U.S. patent application number 11/801098 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-15 for component assembly for refrigerating cycle and refrigerating cycle having the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to DENSO Corporation. Invention is credited to Nobumichi Harada, Ietomo Mikita.
Application Number | 20070261433 11/801098 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38580293 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070261433 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mikita; Ietomo ; et
al. |
November 15, 2007 |
Component assembly for refrigerating cycle and refrigerating cycle
having the same
Abstract
At least two components for a refrigerating cycle are integrated
into a component assembly before being fixed to an object. For
example, a decompressing device and a gas-liquid separator are
integrated into a component assembly, and then the component
assembly is fixed to an object. Alternatively, the decompressing
device and an internal heat exchanger are integrated into a
component assembly, and then the component assembly is fixed to an
object. As another example, the decompressing device, the
gas-liquid separator and the internal heat exchanger are integrated
into a component assembly, and then fixed to an object.
Inventors: |
Mikita; Ietomo;
(Kariya-city, JP) ; Harada; Nobumichi;
(Kariya-city, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 828
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48303
US
|
Assignee: |
DENSO Corporation
Kariya-city
JP
|
Family ID: |
38580293 |
Appl. No.: |
11/801098 |
Filed: |
May 8, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/512 ; 62/503;
62/513; 62/527 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 40/00 20130101;
F25B 2309/061 20130101; F25B 43/006 20130101; F25B 2341/0683
20130101; F25B 41/31 20210101; F25B 9/008 20130101; F28D 7/106
20130101; F25B 2500/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/512 ; 62/513;
62/527; 62/503 |
International
Class: |
F25B 43/00 20060101
F25B043/00; F25B 41/00 20060101 F25B041/00; F25B 41/06 20060101
F25B041/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 11, 2006 |
JP |
2006-133075 |
Claims
1. A component assembly for a refrigerating cycle, comprising: a
decompressing device for decompressing a high pressure refrigerant
flowing through the refrigerating cycle into a low pressure
refrigerant; and a gas-liquid separator for separating the low
pressure refrigerant into a liquid-phase refrigerant and a
gas-phase refrigerant and accumulating surplus refrigerant therein,
wherein the decompressing device and the gas-liquid separator are
integrated.
2. The component assembly according to claim 1, wherein the
decompressing device includes a box-type expansion valve that
defines a first refrigerant passage therein and has a temperature
sensing part disposed in communication with the first refrigerant
passage for sensing a temperature of the high pressure refrigerant
flowing in the first refrigerant passage.
3. The component assembly according to claim 2, wherein the
gas-liquid separator has a tank body, and the decompressing device
has a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet that are in
communication with the first refrigerant passage, and the
decompressing device is disposed at an end of the tank body such
that the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet are open in a
direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction
of the tank body.
4. The component assembly according to claim 1, further comprising
a support member that supports at least one of the decompressing
device and the gas-liquid separator.
5. The component assembly according to claim 4, wherein the support
member includes a fixing wall to be fixed to an object and a
support wall that holds at least one of the decompressing device
and the gas-liquid separator.
6. The component assembly according to claim 1, wherein the
decompressing device and the gas-liquid separator are integrated
before being fixed to a part of a vehicle.
7. A refrigerating cycle comprising the component assembly
according to claim 1.
8. A component assembly for a refrigerating cycle, comprising: a
decompressing device for decompressing a high pressure refrigerant
flowing through the refrigerating cycle into a low pressure
refrigerant; and an internal heat exchanger for performing heat
exchange between the high pressure refrigerant and the low pressure
refrigerant, wherein the decompressing device and the internal heat
exchanger are integrated.
9. The component assembly according to claim 8, further comprising:
a gas-liquid separator for separating the low pressure refrigerant
into a liquid-phase refrigerant and a gas-phase refrigerant and
accumulating surplus refrigerant therein, wherein the gas-liquid
separator is integrated with the decompressing device and the
internal heat exchanger.
10. The component assembly according to claim 9, wherein the
gas-liquid separator has a refrigerant outlet for discharging the
gas-phase refrigerant, the internal heat exchanger has a low
pressure refrigerant inlet and a low pressure refrigerant passage
that is in communication with the low pressure refrigerant inlet
for allowing the low pressure refrigerant to flow, and the
refrigerant outlet of the gas-liquid separator and the low pressure
refrigerant inlet of the internal heat exchanger are directly
connected.
11. The component assembly according to claim 8, wherein the
internal heat exchanger has a high pressure refrigerant passage for
allowing the high pressure refrigerant to flow, and a high pressure
refrigerant inlet and a high pressure refrigerant outlet that are
in communication with the high pressure refrigerant passage, and
the high pressure refrigerant inlet and the high pressure
refrigerant outlet of the internal heat exchanger are disposed
adjacent to each other.
12. The component assembly according to claim 11, wherein the
decompressing device has a first refrigerant passage, a temperature
sensing part disposed in communication the first refrigerant
passage for sensing a temperature of the high pressure refrigerant
flowing through the first refrigerant passage, a second refrigerant
passage, and an expansion valve part disposed in communication with
the second refrigerant passage for decompressing the high pressure
refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant passage, the
decompressing device defines a first outlet at an end of the first
refrigerant passage for discharging the high pressure refrigerant
and a second inlet at an end of the second refrigerant passage for
introducing the high pressure refrigerant into the second
refrigerant passage, and the first outlet of the decompressing
device is directly connected to the high pressure refrigerant inlet
of the internal heat exchanger and the second inlet of the
decompressing device is directly connected to the high pressure
refrigerant outlet of the internal heat exchanger.
