Compressor

Abstract

Provided is a compressor capable of contributing to compactification by simplifying electric wiring and connection with a decompression device, or a condenser or an evaporator of a refrigerant circuit.　A compressor (1) is provided with at least a scroll compression element (11) in a casing (8). A refrigerant is compressed by the scroll compression element (11) and discharged to a refrigerant circuit, and the refrigerant is sucked from the refrigerant circuit. A flow path (44) constituting at least a part of a path connecting a condenser and an evaporator of the refrigerant circuit is formed in the wall of the casing (8) across the axial direction of the casing (8).

Description

Compressor

[0001] The present invention relates to a compressor that includes a compression element in a casing, compresses a refrigerant, discharges the compressed refrigerant into a refrigerant circuit, and sucks the refrigerant from the refrigerant circuit.

[0002] Conventionally, compressors used in refrigerant circuits to compress refrigerant comprise a refrigeration cycle together with a condenser, a pressure reducing device, and an evaporator, and are configured to house a compression element within a casing, which draws refrigerant from the refrigerant circuit into the compression element, compresses it, and then discharges it back into the refrigerant circuit.

[0003] In this case, conventionally, the compressor, condenser, pressure reducing device, and evaporator were connected in sequence by refrigerant piping, which made the entire device larger and complicated the electrical wiring to the compressor and pressure reducing device.

[0004] Therefore, a hot gas flow path of a refrigerant circuit has been provided integrally with the compressor (see, for example, Patent Document 1), and a valve device and the like have also been provided integrally with the compressor (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0005] CN116787997CN113479037

[0006] However, even with such a conventional structure, the condenser and evaporator of the refrigerant circuit still have to be connected to the compressor by long refrigerant piping, and improvements have been desired.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional technical problems, and has an object to provide a compressor that can contribute to compactness by simplifying the connections and electrical wiring between the condenser, evaporator, and pressure reducing device of the refrigerant circuit.

[0008] The compressor of the present invention has at least a compression element within a casing, compresses a refrigerant using the compression element, discharges the refrigerant into a refrigerant circuit, and sucks the refrigerant from the refrigerant circuit, and is characterized in that a flow path that forms at least a part of a path connecting a condenser and an evaporator of the refrigerant circuit is formed within a wall of the casing along the axial direction of the casing.

[0009] The compressor of the present invention is characterized in that in the above invention, a pressure reducing device located between the condenser and the evaporator of the refrigerant circuit is attached to the casing in communication with the flow path.

[0010] The compressor of the present invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that in the above invention, the casing is formed with a mounting portion that communicates with the flow path and to which the pressure reducing device is attached.

[0011] The compressor of the invention of claim 4 is characterized in that in the invention of claim 2 or claim 3, the flow path is formed at a position vertically above the center of the casing.

[0012] The compressor of the invention of claim 5 is characterized in that in the invention of claim 1, the casing consists of a plurality of casing members joined to each other by a plurality of bolts, and the flow path is formed in each casing member, extends across each casing member, and is located inside a circle connecting the outermost heads of each bolt.

[0013] The compressor of the invention of claim 6 is characterized in that in the invention of claim 1, the casing consists of a plurality of casing members joined to each other by a plurality of bolts, and the flow path is formed in each casing member, spanning each casing member, and one flow path is formed between adjacent bolts.

[0014] A compressor according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the flow passage is formed in the vicinity of either one of the adjacent bolts.

[0015] According to the present invention, in a compressor that has at least a compression element within a casing, compresses a refrigerant using the compression element, discharges it into a refrigerant circuit, and sucks the refrigerant from the refrigerant circuit, a flow path that forms at least a part of the path connecting the condenser and evaporator of the refrigerant circuit is formed within the wall of the casing in the axial direction of the casing, so that at least a part of the path between the condenser and evaporator can be formed by the compressor casing, which contributes to making the refrigerant circuit more compact.

