JP2004069142A

JP2004069142A - Receiver tank and vehicle air-conditioner equipped with the receiver tank

Info

Publication number: JP2004069142A
Application number: JP2002227623A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Yoichi Miyazaki; 宮崎　洋一; Hiroshi Hamamoto; 濱本　浩; Shinji Watanabe; 渡辺　伸二
Original assignee: Japan Climate Systems Corp
Current assignee: Japan Climate Systems Corp
Priority date: 2002-08-05
Filing date: 2002-08-05
Publication date: 2004-03-04
Anticipated expiration: 2022-08-05
Also published as: JP4098580B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small receiver tank 6 capable of appropriately performing heat exchange between refrigerants and arranging a dehumidifying member 8 (desiccating agent) and a strainer 14 inside thereof, and a vehicle air-conditioner equipped with the receiver tank 6. <P>SOLUTION: The invention comprises the tank 6, a flow pipe 12 arranged in the tank 6 in which a refrigerant going from an evaporator 4 to a compressor 1 flows, an inlet pipe 10 into which a refrigerant going from a condenser 2 to the evaporator 4 flows, and the outlet pipe 11 from which a refrigerant flowing into the tank 6 flows out to the evaporator 4. It is arranged in the middle of a refrigerant flow path in which the refrigerant circulates being discharged from the compressor 1 and flowing through the condenser 2, an expansion valve 3 and the evaporator 4 and back to the compressor 1. In the flow pipe 12, a heat exchange promotor 17 for promoting heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing inside the flow pipe 12 and the refrigerant in the tank 6 is formed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、車両用空調装置に設けられ、高圧冷媒と低圧冷媒とで熱交換させるレシーバタンクと、該レシーバタンクを備えた車両用空調装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、レシーバタンクとして、例えば、特開平９−８９４２０号公報に開示のものがある。このレシーバタンクでは、コンプレッサ側からの高圧冷媒が流入管を介してタンク内に流入し、流出管を介してエバポレータ側へと流出する一方、エバポレータからの低圧冷媒がタンク内を通過する流動管を介してコンプレッサ側へと流動することにより、流動管内の冷媒と、タンク内の冷媒との間で熱交換が行えるようになっている。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、前記構成のレシーバタンクでは、流動管の伝熱面積を大きくしようとすると、大型となって占有スペースが増大する上、内部の冷媒量が増大する結果、肝心のエバポレータ等の必要な箇所に冷媒が適切に供給されなかったり、タンク内のスペースに余裕がなくなり、除湿部材（乾燥剤）やストレーナを配置できなかったりといった問題がある。
【０００４】
そこで、本発明は、小型であっても、冷媒間の熱交換を適切に行わせると共に、内部に除湿部材（乾燥剤）やストレーナを配置可能なレシーバタンクと、該レシーバタンクを備えた車両用空調装置とを提供することを課題とする。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は、前記課題を解決するための手段として、コンプレッサから吐出された冷媒が、コンデンサ、膨張弁、及びエバポレータを介してコンプレッサに戻って循環する冷媒流路の途中に配設され、タンクと、該タンク内に配設され、エバポレータからコンプレッサに向かう冷媒が流動する流動管と、コンデンサからエバポレータに向かう冷媒が流入する流入管と、タンク内に流入した冷媒がエバポレータに向かって流出する流出管とを備えたレシーバタンクであって、
前記流動管に、該流動管の内部を流動する冷媒と、前記タンク内の冷媒との間の熱交換を促進させる熱交換促進部を設けたものである。
【０００６】
この構成により、流入管を介してタンク内に流入したコンデンサからの低温低圧の冷媒と、タンク内で流動管内を流動するエバポレータからの高温高圧の冷媒との間の熱交換は、熱交換促進部を介して行うことができ、小型としても熱交換性能に優れた構成とすることが可能となる。
【０００７】
前記流動管は、前記タンクの上面側から下面側に向かって延びる略Ｕ字形の配管で構成し、
前記熱交換促進部は、前記流動管に対して接触状態を維持しつつ上下方向に所定間隔で並設される、複数の貫通孔を形成された複数枚のプレートで構成すると、流入管を介してタンク内に流入した冷媒は、貫通孔を介して順次下方のプレートへと流下させることができるので、簡単な構成であるにも拘わらず、優れた熱交換性能を発揮させることができる点で好ましい。
【０００８】
前記タンク内に、入口管から流入された冷媒から水分を除去するための除湿部材を収容し、該除湿部材を前記流動管の最下位置と前記タンクの下面との間に配設すればよい。
【０００９】
前記流動管は、最下位値で前記除湿部材をタンクの下面との間に挟持可能とするのが好ましい。
【００１０】
前記流動管は、下方部を水平方向に屈曲すると、内部の余剰スペースを有効利用することが可能となる点で好ましい。
【００１１】
前記流出管に、前記タンク内の冷媒を濾過するストレーナを設け、該ストレーナを、前記熱交換促進部の下方に配設すればよい。
【００１２】
前記ストレーナは、前記除湿部材と積層した状態で、前記流動管の最下位置と前記タンクの下面との間に配設すると、内部の余剰スペースをより一層有効利用することが可能となる点で好ましい。
【００１３】
前記ストレーナは、前記プレートと積層可能な構成とすると、さらに内部の余剰スペースを有効利用することが可能となる点で好ましい。
【００１４】
前記流出管に、前記タンク内の冷媒を濾過し、前記熱交換促進部となるストレーナを設けると、部品点数を減らしつつ、前記同様の効果を得ることが可能となる点で好ましい。
【００１５】
前記タンクは、有底筒状のタンク本体と、該タンク本体の上方開口部に嵌合する蓋体とで構成し、該蓋体は、前記タンク本体への嵌合時、前記プレートに当接して嵌合部分に挟まることを防止するプレート押え部を備えると、組立性を向上させることが可能となる点で好ましい。
【００１６】
また、本発明は、前記課題を解決するための手段として、車両用空調装置を、前記いずれかの構成のレシーバタンクと、前記エバポレータから前記コンプレッサに至る経路のいずれかで、冷媒のスーパーヒート量を検出するスーパーヒート量検出手段と、該スーパーヒート量検出手段での検出信号に基づいて前記膨張弁の開度を調整することにより、前記コンプレッサに流入する冷媒をスーパーヒート状態とする制御手段とを備えた構成としたものである。
【００１７】
この構成により、エバポレータでの冷却能力を最大限に発揮させつつ、エバポレータから流出する冷媒を確実にスーパーヒート状態とできるので、コンプレッサでの液圧縮を未然に防止することが可能となる。
【００１８】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明に係る実施形態を添付図面に従って説明する。
【００１９】
