Patent Description:
Automotive air conditioning equipment is vehicle internal equipment installed to cool or heat the interior of a vehicle in summer or winter or to remove frost stuck on a windshield in rain or winter for the purpose of allowing the driver to secure front and rear views. The automotive air conditioning equipment, generally including both a heating system and a cooling system, selectively introduces outside or inside air, heats or cools the air, and then blows it into the interior of the vehicle, thereby cooling, heating, or ventilating the vehicle interior.

As shown in <FIG>, the cooling system of the automotive air conditioning equipment is constituted such that a compressor <NUM>, a condenser <NUM>, an expansion valve <NUM>, an evaporator <NUM>, and the like are interconnected by a refrigerant piping line of a refrigerant piping system <NUM> composed of a plurality of refrigerant pipes. In the cooling system, the compressor <NUM> compresses and sends out refrigerant, and the condenser <NUM> condenses the high-pressure refrigerant sent from the compressor <NUM>. In addition, the expansion valve <NUM> throttles the refrigerant condensed and liquefied in the condenser <NUM>, and the evaporator <NUM> evaporates the low-pressure liquid refrigerant throttled by the expansion valve <NUM> through heat exchange with air blown into the vehicle interior and thereby cools the air discharged into the vehicle interior by the endothermic action of the evaporation latent heat of the refrigerant.

Meanwhile, in the refrigerant piping line of the refrigerant piping system <NUM> connecting the compressor <NUM> and the condenser <NUM>, a check valve <NUM> for allowing the refrigerant to flow in one direction and preventing movement in the opposite direction is installed.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating components of a conventional check valve, and <FIG> is a diagram illustrating the structure of a check valve included in a conventional refrigerant piping system.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the conventional check valve <NUM> includes a valve body <NUM> disposed in the refrigerant piping line, a supporter <NUM> coupled to one end of the valve body <NUM>, and an elastic member <NUM> disposed between the valve body <NUM> and the supporter <NUM>.

In addition, the refrigerant piping line is equipped with a mounting pipe <NUM> in which the above-described components of the check valve <NUM> are disposed. Also, a compressor-side refrigerant pipe <NUM> and a condenser-side refrigerant pipe <NUM> are connected to both sides of the mounting pipe <NUM>, respectively, via welding.

However, the conventional check valve <NUM> is not a structure that the respective components are assembled and formed integrally, so each component of the check valve <NUM> should be inserted and arranged individually inside the mounting pipe <NUM>. This results in a problem that the assembly property is deteriorated.

In addition, as the compressor-side refrigerant pipe <NUM> and the condenser-side refrigerant pipe <NUM> are connected to both sides of the mounting pipe <NUM>, respectively, via welding, there is a problem in that the work process and manufacturing cost increase.

Documents <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> are representative of the available art.

The present application provides a refrigerant piping system in accordance with claim <NUM> and a method for assembling a refrigerant piping system in accordance with claim <NUM>. Advantageous features are provided in the dependent claims.

It should be noted that, in the accompanying drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. In addition, detailed descriptions of well-known functions and configurations that may obscure the scope of the disclosure will be omitted.

Now, an embodiment of the disclosure will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating the structure of a cooling system connected by a refrigerant piping system according to an embodiment of the disclosure, <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the structure of a check valve according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the structure of a check valve according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

In addition, <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating components of a check valve according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and <FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating an operation of a stopper according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a state of check valve before operation according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and <FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating an operating state of a check valve according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

With reference to <FIG>, the refrigerant piping system <NUM> according to the disclosure may include a refrigerant piping line composed of a plurality of refrigerant pipes for interconnecting the compressor <NUM>, the condenser <NUM>, the expansion valve <NUM>, and the evaporator <NUM> constituting the vehicle cooling system.

The refrigerant piping line may include an expanded pipe <NUM> formed by expanding at least one of the plurality of refrigerant pipes. A check valve <NUM> to be described later may be provided inside the expanded pipe <NUM>.

