JPH04281168A - Refrigerant recovery device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To recover refrigerant such as fluorocarbon or the like in a refrigerating device with a simple device, good mobility and easy work. CONSTITUTION:A connecting unit 2, to be connected to a refrigerating device 8, in which refrigerant is to be recovered, and a refrigerant recovering machine 3 are mounted on an existing refrigerating cycle 1 for airconditioning, which is mounted on a vehicle. The recovering tank 35 of the refrigerant recovering machine 3 is connected between the liquid receiver 14 and the expander 15 of the refrigerating cycle 1 through a recovering valve 33. A refrigerant amount detector 4 is provided between a condenser 13 and the liquid receiver 14 to detect the recovering amount of refrigerant and opens or closes the recovering valve 33 to recover the refrigerant.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerant recovery device that can easily recover refrigerants such as fluorocarbons used in refrigeration systems such as automobile air conditioners.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in coolers or air conditioners for automobiles, factories, homes, etc., Freon is used as a refrigerant in refrigeration equipment. When released into the atmosphere, this CFC affects the ozone layer surrounding the earth. Therefore, when scrapping an automobile or repairing or disposing the refrigeration system itself, it is necessary to recover the refrigerant. Conventionally, some refrigerant recovery devices include a compressor or pump, a condenser, and a recovery tank. In this refrigerant recovery device, the refrigerant is sucked from the refrigeration equipment to be recovered using the compressor, condensed by a condenser, and stored in a recovery tank.

0003

[Problem to be solved] However, in conventional refrigerant recovery equipment, the compressor or pump, condenser,
It is a separate device equipped with a recovery tank, etc. Therefore, a drive source for the compressor and pump is required separately, and the overall volume of the device is large and the cost is high. In addition, moving work for refrigerant recovery is inconvenient. In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide a refrigerant recovery device that is simple, has excellent mobility, and is easy to recover.

0004

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a refrigerant recovery device that includes a connection portion for connecting the refrigerant to a refrigeration device to be recovered, a refrigeration cycle mounted on a vehicle, and a refrigerant recovery machine. The refrigeration cycle includes a compressor for compressing refrigerant, a condenser, a liquid receiver, an expander, an evaporator, and a circulation pipe connected between these. The connection part is connected to the suction side of the compressor via a connection valve, and the refrigerant recovery machine is connected to the circulation pipe between the liquid receiver and the expander in the refrigeration cycle via a recovery pipe. A refrigerant amount detector installed in the circulation pipe between the connected recovery tank, the condenser and the receiver in the refrigeration cycle, and a refrigerant amount detector installed in the middle of the recovery pipe, Consists of a recovery valve that opens and closes.

What is most noteworthy about the present invention is that the refrigerant recovery device of the present invention utilizes a refrigeration cycle that has already been conventionally mounted on a vehicle, and the above-mentioned connection part and refrigerant recovery machine are installed therein. It was constructed by doing this. That is,
In the present invention, the above-mentioned refrigeration cycle is similar to the one conventionally installed in vehicles, and includes a compressor, a condenser, a liquid receiver, an expander, an evaporator, and a series of connections between these. Consists of connected circulation pipes. Such a refrigeration cycle is
It is installed in ordinary vehicles such as passenger cars and small trucks. In this way, the present invention utilizes the refrigeration cycle already installed in the vehicle as is.

[0006] Further, the refrigeration equipment whose refrigerant should be recovered means the refrigeration equipment whose refrigerant should be repaired or disposed of. The refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, a circulation pipe, etc., like the refrigeration cycle described above. That is, in the present invention, the side from which the refrigerant is recovered is referred to as a refrigeration system. Further, in the refrigerant recovery device, the connection portion has a joint portion for connecting to a circulation pipe in the refrigeration device. The rear end of the connection portion is connected to the suction side of the compressor of the refrigeration cycle via a connection valve.

The recovery tank is a tank for temporarily storing the refrigerant recovered from the refrigeration system. The recovery tank is connected between the liquid receiver and the expander of the refrigeration cycle via a recovery valve. It is preferable to use a solenoid valve as the recovery valve. Further, the recovery valve is opened and closed by a signal from the refrigerant amount detector. In addition, the refrigerant amount detector is installed between the condenser and the liquid receiver in the refrigeration cycle, detects the amount of refrigerant in the liquid receiver, and sends a signal to the recovery valve when the amount of refrigerant increases. and open the recovery valve. As the refrigerant amount detector, for example, as shown in the embodiment, there is an open/close switch using a magnetic float.

[0008]

[Operations and Effects] In the present invention, when recovering refrigerant, first the joint portion of the connecting portion is connected to the circulation pipe of the refrigeration system from which the refrigerant is to be recovered. On the other hand, the compressor of the refrigeration cycle installed in the vehicle is kept operating as usual. Then, open the connection valve provided at the connection part. As a result, the refrigerant from the refrigeration system is sucked into the compressor, liquefied by the condenser, and then entered into the liquid receiver.

