Patent Publication Number: US-11035579-B2

Title: Refrigeration cycle apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a refrigeration cycle apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In some usage environments, a refrigeration cycle apparatus is required to have low-noise performance. To achieve low-noise performance, it is required to suppress vibration from being transmitted to the entirety of the apparatus when a compressor constituting a refrigerant circuit vibrates. For such a purpose, Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-241197) discloses a double anti-vibration structure. That is, a support member is disposed in a housing via a second anti-vibration member, and a compressor is mounted on the support member via a first anti-vibration member. In Patent Literature 1, an air heat exchanger, a water heat exchanger, and the like, which are refrigeration-cycle constituent components, are also disposed, as appropriate, on the support member. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     Patent Literature 1 includes no description about an electric component. In general, an electric component that performs overall control of a refrigeration cycle apparatus is generally fixed to a housing. In particular, when a double anti-vibration structure is employed, the space in a housing is decreased, and thus, it is common to fix such an electric component in a housing upper portion where there is relatively more space. 
     Electric components include a large number of elements, and some of the elements generate a large amount of heat. There are thus some electric components for which it is desirable to perform cooling. For cooling of electric components, a technique of refrigerant cooling is also known (refer to, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-145054). 
     During cooling of an electric component by refrigerant cooling, when the electric component is fixed to a housing with a refrigeration-cycle constituent component to which a refrigerant pipe is connected being fixed to a support member, displacement is generated between the refrigerant-cycle constituent component and the electric component by the vibration of the support member. There is a problem that a stress is thereby generated on a pipe connecting the refrigeration-cycle constituent component and a member that cools the electric component. 
     Solution to Problem 
     A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a first aspect includes a housing, a second elastic member, a base, a first elastic member, a compressor, an electric component, a heat transfer plate, a refrigerant cooling pipe, a refrigeration-cycle constituent component, and a connecting pipe. The housing includes a bottom member. The second elastic member is disposed on the bottom member. The base is disposed on the bottom member via the second elastic member. The first elastic member is disposed on the base. The compressor is configured to compress a refrigerant. The compressor is disposed on the base via the first elastic member. The electric component is configured to drive a motor for the compressor. The electric component is fixed to the housing. The heat transfer plate is fixed to the electric component. The refrigerant cooling pipe causes the refrigerant to circulate therein. The refrigeration-cycle constituent component is fixed to the base and causes the refrigerant to circulate. The connecting pipe causes the refrigerant to circulate. The connecting pipe connects the refrigeration-cycle constituent component or the compressor and the refrigerant cooling pipe to each other. The refrigerant cooling pipe is fixed to the heat transfer plate and is configured to cool the electric component via the heat transfer plate. The connecting pipe includes a vibration transmission suppressing portion. The vibration transmission suppressing portion suppresses vibration of the refrigeration-cycle constituent component or the compressor fixed to the base from being transmitted to the refrigerant cooling pipe. 
     In the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the first aspect, due to the presence of the vibration transmission suppressing portion, vibration of the refrigerant cooling pipe is suppressed, and a stress applied to the pipe is suppressed. 
     A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a second aspect is the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the first aspect, in which the refrigeration-cycle constituent component is one that is included in a group consisting of an economizer heat exchanger, an expansion valve, a check valve, an air heat exchanger, a water heat exchanger, a four-way switching valve, an accumulator, and a receiver, or a combination thereof. 
     A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a third aspect is the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the first aspect or the second aspect, in which the vibration transmission suppressing portion is fixed to the housing. 
     A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a fourth aspect is the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the third aspect, in which the vibration transmission suppressing portion is fixed to the bottom member. 
     A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a fifth aspect is the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, the refrigeration cycle apparatus further including a third elastic member disposed between the vibration transmission suppressing portion and the housing. 
     In the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the fifth aspect, it is possible to reduce vibration energy that is transmitted to the housing because the third elastic member attenuates vibration. 
     A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a sixth aspect is the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the fifth aspect, in which a spring constant of the third elastic member is more than or equal to a spring constant of the second elastic member. 
     In the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the sixth aspect, it is possible to more reliably reduce the vibration that is transmitted to the housing. 
     A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a seventh aspect is the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the first aspect or the second aspect, in which the vibration transmission suppressing portion is a trap including a bent portion. 
     In the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the trap absorbs displacement resulting from the vibration of the base and can suppress the vibration of the refrigerant cooling pipe. 
