AU2018437601A1 - Flow control device, indoor unit and air-conditioning apparatus - Google Patents

Flow control device, indoor unit and air-conditioning apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
AU2018437601A1
AU2018437601A1 AU2018437601A AU2018437601A AU2018437601A1 AU 2018437601 A1 AU2018437601 A1 AU 2018437601A1 AU 2018437601 A AU2018437601 A AU 2018437601A AU 2018437601 A AU2018437601 A AU 2018437601A AU 2018437601 A1 AU2018437601 A1 AU 2018437601A1
Authority
AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
flow control
control device
heat exchanger
pipe
casing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
AU2018437601A
Other versions
AU2018437601C1 (en
AU2018437601B2 (en
Inventor
Takahiro Komatsu
Masaaki Maruyama
Shuhei TOMITA
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Original Assignee
Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mitsubishi Electric Corp filed Critical Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Publication of AU2018437601A1 publication Critical patent/AU2018437601A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of AU2018437601B2 publication Critical patent/AU2018437601B2/en
Publication of AU2018437601C1 publication Critical patent/AU2018437601C1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
    • F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/70—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
    • F24F11/80—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air
    • F24F11/83—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air by controlling the supply of heat-exchange fluids to heat-exchangers
    • F24F11/84—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the temperature of the supplied air by controlling the supply of heat-exchange fluids to heat-exchangers using valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
    • F24F13/20—Casings or covers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
    • F24F13/20—Casings or covers
    • F24F2013/207—Casings or covers with control knobs; Mounting controlling members or control units therein
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2140/00—Control inputs relating to system states
    • F24F2140/10—Pressure
    • F24F2140/12—Heat-exchange fluid pressure

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Air Conditioning Control Device (AREA)

Abstract

Provided is a flow rate regulation device that allows easy addition of a flow rate regulation valve and a flow rate information detection means to an indoor machine. A flow rate regulation device 4 is provided with: a flow rate regulation valve 40 for regulating the flow rate of a heat medium flowing into an indoor-side heat exchanger 30 which exchanges heat between a heat medium and air to be blown into a space to be air-conditioned; inlet-side pressure sensor 41 and outlet-side pressure sensor 42 that detect information about the flow rate of the heat medium passing through the flow rate regulation valve 40; a flow rate regulation device casing 60 that covers the flow rate regulation valve 40, the inlet-side pressure sensor 41, and the outlet-side pressure sensor 42; and a flow rate regulation device side attachment 65 that is provided to the flow rate regulation device casing 60 and is configured to be able to attach the flow rate regulation device casing 60 to the outer surface of a heat exchanger casing 50 which covers the indoor-side heat exchanger 30.

