JP3390565B2 - Refrigerant flow divider - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerant distributor for branching a refrigerant circuit in a refrigerating cycle such as an air conditioner or a refrigerating machine into a plurality of refrigerant circuits, and in particular, a refrigerant which can realize uniform refrigerant distribution. It is about a shunt.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Today, in air conditioners and refrigeration equipment,
In order to promote the efficiency of the heat exchanger, the diameter of the refrigerant pipe has been reduced, and as a result, many refrigerant shunts have been used and many proposals have been made. One of the problems relating to the improvement of the refrigerant flow divider is to divide the refrigerant at an equal or predetermined ratio.

More specifically with reference to the drawings, first, the one shown in FIG. 7 is the most basic shunt,
This flow diverter is composed of one hollow tubular inflow pipe 101 and two outflow pipes 1 of the same diameter that are vertically branched from the inflow port 101.
02 and 103, and a branch space 104 for dividing the refrigerant a from the inflow pipe 101 into the outflow pipes 102 and 103. In this flow divider, the refrigerant a flows in from the inflow pipe 101 as a two-phase flow of the gas phase a1 and the liquid phase a2, and is slightly gas-liquid mixed in the branch space 104, and then the outflow pipe 102,
It flows to 103 respectively.

However, in this type of flow divider, when the two outflow pipes 102 and 103 are arranged side by side (horizontal), the refrigerant is evenly divided, but as shown in FIG. When the two outflow pipes 102 and 103 are arranged so as to be vertically arranged, the liquid phase a2, which is heavier than the gas phase a1, flows into the lower outflow pipe 103 due to the influence of gravity, and the upper outflow pipe 103 flows. There is a problem that it becomes difficult to evenly divide the refrigerant a as a result of the uneven flow that flows to the pipe 102 in a small amount.

As a means for preventing such a non-uniform flow of the refrigerant a and realizing a uniform flow distribution, for example, the one shown in FIG. 8 has been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-121667). In the flow divider shown in FIG. 8, the central axis of the inflow pipe 201 is eccentric from the intermediate position between the two outflow pipes 202 and 203.
Therefore, the shunts are arranged horizontally and the two outflow pipes 202,
When the 203 are arranged vertically, the refrigerant a (in particular, the liquid phase a2) tends to flow downward due to the influence of gravity.
Can be uniformly divided by adjusting the eccentricity of the inflow pipe 201.

However, even if the amount of eccentricity is adjusted, this adjustment must be performed from the design stage, and the shape of each finished product cannot be adjusted. Therefore, it is necessary to design by adjusting the eccentricity amount for each model of the air conditioner or even for the same model, for each location where the shunt is used, and to manufacture the shunt with the eccentricity corresponding thereto.
In addition, the angle at which the shunt is arranged varies depending on the model, and the same model may have a different angle depending on the location where the shunt is used. In this case, if the angle at which the shunt is arranged changes, the effect of gravity will naturally also differ.As a result, a design that adjusts the amount of eccentricity will be made for each location where the shunt is used, and the shunt with a corresponding amount of eccentricity will be used. It is necessary to manufacture a container. At that time, the inflow pipe 201 and the outflow pipes 202, 20
3 can be shared even if the models are different, but the branch spaces 204 that determine the amount of eccentricity must be manufactured in different shapes.

On the other hand, in the structure shown in FIG. 9, in the flow distributor main body 300 having the inflow pipe 301 and the plurality of outflow pipes 302 and 303, the branch space 304 is vertically symmetrical, but the outflow pipe is By providing orifices 304 and 305 with different diameters at the ends of 302 and 303,
The flow rate of the refrigerant a to each outflow pipe 302, 303 is adjusted (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-105276). In this flow divider, the flow dividing amount can be adjusted by exchanging the orifice, and even in the production stage, the flow divider main body 300 can be shared by preparing a plurality of types of orifices.

However, in this flow divider, since the distribution of the refrigerant a depends only on the adjustment of the diameters of the end portions of the outflow pipes 302 and 303, it is difficult to sufficiently adjust the liquid phase a2, not the gas phase a1 of the refrigerant a. In some cases,

[0009]

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention makes it possible to perform good adjustments for both the gas phase and the liquid phase of the refrigerant, and to achieve such good refrigerant shunting. The purpose of the present invention is to enable adjustment of part of the parts and processing by changing the parts, and to increase the sharing ratio of parts between the flow dividers of different models or different arrangement positions.

