EP1959203A1

EP1959203A1 - Indoor device of air conditioner

Info

Publication number: EP1959203A1
Application number: EP06833007A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Masanao Yasutomi; Youhei Takada
Original assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2005-11-30
Filing date: 2006-11-21
Publication date: 2008-08-20
Also published as: CN101317039A; JP2007147216A; JP4017006B2; WO2007063738A1; EP1959203A4

Abstract

An indoor unit of an air conditioner includes a casing (3, 4), an indoor heat exchanger arranged in the casing (3, 4) , and first and second valves (17A, 17B) located in the casing (3, 4) and on one lateral side of the indoor heat exchanger (16, 18). The indoor heat exchanger includes a first heat exchange section (16A, 16B) and a second heat exchange section (18A, 18B), and the first and second control valves (17A, 17B) are mounted on pipes connecting the first heat exchange section (16A, 16B) with the second heat exchange section (18A, 18B).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner.
Conventionally, there has been an indoor unit of an air conditioner in which an indoor heat exchanger is divided into a plurality of heat exchange sections and a plurality of control valves for controlling the flow of coolant to each of the heat exchange sections are provided (see JP 8-68568 A , for example).
The indoor unit of an air conditioner having a plurality of control valves has a problem that the external shape of the indoor unit becomes large. It is desirable that the casing of an indoor unit of an air conditioner is as small as possible because it is located in a room. However, when the number of control valves located in the casing is large, there is a problem that the casing must be enlarged in order to keep a storage space for the control valves.
For this reason, the present applicant has proposed an indoor unit of an air conditioner which is able to have a small casing in spite of provision of a plurality of control valves. In the indoor unit of an air conditioner, the control valves are located between the casing and the indoor heat exchanger and behind the indoor heat exchanger while being away from each other in the longitudinal direction of the indoor heat exchanger. Thus, the indoor unit is able to have a small casing while being provided with a plurality of control valves. It should be noted that the above description of the indoor unit of an air conditioner is provided for easy understanding of the present invention and this indoor unit of an air conditioner is neither of a publicly known technology nor of prior art.
However, in the indoor unit of an air conditioner that is able to have a small casing in spite of provision of a plurality of control valves, the control valves are located in an air passage. Therefore, there is a problem that the loss or reduction of an air flow path through which air inhaled from a room is sent out to the room through an indoor heat exchanger by a blower fan, becomes large and thereby the heat exchange efficiency is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an indoor unit of an air conditioner which is able to prevent the heat exchange efficiency from reducing and have a small casing without locating control valves in an air passage.
In order to accomplish the above object, an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention comprises:

a casing;
an indoor heat exchanger located in the casing; and
first and second control valves located in the casing and on one lateral side of the indoor heat exchanger.

According to the above configuration, the first and second control valves are located in the casing and on one lateral side of the indoor heat exchanger, and not in an air passage, so that the heat exchange efficiency is prevented from decreasing and the casing can be miniaturized. In this configuration, the first and second control valves may be on-off valves or expansion valves.
In one embodiment, the indoor heat exchanger includes a first heat exchange section and a second heat exchange section, and the first and second control valves are mounted on pipes connecting the first heat exchange section with the second heat exchange section.
According to this embodiment, the flow of coolant in the first heat exchange section and the second heat exchange section can be controlled and the pressure of the coolant can be reduced between the first heat exchange section and the second heat exchange section by opening and closing the first and second control valves mounted on pipes connecting the first heat exchange section with the second heat exchange section.
In one embodiment, the first and second control valves each comprise:

a first port and a second port which point, or face, in directions substantially orthogonal to each other;
a valve body provided between the first port and the second port; and
a drive section extending in a direction opposite to a direction in which the first port points and driving the valve body
wherein a first pipe portion that is near and connected to the first port, a second pipe portion that is near and connected to the second port, and the drive section form a shape generally like the letter T.

According to this embodiment, the first and second control valves are used each of which is shaped generally like the letter T including the first and second ports pointing in directions substantially orthogonal to each other, the valve body provided between the first port and the second port, and the drive section extending in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first port points and driving the valve body. This configuration allows the degree of flexibility in connection of piping to the first and second control valves to be increased as compared with the case that the first and second ports pointing in the same direction are provided.
In one embodiment, the first and second control valves each comprise:

a valve unit which includes a valve body and a drive section driving the valve body and has a length in a direction in which the valve body and the drive section are arranged;
a first port which is provided on a side of the valve body opposite from the drive section and points in the longitudinal direction of the valve unit; and
a second port which is provided on the valve unit and points in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the valve unit,
wherein the valve unit, a portion near the first port of the first pipe connected with the first port, and a portion near the second port of the second pipe connected with the second port are combined in the shape of about the letter T.

