JP2000274885A - Branch tube and air conditioner having branch tube - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shunt fluid in optimal state depending on the fluid state of the fluid and the piping state without causing a significant increase in cost. SOLUTION: In a branch tube 1, a tubular throttle member 8 is fitted to the neck part 4a at an open end 4. Fluid flowing from the open end 4 into the branch tube 1 in the direction of arrow X is shunted in the branch tube 1 and discharged from open ends 5, 6 in the direction of arrows Y and Z. Piping is coupled with the branch tube 1 under such a state as a part of the throttle member 8 exposed to the outside from the open end 4 is fitted in the piping. Fluid flowing through the piping into the branch tube 1 is rectified with the flow rate thereof being limited by the inner circumferential part of the throttle member 8 having diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the piping and then shunted uniformly to the open end sides 5, 6 without generating any diverted flow in the branch tube 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a branch pipe which is arranged in a pipe provided in a heat exchanger of an air conditioner and divides a flow path of a fluid.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 shows a conventional branch pipe used for distributing a fluid flow path in a plurality of directions. Open ends 24 to 26 are formed in the branch pipe 21. The opening end 25 and the opening end 26 open in the same direction as each other and in the direction opposite to the opening direction of the opening end 24. Also, the branch pipe 21
A partition 27 is formed in the inside of the inside to separate the space between the middle part in the longitudinal direction and the ends on the side of the open ends 25 and 26 into the open end 25 side and the open end 26 side.

Accordingly, the fluid that has flowed into the branch pipe 21 from the open end 24 in the direction of the arrow X flows out of the open ends 25 and 26 in the directions of the arrows Y and Z. The fluid that has flowed into the branch pipe 21 from the open ends 25 and 26 flows out from the open end 24.

[0004] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the branch pipe 21 is provided at a part of a pipe 23 constituting a flow path of a refrigerant in a heat exchanger 22 included in a part of a refrigeration cycle in an air conditioner. However, in order to maintain the performance of the heat exchanger 22, it is necessary to make the path balance in the pipe 23 after the branching by the branch pipe 22 appropriate. In particular, as shown in FIG. 8, in the multi-stage branch pipe 31 used for the purpose of improving the performance of the heat exchanger 22, the requirements for the path balance after the branch flow become more strict.

For this reason, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-11294
In Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5 (1993) -175, a branch plate is formed at a part of a partition formed inside a branch pipe so that a drift is not generated at the time of branching in the branch pipe, and a path balance after the branch is made appropriate. A disclosed configuration is disclosed.

[0006]

However, the drift in the branch pipe at the time of branch flow is caused not only by the processing accuracy of the branch pipe, but also by the temperature, direction and state of the fluid flowing into the branch pipe (liquid, gaseous, liquid and gas). Inflow conditions such as
In addition, it may occur depending on the pipe direction (see FIG. 9) in the portion where the branch pipe is arranged, and is affected by the welding state of the pipe (flow condition of the brazing material, etc.). There was a problem that it was not possible to make the path balance after the branch flow appropriate only by improving the flow.

In the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-112945, the branch plate is formed integrally with the partitioning portion inside the branch pipe, and the branch plate is formed according to the shape of the branch plate. Since the flow splitting state of the fluid in the pipe changes, it is necessary to strictly maintain the processing accuracy of the entire branch pipe in order to realize a path balance after the flow splitting according to the state of the pipe to be arranged, and also to be arranged. It is necessary to prepare various types of branch pipes having different shapes of the branch plates according to the state of the pipes, and there is a problem that the cost increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to mount a throttle member at an open end of a branch pipe to regulate a flow ratio of a fluid flowing into a branch pipe after the flow is rectified, thereby reducing the cost without significantly increasing the cost. It is an object of the present invention to provide a branch pipe that can divide a fluid in an optimal state according to the flow state of the pipe and the pipe state.

[0009]

The present invention has the following arrangement as means for solving the above-mentioned problems.

(1) A single or a plurality of opening ends are formed in one and the other in the direction of the flow path of the fluid, and a throttle member for reducing the opening diameter is attached to the single or the plurality of opening ends. (Claim 1).

