CN110476036B - Heat exchanger and refrigeration cycle device provided with same - Google Patents

Abstract

The outdoor heat exchanger (9) is provided with a main heat exchange unit (11) in which a 1 st heat transfer tube (21) is disposed, and a sub heat exchange unit (12) in which a 2 nd heat transfer tube (23) is disposed. A flow path section (30) through which a refrigerant flows is provided between one end side of the 1 st heat transfer tube (21) and one end side of the 2 nd heat transfer tube (23). The flow path section (30) is formed by a plate-like body (31), a plate-like body (32), and a plate-like body (33). The plate-like body (31) is provided with outflow/inflow holes (51, 53). Refrigerant passages (41, 42) are formed in the plate-like body (32). The refrigerant passages (41, 42) have lower end sides communicating with the outflow/inflow hole (53) and upper end sides communicating with the outflow/inflow hole (51). The plate-shaped body (33) is laminated on the plate-shaped body (32) so as to cover the refrigerant passages (41, 42) from the side opposite to the side of the plate-shaped body (32) where the refrigerant passages (41, 42) communicate with the outflow/inflow holes (51, 53).

Description

Heat exchanger and refrigeration cycle device provided with same

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger and a refrigeration cycle apparatus including the same, and more particularly, to a heat exchanger including a main heat exchange unit and an auxiliary heat exchange unit, and a refrigeration cycle apparatus including such a heat exchanger.

Background

In general, in a heat pump device such as an air conditioner, a car air conditioner, or the like, when a heat exchanger is used to lower the temperature of air, the heat exchanger is called an evaporator or an evaporator. A two-phase refrigerant in which a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant are mixed flows into a heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator. The densities of the gaseous refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant differ by about tens of times.

In the heat exchanger, the refrigerant in the two-phase state that flows in mainly absorbs heat of air, and the liquid refrigerant evaporates and changes phase to a gas refrigerant. In this way, single-phase gas refrigerant is sent from the heat exchanger. The heat absorbed when the liquid refrigerant changes phase to a gaseous refrigerant is called latent heat. The air absorbs this latent heat to become cold air, and is sent out from the heat exchanger.

On the other hand, in the case where a heat exchanger is used to raise the temperature of air, the heat exchanger is called a condenser or a condensing device. The high-temperature, high-pressure, single-phase gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows into the heat exchanger functioning as a condenser.

In the heat exchanger, the air absorbs heat of the single-phase gas refrigerant flowing thereinto, and the gas refrigerant is condensed and phase-changed into a single-phase liquid refrigerant. The single phase liquid refrigerant is further subcooled. In this way, the single-phase liquid refrigerant in the supercooled state is sent from the heat exchanger. The heat released when the gaseous refrigerant changes phase to the liquid refrigerant is called latent heat. The heat released when a single-phase liquid refrigerant is supercooled is called sensible heat. The air absorbs the latent heat and sensible heat to become warm air, and is sent out from the heat exchanger.

In a conventional heat pump device or the like, a heat exchanger is operated in a simple cycle operation in which a refrigerant flows in one direction and in a reverse cycle operation in which a refrigerant flows in a direction opposite to the one direction, and can be used for both an evaporator and a condenser. Therefore, in the case where the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger is branched into three branches and flows in parallel, for example, even when the heat exchanger functions as both an evaporator and a condenser, the refrigerant is generally branched into three branches and flows in parallel in the heat exchanger.

However, in order to maximize the performance as a heat exchanger, when the heat exchanger is caused to function as a condenser, it is effective to reduce the number of refrigerant branches and use the refrigerant in a state where the flow rate is high. On the other hand, when the heat exchanger is caused to function as an evaporator, it is effective to increase the number of refrigerant branches and use the refrigerant in a state where the flow rate is slow. This is because in the condenser, heat transfer depending on the refrigerant flow rate is dominant for heat exchange performance, and in the evaporator, reduction of pressure loss depending on the refrigerant flow rate is dominant for heat exchange performance.

In order to improve both the performance as a condenser and the performance as an evaporator, for example, patent document 1 proposes a heat exchanger in which one heat exchanger is divided into two parts, i.e., a main heat exchange unit and a sub heat exchange unit. In this heat exchanger, the number of refrigerant paths in the main heat exchange unit and the number of refrigerant paths in the sub heat exchange unit are set to be different. Therefore, in the heat exchanger, a flow path member for collecting or branching the flow paths of the refrigerant is required between the main heat exchange unit and the sub heat exchange unit.

When such a heat exchanger is caused to function as an evaporator, the pressure loss of the refrigerant is high in the sub heat exchange unit, but the pressure loss of the refrigerant can be reduced in the main heat exchange unit. On the other hand, when such a heat exchanger is caused to function as a condenser, the flow velocity of the refrigerant is low in the main heat exchange portion, but the flow velocity of the refrigerant can be increased in the sub heat exchange portion. As described above, the proposed heat exchanger can exhibit both heat exchange performance as an evaporator and heat exchange performance as a condenser.

Prior art documents

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2016-161239

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

As described above, in the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger is divided into the main heat exchange unit and the sub heat exchange unit in order to effectively exhibit the heat exchange performance both when functioning as the evaporator and when functioning as the condenser.

The present invention has been made in one loop of such development, and it is an object to provide a heat exchanger that achieves further reduction in production cost, and another object to provide a refrigeration cycle apparatus provided with such a heat exchanger.

Means for solving the problems

The heat exchanger of the present invention has a 1 st heat exchange unit, a 2 nd heat exchange unit, and a flow path unit. The 1 st heat exchanger has a 1 st heat transfer pipe. The 2 nd heat exchange unit is arranged in line with the 1 st heat exchange unit and has a 2 nd heat transfer pipe. The flow path section is connected between the 1 st heat exchange section and the 2 nd heat exchange section, and through which the working fluid flows. The flow path portion includes the 1 st plate-like body, the 2 nd plate-like body, and the 3 rd plate-like body. The 1 st plate-like body is formed with a plurality of working fluid outflow/inflow holes including a 1 st outflow/inflow hole and a 2 nd outflow/inflow hole connected to the 1 st heat exchange unit, respectively, and a 3 rd outflow/inflow hole and a 4 th outflow/inflow hole connected to the 2 nd heat exchange unit, respectively. The 2 nd plate-like body is laminated on the 1 st plate-like body, and the working fluid passage includes a 1 st passage and a 2 nd passage, the 1 st passage communicates with the 1 st outflow/inflow hole and the 4 th outflow/inflow hole to connect the 1 st outflow/inflow hole and the 4 th outflow/inflow hole, and the 2 nd passage communicates with the 2 nd outflow/inflow hole and the 3 rd outflow/inflow hole to connect the 2 nd outflow/inflow hole and the 3 rd outflow/inflow hole. The 3 rd plate-like body is laminated on the 2 nd plate-like body so as to cover the working fluid passage from the opposite side of the 2 nd plate-like body communicating with the working fluid outflow/inflow hole.

A refrigeration cycle apparatus of the present invention is a refrigeration cycle apparatus including the heat exchanger.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the heat exchanger of the present invention, the flow path portion connecting the 1 st heat exchange portion and the 2 nd heat exchange portion is formed by the 1 st plate-like body, the 2 nd plate-like body, and the 3 rd plate-like body, so that the production cost can be reduced.

According to the refrigeration cycle apparatus of the present invention, the production cost of the heat exchanger can be reduced, which contributes to reduction of the production cost of the refrigeration cycle apparatus.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to each embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a concept of a structure of an outdoor heat exchanger as an example of the heat exchanger according to each embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a connection relationship of refrigerant flow paths in the outdoor heat exchanger according to example 1 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of a flow path portion applied to the outdoor heat exchanger of example 1 in the same embodiment.

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the flow of the refrigerant in the flow path portion in the case where the outdoor heat exchanger of example 1 functions as an evaporator in the same embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a connection relationship of refrigerant flow paths in the outdoor heat exchanger of the comparative example.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a connection relationship of refrigerant flow paths in the outdoor heat exchanger according to example 2 in the same embodiment.

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of a flow path portion applied to the outdoor heat exchanger of example 2 in the same embodiment.

Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the flow of the refrigerant in the flow path portion in the case where the outdoor heat exchanger of example 2 functions as an evaporator in the same embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a connection relationship of refrigerant flow paths in the outdoor heat exchanger according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of a flow path portion applied to an outdoor heat exchanger in the same embodiment.

Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing the flow of the refrigerant in the flow path portion in the case where the outdoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator in the same embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing a connection relationship of refrigerant flow paths in the outdoor heat exchanger according to embodiment 3.

Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of a flow path portion applied to an outdoor heat exchanger in the same embodiment.

Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing the flow of the refrigerant in the flow path portion in the case where the outdoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator in the same embodiment.

Fig. 16 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a concept of a structure of an outdoor heat exchanger as an example of the heat exchanger according to embodiment 4.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing a connection relationship of refrigerant flow paths in the outdoor heat exchanger in the same embodiment.

Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of a flow path portion applied to an outdoor heat exchanger in the same embodiment.

Fig. 19 is an exploded perspective view showing the flow of the refrigerant in the flow path portion in the case where the outdoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator in the same embodiment.

Fig. 20 is a plan view showing a structure of one end side and a structure of the other end side of the sub heat exchange portion in the outdoor heat exchanger according to the comparative example.

Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing a connection relationship of refrigerant flow paths in the outdoor heat exchanger according to embodiment 5.

Fig. 22 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of a flow path portion applied to an outdoor heat exchanger in the same embodiment.

Fig. 23 is an exploded perspective view showing the flow of the refrigerant in the flow path portion in the case where the outdoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator in the same embodiment.

Fig. 24 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a concept of a structure of an outdoor heat exchanger as an example of the heat exchanger according to embodiment 6.

Fig. 25 is a perspective view showing a connection relationship of the refrigerant flow paths in the outdoor heat exchanger in the same embodiment.

Fig. 26 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of a flow path portion applied to an outdoor heat exchanger in the same embodiment.

Fig. 27 is an exploded perspective view showing the flow of the refrigerant in the flow path portion in the case where the outdoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator in the same embodiment.

