Accumulator, compressor, and refrigeration cycle apparatus

Abstract

In a planar cross-sectional view, respective pipe centers of the two connecting pipes, the pipe center of the first outlet pipe and the pipe center of the second outlet pipe form a diamond figure, with the first outlet pipe being closest to the peripheral surface of the container and the second outlet pip being farthest from the peripheral surface of the container, and the inlet openings of the first outlet pipe and the second outlet pipe not overlapping with the outlet openings of the two connecting pipes in the vertical direction, thereby capable of realizing both easy adjustment of a pipe length of a suction pipe system suitable for achieving a supercharging effect of a compressor, and suppression of vibration in a state of being connected to a multicylinder compressor.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-010817, filed on Jan. 24, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention

[0002] Embodiments according to the present invention relate to an accumulator, a compressor, and a refrigeration cycle apparatus.Description of the Related Art

[0003] There is known an accumulator (gas-liquid separator or liquid separator) provided on a suction side of a compressor in order to prevent so-called liquid compression in which liquid refrigerant is supplied into a cylinder of the compressor and is compressed.

[0004] To guarantee gas-liquid separation capacity, an existing accumulator includes a container, a partition plate dividing an internal space of the container into an upper space and a lower space, a straight pipe penetrating through the partition plate and vertically extending so as to have opening in a bottom space, and an outlet pipe having an opening in the bottom space and led out from a lower surface of the container.

[0005] A lower end of the straight pipe, namely, an outlet end of the straight pipe is disposed near the partition plate, and an upper end of the outlet pipe, namely, an inlet end of the outlet pipe is disposed near a bottom plate of the container. In other words, the outlet end of the straight pipe is disposed above the inlet end of the outlet pipe. The accumulator of this type is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 6331786) and Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H04-350479).

[0006] In the existing accumulator, in a case where the liquid refrigerant flows into the bottom space of the container through the straight pipe, the liquid refrigerant easily flows into the outlet pipe that has the inlet end near the bottom plate of the container. This leads to liquid compression by the compressor.

[0007] In design of a rotary compressor, a high load condition with a large circulation amount of refrigerant is extremely important for design of a theoretical suction volume, the maximum rotation speed, and a motor capacity. Further, utilization of a supercharging effect in which a circulation amount of refrigerant is increased at a specific rotation speed due to columnar resonance of a suction pipe system of the compressor is effective for design of the rotary compressor.

[0008] In a case where the rotary compressor includes a multicylinder compression mechanism, the accumulator is connected to the compressor through a plurality of outlet pipes. For example, an accumulator connected to a two-cylinder compressor includes two outlet pipes connected to respective cylinder assemblies. The pipes preferably reach the compressor through paths as short as possible without interfering with each other, and are preferably manufactured by a simple work.

[0009] On the other hand, in the accumulator including the plurality of outlet pipes, it is necessary to increase a diameter of a cylindrical container as compared with an accumulator including a single outlet pipe. To guide the outlet pipes to an outside of the accumulator from a lower end plate of the container, such necessity is increased.

[0010] Such increase in diameter of the cylindrical container increases a distance between a center line of the compressor and a center line of the accumulator. Increase in distance may increase vibration of the accumulator caused by vibration generated by the compressor.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The technique of the present invention is made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an accumulator that can all realize gas-liquid separation capacity surely preventing outflow of liquid refrigerant, in other words, the gas-liquid separation capacity surely preventing liquid compression of a compressor, easy adjustment of a pipe length of a suction pipe system suitable for achieving a supercharging effect of the compressor, and suppression of vibration in a state of being connected to a multicylinder compressor, a compressor including the accumulator, and a refrigeration cycle apparatus including the accumulator.

[0012] An accumulator in a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the present invention includes: a container having a cylindrical shape; a partition plate provided inside the container and configured to divide an internal space of the container into a refrigerant introduction chamber and a refrigerant discharge chamber; an inlet pipe fixed to the container and including an inlet flow path connected to the refrigerant introduction chamber; at least one communication pipe penetrating through the partition plate and including a communication flow path connecting the refrigerant introduction chamber and the refrigerant discharge chamber; and a plurality of outlet pipes fixed to the container and each including an outlet flow path connected to the refrigerant discharge chamber. The at least one communication pipe includes an outlet opening disposed in the refrigerant discharge chamber. Each of the outlet pipes includes a container inside portion and a container outside portion. The container inside portion includes an inlet opening disposed in the refrigerant discharge chamber and extends in the refrigerant discharge chamber in parallel with a center line of the container. The container outside portion is disposed outside the container, is orthogonal to the center line of the container, and includes an outside outlet opening opened in a direction separating from the center line. The outside outlet openings of the plurality of outlet pipes include respective centers aligned on a plane passing through the center line of the container. The plurality of outlet pipes include a first outlet pipe having the container inside portion closest to the outside outlet opening, and a second outlet pipe having the container inside portion farthest from the outside outlet opening, as viewed in a direction along the center line of the container. Among the outside outlet openings of the plurality of outlet pipes, the outside outlet opening of the first outlet pipe is closest to the container. The at least one communication pipe is far from the outside outlet opening as compared with the first outlet pipe as viewed in the direction along the center line of the container. The inlet openings of the plurality of outlet pipes are disposed above the outlet opening of the at least one communication pipe, and the inlet openings of the plurality of outlet pipes are installable not to overlap with the outlet opening of the at least one communication pipe in a vertical direction.

[0013] According to the accumulator, a compressor including the accumulator, and the refrigeration cycle apparatus including the accumulator of the present invention, it is possible to all realize gas-liquid separation capacity surely preventing liquid compression of the compressor, easy adjustment of a pipe length of a suction pipe system suitable for achieving a supercharging effect of the compressor, and suppression of vibration in a state where the accumulator is connected to the multicylinder compressor.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a refrigeration cycle apparatus, a compressor, and an accumulator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a first vertical cross-sectional view of the accumulator according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a second vertical cross-sectional view of the accumulator according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the accumulator according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the compressor in a plan view and illustrating the accumulator in a cross-sectional plan view according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a compressor in a plan view and illustrating an accumulator in a cross-sectional plan view according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0020] FIG. 7 is a side view of the accumulator according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0021] An accumulator, a compressor, and a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 7. In the plurality of drawings, the same or equivalent components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0022] FIG. 1 is an outline diagram of a refrigeration cycle apparatus, a compressor, and an accumulator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a rotary compressor 2, a heat radiator 3, an expansion device 5, a heat absorber 6, an accumulator 7, and a refrigerant pipe 8. Hereinafter, the rotary compressor 2 is simply referred to as a “compressor 2”. The refrigerant pipe 8 sequentially connects the compressor 2, the heat radiator 3, the expansion device 5, the heat absorber 6, and the accumulator 7 to circulate refrigerant. The refrigerant circulating through the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 is various refrigerant such as carbon dioxide, R32, and mixed refrigerant containing R32. The heat radiator 3 may be referred to as a condenser, and the heat absorber 6 may be referred to as an evaporator.

[0024] The compressor 2 includes a sealed container 11 vertically placed and having a cylindrical shape, an electric motor 12 housed in an upper half portion of the sealed container 11, a compression mechanism 13 housed in a lower half portion of the sealed container 11, a crankshaft 15 transmitting rotational driving force of the electric motor 12 to the compression mechanism 13, and a main bearing 16 and a sub-bearing 17 cooperating to rotatably support the crankshaft 15.

[0025] The sealed container 11 has a cylindrical shape with a center line Cc as a center. The sealed container 11 includes a barrel 11a having a cylindrical shape extending in an up-down direction, an upper end plate 11b having a hemispherical shape or an elliptical shape and closing an upper end part of the barrel 11a, and a lower end plate 11c having a hemispherical shape or an elliptical shape and closing a lower end part of the barrel 11a.

[0026] The barrel 11a supports a plurality of suction pipes 8b guiding the refrigerant to the compressor 2. The plurality of suction pipes 8b are connected to the accumulator 7. The plurality of suction pipes 8b are parts of the refrigerant pipe 8.

[0027] The upper end plate 11b supports a discharge pipe 8a for discharging the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 2. The discharge pipe 8a is connected to the refrigerant pipe 8. Further, the upper end plate 11b includes a sealed terminal portion 18 supplying power to the electric motor 12.

[0028] The electric motor 12 generates driving force for rotating the compression mechanism 13. The electric motor 12 is, for example, a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). The electric motor 12 includes a stator 21 having a cylindrical shape and fixed to an inner wall of the sealed container 11, a rotor 22 disposed inside the stator 21 and fixed to the crankshaft 15, and a plurality of lead wires 23 drawn out from the stator 21 and connected to the sealed terminal portion 18.

[0029] The rotor 22 includes a rotor core having a magnet housing hole, and a permanent magnet housed in the magnet housing hole. The rotor 22 is rotatable to the stator 21, and is rotatably and integrally fixed to the crankshaft 15. A rotation center line of the rotor 22 and the crankshaft 15 is substantially coincident with a center line of the stator 21. Further, the rotation center line of the rotor 22 and the crankshaft 15 is substantially coincident with the center line Cc of the sealed container 11.

