JP2008265686A - Refrigeration cycle device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigeration cycle device for a vehicle capable of suppressing internal pressure increase. <P>SOLUTION: The refrigeration cycle device for the vehicle 1 is provided with a compressor 111 for compressing a refrigerant in the supercritical condition; a radiator 112 for performing heat radiation of the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 111 and cooling the refrigerant; a decompression means 113 for decompressing and expanding the refrigerant cooled by the radiator 112; an evaporator 114 for evaporating the refrigerant decompressed by the decompression means 113; and an accumulator 115 for performing gas-liquid separation of the refrigerant evaporated by the evaporator 114 and sending the gas phase refrigerant to the compressor 111. The refrigeration cycle device for the vehicle 1 is mounted on the vehicle 1. The accumulator 115 is arranged in the vicinity of a washer tank 130 for storing washer liquid for cleaning a window of the vehicle 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle refrigeration cycle apparatus mounted on a vehicle.

Conventionally, a vehicle refrigeration cycle apparatus using carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) compressed to a supercritical state as a refrigerant is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a compressor that compresses a refrigerant to a supercritical state, a radiator that dissipates and cools the compressed refrigerant, an expansion valve that decompresses and expands the cooled refrigerant, and evaporates the decompressed refrigerant. And an accumulator that gas-liquid separates the evaporated refrigerant and sends the gas-phase refrigerant to the compressor. Generally, an evaporator is accommodated in an air conditioning case of an air conditioner and disposed in a vehicle interior, and a compressor, a radiator, an expansion valve, and an accumulator are disposed in an engine room.
JP 2006-327569 A

  The refrigeration cycle apparatus as described above has a problem that when the temperature in the engine room rises while the air conditioner is stopped, the internal pressure rises as the temperature rises. In particular, when an accumulator having a high volume ratio with respect to the entire refrigeration cycle apparatus is exposed to a high temperature, the influence on the pressure increase in the refrigeration cycle apparatus is large. When the pressure in the refrigeration cycle apparatus (low pressure side) exceeds a predetermined level, the relief valve provided for protecting the refrigeration cycle apparatus is activated and the refrigerant flows out, so the amount of refrigerant enclosed decreases. .

  The objective of this invention is providing the refrigeration cycle apparatus for vehicles which can suppress an internal pressure rise.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following technical means.

  The invention described in claim 1 includes a compressor (111) that compresses the refrigerant into a supercritical state, a radiator (112) that radiates and cools the refrigerant compressed by the compressor (111), and a radiator ( 112) a decompression means (113) for decompressing and expanding the refrigerant cooled in step 112), an evaporator (114) for evaporating the refrigerant decompressed by the decompression means (113), and a refrigerant evaporated by the evaporator (114). An accumulator (115) that separates and sends gas-phase refrigerant to the compressor (111), and is mounted on the vehicle (1). The accumulator (115) It is characterized in that it is arranged in the vicinity of a washer tank (130) for storing a washer liquid for cleaning windows.

  Thereby, since the accumulator (115) is arrange | positioned in the vicinity of the washer tank (130) with which a washer liquid is stored and comparatively large heat capacity, the temperature rise of an accumulator (115) can be suppressed. Therefore, an increase in pressure in the vehicle refrigeration cycle apparatus can be suppressed.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the accumulator (115) includes a washer tank (130) between a heating element (3, 5, 112, 121, 200) mounted on the vehicle (1) and the accumulator (115). ) Are arranged so as to intervene.

  Thereby, the washer tank (130) functions as a heat insulating material that prevents heat from the heating elements (3, 5, 112, 121, 200) from being directly transferred to the accumulator (115). Therefore, the temperature rise of the accumulator (115) can be further suppressed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the washer tank (131) has a recess (131a) having a shape along at least part of the outer surface of the accumulator (115), and the accumulator (115) ) In the vicinity.

  Thereby, since the accumulator (115) can be arrange | positioned close to the washer tank (131), a high heat insulation effect is acquired and the mounting property to a vehicle (1) improves.

  The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the accumulator (115) is arranged so as to be surrounded by the washer tank (133).

  Thereby, since the heat insulation effect increases, the temperature rise of the accumulator (115) can be suppressed.

  The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the accumulator (115) is held by a washer tank (133).

  Thereby, since an accumulator (115) and a washer tank (133) are integrated, the mounting property to the vehicle (1) of an accumulator (115) improves.

  The invention described in claim 6 is characterized by further comprising a heat insulating portion (140) formed of a heat insulating material and provided outside the accumulator (115).

