Patent Publication Number: US-2010115979-A1

Title: Distributor and refrigerant circulation system comprising the same

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The embodiment relates to a distributor, and more particularly, to a distributor which allows inputted liquid and gaseous refrigerants to evenly flow and be discharged and a refrigerant circulation system comprising the same. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In general, an air conditioner is a home appliance that cools or heats a predetermined space by using a refrigeration system using characteristics depending on changes in pressure and temperature of refrigerants. 
       FIG. 1  is a configuration diagram schematically showing a general refrigeration system. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the refrigeration system includes a compressor  10  that compresses the refrigerant in a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous state, a condenser  20  that condenses refrigerant compressed by the compressor  10  into a liquid state by heat radiation using air blowing of a cooling fan  22 , a capillary tube  40  that expands the liquid refrigerant condensed by the condenser  20  into low-pressure liquid refrigerant by a throttle operation, a distributor  30  that evenly distributes the liquid refrigerant condensed by the condenser  20  to the capillary tube  40 , and an evaporator  50  that evaporates the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant expanded by the capillary tube  40  into low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant at the same time when providing cool air by using evaporation latent heat while evaporating the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant expanded by the capillary tube  40  by air blowing of the cooling fan  52 . Accordingly, the refrigeration system of the air conditioner cools a room by a series of cooling cycles constituted by the pressure  10 , the condenser  20 , the distributor  30 , the capillary tube  40 , and the evaporator  50 . 
     Meanwhile, the distributor  30  includes an inlet flow passage that is in communication with the capillary tube  40  and the evaporator  50 , more specifically, a plurality of distribution flow passages that are in communication with a plurality of tubes constituting the evaporator  50 . In addition, the inlet flow passage and the distribution flow passages are in communication with each other, such that the liquid refrigerant that flows in the inlet flow passage through the inlet flow passage is distributed into tubes of the evaporator  50  through the distribution flow passages. 
     However, by the distributor in the related art, the following problem occurs. 
     As described above, the refrigerant that flows in the inlet flow passage in part includes the liquid refrigerant and the gaseous refrigerant. However, since the liquid refrigerant and the gaseous refrigerant have specific gravities different from each other, the liquid refrigerant and the gaseous refrigerant that flow in the inlet flow passage through the capillary tube  40  are not evenly mixed with each other and the liquid refrigerant flows in some of the tubes of the evaporator  50  and the gaseous refrigerant flows in other tubes of the evaporator  50  through the distribution flow passage, such that the efficiency of a heat exchange cycle is deteriorated. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The embodiment relates to a distributor. In the present invention, refrigerant that flows in from an inlet pipe flows through an inlet flow passage of the distributor to be thus transferred to the distribution flow passage of the distributor, such that the refrigerant flows on the distribution flow passage to be evenly distributed and transferred to a plurality of outlet pipes. Accordingly, according to the present invention, the refrigerant that flows in through an inlet pipe by the distributor is evenly distributed to the plurality of outlet pipes. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a configuration diagram of a general cooling cycle; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a distributor according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view showing a process in which refrigerant is distributed by an embodiment of a distributor according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
     Hereinafter, a distributor and a refrigeration circulation system comprising the same according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective of a distributor according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3  is an exploded cross-sectional view according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the distributor  100  according to the present invention includes a distributor body  110  and a distributor head  120 . The distributor body  110  is inserted and fixed into the distributor head  120 . For example, the distributor body  110  can be fixed with being inserted into the distributor head  120  by bonding or soldering. 
     More specifically, the distributor body  110  is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape having generally the same diameter. Accordingly, an inner diameter and an outer diameter of the distributor body  110  generally have the same value. In addition, an inlet flow passage  111  and a mixed flow passage  113  are provided in the distributor body  110 . 
     The inlet flow passage  111  is provided at a central portion and a lower portion of the distributor body  110  in the figure. An inlet pipe  10  (see  FIG. 4 ) for transferring refrigerant expanded at low pressure in a capillary tube (not shown) is connected to a lower end in the figure, that is, to a upstream portion of the inlet flow passage  111 . Of course, the capillary tube may be directly connected. In addition, an upper end in the figure, that is, a downstream portion of the inlet flow passage  111  is in communication with a lower end in the figure of the mixed flow passage  113 . Liquid refrigerant and some gaseous refrigerant expanded by the capillary tube flow in the inlet flow passage  111 . 
