JP7433522B2 - Refrigerant storage container and refrigeration cycle device equipped with the refrigerant storage container - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerant storage container that separates a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant and stores the liquid refrigerant inside the container, and a refrigeration cycle device equipped with the refrigerant storage container.

Conventionally, various refrigerant storage containers that separate a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant and store the liquid refrigerant inside the container have been disclosed and put into practical use. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a gas-liquid separator that is disposed within a refrigeration cycle and separates refrigerant into a gas-phase refrigerant and a liquid-phase refrigerant. The interior of this gas-liquid separator is partitioned by a first plate and a second plate. The first plate defines a lower part of the gas-liquid separator to form a liquid-phase refrigerant retention chamber in which the liquid-phase refrigerant resides. The second plate partitions the upper part of the gas-liquid separator to form a gas-phase refrigerant collection chamber in which the gas-phase refrigerant collects. A refrigerant inflow chamber into which refrigerant flows is formed between the first plate and the second plate. A liquid phase refrigerant outflow pipe that causes the liquid phase refrigerant to flow out of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the liquid phase refrigerant retention chamber. A gas phase refrigerant outflow pipe is connected to the gas phase refrigerant collection chamber to cause the gas phase refrigerant to flow out of the gas-liquid separator. A refrigerant inflow pipe through which refrigerant flows is connected to the refrigerant inflow chamber.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-172469

In the gas-liquid separator disclosed in Patent Document 1, a liquid-phase refrigerant outflow pipe is connected to a liquid-phase refrigerant retention chamber in addition to a gas-phase refrigerant outflow pipe that causes the gas-phase refrigerant to flow out of the gas-liquid separator. Therefore, the liquid phase refrigerant can be discharged to the outside through the liquid phase refrigerant outflow pipe without being stored. That is, in this gas-liquid separator, since the amount of liquid phase refrigerant accumulated in the liquid phase refrigerant retention chamber is small, there is little possibility that the liquid phase refrigerant will ripple at the gas-liquid interface and droplets will scatter.

On the other hand, in a refrigerant storage container equipped with an outflow pipe that allows the gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant to flow out of the container from the upper space inside the container, the liquid refrigerant separated from the gas refrigerant is stored in the lower space inside the container. The liquid refrigerant that has been stored to a certain extent is discharged to the compressor through a common outlet pipe with the gas refrigerant. In such a refrigerant storage container, when the gas refrigerant flows out from the outflow pipe and is sucked into the compressor, the stored liquid refrigerant waves and scatters, and the scattered droplets reach the outflow pipe and remove the gas refrigerant. There is also a risk that it will flow into the compressor. If the liquid refrigerant flows out excessively and flows into the compressor together with the gas refrigerant, the refrigerating machine oil inside the shell of the compressor will be diluted, and there is a risk that seizure will occur in the sliding parts of the compressor.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and efficiently stores liquid refrigerant separated from gas refrigerant in the lower space of a container while reducing excessive outflow of the stored liquid refrigerant. A refrigerant storage container and a refrigeration cycle device equipped with the refrigerant storage container, which can avoid dilution of refrigerating machine oil due to liquid refrigerant flowing into the compressor together with gas refrigerant and ensure reliability of the compressor. The purpose is to provide

A refrigerant storage container according to the present disclosure is a refrigerant storage container that separates a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant and stores the liquid refrigerant in a lower space inside the container, and the container forms an outer shell. a main body; an inflow pipe connected to the container main body for causing the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant to flow into the upper space within the container main body; and an inflow pipe connected to the container main body for flowing gas refrigerant and an outflow pipe for causing the liquid refrigerant to flow out of the container body; and a waving prevention plate provided inside the container body and partitioning the inside of the container body into the upper space and the lower space; A plurality of through holes are formed in the prevention plate to communicate the upper space and the lower space and allow liquid refrigerant to flow into the lower space, and the through holes are formed along the inner wall surface of the container body. The through holes are arranged in an annular shape, and among the plurality of through holes, a through hole near the inflow pipe is formed to have a larger hole diameter than a through hole close to the outflow pipe .

A refrigeration cycle device according to the present disclosure includes the refrigerant storage container and a compressor connected to the refrigerant storage container via an outflow pipe.