According to this embodiment, the first and second control valves are used in each of which the valve unit, the portion near the first port of the first pipe connected with the first port, and the portion near the second port of the second pipe connected with the second port are combined in the shape of about the letter T. Therefore, the degree of flexibility in connection of piping to the first and second control valves can be increased.
In one embodiment, the second port of the first control valve and the second port of the second control valve point in opposite directions and inward, and a second pipe connected with the first control valve and a second pipe connected with the second control valve do not interfere with each other.
According to this embodiment, the second port of the first control valve and the second port of the second control valve point in opposite directions and inward, and the second pipe connected with the first control valve and the second pipe connected with the second control valve do not interfere with each other, so that the second pipes connected with the second ports of the first and second control valves can be provided close to each other, and thereby the space occupied by the valves in the indoor unit can be made smaller.
In one embodiment, the first and second control valves are located in the casing in such a manner that a direction in which the second port of the first control valve points is substantially parallel with a direction in which the second port of the second control valve points.
According to this embodiment, due to the placement of the first and second control valves in the casing in such a manner that the direction in which the second port of the first control valve points is substantially parallel with the direction in which the second port of the second control valve points, the space occupied by the second pipes connected with the second ports of the first and second control valves is allowed to be made smaller.
In one embodiment, a first pipe connected with the first control valve has a bend which turns near the first port in a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction in which the first port of the first control valve points, and a first pipe connected with the second control valve has a bend which turns in a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction in which the first port of the second control valve points.
According to this embodiment, each of the first pipes connected with the first and second control valves has a bend that is bent from a portion near the first port in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the first port of the first control valve points, so that the bends of the first pipes connected with the first ports of the first and second control valves and portions continuous from the bends are easily arranged in a limited space on one side of the indoor heat exchanger.
In one embodiment, an extension portion extending from the bend of the first pipe connected with the first control valve and an extension portion extending from the bend of the first pipe connected with the second valve point in opposite directions and inward, and the first pipe connected with the first control valve and the first pipe connected with the second control valve do not interfere with each other.
According to this embodiment, because the first pipes connected with the first and second control valves are configured such that the extension portion extending from the bend of the first pipe connected with the first control valve and the extension portion extending from the bend of the first pipe connected with the second control valve point in opposite directions and inward and that the first pipe connected with the first control valve and the first pipe connected with the second control valve do not interfere with each other, the bends of the first pipes connected with the first ports of the first and second control valves and the extension portions extending from the bends are allowed to be placed close to each other, and thereby the space occupied by the valves in the indoor unit can be made smaller.
In one embodiment, the extension portion extending from the bend of the first pipe for the first control valve is generally parallel with the extension portion extending from the bend of the first pipe for the second control valve.
According to this embodiment, the first pipes of the first and second control valves are provided such that the extension portion extending from the bend of the first pipe of the first control valve is substantially parallel with the extension portion extending from the bend of the first pipe of the second control valve. Due to this, the space occupied by the first pipes of the first and second control valves can be made smaller.
In one embodiment, a direction in which the valve body of the first control valve is driven by the drive section of the first control valve is substantially parallel with a direction in which the valve body of the second control valve is driven by the drive section of the second control valve.
According to this embodiment, the parallel drive directions of the valve bodies of the first and second control valves allow the valve units (including the drive sections and the valve bodies) of the first and second control valves to be placed close to each other, and thereby the space occupied by the valve units in the whole indoor unit can be made smaller.
In one embodiment, the first and second control valves are arranged along a front-back direction of the indoor unit as viewed from a front face thereof in a state that the casing has been installed.
According to this embodiment, because the first and second control valves are arranged in the casing along the front-back direction of the indoor unit as viewed from the front face thereof in the state that the casing has been installed, a narrow space on one lateral side of the indoor heat exchanger is usable for the placement of the first and second control valves.
