JP2009210225A - Refrigerant divider and heat exchanger comprising the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact refrigerant divider having stable flow dividing performance and high storage performance to an air conditioner and a refrigerating machine even if a straight portion of an inflow pipe connected with the flow divider cannot be sufficiently secured and the dryness of the refrigerant flowing into an inflow port is high. <P>SOLUTION: In this refrigerant divider 2 comprising the inflow port 4a connected with the inflow pipe having a bent portion, and a plurality of outflow ports branched from the inflow port 4a, the outflow ports are formed roughly immediately under the inflow port 4a, an inner diameter of the inflow port is smaller than an inner diameter of the inflow pipe, and the center of the inflow port 4a is eccentric in the refrigerant flow-in direction before the bent portion of the inflow pipe. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerant flow divider for branching a refrigerant circuit in a refrigeration cycle such as an air conditioner or a refrigeration device into a plurality, and a heat exchanger including the refrigerant flow divider.

  In recent years, in heat exchangers used for air conditioning equipment and refrigeration equipment, there has been a trend to reduce the diameter of heat transfer tubes in order to promote heat exchange efficiency and miniaturization, and the number of refrigerant paths tends to increase accordingly. .

  In general, a chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant used in a refrigeration cycle flows in a heat exchanger as a gas-liquid two-phase mixture in which refrigerant vapor and refrigerant liquid differing in density by several tens of times. Therefore, refrigerant distribution to a plurality of heat transfer tubes has become a difficult problem in designing a heat exchanger, and various shunts have been developed in order to solve this problem.

  Referring to the drawings in detail, the flow divider shown in FIG. 6 is provided with fine grooves or dents 102 on the inner surface of the inflow pipe 103, and the flow velocity of refrigerant in the outflow pipes 101a, 101b, 101c due to the swirling flow generated thereby. In addition, the flow rate is made uniform (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the case of the flow divider shown in FIG. 7, the refrigerant entering from the inflow pipe 201 is obtained by changing the flow path cross-sectional area of the outflow pipes 203a, 203b, 203c and setting the flow path cross-sectional area of the flow divider 202 in advance. Is arbitrarily set to adjust the refrigerant flow rate in the outflow pipes 203a, 203b, 203c (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, an orifice ring 306 is provided between the inflow pipe 301 and the outflow pipes 302 and 304, and the flow outlet 306 a of the orifice ring 306 is connected to the outflow pipe 302 that has a large air flow rate in the heat exchanger. Some are eccentric in the direction (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 9, what has obtained the stable shunt performance by the collision stirring action to the wall surface of a refrigerant | coolant is also proposed. The refrigerant entering from the inflow port 401 collides with the flat collision surface 441 and rebounds. As a result, a gas-liquid two-phase mixed state is obtained, and the gas flows out from the outlets 421 and 431 opened adjacent to the outlet pipes 402 and 403. At this time, by forming 442 and 443 between at least one of the collision surface 441 and the plurality of outlets 421 and 431, the refrigerant (gas-liquid two-phase) flowing out from the outlets 421 and 431 is formed. Limit the spillage of the mixed state. Due to the collision stirring and the outflow amount limitation, the refrigerant is divided evenly or at a predetermined ratio even when the flow divider is inclined (see, for example, Patent Document 4).

JP-A-5-18638 JP 2000-320929 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 59-175970 JP-A-10-253197

  However, in the conventional shunt described above, the straight portion of the inflow pipe cannot be sufficiently secured, and particularly when the refrigerant flowing into the inflow port has a high dryness, the liquid phase component is uniformly distributed in the inflow pipe. There was a problem that the flow did not flow and stable diversion performance could not be obtained.

  Further, the configuration shown in FIG. 6 or 7 has a problem that the cost is increased and the workability is poor as compared with a general smooth tube.

  Further, in the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 8, when connected to the inflow pipe having a bent portion, there is a problem that sufficient rectification is difficult due to only an increase in pressure loss depending on the eccentric direction.

  In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 9, since it is necessary to arrange the outflow pipes 402 and 403 on the side face of the flow divider as shown in FIG. 10, a large storage space is required particularly when the number of outflow pipes is increased. There was a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art, and even when the straight portion of the inflow pipe cannot be sufficiently secured or when the dryness of the refrigerant flowing into the inlet is high. An object of the present invention is to provide a compact refrigerant flow divider that has a stable flow-dividing performance and is highly storable in air-conditioning equipment and refrigeration equipment.