図１は、車両用空調装置の冷凍サイクルを示す。この冷凍サイクルでは、コンプレッサ１から吐出された冷媒が、コンデンサ２、膨張弁３、及びエバポレータ４を介してコンプレッサ１に戻って循環する。コンプレッサ１は、図示しないエンジンの駆動力が伝達されることにより所定回転数で駆動する。コンデンサ２は、車両前方部に配設され、冷媒と外気とを熱交換させる。膨張弁３は、冷媒を気化しやすい状態に減圧してエバポレータ４に導く。エバポレータ４は、車内前方部の空調ユニット２０内に配設され、内気又は外気と冷媒とを熱交換させる。エバポレータ４の出口に接続される配管には温度センサ５が設けられ、冷媒温度を検出可能となっている。前記膨張弁３の開度は、この検出温度に基づいて制御され、エバポレータ４内に於ける冷媒のスーパーヒート量が所望の値に調整されている。
【００２０】
冷凍サイクルの途中にはレシーバタンク６が接続されている。
【００２１】
レシーバタンク６は、図２及び図３に示すように、有底筒状のタンク本体７に除湿部材８（乾燥剤）を収容し、蓋体９に流入管１０、流出管１１、流動管１２を取り付け、タンク本体７の上方開口部を蓋体９で閉鎖した構成である。
【００２２】
除湿部材８はタンク本体７の底面に配設され、冷凍サイクルの途中、例えば、樹脂製のホース等から侵入する水分を冷媒から除去する。
【００２３】
蓋体９には押え部１３が設けられている。押え部１３は、タンク本体７に蓋体９を装着した際、タンク本体７の上方開口部から所定寸法の位置まで侵入し、後述するプレート１７を押圧して装着部分への挟み込みを防止する。
【００２４】
流入管１０の一端部はコンデンサ２側の配管に接続されている。流入管１０の他端部はタンク内の上方開口部近傍に位置し、高温高圧冷媒をレシーバタンク６の上方側から流入させる。
【００２５】
流出管１１は、一端部がエバポレータ４側の配管に接続され、ストレーナ１４を有する他端部がレシーバタンク６の底面近傍に位置している。ストレーナ１４は冷媒中に含まれるゴミを除去する。
【００２６】
流動管１２は、直線部１５と湾曲部１６からなる略Ｕ字形で、一端部がエバポレータ４側の配管に接続され、他端部がコンプレッサ１側の配管に接続されている。流動管１２内には、エバポレータ４からの低温低圧冷媒が流動する。直線部１５には、上下方向に所定間隔で複数枚のプレート１７（本発明の熱交換促進部に相当する。）が設けられている。
【００２７】
各プレート１７には複数の小径孔が形成され、流入管１０を介してレシーバタンク６内に流入した高温高圧冷媒を順次下方側のプレート１７へと流下させることが可能となっている。これにより、流入管１０から流入した高温冷媒の熱は、各プレート１７から流動管１２へと伝達され、低温冷媒に吸熱される。
【００２８】
除湿部材８及びストレーナ１４は、プレート１７の下方側で、流動管１２の湾曲部１６の側方に形成されるデッドスペースに位置し、レシーバタンク６の小型化が図られている。
【００２９】
以上の構成からなるレシーバタンク６の熱交換能力は、エバポレータ４内に於ける冷媒のスーパーヒート量に相当する熱交換能力以下、詳しくは、後述するように膨張弁３の開度を変更することにより得られる、エバポレータ４内に於けるスーパーヒート量の最小値に相当する熱交換能力以下となるように設計されている。
【００３０】
なお、前記温度センサ５での検出温度は制御装置２１に入力される。制御装置２１は、入力された検出温度に基づいてエバポレータ４から流出した冷媒がスーパーヒート状態であるか否かを判断し、膨張弁３の開度を制御する。
【００３１】
次に、前記車両用空調装置の動作について説明する。
【００３２】
コンプレッサ１を駆動して高温高圧冷媒を吐出させると、この冷媒は、コンデンサ２を通過して凝縮された後、流入管１０を介してレシーバタンク６に流入する。
【００３３】
レシーバタンク６内では、流入した高温冷媒が順次プレート１７の小径孔を介して下段のプレート１７へと流下する。この間、冷媒の熱は、プレート１７を介して流動管１２へと伝達される。レシーバタンク６の底面部まで流下した冷媒は、そこで除湿部材８によって水分を除去された後、ストレーナ１４でゴミを回収され、流出管１１を介してエバポレータ４へと流動する。
【００３４】
エバポレータ４に向かう冷媒は、膨張弁３を通過する際、気化しやすい状態まで減圧される。膨張弁３の開度は制御装置２１からの制御信号に基づいて調整される。すなわち、制御装置２１は、エバポレータ４の出口側配管に設けた温度センサ５での検出温度に基づいて、エバポレータ４から流出した冷媒のスーパーヒート量を検出する。そして、所定のスーパーヒート量となるように膨張弁３の開度を調整することにより、コンプレッサ１に流入する冷媒を常に所望のスーパーヒート状態に維持する。この結果、アキュムレータ（気液分離装置）を必要とすることなく、コンプレッサ１での液圧縮を確実に防止することが可能となる。
【００３５】
エバポレータ４では、冷媒は気化して空調ユニット内を通過する空気から吸熱してレシーバタンク６へと向かう。レシーバタンク６では、冷媒は流動管１２を流動し、プレート１７を介して高温冷媒から吸熱する。プレート１７は、前述のように、流動管１２の直線部１５に上下方向に所定間隔で複数設けられているため、高温冷媒が各プレート１７に形成した複数の小径孔を流下することにより、流動管１２を流動する低温冷媒に効率良く吸熱させることができる。したがって、エバポレータ４の入口と出口で、冷媒のエンタルピ差を大きくすることができ、エバポレータ４の冷却能力を向上させることが可能となる。
【００３６】
その後、レシーバタンク６を流出した冷媒は、コンプレッサ１へと戻って循環する。
【００３７】
なお、前記実施形態では、除湿部材８を流動管１２の湾曲部１６側方に配設するようにしたが、図４に示すように、タンク本体７の底面に配設するようにしてもよい。この場合、除湿部材８を流動管１２とタンク本体７の間に挟持可能とすれば、流動管１２で除湿部材８の位置決めをも兼ねることができ、構成を簡略化することが可能となる。
【００３８】
また、図５に示すように、前記ストレーナ１４を前記除湿部材８と積層可能な構成としてもよい。
【００３９】
また、図６に示すように、前記流動管１２の湾曲部１６を水平方向に屈曲させることにより、レシーバタンク６内の余剰空間をさらに抑制することができ、レシーバタンク６をより一層コンパクトな構成とすることが可能となる。
【００４０】
また、前記実施形態では、温度センサ５をエバポレータ４の出口側配管に設けるようにしたが、レシーバタンク６の低圧側出口配管である流動管１２からコンプレッサ１に向かう配管に設けるようにしてもよい。また、温度センサ５に限らず、コンプレッサ１に流入する冷媒が常にスーパーヒート状態とできるように膨張弁３の開度を調整可能なデータを得られるものであれば、その手段は問わない。
【００４１】
【発明の効果】
以上の説明から明らかなように、本発明によれば、流動管に、該流動管の内部を流動する冷媒と、タンク内の冷媒との間の熱交換を促進させる熱交換促進部を設けたので、小型としても、熱交換性能に優れ、内部に除湿部材（乾燥剤）やストレーナを配置するのに十分なスペースを確保することが可能となる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本実施形態に係る車両用空調装置の概略図である。
【図２】図１の冷凍サイクルに設けられるレシーバタンクの部分破断斜視図である。
【図３】（ａ）は図２に示すレシーバタンクの正面断面図、（ｂ）はその側面断面図である。
【図４】（ａ）は他の実施形態に係るレシーバタンクの正面断面図、（ｂ）はその側面断面図である。
【図５】（ａ）は他の実施形態に係るレシーバタンクの正面断面図、（ｂ）はその側面断面図である。
【図６】（ａ）は他の実施形態に係るレシーバタンクの正面断面図、（ｂ）はその側面断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１…コンプレッサ
２…コンデンサ
３…膨張弁
４…エバポレータ
５…温度センサ
６…レシーバタンク
７…タンク本体
８…除湿部材
９…蓋体
１０…流入管
１１…流出管
１２…流動管
１３…押え部
１４…ストレーナ
１５…直線部
１６…湾曲部