Detailed Description

First, the overall configuration (refrigerant circuit) of a refrigeration cycle apparatus to which the heat exchanger according to each embodiment is applied will be described. Here, a refrigeration cycle apparatus including one outdoor heat exchanger and one indoor heat exchanger, such as a home indoor air conditioner or a packaged air conditioner (packaged air conditioner) for a shop or an office, is exemplified.

As shown in fig. 1, the air-conditioning apparatus 1 includes a compressor 3, an indoor heat exchanger 5, an indoor fan 6, an expansion valve 7, an outdoor heat exchanger 9, an outdoor fan 13, and a four-way valve 15. The compressor 3, the indoor heat exchanger 5, the expansion valve 7, the outdoor heat exchanger 9, and the four-way valve 15 are connected by a refrigerant pipe 16.

Next, the outdoor heat exchanger 9 will be described as an example of the heat exchanger according to each embodiment. As shown in fig. 2, the outdoor heat exchanger 9 includes a main heat exchanger 11 as a 1 st heat exchanger and a sub heat exchanger 12 as a 2 nd heat exchanger. The main heat exchange unit 11 is disposed above the sub heat exchange unit 12. In the main heat exchange portion 11, the 1 st heat transfer pipe 21 having a flat cross-sectional shape with a major diameter and a minor diameter is disposed. Here, for example, sixteen 1 st heat transfer tubes 21 are arranged at intervals in the short diameter direction. The secondary heat exchange portion 12 is provided with flat type 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23. Here, for example, four 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 are arranged at intervals in the short diameter direction.

In order to identify the sixteenth heat transfer pipe 21, the number of layers from the bottom is determined. For example, the lowermost 1 st heat transfer pipe 21 is the 1 st heat transfer pipe 21 of the 1 st layer, and the uppermost 1 st heat transfer pipe 21 is the 1 st heat transfer pipe 21 of the 16 th layer. Similarly, in order to define the four 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23, the number of layers from below is defined. The number of the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21 and the number of the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 are examples, and are not limited to these numbers.

The outdoor heat exchanger 9 is provided with a flow path portion 30, and the flow path portion 30 is connected between one end side of the sixteenth heat transfer tube 1 and one end side of the four heat transfer tubes 2 23, and allows the refrigerant to flow therethrough. As described later, the flow path portion 30 is formed of a plate-like body. The other end side of the sixteenth heat transfer pipe 1 is connected to a refrigerant pipe 16, and the refrigerant pipe 16 is connected to the compressor 3 (four-way valve 15) (see fig. 1). The other end of the four 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 is connected to the refrigerant pipe 16, and the refrigerant pipe 16 is connected to the expansion valve 7 (see fig. 1).

Next, as the operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 described above, a case of the heating operation will be described first. By driving the compressor 3, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant is discharged from the compressor 3. The discharged high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant (single-phase) flows into the indoor heat exchanger 5 via the four-way valve 15. In the indoor heat exchanger 5, heat exchange is performed between the gas refrigerant flowing in and the air supplied by the indoor fan 6. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant is condensed into a high-pressure liquid refrigerant (single phase). By this heat exchange, the room is heated. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant sent from the indoor heat exchanger 5 passes through the expansion valve 7 to become a two-phase refrigerant of a low-pressure gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant.

The refrigerant in the two-phase state flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 9. The outdoor heat exchanger 9 functions as an evaporator. In the outdoor heat exchanger 9, heat is exchanged between the refrigerant in the two-phase state that flows in and the air supplied by the outdoor fan 13. The liquid refrigerant in the two-phase refrigerant evaporates to become a low-pressure gas refrigerant (single phase). The low-pressure gas refrigerant sent from the outdoor heat exchanger 9 flows into the compressor 3 via the four-way valve 15. The low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing into the compressor 3 is compressed to become a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant, and is discharged from the compressor 3 again. This cycle is repeated below.

Next, a case of the cooling operation will be described. By driving the compressor 3, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant is discharged from the compressor 3. The discharged high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant (single-phase) flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 9 via the four-way valve 15. The outdoor heat exchanger 9 functions as a condenser. In the outdoor heat exchanger 9, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant flowing in and the air supplied by the outdoor fan 13. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant is condensed into a high-pressure liquid refrigerant (single phase).

The high-pressure liquid refrigerant sent from the outdoor heat exchanger 9 passes through the expansion valve 7, and becomes a refrigerant in a two-phase state of a low-pressure gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant. The refrigerant in the two-phase state flows into the indoor heat exchanger 5. In the indoor heat exchanger 5, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant in the two-phase state that flows in and the air supplied by the indoor fan 6. The liquid refrigerant of the two-phase refrigerant evaporates to become a low-pressure gas refrigerant (single phase). By this heat exchange, the inside of the chamber is cooled. The low-pressure gas refrigerant sent from the indoor heat exchanger 5 flows into the compressor 3 via the four-way valve 15. The low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing into the compressor 3 is compressed to become a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant, and is discharged from the compressor 3 again. This cycle is repeated below.

Next, the flow of the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 9 will be described. First, a case of the heating operation will be described. In this case, the outdoor heat exchanger 9 functions as an evaporator. The two-phase refrigerant sent from the expansion valve 7 is branched into four flow paths by a distributor (not shown), and flows through the corresponding four 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 arranged in the sub heat exchange unit 12. The refrigerant flowing through the four 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 passes through the flow path portion 30 and flows through the corresponding sixteen 1 st heat transfer tubes 21 arranged in the main heat exchange portion 11. The refrigerant flowing through the sixteenth heat transfer tubes 21 1 merges by a distributor (not shown) and flows to the compressor 3 (four-way valve 15).

Next, a case of the cooling operation will be described. In this case, the outdoor heat exchanger 9 functions as a condenser. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant sent from the compressor 3 is branched into sixteen flow paths by a distributor (not shown), and flows through the sixteen corresponding heat transfer tubes 1 disposed in the main heat exchange portion 11. The refrigerant flowing through the sixteenth heat transfer tubes 1 passes through the flow path portions 30 and flows through the corresponding four heat transfer tubes 2 23 arranged in the sub heat exchange portion 12. The refrigerant flowing through the four 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 is merged by a distributor (not shown) and flows to the expansion valve 7.

In this way, in the outdoor heat exchanger 9, the refrigerant flows between the main heat exchange unit 11 and the sub heat exchange unit 12 through the flow path unit 30. In the outdoor heat exchanger 9 of each embodiment, the flow path portion 30 is formed by laminated plate bodies. The outdoor heat exchanger 9 provided with the flow path portion 30 will be specifically described below.

Embodiment mode 1

Here, description will be given of examples 1 and 2 in which the outdoor heat exchanger is configured such that the flow path portion is attached to the distributor provided in the outdoor heat exchanger.

(example 1)

First, the connection relationship of the flow paths of the refrigerant will be described. As shown in fig. 3, a distributor 17 is connected to one end side of sixteen 1 st heat transfer tubes 21 arranged in the main heat exchange portion 11. A distributor 18 is connected to one end side of the four 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 arranged in the sub heat exchange portion 12. The distributors 17 and 18 and the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21 and 23 are connected via a joint 59. An opening corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the flat 1 st heat transfer pipe 21 is formed at one end side of the joint 59. A circular opening is formed on the other end side of the joint 59. One end side of the joint 59 is connected to the 1 st heat transfer pipe 21 or the 2 nd heat transfer pipe 23, and the other end side of the joint 59 is connected to the distributor 17 or the distributor 18.

The dispenser 17 has a dispenser 17a and a dispenser 17 b. Of the sixteenth 1 st heat transfer tubes 21, the 1 st heat transfer tube 21 from the 9 th to the 16 th stages is connected to the distributor 17a, and the 1 st heat transfer tube 21 from the 1 st to the 8 th stages is connected to the distributor 17 b. The distributor 18 has a distributor 18a and a distributor 18 b. Of the four 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23, the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 of the 3 rd and 4 th layers are connected to the distributor 18a, and the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 of the 1 st and 2 nd layers are connected to the distributor 18 b.

The flow path portion 30 connects the distributor 17a and the distributor 18b, and connects the distributor 17b and the distributor 18 a. The flow path portion 30 includes a refrigerant passage 41 as a 1 st passage and a refrigerant passage 42 as a 2 nd passage. The distributor 17a and the distributor 18b are connected by a refrigerant passage 42. The distributor 17b and the distributor 18a are connected by a refrigerant passage 41. Both of the refrigerant passage 41 and the refrigerant passage 42 are formed as a single plate-like body.

Next, the structure of the flow path section 30 will be specifically described. As shown in fig. 4, the flow path portion 30 is formed of three plate-like bodies, namely, a plate-like body 31 as a 1 st plate-like body, a plate-like body 32 as a 2 nd plate-like body, and a plate-like body 33 as a 3 rd plate-like body. The plate-like body 31, the plate-like body 32, and the plate-like body 33 are stacked and bonded to each other by brazing. Two outflow inflow holes 51 and two outflow inflow holes 53 are formed in the plate-like body 31. Of the two outflow inlets 51, the upper outflow inlet 51 is connected to the distributor 17a, and the lower outflow inlet 51 is connected to the distributor 17 b. Of the two outflow inlets 53, the upper outflow inlet 53 is connected to the distributor 18a, and the lower outflow inlet 53 is connected to the distributor 18 b.

Two refrigerant passages 41, 42 are formed in the plate-like body 32. The refrigerant passages 41 and 42 are formed in the longitudinal direction so as to penetrate the plate-like body 32. The refrigerant passage 41 connects the distributor 17b (the 1 st heat transfer tube 21) and the distributor 18a (the 2 nd heat transfer tube 23). The refrigerant passage 42 connects the distributor 17a (1 st heat transfer pipe 21) and the distributor 18b (2 nd heat transfer pipe 23). The lower end side of the refrigerant passage 41 communicates with the outflow inlet hole 53 (the 4 th outflow inlet hole), and is connected to the 2 nd heat transfer pipe 23 via the outflow inlet hole 53 and the distributor 18 a. The upper end side of the refrigerant passage 41 communicates with the outflow/inflow hole 51 (the 1 st outflow/inflow hole), and is connected to the 1 st heat transfer tube 21 via the outflow/inflow hole 51 and the distributor 17 b. The lower end side of the refrigerant passage 42 communicates with the outflow/inflow hole 53 (the 3 rd outflow/inflow hole), and is connected to the 2 nd heat transfer tube 23 via the outflow/inflow hole 53 and the distributor 18 b. The upper end side of the refrigerant passage 42 communicates with the outflow/inflow hole 51 (the 2 nd outflow/inflow hole), and is connected to the 1 st heat transfer pipe 21 via the outflow/inflow hole 51 and the distributor 17 a.

