JP2006044607A - Heat pump type air conditioner for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heat pump type air conditioner for an automobile with high heat exchange efficiency. <P>SOLUTION: The heat pump type air conditioner for the automobile has an accumulator 20 for separating a coolant to a vapor phase coolant and a liquid phase coolant; and an internal heat exchanger 21 for performing heat exchange between the coolant 22 in the high pressure state and the coolant 23 in the low pressure state. Heat exchange is performed between the coolant flowing in the accumulator 20 and the coolant 22 in the high pressure state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat pump type automotive air conditioner, and more particularly to a structure of an accumulator and an internal heat exchanger in a heat pump type automotive air conditioner.

Conventionally, there is a heat pump type air conditioner in which a first pressure reducing device is fixed to an accumulator tank, an internal heat exchanger is accommodated in the accumulator tank, and the accumulator, the first pressure reducing device and the internal heat exchanger are integrated. It is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Thereby, the piping components which connect the first pressure reducing valve and the internal heat exchanger can be eliminated. Therefore, since the number of parts and assembly man-hours of the air conditioner can be reduced, the vehicle mountability is improved while reducing the manufacturing cost of the air conditioner. In addition, since the mass of the vibration system of the first pressure reducing valve including the accumulator tank and the internal heat exchanger becomes large, and other components are difficult to vibrate even when the valve body vibrates, Noise generated when the pressure is reduced can be reduced.
JP 2002-206823 A

  However, in the heat pump type air conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the refrigerant temperature on the compressor suction side is low during heating, the heat exchange efficiency is poor during heating. Furthermore, the heat exchange efficiency of the internal heat exchanger was poor even during cooling.

  A feature of the present invention is a heat pump type automobile having an accumulator that separates a refrigerant into a gas phase refrigerant and a liquid phase refrigerant, and an internal heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the high-pressure refrigerant and the low-pressure refrigerant. The gist of the present invention is to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing through the accumulator and the high-pressure refrigerant.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the heat pump type motor vehicle air conditioner with high heat exchange efficiency can be provided.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a heat pump type automotive air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor 5 that compresses a refrigerant, and a vehicle interior heat exchanger 6 (hereinafter referred to as “sub-vehicle”). A gas cooler), an evaporator 7, a module 8 having an internal heat exchanger and an accumulator for heat exchange of the refrigerant, an exterior heat exchanger 15 (hereinafter referred to as a "radiator"), and these members And a refrigerant flow path connecting the two. A four-way valve 18, a first check valve 12a, a second check valve 12b, a third check valve 12c, a first expansion valve 14a, and a second expansion valve 14b are disposed on the refrigerant flow path. By controlling these, heating operation, cooling operation, and dehumidifying operation can be switched.

  The compressor 5 compresses and discharges the inflowing refrigerant. Four refrigerant flow paths are connected to the four-way valve 18, and the four-way valve 18 can switch the connection of these refrigerant flow paths. Further, by switching the intake 17a, it is possible to switch between circulating air from the passenger compartment to the evaporator 7 or introducing outside air from outside the passenger compartment to the evaporator 7. Further, by switching the intake 17b, it is possible to switch whether or not the sub gas cooler 6 is further passed through the air that has passed through the evaporator 7.

  Although not shown, the predetermined air conditioning control unit includes a compressor 5, a sub gas cooler 6, an evaporator 7, a module 8, first to third check valves 12a to 12c, first and second expansion valves 14a, 14b, the radiator 15, and the four-way valve 18 are controlled to control the refrigerant flow path during the heating operation, the cooling operation, and the dehumidifying operation of the vehicle air conditioner. Here, carbon dioxide will be described as an example of the refrigerant.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the module 8 in FIG. 1 includes internal heat that exchanges heat between an accumulator 20 that separates the refrigerant into a gas-phase refrigerant and a liquid-phase refrigerant, and a high-pressure refrigerant and a low-pressure refrigerant. And an exchanger 21. A gas phase refrigerant and a liquid phase refrigerant are mixed in the refrigerant flow path, and the accumulator 20 performs gas-liquid separation of the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path. The separated liquid refrigerant is stored in an accumulator tank. On the other hand, the internal heat exchanger 21 has a high-pressure part 22 (downstream of the compressor) through which the high-pressure refrigerant flows and a low-pressure part 23 (upstream of the compressor) through which the low-pressure refrigerant flows. Heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant flowing through the high pressure section 22 and the refrigerant flowing through the low pressure section 23.