１７…プレート[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a receiver tank provided in a vehicle air conditioner and exchanging heat between high-pressure refrigerant and low-pressure refrigerant, and a vehicle air conditioner provided with the receiver tank.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as a receiver tank, for example, there is a receiver tank disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-89420. In this receiver tank, high-pressure refrigerant from the compressor side flows into the tank through the inflow pipe and flows out to the evaporator side through the outflow pipe, while the low-pressure refrigerant from the evaporator passes through the flow pipe passing through the tank. By flowing to the compressor side via the compressor, heat exchange can be performed between the refrigerant in the flow tube and the refrigerant in the tank.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the receiver tank having the above-described structure, when the heat transfer area of the flow tube is increased, the size of the flow tube becomes large, the occupied space increases, and the internal refrigerant amount increases. There are problems that the refrigerant is not supplied appropriately, that there is no room in the tank, and that a dehumidifying member (a desiccant) and a strainer cannot be arranged.
[0004]
In view of the above, the present invention provides a receiver tank capable of appropriately performing heat exchange between refrigerants and having a dehumidifying member (a desiccant) and a strainer disposed therein, and a vehicle including the receiver tank. It is an object to provide an air conditioner.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention provides, as a means for solving the above problems, a refrigerant discharged from a compressor, disposed in the middle of a refrigerant flow path circulating back to the compressor via a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator, and a tank. A flow pipe in which the refrigerant flowing from the evaporator to the compressor flows, an inflow pipe through which the refrigerant flows from the condenser to the evaporator, and an outflow pipe through which the refrigerant flowing into the tank flows out toward the evaporator. And a receiver tank with
The fluid pipe is provided with a heat exchange promoting portion for promoting heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing inside the fluid pipe and the refrigerant in the tank.
[0006]
With this configuration, heat exchange between the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant flowing from the condenser into the tank through the inflow pipe and the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant from the evaporator flowing through the flow pipe in the tank is performed by the heat exchange promoting unit. And a configuration that is excellent in heat exchange performance even if it is small in size.
[0007]
The flow pipe comprises a substantially U-shaped pipe extending from the upper surface side to the lower surface side of the tank,
The heat exchange promoting portion is configured with a plurality of plates having a plurality of through holes formed in parallel at predetermined intervals in the up-down direction while maintaining a contact state with the flow tube. Since the refrigerant flowing into the tank can flow down to the lower plate sequentially through the through-holes, it can exhibit excellent heat exchange performance despite its simple configuration. preferable.
[0008]
In the tank, a dehumidifying member for removing moisture from the refrigerant flowing from the inlet pipe may be accommodated, and the dehumidifying member may be disposed between a lowermost position of the flow pipe and a lower surface of the tank. .
[0009]
It is preferable that the flow pipe is capable of sandwiching the dehumidifying member between the fluid pipe and the lower surface of the tank at the lowest value.
[0010]
It is preferable that the lower part of the flow tube be bent in the horizontal direction, since the excess space inside can be effectively used.
[0011]
A strainer for filtering the refrigerant in the tank may be provided in the outflow pipe, and the strainer may be provided below the heat exchange promoting unit.
[0012]
When the strainer is disposed between the lowermost position of the flow tube and the lower surface of the tank in a state where the strainer is laminated with the dehumidifying member, a surplus space inside can be used more effectively. preferable.