[0009] When the amount of refrigerant in the liquid receiver increases,
The refrigerant amount detector detects this and opens the recovery valve, allowing the refrigerant in the receiver to enter the recovery tank via the recovery pipe. When the amount of refrigerant in the receiver decreases, the refrigerant amount detector detects this and closes the recovery valve. In this way, the refrigerant of the refrigeration system is automatically recovered into the recovery tank. The refrigeration cycle continues to operate as needed and is used to cool the passenger compartment. As described above, since the present invention utilizes the existing refrigeration cycle installed in the vehicle, the device is simple and the cost is low. Furthermore, since the refrigerant recovery device is mounted on a vehicle, it is easy to move to the refrigerant recovery site. In addition, when recovering the refrigerant, the above-mentioned connection part is connected to the refrigeration equipment and normal refrigeration cycle operation is performed, so the recovery work is easy. Therefore, according to the present invention, the device is simple, has excellent mobility, and
A refrigerant recovery device that allows easy recovery work can be provided.

0010

Embodiments Embodiment 1 A refrigerant recovery apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The refrigerant recovery device of this example includes a connection portion 2 for connecting to a refrigeration device 8 from which refrigerant is to be recovered, and a refrigeration cycle 1 mounted on a small truck vehicle (not shown).
and a refrigerant recovery machine 3. The above refrigeration cycle 1 is
A compressor 11 for compressing refrigerant and an oil separator 12
, a condenser 13, a liquid receiver 14, an expander 15, an evaporator 16, and a circulation pipe 10 connecting these in sequence. Moreover, the compressor 11 has an electromagnetic clutch 111 for connecting or disconnecting between the compressor 11 and an engine output shaft serving as a drive source. The refrigeration cycle is an air conditioner refrigeration cycle that has been conventionally installed in vehicles.

The connecting portion 2 is connected to the suction side of the compressor 11 of the refrigeration cycle 1 via a connecting valve 22. Further, the refrigerant recovery machine 3 includes a recovery tank 35 and a refrigerant amount detector 4. The recovery tank 35 is the liquid receiver 1
4 and the expander 15 via a recovery pipe 30 and a recovery valve 33 by a three-way joint 32. In addition, the refrigerant amount detector 4 is connected to the condenser 1.
3 and the liquid receiver 14 (
Figures 1 and 2). As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerant amount detector 4 includes a float chamber 43 protruding from the circulation pipe 10 of the refrigeration cycle 1, a reed switch 41 disposed opposite to the upper side of the float chamber, and a reed switch 41 located inside the float chamber 43. It consists of a floating float 45. The float 45 has a specific gravity smaller than that of the refrigerant, and has a permanent magnet plate 451 in a portion facing the reed switch 41. Further, a stopper 46 having an opening 461 is provided between the float chamber 43 and the circulation pipe 10. A refrigerant 101 is contained within the circulation pipe 10 .

The reed switch 41 of the refrigerant amount detector 4 is electrically connected to the recovery valve 33 by a circuit 411 via the slow relay 31 (FIG. 1).
. The recovery tank 35 is placed on a lifting platform 361 using a spring coil that can move up and down. The lifting platform 36
1 includes a weight limit switch 36 that is turned off when the recovered refrigerant in the recovery tank 35 reaches a certain amount or more.
is provided. The weight limit switch is connected to the air conditioner amplifier 18 via a relay 26. Further, a relay 26 is provided between the recovery switch 23 circuit and the air conditioner amplifier 18 circuit. The relay 26 is
This is to connect and disconnect the electromagnetic clutch of the compressor 11, but it is not necessary if it is an EPR cycle (refrigeration cycle using an evaporation pressure regulating valve).

As described above, in this example, a connecting portion 2 and a refrigerant recovery machine 3 are attached to a refrigeration cycle 1 in a small truck to form a refrigerant recovery vehicle. On the other hand, the refrigeration device 8 that should recover refrigerant is installed in a car 9 to be disposed of, and has a compressor 81, a condenser 83, a liquid receiver 84, an expander 85, an evaporator 86, etc. These are the same as in the refrigeration cycle 1 above.

Next, the functions and effects will be explained. In recovering the refrigerant, first, the joint part 21 of the connecting pipe 20 in the connecting part 2 is connected to the circulation pipe in the refrigeration system 8 of the scrapped automobile 9. This connection is made between the liquid receiver 84 and the expander 85. On the other hand, the refrigeration cycle 1 performs refrigeration operation with the electromagnetic clutch 111 connected, as in normal air conditioner operation. In this operation, the refrigerant 101 compressed by the compressor 11 is liquefied in the condenser 10 and enters the liquid receiver 14. Then, the liquefied refrigerant 101 in the liquid receiver 14 is adiabatically expanded by the expander 15, and
Enter 6. Here, the air sent by the fan 161 is cooled by the evaporator 16 and turned into cold air and sent into the vehicle interior. On the other hand, the refrigerant in the evaporator 16 is transferred to the compressor 1 again.
1 and cycled in the same way.

