Accumulator, compressor, and refrigeration cycle apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional accumulators fail to effectively prevent liquid refrigerant from being compressed in the compressor cylinder, leading to liquid compression, and also allow excessive refrigerating machine oil flow, which is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
The accumulator design includes a partition plate dividing the container into refrigerant introduction and discharge chambers, with communication and outlet pipes having specific oil return holes to manage gas-liquid separation and control oil flow rates, using higher oil returning capability for discharge-side holes to prevent excessive oil return.
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 simple, but liquid refrigerant easily flows into the outlet pipe causing liquid compression in the compressor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the outlet pipe into multiple sections with different functions: a first outlet pipe section with inlet opening for gas discharge, and a second outlet pipe section with oil return holes for refrigerating machine oil return. This segmentation allows the outlet pipe to simultaneously achieve gas-liquid separation and controlled oil return, preventing liquid compression while maintaining structural efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the outlet pipe are given different properties: the first outlet pipe section has an inlet opening positioned higher to prevent liquid entry, while the second outlet pipe section has oil return holes positioned lower to enable oil return. This local differentiation of qualities allows the single outlet pipe to fulfill multiple functions without causing liquid compression
2Reliability
If the outlet end of the straight pipe is disposed above the inlet end of the outlet pipe, then gas-liquid separation capacity is improved, but refrigerating machine oil may return to the compressor at excessive flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter of oil return capability by providing multiple oil return holes in the second outlet pipe section, with the total cross-sectional area of these holes being 0.05 cm² or more. This parameter control ensures that refrigerating machine oil returns to the compressor at an appropriate flow rate, preventing excessive oil return while maintaining effective gas-liquid separation
3Quantity of substance
If multiple oil return holes are provided in the outlet pipe, then oil return capability is improved, but the risk of liquid refrigerant entering the outlet pipe increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet pipe is segmented into a first section for gas discharge and a second section for oil return, with the oil return holes positioned in the lower second section. This segmentation spatially separates the functions, allowing multiple oil return holes to be provided without increasing the risk of liquid refrigerant entry, as the liquid separator prevents liquid from reaching the lower oil return holes
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
This design effectively prevents liquid compression in the compressor and ensures appropriate oil return flow rates, enhancing the performance and efficiency of the refrigeration cycle apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
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
Implementation Method 2
at least one communication pipe including a communication flow channel that passes through the partition plate to connect the refrigerant introduction chamber with the refrigerant discharge chamber
Implementation Method 3
at least one outlet pipe that is fixed to the container and includes an outlet flow channel connected to the 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 a communication flow channel passing through the partition plate to connect the refrigerant introduction chamber with the refrigerant discharge chamber; and at least one outlet pipe including an outlet flow channel connected to the refrigerant discharge chamber. The communication pipe includes at least one introduction-side refrigerating machine oil return hole disposed in the refrigerant introduction chamber. The outlet pipe includes at least one discharge-side refrigerating machine oil return hole disposed in the refrigerant discharge chamber. Oil returning capability of the discharge-side refrigerating machine oil return hole is higher than that of the introduction-side refrigerating machine oil return hole.