Refrigeration Cycle Equipment

Abstract

A refrigeration cycle device is provided that can suppress a decrease in strength of piping caused by furnace brazing, while suppressing an increase in manufacturing costs associated therewith. [Solution] The refrigeration cycle device 100 comprises a metal member 1 formed of iron, an iron alloy or stainless steel, a first pipe 2 connected to the metal member 1, and a second pipe 3 connected to the first pipe 2, where the first pipe 2 is formed of a copper alloy containing alloy elements, and the second pipe 3 is formed of copper not containing alloy elements or a copper alloy having a lower content of alloy elements than the first pipe 2.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigeration cycle device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the unit price of copper has been rising. The piping used in refrigeration cycle equipment has generally been made of copper pipes, and this rise in the unit price of the material has led to an increase in the manufacturing cost of refrigeration cycle equipment. For this reason, some of the copper pipes have been replaced with stainless steel pipes, etc., to suppress the increase in manufacturing costs. When replacing with stainless steel pipes, it is necessary to connect the copper pipes and the stainless steel pipes.

[0003] Brazing copper pipes and stainless steel pipes together in the atmosphere is undesirable in terms of quality and labor during mass production. A passive film that impedes the flow of brazing material is formed on the surface of the stainless steel pipe, so it is necessary to use flux or brazing material with a high silver content, and it is also necessary to control the heating time and heating position. Therefore, copper pipes and stainless steel pipes are generally connected by furnace brazing during mass production (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2020-109346 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When brazing in a furnace, the copper tube is exposed to a high temperature environment in the furnace of 800℃ to 1200℃ for a long period of time. This causes the crystals in the copper tube to coarsen, significantly reducing the tensile strength and fatigue strength of the copper tube.

[0006] In the refrigeration cycle, continuous repeated stress occurs due to the vibration caused by the compressor during operation, and discontinuous large stress occurs due to the shock caused by switching the four-way valve. Therefore, piping (copper pipes) whose strength has been reduced by brazing in the furnace may be damaged by the stress.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigeration cycle device that can suppress a decrease in strength of piping due to furnace brazing while suppressing an associated increase in manufacturing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The refrigeration cycle device of the present disclosure comprises a metal member formed of iron, an iron alloy, or stainless steel, a first pipe connected to the metal member, and a second pipe connected to the first pipe, wherein the first pipe is formed of a copper alloy containing alloy elements, and the second pipe is formed of copper not containing the alloy elements or a copper alloy having a lower content of the alloy elements than the first pipe. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing piping of a refrigeration cycle device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an oil separator of a refrigeration cycle device according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a four-way valve of a refrigeration cycle device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a four-way valve of a refrigeration cycle device according to another embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a pipe connection portion of a refrigeration cycle device according to another embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a pipe connection portion of a refrigeration cycle device according to another embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an SN diagram showing the results of the bending fatigue test. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] (First embodiment) First, a refrigeration cycle device according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In each drawing (as well as Fig. 2 and Fig. 3), the dimensional ratios in the drawing do not necessarily match the actual dimensional ratios. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the piping of a refrigeration cycle device 100 according to a first embodiment.

[0011] The refrigeration cycle device 100 shown in Fig. 1 is a device that uses a refrigerant and a refrigeration cycle, such as an air conditioner, a refrigerator, a freezer, etc. Specific examples of the refrigeration cycle device 100 include air conditioners such as packaged air conditioners and multi-air conditioners for buildings, heat source equipment such as freezers and chilling units, commercial freezers such as showcases, refrigerator-freezers, unit coolers, and ice makers, transportation refrigeration equipment such as car air conditioners, and heat pump water heaters.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 includes a refrigerant circuit 10 through which a refrigerant flows for performing a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant circuit 10 includes a plurality of element parts 11 (see Fig. 2) and refrigerant piping 12 that connects the plurality of element parts 11. The element parts 11 include, for example, an indoor heat exchanger, a compressor, an oil separator, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve, an accumulator, a four-way valve, and the like, which are connected by the refrigerant piping 12. The refrigerant piping 12 includes a liquid piping and a gas piping.

