Automotive Refrigerant Pipe Die

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mold for a vehicle refrigerant pipe, and more specifically, to a mold for a vehicle refrigerant pipe that changes the clamping portion of the mold from a straight type to a swaging type to create a ledge by compressing and molding a portion of the outer diameter of the pipe. A refrigerant pipe mold for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises an upper mold and a lower mold arranged to face each other and pressurizing and fixing the pipe, wherein the inner surfaces of the upper mold and the lower mold are formed with a step so as to have an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe, thereby forming a swaging portion that reduces a portion of the outer diameter of the pipe by compressing the outer surface of the pipe.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mold for a vehicle refrigerant pipe, and more specifically, to a clamping portion of the mold in a straight type This invention relates to a mold for automotive refrigerant pipes that creates a ledge by changing to a swaging type and compressing a portion of the pipe's outer diameter. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, a vehicle is equipped with an air conditioning system that supplies cold air into the interior of the vehicle during hot summer months to cool the interior of the vehicle.

[0003] The above air conditioning system operates through the circulation of refrigerant, and the refrigerant circulating in the air conditioning system causes damage to the human body, so caution is required when handling it.

[0004] Vehicle refrigerant pipes serve as passages that circulate refrigerant within the air conditioning system between the compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator.

[0005] Such automotive refrigerant pipes are primarily manufactured by combining aluminum pipes, which are resistant to high pressure and have good thermal conductivity, with rubber hoses for vibration absorption, and are divided into a high-pressure line leading from the compressor to the condenser and a low-pressure line returning from the evaporator to the compressor.

[0006] FIGS. 1a and 1b are drawings of a conventional pipe mold and a photograph of an actual product, FIG. 2 is a drawing of a pipe formed by a conventional pipe mold, FIGS. 3a and 3b are drawings of a conventional die-casting flange, and FIG. 4 is a photograph used as a substitute for a drawing to explain the system mounting of a conventional formed pipe.

[0007] As shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, a conventional pipe mold (10) is composed of an upper mold (10a) and a lower mold (10b), and the clamping portion (12) that holds the pipe (20) is of the straight type.

[0008] Here, unexplained symbol 16 is a dowel pin used to accurately align and fix the two upper and lower molds.

[0009] Due to the straight type pipe mold (10) as shown in Fig. 2, when forming the forming part (22) of the end portion of the pipe (20), the pipe mold (10) simply holds the pipe (20), so the pipe (20) is pushed in the axial direction, and the forming precision is reduced.

[0010] In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the conventional die-casting flange (30) for mounting the pipe (20) to the air conditioning system has a hole (32) portion into which the pipe (20) is inserted from the side formed as a flat shape, so there was a risk that the pipe (20) would detach during operation after assembly of the pipe (20) and the flange (30).

[0011] In addition, to prevent detachment, a heat shrink tube (60) is inserted into the pipe (20, 40) as shown in Fig. 4, and a separate part, such as a clip (50) made of PP material, must be assembled, which may cause refrigerant leakage due to the detachment of the clip (50) when shock or vibration occurs during vehicle operation.

[0012] Here, pipe (20) is a high-pressure liquid pipe connected from the condenser of the air conditioning system through an expansion valve or receiver dryer to the evaporator, and pipe (40) is a low-pressure gas pipe (suction pipe) connected from the outlet of the evaporator to the inlet of the compressor. Prior art literature

[0013] Publication No. 20-1999-0020131 (Date of publication: June 15, 1999) The problem to be solved

[0014] The present invention has been devised to solve the aforementioned problems, and aims to provide a mold for a vehicle refrigerant pipe that can achieve assembly process simplification and cost reduction by eliminating axial displacement of the pipe during forming and preventing pipe detachment due to shock and vibration without the need for separate fixing parts (heat shrink tubes, clips, etc.) when mounted on a system, by means of a mold including a swaging section formed with a stepped inner diameter to swage a specific section by pressing the outer surface of the pipe. means of solving the problem

[0015] A refrigerant pipe mold for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose comprises an upper mold and a lower mold arranged to face each other and pressurizing and fixing the pipe, wherein the inner surfaces of the upper mold and the lower mold are formed with a step so as to have an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe, thereby forming a swaging portion that reduces a portion of the outer diameter of the pipe by compressing the outer surface of the pipe.

[0017] In addition, the swaging portion is characterized by preventing the pipe from being pushed in the axial direction during the forming process of the forming portion of the pipe end and forming a step for press-fitting on the pipe.

[0019] In addition, the pipe is characterized as being a refrigerant pipe that connects the front evaporator and the rear evaporator of a vehicle air conditioning system.

[0021] In addition, the above swaging part is characterized by compressing a pipe with an outer diameter of 9.0 mm to an outer diameter of 8.7 mm, and the compression-formed length is 27 mm.