[0030] The plurality of lead wires 23 are lead wires supplying power to the stator 21 through the sealed terminal portion 18. The plurality of lead wires 23 are laid based on a type of the electric motor 12. In a case where the lead wires 23 are used in an open-winding type electric motor, two lead wires 23 are laid for each of a U-phase, a V-phase, and a W-phase, namely, six lead wires 23 in total are laid. In a case where a star-connected electric motor 12 is used, one lead wire 23 is laid for each of the U-phase, the V-phase, and the W-phase, namely, three lead wires 23 in total are laid.

[0031] The crankshaft 15 couples the electric motor 12 and the compression mechanism 13. The crankshaft 15 transmits the driving force generated by the electric motor 12 to the compression mechanism 13.

[0032] An intermediate portion 15a of the crankshaft 15 connects the electric motor 12 and the compression mechanism 13, and is rotatably supported by the main bearing 16. A lower end portion 15b of the crankshaft 15 is rotatably supported by the sub-bearing 17. The main bearing 16 and the sub-bearing 17 are parts of the compression mechanism 13. In other words, the crankshaft 15 penetrates through the compression mechanism 13.

[0033] The crankshaft 15 further includes a plurality of eccentric portions 25 between the intermediate portion 15a supported by the main bearing 16 and the lower end portion 15b supported by the sub-bearing 17. Among the plurality of eccentric portions 25, an eccentric portion on a side close to the main bearing 16 is referred to as a first eccentric portion 25a, and an eccentric portion on a side close to the sub-bearing 17 is referred to as a second eccentric portion 25b. Each of the eccentric portions 25a and 25b is a disk or a column having a center not coincident with the center of the crankshaft 15. The centers of the eccentric portions 25a and 25b are eccentric with a phase difference of about 180 degrees around the crankshaft 15. The first eccentric portion 25a is disposed on an upper side close to the electric motor 12, whereas the second eccentric portion 25b is disposed on a lower side far from the electric motor 12.

[0034] The main bearing 16 on the upper side is fixed to a frame 14 by a plurality of fastening members, for example, bolts 56a and 56b through a first cylinder 32. The frame 14 is fixed to the sealed container 11 at a plurality of positions by welding, for example, spot welding. In other words, the frame 14 supports the compression mechanism 13, the crankshaft 15, and the rotor 22 of the electric motor 12 to the sealed container 11.

[0035] By rotational driving of the electric motor 12 coupled to the compression mechanism 13 through the crankshaft 15, the compression mechanism 13 sucks gaseous refrigerant through the plurality of suction pipes 8b, compresses the sucked refrigerant, and discharges the compressed refrigerant into the sealed container 11. A lower portion in the sealed container 11 is filled with refrigeration machine oil, and most of the compression mechanism 13 is immersed in the refrigeration machine oil.

[0036] The compression mechanism 13 includes a plurality of, for example, two cylinder assemblies 26 and 27. In other words, the compressor 2 is a multicylinder rotary compressor. The compression mechanism 13 includes a first cylinder assembly 26 provided inside the sealed container 11, a second cylinder assembly 27 provided inside the sealed container 11, and a partition plate 29 provided between the first cylinder assembly 26 and the second cylinder assembly 27. The first cylinder assembly 26 is positioned close to the electric motor 12 as compared with the second cylinder assembly 27. When the compressor 2 is installed such that the electric motor 12 is disposed above the compression mechanism 13, the first cylinder assembly 26 is disposed above the second cylinder assembly 27.

[0037] The compressor 2 may be a multicylinder rotary compressor including three or more cylinder assemblies. The compressor 2 and the accumulator 7 are connected through the same number of suction pipes 8b as the number of cylinder assemblies.

[0038] The first cylinder assembly 26 includes the first cylinder 32 including a circular first cylinder chamber 31, and an annular first rolling piston 33 disposed inside the first cylinder chamber 31. Hereinafter, the first rolling piston 33 is simply referred to as a “first piston 33”.

[0039] The second cylinder assembly 27 includes a second cylinder 42 including a circular second cylinder chamber 41, and an annular second rolling piston 43 disposed inside the second cylinder chamber 41. Hereinafter, the second rolling piston 43 is simply referred to as a “second piston 43”.

[0040] Each of the cylinder assemblies 26 and 27 includes a vane 45 that partitions a corresponding one of the cylinder chambers 31 and 41 into a suction chamber and a compression chamber by performing reciprocation to come close to or go away from the rotation center line of the crankshaft 15 while being in contact with an outer peripheral surface of a corresponding one of the pistons 33 and 43. Each of the cylinder assemblies 26 and 27 compress the refrigerant by changing a capacity of the compression chamber defined by the corresponding one of the pistons 33 and 43 and the corresponding vane 45 by rotation of the corresponding one of the pistons 33 and 43. Note that only the vane 45 of the second cylinder assembly 27 is illustrated.

[0041] The first cylinder 32 and the second cylinder 42 are disposed so as to be stacked in a shaft direction of the crankshaft 15. The first cylinder 32 on the upper side is disposed on a side close to the electric motor 12. The second cylinder 42 on the lower side is disposed on a side far from the electric motor 12.

[0042] Each of the cylinders 32 and 42 has an inner peripheral surface defining a corresponding one of the cylinder chambers 31 and 41. Each of the cylinders 32 and 42 has an annular plate shape internally including the corresponding one of the cylinder chambers 31 and 41. Each of the cylinders 32 and 42 has an end surface on a side close to the electric motor 12 and an end surface on a side far from the electric motor 12.

[0043] A center of the first cylinder chamber 31 and a center of the second cylinder chamber 41 substantially overlap with the rotation center line of the crankshaft 15. The cylinder chambers 31 and 41 have substantially the same diameter dimension and substantially the same height dimension, namely, have substantially the same dimension in a length direction of the crankshaft 15. The first cylinder chamber 31 is a space inside the first cylinder 32, and is closed by the main bearing 16 and the partition plate 29. The first cylinder chamber 31 houses the first eccentric portion 25a of the crankshaft 15. The second cylinder chamber 41 is a space inside the second cylinder 42, and is closed by the partition plate 29 and the sub-bearing 17 . The second cylinder chamber 41 houses the second eccentric portion 25b of the crankshaft 15.

[0044] The compression mechanism 13 includes a first discharge valve mechanism, and a first discharge muffler 55. The first discharge valve mechanism includes a discharge port that is provided in the main bearing 16 and discharges the refrigerant compressed inside the first cylinder chamber 31 to the outside of the first cylinder chamber 31, and a discharge valve that is provided on the main bearing 16 and opens / closes the discharge port. The first discharge muffler 55 is provided on the main bearing 16 and covers the first discharge valve mechanism.

[0045] The discharge port of the first discharge valve mechanism is connected to the first cylinder chamber 31.

[0046] The discharge valve of the first discharge valve mechanism opens the discharge port when differential pressure between the inside and the outside of the first cylinder chamber 31 reaches a predetermined differential pressure value along with the compression action of the compression mechanism 13, thereby discharging the compressed refrigerant into the first discharge muffler 55.

[0047] The first discharge muffler 55 covers the first discharge valve mechanism. The first discharge muffler 55 includes a discharge hole penetrating through the first discharge muffler 55. The compressed refrigerant discharged into the first discharge muffler 55 is discharged into the sealed container 11 through the discharge hole.

[0048] The first discharge muffler 55 and the first cylinder 32 are fixed to the main bearing 16 by a plurality of fastening members, for example, the bolts 56a and 56b. The bolt 56a penetrates through the first discharge muffler 55 and the main bearing 16, and reaches the first cylinder 32.

[0049] The compression mechanism 13 further includes a second discharge valve mechanism and a second discharge muffler 57. The second discharge valve mechanism includes a discharge port that is provided in the sub-bearing 17 and discharges the refrigerant compressed inside the second cylinder chamber 41, and a discharge valve that is provided on the sub-bearing 17 and opens / closes the discharge port. The second discharge muffler 57 is provided on the sub-bearing 17 and covers the second discharge valve mechanism.

[0050] The discharge port of the second discharge valve mechanism is connected to the second cylinder chamber 41.

[0051] The discharge valve of the second discharge valve mechanism opens the discharge port when differential pressure between the inside and the outside of the second cylinder chamber 41 reaches a predetermined differential pressure value along with the compression action of the compression mechanism 13, thereby discharging the compressed refrigerant into the second discharge muffler 57.

[0052] The second discharge muffler 57 covers the second discharge valve mechanism. The compressed refrigerant discharged into the second discharge muffler 57 is guided to the first discharge muffler 55 through a hole penetrating through the sub-bearing 17, the second cylinder 42, the partition plate 29, and the first cylinder 32, and is discharged into the sealed container 11.

