JP2004286288A - Passage branching device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compactly constitutable passage branching device easy in assembling, and reducing the number of part items in the passage branching device used for branching off one passage into a plurality. <P>SOLUTION: This passage branching device is constituted so as to fix an attitude by sandwiching this device by recessed parts 1a and 2a formed on a top plate 1 and a bottom plate 2 by installing a shock absorbing heat insulating material 13 in a passage 8a part of a motor-driven expansion valve 8. In this case, an electromagnetic coil 9 attachable-detachable to the motor-driven expansion valve 8 is constituted so as to be exposed to the outer box surface side for allowing maintenance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a flow path branching device used in an air conditioner or the like and configured to have one flow path branched into a plurality of flow paths and to have flow control means for controlling the flow rate of each flow path.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional technique, a refrigerant branch unit used in a multi-room air conditioner will be described. The multi-room air conditioner is configured by connecting one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units by refrigerant piping, and has a configuration in which the outdoor unit has a large number of connection portions. And a unit in which an indoor unit is connected in parallel to an outdoor unit, and a system of connecting pipes is connected to the outdoor unit.
[0003]
In recent years, a multi-room air conditioner has been required to be capable of air-conditioning a large number of rooms such as a single house. However, three or four indoor units can cope with this. In order to connect the indoor units, consider the restriction on the number of connecting parts composed of outdoor units and the considerable increase in the total length of piping routed for installation. A refrigerant branch unit has been developed in which an electric expansion valve for controlling the flow rate of each flow path is arranged.
[0004]
This refrigerant branch unit will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 show a schematic structure of a conventional branch unit. As shown in the figure, the branch unit body forms an outer box by a top plate 1, a bottom plate 2, a right side plate 3, a left side plate 4, and a rear plate 5, and a connection for connecting refrigerant pipes from indoor and outdoor units. A plurality of ports 6 and a distribution refrigerant pipe 7 for distributing refrigerant to each indoor unit, an electromagnetic expansion valve 8 for adjusting the amount of refrigerant, and a plurality of electromagnetic coils 9 for controlling the expansion valve are arranged in the refrigerant branch unit main body. As shown in FIG. 2, the electromagnetic expansion valve 8 is fixed to the back surface of the bottom plate 2 by a pipe fixing bracket 10 and a vibration isolating rubber 11 for fixing, and the inside of the branch unit body is molded with a foamed heat insulating material (for example, see Patent Document 1). . That is, at the time of assembling and configuring the refrigerant branching unit, the pipeline constituting the refrigerant flow passage is welded and fixed together with the electromagnetic expansion valve 8, and this is housed in an outer box and detachable from the electromagnetic expansion valve 8. The electromagnetic expansion valve which is attached to the electromagnetic expansion valve and induces a flow control operation is attached to the electromagnetic expansion valve. Then, all the structures arranged in the housing of the outer box are covered and foamed so as to be fixed with heat insulation. Insulation material is filled and the mold is fixed. As a result, the structure inside the outer box is collectively held, and at the same time, the generation of dew condensation water which may be generated when the cold refrigerant flows into the flow path is prevented.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-10-281595
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, the electromagnetic expansion valve 8 is arranged and fixed on the back surface of the bottom plate, and furthermore, it is configured such that a vibration isolating rubber for fixing or the like is fitted and fixed in the hole of the pipe fixing bracket, and the number of components is reduced. In addition, the fixing vibration isolating rubber has a weak waist and is located behind the main body, and thus has a problem in workability in assembling at the time of mounting.
[0007]
In addition, since the electromagnetic coil is molded at the same time by molding the entire inside of the outer box with the foamed heat insulating material, it is difficult to replace the electromagnetic coil with service, and the expansion valve is attached by the foaming pressure of the foamed heat insulating material. There is a possibility that the foamed heat insulating material may enter the gap between the part and the electromagnetic coil and cause the electromagnetic coil to malfunction. Also, when filling and injecting the foam insulation into the outer box in this way, even if the electromagnetic expansion valve is fixed while being inclined or inclined by the injection pressure, it is difficult to confirm it from the outer surface. Met. If the electric expansion valve is disposed while being inclined, there arises a problem that the flow rate controlled at the time of designing the device may be changed.
