ACCUMULATOR, COMPRESSOR, AND REFRIGERATION CYCLE APPARATUS

Abstract

An accumulator includes: a container; a partition plate dividing an internal space of the container into a refrigerant introduction chamber and a refrigerant discharge chamber; an inlet pipe including an inlet flow channel connected to the refrigerant introduction chamber; at least one communication pipe including an outlet opening disposed in the refrigerant discharge chamber and a communication flow channel connecting the refrigerant introduction chamber with the refrigerant discharge chamber, and passing through the partition plate; at least one outlet pipe including an inlet opening disposed in the refrigerant discharge chamber and an outlet flow channel connected to the refrigerant discharge chamber; and a deflection portion blocking views from the outlet opening and the inlet opening, and deflecting a direction of flow of a refrigerant so as to prevent the refrigerant flowing from the outlet opening into the refrigerant discharge chamber from directly flowing to the inlet opening.

Claims

1. An accumulator comprising: a container; a partition plate that is disposed inside the container, and divides an internal space of the container into a refrigerant introduction chamber and a refrigerant discharge chamber; an inlet pipe that is fixed to the container and includes an inlet flow channel connected to the refrigerant introduction chamber; at least one communication pipe that includes an outlet opening disposed in the refrigerant discharge chamber and a communication flow channel connecting the refrigerant introduction chamber with the refrigerant discharge chamber, and passes through the partition plate; at least one outlet pipe that includes an inlet opening disposed in the refrigerant discharge chamber and an outlet flow channel connected to the refrigerant discharge chamber, and is fixed to the container; and a deflection portion that is disposed inside the refrigerant discharge chamber to block views from the outlet opening and the inlet opening, and deflects a direction of flow of a refrigerant so as to prevent the refrigerant flowing from the outlet opening into the refrigerant discharge chamber from directly flowing to the inlet opening.

2. The accumulator according to claim 1, wherein the deflection portion is a baffle plate disposed in the refrigerant discharge chamber.

3. The accumulator according to claim 1, wherein the deflection portion is a bent pipe portion disposed at an end portion of the at least one communication pipe, the end portion being disposed in the refrigerant discharge chamber.

4. A compressor comprising: a sealed container; a compression mechanism housed in the sealed container; an electric motor that is housed in the sealed container and generates driving force of the compression mechanism; and the accumulator according to claim 1 that is placed outside the sealed container and connected to a suction side of the compression mechanism.

5. A refrigeration cycle apparatus comprising: the compressor according to claim 4; a radiator; an expansion device; a heat absorber; and refrigerant piping that connects the compressor, the radiator, the expansion device, and the heat absorber to circulate a refrigerant.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a refrigeration cycle apparatus, a compressor, and an accumulator according to a first embodiment of the present invention; and

[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a refrigeration cycle apparatus, a compressor, and an accumulator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The following describes embodiments of an accumulator, a compressor, and a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the present invention with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Throughout a plurality of drawings, same or corresponding configurations are denoted by the same reference numeral.

First Embodiment

[0014] The following describes a first embodiment of the accumulator according to the present invention with reference to FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the refrigeration cycle apparatus, the compressor, and the accumulator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a rotary compressor 2, a radiator 3, an expansion device 5, a heat absorber 6, an accumulator 7, and refrigerant piping 8. The rotary compressor 2 is simply referred to as a compressor 2 hereinafter. The refrigerant piping 8 successively connects the compressor 2, the radiator 3, the expansion device 5, the heat absorber 6, and the accumulator 7 to circulate a refrigerant. The refrigerant that circulates in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 is any of various refrigerants such as a carbon dioxide refrigerant, a R32 refrigerant, and a mixed refrigerant including R32 refrigerant. The radiator 3 may also be called a condenser, and the heat absorber 6 may also be called an evaporator.

[0017] The compressor 2 includes a cylindrical-shaped sealed container 11 that is vertically disposed, an electric motor 12 housed in an upper half portion of the sealed container 11, a compression mechanism 13 housed in a lower half portion of the sealed container 11, a crank shaft 15 that transmits rotational driving force of the electric motor 12 to the compression mechanism 13, and a main bearing 16 and an auxiliary bearing 17 cooperating with each other to support the crank shaft 15 in a rotatable manner.

[0018] The sealed container 11 has a cylindrical shape. The sealed container 11 includes a cylindrical-shaped drum 11a extending in an upper and lower direction, a hemispherical-shaped or elliptical-shaped upper end plate 11b that blocks an upper end portion of the drum 11a, and a hemispherical-shaped or elliptical-shaped lower end plate 11c that blocks a lower end portion of the drum 11a.

[0019] The drum 11a supports a plurality of suction pipes 8b guiding the refrigerant to the compressor 2. The suction pipes 8b are connected to the accumulator 7. The suction pipes 8b are part of the refrigerant piping 8.

[0020] The upper end plate 11b supports a discharge pipe 8a that discharges the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 2. The discharge pipe 8a is connected to the refrigerant piping 8. The upper end plate 11b includes a sealed terminal portion 18 that supplies electric power to the electric motor 12.