[0053] The second discharge muffler 57, the sub-bearing 17, the second cylinder 42, and the partition plate 29 are fixed to the first cylinder 32 by a plurality of fastening members, for example, a bolt 58. The bolt 58 penetrates through the second discharge muffler 57, the sub-bearing 17, the second cylinder 42, and the partition plate 29, and reaches the first cylinder 32.

[0054] The first piston 33 is fitted to a peripheral surface of the first eccentric portion 25a, and is housed inside the first cylinder chamber 31. Along with rotation of the crankshaft 15, the first piston 33 performs eccentric motion while bringing a part of an outer peripheral surface into line contact with an inner peripheral surface of the first cylinder chamber 31.

[0055] The second piston 43 is fitted to a peripheral surface of the second eccentric portion 25b and is housed inside the second cylinder chamber 41. Along with rotation of the crankshaft 15, the second piston 43 performs eccentric motion while bringing a part of an outer peripheral surface into line contact with an inner peripheral surface of the second cylinder chamber 41.

[0056] Each of contact between the first piston 33 and the first cylinder 32 and contact between the second piston 43 and the second cylinder 42 is not direct contact but indirect contact through an oil film (not illustrated); however, for convenience of description, contact through the oil film is simply referred to as “contact”. The same applies to contact between the first piston 33 and the first eccentric portion 25a, contact between the second piston 43 and the second eccentric portion 25b, contact between the first piston 33 and the main bearing 16, contact between the second piston 43 and the sub-bearing 17, contact between the first piston 33 and the partition plate 29, and contact between the second piston 43 and the partition plate 29.

[0057] The accumulator 7 is fixed to the sealed container 11 of the compressor 2 by a clamp band 59.

[0058] FIG. 2 is a first vertical cross-sectional view of the accumulator according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a second vertical cross-sectional view of the accumulator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] As illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, the accumulator 7 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a container 61 having a cylindrical shape and supported in an upright state, a partition plate 62 provided inside the container 61 and dividing an internal space S of the container 61 into a refrigerant introduction chamber IR and a refrigerant discharge chamber OR, an inlet pipe 63 fixed to the container 61 and including an inlet flow path IP connected to the refrigerant introduction chamber IR, one or more communication pipes 65 penetrating through the partition plate 62 and each including a communication flow path CP connecting the refrigerant introduction chamber IR and the refrigerant discharge chamber OR, and a plurality of outlet pipes 66 fixed to the container 61 and including outlet flow paths OP connected to the refrigerant discharge chamber OR.

[0060] Cross-sections illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 pass through a center of the container 61 of the accumulator 7. Cross-sections illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 pass through the center of the container 61 of the accumulator 7 and the center of the sealed container 11 of the compressor 2. The cross-sections illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 are referred to as a plane P. The cross-section illustrated in FIG. 2 passes through the center of the container 61 of the accumulator 7, and is orthogonal to the plane P.

[0061] The accumulator 7 includes a strainer 71 disposed between the inlet pipe 63 and the communication pipes 65 and filtering out a foreign matter from the refrigerant introduced to the accumulator 7, a separation plate 72 disposed between the strainer 71 and the communication pipes 65 and separating the refrigerant having passed through the strainer 71 into gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant, and a support plate 73 disposed between the separation plate 72 and the partition plate 62 and supporting the communication pipes 65 with the partition plate 62.

[0062] It is sufficient to provide at least one communication pipe 65. For convenience of description, it is assumed that the accumulator 7 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of, for example, two communication pipes 65. The number of communication pipes 65 is determined in consideration of pressure losses of the communication flow paths CP connecting the refrigerant introduction chamber IR and the refrigerant discharge chamber OR.

[0063] The container 61 is fixed to the sealed container 11 of the compressor 2 by the clamp band 59. The container 61 has a cylindrical shape with a center line Ca as a center. The container 61 includes a barrel 61a having a cylindrical shape extending in the up-down direction, an upper end plate 61b having a hemispherical shape or an elliptical shape and closing an upper end part that is one end part of the barrel 61a; and a lower end plate 61c having a hemispherical shape or an elliptical shape and closing a lower end part that is the other end part of the barrel 61a.

[0064] The barrel 61a supports the strainer 71, the separation plate 72, the support plate 73, and the partition plate 62 in order of a flow of the refrigerant.

[0065] The upper end plate 61b supports the inlet pipe 63 that causes the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 2 and circulating through the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1, to flow into the accumulator 7. The inlet pipe 63 is connected to the refrigerant pipe 8.

[0066] The inlet pipe 63 is fixed to the upper end plate 61b and is connected to the refrigerant pipe 8. The inlet pipe 63 is a straight pipe extending along a center line of the barrel 61a so as to be in coincident with the center line of the barrel 61a.

[0067] The refrigerant flowing from the inlet pipe 63 into the accumulator 7 first reaches the strainer 71. The strainer 71 has a predetermined mesh size so as to prevent a foreign matter from flowing into the compression mechanism 13 of the compressor 2.

[0068] The separation plate 72 prevents the refrigerant having passed through the strainer 71 from directly flowing into the communication pipes 65. The separation plate 72 is a plate having a shape convex upward that acts like an umbrella on the communication pipes 65. The Separation plate 72 includes a plurality of openings 72a through which the refrigerant can pass. The separation plate 72 obstructs view just below the inlet pipe 63 and obstructs view just above the communication pipes 65. The plurality of openings 72a of the separation plate 72 are disposed outside a virtual minimum circle that encompasses the plurality of communication pipes 65 as viewed from the inlet pipe 63 side. The refrigerant having reached the separation plate 72 flows down in the refrigerant introduction chamber IR of the container 61 through the plurality of openings 72a of the separation plate 72.

[0069] The support plate 73 and the partition plate 62 cooperate to support the one or more communication pipes 65 inside the container 61.

[0070] The support plate 73 includes holes supporting the communication pipes 65 such that the refrigerant introduction chamber IR is one continuous space, and an appropriate opening not inhibiting circulation of the liquid refrigerant and the gas refrigerant. The support plate 73 preferably has appropriate supporting strength and supporting rigidity to prevent the communication pipes 65 extending from the partition plate 62 toward the Separation plate 72 from falling.

[0071] The partition plate 62 does not include an opening other than holes for supporting the communication pipes 65 such that the internal space S of the container 61 is divided into the refrigerant introduction chamber IR and the refrigerant discharge chamber OR. The partition plate 62 is liquid-tightly and air-tightly joined to the inner surface of the container 61 to inhibit the refrigerant from flowing out from the refrigerant introduction chamber IR to the refrigerant discharge chamber OR through a path other than the communication pipes 65. It is sufficient for the partition plate 62 to have a plane orthogonal to the center line Ca of the container 61, and in a state where the accumulator 7 stands upright, the partition plate 62 defines a plane extending in a horizontal direction.

[0072] Each of the communication pipes 65 includes an inlet opening 65i disposed in the refrigerant introduction chamber IR, and an outlet opening 650 disposed in the refrigerant discharge chamber OR. The inlet openings 65i correspond to upstream ends of the communication paths CP, and the outlet openings 650 correspond to downstream ends of the communication paths CP.

[0073] The communication pipes 65 are disposed inside the container 61, and are fixed to the support plate 73 and the partition plate 62 to connect the refrigerant introduction chamber IR and the refrigerant discharge chamber OR. The communication pipes 65 are straight pipes extending along the center line of the barrel 61a and are straight pipes extending in parallel with the center line of the barrel 61a.

[0074] A length of each of the communication pipes 65 depends on a refrigerant enclosed amount in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1, and is preferably ½ or more of the entire length of the accumulator 7.

[0075] The outlet pipes 66 serve as the suction pipes 8b of the compressor 2 and are connected to the respective cylinder chambers 31 and 41 of the cylinder assemblies 26 and 27 of the compression mechanism 13. The number of outlet pipes 66 is equal to the number of cylinder assemblies of the compressor 2. In a case of the multicylinder compressor 2 as illustrated in FIG. 1, the accumulator 7 is connected to the compressor 2 through the same number of outlet pipes 66 as the number of cylinder assemblies.

[0076] The outlet pipes 66 cause the gas refrigerant Separated from the refrigerant having flowed into the accumulator 7, to flow out from the accumulator 7. The outlet pipes 66 are fixed to the lower end plate 61c and are connected to the compressor 2. A portion of each of the outlet pipes 66 positioned inside the container 61 is a straight pipe extending along the center line of the barrel 61a and is a straight pipe extending in parallel with the center line of the barrel 61a.

[0077] Each of the outlet pipes 66 includes an inlet opening 66i disposed in the refrigerant discharge chamber OR, and an outlet opening 660 (outside outlet opening) connected to a corresponding one of the cylinder chambers 31 and 41. The inlet openings 66i correspond to upstream ends of outlet flow paths OP, and the outlet openings 660 correspond to downstream ends of the outlet flow paths OP. The outlet openings 660 of the plurality of outlet pipes 66 include respective centers aligned on the plane P passing through the center line Ca of the container 61.