[0013] The refrigeration cycle device 100 includes a metal member 1, a first pipe 2 connected to the metal member 1, and a second pipe 3 connected to the first pipe 2. The metal member 1 is made of iron, an iron alloy, or stainless steel. In the first embodiment, the metal member 1 is a third pipe 4 connected to the first pipe 2. The first pipe 2, the second pipe 3, and the third pipe 4 (metal member 1) are included in a refrigerant pipe 12, and are used in various locations of the refrigerant pipe 12. The shapes of the first pipe 2, the second pipe 3, and the third pipe 4 (metal member 1) are not limited to those shown in FIG. 1.

[0014] The metal member 1 (third pipe 4) and the first pipe 2 are connected by furnace brazing. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first pipes 2 are connected to both ends of the metal member 1, so that the metal member 1 and the two first pipes 2 are connected by furnace brazing. Furnace brazing is a method of performing brazing in a predetermined gas (e.g., hydrogen gas) atmosphere inside a continuous furnace or the like, and makes it possible to braze stainless steel or the like without using expensive brazing materials or fluxes. This makes flux unnecessary for the metal member 1, and therefore makes it unnecessary to remove the flux after brazing. In addition, furnace brazing allows easy management of the brazing temperature and brazing time, so that brazing can be performed at a temperature and time that can suppress the occurrence of sensitization of stainless steel. The brazing material used in furnace brazing is copper brazing or copper alloy brazing. The brazing material may be, for example, nickel brazing, silver brazing, gold brazing, palladium brazing, or the like.

[0015] An expanded diameter portion 5 having an inner diameter and an outer diameter larger than those of the other portions is provided at one end of the first pipe 2 and the third pipe 4. The first pipe 2 and the third pipe 4 are connected by furnace brazing in a state where the other end of the first pipe 2 and the third pipe 4 is inserted into the expanded diameter portion 5.

[0016] The first pipe 2 is formed of a copper alloy containing (added with) an alloy element. By adding a different component such as an alloy element to copper, solid solution strengthening or precipitation hardening occurs, so that the strength reduction of the first pipe 2 can be suppressed. In other words, the presence of the different component itself or the precipitation of a compound of the different component hinders the movement of dislocations, making it difficult to deform (requiring a large stress for deformation), and the strength reduction of the first pipe 2 can be suppressed. In addition, for example, there is an effect of suppressing the coarsening of crystals, and the strength reduction of the first pipe 2 at high temperatures can be suppressed. As a result, even when the third pipe 4 (metal member 1) and the first pipe 2 are connected by furnace brazing, the strength reduction of the first pipe 2 can be suppressed and the strength of the first pipe 2 can be ensured.

[0017] Examples of copper alloys for forming the first pipe 2 include high-strength copper (C1862, C5010, C1565, C5015, etc.) specified in JIS H 3300:2018, iron-containing copper (C1940, etc.) specified in JIS H 3100:2018, and copper alloys defined by other standards. Table 1 shows an example of a copper alloy material and its chemical composition. In Table 1, "%" regarding the chemical composition means "mass %" unless otherwise specified.

[0018] [Table 1]

[0019] As shown in Table 1, the copper alloy material contains 97.0% or more of Cu and 3.0% or less of alloying elements. The balance other than Cu and alloying elements is, for example, unavoidable impurities. The alloying elements preferably contain one or more of Co, Sn, Zn, Ni, P, Zr, and Fe. The alloying elements more preferably contain one or more of Co, Sn, Zn, Ni, Zr, and Fe.

[0020] The alloy element Sn is preferably 0.06 to 0.80 mass%, more preferably 0.065 to 0.76 mass%, and further preferably 0.07 to 0.72 mass%, relative to 100 mass% of the copper alloy material.

[0021] The alloy element Zn is preferably 0.01 to 0.30 mass%, more preferably 0.015 to 0.25 mass%, and further preferably 0.02 to 0.20 mass%, relative to 100 mass% of the copper alloy material.

[0022] The alloy element Ni is preferably 0.01 to 0.70 mass%, more preferably 0.015 to 0.650 mass%, and further preferably 0.02 to 0.60 mass%, relative to 100 mass% of the copper alloy material.

[0023] The alloy element P is preferably 0.005 to 0.250 mass%, more preferably 0.01 to 0.20 mass%, and further preferably 0.015 to 0.150 mass%, relative to 100 mass% of the copper alloy material.