  The accumulator 20 has a columnar shape, and the internal heat exchanger 21 has a cylindrical shape and is disposed so as to be in thermal contact with and surround the outer periphery of the accumulator 20. Further, each of the high-pressure part 22 and the low-pressure part 23 has a cylindrical shape, and the low-pressure part 23 is disposed so as to be in thermal contact with and surround the outside of the high-pressure part 22. It is arranged so as to be in thermal contact with the outside. As described above, the module 8 is an integral structure of the accumulator 20 and the internal heat exchanger 21. The accumulator 20, the high pressure part 22 and the low pressure part 23 of the internal heat exchanger 21, respectively, have refrigerant inlets 20a, 22a, 23a and outlets 20b, 22b, 23b arranged at the upper part of the cylinder / cylinder. Have. The refrigerant is supplied from the inlets 20a, 22a, and 23a to the accumulator 20, the high-pressure unit 22, and the low-pressure unit 23, and is discharged from the outlets 20b, 22b, and 23b.

  Next, the flow of the refrigerant in the automotive air conditioner of FIG. 1 during each operation of heating, cooling, and dehumidification will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, during the heating operation, the refrigerant flowing out of the compressor 5 passes through the refrigerant flow path and flows through the sub gas cooler 6. Thereafter, it passes through the four-way valve 18 and flows through the internal heat exchanger 21 in the module 8. And it flows through the radiator 15 through the second expansion valve 14b and the second check valve 12b. Again, it passes through the four-way valve 18, passes through the third check valve 12 c and the accumulator 20 in the module 8, and returns to the compressor 5. The refrigerant circulates in this circulation path during heating.

  As shown in FIG. 4, during the cooling operation, the refrigerant flowing out of the compressor 5 passes through the refrigerant flow path and flows through the sub gas cooler 6. Thereafter, it passes through the four-way valve 18 and flows through the radiator 15. Then, it passes through the first check valve 12 a and flows through the internal heat exchanger 21 in the module 8. Then, it passes through the first expansion valve 14 a and the evaporator 7, flows through the accumulator 20 and the internal heat exchanger 21 in the module 8, and returns to the compressor 5. The refrigerant circulates in this circulation path during cooling.

  As shown in FIG. 5, during the dehumidifying operation, the refrigerant flowing out of the compressor 5 passes through the refrigerant flow path and flows through the sub gas cooler 6. Thereafter, it passes through the four-way valve 18 and flows through the internal heat exchanger 21 in the module 8. Then, it passes through the first expansion valve 14 a and the evaporator 7, flows through the accumulator 20 in the module 8, and returns to the compressor 5. The refrigerant circulates in this circulation path during dehumidification.

  Next, the flow of the refrigerant in the module 8 of FIG. 2 during each operation of heating, cooling and dehumidification will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, during the heating operation, the high-pressure refrigerant from the compressor 5 or the radiator 15 flows into the high-pressure portion 22 of the internal heat exchanger 21 from the inflow port 22a. The refrigerant that has flowed out of the outlet 22 b is supplied to the radiator 15. On the other hand, the low-pressure refrigerant from the evaporator 7 or the radiator 15 flows into the accumulator 20 from the inlet 20a, and the refrigerant flowing out of the outlet 20b is supplied to the compressor 5 as it is.

  As shown in FIG. 7, during the cooling operation, the high-pressure refrigerant from the compressor 5 or the radiator 15 flows into the high-pressure part 22 of the internal heat exchanger 21 from the inlet 22a. The refrigerant flowing out from the outlet 22b is supplied to the evaporator 7. On the other hand, the low-pressure refrigerant from the evaporator 7 or the radiator 15 flows into the accumulator 20 from the inflow port 20a. The refrigerant that has flowed out of the outlet 20b flows into the low pressure part 23 of the internal heat exchanger 21 from the inlet 23a. The refrigerant that has flowed out of the outlet 23 b is supplied to the compressor 5.

  As shown in FIG. 8, during the dehumidifying operation, the high-pressure refrigerant from the compressor 5 or the radiator 15 flows into the high-pressure section 22 of the internal heat exchanger 21 from the inlet 22a. The refrigerant flowing out from the outlet 22b is supplied to the evaporator 7. On the other hand, the low-pressure refrigerant from the evaporator 7 or the radiator 15 flows into the accumulator 20 from the inflow port 20a. The refrigerant flowing out from the outlet 20b is supplied to the compressor 5 as it is.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant flowing through the accumulator 20 and the refrigerant flowing through the high-pressure portion 22 in the internal heat exchanger 21, so that the internal heat exchanger Since heat exchange can be performed even if it is other than 21, heat exchange efficiency is improved.

