EP3671074B1 - Accumulator - Google Patents

Accumulator Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3671074B1
EP3671074B1 EP18864711.9A EP18864711A EP3671074B1 EP 3671074 B1 EP3671074 B1 EP 3671074B1 EP 18864711 A EP18864711 A EP 18864711A EP 3671074 B1 EP3671074 B1 EP 3671074B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
housing portion
cap
desiccant housing
refrigerant
tank
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP18864711.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3671074A4 (en
EP3671074A1 (en
Inventor
Kouji Hosokawa
Takeharu Ozawa
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Fujikoki Corp
Original Assignee
Fujikoki Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fujikoki Corp filed Critical Fujikoki Corp
Publication of EP3671074A1 publication Critical patent/EP3671074A1/en
Publication of EP3671074A4 publication Critical patent/EP3671074A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3671074B1 publication Critical patent/EP3671074B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B43/00—Arrangements for separating or purifying gases or liquids; Arrangements for vaporising the residuum of liquid refrigerant, e.g. by heat
    • F25B43/006—Accumulators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
    • F25B2400/03—Suction accumulators with deflectors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to accumulators (i.e., gas-liquid separators) for use in the heat pump refrigeration cycles of car air conditioners, room air conditioners, refrigerators, and the like.
  • accumulators i.e., gas-liquid separators
  • Examples of this type of accumulator include the one that includes a closed-bottomed cylindrical tank having an open upper face that is hermetically closed by a cap member having an inlet port and an outlet port; a gas-liquid separator in the shape of a conical hat or an inverted wide bowl that has a slightly smaller diameter than the inside diameter of the tank; an outlet pipe with a double-pipe structure of an inner pipe, which is coupled at its upper end to the outlet port and extending downward, and an outer pipe; a strainer provided around the bottom of the outlet pipe (or the outer pipe thereof), for trapping or removing foreign matter contained in a liquid-phase refrigerant and oil (i.e., oil for the refrigerator) mixed therewith; a bag containing desiccants for absorbing and removing the moisture in the refrigerant; and the like (see, for example, Patent Literature 1 and 2 below).
  • a refrigerant (or a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant) introduced into the accumulator collides with the gas-liquid separator and is radially diffused to be separated into a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant.
  • the liquid-phase refrigerant (including oil) flows downward along the inner peripheral face of the tank and accumulates in the lower portion of the tank, while the gas-phase refrigerant flows downward through a space (i.e., a gas-phase-refrigerant downward-feed flow channel) formed between the inner pipe and the outer pipe of the outlet pipe, so that the gas-phase refrigerant rises through a space inside the inner pipe and is suctioned to the suction side of the compressor so as to be circulated.
  • a space i.e., a gas-phase-refrigerant downward-feed flow channel
  • U.S. 2005/252026 A1 discloses a desiccant cartridge adapted for use in a canister of an integrated receiver/dryer or accumulator assembly of an automotive air conditioning system, wherein the canister has an offset inlet port.
  • the desiccant cartridge includes a desiccant cup having a center tube and a desiccant cap including a planar portion having a recessed port area provided with a first aperture, or first tube, for cooperation with a side tube and/or the offset inlet port of the canister.
  • the cap further includes a docking piece provided with a second aperture, or second tube, for cooperating with the center tube of the cup, when the cap is retained therein.
  • the docking piece is designed to cooperate with the recessed port area, preferably via a snap fit, to define a passage way therebetween so that gas and/or fluid can enter the canister via the inlet port, circulate through the desiccant cartridge, and finally exit via an outlet port.
  • the refrigerant introduced into the accumulator is separated into a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant by the gas-liquid separator, it is concerned that depending on how desiccants are disposed, such as when the desiccants are packaged in a vertically long shape and arranged in the tank, the proportion of desiccants that absorb only the moisture in the separated gas-phase refrigerant may increase and instead, the absorption rate of the moisture in the liquid-phase refrigerant by the desiccants may become low.