     A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to an eighth aspect is the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the first aspect or the second aspect, in which the vibration transmission suppressing portion is a pipe having flexibility. 
     In the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the pipe having flexibility absorbs displacement resulting from the vibration of the base and can suppress the vibration of the refrigerant cooling pipe. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an appearance of a refrigeration cycle apparatus of a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram of a refrigerant circuit of the refrigeration cycle apparatus of the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic front view of the refrigeration cycle apparatus of the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the refrigeration cycle apparatus of the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic front view of the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a modification of the first embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
     (1) Configuration of Refrigerant Circuit of Refrigeration Cycle Apparatus 
     A perspective view of an appearance of a refrigeration cycle apparatus  100  of a first embodiment and a refrigerant circuit are illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , respectively. The refrigeration cycle apparatus of the present embodiment is an apparatus that uses a heat pump and that heats and/or cools water. By using heated or cooled water, the refrigeration cycle apparatus  100  can be utilized as a water heater or a water cooler. Alternatively, by using heated or cooled water as a medium, the refrigeration cycle apparatus  100  may constitute an air conditioning apparatus that performs heating and cooling. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the refrigerant circuit of the refrigeration cycle apparatus  100  of the present embodiment includes a compressor  1 , an accumulator  2 , a four-way switching valve  3 , an air heat exchanger  4 , a check valve  9 , a first expansion valve  7 , a second expansion valve  8 , an economizer heat exchanger  10 , and a water heat exchanger  11 . With each device and a junction  12  connected to each other by pipes  41  to  54 , a refrigerant circulates in each device, and a vapor compression refrigeration cycle is performed. The pipes  41  to  54  are each constituted by a highly heat-conductive member of copper, aluminum, or the like. The refrigeration cycle apparatus further includes a fan  5  that sends air to the air heat exchanger  4 , and a fan motor  6  that drives the fan. 
     When water is to be heated, the refrigeration cycle apparatus  100  operates as follows. The refrigerant is compressed by the compressor  1  and sent to the water heat exchanger  11 , which acts as a condenser. The refrigerant is decompressed by, mainly, the first expansion valve  7 , vaporized by the air heat exchanger  4 , which acts as an evaporator, and sent to the compressor  1  again. Water enters the water heat exchanger  11  through a water entrance pipe  61 , is heated by the refrigerant, and discharged through a water exit pipe  62 . Heating and cooling of the water are performed by changing the flow of the refrigerant by switching of the four-way switching valve  3 . When the water is to be cooled, the water heat exchanger  11  acts as a refrigerant evaporator. 
     (2) Arrangement of Devices in Refrigeration Cycle Apparatus 
     An arrangement of devices in the refrigeration cycle apparatus will be described by using the front view in  FIG. 3  and the top view in  FIG. 4 . For ease of understanding, detailed description of a refrigerant pipe, a signal line, electric wires, such as an electric power line, and the like is omitted, as appropriate, in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 , a housing  20  is constituted by a bottom member  20   a , a top member  20   b , a front member  20   c , a right-side member  20   d , a rear member  20   e , and a left-side member  20   f . The housing  20  covers the outer side of devices constituting the refrigeration cycle. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a space in an inner portion of the housing  20  is divided by a partition plate  25  into, roughly, a heat exchange chamber on the left side in which the air heat exchanger  4  and the fan  5  are disposed and a machine chamber on the right side in which devices, such as the compressor  1  and the like, are disposed. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in the machine chamber, four second elastic members  24  are disposed on the bottom member  20   a , and a base  21  is disposed on the second elastic members  24 . The second elastic member  24  is disposed at each of the corners of the base  21  in  FIG. 4  but may be constituted by one large piece or may be divided into two or more. A material of the second elastic members  24  is rubber or urethane. 
     The compressor  1  includes an elastic-member mount portion  22 . The first elastic members  23  are mounted on the elastic-member mount portion  22 . The compressor  1  is supported on the base  21  by three first elastic members  23  and bolts (not illustrated). The first elastic members  23  are anti-vibration rubber. 
     The compressor  1  may be supported on the base  21  by the first elastic members and bolts or may be supported on the base  21  by only the first elastic members. 
     If being capable of supporting the compressor  1 , the first elastic members  23  may be constituted by one piece or may be constituted by a plurality of first elastic members. A material of the first elastic members  23  may be, other than rubber, urethane. The material and the spring constant may be different or the same between the first elastic members  23  and the second elastic members  24 . 