13. The component assembly according to claim 8, wherein the
internal heat exchanger has a heat exchanging part for performing
the heat exchange, and the heat exchanging part has a double
passage pipe structure in which a high pressure refrigerant passage
for allowing the high pressure refrigerant to flow and a low
pressure refrigerant passage for allowing the low pressure
refrigerant to flow are coaxially disposed.
14. The component assembly according to claim 8, wherein the
decompressing device includes a box-type expansion valve that
defines a first refrigerant passage therein and a temperature
sensing part disposed in communication with the first refrigerant
passage for sensing a temperature of the high pressure refrigerant
flowing through the first refrigerant passage.
15. The component assembly according to claim 14, wherein the
gas-liquid separator has a tank body, and the decompressing device
has a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet that are in
communication with the first refrigerant passage, and the
decompressing device is disposed at an end of the tank body such
that the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet are open in a
direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction
of the tank body.
16. The component assembly according to claim 9, further comprising
a support member that supports at least one of the decompressing
device, the internal heat exchanger and the gas-liquid
separator.
17. The component assembly according to claim 15, wherein the
support member includes a fixing wall to be fixed to an object and
a support wall that holds at least one of the decompressing device,
the internal heat exchanger and the gas-liquid separator.
18. The component assembly according to claim 8, wherein the
decompressing device and the internal heat exchanger are integrated
before being fixed to a part of a vehicle.
19. A refrigerating cycle comprising the component assembly
according to claim 8.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No.
2006-133075 filed on May 11, 2006, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an assembly of components
for a refrigerating cycle and a refrigerating cycle having the
assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A refrigerating cycle for a vehicle air conditioner
generally includes a compressor 10-, a radiator (e.g., condenser,
gas cooler) 100, a decompressing device 300, an evaporator 400, a
gas-liquid separator 500 and an internal heat exchanger 200, as
shown in FIG. 8. The preceding components are for example connected
through refrigerant pipes P1 to P6 and refrigerant hoses H1, H2, as
shown in FIG. 9.
[0004] The compressor 10 is disposed to receive a driving force
from a vehicle engine. The radiator 100 is disposed in front of a
radiator 600, which is mounted at a front part of an engine
compartment EC of the vehicle, to receive air while the vehicle is
running. The evaporator 400 is disposed in an air conditioning unit
(not shown) that is mounted in a passenger compartment PC of the
vehicle. Also, the decompressing device 300, the gas-liquid
separator 500 and the internal heat exchanger 200 are disposed at
predetermined positions in the engine compartment EC.
[0005] The internal heat exchanger 200 has a high pressure
refrigerant passage and a low pressure refrigerant passage for
performing heat exchange between a high pressure refrigerant and a
low pressure refrigerant flowing therethrough. Thus, plural
refrigerant pipes are coupled to the internal heat exchanger 200 to
make communication with the high pressure refrigerant passage and
the low pressure refrigerant passage. Also, the decompressing
device 300 has two refrigerant passages therein for controlling
pressure of the high pressure refrigerant based on the temperature
of the refrigerant downstream of the radiator. Thus, plural
refrigerant pipe are coupled to the decompressing device 300 to
make communication with the two refrigerant passages. Accordingly,
arrangement of the refrigerant pipes are complicated, and coupling
work of the refrigerant pipes increases.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is made in view of the foregoing
matter, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a
component assembly for a refrigerating cycle, capable of
simplifying connection of pipes. It is another object of the
present invention to provide a refrigerating cycle having the
component assembly.
[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention, a component
assembly for a refrigerating cycle has a decompressing device for
decompressing a high pressure refrigerant and a gas-liquid
separator for separating a low pressure refrigerant, which has been
decompressed by the decompressing device, into a gas-phase
refrigerant and a liquid-phase refrigerant. The decompressing
device and the gas-liquid separator are integrated.
[0008] The gas-liquid separator is a relatively large component of
components for the refrigerating cycle. The decompressing device
and the gas-liquid separator are integrated into the assembly
before being fixed to an object such as a vehicle body or an air
conditioner chassis. Thus, the decompressing device is mounted to
the object by fixing the gas-liquid separator to the object.
Further, the decompressing device and the gas-liquid separator are
constructed compact. Moreover, since the decompressing device is
integrated with the gas-liquid separator before being fixed to the
object, it is easily fixed. Furthermore, since the decompressing
device and the gas-liquid separator are integrated into a single
unit, these can be handled easily during transportation and
assembling.
[0009] Further, the decompressing device and the gas-liquid
separator are integrated into the assembly in various ways or
means. For example, the decompressing device and the gas-liquid
separator are integrally provided by sharing housings thereof. As
another example, the decompressing device and the gas-liquid
separator may be connected to each other such as by welding or by
using fixing means such as clamps and screws.