  In order to achieve the above object, a refrigerant distributor according to the present invention includes an inlet connected to an inlet pipe having a bent portion, and a plurality of outlets branched from the inlet, and the outlet is an inlet. The inner diameter of the inlet is set smaller than the inner diameter of the inflow pipe, and the center of the inlet is eccentric in the refrigerant inflow direction before the bent portion of the inflow pipe.

  As described above, by making the inner diameter of the inlet smaller than the inner diameter of the inflow pipe and decentering the center of the inflow pipe, a step is formed at the connection portion between the inflow pipe and the inflow opening. Since the liquid components of the refrigerant flowing in the phase state collide and are agitated, stable diversion performance can be exhibited.

  According to the present invention, even when the straight portion of the inflow pipe connected to the flow divider cannot be sufficiently secured or when the dryness of the refrigerant flowing into the inflow port is high, stable diversion performance can be obtained. A compact refrigerant flow divider with high storability in air conditioning equipment and refrigeration equipment can be configured.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inflow pipe insertion port into which an inflow pipe is inserted and an outflow pipe insertion into which a plurality of outflow pipes are inserted into a refrigerant distributor for diverting the refrigerant flowing in from the inflow pipe into a plurality of outflow pipes. And an inlet and a plurality of outlets formed between the inlet pipe inlet and the outlet pipe insertion opening and communicating with each other, the inner diameter of the inlet is set smaller than the inner diameter of the inlet pipe, the center of the inlet Is eccentric with respect to the inlet tube insertion port.

  With this configuration, even when the straight portion of the inflow pipe connected to the flow divider cannot be secured sufficiently, or when the dryness of the refrigerant flowing into the inlet is high, the refrigerant liquid flowing in the gas-liquid two-phase state is used. Sufficient discontinuous areas where the refrigerant collides and stirs at the location where the phase components are biased, and the inner diameter of the inlet can be ensured to the maximum, so that the pressure loss is small, and stable shunt performance is achieved. A compact refrigerant flow divider with high storability in air conditioning equipment and refrigeration equipment can be configured.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the distance from the center of the inlet to the center of the plurality of outlets is not the same, so that the cross-sectional area of the channel flowing from the inlet to each outlet can be changed. Depending on the wind speed distribution and heat transfer characteristics of a heat exchanger or the like to which the refrigerant flow divider is attached, it is possible to adjust the drift to each outlet.

  In the third aspect of the present invention, by setting the outlet to have different channel cross-sectional areas, it is possible to change the channel cross-sectional area flowing from the inlet to each outlet and the flow loss of the outlet. Depending on the wind speed distribution and heat transfer characteristics of the heat exchanger to be installed, it is possible to adjust the drift to each outlet.

  In the fourth aspect of the invention, by setting the outlets to different flow path lengths, it is possible to change the flow passage cross-sectional area flowing from the inlet to each outlet and the flow loss of the outlet, and attach the refrigerant flow divider. It is possible to adjust the drift to each outlet according to the wind speed distribution and heat transfer characteristics of the heat exchanger.

  In the fifth aspect of the invention, the inlet, the outlet, the inflow pipe insertion port, and the outflow pipe insertion port are formed as a single piece, thereby minimizing production variations due to the combination of the inflow port and the outflow port. A man-hour for connecting the inlet and the outlet can be saved, and a compact and inexpensive refrigerant flow divider can be configured.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, since the cutout portion is provided on the outer surface of the refrigerant flow distributor main body, the flow divider main body can be easily fixed during processing and assembly, and the insertion direction of the inflow pipe and the outflow pipe can be determined. It becomes easy.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the outlet is arranged substantially directly below the inlet, and the center of the inlet is decentered in the refrigerant inflow direction before the bent portion of the inlet pipe, so that the straight line of the inlet pipe connected to the flow divider Even when the sufficient amount of air cannot be secured, or when the dryness of the refrigerant flowing into the inlet is high, the refrigerant does not collide with the location where the liquid phase component of the refrigerant flowing in the gas-liquid two-phase state is biased. It is possible to sufficiently provide a continuous region and to ensure the maximum inner diameter of the inlet. As a result, a compact refrigerant flow divider having a small pressure loss, a stable flow dividing performance, and a high storability in an air conditioner or a refrigeration device can be configured.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment.