[0016] In addition, according to the invention of claim 2, the pressure reducing device located between the condenser and evaporator of the refrigerant circuit is attached to the casing in communication with the flow path, so that the casing of the compressor forms the path between the condenser and evaporator, including the pressure reducing device, which contributes to further compactness of the refrigerant circuit. In particular, since the compressor and pressure reducing device, which require electrical connection, can be integrated, electrical wiring can be simplified.

[0017] In this case, if a mounting portion for mounting the pressure reducing device is formed in the casing in communication with the flow path as in the third aspect of the invention, the work of mounting the pressure reducing device to the casing will be facilitated.

[0018] Furthermore, by forming the flow passage at a position vertically above the center of the casing as in the fourth aspect of the invention, it becomes possible to further facilitate the work of attaching the pressure reducing device to the casing.

[0019] Furthermore, as in the invention of claim 5, when the casing is made up of a plurality of casing members joined together by a plurality of bolts, and a flow path is formed in each casing member and extends across each casing member, by arranging the flow path inside the circle connecting the outermost ends of the heads of each bolt, the tightening force of the bolts used to join each casing member can ensure sealing of the connection of the flow path formed in each casing member, thereby preventing refrigerant leakage from the flow path.

[0020] This is also true when a single flow path is formed between adjacent bolts, as in the invention of claim 6, and by tightening the bolts, appropriate surface pressure can be applied to the connection parts of the flow paths formed in each casing member, making it possible to prevent refrigerant leakage.

[0021] Furthermore, by forming the flow path close to one of the adjacent bolts as in the invention of claim 7, by tightening the bolts, more appropriate surface pressure can be applied to the connection parts of the flow paths formed in each casing member, making it possible to prevent refrigerant leakage.

[0022] 1 is a perspective view of a heat pump unit including a compressor according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the heat pump unit of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the heat pump unit of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the flow of refrigerant within the compressor of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the rear casing portion of the compressor of FIG. 4; FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional perspective view of the center casing portion of the compressor of FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the center casing and front casing portions of the compressor of FIG. 4; FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the accumulator casing portion of the compressor of FIG. 4; FIG. 8 is another perspective view illustrating the flow of refrigerant within the compressor of FIG. 1; FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the center casing and front casing portions of FIG. 9; FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the center casing and rear casing portions of FIG. 9; FIG. 11 is a front view of the front casing of the compressor of FIG. 1; FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the front casing of the compressor of FIG. 1;

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] The following describes in detail embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. (1) Configuration of Heat Pump Unit 2

[0022] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a heat pump unit 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a compressor 1 to which the present invention is applied, and Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof. The heat pump unit 2 according to the embodiment is used, for example, in an air conditioner for an electric vehicle (car air conditioner). The compressor 1 according to the present invention, which constitutes the refrigerant circuit R of the heat pump unit 2, draws refrigerant, which is the working fluid of the air conditioner, from the refrigerant circuit R, compresses it, and discharges it into the refrigerant circuit R.

[0024] A compressor 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a rear casing 3, a center casing 4, a front casing 5, and an accumulator casing 6, all of which are made of metal such as aluminum. The rear casing 3, the center casing 4, and the front casing 5 are joined together in the axial direction in this order with a plurality of bolts 7 (six in this case), and the accumulator casing 6 is attached to the front casing 5 to form a casing 8; a scroll compression element 11 (FIG. 2) as an example of a compression element housed in the center casing 4; and a motor (electric motor) 12 (FIG. 2) housed in the front casing 5 and driving the scroll compression element 11.

[0025] In the figure, reference numeral 13 denotes a discharge pressure sensor attached to the rear casing 3, 14 denotes a suction pressure sensor attached to the accumulator casing 6, 16 denotes a high-pressure side charge valve attached to the center casing 4, and 17 denotes a low-pressure side charge valve attached to the accumulator casing 6 (FIG. 2).

[0026] Two expansion valves (electric valves) 18, 19 are attached to the center casing 4 of the compressor 1 as pressure reducing devices, and in this embodiment, a heating side heat exchanger 21 and a cooling side heat exchanger 22 are attached to the casing 8 of the compressor 1, and are integrated with the compressor 1 to form the heat pump unit 2.