[0010] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a
component assembly for a refrigerating cycle has a decompressing
device for decompressing a high pressure refrigerant and an
internal heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between the
high pressure refrigerant and a low pressure refrigerant, which has
been decompressed by the decompressing device. The decompressing
device and the internal heat exchanger are integrated.
[0011] In components of the refrigerating cycle, the decompressing
device and the internal heat exchanger have relatively large
numbers of coupling portions. The decompressing device and the
internal heat exchanger are integrated into a unit, and then one of
the decompressing device and the internal heat exchanger is fixed
to an object so that the other one of the decompressing device and
the internal heat exchanger is fixed.
[0012] In this case, because pipes for connecting the decompressing
device and the internal heat exchanger are reduced, the structure
of the refrigerating cycle is simplified. Further, the components
of the refrigerating cycle are easily connected. Also, the
decompressing device and the internal heat exchanger are
constructed compact. Since the decompressing device and the
internal heat exchanger are integrated into a single unit, these
can be handled easily during transportation and assembling.
[0013] Further, the decompressing device and the internal heat
exchanger are integrated into the assembly by various ways or
means. For example, the decompressing device and the internal heat
exchanger are integrally provided by sharing a portion such as a
housing thereof. As another example, the decompressing device and
the internal heat exchanger are connected to each other such as by
welding or by using fixing means such as clamps and screws.
[0014] In the refrigerating cycle having the above assembly,
assembling workability improves.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which like parts are designated by like reference numbers and in
which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerating cycle for a
vehicle having an assembly of components according to a first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembly of components
according to the first embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a heat exchanging
part of an internal heat exchanger of the refrigerating cycle,
partly including a cross-sectional view, according to the first
embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerating cycle for a
vehicle having an assembly of components according to a second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembly of components
according to the second embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerating cycle for a
vehicle having an assembly of components according to a third
embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the assembly of components
according to the third embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a refrigerating cycle mounted
on a vehicle as a related art; and
[0024] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the refrigerating cycle
shown in FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
[0025] A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
1 to 3. Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerating cycle is for example
employed as a supercritical vapor compression refrigerating cycle
for a vehicle air conditioner. As a refrigerant, carbon dioxide is
for example used. Alternatively, ethylene, ethane, nitrogen oxide
or the like can be used as the refrigerant. In this embodiment,
refrigerant discharged from a compressor has pressure equal to or
greater than a critical pressure to thereby provide predetermined
cooling (refrigerating) capacity.
[0026] The refrigerating cycle generally includes a compressor 10,
a gas cooler 100 as a high pressure-side heat exchanger, an
expansion valve 300 as a decompressing device, an internal heat
exchanger 200, an evaporator 400 as a low pressure-side heat
exchanger, and an accumulator 500 as a gas-liquid separator. In the
refrigerating cycle, particularly, the expansion valve 300 and the
accumulator 500 are integrated into a component assembly A1.
Hereafter, the above components 10, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 will be
described in line with a flow of the refrigerant.
[0027] The compressor 10 is driven by an engine of a vehicle. The
compressor 10 sucks and compresses the refrigerant. Here, a general
compressor is employed as the compressor 10, and structure of the
compressor 10 is not limited to a particular type. Thus, the
structure of the compressor 10 is not described in detail. Also,
the compressor 10 may be an electric compressor.
[0028] The compressor 10 is connected to the gas cooler 100 through
a first refrigerant hose H1 having flexibility so that high
pressure refrigerant compressed in the compressor 10 is introduced
to the gas cooler 100. The gas cooler 100 is arranged so that air
passes through the gas cooler 100 while the vehicle is running or
air created by a cooling fan (not shown) passes through the gas
cooler 100. The gas cooler 100 performs heat exchange between the
high pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 and the
air, thereby to cool the high pressure refrigerant. Here, the
structure of the gas cooler 100 is not limited to a particular
type, and the gas cooler 100 is constructed of a general gas
cooler. Thus, the structure of the gas cooler 100 is not described
in detail.
[0029] The gas cooler 100 is connected to a first inlet port 301 of
the expansion valve 300 through a first refrigerant pipe P1. Thus,
the refrigerant discharged from the gas cooler 100 is introduced to
the first inlet port 301 of the expansion valve 300. The first
refrigerant pipe P1 is made of metal. Here, the expansion valve 300
is constructed as a part of the assembly A1. The expansion valve
300 is a well-known box type expansion valve and has a first
refrigerant passage and a second refrigerant passage therein. Also,
the expansion valve 300 has a temperature sensing part (not shown)
in the first refrigerant passage.
[0030] In the expansion valve 300, the high pressure refrigerant
flows through the first refrigerant passage, which is in
communication with the temperature sensing part, from the first
inlet port 301 to a first outlet port 302. The first outlet port
302 is connected to a high pressure refrigerant inlet 202 of the
internal heat exchanger 200 through a metallic second refrigerant
pipe P2.
[0031] The internal heat exchanger 200 performs heat exchange
between the high pressure refrigerant discharged from the gas
cooler 100 and a low pressure refrigerant, which has a pressure
lower than the pressure of the high pressure refrigerant and to be
sucked into the compressor 10. The internal heat exchanger 200 has
a heat exchanging part 201 shown in FIG. 3. The heat exchanging
part 201 has a high pressure refrigerant passage 200a and low
pressure refrigerant passages 200b.