  Thereby, since the heat insulation effect increases, the temperature rise of the accumulator (115) can be suppressed.

  As in the seventh aspect of the invention, carbon dioxide may be used as the refrigerant.

  Here, the reference numerals in parentheses of the above means indicate an example of a correspondence relationship with specific means described in the embodiments described later.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a refrigeration cycle apparatus for a vehicle in the present embodiment. The upper direction in FIG. 1 represents the vehicle rear side (vehicle compartment side), and the lower direction represents the vehicle front side. Moreover, the arrow in FIG. 1 represents the flow direction of the refrigerant. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 is mounted on a vehicle 1 that uses an engine 3 as a driving source for traveling. Carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) is used as the refrigerant circulating in the vehicular refrigeration cycle apparatus 100. For example, the refrigerant is used in a state where the high-pressure side pressure is higher than the critical pressure.

  The vehicle refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 includes a compressor 111, a radiator 112, an expansion valve 113, an evaporator 114, and an accumulator 115. The compressor 111, the heat radiator 112, the expansion valve 113, the evaporator 114, and the accumulator 115 are sequentially connected in an annular manner through pipes 121, 122, 123, 124, and 125, respectively. Among these, the evaporator 114 is arrange | positioned in a vehicle interior (inside an instrument panel), and the compressor 111, the heat radiator 112, the expansion valve 113, and the accumulator 115 are arrange | positioned in the engine room 2 where the engine 3 is arrange | positioned.

  The compressor 111 is a fluid machine that compresses the refrigerant to a high temperature and a high pressure to bring the refrigerant into a supercritical state. The compressor 111 is disposed close to the engine 3 and is driven by the driving force of the engine 3 or the driving force of a motor to which electric power is supplied from a vehicle-mounted power source.

  The radiator 112 is a heat exchanger that cools the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 111 by heat exchange with outside air flowing into the engine room 2. The radiator 112 is disposed in front of the engine room 2 (for example, behind the front grill) and connected to the compressor 111 via a pipe 121. A radiator 5 that cools engine cooling water that cools the engine 3 by heat exchange with outside air is disposed behind the radiator 112.

  The expansion valve 113 is a decompression unit that decompresses the refrigerant cooled by the radiator 112 to low temperature and low pressure. The expansion valve 113 is connected to the heat radiator 112 via the pipe 122. As the expansion valve 113, for example, a mechanical expansion valve whose valve opening is adjusted according to the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant flowing out of the radiator 112 is used. The expansion valve 113 includes an electromagnetic actuator such as a motor that adjusts the valve opening, a sensor that detects the state of the high-pressure refrigerant and outputs an electrical signal, and a control device that controls the electromagnetic actuator in accordance with this signal. An electric expansion valve provided can also be used. Furthermore, in addition to the expansion valve 113, an orifice, a capillary or the like can be used as the decompression means.

  The evaporator 114 is a heat exchanger that cools the conditioned air flowing through the air conditioning case by heat exchange with the refrigerant decompressed by the expansion valve 113. The evaporator 114 is disposed in an air conditioning case (not shown) provided in the passenger compartment, and is connected to the expansion valve 113 via a pipe 123.

  The accumulator 115 is connected to the evaporator 114 via a pipe 124 and is connected to the compressor 111 via a pipe 125. The accumulator 115 gas-liquid separates the refrigerant flowing out of the evaporator 114 and sucks the gas-phase refrigerant into the compressor 111. The accumulator 115 functions as a receiver that stores excess refrigerant in the vehicle refrigeration cycle apparatus 100. The accumulator 115 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and is arranged in the tire house upper region 4 on the left side in FIG. In a state where the vehicle refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 is operating, the accumulator 115 becomes relatively low temperature (for example, about 0 ° C.).

  The engine 3, the radiator 5, the radiator 112, and the lamp (headlight) 200 disposed in the engine room 2 serve as a heating element that releases heat to the outside. Further, the pipe 121 connecting the compressor 111 and the radiator 112 circulates a high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 111, and thus can serve as a heating element. The tire house upper region 4 is relatively far from these heating elements, and is also away from the cooling ventilation path for the radiator 5 and the radiator 112. For this reason, the tire house upper region 4 is maintained at a relatively low atmospheric temperature in the engine room 2.

  In the tire house upper region 4, a washer tank 130 for storing a window washer liquid for cleaning the window of the vehicle 1 is also disposed. The washer tank 130 has, for example, a substantially L-shaped planar shape.

  The accumulator 115 is disposed in the vicinity of the washer tank 130. The accumulator 115 is arranged such that the washer tank 130 is interposed between the heating element and the accumulator 115. Thereby, the heat from the heating element is prevented from being directly transmitted to the accumulator 115.