[0011] In this configuration, the aperture diameter of one or a plurality of inflow side open ends or one or a plurality of outflow side open ends is reduced by the throttle member. Therefore, when the throttle member is attached to the opening end on the inflow side, the flow rate of the fluid is reduced when flowing into the branch pipe, and the fluid is rectified and does not generate a drift in the branch pipe. Further, the flow rate of the fluid decreases at the outlet end on the outflow side where the throttle member is mounted, and the ratio of the flow rate between the plurality of flow paths after branching by the branch pipe is adjusted.

(2) The throttle member is attached to an opening end on a fluid inflow side (claim 2).

In this configuration, the flow rate of the fluid flowing into the branch pipe via the opening end on the inflow side is reduced by the throttle member. Therefore, when the fluid in the flow path flows into the branch pipe, it is rectified by the throttle member and does not generate a drift in the branch pipe, so that the flow rates to the plurality of outflow-side opening ends are made uniform.

(3) The throttle member is attached to an opening end on a fluid outflow side (claim 3).

In this configuration, the flow rate of the fluid flowing out of the branch pipe through the opening end on the outflow side is reduced by the throttle member. Therefore, when there is a difference in the resistance acting on the fluid in each of the flow paths continuous to the plurality of outflow-side open ends, the throttle member is attached to the open end where the flow path having the lower resistance acting on the fluid is continuous. Thus, the flow rates of the fluids in the respective flow paths that are continuous with the plurality of outflow-side open ends are made uniform.

(4) The throttle member has a shape in which the opening diameter in the flow path direction is gradually reduced.

In this configuration, the diameter of the opening at the opening end where the throttle member is mounted gradually decreases in the flow path direction.
Therefore, the flow rate of the fluid passing through the opening end is gradually limited inside the throttle member, and the turbulent flow generated in the fluid is reliably rectified while passing through the throttle member.

(5) The throttle member has a shape in which the opening diameter in the flow path direction gradually increases.

In this configuration, the diameter of the opening at the opening end where the throttle member is mounted gradually increases in the flow path direction.
Therefore, the pressure of the fluid passing through the opening end gradually decreases inside the throttle member, and the turbulent flow generated in the fluid is reliably rectified while passing through the throttle member.

(6) The throttle member deflects the downstream opening position in a direction orthogonal to the flow path direction to one of a plurality of outflow-side opening ends.

In this configuration, when the fluid that has flowed into the branch pipe via the opening end where the throttle member is mounted passes through the throttle member, there is a difference in the flow rate with respect to each of the plurality of outflow-side opening ends. Given. Therefore, when there is a difference in the resistance acting on the fluid in each of the flow paths connected to the plurality of outflow-side open ends, the flow path having the higher resistance acting on the fluid deflects the opening position to the continuous open end side. By attaching the throttle member thus formed to the opening end on the inflow side, the flow rate of the fluid in each of the flow paths continuous to the plurality of opening ends on the outflow side is made uniform.

(7) The throttle member changes an opening diameter according to a temperature of a fluid.

In this configuration, the opening diameter of the open end of the branch pipe changes according to the temperature of the fluid. Therefore, when the flow state of the fluid changes depending on the temperature, the fluid is rectified by the throttle state suitable for the flow state of the fluid.

(8) In the configuration of (7), the throttle member may be made of a shape memory alloy whose shape is reversibly changed according to a change in temperature of the fluid.

In this configuration, the aperture diameter at the opening end is made to be a size corresponding to the temperature of the fluid by means of a throttle member formed of a shape memory alloy whose shape is reversibly changed in response to a temperature change. . Therefore, even when the temperature of the fluid repeatedly fluctuates, the fluid can always be rectified in a throttle state optimal for the fluid flow state.

(9) The throttle member changes the throttle amount in accordance with the pressure of the fluid (claim 8).

In this configuration, the diameter of the opening end of the branch pipe changes according to the pressure of the fluid. Therefore, when the flow state of the fluid changes due to the pressure, the fluid is rectified by the throttle state suitable for the flow state of the fluid.

In the constitutions (10) and (9), the throttle member may be made of an elastic material whose shape is reversibly changed according to the pressure of the fluid.

In this configuration, the diameter of the opening at the opening end is made to be a size corresponding to the pressure of the fluid by the throttle member formed of a shape memory alloy that reversibly changes the shape in accordance with the pressure change. . Therefore, even when the pressure of the fluid fluctuates repeatedly, the fluid can always be rectified in a throttle state optimal for the fluid flow state.