[0032] For example, the high pressure refrigerant passage 200a
extends along an axis of the heat exchanging part 201, and the low
pressure refrigerant passages 200b are disposed to extend on a
radial outer side of the high pressure refrigerant passage 200a. In
other words, the high pressure refrigerant passage 200a and the low
pressure refrigerant passages 200b are coaxially disposed, and
hence the heat exchanging part 201 has a substantially
double-passage (double-pipe) structure.
[0033] The internal heat exchanger 200 has the high pressure
refrigerant inlet 202 and a high pressure refrigerant outlet 203 at
ends of the heat exchanging part 201. The heat exchanging part 201
is bent into a U-shape. Thus, the high pressure refrigerant inlet
202 and the high pressure refrigerant outlet 203 are arranged
adjacent to each other on one end of the internal heat exchanger
200. In this embodiment, the internal heat exchanger 200 is
provided as an individual component and is fixed to an appropriate
position in the engine compartment EC with a fixing member such as
a clamp and a bracket (not shown). The structure of the internal
heat exchanger 200 is not limited to the above discussed and
illustrated type. The internal heat exchanger 200 may have another
shape and structure.
[0034] The high pressure refrigerant outlet 203 of the internal
heat exchanger 200 is connected to a second inlet port 303 of the
expansion valve 300 through a metallic third refrigerant pipe P3.
In the expansion valve 300, the second inlet port 303 is in
communication with the second refrigerant passage in which a valve
part (not shown) is provided. Thus, the high pressure refrigerant,
which has passed through the high pressure refrigerant passage 200a
of the internal heat exchanger 200, is introduced into the second
refrigerant passage of the expansion valve 300 from the second
inlet port 303.
[0035] The expansion valve 300 is configured to enthalpically
decompress and expand the high pressure refrigerant. Also, the
expansion valve 300 controls the pressure of the high pressure
refrigerant based on the temperature of the refrigerant discharged
from the gas cooler 100.
[0036] The expansion valve 300 has a second outlet port 304 at a
downstream end-of the second refrigerant passage. The second outlet
port 304 is connected to the evaporator 400 through a metallic
fourth refrigerant pipe P4. Thus, the refrigerant, which has been
decompressed by the valve part in the second refrigerant passage,
is discharged from the second outlet port 304 and introduced into
the evaporator 400 through the fourth refrigerant pipe P4.
[0037] The evaporator 400 performs heat exchange between the low
pressure refrigerant, which has been decompressed in the expansion
valve 300, and air to be introduced into a passenger compartment PC
of the vehicle. Namely, the evaporator 400 cools the air by
evaporating the low pressure refrigerant. The evaporator 400 is
housed in an air conditioning unit mounted in the passenger
compartment PC. Here, the evaporator 400 is constructed of a
well-known type heat exchanger, and structure of which is not
limited to a particular type. Thus, the structure of the evaporator
400 is not described in detail.
[0038] Further, a discharge port of the evaporator 400 is connected
to a refrigerant inlet 501 of the accumulator 500 through a
metallic fifth refrigerant pipe P5. Thus, the low pressure
refrigerant, which has been evaporated in the evaporator 400, is
introduced into the refrigerant inlet 501 of the accumulator 500.
The accumulator 500 separates the low pressure refrigerant into a
gas-phase refrigerant and a liquid-phase refrigerant therein, and
accumulates surplus refrigerant therein as the liquid-phase
refrigerant. Also, the accumulator 500 supplies the gas-phase
refrigerant and refrigerating oil, which has been separated and
extracted, toward a suction side of the compressor 10.
[0039] Here, the accumulator 500 is constructed of a well-known
type accumulator and may have any structure. Thus, the structure of
the accumulator 500 is not described in detail. The accumulator 500
has a refrigerant outlet 502 that is connected to a low pressure
refrigerant inlet 204 of the internal heat exchanger 200 through a
metallic sixth refrigerant pipe P6. Thus, the gas-phase refrigerant
and refrigerating oil are introduced into the low pressure
refrigerant passages 200b of the internal heat exchanger 200
through the sixth refrigerant pipe P6.
[0040] The accumulator 500 is integrated with the expansion valve
300 as into the assembly A1 before mounted to the vehicle. For
example, the accumulator 500 and the expansion valve 300 are
integrated by using fixing means such as screws and the like, as
shown in FIG. 2.
[0041] In this embodiment, the accumulator 500 has a rigid block on
its upper portion. The rigid block is formed with the refrigerant
inlet 501 and the refrigerant outlet 502 to which the fifth
refrigerant pipe P5 and the sixth refrigerant pipe P6 are coupled,
respectively. For example, the refrigerant inlet 501 and the
refrigerant outlet 502 are open in a direction substantially
perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the accumulator 500.
The expansion valve 300 is fixed to the rigid block. As such, the
refrigerant inlet 501, the refrigerant outlet 502, pipe coupling
portions for the refrigerant pipes P5, P6, and the expansion valve
300 are arranged on or adjacent to the upper portion of the
accumulator 500 in a concentrated manner.