[0010]

The first invention of the present application comprises a hollow cylindrical inflow pipe 1 and a plurality of hollow cylindrical outflow pipes 2 and 3 branched from the inflow pipe 1 through a branch space 4. Equipped with the
Regulate the flow of the refrigerant at an appropriate position on the inner wall surface of the branch space 4.
In the refrigerant flow divider having the branching protrusion 5,
The space 4 opens laterally so as to connect to the inflow pipe 1.
So that it connects to the mouth of the inflow opening 11 and the first outflow pipe 2.
The first outflow opening 21 opening upwards to the
The second outflow that opens downward so as to connect to the outlet pipe 3
It is a space having an opening 31 and the branching projection 5 is
On the inner wall surface of the branch space 4 facing the inflow direction from the inlet pipe 1.
It is provided, and the protrusion 5 for branching comes from the base end first.
From the first branch surface 51 inclined downward toward the end and the base end
A second branch surface 52 inclined upward toward the tip,
The shapes of the first branch surface 51 and the second branch surface 52 are asymmetrical.
The above problem is solved by providing a refrigerant flow divider characterized by the above. The second invention of the present application is the first invention of the present application.
In the refrigerant distributor of the present invention, the above-mentioned branching projection 5 is composed of a component separate from the branching space 4, and the branching projection 5 is opposed to the inflow direction from the inflow pipe 1 in the branching space. It is the inner wall surface of 4, and with respect to the central axis of the inflow pipe (1)
Provided is characterized by being mounted in an offset position . A third invention of the present application is the refrigerant distributor according to the first invention of the present application, wherein the branching protrusion 5 deforms an inner wall surface of the branch space 4 facing in the inflow direction from the inflow pipe 1. With respect to the central axis of the inflow pipe 1.
It is provided that it is provided in a deviated position . A fourth invention of the present application is the refrigerant flow divider according to the first invention of the present application, in addition to the branching projection 5a ,
The branch projection 5a is provided on the inner wall surface on which the inflow pipe 1 is provided.

[0011]

In the refrigerant flow divider according to the present invention, the branch projection 5 is lowered by the influence of gravity when the flow dividers are horizontally arranged and the outflow pipes 2 and 3 are arranged vertically. Refrigerant a (gas phase and liquid phase) that tends to flow to the side
And it can be diverted evenly (or a predetermined ratio). More specifically, the branch projection 5 allows the opening ratio of the flow path to each of the outflow pipes 2 and 3 to be adjusted, and not only the opening ratio but also the direct adjustment to the refrigerant a, particularly the liquid phase. Is possible. That is, in the refrigerant a, especially the liquid phase, which has flowed into the branch space 4, the branching protrusion 5 is transferred to the inflow pipe 1.
In the case where it is provided on the inner wall surface of the branch space 4 facing in the inflow direction from, the contact is made to the branch projection 5 and is distributed to any of the outflow pipes 2 and 3 depending on the contact position. Therefore, the protrusion 5 for branching has an appropriate shape.
In addition to this, or in addition to this, by adjusting and arranging it at an appropriate position , the flow can be divided at a predetermined ratio, for example, the flow can be divided evenly in the vertical direction. Furthermore, in addition to the branching protrusion 5 described above , another branching protrusion 5a
In the case where the liquid phase is provided on the inner wall surface provided with the inflow pipe 1, the liquid phase is temporarily retained on the branching projection 5 to adjust the liquid phase.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerant shunt of one embodiment,
2 is a plan view of the same, and FIG. 3 (A) is III-III of FIG.
It is a line sectional view.