The plate-like body 33 is laminated on the plate-like body 32 so as to cover the refrigerant passages 41 and 42 from the side opposite to the side of the plate-like body 32 communicating with the refrigerant passages 41 and 42 and the outflow inlets 51 and 53. The opposite side of the refrigerant passages 41, 42 to the side communicating with the outflow/inflow holes 51, 53 is closed by the plate-like member 33, and the refrigerant passages 41, 42 function as passages through which the refrigerant flows. That is, the plate-like body 33 serves as a cover for the refrigerant passages 41 and 42. The flow path portion 30 of the outdoor heat exchanger 9 is configured as described above.

Next, the flow of the refrigerant in the flow path portion 30 will be described. Here, as an example, the flow of the refrigerant in the case where the outdoor heat exchanger 9 functions as an evaporator (heating operation) will be described.

As described above, the two-phase refrigerant sent from the expansion valve 7 flows through the corresponding four 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 arranged in the sub heat exchange portion 12. As shown in fig. 3 and 5, of the refrigerants flowing through the four 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23, the refrigerants flowing through the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 in the 3 rd layer and the 4 th layer respectively flow into the distributor 18a through the joint 59 to join. The refrigerant flowing through the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 in the 1 st and 2 nd layers flows into the distributor 18b through the joint 59 and merges.

The refrigerant flowing into the distributor 18a flows into the refrigerant passage 41 through the outflow/inflow hole 53. The refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant passage 41 flows upward through the refrigerant passage 41, and flows into the distributor 17b from the outflow inflow hole 51. The refrigerant flowing into the distributor 17b is branched into eight flow paths, and flows through the joints 59 through the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21 disposed in the 1 st to 8 th stages of the main heat exchange unit 11.

On the other hand, the refrigerant flowing into the distributor 18b flows into the refrigerant passage 42 from the outflow/inflow hole 53. The refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant passage 42 flows upward through the refrigerant passage 42, and flows into the distributor 17a from the outflow inflow hole 51. The refrigerant flowing into the distributor 17a is branched into eight flow paths, and flows through the joints 59 into the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21 disposed in the 9 th to 16 th stages of the main heat exchange unit 11. The refrigerants having passed through the sixteen 1 st heat transfer tubes 21 merge together, and are then sent to the compressor 3 (four-way valve 15).

In the outdoor heat exchanger 9 described above, the flow path portion 30 is formed by the plate- like bodies 31, 32, and 33, which contributes to reduction in production cost. This will be described in comparison with the outdoor heat exchanger of the comparative example.

As shown in fig. 6, in the outdoor heat exchanger 9 of the comparative example, the distributor 18a and the distributor 17b are connected by the refrigerant pipe 141. The distributor 18b and the distributor 17a are connected by a refrigerant pipe 142. Note that, since the other configurations are the same as those of the outdoor heat exchanger 9 shown in fig. 3, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will not be repeated except where necessary.

When the outdoor heat exchanger 9 of the comparative example is caused to function as an evaporator (heating operation), the refrigerant flowing through the sub heat exchange unit 12 (the 2 nd heat transfer pipe 23) flows into the distributor 18(18a, 18 b). The refrigerant flowing into the distributor 18a flows through the refrigerant piping 141 and flows through the distributor 17b to the main heat exchanger 11(1 st heat transfer pipe 21). On the other hand, the refrigerant flowing into the distributor 18b flows through the refrigerant piping 142, passes through the distributor 17a, and flows through the main heat exchanger 11(1 st heat transfer tubes 21).

In the outdoor heat exchanger 9 of the comparative example, the distributor 17 connected to the main heat exchange unit 11 and the distributor 18 connected to the sub heat exchange unit 12 are connected to each other by two refrigerant pipes 141 and 142. Therefore, two refrigerant pipes 141 and 142 are required as members required for the outdoor heat exchanger.

In the outdoor heat exchanger 9 of embodiment 1, the distributor 17 connected to the main heat exchange unit 11 and the distributor 18 connected to the sub heat exchange unit 12 are connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 9 of the comparative example via the flow path unit 30 provided with the refrigerant paths 41 and 42. The flow path section 30 is formed by laminating a plate-like body 32, which is formed with a through portion to be the refrigerant paths 41 and 42, together with the plate-like body 31 and the plate-like body 33.

Thus, compared to the comparative example requiring two refrigerant pipes 141, 142, the main heat exchange unit 11 and the sub heat exchange unit 12 can be connected to each other by the single flow path unit 30 formed by laminating the plate- like bodies 31, 32, 33. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the outdoor heat exchanger 9 can be reduced. The outflow/inflow holes 51, 53 and the refrigerant passages 41, 42 can be formed by punching the plate- like bodies 31, 32, and the flow path portion 30 can be easily manufactured. This can also shorten the manufacturing period of the outdoor heat exchanger 9 as compared with the comparative example. Further, the flow path section 30 formed by stacking the plate-shaped bodies 31, 32, and 33 can contribute to downsizing of the outdoor heat exchanger 9 as a unit, as compared with the case where two refrigerant pipes 141 and 142 are arranged.

(example 2)

Next, the outdoor heat exchanger of example 2 will be explained. First, the connection relationship of the flow paths of the refrigerant will be described. As shown in fig. 7, the flow path section 30 connects the distributor 17a and the distributor 18b, and connects the distributor 17b and the distributor 18 a. The distributor 17a and the distributor 18b are connected by a refrigerant passage 42. The distributor 17b and the distributor 18a are connected by a refrigerant passage 41. The refrigerant passage 41 is formed as one plate-like body, and the refrigerant passage 42 is formed as the other plate-like body.

Next, the structure of the flow path section 30 will be specifically described. As shown in fig. 8, the flow path portion 30 is formed of five plate-like bodies including a plate-like body 32a and a plate-like body 32b as the 2 nd plate-like body, and a plate-like body 33a and a plate-like body 33b as the 3 rd plate-like body. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the flow path section 30 shown in fig. 3 and 4, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will not be repeated unless necessary.

The plate-like body 32a is provided with a refrigerant passage 41, and the plate-like body 32b is provided with a refrigerant passage 42. The plate-like body 33b is interposed between the plate- like bodies 32a and 32 b. The plate-like body 33b serves as a cover for the refrigerant passage 41. The plate-like body 33a serves as a cover for the refrigerant passage 42. The plate-like body 32a and the plate-like body 33b are respectively formed with a through hole 57 communicating with the outflow inlet hole 51 located above and a through hole 57 communicating with the outflow inlet hole 53 located below.

The refrigerant passage 41 connects the distributor 17b (the 1 st heat transfer tube 21) and the distributor 18a (the 2 nd heat transfer tube 23). The lower end side of the refrigerant passage 41 communicates with the outflow inlet hole 53, and is connected to the 2 nd heat transfer tube 23 via the outflow inlet hole 53 and the distributor 18 a. The upper end side of the refrigerant passage 41 communicates with the outflow inlet hole 51, and is connected to the 1 st heat transfer tube 21 via the outflow inlet hole 51 and the distributor 17 b. The refrigerant passage 42 connects the distributor 17a (1 st heat transfer pipe 21) and the distributor 18b (2 nd heat transfer pipe 23). The lower end side of the refrigerant passage 42 communicates with the through hole 57 and the outflow inlet hole 53, and is connected to the 2 nd heat transfer tube 23 via the through hole 57, the outflow inlet hole 53, and the distributor 18 b. The upper end side of the refrigerant passage 42 communicates with the through hole 57 and the outflow inlet hole 51, and is connected to the 1 st heat transfer tube 21 via the through hole 57, the outflow inlet hole 51, and the distributor 17 a.

Next, as an example of the flow of the refrigerant in the flow path portion 30, a description will be given of the flow of the refrigerant in a case where the outdoor heat exchanger 9 functions as an evaporator (heating operation). As described above, the two-phase refrigerant sent from the expansion valve 7 flows through the sub heat exchanger 12 (the 2 nd heat transfer pipe 23) and flows into the distributor 18a and the distributor 18 b.

As shown in fig. 7 and 9, the refrigerant flowing into the distributor 18a flows into the refrigerant passage 41 through the outflow/inflow hole 53. The refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant passage 41 flows upward through the refrigerant passage 41, and flows into the distributor 17b from the outflow inflow hole 51. On the other hand, the refrigerant flowing into the distributor 18b flows from the outflow/inflow hole 53 into the refrigerant passage 42 through the through hole 57. The refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant passage 42 flows upward through the refrigerant passage 42, passes through the through-holes 57, flows through the outflow/inflow holes 51, and flows into the distributor 17 a. The refrigerant flowing into the distributor 17a and the refrigerant flowing into the distributor 17b flow through the main heat exchange portion 11(1 st heat transfer pipe 21) and join together, and then are sent to the compressor 3 (four-way valve 15).

In the outdoor heat exchanger 9 of example 2 as well, the flow path portion 30 including the refrigerant paths 41 and 42 is formed of the plate- like bodies 31, 32a, 32b, 33a, and 33b in the same manner as in the outdoor heat exchanger 9 of example 1, and thus the production cost can be reduced. In addition, the manufacturing period of the outdoor heat exchanger 9 can be shortened. In addition, it can contribute to downsizing of the outdoor heat exchanger 9 as a unit.

Embodiment mode 2

Here, an example of an outdoor heat exchanger in which a flow path portion having a distribution function is attached will be described.

First, the connection relationship of the flow paths of the refrigerant will be described. As shown in fig. 10, the flow path portion 30 connects one end side of the sixteenth heat transfer pipe 1 disposed in the main heat exchange portion 11 and one end side of the four 2 nd heat transfer pipes 23 disposed in the sub heat exchange portion 12. The one end side of the 1 st heat transfer pipe 21 and the flow path portion 30 are connected via a joint 59. One end side of the 2 nd heat transfer pipe 23 and the flow path portion 30 are connected via a joint 59.