[0021] The electric motor 12 generates driving force to rotate the compression mechanism 13. The electric motor 12 is, for example, a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM). The electric motor 12 includes a tubular-shaped stator 21 fixed to an inner wall of the sealed container 11, a rotor 22 that is disposed on an inner side of the stator 21 and fixed to the crank shaft 15, and a plurality of lead wires 23 led out from the stator 21 and connected to the sealed terminal portion 18.

[0022] The rotor 22 includes a rotor core having a magnet housing hole, and a permanent magnet housed in the magnet housing hole. The rotor 22 can rotate with respect to the stator 21, and fixed to the crank shaft 15 to be integrally rotatable therewith. Rotation center lines of the rotor 22 and the crank shaft 15 substantially agree with a center line of the stator 21.

[0023] The lead wires 23 are wiring for supplying electric power to the stator 21 through the sealed terminal portion 18, what is called leads. The lead wires 23 are wired in accordance with a type of the electric motor 12. In a case in which the lead wires 23 are used as an open-winding type, two lead wires 23 are wired for each of a U-phase, a V-phase, and a W-phase, that is, the six lead wires 23 in total are wired. In a case in which the electric motor 12 is used with a star connection, one lead wire 23 is wired for each of the U-phase, the V-phase, and the W-phase, that is, the three lead wires 23 in total are wired.

[0024] The crank shaft 15 couples the electric motor 12 with the compression mechanism 13. The crank shaft 15 transmits driving force generated by the electric motor 12 to the compression mechanism 13.

[0025] An intermediate portion 15a of the crank shaft 15 connects the electric motor 12 with the compression mechanism 13, and is supported by the main bearing 16 in a rotatable manner. A lower end portion 15b of the crank shaft 15 is supported by the auxiliary bearing 17 in a rotatable manner. The main bearing 16 and the auxiliary bearing 17 are part of the compression mechanism 13. In other words, the crank shaft 15 passes through the compression mechanism 13.

[0026] The crank shaft 15 includes a plurality of eccentric portions 25a and 25b between the intermediate portion 15a supported by the main bearing 16 and the lower end portion 15b supported by the auxiliary bearing 17. Of the eccentric portions 25, a portion closer to the main bearing 16 is referred to as a first eccentric portion 25a, and a portion closer to the auxiliary bearing 17 is referred to as a second eccentric portion 25b. Each of the eccentric portions 25a and 25b is a disk or a cylinder having a center not agreeing with the center of the crank shaft 15. The center of each of the eccentric portions 25a and 25b is decentered with a phase difference of about 180 degrees around the crank shaft 15. The first eccentric portion 25a is placed on an upper side closer to the electric motor 12, and the second eccentric portion 25b is placed on a lower side distant from the electric motor 12.

[0027] The main bearing 16 on the upper side is fixed to a frame 14 via a first cylinder 32 by a plurality of fastening members, for example, bolts 51 and 52. The frame 14 is fixed to the sealed container 11 at a plurality of points by welding, for example, spot welding. That is, the frame 14 supports the compression mechanism 13, the crank shaft 15, and the rotor 22 of the electric motor 12 on the sealed container 11.

[0028] When the electric motor 12 coupled to the compression mechanism 13 via the crank shaft 15 is rotated and driven, the compression mechanism 13 sucks a gaseous refrigerant through the suction pipes 8b, compresses the sucked refrigerant, and discharges the compressed refrigerant into the sealed container 11. A lower portion of the sealed container 11 is filled with refrigerating machine oil, and a major portion of the compression mechanism 13 is immersed in the refrigerating machine oil.

[0029] The compression mechanism 13 includes more than one, for example, two rotor-cylinder assemblies 26 and 27. In other words, the compressor 2 is a multi-cylinder rotary compressor. The compression mechanism 13 includes the first rotor-cylinder assembly 26 disposed inside the sealed container 11, the second rotor-cylinder assembly 27 disposed inside the sealed container 11, and a partition plate 29 disposed between the first rotor-cylinder assembly 26 and the second rotor-cylinder assembly 27.

[0030] The compressor 2 may be a multi-cylinder rotary compressor having three or more cylinders, or may be a rotary compressor having a single cylinder. The compressor 2 and the accumulator 7 are connected via the suction pipes 8b the number of which is the same as the number of the cylinders.

[0031] The first rotor-cylinder assembly 26 includes the first cylinder 32 including a circular-shaped first cylinder chamber 31, and an annular-shaped first rolling piston 33 disposed inside the first cylinder chamber 31. The first rolling piston 33 is simply referred to as a first piston 33 hereinafter.

[0032] The second rotor-cylinder assembly 27 includes a second cylinder 42 including a circular-shaped second cylinder chamber 41, and an annular-shaped second rolling piston 43 disposed inside the second cylinder chamber 41. The second rolling piston 43 is simply referred to as a second piston 43 hereinafter.