[0008]
Further, when the electromagnetic coil is simply arranged outside the main body, there is a problem that the branch unit main body becomes large.
[0009]
The present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, while reducing the number of parts and improving the assembly workability by eliminating a fixing member such as a pipe fixing bracket and a vibration isolating rubber for fixing as much as possible. By arranging the electromagnetic coil for controlling the expansion valve outside the main body, the replacement service of the electromagnetic coil becomes possible, and the malfunction of the electromagnetic coil due to the penetration of the foam insulation into the gap between the expansion valve mounting portion and the electromagnetic coil can be prevented. It is another object of the present invention to provide a branch unit in which the size of the branch unit main body is suppressed by providing an electromagnetic coil housing space in the outer box.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a flow path branching device of the present invention includes a flow rate control means, a first outer shell which constitutes a part of a frame and has at least a flow rate control means fixing portion. And a second flow control means fixing part which is fixed by being brought into contact with or fitted to the first shell part and holding and fixing the flow control means together with the first shell part. It is characterized in that a part of the flow control means main body is fixed by the shell portion.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The flow path branching device according to claim 1 of the present invention is a flow path branching device configured to branch one flow path into a plurality of flow paths and to include flow rate control means in each of the branched flow paths in a frame. In addition, the flow rate control means forms a part of the frame and has at least a flow rate control means fixing portion, and abuts on the first shell portion. A part of the body of the flow control means, which is fitted and fixed, and has a second outer shell part having a second flow control means fixing part for holding and fixing the flow control means together with the first outer part. Is fixed. Thereby, the position of the flow control means can be easily fixed without using a special fixing member, and the posture as designed can be maintained.
[0012]
Further, in the flow path branching device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the flow rate control means includes a main body for controlling the flow rate of the passing fluid, and a flow control operation which is detachably mounted on the main body and is mounted on the main body. The first shell and the second shell are fixed to the flow control means such that at least a portion where the drive engages with the main body is disposed outside the frame. It is characterized by being constituted. Thus, at least the drive unit that is energized and actuated can be detachably disposed, and serviceability such as component replacement is improved.
[0013]
Further, in the flow path branching device according to claim 3 of the present invention, the flow rate control means is configured to be fixed by the first outer shell part and the second outer shell part via the buffer means. It is characterized. The buffer means is made of a material such as urethane foam or elastomer, and the flow control means fixing part directly holds the flow control means to increase the possibility of breakage due to vibration, and the flow control means fixing part and the flow control means The gap between the frame and the frame can be easily filled, so that air can enter the inside of the frame and leak out to the outside of the frame when the inside of the frame is filled with foamable heat insulating material. Can be easily prevented.
[0014]
When there is a possibility that cold heat may flow into the flow rate control means, it is preferable that the buffer means be disposed so as to cover at least the pipe serving as the flow path and the portion of the main body where the cold fluid flows, because of the effect of preventing dew condensation.
[0015]
Further, the flow channel branching device according to claim 4 of the present invention is characterized in that the frame has a heat insulating property and is filled with a filler having a function of fixing a structure disposed inside the frame. I do. Thereby, on the other hand, although the flow rate control means is fixed, the flow control means is not held inside the frame, but is held to such an extent that the connecting pipe protruding outside the frame is fixed to a part of the frame, It is preferable to fix the structure inside the frame by filling with a filler.
[0016]
Further, in the channel branching device according to claim 5 of the present invention, the first outer shell portion and the second outer shell portion are formed of plate-like members, and at least the first flow rate control unit fixing portion and Either one of the second flow rate control means fixing portions has a fixing surface portion formed to be bent and extended from the outer shell portion. Accordingly, the flow control means can be held by the surface constituting the frame without preparing other members, and the attitude of the flow control means can be effectively maintained at low cost.
[0017]
Further, in the flow path branching device according to claim 6 of the present invention, the fixing surface portion is configured to stand up toward the outside of the frame, and the first flow control means fixing portion and the second flow control A height from a surface of the first outer shell portion and the second outer shell portion where the means fixing portion is disposed, for restricting a position of the driving portion in a state where the driving portion of the flow control means is engaged with the main body portion; It is characterized by being constituted so that it becomes. Accordingly, the mounting position of the drive unit can be easily specified, which is suitable for assembling.