The refrigerant distributor of this embodiment comprises a hollow cylindrical inflow pipe 1 and two hollow cylindrical outflow pipes 2 and 3 branched from the inflow pipe 1 through a branch space 4. First and second
The outflow pipes 2 and 3 are both arranged substantially horizontally and are vertically arranged. The branch space 4 is arranged substantially vertically and is connected to the base ends of the upper and lower outflow pipes 2 and 3. The branch space 4 can be formed separately from the outflow pipes 2 and 3, but one pipe is bent into a substantially U-shape to connect the outflow pipes 2 and 3 and the branch space 4 to one pipe. You may make it form from. Figure 1
In FIG. 3, one pipe is bent into a substantially U-shape, and this U-shaped curved portion is used as the branch space 4. Inflow pipe 1
Are arranged substantially horizontally, and in this embodiment, they are extended in a direction having an angle of about 90 degrees with the outflow pipes 2 and 3 in a plan view, but the angle is 180 degrees, 0 degrees, or the like. Other angles may be used. Further, although the inflow pipe 1 and the outflow pipes 2 and 3 extend substantially linearly, they may be curved. The inflow pipe 1 and the branch space 4 may be connected by an appropriate configuration such as forming a hole in the branch space 4 and fixing the inflow pipe 1 by welding or the like. In this embodiment, the tubular portion 43 is formed in one pipe bent into a substantially U shape, and the inflow pipe 1 is inserted into the tubular portion 43 and fixed by welding. The tubular portion 43 may be inserted into the inflow pipe 1. Further, the inflow pipe 1 and the branch space 4 may be integrally formed, and the outflow pipes 2 and 3 may be connected thereto.

The branch space 4 has an inflow opening 11 which is opened laterally so as to be connected to the inflow pipe 1, and a first outflow opening 21 which is opened upward so as to be connected to the first outflow pipe 2. A space having a second outflow opening 31 that opens downward so as to be connected to the second outflow pipe 3, and the refrigerant a that has flowed in from the inflow pipe 1 through the inflow opening 11 is split in this branch space, Outflow to the first and second outflow pipes 2 and 3 through the first and second outflow openings 21 and 31.

The branch space 4 is filled with the refrigerant a from the inflow pipe 1.
An inner wall surface (hereinafter, referred to as a facing inner wall surface 41) facing in the inflow direction of the branch projection 5 is provided. Branch projection 5
Are two surfaces (first branch surface 51 and second branch surface 52) that project from the opposing inner wall surface 41 in the direction opposite to the inflow direction of the refrigerant a and face the first and second outflow openings 21 and 31. Have and. The branching projection 5 is composed of a component separate from the branching space 4, and its base 53 is fixed to the opposing inner wall surface 41 by an appropriate fixing means such as welding. In this embodiment, since the branch space 4 is composed of a part of a cylindrical pipe, the base portion 53 has a circumferential surface along the shape of the inner wall surface (opposed inner wall surface 41).

The branch projection 5 divides the refrigerant a from the inflow pipe 1 into the first and second outflow openings 21 and 31 by the first branch surface 51 and the second branch surface 52. . The branching projection 5 has the outlet openings 21 and 31 that vertically open the refrigerant a that flows in the lateral direction from the inlet opening 11.
In order to smoothly divert the flow to the first branch surface 51, the first branch surface 51 is inclined downward from the base end toward the tip, and the second branch surface 52 is inclined upward from the base end toward the tip. 51 and 52 and has no ridges shaped to conform with the tip portion 54, both
The shapes of the branch surfaces 51 and 52 are asymmetrical, as shown in FIG.
Has become.

Further, the branching projection 5 is provided in the inflow pipe 1.
Is asymmetric with respect to the central axis of the
I am deviated.

However, the necessary adjustment of the shunt flow changes depending on the mounting position and angle of the shunt or the model of the refrigerator. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG.
Outflow openings 21, 31 (first and second outflow pipes 2, 3)
However, in addition to the case of being completely in the upper and lower positions, it may be arranged in a slanted state. Further, the central axis may be arranged so as to be inclined. Furthermore, even when the mounting angle is as shown in FIG. 1, there is a case where the ratio of the split flow to the first and second outflow openings 21 and 31 is not equal, and it is required to flow out at a constant ratio. . In such a case, the tip 54 may be symmetrical with respect to the central axis of the inflow pipe 1 and not displaced. Branch
Even if the tip 54 of the projecting portion 5 is located on the central axis,
The shapes of the planes 51 and 52 may be asymmetric.

