EP3604969A1 - Air-conditioning indoor unit - Google Patents
Air-conditioning indoor unit Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3604969A1 EP3604969A1 EP18775577.2A EP18775577A EP3604969A1 EP 3604969 A1 EP3604969 A1 EP 3604969A1 EP 18775577 A EP18775577 A EP 18775577A EP 3604969 A1 EP3604969 A1 EP 3604969A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- heat exchanger
- heat
- air
- indoor unit
- area
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
- F24F1/0059—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by heat exchangers
- F24F1/0067—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by heat exchangers by the shape of the heat exchangers or of parts thereof, e.g. of their fins
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
- F24F1/0059—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by heat exchangers
- F24F1/0063—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by heat exchangers by the mounting or arrangement of the heat exchangers
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
- F24F1/0011—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by air outlets
- F24F1/0014—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by air outlets having two or more outlet openings
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
- F24F1/0043—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by mounting arrangements
- F24F1/0047—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by mounting arrangements mounted in the ceiling or at the ceiling
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/02—Self-contained room units for air-conditioning, i.e. with all apparatus for treatment installed in a common casing
- F24F1/032—Self-contained room units for air-conditioning, i.e. with all apparatus for treatment installed in a common casing characterised by heat exchangers
- F24F1/0325—Self-contained room units for air-conditioning, i.e. with all apparatus for treatment installed in a common casing characterised by heat exchangers by the shape of the heat exchangers or of parts thereof, e.g. of their fins
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
- F24F13/22—Means for preventing condensation or evacuating condensate
- F24F13/222—Means for preventing condensation or evacuating condensate for evacuating condensate
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
- F24F13/30—Arrangement or mounting of heat-exchangers
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an air-conditioning indoor unit.
- Patent Literature 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-099609 discloses an air-conditioning indoor unit in which a fin-and-tube-type heat exchanger is installed.
- An object of the present invention is to provide an air-conditioning indoor unit having high heat-exchange performance.
- An air-conditioning indoor unit includes a casing that is installed indoors, a fan that is provided inside the casing, a heat exchanger that is disposed inside the casing and that includes a plurality of flat multi-perforated pipes arranged side by side one above another, and a drain pan that is provided below the heat exchanger.
- the heat exchanger is divided into an upper heat-exchange area and a lower heat-exchange area.
- a subcooling area that is formed by one or more of the flat multi-perforated pipes is formed at the lower heat-exchange area, the subcooling area being where a refrigerant flowing in an interior is subcooled.
- the drain pan includes a bottom portion that is provided below the heat exchanger and a wall portion that stands from the bottom portion and that is provided on a downwind side of the heat exchanger.
- at least a part of the subcooling area is disposed at a position that is lower than an upper end of the wall portion of the drain pan.
- the air-conditioning indoor unit since at least a part of the subcooling area of the heat exchanger is disposed at a position that is lower than the upper end of the wall portion of the drain pan, it is possible to improve heat-exchange efficiency.
- the term "indoor” is used to distinguish from other chambers, and is used to mean not only an indoor space that is divided by a wall surface, but also, for example, a space on a back side of an indoor ceiling.
- the configuration in which the plurality of flat multi-perforated pipes "are arranged side by side one above another” means any configuration in which the position of the center of gravity of each flat multi-perforated pipe is arranged side by side one above another. Therefore, the configuration means not only a configuration in which an upper surface and/or a lower surface of each flat multi-perforated pipe is arranged along a horizontal direction side by side one above another, but also a configuration in which the upper surface and/or the lower surface of each flat multi-perforated pipe is arranged obliquely from the horizontal direction side by side one above another.
- the configuration means not only a configuration in which the plurality of flat multi-perforated pipes are arranged along a vertical direction side by side one above another, but also a configuration in which the plurality of flat multi-perforated pipes are arranged obliquely from the vertical direction side by side one above another.
- An air-conditioning indoor unit is the air-conditioning indoor unit of the first aspect, in which an area of the upper heat-exchange area is larger than an area of the lower heat-exchange area.
- the air-conditioning indoor unit since the area of the upper heat-exchange area is larger than the area of the lower heat-exchange area, it is possible to provide an air-conditioning indoor unit having high heat-exchange efficiency.
- An air-conditioning indoor unit is the air-conditioning indoor unit of the first aspect or the second aspect, in which at least a part of the subcooling area is disposed near the upper end of the wall portion of the drain pan.
- An air-conditioning indoor unit is the air-conditioning indoor unit of any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, in which at least a part of the subcooling area is disposed on both sides of the upper end of the wall portion of the drain pan.
- An air-conditioning indoor unit is the air-conditioning indoor unit of any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, in which the casing has a blow-out port in a lower portion thereof, the fan is a centrifugal fan, and the heat exchanger is disposed so as to surround the centrifugal fan inside the casing.
- the air-conditioning indoor unit according to the fifth aspect for example, a ceiling-embedded-type air-conditioning indoor unit can have improved heat-exchange efficiency.
- An air-conditioning indoor unit is the air-conditioning indoor unit of any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, in which the casing has a blow-out port in a side thereof and a partition plate is provided inside the casing.
- the partition plate is a member for forming a heat exchanger chamber and a blowing chamber, the heat exchanger chamber communicating with the blow-out port and being where the heat exchanger is disposed, the blowing chamber communicating with the heat exchanger chamber and being where the fan is disposed.
- the air-conditioning indoor unit according to the sixth aspect for example, a duct-type air-conditioning indoor unit can have improved heat-exchange efficiency.
- An air-conditioning indoor unit is the air-conditioning indoor unit of any one of the first aspect to the sixth aspect, in which, as the heat exchanger, a heat exchanger unit that includes a plurality of the heat exchangers is used.
- the air-conditioning indoor unit according to the seventh aspect, or the air-conditioning indoor unit in which the heat exchanger unit including a plurality of the heat exchangers is installed can have improved heat-exchange efficiency.
- An air-conditioning indoor unit is the air-conditioning indoor unit of the seventh aspect, in which, of the heat exchanger unit, a heat exchanger that is disposed on a downwind most side with respect to the fan is such that at least a part of the subcooling area is disposed at a position that is lower than the upper end of the wall portion of the drain pan.
- the air-conditioning indoor unit according to the eighth aspect, or the air-conditioning indoor unit in which the heat exchanger unit including a plurality of the heat exchangers is installed can have further improved heat-exchange efficiency.
- the air-conditioning indoor unit according to the first aspect can have improved heat-exchange efficiency.
- the air-conditioning indoor unit according to the second aspect can be an air-conditioning indoor unit having high heat-exchange efficiency.
- the air-conditioning indoor unit allows a heat exchanger having a large area where heat is exchanged between a gas refrigerant and air to be disposed above the drain pan.
- the air-conditioning indoor unit allows a heat exchanger having a high rate of exchanging heat with a gas refrigerant to be disposed above the drain pan.
- the air-conditioning indoor unit according to the fifth aspect for example, a ceiling-embedded-type air-conditioning indoor unit can have improved heat-exchange efficiency.
- the air-conditioning indoor unit according to the sixth aspect for example, a duct-type air-conditioning indoor unit can have improved heat-exchange efficiency.
- the air-conditioning indoor unit according to the seventh aspect, or the air-conditioning indoor unit in which the heat exchanger unit including a plurality of the heat exchangers is installed can have improved heat-exchange efficiency.
- the air-conditioning indoor unit according to the eighth aspect, or the air-conditioning indoor unit in which the heat exchanger unit including a plurality of the heat exchangers is installed can have further improved heat-exchange efficiency.
- Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a configuration of an air conditioner 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
- the air conditioner 1 is a device that is capable of cooling and warming the interior of rooms of, for example, a building by performing a vapor-compression-type refrigeration cycle.
- the air conditioner 1 is constructed primarily by connecting an outdoor unit 2 and an indoor unit 4 to each other.
- the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 4 are connected to each other via a liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 5 and a gas-refrigerant connection pipe 6.
- Various operations of the air conditioner 1 are controlled by a control unit 8 including an indoor control unit 8a and an outdoor control unit 8.
- the control unit 8 controls, for example, various devices and valves based on detection signals from various sensors.
- the air conditioner 1 of a pair-type in which one outdoor unit 2 is connected to one indoor unit 4 may be a multi-type air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit.
- the air conditioner 1 is capable of performing a cooling operation and a heating operation.
- the air conditioner 1 is also capable of performing, for example, a defrost operation and an oil return operation. These operations are controlled by the control unit 8.
- a refrigerant circuit 10 is a state that a four-way switching valve 22 becomes as indicated by a solid line in Fig. 1 .
- a low-pressure gas refrigerant is compressed by a compressor 21 and becomes a high-pressure gas refrigerant.
- the high-pressure gas refrigerant is sent to an outdoor heat exchanger 23 via the four-way switching valve 22.
- the high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the outdoor heat exchanger exchanges heat with outdoor air and is condensed at the outdoor heat exchanger 23. This causes the high-pressure gas refrigerant to become a high-pressure liquid refrigerant.
- the high-pressure liquid refrigerant has its pressure reduced and becomes a low-pressure refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state at an expansion valve 24.
- the low-pressure refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state is sent to an indoor heat exchanger 42 via the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 5 and a liquid-side connection pipe 5a. Then, the refrigerant exchanges heat with air that is blown out from an indoor fan 41 and evaporates at the indoor heat exchanger 42. This causes the refrigerant sent to the indoor heat exchanger 42 to become a low-pressure gas refrigerant.
- the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sent again to the compressor 21 via a gas-side connection pipe 6a, the gas-refrigerant connection pipe 6, and the four-way switching valve 22.
- the refrigerant circuit 10 is in a state that the four-way switching valve 22 becomes as indicated by a broken line in Fig. 1 .
- a low-pressure gas refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 21 and becomes a high-pressure gas refrigerant.
- the high-pressure gas refrigerant is sent to the indoor heat exchanger 42 via the four-way switching valve 22, the gas-refrigerant connection pipe 6, and the gas-side connection pipe 6a.
- the high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the indoor heat exchanger 42 exchanges heat with air that is blown out from the indoor fan 41 and is condensed. This causes the high-pressure gas refrigerant to become a high-pressure liquid refrigerant.
- the high-pressure liquid refrigerant is sent to the expansion valve 24 via the liquid-side connection pipe 5a and the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 5.
- the high-pressure liquid refrigerant has its pressure reduced and becomes a low-pressure refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state at the expansion valve 24.
- the low-pressure refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 23. Then, the refrigerant exchanges heat with outdoor air and evaporates at the outdoor heat exchanger 23. This causes the refrigerant sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 23 to become a low-pressure gas refrigerant.
- the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sent again to the compressor 21 via the four-way switching valve 22.
- the indoor unit has the following configuration.
