JP6945515B2 - Temperature type expansion valve unit and refrigeration cycle system equipped with it - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a temperature expansion valve unit including a plurality of temperature expansion valves and a refrigeration cycle system including the temperature expansion valve unit.

In the refrigeration cycle system, a temperature type expansion valve is used in which the amount of refrigerant passing through is controlled according to the temperature change of the refrigerant discharged from the outlet of the evaporator. As shown in Patent Document 1, for example, such a temperature type expansion valve includes a housing made of plastic and a cassette unit inserted into the main body of the housing. Such a cassette unit is subject to temperature changes in the stainless steel tube member and the return passage in the body of the housing that is mounted on top of the tube member and connected to the outlet of the evaporator and through the through hole of the tube member. It is configured to include a valve body drive mechanism that drives the valve body mechanism accordingly.

In a refrigeration cycle system, a plurality of evaporators and thermal expansion valves may be connected to one compressor and condenser. In such a case, for example, as shown in Patent Document 2, the outlet of the condenser is connected to the inlet of the temperature expansion valve via a plurality of refrigerant distributors and a plurality of branch pipes.

In such a refrigerant distributor, for example, as shown in Patent Document 3, the main body of the fluid distributor communicates with one inflow portion and the inflow portion via the distribution space portion, and three valve body mounting holes. And one having three outflow portions communicating with the distribution space portion has been proposed. Such an inflow portion and a valve body mounting hole are formed so as to be orthogonal to the distribution space portion as shown in FIG. 4 in Patent Document 3.

Japanese Patent No. 4462813 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-51497 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-223445

As shown in FIG. 2 in Patent Document 2, when the outlet of the condenser is connected to the inlet of the thermal expansion valve via a plurality of refrigerant distributors and a plurality of branch pipes, one refrigerant distributor And the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into the adjacent temperature expansion valve connected via the two branch pipes varies based on the pressure loss because the lengths from the refrigerant distributor to the expansion valve in the branch pipes are different from each other. May occur. Further, when a refrigerant distributor as shown in Patent Document 3 is used as the refrigerant distributor, the inflow portion of the main body is formed so as to be orthogonal to the distribution space portion, so that the refrigerant introduced from the inflow portion is formed. Everything collides with the wall surface that forms the distribution space. As a result, pressure loss occurs, so that flash gas (gas generated in the refrigerant liquid) may be generated or cavitation may occur. Insufficient refrigerating capacity due to the generation of flash gas, and abnormal noise may occur due to the occurrence of cavitation.

In consideration of the above problems, the present invention is a temperature type expansion valve unit including a plurality of temperature type expansion valves, and a refrigeration cycle system including the same, and the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into the adjacent temperature type expansion valves. To provide a temperature type expansion valve unit capable of reducing the pressure loss of the flow path from the inflow portion of the temperature type expansion valve unit to each temperature type expansion valve, and a refrigeration cycle system provided with the temperature type expansion valve unit. With the goal.

In order to achieve the above object, the temperature type expansion valve unit according to the present invention is connected to a valve body mechanism portion that controls the opening area of the valve port formed in the flow path for guiding the refrigerant, and the outlet of the evaporator. Multiple temperature type expansion valves each having a valve body mechanism drive unit that drives the valve body mechanism unit in response to a change in heat from the piping, and a plurality of temperature type expansion valves arranged in the pipe that supplies the refrigerant to the evaporator. The plurality of expansion valve accommodating chambers include a plurality of expansion valve accommodating chambers each accommodating the expansion valves and a valve housing having a plurality of refrigerant discharge passages for discharging the refrigerant discharged from the plurality of temperature type expansion valves. , respectively, and communicate with the plurality of branch passages that evenly distributes the refrigerant introduced into one of the primary feed port formed in the upstream end radially into the plurality of expansion valve accommodating chamber in the valve housing, a plurality of The open end that opens to the primary side supply port in the branch path is characterized in that it is formed on a common end face that forms the primary side supply port.

Further, the primary supply port may be formed on the lower surface of the valve housing. The plurality of branch paths of the valve housing may distribute the refrigerant at an equal flow rate because the pressure losses are substantially the same as each other. Each of the plurality of branch paths may have the same length of the flow path through which the refrigerant flows, and the inner diameter of each flow path may be the same.

The primary supply port may be formed on the other end surface of the valve housing, which is separated from the plurality of expansion valve accommodating chambers opened on one end surface.

Even number arranged in series, or in a plurality of branch paths communicating with the odd number of the expansion valve accommodating chamber, when a plurality of branch paths communicating with the even number of the expansion valve accommodating chamber, the sequence of the expansion valve accommodating chamber When viewed from a direction orthogonal to the direction, a plurality of branch paths are formed so that the same number of branch paths are symmetrical with respect to the symmetrical axis passing through the center of the primary side supply port, and are connected to an even number of expansion valve accommodating chambers. In the case of, one branch path is formed on the axis of symmetry passing through the center of the primary side supply port when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the expansion valve accommodating chamber, and the remaining branch paths are on the primary side. The same number of branch paths may be formed symmetrically with respect to the axis of symmetry passing through the center of the supply port. Further, the plurality of branch paths communicating with the plurality of expansion valve accommodating chambers arranged around the symmetrical axis passing through the center of the primary side supply port are evenly arranged around the central axis passing through the center of the primary side supply port. You may. The branch path may be inclined with respect to the central axis passing through the center of the primary supply port.

The tapered holes of the joint portion connected to the primary side supply port may face the open ends in a plurality of branch paths, and a plurality of tapered holes of the joint portion may be formed in a region formed by a circle having the maximum diameter of the tapered holes of the joint portion. The opening at the end of the opening that opens toward the tapered hole in one of the branch paths of the above may face. The upper end surface forming a part of the inner surface of the common primary side supply port may be formed by a conical surface.

The refrigeration cycle system according to the present invention includes an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser, and a pipe in which the above-mentioned temperature expansion valve unit is arranged between the outlet of the condenser and the inlet of the evaporator. It is characterized in that it is provided in.

According to the temperature type expansion valve unit according to the present invention and the refrigeration cycle system including the same, each of the plurality of expansion valve accommodating chambers has one primary supply port formed at the upstream end of the valve housing. Since the refrigerant introduced in the above is communicated with a plurality of branch paths that are evenly distributed radially to the plurality of expansion valve accommodating chambers, the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into the adjacent temperature type expansion valve does not fluctuate, and the temperature type expansion valve It is possible to reduce the pressure loss in the flow path from the inflow part of the unit to each temperature type expansion valve.

