JP4026301B2 - Pressure reducer for vapor compression refrigeration cycle - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a decompressor for a vapor compression refrigeration cycle (hereinafter referred to as a refrigeration cycle), and is effective when applied to a vehicle air conditioner.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Normally, in a refrigeration cycle applied to a vehicle air conditioner, the refrigerant pressure on the high pressure side is detected by a sensor means such as a pressure sensor, and the compressor, condenser fan, etc. are controlled based on the detected pressure. The side refrigerant pressure is prevented from rising excessively.
[0003]
The high-pressure side refrigerant pressure means the refrigerant pressure in the refrigerant passage from the discharge side of the compressor to the refrigerant inlet side of the decompressor.
[0004]
Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 12, the pressure sensor is generally disposed in a refrigerant passage (refrigerant pipe) connecting the receiver and the expansion valve, and a detection signal thereof is an electronic control unit (ECU) mounted in the vehicle interior. ).
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in general, since the pressure sensor is disposed outside the passenger compartment (inside the engine room) in the refrigerant passage (refrigerant pipe) connecting the receiver and the expansion valve, conventionally, the pressure sensor is electrically connected to the pressure sensor and the ECU. There is a problem that the wiring becomes long and the handling becomes complicated.
[0006]
To solve this problem, as shown in FIG. 13, there can be considered means for assembling a pressure sensor in the housing of the expansion valve disposed in the vicinity of the evaporator disposed in the vehicle interior. Although the length of the wiring can be shortened, it is difficult to improve the assembly workability of the refrigeration cycle because the connection work of the electrical wiring connected to the pressure sensor is the same as the conventional one.
[0007]
In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to improve the assembly workability of the refrigeration cycle (particularly, the work of connecting electrical wiring).
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the refrigerant that has been compressed to a high temperature and high pressure is cooled, and the cooled high pressure refrigerant is decompressed to evaporate the refrigerant. A decompressor for a vapor compression refrigeration cycle used for a vapor compression refrigeration cycle that absorbs heat by being provided with a refrigerant passage (411) through which a refrigerant flows and a throttle (420) for depressurizing the refrigerant (410), a fixing block (440) to which the housing (410) is fixed, and a physical quantity of refrigerant stored in the housing (410) and flowing through the refrigerant passage (411), and the detected physical quantity and a sensor means (500, 800) for outputting an electric signal corresponding to, pressure reducer comprising sensor means (500, 800) are disposed in the passenger compartment, the sensor means (500, 00) is provided on the fixing surface (413) side of the housing (410) located on the fixing block (440) side, and further on the fixing surface of the fixing block (440). On the (413) side, a fixed side terminal (441) that comes into contact with the electrical terminal (510) and is electrically connected to the electrical terminal (510) is provided.
[0009]
As a result, the connecting work of the sensor means (500, 800) is completed at the same time that the housing (410) is assembled to the fixing block (440). Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the assembly workability of the refrigeration cycle (particularly, the work of connecting electrical wiring). Further, since the sensor means (500, 800) is housed in the housing of the decompressor disposed in the vehicle interior, according to the present invention, the sensor means (500, 800) and the sensor means (500, 800) are mounted in the vehicle interior. It is possible to shorten the electrical wiring connecting the control means (700) to simplify the handling.
[0010]
In the second aspect of the invention, the electric terminal (510) is made of an elastically deformable conductive member, and before the housing (410) is fixed to the fixing block (440), the electric terminal (510) is electrically connected. A portion of the terminal (510) that contacts the fixed terminal (441) protrudes from the fixing surface (413) toward the fixing block (440).
[0011]
Thereby, in the state where the housing (410) is fixed to the fixing block (440), the electric terminal (510) comes into contact with the fixed side terminal (441) while being bent.
[0012]
Therefore, since the contact surface pressure between the electric terminal (510) and the fixed side terminal (441) can be increased, the electrical continuity between the electric terminal (510) and the fixed side terminal (441) can be increased. .
[0013]
The sensor means may detect the pressure as the physical quantity of the refrigerant as in the third aspect of the invention.
[0014]
The sensor means may detect the temperature as a physical quantity of the refrigerant as in the invention described in claim 4.