In the above state, the collection switch 23 is turned OFF.
When set to N, the connecting valve 22 is opened by electromagnetic force. Therefore, the refrigeration system 8 of the automobile 9 is connected via the connecting pipe 20.
The refrigerant inside is sucked into the compressor 11. Then, the refrigerant is liquefied in the condenser 13 and enters the liquid receiver 14. Therefore, the amount of refrigerant in the liquid receiver 14 increases, and as shown in FIG. 2, the circulation pipe 10 in front of the liquid receiver 14 is filled with the refrigerant 101, and the refrigerant 101 enters the float chamber 43. At this time, the refrigerant gas in the upper part of the float chamber 43 is cooled by the atmosphere and condensed. Therefore, the liquefied refrigerant enters the float chamber 43 and the float 45 floats up. Then, when the float 45 rises and the permanent magnet plate 451 faces the reed switch 41, the reed switch is turned on.

Then, a signal is applied to the recovery valve 33 via the circuit 411 and the slow acting relay 31, and the electromagnetic force causes the recovery valve 33 to close.
3 opens. Therefore, the refrigerant in the circulation pipe 10 is recovered into the recovery tank 35 through the recovery pipe 30. Then, as the refrigerant recovery progresses and the amount of refrigerant in the liquid receiver 14 decreases, the amount of gas in the circulation pipe 10 in front of it increases, so the amount of gas in the float chamber 43 also increases, and the float 45 descends. . Therefore, the reed switch 41 is turned off.
F, the recovery valve 33 is closed, and refrigerant recovery is temporarily stopped.

When the amount of refrigerant in the receiver 14 increases again, the reed switch 41 of the refrigerant amount detector 4 is turned on in the same manner as described above, and the refrigerant is recovered into the recovery tank 35. Further, the slow acting relay 31 is for closing the recovery valve 33 when the liquid level in the liquid receiver 14 has fallen to a certain extent. In addition, the recovered refrigerant 10 is stored in the recovery tank 35.
2 accumulates, the lifting platform 361 descends due to its weight. Then, when the refrigerant reaches a predetermined amount or more, the weight limit switch 36 is turned off. Therefore, the electric circuit 231 from the recovery switch 23 to the air conditioner amplifier 18
can be cut. Therefore, the recovery valve 33 is also closed and refrigerant recovery is stopped. Therefore, the recovered refrigerant 10 in the recovery tank 35
2 is sucked out and collected using a separate collector.

As described above, according to the refrigerant recovery device of this example, the connecting portion 2 and the refrigerant recovery machine 3 are added to the refrigeration cycle 1 of the small truck, so the refrigerant recovery device can be easily moved. Also, the additional connections and refrigerant recovery equipment are simple. In addition, refrigerant recovery is performed using a refrigerant amount detector 4 and a recovery valve 33.
This can be done automatically and the collection work is easy.

Embodiment 2 In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the float 47 disposed in the float chamber 43 is of a hollow type. That is, the float 47 is a box-shaped sealed body using a thin permanent magnet plate. The rest is the same as in Example 1. According to this example, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory diagram of a refrigerant recovery device in Example 1.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the refrigerant amount detector of Example 1.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a refrigerant amount detector of Example 2.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. ．． ．． Refrigeration cycle, 10. ．． ．． circulation pipe, 11. ．． ．． compressor, 13. ．． ．． condenser, 14. ．． ．． Receiver, 15. ．． ．． expander, 16. ．． ．． Evaporator, 2. ．． ．． connection part, 3. ．． ．． refrigerant recovery machine, 33. ．． ．． recovery valve, 35. ．． ．． recovery tank, 4. ．． ．． Refrigerant amount detector, 101. ．． ．． refrigerant, 8. ．． ．． Refrigeration equipment, 9. ．． ．． scrapped car,

Claims (1)

[Claims] [Claim 1] A refrigerant recovery device comprising a connection part for connecting the refrigerant to a refrigeration system to recover the refrigerant, a refrigeration cycle mounted on a vehicle, and a refrigerant recovery machine, wherein the refrigeration cycle collects the refrigerant. A compressor for compression, a condenser,
It consists of a liquid receiver, an expander, an evaporator, and a circulation pipe connected between these, and the connection part is connected to the suction side of the compressor via a connection valve, and the refrigerant recovery machine is a recovery tank connected via a recovery pipe to the circulation pipe between the liquid receiver and the expander in the refrigeration cycle;
A refrigerant amount detector installed in the circulation pipe between the condenser and the receiver in the refrigeration cycle, and a recovery valve installed in the middle of the recovery pipe that opens and closes in response to a signal from the refrigerant amount detector. A refrigerant recovery device characterized by: