tank

Abstract

To provide a tank that can suppress the generation of air bubbles while keeping the number of parts and manufacturing costs down. [Solution] The tank comprises a bottomed cylindrical body having an opening at one end, a header provided at the opening of the body having an inlet for introducing fluid into the body, and a guide portion provided on the header that receives the fluid flowing through the inlet and guides it toward the inner circumferential surface of the body, wherein the fluid guided by the guide portion strikes the inner circumferential surface in a direction different from the normal direction of the inner circumferential surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tank.

Background Art

[0002] Tanks such as receiver tanks and accumulators are used to perform gas-liquid separation treatment and store the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle.

[0003] In the refrigeration cycle, the high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows into the condenser, where it exchanges heat with the outside air and is cooled and condensed. The liquid refrigerant condensed in the condenser is subjected to gas-liquid separation treatment in the receiver tank, and then depressurized by an expansion valve to become a misty gas-liquid state. The refrigerant after depressurization absorbs heat from the blown air of the air conditioner blower in the evaporator and evaporates, and heat exchange is performed. The refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator is subjected to gas-liquid separation treatment in the accumulator and then sucked into the compressor.

[0004] In the header of the receiver tank, a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet communicating with the inside of the receiver tank are formed. The refrigerant inlet is connected to the condenser via a pipe, and the refrigerant outlet is connected to the expansion valve via a pipe.

[0005] In one type of conventional receiver tank, there is a tank in which the refrigerant flowing in from the refrigerant inlet formed in the header is directly dropped onto the liquid surface of the refrigerant stored in the receiver tank. Bubbles may be generated when the dropped refrigerant collides with the liquid surface, which may prevent gas-liquid separation in the receiver tank.

[0006] On the other hand, in the receiver tank disclosed in Patent Document 1, the lower end of the supply pipe attached to the header is disposed below the liquid surface in the receiver tank so that the refrigerant passing through the refrigerant inlet can be supplied into the receiver tank through the supply pipe. According to such a configuration, by flowing out the refrigerant from the lower end of the supply pipe at a position below the liquid surface, generation of bubbles in the receiver tank can be suppressed.

Prior Art Documents

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-169881 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] However, the receiver tank described in Patent Document 1 has the problem of increasing the number of parts and manufacturing costs because it is necessary to install a supply pipe in the header.

[0009] This invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide a tank that can suppress the generation of bubbles while reducing the number of parts and manufacturing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve the above objective, the tank according to the present invention is A cylindrical body with a bottom and an opening at one end, A header provided in the opening of the fuselage, the header having an inlet for allowing fluid to flow into the fuselage, The header is provided with a guide portion which receives the fluid flowing through the inlet hole and guides it toward the inner circumferential surface of the body, The fluid guided by the guide portion strikes the inner circumferential surface in a direction different from the normal direction of the inner circumferential surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a tank that can suppress the generation of bubbles while reducing the number of parts and manufacturing costs. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a receiver tank according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a plan view of section AA in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 2, showing a receiver tank according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 2, showing a receiver tank according to a third embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the area near the header of a receiver tank according to the fourth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described using a receiver tank as an example of a tank, with reference to the attached drawings.

[0014] Generally, a refrigeration cycle includes a receiver tank, a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and an accumulator. In a refrigeration cycle, the high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows into the condenser, where it is cooled and condensed through heat exchange with the outside air. The liquid refrigerant condensed in the condenser is separated into gas and liquid phases in the receiver tank, and then depressurized by the expansion valve to become a mist-like gas-liquid phase. After depressurization, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the air blown by the air conditioning fan in the evaporator and evaporates, thereby performing heat exchange. The refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator is separated into gas and liquid phases in the accumulator before being drawn into the compressor. Such a refrigeration cycle is configured, for example, as part of a vehicle air conditioning system.

[0015] In a refrigeration cycle, the amount of liquid refrigerant circulating can fluctuate depending on its operating state. For example, if a refrigeration cycle has multiple evaporators, the amount of liquid refrigerant circulating will fluctuate accordingly if the number of evaporators being operated changes. Furthermore, if the refrigeration cycle is installed in an electric vehicle or similar device and is configured to also provide heating, the fluctuations in the amount of refrigerant circulating will be even greater.