  • the present invention has been made in view of the foregoing, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an accumulator that can reduce the number of components to reduce assembling processes, weight, cost, and the like and can also increase the moisture absorption rate of desiccants so that the moisture in the refrigerant can be efficiently absorbed.
  • an accumulator in accordance with the present invention is characterized by the features of claim 1.
  • This accumulator basically includes a tank having an inlet port and an outlet port, an outlet pipe that is coupled at one end to the outlet port and is open at the other end inside the tank, and a desiccant housing portion adapted to house desiccants, in which the desiccant housing portion is fixedly disposed below the inlet port and opposite the inlet port, and is adapted to receive from the upper face side of the desiccant housing portion a refrigerant that has flowed into the tank from the inlet port and then allow the refrigerant to flow downward to below the desiccant housing portion.
  • the desiccant housing portion is adapted to cover an opening at the other end of the outlet pipe.
  • the desiccant housing portion is securely sandwiched between the tank and the outlet pipe.
  • a refrigerant that has been received into the desiccant housing portion passes through a gap formed between the outer periphery of the desiccant housing portion and the inner periphery of the tank and flows downward to below the desiccant housing portion.
  • the desiccant housing portion includes a box shaped holding member having an open upper face, and a cap-like pressure member attached to the open upper face of the box shaped holding member, and the cap-like pressure member includes a circulation opening, the circulation opening being adapted to pass a refrigerant that has flowed into the tank from the inlet port and allow the refrigerant that has been received into the desiccant housing portion to spill out of the desiccant housing portion.
  • box shaped holding member and the cap-like pressure member are coupled together in a snap-fit manner.
  • a refrigerant that has been received into the desiccant housing portion passes through a hole provided in a bottom of the desiccant housing portion and flows downward to below the desiccant housing portion.
  • the desiccant housing portion includes a plate-like holding member having the hole, and a cap-like pressure member disposed above the plate-like holding member, and the cap-like pressure member includes a circulation opening, the circulation opening being adapted to pass a refrigerant that has flowed into the tank from the inlet port.
  • the hole is formed to be evenly distributed in the bottom of the desiccant housing portion.
  • the hole is formed in the outer peripheral portion of the bottom of the desiccant housing portion.
  • the cap-like pressure member includes a protruding rib for reinforcement and positioning.
  • the outlet pipe has a double-pipe structure of an inner pipe and an outer pipe, the inner pipe being adapted to be coupled to the outlet port and extend downward inside the tank, and the outer pipe being arranged on the outer periphery of the inner pipe.
  • a desiccant housing portion housing desiccants is fixedly disposed below the inlet port and opposite the inlet port, and is adapted to receive from the upper face side of the desiccant housing portion a refrigerant that has flowed into the tank from the inlet port and then allow the refrigerant to flow downward to below the desiccant housing portion. While flowing downward, the refrigerant is separated into a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant. Therefore, the number of components can be reduced as compared to the conventional accumulator separately having a gas-liquid separator and a bag containing desiccants, and assembling processes, weight, cost, and the like can thus be reduced.
  • the refrigerant that has flowed into the tank from the inlet port surely passes through the desiccants in the desiccant housing portion, the moisture absorption rate of the desiccants can be increased and the moisture in the refrigerant can be efficiently absorbed.
  • Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of the accumulator in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of the arrow U-U in Fig. 1 .
  • Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of the arrow V-V in Fig. 1 .
  • An accumulator 1 of the first embodiment illustrated in the drawing is used as an accumulator in the refrigeration cycle that forms a car air conditioner for electric vehicles, for example.
  • the accumulator 1 includes a closed-bottomed cylindrical tank (or an accumulator body) 10 made of metal, such as stainless steel or aluminum alloy, and having an open upper face that is hermetically closed by a cap member 12 made of the same metal.
  • the accumulator 1 of this embodiment is placed in a vertical, upright position as illustrated, for example. That is, the cap member 12 is located on the upper (top) side, and the bottom 13 of the tank 10 is located on the lower (bottom) side.