- the term "indoor” is used to distinguish from other chambers, and is used to mean not only an indoor space that is divided by a wall surface, but also, for example, a space on a back side of an indoor ceiling.
- the indoor unit 4 is installed indoors, and constitutes a part of the refrigerant circuit 10.
- the indoor unit 4 primarily includes the indoor fan 41, the indoor heat exchanger 42, and the indoor control unit 8a.
- the indoor fan 41 sucks in indoor air into the indoor unit 4. This allows the indoor air and a refrigerant to exchange heat at the indoor heat exchanger 42.
- the indoor fan 41 supplies the indoor air that has exchanged heat at the indoor heat exchanger 42 into the interior as supply air.
- a centrifugal fan or a multi-blade fan is used as the indoor fan 41.
- the indoor fan 41 is driven by an indoor-fan motor whose number of rotations is controllable.
- the indoor heat exchanger 42 When a cooling operation is performed, the indoor heat exchanger 42 functions as an "evaporator” of a refrigerant to cool indoor air, and, when a heating operation is performed, the indoor heat exchanger 42 functions as a "condenser” (radiator) of a refrigerant to heat indoor air.
- the indoor heat exchanger 42 is connected to the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 5 and the gas-refrigerant connection pipe 6.
- the indoor heat exchanger 42 is described in more detail below.
- the indoor control unit 8a is a unit that controls the operation of various portions that constitute the indoor unit 4.
- the indoor control unit 8a includes, for example, a microcomputer and a memory, and controls the operations of the indoor unit 4 based on, for example, detection values of various sensors or the like provided inside the indoor unit 4.
- the indoor control unit 8a communicates by using a control signal with a remote controller (not illustrated) for individually operating the indoor unit 4, and communicates by using a control signal with the outdoor control unit 8b via a transmission line.
- the indoor unit 4 is provided with the various sensors. Therefore, for example, the temperature of a refrigerant at the indoor heat exchanger 42 and the temperature of indoor air that is sucked into the indoor unit 4 are detected.
- a configuration of a type that is called a ceiling-embedded type can be used.
- Fig. 2 is an external perspective view of the indoor unit 4 of the ceiling-embedded-type according the embodiment.
- Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the ceiling-embedded-type indoor unit 4 according to the embodiment.
- Fig. 3 is a sectional view along A-O-A in Fig. 4 described below.
- Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating a state in which a top plate 33 of the ceiling-embedded-type indoor unit 4 according to the embodiment is removed.
- the ceiling-embedded-type indoor unit accommodates the indoor fan 41 and the indoor heat exchanger 42 inside a casing 31.
- a drain pan 40 is mounted in a lower portion of the casing 31.
- the casing 31 is a casing that accommodates various structural devices therein.
- the casing 31 primarily includes a casing main body 31a and a decorative panel 32 disposed on a lower side of the casing main body 31a.
- the casing main body 31a is disposed on a ceiling U of the room that is provided with conditioned air.
- the ceiling U has an opening, and the casing main body 31a is inserted into the opening of the ceiling U.
- the decorative panel 32 is fitted and disposed in the opening of the ceiling U.
- the casing main body 31a is a box-shaped body in which a lower surface having a substantially octagonal shape in plan view has is opened, the substantially octagonal shape having long sides and short sides that are alternately formed.
- the casing main body 31a includes the substantially octagonal top plate 33 having long sides and short sides alternately formed continuously and a side plate 34 extending downward from peripheral edge portions of the top plate 33.
- the side plate 34 includes side plates 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d that correspond to the long sides of the top plate 33, and side plates 34e, 34f, 34g, and 34h that correspond to the short sides of the top plate 33.
- the side plate 34h includes a portion through which the liquid-side connection pipe 5a and the gas-side connection pipe 6a pass, and allows the refrigerant connection pipes 5 and 6 to be connected to the indoor heat exchanger 42.
- the decorative panel 32 is a substantially square plate-shaped body in plan view, and primarily includes a panel main body 32a fixed to a lower end portion of the casing main body 31a.
- the panel main body 32a has a suck-in port 35 that is disposed at a substantial center thereof and that sucks in air inside the air-conditioned room and a blow-out port 36 that is formed so as to surround the suck-in port 35 in plan view and that blows out air into the air-conditioned room.
- the suck-in port 35 is a substantially square opening.
- the suck-in port 35 is provided with a suck-in grill 37 and a filter 38 for removing dust in the air sucked in from the suck-in port 35.
- the blow-out port 36 is a substantially square, ring-shaped opening. Horizontal flaps 39a, 39b, 39c, and 39d that adjust the wind direction of the air that is blown out into the air-conditioned room are provided at the blow-out port 36 so as to be in correspondence with the sides of the square shape of the panel main body 32a.
- the drain pan 40 is a member for receiving drain water that is produced due to moisture in the air being condensed at the indoor heat exchanger 42.
- the drain pan 40 is mounted at a lower portion of the casing main body 31a.
- the drain pan 40 has blow-out ports 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 40f, and 40g, a suck-in port 40h, and a drain water-receiving groove 40i.
- the blow-out ports 40a to 40g are formed so as communicate with the blow-out port 36 of the decorative panel 32.
- the suck-in port 40h is formed so as to communicate with the suck-in port 35 of the decorative panel 32.
- the drain water-receiving groove 40i is formed on a lower side of the indoor heat exchanger 42.
- a bell mouth 41c for guiding air that is sucked in from the suck-in port 35 to an impeller 41b of the indoor fan is disposed at the suck-in port 40h of the drain pan 40.
- the drain water-receiving groove 40i includes a bottom portion 40t that is provided below the indoor heat exchanger 42 and a wall portion 40w that stands from the bottom portion 40t and that is provided on a downwind side of the indoor heat exchanger 42.
- the indoor heat exchanger 42 has a subcooling area Sc that is constituted by one or more flat multi-perforated pipes, the subcooling area Sc being where a refrigerant flowing in the interior is subcooled.
- the indoor unit 4 is formed so that at least a part of the subcooling area Sc of the indoor heat exchanger 42 is disposed at a position that is lower than an upper end 40u of the wall portion 40w of the drain pan 40.
- Examples of such a configuration include a configuration in which the entire subcooling area Sc is disposed at a position that is lower than the upper end 40u of the wall portion 40w of the drain pan 40, a configuration in which a part of the subcooling area Sc is disposed near the upper end 40u, and a configuration in which a part of the subcooling area Sc is disposed on both sides of the upper end 40u.
- the indoor fan 41 is constituted by a centrifugal blower.
- the indoor fan 41 is a fan that sucks indoor air into the casing main body 31a via the suck-in port 35 of the decorative panel 32 and that blows out the air from the casing main body 31a via the blow-out port 36 of the decorative panel 32.
- the indoor fan 41 includes a fan motor 41a that is provided at the center of the top plate 33 of the casing main body 31a and the impeller 41b that is coupled to the fan motor 41a and rotationally driven.
- the impeller 41b includes turbo blades. By the impeller 41b, air is sucked into the impeller 41b from there below and the sucked-in air is blown out towards an outer peripheral side of the impeller 41b in plan view.
- the indoor heat exchanger 42 is bent so as to surround the indoor fan 41 in plan view and is disposed inside the casing 31.
- a liquid side of the indoor heat exchanger 42 is connected to the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 5 via the liquid-side connection pipe 5a.
- a gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 42 is connected to the gas-refrigerant connection pipe 6 via the gas-side connection pipe 6a.
- the indoor heat exchanger 42 functions as an evaporator of a refrigerant at the time of a cooling operation, and functions as a condenser of a refrigerant at the time of a heating operation. Therefore, the indoor heat exchanger 42 exchanges heat with air blown out from the indoor fan 41, and cools the air at the time of the cooling operation and heats the air at the time of the heating operation.
- Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a basic configuration of a heat exchanger 42a used in the indoor heat exchanger 42. Fig. 6 does not illustrate, for example, the refrigerant pipes and the connection pipes. Fig. 7 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the heat exchanger used in the heat exchanger 42a.
- the heat exchanger 42a is an insertion-fin-type and lamination-type heat exchanger primarily including heat transfer pipes 421 that are constituted by flat multi-perforated pipes, a plurality of fins 422, and two headers 423 and 424.
- the heat transfer pipes 421 are realized by the flat multi-perforated pipes. Here, two ends of each heat transfer pipe 421 are connected to a corresponding one of the headers 423 and 424. With planar portions of the heat transfer pipes 421 facing an up-down direction, the heat transfer pipes 421 are arranged in a plurality of layers and apart from each other. Specifically, each heat transfer pipe 421 includes upper and lower planar portions that become heat transfer surfaces and a plurality of small refrigerant flow paths 421a in which a refrigerant flows. As the refrigerant flow paths 421a, those having small flow path ports having a circular shape whose inside diameter is 1 mm or less or a polygonal shape having a cross-sectional area equivalent thereto are used.
- the heat transfer pipes 421 are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
- the fins 422 are inserted with respect to the plurality of layers of heat transfer pipes 421 arranged between the headers 423 and 424.
- the fins 422 have a plurality of cutouts 422a extending horizontally in an elongated form.
- the shapes of the cutouts 422a substantially correspond to the cross-sectional external shapes of the heat transfer pipes 421. Therefore, by engaging the cutouts 422a and outer surfaces of the heat transfer pipes 421 with each other, it is possible to insert the fins 422 with respect to the heat transfer pipes 421 so as to contact the heat transfer pipes 421.
- the fins 422 are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
- the fins 422 can have various shapes, and may have, for example, a wavy shape as that illustrated in Fig. 8 .
- the two headers 423 and 424 each have the function of supporting the heat transfer pipes 421, the function of guiding a refrigerant to the refrigerant flow paths 421a of the heat transfer pipes 421, and the function of gathering a refrigerant that has come out from the refrigerant flow paths 421a.
- the indoor heat exchanger 42 is constituted by a heat exchanger unit in which a plurality of the above-described heat exchangers 42a are combined.
- reference numeral "42" denoting the indoor heat exchanger is added to describe the heat exchanger unit.
- the heat exchanger unit 42 is assumed as including at least a first heat exchanger 52 and a second heat exchanger 62.
- the first heat exchanger 52 and the second heat exchanger 62 are assumed as having a configuration that is similar to that of the above-described heat exchanger 42a, for convenience sake, the reference numeral 42a is replaced by the reference numerals 52 and 62.
- the first number of the reference numeral is "4"; when the first heat exchanger 52 is to be described, the first number of the reference numeral is replaced by "5"; and when the second heat exchanger 62 is to be described, the first number of the reference numeral is replaced by "6".
- the heat transfer pipes of the first heat exchanger 52 or the second heat exchanger 62 have the same structure as the above-described heat transfer pipes 421, instead of the reference numeral 421, the heat transfer pipes of the first heat exchanger 52 are each given reference numeral "521" and are described, and the heat transfer pipes of the second heat exchanger 62 are each given reference numeral "621" and are described.