[0042] Further, the expansion valve 300 is disposed such that the
first and second refrigerant passages are arranged next to each
other in a horizontal direction. This arrangement contributes to
reduce the height of the assembly A1.
[0043] The inlet and outlet ports 301, 302, 303, 304 of the
expansion valve 300 are formed such that the ends of the
refrigerant pipes P1, P2, P3, P4 are coupled in the same direction
as the coupling direction of the ends of the refrigerant pipes P5,
P6. For example, coupling portions of the first inlet port 301 and
the second outlet port 304 are formed on a first side of the
expansion valve 300 and are open in the same direction. Also, the
first inlet port 301 and the second outlet port 304 are open in the
same direction as the refrigerant inlet 501 formed on the rigid
block of the accumulator 500.
[0044] Likewise, coupling portions of the first outlet port 302 and
the second inlet port 303 are formed on a second side of the
expansion valve 300 and are open in the same direction, the second
side being opposite to the first side. Also, the first outlet port
302 and the second inlet port 303 are open in the same direction as
the refrigerant outlet 502 formed on the rigid block of the
accumulator 500. Namely, the coupling portions for the pipes P1,
P2, P3, P4 are separately formed on the first and second sides of
the expansion valve 300.
[0045] Further, the first side of the expansion valve 300 is formed
with bolt holes 301a, 304a for receiving bolts for fixing the pipes
P1, P4. The bolts holes 301a, 304a are open in the same direction
as a bolt hole 501a formed on the rigid block for receiving a bolt
for fixing the pipe P5. Thus, the refrigerant pipes P1, P4, P5 are
coupled in the same direction.
[0046] Likewise, the second side of the expansion valve 300 is
formed with bolt holes for receiving bolts for fixing the pipes P2,
P3. The bolt holes of the second side may be open in the same
direction as a bolt hole formed on the rigid block for receiving a
bolt for fixing the pipe P6. Thus, the refrigerant pipes P2, P3, P6
are coupled in the same direction.
[0047] Also, the bolt holes 301a, 304a are formed on an upper
portion of the expansion valve 300. In other words, the bolt holes
301a, 304a are formed on the opposite side of the bolt hole 501a of
the rigid block with respect to the first inlet port 301 and the
second outlet port 304. Thus, the refrigerant pipes P1, P4 are
effectively coupled without interfering with the accumulator 500.
Likewise, the bolt holes for fixing of the refrigerant pipes P2, P3
are formed on the upper portion of the second side of the expansion
valve 300. Thus, the refrigerant pipes P2, P3 are effectively
coupled without interfering with the accumulator 500.
[0048] Accordingly, the coupling portions for the pipes P1, P2, P3,
P4, P5, P6 associated with the assembly Al are arranged at or
adjacent to the upper portion of the accumulator 500 in a
concentrated manner. Thus, the pipes P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6 are
easily coupled and fixed.
[0049] The associated components are integrated with the
accumulator 500 into the assembly A1 before mounted to the vehicle.
The assembly A1 is integrally mounted to and fixed to a vehicle
body by a bracket BKT as a support member. In the example shown in
FIG. 2, the bracket BKT has a support portion for holding the
assembly A1. The support portion contacts the accumulator 500 and
only holds the accumulator 500. Namely, the support portion has a
support wall that surrounds and contacts an outer surface of a
columnar body (tank body) of the accumulator 500 and fastening
walls at ends of the support wall to be fastened by fixing parts
such as screws. Thus, the assembly Al is detachably held by the
support portion of the bracket BKT.
[0050] The bracket BKT holds the assembly A1 at a position slightly
higher than a middle portion of the accumulator 500 in a vertical
direction, for example. The bracket BKT has a fixing wall to be
fixed to the vehicle body. The fixing wall generally extends along
an axis of the columnar body of the accumulator 500, and bolt holes
are formed on the fixing wall at separate positions. Thus, the
bracket BKT is fixed to the vehicle body by fastening bolts into
the bolt holes.
[0051] The low pressure refrigerant discharged from the accumulator
500 is introduced to the low pressure refrigerant inlet 204 of the
internal heat exchanger 200 through the sixth refrigerant pipe P6.
In the internal heat exchanger 200, the low pressure refrigerant
flows through the low pressure refrigerant passages 200b toward the
low pressure refrigerant outlet 205 while cooling the high pressure
refrigerant flowing through the high pressure refrigerant passage
200a. Then, the low pressure refrigerant is discharged from the low
pressure refrigerant outlet 205 and sucked into the compressor 100
through a second refrigerant hose H2 having flexibility. In FIG. 1,
double-dashed chain line 600 denotes a radiator. The gas cooler 100
is arranged in front of the radiator 600 in the engine compartment
EC.
[0052] Next, effects of this embodiment will be described.
[0053] The accumulator 500 is a relatively large component of
components of the refrigerating cycle. The associated components
and parts such as the expansion valve 300 are integrated with the
accumulator 500, and then the accumulator 500 is fixed to the
vehicle body. Thus, the associated components are mounted to the
vehicle together with the accumulator 500 by fixing the accumulator
500 to the vehicle body.