Description

UJUU~J I
P01172 DESCRIPTION
Title of Invention FLOW CONTROL DEVICE, INDOOR UNITAND AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS
Technical Field
[0001]
The present disclosure relates to a flow control device attached to an indoor
unit of an air-conditioning apparatus, to the indoor unit of the air-conditioning
apparatus, and to the air-conditioning apparatus.
Background Art
[0002]
Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Literature 1, there is an air-conditioning
apparatus that includes a refrigerant circuit where a compressor, a heat source side
heat exchanger, an electronic expansion valve, and a use-side heat exchanger are
connected by pipes to allow refrigerant to cycle through the refrigerant circuit.
During a cooling operation, the air-conditioning apparatus disclosed in Patent
Literature 1 cools indoor air by causing two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant of a low
pressure to flow into the use-side heat exchanger. During a heating operation, the
air-conditioning apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 1 heats indoor air by causing
gas refrigerant of a high temperature and a high pressure to flow into the use-side
heat exchanger. Further, the use-side heat exchanger disclosed in Patent Literature
1 is accommodated in an indoor unit. Hereinafter, an air-conditioning apparatus
where refrigerant is caused to flow into an indoor unit as disclosed in Patent Literature
1 is referred to as a "direct expansion air-conditioning apparatus", and the indoor unit
of the direct expansion air-conditioning apparatus is referred to as a "direct expansion
indoor unit".
[0003]
Further, as disclosed in Patent Literature 2, there is an air-conditioning
apparatus that includes a heat medium circuit where a heat source apparatus and a
load-side heat exchanger are connected by pipes to allow a heat medium, such as
UJUU;J I
P01172 water, to cycle through the heat medium circuit. During a cooling operation, the air
conditioning apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 2 cools indoor air by causing a
heat medium cooled by the heat source apparatus to flow into the load-side heat
exchanger. During a heating operation, the air-conditioning apparatus disclosed in
Patent Literature 2 heats indoor air by causing a heat medium heated by the heat
source apparatus to flow into the load-side heat exchanger. Further, an indoor unit
disclosed in Patent Literature 2 accommodates, the load-side heat exchanger and, in
addition to the load-side heat exchanger, a flow information detection unit
(corresponding to a pressure sensor disclosed in Patent Literature 2) that detects
information relating to the flow rate of a heat medium, and a flow control valve
(corresponding to a motor operated valve disclosed in Patent Literature 2) that
controls the flow rate of the heat medium. Hereinafter, an air-conditioning apparatus
where a heat medium is caused to flow into an indoor unit as disclosed in Patent
Literature 2 is referred to as a "heat-medium-type air-conditioning apparatus", and the
indoor unit of the heat-medium-type air-conditioning apparatus is referred to as a
"heat-medium-type indoor unit".
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0004]
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
2015-68633
Patent Literature 2: International Publication No. WO 2017/009955
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0005] Recently, restrictions on hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant, such as R410A,
used as refrigerant for an air-conditioning apparatus have been tightened. In a direct
expansion air-conditioning apparatus, it is necessary to cause refrigerant to flow into
an indoor unit, so that a larger amount of refrigerant is required than a heat-medium
type air-conditioning apparatus. Therefore, there is an increasing demand for the
UJUU;J I
P01172 heat-medium-type air-conditioning apparatus to reduce the amount of refrigerant.
[0006]
However, in the direct expansion indoor unit, neither a flow control valve nor a
flow information detection unit are accommodated in a casing. Therefore, it is
difficult to utilize the direct expansion indoor unit in the heat-medium-type air
conditioning apparatus without any modification.
[0007]
In general, an inner cover is provided at the inside of the casing of the indoor
unit to ensure heat insulating property. To accommodate the flow control valve and
the flow information detection unit in the direct expansion indoor unit, it is necessary
to redesign the casing of the direct expansion indoor unit and the inner cover, and to
newly form dies used for molding the casing and the inner cover. Therefore, costs
are increased.
[0008] An object of the flow control device, an indoor unit and an air-conditioning
apparatus according to the present disclosure, which have been made in view of the
above-mentioned problems, is to provide a flow control device, an indoor unit, and an
air-conditioning apparatus that allows a flow control valve and a flow information
detection unit to be easily added to an indoor unit.
Solution to Problem
[0009] A flow control device according to an embodiment of a first invention includes:
a flow control valve configured to control a flow rate of a heat medium that flows into a
heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the heat medium and air to be
sent to an air-conditioning target space; a flow information detection unit configured to
detect information relating to a flow rate of the heat medium that passes through the
flow control valve; a flow control device casing configured to cover the flow control
valve and the flow information detection unit; and an attaching portion provided at the
flow control device casing, and configured to allow the flow control device casing to
be attached to an outer side of a heat exchanger casing that covers the heat
UJUU;J I
P01172 exchanger.
[0010]
An indoor unit according to an embodiment of a second invention includes: a
heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between a heat medium and air to be
sent to an air-conditioning target space; a flow control valve configured to control a
flow rate of the heat medium that flows into the heat exchanger; a flow information
detection unit configured to detect information relating to a flow rate of the heat
medium that passes through the flow control valve; a heat exchanger casing
configured to cover the heat exchanger; a flow control device casing configured to
cover the flow control valve and the flow information detection unit; and an attaching
portion provided at the flow control device casing, and configured to allow the flow
control device casing to be attached to an outer side of the heat exchanger casing.
[0011]
An air-conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of a third invention
includes: a heat source apparatus configured to heat or cool a heat medium; a heat
exchanger configured to exchange heat between the heat medium that is heated or
cooled by the heat source apparatus and air to be sent to an air-conditioning target
space; a flow control valve configured to control a flow rate of the heat medium that
flows into the heat exchanger; a flow information detection unit configured to detect
information relating to a flow rate of the heat medium that passes through the flow
control valve; a heat exchanger casing configured to cover the heat exchanger; a flow
control device casing configured to cover the flow control valve and the flow
information detection unit; and an attaching portion provided at the flow control device
casing, and configured to allow the flow control device casing to be attached to an
outer side of the heat exchanger casing.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0012]
Any one of the flow control device according to the embodiment of the first
invention, the indoor unit according to the embodiment of the second invention, or the
air-conditioning apparatus according to the embodiment of the third invention includes
UJUU;J I
P01172 the attaching portion configured to allow the flow control device casing to be attached
to the outer side of the heat exchanger casing. With this attaching portion, the flow
information detection unit and the flow control valve can be easily added to the indoor
unit.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0013]
[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing a configuration of an air-conditioning
apparatus according to Embodiment 1.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a block diagram relating to a control of the air-conditioning
apparatus according to Embodiment 1.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an indoor unit according to Embodiment
1 as viewed from below.
[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a plan view of the indoor unit according to Embodiment 1 as
viewed from above.
[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a region C in Fig. 3 showing the indoor unit
according to Embodiment 1.
[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a flow control device
according to Embodiment 1.
[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a state when the flow control
device is attached to an indoor unit body according to Embodiment 1.
[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing a configuration of an air-conditioning
apparatus according to Embodiment 2.
[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an indoor unit according to Embodiment
2 as viewed from above.
[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the inside of a flow control
device of the indoor unit according to Embodiment 2.
[Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of a region D in Fig. 10 showing the indoor
unit according to Embodiment 2.
[Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of an air-conditioning
apparatus according to Embodiment 3.
UJUU;J I
P01172
[Fig. 13] Fig. 13 is an external appearance view of an indoor unit according to
Embodiment 3.
Description of Embodiments
[0014]
Hereinafter, an air-conditioning apparatus according to embodiments of the
invention will be described with reference to the drawings and the like. In the
drawings described hereinafter, components given the same reference symbols are
identical or corresponding components. In addition, the relationship of sizes of
respective components in the drawings may differ from the actual sizes. Further, modes of the constitutional element described in entire DESCRIPTION are merely for
the purpose of example, and are not limited to modes described in DESCRIPTION.
Particularly, the combination of the constitutional elements is not limited to the
combination in each embodiment, and constitutional elements described in one
embodiment may be used in other embodiments. Further, a high or a low of
pressure or temperature is not particularly determined based on the relationship with
the absolute value, but is determined relatively based on the state, action or the like
of the device or the like. Further, when the description is made with one device
distinguished from a plurality of devices having a function substantially equal to the
function of the one device, a small letter suffix is given to each of the one device and
the plurality of devices in the description. For example, an indoor unit 300a and an
indoor unit 300b are devices having functions substantially equal to each other.
Therefore, when the same description is made for the indoor unit 300a and the indoor
unit 300b, the indoor unit is described as an "indoor unit 300". Whereas when the
description is made with one indoor unit distinguished from the other unit, the indoor
units are described as the "indoor unit 300a" and the "indoor 300b". Further, suffixes "a" and "b" are used for the purpose of convenience. However, the number of
suffixes is not limited to two. For example, the number of indoor units 300 or the
number of components of the indoor unit 300 may be one or two or more.
[0015] Embodiment 1.
UJUU;J I
P01172 Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing a configuration of an air-conditioning
apparatus according to Embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a block diagram relating to a control
of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1. An air-conditioning
apparatus 100 of Embodiment 1 will be described. The air-conditioning apparatus
100 includes a heat source apparatus 200 and a plurality of indoor units 300 (indoor
unit 300a, indoor unit 300b). Further, the heat source apparatus 200 has a heat
source-side refrigerant cycle circuit A described later that causes heat-source-side
refrigerant to cycle therethrough. The heat source apparatus 200 and the respective
indoor units 300 are connected with each other via a first heat medium pipe 5 and a
second heat medium pipe 6. The heat source apparatus 200, the indoor units 300, the first heat medium pipe 5, and the second heat medium pipe 6 form a heat medium
cycle circuit B described later in the air-conditioning apparatus 100, and the heat
medium cycle circuit B allows the heat medium to cycle therethrough. The air
conditioning apparatus 100 has two operation modes, for example, a cooling
operation mode for cooling air in an air-conditioning target space, such as a room in a
building, and a heating operation mode for heating air in the air-conditioning target
space.
[0016]
As a heat-source-side refrigerant that cycles through the heat-source-side
refrigerant cycle circuit A, refrigerant is used that vaporizes or condenses in an
outdoor heat exchanger 13 described later and a heat medium heat exchanger 20
described later. An example of a heat-source-side refrigerant that can be used may
be a single refrigerant, such as R-22 or R-134a, a near-azeotropic refrigerant mixture,
such as R-410A or R-404A, or a non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture, such as R-407C.
It is also possible to use, as heat-source-side refrigerant, a refrigerant having a
relatively small value of global warming potential, such as CF3CF=CH2 containing a
double bond in the chemical formula, a mixture containing CF3CF=CH2, or a natural
refrigerant, such as C02 or propane.
[0017]
As the heat medium that cycles through the heat medium cycle circuit B, a heat
UJUU;J I
P01172 medium is used that exchanges heat while maintaining a liquid state in the heat
medium heat exchanger 20 described later and an indoor heat exchanger 30
described later. An example of a heat medium that can be used may be brine
(antifreeze), water, mixed liquid of brine and water, or mixed liquid of water and
additive having a high corrosion resistance effect.
[0018] Next, the heat source apparatus 200 of Embodiment 1 will be described. The
heat source apparatus 200 includes an outdoor unit 1 and a relay device 2. The
outdoor unit 1 and the relay device 2 are connected with each other via a first heat
source-side refrigerant pipe 7 and a second heat-source-side refrigerant pipe 8.
[0019]
Next, the outdoor unit 1 of Embodiment 1 will be described. The outdoor unit
1 includes, in a casing, a compressor 10, a flow passage switching device 11, an
expansion device 12, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, an accumulator 14, and an
outdoor fan 15. The compressor 10, the flow passage switching device 11, the
expansion device 12, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, and the accumulator 14 are
connected by an outdoor unit pipe 16.
[0020]
The compressor 10 suctions heat-source-side refrigerant, compresses the
heat-source-side refrigerant into a gas state at a high temperature and a high
pressure, and then discharges the heat-source-side refrigerant. It is preferable that
the compressor 10 be an inverter compressor or other compressors whose capacity
can be controlled, for example. The flow passage switching device 11 switches flow
passages for heat-source-side refrigerant corresponding to the cooling operation
mode or to the heating operation mode. Specifically, the flow passage switching
device 11 switches to the flow passages shown by broken lines in Fig. 1 in the cooling
operation mode, and switches to the flow passages shown by solid lines in Fig. 1 in
the heating operation mode. The expansion device 12 acts as an expansion valve, and expands heat-source-side refrigerant that passes through the expansion device
12 by decompressing the heat-source-side refrigerant. It is preferable that the
UJUU;J I
P01172 expansion device 12 be an electronic expansion valve or other valves that can desirably adjust the flow rate of heat-source-side refrigerant by controlling the
opening degree of the valve to a desired degree, for example. The outdoor heat
exchanger 13 exchanges heat between heat-source-side refrigerant and air in an
outdoor space. The accumulator 14 accumulates excess refrigerant, such as
refrigerant generated due to the difference in the amount of refrigerant used between
the cooling operation mode and the heating operation mode, or refrigerant generated
in the transient period, such as when the operation mode changes. The outdoor fan
supplies air in an outdoor space to the outdoor heat exchanger 13.
[0021]
The outdoor unit 1 includes a first outdoor unit pipe connection portion 17, and
a second outdoor unit pipe connection portion 18. The first outdoor unit pipe
connection portion 17 is connected with the first heat-source-side refrigerant pipe 7.
The second outdoor unit pipe connection portion 18 is connected with the second
heat-source-side refrigerant pipe 8.
[0022]
The outdoor unit 1 includes an outdoor unit control device 81. The outdoor
unit control device 81 controls the capacity of the compressor 10, the flow passages
of the flow passage switching device 11, the opening degree of the expansion device
12, and the air blowing amount of the outdoor fan 15.
[0023]
Next, the relay device 2 of Embodiment 1 will be described. The relay device
2 includes, in a casing, the heat medium heat exchanger 20 and a pump 21.
[0024]
The heat medium heat exchanger 20 exchanges heat between heat-source
side refrigerant and the heat medium. The pump 21 suctions and pressurizes the
heat medium to cause the heat medium to cycle through the heat medium cycle
circuit B. The capacity of the pump 21 can be controlled, so that it is possible to
adjust the flow rate of the heat medium that cycles through the heat medium cycle
circuit B.
UJUU;J I
P01172
[0025]
The relay device 2 includes a first relay device refrigerant pipe connection
portion 26, a second relay device refrigerant pipe connection portion 27, a first relay
device heat medium pipe connection portion 28, and a second relay device heat
medium pipe connection portion 29. The first relay device refrigerant pipe
connection portion 26 is connected with the first heat-source-side refrigerant pipe 7,
and is coupled to the heat medium heat exchanger 20 via a first relay device
refrigerant pipe 22. The second relay device refrigerant pipe connection portion 27
is connected with the second heat-source-side refrigerant pipe 8, and is coupled to
the heat medium heat exchanger 20 via a second relay device refrigerant pipe 23.
The first relay device heat medium pipe connection portion 28 is connected with the
first heat medium pipe 5, and is coupled to the heat medium heat exchanger 20 via a
first relay device heat medium pipe 24. The second relay device heat medium pipe
connection portion 29 is connected with the second heat medium pipe 6, and is
coupled to the heat medium heat exchanger 20 via a second relay device heat
medium pipe 25. The pump 21 is provided at an intermediate portion of the second
relay device heat medium pipe 25.
[0026]
The relay device 2 includes a relay device control device 82. The relay device
control device 82 controls the capacity of the pump 21.
[0027]
Next, the indoor units 300 of Embodiment 1 will be described. Each indoor
unit 300 includes an indoor unit body 3, a flow control device 4, and a connection pipe
9. The indoor unit body 3 and the flow control device 4 are connected with each
other via the connection pipe 9.
[0028]
The indoor unit body 3 of Embodiment 1 will be described. The indoor unit
body 3 includes the indoor heat exchanger 30 and an indoor fan 31 in a heat
exchanger casing 50.
[0029]
UJUU;J I
P01172 The indoor heat exchanger 30 exchanges heat between the heat medium and
air in an air-conditioning target space, for example. The indoor fan 31 suctions air in the air-conditioning target space, and generates a flow of air where the suctioned air
passes through the indoor heat exchanger 30 and, after the air passes through the
indoor heat exchanger 30, the air is blown into the air-conditioning target space.
[0030]
The indoor heat exchanger 30 corresponds to the flow control device according
to the first invention, an indoor unit according to a second invention, and a heat
exchanger of an air-conditioning apparatus according to a third invention.
[0031] The indoor unit body 3 includes a first heat exchanger pipe connection portion
32 and a second heat exchanger pipe connection portion 35. The first heat
exchanger pipe connection portion 32 is connected with the first heat medium pipe 5,
