KR20230027864A - Air conditioner for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the embodiment, provided is an air conditioning system for a vehicle having a refrigerant line consisting of a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator. The evaporator includes: a core providing a movement path of a refrigerant therein; a first pipe connecting the core and the expansion valve and providing an inflow path for the refrigerant; a second pipe connecting the core and the expansion valve and providing an outflow path for the refrigerant; and a module inserted and fixed to an inner circumferential surface of the first pipe to provide rotational force to the refrigerant.

Description

Vehicle air conditioner {AIR CONDITIONER FOR VEHICLE}

One embodiment of the present invention relates to an air conditioner for a vehicle.

In general, an air conditioner for a vehicle is a device that heats or cools a room by introducing outside air into the room or circulating the air inside the room to heat or cool the room. An evaporator for a cooling action and a heater core for a heating action are configured inside the air conditioning case, and the air cooled or heated by the evaporator or the heater core is selectively blown to each part of the vehicle interior.

However, in the conventional air conditioner, the expansion valve connected to the evaporator is sprayed while passing through the orifice hole at a high pressure, resulting in a gas-liquid abnormal state. As it expands, it causes flow noise due to gas bubble rupture, vaporization, gas bubble explosion, etc.

As shown in FIG. 8(a), the ideal state of the cooling system is that when the refrigerant enters the pipe, it must remain in the liquid phase. However, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the refrigerant in the gaseous state changes into bubbles and strongly hits the inner surface of the pipe, and the noise generated at this time is transmitted to passengers through the pipe.

A technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide an air conditioner for a vehicle capable of reducing kinetic energy of a flow without reducing a flow rate inside a pipe in which a refrigerant moves.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner for vehicles capable of reducing noise generated from the air conditioner.

According to an embodiment, in a vehicle air conditioner having a refrigerant line including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator, the evaporator includes: a core providing a refrigerant movement path therein; a first pipe connecting the core and the expansion valve and providing an inflow path for the refrigerant; a second pipe connecting the core and the expansion valve and providing an outflow path for the refrigerant; and a module inserted into and fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the first pipe to provide rotational force to the refrigerant.

The module is a rotating module for rotating the introduced refrigerant, and includes a pipe-shaped housing with both ends open; A rotation guide portion that rotates according to the flow of the refrigerant, the housing includes an inlet through which the refrigerant flows and an outlet through which the refrigerant is discharged, and the rotation guide portion rotates the refrigerant flowing through the inlet and discharges the refrigerant to the outlet. can

The rotation guide portion includes a shaft disposed along an axial direction inside the housing; and a fan coupled to an end of the shaft and rotating according to the flow of the refrigerant.

The rotation guide part may include a shaft disposed along an axial direction inside the housing, and the shaft may include a protrusion formed spirally protruding along a circumference.

An outer circumferential surface of the housing may be coupled to an inner circumferential surface of the first pipe.

The module may reduce kinetic energy of air bubbles generated from the refrigerant by rotation of the fan.

A vertical sectional area of the rotary blades constituting the fan may be 30% to 60% of a horizontal sectional area of an inner circumferential surface of the first pipe.

The vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention can reduce the kinetic energy of the flow without reducing the flow rate inside the pipe through which the refrigerant moves.

In addition, noise generated from the air conditioner when the refrigerant moves can be reduced.

1 shows a schematic configuration of a cooling system of an air conditioner for a vehicle.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the expansion valve.
3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a connection portion between an expansion valve and an evaporator pipe.
4 is a view for explaining an evaporator according to an embodiment.
5 is a diagram for explaining a module according to an embodiment.
6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the module according to the embodiment.
8 is a view for explaining problems of the vehicle air conditioner according to the prior art.
9 is a diagram for explaining a module according to another embodiment.
10 and 11 are diagrams for explaining the operation of a module according to another embodiment.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

However, the technical idea of the present invention is not limited to some of the described embodiments, but may be implemented in a variety of different forms, and if it is within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, one or more of the components among the embodiments can be selectively implemented. can be used by combining and substituting.