[0023] And the above pipe is a high-pressure liquid refrigerant pipe connected to an evaporator of a vehicle air conditioning system, wherein a forming portion inserted into the evaporator is formed at the front end thereof and a step for press-fitting with a reduced outer diameter is formed at the rear end thereof, and

[0024] A flange for closely connecting the high-pressure liquid refrigerant pipe to a vehicle air conditioning system is characterized by having a press-fit hole formed therein for inserting the high-pressure liquid refrigerant pipe from the side, and a projection protruding inwardly formed on the inner surface of the press-fit hole, such that the step for pressing the high-pressure liquid refrigerant pipe is press-fitted to the projection of the flange in a press-fit manner. Effects of the invention

[0025] According to the means for solving the above-described problem, the precision of the forming operation can be increased by preventing axial displacement of the pipe through a mold including a swaging section formed with a stepped inner diameter to swage a specific section by pressing the outer surface of the pipe.

[0026] In addition, the press-fit assembly prevents pipe detachment even under shocks and vibrations during vehicle operation, thereby maintaining excellent airtightness.

[0027] In addition, the heat shrink tube and PP clip assembly processes can be eliminated, improving productivity and reducing costs. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0028] Figures 1a and 1b are drawings of a conventional pipe mold and a photograph of an actual product. Figure 2 is a drawing of a pipe formed by a conventional pipe mold. Figure 3 is a drawing of a conventional die-casting flange. Figure 4 is a photograph serving as a drawing to explain the system mounting of a conventional molded pipe. FIGS. 5A and FIGS. 5B are drawings and actual product photographs of a pipe mold according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a drawing of a pipe formed by a pipe mold according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a drawing of a die-casting flange according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 8A and FIGS. 8B are drawings illustrating the assembly process of a molded pipe and a die-casting flange according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a photograph serving as a drawing to explain the system mounting of a molded pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 shows an air conditioning system to which a molded pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0029] The configuration and operation of embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0030] It should be noted that identical components in the drawings are represented by the same reference numbers and symbols whenever possible, even if they are shown on different drawings.

[0031] In the following description of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the present invention, such detailed description will be omitted.

[0032] Furthermore, when it is stated that a part "includes" a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components.

[0034] FIGS. 5a and 5b are drawings of a pipe mold and a photograph of an actual product according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a drawing of a pipe formed by a pipe mold according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] As shown in the drawing, the pipe-holding part of the pipe mold (100), i.e., the swaging part (104), which is composed of an upper mold (100a) and a lower mold (100b), is swaged rather than conventionally straight. The pipe (200) is securely fixed during molding by improving it to a type (e.g., Ø8.7 x 27mm section).

[0036] To explain further, the pipe mold (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention is composed of an upper mold (100a) and a lower mold (100b) arranged to face each other and pressurize and fix the pipe (200). The inner surface of the upper mold (100a) and the lower mold (100b) is formed with a step so as to have an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe (200), thereby forming a swaging portion (104) that reduces a portion of the outer diameter of the pipe (200) by compressing the outer surface of the pipe (200).

[0037] That is, the swaging part (104) that grips the pipe (200) is discharged in units of, for example, 1 mm with a specific pitch (e.g., 27 mm).

[0038] Through this pipe mold (100), a pipe (200) with an outer diameter of Ø9.0 is swaged to an outer diameter of Ø8.7.

[0039] Swaging is a process used to narrow the ends or middle sections of materials such as pipes, rods, and wires; it involves a die rotating or reciprocating to compress the outer diameter of the material, thereby precisely shaping it to the desired dimensions.

[0040] In the present invention, the clamping portion of the mold gripping the pipe is changed from the existing straight type to a swaging type, thereby modifying the existing It can prevent the pipe from being pushed out during the forming of the forming section.

[0041] That is, by creating a step in the pipe mold (100) itself, the outer diameter of the pipe (200) is compressed and molded to a specific section (Ø9.0 → Ø8.7), thereby creating a step (204) for press-fitting that provides a ledge on the pipe (200).

[0042] Because a press-fit step (204) is created in which the mold (100) firmly grips the pipe (200) by this swaging method, the pipe (200) is not pushed when forming the forming part (202) of the end portion of the pipe (200) as shown in FIG. 6, and this means dimensional accuracy It leads to improvement.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a drawing of a die-casting flange according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 7, the flange (300) is an aluminum die-cast product, and a protrusion (306) is formed inwardly on the inner circumference of the press-fit hole (302) for mounting the pipe (200), so that the pipe (200) is assembled in a press-fit manner, thereby preventing detachment due to shock and vibration during vehicle operation and maintaining airtightness.

[0046] That is, because the outer diameter of the pipe (200) is reduced by swaging of the mold (100), it is possible to press-fit the protrusion (306) of the flange (300).

[0047] Unexplained reference numeral 304 is a through hole for mounting a pipe (400), and 308 is a bolt fastening hole for connecting to an air conditioning system.

[0048] Here, the pipe (200) is a high-pressure liquid refrigerant pipe connected to a refrigerant inlet formed in an automobile air conditioning system, and the pipe (400) is a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant suction pipe connected to a refrigerant outlet of the system.