and is coupled to the indoor heat exchanger 30 via a heat exchanger inlet pipe 33.
The second heat exchanger pipe connection portion 35 is connected with one end
portion of the connection pipe 9, and is coupled to the indoor heat exchanger 30 via a
heat exchanger outlet pipe 34.
[0032]
The indoor unit body 3 includes an indoor unit control device 83. The indoor
unit control device 83 controls the air blowing amount of the indoor fan 31 of the
indoor unit body 3 by which the indoor unit control device 83 is included. Further, the
indoor unit control device 83 controls the opening degree of a flow control valve 40 of
the corresponding flow control device 4, and obtains pressures respectively detected
by an inlet pressure sensor 41 and an outlet pressure sensor 42 of the corresponding
flow control device 4. The corresponding flow control device 4 indicates the flow
control device 4 connected in series to the indoor unit body 3 in the heat medium
cycle circuit B. In other words, a flow control device 4a is the corresponding flow
control device 4 in an indoor unit body 3a, and a flow control device 4b is the
corresponding flow control device 4 in an indoor unit body 3b.
[0033]
UJUU;J I
P01172 As shown in Fig. 2, the outdoor unit control device 81, the relay device control
device 82, and the plurality of indoor unit control devices 83 are communicatively
connected with each other by wired or wireless communication. Therefore, the outdoor unit control device 81, the relay device control device 82, and the plurality of
indoor unit control devices 83 can communicate signals containing various data.
[0034] The flow control device 4 of Embodiment 1 will be described. The flow control
device 4 includes the flow control valve 40, the inlet pressure sensor 41, and the
outlet pressure sensor 42 in a flow control device casing 60.
[0035] The flow control valve 40 controls the flow rate of the heat medium that passes
through the indoor heat exchanger 30. For example, the flow control valve 40 is a
two-way valve or other valves whose opening degree can be controlled. By
controlling the opening degree of the flow control valve 40, the flow rate of the heat
medium that passes through the indoor heat exchanger 30 can be controlled. The
inlet pressure sensor 41 detects the pressure of the heat medium that flows into the
flow control valve 40. The outlet pressure sensor 42 detects the pressure of the heat
medium flowing out from the flow control valve 40. As will be described later, the
flow rate of the heat medium that passes through the flow control valve can be
calculated based on a differential pressure between the inlet side and the outlet side
of the flow control valve 40. Therefore, each of the pressure of the heat medium
detected by the inlet pressure sensor 41 and the pressure of the heat medium
detected by the outlet pressure sensor 42 is information relating to the flow rate of the
heat medium that passes through the flow control valve 40. Each of the inlet
pressure sensor 41 and the outlet pressure sensor 42 corresponds to a flow
information detection unit that detects information relating to the flow rate of the heat
medium that passes through the flow control valve 40.
[0036]
The flow control device 4 includes a first flow control device pipe connection
portion 43, and a second flow control device pipe connection portion 46. The first
UJUU;J I
P01172 flow control device pipe connection portion 43 is connected with the other end portion of the connection pipe 9, and is coupled with the flow control valve 40 via a flow
control device inlet pipe 44. The second flow control device pipe connection portion
46 is connected with the second heat medium pipe 6, and is coupled with the flow
control valve 40 via a flow control device outlet pipe 45. Further, the inlet pressure
sensor 41 is provided at the intermediate portion of the flow control device inlet pipe
44, and the outlet pressure sensor 42 is provided at the intermediate portion of the
flow control device outlet pipe 45.
[0037]
Next, the flow of heat-source-side refrigerant that cycles through the heat
source-side refrigerant cycle circuit A of Embodiment 1 will be described. The flow of
the heat-source-side refrigerant that cycles through the heat-source-side refrigerant
cycle circuit A changes according to the operation mode of the air-conditioning
apparatus 100.
[0038]
In the case where the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is in the heating operation
mode, the flow passage switching device 11 is switched to the flow passages shown
by the solid lines in Fig. 1. Therefore, heat-source-side refrigerant that is discharged
from the compressor 10 and that is in a gas state at a high temperature and a high
pressure passes through the first outdoor unit pipe connection portion 17, the first
heat-source-side refrigerant pipe 7, the first relay device refrigerant pipe connection
portion 26, and the first relay device refrigerant pipe 22, and then flows into the heat
medium heat exchanger 20. At this point of operation, the heat medium heat
exchanger 20 acts as a condenser, so that the heat-source-side refrigerant releases
heat to the heat medium, thus being brought into a liquid state at a low temperature
and a high pressure, and flows out from the heat medium heat exchanger 20. The
heat medium flowing out from the heat medium heat exchanger 20 passes through
the second relay device refrigerant pipe 23, the second relay device refrigerant pipe
connection portion 27, the second heat-source-side refrigerant pipe 8, and the second
outdoor unit pipe connection portion 18, and then flows into the expansion device 12.
UJUU;J I
P01172 The heat-source-side refrigerant flowing into the expansion device 12 is decompressed, thus being brought into a two-phase gas-liquid state at a low
temperature and a low pressure, and flows out from the expansion device 12. The heat-source-side refrigerant flowing out from the expansion device 12 flows into the
outdoor heat exchanger 13. At this point of operation, the outdoor heat exchanger
13 acts as an evaporator, so that the heat-source-side refrigerant receives heat from
outdoor air, thus being brought into a gas state, and flows out from the outdoor heat
exchanger 13. The heat-source-side refrigerant flowing out from the outdoor heat
exchanger 13 passes through the accumulator 14, is suctioned by the compressor 10,
thus being brought into a gas state at a high temperature and a high pressure again,
and then is discharged.
[0039]
In the case where the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is in the cooling operation
mode, the flow passage switching device 11 is switched to the flow passages shown
by the broken lines in Fig. 1. Therefore, the heat-source-side refrigerant that is
discharged from the compressor and that is in a gas state at a high temperature and
a high pressure flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 13. At this point of operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 13 acts as a condenser, so that the heat-source-side
refrigerant releases heat to outdoor air, thus being brought into a liquid state at a low
temperature and a high pressure, and flows out from the outdoor heat exchanger 13.
The heat-source-side refrigerant flowing out from the outdoor heat exchanger 13
flows into the expansion device 12, and is decompressed, thus being brought into a
two-phase gas-liquid state at a low temperature and a low pressure, and flows out
from the expansion device 12. The heat-source-side refrigerant flowing out from the
expansion device 12 passes through the second outdoor unit pipe connection portion
18, the second heat-source-side refrigerant pipe 8, the second relay device
refrigerant pipe connection portion 27, and the second relay device refrigerant pipe 23,
and then flows into the heat medium heat exchanger 20. At this point of operation, the heat medium heat exchanger 20 acts as an evaporator, so that the heat-source
side refrigerant receives heat from the heat medium, thus being brought into a gas
UJUU;J I
P01172 state, and flows out from the heat medium heat exchanger 20. The heat-source-side refrigerant flowing out from the heat medium heat exchanger 20 passes through the
first relay device refrigerant pipe 22, the first relay device refrigerant pipe connection
portion 26, the first heat-source-side refrigerant pipe 7, the first outdoor unit pipe
connection portion 17, and the accumulator 14, and is suctioned by the compressor
, thus being brought into a gas state at a high temperature and a high pressure
again, and then is discharged.
[0040]
Next, the flow of the heat medium that cycles through the heat medium cycle
circuit B of Embodiment 1 will be described. First, the heat medium that is
pressurized by the pump 21 flows into the heat medium heat exchanger 20. The
heat medium flowing into the heat medium heat exchanger 20 is cooled by the heat
source-side refrigerant in the case of the cooling operation mode. The heat medium
flowing into the heat medium heat exchanger 20 is heated by the heat-source-side
refrigerant in the case of the heating operation mode. Thereafter, the heat medium
flows out from the heat medium heat exchanger 20. The heat medium flowing out
from the heat medium heat exchanger 20 passes through the first relay device heat
medium pipe 24 and the first relay device heat medium pipe connection portion 28,
and then flows into the first heat medium pipe 5. The first heat medium pipe 5
branches, at an intermediate portion, into a pipe coupled to the indoor unit 300a and a
pipe coupled to the indoor unit 300b. Therefore, the heat medium is also divided into
a heat medium that flows into the indoor unit 300a and a heat medium that flows into
the indoor unit 300b.
[0041]
The flow of the heat medium that flows into the indoor unit 300a of Embodiment
1 will be described. The heat medium that flows into the indoor unit 300a passes
through a first heat exchanger pipe connection portion 32a and a heat exchanger inlet
pipe 33a, and then flows into an indoor heat exchanger 30a. The heat medium
flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 30a cools air that passes through the indoor
heat exchanger 30a in the case of the cooling operation mode. The heat medium
UJUU;J I
P01172 flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 30a heats air that passes through the indoor
heat exchanger 30a in the case of the heating operation mode. Thereafter, the heat
medium flows out from the indoor heat exchanger 30a. The heat medium flowing
out from the indoor heat exchanger 30a passes through a heat exchanger outlet pipe
34a, a second heat exchanger pipe connection portion 35a, and a connection pipe 9a,
and then flows into the flow control device 4a. The heat medium flowing into the flow
control device 4a passes through a first flow control device pipe connection portion
43a, a flow control device inlet pipe 44a, a flow control valve 40a, a flow control
device outlet pipe 45a, and a second flow control device pipe connection portion 46a,
and then flows into the second heat medium pipe 6.
[0042]
The description of the flow of the heat medium that flows into the indoor unit
300b of Embodiment 1 is substantially equal to the above-mentioned description of
the heat medium that flows into the indoor unit 300a except that the suffix for each
component changes from "a" to "b". Accordingly, the description of the flow of the
heat medium that flows into the indoor unit 300b of Embodiment 1 is omitted.
[0043]
The second heat medium pipe 6 is configured such that a pipe coupled to the
indoor unit 300a and a pipe coupled to the indoor unit 300b merge with each other at
the intermediate portion of the second heat medium pipe 6. Therefore, the heat
medium flowing out from the indoor unit 300a and the heat medium flowing out from
the indoor unit 300b also merge with each other. The merged heat medium passes
through the second relay device heat medium pipe connection portion 29 and the
second relay device heat medium pipe 25, and is suctioned and pressurized by the
pump 21 again.
[0044]
The ratio between the flow rate of the heat medium that flows into the indoor
heat exchanger 30a and the flow rate of the heat medium that flows into an indoor
heat exchanger 30b is determined by the ratio between the opening degree of the
flow control valve 40a and the opening degree of a flow control valve 40b. In other
UJUU;J I
P01172 words, when the opening degree of the flow control valve 40a is larger than the
opening degree of the flow control valve 40b, the flow rate of the heat medium that
flows into the indoor heat exchanger 30a is larger than the flow rate of the heat
medium that flows into the indoor heat exchanger 30b. In contrast, when the
opening degree of the flow control valve 40a is smaller than the opening degree of
the flow control valve 40b, the flow rate of the heat medium that flows into the indoor
heat exchanger 30a is smaller than the flow rate of the heat medium that flows into
the indoor heat exchanger 30b. Accordingly, by controlling the opening degree of
the flow control valve 40, the flow rate of the heat medium that flows into the indoor
heat exchanger 30 can be controlled.
[0045]
Next, the description will be made for a method for calculating the flow rate of
the heat medium flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 30 using the flow control
valve 40, the inlet pressure sensor 41, and the outlet pressure sensor 42 of the flow
control device 4. Due to the configuration of the heat medium cycle circuit B, the
flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 30 is equal to
the flow rate of the heat medium that flows into the flow control valve 40.
Accordingly, calculating the flow rate of the heat medium that flows into the flow
control valve 40 is equivalent to calculating the flow rate of the heat medium that
flows into the indoor heat exchanger 30.
[0046]
The flow rate of the heat medium that flows into the flow control valve 40 can
be calculated by the following formula 1. Symbols used in the formula 1 are defined
hereinafter. The symbol Q denotes the flow rate (in the unit of m 3 /h) of the heat
medium that passes through the flow control valve 40. The symbol Cv denotes a Cv
value (dimensionless number) that is the capacity coefficient of the flow control valve
40. The Cv value is determined depending on the kind and the opening degree of
the flow control valve 40, and Cv values that correspond to respective opening
degrees of the flow control valve 40 are stored in the indoor unit control device 83.
The symbol AP denotes a differential pressure (in the unit of Pa) between the inlet
UsJUUJ I
P01172 side and the outlet side of the flow control valve 40. The differential pressure AP is determined depending on a detected value from the inlet pressure sensor 41 and a
detected value from the outlet pressure sensor 42. The symbol p denotes the
density (in the unit of kg/m 3 ) of the heat medium that passes through the flow control
valve 40. The density p is determined depending on the kind of the heat medium, and values of p are stored in the indoor unit control device 83. The symbol pw
denotes the density (in the unit of kg/m 3 ) of water. The density pw is a constant of
1000 kg/m 3 .
[0047]
[Formula 1]
0.865 Cv 105 p
[0048]
The reason that neither a pressure sensor nor a flow control valve are
accommodated in a direct expansion indoor unit will be described. The first reason
is that even if the pressure sensor and the flow control valve are accommodated, it is
difficult to calculate the flow rate of refrigerant flowing through an indoor unit. In the
direct expansion indoor unit, the state of refrigerant flowing through the indoor unit
may be any one of a plurality of states consisting of a gas state, a liquid state, and a
two-phase gas-liquid state. The density of refrigerant varies depending on the state
of the refrigerant and hence, the density of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor
unit is not constant. Therefore, the value of p in the formula 1 is not constant, so that
it is difficult to calculate the flow rate of refrigerant even when the formula 1 is used.
The second reason is that the flow rate of refrigerant can be controlled by an
expansion device in the direct expansion indoor unit, so that it is unnecessary to
UJUU;J I
P01172 provide the flow control valve additionally to control the flow rate with the flow control valve.
[0049]
In contrast to the direct expansion indoor unit, the heat medium that cycles
through the heat medium cycle circuit B of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 of
Embodiment 1 is always in a liquid state. Therefore, the value of p in the formula 1
is constant and hence, the flow rate of the heat medium can be highly accurately
calculated by using the formula 1. Further, the operation state of the individual
indoor unit 300 can be grasped by using the calculated flow rate. Based on the
grasped operation state, the quantity of heat to be transferred to the indoor heat
exchanger 30 by the heat medium can be controlled by means of any one of the
control of the capacity of the compressor 10 performed by the outdoor unit control
device 81, the control of the capacity of the pump 21 performed by the relay device
control device 82, and the control of the opening degree of the flow control valve 40
performed by the indoor unit control device 83.
[0050] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the indoor unit according to Embodiment 1 as
viewed from below. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the indoor unit according to Embodiment
1 as viewed from above. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a region C in Fig. 3 showing
the indoor unit according to Embodiment 1. Next, the detailed structure of the indoor
unit 300 of Embodiment 1 will be described. The indoor heat exchanger 30 and the
indoor fan 31 of the indoor unit body 3 are covered by the heat exchanger casing 50.
Further, an inner cover (not shown in the drawing) is provided between the indoor
heat exchanger 30 and the heat exchanger casing 50, the inner cover being made of
a material having a low thermal conductivity, such as foamed plastic.
[0051] The heat exchanger casing 50 includes side surface portions 51, a top surface
portion 52, and a panel 53. The side surface portions 51 cover the lateral portions of
the indoor heat exchanger 30 and of the indoor fan 31. The top surface portion 52
covers the upper portion of the indoor heat exchanger 30 and of the indoor fan 31.
UJUU;J I
P01172 In a state where the indoor unit 300 is installed, the side surface portions 51 and the
top surface portion 52 are installed above the ceiling of an air-conditioning target
space. The panel 53 covers the lower portion of the indoor heat exchanger 30 and
of the indoor fan 31. The panel 53 is installed to be exposed from the ceiling of the
air-conditioning target space in the state where the indoor unit 300 is installed. The
panel 53 has an air inlet portion 54 and a plurality of air outlet portions 55. The air
inlet portion 54 and the air outlet portions 55 communicate with each other in the heat
exchanger casing 50. In response to the start of the operation of the indoor fan 31, air in the air-conditioning target space is suctioned from the air inlet portion 54. The
suctioned air is heated or cooled by the indoor heat exchanger 30, and is then blown
to the air-conditioning target space from the air outlet portions 55.
[0052] A plurality of fixing fittings 56 are provided at the side surface portions 51.
When hanging bolts suspended in the space above the ceiling of the air-conditioning
target space are respectively fixed to the fixing fittings 56, the indoor unit 300 is
suspended above the ceiling of the air-conditioning target space. An air vent valve
cover 57 is provided at the side surface portion 51. The air vent valve cover 57 is a
cover for protecting an air vent valve (not shown in the drawing). The air vent valve
is used as a valve for the ventilation of air in the heat medium cycle circuit B during
the work of filling the heat medium cycle circuit B with a heat medium. Further, as
shown in Fig. 7 described later, the side surface portion 51 includes a plurality of heat
exchanger casing attaching portions 58, and each heat exchanger casing attaching
portion 58 has a screw hole. The heat exchanger casing attaching portions 58 are
provided at positions where the screw holes of the heat exchanger casing attaching
portions 58 and the elongated holes of flow control device casing attaching portions
described later communicate with each other when the flow control device casing
is attached to the heat exchanger casing 50. The heat exchanger casing
attaching portions 58 may be, for example, holes provided for attaching an existing
component sold separately, such as a flange portion of a separated duct for blowing
air cooled or heated by the indoor heat exchanger 30 from a place separated from the
UJUU;J I
P01172 indoor unit body 3.
[0053] The first heat exchanger pipe connection portion 32 and the second heat
exchanger pipe connection portion 35 are exposed from the heat exchanger casing
on the same side surface portion 51. The second heat exchanger pipe