For example, the expanded pipe <NUM> provided with the check valve <NUM> may be formed to be expanded while extending from one side of a first refrigerant pipe <NUM> connected to the compressor <NUM>. In addition, one side of a second refrigerant pipe <NUM> connected to the condenser <NUM> may be fixedly inserted into one side of the expanded pipe <NUM> to be connected to the first refrigerant pipe <NUM>.

The check valve <NUM> provided in the expanded pipe <NUM> may restrict a flow direction of refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant pipe <NUM> to only one direction (e.g., a direction toward the condenser).

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the check valve <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the check valve <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a valve body <NUM>, a stopper <NUM>, and an elastic member <NUM>.

The valve body <NUM> may be movably disposed inside the above-described expanded pipe <NUM>. The valve body <NUM> may include a body part <NUM>, a support part <NUM> for supporting the elastic member <NUM>, and an extension part <NUM>.

The body part <NUM> may restrict the flow direction of refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant pipe that connects the compressor <NUM> and the condenser <NUM>. For example, the body part <NUM> is disposed at a connection portion between the first refrigerant pipe <NUM> and the expanded pipe <NUM> so that the front end of the body part <NUM> is in close contact with a discharge port <NUM> of the first refrigerant pipe <NUM> to restrict the flow direction of refrigerant to only one direction. That is, the flow direction of refrigerant may be restricted to allow the refrigerant to flow from the first refrigerant pipe <NUM> to the expanded pipe <NUM> and prevent the refrigerant from flowing backward from the expanded pipe <NUM> toward the first refrigerant pipe <NUM>.

The elastic member support part <NUM> may be formed to extend from one end of the body part <NUM> toward the flow direction of refrigerant, and may have a smaller diameter than the diameter of the body part <NUM>. A part of the elastic member <NUM> may be disposed to be fitted to the elastic member support part <NUM>, and the valve body <NUM> can move forward and backward inside the expanded pipe <NUM> by the elastic restoring force of the elastic member <NUM>.

The extension part <NUM> may be formed to extend from one end of the elastic member support part <NUM> toward the flow direction of refrigerant. The extension part <NUM> may have a smaller diameter than the diameter of the elastic member support part <NUM>. The extension part <NUM> is movably coupled to the stopper <NUM> to be described later and guides the movement of the valve body <NUM> inside the expanded pipe <NUM>.

At one end of the extension part <NUM>, at least one locking protrusion 213a may be provided. The at least one locking protrusion 213a may be coupled to a locking slit <NUM> formed in a central portion of the stopper <NUM> to lock the stopper <NUM>.

For example, the locking protrusion 213a may be formed to protrude outwardly from the outer circumferential surface of the extension part <NUM>. Although it is shown in this embodiment that two locking protrusions 213a are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the extension part <NUM>, this is exemplary only and is not construed as a limitation of the disclosure. The operation of the locking protrusion 213a will be described later in detail while explaining the structure of the stopper <NUM>.

The valve body <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure may further include a sealing member <NUM> on the body part <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> can prevent refrigerant from leaking when the body part <NUM> is in close contact with the discharge port <NUM> of the first refrigerant pipe <NUM>.

In addition, the sealing member <NUM> can minimize any impact or noise that may be caused when the body part <NUM> in movement strongly contacts the discharge port <NUM>.

The material of the sealing member <NUM> may be, for example, but is not limited to, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM).

In addition, the body part <NUM> may have a sealing member coupling groove 211a concavely formed on the outer circumferential surface thereof to accommodate the sealing member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the stopper <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be disposed inside the expanded pipe <NUM> and spaced apart from the valve body <NUM> at a predetermined distance. Also, the stopper <NUM> may be disposed to be coupled to the extension part <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>.

Specifically, the stopper <NUM> may be formed in the shape of fan blades, and at least one refrigerant passage hole <NUM> may be provided between the blades so that the refrigerant flowing through the expanded pipe <NUM> may pass. Although it is shown in this embodiment that three refrigerant passage holes <NUM> are formed, this is exemplary only and is not construed as a limitation of the disclosure.