[0033] Each of the rotor-cylinder assemblies 26 and 27 includes a vane 45 that partitions corresponding one of the cylinder chambers 31 and 41 into a suction chamber and a compression chamber by performing reciprocating motion for approaching or moving away from a rotation center line of the crank shaft 15 while being in contact with an outer peripheral surfaces of corresponding one of the pistons 33 and 43. Each of the rotor-cylinder assemblies 26 and 27 changes capacity of the compression chamber sectioned by corresponding one of the pistons 33 and 43 and the corresponding vane 45 by rotation of the pistons 33 and 43 to compress the refrigerant. Only the vane 45 of the second rotor-cylinder assembly 27 is illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0034] The first cylinder 32 and the second cylinder 42 are disposed to be stacked in an axis direction of the crank shaft 15. The first cylinder 32 on the upper side is disposed on a side closer to the electric motor 12. The second cylinder 42 on the lower side is disposed on a side distant from the electric motor 12.

[0035] Each of the cylinders 32 and 42 includes an inner peripheral surface that defines corresponding one of the cylinder chambers 31 and 41. Each of the cylinders 32 and 42 has an annular shape and a plate shape including corresponding one of the cylinder chambers 31 and 41 inside. Each of the cylinders 32 and 42 has an end face close to the electric motor 12 and an end face distant from the electric motor 12.

[0036] Centers of the first cylinder chamber 31 and the second cylinder chamber 41 substantially overlap the rotation center line of the crank shaft 15. These cylinder chambers 31 and 41 have substantially the same diameter dimension and height dimension, that is, a dimension in a length direction of the crank shaft 15.

[0037] The first cylinder chamber 31 is a space inside the first cylinder 32, and closed by the main bearing 16 and the partition plate 29. The first cylinder chamber 31 houses the first eccentric portion 25a of the crank shaft 15. The second cylinder chamber 41 is a space inside the second cylinder 42, and closed by the partition plate 29 and the auxiliary bearing 17. The second cylinder chamber 41 houses the second eccentric portion 25b of the crank shaft 15.

[0038] The compression mechanism 13 includes a first discharge valve mechanism including a discharge port that is disposed on the main bearing 16 to discharge the refrigerant compressed inside the first cylinder chamber 31 to the outside of the first cylinder chamber 31 and a discharge valve that is disposed on the main bearing 16 to open and close the discharge port, and a first discharge muffler 55 that is disposed on the main bearing 16 to cover the first discharge valve mechanism.

[0039] The discharge port of the first discharge valve mechanism is connected to the first cylinder chamber 31.

[0040] The discharge valve of the first discharge valve mechanism opens the discharge port when a differential pressure between an inside and an outside of the first cylinder chamber 31 reaches a predetermined differential pressure value in association with compression action of the compression mechanism 13, and discharges the compressed refrigerant into the first discharge muffler 55.

[0041] The first discharge muffler 55 covers the first discharge valve mechanism. The first discharge muffler 55 has a discharge hole passing through the first discharge muffler 55. The compressed refrigerant discharged into the first discharge muffler 55 is discharged into the sealed container 11 through the discharge hole.

[0042] The first discharge muffler 55 and the first cylinder 32 are fixed to the main bearing 16 by a plurality of fastening members, for example, the bolts 52. The bolt 52 passes through the first discharge muffler 55 and the main bearing 16 to reach the first cylinder 32.

[0043] The compression mechanism 13 also includes a second discharge valve mechanism including a discharge port that is disposed on the auxiliary bearing 17 to discharge the refrigerant compressed inside the second cylinder chamber 41 and a discharge valve that is disposed on the auxiliary bearing 17 to open and close the discharge port, and a second discharge muffler 57 that is disposed on the auxiliary bearing 17 to cover the second discharge valve mechanism.

[0044] The discharge port of the second discharge valve mechanism is connected to the second cylinder chamber 41.

[0045] The discharge valve of the second discharge valve mechanism opens the discharge port when a differential pressure between an inside and an outside of the second cylinder chamber 41 reaches a predetermined differential pressure value in association with compression action of the compression mechanism 13, and discharges the compressed refrigerant into the second discharge muffler 57.

[0046] The second discharge muffler 57 covers the second discharge valve mechanism. The compressed refrigerant discharged into the second discharge muffler 57 is guided to the first discharge muffler 55 through a hole passing through the auxiliary bearing 17, the second cylinder 42, the partition plate 29, and the first cylinder 32, and discharged into the sealed container 11.

[0047] The second discharge muffler 57, the auxiliary bearing 17, the second cylinder 42, and the partition plate 29 are fixed to the first cylinder 32 by a plurality of fastening members, for example, bolts 58. The bolt 58 passes through the second discharge muffler 57, the auxiliary bearing 17, the second cylinder 42, and the partition plate 29 to reach the first cylinder 32.

[0048] The first piston 33 is engaged with a peripheral surface of the first eccentric portion 25a and housed in the first cylinder chamber 31. The first piston 33 eccentrically moves while causing part of the outer peripheral surface to be in line contact with an inner peripheral surface of the first cylinder chamber 31 in association with rotation of the crank shaft 15.

[0049] The second piston 43 is engaged with a peripheral surface of the second eccentric portion 25b and housed in the second cylinder chamber 41. The second piston 43 eccentrically moves while causing part of the outer peripheral surface to be in line contact with an inner peripheral surface of the second cylinder chamber 41 in association with rotation of the crank shaft 15.