     In other words, the compressor  1  is disposed on a double anti-vibration structure via the first elastic members  23 , the base  21 , and the second elastic members  24 . Consequently, even when the compressor  1  vibrates due to operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus  100 , transmission of the vibration and generation of noise are suppressed by the double anti-vibration structure. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 4 , in addition to the compressor  1 , the economizer heat exchanger  10 , the water heat exchanger  11 , the accumulator  2 , a receiver (not illustrated), and other refrigeration-cycle constituent components  15  are disposed and fixed on the base  21 . The other refrigeration-cycle constituent components  15  represent the first expansion valve  7 , the second expansion valve  8 , the check valve  9 , the four-way switching valve  3 , and the like. The refrigeration-cycle constituent components  15  are fixed to the base  21  by a pipe and another support member (not illustrated). 
     An electric component  31  is fixed to an electric-component unit  30 . The electric component  31  drives a motor for the compressor. The motor for the compressor is a part of the compressor  1 . The electric-component unit also includes an electric component other than the electric component  31 . The electric component  31  is a heat generating component. The electric-component unit  30  is fixed to the housing  20 . The electric-component unit  30  is disposed in an upper portion of the machine chamber. 
     In the first embodiment, devices at a portion other than a portion surrounded by the area of the base  21  of  FIG. 2 , that is, the air heat exchanger  4 , the fan  5 , and the fan motor  6  are fixed to the housing  20 . The air heat exchanger  4 , the fan  5 , and the fan motor  6  may be fixed on the base  21 . A rectifier member (bell mouth) that rectifies wind generated by the fan may be fixed on the base  21 . As a load on the base  21  is increased, the vibration of the base  21  is suppressed more. A drift of wind can be suppressed by placing the fan  5  and the air heat exchanger  4 , or/and the fan  5  and the rectifier member on the base  21  at the same time. 
     (3) Connection Between Refrigerant Cooling Pipe  74  and Refrigerant Pipe 
     With  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 4 , connection between a refrigerant cooling pipe  74  and a refrigerant pipe will be described. 
     The refrigerant cooling pipe is disposed at an intermediate portion of either one pipe of the refrigerant pipes  41  to  54  illustrated in the refrigerant circuit diagram of  FIG. 2 . The portion may be of any of the refrigerant pipes  41  to  54 . The portion can be selected from places where the refrigerant has a temperature suitable for cooling and where pipes are easily connected. Considering the temperature of the refrigerant, a suitable place is, for example, the pipe  47 ,  46 ,  45 , or the like where the temperature is lower than a heat resistant temperature zone of the electric component and higher than a temperature zone in which condensation and the like are generated. Here, a case in which the pipe  47  is selected will be described more specifically. 
     The refrigerant pipe  47  is a pipe that connects the check valve  9  and the economizer heat exchanger  10  to each other. In  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the check valve  9  is a part of the refrigeration-cycle constituent components  15  and fixed to the base  21 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the economizer heat exchanger  10  is fixed to the base  21 . In  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the refrigerant pipe  47  corresponds to pipes  71  to  77 . The pipe  71  is in the air (is not supported by another member), a vibration transmission suppressing portion  72  is fixed to the housing  20  by a fastener  82 , and the pipe  73  is in the air. The refrigerant cooling pipe  74  is fixed to a heat transfer plate  81 , the pipe  75  is in the air, and a vibration transmission suppressing portion  76  is fixed to the housing  20  by a fastener  83 . The pipe  77  is in the air and, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , is connected to the economizer heat exchanger  10 . 
     The refrigerant cooling pipe  74  is fixed to the heat transfer plate  81 , and the heat transfer plate  81  is bonded to an element of the electric component  31 . Therefore, when the electric component generates heat, the electric component can be cooled by the refrigerant. In the present embodiment, the pipes  71  to  77  are constituted by one folded refrigerant pipe. The refrigerant cooling pipe  74  is formed by the pipes  71  to  77  a portion of which is fixed to the heat transfer plate  81  by a method, such as brazing, welding, or the like. 
     As the refrigerant cooling pipe  74 , a refrigerant jacket may be used (refer to, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-145054). The refrigerant jacket is a plate made of metal, such as aluminum or the like, and includes a flow channel for causing the refrigerant to circulate therein. The flow channel and the pipes  73  and  75  may be connected to each other. When the refrigerant jacket is used, the heat transfer plate  81  and the refrigerant cooling pipe  74  may be formed integral with each other. 