  Moreover, the high pressure part 22 of the internal heat exchanger 21 is installed outside the accumulator 20, and the low pressure part 23 of the internal heat exchanger 21 is installed outside thereof, that is, the accumulator 20, the high pressure part 22, the high pressure part 22 and the low pressure part. The heat accumulator 20 and the internal heat exchanger 21 can be integrated with each other by installing them so that heat can be exchanged with the parts 23, and the high pressure part 22 and the accumulator 20 are covered with the low pressure parts 23, so Since it can be secured, the heat exchange efficiency is further improved.

  In the cooling operation, the refrigerant flow is switched so that the low-pressure refrigerant flows through the high-pressure unit 22 and the low-pressure unit 23 and the accumulator 20, that is, between the accumulator 20 and the high-pressure unit 22, and between the high-pressure unit 22 and the low-pressure unit 23. By performing each heat exchange, the increase in size of the module 8 can be minimized, and the heat exchange efficiency during cooling is improved.

  Further, at the time of heating operation and dehumidifying operation, the refrigerant flow path is switched so that the refrigerant flows only to the accumulator 20, that is, the refrigerant is not flowed to the low pressure part 23, and heat exchange is performed between the accumulator 20 and the high pressure part 22, The refrigerant pressure on the suction side of the compressor 5 can be increased efficiently, and the heat exchange efficiency and the efficiency of the air conditioning system during heating and dehumidification are improved.

  As described above, the present invention has been described by way of one embodiment. However, it should not be understood that the description and drawings constituting a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art. That is, it should be understood that the present invention includes various embodiments not described herein. Therefore, the present invention is limited only by the invention specifying matters according to the scope of claims reasonable from this disclosure.

1 is a block diagram showing a heat pump type automotive air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the accumulator and internal heat exchanger in the module of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the flow of the refrigerant | coolant in the motor vehicle air conditioner of FIG. 1 at the time of heating operation. It is a block diagram which shows the flow of the refrigerant | coolant in the motor vehicle air conditioner of FIG. 1 at the time of air_conditionaing | cooling operation. It is a block diagram which shows the flow of the refrigerant | coolant in the motor vehicle air conditioner of FIG. 1 at the time of a dehumidification driving | operation. It is a perspective view which shows the flow of the refrigerant | coolant in the module of FIG. 2 at the time of heating operation. It is a perspective view which shows the flow of the refrigerant | coolant in the module of FIG. 2 at the time of air_conditionaing | cooling operation. It is a perspective view which shows the flow of the refrigerant | coolant in the module of FIG. 2 at the time of a dehumidification driving | operation.

Explanation of symbols

5 ... Compressor 6 ... Vehicle interior heat exchanger (Love gas cooler)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 7 ... Evaporator 8 ... Module 12a ... 1st check valve 12b ... 2nd check valve 12c ... 3rd check valve 14a ... 1st expansion valve 14b ... 2nd expansion valve 15 ... Car exterior heat Exchanger (radiator)
17a, 17b ... Intake 18 ... Four-way valve 20 ... Accumulator 20a, 22a, 23a ... Inlet 20b, 22b, 23b ... Outlet 21 ... Internal heat exchanger 22 ... High pressure part 23 ... Low pressure part

Claims (4)

An accumulator for separating the refrigerant into a gas-phase refrigerant and a liquid-phase refrigerant;
An internal heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the high-pressure refrigerant and the low-pressure refrigerant;
A heat pump type automotive air conditioner that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing through the accumulator and the high-pressure refrigerant.   Disposing a high-pressure portion of the internal heat exchanger through which the high-pressure refrigerant flows outside the accumulator, and disposing a low-pressure portion of the internal heat exchanger through which the low-pressure refrigerant flows outside the high-pressure portion. 2. A heat pump type automotive air conditioner as claimed in claim 1.   During cooling operation, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant flowing through the accumulator and the high-pressure refrigerant, and heat exchange is performed between the high-pressure refrigerant and the low-pressure refrigerant. Item 3. The heat pump type automobile air conditioner according to Item 1 or 2.   The heat pump type automotive air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant flowing through the accumulator and the high-pressure refrigerant during heating operation and dehumidifying operation.

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