[0050] Contact between the first piston 33 and the first cylinder 32, and contact between the second piston 43 and the second cylinder 42 are not direct contact but indirect contact with an oil film (not illustrated) interposed therebetween. For convenience of explanation, the contact via the oil film is simply referred to as contact. The same applies to contact between the first piston 33 and the first eccentric portion 25a, contact between the second piston 43 and the second eccentric portion 25b, contact between the first piston 33 and the main bearing 16, contact between the second piston 43 and the auxiliary bearing 17, contact between the first piston 33 and the partition plate 29, and contact between the second piston 43 and the partition plate 29.

[0051] The accumulator 7 is fixed to the sealed container 11 of the compressor 2 with a clamp band 59. The accumulator 7 includes a cylindrical-shaped container 61 supported in an upright state, a partition plate 62 that is disposed inside the container 61 to divide an internal space S of the container 61 into a refrigerant introduction chamber IR and a refrigerant discharge chamber OR, an inlet pipe 63 that is fixed to the container 61 and has an inlet flow channel IP connected to the refrigerant introduction chamber IR, at least one communication pipe 65 that passes through the partition plate 62 and has a communication flow channel CP connecting the refrigerant introduction chamber IR with the refrigerant discharge chamber OR, and a plurality of outlet pipes 66 fixed to the container 61 and each having an outlet flow channel OP connected to the refrigerant discharge chamber OR.

[0052] The accumulator 7 also includes an inlet-side strainer 71 that is disposed between the inlet pipe 63 and the communication pipe 65 to filter out foreign substances from the refrigerant introduced into the accumulator 7, an inlet-side separation plate 72 that is disposed between the inlet-side strainer 71 and the communication pipe 65 to separate the refrigerant passed through the inlet-side strainer 71 into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant, and a supporting plate 73 that is disposed between the inlet-side separation plate 72 and the partition plate 62 to support the communication pipe 65 together with the partition plate 62. The inlet-side strainer 71, the inlet-side separation plate 72, and the supporting plate 73 are disposed in the refrigerant introduction chamber IR.

[0053] Furthermore, the accumulator 7 includes a deflection portion 75 disposed inside the refrigerant discharge chamber OR.

[0054] The container 61 is fixed to the sealed container 11 of the compressor 2 with the clamp band 59. The container 61 has a cylindrical shape. The container 61 includes a cylindrical-shaped drum 61a extending in the upper and lower direction, a hemispherical-shaped or elliptical-shaped upper end plate 61b that blocks an upper end portion as one end portion of the drum 61a, and a hemispherical-shaped or elliptical-shaped lower end plate 61c that blocks a lower end portion as another end portion of the drum 61a.

[0055] The drum 61a supports the inlet-side strainer 71, the inlet-side separation plate 72, the supporting plate 73, and the partition plate 62 in order corresponding to flow of the refrigerant.

[0056] The upper end plate 61b supports the inlet pipe 63 that causes the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 2 and circulated through the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 to flow into the accumulator 7. The inlet pipe 63 is connected to the refrigerant piping 8.

[0057] The inlet pipe 63 is fixed to the upper end plate 61b and connected to the refrigerant piping 8. The inlet pipe 63 is a straight pipe extending along a center line of the drum 61a, and is a straight pipe extending to agree with the center line of the drum 61a.

[0058] The refrigerant flowing into the accumulator 7 from the inlet pipe 63 first reaches the inlet-side strainer 71. The inlet-side strainer 71 has a required mesh size to prevent foreign substances from flowing into the compression mechanism 13 of the compressor 2.

[0059] The inlet-side separation plate 72 prevents the refrigerant passed through the inlet-side strainer 71 from directly flowing into the communication pipe 65. The inlet-side separation plate 72 is a plate having a shape projecting upward that works as an umbrella for the communication pipe 65. The inlet-side separation plate 72 includes a plurality of openings 72a through which the refrigerant can pass. The inlet-side separation plate 72 blocks a view right below the inlet pipe 63, and blocks a view right above the communication pipe 65. The openings 72a of the inlet-side separation plate 72 are placed on an outer side than a virtual minimum circle encompassing a plurality of communication pipes 65 when viewed from the inlet pipe 63. The refrigerant that has reached the inlet-side separation plate 72 flows down in the refrigerant introduction chamber IR of the container 61 through the openings 72a of the inlet-side separation plate 72.

[0060] Each of the openings 72a opens toward an outer peripheral side of the inlet-side separation plate 72. In other words, each of the openings 72a opens toward a direction facing an inner surface of the container 61. Each of the openings 72a is formed on a plate-shaped material by lancing processing, for example. The inlet-side separation plate 72 includes a plurality of deflecting plate portions 72b each having a quarter-spherical shape. The plurality of deflecting plate portions 72b is disposed on a back surface side of each of the openings 72a, that is, on a side closer to the center of the inlet-side separation plate 72 than each of the openings 72a, to guide the refrigerant flowing out from each of the openings 72a toward the inner surface of the container 61 to be kept at a distance from the communication pipe 65.