As described above, it is necessary to change the shape and position of the branching protrusion 5 to various ones to adjust the flow dividing ratio. However, in the present application, it is not necessary to change the entire flow divider. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 (B), even if the branching projection 5 is changed to a different shape, or the branching projection 5 having the same shape is used, its mounting position (the central axis of the inflow pipe 1 is It is sufficient to change the amount of deviation relative to. Therefore, in the design and production of the flow divider, all other components of the flow divider can be shared, and it is sufficient to prepare the components having different shapes only for the branching protrusion 5, and if the mounting position is adjusted. The branching projection 5 itself can also be used in common, and many types of flow distributors can be manufactured only by changing the assembly position. In particular, when designing a shunt, it is not enough to use only a computational design, and it is necessary to actually attach the prototype to an air conditioner or a refrigerating machine to set optimal conditions. In that case, in the present application, the protrusion 5 for branching is used.
Only by changing part of the shape or adjusting the mounting position, the prototype can be adjusted and changed in a short time, and it is possible to quickly respond to the needs of the user.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment. The basic structure is the same as that of the previous embodiment, and the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, in order to securely fix the branch protrusion 5,
A concave portion 42 is formed on the opposing inner wall surface 41, a convex portion 55 is formed on the base portion 53 of the branching protrusion portion 5, and the two are fitted together to ensure the positioning of the branching protrusion portion 5. is there. In this case, the fixing position of the branching protrusion 5 cannot be changed, but as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, by changing the branching protrusion 5 having a different shape, many It is possible to adjust the diversion according to the model and mounting position.

FIG. 5 shows still another embodiment,
The basic structure is similar to that of the previous embodiment, and the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.
In the previous embodiment, the branching protrusion 5 was composed of a separate component, but in this embodiment the inner wall surface of the branching space 4 is deformed to form the branching protrusion 5. In this embodiment, V
It suffices to bend the opposing inner wall surfaces from the outside by using a letter-shaped mold or the like, and all the pipes of the flow distributor can be shared.
As shown in (A) and (B), it is possible to adjust the diversion by simply changing the shape of the mold and the position where bending is performed depending on the mold.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the branching projection 5 having a substantially triangular cross section is used. In the embodiments, the tip 54 of the branching projection 5 has a ridge line shape. It may have a width in the direction to have a substantially trapezoidal cross section, or may have an appropriate shape such as a cone shape, a truncated cone shape, a pyramid shape, a truncated pyramid shape, a cube shape, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, a substantially hemispherical shape, or a substantially semielliptic spherical shape. The ridgeline formed by the tip portion 54 may extend horizontally, but may be inclined instead of being horizontal. Further, the shapes of the first branch surface 51 and the second branch surface 52 may be changed to curved ones or uneven ones. Furthermore,
Two or more peaks such as ridges and peaks may be provided instead of one, and a plurality of branching protrusions may be provided. It should be noted that the tip end portion 54 of the branching protrusion 5 may extend not only in the branch space 4 but also in the inflow pipe 1. Further, as described above, the overall configuration of the flow divider can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Further, in the above embodiment, the branching protrusion 5 is provided on the inner wall surface of the branching space 4 facing in the inflow direction from the inflow pipe 1, but the branching protrusion 5a is provided in the inflow pipe 1. It may also be provided on the side of the provided inner wall surface 44. FIG. 6 shows this example, in which the inflow pipe 1 is inserted into the branch space 4 and the tip of the inflow pipe 1 (that is, the branching protrusion 5a).
Is cut diagonally. Then, by making the lower part project longer than the upper part, or by making only the lower part project, a large amount of the refrigerant a (gas phase and liquid phase) that tends to flow downward due to the influence of gravity is applied. , And can be divided evenly (or at a predetermined ratio). In addition, the shunt can be easily adjusted only by changing the shape of the cut. Further, the tip of the inserted inflow pipe 1 (that is, the branching protrusion 5a) may be curved obliquely upward or the like. In this example, the portion of the inflow pipe 1 inserted into the branch space 4 is used as the branch protrusion 5a, but the inner wall surface 4 provided with the inflow pipe 1
4 may be processed with a mold or attached with another member, and its shape and position can be changed appropriately. And
It is used together with the branching projection 5 provided on the side of the facing inner wall surface 41 as in the previous embodiments.