  In the vehicle refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 having the above-described configuration, the compressor 111 is operated by the driving force of the engine 3 or the driving force of a motor supplied with electric power from an on-vehicle power source. The compressor 111 compresses the refrigerant to a high temperature and high pressure and discharges it in a supercritical state. The compressed refrigerant flows into the radiator 112 through the pipe 121 and is cooled by heat radiation to the outside air. The cooled refrigerant flows into the expansion valve 113 via the pipe 122 and is decompressed. The decompressed refrigerant flows into the evaporator 114 through the pipe 123 and evaporates by heat exchange with the conditioned air flowing in the air conditioning case of the air conditioner. The conditioned air is cooled by the latent heat of vaporization at this time. The evaporated refrigerant flows into the accumulator 115 through the pipe 124 and is separated into two phases of gas and liquid. The liquid-phase refrigerant is stored inside the accumulator 115, and the gas-phase refrigerant is sent to the compressor 111 again via the pipe 125.

  Here, if the engine 3 and the vehicle refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 that are in an operating state are stopped, the temperature of the engine 3 decreases, so the ambient temperature in the engine room 2 including the tire house upper region 4 is about the outside air temperature. Gradually decreases. On the other hand, the temperature of the accumulator 115 rises at a relatively high rate of increase to the atmospheric temperature of the tire house upper region 4 and then gradually decreases to the ambient temperature as the atmospheric temperature decreases. That is, the value of the peak temperature of the accumulator 115 after the engine 3 and the vehicle refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 are stopped depends on the ambient temperature of the tire house upper region 4 at the time of taking the peak temperature. Since the atmospheric temperature of the tire house upper region 4 decreases with time, the peak temperature of the accumulator 115 can be lowered by reducing the temperature rise rate of the accumulator 115 and delaying the peak temperature.

  In the present embodiment, the accumulator 115 is disposed in the vicinity of the washer tank 130. Since the window washer liquid stored in the washer tank 130 has a relatively large specific heat and mass, the heat capacity of the washer tank 130 containing the window washer liquid is relatively large. Thereby, since the temperature rise rate of the accumulator 115 can be reduced, the peak temperature of the accumulator 115 can be lowered. Since the accumulator 115 has a high volume ratio with respect to the entire vehicle refrigeration cycle apparatus 100, it is possible to effectively suppress an increase in pressure in the vehicle refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 by suppressing a temperature increase of the accumulator 115. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, an increase in pressure in the vehicular refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the accumulator 115 is disposed such that the washer tank 130 is interposed between the accumulator 115 and a heating element such as the engine 3. Since the washer tank 130 (and the window washer liquid) functions as a heat insulating material that prevents the radiant heat from the heating element from being directly transmitted to the accumulator 115, the temperature increase of the accumulator 115 can be further suppressed.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the configuration of the accumulator 115. As shown in FIG. 2, a cylindrical heat insulating portion (packing) 140 that covers the outer surface of the accumulator 115 is formed outside the accumulator 115. The heat insulating part 140 is formed of a heat insulating material and insulates the accumulator 115 from the outside. Thereby, since the heat insulation effect increases, the temperature rise of the accumulator 115 can be further suppressed.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the configuration of the washer tank disposed in the vicinity of the accumulator 115. In the example shown in FIG. 3A, the washer tank 131 has a semi-cylindrical recess 131a along a part of the side surface (outer surface) of the cylindrical accumulator 115. For example, when the heating element is present on the right side of the position where the washer tank 131 is disposed, the washer tank 131 is disposed such that the recess 131a faces the left side. The accumulator 115 is disposed so that the right side surface in the drawing is close to or in close contact with the surface of the recess 131a.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3B, the washer tank 132 has a quarter-cylindrical recess 132 a along a part of the side surface of the accumulator 115. For example, when the heating element is present on the lower right side in the drawing of the position where the washer tank 132 is disposed, the washer tank 132 is disposed such that the recess 132a faces the upper left side. The accumulator 115 is arranged so that the lower right side surface in the drawing is close to or in close contact with the surface of the recess 132a.

  Since both the accumulator 115 and the washer tanks 131 and 132 have a relatively large volume, it may be difficult to arrange both in the tire house upper region 4. However, in the above modification, the washer tanks 131 and 132 are formed in a shape along the accumulator 115, so that a space required for mounting the accumulator 115 and the washer tanks 131 and 132 is reduced. Easy to place. Therefore, mountability of the accumulator 115 and the washer tanks 131 and 132 on the vehicle 1 is improved.