[0061] The supporting plate 73 and the partition plate 62 cooperate with each other to support at least one communication pipe 65 inside the container 61. In a case in which there are a plurality of communication pipes 65, the supporting plate 73 and the partition plate 62 cooperate with each other to collectively support all of the communication pipes 65 inside the container 61.

[0062] The supporting plate 73 includes a hole that supports the communication pipe 65 and an appropriate opening that does not hinder circulation of the liquid refrigerant and the gas refrigerant so that the refrigerant introduction chamber IR becomes a continuous space. The supporting plate 73 preferably has appropriate supporting strength and supporting rigidity to prevent the communication pipe 65 extending from the partition plate 62 toward the inlet-side separation plate 72 from falling down.

[0063] The partition plate 62 does not have an opening other than the hole for supporting the communication pipe 65 so that the internal space S of the container 61 is divided into the refrigerant introduction chamber IR and the refrigerant discharge chamber OR. The partition plate 62 is liquid-tightly and air-tightly joined to the inner surface of the container 61 to hinder the refrigerant from flowing out from the refrigerant introduction chamber IR to the refrigerant discharge chamber OR through a route other than the communication pipe 65. It is sufficient that the partition plate 62 includes a plane orthogonal to the center line of the container 61, and the partition plate 62 defines a plane extending in a horizontal direction in the upright state of the accumulator 7.

[0064] At least one communication pipe 65 is required. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the accumulator 7 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of, for example, two communication pipes 65. The number of the communication pipes 65 is determined while considering a pressure loss of the communication flow channel CP connecting the refrigerant introduction chamber IR with the refrigerant discharge chamber OR.

[0065] Each of the communication pipes 65 includes an inlet opening 65i disposed in the refrigerant introduction chamber IR, and an outlet opening 650 disposed in the refrigerant discharge chamber OR. The inlet opening 65i corresponds to an upstream end of the communication flow channel CP, and the outlet opening 650 corresponds to a downstream end of the communication flow channel CP.

[0066] Each of the communication pipes 65 is placed inside the container 61, and fixed to the supporting plate 73 and the partition plate 62 to connect the refrigerant introduction chamber IR with the refrigerant discharge chamber OR. Each of the communication pipes 65 is a straight pipe extending along the center line of the drum 61a, and is a straight pipe extending in parallel with the center line of the drum 61a.

[0067] A length of each of the communication pipes 65 depends on a refrigerant enclosed amount of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1, and is preferably about a half or more of a total length of the accumulator 7.

[0068] At least one communication pipe 65 includes at least one introduction-side refrigerating machine oil return hole 65d disposed in the refrigerant introduction chamber IR. At least one introduction-side refrigerating machine oil return hole 65d is required. The introduction-side refrigerating machine oil return hole 65d may be provided on all of the communication pipes 65, or may be provided on some of the communication pipes 65. If at least one communication pipe 65 includes at least one introduction-side refrigerating machine oil return hole 65d, there may be the communication pipe 65 without the introduction-side refrigerating machine oil return hole 65d. Each of the communication pipes 65 may include a plurality of introduction-side refrigerating machine oil return holes 65d. The numbers of the introduction-side refrigerating machine oil return holes 65d included in the respective communication pipes 65 may be different from each other.

[0069] Each of the outlet pipes 66 is the suction pipe 8b of the compressor 2, and connected to corresponding one of the cylinder chambers 31 and 41 of the rotor-cylinder assemblies 26 and 27 of the compression mechanism 13. The number of the outlet pipes 66 is the same as the number of cylinders of the compressor 2. In a case of the multi-cylinder compressor 2 as illustrated in FIG. 1, the accumulator 7 is connected to the compressor 2 with the same number of outlet pipes 66 as the number of cylinders. In a case of a single-cylinder compressor 2, the accumulator 7 may be connected to the compressor 2 with one outlet pipe 66. In other words, the accumulator 7 may include at least one outlet pipe 66, and preferably includes the same number of the outlet pipes 66 as the number of cylinders of the compressor 2.

[0070] Each of the outlet pipes 66 causes the gas refrigerant separated from the refrigerant that has flowed into the accumulator 7 to flow out from the accumulator 7. Each of the outlet pipes 66 is fixed to the lower end plate 61c and connected to the compressor 2. A portion of the outlet pipe 66 inside the container 61 is a straight pipe extending along the center line of the drum 61a, and is a straight pipe extending in parallel with the center line of the drum 61a.

[0071] Each of the outlet pipes 66 includes an inlet opening 66i disposed in the refrigerant discharge chamber OR, and an outlet opening 660 connected to corresponding one of the cylinder chambers 31 and 41. The inlet opening 66i corresponds to an upstream end of the outlet flow channel OP, and the outlet opening 660 corresponds to a downstream end of the outlet flow channel OP.