  1 and 2 show perspective views from the upper and lower surfaces of the refrigerant distributor 2 according to the present invention, respectively, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the refrigerant distributor 2 according to the present invention. 4 is a perspective view when the refrigerant flow distributor 2 according to the present invention is mounted on a drive lock of an indoor heat exchanger of a room air conditioner, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. is there.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the refrigerant flow distributor 2 according to the present invention has a substantially cylindrical body, and one inflow pipe insertion port 4 is formed on one end side in the axial direction. A plurality of (for example, three) outflow tube insertion ports 6, 8, and 10 having the same cross-sectional area are formed on the end side in a separated state. Between the inflow pipe insertion port 4 and the outflow pipe insertion ports 6, 8, 10, an inflow port 4 a and a plurality of outflow ports 6 a, 8 a, 10 a having the same cross-sectional area are formed in communication with each other. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when mounted on a drive lock of an indoor heat exchanger of a room air conditioner, the refrigerant flow divider 2 is arranged so that the outlets 6a, 8a, 10a are located almost directly below the inlet 4a, For example, an openable two-way valve 12 that bends the flow path into a substantially L shape is connected via an inflow pipe 14. For this reason, the other end of the inflow pipe 14, one end of which is connected to the two-way valve 12, is inserted into the inflow pipe insertion port 4, connected to the refrigerant distributor 2 by brazing, and the outflow pipe of the refrigerant distributor 2 is inserted. Ends of the outflow pipes 16, 18, and 20 are inserted into the ports 6, 8, and 10, and connected to the refrigerant distributor 2 by brazing.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inner diameter L <b> 1 of the inflow port 4 a is set smaller than the inner diameter L <b> 2 of the inflow pipe 14, and the center of the inflow pipe insertion port 4 coincides with the axis of the refrigerant flow divider 2. On the other hand, the center of the inlet 4a is formed eccentrically with respect to the center of the main body of the refrigerant distributor 2 or the center of the inlet pipe insertion port 4, and a bent portion of the inlet pipe 14 (two-way valve 12 in this embodiment). In the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, a discontinuous step 22 (a collision surface perpendicular to the axis) is provided to cause the liquid component to collide and stir.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the normal operation mode (cooling operation) of the room air conditioner, the two-way valve 12 is in an open state, and the refrigerant flowing in from the inflow pipe 14 passes through the two-way valve 12 and the refrigerant flows. When the direction is bent in an L shape, the liquid phase component is biased toward the A side due to centrifugal force, and flows into the refrigerant distributor 2 from the inlet 4a. The liquid component of the refrigerant biased toward the A side collides with the discontinuous step 22 provided between the inflow pipe 14 and the inflow port 4a and is dispersed, and the gas phase and the liquid phase flowing in from the inflow port 4a are mixed. .

  Here, the step 22 needs to have a sufficient area for the liquid components of the refrigerant to collide, but in order to reduce the pressure loss at the inlet 4a, it is necessary to increase the inner diameter of the inlet 4a. For this reason, in the present embodiment, by making the center of the inlet 4a not coincident with the center of the inflow pipe 14, the inner diameter of the inlet 4a can be increased while ensuring a sufficient area of the step 22. The pressure loss is small.

  With this configuration, even when the straight portion of the inflow pipe 14 connected to the refrigerant flow divider 2 cannot be secured sufficiently, or even when the dryness of the refrigerant flowing into the inlet 4a is high, it is stable with a minimum pressure loss. Can be obtained.

The mixed gas-phase and liquid-phase refrigerants flow through the inlet 4a to the outlets 6a, 8a, and 10a. At this time, depending on the refrigerant path and the wind speed distribution of the heat exchanger to which the refrigerant distributor 2 is attached. Then, by setting as follows, the area of the communication portion between the inflow port 4a and the outflow ports 6a, 8a, 10a can be changed, and the flow distribution to each of the outflow ports 6a, 8a, 10a is adjusted appropriately. Can do.
(I) The distance from the center of the inlet 4a to the center of the plurality of outlets 6a, 8a, 10a is changed.
(Ii) The outlets 6a, 8a and 10a have different channel cross-sectional areas.
(Iii) The outlets 6a, 8a and 10a have different flow path lengths.
(Iv) (i) to (iii) are appropriately combined.

  Since the refrigerant distributor 2 according to the present invention includes the inlet 4a, the outlets 6a, 8a, and 10a, the inlet pipe insertion port 4, and the outlet pipe insertion ports 6, 8, and 10, the inlet 4a and the outlet are provided. The flow rate can be generally adjusted only by changing 6a, 8a and 10a. That is, since the inflow pipe insertion port 4 and the outflow pipe insertion ports 6, 8, 10 and the inflow pipe 14 and the outflow pipes 16, 18, 20 connected to them do not need to be changed, the specification of the heat exchanger is changed. When it is necessary to change the flow rate to each outflow path, when the refrigerant flow divider 2 according to the present invention is used, it can be dealt with by changing only the inflow port 4a and the outflow ports 6a, 8a and 10a. This is advantageous in reducing costs associated with specification changes and sharing parts.