[0016] When the circulation amount of the liquid-phase refrigerant decreases due to the above-mentioned variations, the excess refrigerant is stored in the receiver tank. Also, when the circulation amount of the liquid-phase refrigerant increases due to the above-mentioned variations, the insufficient amount of refrigerant is supplied from the receiver tank. Thus, in addition to the function of separating the gas and liquid of the refrigerant, the receiver tank also has the function of absorbing the variations in the circulation amount of the refrigerant. In some cases, it is required to further increase the capacity of the receiver tank in order to absorb the variations in the circulation amount of the refrigerant.

[0017] (First Embodiment) The specific configuration of the receiver tank will be described below. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a receiver tank 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view of the A-A section of FIG. 1 in a plan view. In FIG. 2, in order to show the positional relationship of the intermediate flow path 8c with respect to the second flow path 8b described later, the intermediate flow path 8c is shown by a virtual line (two-dot chain line). The receiver tank 1 has a tank body 2, an outflow pipe 6 disposed in the tank body 2, a bag 11 containing a desiccant (moisture absorbent) DA, and a strainer 20. In this specification, the axis shall include the extension line of the axis.

[0018] A bag 11 containing a desiccant DA is disposed between the outflow pipe 6 and the inner peripheral surface of the body 3.

[0019] The tank body 2 includes a body 3 and a header 4. Here, the side of the header 4 with respect to the bottom surface 3a of the body 3 is taken as the upper side, and the side of the bottom surface 3a of the body 3 with respect to the header 4 is taken as the lower side.

[0020] The body 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape with at least the upper end open, and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape as an example. Here, when referring to a bottomed cylindrical shape, it includes a cylindrical shape with only one end open, and a cylindrical shape with both ends open and one end closed by a separate member.

[0021] The fuselage 3 is composed of a reduced-diameter cylindrical section (first cylindrical section) 3c, a larger-diameter cylindrical section (second cylindrical section) 3d which is larger in diameter than the reduced-diameter cylindrical section 3c and connects to the bottom wall 3b, and a tapered cylindrical section 3e which connects the reduced-diameter cylindrical section 3c and the large-diameter cylindrical section 3d. The tapered cylindrical section 3e expands in diameter as it extends downwards. The inner circumferential surface of the tapered cylindrical section 3e forms a surface portion that extends in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the fuselage 3.

[0022] In particular, even when there is a demand to further increase the capacity of the receiver tank, it can be difficult to increase the length of the receiver tank due to reasons such as avoiding interference with surrounding parts. On the other hand, it is possible to increase the capacity of the receiver tank by increasing the overall inner diameter of the fuselage 3, but considering the welding strength between the header 4 and the fuselage 3, it can be difficult to increase the outer diameter of the header 4. Therefore, in this embodiment, instead of reducing the inner diameter of the reduced-diameter cylindrical section 3c that is welded to the header 4, a larger diameter cylindrical section 3d is adopted to increase the capacity of the receiver tank. For this reason, a tapered cylindrical section 3e is provided to connect the reduced-diameter cylindrical section 3c and the large-diameter cylindrical section 3d.

[0023] In the bottom surface 3a within the body 3, the area facing the outflow pipe 6 in the vertical direction and the surrounding area are, for example, a plane perpendicular to the axis of the body 3. Here, a perpendicular plane means a plane that is strictly perpendicular, and also includes planes that are approximately perpendicular due to manufacturing tolerances. In this embodiment, the bottom wall 3b of the body 3 has a shape that bulges downward in a frustoconical shape. The center of the bottom surface 3a within the body 3 and the surrounding area are formed on a plane perpendicular to or perpendicular to the axis of the body 3.

[0024] The header 4 consists of an upper disc portion 4a and a lower disc portion 4b, which has a smaller diameter than the upper disc portion 4a, connected coaxially, and it shields the opening at the upper end of the body 3. The outer surface of the upper disc portion 4a is cylindrical. A cylindrical surface, in this context, is a shape in which, when viewed in cross-section perpendicular to the axis, the outer surface is a circle with a constant diameter in the axial direction. The outer surface of the lower disc portion 4b is cylindrical.