     The mixed flow passage  113  is provided at a central portion and a lower portion of the distributor body  110  in the figure. The mixed flow passage  113  has a flow cross-sectional area comparatively smaller than the inlet flow passage  111 . In addition, a downstream portion of the mixed flow passage  113  is in communication with an upstream portion of a distribution flow passage  121  to be described below. The liquid and gaseous refrigerants that flow on the inlet flow passage  111  flow in the mixed flow passage  113 . However, the mixed flow passage  113  has a flow cross-sectional area smaller than the inlet flow passage  111 . Accordingly, the liquid and gaseous refrigerants that flow on the inlet flow passage  111  are mixed with each other. More specifically, the liquid refrigerant has a specific gravity comparatively larger than the gaseous refrigerant. Therefore, for example, like a case in which the refrigerant is transferred to the inlet flow passage  111  through the inlet pipe  10  having a J or U shape, when the liquid and gaseous refrigerants that flow in the inlet flow passage  111  flow on not a linear trajectory but a curved trajectory, the liquid refrigerant flows in one portion of the inlet flow passage  111  adjacent to an inner peripheral surface of the distributor body  110  and the gaseous refrigerant flows at the rest portion of the inlet flow passage  111 . In addition, the liquid and gaseous refrigerants that flow on the inlet flow passage  111 , which are partitioned from each other, flow in different directions to be mixed with each other while flowing on the mixed flow passage  113  having a flow cross-sectional area comparatively smaller than the inlet flow passage  111 . 
     Meanwhile, the flow cross-sectional area of the mixed flow passage  113  is substantially reduced by a flow interference unit  115  provided on the top of the inner peripheral surface of the distributor body  110 . The flow interference unit  115  extends radially on the top of the inner peripheral surface of the distributor body  110 . Therefore, a part of the downstream portion of the inlet flow passage  111  has a diameter comparatively smaller than the rest portions of the inlet flow passage  111  by the flow interference unit  115 , such that the mixed flow passage  113  may be formed. In addition, one surface of the flow interference unit  115  facing the downstream portion of the inlet flow passage  111 , that is, the bottom of the flow interference unit  115  in the figure is rounded. This purpose is to prevent a vortex phenomenon from being generated by an edge between the inner peripheral surface of the distributor body  110  corresponding to the downstream portion of the inlet flow passage  111  and one surface of the flow interference unit  115  while the liquid and gaseous refrigerants are transferred to the mixed flow passage  113 . 
     Further, a projection portion  117  is provided in the distributor body  110 . The projection portion  117  of the distributor body  110  is provided on the inlet flow passage  111 . An end portion of the inlet pipe  10  connected to the inlet flow passage  111  is suspended on the projection portion  117  of the distributor body  110 . The projection portion  117  of the distributor body  110  is substantially formed by stepping the upstream portion and the downstream portion of the inlet flow passage  111 . 
     Meanwhile, a lower portion in the figure of the distributor head  120 , that is, the upstream portion is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape having an inner diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of the distributor body  110 . In addition, an upper portion in the figure of the distributor head  120 , that is, the downstream portion has a cone shape of which a diameter gradually increases in comparison with the lower portion in the figure the distributor head  120 . Of course, the upstream portion and the downstream portion of the distributor head  120  are preferably formed integrally with each other. 
     In addition, the distribution flow passage  121  is provided in the distributor head  120 . The distribution flow passage  121  is configured to distribute the liquid and gaseous refrigerants that are mixed with each other while flowing on the mixed flow passage  113  to a plurality of tubes (not shown) constituting an evaporator (not shown). For this purpose, the distribution flow passage  121  includes a mixing unit  122  and a plurality of distribution units  123 . 
     A lower portion in the figure of the mixing unit  122 , that is, the upstream portion is in communication with the mixed flow passage  113 . In addition, an upper portion in the figure of the mixing unit  122 , that is, the downstream portion is in communication with lower portions in the figure of the plurality of distribution units  123 , that upstream end portions. The upstream portion of the mixing unit  122  has a flow cross-sectional area comparatively larger than the mixed flow passage  113 . It can be expected a phenomenon that the liquid and gaseous refrigerants that are mixed in the mixed flow passage  113  and transferred to the mixing unit  122  are once again mixed. In the embodiment, the upstream portion of the mixing unit  122  has the same flow cross-sectional area as the inlet flow passage  111 , but is not necessarily limited thereto and may have a flow cross-sectional area comparatively larger than the mixed flow passage  113 . Further, the downstream portion of the mixing unit  122  has a flow cross-sectional area that is reduced toward the distribution unit  123 . This purpose is to evenly distribute and transfer the refrigerant that flows on the mixing unit  122  to the distribution unit  123 . For this, the downstream portion of the mixing unit  122  has a cone shape using a virtual plane generally perpendicularly passing through a virtual straight line parallel to a flow direction of the refrigerant. More specifically, in the downstream portion of the mixing unit  122 , the top of the cone projected on the downstream portion of the mixing unit  122  is cut, such that a cross section in a direction where the refrigerant flows has a trapezoidal shape. 
     As described above, in the distribution unit  123 , each lower portion in the figure, that is, the upstream portion is in communication with the downstream portion of the mixing unit  122 . More specifically, the upstream portions of the distribution unit  123  are positioned separated from each other by a predetermined central angle on a virtual circular shape having the same circular center at the downstream portion of the mixing unit  122  corresponding to a cone-shape outer peripheral surface. In addition, an upstream end portion to a downstream end portion of the distribution unit  123  extends to slope in the direction where the refrigerant flows at a predetermined angle. In addition, the outlet pipe  20  (see  FIG. 4 ) for transferring the refrigerant to the tube is connected to the downstream portion of the distribution unit  123 . 