connection portion 35 can be connected with the connection pipe 9 by an existing
pipe connecting method, such as a flare nut. Further, the first heat exchanger pipe
connection portion 32 can be connected with the first heat medium pipe 5 by an
existing pipe connecting method. The connection pipe 9 and the first heat medium
pipe 5 are not covered by the heat exchanger casing 50, so that these pipes
correspond to pipes external to the heat exchanger casing 50.
[0054] The flow control device 4 is attached to the outer side of the side surface
portion 51 of the heat exchanger casing 50 by means of the flow control device
casing attaching portions 65 described later. The flow control valve 40, the inlet
pressure sensor 41, and the outlet pressure sensor 42 of the flow control device 4 are
covered by the flow control device casing 60.
[0055] The first flow control device pipe connection portion 43 and the second flow
control device pipe connection portion 46 are exposed from the same side surface of
the flow control device casing 60. The first flow control device pipe connection
portion 43 can be connected with the connection pipe 9 by an existing pipe
connecting method, such as a flare nut. Further, the second flow control device pipe
connection portion 46 can be connected with the second heat medium pipe 6 by an
existing pipe connecting method. The connection pipe 9 and the second heat
medium pipe 6 are not covered by the flow control device casing 60, so that these
pipes correspond to pipes external to the flow control device casing 60.
[0056] Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the flow control device according to
Embodiment 1. The flow control device inlet pipe 44 and the flow control valve 40
UJUU;J I
P01172 are connected with each other by a fastener 90, and the flow control device outlet
pipe 45 and the flow control valve 40 are connected with each other by a fastener 90.
[0057]
The flow control device outlet pipe 45 has a shape bent into a U shape. The
flow control device outlet pipe 45 is disposed at a position lower than the flow control
valve 40, the inlet pressure sensor 41, and the outlet pressure sensor 42.
[0058] The flow control device casing 60 includes a casing 61, a cover 62, two inner
covers 63, and a drain pan 64. The two inner covers 63 hold and cover the flow
control valve 40, the inlet pressure sensor 41, the outlet pressure sensor 42, the flow
control device inlet pipe 44, and the flow control device outlet pipe 45 from both
directions. The drain pan 64 is provided below the inner covers 63 to receive
condensation water generated on the flow control device outlet pipe 45 and the like.
The casing 61 and the cover 62 cover and fix the inner covers 63 and the drain pan
64. It is preferable that the inner covers 63 and the drain pan 64 be made of a
material having thermal conductivity lower than the thermal conductivity of the flow
control device inlet pipe 44 and of the flow control device outlet pipe 45. For
example, in the case where a metal material is usedfor forming the flow control
device inlet pipe 44 and the flow control device outlet pipe 45, a material having
thermal conductivity lower than the thermal conductivity of the metal material, such as
foamed plastic, is used for forming the inner covers 63 and the drain pan 64.
[0059] The casing 61 has the flow control device casing attaching portions 65 and a
signal wire lead-out port 66. Each flow control device casing attaching portion 65
has an elongated hole, and is configured to allow the flow control device casing 60 to
be attached to the heat exchanger casing 50 by an attachment method described
later. Further, the signal wire lead-out port 66 is provided for leading out, to the
outside of the flow control device casing 60, a signal wire that communicatively
connects the indoor unit control device 83 and the flow control valve 40 with each
other, a signal wire that communicatively connects the indoor unit control device 83
UJUU;J I
P01172 and the inlet pressure sensor 41 with each other, and a signal wire that
communicatively connects the indoor unit control device 83 and the outlet pressure
sensor 42 with each other.
[0060]
The flow control device casing attaching portions 65 correspond to the
attaching portions of the flow control device according to the first invention, the indoor
unit according to the second invention, and the air-conditioning apparatus according
to the third invention.
[0061]
Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a state when the flow control device is
attached to the indoor unit body according to Embodiment 1. Next, an attachment
method for attaching the flow control device 4 will be described. First, shaft portions
of screws 70 each having a screw groove are respectively inserted into elongated
holes of the flow control device casing attaching portions 65. After the insertion, the
shaft portion of each screw 70 is threadedly fitted to the heat exchanger casing
attaching portion 58 having a screw hole. Therefore, each flow control device casing
attaching portion 65 is sandwiched between the head portion of the screw 70 and the
side surface portion 51, so that the flow control device casing 60 is attached to the
heat exchanger casing 50.
[0062]
As described above, the flow control device 4 according to Embodiment 1 is
configured to include the flow control device casing 60 and the flow control device
casing attaching portions 65. The flow control device casing 60 covers the flow
control valve 40, and the inlet pressure sensor 41 and the outlet pressure sensor 42
that correspond to the flow information detection units. The flow control device
casing attaching portions 65 are provided at the flow control device casing 60, and
are configured to allow the flow control device casing 60 to be attached to the outer
side of the heat exchanger casing 50. With this configuration, it is possible to obtain
an advantageous effect that the flow control valve 40 and the flow information
detection units can be easily added to the indoor unit 300. Particularly, even in the
UJUU;J I
P01172 case of a direct expansion indoor unit, the direct expansion indoor unit includes the
flow control device 4 having the above-mentioned configuration, thus being easily
utilized in a heat medium air-conditioning apparatus without redesigning the heat
exchanger casing 50 and the inner cover of the indoor unit body.
[0063] As an optional configuration, to the configuration of the flow control device 4
according to above-mentioned Embodiment 1, a configuration may be added where
the flow control device casing 60 has the signal wire lead-out port 66 for leading out,
to the outside of the flow control device casing 60, a signal wire connected with the
flow control valve 40 and signal wires connected with the inlet pressure sensor 41
and the outlet pressure sensor 42 that correspond to the flow information detection
units. With this added configuration, the indoor unit control device 83 obtains
information relating to the flow rate of the heat medium that passes through the flow
control valve 40 and hence, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that the
opening degree of the flow control valve 40 can be controlled based on the obtained
information. The quantity of heat to be transferred to the indoor heat exchanger 30
can be controlled, so that an individual indoor unit can be optimally operated without
any waste whereby energy saving of the air-conditioning apparatus as a whole can be
achieved.
[0064] As an optional configuration, to the configuration of the flow control device 4
according to above-mentioned Embodiment 1, a configuration may be added where
the flow control device inlet pipe 44 and the flow control device outlet pipe 45 are
included, the flow control device inlet pipe 44 being covered by the flow control device
casing 60, the heat medium that flows into the flow control valve 40 flowing through
the flow control device inlet pipe 44, the flow control device outlet pipe 45 being
covered by the flow control device casing 60, the heat medium that flows out from the
flow control valve 40 flowing through the flow control device outlet pipe 45, the flow
control device casing 60 includes the inner covers 63 made of a material having
thermal conductivity lower than the thermal conductivity of the flow control device inlet
UJUU;J I
P01172 pipe 44 and of the flow control device outlet pipe 45, and the flow control device inlet
pipe 44, the flow control device outlet pipe 45, and the flow control valve 40 are
covered by the inner covers 63. With this added configuration, it is possible to obtain
an advantageous effect of preventing the heat medium flowing through the flow
control device 4 from releasing heat to or receiving heat from the outside of the flow
control device 4.
[0065]
As an optional configuration, to the configuration of the flow control device 4
according to above-mentioned Embodiment 1, a configuration may be added where
the flow control device outlet pipe 45 is included, the heat medium passing through
the flow control valve 40 flowing through the flow control device outlet pipe 45, the
flow control device outlet pipe 45 is disposed at a position lower than the flow control
valve 40, and the inlet pressure sensor 41 and the outlet pressure sensor 42 that
correspond to the flow information detection units. With this added configuration, it
is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that dew condensation generated on the
flow control device outlet pipe 45 is prevented from dropping on the flow control valve
, the inlet pressure sensor 41, and the outlet pressure sensor 42, so that the
deterioration of the devices can be suppressed.
[0066]
The indoor unit 300 according to Embodiment 1 is configured to include the
heat exchanger casing 50 that covers the indoor heat exchanger 30, and the flow
control device 4 having the configuration according to above-mentioned Embodiment
1. With this configuration, in the same manner as the flow control device 4 having
the configuration according to above-mentioned Embodiment 1, it is possible to obtain
an advantageous effect that the flow control valve 40 and the flow information
detection units can be easily added to the indoor unit. Further, it becomes possible
to ship the indoor unit in a state where the indoor unit body 3 and the flow control
device 4 are formed into an integral body and hence, it is possible to obtain an
advantageous effect of preventing a work process from becoming complicated on site,
and preventing an increase in the number of work steps.
UJUU;J I
P01172
[0067]
As an optional configuration, to the configuration of the indoor unit 300
according to above-mentioned Embodiment 1, a configuration may be added where
the second heat exchanger pipe connection portion 35, the first flow control device
pipe connection portion 43, and the connection pipe 9 are included, the second heat
exchanger pipe connection portion 35 being a heat exchanger pipe connection
portion that can be connected with a pipe external to the heat exchanger casing 50,
and that is coupled to the indoor heat exchanger 30, the first flow control device pipe
connection portion 43 being a flow control device pipe connection portion that can be
connected with a pipe external to the flow control device casing 60, and that can be
coupled with the flow control valve 40, one end portion of the connection pipe 9 being
connected with the heat exchanger pipe connection portion, the other end portion of
the connection pipe 9 being connected with the flow control device pipe connection
portion. With this added configuration, it is possible to obtain an advantageous
effect of increasing the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the flow control
device casing 60.
[0068]
The air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 is configured to
include the indoor units 300 according to above-mentioned Embodiment 1, and the
heat source apparatus 200 that heats or cools the heat medium. With this
configuration, in the same manner as the indoor unit 300 according to above
mentioned Embodiment 1, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that the flow
control valve 40, the inlet pressure sensor 41, and the outlet pressure sensor 42 can
be easily added to the indoor unit.
[0069]
The air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 has the
configuration where the flow control device casing 60 can be attached to the heat
exchanger casing 50 by the screws 70. However, the configuration is not limited to
such a configuration, and a configuration may be adopted where the flow control
device casing 60 can be attached to the heat exchanger casing 50 by other existing
UJUU;J I
P01172 attachment methods. For example, the flow control device casing 60 may be
attached to the heat exchanger casing 50 such that rivets are inserted into the
elongated holes of the flow control device casing attaching portions 65 and the holes
of the heat exchanger casing attaching portion 58 in place of the screws 70, and the
rivets are swaged. Alternatively, a structure may be adopted where each flow control
device casing attaching portion 65 is a protrusion having no elongated hole, the heat
exchanger casing 50 has insertion holes (corresponding to the heat exchanger casing
attaching portions 58) into which the flow control device casing attaching portions 65
are inserted, and the flow control device casing 60 is attached to the heat exchanger
casing 50 by inserting the flow control device casing attaching portions 65 into the
insertion holes.
[0070]
The air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 has the
configuration where the heat exchanger casing 50 has the heat exchanger casing
attaching portions 58. However, the heat exchanger casing attaching portions 58
are not indispensable components. For example, a configuration may be adopted
where the portion of the heat exchanger casing 50 is made of a magnetic material,
such as iron, and a magnet is provided at the flow control device casing 60, so that
the flow control device casing 60 can be attached to the heat exchanger casing 50 by
a magnetic force. In this case, the flow control device casing attaching portion 65 is
the magnet. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted where an adhesive part, such as an adhesive agent or a double-sided tape, is added to the flow control device
casing 60, and the flow control device casing 60 is attached to the heat exchanger
casing 50 by the adhesive force of the adhesive part. In this case, the flow control
device casing attaching portion 65 is the adhesive part.
[0071]
Further, the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 has the
configuration where the flow control device casing 60 is attached to the side surface
portion 51 of the heat exchanger casing 50. However, the configuration is not limited
to such a configuration. For example, it is sufficient for the air-conditioning
UJUU;J I
P01172 apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 to have a configuration where the flow
control device casing 60 is attached to the outer side of the heat exchanger casing 50
that covers the indoor heat exchanger 30, such as a configuration where the flow
control device casing 60 is attached to the top surface portion 52 or the panel 53.
[0072]
However, the side surface portion 51 of the heat exchanger casing 50 often has
holes for attaching an existing component sold separately, such as the flange portion
of a separated duct, for example. Therefore, as an optional configuration, to the
configuration of the indoor unit 300 according to above-mentioned Embodiment 1, a
configuration may be added where the flow control device casing 60 is attached to the
side surface portion 51. With this added configuration, it is possible to obtain an
advantageous effect that the holes formed for attaching an existing component sold
separately can be used as the heat exchanger casing attaching portions 58.
[0073]
The air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 has the
configuration where the inlet pressure sensor 41 and the outlet pressure sensor 42
are used as the flow information detection units. However, the configuration is not
limited to such a configuration. For example, a configuration may be adopted where
another flow information detection unit is used, such as a flowmeter that can directly
detect the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the flow control valve 40.
[0074]
However, in general, using a flowmeter is more costly than using two pressure
sensors. Therefore, as an optional configuration, to the configuration of the flow
control device 4 according to above-mentioned Embodiment 1, a configuration may
be added where the inlet pressure sensor 41 and the outlet pressure sensor 42 are
used as the flow information detection units. With this added configuration, it is
possible to obtain an advantageous effect that the flow rate of the heat medium
flowing through the flow control valve 40 can be detected at a low cost.
[0075]
The air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 has the
UJUU;J I
P01172 configuration where the heat medium flowing out from the indoor heat exchanger 30 flows into the flow control valve 40. However, the configuration is not limited to such
a configuration. For example, a configuration where the heat medium flowing out
from the flow control valve 40 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 30 may be
adopted, such as a configuration where the first flow control device pipe connection
portion 43 and the first heat medium pipe 5 are connected with each other, the
second flow control device pipe connection portion 46 and the first heat exchanger
pipe connection portion 32 are coupled with each other via the connection pipe 9, and
the second heat exchanger pipe connection portion 35 and the second heat medium
pipe 6 are connected with each other.
[0076]
The temperature of the heat medium that flows into the indoor heat exchanger
is lower than the temperature of the heat medium that flows out from the indoor
heat exchanger 30 in the case of the cooling operation mode. The temperature of
the heat medium that flows into the indoor heat exchanger 30 is higher than the
temperature of the heat medium that flows out from the indoor heat exchanger 30 in
the case of the heating operation mode. Accordingly, when the heat medium that
flows into the indoor heat exchanger 30 flows into the flow control device 4 before
flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 30, the deterioration of the flow control device
4 is accelerated due to the heat medium with a low temperature or a high temperature
not yet being subjected to heat exchange by the indoor heat exchanger 30.
Therefore, as an optional configuration, to the configuration of the indoor unit 300
according to above-mentioned Embodiment 1, a configuration may be added where
the heat medium flowing out from the indoor heat exchanger 30 flows into the flow
control device 4. With this added configuration, it is possible to obtain an
advantageous effect that the deterioration of the flow control device 4 caused by the
heat medium with a low temperature or a high temperature can be suppressed more
compared with a configuration where the heat medium flowing out from the flow
control device 4 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 30. Particularly, in general, a
rubber component having low heat resistance, such as an 0 ring, may be used for the
UJUU;J I
P01172 two-way valve that is taken as an example of the flow control valve 40. By adopting
a configuration where the heat medium flowing out from the indoor heat exchanger 30
flows into the flow control valve 40, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the
rubber part caused by the heat medium with a high temperature.
[0077]
Embodiment 2.
An air-conditioning apparatus 100 of Embodiment 2 will be described. The
air-conditioning apparatus 100 of Embodiment 2 differs from the air-conditioning
apparatus 100 of Embodiment 1 in the structure of the indoor unit 300. The air
conditioning apparatus 100 of Embodiment 2 is substantially equal to the air
conditioning apparatus 100 of Embodiment 1 with regard to the structure of a heat
source apparatus 200, of a first heat medium pipe 5, and of a second heat medium
pipe 6, and a block diagram relating to a control of the air-conditioning apparatus 100
and hence, the repeated description will be omitted.
[0078]
Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing a configuration of the air-conditioning
apparatus according to Embodiment 2. The indoor unit 300 of Embodiment 2 will be
described. The indoor unit 300 of Embodiment 2 differs from the indoor unit of
Embodiment 1 in a point that the indoor unit 300 of Embodiment 2 does not include
the connection pipe 9.
[0079]
An indoor unit body 3 of Embodiment 2 differs from the indoor unit body 3 of
Embodiment 1 in a point that an inlet pressure sensor 41 is provided in a heat
exchanger casing 50, a point that the indoor unit body 3 of Embodiment 2 includes
neither a first heat exchanger pipe connection portion 32 nor a second heat
exchanger pipe connection portion 35, and a point that a heat exchanger inlet pipe 33