[0054] In the above discussion, the accumulator 500 and the
expansion valve 300 are exemplary integrated by using the rigid
block, screws and the like. Further, the accumulator 500 and the
expansion valve 300 can be integrated by various ways or means. For
example, the accumulator 500 and the expansion valve 300 may be
integrally provided by sharing a part of a housing of the
accumulator 500 with a housing of the expansion valve 300.
Alternatively, the accumulator 500 and the expansion valve 300 may
be connected such as by welding or using fixing means such as
clamps and screws.
[0055] Accordingly, the accumulator 500 and the expansion valve 300
are constructed compact. Also, the expansion valve 300 is easily
assembled. In addition, the accumulator 500 and the expansion valve
300 are handled as a single unit, and hence easily transported and
handled in assembling. The expansion valve 300 is constructed of a
box-type expansion valve having the temperature sensing part in the
refrigerant passage. Thus, the expansion valve 300 is easily
integrated into the assembly A1.
[0056] The expansion valve 300 and the accumulator 500 are fixed to
the vehicle body through the same bracket BKT. Therefore, the
number of the fixing members such as clamp, bracket and screws is
reduced, and hence the number of fixing work for fixing the fixing
members are reduced. As a result, costs reduces. Moreover, spaces
for the fixing members and working spaces for fixing the fixing
members reduce. Furthermore, the weight of the refrigerating cycle
reduces.
[0057] In the refrigerating cycle having the component assembly A1,
assembling workability improves. In this embodiment, the
refrigerating cycle has the internal heat exchanger 200. However,
the refrigerating cycle may not have the internal heat exchanger
200.
Second Embodiment
[0058] A second embodiment will be described with reference to
FIGS. 4 and 5. Hereafter, like parts are denoted by like reference
numerals, and a feature of this embodiment, which is different from
the first embodiment, will be mainly described. As shown in FIG. 4,
the internal heat exchanger 200 and the expansion valve 300 are
integrated as into a component assembly A2 in the refrigerating
cycle.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 5, the expansion valve 300 is integrated
with the internal heat exchanger 200 such that the first outlet
port 302 is directly connected to the high pressure refrigerant
inlet 202 and the second inlet port 303 is directly connected to
the high pressure refrigerant outlet 203 without using the second
and third pipes P2, P3. The expansion valve 300 and the internal
heat exchanger 200 are integrated into the assembly A2 beforehand,
and then the assembly A2 is mounted to and fixed to the vehicle
body using the bracket BKT. In this embodiment, the accumulator 500
is provided as an individual component and mounted to a
predetermined portion in the engine compartment.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 4, the high pressure refrigerant discharged
from the gas cooler 100 is introduced into the first inlet port 301
of the expansion valve 300 through the first refrigerant pipe P1.
Then, the high pressure refrigerant flows toward the first outlet
port 302 through the first refrigerant passage of the expansion
valve 300. Further, the high pressure refrigerant flows into the
high pressure refrigerant inlet 202 of the internal heat exchanger
200 directly from the first outlet port 302.
[0061] In the internal heat exchanger 200, the high pressure
refrigerant exchanges heat with the low pressure refrigerant that
flows through the low pressure refrigerant passages 200b while
flowing through the high pressure refrigerant passage 200a. Then,
the high pressure refrigerant is introduced into the second inlet
port 303 directly from the high pressure refrigerant outlet 203 of
the internal heat exchanger 200.
[0062] In the expansion valve 300, the high pressure refrigerant is
decompressed by the valve part (not shown) in the second
refrigerant passage. Then, the low pressure refrigerant is
introduced into the evaporator 400 from the second outlet port 304
through the fourth refrigerant pipe P4.
[0063] Thereafter, the low pressure refrigerant flows through the
evaporator 400 and then flows into the accumulator 500 through the
fifth refrigerant pipe P5, in the similar manner as the first
embodiment. Then, the low pressure refrigerant discharged from the
accumulator 500 is introduced to the low pressure refrigerant inlet
204 of the internal heat exchanger 200 through the sixth
refrigerant pipe P6. While flowing through the low pressure
refrigerant passages 200b of the heat exchanging part 201, the low
pressure refrigerant exchanges heat with the high pressure
refrigerant. Then, the low pressure refrigerant is discharged from
the low pressure refrigerant outlet 205 and sucked into the
compressor 10 through the second refrigerant hose H2.
[0064] Next, effects of the second embodiment will be
described.
[0065] The internal heat exchanger 200 and the expansion valve 300
have relatively large numbers of coupling portions. The internal
heat exchanger 200 and the expansion valve 300 are integrated into
the assembly A2 before fixed to the vehicle body. The integrated
internal heat exchanger 200 and expansion valve 300 are mounted
together to the vehicle body by fixing one of the internal heat
exchanger 200 and the expansion valve 300 to the vehicle body.
[0066] Here, the internal heat exchanger 200 and the expansion
valve 300 are integrated by various ways or means. For example, the
internal heat exchanger 200 and the expansion valve 300 may be
integrally provided by sharing a housing thereof. Alternatively,
the internal heat exchanger 200 and the expansion valve 300 are
connected such as by welding or using fixing members such as clamps
and screws.