According to the present disclosure, the liquid refrigerant separated from the gas refrigerant in the upper space of the container body is efficiently stored in the lower space through the plurality of through holes arranged annularly along the inner wall surface of the container body. be able to. In addition, even if the liquid refrigerant stored in the lower space of the container body is undulated at the gas-liquid interface and the droplets are scattered, the undulation prevention plate can prevent the scattering. It is possible to prevent the gas from reaching the outflow pipe and flowing into the compressor together with the gas refrigerant. In other words, excessive outflow of the stored liquid refrigerant can be reduced, so dilution of refrigerating machine oil due to liquid refrigerant flowing into the compressor can be avoided, and reliability of the compressor can be ensured.

1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of a refrigeration cycle device including a refrigerant storage container according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerant storage container according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a top view showing the refrigerant storage container according to the first embodiment. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a refrigerant storage container according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 4. FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing essential parts of a refrigerant storage container according to a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a refrigerant storage container according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a refrigerant storage container according to Embodiment 4. FIG. 7 is a top view showing a refrigerant storage container according to Embodiment 4. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a refrigerant storage container according to Embodiment 5. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line BB shown in FIG. 10. FIG. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a refrigerant storage container according to a fifth embodiment, in which liquid refrigerant flowing from an inflow pipe flows into a lower space via a through hole. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a modification of the refrigerant storage container according to the fifth embodiment.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified as appropriate. Furthermore, the shape, size, arrangement, etc. of the configurations shown in each figure can be changed as appropriate.

Embodiment 1.
First, based on FIG. 1, a refrigeration cycle device 100 including a refrigerant storage container 101 according to a first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of a refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 including a refrigerant storage container 101 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigeration cycle device 100 according to the first embodiment includes a compressor 10, a flow path switching device 11, an outdoor heat exchanger 12, an expansion mechanism 13, an indoor heat exchanger 14, and a refrigerant storage container. 101 are sequentially connected by refrigerant pipes 15, and have a refrigerant circuit 200 in which refrigerant circulates.

The compressor 10 compresses the sucked refrigerant and discharges it in a high temperature and high pressure state. Compressor 10 is, for example, an inverter compressor. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 12 or the indoor heat exchanger 14.

The flow path switching device 11 is, for example, a four-way valve, and has a function of switching the refrigerant flow path. During cooling operation, the flow path switching device 11 connects the refrigerant discharge side of the compressor 10 and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 12, and also connects the refrigerant suction side of the compressor 10 and the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 14. Switch the refrigerant flow path to connect the On the other hand, during heating operation, the flow path switching device 11 connects the refrigerant discharge side of the compressor 10 and the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 14, and also connects the refrigerant suction side of the compressor 10 and the outdoor heat exchanger 12. Switch the refrigerant flow path to connect it to the gas side. Note that the flow path switching device 11 may be configured by combining two-way valves or three-way valves.

The outdoor heat exchanger 12 functions as a condenser during cooling operation, and exchanges heat between the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 and air. Moreover, the outdoor heat exchanger 12 functions as an evaporator during heating operation, and performs heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing out from the expansion mechanism 13 and air. The outdoor heat exchanger 12 sucks in outdoor air using a blower, and discharges the air that has undergone heat exchange with the refrigerant to the outside.

The expansion mechanism 13 decompresses and expands the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit, and includes, for example, an electronic expansion valve whose opening degree is variably controlled.

The indoor heat exchanger 14 functions as an evaporator during cooling operation, and exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing out from the expansion mechanism 13 and air. Moreover, the indoor heat exchanger 14 functions as a condenser during heating operation, and performs heat exchange between the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 and air. The indoor heat exchanger 14 sucks indoor air using a blower, exchanges heat with a refrigerant, and supplies the air indoors.