and a heat exchanger outlet pipe 34 protrude to the outside of the heat exchanger
casing 50. An indoor heat exchanger 30, an indoor fan 31, and an indoor unit
control device 83 are substantially equal to those of Embodiment 1 and hence, the
repeated description will be omitted.
UJUU;J I
P01172
[0080]
A flow control device 4 of Embodiment 2 differs from the flow control device 4 of
Embodiment 1 in a point that the flow control device 4 of Embodiment 2 includes
neither an inlet pressure sensor 41 nor a flow control device inlet pipe 44, a point that
the heat exchanger inlet pipe 33 and the heat exchanger outlet pipe 34 are caused to
extend to the inside of a flow control device casing 60, and a point that a first flow
control device pipe connection portion 43 is connected with the first heat medium pipe
5. A flow control valve 40 and an outlet pressure sensor 42 are substantially equal
to those of Embodiment 1 and hence, the repeated description will be omitted.
[0081]
In the indoor unit 300 of Embodiment 2, the first flow control device pipe
connection portion 43 is connected with the first heat medium pipe 5, and is coupled
to the indoor heat exchanger 30 via the heat exchanger inlet pipe 33 caused to
extend to the inside of the flow control device casing 60. The indoor heat exchanger
is coupled with the flow control valve 40 via the heat exchanger outlet pipe 34
caused to extend to the inside of the flow control device casing 60. Further, the flow
control valve 40 is coupled with a second flow control device pipe connection portion
46 via a flow control device outlet pipe 45. The inlet pressure sensor 41 is provided
at an intermediate portion of the heat exchanger outlet pipe 34, and the inlet pressure
sensor 41 detects the pressure of the heat medium that flows into the flow control
valve 40. Further, the outlet pressure sensor 42 is provided at an intermediate
portion of the flow control device outlet pipe 45, and the outlet pressure sensor 42
detects the pressure of the heat medium flowing out from the flow control valve 40.
Accordingly, a differential pressure between the inlet side and the outlet side of the
flow control valve 40 can be detected by the inlet pressure sensor 41 and the outlet
pressure sensor 42.
[0082]
The flow of the heat medium that flows into an indoor unit 300a of Embodiment
2 will be described. The heat medium that flows into the indoor unit 300a passes
through a first flow control device pipe connection portion 43a and a heat exchanger
UJUU;J I
P01172 inlet pipe 33a from the first heat medium pipe 5, and then flows into an indoor heat
exchanger 30a. The heat medium flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 30a cools air that passes through the indoor heat exchanger 30a in the case of a cooling
operation mode. The heat medium flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 30a heats
air that passes through the indoor heat exchanger 30a in the case of a heating
operation mode. Thereafter, the heat medium flows out from the indoor heat
exchanger 30a. The heat medium flowing out from the indoor heat exchanger 30a
flows through a heat exchanger outlet pipe 34a, and then flows into a flow control
device 4a. The heat medium flowing through the flow control device 4a passes
through the heat exchanger outlet pipe 34a, a flow control valve 40a, a flow control
device outlet pipe 45a, and a second flow control device pipe connection portion 46a
in the flow control device 4a, and then flows into the second heat medium pipe 6.
[0083]
The description of the flow of the heat medium that flows into an indoor unit
300b is substantially equal to the above-mentioned description of the heat medium
that flows into the indoor unit 300a except that the suffix for each component changes
from "a" to "b". Accordingly, the description of the flow of the heat medium that flows
into the indoor unit 300b is omitted.
[0084]
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the indoor unit according to Embodiment 2 as
viewed from above. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the inside of the flow
control device of the indoor unit according to Embodiment 2. Fig. 11 is an enlarged
view of a region D in Fig. 10 showing the indoor unit according to Embodiment 2.
Next, the detailed structure of the indoor unit 300 of Embodiment 2 will be described.
[0085]
The indoor unit body 3 of Embodiment 2 differs from the indoor unit body 3 of
Embodiment 1 in a point that a side surface portion 51 does not have an air vent
valve cover 57, a point that the side surface portion 51 has an opening 59, and a
point that the positions of heat exchanger casing attaching portions 58 are changed.
[0086]
UJUU;J I
P01172 The opening 59 is formed in the side surface portion 51, and the opening 59 allows the inside and the outside of the heat exchanger casing 50 to communicate
with each other. Further, the heat exchanger inlet pipe 33, the heat exchanger outlet
pipe 34, and an air vent valve 36 protrude to the outside of the heat exchanger casing
through the opening 59. The portion of the heat exchanger inlet pipe 33 and the
portion of the heat exchanger outlet pipe 34 are covered by the heat exchanger
casing 50, each portion ranging from the end portion of the pipe where the pipe is
connected to the indoor heat exchanger 30 to a point where the pipe protrudes to the
outside from the opening 59.
[0087]
A signal wire that communicatively connects the indoor unit control device 83
and the flow control valve 40 with each other, and a signal wire that communicatively
connects the indoor unit control device 83 and the outlet pressure sensor 42 with
each other are led into the heat exchanger casing 50 through the opening 59 (not
shown in the drawing).
[0088]
The heat exchanger casing attaching portions 58 are provided at the side
surface portion 51, and a screw hole is formed in each heat exchanger casing
attaching portion 58. Further, the heat exchanger casing attaching portions 58 are
provided at positions where the screw holes of the heat exchanger casing attaching
portions 58 and the holes of a flow control device casing attaching portion 65
communicate with each other when the flow control device casing 60 is attached to
the heat exchanger casing 50.
[0089]
The opening 59 can be formed by removing the side surface portion 51 of the
heat exchanger casing 50 of Embodiment 1 from which the first heat exchanger pipe
connection portion 32 and the second heat exchanger pipe connection portion 35 are
exposed, and an inner cover that corresponds to such a portion. Further, the inlet
pressure sensor 41 provided in the heat exchanger casing 50 can be housed in a
space formed by removing the inner cover.
UJUU;J I
P01172
[0090] The flow control device 4 of Embodiment 2 differs from the flow control device 4
of Embodiment 1 in a point that the flow control device casing 60 covers the opening
59, the heat exchanger inlet pipe 33, the heat exchanger outlet pipe 34, and the air
vent valve 36.
[0091]
The first flow control device pipe connection portion 43 and the second flow
control device pipe connection portion 46 are exposed from the same side surface of
the flow control device casing 60. The heat exchanger outlet pipe 34 and the flow
control valve 40 are connected with each other by a fastener 90, and the flow control
device outlet pipe 45 and the flow control valve 40 are connected with each other by a
fastener 90. Further, the flow control device casing 60 includes a casing 61, a cover
62, and a box-shaped inner covers 63. The inner cover 63 covers the opening 59, the heat exchanger inlet pipe 33, the heat exchanger outlet pipe 34, the air vent valve
36, the flow control valve 40, the outlet pressure sensor 42, and the flow control
device outlet pipe 45. Particularly, the inner cover 63 covers the portion of the heat
exchanger inlet pipe 33, the portion ranging from the end portion of the pipe having
the first flow control device pipe connection portion 43 to a point where the pipe
protrudes to the outside of the heat exchanger casing 50 from the opening 59. The
inner cover 63 covers the portion of the heat exchanger outlet pipe 34, the portion
ranging from a point where the pipe protrudes to the outside of the heat exchanger
casing 50 from the opening 59 to the end portion of the pipe where the pipe is
connected with the flow control valve 40. Further, the casing 61 and the cover 62
cover the inner cover 63. In Embodiment 2, the heat exchanger inlet pipe 33 is
disposed at a position lower than the flow control valve 40, the inlet pressure sensor
41, and the outlet pressure sensor 42.
[0092]
The casing 61 includes the flow control device casing attaching portion 65, and
the flow control device casing attaching portion 65 has the holes. In the same
manner as Embodiment 1, the shaft portions of screws are respectively inserted into
UJUU;J I
P01172 the holes of the flow control device casing attaching portion 65, and the shaft portions
of the screws are threadedly fitted to the heat exchanger casing attaching portion 58
having screw holes, so that the flow control device casing 60 is attached to the heat
exchanger casing 50.
[0093]
As described above, the indoor unit 300 according to Embodiment 2 is
configured to include the indoor heat exchanger 30, the heat exchanger casing 50
that covers the indoor heat exchanger 30, the flow control device casing 60 that
covers the flow control valve 40, and the outlet pressure sensor 42 being a flow
information detection unit, and the flow control device casing attaching portion 65
provided at the flow control device casing 60, and configured to allow the flow control
device casing 60 to be attached to the outer side of the heat exchanger casing 50.
With this configuration, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that the flow
control valve 40 and the flow information detection unit can be easily added to the
indoor unit. Further, it becomes possible to ship the indoor unit in a state where the
indoor unit body 3 and the flow control device 4 are formed into an integral body and
hence, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect of preventing a work process
from becoming complicated on site, and preventing an increase in the number of work
steps.
[0094]
As an optional configuration, to the configuration of the indoor unit 300
according to above-mentioned Embodiment 2, a configuration may be added where
an inflow pipe and an outflow pipe are included, the heat medium that flows into the
indoor heat exchanger 30 flowing through the inflow pipe, the heat medium that flows
out from the indoor heat exchanger 30 flowing through the outflow pipe, and the flow
control device casing 60 covers at least a portion of the inflow pipe and a portion of
the outflow pipe. In Embodiment 2, the heat exchanger inlet pipe 33 corresponds to
the inflow pipe, and the heat exchanger outlet pipe 34 and the flow control device
outlet pipe 45 correspond to the outflow pipes. With this configuration, it is possible
to obtain an advantageous effect that the flow control device 4 can be attached at a
UJUU;J I
P01172 position in the vicinity of where the heat medium flows into and flows out from the
heat exchanger casing 50 and hence, the size of the indoor unit 300 can be reduced.
Further, with a reduction in size of the indoor unit 300, it is possible to obtain at least
either one of an advantageous effect of improving installation workability on site or an
advantageous effect of reducing a packing volume or reducing the filling amount of
heat medium.
[0095] As an optional configuration, in addition to the above-mentioned configuration
of the indoor unit 300 where the flow control device casing 60 covers the portion of
the inflow pipe and the portion of the outflow pipe, a configuration may be added
where the inflow pipe is disposed at a position lower than the flow control valve 40,
and the inlet pressure sensor 41 and the outlet pressure sensor 42 being the flow
information detection units. During the cooling operation mode, the heat medium
cooled by the heat source apparatus 200 flows through the inflow pipe, so that dew
condensation is easily generated on the inflow pipe. Accordingly, with the added
configuration, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that dew condensation
generated on the inflow pipe is prevented from dropping on the flow control valve 40,
the inlet pressure sensor 41, and the outlet pressure sensor 42, so that the
deterioration of the devices can be suppressed.
[0096]
As an optional configuration, to the configuration of the indoor unit 300 of
above-mentioned Embodiment 2, a configuration may be added where the heat
exchanger casing 50 has the opening 59, and the flow control device casing 60
covers the opening 59. With this added configuration, the inlet pressure sensor 41
can be disposed in a space newly formed in the heat exchanger casing 50 due to the
formation of the opening 59, so that it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect
that the size of the indoor unit 300 can be further reduced. The opening 59 is
covered by the heat exchanger casing 50, so that it is also possible to obtain an
advantageous effect of suppressing the leakage of air cooled or heated by the indoor
heat exchanger 30 to a space other than an air-conditioning target space. Further,
UJUU;J I
P01172 the opening 59 is formed by removing the portion of the heat exchanger casing 50
and the portion of the inner cover, and it is unnecessary to redesign the heat exchanger casing and the inner cover.
[0097]
As an optional configuration, to the above-mentioned configuration of the
indoor unit 300 where the heat exchanger casing 50 has the opening 59, a
configuration may be added where the portion of the heat exchanger inlet pipe 33
being the inflow pipe and the portion of the heat exchanger outlet pipe 34 being the
outflow pipe are covered by the heat exchanger casing 50, and other portions of the
heat exchanger inlet pipe 33 and other portions of the heat exchanger outlet pipe 34
protrude to the outside of the heat exchanger casing 50 from the opening 59, and are
covered by the flow control device casing 60. With this added configuration, it is
possible to obtain an advantageous effect of reducing the number of constitutional
components that connect the indoor unit body 3 and the flow control device 4 with
each other, such as the first heat exchanger pipe connection portion 32.
[0098]
The air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 2 is configured to
include the indoor units 300 according to above-mentioned Embodiment 2, and the
heat source apparatus 200 that heats or cools the heat medium. With this
configuration, in the same manner as the indoor unit 300 according to above
mentioned Embodiment 2, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that the flow
control valve 40, the inlet pressure sensor 41, and the outlet pressure sensor 42 can
be easily added to the indoor unit.
[0099] The air-conditioning apparatus 100 of Embodiment 2 has the configuration
where the heat exchanger casing 50 covers the inlet pressure sensor 41. However, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration. For example, in the same
manner as Embodiment 1, a configuration may be adopted where the flow control
device casing 60 covers the inlet pressure sensor 41.
[0100]
UJUU;J I
P01172 The air-conditioning apparatus 100 of Embodiment 2 has the configuration
where the signal wire that communicatively connects the indoor unit control device 83
and the flow control valve 40 with each other and the signal wire that communicatively
connects the indoor unit control device 83 and the outlet pressure sensor 42 with
each other are led into the heat exchanger casing 50 through the opening 59.
However, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration. For example, in the
same manner as Embodiment 1, a configuration may be adopted where the flow
control device casing 60 has a signal wire lead-out port, and various signal wires are
led out from the signal wire lead-out port.
[0101]
The air-conditioning apparatus 100 of Embodiment 2 has the configuration
where the inlet pressure sensor 41 is provided at the heat exchanger outlet pipe 34,
and the inlet pressure sensor 41 detects the pressure of the heat medium flowing out
from the indoor heat exchanger 30. However, the configuration is not limited to such
a configuration. For example, a configuration where the inlet pressure sensor 41
detect the pressure of the heat medium that flows into the indoor heat exchanger 30
may be adopted, such as a configuration where the inlet pressure sensor 41 is
provided at the heat exchanger inlet pipe 33. With this configuration, the degree of
freedom in the arrangement of the inlet pressure sensor 41 is increased and hence, it
is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that the size of the flow control device 4
can be further reduced. The heat medium flowing through the heat exchanger inlet
pipe 33 flows into the flow control valve 40 after passing through the indoor heat
exchanger 30, so that the heat medium corresponds to the heat medium that flows
into the flow control valve 40.
[0102]
In the air-conditioning apparatus 100, there is a pressure loss generated when
the heat medium passes through the indoor heat exchanger 30. Accordingly, in the
configuration where the inlet pressure sensor 41 detects the pressure of the heat
medium that flows into the indoor heat exchanger 30, a differential pressure between
a pressure detected by an input side pressure sensor 41 and a pressure detected by
UJUU;J I
P01172 the outlet pressure sensor 42 contains a pressure loss generated when the heat
medium passes through the indoor heat exchanger 30. Therefore, as an optional
configuration, to the configuration of the indoor unit 300 according to above
mentioned Embodiment 2, a configuration may be added where the inlet pressure
sensor 41 detects the pressure of the heat medium during a period from a point
where the heat medium flows out from the indoor heat exchanger 30 to a point where
the heat medium flows into the flow control valve 40. With this added configuration, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that the flow rate of the heat medium
that flows into the flow control valve 40 can be calculated more accurately.
[0103]
The air-conditioning apparatus 100 of Embodiment 2 has the configuration
where the inlet pressure sensor 41 and the outlet pressure sensor 42 are used as the
flow information detection units. However, the configuration is not limited to such a
configuration, and a configuration may be adopted where another flow information
detection unit, such as a flowmeter, is used as described in Embodiment 1.
[0104]
Further, in the case of the configuration where the flow information detection
unit is one device, such as a flowmeter, a configuration may be adopted where the
opening 59 is formed, the flow information detection unit is covered only by the heat
exchanger casing 50, but is not covered by the flow control device casing 60. With
this configuration, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the flow information
detection unit is increased and hence, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect
that the size of the flow control device 4 can be further reduced.
[0105] However, as described in Embodiment 1, with the addition of the configuration
where the inlet pressure sensor 41 and the outlet pressure sensor 42 are used as the
flow information detection units, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that
the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the flow control valve 40 can be
detected at a low cost.
[0106]
UJUU;J I
P01172 The air-conditioning apparatus 100 of Embodiment 2 has the configuration
where the heat medium flowing out from the indoor heat exchanger 30 flows into the
flow control valve 40. However, the configuration is not limited to such a
configuration. For example, a configuration where the heat medium flowing out from
the flow control valve 40 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 30 may be adopted,
such as a configuration where the first flow control device pipe connection portion 43
and the indoor heat exchanger 30 are coupled with each other via the flow control
valve 40. To this configuration, a configuration may be further added where the
opening 59 is formed, the flow control device casing 60 covers the flow control valve
and the inlet pressure sensor 41, and the heat exchanger casing 50 covers the
outlet pressure sensor 42. With this added configuration, the outlet pressure sensor
42 can be disposed in a space newly formed in the heat exchanger casing 50 due to
the formation of the opening 59, so that it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect
that the size of the indoor unit 300 can be further reduced.
[0107]
However, as described in Embodiment 1, with the addition of the configuration
where the heat medium flowing out from the indoor heat exchanger 30 flows into the
flow control valve 40, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that the
deterioration of the flow control valve 40 caused by a low temperature or a high
temperature can be suppressed.