(11) The throttle member has a groove formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof, the groove being in contact with a fluid.

In this configuration, the fluid passing through the open end contacts the groove formed on the inner peripheral surface of the throttle member. Therefore, the fluid passing through the open end is rectified by the groove.

(12) In the configuration of (11), the groove formed on the inner peripheral surface of the throttle member may be a plurality of grooves in the fluid flow direction.

In this configuration, the fluid passing through the open end comes into contact with a plurality of grooves formed in the flow path direction on the inner peripheral surface of the throttle member. Therefore, the fluid passing through the open end can be reliably rectified in the flow direction.

(13) In the configuration of (11), the groove formed on the inner peripheral surface of the throttle member may be a spiral groove continuous in the direction of the fluid flow path.

In this configuration, the fluid passing through the open end comes into contact with the spiral groove formed continuously in the flow direction on the inner peripheral surface of the throttle member. Therefore, the fluid passing through the open end can be rectified into a vortex.

(14) The branch pipe according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a throttle member for equalizing the flow rate of the refrigerant in the plurality of pipes connected to the plurality of outflow-side open ends. (Claim 10).

In this configuration, the flow rate of the refrigerant in the pipes of the heat exchanger provided in the air conditioner is made uniform by the branch pipe having the throttle member attached to the open end. Therefore, the refrigerant in the pipe of the heat exchanger is rectified by the throttle member attached to the branch pipe, and the heat exchange efficiency in the heat exchanger is improved.

(15) In the configuration of (14), the branch pipe is
A throttle member for correcting a difference in outflow resistance acting on a fluid from a pipe connected to each of the plurality of opening ends on the outflow side may be attached to a single or a plurality of opening ends.

In this configuration, the resistance acting on the refrigerant in the piping of the heat exchanger provided in the air conditioner is:
It is made uniform by the throttle member attached to the branch pipe. Therefore, the resistance acting on the refrigerant from the plurality of pipes of the heat exchanger is made uniform, the flow rate of the refrigerant in the pipes can be made uniform, and the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger can be improved.

[0040]

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing a structure of a branch pipe according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The branch pipe 1 has a single open end 4 at one end in the fluid flow direction and two open ends 5 and 6 at the other end. Also,
Inside the branch pipe 1, there is formed a partition part 7 for separating an intermediate part in the fluid flow direction and the other end into an opening end 5 side and an opening end 6 side. Inside the branch pipe 1, necks 4a to 6a continuous with the open ends 4 to 6 in the flow path direction, respectively.
Are made equal to the respective opening diameters of the opening ends 4 to 6.

Inside the branch pipe 1, a cylindrical aperture member 8 is attached to the neck 4a of the open end 4. Part of the aperture member 8 is exposed to the outside from the opening end 4. Fluid flows into the branch pipe 1 in the direction of the arrow X from the open end 4, and is diverted inside the branch pipe 1.
And 6 flow out in the directions of arrows Y and Z, respectively. Each of the open ends 4 to 6 of the branch pipe 1 has, for example,
In an air conditioner, piping of a heat exchanger constituting a refrigeration cycle is connected by welding or the like. In particular, on the opening end 4 side, the pipe is connected to the branch pipe 1 in a state where a part of the throttle member 8 exposed from the opening end 4 is fitted into the pipe.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the shape of a diaphragm member mounted on the open end of the branch pipe. As described above, since the throttle member 8 is attached to the neck 4a of the open end 4 having a constant inner diameter inside the branch pipe 1, it has a cylindrical shape with a constant outer diameter. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2F, the inner peripheral portion of the aperture member 8 can take various shapes according to functions.

The aperture member 8 shown in FIG. 2A has a constant inner diameter over the entire length in the axial direction. As described above, since the throttle member 8 is fitted into the pipe at a part exposed to the outside from the opening end 4, the inner diameter of the throttle member 8 is smaller than the inner diameter of the pipe. Therefore, when the restricting member 8 having this shape is attached to the neck 4a of the open end 4 on the fluid inflow side to the branch pipe 1, the fluid flowing into the branch pipe 1 via the pipe has a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the pipe. The flow rate is limited by the inner peripheral portion of the throttle member 8 and the flow is rectified. However, since the inner diameter of the throttle member 8 is constant, the amount of throttle of the fluid is small, and the shape is suitable for a piping configuration in which turbulence does not easily occur in the fluid flowing into the branch pipe 1.