- Fig. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of the heat exchanger unit 42 according to the embodiment.
- the heat exchanger unit 42 includes the first heat exchanger 52 that is disposed on an upwind side of air flow produced by the indoor fan (fan) 41 and the second heat exchanger 62 that is disposed beside the first heat exchanger 52 on a downwind side of the air flow produced by the indoor fan 41.
- a first direction D1 in which a refrigerant flows from a first header 523 of the first heat exchanger 52 towards a second header 524
- a second direction D2 in which a refrigerant flows from an upper third header 523U of the second heat exchanger 62 towards an upper fourth header 624U oppose each other.
- the first heat exchanger 52 and the second heat exchanger 62 are illustrated apart from each other, they are disposed sufficiently close to each other so as to function together (refer to Fig. 10 ).
- the first heat exchanger 52 includes the first header 523 and the second header 524, and a first flat pipe group 500 including a plurality of flat multi-perforated pipes (heat transfer pipes) that are each connected to the first header 523 and the second header 523.
- the plurality of flat multi-perforated pipes are arranged side by side one above another.
- one or more of the flat multi-perforated pipes on an upper side form an upper first heat-exchange area 500U
- one or more of the flat multi-perforated pipes on a lower side form a lower first heat-exchange area 500L.
- the first header 523 includes an upper first header 523U that is connected to the upper first heat-exchange area 500U and a lower first header 523L that is connected to the lower first heat-exchange area 500L.
- the gas-side connection pipe 6a gas refrigerant pipe in which a gas refrigerant flows is connected to the upper first header 523U.
- Coupling pipes 525 and 526 are connected to the lower first header 523L. Therefore, an upper second header 524U and the lower first header 523L are coupled to each other.
- an internal space is partitioned by a partition plate 523a into upper and lower portions (here, two portions). Consequently, the upper first header 523U and the lower first header 523L are formed so that they do not internally communicate with each other.
- the second header 524 includes the upper second header 524U that is connected to the upper first heat-exchange area 500U and a lower second header 524L that is connected to the lower first heat-exchange area 500L.
- Coupling pipes 525 and 526 are connected to the upper second header 524U. Therefore, the upper second header 524U and the lower first header 523L are coupled to each other.
- the liquid-side connection pipe 5a in which a liquid refrigerant flows is connected to the lower second header 524L.
- an internal space is partitioned by a partition plate 524a into upper and lower portions (here, two portions). Consequently, the upper second header 524U and the lower second header 524L are formed so that they do not internally communicate with each other.
- the coupling pipes 525 and 526 are pipes that couple the upper second header 524U and the lower first header 523L to each other.
- a temperature measuring instrument for measuring the temperature of a refrigerant is mounted on each of the coupling pipes 525 and 526.
- the second heat exchanger 62 includes a third header 623 and a fourth header 624, and a second flat pipe group 600 including a plurality of flat multi-perforated pipes that are each connected to the third header 623 and the fourth header 624.
- the plurality of flat multi-perforated pipes are arranged side by side one above another.
- one or more of the flat multi-perforated pipes on an upper side form an upper second heat-exchange area 600U
- one or more of the flat multi-perforated pipes on a lower side form a lower second heat-exchange area 600L.
- the third header 623 includes an upper third header 623U that is connected to the upper second heat-exchange area 600U and a lower third header 623L that is connected to the lower second heat-exchange area 600L.
- an internal space is partitioned by a partition plate 623a into upper and lower portions (here, two portions). Therefore, a space 623g on an upper side of the partition plate 623a is connected to the upper second heat-exchange area 600U, and a space 623h on a lower side of the partition plate is connected to the lower second heat-exchange area 600L.
- the gas-side connection pipe 6a is connected to the upper third header 623U.
- the liquid-side connection pipe 5a is connected to the lower third header 623L.
- the fourth header 624 includes the upper fourth header 624U that is connected to the upper second heat-exchange area 600U and a lower fourth header 624L that is connected to the lower second heat-exchange area 600L.
- an internal space is partitioned by a partition plate 624a into upper and lower portions (here, two portions). Therefore, a space 624i on an upper side of the partition plate 624a is connected to the upper second heat-exchange area 600U, and a space 624j on a lower side of the partition plate 624a is connected to the lower second heat-exchange area 600L.
- the fourth header 624 includes a "turn-around portion" that couples the upper fourth header 624U and the lower fourth header 624L and that causes a refrigerant flowing in from a side of the third header 623 to turn around towards the side of the third header 623.
- the fourth header 624 includes a coupling pipe 625 that couples the upper fourth header 624U and the lower fourth header 624L to each other.
- a temperature measuring instrument for measuring the temperature of a refrigerant is mounted on the coupling pipe 625.
- the first heat exchanger 52 forms the upper first heat-exchange area 500U and the lower first heat-exchange area 500L
- a connection port with the gas-side connection pipe 6a is disposed in the upper first heat-exchange area 500U
- a connection port with the liquid-side connection pipe 5a is disposed in the lower first heat-exchange area 500L
- the second heat exchanger 62 forms the upper second heat-exchange area 600U and the lower second heat-exchange area 600L
- a connection port with the gas-side connection pipe 6a is disposed in the upper second heat-exchange area 600U
- a connection port with the liquid-side connection pipe 5a is disposed in the lower second heat-exchange area 600L.
- a state of an internal portion of the heat-exchange areas becomes a state such as that illustrated in Fig. 13 , and subcooling areas Sc1 and Sc2 that are constituted by one or more flat multi-perforated pipes are formed at the lower first heat-exchange area 500L and the lower second heat-exchange area 600L.
- the hatching of the area Sc1 and the hatching of the area Sc2 each indicate a subcooling area where a refrigerant is subcooled
- the hatching of an area Sh1 and the hatching of an area Sh2 each indicate a superheating area where a refrigerant is superheated.
- the indoor unit 4 air-conditioning indoor unit
- at least a part of the subcooling areas Sc1 and Sc2 of the heat exchanger unit 42 is disposed at a position that is lower than the upper end 40u of the wall portion 40w of the drain pan 40. Therefore, in the indoor unit 4 according to the embodiment, compared to a configuration in which the entire subcooling area Sc is disposed at a position that is higher than the upper end 40u of the wall portion 40w of the drain pan 40, it is possible to improve heat exchange efficiency.
- the flow speed of air flow (wind speed) in a space above the drain pan 40 is increased.
- the wind speed distribution between the drain pan 40 and an inner wall of the casing 31 is as indicated in the graph illustrated in Fig. 14 .
- the vertical axis indicates the position in an up-down direction inside the casing 31, and the horizontal axis indicates the wind speed.
- Fig. 14 shows that, in the indoor unit 4, the wind speed in the space above the drain pan 40 is increased.
- a flow-line distribution of air flow at a location between the drain pan 40 and the inner wall of the casing 31 is as indicated in Fig. 15 .
- the heat-exchange areas (primarily, the lower heat-exchange areas 500L and 600L), where heat is exchanged between a liquid refrigerant and air, are disposed below the upper end 40u of the wall portion 40w of the drain pan 40, and the heat-exchange areas (primarily, the upper heat-exchange areas 500U and 600U), where heat is exchanged between a gas refrigerant and air, are disposed in the space above the drain pan 40.
- the area of the upper first heat-exchange area 500U is larger than the area of the lower second heat-exchange area 500L. Therefore, the number of divisions of refrigerant flow paths of the lower first heat-exchange area 500L is smaller than the number of divisions of refrigerant flow paths of the upper first heat-exchange area 500U. Consequently, in the first heat exchanger 52, it is possible to increase the refrigerant flow speed in the lower first heat-exchange area 500L than in the upper first heat-exchange area 500U.
- the subcooling area Sc is formed in the lower first heat-exchange area 500L. Therefore, in the indoor unit 4 according to the embodiment, compared to a configuration in which the entire subcooling area Sc is disposed at a position that is higher than the upper end 40u of the wall portion 40w of the drain pan 40, it is possible to improve heat exchange efficiency.
- the argument for the first heat exchanger 52 also holds for the second heat exchanger 62. Therefore, it is possible to increase the heat transfer coefficient in the lower second heat-exchange area 600L.
- the casing 31 has the blow-out port 36 in the lower portion thereof, and the indoor heat exchanger 42 is disposed so as to surround the centrifugal fan 41 inside the casing 31. That is, as illustrated in Fig. 16 , the indoor unit 4 is bent so as to surround the indoor fan 41 in plan view and is disposed inside the casing 31. Therefore, for example, the ceiling-embedded-type indoor unit 4 can have improved heat-exchange efficiency.
- the heat exchanger unit 42 since the heat exchangers 52 and 62 are installed, it is possible to improve heat-exchange efficiency. As illustrated in Fig. 13 , when the first direction D1 in which a refrigerant flows inside the first heat exchanger 52 and the second direction D2 in which a refrigerant flows inside the second heat exchanger 62 (the upper second heat-exchange area 600U) oppose each other, temperature irregularities of blown-out air are suppressed. Therefore, the heat exchanger unit 42 according to the embodiment can provide blown-out air having little temperature irregularities.
- the heat exchanger unit 42 includes a plurality of heat exchangers 52 and 62, it is desirable that, of the heat exchangers 52 and 62, the heat exchanger that is disposed on a downwind most side with respect to the indoor fan 41 (in the example in Fig. 13 , the first heat exchanger 52) be such that at least a part of the subcooling area Sc is disposed at a position that is lower than the upper end 40u of the wall portion 40w of the drain pan 40.
- the indoor heat exchanger according to the embodiment may be constituted by a single heat exchanger.
- the indoor heat exchanger 42 may be constituted by only the first heat exchanger 52 or the second heat exchanger 62. Even in such a configuration, as long as at least a part of the subcooling area Sc1 of the first heat exchanger 52 or the subcooling area Sc2 of the second heat exchanger 62 is disposed at a position that is lower than the upper end 40u of the wall portion 40w of the drain pan 40, it is possible to improve heat exchange efficiency.
- the heat exchanger unit 42 may be constituted by a combination of the heat exchangers 52 and 62 that are arbitrarily constructed.
- the heat exchanger unit 42 may have another configuration illustrated in Fig. 19 . Even in such a configuration, as long as at least a part of the subcooling area Sc1 of the first heat exchanger 52 or the subcooling area Sc2 of the second heat exchanger 62 is disposed at a position that is lower than the upper end 40u of the wall portion 40w of the drain pan 40, it is possible to improve heat exchange efficiency.
- the indoor unit 4 according to the embodiment when the indoor heat exchanger 42 is used as a condenser, at least a part of the subcooling area Sc only needs to be disposed near the upper end 40u of the wall portion 40w of the drain pan 40. In short, the indoor unit 4 according to the embodiment need not be one in which the entire subcooling area Sc of the heat exchanger unit 42 is formed at a position that is lower than the upper end 40u of the wall portion 40w of the drain pan 40.
- the inventors conducted studies and found out that, near the upper end 40u of the wall portion 40w of the drain pan 40, as illustrated in Fig. 13 , local wind speeds are increased. Therefore, even if the subcooling area Sc is not formed entirely over the position that is lower than the upper end 40u of the wall portion 40w of the drain pan 40, as long as the subcooling area Sc is formed at least near the upper end 40u, the degree of subcooling of a refrigerant can be increased.
- the indoor heat exchanger 42 when used as a condenser, at least a part of the subcooling area Sc may be disposed on both sides of the upper end 40u of the wall portion 40w of the drain pan 40. Due to such an arrangement, at both sides of the upper end 40u of the wall portion 40w of the drain pan 40, the rate of heat exchange between a liquid refrigerant and air is increased, so that it is possible to increase the degree of subcooling of a refrigerant at the subcooling area Sc.
- the upper side and the lower side are defined at the first heat exchanger 52 and the second heat exchanger 62
- the upper side and the lower side may be defined based on the heat exchanger unit 42 according to the embodiment as a whole.
- a connection port side with the gas-side connection pipe 6a is defined as the "upper side”
- a connection port side with the liquid-side connection pipe 5a is defined as the "lower side”.
- the area of the upper heat-exchange area of the heat exchanger unit 42 is larger than the area of the lower heat-exchange area.
- the indoor heat exchanger according to the embodiment includes one in which, even if, in the single first heat exchanger 52 or second heat exchanger 62, the area of the upper heat-exchange area (500U or 600U) is not larger than the area of the lower heat-exchange area (500L or 600L), the area of the upper heat-exchange area is larger than the area of the lower heat-exchange area as a whole.
- the indoor heat exchanger according to the embodiment is one in which the first heat exchanger 52 and the second heat exchanger 62 are connected and integrated to each other with coupling pipes 427 and 428. In the example of Fig.
- the heat exchanger unit 42 is one in which, in terms of the definitions above, the area of the upper heat-exchange area is larger than the area of the lower heat-exchange area as a whole.
- An air conditioner 1S according to a second embodiment of the present invention differs from the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment in a specific form of an indoor unit 4S.
- the indoor unit 4S in the embodiment uses a configuration of a type that is called a duct type.
- Fig. 21 is a schematic sectional view of the duct-type indoor unit 4S according to the embodiment.
- a casing 31S has a blow-out port 36S in a side thereof.
- a heat exchanger chamber 31H that communicates with the blow-out port 36S and a blowing chamber 31S that communicates with the heat exchanger chamber 31H via a partition plate B are formed inside the casing 31S.
- An indoor heat exchanger 42 is installed in the heat exchanger chamber 31H.
- An indoor fan 41 is installed in the blowing chamber 31S.
- the configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 42 is the same as the configuration in the first embodiment.
- the configuration in which a plurality of flat multi-perforated pipes "are arranged side by side one above another" in the indoor heat exchanger 42S refers not to a configuration in which an upper surface and/or a lower surface of each flat multi-perforated pipe is arranged along a horizontal direction side by side one above another, but to, as illustrated in Fig. 21 , a configuration in which the upper surface and/or the lower surface of each flat multi-perforated pipe is arranged obliquely from the horizontal direction side by side one above another.
- heat exchangers having such a configuration are used, heat exchangers of other types can be installed as they are, and, for example, such heat exchangers can be easily manufactured.
- the configuration of the heat exchanger 42S according to the embodiment is not limited thereto, and, as illustrated in Fig. 22 , may be a configuration in which the plurality of flat multi-perforated pipes are arranged obliquely from a vertical direction side by side one above another.
- heat exchangers having such a configuration it is possible to allow air flow having a high flow speed to pass the heat-exchange areas and to improve heat-exchange efficiency between a refrigerant and air.
- the above-described indoor heat exchanger 42S may be a heat exchanger unit including a plurality of heat exchangers, or may be constituted by a single heat exchanger. This is the same as for the first embodiment. That is, when the heat exchanger unit 42S including heat exchangers 52S and 62S is installed, it is possible to improve heat exchange efficiency compared to one that is constituted by a single heat exchanger. Further, when a first direction D1 in which a refrigerant flows inside the first heat exchanger 52S and a second direction D2 in which a refrigerant flows inside the second heat exchanger 62S oppose each other, temperature irregularities of blown-out air can be suppressed.
- the upwind-side first heat exchanger include the subcooling area rather than the downwind-side heat exchanger.
- the subcooling area of the upwind-side heat exchanger be disposed at a position that is lower than the upper end 40u of the wall portion 40w of the drain pan 40 rather than the subcooling area of the downwind-side heat exchanger.
- Patent Literature 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-099609
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- Air Filters, Heat-Exchange Apparatuses, And Housings Of Air-Conditioning Units (AREA)
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- Devices For Blowing Cold Air, Devices For Blowing Warm Air, And Means For Preventing Water Condensation In Air Conditioning Units (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to an air-conditioning indoor unit.
- Hitherto, air-conditioning indoor units that blow out conditioned air have been used. For example, Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
2011-099609 - In recent years, installing a micro-channel-type heat exchanger using flat multi-perforated pipes in an air-conditioning unit has been considered. In the heat exchanger using flat multi-perforated pipes, different heat-exchange areas corresponding to the numbers of divisions of refrigerant flow paths may be formed. In addition, in the air-conditioning indoor unit, due to the influence of, for example, an internal structure, the wind speed distribution of air flow produced by a centrifugal fan may vary greatly in accordance with position. Therefore, in the air-conditioning indoor unit in which the heat exchanger using flat multi-perforated pipes is installed, the heat-exchange performance may be reduced greatly in accordance with an internal wind speed distribution and the position where the heat exchanger is disposed.
- An object of the present invention is to provide an air-conditioning indoor unit having high heat-exchange performance.
- An air-conditioning indoor unit according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a casing that is installed indoors, a fan that is provided inside the casing, a heat exchanger that is disposed inside the casing and that includes a plurality of flat multi-perforated pipes arranged side by side one above another, and a drain pan that is provided below the heat exchanger. Here, the heat exchanger is divided into an upper heat-exchange area and a lower heat-exchange area. When the heat exchanger is used as a condenser, a subcooling area that is formed by one or more of the flat multi-perforated pipes is formed at the lower heat-exchange area, the subcooling area being where a refrigerant flowing in an interior is subcooled. The drain pan includes a bottom portion that is provided below the heat exchanger and a wall portion that stands from the bottom portion and that is provided on a downwind side of the heat exchanger. In the air-conditioning indoor unit, at least a part of the subcooling area is disposed at a position that is lower than an upper end of the wall portion of the drain pan.
- In the air-conditioning indoor unit according to the first aspect, since at least a part of the subcooling area of the heat exchanger is disposed at a position that is lower than the upper end of the wall portion of the drain pan, it is possible to improve heat-exchange efficiency.
- In the present invention, the term "indoor" is used to distinguish from other chambers, and is used to mean not only an indoor space that is divided by a wall surface, but also, for example, a space on a back side of an indoor ceiling.
- In the present invention, the configuration in which the plurality of flat multi-perforated pipes "are arranged side by side one above another" means any configuration in which the position of the center of gravity of each flat multi-perforated pipe is arranged side by side one above another. Therefore, the configuration means not only a configuration in which an upper surface and/or a lower surface of each flat multi-perforated pipe is arranged along a horizontal direction side by side one above another, but also a configuration in which the upper surface and/or the lower surface of each flat multi-perforated pipe is arranged obliquely from the horizontal direction side by side one above another. In addition, the configuration means not only a configuration in which the plurality of flat multi-perforated pipes are arranged along a vertical direction side by side one above another, but also a configuration in which the plurality of flat multi-perforated pipes are arranged obliquely from the vertical direction side by side one above another.
- An air-conditioning indoor unit according to a second aspect of the present invention is the air-conditioning indoor unit of the first aspect, in which an area of the upper heat-exchange area is larger than an area of the lower heat-exchange area.
- In the air-conditioning indoor unit according to the second aspect, since the area of the upper heat-exchange area is larger than the area of the lower heat-exchange area, it is possible to provide an air-conditioning indoor unit having high heat-exchange efficiency.
- An air-conditioning indoor unit according to a third aspect of the present invention is the air-conditioning indoor unit of the first aspect or the second aspect, in which at least a part of the subcooling area is disposed near the upper end of the wall portion of the drain pan. Such a configuration allows a heat exchanger having a large area where heat is exchanged between a gas refrigerant and air to be disposed above the drain pan.
- An air-conditioning indoor unit according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the air-conditioning indoor unit of any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, in which at least a part of the subcooling area is disposed on both sides of the upper end of the wall portion of the drain pan. Such a configuration allows a heat exchanger having a high rate of exchanging heat with a gas refrigerant to be disposed above the drain pan.
- An air-conditioning indoor unit according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the air-conditioning indoor unit of any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, in which the casing has a blow-out port in a lower portion thereof, the fan is a centrifugal fan, and the heat exchanger is disposed so as to surround the centrifugal fan inside the casing.
- The air-conditioning indoor unit according to the fifth aspect, for example, a ceiling-embedded-type air-conditioning indoor unit can have improved heat-exchange efficiency.
- An air-conditioning indoor unit according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the air-conditioning indoor unit of any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, in which the casing has a blow-out port in a side thereof and a partition plate is provided inside the casing. Here, the partition plate is a member for forming a heat exchanger chamber and a blowing chamber, the heat exchanger chamber communicating with the blow-out port and being where the heat exchanger is disposed, the blowing chamber communicating with the heat exchanger chamber and being where the fan is disposed.
- The air-conditioning indoor unit according to the sixth aspect, for example, a duct-type air-conditioning indoor unit can have improved heat-exchange efficiency.
- An air-conditioning indoor unit according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the air-conditioning indoor unit of any one of the first aspect to the sixth aspect, in which, as the heat exchanger, a heat exchanger unit that includes a plurality of the heat exchangers is used.
- The air-conditioning indoor unit according to the seventh aspect, or the air-conditioning indoor unit in which the heat exchanger unit including a plurality of the heat exchangers is installed can have improved heat-exchange efficiency.
- An air-conditioning indoor unit according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the air-conditioning indoor unit of the seventh aspect, in which, of the heat exchanger unit, a heat exchanger that is disposed on a downwind most side with respect to the fan is such that at least a part of the subcooling area is disposed at a position that is lower than the upper end of the wall portion of the drain pan.