[0024] The alloy element Co is preferably 0.02 to 0.30 mass%, more preferably 0.03 to 0.25 mass%, and further preferably 0.04 to 0.21 mass%, relative to 100 mass% of the copper alloy material.

[0025] The alloy element Zr is preferably 0.02 to 0.10 mass%, more preferably 0.03 to 0.09 mass%, and further preferably 0.04 to 0.08 mass%, relative to 100 mass% of the copper alloy material.

[0026] The alloy element Fe is preferably 0.005 to 3.000 mass%, more preferably 0.0008 to 2.800 mass%, and further preferably 0.01 to 2.60 mass%, relative to 100 mass% of the copper alloy material.

[0027] The combination of two or more alloying elements may be one of those shown in Table 1, or may be any other combination.

[0028] The second pipe 3 is formed of copper (or pure copper) containing no alloying elements, or a copper alloy having a lower content of alloying elements than the first pipe 2. With this configuration, by providing the second pipe 3, which has a lower material unit price than the first pipe 2, it is possible to suppress an increase in the manufacturing cost of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 caused by providing the first pipe 2. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the manufacturing cost of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 caused by providing the first pipe 2, while suppressing a decrease in strength of the pipe (first pipe 2) caused by furnace brazing. The content of alloying elements is the total content (mass%) of one or more types of alloying elements added.

[0029] The second pipe 3 is preferably made of copper that does not contain alloy elements. This allows the second pipe 3 to be formed into an elastic shape, and makes it possible to prevent strain from concentrating on the metal member 1 (third pipe 4). As a result, damage to the metal member 1 due to strain concentration can be prevented.

[0030] Examples of copper for forming the second pipe 3 include oxygen-free copper (C1020) and phosphorus-deoxidized copper (C1220 and C1221) as specified in JIS H 3300: 2018. The copper alloy for forming the second pipe 3 may be a copper alloy shown in Table 1.

[0031] An expanded diameter portion 6 having an inner diameter and an outer diameter larger than those of the other end of the first pipe 2 and the second pipe 3 is provided at one end of the first pipe 2 and the second pipe 3. The first pipe 2 and the second pipe 3 are connected by manual brazing such as torch brazing with the other end of the first pipe 2 and the second pipe 3 inserted into the expanded diameter portion 6. The brazing material used in the manual brazing is copper brazing (e.g., copper phosphorus brazing) or copper alloy brazing. The brazing material may be, for example, silver brazing or brass brazing.

[0032] To summarize the brazing procedure, in the example shown in Fig. 1, first, a metal member 1 and two first pipes 2 are connected by furnace brazing to form an assembled part. Next, the assembled part and two second pipes 3 are connected by manual brazing. Finally, as shown in Fig. 1, the two first pipes 2 are positioned between the two second pipes 3, and the metal member 1 is positioned between the two first pipes 2 to form a refrigerant pipe 12.

[0033] The length of the first pipe 2 is preferably shorter than the length of the metal member 1 (third pipe 4). With this configuration, the manufacturing cost of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 can be reduced by relatively shortening the length of the first pipe made of a copper alloy, which has a higher material unit price than the metal member 1 (third pipe 4). The length of the first pipe 2 is the total length of the center lines of the first pipe 2 formed in a straight line, a curved line, or a combination thereof. The same applies to the length of the second pipe 3 and the third pipe 4.

[0034] The length of the first pipe 2 is preferably shorter than the length of the second pipe 3. According to such a configuration, the length of the first pipe 2, which is made of a material with a higher unit price than the second pipe 3, is relatively shorter, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100.

[0035] The length of the second pipe 3 may be shorter than the length of the metal member 1 (third pipe 4). With this configuration, the manufacturing cost of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 can be reduced by relatively shortening the length of the second pipe made of copper or copper alloy, which has a higher material unit price than the metal member 1 (third pipe 4).

[0036] The thickness of the first pipe 2 is preferably thicker than the thickness of the metal member 1 (third pipe 4). With this configuration, the strength of the first pipe 2 can be relatively increased. The thickness of the second pipe 2 is preferably thicker than the thickness of the metal member 1 (third pipe 4). With this configuration, the strength of the second pipe 3 can be relatively increased.