[0108]
Further, as described in Embodiment 1, the followings are also applicable to
the air-conditioning apparatus 100 of Embodiment 2. A configuration may be
adopted where the flow control device 4 is attached to the indoor unit body 3 by
another existing attachment method. The heat exchanger casing attaching portions
58 are not indispensable components. A configuration may be adopted where the
flow control device 4 is provided at the outer side of the heat exchanger casing 50
other than the side surface portions 51.
[0109]
Embodiment 3.
UJUU;J I
P01172 Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of an air-conditioning apparatus
according to Embodiment 3. Fig. 13 is an external appearance view of an indoor
unit according to Embodiment 3. Next, the air-conditioning apparatus of
Embodiment 3 will be described. The air-conditioning apparatus 100 of Embodiment
3 differs from the air-conditioning apparatus 100 of Embodiment 1 in the structure of
an indoor unit body 3 and of a flow control device 4. The air-conditioning apparatus
100 of Embodiment 3 is substantially equal to the air-conditioning apparatus 100 of
Embodiment 1 with regard to the structure of a heat source apparatus 200, of a first
heat medium pipe 5, and of a second heat medium pipe 6, and a block diagram
relating to a control of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 and hence, the repeated
description will be omitted.
[0110]
The indoor unit body 3 of Embodiment 3 will be described. The indoor unit body 3 of Embodiment 3 is substantially equal to the indoor unit body 3 of
Embodiment 1 except for a point that the positions of heat exchanger casing
attaching portions (not shown in the drawing) are changed to positions substantially
equal to those of the indoor unit body 3 of Embodiment 2. The heat exchanger
casing attaching portions of Embodiment 3 are provided at a side surface portion 51,
and have screw holes. Further, the heat exchanger casing attaching portions are
provided at positions where the screw holes of the heat exchanger casing attaching
portions and the holes of a flow control device casing attaching portion 65
communicate with each other when the flow control device casing 60 is attached to a
heat exchanger casing 50.
[0111]
The flow control device 4 of Embodiment 3 will be described. The flow control
device 4 of Embodiment 3 differs from the flow control device 4 of Embodiment 1 in a
point that the flow control device 4 of Embodiment 3 includes a third flow control
device pipe connection portion 47 and a fourth flow control device pipe connection
portion 49, and a point that the flow control device 4 of Embodiment 3 includes a
coupling pipe 48 that couples the third flow control device pipe connection portion 47
UJUU;J I
P01172 and the fourth flow control device pipe connection portion 49 with each other. A flow
control valve 40, an inlet pressure sensor 41, and an outlet pressure sensor 42 are
substantially equal to those of Embodiment 1 and hence, the repeated description will
be omitted.
[0112]
The third flow control device pipe connection portion 47 is connected with the
first heat medium pipe 5, and is coupled with the fourth flow control device pipe
connection portion 49 via the coupling pipe 48. The fourth flow control device pipe
connection portion 49 is connected with the first heat exchanger pipe connection
portion 32. A first flow control device pipe connection portion 43 is connected with a
second heat exchanger pipe connection portion 35, and is coupled with the flow
control valve 40 via a flow control device inlet pipe 44. Further, a second flow control
device pipe connection portion 46 is connected with the second heat medium pipe 6,
and is coupled with the flow control valve 40 via a flow control device outlet pipe 45.
[0113]
The flow of the heat medium that flows into the indoor unit 300a of Embodiment
3 will be described. The heat medium that flows into the indoor unit 300a passes
through a third flow control device pipe connection portion 47a, a coupling pipe 48a, a
fourth flow control device pipe connection portion 49a, a first heat exchanger pipe
connection portion 32a, and a heat exchanger inlet pipe 33a, and then flows into an
indoor heat exchanger 30a. The heat medium flowing into the indoor heat
exchanger 30a cools air that passes through the indoor heat exchanger 30a in the
case of a cooling operation mode. The heat medium flowing into the indoor heat
exchanger 30a heats air that passes through the indoor heat exchanger 30a in the
case of a heating operation mode. Thereafter, the heat medium flows out from the
indoor heat exchanger 30a. The heat medium flowing out from the indoor heat
exchanger 30a passes through a heat exchanger outlet pipe 34a and a second heat
exchanger pipe connection portion 35a, and then flows into a flow control device 4a.
The heat medium flowing into the flow control device 4a passes through a first flow
control device pipe connection portion 43a, a flow control device inlet pipe 44a, a flow
UJUU;J I
P01172 control valve 40a, a flow control device outlet pipe 45a, and a second flow control device pipe connection portion 46a, and then flows into the second heat medium pipe
6.
[0114]
The description of the flow of the heat medium that flows into to an indoor unit
300b is substantially equal to the above-mentioned description of the heat medium
that flows into the indoor unit 300a except that the suffix for each component changes
from "a" to "b". Accordingly, the description of the flow of the heat medium that flows
into to the indoor unit 300b is omitted.
[0115] The first flow control device pipe connection portion 43 and the fourth flow
control device pipe connection portion 49 are exposed from the same side surface of
the flow control device casing 60. Further, the second flow control device pipe
connection portion 46 and the third flow control device pipe connection portion 47 are
exposed from the side surface of the flow control device casing 60 on a side opposite
to the side surface from which the first flow control device pipe connection portion 43
is exposed.
[0116]
The first flow control device pipe connection portion 43 can be connected with
the heat exchanger outlet pipe 34 via the second heat exchanger pipe connection
portion 35 by an existing pipe connecting method. The second flow control device
pipe connection portion 46 can be connected with the second heat medium pipe 6 by
an existing pipe connecting method. The third flow control device pipe connection
portion 47 can be connected with the first heat medium pipe 5 by an existing pipe
connecting method. The fourth flow control device pipe connection portion 49 can
be connected with the heat exchanger inlet pipe 33 via the first heat exchanger pipe
connection portion 32 by an existing pipe connecting method. The first heat medium
pipe 5, the second heat medium pipe 6, the heat exchanger inlet pipe 33, and the
heat exchanger outlet pipe 34 are not covered by the heat exchanger casing 50, so
that these pipes correspond to pipes external to the heat exchanger casing 50.
UJUU;J I
P01172
[0117]
The flow control device casing 60 includes a casing 61, a cover 62, and a box
shaped inner cover (not shown in the drawing). The box-shaped inner cover covers
the flow control valve 40, the inlet pressure sensor 41, the outlet pressure sensor 42,
the flow control device inlet pipe 44, the flow control device outlet pipe 45, and the
coupling pipe 48 (not shown in the drawing). It is preferable that the inner cover be
made of a material having thermal conductivity lower than the thermal conductivity of
the flow control device inlet pipe 44, the flow control device outlet pipe 45 and the
coupling pipe 48. Further, the casing 61 and the cover 62 cover the inner cover. In
Embodiment 3, the coupling pipe 48 is disposed at a position lower than the flow
control valve 40, the inlet pressure sensor 41, and the outlet pressure sensor 42.
[0118]
The casing 61 has the flow control device casing attaching portion 65 and a
signal wire lead-out port 66. The flow control device casing attaching portion 65 has
holes. In the same manner as Embodiment 1, the shaft portions of screws are
inserted into the holes of the flow control device casing attaching portion 65, and the
shaft portions of the screws are threadedly fitted to the heat exchanger casing
attaching portion having screw holes, so that the flow control device casing 60 is
attached to the heat exchanger casing 50. The signal wire lead-out port 66 has a
configuration substantially equal to the configuration of the signal wire lead-out port
66 of Embodiment 1 and hence, the repeated description will be omitted.
[0119]
As described above, the flow control device 4 according to Embodiment 3 is
configured to include the flow control device casing 60 and the flow control device
casing attaching portion 65, the flow control device casing 60 covering the flow
control valve 40, and the inlet pressure sensor 41 and the outlet pressure sensor 42
being flow information detection units, the flow control device casing attaching portion
being provided at the flow control device casing 60, and being configured to allow
the flow control device casing 60 to be attached to the outer side of the heat
exchanger casing 50. With the flow control device 4 having this configuration, it is
UJUU;J I
P01172 possible to obtain an advantageous effect that the flow control valve 40 and the flow
information detection units can be easily added to the indoor unit.
[0120]
As an optional configuration, to the configuration of the flow control device 4 of above-mentioned Embodiment 3, a configuration may be added where the coupling
pipe 48, the first flow control device pipe connection portion 43, the second flow
control device pipe connection portion 46, the third flow control device pipe
connection portion 47, and the fourth flow control device pipe connection portion 49
are included, the coupling pipe 48 being covered by the flow control device casing 60,
each of the first flow control device pipe connection portion 43, the second flow
control device pipe connection portion 46, the third flow control device pipe
connection portion 47, and the fourth flow control device pipe connection portion 49
being connectable with a pipe external to the flow control device casing 60, the first
flow control device pipe connection portion 43 and the second flow control device
pipe connection portion 46 are coupled with each other via the flow control valve 40,
and the third flow control device pipe connection portion 47 and the fourth flow control
device pipe connection portion 49 are coupled with each other via the coupling pipe
48. With this added configuration, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect
that the flow control device 4 with a reduced size can be attached to the heat
exchanger casing 50 without forming the opening 59 in the heat exchanger casing 50
unlike the indoor unit 300 of Embodiment 2.
[0121]
As an optional configuration, to the configuration of the flow control device 4
according to above-mentioned Embodiment 3, a configuration may be added where
the flow control device inlet pipe 44, the flow control device outlet pipe 45, and the
coupling pipe 48 are included, the flow control device casing 60 includes the inner
cover made of a material having thermal conductivity lower than the thermal
conductivity of the flow control device inlet pipe 44, the flow control device outlet pipe
, and the coupling pipe 48, and the flow control device inlet pipe 44, the flow control
device outlet pipe 45, the coupling pipe 48, and the flow control valve 40 are covered
UJUU;J I
P01172 by the inner cover. With this added configuration, it is possible to obtain an
advantageous effect of preventing the heat medium flowing through the flow control
device 4 from releasing heat to or receiving heat from the outside of the flow control
device 4.
[0122]
As an optional configuration, to the configuration of the flow control device 4
according to above-mentioned Embodiment 3, a configuration may be added where
an inflow pipe and an outflow pipe are included, the heat medium that flows into the
indoor heat exchanger 30 flowing through the inflow pipe, the heat medium that flows
out from the indoor heat exchanger 30 flowing through the outflow pipe, and the flow
control device casing 60 covers the inflow pipe and outflow pipe. In Embodiment 3, the coupling pipe 48 corresponds to the inflow pipe, and the flow control device inlet
pipe 44 and the flow control device outlet pipe 45 correspond to the outflow pipes.
With this configuration, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that the flow
control device 4 can be attached at a position in the vicinity of where the heat medium
flows into and flows out from the heat exchanger casing 50 and hence, the size of the
indoor unit 300 can be reduced.
[0123]
As an optional configuration, to the configuration of the flow control device 4
according to above-mentioned Embodiment 3, a configuration may be added where
the coupling pipe 48 is included, the coupling pipe 48 being the inflow pipe through
which the heat medium that flows into the indoor heat exchanger 30 flows, and the
coupling pipe 48 is disposed at a position lower than the flow control valve 40, the
inlet pressure sensor 41, and the outlet pressure sensor 42. With this added
configuration, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that dew condensation
generated on the coupling pipe 48 is prevented from dropping on the flow control
valve 40, the inlet pressure sensor 41, and the outlet pressure sensor 42, so that the
deterioration of the devices can be suppressed.
[0124]
The indoor unit 300 according to Embodiment 3 is configured to include the
UJUU;J I
P01172 indoor heat exchanger 30, the heat exchanger casing 50 that covers the indoor heat
exchanger 30, and the flow control device 4 having the configuration according to
above-mentioned Embodiment 1. With this configuration, in the same manner as the
flow control device 4 having the configuration according to above-mentioned
Embodiment 3, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that the flow control
valve 40, the inlet pressure sensor 41, and the outlet pressure sensor 42 can be
easily added to the indoor unit.
[0125]
The air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 3 is configured to
include the indoor units 300 according to above-mentioned Embodiment 3, and the
heat source apparatus 200 that heats or cools the heat medium. With this
configuration, in the same manner as the indoor unit 300 according to above
mentioned Embodiment 3, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that the flow
control valve 40, the inlet pressure sensor 41, and the outlet pressure sensor 42 can
be easily added to the indoor unit.
[0126]
The air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 3 has the
configuration where the inlet pressure sensor 41 detects the pressure of the heat
medium flowing out from the indoor heat exchanger 30. However, the configuration
is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a configuration where the inlet
pressure sensor 41 detects the pressure of the heat medium that flows into the indoor
heat exchanger 30 may be adopted, such as a configuration where the inlet pressure
sensor 41 is provided at the coupling pipe 48. With this configuration, the degree of
freedom in the arrangement of the inlet pressure sensor 41 is increased and hence, it
is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that the size of the flow control device 4
can be further reduced. The heat medium flowing through the coupling pipe 48 flows
into the flow control valve 40 after passing through the indoor heat exchanger 30, so
that such a heat medium also corresponds to the heat medium that flows into the flow
control valve 40.
[0127]
UJUU;J I
P01172 However, as described in Embodiment 2, there is a pressure loss generated
when the heat medium passes through the indoor heat exchanger 30. Accordingly, with the addition of a configuration where the inlet pressure sensor 41 detects the
pressure of the heat medium during a period from a point where the heat medium
flows out from the indoor heat exchanger 30 to a point where the heat medium flows
into the flow control valve 40, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that the
flow rate of the heat medium that flows into the flow control valve 40 can be
calculated more accurately.
[0128]
The air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 3 has the
configuration where the inlet pressure sensor 41 and the outlet pressure sensor 42
are used as the flow information detection units. However, the configuration is not
limited to such a configuration, and a configuration may be adopted where another
flow information detection unit, such as a flowmeter, is used as described in
Embodiment 1.
[0129]
However, as described in Embodiment 1, with the addition of the configuration
where the inlet pressure sensor 41 and the outlet pressure sensor 42 are used as the
flow information detection units, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that
the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the flow control valve 40 can be
detected at a low cost.
[0130]
The air-conditioning apparatus 100 of Embodiment 3 has the configuration
where the heat medium flowing out from the indoor heat exchanger 30 flows into the
flow control valve 40. However, the configuration is not limited to such a
configuration. For example, a configuration where the heat medium flowing out from
the flow control valve 40 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 30 may be adopted,
such as a configuration where the first flow control device pipe connection portion 43
and the second flow control device pipe connection portion 46 are coupled with each
other via the coupling pipe 48, and the third flow control device pipe connection
UJUU;J I
P01172 portion 47 and the fourth flow control device pipe connection portion 49 are coupled
with each other via the flow control valve 40.
[0131]
However, as described in Embodiment 1, with the addition of the configuration
where the heat medium flowing out from the indoor heat exchanger 30 flows into the
flow control valve 40, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that the
deterioration of the flow control valve 40 caused by a low temperature or a high
temperature can be suppressed.
[0132]
Further, as described in Embodiment 1, the followings are also applicable to
the indoor unit 300 of Embodiment 3. A configuration may be adopted where the
flow control device 4 is provided at the outer side of the heat exchanger casing 50.
A configuration may be adopted where the flow control device 4 is attached to the
indoor unit body 3 by another existing attachment method. The heat exchanger
casing attaching portions are not indispensable components.
Reference Signs List
[0133]
1 outdoor unit 2 relay device 3 (3a, 3b) indoor unit body 4 (4a, 4b) flow
control device 5 first heat medium pipe 6 second heat medium pipe 7 first
heat-source-side refrigerant pipe 8 second heat-source-side refrigerant pipe 9
(9a, 9b) connection pipe 10 compressor 11 flow passage switching device 12
expansion device 13 outdoor heat exchanger 14 accumulator 15 outdoor fan
16 outdoor unit pipe 17 first outdoor unit pipe connection portion 18
second outdoor unit pipe connection portion 20 heat medium heat exchanger 21
pump 22 first relay device refrigerant pipe 23 second relay device refrigerant pipe
24 first relay device heat medium pipe 25 second relay device heat medium
pipe 26 first relay device refrigerant pipe connection portion 27 second relay
device refrigerant pipe connection portion 28 first relay device heat medium pipe
connection portion 29 second relay device heat medium pipe connection portion 30
(30a, 30b) indoor heat exchanger 31 (31a, 31b) indoor fan 32 (32a, 32b) first
UJUU;J I
P01172 heat exchanger pipe connection portion 33 (33a, 33b) heat exchanger inlet pipe 34 (34a, 34b) heat exchanger outlet pipe 35 (35a, 35b) second heat exchanger pipe connection portion 36 air vent valve 40 (40a, 40b) flow control valve 41 (41a, 41b) inlet pressure sensor 42 (42a, 42b) outlet pressure sensor 43
(43a, 43b) first flow control device pipe connection portion 44 (44a, 44b) flow
control device inlet pipe 45 (45a, 45b) flow control device outlet pipe 46 (46a, 46b)
second flow control device pipe connection portion 47 (47a, 47b) third flow control
device pipe connection portion 48 (48a, 48b) coupling pipe 49 (49a, 49b) fourth
flow control device pipe connection portion 50 (50a, 50b) heat exchanger casing 51
side surface portion 52 top surface portion 53 panel 54 air inlet portion 55
air outlet portion 56 fixing fitting 57 air vent valve cover 58 heat exchanger
casing attaching portion 59 opening 60 (60a, 60b) flow control device casing 61
casing 62 cover 63 inner cover 64 drain pan 65 flow control device
casing attaching portion 66 signal wire lead-out port 70 screw 81 outdoor unit
control device 82 relay device control device 83 (83a, 83b) indoor unit control
device 90 fastener 100 air-conditioning apparatus 200 heat source apparatus
300 (300a, 300b) indoor unit