[0024]

As described above, in the refrigerant flow divider according to the present invention, since the branching projection 5 restricts the flow of the refrigerant a,
Refrigerant a which tends to flow downward due to the influence of gravity a
The (gas phase and a liquid phase), can be reliably diverted to the predetermined ratio. In particular, in the second invention of the present application, since the branching protrusion 5 is separated from the other parts of the refrigerant flow divider, the adjustment can be performed only by changing the mounting position or the shape of the branching protrusion 5. Therefore, it is possible to promote the sharing of many parts at the manufacturing stage. Further, in the third invention of the present application, all the pipes of the flow distributor can be shared, and the flow dividing can be adjusted only by changing the shape of the mold or the position where bending is performed depending on the mold. With, all parts can be shared. In the fourth invention of the present application, since the branching projection 5a provided on the inner wall surface side where the inflow pipe 1 is provided regulates the flow of the refrigerant a, the refrigerant that tends to flow downward much due to the influence of gravity. a (gas phase and liquid phase),
By adjusting the position of, it is possible to surely divide the flow into a predetermined ratio.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerant shunt of one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same.

3A is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.
(B) is a sectional view showing a modification corresponding to the same sectional position.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerant distributor of another embodiment,
(A) is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment corresponding to the cross-sectional position along the line III-III in FIG. 2, and (B) is a cross-sectional view showing a modification corresponding to the cross-sectional position.

5 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerant distributor of still another embodiment, FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment corresponding to the cross-sectional position along the line III-III in FIG. 2, and FIG. It is a sectional view showing a modification corresponding to the same section position.

6 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerant distributor of still another embodiment, which is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment corresponding to the cross-sectional position along the line III-III in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a conventional refrigerant flow divider.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another conventional refrigerant flow divider.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of still another conventional refrigerant flow divider.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 inflow pipe 2 First outflow pipe 3 Second outflow pipe 4 branch spaces 5 Branch protrusion 5a Branch protrusion

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --- Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-6-194003 (JP, A) JP-A-6-174338 (JP, A) JP-A-6-82125 (JP, A) JP-A-64- 58998 (JP, A) JP-A-6-117725 (JP, A) JP-A-1-121667 (JP, A) JP-A-3-105276 (JP, A) Actually open flat 6-56596 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F25B 41/00 F16L 41/02 F16L 41/08 F25B 39/02 F25B 39/00

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A hollow cylindrical inflow pipe (1) and this inflow pipe (1)
A plurality of hollow tubular outflow pipes (2) (3) that branch off from the branch space (4) via the branch space (4)
Is provided with a branching protrusion (5) for restricting the flow of the refrigerant.
In the refrigerant flow divider, the branch space (4) is laterally connected to the inflow pipe (1).
The inflow opening (11), which opens facing, and the first outflow pipe (2)
The first outflow opening (21) that opens upward so as to trace
Open downwards so that it connects to the second outflow pipe (3).
It is a space having a second outflow opening (31) to be opened, and the branching protrusion (5) faces the inflow direction from the inflow pipe (1).
It is provided on the inner wall surface of the branch space (4), and the branch protrusion (5) is inclined downward from the base end to the tip.
Tilted upward from the first branch surface (51) and from the base end to the tip.
A second branch surface (52) that is oblique, the shape of the first splitting surface (51) and the second splitting surface (52) is asymmetric der
A refrigerant flow diverter characterized by the following. 2. The branching protrusion (5) is composed of a component separate from the branching space (4), and the branching protrusion (5) opposes the inflow direction from the inflow pipe (1). Inner wall of branch space (4)
The refrigerant distributor according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant distributor is mounted at a position deviated from the central axis of the inflow pipe (1) . 3. The branch protrusion (5) is provided with a branch protrusion.
(5) is a branch space facing the inflow direction from the inflow pipe (1)
The inner wall surface of (4) is deformed , and the inflow pipe (1)
The refrigerant shunt according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant shunt is provided at a position deviated from the central axis of the . 4. In addition to the branching protrusion (5) , another branching
The refrigerant shunt according to claim 1, wherein the projecting portion (5a) is provided on an inner wall surface provided with the inflow pipe (1).