[0027] (2) Refrigerant Circuit of Heat Pump Unit 2 Figure 3 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the heat pump unit 2. The elements shown in Figures 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals in Figure 3. In Figure 3, reference numeral 26 denotes a condenser that constitutes the refrigerant circuit R of the heat pump unit 2, and is disposed in a heat exchange relationship with a refrigerant-heat medium heat exchanger 27, which are configured within the heating-side heat exchanger 21 described above. In Figure 3, reference numeral 28 denotes an evaporator that also constitutes the refrigerant circuit R of the heat pump unit 2, and is disposed in a heat exchange relationship with a refrigerant-heat medium heat exchanger 29, which are configured within the cooling-side heat exchanger 22 described above.

[0028] The heat medium circulated to an interior heat exchanger (not shown) for heating the vehicle interior is circulated through the refrigerant-heat medium heat exchanger 27 of the heating-side heat exchanger 21, and the heat medium circulated to an interior heat exchanger (not shown) for cooling the vehicle interior is circulated through the refrigerant-heat medium heat exchanger 29 of the cooling-side heat exchanger 22. Each interior heat exchanger is disposed in an air flow passage of an HVAC unit (not shown) of the vehicle.

[0029] The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed and discharged by the scroll compression element 11 of the compressor 1 flows into the condenser 26 of the heating-side heat exchanger 21, where it exchanges heat with the heat medium circulating in the refrigerant-heat medium heat exchanger 27, heating the heat medium and cooling and condensing the refrigerant. The refrigerant condensed in the condenser 26 is decompressed by the expansion valve 18, and then flows into the evaporator 28 of the cooling-side heat exchanger 22 and evaporates. The heat absorption effect at this time cools the heat medium circulating in the refrigerant-heat medium heat exchanger 29. The gas refrigerant that leaves the evaporator 28 flows into the accumulator casing 6, where unevaporated liquid refrigerant is separated, and then is sucked into the scroll compression element 11.

[0030] (3) Structure of Compressor 1 Next, with reference to Figures 4 to 13, the detailed structure of the compressor 1 of this embodiment will be described along the flow of refrigerant. As shown in Figure 5, a discharge chamber 31 is defined within the rear casing 3 that constitutes the casing 8 of the compressor 1, and a discharge port 32 that communicates with this discharge chamber 31 is formed in one side wall of the rear casing 3. Since the inlet of the condenser 26 of the heating side heat exchanger 21 is connected to this discharge port 32, the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed by the scroll compression element 11 flows into the discharge chamber 31, as shown by arrow A1 in Figures 4 and 5, and then exits from the discharge port 32 and flows into the condenser 26.

[0031] An inlet port 33 is formed in one wall of the center casing 4 that constitutes the casing 8, and an attachment portion 34 for attaching the expansion valve 18 is integrally formed in the upper part of the wall of the center casing 4 above the inlet port 33. The lower part of this attachment portion 34 is connected to the inlet port 33 by a flow passage 36 formed in the wall of the center casing 4, as shown in FIG.

[0032] The outlet of the condenser 26 of the heating-side heat exchanger 21 is connected to this inlet port 33, and the expansion valve 18 is attached to a mounting portion 34 with its inlet communicating with a flow path 36 (not shown in FIG. 6). As a result, the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 26 flows into the inlet port 33 as shown by arrow A2 in FIGS. 4 and 6, then flows through the flow path 36 into the expansion valve 18, and is decompressed by the expansion valve 18.

[0033] 7, a center casing-side flow path 41 is formed in one wall of the center casing 4, positioned vertically above the center of the center casing 4, across the axial direction of the center casing 4 and facing the front casing 5. One end of this center casing-side flow path 41 opens at the attachment portion 34 and communicates with the outlet of the expansion valve 18, and the other end opens at the end face of the center casing 4 on the front casing 5 side.