[0015]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle air conditioner having the decompressor (400) for a vapor compression refrigeration cycle according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the decompressor (400) and The control means (700) to which the electric signal of the sensor means (500, 800) is input is disposed in the vehicle interior.
[0016]
Thereby, while improving the assembly workability | operativity (especially connection work of electrical wiring) of a refrigerating cycle, electrical wiring can be shortened and the handling can be simplified.
[0017]
Incidentally, the reference numerals in parentheses of each means described above are an example showing the correspondence with the specific means described in the embodiments described later.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(First embodiment)
In this embodiment, the decompressor for a refrigeration cycle according to the present invention is applied to a vehicle air conditioner, and FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the refrigeration cycle (vehicle air conditioner).
[0019]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a compressor that sucks and compresses refrigerant, and the compressor 100 obtains power from a traveling engine (internal combustion engine) via an electromagnetic clutch 110 that transmits power in an intermittent manner.
[0020]
Reference numeral 200 denotes a condenser (condenser) that cools and condenses the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 100 and air, and 210 is a blower (condenser fan) that blows cooling air to the condenser 200. ).
[0021]
Reference numeral 300 denotes a receiver (gas-liquid separation means) that separates the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser 200 into a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant and causes the liquid-phase refrigerant to flow out, and stores excess refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle. A decompressor that decompresses high-pressure refrigerant that has flowed out of the receiver 300. In this embodiment, the opening degree (throttle degree) is adjusted so that the degree of heating of the refrigerant sucked into the compressor 100 becomes a predetermined value. The valve is adopted.
[0022]
Reference numeral 500 denotes a pressure sensor (sensor means) that detects the refrigerant pressure before being decompressed by the decompressor 400 and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the detected pressure. The pressure sensor 500 is decompressed as described later. It is integrated with the vessel 400.
[0023]
Reference numeral 600 denotes an evaporator that absorbs heat from the refrigerant decompressed by the decompressor 400 and air blown into the vehicle interior to evaporate the refrigerant and cool the air blown into the vehicle interior. Reference numeral 610 blows air toward the vehicle interior. It is a blower.
[0024]
700 is input with detection signals (detection temperatures) of a temperature sensor 710 and a pressure sensor 500 for detecting the air temperature immediately after passing through the evaporator 600, and the electromagnetic clutch 110 (operation of the compressor 100) based on the input signals. State), and an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the fans 210 and 610.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 2, the compressor 100, the condenser 200, and the receiver 300 are disposed outside the vehicle compartment (inside the engine room), and include an evaporator 600, a decompressor 400 (including the pressure sensor 500), and an ECU 700. Is disposed in the passenger compartment.
[0026]
Next, the pressure sensor 500 integrated decompressor 400 according to this embodiment will be described.
[0027]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the decompressor 400, and 410 is a metal (in this embodiment, aluminum) provided with first and second refrigerant passages 411 and 412 through which the refrigerant flows and a throttle portion 420 for depressurizing the refrigerant. A housing (expansion valve body). Here, the first refrigerant passage 411 is a refrigerant passage through which the refrigerant flowing out from the receiver 300 flows, and the throttle portion 420 is provided in the first refrigerant passage 411.
[0028]
Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the refrigerant decompressed by the throttle unit 420 flows into the evaporator 600 from the inlet 601 provided on the side surface of the evaporator 600, and then enters the side surface of the evaporator 600. It flows into the second refrigerant passage 412 from the provided outlet 602.
[0029]
Reference numeral 440 denotes a first joint block (fixing block) made of metal (in this embodiment, aluminum), which is brazed and joined to the side surface of the evaporator 600 to fix the housing 410 (decompressor 400). Is fixed to the first joint block 440 by bolts (fastening means) B that penetrate the housing 410 and reach the first joint block 440.
[0030]
Reference numeral 450 denotes a second joint block for connecting the refrigerant pipes P1 and P2 to the housing 410 (decompressor 400), and is fixed to the housing 410 with a bolt B.