[0025] The upper disc portion 4a of the header 4 is joined to the reduced diameter cylindrical portion 3c of the fuselage 3 by a circumferential joint, for example, via a welded joint 10, thereby shielding the opening of the fuselage 3. Thus, in this embodiment, the header 4 is cylindrical with different outer diameters and is coaxial with the fuselage 3. Note that coaxiality means not only being strictly coaxial, but also allowing for deviations due to manufacturing errors, etc. In other words, coaxiality includes not only being strictly coaxial, but also being approximately coaxial.

[0026] In this example, the axis of the header 4 and the axis of the fuselage 3 are coaxial, but this does not have to be the case depending on the shape of the header 4. For example, if the lower disc portion 4b is eccentric with respect to the upper disc portion 4a, the lower disc portion 4b will not be coaxial with the fuselage 3. Both the fuselage 3 and the header 4 are formed from a metal such as an aluminum alloy.

[0027] Header 4 has a refrigerant inlet hole 8 and a refrigerant outlet hole 9.

[0028] The refrigerant inlet 8 has a cylindrical first channel 8a, a cylindrical second channel 8b, and a cylindrical intermediate channel 8c connecting the first channel 8a and the second channel 8b. The inner diameter of the first channel 8a is larger than the inner diameters of the intermediate channel 8c and the second channel 8b. The first channel 8a and the intermediate channel 8c are coaxial with each other and are formed parallel to the axis of the header 4.

[0029] Here, the positions of the first flow path 8a, the intermediate flow path 8c, and the refrigerant outlet hole 9 will be described. As will be described later, the refrigerant outlet hole 9 is a straight hole whose axis is parallel to the axis of the header 4. In this embodiment, the first flow path 8a, the intermediate flow path 8c, and the refrigerant outlet hole 9 are arranged on both sides of the axis of the header 4. The axes of the first flow path 8a and the intermediate flow path 8c and the axis of the refrigerant outlet hole 9 are arranged on a virtual straight line that passes through the axis of the header 4 and is perpendicular to the axis of the header 4. In this embodiment, the axes of the first flow path 8a and the intermediate flow path 8c and the axis of the refrigerant outlet hole 9 are shifted with respect to the axis of the header 4, but one of the axes may be coaxial with the axis of the header 4.

[0030] Returning to the description of the refrigerant inlet hole 8, the second flow path 8b is a straight hole extending from the intermediate flow path 8c, for example, toward the opposite side from the refrigerant outlet hole 9. In this embodiment, the second flow path 8b is formed such that its axis intersects (in this case perpendicular to) the axis of the header 4. That is, the second flow path 8b extends radially from the header 4. The end of the second flow path 8b is exposed on the outer circumferential surface of the lower disc portion 4b. In this embodiment, the end of the second flow path 8b faces the tapered cylindrical portion 3e in the radial direction of the header 4, in the direction in which the second flow path 8b extends. In this embodiment, since the header 4 is coaxial with the body 3, the end of the second flow path 8b faces the tapered cylindrical portion 3e in the radial direction of the body 3. The axis of the second flow path 8b passes through the inner circumferential surface of the tapered cylindrical portion 3e.

[0031] The first flow path 8a and the intermediate flow path 8c constitute the upstream side of the refrigerant inlet hole 8 and form the first portion extending in the axial direction of the body 3. Furthermore, the second flow path 8b constitutes the downstream side of the first portion and extends in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the body 3, forming the second portion, i.e., the guide portion, that faces the tapered cylindrical portion 3e.

[0032] In this embodiment, the outer circumferential surface of the lower disc portion 4b is a cylindrical surface with the axis of the body 3 as its centerline. Therefore, the distance from the outer circumferential surface of the lower disc portion 4b to the inner circumferential surface of the tapered cylinder portion 3e is constant at any position along the circumferential direction around the axis of the body 3. For this reason, the outflow opening (end opening) of the second flow path 8b opens at the position on the outer circumferential surface of the header 4 where the distance to the inner circumferential surface of the tapered cylinder portion 3e is minimized.