[0037] It is preferable that the thickness of the first pipe 2 is equal to or thinner than that of the second pipe 3. With such a configuration, an increase in the thickness of the first pipe 2, which has a higher material cost than the second pipe 3, can be suppressed, and an increase in the manufacturing cost of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 can be suppressed.

[0038] The second piping 3 preferably has two or more bent portions 31. With such a configuration, when the second piping 3 is provided on the compressor side, the second piping 3 can absorb vibrations from the compressor and attenuate the vibrations transmitted to the metal member 1. This can suppress damage to the metal member 1 due to vibrations.

[0039] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Since the second embodiment can be configured similarly to the first embodiment except for the configuration described below, the common points will be omitted and differences will be mainly described. The same reference numerals will be used to designate the configuration already described in the first embodiment, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an oil separator 7 of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment.

[0040] 2, the metal member 1 in the second embodiment is an oil separator 7. The oil separator 7 is made of, for example, stainless steel. One end of each of the first pipes 2a to 2c is connected to the oil separator 7 by furnace brazing.

[0041] One end of the first pipe 2a is connected to an inlet 71 provided in a side wall of the oil separator 7, one end of the first pipe 2b is connected to a refrigerant outlet 72 provided in an upper wall of the oil separator 7, and one end of the first pipe 2c is connected to an oil outlet 73 provided in the upper wall of the oil separator 7. The second pipes 3a to 3c are connected to the other ends of the first pipes 2a to 2c, respectively, by manual brazing such as torch brazing.

[0042] The mixture of refrigerant and oil discharged from the discharge pipe of the compressor flows into the oil separator 7 from the inlet 71 via the second pipe 3a and the first pipe 2a, and is separated into refrigerant (refrigerant gas) and oil. The refrigerant separated in the oil separator 7 flows from the refrigerant outlet 72 through the first pipe 2b and the second pipe 3b to the four-way valve. The oil separated in the oil separator 7 returns to the oil reservoir in the compressor from the oil outlet 73 through the first pipe 2c and the second pipe 3c.

[0043] Third embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Since the third embodiment can be configured similarly to the first embodiment except for the configuration described below, the common points will be omitted and differences will be mainly described. The same reference numerals will be used to designate the configuration already described in the first embodiment, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a four-way valve 8 of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment.

[0044] 3, the metal member 1 in the third embodiment is a four-way valve 8. The four-way valve 8 includes a valve body (not shown). The valve body is used to switch communication between the pipes connected to the four-way valve 8, thereby switching between heating operation, cooling operation, and defrosting operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100.

[0045] The four-way valve 8 is made of, for example, stainless steel. One end of each of the first pipes 2d to 2g is connected to the four-way valve 8 by furnace brazing. For example, the first pipe 2d is connected to the discharge side of the compressor, and the first pipe 2e is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger side. The first pipe 2f is connected to the indoor heat exchanger side, and the first pipe 2g is connected to the refrigerant suction side of the compressor. The second pipes 3d to 3g are connected to the other end of each of the first pipes 2d to 2g by manual brazing such as torch brazing.

[0046] (Modification) In the first to third embodiments, the second pipe 3 is a pipe included in the refrigerant pipe 12, but is not limited to this. For example, the second pipe 3 may be a heat transfer tube of an indoor heat exchanger or an outdoor heat exchanger which is the component part 11.

[0047] In the first embodiment, the metal member 1 (third pipe 4) may be connected to the compressor via the first pipe 2 and the second pipe 3. The compressor is preferably a scroll type or a twin rotary type. With such a configuration, by using a compressor with relatively small vibrations, damage to the metal member 1 due to vibrations can be suppressed. Furthermore, by connecting the metal member 1 to the compressor via the first pipe 2 and the second pipe 3, the vibrations from the compressor are damped by the first pipe 2 and the second pipe 3, and damage to the metal member 1 due to vibrations can be suppressed.

[0048] The metal member 1 (third pipe 4) is not limited to the above and may be directly connected to the compressor. In such an example, the metal member 1 (third pipe 4) becomes a discharge pipe, a suction pipe, or an oil return pipe of the compressor.