The refrigerant storage container 101 is installed upstream of the suction port of the compressor 10, as shown in FIG. The refrigerant storage container 101 separates the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the evaporator into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant, and stores the liquid refrigerant in a lower space inside the container. In the refrigeration cycle device 100, the refrigerant sucked into the compressor 10 is ideally superheated gas. However, the refrigeration cycle device 100 depends on the refrigerant distribution within the circuit, and the gas refrigerant may be sucked into the compressor 10 in a state containing liquid refrigerant. When the liquid refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 10, the refrigerating machine oil inside the shell of the compressor 10 is diluted, and there is a possibility that the sliding parts of the compressor 10 may seize. Therefore, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100, in order to avoid the occurrence of seizure of the sliding parts of the compressor 10, a refrigerant storage container 101 that stores the liquid refrigerant separated from the gas refrigerant is installed on the upstream side of the suction port of the compressor 10. We are planning to establish a

Here, the operation of the refrigeration cycle device 100 during cooling operation will be explained. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 passes through the flow path switching device 11, flows to the outdoor heat exchanger 12, exchanges heat with air, and is condensed and liquefied. The condensed and liquefied refrigerant is depressurized by the expansion mechanism 13 to become a low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, flows to the indoor heat exchanger 14, exchanges heat with air, and is gasified. The gasified refrigerant passes through the flow path switching device 11 and is sucked into the compressor 10 via the refrigerant storage container 101.

Next, the operation of the refrigeration cycle device 100 during heating operation will be explained. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 passes through the flow path switching device 11, flows to the indoor heat exchanger 14, exchanges heat with air, and is condensed and liquefied. The condensed and liquefied refrigerant is depressurized by the expansion mechanism 13 to become a low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, flows to the outdoor heat exchanger 12, exchanges heat with air, and gasifies. The gasified refrigerant passes through the flow path switching device 11 and is sucked into the compressor 10 via the refrigerant storage container 101.

Next, the refrigerant storage container 101 according to the first embodiment will be explained based on FIGS. 2 to 5. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the refrigerant storage container 101 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a top view showing the refrigerant storage container 101 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the refrigerant storage container 101 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG.

The refrigerant storage container 101 according to the first embodiment includes a container body 1, an inflow pipe 2, an outflow pipe 3, and an anti-undulation plate 4, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5. The container body 1 forms the outer shell of the refrigerant storage container 101. Gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the evaporator flows into the container body 1 through the inflow pipe 2 . The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant contains refrigeration oil.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the inflow pipe 2 is connected to the upper surface of the container body 1 and is provided to cause the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the evaporator to flow into the upper space 1a in the container body 1. ing. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the outflow pipe 3 is connected to the upper surface of the container body 1, and is used to cause the gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant to flow out from the upper space 1a inside the container body 1 to the outside of the container body 1. It is set in. Of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, the gas refrigerant separated from the liquid refrigerant flows out from the upper space 1 a in the container body 1 and is sucked into the compressor 10 .

As shown in FIG. 4, the anti-undulation plate 4 is provided inside the container body 1, and partitions the inside of the container body 1 into an upper space 1a and a lower space 1b, and also directs the liquid refrigerant separated from the gas refrigerant into the lower space. 1b. Further, the anti-undulation plate 4 prevents the liquid refrigerant 6 stored in the lower space 1b from undulating at the gas-liquid interface, thereby preventing the scattered droplets from flowing into the upper space 1a and entering the outflow pipe 3. It is something.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the anti-undulation plate 4 is formed with a plurality of through holes 5 that communicate the upper space 1a and the lower space 1b and allow liquid refrigerant to flow into the lower space 1b. The through holes 5 are arranged annularly along the inner wall surface of the container body 1. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, eight through holes 5 of the same shape and size are formed at equal intervals. The through hole 5 has a circular shape, for example. Note that the number of through holes 5 is not limited to eight as illustrated. Further, the through hole 5 is not limited to the illustrated circular shape, but may have other shapes such as an ellipse or a rectangle, or may have a shape obtained by cutting the outer edge of the anti-undulation plate 4 into an arc shape. The anti-undulation plate 4 is a central portion of the lower surface surrounded by the through holes 5, and can prevent the liquid refrigerant 6 stored in the lower space 1b from scattering.

In the refrigerant storage container 101 , a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the upper space 1 a in the container body 1 through the inflow pipe 2 . The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the upper space 1a is separated into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant. The low-density gas refrigerant remains in the upper space 1 a within the container body 1 , flows out from the outlet pipe 3 to the outside of the container body 1 , and is sucked into the compressor 10 . On the other hand, the high-density liquid refrigerant flows into the lower space 1b in the container body 1 through the plurality of through holes 5 formed in the anti-undulation plate 4 due to the influence of gravity and is stored therein. Note that, when the liquid refrigerant 6 that has flowed into the lower space 1b accumulates to a certain extent, it is discharged from the outflow pipe 3 to the compressor 10 via the through hole 5.