  • the tank 10 and the cap member 12 may be collectively referred to as a tank.
  • the cap member 12 has an inlet port 15 and a stepped outlet port 16 that are arranged side by side.
  • a desiccant container (or a desiccant housing portion) 50 which has a slightly smaller diameter than the inside diameter of the tank 10 and contains desiccants M, is arranged below the cap member 12 so as to absorb and remove the moisture in the refrigerant.
  • the upper end of an outlet pipe 30 is coupled to the lower portion of the outlet port 16.
  • a stepped cylindrical portion 12a which forms the lower portion of the outlet port 16, protrudes from the lower face of the cap member 12.
  • the cylindrical portion 12a has on its stepped portion positioning recesses 12b for determining the rotating position (or the angle) of the desiccant container 50 (or a cap-like pressure member 55 thereof) (see Fig. 3 , in particular).
  • the desiccant housing portion is a surrounding area defined by the desiccant container 50 and houses and holds the desiccants M therein.
  • the outlet pipe 30 has a double-pipe structure of an inner pipe 31 that is coupled at its upper end to the lower portion of the outlet port 16 through pipe expansion, swaging, press-fitting, screwing, and the like and extends downward through a through-hole 53 provided in the desiccant container 50 (i.e., a ceiling portion 52a of a hat-like portion 52) inside the tank 10 and a closed-bottomed outer pipe 32 arranged on the outer periphery of the inner pipe 31.
  • the outlet pipe 30 also has a plate-like rib 33 to provide a predetermined gap between the inner pipe 31 and the outer pipe 32.
  • three ribs 33 are provided along the longitudinal direction (i.e., the vertical direction) of the inner pipe 31 and the outer pipe 32 and at equiangular intervals (120° intervals).
  • the inner pipe 31, the outer pipe 32, and the ribs 33 forming the outlet pipe 30 are integrally formed by extrusion using synthetic resin material, aluminum material, or the like. That is, the double-pipe structure is an integrally molded component made of aluminum extruded material, for example.
  • the inner pipe 31 and the outer pipe 32 forming the outlet pipe 30 may be formed as separate components, and the ribs 33 may be provided on at least one of the inner pipe 31 or the outer pipe 32.
  • a plurality of plate-like ribs may be radially disposed outside the inner pipe 31 (i.e., on a portion below the ceiling portion 52a of the hat-like portion 52 of the desiccant container 50) in an outwardly protruding manner and at equiangular intervals along the longitudinal direction (i.e., the vertical direction), and the outer pipe 32 that has been formed as a component separate from the inner pipe 31 may be fixed to the outer peripheral side of the plurality of plate-like ribs in a press-fit manner.
  • the lower end of the outer pipe 32 is securely fitted into an upper portion 42a with a stepped inner periphery of a case 42 of the strainer 40 (which is described below) through press fitting or the like.
  • the lower end of the inner pipe 31 is located slightly above the bottom 32b of the outer pipe 32.
  • the upper end of the outer pipe 32 is located slightly below the cap member 12 (and inside the hat-like portion 52 of the desiccant container 50 (which is described below)).
  • An oil return hole 35 is formed in the center of the bottom 32b of the outer pipe 32. The diameter of the oil return hole 35 is set to about 1 mm, for example.
  • bottom 32b of the outer pipe 32 may be integrally formed with the cylindrical portion of the outer pipe 32 or may be formed as a component separate from the cylindrical portion, and the component may be securely sandwiched between the cylindrical portion and the case 42 of the strainer 40.
  • the strainer 40 is fixedly disposed on the bottom 13 of the tank 10 and includes a closed-bottomed cylindrical case 42 made of synthetic resin, and a cylindrical mesh filter 45 integrally formed with the case 42 through insert molding or the like.
  • the mesh filter 45 is made of a metallic mesh or a mesh member of synthetic resin, for example.
  • the desiccant container 50 has a box shaped holding member 51 having an open upper face and having the shape of a generally wide bowl or a cup.
  • the cap-like pressure member 55 is attached to the open upper face of the box shaped holding member 51.
  • the desiccant container 50 is fixedly disposed below the inlet port 15 so as to cover an opening formed by the inner pipe 31 and the outer pipe 32 (or the upper end thereof) of the outlet pipe 30 (i.e., an opening at the other end of the outlet pipe 30).
  • the box shaped holding member 51 is made of synthetic resin, for example.
  • the box shaped holding member 51 has a disk-shaped bottom wall 51a that has a slightly smaller diameter than the inside diameter of the tank 10 and is disposed opposite the inlet port 15 and a peripheral wall 51b in a short cylindrical shape that extends upward from the outer periphery of the bottom wall 51a.