[0067] As such, pipes for connecting the expansion valve 300 and
the internal heat exchanger 200 are eliminated. Thus, coupling
structure between the expansion valve 300 and the internal heat
exchanger 200 is simplified. Also, since the number of pipes in the
refrigerating cycle is reduced, the refrigerating cycle is easily
assembled within the engine compartment.
[0068] Since the internal heat exchanger 200 and the expansion
valve 300 are integrated and arranged compact, the components of
the refrigerating cycle are mounted in a reduced space. Further,
the internal heat exchanger 200 and the expansion valve 300 are
easily assembled. In addition, the integrated internal heat
exchanger 200 and expansion valve 300 are handled as a single unit,
and hence are easily transported and handled in assembling.
[0069] In the refrigerating cycle, the internal heat exchanger 200
is disposed downstream of the gas cooler 100, and the expansion
valve 300 is disposed downstream of the internal heat exchanger 200
with respect to the flow of the high pressure refrigerant. To
control the pressure of the high pressure refrigerant in the
expansion valve 300, the temperature of the high pressure
refrigerant is sensed at a position downstream of the gas cooler
100. Since the internal heat exchanger 200 is configured such that
the high pressure refrigerant inlet 202 and the high pressure
refrigerant outlet 203 are arranged adjacent to each other, the
pressure control in the expansion valve 300 is easily
performed.
[0070] Since the box-type expansion valve 300 is employed, the
first outlet port 302 and the second inlet port 303 of the
expansion valve 300 are directly connected to the high pressure
refrigerant inlet 202 and the high pressure refrigerant outlet 203
of the internal heat exchanger 200, respectively. Here, the
structure of the internal heat exchanger 200 is not limited to the
U-shape as long as the high pressure refrigerant inlet 202 and the
high pressure refrigerant outlet 203 are disposed adjacent to each
other.
[0071] Alternatively, when the high pressure refrigerant inlet 202
and the high pressure refrigerant outlet 203 are disposed at
separated positions, a pipe is coupled to one of the high pressure
refrigerant inlet 202 and the high pressure refrigerant outlet 203
and an end of the pipe is arranged to be close to the other one of
the high pressure refrigerant inlet 202 and the high pressure
refrigerant outlet 203.
[0072] The heat exchanging part 201 of the internal heat exchanger
200 has the double-passage pipe structure in which the high
pressure refrigerant passage 200a and the low pressure refrigerant
passages 200b are coaxially aligned. The heat exchanging part 201
is formed by bending. Therefore, the high pressure refrigerant
inlet 202 and the high pressure refrigerant outlet 203 are easily
disposed adjacent to each other by bending the heat exchanging part
201 into the U-shape. Alternatively, the shape of the internal heat
exchanger 200 may be arranged according to the space provided in
the engine compartment. Thus, the assembly A2 can be provided
compact.
Third Embodiment
[0073] A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
6 and 7. As shown in FIG. 6, the internal heat exchanger 200, the
expansion valve 300 and the accumulator 500 are integrated as into
a component assembly A3 in the refrigerating cycle. Further, as
shown in FIG. 7, the expansion valve 300 is disposed such that the
first outlet port 302 is directly connected to the high pressure
refrigerant inlet 202 of the internal heat exchanger 200 and the
second inlet port 303 is directly connected to the high pressure
refrigerant outlet 203 of the internal heat exchanger 200.
[0074] Also, the refrigerant outlet 502 of the accumulator 500 is
directly connected to the low pressure refrigerant inlet 204 of the
internal heat exchanger 200. The internal heat exchanger 200, the
expansion valve 300 and the accumulator 500 are integrated into the
assembly A3 before fixed to the vehicle body. The assembly A3 is
mounted to and fixed to a predetermined position in the engine
compartment with the bracket BKT.
[0075] The high pressure refrigerant discharged from the gas cooler
100 is introduced to the first inlet port 301 of the expansion
valve 300 through the first refrigerant pipe P1. In the expansion
valve 300, the high pressure refrigerant flows through the first
refrigerant passage and reaches the first outlet port 302. Then,
the high pressure refrigerant directly flows in the high pressure
refrigerant inlet 202 of the internal heat exchanger 200 from the
first outlet port 302 of the expansion valve 300.
[0076] In the internal heat exchanger 200, the high pressure
refrigerant exchanges heat with the low pressure refrigerant
flowing through the low pressure refrigerant passages 200b while
passing through the high pressure refrigerant passage 200a. Then,
the high pressure refrigerant directly flows in the second inlet
port 303 of the expansion valve 300 from the high pressure
refrigerant outlet 203 of the internal heat exchanger 200.
[0077] In the expansion valve 300, the refrigerant is decompressed
by the valve part (not shown) while flowing through the second
refrigerant passage. The decompressed refrigerant is introduced to
the evaporator 400 from the second outlet port 304 through the
fourth refrigerant pipe P4.
[0078] After passing through the evaporator 400, the low pressure
refrigerant flows through the fifth refrigerant pipe P5 and is
introduced into the refrigerant inlet 501 of the accumulator 500.
Then, the gas-phase refrigerant and the refrigerating oil, which
have been separated in the accumulator 500, are introduced into the
low pressure refrigerant inlet 204 of the internal heat exchanger
200 directly from the refrigerant outlet 502 of the accumulator
500.