     A portion of the connecting pipe  47  is fixed as the vibration transmission suppressing portions  72  and  76  to the housing  20  with the fasteners  82  and  83 . The portion of the connecting pipe  47  is fixed to the bottom member  20   a  of the housing  20 . The fasteners  82  and  83  are made of metal, for example, made of iron. Therefore, even when the base  21  vibrates, the vibration is suppressed by the vibration transmission suppressing portions  72  and  76 , and the vibration of the refrigerant cooling pipe  74  can be suppressed. 
     (4) Features 
     4-1 
     In the refrigeration cycle apparatus  100  of the present embodiment, the compressor  1  is disposed on the bottom member  20   a  via the first elastic members  23 , the base  21 , and the second elastic members  24 . In other words, the double anti-vibration structure is employed to thereby address suppression of transmission of the vibration of the compressor  1  and calmness. In such a double anti-vibration structure, refrigeration-cycle components, such as the accumulator  2 , the water heat exchanger  11 , and the like, are fixed on the base  21 , and thus, suppression of transmission of vibration and calming action are further reinforced. 
     In the refrigeration cycle apparatus  100  of the present embodiment, the electric component  31  that includes a heat generating element is cooled by the refrigerant cooling pipe  74 , and thus, efficiency of the electric component  31  is improved while malfunction and deterioration of the electric component  31  due to a temperature rise are prevented. 
     The refrigeration cycle apparatus  100  of the present embodiment further includes, in the apparatus having such a double anti-vibration structure and a refrigerant cooling structure, the vibration transmission suppressing portion  72  at the connecting pipes  71  to  73  connecting the refrigeration-cycle constituent components (for example, the economizer heat exchanger  10 ) and the refrigerant cooling pipe  74  to each other. 
     In the refrigeration cycle apparatus  100  of the present embodiment, the refrigerant cooling pipe  74  (electric component  31 ) is fixed to the housing  20  with the refrigeration-cycle constituent components (for example, the economizer heat exchanger  10 ) being fixed to the base  21 , and thus, due to the vibration of the base  21 , displacement is generated between the refrigeration-cycle constituent components and the refrigerant cooling pipe  74 . Consequently, there is a likelihood of excessive stress concentration being generated on the refrigerant cooling pipe  74 . When a stress is applied to pipes by vibration repeatedly, fatigue fracture occurs, and there is a likelihood of the pipes being broken, resulting in refrigerant leakage and the like. In the refrigeration cycle apparatus of the present embodiment, however, the vibration transmission suppressing portions  72  and  76  are provided, and therefore, the vibration of the base  21  is suppressed before being transmitted to the refrigerant cooling pipe  74 . Accordingly, the stress of the refrigerant cooling pipe  74  is reduced, and a risk of causing fatigue fracture is also reduced. 
     4-2 
     In the refrigeration cycle apparatus  100  of the present embodiment, the vibration transmission suppressing portions  72  and  76  are fixed to the housing  20 , particularly to the bottom member  20   a.    
     In contrast, the electric component  31  (refrigerant cooling pipe  74 ) of the present embodiment is disposed in an upper portion inside the housing  20 . Consequently, the connecting pipes  73  and  75  connecting the refrigerant cooling pipe  74  and the vibration transmission suppressing portions  72  and  76  are lengthened, and a vibration reducing effect is easily obtained. 
     The bottom member  20   a  is the highest among the six members constituting the housing  20  in terms of rigidity. Thus, the vibration suppression effect is high. 
     In the maintenance of the refrigeration cycle apparatus  100 , the top member  20   b , the front member  20   c , the right-side member  20   d , the rear member  20   e , and the left-side member  20   f  are required to be detached, and, however, the bottom member  20   a  is seldom detached. Thus, when the vibration transmission suppressing portions  72  and  76  are fixed to the bottom member  20   a , there is no need to detach the vibration transmission suppressing portions  72  and  76  for maintenance, and maintenance properties are improved. 
     (5) Modification 
     (5-1) Modification 1A 
     In the first embodiment, the refrigerant cooling pipe  74  is disposed at the pipe  47  connecting the check valve  9  and the economizer heat exchanger  10 . In a modification 1A, the refrigerant cooling pipe  74  is disposed at the pipe  46  in  FIG. 2 . The pipe  46  is a pipe that connects the economizer heat exchanger  10  and an injection junction  12  to each other. The refrigerant in the pipe  46  has a slightly low temperature, compared with the temperature of the refrigerant in the pipe  47 , and thus has a slightly high cooling ability. Selection between them is determined on the basis of cooling ability, and ease of connection depending on the arrangements of the pipes. 