- The air-conditioning indoor unit according to the eighth aspect, or the air-conditioning indoor unit in which the heat exchanger unit including a plurality of the heat exchangers is installed can have further improved heat-exchange efficiency.
- The air-conditioning indoor unit according to the first aspect can have improved heat-exchange efficiency.
- The air-conditioning indoor unit according to the second aspect can be an air-conditioning indoor unit having high heat-exchange efficiency.
- The air-conditioning indoor unit according to the third aspect allows a heat exchanger having a large area where heat is exchanged between a gas refrigerant and air to be disposed above the drain pan.
- The air-conditioning indoor unit according to the fourth aspect allows a heat exchanger having a high rate of exchanging heat with a gas refrigerant to be disposed above the drain pan.
- The air-conditioning indoor unit according to the fifth aspect, for example, a ceiling-embedded-type air-conditioning indoor unit can have improved heat-exchange efficiency.
- The air-conditioning indoor unit according to the sixth aspect, for example, a duct-type air-conditioning indoor unit can have improved heat-exchange efficiency.
- The air-conditioning indoor unit according to the seventh aspect, or the air-conditioning indoor unit in which the heat exchanger unit including a plurality of the heat exchangers is installed can have improved heat-exchange efficiency.
- The air-conditioning indoor unit according to the eighth aspect, or the air-conditioning indoor unit in which the heat exchanger unit including a plurality of the heat exchangers is installed can have further improved heat-exchange efficiency.
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Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a configuration of anair conditioner 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. -
Fig. 2 is an external perspective view of anindoor unit 4 of a ceiling-installed-type air conditioner according the same embodiment. -
Fig. 3 is a schematic side sectional view of theindoor unit 4 of the ceiling-installed-type air conditioner according to the same embodiment. -
Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating a state in which atop plate 33 of theindoor unit 4 of a ceiling-embedded-type according to the same embodiment is removed. -
Fig. 5 is a partial enlarged view for describing a structure of a drain water-receivinggroove 40i according to the same embodiment. -
Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of aheat exchanger 42a used in aheat exchanger unit 42 according to the same embodiment. -
Fig. 7 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the heat exchanger used in theheat exchanger unit 42 according to the same embodiment. -
Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view illustrating another example of aheat exchanger 42a used in theheat exchanger unit 42 according to the same embodiment. -
Fig. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of theheat exchanger unit 42 according to the same embodiment. -
Fig. 10 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of theheat exchanger unit 42 according to the same embodiment. -
Fig. 11 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of afirst heat exchanger 52 according to the same embodiment. -
Fig. 12 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of asecond heat exchanger 62 according to the same embodiment. -
Fig. 13 is a diagram for describing an internal state when theheat exchanger unit 42 according to the same embodiment is used as a condenser. -
Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating a wind speed distribution between adrain pan 40 and an inner wall of acasing 31 according to the same embodiment. -
Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating an air-flow flow-line distribution between thedrain pan 40 and the inner wall of thecasing 31 according to the same embodiment. -
Fig. 16 is a schematic view illustrating a planar shape of theheat exchanger unit 42 according to the same embodiment. -
Fig. 17 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of an indoor heat exchanger according to Modification 1A. -
Fig. 18 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of the indoor heat exchanger according to Modification 1A. -
Fig. 19 is a schematic view illustrating an example of a heat exchanger unit according to Modification 1B. -
Fig. 20 is a schematic view illustrating an example of a heat exchanger unit according to Modification 1D. -
Fig. 21 is a schematic sectional view of a duct-type indoor unit 4S according to a second embodiment of the present invention. -
Fig. 22 is a schematic view illustrating a modification of the indoor unit 4S according to the same embodiment. - Embodiments and modifications thereof of an air conditioner according to the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. Specific configurations of the air conditioner according to the present invention are not limited to those of the embodiments and the modifications thereof below, and are changeable within a scope that does not depart from the spirit of the invention.
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Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a configuration of anair conditioner 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. - The
air conditioner 1 is a device that is capable of cooling and warming the interior of rooms of, for example, a building by performing a vapor-compression-type refrigeration cycle. Theair conditioner 1 is constructed primarily by connecting anoutdoor unit 2 and anindoor unit 4 to each other. Here, theoutdoor unit 2 and theindoor unit 4 are connected to each other via a liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 5 and a gas-refrigerant connection pipe 6. Various operations of theair conditioner 1 are controlled by acontrol unit 8 including anindoor control unit 8a and anoutdoor control unit 8. Thecontrol unit 8 controls, for example, various devices and valves based on detection signals from various sensors. - Here, although the
air conditioner 1 of a pair-type in which oneoutdoor unit 2 is connected to oneindoor unit 4 is illustrated, theair conditioner 1 according to the embodiment may be a multi-type air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit. - Next, basic operations of the
air conditioner 1 are described. As basic operations, theair conditioner 1 is capable of performing a cooling operation and a heating operation. Theair conditioner 1 is also capable of performing, for example, a defrost operation and an oil return operation. These operations are controlled by thecontrol unit 8. - In a cooling operation, a
refrigerant circuit 10 is a state that a four-way switching valve 22 becomes as indicated by a solid line inFig. 1 . In therefrigerant circuit 10, a low-pressure gas refrigerant is compressed by acompressor 21 and becomes a high-pressure gas refrigerant. The high-pressure gas refrigerant is sent to anoutdoor heat exchanger 23 via the four-way switching valve 22. The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the outdoor heat exchanger exchanges heat with outdoor air and is condensed at theoutdoor heat exchanger 23. This causes the high-pressure gas refrigerant to become a high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant has its pressure reduced and becomes a low-pressure refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state at anexpansion valve 24. The low-pressure refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state is sent to anindoor heat exchanger 42 via the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 5 and a liquid-side connection pipe 5a. Then, the refrigerant exchanges heat with air that is blown out from anindoor fan 41 and evaporates at theindoor heat exchanger 42. This causes the refrigerant sent to theindoor heat exchanger 42 to become a low-pressure gas refrigerant. The low-pressure gas refrigerant is sent again to thecompressor 21 via a gas-side connection pipe 6a, the gas-refrigerant connection pipe 6, and the four-way switching valve 22. - In a heating operation, the
refrigerant circuit 10 is in a state that the four-way switching valve 22 becomes as indicated by a broken line inFig. 1 . In therefrigerant circuit 10, a low-pressure gas refrigerant is compressed by thecompressor 21 and becomes a high-pressure gas refrigerant. The high-pressure gas refrigerant is sent to theindoor heat exchanger 42 via the four-way switching valve 22, the gas-refrigerant connection pipe 6, and the gas-side connection pipe 6a. The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to theindoor heat exchanger 42 exchanges heat with air that is blown out from theindoor fan 41 and is condensed. This causes the high-pressure gas refrigerant to become a high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant is sent to theexpansion valve 24 via the liquid-side connection pipe 5a and the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 5. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant has its pressure reduced and becomes a low-pressure refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state at theexpansion valve 24. The low-pressure refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state is sent to theoutdoor heat exchanger 23. Then, the refrigerant exchanges heat with outdoor air and evaporates at theoutdoor heat exchanger 23. This causes the refrigerant sent to theoutdoor heat exchanger 23 to become a low-pressure gas refrigerant. The low-pressure gas refrigerant is sent again to thecompressor 21 via the four-way switching valve 22. - In addition to the air conditioner according to the embodiment having the above-described basic configuration, the indoor unit has the following configuration.
- In the embodiment, the term "indoor" is used to distinguish from other chambers, and is used to mean not only an indoor space that is divided by a wall surface, but also, for example, a space on a back side of an indoor ceiling.
- The
indoor unit 4 is installed indoors, and constitutes a part of therefrigerant circuit 10. Theindoor unit 4 primarily includes theindoor fan 41, theindoor heat exchanger 42, and theindoor control unit 8a. - The
indoor fan 41 sucks in indoor air into theindoor unit 4. This allows the indoor air and a refrigerant to exchange heat at theindoor heat exchanger 42. Theindoor fan 41 supplies the indoor air that has exchanged heat at theindoor heat exchanger 42 into the interior as supply air. As theindoor fan 41, for example, a centrifugal fan or a multi-blade fan is used. Theindoor fan 41 is driven by an indoor-fan motor whose number of rotations is controllable. - When a cooling operation is performed, the
indoor heat exchanger 42 functions as an "evaporator" of a refrigerant to cool indoor air, and, when a heating operation is performed, theindoor heat exchanger 42 functions as a "condenser" (radiator) of a refrigerant to heat indoor air. Theindoor heat exchanger 42 is connected to the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 5 and the gas-refrigerant connection pipe 6. Theindoor heat exchanger 42 is described in more detail below. - The
indoor control unit 8a is a unit that controls the operation of various portions that constitute theindoor unit 4. Specifically, theindoor control unit 8a includes, for example, a microcomputer and a memory, and controls the operations of theindoor unit 4 based on, for example, detection values of various sensors or the like provided inside theindoor unit 4. Theindoor control unit 8a communicates by using a control signal with a remote controller (not illustrated) for individually operating theindoor unit 4, and communicates by using a control signal with theoutdoor control unit 8b via a transmission line. - The
indoor unit 4 is provided with the various sensors. Therefore, for example, the temperature of a refrigerant at theindoor heat exchanger 42 and the temperature of indoor air that is sucked into theindoor unit 4 are detected. - For the
indoor unit 4 according to the embodiment, a configuration of a type that is called a ceiling-embedded type can be used.Fig. 2 is an external perspective view of theindoor unit 4 of the ceiling-embedded-type according the embodiment.Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the ceiling-embedded-typeindoor unit 4 according to the embodiment. Here,Fig. 3 is a sectional view along A-O-A inFig. 4 described below.Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating a state in which atop plate 33 of the ceiling-embedded-typeindoor unit 4 according to the embodiment is removed. - The ceiling-embedded-type indoor unit accommodates the
indoor fan 41 and theindoor heat exchanger 42 inside acasing 31. Adrain pan 40 is mounted in a lower portion of thecasing 31. - The
