JP2024042791A - refrigerant unit - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To ensure resistance to vibrations of a compressor, etc., and to reduce heat loss and refrigerant pressure loss in refrigerant piping. [Solution] A refrigerant unit 10 is provided, which includes a refrigerant circuit including a compressor 20, a heater 40, pressure reducing devices 71, 72, a cooler 30, and a gas-liquid separator 22, and a support plate 12 that supports the refrigerant circuit, with at least the compressor, heater, cooler, and gas-liquid separator each fixed to the support plate. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigerant unit that exchanges heat between a refrigerant and another heat medium.

BACKGROUND ART Refrigerant circuits in which a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, an expansion mechanism, and the like are connected through refrigerant piping are conventionally known. Such a refrigerant circuit is applied, for example, to a vehicle air conditioner, and each device constituting the refrigerant circuit is arranged at a predetermined position in the vehicle (Patent Document 1).
By the way, in the refrigerant circuit, in particular, the refrigerant inlet and outlet in the compressor are connection parts between the compressor and refrigerant piping, and are easily affected by vibrations of the compressor. For this reason, the vibrations of the compressor are absorbed by connecting the refrigerant inlet and outlet of the compressor to refrigerant piping through a rubber refrigerant hose.

International Publication No. 2022/009713

However, when a rubber refrigerant hose is used for a long period of time, moisture will enter the inside of the refrigerant hose due to aging, etc. For this reason, it has been necessary to install a desiccant inside the accumulator or receiver.
In addition, depending on the distance between the devices that make up the refrigerant circuit, heat loss and refrigerant pressure loss on the surface of the refrigerant piping that connects the devices may increase. In particular, when a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the outside air and the refrigerant is provided, the length of the refrigerant piping becomes long, and the increase in heat loss and refrigerant pressure loss becomes a problem.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to ensure resistance to vibrations of compressors, etc., while reducing heat loss and refrigerant pressure loss in the refrigerant piping.

A refrigerant unit according to one aspect of the present invention includes a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a heater, a pressure reduction device, a cooler, and a gas-liquid separator, and a support plate that supports the refrigerant circuit, and includes at least the refrigerant circuit. A compressor, the heater, the cooler, and the gas-liquid separator are each fixed to the support plate.

According to the present invention, resistance to vibrations of a compressor or the like can be ensured, and heat loss and refrigerant pressure loss in refrigerant piping can be reduced.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a refrigerant unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerant unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerant unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerant unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a flow path module applied to a refrigerant unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flow path module applied to a refrigerant unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a support plate applied to a refrigerant unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a support plate applied to a refrigerant unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a support plate applied to a refrigerant unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a support plate applied to a refrigerant unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals indicate parts with the same function, and redundant explanations in each figure will be omitted as appropriate.

1 to 4 are perspective views of a refrigerant unit 10 according to this embodiment. The refrigerant unit 10 according to the present embodiment is mounted, for example, in a vehicle equipped with a running battery, and is used in an air conditioner or a thermal management system that performs air conditioning in a vehicle interior, temperature adjustment of vehicle-mounted equipment, and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the refrigerant unit 10 includes a compressor 20, an accumulator 22, a cooler (evaporator) 30, a heater (condenser) 40, a flow path module 50, and an expansion valve (pressure reducing device). ) 71 and 72 are connected by refrigerant pipes 81 to 86, and a support plate 12 that supports them.

Here, the cooler 30 and the heater 40 are refrigerant-heat medium heat exchangers that exchange heat between a refrigerant and a heat medium (e.g., water), and the heat of the refrigerant is supplied to a temperature control target via a heat medium circuit (not shown) to perform air conditioning in the vehicle cabin and temperature control of on-board equipment. In the example of Figures 1 to 4, the heat medium circulating through the heat medium circuit flows into the cooler 30 from the heat medium pipe 93, exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the cooler 30, and flows out into the heat medium pipe 94. Similarly, the heat medium circulating through the heat medium circuit flows into the heater 40 from the heat medium pipe 91, exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the heater 40, and flows out into the heat medium pipe 92.

1 is a perspective view seen from the compressor 20 and heater 40 sides, FIG. 2 is a perspective view seen from the heater 40 and cooler 30 sides, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view seen from the cooler 30 and accumulator 22 sides. A perspective view, FIG. 4 is a perspective view seen from the accumulator 22 and compressor 20 side.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in the refrigerant unit 10, a compressor 20, an accumulator 22, a cooler 30, a heater 40, and a flow path module 50, which constitute a refrigerant circuit, are each fixed to a support plate 12. This makes it a unit. Note that, as described later, the expansion valves 71 and 72 are indirectly fixed to the support plate 12 by being fixed to the flow path module 50.