In addition, terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention, unless explicitly specifically defined and described, can be generally understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. It can be interpreted as meaning, and commonly used terms, such as terms defined in a dictionary, can be interpreted in consideration of contextual meanings of related technologies.

Also, terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are for describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

In this specification, the singular form may also include the plural form unless otherwise specified in the phrase, and when described as “at least one (or more than one) of A and (and) B and C”, A, B, and C are combined. may include one or more of all possible combinations.

Also, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used to describe components of an embodiment of the present invention.

These terms are only used to distinguish the component from other components, and the term is not limited to the nature, order, or order of the corresponding component.

In addition, when a component is described as being 'connected', 'coupled' or 'connected' to another component, the component is not only directly connected to, combined with, or connected to the other component, but also with the component. It may also include the case of being 'connected', 'combined', or 'connected' due to another component between the other components.

In addition, when it is described as being formed or disposed on “above (above) or below (below)” of each component, “upper (above)” or “lower (below)” is not only a case where two components are in direct contact with each other, but also one A case in which another component above is formed or disposed between two components is also included. In addition, when expressed as “up (up) or down (down)”, it may include the meaning of not only the upward direction but also the downward direction based on one component.

Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the same or corresponding components regardless of reference numerals are given the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions thereof will be omitted.

1 shows a schematic configuration of a cooling system of an air conditioner for a vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 1, while the refrigerant compressed to high temperature and high pressure in the compressor 1 circulates through the condenser 2, the expansion valve 3, and the evaporator 4, the air passing through the evaporator 4 is transferred to the evaporator 4. Cooling is performed by exchanging heat with the refrigerant flowing inside to lower the temperature, and supplying the low-temperature air to the interior of the vehicle. The refrigerant is compressed to a high temperature and high pressure by the compressor 1, is pumped to the condenser 2, and is condensed by exchanging heat with air passing through the condenser 2.

Thereafter, the refrigerant is expanded through the expansion valve 3 and introduced into the evaporator 4, and while passing through the evaporator 4, it exchanges heat with the air around the evaporator 4 to evaporate itself by taking heat from the surrounding air. It flows into the compressor 1 and is compressed again in the compressor 1 to circulate.

The expansion valve 3 reduces the high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant to a low-temperature and low pressure, as well as controlling the flow rate of the refrigerant and adjusting the pressure balance of the cycle. For example, a thermal expansion valve (TXV) may consist of

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the expansion valve, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged connection between the expansion valve and the evaporator pipe.

2 and 3, the expansion valve includes a first flow path 32 having inlets 32a and 33a and outlets 32b and 33b so that the inflow and outflow of refrigerant, which is a working fluid, is in the same direction. It has a main body 31 formed with two flow passages 33 spaced apart from each other by a certain distance, and a temperature sensing chamber 34a installed on the upper side of the main body 31 and filled with a working fluid therein, and moving up and down according to the expansion and contraction of the working fluid. A head portion 34 provided with a diaphragm 34b and a plate 34c that are displaced in the direction, and provided below the plate 34c, the end of which passes through the second flow path 33 and extends to the first flow path 32 A rod 35 installed so as to reciprocate in the axial direction according to the displacement of the diaphragm 34b and the plate 34c, and an elastic means installed on the first flow path 32 so that an elastic force acts toward the rod 35 ( 36) and a ball 37 provided between the end of the rod 35 and the elastic means 36 to adjust the cross-sectional area of the first flow path 32.

The refrigerant passing through the evaporator 4 is introduced through the second flow path 33, and the temperature of the refrigerant introduced through the inlet 33a of the second flow path 33 is sensed in the temperature reduction chamber 34a. When the temperature is high, the working fluid filled in the temperature reduction chamber 34a expands. When the pressure in the dehumidifying chamber 34a filled with the working fluid increases and the pressure applied to the upper surface of the diaphragm 34b overcomes the elastic force of the elastic means 36 for elastically supporting the rod 35, the diaphragm 34b ) goes down with the rod 35. Accordingly, while the ball 37 connected to the lower end of the rod 35 gradually opens the orifice hole 32c, the inlet 32a and the outlet 32b of the first flow path 32 communicate with each other.