  • the hat-like portion 52 which has a greater diameter than the outside diameter of the outlet pipe 30 (or the outer pipe 32 thereof) and having a length shorter (in the vertical direction) than the peripheral wall 51b, protrudes (upward) from the bottom wall 51a, below the outlet port 16.
  • the hat-like portion 52 has on its ceiling portion 52a the through-hole 53 through which the upper end of the outlet pipe 30 (or the inner pipe 31 thereof) is adapted to be inserted.
  • the upper portion of the inner pipe 31 and the upper end of the outer pipe 32 of the outlet pipe 30 are located inside the hat-like portion 52.
  • the hat-like portion 52 covers the opening formed by the inner pipe 31 and the outer pipe 32 (or the upper end thereof) of the outlet pipe 30 (i.e., the opening at the other end of the outlet pipe 30).
  • the peripheral wall 51b has on its top a fitting recess 54 (four fitting recesses 54 provided at equiangular intervals in the illustrated example) that is adapted to engage a tongue-like piece 59 provided on the outer periphery of the cap-like pressure member 55 (which will be described later).
  • the cap-like pressure member 55 is made of metal, such as stainless steel or aluminum alloy.
  • the cap-like pressure member 55 has an inner ring 56 into which the lower portion of the stepped cylindrical portion 12a of the cap member 12 is adapted to be fitted, a plurality of (five in the illustrated example) coupling arms 57 extending (radially) outward from the inner ring 56, and an outer ring 58 having a slightly smaller diameter than the inside diameter of the tank 10 and coupling the outer ends of the plurality of coupling arms 57.
  • Protruding ribs 60 for reinforcement which protrude upward, extend (radially from the center of the inner ring 56) across an area of from the inner ring 56 to the coupling arms 57. Fitting the inner ends of the protruding ribs 60 into the positioning recesses 12b provided on the stepped portion of the cylindrical portion 12a of the cap member 12 can determine the rotating position of the desiccant container 50 (or the cap-like pressure member 55 thereof) with respect to the cap member 12.
  • a circulation opening 61 through which the refrigerant introduced into the tank 10 via the inlet port 15 is adapted to pass is provided between the adjacent coupling arms 57 extending between the inner ring 56 and the outer ring 58 (which will be described later).
  • the coupling arms 57 are provided such that one of five circulation openings 61 formed between the adjacent coupling arms 57 is located below the inlet port 15 (in particular, see Fig. 2 ).
  • the tongue-like piece 59 (four tongue-like pieces 59 provided at equiangular intervals in the illustrated example) having a size to be fitted into the fitting recess 54 of the box shaped holding member 51 extends (outward) from the outer edge of the outer ring 58.
  • Engaging the tongue-like piece 59 of the cap-like pressure member 55 with the fitting recess 54 of the box shaped holding member 51 allows the box shaped holding member 51 and the cap-like pressure member 55 to be securely coupled together in a snap-fit manner.
  • the box shaped holding member 51 and the cap-like pressure member 55 may be coupled together by means other than the snap-fitting using the fitting recess 54 and the tongue-like piece 59, such as swaging, welding, deposition, and the like.
  • a sheet fabric 65 made of, for example, felt with a ventilation property and a water permeation property is placed on the lower face side of the cap-like pressure member 55 and around the lower portion of the stepped cylindrical portion 12a of the cap member 12.
  • the sheet fabric 65 has a thickness corresponding to the difference in height between the peripheral wall 51b and the hat-like portion 52 of the box shaped holding member 51 and has an insertion hole 65a through which the lower portion of the stepped cylindrical portion 12a of the cap member 12 is adapted to be inserted.
  • the inside of the box shaped holding member 51 (more specifically, an annular space formed between the hat-like portion 52 and the peripheral wall 51b of the box shaped holding member 51) is filled with (or has encapsulated therein) granular desiccants M such that the desiccants M are slightly compressed by the sheet fabric 65.
  • the desiccant container 50 (the desiccant container 50 assembled from the box shaped holding member 51, the desiccants M, the sheet fabric 65, and the cap-like pressure member 55) and the outlet pipe 30 to the cap member 12, the desiccant container 50 is attached to the lower face of the cap member 12 so that the cap-like pressure member 55 and the sheet fabric 65 of the desiccant container 50 are mounted around the lower portion of the cylindrical portion 12a of the cap member 12.