As described above, the refrigerant storage container 101 according to the first embodiment includes the container main body 1 forming an outer shell and is connected to the container main body 1, and supplies the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant to the upper space 1a inside the container main body 1. An inflow pipe 2 for causing the refrigerant to flow in, an outflow pipe 3 that is connected to the container body 1 and allows the gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant to flow out from the upper space 1a in the container body 1 to the outside of the container body 1; , and an anti-undulation plate 4 that partitions the inside of the container body 1 into an upper space 1a and a lower space 1b. A plurality of through holes 5 are formed in the anti-undulation plate 4 to communicate the upper space 1a and the lower space 1b and to allow liquid refrigerant to flow into the lower space 1b. The through holes 5 are arranged annularly along the inner wall surface of the container body 1.

Therefore, the refrigerant storage container 101 efficiently transfers the liquid refrigerant separated from the gas refrigerant in the upper space 1a to the lower space 1b through the plurality of through holes 5 arranged annularly along the inner wall surface of the container body 1. Can be stored well. Further, even if the liquid refrigerant 6 stored in the lower space 1b of the container body 1 waves at the gas-liquid interface and scatters droplets, the scattering can be prevented at the center of the lower surface of the anti-undulation plate 4. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the wavy droplets of the liquid refrigerant 6 from reaching the outflow pipe 3 and flowing into the compressor 10 together with the gas refrigerant. In other words, excessive outflow of the stored liquid refrigerant 6 can be reduced, so dilution of refrigerating machine oil due to liquid refrigerant flowing into the compressor 10 can be avoided, and reliability of the compressor 10 can be ensured.

Embodiment 2.
Next, the refrigerant storage container 102 according to the second embodiment will be described based on FIG. 6 with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing essential parts of the refrigerant storage container 102 according to the second embodiment. Note that the same components as those in Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

The refrigerant storage container 102 according to the second embodiment also includes a container body 1, an inflow pipe 2, an outflow pipe 3, and an anti-undulation plate 4, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. As shown in FIG. 6, eight through holes (5a, 5b, 5c) are formed in the anti-waving plate 4 to communicate the upper space 1a and the lower space 1b and to allow the liquid refrigerant to flow into the lower space 1b. has been done. The eight through holes (5a, 5b, 5c) are arranged annularly along the inner wall surface of the container body 1.

In the refrigerant storage container 102 according to the second embodiment, among the plurality of through holes (5a, 5b, 5c), the through holes (5a, 5b) near the inflow pipe 2 are connected to the through hole 5c near the outflow pipe 3. It is characterized by the pores being formed with a larger pore diameter. In the illustrated example, three types of through holes (5a, 5b, 5c) with different hole diameters are formed. One through hole 5a closest to the inflow pipe 2 has the largest hole diameter. The two through holes 5b adjacent to the through hole 5a have medium diameters. The other six through holes 5c close to the outflow pipe 3 have the smallest hole diameter. The area of the through hole 5a having the largest diameter is, for example, about 20% larger than that of the through hole 5b having a medium diameter. Furthermore, the area of the through hole 5b having a medium diameter is, for example, about 20% larger than that of the through hole 5c having the smallest diameter. In this way, by configuring the through holes (5a, 5b) near the inflow pipe 2 to have a larger hole diameter than the through hole 5c near the outflow pipe 3, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing from the inflow pipe 2 can be The liquid refrigerant can be quickly sent into the lower space 1b of the container body 1 from the through holes (5a, 5b).