4 is a view for explaining an evaporator according to an embodiment, FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a module according to an embodiment, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are views for explaining an operation of a module according to an embodiment.

4 to 7 , the evaporator 4 according to the embodiment may include a core 41, a first pipe 42, a second pipe 43, and a module 44. The module 44 is a rotation module that rotates the introduced refrigerant, and may include a pipe-shaped housing 441 with both ends open and rotation guide parts 442 to 444 that rotate according to the flow of the refrigerant.

The core 41 may provide a refrigerant movement path therein. The core 41 may perform heat exchange between the air passing through the evaporator 4 and the refrigerant flowing inside the core 41 .

The first pipe 42 connects the core 4 and the expansion valve 3 and may provide a refrigerant inflow path. The first pipe 42 communicates with the first flow path 32 of the expansion valve 3, and the refrigerant reduced to a low temperature and low pressure through the expansion valve 3 can flow into the core 41 of the evaporator 4. A route can be provided.

The second pipe 43 connects the core 4 and the expansion valve 3 and may provide a refrigerant outlet path. The second pipe 43 communicates with the second flow path 33 of the expansion valve 3 and is a movement path through which the refrigerant passing through the core of the evaporator 4 and completing heat exchange can flow into the expansion valve 3. can provide.

The module 44 may be inserted and fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the first pipe 42 . Module 44 may be made of metal or plastic material.

The module 44 is coupled to a housing 441 in the form of a pipe with both ends open, a shaft 442 disposed along the axial direction inside the housing, and an end of the shaft 442, and a fan that rotates according to the flow of the refrigerant ( 443) and a stopper 444 coupled to an end of the shaft 442 and preventing the shaft from coming off in an axial direction.

An outer circumferential surface of the housing 441 may be coupled to an inner circumferential surface of the first pipe 42 . The housing 441 may be inserted into the first pipe 42 along an axial direction from the outside of the first pipe 42 . The outer circumferential surface of the housing 441 may include a first portion 4411 inserted into the first pipe 42 and a second portion 4412 disposed outside the first pipe 42 . An outer circumferential surface of the first housing portion 4411 may be inscribed with an inner circumferential surface of the first pipe 42 . The outer circumferential surface of the second housing part 4412 may be inclined, and the stepped part 4413 is formed at the connection part between the first part 4411 and the second part 4412, so that the second part 4412 Insertion into the first pipe 42 can be prevented.

The pipe shape in which both ends of the housing 441 are open includes an inlet through which the refrigerant flows and an outlet through which the refrigerant is discharged, and the rotation guide unit rotates the refrigerant flowing through the inlet and discharges the refrigerant through the outlet.

The shaft 442 may be disposed inside the housing 441 along the longitudinal direction of the first pipe 42, that is, in a direction parallel to the moving direction of the refrigerant. A plurality of supports 4421 may be formed at both ends of the shaft 442 to extend in a radial direction of the housing 441 and to be fixedly coupled to an inner circumferential surface of the housing 441 .

A fan 443 may be coupled to one end of the shaft 442 . The fan 443 may be coupled to the end of the shaft 442 on the side of the first housing part 4411 and disposed inside the first pipe 42 . The fan 443 may include a plurality of rotary blades 4431. The plurality of rotary blades 4431 may perform rotational motion according to the flow of the refrigerant with the shaft 442 as an axis. That is, the rotary blades 4431 are provided with axial force by the refrigerant moving to the first pipe 42 through the first flow path 32 of the expansion valve 3, and rotate using the received axial force. exercise can be performed.