Specifically, in the refrigerant unit 10, the compressor 20 is arranged at one end of the support plate 12, the cooler 30 and the heater 40 are arranged at the other end, and the flow is disposed between the compressor 20, the cooler 30, and the heater 40. A path module 50 and an accumulator 22 are arranged.

That is, in the refrigerant unit 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the compressor 20 is arranged on one side of the support plate 12 with the flow path module 50 in between, and the cooler 30 and the heater 40 are arranged on the other side. Further, in the flow path module 50, expansion valves 71 and 72 are arranged on the upper surface on one end side, and an accumulator 22 is provided on the side surface on the other end side.

In the refrigerant unit 10, each device constituting the refrigerant circuit is connected as follows. A refrigerant suction port of the compressor 20 is connected to the accumulator 22 via a flow path module 50 by a refrigerant pipe 85. The refrigerant pipe 85 has a bent portion 85A that is bent closer to the compressor 20 than the accumulator 22 and the flow path module 50 (connected equipment). The refrigerant discharge port of the compressor 20 is connected to the refrigerant inlet of the heater 40 by a refrigerant pipe 81, and is also connected to the flow path module 50 by a refrigerant pipe 86 branched from the refrigerant pipe 81.

The refrigerant outlet of the heater 40 is connected to the flow path module 50 by a refrigerant pipe 82. The refrigerant inlet of the cooler 30 is connected to the flow path module 50 by a refrigerant pipe 83, and the refrigerant outlet of the cooler 30 is connected to the accumulator 22 via the flow path module 50 by a refrigerant pipe 84.

All of the refrigerant pipes 81 to 86 are arranged at a position lower than the highest position of each device constituting the refrigerant circuit. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. is arranged at a position lower than the highest position of the expansion valves 71 and 72.

The refrigerant unit 10 is attached to an object to be attached, such as a vehicle body, by fastening the fastening holes 106 (described below) provided in the base plate 15 of the support plate 12 to the vehicle body using fasteners 62 via rubber bushings 61.

5 and 6 show perspective views of the channel module 50. 5 is a perspective view of the flow path module 50 as seen from the side adjacent to the compressor 20, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the flow path module 50 as seen from the side adjacent to the cooler 30 and the heater 40. be.

The flow path module 50 has a manifold structure in which multiple refrigerant flow paths are integrally formed inside a metal body, and constitutes at least a part of the flow path through which the refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit. The flow path module 50 also has connection parts 50A, 50B for connecting the expansion valves 71, 72 on the upper surface of one end, and an accumulator 22 is integrally attached to the side surface of the other end. By providing connection parts 50A, 50B on the flow path module 50 to connect the expansion valves 71, 72, the expansion valves 71, 72 can be easily attached and detached, improving maintainability.

The refrigerant flow path of the flow path module 50 includes a high pressure flow path through which a high pressure refrigerant flows and a low pressure flow path through which a low pressure refrigerant flows. That is, in one metal body, a high-pressure flow path that becomes high temperature due to the circulation of the refrigerant and a low-temperature flow path that becomes low temperature coexist.

To prevent the high-pressure flow paths, which become hot due to the circulation of the refrigerant, from being randomly mixed with the low-pressure flow paths, which become cold, the high-pressure flow paths are arranged in the flow path module 50 so that they are concentrated in the high-pressure side area 51, and the low-pressure flow paths are arranged so that they are concentrated in the low-pressure side area 52, and the high-pressure side area 51 and the low-pressure side area 52 are further separated.

That is, in one metal body, two regions are provided, a high pressure side region 51 that becomes high temperature due to the circulation of refrigerant, and a low pressure side region 52 that becomes low temperature, and the high pressure side region 51 and the low pressure side region 52 are separated. , a slit 55 is provided between the high pressure side region 51 and the low pressure side region 52.

That is, the channel module 50 has a high-pressure side region 51 provided with a high-pressure channel and a low-pressure side region 52 provided with a low-pressure channel, and the high-pressure side region 51 and the low-pressure side region 52 are connected to each other by the slit 55. separated by.

The slit 55 is provided between the high pressure side region 51 and the low pressure side region 52, and plays the role of suppressing heat transfer between the high pressure side region 51 and the low pressure side region 52. That is, in the flow path module 50 which is a metal body, an air groove is formed by the slit 55 between the high pressure side region 51 and the low pressure side region 52, so that the air groove between the high pressure side region 51 and the low pressure side region 52 is Heat transfer is suppressed.