[0078] The plurality of outlet pipes 66 overlap with the plurality of communication pipes 65 as viewed in a radial direction the container 61. In other words, the inlet openings 66i of the plurality of outlet pipes 66 are disposed above the outlet openings 650 of the plurality of communication pipes 65. The inlet openings 66i of the plurality of outlet pipes 66 are positioned close to the partition plate 62 as compared with the outlet openings 650 of the plurality of communication pipes 65. The outlet openings 650 of the plurality of communication pipes 65 are positioned close to the lower end plate 61c as compared with the inlet openings 66i of the plurality of outlet pipes 66. In other words, the accumulator 7 can be installed in the compressor 2 such that the inlet openings 66i of the plurality of outlet pipes 66 are disposed above the outlet openings 650 of the plurality of communication pipes 65.

[0079] The inlet openings 66i of the plurality of outlet pipes 66 are directed upward toward the partition plate 62, and the outlet openings 650 of the plurality of communication pipes 65 are directed downward toward the lower end plate 61c.

[0080] The inlet openings 65i of the plurality of communication pipes 65 are positioned closer to the upper end plate 61b than the partition plate 62, and the inlet openings 66i of the plurality of outlet pipes 66 are positioned closer to the partition plate 62 than the lower end plate 61c.

[0081] The inlet openings 65i of the communication pipes 65 are disposed at substantially the same height. In other words, the accumulator 7 is configured such that the inlet openings 65i of the plurality of communication pipes 65 can be disposed at substantially the same height.

[0082] The container 61 is an assembly including three members that are divided and air-tightly joined at the middle of the barrel 61a on the upper end plate 61b side and at the middle of the barrel 61a on the lower end plate 61c side. The inlet pipe 63, the strainer 71, and the Separation plate 72 are preferably incorporated in an upper member before the container 61 is assembled, the outlet pipes 66 are preferably incorporated in a lower member before the container 61 is assembled, and the partition plate 62, the support plate 73, and the communication pipes 65 are preferably incorporated in a center member before the container 61 is assembled. The support plate 73 may be disposed on a dividing surface between the upper member and the center member, or may be fixed to an inside of the center member.

[0083] The container 61 may be an assembly including two members that are divided and air-tightly joined at the middle of the barrel 61a. The inlet pipe 63, the strainer 71, and the separation plate 72 are preferably incorporated in an upper member before the container 61 is assembled, and the outlet pipes 66, the partition plate 62, the support plate 73, and the communication pipes 65 are preferably incorporated in a lower member before the container 61 is assembled. The support plate 73 may be disposed on a dividing surface between the two members, or may be fixed to an inside of the lower member.

[0084] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the accumulator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section that enables recognition of arrangement relationship of the container 61, the plurality of communication pipes 65, and the plurality of outlet pipes 66 of the accumulator 7, for example, taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3.

[0086] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the inlet openings 66i of the plurality of outlet pipes 66 of the accumulator 7 according to the embodiment of the present invention are disposed so as not to overlap with the outlet openings 650 of the plurality of communication pipes 65 in the vertical direction. In other words, the accumulator 7 is configured such that, in the vertical direction, the inlet openings 66i of the plurality of outlet pipes 66 can be installed so as not to overlap with the outlet openings 650 of the plurality of communication pipes 65.

[0087] The accumulator 7 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the two outlet pipes 66 corresponding to the two-cylinder compressor 2, and the two communication pipes 65 connecting the refrigerant introduction chamber IR and the refrigerant discharge chamber OR. The two outlet pipes 66 and the two communication pipes 65 are alternately disposed in a circumferential direction of the container 61. When arranged in such a manner, the plurality of communication pipes 65 and the plurality of outlet pipes 66 are disposed so as to overlap with each other as viewed in the radial direction of the container 61. Such arrangement relationship of the plurality of communication pipes 65 and the plurality of outlet pipes 66 prevents, even when a liquid level of the liquid refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerant introduction chamber IR reaches any of the inlet openings 65i of the communication pipes 65 and the liquid refrigerant flows down through any of the communication flow paths CP of the communication pipes 65, the liquid refrigerant flowing out from the communication flow path CP to the refrigerant discharge chamber OR from directly flowing out from the inlet openings 66i of the outlet pipes 66 to the outlet flow paths OP. In this case, the communication pipes 65 and dimensions of the communication pipes 65 are selected such that a total sum of cross-sectional areas of the plurality of communication pipes 65 is greater than a total sum of cross-sectional areas of the plurality of outlet pipes 66.

[0088] In the accumulator 7 having the above-described configuration, the refrigerant flowing down from the inlet pipe 63 to the refrigerant introduction chamber IR in the container 61 abuts on the separation plate 72 and is separated into the gas refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant. The separated liquid refrigerant further flows down through the refrigerant introduction chamber IR from the openings 72a of the separation plate 72, and is accumulated on a bottom of the refrigerant introduction chamber IR, namely, on the partition plate 62 side. On the other hand, the separated gas refrigerant flows from the openings 72a of the separation plate 72 into the refrigerant discharge chamber OR through the plurality of communication pipes 65. The gas refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant discharge chamber OR is sucked into the outlet pipes 66, and is sent to the compressor 2.

[0089] Unless the liquid level of the liquid refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerant introduction chamber IR reaches the inlet openings 65i of the plurality of communication pipes 65, the accumulator 7 does not cause the liquid refrigerant to flow into the refrigerant discharge chamber OR. In a case where the liquid level of the liquid refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerant introduction chamber IR reaches the inlet openings 65i of the plurality of communication pipes 65, the liquid refrigerant flows down through the communication pipes 65, and is accumulated on the bottom of the container 61, namely, on the lower end plate 61c side. Even at this time, unless the liquid level of the liquid refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerant discharge chamber OR reaches the inlet openings 66i of the plurality of outlet pipes 66, the accumulator 7 does not cause the liquid refrigerant to flow into the outlet pipes 66. In such a manner, the accumulator 7 can prevent liquid compression of the compressor 2 in a multiple way.

[0090] Therefore, the compressor 2 and the accumulator 7 according to the embodiment of the present invention can secure gas-liquid separation capacity surely preventing outflow of the liquid refrigerant, in other words, gas-liquid separation capacity surely preventing liquid compression of the compressor.

[0091] The plurality of outlet pipes 66 and the plurality of communication pipes 65 are described in more detail.

[0092] Referring back to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, each of the outlet pipes 66 includes a container inside portion 661 and a container outside portion 662. The container inside portion 661 includes the inlet opening 66i disposed in the refrigerant discharge chamber OR and extends in the refrigerant discharge chamber OR in parallel with the center line Ca of the container 61. The container outside portion 662 is disposed outside the container 61 and orthogonal to the center line Ca of the container 61, and includes the outlet opening 660 opening in a direction separating from the center line Ca.

[0093] The plurality of outlet pipes 66 include a first outlet pipe 66A having the container inside portion 661 closest to the outlet opening 660, and a second outlet pipe 66B having the container inside portion 661 farthest from the outlet opening 660, as viewed in a direction along the center line Ca of the container 61.

[0094] Among the outlet openings 660 of the plurality of outlet pipes 66, the outlet opening 660 of the first outlet pipe 66A is the closest to the container 61. Among the outlet openings 660 of the plurality of outlet pipes 66, the outlet opening 660 of the second outlet pipe 66B is the farthest from the container 61, as compared with the outlet opening 660 of the first outlet pipe 66A.

[0095] In other words, among the plurality of outlet pipes 66, the outlet pipe 66 having the container inside portion 661 closer to the sealed container 11 has the outlet opening 660 disposed at the position closer to the container 61, whereas the outlet pipe 66 having the container inside portion 661 farther from the sealed container 11 has the outlet opening 660 disposed at the position farther from the container 61. The outlet pipe 66 having the container inside portion 661 closer to the sealed container 11 is the outlet pipe 66 in which the container inside portion 661 is positioned in an opening direction of the outlet opening 660 among the plurality of outlet pipes 66. The outlet pipe 66 having the container inside portion 661 farther from the sealed container 11 is the outlet pipe 66 in which the container inside portion 661 is positioned in a direction opposite to the opening direction of the outlet opening 660 among the plurality of outlet pipes 66.

[0096] The outlet opening 660 of the first outlet pipe 66A is connected to the first cylinder assembly 26 of the compression mechanism 13, and the outlet opening 660 of the second outlet pipe 66B is connected to the second cylinder assembly 27 of the compression mechanism 13.

[0097] In other words, when the compressor 2 is installed such that the electric motor 12 is disposed above the compression mechanism 13, the outlet opening 660 of the first outlet pipe 66A is connected to the first cylinder assembly 26 disposed on an upper part, and the outlet opening 660 of the second outlet pipe 66B is connected to the second cylinder assembly 27 disposed on a lower part.