[0031]
Incidentally, the side surface side of the evaporator 600 means an end portion side of the evaporator 600 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the air flow passing through the evaporator 600, and the front surface of the evaporator 600 is the front side of the evaporator 600. Of these, the surface viewed from the direction of the air flow passing through the evaporator 600 is meant.
[0032]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the second refrigerant passage 412 has a feeling of adjusting the opening degree of the throttle section 420 according to the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant passage 412 (refrigerant flowing out of the evaporator 600). A temperature section 430 is provided, and the temperature sensing section 430 partitions the pressure chamber 431 in which the refrigerant is sealed at a predetermined density, the pressure chamber 431 and the space on the second refrigerant passage 412 side, and the pressure chamber 431 and the second chamber. A thin-film diaphragm (pressure responsive member) 432 that is displaced by a pressure difference from the refrigerant passage 412 side, and a valve body 433 that operates mechanically in conjunction with the displacement of the diaphragm 432 to adjust the opening of the throttle portion 420 are provided. The push rod 434 is operated.
[0033]
Then, the valve body 433 is pressed by the push rod 434 in the direction in which the opening of the throttle section 420 increases, and the throttle section is formed by a coil spring (elastic means) 435 disposed on the opposite side of the push rod 434 across the valve body 433. The valve body 433 is pressed in the direction in which the opening degree of 420 is reduced.
[0034]
At this time, since the displacement of the valve body 433 (diaphragm 432) is very small, the force with which the coil spring 435 presses the valve body 433 can be regarded as substantially constant regardless of the position of the valve body. Therefore, if the magnitude of the force with which the coil spring 435 presses the valve element 433 is a force corresponding to the predetermined heating degree, the heating degree of the refrigerant at the outlet side of the evaporator 600 (the suction side of the compressor 100) is substantially constant. The valve body 433 (diaphragm 432) is displaced so that the throttle opening becomes such that
[0035]
Further, the pressure sensor 500 is housed (incorporated) in the housing 410 so that the refrigerant pressure can be detected in the first refrigerant passage 411 on the upstream side of the refrigerant flow with respect to the throttle portion 420. 500 input / output terminals (electrical terminals) 510 are provided on the fixed surface 413 side of the housing 410 located on the first joint block 440 side.
[0036]
On the other hand, on the fixed surface 413 side of the first joint block 440, as shown in FIG. 4, a fixed side terminal 441 that is in contact with the input / output terminal 510 and is electrically connected to the input / output terminal 510 is provided. An electrical wiring 442 connected to the ECU 700 is connected to the terminal 441.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 3, the pressure sensor 500 includes a sensor unit 501 including a sensor element and a circuit unit, and a metal sensor body 502 that houses the sensor unit 501. As shown in FIG. 4, the thin-walled portion 416 of the housing 410 is crimped so as to be bent (plastically deformed) while being inserted into the hole portion 415 formed in the housing 410.
[0038]
Further, the input / output terminal 510 is made of an elastically deformable conductive member such as copper, and before the housing 410 is fixed to the first joint block 440, as shown in FIG. Among these, the part 511 which contacts the fixed terminal 441 protrudes from the fixed surface 413 to the first joint block 440 side.
[0039]
In this embodiment, the input / output terminal 510 is bent in a U shape so that the input / output terminal 510 is easily elastically deformed and the contact area between the input / output terminal 510 and the fixed terminal 441 is increased. At the same time, the U-shaped side surface portion 511 is in contact with the fixed-side terminal 441.
[0040]
Incidentally, a packing material 414 such as rubber or elastomer that prevents water from entering the pressure sensor 400 from the outside (outside the pressure reducer 400) is disposed at a portion of the fixed surface 413 where the pressure sensor 500 is incorporated. The packing 414 is fixed while being sandwiched between the housing 410 and the first joint block 440.
[0041]
By the way, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the input / output terminal 510 and the fixed-side terminal 441 are a terminal for supplying power to the pressure sensor 500, a terminal through which an output signal of the pressure sensor 500 flows, and a ground (grounding) terminal. It consists of
[0042]
6 is a view of the housing 410 (the decompressor 400) viewed from the fixed surface 413 side, and FIG. 7 is a view of the first joint block 440 viewed from the housing 410 side.