Claims (18)

  1. UJUU;J I
    P01172 CLAIMS
    [Claim 1] A flow control device comprising:
    a flow control valve configured to control a flow rate of a heat medium that
    flows into a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the heat medium
    and air to be sent to an air-conditioning target space;
    a flow information detection unit configured to detect information relating to a flow rate of the heat medium that passes through the flow control valve;
    a flow control device casing configured to cover the flow control valve and the
    flow information detection unit; and
    an attaching portion provided at the flow control device casing, and configured
    to allow the flow control device casing to be attached to an outer side of a heat
    exchanger casing that covers the heat exchanger.
  2. [Claim 2]
    The flow control device of claim 1, wherein the flow information detection unit
    includes
    an inlet pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure of the heat medium
    that flows into the flow control valve, and
    an outlet pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure of the heat medium
    that flows out from the flow control valve.
  3. [Claim 3]
    The flow control device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the flow control device casing has a signal wire lead-out port for leading out, to an outside of the flow control
    device casing, a signal wire connected with the flow control valve and a signal wire
    connected with the flow information detection unit.
  4. [Claim 4]
    The flow control device of any one of claims 1 to 3 comprising:
    a flow control device inlet pipe covered by the flow control device casing, and
    allowing the heat medium that flows into the flow control valve flowing therethrough;
    and
    UJUU;J I
    P01172 a flow control device outlet pipe covered by the flow control device casing, the heat medium that flows out from the flow control valve flowing through the flow control
    device outlet pipe, wherein
    the flow control device casing includes an inner cover made of a material
    having thermal conductivity lower than thermal conductivity of the flow control device
    inlet pipe and thermal conductivity of the flow control device outlet pipe, and
    the flow control device inlet pipe, the flow control device outlet pipe, and the
    flow control valve are covered by the inner cover.
  5. [Claim 5]
    The flow control device of claim 4, wherein the flow control device outlet pipe is
    disposed at a position lower than the flow control valve and the flow information
    detection unit.
  6. [Claim 6]
    An indoor unit comprising:
    a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between a heat medium and air
    to be sent to an air-conditioning target space;
    a flow control valve configured to control a flow rate of the heat medium that
    flows into the heat exchanger;
    a flow information detection unit configured to detect information relating to a
    flow rate of the heat medium that passes through the flow control valve;
    a heat exchanger casing configured to cover the heat exchanger;
    a flow control device casing configured to cover the flow control valve and the
    flow information detection unit; and
    an attaching portion provided at the flow control device casing, and configured
    to allow the flow control device casing to be attached to an outer side of the heat
    exchanger casing.
  7. [Claim 7]
    The indoor unit of claim 6 comprising:
    a heat exchanger pipe connection portion exposed from the heat exchanger
    casing, connectable with a pipe external to the heat exchanger casing, and coupled to
    UJjUV I P01172 the heat exchanger;
    a flow control device pipe connection portion exposed from the flow control
    device casing, connectable with a pipe external to the flow control device casing, and
    coupled with the flow control valve; and
    a connection pipe, one end portion of the connection pipe being connected with
    the heat exchanger pipe connection portion, the other end portion of the connection
    pipe being connected with the flow control device pipe connection portion.
  8. [Claim 8]
    The indoor unit of claim 6 comprising:
    an inflow pipe through which the heat medium that flows into the heat
    exchanger flows; and
    an outflow pipe through which the heat medium that flows out from the heat
    exchanger flows, wherein
    the flow control device casing covers at least a portion of the inflow pipe and a
    portion of the outflow pipe.
  9. [Claim 9]
    The indoor unit of claim 8, wherein the inflow pipe is disposed at a position
    lower than the flow control valve and the flow information detection unit.
  10. [Claim 10]
    The indoor unit of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the heat exchanger casing has
    an opening that allows an inside and an outside of the heat exchanger casing to
    communicate with each other, and
    the flow control device casing covers the opening.
  11. [Claim 11]
    The indoor unit of claim 10, wherein a portion of the inflow pipe and a portion of
    the outflow pipe are covered by the heat exchanger casing, and
    an other portion of the inflow pipe and an other portion of the outflow pipe
    protrude to the outside of the heat exchanger casing from the opening, and are
    covered by the flow control device casing.
  12. [Claim 12]
    UJUU;J I
    P01172 The indoor unit of either one of claim 10 or 11, wherein the flow information
    detection unit is an outlet pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure of the heat
    medium that flows out from the flow control valve, and
    an inlet pressure sensor is included, the inlet pressure sensor being covered by
    the heat exchanger casing, and detecting a pressure of the heat medium that flows
    into the flow control valve.
  13. [Claim 13]
    The indoor unit of any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the flow information
    detection unit includes
    an inlet pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure of the heat medium
    that flows into the flow control valve, and
    an outlet pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure of the heat medium
    that flows out from the flow control valve.
  14. [Claim 14]
    The indoor unit of any one of claims 6 to 13, wherein the heat medium flowing
    out from the heat exchanger flows into the flow control valve.
  15. [Claim 15]
    The indoor unit of claim 14 as dependent on claim 12 or 13, wherein the inlet
    pressure sensor detects a pressure of the heat medium during a period from a point
    where the heat medium flows out from the heat exchanger to a point where the heat
    medium flows into the flow control valve.
  16. [Claim 16]
    The indoor unit of any one of claims 6 to 15, wherein the heat exchanger
    casing includes a side surface portion that covers a side portion of the heat
    exchanger, and
    the attaching portion is configured to allow the flow control device casing to be
    attached to the side surface portion.
  17. [Claim 17]
    An air-conditioning apparatus comprising:
    a heat source apparatus configured to heat or cool a heat medium;
    UJUU;J I
    P01172 a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the heat medium that
    is heated or cooled by the heat source apparatus and air to be sent to an air
    conditioning target space;
    a flow control valve configured to control a flow rate of the heat medium that
    flows into the heat exchanger;
    a flow information detection unit configured to detect information relating to a
    flow rate of the heat medium that passes through the flow control valve;
    a heat exchanger casing configured to cover the heat exchanger;
    a flow control device casing configured to cover the flow control valve and the
    flow information detection unit; and
    an attaching portion provided at the flow control device casing, and configured
    to allow the flow control device casing to be attached to an outer side of the heat
    exchanger casing.
  18. [Claim 18]
    The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 17, wherein the heat medium that is
    heated or cooled by the heat source apparatus flows into the flow control valve after
    passing through the heat exchanger.
AU2018437601A 2018-08-21 2018-08-21 Flow control device, indoor unit and air-conditioning apparatus Active AU2018437601C1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/JP2018/030746 WO2020039490A1 (en) 2018-08-21 2018-08-21 Flow rate regulation device, indoor machine, and air conditioner