In the throttle member 8 shown in FIG. 2B, the inner diameter in the axial direction is gradually reduced from the upstream side to the downstream side in the fluid passage direction. When the throttle member 8 having this shape is attached to the neck 4a of the opening end 4 on the fluid inflow side in the branch pipe 1, the fluid flowing into the branch pipe 1 via the pipe may flow when the fluid flows into the throttle member 8. After the flow rate is restricted, the flow rate is further gradually restricted inside the throttle member 8. Thereby, the turbulent flow generated in the fluid when flowing out of the pipe is reliably rectified while passing through the throttle member 8.

In the throttle member 8 shown in FIG. 2C, the inner diameter in the axial direction is gradually increased from the upstream side to the downstream side in the fluid passage direction. When the throttle member 8 having this shape is attached to the neck 4a of the opening end 4 on the fluid inflow side in the branch pipe 1, the fluid flowing into the branch pipe 1 via the pipe may flow when the fluid flows into the throttle member 8. After restricting the flow rate, the flow velocity further decreases inside the throttle member 8. Thereby, the turbulent flow generated in the fluid when flowing out of the pipe is reliably rectified while passing through the throttle member 8.

In the throttle member 8 shown in FIG. 2D, the inner diameter in the axial direction is gradually reduced from the upstream side to the downstream side in the fluid passage direction, then is made constant within a predetermined range, and is gradually increased. It was done. When the throttle member 8 having this shape is attached to the neck 4a of the opening end 4 on the fluid inflow side in the branch pipe 1, the branch pipe 1 is connected via a pipe.
After the flow rate of the fluid flowing into the throttle member 8 is restricted when flowing into the throttle member 8, the flow rate is restricted and the flow velocity is reduced. Thus, the turbulent flow generated in the fluid when flowing out of the pipe is more reliably rectified while passing through the throttle member 8.

The diaphragm member 8 shown in FIGS. 2 (E) and 2 (F)
The inner diameter in the axial direction is gradually reduced from the upstream side to the downstream side in the fluid passage direction, and the opening position at the downstream end in the fluid passage direction is biased to one of the directions orthogonal to the axial direction. It is arranged. When the throttle member 8 having this shape is attached to the neck 4a of the opening end 4 on the fluid inflow side in the branch pipe 1, the fluid flowing into the branch pipe 1 via the pipe may flow when the fluid flows into the throttle member 8. After the flow rate is restricted, the flow rate is further restricted inside the throttle member 8 and the outflow direction from the throttle member 8 is deflected inside the branch pipe 1. As a result, the turbulent flow generated in the fluid when flowing out of the pipe is reliably rectified while passing through the throttle member 8, and the flow dividing ratio of the fluid to each of the open ends 5 and 6 in the branch pipe 1 is reduced. Can be changed without using expensive parts such as an expansion valve.

That is, the resistance acting on the fluid flowing out of each of the open ends 5 and 6 differs depending on the length and shape of the pipe connected to the open ends 5 and 6, and the open end 4 in the branch pipe 1 is formed. In some cases, the flow rates of the fluid flowing in from the opening end 5 and the opening end 6 may not be uniform. In such a case, the aperture member 8 shown in FIG. 2 (E) or (F) is adjusted such that the opening position of the downstream end is biased toward one of the opening end 5 and the opening end 6 having the larger outflow resistance. Attaching to the neck 4a of the open end 4 makes it possible to equalize the outflow amount of the fluid from each of the open end 5 and the open end 6, and to improve the path balance in the branched pipe.