As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, an indoor unit of an air conditioner is achievable which has no control valves in an air passage so that the heat exchange efficiency is prevented from decreasing and the casing is downsizable.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment, by opening and closing the first and second control valves mounted on pipes connecting the first heat exchange section with the second heat exchange section, the flow of coolant in the first heat exchange section and the second heat exchange section is controlled and the pressure of the coolant can be reduced between the first heat exchange section and the second heat exchange section. In other words, the ability of the indoor heat exchanger is controllable.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment, the first and second control valves are used each of which is shaped generally like the letter T including the first and second ports pointing in directions substantially orthogonal to each other, the valve body provided between the first port and the second port, and the drive section extending in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first port points and driving the valve body. This configuration allows the degree of flexibility in connection of piping to the first and second control valves to be increased as compared with the case that the first and second ports pointing in the same direction are provided.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment, the first and second control valves are used in each of which the valve unit which includes a valve body and a drive section driving the valve body and has a length in a direction in which the valve body and the drive section are arranged, the portion near the first port of the first pipe connected with the first port, and the portion near the second port of the second pipe connected with the second port are combined in the shape of about the letter T. Therefore, the degree of flexibility in arranging piping connected to the first and second control valves can be increased.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment, the second port of the first control valve and the second port of the second control valve point in opposite directions and inward and are not arranged in line, and the second pipe connected with the first control valve and the second pipe connected with the second control valve do not interfere with each other, so that the second pipes connected with the second ports of the first and second control valves can be provided close to each other, and thereby the space to be occupied by these parts in the indoor unit can be made smaller.
According to an embodiment, the first and second control valves are located in the casing in such a manner that a direction in which the second port of the first control valve points is substantially parallel with a direction in which the second port of the second control valve points, the space occupied by the second pipes connected with the second ports of the first and second control valves is allowed to be made smaller.
According to an embodiment, each of the first pipes connected with the first and second control valves has a bend that is bent from a portion near the first port in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the first port of the first control valve points, so that the bends of the first pipes connected with the first ports of the first and second control valves and portions continuous from the bends are easily arranged in a narrow space on one side of the indoor heat exchanger.
Furthermore, according to an embodiment, an extension portion extending from a bend of a first pipe connected with the first control valve and an extension portion extending from a bend of a first pipe connected with the second valve point in opposite directions and inward and are not arranged in line, and the first pipe connected with the first control valve and the first pipe connected with the second control valve do not interfere with each other. Thus, the bends of the first pipes connected with the first ports of the first and second control valves and the extension portions extending from the bends are allowed to be placed close to each other, and thereby the space occupied by these parts in the whole indoor unit can be made smaller.
According to an embodiment, the first pipes of the first and second control valves are provided such that the extension portion extending from the bend of the first pipe of the first control valve is substantially parallel with the extension portion extending from the bend of the first pipe of the second control valve. Due to this, the space occupied by the first pipes of the first and second control valves can be made smaller.
According to an embodiment, a direction in which the valve body of the first control valve is driven by the drive section of the first control valve is substantially parallel with a direction in which the valve body of the second control valve is driven by the drive section of the second control valve, so that the valve units (including the drive sections and the valve bodies) of the first and second control valves can be provided close to each other, and thereby the space occupied by the valve units in the whole indoor unit can be made smaller.
According to an embodiment, the first and second control valves are arranged in the casing along the front-back direction of the indoor unit as viewed from the front face thereof in the state that the casing has been installed, a narrow space on one lateral side of the indoor heat exchanger is used for the placement of the first and second control valves.[0039]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit of an air conditioner of an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner;
Fig. 3 is a front view of the electromagnetic valve assembly of the indoor unit;
Fig. 4 is a right side view of the electromagnetic valve assembly of the indoor unit;
Fig. 5 is a left side view of the electromagnetic valve assembly of the indoor unit; and
Fig. 6 is a top view of the electromagnetic valve assembly of the indoor unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the figures.
Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit of an air conditioner of an embodiment of the present invention. The reference numeral 1 denotes the outdoor unit, and the reference numeral 2 denotes the indoor unit. As shown in Fig. 1, the outdoor unit 1 of the air conditioner of this embodiment has a compressor 10, a four-way valve 11, an outdoor heat exchanger 12, a motor operated expansion valve 13, a filter 14, closing valves 15 and 19, an accumulator 20, and an outdoor fan 21. Furthermore, the indoor unit 2 has a first heat exchange section 16, first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B as an example of the first and second control valves, a second heat exchange section 18, and an indoor fan 22. Each of the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B does not assume a fully-closed state in a closing operation and has a restriction with a predetermined opening area to work as a pressure reducing means.