It is a perspective view which shows the appearance of the 1st Example of the temperature type expansion valve unit which concerns on this invention. It is a front view in the example shown in FIG. 1 shown together with a capillary tube and a temperature sensitive part. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the refrigeration cycle system to which each Example of the temperature type expansion valve unit which concerns on this invention is applied. It is a top view in the example shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which is shown along the VV line in FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the plurality of expansion valve accommodating chambers and branch passages of a valve housing in the example shown in FIG. 1, and the primary side supply port. It is a front view in the example shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. It is a perspective view which looked at the appearance of the 1st Example of the temperature type expansion valve unit which concerns on this invention from the bottom. It is a bottom view in the example shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the appearance of the cassette type expansion valve used in the example shown in FIG. It is a front view of the cassette type expansion valve shown in FIG. It is a partial cross-sectional view which shows the state which the cassette type expansion valve shown in FIG. 11 is attached to a valve housing. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the 1st Example of the temperature type expansion valve unit which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the plurality of expansion valve accommodating chambers, branch passages, and primary side supply ports of a valve housing in the example shown in FIG. (A) is a perspective view showing the appearance of the second embodiment of the temperature type expansion valve unit according to the present invention, and (B) is a plurality of expansion valve accommodating chambers and branch paths of the valve housing in (A). It is a figure which shows roughly the structure of the primary side supply port. (A) is a front view in the example shown in FIG. 16 (A), and (B) is a bottom view in the example shown in FIG. 16 (A). It is a top view in the example shown in FIG. 16 (A). It is sectional drawing which is shown along the XIX-XIX line in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the appearance of the 3rd Example of the temperature type expansion valve unit which concerns on this invention. It is a front view in the example shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the plurality of expansion valve accommodating chambers, branch passages, and primary side supply ports of a valve housing in the example shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXIII-XXIII in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the appearance seen from the lower side of the example shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the appearance of the 4th Example of the temperature type expansion valve unit which concerns on this invention. It is a front view in the example shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a plurality of expansion valve accommodating chambers, branch paths, and primary side supply ports of a valve housing in the example shown in FIG. 25. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXVIII-XXVIII in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the appearance seen from the lower side of the example shown in FIG.

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of the first embodiment of the temperature type expansion valve unit according to the present invention.

The temperature type expansion valve unit 10 including a plurality of cassette type expansion valves having a valve body and a valve body mechanism drive unit described later is, for example, a refrigeration cycle system having a plurality of evaporators 6A to 6D as shown in FIG. It is arranged between the outlet of the condenser 4 and the inlets of the plurality of evaporators 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D in the piping of the above. The temperature expansion valve unit 10 is connected to the aluminum alloy primary side pipe Du2 at the inlet port 10IP of the joint portion 10I of the housing, and the outlet ports 10E1, 10E2, 10E3 of the housing from which the refrigerant flows out, and 10E4 (see FIG. 6) is connected to the secondary side pipes Du3, Du4, Du5, and Du6 made of aluminum alloy, respectively. The primary side pipe Du2 connects the outlet of the condenser 4 and the inlet port 10IP of the joint portion 10I of the housing of the temperature type expansion valve unit 10, and the secondary side pipe Du3 connects the inlet of the evaporator 6A and the temperature type expansion valve. It shall be connected to the outlet port 10E1 of the housing of the unit 10. Further, the secondary side pipe Du4 is assumed to connect the inlet of the evaporator 6B and the outlet port 10E2 of the housing of the temperature type expansion valve unit 10. The secondary side pipe Du5 is assumed to connect the inlet of the evaporator 6C and the outlet port 10E3 of the housing of the temperature type expansion valve unit 10. The secondary side pipe Du6 is supposed to connect the inlet of the evaporator 6D and the outlet port 10E4 of the housing of the temperature type expansion valve unit 10.

The outlet of the evaporator 6A and the outlet of the evaporator 6B are connected to a branch supply path Du7A connected to each outlet and a connection path Du8 connecting one end of the branch supply path Du7B to each other. Further, the outlet of the evaporator 6C and the outlet of the evaporator 6D are connected to a branch supply path Du7C connected to each outlet and a connecting path Du9 connecting one end of the branch supply path Du7D to each other. The downstream ends of the connecting road Du8 and the connecting road Du9 are connected to each other, and the other end is connected to one end of the pipe Du12 connected to the suction port of the compressor 2.

One end of the pipe Du1 connected to the discharge port of the compressor 2 is connected to the inlet of the condenser 4. The compressor 2 is driven and controlled by a control unit (not shown). As a result, the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle system is circulated along, for example, the arrow shown in FIG. As for the state of the refrigerant from the inlet to the outlet of the temperature expansion valve unit 10 during the refrigeration cycle operation, the liquid refrigerant flowing out from the outlet of the condenser 4 passes through the primary side pipe Du2 at the inlet, and the temperature expansion valve unit 10 The gas-liquid two-phase is supplied vertically upward from the inlet port 10IP on the lower surface of the valve housing 10H, is distributed into four branch paths 10ap, 10bp, 10cp, and 10dp in a liquid state, and is depressurized by each cassette type expansion valve. The flow refrigerant is supplied to the evaporators 6A to 6D through the outlets 10E1, 10E2, 10E3, and 10E4 of the valve housing 10H.

The area from the outlet of the condenser 4 to the four branch paths 10ap to 10dp is usually a liquid refrigerant. However, when the amount of refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle system is reduced due to escape, a flush state (gas-liquid two-phase state) may occur between the outlet of the condenser 4 and the four branch paths 10ap to 10dp. .. Even in this case, the refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase state is supplied vertically upward from the primary side supply port 10M of one end surface (lower surface) 10L of the valve housing 10H, which will be described later, so that the liquid component in the refrigerant is gravitational. It is evenly distributed among the four branch paths 10ap to 10dp without being affected.

In FIG. 1, the temperature type expansion valve unit 10 is a valve housing as a housing for individually accommodating a plurality of cassette type expansion valves, for example, four cassette type expansion valves 12 and four cassette type expansion valves 12. 10H and a connection joint member 10I fixed to one end surface (lower surface) 10L on the upstream side of the valve housing 10H and connected to the primary side pipe Du2 are included as main components.

The valve housing 10H is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, four cassette type expansion valves 12 are housed in the expansion valve housing chambers 10A, 10B, 10C, and the valve housing 10H, respectively, on the other end surface 10T on the downstream side of the valve housing 10H. The 10D open ends are formed vertically and horizontally at four locations evenly separated from each other. The expansion valve accommodating chambers 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D communicate with the outlet passage 10ep (see FIGS. 5 and 13), respectively. The exit passage 10 ep extends along the X coordinate axis in the Cartesian coordinate system in FIG. The expansion valve accommodating chamber 10A and the outlet passage 10ep communicating with 10B are formed on a common straight line and extend in opposite directions to each other. Further, the expansion valve accommodating chamber 10C and the outlet passage 10ep communicating with 10D are formed on a common straight line and extend in opposite directions to each other. The inner diameter of the outlet passage 10 ep is set smaller than the inner diameters of the expansion valve accommodating chambers 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D.

Further, the outlet passage 10 ep communicating with the expansion valve accommodating chamber 10A is formed substantially parallel to the outlet passage 10 ep communicating with the expansion valve accommodating chamber 10D. One end of the outlet passage 10ep communicating with the expansion valve accommodating chamber 10B and the expansion valve accommodating chamber 10C communicates with the outlets 10E1 and 10E2 of the connecting joint member 10EA. The connecting end of the connecting joint member 10EA is inserted into a hole communicating with the outlet passage 10ep. The hole is sealed by an O-ring provided in the groove at the connection end.

One end of the outlet passage 10ep communicating with the expansion valve accommodating chamber 10A and the expansion valve accommodating chamber 10D communicates with the outlets 10E4 and 10E3 of the connecting joint member 10EB. The connecting end of the connecting joint member 10EB is inserted into a hole communicating with the outlet passage 10ep. The hole is sealed by an O-ring provided in the groove at the connection end.

In FIG. 5, the X coordinate axis is taken parallel to the one end surface 10L and the other end surface 10T of the valve housing 10H, and the Z coordinate axis is taken perpendicular to the one end surface 10L and the other end surface 10T of the valve housing 10H. There is. The Y coordinate axis is assumed to be orthogonal to the X coordinate axis and the Z coordinate axis. When the valve housing 10H is used in this way, the one end surface 10L of the valve housing 10H is, for example, the lower surface of the valve housing 10H, and the other end surface 10T is, for example, the upper surface of the valve housing 10H.