[0043]
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 417 denotes an O-ring made of rubber or elastomer, and the O-ring 417 seals (seal) the sliding portion and the fixed portion.
[0044]
Next, features of the present embodiment will be described.
[0045]
According to the present embodiment, since the pressure sensor 500 is housed in the housing of the decompressor 400 disposed in the passenger compartment, the electrical wiring connecting the ECU 700 and the pressure sensor 500 can be shortened. Handling can be simplified.
[0046]
Further, since the input / output terminal 510 is provided on the fixed surface 413 side, and the fixed side terminal 441 is provided on the fixed surface 413 side of the first joint block 440, the housing 410 is assembled to the first joint block 440. At the same time, the connection work of the pressure sensor 500 is completed.
[0047]
Therefore, according to this embodiment, while improving the assembly workability of the refrigeration cycle (particularly, the work of connecting electrical wiring), it is possible to shorten the electrical wiring and simplify its handling.
[0048]
Further, before the housing 410 is fixed to the first joint block 440, the portion 511 of the input / output terminal 510 that contacts the fixed side terminal 441 protrudes from the fixing surface 413 to the first joint block 440 side. When the housing 410 is fixed to the first joint block 440, the input / output terminal 510 comes into contact with the fixed terminal 441 while being bent.
[0049]
Accordingly, the contact surface pressure between the input / output terminal 510 and the fixed side terminal 441 can be increased, so that the electrical continuity between the input / output terminal 510 and the fixed side terminal 441 can be increased.
[0050]
Moreover, since the pressure sensor 500 is accommodated in the housing 410, the pressure sensor housing for protecting the pressure sensor 500 from external force can be abolished. Therefore, the number of parts of the pressure sensor 500 can be reduced, and the connector part for assembling the pressure sensor 500 to the refrigerant pipe can be eliminated, so that the manufacturing cost of the refrigeration cycle can be reduced.
[0051]
(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the input / output terminal 510 extends substantially parallel to the axial direction of the substantially cylindrical sensor unit 501, but in the present embodiment, the axial direction of the sensor unit 501 is shown in FIG. The input / output terminal 510 is arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the sensor 410, and the sensor unit 501 is incorporated into the housing 410 from the side surface side (surface side substantially orthogonal to the fixed surface 413) of the housing 410.
[0052]
In this embodiment, the pressure sensor 500 is fixed in the hole 415 by a circlip (retaining ring) 418.
[0053]
Thereby, the pressure sensor 500 can be incorporated (stored) in the housing 410 while preventing the dimension of the housing 410 in the direction substantially orthogonal to the fixed surface 413 (L dimension in FIG. 4) from being increased.
[0054]
(Third embodiment)
In the present embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the sensor unit 501 is incorporated into the housing 410 from the side surface side of the housing 410 (the surface side substantially orthogonal to the fixed surface 413). In the second embodiment, In contrast to the direct connection between the input / output terminal 510 and the sensor unit 501, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the input / output terminal 510 and the sensor unit 501 are connected to an electric wiring (wire harness) W. Connected with / H.
[0055]
In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, a part of the housing 410 is plastically deformed (by caulking) to fix the pressure sensor 500 in the hole 415.
[0056]
In the first and second embodiments, since the input / output terminal 510 and the sensor unit 501 are directly connected, the position of the input / output terminal 510 depends on the assembly position of the sensor unit 501 with respect to the housing 410 (hole 415). It will be decided.
[0057]
For this reason, if the position of the input / output terminal 510 with respect to the sensor unit 501 deviates from a predetermined position due to assembly variation or the like, the input / output terminal 510 cannot be disposed at the predetermined position, and the input / output terminal 510 is fixed. There is a possibility that the side terminal 441 cannot be sufficiently brought into contact.
[0058]
On the other hand, in this embodiment, the input / output terminal 510 can be freely moved with respect to the sensor unit 501, so that the position of the input / output terminal 510 with respect to the sensor unit 501 is deviated from a predetermined position due to assembly variation or the like. However, the deviation can be absorbed. Therefore, the input / output terminal 510 can be reliably brought into contact with the fixed-side terminal 441 without being affected by assembly variation or the like.