  The casing that defines the outer shape of the accumulator 115 is made of, for example, aluminum, and is formed by forging, cutting, or the like. For this reason, the shape flexibility of the accumulator 115 is relatively low. On the other hand, the washer tanks 131 and 132 are made of, for example, a thermoplastic resin and are formed by blow molding or the like. For this reason, generally, the degree of freedom of shape of the washer tanks 131 and 132 is higher than that of the accumulator 115. Therefore, the washer tanks 131 and 132 matched to the shape of the accumulator 115 as in the above modification can be formed relatively easily.

  In the above modification, the accumulator 115 can be disposed close to the washer tanks 131 and 132, so that a higher heat insulating effect can be obtained.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the accumulator of the vehicle refrigeration cycle apparatus and the washer tank disposed in the vicinity thereof in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, this embodiment is characterized in that the accumulator 115 is held by a washer tank 133. A cylindrical insertion hole (concave portion) 150 extending downward is formed in the upper surface portion 133a of the washer tank 133 in which the injection port 135 is formed. The insertion hole 150 has an inner wall surface 150 a shaped along the side surface 115 a of the accumulator 115 and a bottom surface 150 b shaped along the bottom surface 115 b of the accumulator 115. The inner diameter of the insertion hole 150 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the accumulator 115, for example. The depth of the insertion hole 150 is substantially equal to the height of the accumulator 115, for example.

  A drainage hole 151 is formed on the bottom surface 150b of the insertion hole 150 so as to penetrate the bottom surface portion 133b of the washer tank 133 in order to drain the condensed water condensed on the surface of the accumulator 115 to the outside. The inner diameter of the drain hole 151 is smaller than the inner diameter of the insertion hole 150 and the diameter of the accumulator.

  When the accumulator 115 is inserted into the insertion hole 150, the side surface 115a and the bottom surface 115b of the accumulator 115 are in close contact with the inner wall surface 150a and the bottom surface 150b of the insertion hole 150, respectively. As a result, the accumulator 115 is held and fixed to the washer tank 133. In this state, the entire circumference of the side surface 115a and the bottom surface 115b of the accumulator 115 are surrounded by the washer tank 133, so that a higher heat insulating effect can be obtained. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, an increase in pressure in the vehicular refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the accumulator 115 and the washer tank 133 can be integrated. Thereby, since the accumulator 115 and the washer tank 133 are reduced in size as a whole, the arrangement in the tire house upper region 4 is facilitated, and the mountability to the vehicle 1 is improved. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the accumulator 115 can be fixed to the washer tank 133 by inserting the accumulator 115 into the insertion hole 150, a bracket or the like for fixing the accumulator 115 to the engine room 2 is not necessary, and the accumulator The fixing work of 115 becomes easy.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the configuration of the washer tank. As shown in FIG. 5, a fitting groove (concave portion) 152 having a C-shaped cross section extending from the upper surface portion 134a to the bottom surface portion 134b is formed in one side surface portion 134c of the washer tank 134. The fitting groove 152 has a wall surface 152 a shaped along the side surface 115 a of the accumulator 115. A pair of locking portions 153 and 154 are formed at the opening end of the fitting groove 152 to face each other through a gap narrower than the diameter of the accumulator 115.

  When the accumulator 115 is press-fitted into the fitting groove 152, the side surface 115a comes into close contact with the wall surface 152a and is locked by the locking portions 153 and 154. As a result, the accumulator 115 is held and fixed to the washer tank 134. In this state, most of the side surface 115a of the accumulator 115 is surrounded by the washer tank 133, so that a higher heat insulating effect can be obtained.

  In the present modification, as in the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the accumulator 115 and the washer tank 134 are integrated, so that the mounting property on the vehicle 1 is improved and the fixing operation of the accumulator 115 is facilitated.

(Other embodiments)
In the above embodiment, CO ₂ is used as the refrigerant circulating in the vehicle refrigeration cycle apparatus, but other fluids may be used as the refrigerant.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 for vehicles mainly provided with the compressor 111, the heat radiator 112, the expansion valve 113, the evaporator 114, and the accumulator 115 was mentioned as an example, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 for vehicles is taken as the example. An internal heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant after passing through the radiator 112 and the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant after passing through the accumulator 115 may be further included. Moreover, the vehicle refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 may include an assembly component that integrates at least one of an accumulator, an internal heat exchanger, and an expansion valve.