The inlets of the expansion valve accommodating chambers 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D are connected to the common primary supply port 10M via branch paths 10ap, 10bp, 10cp, and 10dp, respectively. The branch paths 10ap and 10bp are formed so as to be symmetrical with respect to the central axis (symmetric axis) AS in FIG. 5, respectively. Further, the branch paths 10 cp and 10 dp are formed so as to be symmetrical with respect to the axis of symmetry AS in FIG. 5, respectively.

Further, when the connecting joint member 10EA is viewed directly in front, the branch path 10 bp and the branch path 10 cp are also formed so as to be symmetrical with respect to the symmetric axis AS. The branch paths 10ap and 10dp are also formed so as to be symmetrical with respect to the axis of symmetry AS, respectively.

The lengths of the flow paths from the end faces of the primary side supply ports 10M of the branch paths 10ap, 10bp, 10cp, and 10dp to the expansion valve accommodating chamber are the same, and the inner diameters of the flow paths are set to be the same. .. The inner diameters of the branch paths 10ap, 10bp, 10cp, and 10dp are set smaller than the inner diameters of the expansion valve accommodating chambers 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D.

Further, the predetermined inclination angles with respect to the symmetry axis AS of the branch paths 10ap, 10bp, 10cp, and 10dp are also set to be the same. One ends of the branch paths 10ap, 10bp, 10cp, and 10dp that open to the primary supply port 10M, respectively, have equal angles around the axis of symmetry AS, eg, 90, as shown in FIG. It is formed at ° intervals.

The connection end portion of the connection joint member 10I is inserted into the primary side supply port 10M. As shown in FIG. 7, the inner diameter of the primary side supply port 10M is such that the primary side supply port 10M is formed at a position directly below the inlets of the expansion valve accommodating chambers 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D described above. Is set to. The primary side supply port 10M is preferably provided on one end surface (lower surface) 10L of the valve housing 10H. Since the refrigerant is supplied vertically upward from the primary side supply port 10M on the lower surface of the valve housing 10H, the refrigerant liquid is evenly distributed to the four branch paths 10ap to 10dp without being affected by gravity.

The connection joint member 10I is composed of a flange portion connected to one end surface 10L of the valve housing 10H and a connection end portion inserted into the primary side supply port 10M. The flange portion has an inlet port 10IP to which the pipe Du2 is connected in the central portion. The inlet port 10IP communicates with a tapered hole 10IR formed in a divergent shape in the connection end. The maximum diameter (φd1) of the tapered hole 10IR is, as shown in FIG. 8, so as to surround one end of the branch path 10ap, 10bp, 10cp, and 10dp which is open to the primary supply port 10M, respectively. It is set. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, within the circle of the maximum diameter (φd1) of the tapered hole 10IR of the joint member 10I, toward the tapered hole 10IR at a plurality of branch paths 10ap, 10bp, 10cp, and 10dp. There is an opening at the end of each opening. Specifically, in FIG. 8, the maximum diameter (φd1) of the tapered hole 10IR is set to be larger than the diameter D of the circumscribed circle centered on the symmetric axis AS shown by the broken line. The circumscribed circles are located at points Ap, Bp, Cp, and Dp farthest from the central axis (symmetric axis) AS of the peripheral edge of the opening opening at the primary supply port 10M in the branch path 10ap to 10dp. It is supposed to be circumscribed. The diameter D of the circumscribed circle means 2r when the length from the central axis (symmetry axis) AS to the above-mentioned points Ap, Bp, Cp, and Dp is r.

As a result, when the liquid refrigerant flows from the inlet port 10IP through the tapered hole 10IR formed in a divergent shape into each of the plurality of branch paths 10ap, 10bp, 10cp, and 10dp, the maximum diameter (φd1) of the tapered hole 10IR. Since there are openings of each of the plurality of branch paths within the range of the circle, the liquid refrigerant flows smoothly and the pressure loss is small as compared with the invention described in Patent Document 3.

It should be noted that the substantially central portion surrounded by the one end portion open to the primary side supply port 10M at the branch paths 10ap, 10bp, 10cp, and 10dp allows the refrigerant to flow more smoothly at the branch paths 10ap, 10bp, 10cp, and. It may be a curved surface having a predetermined radius of curvature so as to guide within 10 dp.

An O-ring is inserted into the groove formed around the outer peripheral portion of the connection end portion described above. As a result, the inside of the primary side supply port 10M is sealed to the outside. Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the connecting joint member 10I has a female screw portion in which a machine screw is formed on one end surface 10L on the upstream side of the valve housing 10H through a mounting hole formed in the flange portion. By being screwed into, it is fixed to one end surface 10L on the upstream side of the valve housing 10H.

The expansion valve accommodating chambers 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D formed in the stepped holes each accommodate the cassette type expansion valve 12 as shown in FIG. Since the expansion valve accommodating chambers 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D have the same structure as each other, the expansion valve accommodating chamber 10A will be described, and the description of the expansion valve accommodating chambers 10B, 10C, and 10D will be omitted. do.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the cassette type expansion valve 12 has a valve body 12B inserted into the large diameter hole of the expansion valve accommodating chamber 10A and a valve attached to the upper part of the valve body 12B and inside the valve body 12B. It is configured to include a valve body mechanism drive unit that drives the body mechanism as a main element.

The valve body 12B is formed, for example, in a large-diameter portion that is integrally molded of a resin material and has a communication passage 12P2 that communicates with the outlet passage 10ep of the expansion valve accommodating chamber 10A, and a cylindrical small-diameter portion that connects to the large-diameter portion. It is configured to include a valve body accommodating portion and a coil spring accommodating portion communicating with the above-mentioned branch passage 10ap.

The communication passage 12P2 in the large diameter portion penetrates the large diameter portion so as to be orthogonal to the central axis of the valve body 12B. The two passages 12P2 intersect in a cross shape along the central axis.

The valve body accommodating chamber and the coil spring accommodating portion in the small diameter portion inserted into the small diameter hole of the expansion valve accommodating chamber 10A are formed concentrically along the central axis of the valve body 12B. In the valve body accommodating chamber, a cylindrical valve body 12N having a truncated cone-shaped tip is movably arranged. The tip of the valve body 12N is in contact with a thin columnar tip of the connecting pin 12P, which will be described later, via the valve port 12PT of the valve seat that opens into the valve body accommodating chamber. The valve body 12N has a communication hole 12Nc that communicates the inner peripheral portion thereof with the valve body accommodating chamber. The valve body accommodating chamber in the small diameter portion communicates with the coil spring accommodating portion. An O-ring is provided at the stepped portion on the periphery of the small diameter hole in the valve housing 10H. As a result, the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the small-diameter hole of the expansion valve accommodating chamber 10A and the outer peripheral surface of the valve body accommodating chamber of the small-diameter portion of the valve body 12B is sealed.