[0049] In the first embodiment, the length of the second pipe 3 is shorter than the length of the metal member 1 (third pipe 4), but this is not limited thereto. For example, the length of the second pipe 3 may be longer than the length of the first pipe 2 and / or the length of the metal member 1 (third pipe 4). With this configuration, by increasing the length of the second pipe 3, the metal member 1 can be separated from the compressor, and damage to the metal member 1 due to vibration can be suppressed.

[0050] In the third embodiment, the first pipes 2d to 2g are directly connected to the four-way valve 8, but this is not limiting. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the first pipes 2d to 2g may be connected to the four-way valve 8 via the third pipes 4d to 4g as in the first embodiment. The third pipes 4d to 4g are preferably made of the same material as the four-way valve 8.

[0051] In the first to third embodiments, the enlarged diameter portion 6 is provided at one end of the first pipe 2 and the second pipe 3, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 5(a), the first pipe 2 may be provided with an annular stopper portion 9 protruding radially inward at the end on the third pipe 4 side. In such an example, the inner diameter of the first pipe 2 is larger than the outer diameter of the second pipe 3. The third pipe 4 (metal member 1) and the second pipe 3 overlap with each other via the first pipe 2. With such a configuration, the length of the first pipe 2 can be shortened, and an increase in the manufacturing cost of the refrigeration cycle device 100 can be suppressed. The connection structure of FIG. 5(a) can also be adopted for the first pipe 2 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0052] 5(b), the stopper portion 9 may be a recess provided in the axial center of the first piping 2. The recess may be a recess provided discontinuously along the circumferential direction of the first piping 2, or may be an annular recess provided continuously along the circumferential direction of the first piping 2.

[0053] The first pipes 2d to 2g in Fig. 4 are illustrated as being connected as shown in Fig. 5(a), but are not limited thereto. For example, only the first pipe 2g may have the connection structure shown in Fig. 5(b), and the other first pipes 2d, 2e, and 2f may have the connection structure shown in Fig. 5(a). Also, for example, the first pipes 2e and 2f may have the connection structure shown in Fig. 5(b), and the first pipe 2g may have the connection structure shown in Fig. 5(a).

[0054] In the first embodiment, the expanded diameter portion 5 is provided at one end of the first pipe 2 and the third pipe 4, but this is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Fig. 6, a fitting portion 13 in which only the inner diameter is expanded may be provided at one end of the first pipe 2 and the third pipe 4. The outer diameter of the fitting portion 13 is the same as the outer diameter of the other portion of the pipe in which the fitting portion 13 is provided. The same applies to the connection between the first pipe 2 and the second pipe 3.

[0055] In the first to third embodiments, the content of the alloying elements in the first pipe 2 may be lower than the content of the alloying elements in the metal member 1. With such a configuration, the content of the alloying elements in the first pipe 2 can be reduced, and an increase in the manufacturing cost of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 can be suppressed.

[0056] In the first to third embodiments, the metal member 1 is a pipe (third pipe 4), an oil separator 7, or a four-way valve 8, but is not limited thereto. For example, the metal member 1 may be a pipe (third pipe 4), an oil separator 7, or a four-way valve 8.

[0057] (Example) The bending fatigue of the first pipe in the first to third embodiments was measured by the bending fatigue test method defined in JIS Z 2273. Fig. 7 is an SN diagram showing the results of the bending fatigue test. The SN diagram in Fig. 7 shows the number of repetitions required to break the first pipe by applying a predetermined repeated stress to the first pipe.

[0058] The first pipe in Example 1 is made of a copper alloy with a material code of C5010T-O (No. 2 in Table 1) and is heated at a temperature equivalent to that for furnace brazing. The first pipe is heated for 20 to 30 minutes in a furnace with an internal temperature of 1000°C to 1100°C, for example.

[0059] The first pipe in the second embodiment was made of a copper alloy having a material code of C1862T-O (No. 1 in Table 1) and was heated under the same conditions as those in the first embodiment.

[0060] The pipe in Comparative Example 3 is made of standard copper with the material code C1220T-O. The pipe in Comparative Example 3 is made of standard copper with the material code C1220T-O, and is heated under the same conditions as in Examples 1 and 2. The outer diameter, wall thickness, and length of each pipe in Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 are all the same.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 7, the first pipe in each of Examples 1 and 2 has a repetition rate of 1.0×10 n Even in the case of the first pipe in Example 1 and Example 2, the stress is higher than the allowable stress σ1. Therefore, it was found that there is no problem with the strength of the first pipe in Example 1 and Example 2 even if it is heated by brazing in a furnace.