[0013]
It is preferable that the strainer be configured to be able to be stacked on the plate, since the surplus space inside can be used more effectively.
[0014]
It is preferable that the outlet pipe is provided with a strainer that filters the refrigerant in the tank and serves as the heat exchange promoting section, because the same effect as described above can be obtained while reducing the number of components.
[0015]
The tank includes a bottomed cylindrical tank main body and a lid that fits into an upper opening of the tank main body, and the lid comes into contact with the plate when fitted to the tank main body. It is preferable to provide a plate holding portion for preventing the holding portion from being caught by the fitting portion because the assembling property can be improved.
[0016]
Further, according to the present invention, as a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a vehicle air conditioner is provided with a receiver tank having any one of the above configurations, and a superheat amount of a refrigerant in one of paths from the evaporator to the compressor. A superheat amount detecting means for detecting the amount of heat, and a control means for adjusting a degree of opening of the expansion valve based on a detection signal from the superheat amount detecting means to set a refrigerant flowing into the compressor to a superheat state. Is provided.
[0017]
With this configuration, the refrigerant flowing out of the evaporator can be reliably brought into a superheat state while maximizing the cooling capacity of the evaporator, so that liquid compression in the compressor can be prevented beforehand.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0019]
FIG. 1 shows a refrigeration cycle of a vehicle air conditioner. In this refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 circulates back to the compressor 1 via the condenser 2, the expansion valve 3, and the evaporator 4. The compressor 1 is driven at a predetermined rotational speed by transmitting a driving force of an engine (not shown). The condenser 2 is disposed at a front part of the vehicle and exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the outside air. The expansion valve 3 guides the refrigerant to the evaporator 4 after reducing the pressure of the refrigerant to a state in which the refrigerant is easily vaporized. The evaporator 4 is disposed in the air conditioning unit 20 at the front of the vehicle, and exchanges heat between the inside air or outside air and the refrigerant. A temperature sensor 5 is provided in a pipe connected to the outlet of the evaporator 4 so that the temperature of the refrigerant can be detected. The opening of the expansion valve 3 is controlled based on the detected temperature, and the amount of superheat of the refrigerant in the evaporator 4 is adjusted to a desired value.
[0020]
A receiver tank 6 is connected in the middle of the refrigeration cycle.
[0021]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the receiver tank 6 stores a dehumidifying member 8 (desiccant) in a bottomed cylindrical tank body 7, and an inflow pipe 10, an outflow pipe 11, and a flow pipe 12 in a lid 9. And the upper opening of the tank body 7 is closed with a lid 9.
[0022]
The dehumidifying member 8 is disposed on the bottom surface of the tank body 7 and removes moisture entering from a refrigerant hose or the like during the refrigeration cycle, for example, from a resin hose.
[0023]
The cover 9 is provided with a holding portion 13. When the lid 9 is mounted on the tank body 7, the pressing portion 13 penetrates to a position of a predetermined size from the upper opening of the tank body 7, and presses a plate 17, which will be described later, to prevent the holding portion 13 from being caught in the mounting portion.
[0024]