The flow path portion 30 includes a refrigerant passage 41 and a refrigerant passage 42. The 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 disposed in the 3 rd and 4 th layers of the sub heat exchanger 12 and the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21 disposed in the 1 st to 8 th layers of the main heat exchanger 11 are connected by refrigerant passages 41. The 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 disposed in the 1 st and 2 nd layers of the sub heat exchanger 12 and the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21 disposed in the 9 th to 16 th layers of the main heat exchanger 11 are connected by refrigerant passages 42.

The refrigerant passage 41 is formed as one plate-like body, and the refrigerant passage 42 is formed as the other plate-like body. The other configurations are the same as the outdoor heat exchanger 9 shown in fig. 7 and 8, and therefore the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will not be repeated unless necessary.

Next, the structure of the flow path section 30 will be specifically described. As shown in fig. 11, the flow path portion 30 is formed of five plate-like bodies, namely, a plate-like body 31, a plate-like body 32a, a plate-like body 33b, a plate-like body 32b, and a plate-like body 33 a. The plate-like body 31, the plate-like body 32a, the plate-like body 33b, the plate-like body 32b, and the plate-like body 33a are stacked and bonded to each other by brazing.

Sixteen outflow/inflow holes 51 and four outflow/inflow holes 53 are formed in the plate-like body 31. Eight outflow/inflow holes 51 from the top among the sixteen outflow/inflow holes 51 are connected to the corresponding 1 st heat transfer pipe 21 of the 9 th to 16 th layers among the sixteen 1 st heat transfer pipes 21. Eight outflow/inflow holes 51 from the bottom among the sixteen outflow/inflow holes 51 are connected to the 1 st heat transfer pipe 21 of the corresponding 1 st to 8 th layers among the sixteen 1 st heat transfer pipes 21, respectively.

Of the four outflow/inflow holes 53, two outflow/inflow holes 53 from the top are connected to the corresponding 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 of the 3 rd and 4 th layers among the four 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23, respectively. Of the four outflow/inflow holes 53, two outflow/inflow holes 53 from the bottom are connected to the corresponding 1 st and 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 among the four 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23, respectively.

The plate-like body 32a is formed with a refrigerant passage 41. The refrigerant passage 41 connects the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21 disposed in the 1 st to 8 th layers of the main heat exchanger 11 and the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 disposed in the 3 rd and 4 th layers of the sub heat exchanger 12. One end side of the refrigerant passage 41 communicates with eight outflow/inflow holes 51 from the bottom among the sixteen outflow/inflow holes 51, and is connected to the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21 of the corresponding 1 st to 8 th stages through the eight outflow/inflow holes 51. The other end side of the refrigerant passage 41 communicates with two outflow inlets 53 from the top among the four outflow inlets 53, and is connected to the corresponding 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 of the 3 rd and 4 th layers through the two outflow inlets 53.

The refrigerant passage 41 has a function of merging the refrigerant flowing through the plurality of 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 and branching the merged refrigerant toward the plurality of 1 st heat transfer tubes 21. Conversely, the refrigerant passage 41 has a function of merging the refrigerant flowing from the plurality of 1 st heat transfer tubes 21 and branching the merged refrigerant toward the plurality of 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23. The plate-like body 32a is formed with through holes 57 communicating with eight outflow/inflow holes 51 from the top of the sixteen outflow/inflow holes 51. In addition, the plate-like body 32a is formed with a through hole 57 communicating with two outflow inlet holes 53 from the bottom among the four outflow inlet holes 53.

The plate-like body 33b is laminated on the plate-like body 32a so as to cover the refrigerant passage 41 from the side opposite to the side of the plate-like body 32a communicating with the outflow inlets 51, 53 and the refrigerant passage 41. Ten through holes 57 that communicate with the ten through holes 57 formed in the plate-like body 32a are formed in the plate-like body 33 b.

The plate-like body 32b is formed with a refrigerant passage 42. The refrigerant passage 42 connects the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21 disposed in the 9 th to 16 th stages of the main heat exchanger 11 and the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 disposed in the 1 st and 2 nd stages of the sub heat exchanger 12. One end side of the refrigerant passage 42 communicates with eight through holes 57 formed in the plate- like bodies 32a and 33b from the top and eight outflow inlet holes 51 formed in the plate-like body 31 from the top, and is connected to the corresponding 1 st heat transfer tubes 21 of the 9 th to 16 th layers through the through holes 57 and the outflow inlet holes 51. The other end side of the refrigerant passage 42 communicates with two through holes 57 formed in the plate- like bodies 32a and 33b from below and two outflow inlet holes 53 formed in the plate-like body 31 from below, and is connected to the corresponding 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 of the 1 st and 2 nd layers through the through holes 57 and the outflow inlet holes 53.

The refrigerant passage 42 has a function of merging the refrigerant flowing through the plurality of 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 and branching the merged refrigerant toward the plurality of 1 st heat transfer tubes 21. Conversely, the refrigerant passage 42 has a function of merging the refrigerant flowing from the plurality of 1 st heat transfer tubes 21 and branching the merged refrigerant toward the plurality of 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23.

The plate-like body 33a is stacked on the plate-like body 32b so as to cover the refrigerant passage 42 from the side opposite to the side where the refrigerant passage 42 communicates with the through hole 57 and the outflow/inflow holes 51 and 53, serving as a cover for the plate-like body 32 b. The plate-like body 33b is stacked on the plate-like body 32a so as to cover the refrigerant passage 41 from the side opposite to the side where the refrigerant passage 41 communicates with the outflow inlets 51, 53, serving as a cover for the plate-like body 32 a.

Next, as an example of the flow of the refrigerant in the flow path portion 30, a description will be given of the flow of the refrigerant in a case where the outdoor heat exchanger 9 functions as an evaporator (heating operation). As described above, the two-phase refrigerant sent from the expansion valve 7 flows through the four 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 arranged in the sub heat exchange portion 12.

As shown in fig. 10 and 12, the refrigerant flowing through the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 disposed in the 3 rd and 4 th layers of the sub heat exchange portion 12 flows into the refrigerant passages 41 through the outflow/inflow holes 53 and merges. The merged refrigerant branches while flowing upward through the refrigerant passage 41, and flows through the 1 st to 8 th heat transfer tubes 21 arranged in the corresponding 1 st to 8 th layers of the main heat exchange portion 11 via the eight outflow/inflow holes 51 from the bottom.

The refrigerant flowing through the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 disposed in the 1 st and 2 nd layers of the sub heat exchange unit 12 flows into the refrigerant passage 42 through the outflow inlet holes 53 and the through holes 57 and merges. The merged refrigerant branches while flowing upward through the refrigerant passage 42, and flows through the corresponding 1 st heat transfer tubes 21 from the 9 th to the 16 th layers disposed in the main heat exchange portion 11 via the eight through holes 57 and the eight outflow inflow holes 51. The refrigerant flowing through the main heat exchange portion 11(1 st heat transfer tube 21) merges and is then sent to the compressor 3 (four-way valve 15).

In the outdoor heat exchanger 9 described above, the flow path portion 30 provided with the refrigerant paths 41 and 42 is formed by the plate- like bodies 31, 32a, 33b, 32b, and 33 a. The refrigerant passages 41 and 42 have a function of merging the refrigerants and a function of branching the refrigerants. Thus, the distributors 17 and 18 are not required as compared with the outdoor heat exchanger 9 described above, and the production cost can be further reduced. In addition, the outdoor heat exchanger 9 as a unit can be further downsized by eliminating the need for the distributors 17 and 18. Further, the work of assembling the distributors 17 and 18 is not required, and the manufacturing period of the outdoor heat exchanger 9 can be further shortened.

Embodiment 3

Here, as another example of the outdoor heat exchanger in which the flow path portion having the distribution function is mounted, an outdoor heat exchanger in which the 1 st heat transfer tube and the 2 nd heat transfer tube are directly connected to the flow path portion will be described.

First, the connection relationship of the flow paths of the refrigerant will be described. As shown in fig. 13, the flow path portion 30 connects one end side of the sixteenth heat transfer pipe 1 disposed in the main heat exchange portion 11 and one end side of the four 2 nd heat transfer pipes 23 disposed in the sub heat exchange portion 12. One end side of the 1 st heat transfer pipe 21 is directly connected to the flow path portion 30. One end side of the 2 nd heat transfer pipe 23 is directly connected to the flow path portion 30. Note that, since the connection relationship other than this is the same as that shown in fig. 10, the description thereof will not be repeated except when necessary.

Next, the structure of the flow path section 30 will be specifically described. As shown in fig. 14, the flow path portion 30 is formed of five plate-like bodies, namely, a plate-like body 31, a plate-like body 32a, a plate-like body 33b, a plate-like body 32b, and a plate-like body 33 a. The plate-like body 31, the plate-like body 32a, the plate-like body 33b, the plate-like body 32b, and the plate-like body 33a are stacked and bonded to each other by brazing. The sixteen inflow/outflow holes 51 and the four inflow/outflow holes 53 formed in the plate-like body 31 have respective opening shapes formed in flat shapes corresponding to the cross-sectional shapes of the flat 1 st heat transfer tube 21 and the flat 2 nd heat transfer tube 23. Since the configuration of the flow path section 30 other than this is the same as that of the flow path section 30 shown in fig. 11, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will not be repeated unless necessary.

Next, as an example of the flow of the refrigerant in the flow path portion 30, a simple description will be given of the flow of the refrigerant in a case where the outdoor heat exchanger 9 functions as an evaporator (heating operation).

As shown in fig. 13 and 15, the refrigerant flowing through the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 disposed in the 3 rd and 4 th layers of the sub heat exchange portion 12 flows directly into the outflow inlet holes 53, passes through the outflow inlet holes 53, flows into the refrigerant passages 41, and merges. The merged refrigerant branches while flowing upward through the refrigerant passage 41, passes through the eight outflow/inflow holes 51 from the bottom, and flows directly into the corresponding 1 st to 8 th heat transfer tubes 21 arranged in the main heat exchange portion 11.