The coil spring accommodating portion includes a coil spring (adjustment spring) 12NS that urges the details of the valve body 12N closer to the valve port 12PT, that is, a direction that closes the valve port 12PT, and the urging force of the coil spring 12NS. An adjusting screw member 13 for adjusting (restoring force) is arranged. One end of the coil spring 12NS is engaged with the stepped portion of the end portion of the valve body 12N, and the other end of the coil spring 12NS is in contact with the stepped portion of the adjusting screw member 13. The lower end of the adjusting screw member 13 has a male screw portion that is screwed into a female screw portion formed on the inner peripheral portion of the open end portion of the coil spring accommodating portion. As a result, the urging force of the coil spring 12NS is adjusted by the male screw portion moving forward or backward with respect to the coil spring accommodating portion against the urging force of the coil spring 12NS. The adjusting screw member 13 has a through hole along the central axis of the valve body 12B. The cylindrical wall portion forming the coil spring accommodating portion has four through holes 12P1 evenly in the circumferential direction. As a result, the refrigerant supplied from the branch path 10ap is the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the small diameter hole of the expansion valve accommodating chamber 10A and the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion of the valve body 12B, the through hole 12P1, and the adjusting screw member 13. It is guided to the valve port 12PT through the through hole and the communication hole 12Nc of the valve body 12N.

A lower lid 12L forming a part of the valve body mechanism drive unit is insert-molded on the upper portion of the valve body 12B. A part of the lower lid 12L also forms the valve seat described above.

As shown in FIG. 13, the valve body mechanism drive unit has a temperature sensitive cylinder 16 (see FIG. 3) which is abutted and fixed to the pipe Du7A connected to the outlet of the evaporator 6A described above, and one end thereof is temperature sensitive. A circular upper lid 12U to which the other end of the capillary tube 14A connected to the cylinder 16 is connected, a lower lid 12L joined to the peripheral edge of the upper lid 12U to form an internal space in cooperation with the upper lid 12U, and the upper lid 12U and the lower side. It is configured to include a metal diaphragm 12D arranged in the internal space between the lid 12L and a connecting pin 12P connected to the surface of the diaphragm 12D facing the lower lid 12L via a metal fitting 12F. ..

The upper lid 12U is composed of, for example, an annular joint portion formed by press working with a thin metal material and joined to the peripheral edge of the lower lid 12L, and a disk-shaped portion connected to the joint portion. The disk-shaped portion has a hemispherical convex portion that cooperates with the diaphragm 12D to form the working pressure chamber 12A inward. The other end of the capillary tube 14A is connected to the convex portion. The capillary tube 14A and the working pressure chamber 12A are filled with working gas at a predetermined pressure. The lengths of the capillary tubes 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D are different from each other because the distances from the temperature expansion valve unit 10 to the evaporators 6A to 6D vary.

The peripheral edge of the diaphragm 12D that partitions the internal space between the upper lid 12U and the lower lid 12L is sandwiched and welded by the joint portion of the upper lid 12U and the joint portion of the lower lid 12L. As a result, the working pressure chamber 12A is formed so as to be surrounded by the inner peripheral portion of the diaphragm 12D and the upper lid 12U.

The connecting pin 12P connected via the metal portion 12F abutting on the central portion of the diaphragm 12D is arranged so that its central axis is substantially perpendicular to the pressure receiving surface of the diaphragm 12D. The connecting pin 12P includes a fixing portion fixed to the current portion 12F, a shaft portion extending from the fixing portion toward the communication passage 12P2, and a thin columnar tip portion formed at one end of the shaft portion. The shaft portion is slidably arranged in the guide hole of the guide portion formed in the central portion directly above the communication passage 12P2 in the valve body 12B. The diameter of the thin cylindrical tip is set smaller than the diameter of the shaft. A part of the thin cylindrical tip is inserted into the valve port 12PT of the valve seat and is in contact with the end face of the tip of the valve body 12N.

The lower lid 12L is, for example, formed by press working with a thin metal material and is insert-molded into the valve body 12B. The lower lid 12L is composed of a joint portion to be joined to the peripheral edge of the upper lid 12U, a cylindrical portion connected to the joint portion, and an annular connecting portion connecting the joint portion and the cylindrical portion. A flat valve seat having a valve port 12PT is formed at one end of a cylindrical portion of the insert-molded lower lid 12L. The annular connecting portion is in contact with an O-ring inserted into a groove formed on the peripheral edge of the open end of the expansion valve accommodating chamber 10A. As a result, the expansion valve accommodating chamber 10A is sealed to the outside. The upper lid 12U may be locked to the other end surface 10T of the valve housing 10H by, for example, a retaining ring (not shown) provided on the peripheral edge of the open end of the expansion valve accommodating chamber 10A. A connecting pin 12P connected via a diaphragm 12D and a metal fitting 12F is attached to the annular portion between the inner peripheral portion of the cylindrical portion of the lower lid 12L and the outer peripheral portion of the guide portion in the direction of the working pressure chamber 12A. An urging spring 12S for urging is provided. As a result, vibration of the connecting pin 12P can be suppressed, and abnormal noise due to contact between parts (connecting pin 12P, diaphragm 12D) can be prevented.

The cassette type expansion valve 12 described above is insert-molded with resin, but the present invention is not limited to such an example, and for example, the valve body 12B and the valve body mechanism drive unit are each made of a metal material. It may be the one that was made.

In such a configuration, the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 4 to the inlet port 10IP of the joint portion 10I of the temperature expansion valve unit 10 and the common primary side supply port 10M (tapered hole 10IR) via the pipe Du2 is branched. The branch roads 10ap, 10bp, 10cp, and the branch roads 10ap, 10bp, 10cp, and the branch roads 10ap, 10cp, 10cp, and Each is smoothly guided within 10 dp. Therefore, the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 4 to the inlet port 10IP of the joint portion 10I of the thermal expansion valve unit 10 and the common primary side supply port 10M (tapered hole 10IR) via the pipe Du2 is primary. The branch paths 10ap, 10bp, 10cp, and the branch paths 10ap, 10bp, and 10cp, which have the same length of the flow path from the end face of the side supply port 10M to the expansion valve accommodating chamber and the same inner diameter of the flow path, so that the pressure loss is substantially the same. It is supplied to the expansion valve accommodating chambers 10A to 10D at an evenly distributed flow rate through 10 pd, and is supplied to the evaporators 6A to 6D through each outlet passage 10 ep and the pipes Du3, DU4, Du5, and Du6, so that the adjacent temperatures are reached. The flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into the expansion valve does not fluctuate, and the pressure loss in the flow path from the inflow portion of the thermal expansion valve unit to each thermal expansion valve can be reduced.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the end faces of the valve housing 10H forming the common primary supply port 10M in which one ends of the branch paths 10ap, 10bp, 10cp, and 10dp are open are flat surfaces. Not limited to such examples, for example, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a common primary with one ends of the branch paths 10'ap, 10'bp, 10'cp, and 10'dp open. The end face forming the side supply port 10'M may be, for example, a conical surface 10'cc. Note that, in FIGS. 14 and 15, the same components as the components in the examples shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

In FIGS. 14 and 15, the temperature type expansion valve unit 10'is a housing for individually accommodating a plurality of cassette type expansion valves, for example, four cassette type expansion valves 12 and four cassette type expansion valves 12. The main components of the valve housing 10'H are the connection joint member 10I fixed to the upstream end surface (lower surface) 10'L of the valve housing 10'H and connected to the primary side pipe Du2. Consists of including.