One end of the inflow pipe 10 is connected to a pipe on the condenser 2 side. The other end of the inflow pipe 10 is located near the upper opening in the tank, and allows the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant to flow from above the receiver tank 6.
[0025]
One end of the outflow pipe 11 is connected to the pipe on the evaporator 4 side, and the other end having the strainer 14 is located near the bottom surface of the receiver tank 6. The strainer 14 removes dust contained in the refrigerant.
[0026]
The flow pipe 12 has a substantially U shape including a straight portion 15 and a curved portion 16, and has one end connected to the pipe on the evaporator 4 side and the other end connected to the pipe on the compressor 1 side. The low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant from the evaporator 4 flows in the flow pipe 12. The straight portion 15 is provided with a plurality of plates 17 (corresponding to a heat exchange promoting portion of the present invention) at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction.
[0027]
A plurality of small-diameter holes are formed in each plate 17 so that the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant that has flowed into the receiver tank 6 via the inflow pipe 10 can sequentially flow down to the lower plate 17. Thereby, the heat of the high-temperature refrigerant flowing from the inflow pipe 10 is transmitted from each plate 17 to the flow pipe 12, and is absorbed by the low-temperature refrigerant.
[0028]
The dehumidifying member 8 and the strainer 14 are located in a dead space formed below the plate 17 on the side of the curved portion 16 of the flow tube 12, so that the size of the receiver tank 6 is reduced.
[0029]
The heat exchange capacity of the receiver tank 6 having the above configuration is equal to or less than the heat exchange capacity corresponding to the superheat amount of the refrigerant in the evaporator 4, and more specifically, the opening degree of the expansion valve 3 is changed as described later. Is designed to be equal to or less than the heat exchange capacity corresponding to the minimum value of the superheat amount in the evaporator 4 obtained by the above.
[0030]
The temperature detected by the temperature sensor 5 is input to the control device 21. The control device 21 determines whether the refrigerant flowing out of the evaporator 4 is in a superheat state based on the input detected temperature, and controls the opening of the expansion valve 3.
[0031]
Next, the operation of the vehicle air conditioner will be described.
[0032]
When the compressor 1 is driven to discharge the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant, the refrigerant passes through the condenser 2 and is condensed, and then flows into the receiver tank 6 via the inflow pipe 10.
[0033]
In the receiver tank 6, the inflowing high-temperature refrigerant flows down to the lower plate 17 through the small-diameter hole of the plate 17 in order. During this time, the heat of the refrigerant is transmitted to the flow tube 12 via the plate 17. The refrigerant that has flowed down to the bottom of the receiver tank 6 is dewatered by the dehumidifying member 8, and then the refuse is collected by the strainer 14 and flows to the evaporator 4 through the outflow pipe 11.
[0034]
When the refrigerant flowing to the evaporator 4 passes through the expansion valve 3, the pressure of the refrigerant is reduced to a state in which the refrigerant is easily vaporized. The opening of the expansion valve 3 is adjusted based on a control signal from the control device 21. That is, the control device 21 detects the superheat amount of the refrigerant flowing out of the evaporator 4 based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 5 provided in the outlet pipe of the evaporator 4. Then, by adjusting the opening of the expansion valve 3 so as to have a predetermined superheat amount, the refrigerant flowing into the compressor 1 is always maintained in a desired superheat state. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent liquid compression in the compressor 1 without requiring an accumulator (gas-liquid separation device).