casing 31 is a casing that accommodates various structural devices therein. Thecasing 31 primarily includes a casingmain body 31a and adecorative panel 32 disposed on a lower side of the casingmain body 31a. As illustrated inFig. 3 , the casingmain body 31a is disposed on a ceiling U of the room that is provided with conditioned air. The ceiling U has an opening, and the casingmain body 31a is inserted into the opening of the ceiling U. Thedecorative panel 32 is fitted and disposed in the opening of the ceiling U. - As illustrated in
Figs. 3 and4 , the casingmain body 31a is a box-shaped body in which a lower surface having a substantially octagonal shape in plan view has is opened, the substantially octagonal shape having long sides and short sides that are alternately formed. Specifically, the casingmain body 31a includes the substantially octagonaltop plate 33 having long sides and short sides alternately formed continuously and aside plate 34 extending downward from peripheral edge portions of thetop plate 33. Theside plate 34 includesside plates top plate 33, andside plates top plate 33. Theside plate 34h includes a portion through which the liquid-side connection pipe 5a and the gas-side connection pipe 6a pass, and allows therefrigerant connection pipes indoor heat exchanger 42. - As illustrated in
Figs. 2 to 4 , thedecorative panel 32 is a substantially square plate-shaped body in plan view, and primarily includes a panelmain body 32a fixed to a lower end portion of the casingmain body 31a. The panelmain body 32a has a suck-inport 35 that is disposed at a substantial center thereof and that sucks in air inside the air-conditioned room and a blow-outport 36 that is formed so as to surround the suck-inport 35 in plan view and that blows out air into the air-conditioned room. The suck-inport 35 is a substantially square opening. The suck-inport 35 is provided with a suck-ingrill 37 and afilter 38 for removing dust in the air sucked in from the suck-inport 35. The blow-outport 36 is a substantially square, ring-shaped opening.Horizontal flaps port 36 so as to be in correspondence with the sides of the square shape of the panelmain body 32a. - The
drain pan 40 is a member for receiving drain water that is produced due to moisture in the air being condensed at theindoor heat exchanger 42. Thedrain pan 40 is mounted at a lower portion of the casingmain body 31a. Thedrain pan 40 has blow-outports port 40h, and a drain water-receivinggroove 40i. The blow-outports 40a to 40g are formed so as communicate with the blow-outport 36 of thedecorative panel 32. The suck-inport 40h is formed so as to communicate with the suck-inport 35 of thedecorative panel 32. The drain water-receivinggroove 40i is formed on a lower side of theindoor heat exchanger 42. Abell mouth 41c for guiding air that is sucked in from the suck-inport 35 to animpeller 41b of the indoor fan is disposed at the suck-inport 40h of thedrain pan 40. - As illustrated in
Fig. 5 , the drain water-receivinggroove 40i includes abottom portion 40t that is provided below theindoor heat exchanger 42 and awall portion 40w that stands from thebottom portion 40t and that is provided on a downwind side of theindoor heat exchanger 42. When theindoor heat exchanger 42 is used as a condenser, theindoor heat exchanger 42 has a subcooling area Sc that is constituted by one or more flat multi-perforated pipes, the subcooling area Sc being where a refrigerant flowing in the interior is subcooled. Theindoor unit 4 according to the embodiment is formed so that at least a part of the subcooling area Sc of theindoor heat exchanger 42 is disposed at a position that is lower than anupper end 40u of thewall portion 40w of thedrain pan 40. Examples of such a configuration include a configuration in which the entire subcooling area Sc is disposed at a position that is lower than theupper end 40u of thewall portion 40w of thedrain pan 40, a configuration in which a part of the subcooling area Sc is disposed near theupper end 40u, and a configuration in which a part of the subcooling area Sc is disposed on both sides of theupper end 40u. - The
indoor fan 41 is constituted by a centrifugal blower. Here, theindoor fan 41 is a fan that sucks indoor air into the casingmain body 31a via the suck-inport 35 of thedecorative panel 32 and that blows out the air from the casingmain body 31a via the blow-outport 36 of thedecorative panel 32. Specifically, theindoor fan 41 includes afan motor 41a that is provided at the center of thetop plate 33 of the casingmain body 31a and theimpeller 41b that is coupled to thefan motor 41a and rotationally driven. Theimpeller 41b includes turbo blades. By theimpeller 41b, air is sucked into theimpeller 41b from there below and the sucked-in air is blown out towards an outer peripheral side of theimpeller 41b in plan view. - The
indoor heat exchanger 42 is bent so as to surround theindoor fan 41 in plan view and is disposed inside thecasing 31. A liquid side of theindoor heat exchanger 42 is connected to the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 5 via the liquid-side connection pipe 5a. A gas side of theindoor heat exchanger 42 is connected to the gas-refrigerant connection pipe 6 via the gas-side connection pipe 6a. Theindoor heat exchanger 42 functions as an evaporator of a refrigerant at the time of a cooling operation, and functions as a condenser of a refrigerant at the time of a heating operation. Therefore, theindoor heat exchanger 42 exchanges heat with air blown out from theindoor fan 41, and cools the air at the time of the cooling operation and heats the air at the time of the heating operation. -
Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a basic configuration of aheat exchanger 42a used in theindoor heat exchanger 42.Fig. 6 does not illustrate, for example, the refrigerant pipes and the connection pipes.Fig. 7 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the heat exchanger used in theheat exchanger 42a. - The
heat exchanger 42a is an insertion-fin-type and lamination-type heat exchanger primarily includingheat transfer pipes 421 that are constituted by flat multi-perforated pipes, a plurality offins 422, and twoheaders - The
heat transfer pipes 421 are realized by the flat multi-perforated pipes. Here, two ends of eachheat transfer pipe 421 are connected to a corresponding one of theheaders heat transfer pipes 421 facing an up-down direction, theheat transfer pipes 421 are arranged in a plurality of layers and apart from each other. Specifically, eachheat transfer pipe 421 includes upper and lower planar portions that become heat transfer surfaces and a plurality of smallrefrigerant flow paths 421a in which a refrigerant flows. As therefrigerant flow paths 421a, those having small flow path ports having a circular shape whose inside diameter is 1 mm or less or a polygonal shape having a cross-sectional area equivalent thereto are used. Theheat transfer pipes 421 are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. - The
fins 422 are inserted with respect to the plurality of layers ofheat transfer pipes 421 arranged between theheaders fins 422 have a plurality ofcutouts 422a extending horizontally in an elongated form. The shapes of thecutouts 422a substantially correspond to the cross-sectional external shapes of theheat transfer pipes 421. Therefore, by engaging thecutouts 422a and outer surfaces of theheat transfer pipes 421 with each other, it is possible to insert thefins 422 with respect to theheat transfer pipes 421 so as to contact theheat transfer pipes 421. Thefins 422 are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Thefins 422 can have various shapes, and may have, for example, a wavy shape as that illustrated inFig. 8 . - The two
headers heat transfer pipes 421, the function of guiding a refrigerant to therefrigerant flow paths 421a of theheat transfer pipes 421, and the function of gathering a refrigerant that has come out from therefrigerant flow paths 421a. - The
indoor heat exchanger 42 according to the embodiment is constituted by a heat exchanger unit in which a plurality of the above-describedheat exchangers 42a are combined. In the description below, for convenience sake, in describing the heat exchanger unit, reference numeral "42" denoting the indoor heat exchanger is added to describe the heat exchanger unit. Theheat exchanger unit 42 is assumed as including at least afirst heat exchanger 52 and asecond heat exchanger 62. Here, although thefirst heat exchanger 52 and thesecond heat exchanger 62 are assumed as having a configuration that is similar to that of the above-describedheat exchanger 42a, for convenience sake, thereference numeral 42a is replaced by thereference numerals first heat exchanger 52 is to be described, the first number of the reference numeral is replaced by "5"; and when thesecond heat exchanger 62 is to be described, the first number of the reference numeral is replaced by "6". For example, although the heat transfer pipes of thefirst heat exchanger 52 or thesecond heat exchanger 62 have the same structure as the above-describedheat transfer pipes 421, instead of thereference numeral 421, the heat transfer pipes of thefirst heat exchanger 52 are each given reference numeral "521" and are described, and the heat transfer pipes of thesecond heat exchanger 62 are each given reference numeral "621" and are described. -
Fig. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of theheat exchanger unit 42 according to the embodiment. Theheat exchanger unit 42 includes thefirst heat exchanger 52 that is disposed on an upwind side of air flow produced by the indoor fan (fan) 41 and thesecond heat exchanger 62 that is disposed beside thefirst heat exchanger 52 on a downwind side of the air flow produced by theindoor fan 41. Here, a first direction D1 in which a refrigerant flows from afirst header 523 of thefirst heat exchanger 52 towards asecond header 524 and a second direction D2 in which a refrigerant flows from an upperthird header 523U of thesecond heat exchanger 62 towards an upperfourth header 624U oppose each other. InFig. 9 , although, for convenience of explanation, thefirst heat exchanger 52 and thesecond heat exchanger 62 are illustrated apart from each other, they are disposed sufficiently close to each other so as to function together (refer toFig. 10 ). - The
first heat exchanger 52 includes thefirst header 523 and thesecond header 524, and a firstflat pipe group 500 including a plurality of flat multi-perforated pipes (heat transfer pipes) that are each connected to thefirst header 523 and thesecond header 523. In the firstflat pipe group 500, the plurality of flat multi-perforated pipes are arranged side by side one above another. In the firstflat pipe group 500, as illustrated inFig. 11 , one or more of the flat multi-perforated pipes on an upper side form an upper first heat-exchange area 500U, and one or more of the flat multi-perforated pipes on a lower side form a lower first heat-exchange area 500L. - As illustrated in
Fig. 11 , thefirst header 523 includes an upperfirst header 523U that is connected to the upper first heat-exchange area 500U and a lowerfirst header 523L that is connected to the lower first heat-exchange area 500L. The gas-side connection pipe 6a (gas refrigerant pipe) in which a gas refrigerant flows is connected to the upperfirst header 523U. Couplingpipes first header 523L. Therefore, an uppersecond header 524U and the lowerfirst header 523L are coupled to each other. In thefirst header 523, an internal space is partitioned by apartition plate 523a into upper and lower portions (here, two portions). Consequently, the upperfirst header 523U and the lowerfirst header 523L are formed so that they do not internally communicate with each other. - As illustrated in
Fig. 11 , thesecond header 524 includes the uppersecond header 524U that is connected to the upper first heat-exchange area 500U and a lowersecond header 524L that is connected to the lower first heat-exchange area 500L. Couplingpipes second header 524U. Therefore, the uppersecond header 524U and the lowerfirst header 523L are coupled to each other. The liquid-side connection pipe 5a in which a liquid refrigerant flows is connected to the lowersecond header 524L. In thesecond header 524, an internal space is partitioned by apartition plate 524a into upper and lower portions (here, two portions). Consequently, the uppersecond header 524U and the lowersecond header 524L are formed so that they do not internally communicate with each other. - The
coupling pipes second header 524U and the lowerfirst header 523L to each other. A temperature measuring instrument for measuring the temperature of a refrigerant is mounted on each of thecoupling pipes - The
second heat exchanger 62 includes athird header 623 and afourth header 624, and a secondflat pipe group 600 including a plurality of flat multi-perforated pipes that are each connected to thethird header 623 and thefourth header 624. In the secondflat pipe group 600, the plurality of flat multi-perforated pipes are arranged side by side one above another. In the secondflat pipe group 600, as illustrated inFig. 12 , one or more of the flat multi-perforated pipes on an upper side form an upper second heat-exchange area 600U, and one or more of the flat multi-perforated pipes on a lower side form a lower second heat-exchange area 600L. - As illustrated in