[0098] The container outside portion 662 of the first outlet pipe 66A connected to the first cylinder assembly 26 and the container outside portion 662 of the second outlet pipe 66B connected to the second cylinder assembly 27 protrude and extend from the lower end plate 61c of the container 61 in parallel with the center line Ca of the container 61, and reach the respective outlet openings 660 through elbow portions bent by about 90 degrees at appropriate positions. Further, as can be seen from FIG. 2, the pipe centers, the inlet openings 66i, and the outlet openings 660 of the plurality of outlet pipes 66 are disposed on the plane P passing through the center line Ca of the container 61.

[0099] Therefore, the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B can protrude and extend from the lower end plate 61c of the container 61 in parallel with the center line Ca of the container 61 through the paths along the plane P, and then, be bent by about 90 degrees and respectively connected to the first cylinder assembly 26 and the second cylinder assembly 27 without interfering with each other.

[0100] As a result, the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B can connect the compression mechanism 13 of the compressor 2 and the accumulator 7 without having complicated three-dimensional shapes that deviate from the direction along the plane P and are difficult to be processed.

[0101] The first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B serve as a suction pipe system as viewed from the compressor 2. Since the suction pipe system may have a relatively simple piping layout as described above, a pipe length of the suction pipe system suitable for achieving a supercharging effect of the compressor is easily adjustable.

[0102] The first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B do not have the above-described complicated three-dimensional shapes, and are easily processed. Further, the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B can be disposed close to each other while avoiding mutual interference. Furthermore, the first outlet pipe 66A that does not have a complicated bent shape deviating from the plane P can be disposed close to the center line Cc of the sealed container 11 of the compressor 2. Thus, the second outlet pipe 66B can also be disposed close to the center line Cc, which makes it possible to realize downsizing of the entire refrigeration cycle apparatus 1.

[0103] Therefore, the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B can be made relatively short, and a distance between the compressor 2 and the accumulator 7 is reduced. Reduction in distance between the compressor 2 and the accumulator 7 suppresses vibration of the accumulator 7 along with vibration during operation of the multicylinder compressor 2 as compared with a case where the distance between the compressor 2 and the accumulator is long. In other words, in the state where the accumulator 7 is connected to the multicylinder compressor 2, an excellent vibration suppression effect is obtained.

[0104] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the compressor 2 and the accumulator 7 according to the embodiment of the present invention in a cross-sectional plan view. In a cross-sectional plan view of the accumulator 7 illustrated in FIG. 5, pipe centers of the first outlet pipe 66A, the communication pipe 65, the second outlet pipe 66B, and the communication pipe 65 arranged in order in a clockwise direction are denoted by L1, L2, L3, and L4.

[0105] In FIG. 5, the one or more communication pipes 65 described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 include two communication pipes 65 disposed between the container inside portion 661 of the first outlet pipe 66A and the container inside portion 661 of the second outlet pipe 66B in a plan view of the container 61, namely, as viewed in a direction along the center line Ca of the container 61.

[0106] In FIG. 5, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the communication pipes 65 and the dimensions of the communication pipes 65 are selected such that the total sum of cross-sectional areas of the plurality of communication pipes 65 is greater than the total sum of cross-sectional areas of the plurality of outlet pipes 66.

[0107] When a first virtual line VL1 connecting the pipe centers L2 and L4 of the two communication pipes 65 is drawn, the first virtual line VL1 is divided into two equal lines by the plane P. In other words, the plane P divides the first virtual line VL1 into two equal lines. Thus, a midpoint Pm1 of the first virtual line VL1 is positioned on the plane P.

[0108] In a case where the first virtual line VL1 is orthogonal to the plane P and an intersection of the plane P and the first virtual line VL1 is coincident with a midpoint Pm2 of a second virtual line VL2 connecting the container inside portions 661 of the two outlet pipes 66, the pipe centers L2 and L4 of the two communication pipes 65 and the pipe centers L1 and L3 of the container inside portions 661 of the two outlet pipes 66 form a diamond D. In other words, the pipe centers L2 and L4 of the two communication pipes 65, the pipe center L1 of the container inside portion 661 of the first outlet pipe 66A, and the pipe center L3 of the container inside portion 661 of the second outlet pipe 66B form the diamond D.

[0109] A longer diagonal of the diamond D corresponds to the first virtual line VL1, and a shorter diagonal corresponds to the second virtual line VL2. Such length relationship of the diagonals of the diamond D is caused by the fact that, in a case where each of the outlet pipes 66 and the communication pipes 65 is a pipe having a circular cross-section, and the above-described area relationship is established, the diameter of each of the communication pipes 65 is greater than the diameter of each of the outlet pipes 66. In other words, a state where a circle having a diameter equal to the second virtual line VL2 is smaller than a circle having a diameter equal to the first virtual line VL1 causes arrangement in which the outlet pipes 66 and the communication pipes 65 are provided closer to the center line Ca of the container 61, and concentrates mass distribution of the accumulator 7 to a vicinity of the center line Ca of the accumulator 7. In other words, so-called mass concentration is realized for the accumulator 7. Therefore, it is advantageous in terms of resistance against vibration propagating from the sealed container 11 side to the accumulator 7 during operation of the compressor 2.

[0110] When the first outlet pipe 66A, the second outlet pipe 66B, and the two communication pipes 65 have the above-described positional relationship, the pipe center L1 of the container inside portion 661 of the first outlet pipe 66A and the pipe center L3 of the container inside portion 661 of the second outlet pipe 66B are disposed on the plane P.

[0111] Therefore, the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B do not have complicated three-dimensional shapes deviating from the direction along the plane P. Thus, it is unnecessary to perform a difficult bending work for forming a three-dimensional shape on the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B, and the compression mechanism 13 of the compressor 2 and the accumulator 7 can be connected by the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B by bending the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B extending along the plane P at right angles toward the compressor 2.

[0112] In a plan view of the container 61, it is sufficient that the two communication pipes 65 are disposed between the container inside portion 661 of the first outlet pipe 66A and the container inside portion 661 of the second outlet pipe 66B, and the midpoint Pm1 of the first virtual line VL1 is positioned on the plane P. In other words, in a plan view of the container 61, it is sufficient that the two communication pipes 65 are disposed between the container inside portion 661 of the first outlet pipe 66A and the container inside portion 661 of the second outlet pipe 66B and on a circle having the midpoint Pm1 of the first virtual line VL1 as a center so as to face each other.

[0113] In a case where the first virtual line VL1 is not orthogonal to the plane P, a quadrilateral having, as vertices, the pipe centers L2 and L4 of the two communication pipes 65, the pipe center L1 of the container inside portion 661 of the first outlet pipe 66A, and the pipe center L3 of the container inside portion 661 of the second outlet pipe 66B is not the diamond D. Even in this case, the midpoint Pm1 of the first virtual line VL1 is positioned on the plane P as long as the quadrilateral has relationship in which each of the two diagonals L2-L4 and L1-L3 divides the other diagonal into two equal lines. In other words, the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B respectively having the pipe centers L1 and L3 are positioned along the plane P.

[0114] When the first outlet pipe 66A, the second outlet pipe 66B, and the two communication pipes 65 have the above-described relationship, the pipe center L1 of the container inside portion 661 of the first outlet pipe 66A and the pipe center L3 of the container inside portion 661 of the second outlet pipe 66B are positioned on the plane P.

[0115] Therefore, the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B do not have complicated three-dimensional shapes deviating from the direction along the plane P.

[0116] Thus, it is unnecessary to perform a difficult bending work for forming a three-dimensional shape on the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B, and the compression mechanism 13 of the compressor 2 and the accumulator 7 can be connected by the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B by bending the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B extending along the plane P at right angles toward the compressor 2.

[0117] Further, a case where an intersection Pi of the plane P and the first virtual line VL1 is not coincident with the midpoint Pm2 of the second virtual line VL2, namely, a case where the intersection Pi is close to or far from the compressor 2 relative to the midpoint Pm2 is considered. In such a case, the quadrilateral having, as vertices, the pipe centers L2 and L4 of the two communication pipes 65, the pipe center L1 of the container inside portion 661 of the first outlet pipe 66A, and the pipe center L3 of the container inside portion 661 of the second outlet pipe 66B is not the diamond D.

[0118] Even in this case, the midpoint Pm1 of the first virtual line VL1 is positioned on the plane P as long as the quadrilateral is a trapezium having relationship in which one diagonal L2-L4 divides the other diagonal L1-L3 into two equal lines. In other words, the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B respectively having the pipe centers L1 and L3 are positioned along the plane P.

[0119] When the first outlet pipe 66A, the second outlet pipe 66B, and the two communication pipes 65 have the above-described positional relationship, the pipe center L1 of the container inside portion 661 of the first outlet pipe 66A and the pipe center L3 of the container inside portion 661 of the second outlet pipe 66B are positioned on the plane P.

[0120] Therefore, the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B do not have complicated three-dimensional shapes deviating from the direction along the plane P. Thus, it is unnecessary to perform a difficult bending work for forming a three-dimensional shape on the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B, and the compression mechanism 13 of the compressor 2 and the accumulator 7 can be connected by the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B by bending the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B extending along the plane P at right angles toward the compressor 2.