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
AU2018437601A1 true AU2018437601A1 (en) 2021-01-14
AU2018437601B2 AU2018437601B2 (en) 2022-04-28
AU2018437601C1 AU2018437601C1 (en) 2022-10-06

Family

ID=69592078

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU2018437601A Active AU2018437601C1 (en) 2018-08-21 2018-08-21 Flow control device, indoor unit and air-conditioning apparatus

Country Status (4)

Country Link
JP (1) JP7034301B2 (en)
AU (1) AU2018437601C1 (en)
DE (1) DE112018007922T5 (en)
WO (1) WO2020039490A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2021176597A1 (en) * 2020-03-04 2021-09-10 三菱電機株式会社 Air conditioner and air discharge method of air conditioner

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS58135612U (en) * 1982-03-05 1983-09-12 トヨタ自動車株式会社 air conditioner
JPH0422177Y2 (en) * 1986-12-27 1992-05-20
JPH07158935A (en) * 1993-12-07 1995-06-20 Matsushita Seiko Co Ltd Fan coil unit
JP2000007519A (en) * 1998-06-24 2000-01-11 Noevir Co Ltd Lotion for improving dark circle under eye
JP4104218B2 (en) 1998-08-28 2008-06-18 三洋電機株式会社 Air conditioner
JP2001004167A (en) 1999-06-18 2001-01-12 Fujitsu General Ltd Dehumidifier
CA2711802C (en) * 2007-01-10 2016-08-16 John C. Karamanos Embedded heat exchanger for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (hvac) systems and methods
US8869549B2 (en) 2009-10-19 2014-10-28 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Heat medium relay unit and air-conditioning apparatus
GB2528890B (en) * 2014-08-01 2019-03-06 Arup Ventures Ltd Air conditioning unit

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2018437601C1 (en) 2022-10-06
WO2020039490A1 (en) 2020-02-27
JP7034301B2 (en) 2022-03-11
DE112018007922T5 (en) 2021-04-29
JPWO2020039490A1 (en) 2021-02-15
AU2018437601B2 (en) 2022-04-28

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP4588728B2 (en) Air conditioner
EP2420711B1 (en) Valve block and valve block unit
EP2000751B1 (en) Refrigeration air conditioning device
KR101101946B1 (en) Refrigeration apparatus
WO2013099047A1 (en) Air conditioner
US8020395B2 (en) Air conditioning apparatus
US7578137B2 (en) Air-conditioning system with multiple indoor and outdoor units and control system therefor
EP2960602A1 (en) Air conditioner
JP5036790B2 (en) Air conditioner
EP3312528A1 (en) Air conditioner
EP2762805B1 (en) Air-conditioning device
CN109804209A (en) Air-conditioning device
AU2020290866A1 (en) Refrigerant cycle apparatus
WO2008032581A1 (en) Refrigeration device
JP2007225265A (en) Refrigerating unit
AU2015364901B2 (en) Air conditioning apparatus
JP6479181B2 (en) Air conditioner
JPH06201176A (en) Air-conditioner
AU2018437601B2 (en) Flow control device, indoor unit and air-conditioning apparatus
JPH09280681A (en) Air conditioner
WO2001081834A1 (en) Branch unit for air conditioner
JP5217710B2 (en) Air conditioner
JP2021050907A (en) Air conditioner
KR100706207B1 (en) Method fot controlling operation of a multi air conditioner system
WO2020250987A1 (en) Refrigerant cycle system

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
DA3 Amendments made section 104

Free format text: THE NATURE OF THE AMENDMENT IS: AMEND THE INVENTION TITLE TO READ FLOW CONTROL DEVICE, INDOOR UNIT AND AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS

DA2 Applications for amendment section 104

Free format text: THE NATURE OF THE AMENDMENT IS AS SHOWN IN THE STATEMENT(S) FILED 31 MAY 2022

DA3 Amendments made section 104

Free format text: THE NATURE OF THE AMENDMENT IS AS SHOWN IN THE STATEMENT FILED 31 MAY 2022

FGA Letters patent sealed or granted (standard patent)