Fig. 12 , thethird header 623 includes an upperthird header 623U that is connected to the upper second heat-exchange area 600U and a lowerthird header 623L that is connected to the lower second heat-exchange area 600L. Specifically, in thethird header 623, an internal space is partitioned by apartition plate 623a into upper and lower portions (here, two portions). Therefore, aspace 623g on an upper side of thepartition plate 623a is connected to the upper second heat-exchange area 600U, and aspace 623h on a lower side of the partition plate is connected to the lower second heat-exchange area 600L. The gas-side connection pipe 6a is connected to the upperthird header 623U. The liquid-side connection pipe 5a is connected to the lowerthird header 623L. - As illustrated in
Fig. 12 , thefourth header 624 includes the upperfourth header 624U that is connected to the upper second heat-exchange area 600U and a lowerfourth header 624L that is connected to the lower second heat-exchange area 600L. Specifically, in thefourth header 624, an internal space is partitioned by apartition plate 624a into upper and lower portions (here, two portions). Therefore, a space 624i on an upper side of thepartition plate 624a is connected to the upper second heat-exchange area 600U, and aspace 624j on a lower side of thepartition plate 624a is connected to the lower second heat-exchange area 600L. Thefourth header 624 includes a "turn-around portion" that couples the upperfourth header 624U and the lowerfourth header 624L and that causes a refrigerant flowing in from a side of thethird header 623 to turn around towards the side of thethird header 623. Specifically, as the turn-around portion, thefourth header 624 includes acoupling pipe 625 that couples the upperfourth header 624U and the lowerfourth header 624L to each other. A temperature measuring instrument for measuring the temperature of a refrigerant is mounted on thecoupling pipe 625. - In the
heat exchanger unit 42 described above, thefirst heat exchanger 52 forms the upper first heat-exchange area 500U and the lower first heat-exchange area 500L, a connection port with the gas-side connection pipe 6a is disposed in the upper first heat-exchange area 500U, and a connection port with the liquid-side connection pipe 5a is disposed in the lower first heat-exchange area 500L. Thesecond heat exchanger 62 forms the upper second heat-exchange area 600U and the lower second heat-exchange area 600L, a connection port with the gas-side connection pipe 6a is disposed in the upper second heat-exchange area 600U, and a connection port with the liquid-side connection pipe 5a is disposed in the lower second heat-exchange area 600L. - Therefore, when the
heat exchanger unit 42 is used as a condenser, a state of an internal portion of the heat-exchange areas becomes a state such as that illustrated inFig. 13 , and subcooling areas Sc1 and Sc2 that are constituted by one or more flat multi-perforated pipes are formed at the lower first heat-exchange area 500L and the lower second heat-exchange area 600L. InFig. 13 , the hatching of the area Sc1 and the hatching of the area Sc2 each indicate a subcooling area where a refrigerant is subcooled, and the hatching of an area Sh1 and the hatching of an area Sh2 each indicate a superheating area where a refrigerant is superheated. - Here, in the indoor unit 4 (air-conditioning indoor unit) according to the embodiment, at least a part of the subcooling areas Sc1 and Sc2 of the
heat exchanger unit 42 is disposed at a position that is lower than theupper end 40u of thewall portion 40w of thedrain pan 40. Therefore, in theindoor unit 4 according to the embodiment, compared to a configuration in which the entire subcooling area Sc is disposed at a position that is higher than theupper end 40u of thewall portion 40w of thedrain pan 40, it is possible to improve heat exchange efficiency. - To supplement, according to studies conducted by the present inventors, in the
indoor unit 4, the flow speed of air flow (wind speed) in a space above thedrain pan 40 is increased. Specifically, the wind speed distribution between thedrain pan 40 and an inner wall of thecasing 31 is as indicated in the graph illustrated inFig. 14 . Here, inFig. 14 , the vertical axis indicates the position in an up-down direction inside thecasing 31, and the horizontal axis indicates the wind speed.Fig. 14 shows that, in theindoor unit 4, the wind speed in the space above thedrain pan 40 is increased. A flow-line distribution of air flow at a location between thedrain pan 40 and the inner wall of thecasing 31 is as indicated inFig. 15 . - In the configuration of the
indoor unit 4 according to the embodiment, the heat-exchange areas (primarily, the lower heat-exchange areas upper end 40u of thewall portion 40w of thedrain pan 40, and the heat-exchange areas (primarily, the upper heat-exchange areas drain pan 40. In short, when theheat exchanger unit 42 according to the embodiment is used as a condenser, a large part of each of the upper first heat-exchange area 500U and upper second heat-exchange area 600U, where the flow speed of a refrigerant is high, is disposed in the space above thedrain pan 40, where the wind speed of air flow is high. Therefore, it is possible to provide theindoor unit 4 having high heat-exchange efficiency. - In the
first heat exchanger 52 according to the embodiment, the area of the upper first heat-exchange area 500U is larger than the area of the lower second heat-exchange area 500L. Therefore, the number of divisions of refrigerant flow paths of the lower first heat-exchange area 500L is smaller than the number of divisions of refrigerant flow paths of the upper first heat-exchange area 500U. Consequently, in thefirst heat exchanger 52, it is possible to increase the refrigerant flow speed in the lower first heat-exchange area 500L than in the upper first heat-exchange area 500U. - When the
first heat exchanger 52 is used as a condenser, the subcooling area Sc is formed in the lower first heat-exchange area 500L. Therefore, in theindoor unit 4 according to the embodiment, compared to a configuration in which the entire subcooling area Sc is disposed at a position that is higher than theupper end 40u of thewall portion 40w of thedrain pan 40, it is possible to improve heat exchange efficiency. - The argument for the
first heat exchanger 52 also holds for thesecond heat exchanger 62. Therefore, it is possible to increase the heat transfer coefficient in the lower second heat-exchange area 600L. - As described above, in the
indoor unit 4 according to the embodiment, thecasing 31 has the blow-outport 36 in the lower portion thereof, and theindoor heat exchanger 42 is disposed so as to surround thecentrifugal fan 41 inside thecasing 31. That is, as illustrated inFig. 16 , theindoor unit 4 is bent so as to surround theindoor fan 41 in plan view and is disposed inside thecasing 31. Therefore, for example, the ceiling-embedded-typeindoor unit 4 can have improved heat-exchange efficiency. - As described above, in the
heat exchanger unit 42 according to the embodiment, since theheat exchangers Fig. 13 , when the first direction D1 in which a refrigerant flows inside thefirst heat exchanger 52 and the second direction D2 in which a refrigerant flows inside the second heat exchanger 62 (the upper second heat-exchange area 600U) oppose each other, temperature irregularities of blown-out air are suppressed. Therefore, theheat exchanger unit 42 according to the embodiment can provide blown-out air having little temperature irregularities. - When the
heat exchanger unit 42 includes a plurality ofheat exchangers heat exchangers Fig. 13 , the first heat exchanger 52) be such that at least a part of the subcooling area Sc is disposed at a position that is lower than theupper end 40u of thewall portion 40w of thedrain pan 40. - Although the description above is given by using the
heat exchanger unit 42 as an indoor heat exchanger, the indoor heat exchanger according to the embodiment may be constituted by a single heat exchanger. For example, as illustrated inFigs. 17 and18 , theindoor heat exchanger 42 may be constituted by only thefirst heat exchanger 52 or thesecond heat exchanger 62. Even in such a configuration, as long as at least a part of the subcooling area Sc1 of thefirst heat exchanger 52 or the subcooling area Sc2 of thesecond heat exchanger 62 is disposed at a position that is lower than theupper end 40u of thewall portion 40w of thedrain pan 40, it is possible to improve heat exchange efficiency. - Although the description above is given by using the
heat exchanger unit 42 as an indoor heat exchanger, the heat exchanger unit according to the embodiment may be constituted by a combination of theheat exchangers heat exchanger unit 42 may have another configuration illustrated inFig. 19 . Even in such a configuration, as long as at least a part of the subcooling area Sc1 of thefirst heat exchanger 52 or the subcooling area Sc2 of thesecond heat exchanger 62 is disposed at a position that is lower than theupper end 40u of thewall portion 40w of thedrain pan 40, it is possible to improve heat exchange efficiency. - In the
indoor unit 4 according to the embodiment, when theindoor heat exchanger 42 is used as a condenser, at least a part of the subcooling area Sc only needs to be disposed near theupper end 40u of thewall portion 40w of thedrain pan 40. In short, theindoor unit 4 according to the embodiment need not be one in which the entire subcooling area Sc of theheat exchanger unit 42 is formed at a position that is lower than theupper end 40u of thewall portion 40w of thedrain pan 40. - The inventors conducted studies and found out that, near the
upper end 40u of thewall portion 40w of thedrain pan 40, as illustrated inFig. 13 , local wind speeds are increased. Therefore, even if the subcooling area Sc is not formed entirely over the position that is lower than theupper end 40u of thewall portion 40w of thedrain pan 40, as long as the subcooling area Sc is formed at least near theupper end 40u, the degree of subcooling of a refrigerant can be increased. - Further, in the
indoor unit 4 according to the embodiment, when theindoor heat exchanger 42 is used as a condenser, at least a part of the subcooling area Sc may be disposed on both sides of theupper end 40u of thewall portion 40w of thedrain pan 40. Due to such an arrangement, at both sides of theupper end 40u of thewall portion 40w of thedrain pan 40, the rate of heat exchange between a liquid refrigerant and air is increased, so that it is possible to increase the degree of subcooling of a refrigerant at the subcooling area Sc. - In the
heat exchanger unit 42 according to the embodiment, although the upper side and the lower side are defined at thefirst heat exchanger 52 and thesecond heat exchanger 62, the upper side and the lower side may be defined based on theheat exchanger unit 42 according to the embodiment as a whole. Specifically, when theheat exchanger unit 42 is one in which thefirst heat exchanger 52 and thesecond heat exchanger 62 are connected and integrated to each other with coupling pipes, a connection port side with the gas-side connection pipe 6a is defined as the "upper side", and a connection port side with the liquid-side connection pipe 5a is defined as the "lower side". In this case, the area of the upper heat-exchange area of theheat exchanger unit 42 is larger than the area of the lower heat-exchange area. In short, the indoor heat exchanger according to the embodiment includes one in which, even if, in the singlefirst heat exchanger 52 orsecond heat exchanger 62, the area of the upper heat-exchange area (500U or 600U) is not larger than the area of the lower heat-exchange area (500L or 600L), the area of the upper heat-exchange area is larger than the area of the lower heat-exchange area as a whole. For example, as the configuration illustrated inFig. 20 , the indoor heat exchanger according to the embodiment is one in which thefirst heat exchanger 52 and thesecond heat exchanger 62 are connected and integrated to each other withcoupling pipes Fig. 20 , although only thefirst heat exchanger 52 includes the subcooling areas Sc1 and Sc2, theheat exchanger unit 42 is one in which, in terms of the definitions above, the area of the upper heat-exchange area is larger than the area of the lower heat-exchange area as a whole. - In Modification 1D, when the
heat exchanger unit 42 is used as a condenser, it is desirable that the upwind-sidefirst heat exchanger 52 include the subcooling area Sc instead of the downwind-sidesecond heat exchanger 62. - Portions corresponding to those that have already been described are given substantially the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are not given below. In order to distinguish the portions from those of other embodiments, in the embodiment, the letter "S" is sometimes added.
