[0001] 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.
[0002] 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.
[0003] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a general refrigeration system.
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] However, by the distributor in the related art, the following problem occurs.
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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.
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.
[0009] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure,
examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0010] 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 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.
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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.
[0013] 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.
[0014] 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.
[0015] 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.
[0016] 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.
[0017] 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.
[0018] 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.
[0019] 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 of 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.
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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
is, 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.
[0022] 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.
[0023] 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.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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.
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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 20 connected to the distribution
unit 123 through the distribution unit 123 of the distribution flow passage 121.
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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.
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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.
1. A distributor that distributes a refrigerant which flows in through an inlet pipe
to a plurality of outlet pipes by the distributor, comprising:
an inlet flow passage on which liquid and gaseous refrigerants that flows in from
the inlet pipe flows;
a distribution flow passage that receives the liquid and gaseous refrigerants which
flow in to the inlet flow passage and distributes the received liquid and gaseous
refrigerants to the plurality of outlet pipes; and
a distribution projection that evenly distributes the refrigerant to the outlet pipe
through the distribution unit.
2. The distributor according to claim 1, wherein a downstream end portion of the distribution
unit extends to slope to a direction in which the refrigerant flows at a predetermined
angle in a state where upstream end portions are positioned separated from each other
by a predetermined central angle on a virtual circular arc having the same center.
3. The distributor according to claim 2, wherein the distribution projection is provided
at one side of the distribution flow passage corresponding to the center of the virtual
circular arc where the distribution unit is positioned.
4. The distributor according to claim 1, wherein the distribution projection has a cone
shape that projects to an upstream portion from a downstream portion of the distribution
flow passage adjacent to the distribution unit.
5. The distributor according to claim 4, wherein an outer peripheral surface of the distribution
projection is separated from an outer periphery of the distribution unit at the same
interval.
6. The distributor according to claim 1, further comprising:
a flow interference unit that has a flow cross-sectional area comparatively smaller
than the inlet flow passage and the distribution flow passage and interferes the liquid
and gaseous refrigerants that flow on the inlet flow passage from flowing in the same
direction as an inlet direction from the inlet pipe.
7. The distributor according to claim 6, wherein in the flow interference unit, a flow
cross-sectional area of a part of a downstream portion of the inlet flow passage adjacent
to the distribution flow passage is comparatively smaller than the flow cross-sectional
area of the rest portions of the inlet flow passage.
8. The distributor according to claim 6, wherein one surface of the flow interference
unit facing the downstream portion of the inlet flow passage is rounded.
9. A distributor that distributes a refrigerant which flows in through an inlet pipe
to a plurality of outlet pipes by the distributor, comprising:
a distributor body that includes an inlet flow passage on which liquid and gaseous
refrigerants that flow in from the inlet pipe; and
a distributor head that includes a distribution flow passage including a mixing unit
receiving the liquid and gaseous refrigerants that flows into the inlet flow passage
and a plurality of distribution units distributing the refrigerants to the plurality
of outlet pipes of which upstream end portions are in communication with downstream
portions of the mixing unit,
wherein the distributor head has a flow cross-sectional area reduced toward the distribution
unit from the downstream portion of the mixing unit.
10. The distributor according to claim 9, wherein a part of the distributor head corresponding
to the downstream portion of the mixing unit that is in communication with the upstream
end portion of the distribution unit has a cone shape using a virtual plane to which
a virtual straight line parallel to a flowing direction of the refrigerant perpendicularly
penetrates as a bottom surface.
11. The distributor according to claim 10, wherein the upstream end portion of the distributor
is positioned separated from an outer surface of the mixing unit having the cone shape
by a predetermined central angle.
12. The distributor according to claim 11, wherein the distribution unit radially extends
to slope to the flowing direction of the refrigerant at a predetermined angle toward
the downstream end portion of the distribution unit connected with the outlet pipe
at the upstream end portion of the distribution unit.
13. The distributor according to claim 9, wherein a flow cross-sectional area of the downstream
portion of the mixing unit is reduced toward the distribution unit by a distribution
projection formed by projecting a part of the downstream portion of the mixing unit
except for a portion which is in communication with the upstream end portion of the
distribution unit toward the upstream portion of the mixing unit.
14. The distributor according to claim 9, wherein the distributor body and the distributor
head are fixed by welding or an adhesive.
15. A refrigeration circulation system, comprising:
at least one inlet pipe on which a refrigerant flows;
a plurality of outlet pipes that receive the refrigerant which flows on the inlet
pipe; and
a distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 14 that distributes the refrigerant
received from the inlet pipe to the outlet pipe.