[0034] 7 and 13 , a front casing-side flow passage 42 is formed in one wall of the front casing 5, positioned vertically above the center of the front casing 5, across the axial direction of the front casing 5 and facing the accumulator casing 6. One end of the front casing-side flow passage 42 opens in the end face of the front casing 5 on the center casing 4 side, and this opening corresponds to the opening of the center casing-side flow passage 41 in the end face of the center casing 4.

[0035] Therefore, when the center casing 4 and the front casing 5 are joined with the bolts 7, the center casing side flow path 41 and the front casing side flow path 42 are connected to form a continuous flow path 44. This flow path 44 extends from the center casing 4 to the front casing 5, axially within the wall of the casing 8, and the outlet of the expansion valve 18 is connected to this flow path 44.

[0036] An outlet port 43 is formed in the upper part of one wall of the front casing 5, and the other end of the front casing-side flow path 42 is connected to this outlet port 43. Since the inlet of the evaporator 28 of the cooling-side heat exchanger 22 is connected to this outlet port 43, the refrigerant decompressed by the expansion valve 18 flows through a flow path 44, as shown by arrow A3 in Figures 4 and 7, and flows out of the outlet port 43 and into the evaporator 28. Therefore, the flow path 44 forms part of the path connecting the condenser 26 and the evaporator 28 of the refrigerant circuit R (shown by a dashed-line rectangle X1 in Figure 3). The position of this flow path 44 in the refrigerant circuit R is shown in Figure 3.

[0037] An inlet port 46 is formed in one wall of the front casing 5 that constitutes the casing 8, located on the accumulator casing 6 side, and this inlet port 46 communicates with the inside of the accumulator casing 6 when the accumulator casing 6 is joined to the front casing 5. Since the outlet of the evaporator 28 of the cooling-side heat exchanger 22 is connected to this inlet port 46, the refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator 28 flows into the inlet port 46 as shown by arrow A4 in Figures 4 and 8, and then flows into the accumulator casing 6, where the refrigerant is separated into gas and liquid.

[0038] Then, after gas-liquid separation in the accumulator casing 6, the gas refrigerant passes through the front casing 5 and enters the center casing 4 as shown by arrow A5 in FIG. 4, and is sucked into the scroll compression element 11.

[0039] On the other side of the rear casing 3, a rear casing side hot gas flow passage 47 is formed, one end of which is connected to the discharge chamber 31, and the other end of this rear casing side hot gas flow passage 47 opens at the end face of the rear casing 3 on the center casing 4 side (Figure 10).

[0040] A first center casing side hot gas flow passage 48 is formed in the axial direction within the wall on the other side of the center casing 4 that constitutes the casing 8. One end of this first center casing side hot gas flow passage 48 opens at the end face of the center casing 4 on the rear casing 3 side, and this opening corresponds to the opening of the rear casing side hot gas flow passage 47 in the end face of the rear casing 3.

[0041] Therefore, when the rear casing 3 and the center casing 4 are joined with the bolts 7, the rear casing hot gas flow path 47 and the first center casing hot gas flow path 48 are connected to form a continuous hot gas flow path 49. This hot gas flow path 49 extends axially within the wall of the casing 8 (FIG. 10).

[0042] An attachment portion 51 for attaching the expansion valve 19 is integrally formed at the upper portion of the other wall of the center casing 4. The lower portion of this attachment portion 51 is connected to the other end of the first center casing side hot gas flow path 48 formed in the wall of the center casing 4, as shown in Figure 10. As a result, the high-temperature gas refrigerant in the discharge chamber 31 flows into the expansion valve 19 through the hot gas flow path 49 as shown by arrow A6 in Figures 9 and 10, and is decompressed by the expansion valve 19.

[0043] 11, a second center casing side hot gas flow passage 52 is formed in the other wall of the center casing 4, positioned vertically above the center of the center casing 4, across the axial direction of the center casing 4 and facing the front casing 5. One end of this second center casing side hot gas flow passage 52 opens at the attachment portion 51 and communicates with the outlet of the expansion valve 19, and the other end opens at the end face of the center casing 4 on the front casing 5 side.