The shape and dimensions of the inner peripheral portion of the throttle member 8 may be reversibly changed according to the temperature and pressure of the fluid flowing into the branch pipe 1 via the pipe. For example, when the shape and dimensions of the inner peripheral portion are changed according to the temperature of the fluid, the throttle member 8 is formed of a shape memory alloy,
When the shape and dimensions of the inner peripheral portion are changed by the pressure of the fluid, the throttle member 8 is made of an elastic body such as a resin.
Thereby, even when the state of the fluid flowing into the branch pipe 1 via the pipe changes due to the temperature and pressure, the fluid can be reliably rectified according to the state of the fluid, and each of the plurality of outflow paths A predetermined amount of fluid can flow out of the branch pipe 1.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the shape of a throttle member mounted on a branch pipe according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The throttle member 9 shown in FIG. 3A has a groove 10 in the fluid passage direction on the entire inner peripheral surface of the throttle member 8 having the shape shown in FIG.
Are formed uniformly. The throttle member 9 of this shape is connected to the neck 4 of the open end 4 on the fluid inflow side in the branch pipe 1.
a, the flow rate of the fluid flowing into the branch pipe 1 via the pipe is restricted when the fluid flows into the throttle member 9, and then contacts the groove 10 inside the throttle member 9 to form the groove 10.
When the air flows out of the throttle member 9, the flow is more reliably rectified.

The throttle member 9 shown in FIG. 3B has a spiral extending from one end to the other end in the fluid passage direction over the entire inner peripheral surface of the throttle member 8 having the shape shown in FIG. Groove 11
Is formed. When the throttle member 9 having this shape is attached to the neck 4a of the opening end 4 on the fluid inflow side in the branch pipe 1, the fluid flowing into the branch pipe 1 via the pipe may flow when flowing into the throttle member 9. After the flow is restricted to
In the inside of the throttle member 9, the flow becomes a rectified vortex in contact with the groove 11, and when flowing out of the throttle member 9, the vortex is more reliably rectified and does not generate a drift.

The width and depth of the grooves 10 and 11 can be determined based on the flow rate, pressure and state of the fluid passing through the throttle member 9. Further, not only the aperture member 8 having the shape shown in FIG. 2A but also the aperture member 8 having any shape shown in FIGS. 2B to 2F can be formed.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing the structure of a branch pipe according to a third embodiment of the present invention. A branch pipe 1 'according to this embodiment has a throttle member 8 or 9 mounted on a neck 5a of an open end 5 on the outflow side. Open end 5 of branch pipe 1 '
In the case where there is a difference in the length of the pipes connected to the branch pipe 1 and 6, the fluid flows between the open end 5 side and the open end 6 side in the branch pipe 1 ′ due to the difference in resistance of the fluid after flowing out of the branch pipe 1 ′. Cannot be divided equally.

Therefore, for example, when the pipe connected to the open end 5 is shorter than the pipe connected to the open end 6, the aperture member 8 or 9 is attached only to the neck 5a of the open end 5, so that the open Fluid flowing from the end 4 into the branch pipe 1 ′
When flowing out of the open ends 5 and 6, the outflow resistance of the open end 5 is made larger than the outflow resistance of the open end 6. This makes it possible to equalize the flow rates of the fluid to the open end 5 and the open end 6 in the branch pipe 1 '.

When the resistance of the fluid flowing out of the open end 6 from the pipe is smaller than the resistance of the fluid flowing out of the open end 5 from the pipe, the throttle member 8 or the neck 6a of the open end 6 is only provided. 9, the open end 5
Further, the outflow amount of the fluid from the opening end 6 can be equalized.

As described above, the branch pipes 1 and 1 'according to the first to third embodiments make it possible to equalize the amount of fluid flowing out to the pipe after branching. For this reason, the first to first
The branch pipes 1 and 1 'according to the third embodiment are arranged, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, in a pipe 13 constituting a heat exchanger 12 of an air conditioner, and in pipes 13a and 13b after branching. It is possible to improve the path balance by equalizing the flow rate of the refrigerant and improve the performance of the air conditioner.

That is, the pipe 13a connected to one open end 5 of the heat exchanger 12 on the outflow side of the branch pipe 1 or 1 '.
Is shorter than the pipe 13b connected to the other open end 6 on the outflow side, the resistance of the refrigerant flowing out of the open end 6 from the pipe 13b is as follows.
And the amount of outflow at the open end 6 is smaller than the amount of outflow at the open end 5, so that the branch ratio between the open end 5 and the open end 6 inside the branch pipe 1 or 1 'is uniform. And drift occurs. Therefore, by attaching the throttle member 8 or 9 to the neck 5a of the opening end 5, the outflow resistance of the refrigerant at the opening end 5 is increased, and the branching ratio in the branch pipe 1 or 1 'is made uniform. Or pipes 13a and 1 after branching by 1 '
The flow rate of the refrigerant in 3b is made uniform.