  As in the present embodiment, the inflow port 4a, the outflow ports 6a, 8a, 10a, the inflow tube insertion port 4, and the outflow tube insertion ports 6, 8, 10 are formed as a single piece, so that the inflow port 4a. And the outlets 6a, 8a, and 10a are combined to minimize production variations, and the number of steps for connecting the inlet 4a and the outlets 6a, 8a, and 10a is reduced, thereby forming a compact and inexpensive refrigerant distributor 2. It is possible.

  Further, by forming the notches 24 on both sides of the outer surface of the main body of the refrigerant flow distributor 2, it is easy to fix the flow distributor body to the jig during processing and assembly, and the inflow pipe 14 as in the present embodiment. When the outflow pipes 16, 18, and 20 have directivity, the insertion direction can be easily determined, and the refrigerant distributor 2 having good workability or assembly can be configured.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the refrigerant distributor 2 is attached, the outlets 6a, 8a, and 10a are positioned almost directly below the inlet 4a. However, the refrigerant distributor 2 according to the present invention is in the horizontal direction. In this case, in consideration of the density difference between the refrigerant liquid and the refrigerant vapor, the step 22 is disposed directly below the inflow port 4a, and the refrigerant liquid collides with the step 22.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented with various modifications.

  The refrigerant shunt according to the present invention has stable shunting performance even when the straight portion of the inflow pipe connected to the refrigerant shunt cannot be sufficiently secured or when the dryness of the refrigerant flowing into the inlet is high. As a result, a compact configuration is possible, so that the present invention can be applied not only to a room air conditioner but also to a refrigerator or a heat exchanger for a washer / dryer that employs a heat pump drying method that requires downsizing.

The perspective view from the upper surface of the refrigerant | coolant flow divider which concerns on this invention The perspective view from the lower surface of the refrigerant | coolant shunt of FIG. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the refrigerant flow divider of FIG. The perspective view at the time of mounting the refrigerant | coolant shunt of FIG. 1 in a part of indoor heat exchanger of a room air conditioner Sectional view along line VV in FIG. Partial sectional front view of a conventional refrigerant flow divider Exploded perspective view of another conventional refrigerant distributor Sectional view of yet another conventional refrigerant flow divider Sectional view of yet another conventional refrigerant flow divider FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the refrigerant shunt of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

2 refrigerant shunt,
4 Inlet pipe insertion port,
4a inlet,
6, 8, 10 Outlet tube insertion port,
6a, 8a, 10a outlet,
12 Two-way valve,
14 Inflow pipe,
16, 18, 20 Outflow pipe,
22 steps,
24 Notch.

Claims (7)

A refrigerant distributor connected to an inflow pipe and a plurality of outflow pipes for diverting the refrigerant flowing in from the inflow pipe to the plurality of outflow pipes;
An inflow tube insertion port into which the inflow tube is inserted, an outflow tube insertion port into which the plurality of outflow tubes are inserted, and an inflow port formed between the inflow tube insertion port and the outflow tube insertion port and communicating with each other And a plurality of outlets, wherein the inner diameter of the inlet is set smaller than the inner diameter of the inlet pipe, and the center of the inlet is eccentric with respect to the inlet inlet. The refrigerant distributor according to claim 1, wherein distances from the center of the inlet to the centers of the plurality of outlets are not the same. The refrigerant flow divider according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outlet has different channel cross-sectional areas. The refrigerant flow divider according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the outlet has different flow path lengths. 5. The refrigerant distributor according to claim 1, wherein the inflow port, the outflow port, the inflow tube insertion port, and the outflow tube insertion port are formed as a single piece. The refrigerant distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a notch on the outer surface of the main body. A heat exchanger comprising the refrigerant flow divider according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An inflow pipe inserted into the inflow pipe insertion port and having a bent portion on the refrigerant inflow side; and a plurality of outflow pipes inserted into the plurality of outflow pipe insertion ports, wherein the plurality of outflow ports are substantially the same as the inflow ports. The heat exchanger, which is arranged directly below and has an eccentric center toward the upstream side of the bent portion of the inflow pipe.

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