The valve housing 10'H is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy. On the other end surface 10'T on the downstream side of the valve housing 10'H, four cassette type expansion valves 12 are accommodated, respectively, in the expansion valve accommodating chambers 10'A, 10'B, 10'C, and The 10'D opening ends are formed at four locations evenly separated from each other. The expansion valve accommodating chambers 10'A, 10'B, 10'C, and 10'D each communicate with the outlet passage 10'ep. The exit passage 10'ep extends along the X coordinate axis in the Cartesian coordinate system in FIG. The outlet passages 10'ep communicating with the expansion valve accommodating chambers 10'A and 10'B are formed on a common straight line and extend in opposite directions to each other. Further, the expansion valve accommodating chamber 10'C and the outlet passage 10'ep communicating with the 10'D are formed on a common straight line and extend in opposite directions to each other. Further, the outlet passage 10'ep communicating with the expansion valve accommodating chamber 10'A is formed substantially parallel to the outlet passage 10'ep communicating with the expansion valve accommodating chamber 10'D. One end of the outlet passage 10'ep communicating with the expansion valve accommodating chamber 10'B and the expansion valve accommodating chamber 10'C communicates with the outlets 10'E1 and 10'E2 of the connecting joint member 10'EA. The connecting end of the connecting joint member 10'EA is inserted into a hole communicating with the outlet passage 10'ep. The hole is sealed by an O-ring provided in the groove at the connection end.

One end of the outlet passage 10'ep communicating with the expansion valve accommodating chamber 10'A and the expansion valve accommodating chamber 10'D communicates with the outlets 10'E4 and 10'E3 of the connecting joint member 10'EB. The connecting end of the connecting joint member 10'EB is inserted into a hole communicating with the outlet passage 10'ep. The hole is sealed by an O-ring provided in the groove at the connection end.

In FIG. 14, the X coordinate axis is taken parallel to the one end surface 10'L and the other end surface 10'T of the valve housing 10'H, and the Z coordinate axis is the one end surface 10'L and the one end surface 10'L of the valve housing 10'H. It is taken perpendicular to the other end surface 10'T. The Y coordinate axis is assumed to be orthogonal to the X coordinate axis and the Z coordinate axis. When the valve housing 10'H is used in this way, the one end surface 10'L of the valve housing 10'H is, for example, the lower surface of the valve housing 10H, and the other end surface 10'T is, for example, the valve housing 10'. It is the upper surface of H.

The inlets of the expansion valve accommodating chambers 10'A, 10'B, 10'C, and 10'D are common via the branch paths 10'ap, 10'bp, 10'cp, and 10'dp, respectively. It is connected to the primary side supply port 10'M. The branch paths 10'ap and 10'bp are formed so as to be symmetrical with respect to the central axis (symmetric axis) AS in FIG. 14, respectively. Further, the branch paths 10'cp and 10'dp are formed so as to be symmetrical with respect to the axis of symmetry AS in FIG. 14, respectively. Further, the branch path 10'bp and the branch path 10'cp are formed so as to be symmetrical with respect to the axis of symmetry AS. The branch paths 10'ap and 10'dp are formed so as to be symmetrical with respect to the axis of symmetry AS, respectively. The length of the flow path from the end face of the primary side supply port 10'M of the branch paths 10'ap, 10'bp, 10'cp, and 10'dp to the expansion valve accommodating chamber is the same, and the length of the flow path is the same. The inner diameters are set to be the same as each other. Further, the predetermined inclination angles with respect to the symmetry axis AS of the branch paths 10'ap, 10'bp, 10'cp, and 10'dp are also set to be the same.

One end of the branch path 10'ap, 10'bp, 10'cp, and 10'dp that opens to the primary supply port 10'M, respectively, has an equal angle around the axis of symmetry AS, for example. , Are formed at 90 ° intervals.

A connection end portion of a connection joint member (not shown) is inserted into the primary side supply port 10'M. The inlet port of the connecting joint member communicates with a tapered hole formed in a divergent shape in the connecting end. The maximum diameter (φd1) of the tapered hole is one end opened in the conical surface 10'cc of the primary side supply port 10'M at the branch path 10'ap, 10'bp, 10'cp, and 10'dp. It is set to surround each part. That is, a plurality of branch paths 10'ap, 10'bp, 10'cp, and 10'dp are opened toward the tapered hole within a circle of the maximum diameter (φd1) of the tapered hole of the joint member. There is an opening at the end of each opening. Specifically, as in the example shown in FIG. 8, the maximum diameter (φd1) of the tapered hole 10IR is set to be larger than the diameter D of the circumscribed circle centered on the symmetry axis AS. The circumscribed circles are the points Ap, Bp, which are the farthest from the central axis (symmetric axis) AS of the peripheral edge of the opening end opened to the primary side supply port 10'M in the branch path 10'ap to 10'dp. It shall be circumscribed to Cp and Dp. The diameter D of the circumscribed circle means 2r when the length from the central axis (symmetry axis) AS to the above-mentioned points Ap, Bp, Cp, and Dp is r.

As a result, when the liquid refrigerant flows from the inlet port through the tapered holes formed in a divergent shape into each of the plurality of branch pipes, the liquid refrigerant of each of the plurality of branch pipes is within the range of the circle of the maximum diameter (φd1) of the tapered holes. Since there is an opening, the liquid refrigerant flows smoothly and the pressure loss is small as compared with the invention described in Patent Document 3.

In such a configuration, since the end face forming the common primary side supply port 10'M is formed by the conical surface 10'cc, the common primary side supply port is compared with the example shown in FIG. The pressure loss in the flow path from 10'M to the branch roads 10'ap, 10'bp, 10'cp, and 10'dp is further reduced. Therefore, cavitation and flash are less likely to occur. Further, the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the common primary side supply port 10'M (tapered hole) has the same length of the flow path from the end face of the primary side supply port 10'M to the expansion valve accommodating chamber. In addition, since the inner diameters of the flow paths are the same, the pressure loss is substantially the same. It is supplied to the valve accommodating chambers 10'A to 10'D, and is supplied to the evaporators 6A to 6D through the outlet passages 10'ep and the pipes Du3, DU4, Du5, and Du6. Needless to say, the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into the water does not fluctuate, as in the explanation of the first embodiment.

16 (A) and 16 (B) show the appearance of the second embodiment of the temperature type expansion valve unit according to the present invention.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the opening ends of the expansion valve accommodating chambers 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D are formed vertically and horizontally at four locations evenly separated from each other. (B), in the example shown in FIG. 18, expansion valve accommodating chambers 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D are formed in a row at equal intervals. In FIGS. 16A and 16B to 19, the same components as those in the example shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

The temperature type expansion valve unit 20 including the cassette type expansion valve includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the outlet of the condenser 4 and the plurality of evaporators 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D in the piping of the refrigeration cycle system. It is located between the entrance. The temperature type expansion valve unit 20 is an inlet port of a joint portion of a housing (not shown), is connected to a primary side pipe Du2 made of an aluminum alloy, and outlet ports 20a, 20b, 20c of the housing from which the refrigerant flows out, and At 20d, they are connected to the secondary side pipes Du3, Du4, Du5, and Du6 made of aluminum alloy, respectively.

The temperature type expansion valve unit 20 includes a plurality of cassette type expansion valves, for example, a valve housing 20H as a housing for individually accommodating four cassette type expansion valves 12 and four cassette type expansion valves 12, and a valve. A connection joint member fixed to one end surface (lower surface) 20L on the upstream side of the housing 20H and connected to the primary side pipe Du2 is included as a main component.

The valve housing 20H is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy. On the other end surface 20T on the downstream side of the valve housing 20H, four cassette type expansion valves 12 are housed, respectively, and the opening ends of the expansion valve housing chambers 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D are evenly spaced in a row. It is formed in 4 places. The expansion valve accommodating chambers 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D each communicate with an outlet passage (not shown). One end of each outlet passage communicates with the housing outlet ports 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d.