[0033] Furthermore, if the distance from the outer surface of the header 4 to the inner surface of the tapered cylindrical portion 3e is not constant along the circumferential direction about the axis of the body 3, it is preferable that the outlet opening of the second flow path 8b opens at a position on the outer surface of the header 4 where the distance to the inner surface of the tapered cylindrical portion 3e is minimized. The case where the distance from the outer surface of the header 4 to the tapered cylindrical portion 3e is not constant along the circumferential direction about the axis of the body 3 is, for example, when the lower disc portion 4b is not coaxial with the body 3.

[0034] The refrigerant outlet 9 has a cylindrical third channel 9a and a cylindrical fourth channel with a smaller diameter than the third channel 9a. The third channel 9a and the fourth channel 9b are coaxial with each other and are formed along the axis of the header 4. The lower end of the fourth channel 9b is connected to a cylindrical press-fit opening 9c with a larger diameter than the fourth channel 9b, and the lower end of the press-fit opening 9c is exposed on the lower surface of the lower disc portion 4b.

[0035] An annular recess 4c is formed on the lower surface of the lower disc portion 4b around the lower end of the press-fit opening 9c. The upper end of the outlet pipe 6 is press-fitted into the press-fit opening 9c, and the inner wall of the annular recess 4c is crimped, causing the press-fit opening 9c to plastically deform and reduce in diameter, so that the inner circumferential surface of the press-fit opening 9c abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the outlet pipe 6.

[0036] The upper end of the outflow pipe 6 abuts against the step between the fourth flow path 9b and the press-fit opening 9c, thereby determining the distance from the lower surface of the header 4 to the lower end of the outflow pipe 6.

[0037] The outlet pipe 6 extends to the vicinity of the bottom wall of the body 3, and its lower end is located below the liquid level of the refrigerant (not shown). The outlet pipe 6 faces each other vertically within the area of ​​the bottom surface 3a inside the body 3 that is perpendicular to the axis of the body 3.

[0038] A cylindrical strainer 20 is provided at the lower end of the outlet pipe 6. The strainer 20 consists of a hollow case 21 with a window (not shown) on its side wall and a filter 22 arranged around the entire circumference inside the case 21. The filter 22 has the function of collecting foreign matter contained in the liquid refrigerant in the body 3 and allowing the refrigerant to pass through. The filter 22 is, for example, a mesh-like material.

[0039] In the receiver tank 1 having the above configuration, piping from the condenser is connected to the first flow path 8a of the refrigerant inlet hole 8, and piping to the expansion valve is connected to the third flow path 9a of the refrigerant outlet hole 9. When the refrigeration cycle is in operation, the gas-liquid mixture refrigerant supplied from the condenser enters the header 4 via the first flow path 8a, passes through the intermediate flow path 8c, and is then discharged into the body 3 from the second flow path 8b.

[0040] Since the second flow path 8b faces the tapered cylindrical portion 3e in the axial direction of the second flow path 8b, the refrigerant discharged from the second flow path 8b strikes the inner circumferential surface of the tapered cylindrical portion 3e. Here, the axis of the second flow path 8b is perpendicular to the axis of the body 3, and the normal N of the inner circumferential surface at the intersection P between the axis of the second flow path 8b and the inner circumferential surface of the tapered cylindrical portion 3e is inclined with respect to the axis of the second flow path 8b (they are not perpendicular in the plane formed by the normal and the axis). Therefore, the refrigerant discharged from the second flow path 8b strikes the inner circumferential surface of the tapered cylindrical portion 3e at an angle, thereby suppressing the rebound of the refrigerant from the inner circumferential surface and thus suppressing the generation of bubbles.

[0041] In this embodiment, as described above, a tapered cylindrical section 3e and a large-diameter cylindrical section 3d are formed in the body 3 to increase the capacity of the receiver tank. By utilizing this, the generation of bubbles can be suppressed at low cost without using an inlet pipe or the like. Specifically, by applying the refrigerant to the inner circumferential surface of the tapered cylindrical section 3e, the refrigerant travels along the inclined inner circumferential surface, and further travels down along the inner circumferential surface of the large-diameter cylindrical section 3d. Compared to the case where the refrigerant falls directly onto the liquid surface from the refrigerant inlet hole 8, the flow velocity is reduced, and the refrigerant can reach the liquid surface in a quiet state, thereby suppressing the generation of bubbles. However, the same effect can be expected even if the tapered cylindrical section 3e has a shape that expands in diameter towards the top.

