Accumulator, compressor, and refrigeration cycle apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional accumulators fail to effectively prevent liquid refrigerant from flowing into the compressor cylinder, leading to liquid compression, which can damage the compressor.
Innovation Solution
An accumulator design with a partition plate dividing the internal space into refrigerant introduction and discharge chambers, incorporating inlet and outlet pipes with deflection portions to redirect refrigerant flow and prevent direct passage between these chambers, ensuring gas-liquid separation and preventing liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the inlet end of the outlet pipe is disposed in the vicinity of the bottom plate of the container, then the structure is simplified, but liquid refrigerant easily flows into the outlet pipe causing liquid compression in the compressor
Solution Approach 1:
A deflection portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the outlet opening of the communication pipe and the inlet opening of the outlet pipe. This deflection portion redirects the flow path of refrigerant, preventing liquid refrigerant that has separated in the bottom space from directly entering the outlet pipe, thereby solving the liquid compression problem while maintaining structural simplicity
2Length of stationary object
If the outlet end of the straight pipe is disposed above the inlet end of the outlet pipe, then the partition plate can be positioned higher, but liquid refrigerant still flows directly from the straight pipe to the outlet pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection portion changes the flow path from a direct vertical downward path to a redirected path that moves horizontally or at an angle before reaching the outlet pipe inlet. This dimensional change in flow path prevents liquid refrigerant from directly entering the outlet pipe while allowing the partition plate to maintain its elevated position
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design effectively prevents liquid refrigerant from flowing into the compressor, thereby avoiding liquid compression and enhancing the accumulator's gas-liquid separation capacity, allowing for optimized compressor operation and improved refrigeration cycle performance.
Implementation Method 1
a deflection portion that is disposed inside the refrigerant discharge chamber to block views from the outlet opening and the inlet opening, and deflects a direction of flow of a refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a partition plate that is disposed inside the container, and divides an internal space of the container into a refrigerant introduction chamber and a refrigerant discharge chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An accumulator includes: a container; a partition plate dividing an internal space of the container into a refrigerant introduction chamber and a refrigerant discharge chamber; an inlet pipe including an inlet flow channel connected to the refrigerant introduction chamber; at least one communication pipe including an outlet opening disposed in the refrigerant discharge chamber and a communication flow channel connecting the refrigerant introduction chamber with the refrigerant discharge chamber, and passing through the partition plate; at least one outlet pipe including an inlet opening disposed in the refrigerant discharge chamber and an outlet flow channel connected to the refrigerant discharge chamber; and a deflection portion blocking views from the outlet opening and the inlet opening, and deflecting a direction of flow of a refrigerant so as to prevent the refrigerant flowing from the outlet opening into the refrigerant discharge chamber from directly flowing to the inlet opening.