  • the rotating position of the desiccant container 50 with respect to the cap member 12 is determined by the positioning recesses 12b of the cylindrical portion 12a of the cap member 12 and the protruding ribs 60 on the upper face of the cap-like pressure member 55.
  • the upper end of the inner pipe 31 i.e., a portion above the portion where the ribs 33 are formed
  • the desiccant container 50 or the ceiling portion 52a of the hat-like portion 52 thereof
  • the desiccant container 50 is securely sandwiched between the ribs 33 of the outlet pipe 30 and the cylindrical portion 12a.
  • a flanged portion molded by compression such as bulge forming may be provided near the upper end of the inner pipe 31, and the desiccant container 50 may be securely sandwiched between the flanged portion and the lower end face of the cap member 12 (or the cylindrical portion 12a thereof).
  • a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant in a gas-liquid mixed state from an evaporator is introduced into the tank 10 via the inlet port 15, and the introduced refrigerant is received into the desiccant container 50 via the circulation openings 61 formed in the cap-like pressure member 55 of the desiccant container 50 while accumulating in the box shaped holding member 51 after passing through the sheet fabric 65 and the desiccants M.
  • the refrigerant spills out of the desiccant container 50 beyond the peripheral wall 51b (or the upper end thereof) of the box shaped holding member 51 via the circulation openings 61 (or the outer peripheral portions thereof), and then flows downward (i.e., drops) below the desiccant container 50 while passing through a space (or a cylindrical gap formed) between the outer periphery of the desiccant container 50 (or the peripheral wall 51b of the box shaped holding member 51 thereof) and the inner periphery of the tank 10.
  • the refrigerant While flowing downward, the refrigerant is diffused and separated into a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant.
  • the liquid-phase refrigerant (including oil) flows downward in the tank 10 and accumulates in the lower space of the tank 10, while the gas-phase refrigerant is suctioned into the suction side of a compressor via the space (i.e., a gas-phase-refrigerant downward-feed flow channel) formed between the inner pipe 31 and the outer pipe 32 of the outlet pipe 30 ⁇ the space inside the inner pipe 31 so as to be circulated.
  • Oil that has accumulated in the lower space of the tank 10 together with the liquid-phase refrigerant moves toward the bottom 13 of the tank 10 due to the difference in specific gravity, properties, and the like between the oil and the liquid-phase refrigerant, and is absorbed into the gas-phase refrigerant to be suctioned to the suction side of the compressor via the outlet pipe 30. Then, the oil passes through the mesh filter 45 of the strainer 40 ⁇ the oil return hole 35 ⁇ the space inside the inner pipe 31 and thus is returned to the suction side of the compressor together with the gas-phase refrigerant so as to be circulated. When the oil passes through the mesh filter 45, foreign matter, such as sludge, is trapped and thus is removed from the circulating refrigerant (including oil).
  • the desiccant container (or the desiccant housing portion) 50 housing the desiccants M is fixedly disposed below the inlet port 15 and opposite the inlet port 15, and is adapted to receive from the upper face side thereof (i.e., from the circulation openings 61 on the upper face side) the refrigerant that has flowed into the tank 10 from the inlet port 15 and then allow the refrigerant to flow downward to below the desiccant container 50. While flowing downward, the refrigerant is separated into a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant. Therefore, the number of components can be reduced as compared to the conventional accumulator separately having a gas-liquid separator and a bag containing desiccants, and thus, assembling processes, weight, cost, and the like can be reduced.
  • the refrigerant that has flowed into the tank 10 from the inlet port 15 surely passes through the desiccants M in the desiccant container 50, the moisture absorption rate of the desiccants M can be increased and the moisture in the refrigerant can be efficiently absorbed.
  • Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of the accumulator in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of the arrow U-U in Fig. 7 .
  • Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of the arrow V-V in Fig. 7 .
  • An accumulator 2 of the second embodiment illustrated in the drawing differs from the accumulator 1 of the aforementioned first embodiment only in the configuration of the desiccant container 50 housing the desiccants M.
  • the other configurations are the same.
  • the following embodiment mainly describes only the difference. It should be noted that in the drawings illustrating the accumulator 2 of the second embodiment, portions corresponding to the same components of the accumulator 1 of the aforementioned first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.