A vertical sectional area of the rotor blades 4431 may be 30% to 60% of a horizontal sectional area of the inner circumferential surface of the first pipe 42 . That is, when the vertical sectional area of the rotary blades 4431 is less than 30% of the horizontal sectional area of the inner circumferential surface of the first pipe 42, sufficient rotational force to reduce the kinetic energy of bubbles generated from the refrigerant cannot be generated. In addition, when the vertical cross-sectional area of the rotor blades 4431 exceeds 60% of the horizontal cross-sectional area of the inner circumferential surface of the first pipe 42, the area for the refrigerant to pass through the rotor blades is reduced, providing sufficient rotational force to the rotor blades 4431. will not be able to

The stopper 444 is coupled to one end of the shaft 442 to which the fan 443 is coupled to prevent the fan 443 from being axially separated.

The wind power generated by the rotational motion of the fan 443 reduces the kinetic energy of bubbles generated from the refrigerant, and the bubbles having reduced kinetic energy do not collide with the inner circumferential surface of the first pipe 42 or with very little force. come into conflict Through this, it is possible to effectively reduce noise generated from bubbles of the refrigerant.

9 is a view for explaining a rotation module according to another embodiment, and FIGS. 10 and 11 are views for explaining the operation of the rotation module according to another embodiment.

9 to 11, the evaporator 4 according to the embodiment may include a core 41, a first pipe 42, a second pipe 43, and a module 54. The module 54 is a rotation module that rotates the introduced refrigerant, and may include a pipe-shaped housing 541 with both ends open and rotation guide parts 542 to 544 that rotate according to the flow of the refrigerant.

The core 41 may provide a refrigerant movement path therein. The core 41 may perform heat exchange between the air passing through the evaporator 4 and the refrigerant flowing inside the core 41 .

The first pipe 42 connects the core 4 and the expansion valve 3 and may provide a refrigerant inflow path. The first pipe 42 communicates with the first flow path 32 of the expansion valve 3, and the refrigerant reduced to a low temperature and low pressure through the expansion valve 3 can flow into the core 41 of the evaporator 5. A route can be provided.

The second pipe 43 connects the core 4 and the expansion valve 3 and may provide a refrigerant outlet path. The second pipe 43 communicates with the second flow path 33 of the expansion valve 3, and is a movement path through which the refrigerant passing through the core of the evaporator 4 and completing heat exchange can flow into the expansion valve 3. can provide.

The module 54 may be inserted and fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the first pipe 42 . Module 54 may be made of metal or plastic material.

The module 54 includes a housing 541 in the form of a pipe with both ends open, a shaft 542 disposed along an axial direction inside the housing, and the shaft includes a protrusion 543 spirally protruding along the circumference. can do. In addition, the module 54 may include a stopper 544 coupled to the distal end of the shaft 542 and preventing the shaft 542 from coming off in an axial direction.

An outer circumferential surface of the housing 541 may be coupled to an inner circumferential surface of the first pipe 42 . The housing 541 may be inserted into the first pipe 42 along an axial direction from the outside of the first pipe 42 . The outer circumferential surface of the housing 541 may include a first portion 5411 inserted into the first pipe 42 and a second portion 5412 disposed outside the first pipe 42 . An outer circumferential surface of the first housing portion 5411 may be inscribed with an inner circumferential surface of the first pipe 42 . The outer circumferential surface of the second housing part 5412 may be inclined, and the stepped part 5413 is formed at the connection part between the first part 5411 and the second part 5412, so that the second part 5412 Insertion into the first pipe 42 can be prevented.

The pipe shape in which both ends of the housing 541 are open includes an inlet through which the refrigerant flows and an outlet through which the refrigerant is discharged, and the rotation guide unit rotates the refrigerant flowing through the inlet and discharges the refrigerant through the outlet.

The shaft 542 may be disposed inside the housing 541 along the longitudinal direction of the first pipe 42, that is, in a direction parallel to the moving direction of the refrigerant. A plurality of supports 5421 may be formed at both ends of the shaft 542 to extend in a radial direction of the housing 541 and to be fixedly coupled to an inner circumferential surface of the housing 541 .