As shown in FIG. 19, the inlets of the expansion valve accommodating chambers 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D are connected to the common primary supply port 20M via the branch paths 20ap, 20bp, 20cp, and 20dp, respectively. It is connected. The branch paths 20ap and 20dp are formed so as to be symmetrical with respect to the central axis (symmetric axis) AS in FIG. 19, respectively. Further, the branch paths 20bp and 20cp are formed so as to be symmetrical with respect to the axis of symmetry AS, respectively. The inner diameters of the branch paths 20ap, 20bp, 20cp, and 20dp are set to be the same as each other. Further, a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the symmetry axis AS of the branch road 20ap and 20bp is also set to be the same as the corresponding inclination angle at the branch road 20cp and 20dp. The lengths of the flow paths of the branch paths 20ap and 20dp are the same as each other, and the lengths of the flow paths of the branch paths 20bp and 20cp are also the same as each other.

A connection end portion (not shown) of the connection joint member may be inserted into the primary side supply port 20M. The connection joint member is composed of a flange portion connected to one end surface 20L of the valve housing 20H and a connection end portion inserted into the primary side supply port 20M. The flange portion has an inlet port to which the pipe Du2 is connected.

The expansion valve accommodating chambers 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D formed in the stepped hole accommodate the cassette type expansion valve 12 as shown in FIG. The expansion valve accommodating chambers 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D have the same structure as each other, and the structure of the expansion valve accommodating chamber 20A has the same structure as that of the expansion valve accommodating chamber 10A described above, so that the expansion valve accommodating chamber 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D have the same structure. The description of the valve accommodating chamber 20A, the expansion valve accommodating chambers 20B, 20C, and 20D will be omitted.

In such a configuration, the flow rates of the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 4 to the inlet port of the joint portion of the thermal expansion valve unit 20 and the common primary side supply port 20M via the pipe Du2 have substantially the same pressure loss. It is supplied to the expansion valve accommodating chambers 20A to 20D at a flow rate distributed substantially evenly through the branch roads 20bp and 20cp and the branch roads 20ap and 20dp, and through the outlet passages and pipes Du3, DU4, Du5 and Du6. As shown in FIG. 2 of Patent Document 2, the flow rate of the refrigerant that flows into the adjacent thermal expansion valve because it is supplied to the evaporators 6A to 6D does not vary, and the inflow of the thermal expansion valve unit. It is possible to reduce the pressure loss in the flow path from the portion to each temperature type expansion valve.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, four expansion valve accommodating chambers communicating with a plurality of branch paths are arranged in a row, but the present invention is not limited to these examples, and for example, the intervals are evenly spaced in a row. 3 expansion valve accommodating chambers or 5 expansion valve accommodating chambers may be arranged in. In such a case, a plurality of branch paths communicating with the three expansion valve accommodating chambers are one on the central axis (symmetric axis) AS passing through the center of the primary side supply port 20M, and the central axis (symmetric axis). ) Two may be formed so as to be symmetrical with respect to AS. Further, in the case of a plurality of branch paths communicating with the five expansion valve accommodating chambers, one branch path is on the central axis (symmetric axis) AS passing through the center of the primary side supply port 20M, and the central axis (symmetric axis). ) A total of four lines may be formed, two lines each sandwiching the central axis (symmetry axis) AS so as to have a symmetrical shape with respect to the AS.

Further, in the second embodiment, as shown in the upper view of FIG. 18, a plurality of expansion valve accommodating chambers such as four, five, etc. have been described in a case where they are arranged in a row at equal intervals in series. The figure is not limited to one row, and a plurality of rows such as two rows may be arranged in series. For example, in the case of an arrangement of five pieces, the first row may have two pieces and the second row may have three pieces.

FIG. 20 shows the appearance of the third embodiment of the temperature type expansion valve unit according to the present invention.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the opening ends of the expansion valve accommodating chambers 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D are formed vertically and horizontally at four locations evenly separated from each other, while the example shown in FIG. In, expansion valve accommodating chambers 30A, 30B, and 30C are formed at three locations on a predetermined circumference at equal intervals. In FIGS. 20 and 21, the same components as those in the example shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

The temperature type expansion valve unit 30 including the cassette type expansion valve includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the outlet of the condenser 4 and the respective inlets of the plurality of evaporators in the piping of the refrigeration cycle system mounted on the vehicle. It is placed between. The temperature expansion valve unit 30 is connected to the aluminum alloy primary side pipe Du2 at the inlet port 30IP of the joint portion 30I of the housing, and at the outlet ports 30E1, 30E2, and 30E3 of the housing through which the refrigerant flows out. Each is connected to a secondary side pipe made of aluminum alloy, which is connected to each of the inlets of a plurality of evaporators.

The temperature type expansion valve unit 30 includes a plurality of cassette type expansion valves, for example, a valve housing 30H as a housing for individually accommodating three cassette type expansion valves 12 and three cassette type expansion valves 12, and a valve. The housing 30H includes a connection joint member 30I fixed to the upstream end surface (lower surface) 30L and connected to the primary side pipe Du2 as a main component.

The valve housing 30H is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy. As shown in FIG. 20, three cassette type expansion valves 12 are housed on the other end surface 30T on the downstream side of the valve housing 30H, respectively. However, they are formed at three locations on a predetermined circumference at equal intervals. The expansion valve accommodating chambers 30A, 30B, and 30C communicate with the outlet passage 30 ep (see FIG. 22), respectively. Each exit passage 30ep extends towards exit ports 30E1, 30E2, and 30E3. One end of the outlet passage 30ep communicating with the expansion valve accommodating chamber 30A, the expansion valve accommodating chamber 30B, and the expansion valve accommodating chamber 30C is connected joint members 30EA, 30EB, and 30EB provided on the side surfaces 30S1, 30S2, 30S3, respectively. It communicates with the exit ports 30E1, 30E2, and 30E3 of 30EC. The connecting ends of the connecting joint members 30EA, 30EB, and 30EC are each inserted into holes communicating with the outlet passage 30ep. The hole is sealed by an O-ring provided in the groove at each connection end.

The inlets of the expansion valve accommodating chambers 30A, 30B, and 30C are connected to the common primary supply port 30M via the branch paths 30ap, 30bp, and 30cp, respectively. The branch paths 30ap and 30cp are formed so as to be symmetrical with respect to the central axis (symmetric axis) AS in FIG. 21, respectively. Further, the branch paths 30 cp and 30 bp, the branch paths 30 ap, and 30 bp are formed so as to be symmetrical with respect to the symmetry axis AS in FIG. 23, respectively. The inner diameters of the branch paths 30ap, 30bp, and 30cp, and the lengths from the end face of the primary side supply port 30M to the inlets of the expansion valve accommodating chambers 30A, 30B, and 30C are set to be the same as each other. Further, the predetermined inclination angles with respect to the symmetry axis AS of the branch paths 30ap, 30bp, and 30cp are also set to be the same.

One ends of the branch paths 30ap, 30bp, and 30cp that are open to the primary supply port 30M are at equal angles around the axis of symmetry AS, for example, at 120 ° intervals, as shown in FIG. It is formed on a common circumference.