[0121] The relationship between the compressor 2 and the two communication pipes 65 is described in more detail. A triangle T is drawn by connecting the center line Cc of the sealed container 11 of the compressor 2 and two end points of the first virtual line VL1, namely, the pipe centers L2 and L4 of the two communication pipes 65. In a case where the plane P is orthogonal to the first virtual line VL1, the triangle T is an isosceles triangle in which an angle A1 facing the first virtual line VL1, namely, an angle sandwiching the center line Cc of the sealed container 11 of the compressor 2 is an apex angle A1. The triangle T may not be the isosceles triangle as long as three angles of the triangle T are acute angles.

[0122] It is preferable that, among the angle A1, an angle A2 sandwiching the pipe center of one of the communication pipes 65, and an angle A3 sandwiching the pipe center of the other communication pipe 65 illustrated in FIG. 5, the angle A1 be the smallest. In other words, it is preferable that a line segment connecting the center line Cc of the sealed container 11 of the compressor 2 and the pipe center L2 of the one communication pipe 65, and a line segment connecting the center line Cc of the sealed container 11 of the compressor 2 and the pipe center L4 of the other communication pipe 65 be longer than the first virtual line VL1.

[0123] In other words, in a case where the triangle T is the isosceles triangle, and the intersection of the plane P and the first virtual line VL1 is coincident with the midpoint Pm2 of the second virtual line VL2, the pipe centers L2 and L4 of the two communication pipes 65, the pipe center of the container inside portion 661 of the first outlet pipe 66A, and the pipe center of the container inside portion 661 of the second outlet pipe 66B form the diamond D.

[0124] When the first outlet pipe 66A, the second outlet pipe 66B, and the two communication pipes 65 have the above-described positional relationship, the pipe center L1 of the container inside portion 661 of the first outlet pipe 66A and the pipe center L3 of the container inside portion 661 of the second outlet pipe 66B are positioned on the plane P.

[0125] Therefore, the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B do not have complicated three-dimensional shapes deviating from the direction along the plane P. Thus, it is unnecessary to perform a difficult bending work for forming a three-dimensional shape on the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B, and the compression mechanism 13 of the compressor 2 and the accumulator 7 can be connected by the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B by bending the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B extending along the plane P at right angles toward the compressor 2.

[0126] In FIG. 5, a case where the triangle T obtained by connecting three plane projection points of the center line Cc of the sealed container 11 of the compressor 2 and the pipe centers L2 and L4 of the two communication pipes 65 is different from the above-described isosceles triangle is also assumed. In the assumption, the triangle obtained by connecting the plane projection points of the center line Cc and the two pipe centers L2 and L4 by line segments is appropriately referred to as a triangle Cc-L2-L4 for convenience.

[0127] In a case where a side L2-L4 of the triangle Cc-L2-L4 is not orthogonal to the plane P, a quadrilateral having, as vertices, the pipe centers L2 and L4 of the two communication pipes 65, the pipe center L1 of the container inside portion 661 of the first outlet pipe 66A, and the pipe center L3 of the container inside portion 661 of the second outlet pipe 66B is not the diamond D.

[0128] Even in this case, the midpoint Pm1 of the first virtual line VL1 is positioned on the plane P as long as the quadrilateral is a trapezium having relationship in which one diagonal L2-L4 divides the other diagonal L1-L3 into two equal lines. In other words, the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B respectively having the pipe centers L1 and L3 are disposed along the plane P.

[0129] When the first outlet pipe 66A, the second outlet pipe 66B, and the two communication pipes 65 have the above-described positional relationship, the pipe center L1 of the container inside portion 661 of the first outlet pipe 66A and the pipe center L3 of the container inside portion 661 of the second outlet pipe 66B are disposed on the plane P.

[0130] Therefore, the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B do not have complicated three-dimensional shapes deviating from the direction along the plane P. Thus, it is unnecessary to perform a difficult bending work for forming a three-dimensional shape on the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B, and the compression mechanism 13 of the compressor 2 and the accumulator 7 can be connected by the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B by bending the first outlet pipe 66A and the second outlet pipe 66B extending along the plane P at right angles toward the compressor 2.

[0131] As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the accumulator 7 that can all realize the gas-liquid separation capacity surely preventing outflow of the liquid refrigerant, in other words, the gas-liquid separation capacity surely preventing liquid compression of the compressor 2, easy adjustment of the pipe length of the suction pipe system suitable for achieving a supercharging effect of the compressor 2, and suppression of vibration in the state of being connected to the multicylinder compressor 2, and the compressor 2 including the accumulator 7 are embodied.

[0132] Further, since the position relationship of the outlet pipes 66 and the communication pipes 65 and the piping layout of the outlet pipes 66 are appropriate, the outlet pipes 66 and the communication pipes 65 can be disposed with high density without causing interference, which makes it possible to realize downsizing of the entire apparatus. Furthermore, a bending work of the outlet pipes 66 is easily performable, and the outlet pipes 66 is easily manufactured.

[0133] Next, an accumulator according to another embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

[0134] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a compressor and an accumulator according to the other embodiment of the present invention in a cross-sectional plan view. FIG. 7 is a side view of the accumulator according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 of the present invention. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, three outlet pipes 66 connecting the accumulator 7 and the compressor 2 are provided, and three communication pipes 65 are also provided.

[0135] In FIG. 6, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the communication pipes 65 and the dimensions of the communication pipes 65 are selected such that the total sum of cross-sectional areas of the plurality of communication pipes 65 is greater than the total sum of cross-sectional areas of the plurality of outlet pipes 66.

[0136] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, in a cross-sectional plan view of the accumulator 7, the first outlet pipe 66A, the communication pipe 65, one of the second outlet pipes 66B, the communication pipe 65, the other second outlet pipe 66C, and the communication pipe 65 are arranged in order in a counterclockwise direction. Pipe centers of the six pipes are denoted by L11, L21, L12, L23, L13, and L22. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the pipe centers L11, L21, L12, L23, L13, and L22 are arranged at equal distances in a circumferential direction. In this case, the pipe center L11 of the first outlet pipe 66A occupies the position closest to the center line Cc of the sealed container 11 of the compressor 2 among the above-described six pipes.

[0137] The accumulator 7 illustrated in FIG. 6 includes one first outlet pipe 66A having the container inside portion 661 closest to the outlet opening 660, and two second outlet pipes 66B and 66C each having the container inside portion 661 far from the outlet opening 660 as compared with the first outlet pipe 66A, as viewed in a direction along the center line Ca of the container 61. A triangle Ts obtained by connecting plane projection points of the pipe centers L11, L12, and L13 of the three outlet pipes 66 has three acute angles. In the following, for convenience of description, the one second outlet pipes 66B is simply referred to as a “second outlet pipe 66B”, and the other second outlet pipe 66C is referred to as a “third outlet pipe 66C”.

[0138] In relationship of the sealed container 11 of the compressor 2 and the container 61 of the accumulator 7 illustrated in FIG. 6, the center line Cc of the sealed container 11 and the center line Ca of the container 61 are positioned on one plane P. Further, the pipe center L11 of the first outlet pipe 66A that is the outlet pipe 66 closest to the center line Cc of the sealed container 11, and the pipe center L23 of the communication pipe 65 farthest from the center line Cc of the sealed container 11 are also positioned on the plane P.

[0139] Further, a circumcenter Cct of the triangle Ts is positioned on the plane P.

[0140] The pipe center L11 of the first outlet pipe 66A that is the outlet pipe 66 closest to the center line Cc of the sealed container 11 is positioned on the plane P, and the pipe centers L12 and L13 of the second outlet pipe 66B and the third outlet pipe 66C are at positions plane-symmetrically with respect to the plane P. Further, the pipe center L23 of one of the communication pipes 65 is positioned on the plane P, and the pipe centers L21 and L22 of the other two communication pipes 65 are at positions plane-symmetrically with respect to the plane P.

[0141] In a cross-sectional plan view of the accumulator 7, the pipe centers L11, L21, L12, L23, L13, and L22 of the first outlet pipe 66A, the communication pipe 65, the second outlet pipe 66B, the communication pipe 65, the third outlet pipe 66C, and the communication pipe 65 arranged in order in the counterclockwise direction are positioned on a circumference of a circle Cr.

[0142] The first outlet pipe 66A, the communication pipe 65, the second outlet pipe 66B, the communication pipe 65, the third outlet pipe 66C, and the communication pipe 65 each having the pipe center on the circumference of the circle Cr are sequentially arranged such that the circle Cr has an appropriate diameter dimension reduced within a range not causing interference of pipes adjacent to each other. Therefore, the piping layout of the plurality of communication pipes 65 and the plurality of outlet pipes 66 is densified, and downsizing of the entire apparatus is realized.