  • a desiccant container (or a desiccant housing portion) 70 which is fixedly disposed below the cap member 12 and houses desiccants M, has a plate-like holding member 71 having a generally disk shape.
  • the plate-like holding member 71 has on its upper side a cap-like pressure member 75 attached thereto.
  • the desiccant housing portion is a surrounding area defined by the desiccant container 70 and houses and holds the desiccants M therein.
  • the plate-like holding member 71 is made of synthetic resin, for example. As clearly seen in Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B in conjunction with Fig. 7 , the plate-like holding member 71 has substantially the same diameter as the inside diameter of the tank 10 and is disposed opposite the inlet port 15.
  • a hat-like portion 72 having the same shape as the hat-like portion 52 of the first embodiment i.e., a hat-like portion 72 having on its ceiling portion 72a a through-hole 73 through which the upper end of the outlet pipe 30 (or the inner pipe 31 thereof) is adapted to be inserted
  • the plate-like holding member 71 in addition to the above configurations, the plate-like holding member 71 (in particular, portions other than the hat-like portion 72) has a plurality of open pores 71c.
  • the plurality of pores 71c is formed to be substantially evenly distributed in the plate-like holding member 71 (to have a substantially uniform hole density).
  • the cap-like pressure member 75 is made of metal, such as stainless steel or aluminum alloy.
  • the basic shapes of the cap-like pressure member 75 (specifically, the shapes of an inner ring 76, coupling arms 77, and protruding ribs 80 for reinforcement that extend across an area of from the inner ring 76 to the coupling arms 77) are the same as the shapes of the cap-like pressure member 55 of the first embodiment.
  • the diameter (the outside diameter) of an outer ring 78 of the cap-like pressure member 75 is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the tank 10. That is, the tongue-like piece 59 of the first embodiment is omitted in the present embodiment.
  • a sheet fabric 85 having the same shape as the sheet fabric 65 of the first embodiment is disposed on the lower face side of the cap-like pressure member 75, while a sheet fabric 86 made of, for example, felt with a ventilation property and a water permeation property is disposed on the upper face side of the plate-like holding member 71 (in particular, the outer peripheral portion of the hat-like portion 72). It should be noted that in the illustrated example, the thickness of the sheet fabric 86 disposed on the lower side is slightly smaller than that of the sheet fabric 85 disposed on the upper side.
  • a space defined by the plate-like holding member 71, the cap-like pressure member 75, and the inner wall of the tank 10 (more specifically, an annular space outside the hat-like portion 72, between the plate-like holding member 71, the cap-like pressure member 75, and the inner wall of the tank 10) is filled with (or has encapsulated therein) granular desiccants M such that the desiccants M are slightly compressed (vertically) by the sheet fabric 85 and the sheet fabric 86. That is, in this embodiment, the desiccants M are sandwiched between the plate-like holding member 71 and the cap-like pressure member 75 with the sheet fabrics 85 and 86 interposed therebetween.
  • the desiccant container 70 i.e., the desiccant container 70 in which the plate-like holding member 71, the sheet fabric 86, the desiccants M, the sheet fabric 85, and the cap-like pressure member 75 are stacked in this order from the bottom
  • the desiccant container 70 is attached to the lower face of the cap member 12 so that the cap-like pressure member 75 and the sheet fabric 85 of the desiccant container 70 are mounted around the lower portion of the cylindrical portion 12a of the cap member 12.
  • the rotating position of the desiccant container 70 with respect to the cap member 12 is determined by the positioning recesses 12b of the cylindrical portion 12a of the cap member 12 and the protruding ribs 80 on the upper face of the cap-like pressure member 75.
  • the upper end of the inner pipe 31 i.e., a portion above the portion where the ribs 33 are formed
  • the through-hole 73 provided in the desiccant container 70 i.e., the ceiling portion 72a of the hat-like portion 72 thereof
  • the desiccant container 70 is securely sandwiched between the ribs 33 of the outlet pipe 30 and the cylindrical portion 12a.
  • flanged portion molded by compression such as bulge forming may be provided near the upper end of the inner pipe 31 and the desiccant container 70 may be securely sandwiched between the flanged portion and the lower end face of the cap member 12 (or the cylindrical portion 12a thereof).