[0062] It was also found that the first pipes in Examples 1 and 2 had a smaller decrease in strength with increasing number of repetitions than the pipes in Comparative Examples 1 and 2. Furthermore, when the number of repetitions was 1.0×10 n In the experiment, it was found that the strength of the first pipe of Example 1 was close to the strength of the pipe of Comparative Example 2 that was not heated.

[0063] [1] As described above, the refrigeration cycle device 100 comprises a metal member 1 formed of iron, an iron alloy, or stainless steel, a first pipe 2 connected to the metal member 1, and a second pipe 3 connected to the first pipe 2, where the first pipe 2 is formed of a copper alloy containing alloy elements, and the second pipe 3 is formed of copper not containing alloy elements or a copper alloy having a lower content of alloy elements than the first pipe 2.

[0064] According to this configuration, even when the metal member 1 and the first pipe 2 are connected by furnace brazing, it is possible to suppress a decrease in strength of the first pipe 2. Furthermore, by providing the second pipe 3, which has a lower unit price of material than the first pipe 2, it is possible to suppress an increase in the manufacturing cost of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 caused by providing the first pipe 2. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the manufacturing cost of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 caused by providing the first pipe 2 while suppressing a decrease in strength of the pipe (first pipe 2) caused by furnace brazing.

[0065] [2] In the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 described in the above [1], the metal member 1 is preferably a pipe (the third pipe 4), an oil separator 7, or a four-way valve 8.

[0066] [3] In the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 described in the above [1] or [2], the alloying elements preferably include one or more of Co, Sn, Zn, Ni, P, Zr, and Fe.

[0067] [4] In the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 described in any one of the above [1] to [3], it is preferable that the metal member 1 is a pipe (third pipe 4), and the length of the first pipe 2 is shorter than the length of the metal member 1 (third pipe 4).

[0068] According to this configuration, the manufacturing cost of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 can be reduced by relatively shortening the length of the first pipe made of a copper alloy having a higher material unit price than the metal member 1 (third pipe 4).

[0069] [5] In the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 described in any one of the above [1] to [4], the length of the first pipe 2 is preferably shorter than the length of the second pipe 3.

[0070] According to such a configuration, by relatively shortening the length of the first pipe 2, which is made of a material with a higher unit price than the second pipe 3, the manufacturing cost of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 can be reduced.

[0071] [6] In the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 described in any one of the above [1] to [5], it is preferable that the metal member 1 is a pipe (third pipe 4), and the length of the second pipe 3 is shorter than the length of the metal member 1 (third pipe 4).

[0072] According to this configuration, the manufacturing cost of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 can be reduced by relatively shortening the length of the second pipe made of copper or copper alloy, which has a higher material unit price than the metal member 1 (third pipe 4).

[0073] [7] In the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 described in any one of the above [1] to [6], it is preferable that the metal member 1 is a pipe (third pipe 4), and the thickness of the first pipe 2 is thicker than the thickness of the metal member 1 (third pipe 4).

[0074] With this configuration, the strength of the first pipe 2 can be relatively increased.

[0075] [8] In the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 described in any one of the above [1] to [7], the wall thickness of the first pipe 2 is preferably the same as or thinner than the wall thickness of the second pipe 3.

[0076] According to such a configuration, an increase in the wall thickness of the first pipe 2, which has a higher material cost than the second pipe 3, can be suppressed, and an increase in the manufacturing cost of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 can be suppressed.

[0077] [9] In the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 described in any one of the above [1] to [8], it is preferable that the metal member 1 is a pipe (third pipe 4), and the thickness of the second pipe 3 is thicker than the thickness of the metal member 1 (third pipe 4).

[0078] With this configuration, the strength of the second pipe 3 can be relatively increased.

[0079]

[10] In the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 described in any one of the above [1] to [9], the metal member 1 may be a pipe (third pipe 4), and the metal member 1 and the second pipe 3 may overlap with each other via the first pipe 2.

[0080] According to such a configuration, the length of the first pipe 2 can be shortened, and an increase in the manufacturing cost of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 can be suppressed.