Note that the sizes of the through holes (5a, 5b, 5c) are not limited to the above ratio, and may be other ratios. Further, the through holes (5a, 5b, 5c) of the refrigerant storage container 102 are not limited to the illustrated configuration. The hole diameters of the through holes (5a, 5b, 5c) are not limited to the three types illustrated, but may be two or more types. For example, the through hole 5a with the largest hole diameter and the through hole 5b with a medium hole diameter shown in FIG. 6 may be connected to form a long hole. Alternatively, the plurality of through holes may all have different hole diameters, and the hole diameters may be gradually increased as they approach the inflow pipe 2. Furthermore, the total area of the through-holes on the right half where the inflow pipe 2 is arranged is larger than the total area of the through-holes on the left half where the outflow pipe 3 is arranged, with the center of the anti-waving plate 4 as a border. may be configured. In short, out of the plurality of through holes (5a, 5b, 5c), if the through hole (5a, 5b) closer to the inflow pipe 2 has a larger hole diameter than the through hole 5c closer to the outflow pipe 3, what kind of shape is formed? But that's fine.

As described above, in the refrigerant storage container 102 according to the second embodiment, among the plurality of through holes (5a, 5b, 5c), the through holes (5a, 5b) near the inflow pipe 2 are connected to the outflow pipe 3. It is formed with a larger hole diameter than the nearby through hole 5c. Therefore, the liquid refrigerant, which is a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, flowing from the inflow pipe 2 can be quickly sent into the lower space 1b of the container body 1 via the through hole 5a having a large hole diameter. Further, by making the through hole 5c close to the outflow pipe 3 have a small hole diameter, the area of the central portion of the anti-waving plate 4 surrounded by the through holes (5a, 5b, 5c) can be secured. Therefore, even if the liquid refrigerant 6 stored in the lower space 1b is undulated at the gas-liquid interface and the droplets are scattered, the scattering can be prevented by the central portion of the lower surface of the undulation prevention plate 4, so that the wavy liquid It is possible to prevent droplets of the refrigerant 6 from reaching the outflow pipe 3 and flowing into the compressor 10 together with the gas refrigerant.

Embodiment 3.
Next, the refrigerant storage container 103 according to the third embodiment will be explained based on FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the refrigerant storage container 103 according to the third embodiment. Note that the same components as those in Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 7, the refrigerant storage container 103 according to the third embodiment also has an anti-undulation plate 4 that is provided inside the container body 1 and partitions the inside of the container body 1 into an upper space 1a and a lower space 1b. We are prepared. A plurality of through holes 5 are formed in the anti-undulation plate 4 to communicate the upper space 1a and the lower space 1b and to allow liquid refrigerant to flow into the lower space 1b. The plurality of through holes 5 are arranged in an annular shape along the inner wall surface of the container body 1, for example, as shown in FIG. Note that the plurality of through holes 5 may be configured such that the through holes (5a, 5b) near the inflow pipe 2 are formed with a larger hole diameter than the through hole 5c near the outflow pipe 3, as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the refrigerant storage container 103 according to the third embodiment, the inflow pipe 2 is arranged such that the discharge port is directed toward the center of the upper surface of the anti-undulation plate 4, avoiding the through holes 5. It is connected to main body 1. Note that the central position does not necessarily have to be strictly the center of the upper surface of the anti-undulation plate 4, but also includes positions slightly shifted from the central position.

The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing in from the inflow pipe 2 collides with the center of the upper surface of the anti-undulation plate 4 with force. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that collides with the upper surface of the anti-undulation plate 4 is separated into gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant as droplets of the liquid refrigerant scatter radially. Droplets of the liquid refrigerant flow into the lower space 1b of the container body 1 via the plurality of through holes 5 and are stored therein. On the other hand, the gas refrigerant remains in the upper space 1a within the container body 1, flows out from the outlet pipe 3 to the outside of the container body 1, and is sucked into the compressor 10.

As described above, in the refrigerant storage container 103 according to the third embodiment, the inflow pipe 2 is directed toward the container body 1 with the discharge port directed to a position on the upper surface of the anti-undulation plate 4, avoiding the through hole 5. It is connected. Therefore, the refrigerant storage container 103 can force the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed in from the inflow pipe 2 to collide with the upper surface of the anti-waving plate 4, so that the collision causes separation of the gas refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant can be efficiently stored in the lower space 1b of the container body 1 via the through holes 5 of the anti-waving plate 4.