  • a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant in a gas-liquid mixed state from an evaporator is introduced into the tank 10 via the inlet port 15, and the introduced refrigerant is received into the desiccant container 70 via circulation openings 81 formed in the cap-like pressure member 75 of the desiccant container 70, and passes through the sheet fabric 85, the desiccants M, and the sheet fabric 86 and further through the pores 71c formed in the plate-like holding member 71, and then flows downward (i.e., drops) below the desiccant container 70. While flowing downward, the refrigerant is diffused and separated into a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant.
  • the liquid-phase refrigerant (including oil) flows downward in the tank 10 and accumulates in the lower space of the tank 10, while the gas-phase refrigerant is suctioned into the suction side of a compressor via the space (i.e., a gas-phase-refrigerant downward-feed flow channel) formed between the inner pipe 31 and the outer pipe 32 of the outlet pipe 30 ⁇ the space inside the inner pipe 31 so as to be circulated.
  • a gas-phase-refrigerant downward-feed flow channel formed between the inner pipe 31 and the outer pipe 32 of the outlet pipe 30 ⁇ the space inside the inner pipe 31 so as to be circulated.
  • Oil that has accumulated in the lower space of the tank 10 together with the liquid-phase refrigerant moves toward the bottom 13 of the tank 10 due to the difference in specific gravity, properties, and the like between the oil and the liquid-phase refrigerant, and is absorbed into the gas-phase refrigerant to be suctioned to the suction side of the compressor via the outlet pipe 30. Then, the oil passes through the mesh filter 45 of the strainer 40 ⁇ the oil return hole 35 ⁇ the space inside the inner pipe 31 and thus is returned to the suction side of the compressor together with the gas-phase refrigerant so as to be circulated. When the oil passes through the mesh filter 45, foreign matter, such as sludge, is trapped and thus is removed from the circulating refrigerant (including oil).
  • the desiccant container (or the desiccant housing portion) 70 housing the desiccants M is fixedly disposed below the inlet port 15 and opposite the inlet port 15, and is adapted to receive from the upper face side thereof (from the circulation openings 81 on the upper face side) the refrigerant that has flowed into the tank 10 from the inlet port 15 and then allow the refrigerant to flow downward to below the desiccant container 70. While flowing downward, the refrigerant is separated into a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant. Therefore, the number of components can be reduced as compared to the conventional accumulator separately having a gas-liquid separator and a bag containing desiccants, and thus, assembling processes, weight, cost, and the like can be reduced.
  • the refrigerant that has flowed into the tank 10 from the inlet port 15 surely passes through the desiccants M in the desiccant container 70, the moisture absorption rate of the desiccants M can be increased and the moisture in the refrigerant can be can efficiently absorbed.
  • the plurality of pores 71c is formed to be substantially evenly distributed in almost the entire area of the plate-like holding member 71 forming the bottom of the desiccant container 70, so that the refrigerant that has been introduced into the desiccant container 70 flows downward to below the desiccant container 70.
  • the position, shape, size, number of the pores, and the like are not limited to those in the illustrated example.
  • an elongated hole 71d (four elongated holes 71d formed at equiangular intervals in the illustrated example), which has a shape along the circumferential direction, may be formed in the outer peripheral portion of the plate-like holding member 71 (i.e., the portion in the vicinity of the outer edge) as illustrated in Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B .
  • holes similar to those of the aforementioned second embodiment may be formed in the bottom wall 51a and the peripheral wall 51b of the box shaped holding member 51 of the desiccant container 50 of the aforementioned first embodiment.
  • the box shaped holding member 51 and the plate-like holding member 71 that are adapted to hold the desiccants M from the lower side of the desiccant containers 50 and 70, respectively are made of resin, and the cap-like pressure members 55 and 75 that are adapted to hold the desiccants M from the upper side are made of metal.
  • the material of the box shaped holding member 51, the plate-like holding member 71, the cap-like pressure members 55 and 75, and the like may be appropriately selected.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Air-Conditioning For Vehicles (AREA)
EP18864711.9A 2017-10-04 2018-09-11 Accumulator Active EP3671074B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2017194350A JP6823865B2 (ja) 2017-10-04 2017-10-04 アキュームレータ
PCT/JP2018/033612 WO2019069641A1 (ja) 2017-10-04 2018-09-11 アキュームレータ