[0035]
In the evaporator 4, the refrigerant is vaporized, absorbs heat from the air passing through the air conditioning unit, and travels to the receiver tank 6. In the receiver tank 6, the refrigerant flows through the flow tube 12 and absorbs heat from the high-temperature refrigerant via the plate 17. As described above, the plurality of plates 17 are provided at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction on the straight portion 15 of the flow tube 12. The low-temperature refrigerant flowing through the pipe 12 can efficiently absorb heat. Therefore, the enthalpy difference between the refrigerant at the inlet and the outlet of the evaporator 4 can be increased, and the cooling capacity of the evaporator 4 can be improved.
[0036]
Thereafter, the refrigerant flowing out of the receiver tank 6 returns to the compressor 1 and circulates.
[0037]
In the above-described embodiment, the dehumidifying member 8 is disposed on the side of the curved portion 16 of the flow tube 12, but may be disposed on the bottom surface of the tank body 7 as shown in FIG. . In this case, if the dehumidifying member 8 can be sandwiched between the flow pipe 12 and the tank main body 7, the positioning of the dehumidifying member 8 can also be performed by the flow pipe 12, and the configuration can be simplified.
[0038]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the strainer 14 may be configured to be able to be laminated on the dehumidifying member 8.
[0039]
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, by bending the curved portion 16 of the flow tube 12 in the horizontal direction, the excess space in the receiver tank 6 can be further suppressed, and the receiver tank 6 has a more compact configuration. It becomes possible.
[0040]
In the above-described embodiment, the temperature sensor 5 is provided on the outlet pipe of the evaporator 4. However, the temperature sensor 5 may be provided on the pipe from the flow pipe 12, which is the low-pressure outlet pipe of the receiver tank 6, to the compressor 1. . In addition to the temperature sensor 5, any means can be used as long as it can obtain data that can adjust the opening of the expansion valve 3 so that the refrigerant flowing into the compressor 1 can always be in a superheated state.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the flow tube is provided with the heat exchange promoting portion that promotes heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing inside the flow tube and the refrigerant in the tank. Therefore, even if it is small, it has excellent heat exchange performance, and it is possible to secure a sufficient space for disposing a dehumidifying member (drying agent) and a strainer inside.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle air conditioner according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a partially broken perspective view of a receiver tank provided in the refrigeration cycle of FIG.
3A is a front sectional view of the receiver tank shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3B is a side sectional view thereof.
FIG. 4A is a front sectional view of a receiver tank according to another embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a side sectional view thereof.
FIG. 5A is a front sectional view of a receiver tank according to another embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a side sectional view thereof.
FIG. 6A is a front sectional view of a receiver tank according to another embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a side sectional view thereof.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Compressor 2 ... Condenser 3 ... Expansion valve 4 ... Evaporator 5 ... Temperature sensor 6 ... Receiver tank 7 ... Tank body 8 ... Dehumidifying member 9 ... Lid 10 ... Inflow pipe 11 ... Outflow pipe 12 ... Flow pipe 13 ... Pressing part 14 ... Strainer 15 ... Linear part 16 ... Bending part 17 ... Plate