The connection end portion of the connection joint member 30I is inserted into the primary side supply port 30M. The connection joint member 30I is composed of a flange portion connected to one end surface 30L of the valve housing 30H and a connection end portion inserted into the primary side supply port 30M. The flange portion has an inlet port 30IP to which the pipe Du2 is connected in the central portion. The inlet port 30IP communicates with a tapered hole 30IR formed in a divergent shape in the connection end. The maximum diameter (φd1) of the tapered hole 30IR is set so as to surround one end of the branch paths 30ap, 30bp, and 30cp that is open to the primary supply port 30M, respectively, as shown in FIG. ing. That is, as shown in FIG. 23, within the circle of the maximum diameter (φd1) of the tapered hole 30IR of the connecting joint member 30I, toward the tapered hole 30IR at a plurality of branch paths 30ap, 30bp, and 30cp. There is an opening at the end of each opening. Specifically, in FIG. 23, the maximum diameter (φd1) of the tapered hole 30IR is set to be larger than the diameter D of the circumscribed circle centered on the symmetric axis AS shown by the broken line. The circumscribed circle circumscribes each point Ap, Bp, and Cp farthest from the central axis (symmetric axis) AS of the peripheral edge of the opening opening at the primary supply port 30M in the branch paths 30ap to 30cp. It is supposed to be. The diameter D of the circumscribed circle means 2r, where r is the length from the central axis (symmetry axis) AS to the above-mentioned points Ap, Bp, and Cp.

As a result, when the liquid refrigerant flows from the inlet port 30IP through the tapered hole 30IR formed in a divergent shape into the plurality of branch paths 30ap, 30bp, and 30cp, the circle having the maximum diameter (φd1) of the tapered hole 30IR. Since there are openings of each of the plurality of branch paths within the range of, the liquid refrigerant flows smoothly and the pressure loss is small as compared with the invention described in Patent Document 3.

An O-ring is inserted in the groove formed around the outer peripheral portion of the connection end. As a result, the inside of the primary side supply port 30M is sealed to the outside. Further, as shown in FIG. 24, in the connection joint member 30I, a machine screw is screwed into a female screw portion formed on one end surface 30L on the upstream side of the valve housing 30H through a mounting hole formed in the flange portion. By being inserted, it is fixed to one end surface 30L on the upstream side of the valve housing 30H.

The expansion valve accommodating chambers 30A, 30B, and 30C formed in the stepped hole accommodate the cassette type expansion valve 12 as shown in FIG. The expansion valve accommodating chambers 30A, 30B, and 30C have the same structure as each other, and the structure of the expansion valve accommodating chamber 30A has the same structure as that of the expansion valve accommodating chamber 10A described above. The description of the chamber 30A, the expansion valve accommodating chamber 30B, and 30C will be omitted.

In such a configuration, the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 4 to the inlet port 30IP of the joint portion 30I of the temperature type expansion valve unit 30 and the common primary side supply port 30M via the pipe Du2 is supplied to the primary side. Since the length and inner diameter of the flow path from the end face of the port 30M to the expansion valve accommodating chamber are the same, the pressure loss is substantially the same. Since it is supplied to the valve accommodating chambers 30A to 30C and is supplied to the evaporator through each outlet passage and piping, the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into the adjacent temperature type expansion valve does not fluctuate, and the temperature type expansion valve unit. It is possible to reduce the pressure loss of the flow path from the inflow portion of the water flow to each temperature type expansion valve.

FIG. 25 shows the appearance of the fourth embodiment of the temperature type expansion valve unit according to the present invention.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the opening ends of the expansion valve accommodating chambers 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D are formed vertically and horizontally at four locations evenly separated from each other, while the example shown in FIG. 25. In, expansion valve accommodating chambers 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, and 40E are formed at five locations on a predetermined circumference at equal intervals. In FIGS. 25 and 26, the same components as those in the example shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

The temperature type expansion valve unit 40 including the cassette type expansion valve has, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the outlet of the condenser 4 and the respective inlets of the plurality of evaporators in the piping of the refrigeration cycle system having a plurality of evaporators. It is placed between and. The temperature type expansion valve unit 40 is connected to the primary side pipe made of aluminum alloy at the inlet port 40IP of the joint portion 40I of the housing, and the outlet ports 40E1, 40E2, 40E3, 40E4 of the housing through which the refrigerant flows out, and , 40E5, respectively, are connected to secondary side pipes made of aluminum alloy, which are connected to the inlets of a plurality of evaporators, respectively.

The temperature type expansion valve unit 40 includes a plurality of cassette type expansion valves, for example, a valve housing 40H as a housing for individually accommodating five cassette type expansion valves 12 and five cassette type expansion valves 12, and a valve. The housing 40H includes a connection joint member 40I, which is fixed to one end surface (lower surface) 40L on the upstream side and is connected to the primary side pipe, as a main component.

The valve housing 40H is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy. As shown in FIG. 27, five cassette type expansion valves 12 are housed in the expansion valve housing chambers 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, and 40D, respectively, on the other end surface 40T on the downstream side of the valve housing 40H. The opening ends of 40E are formed at five positions on a predetermined circumference at equal intervals. The expansion valve accommodating chambers 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, and 40E communicate with the outlet passage 40ex (see FIG. 27), respectively. Each exit passage 40ex extends towards exit ports 40E1, 40E2, 40E3, 40E4, and 40E5. One ends of the expansion valve accommodating chamber 40A, the expansion valve accommodating chambers 40B, 40C, 40D, and the outlet passage 40ex communicating with the expansion valve accommodating chamber 40E are provided on the side surfaces 40S1, 40S2, 40S3, 40S4, and 40S5, respectively. It communicates with the connecting joint members 40EA, 40EB, 40EC, 40ED, and 40EE outlet ports 40E1, 40E2, 40E3, 40E4, and 40E5. The connection ends of the connecting joint members 40EA, 40EB, 40EC, 40ED, and 40EE are inserted into holes communicating with the outlet passage 40ex. The hole is sealed by an O-ring provided in the groove at the connection end.

The inlets of the expansion valve accommodating chambers 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, and 40E are connected to the common primary supply port 40M via branch paths 40ap, 40bp, 40cp, 40dp, and 40ep, respectively. .. The inner diameters of the branch paths 40ap, 40bp, 40cp, 40dp, and 40ep, and the length from the end face of the primary side supply port 40M to the inlets of the expansion valve accommodating chambers 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, and 40E are They are set to be the same as each other. Further, the predetermined inclination angles of the branch paths 40ap, 40bp, 40cp, 40dp, and 40ep with respect to the symmetry axis AS are also set to be the same.

One ends of the branch paths 40ap, 40bp, 40cp, 40dp, and 40ep opening to the primary supply port 40M, respectively, have equal angles around the axis of symmetry AS, eg, as shown in FIG. , 72 ° intervals are formed on a common circumference.