  FIG. 6A is a front view schematically showing an example of the configuration of the assembly component 119 in which both the internal heat exchanger 117 and the expansion valve 118 are integrated with the accumulator 116. FIG. 6B is a side view of the assembly component 119 as viewed from the right side of FIG. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the assembly part 119 includes a cylindrical accumulator 116, an expansion valve 118 provided on the upper side surface of the accumulator 116, and a bottom surface and a side surface of the accumulator 116 having a U shape. And an internal heat exchanger 117 surrounded by

  The internal heat exchanger 117 has a configuration in which two flat tubes 128 and 129 each having a U-shape are overlapped so as to be in thermal contact with each other. The inner flat tube 128 is provided between the radiator 112 and the expansion valve 113 in the refrigerant flow in the vehicle refrigeration cycle apparatus 100. The outer flat tube 129 is provided between the accumulator 116 and the compressor 111 in the refrigerant flow.

  The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant that has passed through the radiator 112 passes through a temperature sensing portion (not shown) of the expansion valve 118 that detects the refrigerant temperature, and flows into the flat tube 128 from the one end 128a side of the flat tube 128. The refrigerant flowing in the flat tube 128 is supercooled by heat exchange with the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant flowing in the flat tube 129. Thereafter, the refrigerant flows out from the other end 128b side of the flat tube 128, flows into the expansion valve 118, and expands.

  On the other hand, the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant that has passed through the accumulator 116 flows into the flat tube 129 from the one end 129 a side of the flat tube 129. The refrigerant flowing in the flat tube 129 is superheated by heat exchange with the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flowing in the flat tube 128. Thereafter, the refrigerant flows out from the other end 129b side of the flat tube 129 and flows into the compressor 111 side.

  FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an example of the configuration of the assembly component 119 and the washer tank 136 disposed in the vicinity thereof. As shown in FIG. 7, the washer tank 136 has a shape that surrounds, for example, the three sides of the assembly part 119 and the bottom surface. For example, the washer tank 136 and the assembly part 119 are arranged such that the washer tank 136 is interposed between a heating element such as the engine 3 and the assembly part 119.

It is a mimetic diagram showing the whole refrigeration cycle device for vehicles in a 1st embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the modification of a structure of an accumulator. It is a schematic diagram which shows the modification of a structure of the washer tank arrange | positioned in the vicinity of an accumulator. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the accumulator of the refrigeration cycle apparatus for vehicles in 2nd Embodiment, and the washer tank arrange | positioned in the vicinity. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of a structure of a washer tank. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a structure of the assembly component which integrated the internal heat exchanger and the expansion valve with the accumulator. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a structure of an assembly part and the washer tank arrange | positioned in the vicinity.

Explanation of symbols

1 Vehicle 3 Engine (heating element)
5 Radiator (heating element)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Refrigeration cycle apparatus 111 for vehicles Compressor 112 Radiator (heating element)
113, 118 Expansion valve (pressure reduction means)
114 Evaporator 115, 116 Accumulator 121 Piping (heating element)
130, 131, 132, 133, 136 Washer tank 200 Lamp (heating element)

Claims (7)

A compressor (111) for compressing the refrigerant to a supercritical state;
A radiator (112) for radiating and cooling the refrigerant compressed by the compressor (111);
Decompression means (113) for decompressing and expanding the refrigerant cooled by the radiator (112);
An evaporator (114) for evaporating the refrigerant depressurized by the depressurization means (113);
A vehicle refrigeration cycle apparatus mounted on a vehicle (1), comprising: an accumulator (115) that gas-liquid separates the refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator (114) and sends a gas-phase refrigerant to the compressor (111) Because
The vehicle refrigeration cycle apparatus, wherein the accumulator (115) is disposed in the vicinity of a washer tank (130) for storing a washer fluid for cleaning a window of the vehicle (1). The accumulator (115) is arranged such that the washer tank (130) is interposed between the heating element (3, 5, 112, 121, 200) mounted on the vehicle (1) and the accumulator (115). The vehicular refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vehicular refrigeration cycle apparatus is arranged. The washer tank (131) has a recess (131a) having a shape along at least a part of the outer surface of the accumulator (115),
The vehicular refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the accumulator (115) is disposed in proximity to the recess (131a). The vehicular refrigeration cycle apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the accumulator (115) is disposed so as to be surrounded by the washer tank (133). The vehicular refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the accumulator (115) is held by the washer tank (133). The vehicle refrigeration according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a heat insulating portion (140) formed of a heat insulating material and provided outside the accumulator (115). Cycle equipment. The vehicle refrigeration cycle apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the refrigerant is carbon dioxide.

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