In the central portion of the stopper <NUM>, a coupling hole <NUM> into which one end of the extension part <NUM> is inserted may be provided. Also, a locking slit <NUM> may be formed in the central portion of the stopper <NUM> to extend from one side of the coupling hole <NUM>. The locking slit <NUM> may receive the locking protrusion 213a formed on the extension part <NUM>.

That is, as shown in (a) of <FIG>, after the locking protrusion 213a formed on the extension part <NUM> passes through the locking slit <NUM> formed in the stopper <NUM>, the stopper <NUM> may be rotated in any one direction. Then, as shown in (b) of <FIG>, the locking protrusion 213a is escaped from the locking slit <NUM> and becomes placed on the rear surface of the stopper <NUM>. As such, when the locking protrusion 213a and the locking slit <NUM> are at different positions, the stopper <NUM> can be fixed to the extension part <NUM>. As a result, all of the valve body <NUM>, the elastic member <NUM>, and the stopper <NUM> are assembled into an integral form.

The elastic member <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure is disposed between the valve body <NUM> and the stopper <NUM>. One end of the elastic member <NUM> may be coupled to the elastic member support part <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>, and the other end may be in contact with the front surface of the stopper <NUM>. The elastic member <NUM> provides an elastic force to the valve body <NUM>.

Specifically, when the pressure of the refrigerant is applied, the valve body <NUM> compresses the elastic member <NUM> while moving in the expanded pipe <NUM> and opens the discharge port <NUM> of the first refrigerant pipe <NUM>. When the pressure of the refrigerant is removed, the valve body <NUM> returns to the initial position by the elastic restoring force of the elastic member <NUM>, and the main body <NUM> of the valve body <NUM> closes the discharge port <NUM> of the first refrigerant pipe <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, when the cooling system according to an embodiment of the disclosure is in an operating state, the refrigerant begins to flow by the pressure of the compressor <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor <NUM> flows through the first refrigerant pipe <NUM> and pushes the valve body <NUM> of the check valve <NUM> that closes the discharge port <NUM> of the first refrigerant pipe <NUM>. Then, as shown in <FIG>, the valve body <NUM> moves in the refrigerant flow direction inside the expanded pipe <NUM> by the pressure of the refrigerant, and therefore the discharge port <NUM> of the first refrigerant pipe <NUM> becomes open. The refrigerant flows into the expanded pipe <NUM> through the discharge port <NUM>, passes through the refrigerant passage hole <NUM> formed in the stopper <NUM>, and moves to the second refrigerant pipe <NUM> to be supplied to the condenser <NUM>.

On the other hand, when the operation of the cooling system is stopped, the operation of the compressor <NUM> is also stopped and the refrigerant is no longer moved. In this case, as shown in <FIG>, the valve body <NUM> returns to the initial position by the elastic restoring force of the elastic member <NUM> and thereby closes the discharge port <NUM>.

Now, an assembling method of the refrigerant piping system provided with the above-described check valve <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a flow diagram illustrating a method of assembling a refrigerant piping system according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, the assembling method of the refrigerant piping system <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a check valve assembling step S100, a check valve disposing step S200, a refrigerant pipe coupling step S300, and a refrigerant pipe welding step S400.

At the check valve assembling step S100, respective components of the check valve <NUM> are assembled.

Specifically, at the check valve assembling step S100, the elastic member <NUM> is coupled to the elastic member support part <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>, and then the stopper <NUM> is coupled to the extension part <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>.

At this time, one end of the extension part <NUM> is inserted into the coupling hole <NUM> of the stopper <NUM>, and simultaneously the locking protrusion 213a formed on the extension part <NUM> passes through the locking slit <NUM> formed in the stopper <NUM>.

In this state, when the stopper <NUM> is rotated in any one direction, the locking protrusion 213a is escaped from the locking slit <NUM> and comes into contact with the rear surface of the stopper <NUM>. At this time, because the elastic member <NUM> provides an elastic force to the stopper <NUM>, the stopper <NUM> is fixed to the extension part <NUM>. In addition, the sealing member <NUM> is coupled to the sealing member coupling groove 211a formed in the body part <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>. When this process is completed, the check valve <NUM> is in an integrally assembled state.