Since the throttle members 8 and 9 are separate from the branch pipes 1 and 1 ', the branch valves 1 or 1' are provided.
The shape and mounting position of the throttle member 8 or 9 to be mounted in the branch pipe 1 or 1 'can be changed according to the state of the pipe in which the is disposed, the state of the fluid, and the like. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare many types of branch pipes 1 and 1 'according to the above conditions, and the cost does not increase significantly. Further, even if the state of the fluid or the pipe is changed after the branch pipe 1 or 1 'is once disposed in the pipe, it is possible to cope with the changed state by replacing only the throttle member 8 or 9. Therefore, it is not necessary to replace the branch pipe 1 or 1 'itself, and it is possible to change the state of the fluid or the pipe at low cost.

Further, each of the branch pipes 1 and 1 ′ according to the above-described first to third embodiments can transfer the fluid that has flowed in through the pipe connected to the single open end 4 to the two outflow sides. The case where the fluid flows out into the pipes connected to the open ends 5 and 6 has been described. However, the fluid flows from the two pipes connected to the open ends 5 and 6 to the single pipe connected to the open end 4. The branch pipes 1 and 1 'can be used in the same manner even when the water is discharged, and the path balance in the pipe on the inflow side can be improved.

In addition, in each of the branch pipes 1 and 1 'according to the above-described first to third embodiments, a single open end 4 is arranged in one side in the fluid flow direction, and two Although the configuration in which the open ends 5 and 6 are arranged has been described as an example, the number of open ends arranged in one and the other in the flow path direction is not limited to this.

Further, the branch pipes 1 and 1 'according to the first to third embodiments have been described with an example in which a single throttle member 8 or 9 is mounted. 1 '
Mounting a plurality of throttle members 8 or 9 at the neck of a single open end to adjust the flow rate of fluid before and after, and a single or multiple throttle members 8 at the neck of each of the plurality of open ends Or, 9 can be attached.

[0062]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the aperture diameter of the single or plural inflow side opening ends or the single or plural outflow side opening ends is reduced by the throttle member. The flow rate of the fluid can be reduced by reducing the flow rate of the fluid at the opening end on the inflow side, so that there is no drift in the branch pipe. The ratio of the flow rate between the flow paths can be adjusted, and the path balance can be appropriately maintained. Therefore, the path balance can be properly maintained by changing only the throttle member attached to the branch pipe, and it is not necessary to prepare many types of branch pipes according to the flow state of the fluid. In addition to this, even when the flow state of the fluid changes after arranging the branch pipe in the pipe, there is no need to change the branch pipe itself, and the running cost can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the flow rate of the fluid flowing into the branch pipe via the opening end on the inflow side is reduced by the throttle member, so that the fluid in the flow path is transferred to the branch pipe. When flowing in, it can be rectified by the throttle member, reliably preventing the occurrence of drift in the branch pipe,
The flow rates for the plurality of outflow-side open ends can be made uniform.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the flow rate of the fluid flowing out of the branch pipe through the opening end on the outflow side is reduced by the throttle member, so that the fluid is connected to the plurality of opening ends on the outflow side. Even when there is a difference in the resistance acting on the fluid in each of the flow paths, the flow resistance having a lower resistance acting on the fluid is continuously connected to the plurality of outflow-side open ends by attaching a throttle member to the open end where the flow path is continuous. The flow rate of the fluid in each of the flow paths can be made uniform, and the path balance can be easily optimized.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the flow rate of the fluid passing through the opening end is reduced by gradually reducing the opening diameter at the opening end where the throttle member is mounted in the direction of the flow path. Internally, the turbulence generated in the fluid can be rectified reliably while passing through the throttle member, and the occurrence of drift in the branch pipe is reliably prevented to reduce the flow rate to the plurality of open ends. It can be made uniform.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the pressure of the fluid passing through the opening end is reduced by gradually increasing the opening diameter at the opening end where the throttle member is mounted in the flow direction. Inside, the turbulent flow generated in the fluid gradually decreases, and the turbulent flow generated in the fluid can be reliably rectified while passing through the throttle member. It can be made uniform.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a difference in the flow rate of the fluid flowing into the branch pipe via the open end where the throttle member is mounted, to each of the plurality of outflow-side open ends. Even if there is a difference in the resistance acting on the fluid in each of the flow paths that are continuous with the plurality of outflow-side open ends, the flow path having a higher resistance acting on the fluid should have an opening position on the continuous open end side. By mounting the deflected throttle member at the opening end on the inflow side, it is possible to equalize the flow rates of the fluids in each of the flow paths connected to the plurality of opening ends on the outflow side, and to appropriately maintain the path balance.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, by changing the opening diameter of the opening end of the branch pipe in accordance with the temperature of the fluid, even when the flow state of the fluid changes with the temperature, the flow of the fluid can be changed. The flow can be rectified by the throttle state suitable for the state, and the occurrence of the drift in the branch pipe can be reliably prevented, and the flow rates to the plurality of open ends can be made uniform.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, by changing the opening diameter of the open end of the branch pipe in accordance with the pressure of the fluid, even when the flow state of the fluid changes due to the pressure, the flow of the fluid can be reduced. The flow can be rectified by the throttle state suitable for the state, and the occurrence of the drift in the branch pipe can be reliably prevented, and the flow rates to the plurality of open ends can be made uniform.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the fluid passing through the open end is brought into contact with the groove formed on the inner peripheral surface of the throttle member, so that the fluid passing through the open end is more reliably secured by the groove. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of the drift in the branch pipe and to make the flow rates to the plurality of open ends uniform.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the flow rate of the refrigerant in the pipes of the heat exchanger provided in the air conditioner is made uniform by the branch pipe having a throttle member attached to the open end, so that the heat can be reduced. Refrigerant in the pipe of the exchanger can be rectified by the throttle member attached to the branch pipe, and even when various pipe states are mixed, it can be dealt with only by a single type of branch pipe, and cost is reduced. The heat exchange efficiency in the heat exchanger can be improved without causing a remarkable increase in the temperature.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing a configuration of a branch pipe according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a shape of a throttle member mounted on an open end of the branch pipe.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a shape of a throttle member mounted on a branch pipe according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing a configuration of a branch pipe according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a main part of a heat exchanger of an air conditioner to which the branch pipe according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing a configuration of a conventional branch pipe.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a main part of a heat exchanger of an air conditioner to which a conventional branch pipe is applied.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a main part of a heat exchanger of an air conditioner to which another conventional branch pipe is applied.