[0044] 11 , a front casing side hot gas flow passage 56 is formed in the other wall of the front casing 5, positioned vertically above the center of the front casing 5, and extending in the axial direction of the front casing 5 toward the accumulator casing 6. One end of the front casing side hot gas flow passage 56 opens in the end face of the front casing 5 on the center casing 4 side, and this opening corresponds to the opening of the second center casing side hot gas flow passage 48 in the end face of the center casing 4.

[0045] Therefore, when the center casing 4 and the front casing 5 are joined with the bolts 7, the second center casing hot gas flow path 48 and the front casing hot gas flow path 56 are connected to form a continuous hot gas flow path 57. This hot gas flow path 57 extends from the center casing 4 to the front casing 5, axially within the wall of the casing 8, and the expansion valve 19 is in communication with this hot gas flow path 57.

[0046] The other end of the front casing-side hot gas flow path 56 communicates with the inside of the accumulator casing 6, so that the high-temperature refrigerant (hot gas refrigerant) decompressed by the expansion valve 19 flows into the accumulator casing 6 via the hot gas flow path 57 as shown by arrow A7 in Fig. 11. Therefore, the hot gas flow path 57 forms part of the path (shown by a dashed-line rectangle X2 in Fig. 3) connecting the expansion valve 19 of the refrigerant circuit R and the accumulator casing 6.

[0047] 3 also shows the positions of this hot gas flow path 57 and the above-mentioned hot gas flow path 49 in the refrigerant circuit R. As a result, a portion of the high-temperature refrigerant (hot gas refrigerant) discharged from the scroll compression element 11 is sent directly to the accumulator casing 6 via the expansion valve 19, making it possible to increase the temperature of the discharge gas.

[0048] As described above, in the present invention, the flow path 44, which constitutes part of the path connecting the condenser 26 and evaporator 28 of the refrigerant circuit R, is formed within the wall of the casing 8 in the axial direction of the casing 8, so that part of the path between the condenser 26 and the evaporator 28 can be formed by the casing 8 of the compressor 1, which contributes to making the refrigerant circuit R more compact.

[0049] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the expansion valve 18, which is located between the condenser 26 and the evaporator 28 of the refrigerant circuit R, is attached to the casing 8 and communicates with the flow path 44, so that the casing 8 of the compressor 1 constitutes the path between the condenser 26 and the evaporator 28, including the expansion valve 18, which can contribute to further compacting of the refrigerant circuit R. In particular, the compressor 1 and the expansion valve 18, which require an electrical connection, can be integrated, which can simplify the electrical wiring.

[0050] In addition, in the embodiment, the mounting portion 34 for mounting the expansion valve 18 is formed in the casing 8, which is in communication with the flow path 44, and this facilitates the mounting of the expansion valve 18 to the casing 8. Furthermore, the flow path 44 is formed at a position vertically above the center of the casing 8, which further facilitates the mounting of the expansion valve 18 to the casing 8.

[0051] 12 shows the open end face of the front casing 5 on the side of the center casing 4. In this figure, reference numerals 61 to 66 denote bolt holes into which the bolts 7 are inserted and screwed, and six bolt holes are formed with a predetermined pitch circle diameter (P.C.D.: indicated by the dashed-dotted circle C1 in FIG. 12). In the present embodiment, the bolt holes 61 to 63 are located vertically above the center of the front casing 5 (casing 8).

[0052] In addition, bolt holes are formed in the rear casing 3 and the center casing 4 at similar positions (indicated by the symbol 60 in Figure 2), and in this embodiment, each bolt 7 is inserted into the bolt hole 60 in the rear casing 3, passes through the bolt hole 60 in the center casing 4, and enters and screws into the bolt holes 61 to 63 in the front casing 5, thereby joining the rear casing 3, the center casing 4, and the front casing 5.

[0053] As described above, one end of the front casing side flow path 42 that constitutes the flow path 44 opens at the end face of the front casing 5 on the center casing 4 side, and one end of the front casing side hot gas flow path 56 that constitutes the hot gas flow path 57 also opens at the end face of the front casing 5 on the center casing 4 side.