A discharge side end of the compressor 10 is connected with an end of the four-way valve 11, and another end of the four-way valve 11 is connected with an end of the outdoor heat exchanger 12. Another end of the outdoor heat exchanger 12 is connected with an end of the motor operated expansion valve 13, and another end of the motor operated expansion valve 13 is connected with an end of the filter 14. Another end of the filter 14 is connected with an end of the closing valve 15, and another end of the closing valve 15 is connected with an end of the first heat exchange section 16 through a communication pipe L1. Another end of the first heat exchange section 16 is connected with an end of the first electromagnetic valve 17A and an end of the second electromagnetic valve 17B, and another end of the first electromagnetic valve 17A and another end of the second electromagnetic valve 17B are connected with an end of the second heat exchange section 18. Another end of the second heat exchange section 18 is connected with an end of the closing valve 19 through a communication pipe L2, and another end of the closing valve 19 is connected with the suction side of the compressor 10 through the four-way valve 11 and the accumulator 20.
The compressor 10, the four-way valve 11, the outdoor heat exchanger 12, the motor operated expansion valve 13, the filter 14, the closing valve 15, the first heat exchange section 16, the first electromagnetic valve 17A, the second electromagnetic valve 17B, the second heat exchange section 18, the closing valve 19, and the accumulator 20 constitute a coolant circuit.
In the air conditioner configured as described above, when a cooling operation is performed, the four-way valve 11 is switched to a solid line position, the motor operated expansion valve 13 is opened to a predetermined opening position, the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B are opened, and then the operation of the compressor is started. Then a high temperature high pressure gaseous coolant discharged from the compressor 10 is condensed by heat exchange with outside air in the outdoor heat exchanger 12. After that, liquid coolant which has been expanded by the motor operated expansion valve 13 to become low in temperature and pressure flows into the first and second heat exchange sections 16 and 18 through the filter 14, the closing valve 15 and the communication pipe L1 . The liquid coolant which has flowed into the first and second heat exchange sections 16 and 18 is evaporated by heat exchange with room air to cool the room air. Next, the gaseous coolant obtained by evaporation of the liquid coolant in the first and second heat exchange sections 16 and 18 is returned to the suction side of the compressor 10 through the communication pipe L2, the closing valve 19, the four-way valve 11 and the accumulator 20.
On the other hand, when a heating operation is performed, the four-way valve 11 is switched to a dotted line position, the motor operated expansion valve 13 is opened to a predetermined opening position as in the cooling operation, the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B are opened, and then the operation of the compressor 10 is started. Then the room air is heated in a cycle opposite to the cooling cycle in the cooling operation.
Next, when a reheating and dehumidifying operation is performed, the four-way valve 11 is switched to the solid line position, the motor operated expansion valve 13 is fully opened, the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B are closed to be placed in a restricted state with a predetermined opening area, and then the operation of the compressor 10 is started. Then the high temperature high pressure gaseous coolant discharged from the compressor 10 is condensed by heat exchange with the outside air in the outdoor heat exchanger 12 and the first heat exchange section 16. After that, the liquid coolant which has been expanded by the first and second electromagnetic valve 17A and 17B to become low in temperature and pressure flows into the second exchange section 18. The liquid coolant which has flowed into the second exchange section 18 evaporates by heat exchange with the room air. Next, the gaseous coolant obtained by evaporation of the liquid coolant in the second heat exchange section 18 is returned to the suction side of the compressor 10 through the communication pipe L2, the closing valve 19, the four-way valve 11, and the accumulator 20.
In this way, in the reheating and dehumidifying operation, dehumidification is performed without lowering the room temperature by cooling room air with the second heat exchange section 18 working as an evaporator while heating the room air with the first heat exchange section 16 working as a condenser.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner.
As shown in Fig. 2, the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner has a bottom frame 3 and a front panel 4 which is attached to the front side of the bottom frame 3 so as to be removed freely. The bottom frame 3 and the front panel 4 constitute a casing. On the front side of the bottom frame 3, the second heat exchange section 18 (18A and 18B in Fig. 2) is located, and located on the back side of the second heat exchange section 18 is the first heat exchange section 16 (16A and 16B in Fig. 2) substantially shaped like an upset v in cross section. The first heat exchange section 16 and the second heat exchange section 18 constitute an indoor heat exchanger. On the right side of the indoor heat exchanger, an electrical components box 25 is located. An electromagnetic valve assembly 30 including the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B is provided in a piping space between the indoor heat exchanger and the electrical components box 25.
Next, the electromagnetic valve assembly 30 will be described referring to Figs. 3 to 6.
Figs. 3 to 6 are a front view, a right side view, a left side view, and a top view of the electromagnetic valve assembly 30, respectively.
As shown in Figs. 3 to 6, the electromagnetic valve assembly 30 includes the first electromagnetic valve 17A, the second electromagnetic valve 17B, a first flow divider 33, and a second flow divider 43.