[0079] In the internal heat exchanger 200, the low pressure
refrigerant exchanges heat with the high pressure refrigerant
flowing through the high pressure refrigerant passage 200a while
flowing through the low pressure refrigerant passages 200b.
Thereafter, the low pressure refrigerant is discharged from the low
pressure refrigerant outlet 205 of the internal heat exchanger 200
and sucked into the compressor 10 through the second refrigerant
hose H2.
[0080] The heat exchanging part 201 of the internal heat exchanger
200 for example has the double-passage pipe structure having an
inner pipe providing the high pressure refrigerant passage 200a and
an outer pipe housing the inner pipe and providing the low pressure
refrigerant passages 200b between the outer pipe and the inner
pipe. The internal heat exchanger 200 has coupling portions at the
ends thereof as the high pressure refrigerant inlet and outlet 202,
203, and the coupling portions are arranged at predetermined
positions to corresponds to the first outlet port 302 and the
second inlet port 303 of the expansion valve 300. The coupling
portions between the expansion valve 300 and the internal heat
exchanger 200 are configured similar to those of the second
embodiment shown in FIG. 5.
[0081] The heat exchanging part 201 of the internal heat exchanger
200 has a generally U-shape. The heat exchanging part 201 extends
along the side wail and the bottom wall of the columnar body of the
accumulator 500 toward a radially opposite side. Also, the heat
exchanging part 201 is spaced from outer surfaces of the columnar
body of the accumulator 500.
[0082] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the heat exchanging part
201 includes straight portions extending along the side wall of the
columnar body of the accumulator 500 on one side, portions
extending along the bottom wall of the columnar body toward the
other side of the columnar body, portions extending along the side
wall of the columnar body on the opposite side and a turn portion
that makes a turn along the side wall of the columnar body on the
opposite side.
[0083] The bracket BKT holds the columnar body of the accumulator
500 in the similar manner as the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2.
The internal heat exchanger 200 is supported by the accumulator 500
through the expansion valve 300 and the coupling portions between
the internal heat exchanger 200, the expansion valve 300 and the
accumulator 500.
[0084] Alternatively, the heat exchanging part 201 of the internal
heat exchanger may be directly fixed by the bracket BKT. As another
example, the internal heat exchanger 200 may be fixed to the
accumulator 500 or another object by using auxiliary bracket. In
this embodiment, the coupling portions associated with the assembly
A3 are arranged at the upper portion of the accumulator 500 in the
concentrated manner.
[0085] Next, effects of the third embodiment will be described.
[0086] The accumulator 500 is a relatively large component of the
components of the refrigerating cycle. The expansion valve 300 and
the internal heat exchanger 200 are integrated with the accumulator
500 into the assembly A3 before fixing to the vehicle body, and
then the accumulator 500 is fixed to the vehicle body. Thus, the
associated components are mounted to and fixed to the vehicle body
by fixing the accumulator 500 to the vehicle body.
[0087] Here, the internal heat exchanger 200, the expansion valve
300 and the accumulator 500 are integrated in variable ways or by
variable means. For example, the internal heat exchanger 200 and
the expansion valve 300 are integrated with the accumulator 500
such that portions such as housings of the internal heat exchanger
200 and the expansion valve 300 are provided by portions of the
housing of the accumulator 500. That is, the internal heat
exchanger 200, the expansion valve 300 and the accumulator 500 may
be constructed to shape a housing thereof. Alternatively, the
internal heat exchanger 200, the expansion valve 300 and the
accumulator 500 may be connected such as by welding or by using
clamps or screws.
[0088] As such, the pipes for connecting between the internal heat
exchanger 200, the expansion valve 300, and the accumulator 500 are
reduced, and hence the structures thereof are simplified. As a
result, the refrigerant cycle is easily assembled in the engine
compartment.
[0089] Further, the internal heat exchanger 200, the expansion
valve 300 and the accumulator 500 are integrated into the assembly
A3, i.e., into a single unit. Therefore, the internal heat
exchanger 200, the expansion valve 300 and the accumulator 500 are
constructed compact and mounted in a reduced space. In addition,
since the internal heat exchanger 200 and the expansion valve 300
are easily assembled. Furthermore, the internal heat exchanger 200,
the expansion valve 300 and the accumulator 500 are handled as the
single unit, and hence are easily transported and handled in
assembling.
[0090] In the above embodiments, the refrigerating cycle is
employed as a supercritical refrigerating cycle in which carbon
dioxide is used as the refrigerant. However, the present invention
is not limited to the above discussed and illustrated embodiments,
but may be employed to a subcritical vapor compression
refrigerating cycle in which the pressure of the refrigerant
discharged from the compressor is lower than the critical pressure
and chlorofluorocarbon is used as the refrigerant. Further, one of
or some of the refrigerant pipes P1 through P6 and the refrigerant
hose H2 may be further integrally provided.
[0091] In the above embodiments, the bracket BKT is exemplary fixed
to the vehicle body such as frame. However, the bracket BKT may be
fixed to another object such as a chassis of an air
conditioner.
[0092] The example embodiments of the present invention are
described above. However, the present invention is not limited to
the above example embodiment, but may be implemented in other ways
without departing from the spirit of the invention.
* * * * *