[0054] In this case, the front casing side flow passage 42 (flow passage 44) and the front casing side hot gas flow passage 56 (hot gas flow passage 57) are located inside a circle connecting the outermost edges of the heads 7A of each bolt 7. That is, the front casing side flow passage 42 (flow passage 44) and the front casing side hot gas flow passage 56 (hot gas flow passage 57) are located inside a circle connecting the outermost edges of the heads 7A of each bolt 7 joining the center casing 4 and the front casing 5. As a result, the tightening force of the bolts 7 joining the center casing 4 and the front casing 5 ensures sealing of the connection between the flow passage 44 and the hot gas flow passage 57, making it possible to prevent refrigerant leakage from the flow passages.

[0055] The front casing side flow passage 42 (flow passage 44) opens in a region F1 between adjacent bolt holes 62 and 63, and is further formed adjacent to one of the bolt holes 63. The front casing side hot gas flow passage 56 (hot gas flow passage 57) opens in a region F2 between adjacent bolt holes 61 and 66, and is further formed adjacent to one of the bolt holes 66.

[0056] That is, the front casing side flow path 42 (one flow path 44) is formed in the region F1 between adjacent bolt holes 62 and 63, close to one of the bolt holes 63. The front casing side hot gas flow path 56 (one hot gas flow path 57) is formed in the region F2 between adjacent bolt holes 61 and 66, close to one of the bolt holes 66. As a result, by tightening the bolts 7, an appropriate surface pressure can be applied to the connecting portions of the flow paths 44 and the hot gas flow path 56, preventing refrigerant leakage.

[0057] In the embodiment, the flow path 44 constitutes part of the path connecting the condenser 26 and the evaporator 28 of the refrigerant circuit R, but the flow path 44 may constitute the entire path. Also, while Fig. 1 shows the expansion valves 18 and 19 attached to the respective attachment portions 34 and 51, they may be attached before shipping the compressor 1 or when assembling it to the vehicle, and either case is included in the present invention.

[0058] Furthermore, although the embodiments have been described using the scroll-type electric compressor 1 as an example, the present invention is not limited to this and is effective for various types of compressors. Furthermore, the specific shapes of the components shown in the embodiments are not limited thereto and can be changed within the scope of the present invention.

[0059] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Compressor 2 Heat pump unit 3 Rear casing (casing member) 4 Center casing (casing member) 5 Front casing (casing member) 6 Accumulator (casing member) 7 Bolt 7A Head 8 Casing 11 Scroll compression element (compression element) 12 Motor 18, 19 Expansion valve (pressure reducing device) 26 Condenser 28 Evaporator 34, 51 Mounting portion 41 Center casing side flow path 42 Front casing side flow path 44 Flow path 60 to 66 Bolt hole

Claims

1. A compressor having at least a compression element within a casing, compressing a refrigerant with the compression element and discharging the refrigerant into a refrigerant circuit, and sucking the refrigerant from the refrigerant circuit, characterized in that a flow path that constitutes at least a part of a path connecting a condenser and an evaporator of the refrigerant circuit is formed within a wall of the casing along the axial direction of the casing.

2. The compressor according to claim 1, wherein a pressure reducing device located between the condenser and the evaporator of the refrigerant circuit is attached to the casing and communicates with the flow path.

3. The compressor according to claim 2, wherein the casing is formed with a mounting portion that communicates with the flow path and to which the pressure reducing device is attached.

4. A compressor according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the flow path is formed at a position vertically above the center of the casing.

5. The compressor according to claim 1, wherein the casing is made up of a plurality of casing members joined together by a plurality of bolts, and the flow passage is formed in each of the casing members, spanning each of the casing members, and is located inside a circle connecting the outermost ends of the heads of each of the bolts.

6. The compressor according to claim 1, wherein the casing is made up of a plurality of casing members joined together by a plurality of bolts, and the flow passage is formed in each of the casing members, spanning each of the casing members, and one flow passage is formed between adjacent bolts.

7. The compressor according to claim 6, wherein the flow passage is formed adjacent to either one of the adjacent bolts.

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