FIG. 9 is a view showing various shapes of piping in which a general branch pipe including the embodiment of the present invention is arranged.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,1'-branch pipe 4-inflow-side open end 4a-inflow-side open end neck 5,6-outflow-side open end 5a, 6a-outflow-side open end neck 7-partition 8,9 -Throttle member 10, 11-groove 12-heat exchanger 13a, 13b-piping

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Okuda 22-22, Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside (72) Inventor Jun Jun 22-22, Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (72) Inventor Ryuta Onishi 22-22, Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Sharp Corporation (72) Inventor Yuji Shimamura 22-22, Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

Claims (10)

[Claims] The present invention is characterized in that a single or a plurality of open ends are formed in one and the other in a flow direction of a fluid, and a throttle member for reducing an opening diameter is attached to the single or a plurality of open ends. Branch pipe. 2. The branch pipe according to claim 1, wherein the throttle member is mounted on an opening end on a fluid inflow side. 3. The branch pipe according to claim 1, wherein the throttle member is mounted on an opening end on a fluid outflow side. 4. The branch pipe according to claim 2, wherein said throttle member has a shape in which an opening diameter in a flow path direction is gradually reduced. 5. The branch pipe according to claim 2, wherein the throttle member has a shape in which an opening diameter in a flow path direction gradually increases. 6. The branch pipe according to claim 2, wherein the throttle member deflects an opening position on a downstream side in a direction orthogonal to a flow path direction to one of a plurality of opening ends on an outflow side. 7. The branch pipe according to claim 1, wherein the throttle member changes an opening diameter according to a temperature of a fluid. 8. The branch pipe according to claim 1, wherein said throttle member changes an opening diameter according to a pressure of a fluid. 9. The branch pipe according to claim 1, wherein said throttle member has a groove formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof to be in contact with a fluid. 10. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, further comprising a throttle member for equalizing the flow rate of the refrigerant in the plurality of pipes connected to the plurality of outflow-side open ends, respectively. An air conditioner, wherein the branch pipe described in (1) is arranged.