[0072] At least one outlet pipe 66 includes at least one discharge-side refrigerating machine oil return hole 66d placed in the refrigerant discharge chamber OR. At least one discharge-side refrigerating machine oil return hole 66d is required. The discharge-side refrigerating machine oil return hole 66d may be provided on all of the outlet pipes 66, or may be provided on some of the outlet pipes 66. If at least one outlet pipe 66 includes at least one discharge-side refrigerating machine oil return hole 66d, there may be the outlet pipe 66 without the discharge-side refrigerating machine oil return hole 66d. Each of the outlet pipes 66 may have a plurality of discharge-side refrigerating machine oil return holes 66d. The numbers of the discharge-side refrigerating machine oil return holes 66d included in the respective outlet pipes 66 may be different from each other.

[0073] The deflection portion 75 is disposed inside the refrigerant discharge chamber OR, and blocks views from the outlet openings 650 of the respective communication pipes 65 and the inlet openings 66i of all of the outlet pipes 66. In this way, the deflection portion 75 deflects a direction of flow of the refrigerant to prevent the refrigerant flowing from the outlet opening 650 of each of the communication pipes 65 into the refrigerant discharge chamber OR from directly flowing to the inlet opening 66i of each of the outlet pipes 66.

[0074] The deflection portion 75 includes an outlet-side strainer 78 that is disposed between the communication pipe 65 and the outlet pipe 66 to filter out foreign substances from the refrigerant flowing out from the communication pipe 65, and an outlet-side separation plate 79 that is disposed between the outlet-side strainer 78 and the outlet pipe 66 to separate the refrigerant passed through the outlet-side strainer 78 into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant.

[0075] The outlet-side separation plate 79 is what is called a baffle plate, and deflects a direction of flow of the refrigerant to prevent the refrigerant flowing from the outlet opening 650 of the communication pipe 65 into the refrigerant discharge chamber OR from directly flowing to the inlet opening 66i of the outlet pipe 66. In other words, the outlet-side separation plate 79 functions as an obstacle or a deflecting plate positioned between the outlet opening 650 and the inlet opening 66i. The outlet-side separation plate 79 is a plate having a shape projecting upward that works as an umbrella for the outlet pipe 66. The outlet-side separation plate 79 includes a plurality of openings 79a through which the refrigerant can pass. The outlet-side separation plate 79 blocks a view right below the communication pipe 65, and blocks a view right above the outlet pipe 66. The openings 79a of the outlet-side separation plate 79 are placed on an outer side than a virtual minimum circle encompassing a plurality of the outlet pipes 66 when viewed from the communication pipe 65. The refrigerant that has reached the outlet-side separation plate 79 flows down in the refrigerant discharge chamber OR of the container 61 through the openings 79a of the outlet-side separation plate 79.

[0076] Each of the openings 79a opens toward an outer peripheral side of the outlet-side separation plate 79. In other words, each of the openings 79a opens toward a direction facing an inner surface of the container 61. Each of the openings 79a is formed on a plate-shaped material by lancing processing, for example. The outlet-side separation plate 79 includes a plurality of deflecting plate portions 79b each having a quarter-spherical shape. The deflecting plate portions 79b are disposed on a back surface side of each of the openings 79a, that is, on a side closer to the center of the outlet-side separation plate 79 than each of the openings 79a, to guide the refrigerant flowing out from each of the openings 79a toward the inner surface of the container 61 to be kept at a distance from the outlet pipe 66.

[0077] The inlet openings 66i of the outlet pipes 66 face the outlet-side separation plate 79 positioned above, and the outlet openings 650 of the communication pipes 65 face the outlet-side separation plate 79 positioned below.

[0078] The inlet openings 65i of the communication pipes 65 are closer to the upper end plate 61b than the partition plate 62, and the inlet openings 66i of the outlet pipes 66 are closer to the partition plate 62 than the lower end plate 61c.

[0079] The inlet openings 65i of the respective communication pipes 65 are placed at substantially the same height. In other words, the accumulator 7 is configured so that the inlet openings 65i of the communication pipes 65 can be placed at substantially the same height. The inlet openings 66i of the respective outlet pipes 66 are placed at substantially the same height. In other words, the accumulator 7 is configured so that the inlet openings 66i of the outlet pipes 66 can be placed at substantially the same height. When the inlet openings 65i of the communication pipes 65 are placed at substantially the same height, the inlet openings 66i of the outlet pipes 66 are placed at substantially the same height.

[0080] The container 61 is an assembly of two members that are divided in the middle of the drum 61a to be air-tightly joined to each other. It is preferable that the inlet pipe 63, the inlet-side strainer 71, and the inlet-side separation plate 72 be incorporated in a member on the upper side before assembling the container 61, and the outlet pipe 66, the outlet-side strainer 78, the outlet-side separation plate 79, the partition plate 62, the supporting plate 73, and the communication pipe 65 are incorporated in a member on the lower side before assembling the container 61. The supporting plate 73 may be disposed on a division surface between the two members, or may be fixed to an inner side of the member on the lower side.