The connection end portion of the connection joint member 40I is inserted into the primary side supply port 40M. The connection joint member 40I is composed of a flange portion connected to one end surface 40L of the valve housing 40H and a connection end portion inserted into the primary side supply port 40M. The flange portion has an inlet port 40IP to which the pipe is connected in the central portion. The inlet port 40IP communicates with a tapered hole 40IR formed in a divergent shape in the connection end. As shown in FIG. 28, the maximum diameter (φd1) of the tapered hole 40IR is such that it surrounds one end of the branch paths 40ap, 40bp, 40cp, 40dp, and 40ep which is open to the primary supply port 40M. Is set to. That is, each opening end opened toward the tapered hole 40IR at the plurality of branch paths 40ap, 40bp, 40cp, 40dp, and 40ep within the range of the circle of the maximum diameter (φd1) of the tapered hole 40IR of the joint member 40I. There is an opening in the part. Specifically, in FIG. 28, the maximum diameter (φd1) of the tapered hole 40IR is set to be larger than the diameter D of the circumscribed circle centered on the symmetric axis AS shown by the broken line. The circumscribed circles are the points Ap, Bp, Cp, Dp, and the points farthest from the central axis (symmetric axis) AS of the peripheral edge of the opening opening to the primary supply port 40M in the branch paths 40ap to 40ep. It is supposed to be circumscribed to Ep. The diameter D of the circumscribed circle means 2r when the length from the central axis (symmetry axis) AS to the above-mentioned points Ap, Bp, Cp, Dp, and Ep is r.

As a result, when the liquid refrigerant flows from the inlet port 40IP through the tapered holes 40IR formed in a divergent shape into each of the plurality of branch paths, each of the plurality of liquid refrigerants is within the circle of the maximum diameter (φd1) of the tapered holes 40IR. Since there is an opening in the branch path, the liquid refrigerant flows smoothly and the pressure loss is small as compared with the invention described in Patent Document 3.

An O-ring is inserted in the groove formed around the outer peripheral portion of the connection end. As a result, the inside of the primary side supply port 40M is sealed to the outside. Further, as shown in FIG. 29, in the connecting joint member 40I, a machine screw is screwed into a female screw portion formed on one end surface 40L on the upstream side of the valve housing 40H through a mounting hole formed in the flange portion. By being inserted, it is fixed to one end surface 40L on the upstream side of the valve housing 40H.

The expansion valve accommodating chambers 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, and 40E formed in the stepped holes accommodate the cassette type expansion valve 12 as shown in FIG. 25. The expansion valve accommodating chambers 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, and 40E have the same structure as each other, and the structure of the expansion valve accommodating chamber 30A has the same structure as the structure of the expansion valve accommodating chamber 40A described above. Therefore, the description of the expansion valve accommodating chamber 40A, the expansion valve accommodating chambers 40B, 40C, 40D, and 40E will be omitted.

In such a configuration, the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 4 to the inlet port 40IP of the joint portion 40I of the thermal expansion valve unit 40 and the common primary side supply port 40M via the pipe is the primary side supply port. Branch paths 40ap, 40bp, 40cp, 40dp, in which the length of the flow path from the end face of 40M to the expansion valve accommodating chamber is the same and the inner diameter of the flow path is the same, so that the pressure loss is substantially the same. In addition, the flow rate is evenly distributed through 40 ep and is supplied to the expansion valve accommodating chambers 40A to 40E, and is supplied to the evaporator through each outlet passage and piping, so that the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into the adjacent thermal expansion valve is increased. There is no variation, and the pressure loss in the flow path from the inflow portion of the thermal expansion valve unit to each thermal expansion valve can be reduced.

In each of the above-described examples of the temperature type expansion valve unit according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, the temperature type expansion valve units 10, 20, 30, and 40 are the primary side supply ports 10M. , 20M, 30M, and 40M are used in a state where they are arranged horizontally so as to be located below the valve housing, but the present invention is not limited to these examples, and for example, the temperature type expansion valve unit 10 is used. , 20, 30, and 40 are the positions where the primary supply ports 10M, 20M, 30M, and 40M are lateral to the valve housing so that the refrigerant flows in the valve housing in the left-right direction in FIG. Of course, it may be used in a state of being vertically arranged so as to be (position in the left-right direction).

Although a plurality of examples of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these examples, and design changes are made within a range that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. Even if there is such a thing, the modified one shall be included in the scope of the present invention.

4 Condenser 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D Evaporator 10, 10', 20, 30, 40 Temperature type expansion valve unit 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D Expansion valve accommodation chamber 10ap, 10bp, 10cp, 10dp Branch path 10M Primary Side supply port 10H Valve housing 12 Cassette type expansion valve 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D Capillary tube 16 Temperature sensitive part

Claims (12)

A valve body that controls the opening area of the valve port formed in the flow path that guides the refrigerant, and a valve body that drives the valve body mechanism in response to a change in heat from the pipe connected to the outlet of the evaporator. A plurality of temperature type expansion valves each having a mechanism drive unit,
A plurality of expansion valve accommodating chambers arranged in a pipe for supplying the refrigerant to the evaporator and accommodating the plurality of temperature expansion valves, and a plurality of expansion valve accommodating chambers for discharging the refrigerant discharged from the plurality of temperature expansion valves. With a valve housing having a refrigerant discharge path,
Each of the plurality of expansion valve accommodating chambers radially and evenly distributes the refrigerant introduced into one primary side supply port formed at the upstream end portion of the valve housing to the plurality of expansion valve accommodating chambers. communicated to a plurality of branch passages,
A temperature type expansion valve unit characterized in that an opening end opened to the primary side supply port in the plurality of branch paths is formed on a common end face forming the primary side supply port. The temperature type expansion valve unit according to claim 1, wherein the primary side supply port is formed on a lower surface of the valve housing. The temperature-type expansion valve unit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of branch paths of the valve housing distribute the refrigerant at an equal flow rate because the pressure losses are substantially the same as each other. The temperature-type expansion valve according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of branch paths has the same length of the flow path through which the refrigerant flows, and the inner diameter of each flow path is the same. unit. The temperature-type expansion valve unit according to claim 1 , wherein the primary side supply port is formed on the other end surface of the valve housing, which is separated from the plurality of expansion valve accommodating chambers opened on one end surface. In the case of a plurality of branch paths communicating with an even number or an odd number of expansion valve accommodating chambers arranged in series, in the case of a plurality of branch paths communicating with an even number of expansion valve accommodating chambers, the arrangement of the expansion valve accommodating chambers. When viewed from a direction orthogonal to the direction, the same number of branch paths are formed so as to be symmetrical with respect to the axis of symmetry passing through the center of the primary supply port.
In the case of a plurality of branch paths communicating with an odd number of expansion valve accommodating chambers, one branch path is symmetrical passing through the center of the primary side supply port when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the expansion valve accommodating chambers. The first aspect of claim 1 , wherein the branch paths are formed on the axis and the remaining branch paths are formed so that the same number of branch paths are symmetrical with respect to the symmetrical axis passing through the center of the primary supply port. Temperature type expansion valve unit. The plurality of branch paths communicating with the plurality of expansion valve accommodating chambers arranged around the symmetrical axis passing through the center of the primary side supply port are evenly arranged around the central axis passing through the center of the primary side supply port. thermal expansion valve unit according to claim 1, wherein the that. The temperature type expansion valve unit according to claim 1 , wherein the branch path is inclined with respect to a central axis passing through the center of the primary side supply port. The temperature-type expansion valve unit according to claim 1 , wherein the tapered hole of the joint portion connected to the primary side supply port faces an open end in the plurality of branch paths. 9. The invention according to claim 9, wherein an opening at an opening end portion that opens toward the tapered hole in a plurality of branch paths faces within a region formed by a circle having the maximum diameter of the tapered hole of the joint portion. Temperature type expansion valve unit. The upper end surface that forms a part of the end face of the common of the primary-side supply opening, the thermal expansion valve unit according to claim 1, characterized in that it is formed by the conical surface. Equipped with an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser,
The refrigeration according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the temperature type expansion valve unit is provided in a pipe arranged between an outlet of the condenser and an inlet of the evaporator. Cycle system .

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