7 to 10 are perspective views showing the entire support plate 12. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the support plate 12 includes a base plate 15 provided approximately parallel to the installation surface of the refrigerant unit 10, and a heat exchanger support plate 16 provided perpendicular to the base plate 15. are doing.

The base plate 15 is provided in a region 15A in which the compressor 20 is placed, a region 15B in which the accumulator 22 and the flow path module 50 are placed, and between the region 15A and the region 15B and between the region 15A and the region 15D. It has a stepped portion 15C and a region 15D located on the opposite side of the region 15B with the region 15A in between.

In the base plate 15, the region 15B and the region 15D are located at substantially the same height in the vertical direction, and the region 15A is formed to be located below the region 15B and the region 15D in the vertical direction due to the stepped portion 15C. Further, the height of the stepped portion 15C corresponds to the height of the leg portion 21 of the compressor and the rubber bush 61, which will be described later.

The legs 21 of the compressor 20 are placed in the area 15A. The area 15B is provided with fastening holes 104 for attaching the accumulator 22, fastening holes 105 for attaching the flow path module, and fastening holes 106 for attaching the refrigerant unit 10 to an attachment target. The stepped portion 15C is provided with fastening holes 101 for fastening the legs 21 of the compressor 20. The area 15D is provided with fastening holes 106 for fastening the refrigerant unit 10 to an attachment target.

As a result, the legs 21 of the compressor 20 placed in area 15A are fastened by fasteners (not shown), and the compressor 20 is fixed to the base plate 15. Also, the accumulator 22 and the flow path module 50 placed in area 15B are fastened by fasteners (not shown) and fixed to the base plate 15. In this way, the compressor 20, the accumulator 22, and the flow path module 50 are placed on the base plate 15, and each is fastened and fixed to the base plate 15.

Furthermore, the refrigerant unit 10 is attached to an object such as a vehicle body by fastening the fastening hole 106 provided in the base plate 15 to the vehicle body via the rubber bush 61 with the fastener 62 (see FIGS. 1 to 4). ).

Heat exchanger support plate 16 engages the sides of base plate 15 such that its sides are perpendicular to the sides of base plate 15 .

The heat exchanger support plate 16 is provided with fastening holes 102 and 103 for attaching the cooler 30 and the heater 40. ), and the heater 40 is fastened to the other side using a fastener (not shown). Thereby, the cooler 30 and the heater 40 are fixed and supported by the heat exchanger support plate 16.

Further, a portion of the heat exchanger support plate 16 is inserted into the slit 55 of the flow path module 50. This facilitates positioning of the flow path module 50, cooler 30, and heater 40 in the refrigerant unit 10, and improves the ease of assembling the refrigerant unit 10.

In the refrigerant unit 10, the refrigerant circulates as follows.
That is, the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 20 and discharged as a high-pressure gas refrigerant. The high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed in the compressor 20 flows through the refrigerant pipe 81 and into the heater 40.

At this time, when the expansion valve 71 is open, the high-pressure gas compressed by the compressor 20 is branched from the refrigerant pipe 81 to the refrigerant pipe 86 according to the opening degree of the expansion valve 71. At least a portion of the refrigerant branched into the refrigerant pipe 86 passes through the high-pressure flow path of the flow path module 50 and flows into the expansion valve 71, and after being depressurized and expanded in the expansion valve 71, it flows into the accumulator 22, where the refrigerant is It is sucked into the compressor 20 again through the pipe 85.

On the other hand, the refrigerant that has flowed into the heater 40 from the refrigerant pipe 81 radiates heat by exchanging heat with another heat medium in the heater 40 , and then flows out of the heater 40 and passes through the refrigerant pipe 82 to the channel module 50 . flows into.

The refrigerant flowing into the flow path module 50 passes through the high pressure flow path provided in the high pressure side region 51 of the flow path module 50, flows into the expansion valve 72, is depressurized by the expansion valve 72, expands, and becomes a low pressure refrigerant. Become. The refrigerant that has become low pressure in the expansion valve 72 passes through the low pressure flow path provided in the low pressure side area of the flow path module 50, flows out from the flow path module 50, passes through the refrigerant piping 83, and enters the cooler 30. Inflow.

The low-pressure refrigerant that has flowed into the cooler 30 absorbs heat by exchanging heat with another heat medium in the cooler 30, then flows out of the cooler 30, passes through the low-pressure flow path of the flow path module 50, and enters the refrigerant piping 84. The refrigerant flows through the flow path module 50 into the accumulator 22, and returns from the accumulator 22 to the compressor 20 via the refrigerant pipe 85. The refrigerant that has flowed into the compressor 20 is compressed again, and the above circulation is repeated.