     The effect of the modification 1A is almost the same as that of the first embodiment. 
     Not only the pipe  46  and the pipe  47 , but also the pipe  41  to pipe  51  in  FIG. 2  can be used as connecting pipes at which the refrigerant cooling pipe  74  is disposed. However, vibration is increased because each of the pipes  41 ,  51 , and  54  is connected at one end thereof to the compressor  1 . In contrast, in the first embodiment, the air heat exchanger  4  is fixed to the housing  20 , and thus, each of the pipes  42  and  43  connected at one end thereof to the air heat exchanger  4  is preferable from the point of view of vibration suppression. 
     (5-2) Modification 1B 
     In the first embodiment, a case in which the vibration transmission suppressing portions  72  and  76 , which are pipes, are in direct contact with the bottom member  20   a  and fixed thereto has been described. In a modification 1B, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the vibration transmission suppressing portions  72  and  76  are fixed to the bottom member  20   a  with a third elastic member  26  interposed therebetween. The feature of fixing with the fasteners  82  and  83  is the same. The third elastic member  26  may be interposed between the fasteners  82  and  83  and the vibration transmission suppressing portions  72  and  76 . 
     In the refrigeration cycle apparatus of the modification 1B, the third elastic member  26  attenuates vibration, and it is thus possible to reduce vibration energy that is transmitted to the housing. 
     In the modification 1B, the spring constant of the third elastic member  26  may be more than or equal to the single spring constant of the second elastic member  24 . With such a configuration, displacement due to vibration transmitted to the refrigerant cooling pipe  74  can be reliably suppressed, compared with displacement due to the vibration of the base  21 , and it becomes possible to attenuate vibration that is transmitted from the vibration transmission suppressing portions  72  and  76  to the housing  20 . 
     (5-3) Modification 1C 
     In the first embodiment, a case in which the vibration transmission suppressing portions  72  and  76 , which are a part of the connecting pipe, are fixed to the housing  20  has been described. In a modification 1C, a part of the connecting pipe is fastened to the housing  20  with flexible metal. The flexible metal is, for example, a wire. Also in such a case, it is possible to suppress the vibration of the base  21  from being transmitted to the refrigerant cooling pipe  74 . The effect thereof is, however, limited compared with that in the first embodiment. 
     (5-4) Modification 1D 
     In the first embodiment, a case in which the vibration transmission suppressing portions  72  and  76 , which are a part of the connecting pipe, are fixed to the housing  20  has been described. In a modification 1D, the vibration transmission suppressing portions  72  and  76  are traps. An example thereof is a pipe that is bent in a U-shape. 
     The traps absorb displacement resulting from the vibration of the base and can suppress the vibration of the refrigerant cooling pipe. Thus, it is possible to prevent excessive stress concentration from being applied to the refrigerant cooling pipe  74 . 
     (5-5) Modification 1E 
     In the first embodiment, a case in which the vibration transmission suppressing portions  72  and  76 , which are a part of the connecting pipe, are fixed to the housing  20  has been described. In a modification 1E, the vibration transmission suppressing portions  72  and  76  are pipes having flexibility. In other words, the vibration transmission suppressing portions  72  and  76  are flexible pipes. The flexible pipes absorb displacement resulting from the vibration of the base and can suppress the vibration of the refrigerant cooling pipe. Thus, it is possible to prevent excessive stress concentration from being applied to the refrigerant cooling pipe  74 . 
     Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that various changes in forms and details are possible without deviating from the gist and the scope of the present disclosure described in the claims. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
           1  compressor 
           2  accumulator 
           3  four-way switching valve 
           4  air heat exchanger 
           5  fan 
           6  fan motor 
           7  first expansion valve 
           8  second expansion valve 
           9  check valve 
           10  economizer heat exchanger 
           11  water heat exchanger 
           20  housing 
           20   a  bottom member 
           21  base 
           23  first elastic member 
           24  second elastic member 
           30  electric-component unit 
           31  electric component 
           71  to  77  connecting pipe 
           72 ,  76  vibration transmission suppressing portion 
           81  heat transfer plate 
           100  refrigeration cycle apparatus 
       
    
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-241197