[0042] At this time, the gaseous refrigerant contained in the refrigerant rises to the liquid surface due to buoyancy and then moves into the space above the liquid surface. This separates the gaseous and liquid phases of the refrigerant.

[0043] On the other hand, the liquid phase refrigerant below the liquid surface passes through the strainer 20 and enters the inside of the outlet pipe 6, and flows out to the outside through the outlet pipe 6 and the refrigerant outlet hole 9. Since the strainer 20 is located below the liquid surface, only liquid phase refrigerant flows into the outlet pipe 6, and no gaseous phase refrigerant flows in. As a result, only liquid phase refrigerant flows to the downstream expansion valve.

[0044] (Second embodiment) Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 2, showing a receiver tank according to the second embodiment. In Figure 3, the intermediate flow path 8c is shown by a dashed line (two-dot dashed line) to show the positional relationship between the intermediate flow path 8c and the second flow path 8b. In this embodiment, only the configuration of the header 4A and the refrigerant inlet hole 8A differs; the other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment, so a redundant explanation is omitted.

[0045] Header 4A differs only in the configuration of the lower disc portion 4Ab related to the refrigerant inlet hole 8A; otherwise, its configuration is the same as in the first embodiment. The refrigerant inlet hole 8A has a fifth passage 8Ad and a sixth passage 8Ae connected to the lower end of the intermediate passage 8c, in addition to the second passage 8b. Preferably, the inner diameters of the second passage 8b, the fifth passage 8Ad, and the sixth passage 8Ae are equal to each other. The second passage 8b, the fifth passage 8Ad, and the sixth passage 8Ae constitute the second portion and the guide portion. This embodiment is an example in which the refrigerant inlet hole 8A has multiple end openings. The number of end openings of the refrigerant inlet hole 8A may be two, or four or more.

[0046] In the plane perpendicular to the axis of header 4A (see Figure 3), the axis of the fifth channel 8Ad is perpendicular to the axis of the second channel 8b, and the axis of the sixth channel 8Ae is also perpendicular. Therefore, the axis of the fifth channel 8Ad and the axis of the sixth channel 8Ae are common.

[0047] In this embodiment, the axis of the second flow path 8b is perpendicular to the axis of the body 3. The axes of the fifth flow path 8Ad and the sixth flow path 8Ae are in a twisted relationship with the axis of the body 3, and when viewed in the direction of the axis of the second flow path 8b, the axes of the fifth flow path 8Ad and the sixth flow path 8Ae are perpendicular to the axis of the body 3. Furthermore, the normal to the inner surface of the tapered cylinder 3e is inclined with respect to the axis of the second flow path 8b, the axis of the fifth flow path 8Ad, and the axis of the sixth flow path 8Ae (they are not perpendicular in the plane formed by the normal and the axis). As a result, the refrigerant discharged from the second flow path 8b, the fifth flow path 8Ad, and the sixth flow path 8Ae after passing through the intermediate flow path 8c strikes the inner surface of the tapered cylinder 3e at an angle at three points, thereby suppressing the splashing of refrigerant from the inner surface and thus suppressing the generation of bubbles.

[0048] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the total cross-sectional area of ​​the second channel 8b, the fifth channel 8Ad, and the sixth channel 8Ae is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the intermediate channel 8c, the flow velocity of the refrigerant passing through the second channel 8b, the fifth channel 8Ad, and the sixth channel 8Ae becomes slower than the flow velocity in the intermediate channel 8c, thereby calming the flow of the refrigerant and further suppressing the generation of bubbles.

[0049] (Third embodiment) Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 2, showing a receiver tank according to the third embodiment. In this embodiment, only the configuration of the header 4B and the refrigerant inlet hole 8B differs; the other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment, so a redundant explanation is omitted. In Figure 4, the intermediate flow path 8c is shown as a dashed line (two-dot line) to show the positional relationship of the intermediate flow path 8c with respect to the receiving surface 4Bg, which will be described later.