Each of the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B includes, as shown in an essential portion enlarged view circled at the lower right of Fig. 4, a housing 61 consisting of a valve body housing section 61b housing a valve body 52 and a plunger housing section 61a housing a plunger 51 as an example of a drive section, a solenoid coil 64 driving the plunger 51 to operate the valve body 52, a passage 61c which is provided in the housing 61 and is opened and closed by the valve body 52, a first pipe 62 connected with a first port 65 at an end of the passage 61c, and a second pipe 63 connected with a second port 66 at another end of the passage 61c so as to be substantially orthogonal to the first pipe 62. The valve body 52 is in a region where the first pipe 62 intersects the second pipe 63, and the plunger 51 drives the valve body 52 along the direction of extension of the first pipe 62. The plunger 51, the valve body 52, and the housing 61 constitute a valve unit which is elongated in the direction of arrangement of the valve body 52 and the plunger 51.
In each of the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B, the plunger 51, the valve body 52 and the connection part of the first pipe 62 are arranged straight. The first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B are arranged in ,such a manner that the direction of arrangement of the plunger 51, the valve body 52, and the connection part of the first pipe 62 of the first control valve 17A is substantially parallel with the direction of arrangement of the plunger 51, the valve body 52, and the connection part of the first pipe 62 of the second control valve 17B. In addition, the second pipe 63 of the first control valve 17A extends toward the second control valve 17B, and the second pipe 63 of the second control valve 17B extends toward the first control valve 17A so as not to hit the second pipe 63 of the first control valve 17A.
An end of the first pipe 62 of the first control valve 17A is connected with an end of a pipe 32, and another end of the pipe 32 is connected with the first port of the first flow divider 33. With respect to the first flow divider 33, for example, coolant which has flowed into the flow divider 33 through the first port (an inlet port) of the flow divider 33 is divided to flow out of the flow divider 33 through second and third ports (outlet ports) of the flow divider 33 (It is to be noted that when the coolant flows in the opposite direction, the flow divider 33 works as a flow merger.). The second port of the first flow divider 33 is connected with a heat-transfer pipe (not shown) of the second heat exchange section 18 through a pipe 34, and the third port of the first flow divider 33 is connected with a heat-transfer pipe (not shown) of the second heat exchange section 18 through a pipe 35. The pipe 35 is mounted with a thermistor 50. Furthermore, an end of the second pipe 63 of the first control valve 17A is connected with a heat-transfer pipe (not shown) of the first heat exchange section 16 through a pipe 31.
Furthermore, an end of the first pipe 62 of the second control valve 17B is connected with an end of a pipe 42, and another end of the pipe 42 is connected with the first port of the second flow divider 43. With respect to the second flow divider 43, for example, coolant which has flowed into the flow divider 43 through the first port (an inlet port) of the flow divider 43 is divided to flow out of the flow divider 43 through second and third ports (outlet ports) of the flow divider 43 (When the coolant flows in the opposite direction, the flow divider 43 functions as a flow merger.). The second port of the second flow divider 43 is connected with a heat-transfer pipe (not shown) of the second heat exchange section 18 through a pipe 44, and the third port of the second flow divider 43 is connected with a heat-transfer pipe (not shown) of the second heat exchange section 18 through a pipe 45. Furthermore, an end of the second pipe 63 of the second control valve.17B is connected with a heat-transfer pipe (not shown) of the first heat exchange section 16 through a pipe 41.
The first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B are fixed to each other by covering pipes around the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B of the electromagnetic valve assembly 30 with a covering section 71 made by using butyl rubber tapes and/or putty. Furthermore, the first and second flow dividers 33 and 43 are also covered with a covering section 72 made by using butyl rubber tapes and/or putty.
According to the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner configured as described above, the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B are located in the casing (3, 4) and on one lateral side of the indoor heat exchangers (16, 18), so that the heat exchange efficiency is prevented from reducing and the casing (3, 4) can be miniaturized due to non-presence of control valves (17A, 17B) in an air passage.
Furthermore, the flow of coolant in the first heat exchange section 16 and the second heat exchange section 18 is controllable by opening and closing the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B mounted on pipes connecting the first heat exchange section 16 with the second heat exchange section 18. In this embodiment, a reheating and dehumidifying operation is made possible by reducing the pressure of the coolant by the first and second electromagnetic valve 17A and 17B between the first heat exchange section 16 and the second heat exchange section 18.
Furthermore, the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B are used each of which includes the first and second ports 65 and 66 pointing in directions substantially orthogonal to each other, the valve body 52 provided between the first port 65 and the second port 66, and a plunger 51 extending in a direction opposite to a direction in which the first port 65 points and driving the valve body 52. Also, in each of the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B, the valve unit, which is constituted by the plunger 51, the valve body 52, and the housing 61, a portion adjacent to the first port 65 of the first pipe 62 connected with the first port 65, and a portion adjacent to the second port 66 of the second pipe 63 connected with the second port 66 are combined in the shape similar to the letter T. Due to this configuration, the degree of flexibility in arranging pipes connected to the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B is increased as compared with the case that the first and second ports are provided so as to point in the same direction.