[0081] The container 61 may also be an assembly of three members that are divided in a middle of the drum 61a on the side of the upper end plate 61b and a middle of the drum 61a on the side of the lower end plate 61c to be air-tightly joined to each other. It is preferable that the inlet pipe 63, the inlet-side strainer 71, and the inlet-side separation plate 72 be incorporated in a member on the upper side before assembling the container 61, the outlet pipe 66 is incorporated in a member on the lower side before assembling the container 61, and the outlet-side strainer 78, the outlet-side separation plate 79, the partition plate 62, the supporting plate 73, and the communication pipe 65 are incorporated in a center member before assembling the container 61. The supporting plate 73 may be disposed on a division surface between the member on the upper side and the center member, or may be fixed to an inner side of the center member.

[0082] When viewed from a direction along the center line of the container 61, the outlet pipes 66 may be arranged not to overlap the communication pipes 65, or may be arranged to overlap the communication pipes 65. In other words, the accumulator 7 may be configured to be able to be installed so that the outlet pipes 66 do not overlap the communication pipes 65 in a vertical direction, or may be configured to be able to be installed so that the outlet pipes 66 overlap the communication pipes 65. That is, the accumulator 7 has a high degree of freedom in arrangement of the communication pipes 65 and the outlet pipes 66.

[0083] In the accumulator 7 configured as described above, the refrigerant falling down from the inlet pipe 63 to the refrigerant introduction chamber IR in the container 61 hits the inlet-side separation plate 72, and is separated into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant. The separated liquid refrigerant further flows down from the opening 72a of the inlet-side separation plate 72 in the refrigerant introduction chamber IR, and is accumulated on a bottom of the refrigerant introduction chamber IR, that is, on the side of the partition plate 62. On the other hand, the separated gas refrigerant flows into the refrigerant discharge chamber OR through the communication pipes 65 from the opening 72a of the inlet-side separation plate 72. The gas refrigerant that has flowed into the refrigerant discharge chamber OR is sucked into the outlet pipe 66, and sent to the compressor 2.

[0084] Unless the liquid level of the liquid refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerant introduction chamber IR reaches the inlet openings 65i of the communication pipes 65, the accumulator 7 does not cause the liquid refrigerant to flow into the refrigerant discharge chamber OR. If the liquid level of the liquid refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerant introduction chamber IR reaches the inlet openings 65i of the communication pipes 65, the liquid refrigerant flows down in the communication pipe 65, and hits the outlet-side separation plate 79 to be separated into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant. The separated liquid refrigerant further flows down in the refrigerant discharge chamber OR from the opening 79a of the outlet-side separation plate 79, and is accumulated on a bottom of the refrigerant discharge chamber OR, which is a bottom of the container 61, that is, on the side of the lower end plate 61c. Also in this case, unless the liquid level of the liquid refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerant discharge chamber OR reaches the inlet openings 66i of the outlet pipes 66, the accumulator 7 does not cause the liquid refrigerant to flow into the outlet pipe 66. In this way, the accumulator 7 can prevent liquid compression in the compressor 2 in multiple ways.

[0085] As described above, the accumulator 7, the compressor 2, and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to the present embodiments include the partition plate 62 that is disposed inside the container 61 and divides the internal space S of the container 61 into the refrigerant introduction chamber IR and the refrigerant discharge chamber OR, and the deflection portion 75 that blocks views from the outlet opening 650 of the communication pipe 65 and the inlet opening 66i of the outlet pipe 66 and deflects a direction of flow of the refrigerant to prevent the refrigerant flowing from the outlet opening 650 of the communication pipe 65 into the refrigerant discharge chamber OR from directly flowing to the inlet opening 66i of the outlet pipe 66. Thus, even if the liquid refrigerant is returned to the accumulator 7, the accumulator 7, the compressor 2, and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 can accumulate the liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant introduction chamber IR and the refrigerant discharge chamber OR inside the accumulator 7 in a multistage manner. Even when the liquid refrigerant overflows from the refrigerant introduction chamber IR to the refrigerant discharge chamber OR through the communication pipe 65, the accumulator 7, the compressor 2, and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 also prevent the liquid refrigerant from directly flowing into the outlet pipe 66 by the deflection portion 75. In this way, the accumulator 7, the compressor 2, and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 can prevent the liquid refrigerant from easily flowing out from the outlet pipe 66, and can further prevent liquid compression in the compressor 2.

[0086] The accumulator 7, the compressor 2, and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to the present embodiments also include the outlet-side separation plate 79 as a baffle plate disposed in the refrigerant discharge chamber OR. That is, the accumulator 7, the compressor 2, and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 include the outlet-side separation plate 79 having the same configuration as that of the inlet-side separation plate 72 included in a typical accumulator between the communication pipe 65 and the outlet pipe 66. Due to this, the accumulator 7, the compressor 2, and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 can acquire gas-liquid separation capacity that can securely prevent the liquid refrigerant from flowing out in a significantly simple way while achieving commonality of constituent parts, in other words, gas-liquid separation capacity that can securely prevent liquid compression in the compressor 2. The accumulator 7, the compressor 2, and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment also have a high degree of freedom in design for optimizing the length of the outlet pipe 66 to capacity of the compression mechanism 13, and can obtain a supercharging effect and an effect of enhancing the capacity by optimizing the length of the outlet pipe 66 to the compression mechanism 13.