[0143] The first outlet pipe 66A, the communication pipe 65, the second outlet pipe 66B, the communication pipe 65, the third outlet pipe 66C, and the communication pipe 65 are not necessarily arranged such that the respective pipe centers L11, L21, L12, L23, L13, and L22 are positioned on the circle Cr. Any of the pipe centers L11, L21, L12, L23, L13, and L22 of the first outlet pipe 66A, the communication pipe 65, the second outlet pipe 66B, the communication pipe 65, the third outlet pipe 66C, and the communication pipe 65 may not be positioned on the circle Cr and may be positioned inside the circle Cr.

[0144] Further, when a condition that the pipe center L11 of the first outlet pipe 66A occupies the position closest to the center line Cc of the sealed container 11 of the compressor 2 among the above-described six pipes is maintained, and the two communication pipes 65 having the pipe centers L21 and L22 are positioned between the second outlet pipe 66B and the third outlet pipe 66C that are two outlet pipes 66 having the pipe centers L12 and L13 far from the center line Cc as compared with the first outlet pipe 66A, the piping layout of the above-described six pipes is densified, downsizing of the entire apparatus is realized, and resistance against vibration during operation is also secured.

[0145] Even in a case where the six pipes having the pipe centers L11, L21, L12, L23, L13, and L22 are arranged with uneven intervals, even in a case where the triangle drawn by the container inside portions 661 of the three outlet pipes 66 is not an equilateral triangle, or even in a case where the triangle drawn by the three communication pipes 65 is not an equilateral triangle, so-called mass concentration is realized for the accumulator 7 as long as the mass centers of the outlet pipes 66 excluding the container outside portions 662 are arranged at the center of the container 61. Therefore, it is advantageous in terms of resistance against vibration propagating from the sealed container 11 side to the accumulator 7 during operation of the compressor 2.

[0146] A state where the first outlet pipe 66A, the second outlet pipe 66B, and the third outlet pipe 66C protrude downward in parallel with the center line Ca from the lower end plate 61c of the container 61 of the accumulator 7, and are then bent toward the sealed container 11 of the compressor 2 illustrated in FIG. 6 is described with reference to FIG. 7.

[0147] Among the three outlet pipes 66, the first outlet pipe 66A is disposed at a position closest to an intersection of an inner peripheral wall of the container 61 and the plane P, closer to the outlet opening 660, namely, at the position closest to the center line Cc of the sealed container 11 of the compressor 2. Among the three outlet pipes 66, the first outlet pipe 66A is shortest in length of the container outside portion 662 that is a portion protruding downward from the lower end plate 61c. Therefore, it is difficult to perform a bending work for forming a complicated three-dimensional shape including a part bent in a direction separating from the plane P, on the first outlet pipe 66A.

[0148] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the first outlet pipe 66A is disposed such that the pipe center L11 is positioned on the plane P. Therefore, it is unnecessary to perform a difficult bending work for forming a three-dimensional shape on the first outlet pipe 66A that has the shortest container outside portion 662 among the three outlet pipes 66, and the first outlet pipe 66A can be appropriately connected to the sealed container 11 of the compressor 2 by bending the first outlet pipe 66A extending along the plane P at a right angle toward the sealed container 11 of the compressor 2 and directing the first outlet pipe 66A in the radial direction of the sealed container 11.

[0149] On the other hand, the pipe centers L12 and L13 of the second outlet pipe 66B and the third outlet pipe 66C are not positioned on the plane P. Therefore, to direct connection ends to be connected to the sealed container 11, of the second outlet pipe 66B and the third outlet pipe 66C in the radial direction of the sealed container 11 and to appropriately connect the connection ends of the second outlet pipe 66B and the third outlet pipe 66C to the sealed container 11, it is necessary to perform a bending work for forming three-dimensional shapes not fitted within the same in-plane direction.

[0150] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, each of the second outlet pipe 66B and the third outlet pipe 66C is longer in a portion protruding downward from the lower end plate of the container 61 than the first outlet pipe 66A, and is located at a position separated from the center line Cc of the sealed container 11 of the compressor 2 in the radial direction as compared with the first outlet pipe 66A. Therefore, a relatively long bending allowable length can be secured, and a bending work for forming a three-dimensional shape not fitted within the same in-plane direction is relatively easily performable. Therefore, the accumulator 7 and the compressor 2 according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 of the present invention are easily manufactured.

[0151] As can be easily understood with reference to FIG. 7, among the three outlet pipes 66, the first outlet pipe 66A has the shortest portion protruding downward from the lower end plate of the container 61, a length of that portion of the second outlet pipe 66B is longer than a length of that portion of the first outlet pipe 66A, and a length of that portion of the third outlet pipe 66C is longer than a length of that portion of the second outlet pipe 66B. In a posture in which the center line Ca of the container 61 extends along the vertical direction, among the three outlet pipes 66, a position of a connection end of the first outlet pipe 66A connected to the sealed container 11 of the compressor 2 is the highest, a position of a connection end of the third outlet pipe 66C connected to the sealed container 11 is the lowest, and a position of a connection end of the second outlet pipe 66B connected to the sealed container 11 is positioned between the first outlet pipe 66A and the third outlet pipe 66C.

[0152] The three outlet pipes 66 corresponds to a case where the compression mechanism 13 of the compressor 2 has three cylinder assemblies. The first outlet pipe 66A is connected to an upper cylinder assembly among the three cylinder assemblies, from the own connection end connected to the sealed container 11. The second outlet pipe 66B is connected to an intermediate cylinder assembly among the three cylinder assemblies, from the own connection end connected to the sealed container 11. The third outlet pipe 66C is connected to a lower cylinder assembly among the three cylinder assemblies, from the own connection end connected to the sealed container 11.

[0153] The compressor 2 according to the present invention includes: the sealed container 11 having the cylindrical shape; the compression mechanism 13 housed in the sealed container 11; the electric motor 12 housed in the sealed container 11 and configured to generate driving force of the compression mechanism 13; and the accumulator 7 according to any of the above-described embodiments, disposed outside the sealed container 11 and connected to the suction side of the compression mechanism 13. As viewed in the direction along the center line Cc of the sealed container 11, the center line Cc of the sealed container 11 is disposed on the plane P.

[0154] The refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to the present invention includes: the sealed container 11 having the cylindrical shape; the sealed compressor 2 including the compression mechanism 13 housed in the sealed container 11; the electric motor 12 housed in the sealed container 11 and configured to generate driving force of the compression mechanism 13; the accumulator 7 according to any of the above-described embodiments, disposed outside the sealed container 11 and connected to the suction side of the compression mechanism 13; the heat radiator 3; the expansion device 5; the heat absorber 6; and the refrigerant pipe 8 configured to connect the sealed compressor 2, the heat radiator 3, and the expansion device 5 to circulate gas refrigerant. As viewed in the direction along the center line Cc of the sealed container 11, the center line Cc of the sealed container 11 is disposed on the plane P.

[0155] In the accumulator 7 according to any of the above-described embodiments, the outlet pipes are appropriately arranged and are easily processed. In addition, the accumulator 7 is downsized as a whole, and vibration during operation in the state of being connected to the multicylinder compressor is suppressed. Thus, the accumulator 7 has high convenience when being used in the compressor2 and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1.

[0156] Further, the accumulator 7 is excellent in gas-liquid Separation capacity surely preventing outflow of the liquid refrigerant, in other words, gas-liquid separation capacity surely preventing liquid compression of the compressor.

[0157] The refrigeration cycle apparatus and the sealed compressor according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment. The refrigeration cycle apparatus and the sealed compressor according to the present invention can be variously modified and changed.REFERENCE SIGNS LISTCa Center line