In the process of circulating the refrigerant as described above, when the refrigerant flows out of the condenser 40 and flows into the channel module 50, the high-pressure refrigerant passes through the high-pressure channel and the temperature of the high-pressure side region 51 increases. On the other hand, the low-pressure refrigerant whose pressure has been reduced by passing through the expansion valve 72 passes through the low-pressure flow path, and the temperature of the low-pressure side region 52 decreases. At this time, heat transfer occurs from the high pressure side region 51 to the low pressure side region 52, but since the slit 55 is provided and the air groove is formed, the high pressure side region 51 and the low pressure side region 52 are connected as metal bodies. They are not continuous, and heat conduction from the high-pressure side region 51 to the low-pressure side region 52 is inhibited.

Note that by configuring the entire support plate 12 or at least the heat exchanger support plate 16 with a heat insulating material, a heat insulating material is inserted into the slit 55, and the gap between the high pressure side region 51 and the low pressure side region 52 is can further suppress heat transfer.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the compressor 20, accumulator 22, cooler 30, heater 40, and flow path module 50 constituting the refrigerant circuit are each fixed to the support plate 12, thereby forming a unit. has been done. Therefore, the distances between the respective devices provided in the refrigerant unit 10 are close to each other, and the lengths of the refrigerant pipes 81 to 86 can be kept to a minimum, thereby reducing heat loss and refrigerant pressure loss in the refrigerant pipes 81 to 86. can be reduced.

When the refrigerant unit 10 is attached to a vehicle body or the like, the entire refrigerant unit 10 vibrates due to vibrations caused by the operation of the compressor 20 and the running of the vehicle, so the displacement difference between the devices provided in the refrigerant unit 10 is small, and the vibration resistance of the refrigerant unit 10 is improved.

Since the refrigerant pipes 81 to 86 are arranged at a lower position than the highest position of the expansion valves 71 and 72, even if the refrigerant unit 10 vibrates, the connections between the refrigerant pipes 81 to 86 and the refrigerant pipes 81 to 86 will be Damage can be prevented. Note that with the refrigerant unit 10 configured as described above, there is no need to use a refrigerant hose between the refrigerant pipe 85 and the compressor 20, and consideration is given to the intrusion of moisture into the interior due to deterioration of the refrigerant hose. Therefore, there is no need to install a desiccant inside the accumulator 22 or the like.

By providing at least the bent portion 85A in the refrigerant pipe 85 connected to the refrigerant suction port of the compressor, installation errors or assembly errors when assembling the refrigerant unit 10 can be absorbed. Note that since the bent portion 85A is provided closer to the compressor 20 than the connected devices (accumulator 22 and flow path module 50 in this embodiment), installation errors or assembly errors based on the compressor 20 may be avoided. Errors can be better absorbed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, resistance to vibrations of the compressor and the like can be ensured, and heat loss and refrigerant pressure loss in the refrigerant piping can be reduced.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and changes in design, etc. within the scope of the gist of the present invention may be made. Even if there is, it is included in the present invention.

10: refrigerant unit, 12: support plate, 15: base plate 15A, 15B, 15D: area, 15C: step portion, 16: heat exchanger support plate 20: compressor, 21: legs, 22: accumulator, 30: cooler, 40: heater 50: flow path module, 50A, 50B: connection portion 51: high pressure side area, 52: low pressure side area, 55: slit 61: rubber bushing, 62: fastener 71, 72: expansion valve, 81 to 86: refrigerant piping, 85A: bent portion 91 to 94: heat medium piping, 101 to 106: fastening holes

Claims (5)

A refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a heater, a pressure reduction device, a cooler, and a gas-liquid separator are connected by refrigerant piping;
A support plate that supports the refrigerant circuit,
A refrigerant unit, wherein at least the compressor, the heater, the cooler, and the gas-liquid separator are each fixed to the support plate. The refrigerant unit according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant piping connected to the refrigerant suction port of the compressor has at least one bent portion. The refrigerant unit according to claim 2, wherein the refrigerant pipe has at least one bent portion closer to the compressor than a connected device connected to the refrigerant suction port of the compressor by the refrigerant pipe. The refrigerant circuit includes a flow path module in which at least a portion of a refrigerant flow path through which the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit flows is integrally formed and fixed to the support plate,
The refrigerant unit according to claim 1, wherein the flow path module is formed with a connection portion for the pressure reducing device. The refrigerant piping connecting the compressor, the heater, the pressure reducing device, the cooler, the gas-liquid separator, and the flow path module,
The refrigerant unit according to claim 4, wherein the refrigerant unit is arranged at a position equivalent to or lower than the highest position of the pressure reducing device.

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