[0018]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as an example of a refrigerant branch unit used in a multi-room air conditioner as a flow path branching device.
[0019]
First, the configuration of a refrigerant branch unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 show the configuration of a refrigerant branch unit used in a multi-room air conditioner. In the figure, the configuration after assembly is partially cut away for the sake of explanation so that the internal configuration can be understood.
[0020]
The refrigerant branching unit is based on a bottom plate 2 that forms a part of the bottom and side surfaces of the outer box, and forms an outer shell with a top plate 1, a left plate 3, a right plate 4, and a rear plate 5 that are detachably disposed on the bottom plate. ing. On the other hand, as a structure for branching the flow path, a pipe connection port 6 connected to a connection pipe (not shown) drawn from the outdoor unit protrudes to the left side plate 3 side, and a plurality of A plurality of branch pipe connection ports 7 for connecting the refrigerant pipes to the indoor unit are provided so as to protrude, and are branched at the flow paths between these pipe connection ports, and the respective branched flow paths are provided. The motor-operated expansion valves 8 are provided so that the flow rates can be controlled in the respective flow paths. Further, an electromagnetic coil 9 is attached to the electric expansion valve 8, and the flow rate of the electric expansion valve 8 is controlled by an external signal.
[0021]
Here, in the present embodiment, the flow control means is constituted by an electric expansion valve and an electromagnetic coil for driving the electric expansion valve.
[0022]
The left side plate 3 and the right side plate 4 each have a suspension plate 12 bent in an L shape so as to be detachable and replaceable. It is configured to be able to cope with various installation conditions.
[0023]
When the electric expansion valve is fixed, the top plate and the bottom plate are bent at the corners so as to be depressed, so that the refrigerant branch unit itself can be compactly formed. If the outer box is formed, it is preferable in appearance and handling.
[0024]
Next, the fixing structure of the flow control means, which is a characteristic part of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. The top plate 1 (corresponding to the “first outer shell” in the present embodiment) is a motor-operated expansion valve 8 (corresponding to a “drive unit” in the present embodiment). It has a concave portion 1a (corresponding to the "first flow control means fixing portion" in the present embodiment) for fixing the "main body portion", while the bottom plate 2 (the "second flow control device fixing portion" in the present embodiment). Has an indentation 2a for fixing the electric expansion valve 8 (corresponding to the "second flow control means fixing part" in the present embodiment). It is configured so that it can be fixed to the plate 1 with screws.
[0025]
In the recesses 1a and 2a, fixed surface portions 1b and 2b which are bent substantially perpendicularly to the plate surfaces of the top plate 1 and the bottom plate 2 are arranged, and thereby the electric expansion valve 8 is more stably fixed.
[0026]
A buffer insulating material 13 is wound around the refrigerant flow section 8a of the electric expansion valve 8, and the refrigerant flow section 8a of the electric expansion valve 8 of the expansion valve 8 is connected to the refrigerant branch unit through a mounting hole formed by the recesses 1a and 2a. It is arranged inside the outer case, and the expansion coil 8 main body is fixed by sandwiching the electromagnetic coil mounting portion 9a so as to be arranged outside the branch unit main body.
[0027]
FIG. 5 shows a fixed holding structure of the electric expansion valve 8. As shown in FIG. 2A, the electric expansion valve 8 is sandwiched between the fixed surfaces 1b and 2b via the buffer heat insulating material 13. However, as shown in FIG. The electromagnetic coil 9 may be configured to be bent toward the electromagnetic coil 9 on the outer surface side of the outer box, and may be arranged so as to position the electromagnetic coil.
[0028]
Further, the inside of the outer box is filled with an undiluted urethane foam solution from the injection port 4a of the right side plate 4 for heat insulation and soundproofing so that urethane is foamed into the branch unit main body as closely as possible. This also fixes the position of the internal piping structure with a certain degree of strength. The cushioning heat insulating material 13 can also serve as a buffer for the expansion valve 8 and also prevent the foamed heat insulating material from leaking when urethane foams.