     Meanwhile, a distribution projection  125  is provided in the distributor head  120  corresponding to an inner part of the distribution flow passage  121 . A part of the downstream portion of the mixing unit  122  excluding a portion which is in communication with the upstream end portion of the distribution unit  123  is projected in a direction opposite to the flowing direction of the refrigerant to form the distribution projection  125 . In the embodiment, the distribution projection  125  has the cone shape as a whole, but the shape of the distribution projection  125  is not limited thereto. The distribution projection  125  is configured to evenly distribute the refrigerant that flows on the mixing unit  122  to the distribution unit  123 . That is, the refrigerant that flows on the distribution unit  123  flows substantially toward the distribution unit  123  by the distribution projection  125 . Further, the distribution projection  125  serves to reduce the flow cross-sectional area of the downstream portion of the mixing unit  122  which is in communication with the distribution unit  123  toward the distribution unit  123 . 
     Further, a projection portion  127  is provided in the distributor head  120 . The projection portion  127  of the distributor head  120  is provided on the distribution unit  123  adjacent to the downstream end portion of the distribution unit  123 . The projection portion  127  of the distributor head  120  is a location on which an end portion of the outlet pipe  20  connected to the downstream end portion of the distribution unit  123  is suspended. The projection portion  127  of the distributor head  120  is formed by stepping the distribution unit  123 . 
     Next, an operation of an embodiment of a distributor and a refrigeration circulation system comprising the same according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view showing a process in which refrigerant is distributed by an embodiment of a distributor according to the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , refrigerant expanded in a capillary tube is first transferred to an inlet flow passage  111  through an inlet pipe  10 . At this time, most of refrigerants transferred to the inlet flow passage  111  are a liquid refrigerant (indicated by solid lines in the figure), but some of refrigerants are transferred to the inlet flow passage  111  as a gaseous refrigerant (indicated by dot lines in the figure). Further, the liquid refrigerant will flow on a part of the inlet flow passage  111  mainly adjacent to an inner surface of the distributor body  110  and the gaseous refrigerant will flow on the rest part of the inlet flow passage  111  by a difference in centrifugal force depending on a difference in specific gravity between the liquid refrigerant and the gaseous refrigerant. 
     Meanwhile, the liquid and gaseous refrigerants that flow on the inlet flow passage  111  are transferred to the mixed flow passage  113 . In addition, the liquid and gaseous refrigerants transferred to the mixed flow passage  113  are mixed with each other to be transferred to the distribution flow passage  121  while flowing on the mixed flow passage  113 . However, the mixed flow passage  113  has a flow cross-sectional area comparatively smaller than the distribution flow passage  121  as described above. Accordingly, the liquid and gaseous refrigerants are mixed with each other to be transferred to the distribution flow passage  121  while flowing on the mixed flow passage  113 . 
     In addition, the liquid and gaseous refrigerants transferred to the distribution flow passage  121  are remixed in the mixing unit  122  of the distribution flow passage  121  having the flow cross-sectional area comparatively larger than the mixed flow passage  113 . As such, the liquid and gaseous refrigerants that are remixed in the mixing unit  122  are transferred to the outlet pipe connected to the distribution unit  123  through the distribution unit  123  of the distribution flow passage  121 . 
     At this time, the flow cross-sectional area of the downstream portion of the mixing unit  122  is reduced toward the distribution unit  123  by the distribution projection  125 . Further, the refrigerant that flows on the mixing unit  122  is substantially guided to the distribution unit  123  by the distribution projection  125 . Accordingly, the refrigerant that flows on the mixing unit  122  can be evenly distributed to the outlet pipe  20  through the distribution unit  123 . 
     Next, the refrigerant that flows on the outlet pipe  20  is transferred to tubes of an evaporator (not shown) connected to the outlet pipe  20 . In addition, the refrigerant transferred to the evaporator by circulating a compressor (not shown), a condenser (not shown), a capillary tube (not shown), a distributor (not shown), and an evaporator in sequence to drive a refrigeration cycle. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that substitutions, modifications, and changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and the spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     In the above-mentioned embodiment, a component forming the mixed flow passage is referred to as a flow interference unit, but its name is not limited to the flow interference unit. That is, when an inlet direction of the refrigerant that flows in the inlet flow passage can be substantially changed, although the component is referred to as another name, for example, a direction converting unit, the component will be substantially the same component. 
     Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, one surface of the flow interference unit facing the inlet flow passage is rounded, but is not limited thereto. That is, one surface of the flow interference unit facing the inlet flow passage may be perpendicular to the flowing direction of the refrigerant that flows on the inlet flow passage. 
     In a distributor and a refrigeration circulation system comprising the same according to the present invention, which are configured as described above, a refrigerant that flows in through an inlet pipe is evenly distributed and discharged to a plurality of outlet pipes. Accordingly, according to the present invention, the refrigerant that is evenly distributed to the outlet pipe is transferred to a plurality of tubes constituting, for example, an evaporator, such that it can be expected an effect in which the efficiency of a refrigeration cycle is substantially increased.