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3671074A1 EP3671074A1 (en) 2020-06-24
EP3671074A4 EP3671074A4 (en) 2021-05-19
EP3671074B1 true EP3671074B1 (en) 2023-07-05

Family

ID=65995403

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP18864711.9A Active EP3671074B1 (en) 2017-10-04 2018-09-11 Accumulator

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3671074B1 (ja)
JP (1) JP6823865B2 (ja)
CN (1) CN111194392B (ja)
WO (1) WO2019069641A1 (ja)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN116465122B (zh) * 2023-05-08 2023-09-26 浙江恒睿丰新能源科技有限公司 新能源车用倒置高压储液罐

Family Cites Families (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5920611Y2 (ja) * 1980-03-10 1984-06-15 豊和工業株式会社 自動車用冷房装置のアキユ−ムレ−タ
JPH0313074U (ja) * 1989-06-20 1991-02-08
US5184480A (en) * 1991-12-23 1993-02-09 Ford Motor Company Accumulator for vehicle air conditioning system
US5289697A (en) * 1992-10-28 1994-03-01 Eaton Corporation Refrigerant receiver/drier
JP3978273B2 (ja) * 1996-12-18 2007-09-19 昭和電工株式会社 アキュームレータ
JP3872160B2 (ja) * 1997-03-28 2007-01-24 昭和電工株式会社 受液器
JP4132616B2 (ja) * 2000-08-29 2008-08-13 カルソニックカンセイ株式会社 リキッドタンクとその製造方法
JP2002130871A (ja) * 2000-10-30 2002-05-09 Denso Corp アキュムレータ
US6692556B2 (en) * 2001-10-29 2004-02-17 Stanhope Products Co. Desiccant cartridge with elongated center tube
US7143524B2 (en) * 2002-06-25 2006-12-05 Flow Dry Technology Ltd. Desiccant cartridge having desiccant cap
US7003978B2 (en) * 2003-12-12 2006-02-28 Calsonickansei North America, Inc. Service cartridge for a receiver in a condenser system
JP2008032269A (ja) 2006-07-26 2008-02-14 Denso Corp アキュムレータ
JP5712775B2 (ja) * 2011-05-09 2015-05-07 カルソニックカンセイ株式会社 アキュムレータ
CN102589212A (zh) * 2012-03-12 2012-07-18 太仓市弧螺机电有限公司 一种储液干燥器
JP6068938B2 (ja) * 2012-11-08 2017-01-25 株式会社不二工機 アキュムレータ
JP6199590B2 (ja) 2013-04-08 2017-09-20 株式会社不二工機 アキュムレータ
CN205747608U (zh) * 2016-01-06 2016-11-30 天津市竹丰电子部品股份有限公司 一种用于汽车空调制冷的储液器
CN205980483U (zh) * 2016-08-24 2017-02-22 浙江三花汽车零部件有限公司 贮液器

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2019069641A1 (ja) 2019-04-11
CN111194392B (zh) 2022-07-26
CN111194392A (zh) 2020-05-22
JP6823865B2 (ja) 2021-02-03
EP3671074A4 (en) 2021-05-19
JP2019066137A (ja) 2019-04-25
EP3671074A1 (en) 2020-06-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CN106352618B (zh) 储存器
US10926608B2 (en) Refrigerant container
EP3671074B1 (en) Accumulator
CN106352617B (zh) 储液器
EP3534092A1 (en) Accumulator
EP3929505A1 (en) Accumulator
CN107763907B (zh) 储液器
US10821811B2 (en) Refrigerant container
CN106352620B (zh) 储液器
EP3677857A1 (en) Accumulator
EP3293471B1 (en) Accumulator
EP3293472B1 (en) Accumulator
JP2019086211A (ja) 貯液器

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20200319

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 20210419

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: F25B 43/00 20060101AFI20210413BHEP

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20220908

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20230228

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1585178

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20230715

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602018052997

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG9D

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20230921

Year of fee payment: 6

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20230705

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20230926

Year of fee payment: 6

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20230919

Year of fee payment: 6

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1585178

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20230705

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230705

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231006

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230705

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231105

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230705

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230705

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231106

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231005

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230705

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230705

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231105

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230705

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231006

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230705

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230705

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230705

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20231027

Year of fee payment: 6

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230705

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602018052997

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230705

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230705

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230705

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230705

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230705

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230705

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230911