[0159] Cc Center line

[0160] D Diamond

[0161] IP Inlet flow path

[0162] IR Refrigerant introduction chamber

[0163] OP Outlet flow path

[0164] OR Refrigerant discharge chamber

[0165] P Plane

[0166] Pm1 Midpoint

[0167] VL1 First virtual line

[0168] VL2 Second virtual line

[0169] 1 Refrigeration cycle apparatus

[0170] 2 Rotary compressor

[0171] 3 Heat radiator

[0172] 5 Expansion device

[0173] 6 Heat absorber

[0174] 7 Accumulator

[0175] 8 Refrigerant pipe

[0176] 8b Suction pipe

[0177] 11 Sealed container

[0178] 12 Electric motor

[0179] 13 Compression mechanism

[0180] 26 First cylinder assembly

[0181] 27 Second cylinder assembly

[0182] 31 First cylinder chamber

[0183] 41 Second cylinder chamber

[0184] 55 First discharge muffler

[0185] 57 Second discharge muffler

[0186] 59 Clamp band

[0187] 61 Container

[0188] 61a Barrel

[0189] 61b Upper end plate

[0190] 61c Lower end plate

[0191] 62 Partition plate

[0192] 63 Inlet pipe

[0193] 65 Communication pipe

[0194] 65i Inlet opening

[0195] 650 Outlet opening

[0196] 66 Outlet pipe

[0197] 66A First outlet pipe

[0198] 66B Second outlet pipe

[0199] 66i Inlet opening

[0200] 660 Outlet opening

[0201] 72 Separation plate

[0202] 73 Support plate

[0203] 661 Container inside portion

[0204] 662 Container outside portion

Claims

1. An accumulator, comprising:a container having a cylindrical shape;a partition plate provided inside the container and configured to divide an internal space of the container into a refrigerant introduction chamber and a refrigerant discharge chamber;an inlet pipe fixed to the container and comprising an inlet flow path connected to the refrigerant introduction chamber;at least one communication pipe penetrating through the partition plate and comprising:a communication flow path connecting the refrigerant introduction chamber and the refrigerant discharge chamber, andan outlet opening disposed in the refrigerant discharge chamber; anda plurality of outlet pipes fixed to the container and each respectively comprising:an outlet flow path connected to the refrigerant discharge chamber,a container inside portion comprising an inlet opening disposed in the refrigerant discharge chamber and extending in the refrigerant discharge chamber in parallel with a center line of the container, anda container outside portion being disposed outside the container, being orthogonal to the center line of the container, and comprising an outside outlet opening opened in a direction separating from the center line, whereinthe plurality of outlet pipes comprises a first outlet pipe having the container inside portion closest to the outside outlet opening, and a second outlet pipe having the container inside portion farthest from the outside outlet opening, as viewed in a direction along the center line of the container,among the outside outlet openings of the plurality of outlet pipes, the outside outlet opening of the first outlet pipe is closest to the container,the at least one communication pipe is far from the outside outlet opening as compared with the first outlet pipe as viewed in the direction along the center line of the container, andthe inlet openings of the plurality of outlet pipes are disposed above the outlet opening of the at least one communication pipe, and the inlet openings of the plurality of outlet pipes are installable not to overlap with the outlet opening of the at least one communication pipe in a vertical direction.

2. The accumulator according to claim 1, wherein, as viewed in the direction along the center line of the container,the at least one communication pipe comprises two communication pipes disposed between the first outlet pipe and the second outlet pipe,the outside outlet openings of the plurality of outlet pipes comprise respective centers aligned on a plane passing through the center line of the container, andthe plane divides a virtual line connecting centers of the two communication pipes into two equal lines, and is orthogonal to the virtual line.

3. The accumulator according to claim 2, wherein a pipe center of the container inside portion of the first outlet pipe and a pipe center of the container inside portion of the second outlet pipe are disposed on the plane.

4. The accumulator according to claim 3, wherein, as viewed in the direction along the center line of the container, plane projection points of respective pipe centers of the two communication pipes, a plane projection point of the pipe center of the container inside portion of the first outlet pipe, and a plane projection point of the pipe center of the container inside portion of the second outlet pipe form a diamond.

5. The accumulator according to claim 1, wherein, as viewed in the direction along the center line of the container,the plurality of outlet pipes comprise the first outlet pipe and two second outlet pipes each having the container inside portion far from the outside outlet opening as compared with the first outlet pipe,the at least one communication pipe comprises three communication pipes comprising two communication pipes disposed between the first outlet pipe and the two second outlet pipes, and one communication pipe far from the second outlet pipe as compared with the two communication pipes, anda triangle obtained by connecting plane projection points of pipe centers of the three communication pipes has three acute angles.

6. The accumulator according to claim 5, wherein a circumcenter of the triangle is disposed on the plane.

7. A compressor, comprising:a sealed container having a cylindrical shape;a compression mechanism housed in the sealed container;an electric motor housed in the sealed container and configured to generate driving force of the compression mechanism; andthe accumulator according to claim 1 disposed outside the sealed container and connected to a suction side of the compression mechanism, whereinas viewed in a direction along a center line of the sealed container, the center line of the sealed container is disposed on the plane.

8. A refrigeration cycle apparatus, comprising:a sealed container having a cylindrical shape;a compression mechanism housed in the sealed container;an electric motor housed in the sealed container and configured to generate driving force of the compression mechanism;the accumulator according to claim 1 disposed outside the sealed container and connected to a suction side of the compression mechanism;a heat radiator;an expansion device;a heat absorber; anda refrigerant pipe configured to connect the compression mechanism, the heat radiator, the expansion device, and the heat absorber to circulate gas refrigerant, whereinas viewed in a direction along a center line of the sealed container, the center line of the sealed container is disposed on the plane.

9. A compressor, comprising:a sealed container having a cylindrical shape;a compression mechanism housed in the sealed container;an electric motor housed in the sealed container and configured to generate driving force of the compression mechanism; andthe accumulator according to claim 2 disposed outside the sealed container and connected to a suction side of the compression mechanism, whereinas viewed in a direction along a center line of the sealed container, the center line of the sealed container is disposed on the plane.

10. A compressor, comprising:a sealed container having a cylindrical shape;a compression mechanism housed in the sealed container;an electric motor housed in the sealed container and configured to generate driving force of the compression mechanism; andthe accumulator according to claim 3 disposed outside the sealed container and connected to a suction side of the compression mechanism, whereinas viewed in a direction along a center line of the sealed container, the center line of the sealed container is disposed on the plane.

11. A compressor, comprising:a sealed container having a cylindrical shape;a compression mechanism housed in the sealed container;an electric motor housed in the sealed container and configured to generate driving force of the compression mechanism; andthe accumulator according to claim 4 disposed outside the sealed container and connected to a suction side of the compression mechanism, whereinas viewed in a direction along a center line of the sealed container, the center line of the sealed container is disposed on the plane.

12. A compressor, comprising:a sealed container having a cylindrical shape;a compression mechanism housed in the sealed container;an electric motor housed in the sealed container and configured to generate driving force of the compression mechanism; andthe accumulator according to claim 5 disposed outside the sealed container and connected to a suction side of the compression mechanism, whereinas viewed in a direction along a center line of the sealed container, the center line of the sealed container is disposed on the plane.

13. A compressor, comprising:a sealed container having a cylindrical shape;a compression mechanism housed in the sealed container;an electric motor housed in the sealed container and configured to generate driving force of the compression mechanism; andthe accumulator according to claim 6 disposed outside the sealed container and connected to a suction side of the compression mechanism, whereinas viewed in a direction along a center line of the sealed container, the center line of the sealed container is disposed on the plane.

14. A refrigeration cycle apparatus, comprising:a sealed container having a cylindrical shape;a compression mechanism housed in the sealed container;an electric motor housed in the sealed container and configured to generate driving force of the compression mechanism;the accumulator according to claim 2 disposed outside the sealed container and connected to a suction side of the compression mechanism;a heat radiator;an expansion device;a heat absorber; anda refrigerant pipe configured to connect the compression mechanism, the heat radiator, the expansion device, and the heat absorber to circulate gas refrigerant, whereinas viewed in a direction along a center line of the sealed container, the center line of the sealed container is disposed on the plane.

15. A refrigeration cycle apparatus, comprising:a sealed container having a cylindrical shape;a compression mechanism housed in the sealed container;an electric motor housed in the sealed container and configured to generate driving force of the compression mechanism;the accumulator according to claim 3 disposed outside the sealed container and connected to a suction side of the compression mechanism;a heat radiator;an expansion device;a heat absorber; anda refrigerant pipe configured to connect the compression mechanism, the heat radiator, the expansion device, and the heat absorber to circulate gas refrigerant, whereinas viewed in a direction along a center line of the sealed container, the center line of the sealed container is disposed on the plane.

16. A refrigeration cycle apparatus, comprising:a sealed container having a cylindrical shape;a compression mechanism housed in the sealed container;an electric motor housed in the sealed container and configured to generate driving force of the compression mechanism;the accumulator according to claim 4 disposed outside the sealed container and connected to a suction side of the compression mechanism;a heat radiator;an expansion device;a heat absorber; anda refrigerant pipe configured to connect the compression mechanism, the heat radiator, the expansion device, and the heat absorber to circulate gas refrigerant, whereinas viewed in a direction along a center line of the sealed container, the center line of the sealed container is disposed on the plane.

17. A refrigeration cycle apparatus, comprising:a sealed container having a cylindrical shape;a compression mechanism housed in the sealed container;an electric motor housed in the sealed container and configured to generate driving force of the compression mechanism;the accumulator according to claim 5 disposed outside the sealed container and connected to a suction side of the compression mechanism;a heat radiator;an expansion device;a heat absorber; anda refrigerant pipe configured to connect the compression mechanism, the heat radiator, the expansion device, and the heat absorber to circulate gas refrigerant, whereinas viewed in a direction along a center line of the sealed container, the center line of the sealed container is disposed on the plane.

18. A refrigeration cycle apparatus, comprising:a sealed container having a cylindrical shape;a compression mechanism housed in the sealed container;an electric motor housed in the sealed container and configured to generate driving force of the compression mechanism;the accumulator according to claim 6 disposed outside the sealed container and connected to a suction side of the compression mechanism;a heat radiator;an expansion device;a heat absorber; anda refrigerant pipe configured to connect the compression mechanism, the heat radiator, the expansion device, and the heat absorber to circulate gas refrigerant, whereinas viewed in a direction along a center line of the sealed container, the center line of the sealed container is disposed on the plane.

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