On the other hand, the refrigerant flowing through the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 disposed in the 1 st and 2 nd layers of the sub heat exchanger 12 flows directly into the outflow inlet 53, flows into the refrigerant passage 42 through the outflow inlet 53 and the through holes 57, and merges. The merged refrigerant branches while flowing upward through the refrigerant passage 42, passes through the eight through holes 57 and the eight outflow inflow holes 51, and flows directly into the corresponding 1 st heat transfer tubes 21 from the 9 th to the 16 th layers disposed in the main heat exchange portion 11.

In the outdoor heat exchanger 9 described above, the plate-like bodies 31 are directly attached to the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21 and the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23, respectively. This eliminates the need for the joint 59, and accordingly, can further reduce the production cost. In addition, the outdoor heat exchanger 9 as a unit can be further downsized by eliminating the need for a joint. Further, the work of assembling the joint is not required, and the manufacturing period of the outdoor heat exchanger 9 can be further shortened.

Embodiment 4

Here, example 1 of an outdoor heat exchanger in which a plurality of rows of main heat exchange units and sub heat exchange units are arranged, respectively, will be described.

First, a concept of the structure of the outdoor heat exchanger will be explained. As shown in fig. 16, in the outdoor heat exchanger 9, the main heat exchange unit 11a and the sub heat exchange unit 12a are disposed in the 1 st column. In row 2, a main heat exchange unit 11b and a sub heat exchange unit 12b are arranged. The main heat exchange unit 11a and the sub heat exchange unit 12a are disposed on the upstream side. The main heat exchange unit 11b and the sub heat exchange unit 12b are disposed on the leeward side. The main heat exchange unit 11a and the sub heat exchange unit 12a, and the main heat exchange unit 11b and the sub heat exchange unit 12b are arranged in parallel. In fig. 16, for convenience of explanation of the structure of the outdoor heat exchanger 9, the main heat exchange unit 11a and the sub heat exchange unit 12a, and the main heat exchange unit 11b and the sub heat exchange unit 12b are shown in a separated state.

In the main heat exchanger 11a, sixteen 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a are arranged as the 1 st heat transfer tube 1 st portion. In the sub heat exchanger 12a, four 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23a are arranged as the 2 nd heat transfer tube 1 st portion. In the main heat exchanger 11b, sixteen 1 st heat transfer tubes 21b are arranged as the 1 st heat transfer tube 2 nd portion. In the sub heat exchanger 12b, four 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b are arranged as the 2 nd heat transfer tube 2 nd portion. The flow path portion 30 is disposed on one end side of each of the 1 st heat transfer tube 21a, the 2 nd heat transfer tube 23a, the 1 st heat transfer tube 21b, and the 2 nd heat transfer tube 23 b.

A return bend 61 is connected to the other end side of each of the 1 st heat transfer tube 21a, the 2 nd heat transfer tube 23a, the 1 st heat transfer tube 21b, and the 2 nd heat transfer tube 23 b. In the main heat exchange portion 11a (11b), the other end sides of the vertically adjacent 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a (21b) are connected to each other by the return bend 61, for example, in such a manner as to connect the 1 st heat transfer tube 21a (21b) of the 1 st layer and the 1 st heat transfer tube 21a (21b) of the 2 nd layer. In the sub heat exchange portion 12a (12b), the other end sides of the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23a (23b) adjacent to each other in the up-down direction are connected to each other by the return bend 61, for example, in a manner of connecting the 2 nd heat transfer tube 23a (23b) of the 1 st layer and the 2 nd heat transfer tube 23a (23b) of the 2 nd layer.

Next, the connection relationship of the flow paths of the refrigerant will be described. As shown in fig. 17, the flow path portion 30 connects a specific 1 st heat transfer tube 21a of the sixteenth heat transfer tubes 21a arranged in the main heat exchanger portion 11a to a specific 2 nd heat transfer tube 23b of the four 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b arranged in the sub heat exchanger portion 12 b. The 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a and the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b of the 1 st, 3 rd, 5 th, and 7 th layers are connected by the refrigerant passages 41, respectively. The 1 st heat transfer tube 21a and the 2 nd heat transfer tube 23b of the 1 st tier are connected by the refrigerant passages 42 in the 9 th, 11 th, 13 th, and 15 th tiers.

In the flow path portion 30, for example, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a and the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21b in the even-numbered stages, which are the same as the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a and the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21b in the 2 nd stage, are connected by the refrigerant passages 43 serving as the 3 rd passages. In the flow path portion 30, for example, the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23a and the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b of the even-numbered stages, which are the same as the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23a and the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b of the 2 nd stage, are connected by the refrigerant passages 43.

Next, the structure of the flow path section 30 will be specifically described. As shown in fig. 18, the flow path portion 30 is formed of seven plate-like bodies, namely, a plate-like body 31, a plate-like body 32c, a plate-like body 33c, a plate-like body 32a, a plate-like body 33b, a plate-like body 32b, and a plate-like body 33 a. The plate-like body 31, the plate-like body 32c, the plate-like body 33c, the plate-like body 32a, the plate-like body 33b, the plate-like body 32b, and the plate-like body 33a are stacked and bonded to each other by brazing.

Sixteen inflow and outflow holes 51a and 53a, sixteen inflow and outflow holes 51b and four inflow and outflow holes 53b are formed in the plate-like body 31. The outflow/inflow holes 51a are directly connected to the corresponding 1 st heat transfer tubes 21 a. The outflow/inflow holes 53a are directly connected to the corresponding 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 a. The outflow inflow holes 51b are directly connected to the corresponding 1 st heat transfer tubes 21b, respectively. The outflow/inflow holes 53b are directly connected to the corresponding 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 b.

The plate-like body 32c is formed with a refrigerant passage 43. The refrigerant passages 43 connect the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a and the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21b in the even-numbered stages in the same manner. The refrigerant passages 43 connect the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23a and the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b in the same even-numbered stage. The refrigerant passage 43 communicates with the outflow inlet hole 51a (the 5 th outflow inlet hole) and the outflow inlet hole 51b (the 6 th outflow inlet hole) in the even-numbered stages from the bottom. The refrigerant passage 43 communicates with the outflow inlet hole 53a and the outflow inlet hole 53b in the even-numbered stages from the bottom.

Further, the plate-like body 32c is formed with through holes 57 respectively communicating with the outflow inlet holes 51a (51b) from the lower odd-numbered stage and the through holes 57 respectively communicating with the outflow inlet holes 53a (53b) from the lower odd-numbered stage.

The plate-like body 33c is laminated on the plate-like body 32c so as to cover the refrigerant passage 43 from the side opposite to the side of the plate-like body 32c communicating with the outflow inflow holes 51a, 51b, 53a, and 53b through the refrigerant passage 43. Further, the plate-like body 33c has through holes 57, and the through holes 57 communicate with the through holes 57 formed in the plate-like body 32 c.

The plate-like body 32a is formed with a refrigerant passage 41. The refrigerant passages 41 connect the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a of the 1 st, 3 rd, 5 th and 7 th layers to the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b of the 3 rd layer. One end side of the refrigerant passage 41 communicates with the through-holes 57 formed in the plate- like bodies 33c, 32c and the outflow inlet holes 51a of the 1 st, 3 rd, 5 th and 7 th layers from the bottom, and is connected to the corresponding 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a through the through-holes 57 and the outflow inlet holes 51 a. The other end of the refrigerant passage 41 communicates with the through-holes 57 formed in the plate- like bodies 33c and 32c and the outflow inlet hole 53b from the lower 3 rd layer, and is connected to the corresponding 2 nd heat transfer tube 23b via the through-holes 57 and the outflow inlet hole 53 b. Further, the plate-like body 32a is formed with a through hole 57, and the through hole 57 communicates with a through hole 57 other than the through hole 57 communicating with the refrigerant passage 41 among the through holes 57 formed in the plate-like body 33 c.

The plate-like body 33b is stacked on the plate-like body 32a so as to cover the refrigerant passage 41 from the side opposite to the side where the refrigerant passage 41 communicates with the through hole 57 with respect to the plate-like body 32 a. Further, the plate-like body 33b has through holes 57, and the through holes 57 communicate with the through holes 57 formed in the plate-like body 32 a.

The plate-like body 32b is formed with a refrigerant passage 42. The refrigerant passages 42 connect the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a of the 9 th, 11 th, 13 th and 15 th layers and the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b of the 1 st layer. One end side of the refrigerant passage 42 communicates with the through-holes 57 formed in the plate- like bodies 33b, 32a, 33c, and 32c and the outflow/inflow holes 51a of the 9 th, 11 th, 13 th, and 15 th layers from the bottom, and is connected to the corresponding 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a through the through-holes 57 and the outflow/inflow holes 51 a. The other end side of the refrigerant passage 42 communicates with the through-holes 57 formed in the plate- like bodies 33b, 32a, 33c, and 32c and the outflow inlet hole 53b in the 1 st layer from the bottom, and is connected to the corresponding 2 nd heat transfer tube 23b via the through-holes 57 and the outflow inlet hole 53 b. Further, the plate-like body 32b is formed with a through hole 57, and the through hole 57 communicates with a through hole 57 other than the through hole 57 communicating with the refrigerant passage 42, among the through holes 57 formed in the plate-like body 33 b.

The plate-like body 33a is stacked on the plate-like body 32b so as to cover the refrigerant passage 42 from the side opposite to the side where the refrigerant passage 42 communicates with the through hole 57, with respect to the plate-like body 32 b. Further, the plate-like body 33a has through holes 57, and the through holes 57 communicate with the through holes 57 formed in the plate-like body 32 b. The refrigerant flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 9 or the refrigerant flows out of the outdoor heat exchanger 9 through the through holes 57 formed in the plate-like body 33 a.

Next, as an example of the flow of the refrigerant in the flow path portion 30, a description will be given of the flow of the refrigerant in a case where the outdoor heat exchanger 9 functions as an evaporator (heating operation).

As shown in fig. 17 and 19, first, the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 9 is branched into two channels by the distributor 19 b. The refrigerant flowing through the lower one of the two flow paths flows into the refrigerant passage 43 through the through holes 57, the outflow inflow holes 53a, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 23a, the return bends 61, the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23a of the 2 nd layer, and the outflow inflow holes 53 a. The refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 43 flows into the refrigerant passage 42 through the outflow/inflow holes 53b, the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b of the 2 nd layer, the return pipe 61, the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b of the 1 st layer, the outflow/inflow holes 53b, and the through holes 57.

The refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 42 is branched into four flow paths. For example, in the lowermost flow path, the refrigerant flows into the refrigerant passages 43 through the through holes 57, the outflow inflow holes 51a, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a of the 9 th layer, the return bends 61, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a of the 10 th layer, and the outflow inflow holes 51 a. The refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 43 flows into the distributor 19a through the outflow/inflow holes 51b, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21b of the 10 th layer, the return bends 61, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21b of the 9 th layer, the outflow/inflow holes 51b, and the through holes 57. Similarly, the other three flow paths flow into the distributor 19a through the corresponding 1 st heat transfer tube 21a, the refrigerant passage 43, the 1 st heat transfer tube 21b, and the like.

On the other hand, the refrigerant flowing through the upper one of the two flow paths branched by the distributor 19b flows into the refrigerant passage 43 through the through holes 57, the outflow inflow holes 53a, the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23a of the 3 rd stage, the return bends 61, the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23a of the 4 th stage, and the outflow inflow holes 53 a. The refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 43 flows into the refrigerant passage 41 through the outflow/inflow holes 53b, the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b of the 4 th layer, the return pipe 61, the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b of the 3 rd layer, the outflow/inflow holes 53b, and the through holes 57.

The refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 41 is branched into four flow paths. For example, in the lowermost flow path, the refrigerant flows into the refrigerant passages 43 through the through holes 57, the outflow inflow holes 51a, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a of the 1 st layer, the return bends 61, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a of the 2 nd layer, and the outflow inflow holes 51 a. The refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 43 flows into the distributor 19a through the outflow/inflow holes 51b, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21b of the 2 nd layer, the return bends 61, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21b of the 1 st layer, the outflow/inflow holes 51b, and the through holes 57. Similarly, the other three flow paths flow into the distributor 19a through the corresponding 1 st heat transfer tube 21a, the refrigerant passage 43, the 1 st heat transfer tube 21b, and the like. The refrigerant flowing into the distributor 19a merges together, and is then sent to the compressor 3 (four-way valve 15).

In the outdoor heat exchanger 9 described above, the flow path portion 30 including the refrigerant path 43 in addition to the refrigerant paths 41 and 42 is formed of the plate-like body 32c or the like. Thereby, further reduction in production cost can be achieved. This will be described in comparison with the outdoor heat exchanger of the comparative example.

In the outdoor heat exchanger of the comparative example, the sub heat exchange unit is shown in order to simply explain the difference in structure. As shown in fig. 20, the 2 nd heat transfer pipe 23a of the 2 nd layer of the sub heat exchanger 12a and the 2 nd heat transfer pipe 23b of the 2 nd layer of the sub heat exchanger 12b are connected by a U-bend 143. The 2 nd heat transfer tube 23a of the 4 th layer of the sub heat exchanger 12a and the 2 nd heat transfer tube 23b of the 4 th layer of the sub heat exchanger 12b are connected by a U-bend 143. The main heat exchanger includes a U-shaped bent pipe connected to the 1 st heat transfer pipe and the 1 st heat transfer pipe corresponding to each other. The other configurations are the same as those of the sub heat exchange unit 12 of the outdoor heat exchanger 9 shown in fig. 17 and the like, and therefore the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

In the outdoor heat exchanger of the comparative example, the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23a and the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b corresponding to each other are connected to each other through the refrigerant passages 43 formed in the flow path portion 30. Similarly, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a and the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21b corresponding to each other are connected by the refrigerant passages 43. Therefore, the U-shaped bent pipe is not needed, and the production cost can be further reduced. In addition, the outdoor heat exchanger 9 as a unit can be further downsized by eliminating the need for the U-bend. Further, the work of assembling the U-bend is not required, and the manufacturing period of the outdoor heat exchanger 9 can be further shortened.

Embodiment 5

Here, example 2 of the outdoor heat exchanger in which the main heat exchange unit and the sub heat exchange unit are arranged in a plurality of rows will be described.

First, the connection relationship of the flow paths of the refrigerant will be described. As shown in fig. 21, the flow path portion 30 connects a specific 1 st heat transfer tube 21a of the sixteenth heat transfer tubes 21a arranged in the main heat exchanger portion 11a to a specific 2 nd heat transfer tube 23b of the four 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b arranged in the sub heat exchanger portion 12 b. The flow path portion 30 includes refrigerant passages 41, 42, 43 and refrigerant passages 45, 46. The 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23a of the 1 st and 3 rd layers are connected to the refrigerant passage 45. The 1 st heat transfer tubes 21b of the 1 st, 3 rd, 5 th, 7 th, 9 th, 11 th, 13 th, and 15 th layers are connected to the refrigerant passages 46.

Next, the structure of the flow path section 30 will be specifically described. As shown in fig. 22, the flow path portion 30 is formed of seven plate-like bodies, namely, a plate-like body 31, a plate-like body 32c, a plate-like body 33c, a plate-like body 32a, a plate-like body 33d, a plate-like body 32b, and a plate-like body 33 a. The plate-like body 31, the plate-like body 32c, the plate-like body 33c, the plate-like body 32a, the plate-like body 33d, the plate-like body 32b, and the plate-like body 33a are stacked and bonded to each other by brazing.

The plate-like body 33d is provided with a refrigerant passage 45 as a 6 th passage and a refrigerant passage 46 as a 5 th passage. The refrigerant passage 45 is connected to the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23a of the 1 st and 3 rd stages. The refrigerant passage 46 is connected to the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21b of the 1 st, 3 rd, 5 th, 7 th, 9 th, 11 th, 13 th and 15 th layers. The refrigerant passage 45 communicates with the respective outflow/inflow holes 53a (10 th outflow/inflow hole) from the 1 st and 3 rd stages below. The refrigerant passage 46 communicates with the outflow/inflow holes 51b (9 th outflow/inflow hole) from the 1 st, 3 rd, 5 th, 7 th, 9 th, 11 th, 13 th and 15 th layers from the bottom. The plate-like body 33a is formed with a through hole 57 (2 nd through hole) communicating with the refrigerant passage 45 and a through hole (1 st through hole) communicating with the refrigerant passage 46. The other configurations are the same as those of the outdoor heat exchanger 9 shown in fig. 17 and 18, and therefore the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will not be repeated unless necessary.

Next, as an example of the flow of the refrigerant in the flow path portion, a description will be given of the flow of the refrigerant in a case where the outdoor heat exchanger 9 functions as an evaporator (heating operation).

As shown in fig. 21 and 23, the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 9 flows into the refrigerant passage 45 through the through-holes 57 formed in the plate- like bodies 33a and 32b of the flow path portion 30. The refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant passage 45 is branched into two flow paths. The refrigerant flowing through the lower of the two branched flow paths flows into the refrigerant passage 42 through the corresponding 2 nd heat transfer tube 23a, refrigerant passage 43, 2 nd heat transfer tube 23b, and the like. The refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 42 is branched into four flow paths. The four flow paths flow into the refrigerant passage 46 through the corresponding 1 st heat transfer tube 21a, the refrigerant passage 43, the 1 st heat transfer tube 21b, and the like.

On the other hand, the refrigerant flowing through the upper one of the two branched flow paths flows into the refrigerant passage 41 through the corresponding 2 nd heat transfer tube 23a, the refrigerant passage 43, the 2 nd heat transfer tube 23b, and the like. The refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 41 is branched into four flow paths. The four flow paths flow into the refrigerant passage 46 through the corresponding 1 st heat transfer tube 21a, the refrigerant passage 43, the 1 st heat transfer tube 21b, and the like. The refrigerants having flowed into the refrigerant passage 46 merge together, pass through the through holes 57 formed in the plate- like bodies 32b and 33a, and are then sent to the compressor 3 (four-way valve 15).

In the outdoor heat exchanger 9 described above, the refrigerant passages 45 and 46 in the flow path section 30 have a function of distributing the refrigerant or a function of merging the refrigerant. This eliminates the need for the distributors 19a and 19b, and further reduces the production cost. In addition, the outdoor heat exchanger 9 as a unit can be further downsized by eliminating the need for the distributors 19a and 19 b. Further, the work of assembling the distributors 19a and 19b is not required, and the manufacturing period of the outdoor heat exchanger 9 can be further shortened.

Embodiment 6

Here, example 3 of the outdoor heat exchanger in which the main heat exchange unit and the sub heat exchange unit are arranged in a plurality of rows will be described.

First, a concept of the structure of the outdoor heat exchanger will be explained. As shown in fig. 24, sixteen 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a (21b) are arranged in the main heat exchange portion 11a (11 b). In the sub heat exchange portion 12a (12b), four 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23a (23b) are arranged. The flow path portion 30 is disposed on one end side of each of the 1 st heat transfer tube 21a, the 2 nd heat transfer tube 23a, the 1 st heat transfer tube 21b, and the 2 nd heat transfer tube 23 b. In the flow path portion 30, for example, one end sides of the corresponding vertically adjacent 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a (21b) are connected to each other so as to connect the 1 st heat transfer tube 21a (21b) of the 2 nd layer and the 1 st heat transfer tube 21a (21b) of the 3 rd layer.

Next, the connection relationship of the flow paths of the refrigerant will be described. As shown in fig. 25, the flow path portion 30 connects a specific 1 st heat transfer tube 21a among the sixteen 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a arranged in the main heat exchanger portion 11a to a specific 2 nd heat transfer tube 23b among the four 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b arranged in the sub heat exchanger portion 12 b. The 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a of the 1 st and 5 th layers and the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b of the 3 rd layer are connected by refrigerant passages 41, respectively. The 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a of the 9 th and 13 th layers and the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b of the 1 st layer are connected by refrigerant passages 42, respectively.

In the flow path portion 30, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a and the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21b in the even-numbered stages that are identical to the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a and the 4 th, 8 th, 12 th, and 16 th stages 1 heat transfer tubes 21b are connected by the refrigerant passages 43. In the flow path portion 30, the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23a and the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b in the even-numbered stages that are identical to the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23a and the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b in the 2 nd and 4 th stages are connected by the refrigerant paths 43.