Embodiment 4.
Next, the refrigerant storage container 104 according to the fourth embodiment will be explained based on FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the refrigerant storage container 104 according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 9 is a top view showing the refrigerant storage container 104 according to the fourth embodiment. Note that the same components as those in Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 8, the refrigerant storage container 104 according to the fourth embodiment also has an anti-undulation plate 4 that is provided inside the container body 1 and partitions the inside of the container body 1 into an upper space 1a and a lower space 1b. We are prepared. A plurality of through holes 5 are formed in the anti-undulation plate 4 to communicate the upper space 1a and the lower space 1b and to allow liquid refrigerant to flow into the lower space 1b. The plurality of through holes 5 are arranged annularly along the inner wall surface of the container body 1, as shown in FIG. Note that the plurality of through holes 5 may be configured such that the through holes (5a, 5b) near the inflow pipe 2 are formed with a larger hole diameter than the through hole 5c near the outflow pipe 3, as shown in FIG.

In the refrigerant storage container 104 according to the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the inflow pipe 2 is connected to the container body 1 with the outlet facing the circumferential direction of the inner wall surface of the container body 1. There is. The outflow pipe 3 is connected to the upper surface of the container body 1.

The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing from the inflow pipe 2 swirls along the inner wall surface of the container body 1 in the circumferential direction. In the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, the liquid refrigerant, which has a high density and a large gravity, is separated from the gas refrigerant by swirling. The separated liquid refrigerant falls while swirling along the circumferential direction on the inner wall surface of the container body 1, and finally reaches the upper surface of the anti-undulation plate 4. The liquid refrigerant that has reached the upper surface of the anti-undulation plate 4 flows into the lower space 1b of the container body 1 via the plurality of through holes 5 and is stored therein. On the other hand, the gas refrigerant remains in the upper space 1a within the container body 1, flows out from the outlet pipe 3 to the outside of the container body 1, and is sucked into the compressor 10.

As described above, in the refrigerant storage container 104 according to the fourth embodiment, the inflow pipe 2 is connected to the container body 1 with the outlet facing the circumferential direction of the inner wall surface of the container body 1. Therefore, the refrigerant storage container 104 can swirl the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has flowed in from the inflow pipe 2 along the circumferential direction on the inner wall surface of the container body 1, so that the swirl can separate the gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant can be efficiently stored in the lower space 1b of the container body 1 via the through holes 5 of the anti-waving plate 4.

Embodiment 5.
Next, the refrigerant storage container 105 according to the fifth embodiment will be explained based on FIGS. 10 to 13. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a refrigerant storage container according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line BB shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a refrigerant storage container according to Embodiment 5, and is an explanatory diagram schematically showing how the liquid refrigerant flowing from the inflow pipe flows into the lower space via the through hole. Note that the same components as those in Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the refrigerant storage container 105 according to the fifth embodiment is also provided inside the container body 1 to prevent undulation and partition the inside of the container body 1 into an upper space 1a and a lower space 1b. It has a plate 4. A plurality of through holes 5 are formed in the anti-undulation plate 4 to communicate the upper space 1a and the lower space 1b and to allow liquid refrigerant to flow into the lower space 1b. The plurality of through holes 5 are arranged annularly along the inner wall surface of the container body 1. The plurality of through holes have the same shape and size, and are formed at equal intervals along the inner wall surface. Note that the plurality of through holes 5 may be configured such that the through holes (5a, 5b) near the inflow pipe 2 are formed with a larger hole diameter than the through hole 5c near the outflow pipe 3, as shown in FIG. Further, the through hole 5 is not limited to the illustrated circular shape, but may have a shape obtained by cutting out the outer edge of the anti-undulation plate 4 in an arc shape, for example.

The anti-undulation plate 4 in the fifth embodiment has a water guide portion 4a that is inclined toward the lower space 1b and guides the liquid refrigerant to the through hole 5. The through hole 5 is formed at a point where the liquid refrigerant is guided by the water guide portion 4a. The anti-undulation plate 4 shown in FIG. 10 has a conical shape with a central portion raised toward the upper surface of the container body 1. The water guide portion 4a is a conical inclined surface that slopes toward the through hole 5 from a raised central portion.

In the refrigerant storage container 105 according to the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. The liquid refrigerant separated from the gas refrigerant is guided by the influence of gravity to the through hole 5 along the water guide portion 4a, flows into the lower space 1b of the container body 1 via the plurality of through holes 5, and is stored. Ru. On the other hand, the gas refrigerant remains in the upper space 1a within the container body 1, flows out from the outlet pipe 3 to the outside of the container body 1, and is sucked into the compressor 10.