A protrusion 543 protruding in a radial direction may be formed around a surface of the shaft 542 . The protrusion 543 formed around the surface of the shaft 542 may be formed in a spiral shape along the axial direction. The protrusion 543 may perform rotational rotation integrally with the shaft 542 according to the flow of the refrigerant. That is, the protrusion 543 is provided with axial force by the refrigerant moving to the first pipe 42 through the first flow path 32 of the expansion valve 3, and rotates using the received axial force. can be performed.

The vertical sectional area of the protrusion 543 may be 30% to 60% of the horizontal sectional area of the inner circumferential surface of the first pipe 42 . That is, when the vertical sectional area of the protrusion 543 is less than 30% of the horizontal sectional area of the inner circumferential surface of the first pipe 42, sufficient rotational force to reduce the kinetic energy of bubbles generated from the refrigerant cannot be generated. In addition, if the vertical cross-sectional area of the protrusion 543 exceeds 60% of the horizontal cross-sectional area of the inner circumferential surface of the first pipe 42, the area for the refrigerant to pass through the rotor blades is reduced, so that sufficient rotational force cannot be provided to the protrusion 543. do.

The stopper 544 is coupled to one end of the shaft 542 to prevent the shaft 543 from being axially separated.

Wind power generated according to the rotational motion of the protrusion 543 reduces the kinetic energy of bubbles generated from the refrigerant, and the bubbles having reduced kinetic energy do not collide with the inner circumferential surface of the first pipe 42 or with very little force. come into conflict Through this, it is possible to effectively reduce noise generated from bubbles of the refrigerant.

In addition, the module according to another embodiment includes a housing in the form of a pipe with both ends open, a shaft disposed along an axial direction inside the housing, and a fan coupled to an end of the shaft and rotating according to the flow of the refrigerant, may include protrusions protruding in a spiral shape along the circumference. That is, by applying the protrusion of the fan and the shaft together, the kinetic energy of bubbles generated from the refrigerant can be more greatly reduced. The fan and the protrusions of the shaft can be applied together or separately in consideration of the flow rate of the refrigerant and the moving speed of the refrigerant, thereby reducing the noise generated from bubbles according to circumstances.

Although the above has been described with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will variously modify and change the present invention within the scope not departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention described in the claims below. You will understand that it can be done.

1: Compressor
2: condenser
3: expansion valve
4: evaporator
41: core
42: first pipe
43: second pipe
44, 54: module

Claims (7)

In the vehicle air conditioner having a refrigerant line consisting of a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator, the evaporator comprises:
a core providing a movement path of the refrigerant therein;
a first pipe connecting the core and the expansion valve and providing an inflow path for the refrigerant;
a second pipe connecting the core and the expansion valve and providing an outflow path for the refrigerant; and
A vehicle air conditioner comprising a module inserted into and fixed to an inner circumferential surface of the first pipe to provide rotational force to the refrigerant.
According to claim 1,
The module is a rotation module that rotates the incoming refrigerant,
A housing in the form of a pipe with both ends open; and
Includes a rotation guide that rotates according to the flow of the refrigerant,
The housing includes an inlet through which the refrigerant flows and an outlet through which the refrigerant is discharged,
The rotation guide unit rotates the refrigerant flowing through the inlet and discharges it to the outlet.
According to claim 2,
The rotation guide portion includes a shaft disposed along an axial direction inside the housing; and
A vehicle air conditioner comprising a fan coupled to an end of the shaft and rotating according to the flow of the refrigerant.
According to claim 2,
The rotation guide part includes a shaft disposed along an axial direction inside the housing,
The air conditioner for a vehicle comprising a protrusion protruding spirally along the circumference of the shaft.
According to claim 2,
An outer circumferential surface of the housing is coupled to an inner circumferential surface of the first pipe.
According to claim 1,
The module reduces the kinetic energy of air bubbles generated from the refrigerant by rotation of the fan.
According to claim 3,
The vertical sectional area of the rotary blades constituting the fan is 30% to 60% of the horizontal sectional area of the inner circumferential surface of the first pipe.

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