperature refrigerant, and a joint portion provided between the accumulator and the heat exchanger, having an inlet and an outlet for the low-temperature refrigerant and an inlet and an outlet for the high-temperature refrigerant.

[0007] In this heat exchanger integrated accumulator, since the heat exchanger is provided above the accumulator, the overall outer diameter can be reduced and the liquid storage function of the accumulator can be enhanced. Also, the connection positions of the pipes to the heat exchanger integrated accumulator can be concentrated at the joint portion between the accumulator and the heat exchanger.

[0008] The second aspect is the heat exchanger integrated accumulator according to the first aspect, wherein the heat exchanger is a plate type.

[0009] In this heat exchanger integrated accumulator, since the heat exchanger is a plate type, it is possible to enhance the heat exchange efficiency while being small in size.

[0010] The third aspect is the heat exchanger integrated accumulator according to the first aspect or the second aspect, wherein the upper end of the heat exchanger and the axial lower end of the accumulator are each formed flat.

[0011] In this heat exchanger integrated accumulator, since the upper end of the heat exchanger and the axial lower end of the accumulator are each formed flat, it is easy to handle and it is easy to suppress interference with peripheral devices.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, the performance of the heat exchanger integrated accumulator and the convenience related to installation can be enhanced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Components denoted by the same reference numerals in the respective drawings mean the same or similar components. In the embodiments described below, redundant explanations and reference numerals may be omitted. In addition, the drawings used in the following explanations are all schematic, and the dimensional relationships of the respective elements shown in the drawings, the ratios of the respective elements, etc. do not necessarily match the actual ones. Also, the dimensional relationships of the respective elements and the ratios of the respective elements do not necessarily match even between a plurality of drawings.

[0015] In FIGS. 1 to 7, the heat exchanger integrated accumulator 10 according to the present embodiment has an accumulator 12, a heat exchanger 14, and a joint part 16.

[0016] (Accumulator) The accumulator 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction, for example, a bottomed cylindrical shape, and is capable of temporarily storing a low-temperature refrigerant inside. A double pipe 20 is provided inside the accumulator 12. For example, a cylindrical support portion 18 is provided at the center of the bottom of the accumulator 12. The lower end of the outer pipe 22 of the double pipe 20 is supported inside the support portion 18. The upper end of the outer pipe 22 is open to the inside of the accumulator 12 near the upper end of the accumulator 12. An inner pipe 24 is provided inside the outer pipe 22. The upper end of the inner pipe 24 is inserted into and fixed to a joint portion 16 described later. The lower end of the inner pipe 24 is open to the inside of the outer pipe 22 below the outer pipe 22.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the lower end (bottom surface 12A) in the axial direction of the accumulator 12 is formed flat. This "flat" means that there are no protrusions or the like on the lower end of the accumulator 12 that interfere with surrounding devices.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 5, the inlet 31 for the low-temperature refrigerant to the accumulator 12 opens in a tangential direction with respect to the inner wall of the accumulator 12. The low-temperature refrigerant flows in from the inlet 31 in the tangential direction and descends spirally along the inner wall of the accumulator 12. The low-temperature refrigerant is stored outside the outer pipe 22 in the accumulator 12. FIG. 3 shows an example of the liquid level 26 of the low-temperature refrigerant.

[0019] (Heat exchanger) In FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 7, the heat exchanger 14 is a device provided above the accumulator 12 and performs heat exchange between the low-temperature refrigerant and the high-temperature refrigerant. The heat exchanger 14 is, for example, a plate type, and a plurality of plates 28 are stacked. Refrigerant flow paths are formed between the plates 28, and the low-temperature refrigerant flow paths and the high-temperature refrigerant flow paths are arranged alternately.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 8, the plate 28 has, for example, a disk portion 28A and an edge portion 28B. In the disk portion 28A, for example, four through holes 28A1, 28A2, 28A3, and 28A4 are formed. The through hole 28A1 constitutes the inflow portion 34 of the low-temperature refrigerant, and the through hole 28A2 constitutes the outflow portion 36 of the low-temperature refrigerant (FIG. 7). The through hole 28A3 constitutes the inflow portion 44 of the high-temperature refrigerant, and the through hole 28A4 constitutes the outflow portion 46 of the high-temperature refrigerant (FIG. 4). The through holes 28A1 and 28A2 have a larger diameter than the through holes 28A3 and 28A4.

[0021] In the illustrated example, the peripheries of the through holes 28A1 and 28A2 are, for example, annularly raised by press working, and the peripheries of the through holes 28A3 and 28A4 are not raised. Also, a large number of small projections 28C are formed on the disk portion 28A. In another type of plate 28 (not shown), the peripheries of the through holes 28A3 and 28A4 are raised, and the peripheries of the through holes 28A1 and 28A2 are not raised. When two types of plates 28 are alternately stacked with the positions of the through holes 28A1, 28A2, 28A3, and 28A4 aligned, the raised portions and the small projections 28C abut against the bottom surface of the adjacent upper disk portion 28A, so that a layer (flow path of the low-temperature refrigerant) communicating between the through holes 28A1 and 28A2 and a layer (flow path of the high-temperature refrigerant) communicating between the through holes 28A3 and 28A4 are alternately formed. Further, the edge portions 28B of the stacked plates 28 are in close contact with each other, suppressing the outflow of the refrigerant to the outside in the radial direction. Note that, in order to ensure the flow path, the positions of the small projections 28C do not overlap in two adjacent plates 28.

[0022] Above the uppermost plate 28, a disk-shaped upper plate 30 is provided. The upper surface of the upper plate 30 is, for example, flat. Thereby, the upper end of the heat exchanger 14 is formed flat. This "flat" means that there are no protrusions or the like on the upper end of the accumulator 12 that interfere with the surrounding devices.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4, the inflow portion 44 and the outflow portion 46 of the high-temperature refrigerant are provided at positions symmetric to each other in the radial direction of the joint portion 16. As shown in FIG. 7, the inflow portion 34 and the outflow portion 36 of the low-temperature refrigerant are provided at positions symmetric to each other in the radial direction that is, for example, orthogonal to the direction connecting the inflow portion 44 and the outflow portion 46. Thereby, a cross flow in which the flow of the low-temperature refrigerant and the flow of the high-temperature refrigerant cross each other can be realized. Note that the heat exchanger 14 may be set to a counter flow in which the flow of the low-temperature refrigerant and the flow of the high-temperature refrigerant are opposed to each other.

[0024] (Joint portion) In FIGS. 1 to 7, the joint portion 16 is provided between the accumulator 12 and the heat exchanger 14, and an inlet 31 and an outlet 32 for the low-temperature refrigerant and an inlet 41 and an outlet 42 for the high-temperature refrigerant are provided. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the inlet 41 of the high-temperature refrigerant communicates with the inflow portion 44 of the heat exchanger 14 through the inside of the joint portion 16. The outlet 42 of the high-temperature refrigerant communicates with the outflow portion 46 of the heat exchanger 14 through the inside of the joint portion 16. Further, in FIGS. 6 and 7, the inner pipe 24 of the accumulator 12 communicates with the inflow portion 34 of the heat exchanger 14 through the inside of the joint portion 16. The outlet 32 of the low-temperature refrigerant communicates with the outflow portion 36 of the heat exchanger 14 through the inside of the joint portion 16.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4, the inlet 41 and the outlet 42 of the high-temperature refrigerant are provided at positions symmetric to each other in the radial direction of the joint portion 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the inlet 31 and the outlet 32 of the low-temperature refrigerant are provided in directions orthogonal to each other, for example. In the illustrated example, the inlet 31 of the low-temperature refrigerant and the outlet 42 of the high-temperature refrigerant open in the same direction.

[0026] Female screw portions 38 for fixing piping connection components are provided in the vicinity of the inlets 31, 41 and the outlets 32, 42, respectively.

[0027] (Function) This embodiment is configured as described above, and its operation will be described below. The heat exchanger integrated accumulator 10 according to this embodiment is used by being incorporated into a refrigeration cycle. The inlet 41 of the high-temperature refrigerant in the joint portion 16 is connected, for example, downstream of a condenser (not shown). Further, the outlet 42 of the high-temperature refrigerant in the joint portion 16 is connected, for example, upstream of an expansion valve (not shown). The inlet 31 of the low-temperature refrigerant in the joint portion 16 is connected, for example, downstream of an evaporator (not shown). The outlet 32 of the low-temperature refrigerant in the joint portion 16 is connected, for example, upstream of a compressor (not shown).

[0028] In the accumulator 12, the low-temperature refrigerant is liquefied and stored. When a negative pressure acts on the outlet 32 of the low-temperature refrigerant by a compressor, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the low-temperature refrigerant in the accumulator 12 vaporizes, enters the inside from the upper end of the outer pipe 22 and descends, then enters the inside from the lower end of the inner pipe 24 and ascends, and flows through the joint portion 16 to the inflow portion 34 of the heat exchanger 14. The low-temperature refrigerant flows from the inflow portion 34 to the outflow portion 36 through between the plates 28 and reaches the outlet 32. On the other hand, in FIG. 3, the high-temperature refrigerant flows from the inlet 41 of the joint portion 16 to the inflow portion 44, flows from the inflow portion 44 to the outflow portion 46 through between the plates 28, and reaches the outlet 42. Thereby, heat exchange is performed between the high-temperature refrigerant and the low-temperature refrigerant.

[0029] When CO2 is used as the refrigerant, since the high-temperature refrigerant becomes a supercritical state, even if the flow path bends at a right angle, such as the path from the inlet 41 of the joint portion 16 to the inflow portion 44 of the heat exchanger 14 and the path from the outflow portion 46 to the outlet 42, a pressure loss hardly occurs.

[0030] In the heat exchanger integrated accumulator 10 according to this embodiment, since the heat exchanger 14 is provided above the accumulator 12, the overall outer diameter can be reduced. Further, since the joint portion 16 is interposed between the accumulator 12 and the heat exchanger 14, the accumulator 12 is less likely to be affected by the heat exchanger 14. Therefore, vaporization of the refrigerant can be suppressed and the liquid storage function of the accumulator 12 can be enhanced. Furthermore, the connection positions of the pipes to the heat exchanger integrated accumulator 10 can be concentrated on the joint portion 16 between the accumulator 12 and the heat exchanger 14.

[0031] When the heat exchanger 14 is of a plate type, it is possible to increase the heat exchange efficiency while being small in size. Further, when the upper end of the heat exchanger 14 and the lower end in the axial direction of the accumulator 12 are each formed flat, it is easy to handle and it is easy to suppress interference between the heat exchanger integrated accumulator 10 and peripheral devices.

[0032] As described above, according to this embodiment, the performance of the heat exchanger integrated accumulator 10 and the convenience in installation can be enhanced.

[0033] [Other Embodiments] Although an example of an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof.

[0034] Although the heat exchanger 14 is assumed to be of a plate type, a type other than the plate type may be used. Further, although the upper end of the heat exchanger 14 and the lower end in the axial direction of the accumulator 12 are each assumed to be flat, they do not necessarily have to be flat.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0035] 10 Heat exchanger integrated accumulator 12 Accumulator 12A Bottom surface (lower end) 14 Heat exchanger 16 Joint portion 30 Plate (upper end)

Claims

1. An accumulator formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction and capable of temporarily storing a low-temperature refrigerant therein, a heat exchanger provided above the accumulator and performing heat exchange between the low-temperature refrigerant and the high-temperature refrigerant, a joint portion provided between the accumulator and the heat exchanger and provided with an inlet and an outlet for the low-temperature refrigerant and an inlet and an outlet for the high-temperature refrigerant, a heat exchanger integrated accumulator having the above components.

2. The heat exchanger integrated accumulator according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is a plate type.

3. The heat exchanger integrated accumulator according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein an upper end of the heat exchanger and an axially lower end of the accumulator are each formed flat.

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