[0081]

[11] The refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 described in any one of [1] to

[10] above may be configured to include a compressor connected to a metal member 1, which is a pipe (third pipe 4), via a first pipe 2 and a second pipe 3, and the compressor may be a scroll type or a twin rotary type.

[0082] According to this configuration, by using a compressor with relatively small vibration, it is possible to suppress damage to the metal member 1 due to vibration. In addition, by connecting the metal member 1 to the compressor via the first piping 2 and the second piping 3, the vibration from the compressor is damped by the first piping 2 and the second piping 3, and damage to the metal member 1 due to vibration can be suppressed.

[0083]

[12] In the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 described in any one of the above [1] to

[11] , the metal member 1 may be a pipe (third pipe 4), and the length of the second pipe 3 may be longer than the length of the first pipe 2 and / or the length of the metal member 1 (third pipe 4).

[0084] According to such a configuration, by increasing the length of the second pipe 3, the metal member 1 can be separated from the compressor, and damage to the metal member 1 due to vibration can be suppressed.

[0085]

[13] In the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 described in any one of the above [1] to

[12] , it is preferable that the metal member 1 is a pipe (the third pipe 4), and the second pipe 3 has two or more bent portions 31.

[0086] According to such a configuration, when the second piping 3 is provided on the compressor side, the second piping 3 can absorb vibrations from the compressor and attenuate the vibrations transmitted to the metal member 1. This can suppress damage to the metal member 1 due to vibrations.

[0087]

[14] In the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 according to any one of the above [1] to

[13] , the first pipe 2 may have a lower content of alloy elements than the metal member 1.

[0088] According to such a configuration, the content of alloy elements in the first pipe 2 can be reduced, and an increase in the manufacturing cost of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 can be suppressed.

[0089] The refrigeration cycle device is not limited to the configurations of the above-mentioned embodiments, and is not limited to the above-mentioned effects. Of course, the refrigeration cycle device can be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, it is of course possible to arbitrarily select one or more of the configurations according to the first to third embodiments and the configurations according to the modified examples described above and adopt them as configurations according to other embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] Reference Signs List 100... refrigeration cycle device, 1... metal member, 2, 2a to 2g... first pipe, 3, 3a to 3g... second pipe, 31... bent portion, 4... third pipe, 5... enlarged diameter portion, 6... enlarged diameter portion, 7... oil separator, 71... inlet portion, 72... refrigerant outlet portion, 73... oil outlet portion, 8... four-way valve, 9... stopper portion, 10... refrigerant circuit, 11... component part, 12... refrigerant pipe, 13... fitting portion

Claims

1. A metal member formed of iron, an iron alloy, or a stainless steel; A first pipe having only a portion in an axial direction including one end connected to the metal member; A second pipe connected to the other end of the first pipe, The first pipe is formed of a copper alloy containing an alloy element, The second pipe is formed of copper not containing the alloy element or a copper alloy having a lower content of the alloy element than the first pipe.

2. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the metal member is a pipe, an oil separator, or a four-way valve.

3. 3. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 1, wherein the alloying elements include at least one of Co, Sn, Zn, Ni, P, Zr, and Fe.

4. The metal member is a pipe, The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein a length of the first pipe is shorter than a length of the metal member.

5. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a length of the first pipe is shorter than a length of the second pipe.

6. The metal member is a pipe, The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein a length of the second pipe is shorter than a length of the metal member.

7. The metal member is a pipe, The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein a wall thickness of the first pipe is greater than a wall thickness of the metal member.

8. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a wall thickness of the first pipe is equal to or thinner than a wall thickness of the second pipe.

9. The metal member is a pipe, The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein a wall thickness of the second pipe is greater than a wall thickness of the metal member.

10. The metal member is a pipe, The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the metal member and the second pipe overlap with each other via the first pipe.

11. a compressor connected to the metal member, which is a pipe, via the first pipe and the second pipe, The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, or 10, wherein the compressor is a scroll type or a twin rotary type.

12. The metal member is a pipe, The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein a length of the second pipe is longer than a length of the first pipe and / or a length of the metal member.

13. The metal member is a pipe, The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the second pipe has two or more bent portions.

14. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a content of the alloying element in the first pipe is lower than a content of the alloying element in the metal member.

Images