[0050] FIGS. 8A and FIGS. 8B are drawings illustrating the assembly process of a molded pipe and a die-casting flange according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] First, the step (204) for inserting the pipe in FIG. 8a is aligned into the protrusion (306) of the insertion hole (302) formed in the flange (300) for mounting the pipe (200).

[0052] In the following Fig. 8b, the pipe (200) or flange (300) is moved as shown in the drawing, and the swaged press-fit step (204) of the pipe (200) is pushed to the end of the flange (300), thereby pressing the pipe (200) into the protrusion (306) and completing the assembly.

[0054] As such, in the present invention, swaging goes beyond simply creating the shape of a step (204) for press-fitting on the pipe (200); it simultaneously performs the role of firmly fixing the pipe (200) to the mold (100) and the role of a pre-processing for perfect press-fit assembly with the flange (300).

[0056] FIG. 9 is a photograph serving as a drawing to explain the system mounting of a molded pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] As described above in FIGS. 8a and 8b, the protrusion (306) of the flange (300) and the pipe (200) are assembled in a press-fit manner, and as shown in FIG. 9, they are stably fixed at the shortest distance of the air conditioning system, so damage caused by impact and vibration can be minimized.

[0058] This allows for the elimination of the assembly work of the heat shrink tubes and PP clips inserted into each pipe (200, 400), thereby providing significant advantages in terms of cost reduction and process simplification.

[0059] Here, the pipe (200) is a high-pressure liquid refrigerant pipe connected to a refrigerant inlet formed in an automobile air conditioning system, and the pipe (400) is a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant suction pipe connected to a refrigerant outlet of the system.

[0061] FIG. 10 shows an air conditioning system to which a molded pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0062] The vehicle air conditioning system (500) shown in Fig. 10 lowers the internal temperature of the vehicle by utilizing the principle of latent heat of vaporization, in which a liquid refrigerant changes into a gas and absorbs surrounding heat, and the pipe (200, 400) is a refrigerant pipe connecting the front evaporator (510a) and the rear evaporator (510b) to each other.

[0063] The above pipe (200, 400) includes a flange (300) for joining to the air conditioning system in close contact as a whole, and the flange (300) has a press hole (302) for joining to the high-pressure liquid refrigerant pipe (200), a through hole (304) for joining to the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant suction pipe (400), and a bolt fastening hole (308) for fastening the flange to the evaporator of the system.

[0064] The high-pressure liquid refrigerant pipe (200) and the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant suction pipe (400) each have a forming portion (202, 404) formed at their front ends that is inserted into an evaporator, and a step (204) for press-fitting, with a reduced outer diameter, is formed at the rear end of the forming portion (202) of the high-pressure liquid refrigerant pipe (200).

[0065] And the above flange (300) has a protrusion (306) formed on the inner surface of the insertion hole (302) into which the high-pressure liquid refrigerant pipe (200) is inserted from the side, so that the insertion step (204) of the pipe (200) is press-fitted to the protrusion (306) of the flange (300).

[0066] Unexplained symbols 520a and 520b are front and rear heater controls, 530 is a compressor, 540 is an outside air and air quality (AQS) sensor, 550 is a cooling module, and 560 is an inside air and humidity sensor.

[0068] Although the technical concept of the present invention has been described above together with the accompanying drawings, this is merely an illustrative description of preferred embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention.

[0069] Furthermore, it is evident that anyone with ordinary knowledge in this technical field can make various modifications and imitations within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention without departing from it. Explanation of the symbols

[0070] 100: Pipe mold 104: Swaging section 200,400: Pipe 202,404: Forming section 204: Press-fit step 300: Flange 302: Press-fit hole 304: Through hole 306: Protrusion 500: Vehicle air conditioning system 510A, 510b: Evaporator

Claims

Claim 1 A vehicle refrigerant pipe mold comprising an upper mold (100a) and a lower mold (100b) arranged to face each other and pressurizing and fixing a vehicle refrigerant pipe (200), wherein a swaging portion (104) is formed on the inner surface of the upper mold (100a) and the lower mold (100b) to form a press-fit step (204) by directly compressing the outer surface of the pipe to reduce the outer diameter; wherein the swaging portion (104) has a length of 27mm to press-form a pipe with an outer diameter of 9.0mm to an outer diameter of 8.7mm, and is manufactured by electrical discharge with a pitch of 1mm to form a fine step on the surface of the pipe; and the press-fit step (204) formed by the swaging portion (104) performs the role of a stopper that prevents the pipe from being pushed axially within the mold during the forming process of the pipe end, and at the same time, a separate coupling A vehicle refrigerant pipe mold characterized by being configured such that the step (204) for press-fitting is directly pressed into the press-fit hole (302) of a flange (300) having a protrusion (306) formed on its inner surface without any parts, thereby maintaining airtightness. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 A vehicle refrigerant pipe mold according to claim 1, characterized in that the vehicle refrigerant pipe (200) is a refrigerant pipe connecting the front evaporator (510a) and the rear evaporator (510b) of a vehicle air conditioning system to each other. Claim 4 delete Claim 5 delete

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