Claims

The refrigerant discharged from the compressor is disposed in the middle of a refrigerant flow path that circulates back to the compressor via a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator, is disposed in a tank, and is disposed in the tank, and travels from the evaporator to the compressor. A receiver tank including a flow pipe through which the refrigerant flows, an inflow pipe into which the refrigerant flowing from the condenser toward the evaporator flows, and an outflow pipe through which the refrigerant flowing into the tank flows out toward the evaporator,
A receiver tank provided with a heat exchange promoting portion for promoting heat exchange between a refrigerant flowing inside the flow tube and a refrigerant in the tank, in the flow tube.

The flow pipe comprises a substantially U-shaped pipe extending from the upper surface side to the lower surface side of the tank,
The heat exchange promoting part is constituted by a plurality of plates having a plurality of through holes formed in parallel at predetermined intervals in a vertical direction while maintaining a contact state with the flow tube. The receiver tank according to claim 1.

In the tank, a dehumidifying member for removing moisture from the refrigerant flowing from the inlet pipe is housed, and the dehumidifying member is disposed between a lowermost position of the fluid pipe and a lower surface of the tank. The receiver tank according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

4. The receiver tank according to claim 3, wherein the flow pipe is capable of holding the dehumidifying member at a lowest value between the flow pipe and a lower surface of the tank. 5.

The receiver tank according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a lower part of the flow tube is bent in a horizontal direction.

The strainer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a strainer for filtering the refrigerant in the tank is provided in the outflow pipe, and the strainer is disposed below the heat exchange promoting unit. Receiver tank.

The receiver tank according to claim 6, wherein the strainer is disposed between a lowermost position of the flow tube and a lower surface of the tank in a state of being stacked with the dehumidifying member.

The receiver tank according to claim 6, wherein the strainer is configured to be stackable with the plate.

The receiver tank according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a strainer that filters the refrigerant in the tank and functions as the heat exchange promoting unit is provided in the outflow pipe.

The tank includes a bottomed cylindrical tank main body and a lid that fits into an upper opening of the tank main body, and the lid comes into contact with the plate when fitted to the tank main body. The receiver tank according to any one of claims 2 to 9, further comprising a plate holding portion for preventing the holding member from being caught by the fitting portion.

A receiver tank according to any one of claims 1 to 10, a superheat amount detecting means for detecting a superheat amount of a refrigerant in one of a path from the evaporator to the compressor, and a superheat amount. An air conditioner for a vehicle, comprising: control means for adjusting a degree of opening of the expansion valve based on a detection signal from the detection means to bring a refrigerant flowing into the compressor into a superheat state.