In the flow path portion 30, one end sides of the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a (21b) adjacent to each other in a specific vertical direction are connected by the refrigerant path 44 as the 4 th path. The 1 st heat transfer pipe 21a (21b) of the 2 nd layer and the 1 st heat transfer pipe 21a (21b) of the 3 rd layer are connected by the refrigerant passage 44. The 1 st heat transfer pipe 21a (21b) of the 6 th layer and the 1 st heat transfer pipe 21a (21b) of the 7 th layer are connected by the refrigerant passage 44. The 1 st heat transfer pipe 21a (21b) of the 10 th layer and the 1 st heat transfer pipe 21a (21b) of the 11 th layer are connected by the refrigerant passage 44. The 1 st heat transfer pipe 21a (21b) of the 14 th layer and the 1 st heat transfer pipe 21a (21b) of the 15 th layer are connected by the refrigerant passage 44.

Next, the structure of the flow path section 30 will be specifically described. As shown in fig. 26, the flow path portion 30 is formed of seven plate-like bodies, namely, a plate-like body 31, a plate-like body 32c, a plate-like body 33c, a plate-like body 32a, a plate-like body 33b, a plate-like body 32b, and a plate-like body 33 a. The plate-like body 31, the plate-like body 32c, the plate-like body 33c, the plate-like body 32a, the plate-like body 33b, the plate-like body 32b, and the plate-like body 33a are stacked and bonded to each other by brazing.

Sixteen inflow and outflow holes 51a and 53a, sixteen inflow and outflow holes 51b and four inflow and outflow holes 53b are formed in the plate-like body 31. The outflow/inflow holes 51a are connected to the corresponding 1 st heat transfer tubes 21 a. The outflow/inflow holes 53a are connected to the corresponding 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 a. The outflow inflow holes 51b are connected to the corresponding 1 st heat transfer tubes 21 b. The outflow/inflow holes 53b are connected to the corresponding 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23 b.

The plate-like body 32c is formed with a refrigerant passage 43. The refrigerant passages 43 connect the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a and the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21b of the same even-numbered stages to the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a and the 4 th, 8 th, 12 th, and 16 th stages of the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a and the 4 th, 8 th, 12 th, and 16 th stages, respectively. The refrigerant passages 43 connect the same even-numbered 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23a and 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b to the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23a and the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b of the 2 nd and 4 th layers, respectively. The refrigerant passages 43 communicate with the outflow inflow holes 51a to which the corresponding 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a are connected and the outflow inflow holes 51b to which the corresponding 1 st heat transfer tubes 21b are connected, respectively.

Further, the plate-like body 32c is formed with a refrigerant passage 44. The refrigerant passage 44 connects the 1 st heat transfer tube 21a (21b) of the 2 nd layer and the 1 st heat transfer tube 21a (21b) of the 3 rd layer. The refrigerant passage 44 connects the 1 st heat transfer tube 21a (21b) of the 6 th layer and the 1 st heat transfer tube 21a (21b) of the 7 th layer. The refrigerant passage 44 connects the 1 st heat transfer tube 21a (21b) of the 10 th layer and the 1 st heat transfer tube 21a (21b) of the 11 th layer. The refrigerant passage 44 connects the 1 st heat transfer tube 21a (21b) of the 14 th layer and the 1 st heat transfer tube 21a (21b) of the 15 th layer. The refrigerant passages 44 communicate with the outflow inflow holes 51a (51b) (7 th outflow inflow hole) to which the corresponding 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a (21b) are connected and the outflow inflow holes 51a (51b) (8 th outflow inflow hole) to which the corresponding 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a (21b) are connected, respectively.

The plate-like body 33c is laminated on the plate-like body 32c so as to cover the refrigerant passages 43, 44 from the side opposite to the side of the plate-like body 32c communicating with the refrigerant passages 43, 44 and the outflow inlet holes 51a, 51b, 53a, 53 b. Further, the plate-like body 33c has through holes 57, and the through holes 57 communicate with the through holes 57 formed in the plate-like body 32 c.

The plate-like body 32a is formed with a refrigerant passage 41. The refrigerant passages 41 connect the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a of the 1 st and 5 th layers to the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b of the 3 rd layer. One end side of the refrigerant passage 41 communicates with the through-holes 57 formed in the plate- like bodies 33c and 32c and the outflow inlet holes 51a of the 1 st and 5 th layers from the bottom, and is connected to the corresponding 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a through the through-holes 57 and the outflow inlet holes 51 a. The other end of the refrigerant passage 41 communicates with the through-holes 57 formed in the plate- like bodies 33c and 32c and the outflow inlet hole 51b from the 3 rd layer from the bottom, and is connected to the corresponding 2 nd heat transfer tube 23b via the through-holes 57 and the outflow inlet hole 51 b. Further, the plate-like body 32a is formed with through holes 57, and the through holes 57 communicate with through holes 57 other than the through hole 57 communicating with the refrigerant passage 41 among the through holes 57 formed in the plate-like body 33 c.

The plate-like body 33b is stacked on the plate-like body 32a so as to cover the refrigerant passage 41 from the side opposite to the side where the refrigerant passage 41 communicates with the through hole 57 with respect to the plate-like body 32 a. Further, the plate-like body 33b has through holes 57, and the through holes 57 communicate with the through holes 57 formed in the plate-like body 32 a.

The plate-like body 32b is formed with a refrigerant passage 42. The refrigerant passage 42 connects the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a of the 9 th and 13 th layers and the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b of the 1 st layer. One end side of the refrigerant passage 42 communicates with the through-holes 57 formed in the plate- like bodies 33b, 32a, 33c, and 32c and the outflow inlet holes 51a of the 9 th and 13 th layers from the bottom, respectively, and is connected to the corresponding 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a via the through-holes 57 and the outflow inlet holes 51a, respectively. The other end side of the refrigerant passage 42 communicates with the through-holes 57 formed in the plate- like bodies 33b, 32a, 33c, and 32c and the outflow inlet hole 53b in the 1 st layer from the bottom, and is connected to the corresponding 2 nd heat transfer tube 23b via the through-holes 57 and the outflow inlet hole 53 b. Further, the plate-like body 32b is formed with a through hole 57, and the through hole 57 communicates with a through hole 57 other than the through hole 57 communicating with the refrigerant passage 42, among the through holes 57 formed in the plate-like body 33 b.

The plate-like body 33a is stacked on the plate-like body 32b so as to cover the refrigerant passage 42 from the side opposite to the side where the refrigerant passage 42 communicates with the through hole 57, with respect to the plate-like body 32 b. Further, the plate-like body 33a has through holes 57, and the through holes 57 communicate with the through holes 57 formed in the plate-like body 32 b.

Next, as an example of the flow of the refrigerant in the flow path portion, a description will be given of the flow of the refrigerant in a case where the outdoor heat exchanger 9 functions as an evaporator (heating operation).

As shown in fig. 25 and 27, first, the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 9 is branched into two channels by the distributor 19 b. The refrigerant flowing through the lower one of the two flow paths flows into the refrigerant passage 43 through the through holes 57, the outflow inflow holes 53a, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 23a, the return bends 61, the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23a of the 2 nd layer, and the outflow inflow holes 53 a. The refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 43 flows into the refrigerant passage 42 through the outflow/inflow holes 53b, the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b of the 2 nd layer, the return pipe 61, the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b of the 1 st layer, the outflow/inflow holes 53b, and the through holes 57.

The refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 42 is branched into two flow paths. In the flow path located below, the refrigerant flows into the refrigerant passage 44 through the through holes 57, the outflow inflow holes 51a, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a of the 9 th layer, the return bends 61, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a of the 10 th layer, and the outflow inflow holes 51 a. The refrigerant flowing upward through the refrigerant passage 44 flows into the refrigerant passage 43 through the outflow inflow holes 51a, the 11 th heat transfer tubes 21a, the return bends 61, the 12 th heat transfer tubes 21a, and the outflow inflow holes 51 a. The refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 43 flows into the refrigerant passage 44 through the outflow inflow holes 51b, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21b of the 12 th layer, the return bends 61, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21b of the 11 th layer, and the outflow inflow holes 51 b. The refrigerant flowing down the refrigerant passage 44 flows into the distributor 19a through the outflow inflow holes 51b, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21b of the 10 th layer, the return bends 61, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21b of the 9 th layer, the outflow inflow holes 51b, and the through holes 57.

Similarly, the other flow paths also flow into the distributor 19a through the corresponding 1 st heat transfer tube 21a, refrigerant passage 44, 1 st heat transfer tube 21a, refrigerant passage 43, 1 st heat transfer tube 21b, refrigerant passage 44, 1 st heat transfer tube 21b, and the like.

On the other hand, the refrigerant flowing through the upper one of the two flow paths branched by the distributor 19b flows into the refrigerant passage 43 through the through holes 57, the outflow inflow holes 53a, the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23a of the 3 rd stage, the return bends 61, the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23a of the 4 th stage, and the outflow inflow holes 53 a. The refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 43 flows into the refrigerant passage 41 through the outflow/inflow holes 53b, the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b of the 4 th layer, the return bends 61, the 2 nd heat transfer tubes 23b of the 3 rd layer, the outflow/inflow holes 53b, and the through holes 57.

The refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 41 is branched into two flow paths. In the flow path located below, the refrigerant flows into the refrigerant passage 44 through the through holes 57, the outflow inflow holes 51a, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a of the 1 st layer, the return bends 61, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a of the 2 nd layer, and the outflow inflow holes 51 a. The refrigerant flowing upward through the refrigerant passage 44 flows into the refrigerant passage 43 through the outflow inflow holes 51a, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a of the 3 rd layer, the return bends 61, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a of the 4 th layer, and the outflow inflow holes 51 a. The refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage 43 flows into the refrigerant passage 44 through the outflow inflow holes 51b, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21b of the 4 th layer, the return bends 61, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21b of the 3 rd layer, and the outflow inflow holes 51 b. The refrigerant flowing down the refrigerant passage 44 flows into the distributor 19a through the outflow inlet holes 51b, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21b of the 2 nd layer, the return bends 61, the 1 st heat transfer tubes 21b of the 1 st layer, the outflow inlet holes 51b, and the through holes 57.