[0059]
(Fourth embodiment)
In the present embodiment, a first input / output terminal portion 510a that makes the input / output terminal 510 contact the fixed terminal 441, and a second input / output terminal portion that electrically connects the first input / output terminal portion 510a and the sensor portion 501. The first input / output terminal portion 510a is integrated with the resin housing 410 by insert molding as shown in FIG.
[0060]
By the way, since the dimensional variation of the resin molding is smaller than the assembly variation, the position variation of the portion of the input / output terminal 510 that contacts the fixed terminal 441, that is, the position variation of the first input / output terminal portion 510a is the first and second. It can be made smaller than the embodiment. Therefore, the input / output terminal 510 can be reliably brought into contact with the fixed-side terminal 441 without being affected by assembly variation or the like.
[0061]
(Other embodiments)
In the above-described embodiment, the pressure sensor 500 that detects the pressure of the refrigerant that detects the pressure is described as an example of the sensor unit that detects the physical quantity of the refrigerant. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, FIG. As shown, a temperature sensor 800 that detects the refrigerant temperature may be used as the sensor means.
[0062]
FIG. 11 shows an example in which the temperature sensor 800 is applied to the first embodiment, but it may be applied to the second to fourth embodiments.
[0063]
Further, instead of the pressure sensor 500, a pressure switch that generates an electrical signal when the refrigerant pressure becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure may be used.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle-mounted state of the vehicle air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a decompressor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an attachment state of the pressure reducer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a part A in FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a front view of the housing 410 as viewed from the fixed surface side.
FIG. 7 is a front view of the first joint block as viewed from the housing side.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a decompressor (housing) according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a front view of a decompressor according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a cross-sectional view of a pressure reducer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention corresponding to the BB cross section of FIG. 3. FIG.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a decompressor according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle-mounted state of a vehicle air conditioner according to a conventional technique.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a mounting state of a pressure sensor according to a conventional technique.
[Explanation of symbols]
400 ... decompressor, 410 ... housing, 440 ... first joint block,
450 ... second joint block, 500 ... pressure sensor,
510: Input / output terminal, 441: Fixed terminal, 600: Evaporator.

Claims (5)

A decompressor for a vapor compression refrigeration cycle that is used in a vapor compression refrigeration cycle that absorbs heat by compressing the refrigerant to cool the refrigerant that has become high temperature and pressure, and depressurizing the cooled high pressure refrigerant to evaporate the refrigerant. Because
A housing (410) provided with a refrigerant passage (411) through which the refrigerant flows, and a throttle (420) for depressurizing the refrigerant;
A fixing block (440) to which the housing (410) is fixed;
Sensor means (500, 800) for detecting a physical quantity of the refrigerant housed in the housing (410) and flowing through the refrigerant passage (411) and outputting an electrical signal corresponding to the detected physical quantity. ,
The decompressor including the sensor means (500, 800) is disposed in a vehicle interior;
Electrical terminals (510) of the sensor means (500, 800) are provided on the fixing surface (413) side of the housing (410) located on the fixing block (440) side,
Further, on the fixing surface (413) side of the fixing block (440), there is a fixed terminal (441) that comes into contact with the electric terminal (510) and is electrically connected to the electric terminal (510). A decompressor for a vapor compression refrigeration cycle, which is provided. The electrical terminal (510) is composed of an electrically deformable conductive member,
Further, before the housing (410) is fixed to the fixing block (440), a portion of the electrical terminal (510) that contacts the fixed terminal (441) is the fixing surface (413). The decompressor for a vapor compression refrigeration cycle according to claim 1, wherein the decompressor further protrudes toward the fixing block (440). The decompressor for a vapor compression refrigeration cycle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor means detects a pressure as a physical quantity of the refrigerant. The decompressor for a vapor compression refrigeration cycle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor means detects a temperature as a physical quantity of the refrigerant. A vehicle air conditioner comprising the decompressor (400) for a vapor compression refrigeration cycle according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Air conditioning system control unit an electric signal is inputted (700), characterized in that it is arranged in the vehicle interior before Symbol sensor means (500, 800).

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