Next, at the check valve disposing step S200, the integrally assembled check valve <NUM> is disposed inside the expanded pipe <NUM>.

At this time, the front end of the body part <NUM> of the valve body <NUM> is disposed in close contact with the discharge port <NUM> of the first refrigerant pipe <NUM>, and the remaining configuration of the check valve <NUM> is located inside the expanded pipe <NUM>.

Next, at the refrigerant pipe coupling step S300, one side of the second refrigerant pipe <NUM> is inserted into and coupled to one side of the expanded pipe <NUM>.

At this time, the second refrigerant pipe <NUM> inserted into the expanded pipe <NUM> comes into close contact with the rear surface of the stopper <NUM>. That is, as one side of the second refrigerant pipe <NUM> is inserted into the expanded pipe <NUM> and supports the rear surface of the stopper <NUM>, it is possible to restrict the movement of the stopper <NUM> inside the expanded pipe <NUM> without any separate configuration for limiting the movement of the stopper <NUM>.

Next, at the refrigerant pipe welding step S400, a welding process for fixing the second refrigerant pipe <NUM> inserted into the expanded pipe <NUM> to the expanded pipe <NUM> is performed.

Through the assembling process as described above, it is possible to simply assemble the check valve in the expanded pipe of the refrigerant piping system.

According to the disclosure, by installing the integrally assembled check valve in the refrigerant piping line of the refrigerant piping system, it is possible to improve the assembly property of the refrigerant piping system.

In addition, according to the disclosure, only the second refrigerant pipe is connected to the expanded pipe, so that the working process and manufacturing cost can be reduced as much as possible.

In addition, according to the disclosure, there is no need for a separate configuration for fixing the stopper of the check valve inside the expanded pipe, so that the structure of the refrigerant piping system can be simplified.

In addition, according to the disclosure, the sealing member is provided on the check valve, so it is possible to prevent refrigerant leakage and reduce noise as much as possible.

Claim 1:
A refrigerant piping system(<NUM>) comprising:
a refrigerant piping line including a plurality of refrigerant pipes(<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for interconnecting a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator constituting a cooling system; and
a check valve(<NUM>) provided in the refrigerant piping line to limit a movement direction of refrigerant,
wherein the plurality of refrigerant pipes(<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) includes:
a first refrigerant pipe(<NUM>) suitable for being connected to the compressor;
an expanded pipe(<NUM>) formed by expanding an inner diameter of the first refrigerant pipe in one end and formed to extend from the end of the first refrigerant pipe; and
a second refrigerant pipe(<NUM>) having one side suitable for being connected to the condenser and
another side inserted into and fixed by welding to an end of the expanded pipe(<NUM>),
wherein the check valve(<NUM>) is disposed inside the expanded pipe(<NUM>) and restricts a flow direction of refrigerant,
wherein the check valve(<NUM>) includes:
a valve body(<NUM>) movably disposed inside the expanded pipe(<NUM>) in a longitudinal direction of the refrigerant piping line and having a front end facing the first refrigerant pipe(<NUM>) and a rear end facing the second refrigerant pipe(<NUM>);
a stopper(<NUM>) coupled to the rear end of the valve body(<NUM>) to limit a movement of the valve body(<NUM>); and
an elastic member(<NUM>) disposed between the valve body(<NUM>) and the stopper(<NUM>) and providing an elastic force to the valve body(<NUM>), and
wherein the valve body(<NUM>) has at least one locking protrusion(213a) formed at the rear end thereof, and the stopper(<NUM>) has a corresponding locking slit(<NUM>), and wherein the locking protrusion(213a) is configured to pass through the locking slit(<NUM>) and is configured to rotate relatively to the valve body(<NUM>) to fix the stopper(<NUM>) to the valve body(<NUM>), and
wherein the other side of the second refrigerant pipe(<NUM>) is inserted into the one side of the expanded pipe(<NUM>) and fixed to a rear surface of the stopper(<NUM>) so as to limit a movement of the stopper(<NUM>) in the expanded pipe(<NUM>).