Similarly, the other flow paths also flow into the distributor 19a through the corresponding 1 st heat transfer tube 21a, refrigerant passage 44, 1 st heat transfer tube 21a, refrigerant passage 43, 1 st heat transfer tube 21b, refrigerant passage 44, 1 st heat transfer tube 21b, and the like. The refrigerant flowing into the distributor 19a merges together, and is then sent to the compressor 3 (four-way valve 15).

In the outdoor heat exchanger 9 described above, the flow path portion 30 provided with the refrigerant path 44 in addition to the refrigerant paths 41, 42, and 43 is formed of the plate-like body 32c or the like. Thus, compared to the case where the vertically adjacent 1 st heat transfer tubes 21a (21b) are connected by a U-bend, such a U-bend is not necessary, and the production cost can be further reduced. In addition, the outdoor heat exchanger 9 as a unit can be further downsized by eliminating such a U-bend. Further, the work of assembling the U-bend is not required, and the manufacturing period of the outdoor heat exchanger 9 can be further shortened.

Further, a plate-like body having a function of distributing the refrigerant or a function of merging the refrigerant may be laminated on the flow path section 30 of the outdoor heat exchanger 9. For example, a plate-like body similar to the plate-like body 33d in fig. 22 in which the refrigerant passages 45 and 46 are formed may be laminated.

In each embodiment, the flow path section 30 in which the main heat exchange unit 11 and the sub heat exchange unit 12 are connected to each other by the two refrigerant paths 41 and 42 is exemplified as the flow path section 30, but a flow path section in which three or more refrigerant paths are provided may be applied. Further, the outdoor heat exchangers 9 arranged in one row and two rows respectively are exemplified as the main heat exchange unit 11 and the sub heat exchange unit 12, but the flow path unit can be applied to an outdoor heat exchanger arranged in three or more rows.

In order to explain the flow of the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 9, the flow of the refrigerant in the case where the outdoor heat exchanger 9 is operated as an evaporator (heating operation) is explained. When the outdoor heat exchanger 9 is operated as a condenser, the flow of the refrigerant is reversed. In this case, the heat flows from the main heat exchange unit 11(11a, 11b) to the sub heat exchange unit 12(12a, 12b) through the flow path unit 30. The outdoor heat exchanger 9 is described as an example of the heat exchanger to which the flow path unit 30 is applied, but the present invention can also be applied to the indoor heat exchanger 5.

The outdoor heat exchangers described in the respective embodiments can be combined in various ways as necessary.

The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative, and not restrictive. The present invention is defined by the claims, not by the scope of the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

Industrial applicability

The present invention is effectively used for a heat exchanger including a main heat exchanger and an auxiliary heat exchanger.

Description of the reference numerals

1a refrigeration cycle device; 3, a compressor; 5 an indoor heat exchanger; 6 an indoor fan; 7 an expansion valve; 9 an outdoor heat exchanger; 11. 11a, 11b a main heat exchange section; 12. 12a, 12b sub heat exchange portions; 13 an outdoor fan; 15 a four-way valve; 16 refrigerant piping; 17. 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b, 19a, 19b dispensers; 21. 21a, 21b the 1 st heat transfer tube; 23. 23a, 23b, 2 nd heat transfer tube; 30 flow path parts; 31. 32, 32a, 32b, 32c, 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d refrigerant passages; 41. 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 refrigerant passages; 51. 53, 51a, 51b, 53a, 53b outflow/inflow holes; 57 a through hole; 59 joint; and (61) bending the pipe.

Claims (11)

1. A heat exchanger, having:

a 1 st heat exchange unit having a 1 st heat transfer pipe;

a 2 nd heat exchange unit arranged in line with the 1 st heat exchange unit and having a 2 nd heat transfer pipe; and

a flow path part connected between the 1 st heat exchange part and the 2 nd heat exchange part, through which a working fluid flows,

the flow path section includes:

a 1 st plate-shaped body in which a plurality of working fluid outflow/inflow holes including a 1 st outflow/inflow hole and a 2 nd outflow/inflow hole connected to the 1 st heat exchange unit, respectively, and a 3 rd outflow/inflow hole and a 4 th outflow/inflow hole connected to the 2 nd heat exchange unit, respectively, are formed;

a 2 nd plate-shaped body in which a working fluid passage is formed and which is laminated on the 1 st plate-shaped body, the working fluid passage including a 1 st passage and a 2 nd passage, the 1 st passage communicating with the 1 st outflow/inflow hole and the 4 th outflow/inflow hole to connect the 1 st outflow/inflow hole and the 4 th outflow/inflow hole, the 2 nd passage communicating with the 2 nd outflow/inflow hole and the 3 rd outflow/inflow hole to connect the 2 nd outflow/inflow hole and the 3 rd outflow/inflow hole; and

a 3 rd plate-shaped body laminated on the 2 nd plate-shaped body so as to cover the working fluid passage from a side opposite to a side where the working fluid passage communicates with the working fluid outflow/inflow hole with respect to the 2 nd plate-shaped body,

the 1 st passage and the 2 nd passage are formed in the 2 nd plate-like body to be spaced apart from each other,

the flow path portion is configured as one flow path portion in which the 1 st plate-like body to the 3 rd plate-like body are stacked.

2. The heat exchanger of claim 1,

a plurality of the 1 st outflow/inflow holes are formed in the 1 st plate-like body,

in the 2 nd plate-like body, the 1 st passages are formed to communicate with the 1 st outflow/inflow holes, respectively.

3. The heat exchanger of claim 1,

a plurality of the 4 th outflow/inflow holes are formed in the 1 st plate-like body,

in the 2 nd plate-like body, the 1 st passage is formed to communicate with each of the 4 th outflow/inflow holes.

4. The heat exchanger of claim 1,

the 2 nd plate-like body is constituted by one plate-like body,

the 1 st passage and the 2 nd passage are both formed in the one plate-like body.

5. The heat exchanger of claim 1,

the 2 nd plate-shaped body comprises a 1 st part of the 2 nd plate-shaped body and a 2 nd part of the 2 nd plate-shaped body,

the 1 st passage is formed in the 1 st portion of the 2 nd plate-like body,

the 2 nd passage is formed in the 2 nd portion of the 2 nd plate-like body.

6. The heat exchanger of claim 1,

flat heat transfer tubes having a flat cross-sectional shape are disposed as the 1 st heat transfer tube and the 2 nd heat transfer tube in the 1 st heat exchange portion and the 2 nd heat exchange portion, respectively,

the opening shape of each of the plurality of working fluid outflow/inflow holes is formed to correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the flat heat transfer pipe,

the plurality of working fluid outflow/inflow holes are directly connected to the corresponding flat heat transfer tubes.

7. The heat exchanger of claim 1,

the 1 st heat exchange portion includes:

1 st heat exchange part 1; and

a 1 st heat exchange 2 nd part disposed to face the 1 st heat exchange 1 st part,

in the 1 st heat exchange portion 1, a plurality of 1 st heat transfer pipe portions 1 are arranged as the 1 st heat transfer pipes at intervals from each other,

in the 1 st heat exchange 2 nd portion, a plurality of 1 st heat transfer pipe 2 nd portions are arranged as the 1 st heat transfer pipe at intervals from each other,

on the 1 st plate-like body, the first plate-like body,

the working fluid inflow/outflow hole includes:

a 5 th outlet/inlet hole connected to the 1 st heat transfer pipe 1 st portion of the 1 st heat transfer pipes 1 st portion; and

a 6 th outflow/inflow hole connected to the 2 nd portion of one 1 st heat transfer pipe among the plurality of 1 st heat transfer pipes 2 nd portion,

the 2 nd plate-like body comprises a 3 rd part of the 2 nd plate-like body,

in the 2 nd plate-like body 3 rd portion, a 3 rd passage is formed as the working fluid passage, and the 3 rd passage communicates with the 5 th outflow/inflow hole and the 6 th outflow/inflow hole to connect the 5 th outflow/inflow hole and the 6 th outflow/inflow hole.

8. The heat exchanger of claim 7,

on the 1 st plate-like body, the first plate-like body,

the working fluid inflow/outflow hole includes:

a 7 th outflow/inflow hole connected to the 1 st heat transfer pipe 1 st portion other than the plurality of 1 st heat transfer pipe 1 st portions; and

an 8 th outflow/inflow hole connected to another 1 st heat transfer pipe 1 st portion of the plurality of 1 st heat transfer pipe 1 st portions that is disposed adjacent to the other 1 st heat transfer pipe 1 st portion,

in the 2 nd plate-like body 3 rd portion, a 4 th passage is formed as the working fluid passage, and the 4 th passage communicates with the 7 th outflow/inflow hole and the 8 th outflow/inflow hole to connect the 7 th outflow/inflow hole and the 8 th outflow/inflow hole.

9. The heat exchanger of claim 8,

the 2 nd heat exchange portion includes:

a 2 nd heat exchange 1 st portion in which a plurality of 2 nd heat transfer pipe 1 st portions are arranged as the 2 nd heat transfer pipe; and

a 2 nd heat exchange 2 nd portion arranged to face the 2 nd heat exchange 1 st portion, and having a plurality of 2 nd heat transfer pipes, the 2 nd portion being arranged as the 2 nd heat transfer pipe,

the 2 nd plate-like body comprises a 4 th part of the 2 nd plate-like body,

on the 1 st plate-like body, the first plate-like body,

the working fluid inflow/outflow hole includes:

a plurality of 9 th inflow and outflow holes connected to the 1 st heat transfer pipe 2 nd portion other than the one 1 st heat transfer pipe 2 nd portion; and

a plurality of 10 th outflow/inflow holes connected to the 1 st portion of the 2 nd heat transfer pipe,

in the 4 th part of the 2 nd plate-like body,

as the working fluid passage, there are included:

a 5 th passage communicating with each of the 9 th outflow/inflow holes; and

a 6 th passage communicating with the 10 th outflow/inflow holes, respectively,

the 3 rd plate-like body is formed with:

a 1 st through hole communicating with the 5 th passage; and

and a 2 nd through hole communicating with the 6 th passage.

10. The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the 3 rd plate-like body is not formed with a through hole penetrating the 3 rd plate-like body.

11. A refrigeration cycle apparatus comprising the heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Images