[0050] Header 4B differs only in the configuration of the lower disc portion 4Bb related to the refrigerant inlet hole 8B; otherwise, its configuration is the same as in the first embodiment. The refrigerant inlet hole 8B does not have a second flow path, but has a first flow path 8a (Figure 1) and an intermediate flow path 8c as its first part, and a slit 4Bf as its second part. The lower end of the intermediate flow path 8c is an end opening.

[0051] A slit 4Bf is formed in the lower disc portion 4Bb, extending from its outer surface toward the axis of the header 4B, up to a position where the intermediate channel 8c is exposed. This forms a crescent-shaped receiving surface 4Bg facing the end opening of the intermediate channel 8c, and a side surface 4Bh perpendicular to the receiving surface 4Bg within the slit 4Bf. The receiving surface 4Bg is a plane perpendicular to the axis of the body 3 and constitutes a guide portion. However, the receiving surface 4Bg is not limited to a plane; it may be a curved or uneven surface, and may also be inclined with respect to the plane perpendicular to the axis of the header 4B.

[0052] In this embodiment as well, the refrigerant that has passed through the intermediate flow path 8c and entered the slit 4Bf hits the receiving surface 4Bg, and its flow direction changes to a radial direction along the receiving surface 4Bg, but it is blocked by the side surface 4Bh and does not go toward the refrigerant outlet hole 9. The receiving surface 4Bg is perpendicular to the axis of the body 3, and the normal to the inner surface of the tapered cylinder portion 3e (Figure 1) is inclined with respect to the radial direction of the receiving surface 4Bg centered on the axis of the intermediate flow path 8c (they are not perpendicular in the plane formed by the normal and the radial direction). Therefore, the refrigerant discharged radially from the outer edge of the receiving surface 4Bg hits the inner surface of the tapered cylinder portion 3e at an angle, thereby suppressing the rebound of the refrigerant from the inner surface and thus suppressing the generation of bubbles.

[0053] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the flow direction cross-sectional area of ​​the slit 4Bf is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the intermediate flow path 8c, the flow velocity of the refrigerant passing through the slit 4Bf becomes slower than the flow velocity in the intermediate flow path 8c, thereby calming the flow of the refrigerant and further suppressing the generation of bubbles.

[0054] (Fourth embodiment) Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the header 4C of the receiver tank 1C according to the fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, only the configuration of the header 4C and the refrigerant inlet hole 8C differs; the other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment, so redundant explanations are omitted.

[0055] The header 4C differs only in the configuration of the lower disc portion 4Cb related to the refrigerant inlet 8C, and all other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment. The refrigerant inlet 8C differs only in the configuration of the second portion and the second flow path 8Cb which is the guide portion, and the first portion, the first flow path 8a and the intermediate flow path 8c, are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0056] In this embodiment, the axis of the second flow path 8Cb is not perpendicular to the axis of the body 3, but is inclined to approach the large-diameter cylindrical portion 3d as it extends downward. The axis of the second flow path 8Cb intersects with the inner surface of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 3d, and the normal N1 of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 3d at the intersection P1 between the axis of the second flow path 8Cb and the inner surface of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 3d is perpendicular to the axis of the body 3.

[0057] In this embodiment, since the second flow path 8Cb faces the large-diameter cylindrical portion 3d, the refrigerant discharged from the second flow path 8Cb strikes the inner circumferential surface of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 3d. Here, because the axis of the second flow path 8Cb is inclined with respect to the normal N1 of the inner circumferential surface at intersection P1 (they are not perpendicular in the plane formed by the normal and the axis), the refrigerant discharged from the second flow path 8Cb strikes the inner circumferential surface of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 3d at an angle. This suppresses the splashing of the refrigerant from the inner circumferential surface, thereby suppressing the generation of bubbles.

[0058] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, instead of making the body cylindrical, it may be polygonal cylindrical. The "tank" may refer to an accumulator placed between the evaporator and the compressor, in addition to the receiver tank described above.

[0059] This specification includes disclosures of the following inventions. (First aspect) A cylindrical body with a bottom and an opening at one end, A header provided in the opening of the fuselage, the header having an inlet for allowing fluid to flow into the fuselage, The header is provided with a guide portion which receives the fluid flowing through the inlet hole and guides it toward the inner circumferential surface of the body, The fluid guided by the guide portion strikes the inner circumferential surface in a direction different from the normal direction of the inner circumferential surface. A tank characterized by the following features.