Furthermore, the second port 66 of the first electromagnetic valve 17A and the second port 66 of the second electromagnetic valve 17B point in opposite directions and inward (i.e., toward each other) and are not arranged in line, and the second pipe 63 connected with the first electromagnetic valve 17A and the second pipe 63 connected with the second electromagnetic valve 17B do not interfere with each other. This configuration allows the second pipes 63 connected with the second ports 66 of the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B to be provided close to each other, and thereby the space occupied by these parts in the whole indoor unit can be made smaller.
Furthermore, the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B are located in the casing 3, 4 in such a manner that a direction in which the second port 66 of the first electromagnetic valve 17A is oriented is parallel with a direction in which the second port 66 of the second electromagnetic valve 17B is oriented, so that the space occupied by the second pipes 63 connected with the second ports 66 of the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B can be made small. Furthermore, the second pipe 63 connected with the second port 66 of the first electromagnetic valve 17A is substantially parallel with the second pipe 63 connected with the second port 66 of the second electromagnetic valve 17B.
Furthermore, each of the first pipes 62 connected with the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B has a bend bent from a portion near the first port 65 in a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction in which the first port 65 of the first electromagnetic valve 17A points or is oriented, so that the bends of the first pipes 62 connected with the first ports 65 of the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B and portions connected with the bends can be easily arranged in a limited space on one side of the indoor heat exchanger 16, 18.
Furthermore, an extension portion extending from the bend of the first pipe 62 connected with the first electromagnetic valve 17A and an extension portion extending from the bend of the first pipe 62 connected with the second electromagnetic valve 17B point or face in opposite directions and inward and are not arranged in line, and the first pipe 62 connected with the first electromagnetic valve 17A and the first pipe 62 connected with the second electromagnetic valve 17B do not interfere with each other, so that the bends of the first pipes 62 connected with the first ports 65 of the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B and the extension portions extending from the bends are allowed to be placed close to each other, and thereby the space occupied by those parts in the indoor unit can be made smaller.
Furthermore, the extension portion extending from the bend of the first pipe 62 of the first electromagnetic valve 17A is substantially parallel with the extension portion extending from the bend of the first pipe 62 of the second electromagnetic valve 17B, so that the space occupied by the first pipes 62 of the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B can be made small.
Furthermore, a direction in which the valve body 52 of the first electromagnetic valve 17A is driven by the plunger 51 of the first electromagnetic valve 17A is approximately parallel with a direction in which the valve body 52 of the second electromagnetic valve 17B is driven by the plunger 51 of the second electromagnetic valve 17B, so that the valve units (including the plungers 51, the valve bodies 52, and the housings 61) of the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B are allowed to be provided close to each other, and thereby the space to be occupied by these parts in the indoor unit can be made smaller.
Furthermore, the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B are arranged in the casing 3, 4 along the front-back direction of the indoor unit as viewed from the front thereof in the state that the casing 3, 4 has been installed, so that the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B are allowed to be arranged in a limited space on one side of the indoor heat exchanger.
Furthermore, in a conventional indoor unit in which one electromagnetic valve is located between first and second heat exchange sections, when the electromagnetic valve is fully opened and the first and second heat exchange sections are operated as an evaporator (or a condenser) in a cooling operation (or heating operation), the pressure loss becomes a problem. In contrast to this, in the indoor unit of the air conditioner of this embodiment, the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B are arranged between the first and second heat exchange sections, so that it is possible to reduce the pressure loss and hence prevent the ability from decreasing.
The above embodiment has been described in connection with the indoor unit of an air conditioner that includes the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B, which are expansion valves, as an example of the first and second control valves. However, the first and second control valves are not limited to them and may be other control valves such as on-off valves.
Furthermore, the above embodiment has been described in connection with the indoor unit of an air conditioner in which the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B as an example of the first and second control valves are placed on one lateral side of the indoor heat exchanger. However, the present invention may be applied to an indoor unit of an air conditioner in which more than two control valves are located on one lateral side of the indoor heat exchanger.
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first and second electromagnetic valves 17A and 17B are operated at the same time. However, an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention may be configured to perform an operation of opening one of the first and second control valves while closing the other one. In this case, the coolant flow through the heat exchange section downstream of the first and second control valves will be biased.