[0029]
The wiring 17a connected to the electromagnetic coil 9 passes through a hole in the side plate 4 and is connected to a power supply box located outside the housing. In addition, the power supply box provided with the electrical component 17b may be arranged in the recessed portion similarly to the electromagnetic coil 9.
[0030]
By arranging the electromagnetic coil 9 outside the main body in this way, the replacement service of the electromagnetic coil 9 becomes possible, and the malfunction of the electromagnetic coil due to the penetration of the foamed heat insulating material into the gap between the expansion valve mounting portion 8a and the electromagnetic coil 9 can be prevented. Can be prevented.
[0031]
In the present embodiment, the recesses 1a and 2a are provided on the top plate 1 and the bottom plate 2 as a structure for sandwiching and fixing the electric expansion valve. May not be provided with a concave portion, and the bent surface on which the fixing portion 15 is provided may be configured to be flush. This is suitable for bottom plate processing. Further, a concave portion may be provided only on the bottom plate 2 side, and the concave surface may not be provided on the top plate 1 side, and the bent surface having the fixing portion 15 may be configured to be flush. In this case, it is suitable for the top plate processing, and the fixed position of the electric expansion valve can be easily fixed at the time of installation of the piping structure at the time of assembling.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above, according to the flow path branching device of the present invention, the fixing members of the internal structure such as the pipe fixing fittings and the vibration isolating rubber for fixing can be eliminated as much as possible, thereby reducing the number of parts and reducing the cost and assembling work. In addition, it is possible to improve the performance and to replace the drive unit in the flow control means such as the electromagnetic coil without increasing the size of the outer case body. In addition, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the electromagnetic coil due to intrusion of the foamed heat insulating material into the gap between the expansion valve mounting portion formed by molding the foamed heat insulating material inside the outer box and the electromagnetic coil. Further, the attitude of the flow control means can be restricted, and the assembly accuracy can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a refrigerant branch unit showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the refrigerant branch unit of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a refrigerant branch unit configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the structure of a refrigerant branch unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the structure of an electric expansion valve holding structure in the refrigerant branch unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an outer surface configuration of a conventional refrigerant branch unit. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a main part showing a holding structure of an electric expansion valve of the conventional refrigerant branch unit.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Top plate 1a Top plate concave hole 1b, 2b Fixed surface part 2 Bottom plate 2a Bottom plate concave hole 8 Electromagnetic expansion valve 8a Expansion valve mounting part 9 Electromagnetic coil 13 Buffer heat insulating material

Claims (6)

A flow path branching device configured to branch one flow path into a plurality of flow paths and to include flow control means in each of the branched flow paths in the frame body, wherein the flow rate control means includes one of the frame bodies. And a first outer shell portion having at least a first flow rate control means fixing portion, the first outer shell portion being abutted or fitted to and fixed to the first outer shell portion. A part of the main body of the flow control means is fixed by the second outer shell part having a second flow control means fixing part for holding and fixing the flow control means together with the first outer shell part; A flow path branching device characterized by the above-mentioned. The flow rate control means includes a main body that controls the flow rate of the fluid passing therethrough, and a driving unit that is detachably attached to the main body and that causes the main body to perform a flow control operation. The second outer shell portion is configured so that at least a portion where the driving portion engages with the main body portion is arranged outside the frame body to fix the flow rate control means. Item 2. The flow path branching device according to Item 1. The flow path branching device according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate control means is configured to be fixed by the first outer shell part and the second outer shell part via the buffer means. 2. The flow path branching device according to claim 1, wherein the frame body is filled with a filler having a heat insulating property and a function of fixing a structure disposed inside the frame body. The first outer shell portion and the second outer shell portion are formed of plate-like members, and at least one of the first flow control unit fixing unit and the second flow control unit fixing unit is an outer shell unit. The flow channel branching device according to claim 1, further comprising a fixed surface portion that is formed to extend from the second portion and bend. The fixing surface portion is configured to stand upright toward the outside of the frame, and the first outer shell portion where the first flow control means fixing portion and the second flow control means fixing portion are disposed, and the second outer shell portion. 6. The structure according to claim 5, wherein the height of the driving portion of the flow control means is regulated from the surface of the outer shell portion in a state where the driving portion is engaged with the main body portion. The flow path branching device according to any one of the preceding claims.

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