[0060] (Second aspect) A portion of the inner circumferential surface of the fuselage has a surface portion that extends in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the fuselage, The fluid that flows out from the guide portion hits the surface portion. A tank according to a first embodiment, characterized by the following:

[0061] (Third aspect) The body has a first cylindrical portion that forms the end on the opening side, a tapered cylindrical portion connected to the first cylindrical portion and increasing in diameter as it moves away from the first cylindrical portion, and a second cylindrical portion connected to the tapered cylindrical portion and forming the area up to the bottom wall of the body. The inner circumferential surface of the tapered cylindrical portion is the surface portion. A tank according to the first or second embodiment, characterized by the above.

[0062] (Fourth aspect) A portion of the inlet hole, including the outlet opening on the inside of the body, constitutes the guide portion, and the outlet opening faces the surface portion in the direction in which the guide portion extends. A tank according to any of the first to third embodiments, characterized by the above.

[0063] (Fifth aspect) The aforementioned inlet hole is The first portion constitutes the upstream side of the inlet and extends in the axial direction of the body, It comprises a second portion that constitutes the downstream side of the first portion, extends in a direction intersecting the axial direction, and faces the surface portion in the direction of said extension, The second portion described above constitutes the guide portion. A fourth embodiment of a tank characterized by the following:

[0064] (Sixth aspect) The outflow opening of the second portion is located at a position on the outer surface of the header where the distance to the surface portion is minimized. A fifth embodiment of a tank characterized by the following:

[0065] (Seventh aspect) The outflow openings of the second portion are formed in multiple locations. A tank according to any of the first to fifth embodiments, characterized by the above.

[0066] (Eighth aspect) The inlet is a hole that extends in the axial direction of the fuselage and has an end opening on the inside side of the fuselage. The guide portion is the surface facing the end opening. A tank according to any of the first to third embodiments, characterized by the above. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0067] 1. 1C Receiver Tank 2 Tank body 3 Torso 3c Reduced diameter cylinder part 3D Large Diameter Cylinder 3e Tapered tube section 4, 4A, 4B, 4C headers 6 Outflow pipe 8, 8A, 8B, 8C Refrigerant inflow hole 9 Refrigerant outlet 20 Strainers 21 cases 22 filters

Claims

1. A cylindrical body with a bottom and an opening at one end, A header provided in the opening of the fuselage, the header having an inlet for allowing fluid to flow into the fuselage, The header is provided with a guide portion which receives the fluid flowing through the inlet hole and guides it toward the inner circumferential surface of the body, The fluid guided by the guide portion strikes the inner circumferential surface in a direction different from the normal direction of the inner circumferential surface. A tank characterized by the following features.

2. A portion of the inner circumferential surface of the fuselage has a surface portion that extends in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the fuselage, The fluid that flows out from the guide portion hits the surface portion. The tank according to feature 1.

3. The body has a first cylindrical portion that forms the end on the opening side, a tapered cylindrical portion connected to the first cylindrical portion and increasing in diameter as it moves away from the first cylindrical portion, and a second cylindrical portion connected to the tapered cylindrical portion and forming the area up to the bottom wall of the body. The inner circumferential surface of the tapered cylindrical portion is the surface portion. The tank according to feature 2.

4. A portion of the inlet hole, including the outlet opening on the inside of the body, constitutes the guide portion, and the outlet opening faces the surface portion in the direction in which the guide portion extends. The tank according to feature 2.

5. The aforementioned inlet hole is The first portion, which constitutes the upstream side of the inlet and extends in the axial direction of the body, It comprises a second portion that constitutes the downstream side of the first portion, extends in a direction intersecting the axial direction, and faces the surface portion in the direction of said extension, The second portion described above constitutes the guide portion. The tank according to feature 4.

6. The outflow opening of the second portion is located at a position on the outer surface of the header where the distance to the surface portion is minimized. The tank according to feature 5.

7. The outflow openings of the second portion are formed in multiple locations. The tank according to feature 5.

8. The inlet is a hole that extends in the axial direction of the fuselage and has an end opening on the inside side of the fuselage. The guide portion is the surface facing the end opening. The tank according to feature 1.

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