Second Embodiment

[0087] The following describes a second embodiment of the accumulator according to the present invention with reference to FIG. 2.

[0088] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the refrigeration cycle apparatus, the compressor, and the accumulator according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] Regarding an accumulator 7A, the same configuration as that of the accumulator 7 of the first embodiment is denoted by the same reference numeral, and redundant description will not be repeated.

[0090] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the accumulator 7A according to the present embodiment includes a deflection portion 75A disposed inside the refrigerant discharge chamber OR.

[0091] The deflection portion 75A is disposed inside the refrigerant discharge chamber OR, and blocks views from the outlet openings 650 of the respective communication pipes 65 and the inlet openings 66i of all of the outlet pipes 66. In this way, the deflection portion 75A deflects a direction of flow of the refrigerant to prevent the refrigerant flowing from the outlet opening 650 of each of the communication pipes 65 into the refrigerant discharge chamber OR from directly flowing to the inlet opening 66i of each of the outlet pipes 66.

[0092] The deflection portion 75A is a plurality of bent pipe portions 81 each provided at an end portion disposed in the refrigerant discharge chamber OR of each of the communication pipes 65, that is, an outlet-side end portion 650e including the outlet opening 650. Each of the bent pipe portions 81 is what is called an elbow provided at the outlet-side end portion 650e of each of the communication pipes 65. Each of the bent pipe portions 81 directs a flowing-out direction of the outlet-side end portion 650e of each of the communication pipes 65 toward the inner surface of the container 61. That is, the outlet opening 650 of the communication pipe 65 is placed on an outer side than a virtual minimum circle encompassing a plurality of the outlet pipes 66 when viewed from the communication pipe 65.

[0093] It is preferable that each of the bent pipe portions 81 be smoothly bent not to hinder flow of the refrigerant flowing through the communication flow channel CP of each of the communication pipes 65. However, the deflection portion 75A may be steeply bent without hindering flow of the refrigerant flowing through the communication flow channel CP of each of the communication pipes 65, or may block the outlet-side end portion 650e of each of the communication pipes 65 like a lid with the outlet opening 650 provided on a side surface of the communication pipe 65.

[0094] In the accumulator 7A configured as described above, unless the liquid level of the liquid refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerant introduction chamber IR reaches the inlet openings 65i of the communication pipes 65, the accumulator 7A does not cause the liquid refrigerant to flow into the refrigerant discharge chamber OR. If the liquid level of the liquid refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerant introduction chamber IR reaches the inlet openings 65i of the communication pipes 65, the liquid refrigerant flows down in the communication pipe 65, flows out from the outlet opening 650 of the communication pipe 65 to the inner surface of the container 61, and hits the inner surface of the container 61 to be separated into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant. The separated liquid refrigerant further flows down in the refrigerant discharge chamber OR along the inner surface of the container 61, and is accumulated on the bottom of the refrigerant discharge chamber OR, which is the bottom of the container 61, that is, on the side of the lower end plate 61c. Also in this case, unless the liquid level of the liquid refrigerant accumulated in the refrigerant discharge chamber OR reaches the inlet openings 66i of the outlet pipes 66, the accumulator 7A does not cause the liquid refrigerant to flow into the outlet pipe 66. In this way, the accumulator 7A can prevent liquid compression in the compressor 2 in multiple ways.

[0095] In the accumulator 7A, the outlet pipe 66 and the communication pipe 65 can be alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of the container 61, and the communication pipe 65 and the outlet pipe 66 can be arranged to overlap each other when viewed from a radial direction of the container 61. Such an arrangement relation between the communication pipe 65 and the outlet pipe 66 can contribute to reduction of an overall height of the accumulator 7A.

[0096] As described above, the accumulators 7 and 7A, the compressor 2, and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to the present embodiments include the bent pipe portion 81 disposed at the end portion placed in the refrigerant discharge chamber OR of the communication pipe 65. At least one communication pipe 65 is required. That is, the accumulators 7 and 7A according to the present embodiments include the bent pipe portion 81 provided at the end portion disposed in the refrigerant discharge chamber OR of the at least one communication pipe 65. Thus, the accumulators 7 and 7A, the compressor 2, and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 can acquire gas-liquid separation capacity that can securely prevent the liquid refrigerant from flowing out in a significantly simple way with a small number of components, in other words, gas-liquid separation capacity that can securely prevent liquid compression in the compressor 2. The accumulators 7 and 7A, the compressor 2, and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to the present embodiments also have a high degree of freedom in design for optimizing the length of the outlet pipe 66 to capacity of the compression mechanism 13, and can obtain the supercharging effect and the effect of enhancing the capacity by optimizing the length of the outlet pipe 66 to the compression mechanism 13.

[0097] Thus, the accumulators 7 and 7A, the compressor 2, and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to the present embodiments have the gas-liquid separation capacity that can securely prevent the liquid refrigerant from flowing out, in other words, the gas-liquid separation capacity that can securely prevent liquid compression in the compressor 2.

[0098] While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.