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a modification of the refrigerant storage container according to the fifth embodiment. The anti-undulation plate 4 shown in FIG. 13 has a water guide portion 4a that is inclined in one direction toward the lower space 1b. The water guide portion 4a has the side where the inflow pipe 2 is provided inclined toward the lower space 1b. The through hole 5 is formed in an annular shape along the inner wall surface of the container body 1.

Note that the refrigerant storage container 105 according to the fifth embodiment is not limited to the configuration shown in FIGS. 10 to 13. The refrigerant storage container 105 according to the fifth embodiment has a configuration in which the anti-undulation plate 4 has a water guide portion 4a that slopes toward the lower space 1b, and the through hole 5 is formed at the end where water is guided by the water guide portion 4a. If so, other forms may be used.

As described above, the anti-undulation plate 4 of the refrigerant storage container 105 according to the fifth embodiment has the water guide portion 4a that is inclined toward the lower space 1b and guides the liquid refrigerant to the through hole 5. For example, the anti-undulation plate 4 has a shape that swells toward the upper surface of the container body 1, and an inclined surface that slopes from the swollen portion toward the inner wall surface of the container body 1 serves as the water guide portion 4a. Therefore, the refrigerant storage container 105 can guide the liquid refrigerant separated from the gas refrigerant to the through hole 5 by the water guide portion 4a, so that the liquid refrigerant can be efficiently stored in the lower space 1b of the container body 1. can.

Although the refrigerant storage containers (101 to 105) and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 have been described above based on the embodiments, they are not limited to the configurations of the embodiments described above. For example, the refrigerant storage containers (101 to 105) are not limited to the illustrated configuration, and may include other components. Further, the refrigeration cycle device 100 is not limited to the illustrated configuration, and may include other components. In short, the refrigerant storage containers (101 to 105) and the refrigeration cycle device 100 are subject to a range of design changes and application variations that are commonly made by those skilled in the art without departing from the technical concept thereof.

1 Container body, 1a Upper space, 1b Lower space, 2 Inflow pipe, 3 Outflow pipe, 4 Waving prevention plate, 4a Water guide part, 5, 5a, 5b, 5c Through hole, 6 Liquid refrigerant, 10 Compressor, 11 Flow path switching device, 12 outdoor heat exchanger, 13 expansion mechanism, 14 indoor heat exchanger, 15 refrigerant piping, 100 refrigeration cycle device, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 refrigerant storage container, 200 refrigerant circuit.

Claims (7)

A refrigerant storage container that separates a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant, and stores the liquid refrigerant in a lower space inside the container,
a container body forming an outer shell;
an inflow pipe connected to the container body and causing the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant to flow into the upper space within the container body;
an outflow pipe that is connected to the container body and causes the gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant to flow out from the upper space in the container body to the outside of the container body;
an anti-undulation plate provided inside the container body and partitioning the inside of the container body into the upper space and the lower space;
A plurality of through holes are formed in the anti-undulation plate to communicate the upper space and the lower space and allow liquid refrigerant to flow into the lower space,
The through holes are arranged annularly along the inner wall surface of the container body , and among the plurality of through holes, the through hole near the inflow pipe has a larger hole diameter than the through hole near the outflow pipe. A refrigerant storage container made of The refrigerant storage container according to claim 1 , wherein the inflow pipe is connected to the container main body with an outlet facing a position away from the through hole on the upper surface of the undulation prevention plate. The refrigerant storage container according to claim 2 , wherein the position avoiding the through hole is a central position on the upper surface of the anti-undulation plate. The refrigerant storage container according to claim 1 , wherein the inflow pipe is connected to the container main body with an outlet directed toward the circumferential direction of the inner wall surface of the container main body. The refrigerant storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the undulation prevention plate has a water guiding portion that is inclined toward the lower space and guides the liquid refrigerant to the through hole. The anti-undulation plate has a shape that swells toward the upper surface of the container main body,
The refrigerant storage container according to claim 5 , wherein the water guide portion is an inclined surface that slopes from a raised portion toward an inner wall surface of the container main body. A refrigerant storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
A refrigeration cycle device comprising: a compressor connected to the refrigerant storage container via an outflow pipe.

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