Claims

An indoor unit of an air conditioner, comprising:
a casing (3, 4);

an indoor heat exchanger (16, 18) located in the casing (3, 4); and

first and second control valves (17A, 17B) located in the casing (3, 4) and on one lateral side of the indoor heat exchanger (16, 18).
An indoor unit of an air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
the indoor heat exchanger (16, 18) includes a first heat exchange section (16) and a second heat exchange section (18); and

the first and second control valves (17A, 17B) are mounted on pipes connecting the first heat exchange section (16) with the second heat exchange section (18).
An indoor unit of an air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second control valves (17A, 17B) each comprise:
a first port (65) and a second port (66) which point in directions substantially orthogonal to each other;

a valve body (52) provided between the first port (65) and the second port (66); and

a drive section (51) extending in a direction opposite to a direction in which the first port (65) points and driving the valve body (52).
An indoor unit of an air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second control valves (17A, 17B) each comprise:
a valve unit which includes a valve body (52) and a drive section (51) driving the valve body (52) and has a length in a direction in which the valve body (52) and the drive section (51) are arranged;

a first port (65) which is provided on a side of the valve body (52) opposite from the drive section (51) and points in the longitudinal direction of the valve unit; and

a second port (66) which is provided on the valve unit and points in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the valve unit.
An indoor unit of an air conditioner as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the second port (66) of the first control valve (17A) and the second port (66) of the second control valve (17B) point in opposite directions and inward, and a second pipe (63) connected with the first control valve (17A) and a second pipe (63) connected with the second control valve (17B) do not interfere with each other.
An indoor unit of an air conditioner as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first and second control valves (17A, 17B) are located in the casing (3, 4) in such a manner that a direction in which the second port (66) of the first control valve (17A) points is substantially parallel with a direction in which the second port (66) of the second control valve (17B) points.
An indoor unit of an air conditioner as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein:
a first pipe (62) connected with the first control valve (17A) has a bend which turns near the first port (65) in a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction in which the first port (65) of the first control valve (17A) points; and

a first pipe (62) connected with the second control valve (17B) has a bend which turns in a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction in which the first port (65) of the second control valve (17B) points.
An indoor unit of an air conditioner as claimed in claim 7, wherein:
an extension portion extending from the bend of the first pipe (62) connected with the first control valve (17A) and an extension portion extending from the bend of the first pipe (62) connected with the second valve (17B) point in opposite directions and inward; and

the first pipe (62) connected with the first control valve (17A) and the first pipe (62) connected with the second control valve (17B) do not interfere with each other.
An indoor unit of an air conditioner as claimed in claim 8, wherein the extension portion extending from the bend of the first pipe (62) for the first control valve (17A) is substantially parallel with the extension portion extending from the bend of the first pipe (62) for the second control valve (17B).
An indoor unit of an air conditioner as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein a direction in which the valve body (52) of the first control valve (17A) is driven by the drive section (51) of the first control valve (17A) is substantially parallel with a direction in which the valve body (52) of the second control valve (17B) is driven by the drive section (51) of the second control valve (17B).
An indoor unit of an air conditioner as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the first and second control valves (17A, 17B) are arranged along a front-back direction of the indoor unit as viewed from a front face thereof in a state that the casing (3, 4) has been installed.