- An air conditioner 1S according to a second embodiment of the present invention differs from the
air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment in a specific form of an indoor unit 4S. Specifically, the indoor unit 4S in the embodiment uses a configuration of a type that is called a duct type. -
Fig. 21 is a schematic sectional view of the duct-type indoor unit 4S according to the embodiment. In such a duct-type indoor unit 4S, acasing 31S has a blow-outport 36S in a side thereof. In the duct-type indoor unit 4S, aheat exchanger chamber 31H that communicates with the blow-outport 36S and ablowing chamber 31S that communicates with theheat exchanger chamber 31H via a partition plate B are formed inside thecasing 31S. Anindoor heat exchanger 42 is installed in theheat exchanger chamber 31H. Anindoor fan 41 is installed in theblowing chamber 31S. Here, the configuration of theindoor heat exchanger 42 is the same as the configuration in the first embodiment. - Even in the indoor unit 4S having such a configuration, when at least a part of a subcooling area Sc of an
indoor heat exchanger 42S is disposed at a position that is lower than an upper end 40Su of a wall portion 40Sw of adrain pan 40S, compared to a configuration in which the entire subcooling area Sc is disposed at a position that is higher than the upper end 40Su of the wall portion 40Sw of thedrain pan 40S, it is possible to improve heat exchange efficiency. - In the embodiment, the configuration in which a plurality of flat multi-perforated pipes "are arranged side by side one above another" in the
indoor heat exchanger 42S refers not to a configuration in which an upper surface and/or a lower surface of each flat multi-perforated pipe is arranged along a horizontal direction side by side one above another, but to, as illustrated inFig. 21 , a configuration in which the upper surface and/or the lower surface of each flat multi-perforated pipe is arranged obliquely from the horizontal direction side by side one above another. As long as, for example, heat exchangers having such a configuration are used, heat exchangers of other types can be installed as they are, and, for example, such heat exchangers can be easily manufactured. - However, the configuration of the
heat exchanger 42S according to the embodiment is not limited thereto, and, as illustrated inFig. 22 , may be a configuration in which the plurality of flat multi-perforated pipes are arranged obliquely from a vertical direction side by side one above another. As long as, for example, heat exchangers having such a configuration are used, it is possible to allow air flow having a high flow speed to pass the heat-exchange areas and to improve heat-exchange efficiency between a refrigerant and air. - The above-described
indoor heat exchanger 42S may be a heat exchanger unit including a plurality of heat exchangers, or may be constituted by a single heat exchanger. This is the same as for the first embodiment. That is, when theheat exchanger unit 42S including heat exchangers 52S and 62S is installed, it is possible to improve heat exchange efficiency compared to one that is constituted by a single heat exchanger. Further, when a first direction D1 in which a refrigerant flows inside the first heat exchanger 52S and a second direction D2 in which a refrigerant flows inside the second heat exchanger 62S oppose each other, temperature irregularities of blown-out air can be suppressed. - When the
heat exchanger unit 42 includes a plurality of heat exchangers, it is desirable that the upwind-side first heat exchanger include the subcooling area rather than the downwind-side heat exchanger. In addition, it is desirable that the subcooling area of the upwind-side heat exchanger be disposed at a position that is lower than theupper end 40u of thewall portion 40w of thedrain pan 40 rather than the subcooling area of the downwind-side heat exchanger. - Although embodiments and modifications thereof of the present invention are described based on the drawings, specific configurations are not limited to those of the embodiments and the modifications thereof, and are changeable within a scope that does not depart from the spirit of the invention. For example, although, in the above-described embodiments and modifications thereof, examples in which the present invention is applied to a ceiling-embedded-type air conditioner and to a duct-type air conditioner are described, air conditioners are not limited thereto. The present invention may also be applied to air conditioners of a type that is called a ceiling-suspension type in which the entire device is disposed below a ceiling.
-
- 4
- indoor unit (air-conditioning indoor unit)
- 4S
- indoor unit (air-conditioning indoor unit)
- 31
- casing
- 31S
- casing
- 31H
- heat exchanger chamber
- 31W
- blowing chamber
- 36
- blow-out port
- 36S
- blow-out port
- 40
- drain pan
- 40S
- drain pan
- 40t
- bottom portion of drain pan
- 40w
- wall portion of drain pan
- 40u
- upper end of wall portion of drain pan
- 41
- indoor fan (fan)
- 41S
- indoor fan (fan)
- 42
- indoor heat exchanger, heat exchanger unit (heat exchanger)
- 42S
- indoor heat exchanger, heat exchanger unit (heat exchanger)
- 52
- first heat exchanger (heat exchanger)
- 62
- second heat exchanger (heat exchanger)
- 500U
- upper first heat-exchange area (upper heat-exchange area)
- 500L
- lower first heat-exchange area (lower heat-exchange area)
- 600U
- upper second heat-exchange area (upper heat-exchange area)
- 600L
- lower second heat-exchange area (lower heat-exchange area)
- B
- partition plate
- Sc
- subcooling area
- Sc1
- subcooling area
- Sc2
- subcooling area
-
Patent Literature 1
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.2011-099609
Claims (8)
- An air-conditioning indoor unit (4, 4S) comprising:a casing (31, 31S) that is installed indoors;a fan (41, 41S) that is provided inside the casing;a heat exchanger (42, 42S, 52, 62) that is disposed inside the casing and that includes a plurality of flat multi-perforated pipes arranged side by side one above another; anda drain pan (40, 40S) that is provided below the heat exchanger, whereinthe heat exchanger includes an upper heat-exchange area (500U, 600U) and a lower heat-exchange area (500L, 600L),when the heat exchanger is used as a condenser, a subcooling area (Sc, Sc1, Sc2) that is formed by one or more of the flat multi-perforated pipes is formed at the lower heat-exchange area, the subcooling area being where a refrigerant flowing in an interior is subcooled,the drain pan includes a bottom portion (40t) that is provided below the heat exchanger and a wall portion (40w) that stands from the bottom portion and that is provided on a downwind side of the heat exchanger, andat least a part of the subcooling area is disposed at a position that is lower than an upper end (40u) of the wall portion of the drain pan.
- The air-conditioning indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein
an area of the upper heat-exchange area is larger than an area of the lower heat-exchange area. - The air-conditioning indoor unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein
at least a part of the subcooling area is disposed near the upper end of the wall portion of the drain pan. - The air-conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
at least a part of the subcooling area is disposed on both sides of the upper end of the wall portion of the drain pan. - The air-conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, whereinthe casing has a blow-out port (36) in a lower portion of the casing,the fan is a centrifugal fan, andthe heat exchanger is disposed so as to surround the centrifugal fan inside the casing.
- The air-conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, whereinthe casing has a blow-out port (36S) in a side thereof,a heat exchanger chamber (31H) that communicates with the blow-out port and a blowing chamber (31W) that communicates with the heat exchanger chamber via a partition plate (B) are formed inside the casing,the heat exchanger is installed in the heat exchanger chamber, andthe fan is installed in the blowing chamber.
- The air-conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein
the heat exchanger is a heat exchanger unit that includes a plurality of the heat exchangers. - The air-conditioning indoor unit according to claim 7, wherein
of the heat exchanger unit, a heat exchanger that is disposed on a downwind most side with respect to the fan is such that at least a part of the subcooling area is disposed at a position that is lower than the upper end of the wall portion of the drain pan.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2017061205 | 2017-03-27 | ||
PCT/JP2018/008552 WO2018180279A1 (en) | 2017-03-27 | 2018-03-06 | Air-conditioning indoor unit |
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EP3604969A1 true EP3604969A1 (en) | 2020-02-05 |
EP3604969A4 EP3604969A4 (en) | 2020-04-01 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP18775577.2A Pending EP3604969A4 (en) | 2017-03-27 | 2018-03-06 | Air-conditioning indoor unit |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20200232656A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3604969A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JPWO2018180279A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN110462296B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2018180279A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP4388801B2 (en) * | 2003-11-30 | 2009-12-24 | 東芝キヤリア株式会社 | Ceiling suspended air conditioner |
JP4291129B2 (en) * | 2003-12-19 | 2009-07-08 | 東芝キヤリア株式会社 | Air conditioner indoor unit |
JP4506609B2 (en) * | 2005-08-08 | 2010-07-21 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Air conditioner and method of manufacturing air conditioner |
TR201905263T4 (en) * | 2009-06-19 | 2019-05-21 | Daikin Ind Ltd | Ceiling mounted air conditioner. |
JP2011099609A (en) | 2009-11-05 | 2011-05-19 | Daikin Industries Ltd | Indoor unit of air conditioner |
JP5079857B2 (en) * | 2010-09-16 | 2012-11-21 | シャープ株式会社 | Air conditioner indoor unit |
JP2013083419A (en) * | 2011-09-30 | 2013-05-09 | Daikin Industries Ltd | Heat exchanger and air conditioner |
JP2013083420A (en) * | 2011-09-30 | 2013-05-09 | Daikin Industries Ltd | Heat exchanger and air conditioner |
US9234673B2 (en) * | 2011-10-18 | 2016-01-12 | Trane International Inc. | Heat exchanger with subcooling circuit |
JPWO2013160957A1 (en) * | 2012-04-26 | 2015-12-21 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Heat exchanger, indoor unit and refrigeration cycle apparatus |
JP5644889B2 (en) * | 2013-04-30 | 2014-12-24 | ダイキン工業株式会社 | Air conditioner indoor unit |
EP3032182B1 (en) * | 2013-09-11 | 2018-09-05 | Daikin Industries, Ltd. | Heat exchanger and air conditioner |
JP2016038192A (en) * | 2014-08-11 | 2016-03-22 | 東芝キヤリア株式会社 | Parallel flow type heat exchanger and air conditioner |
CN107076431B (en) * | 2014-11-04 | 2019-07-26 | 三菱电机株式会社 | The indoor unit of conditioner |
JP6641721B2 (en) * | 2015-04-27 | 2020-02-05 | ダイキン工業株式会社 | Heat exchangers and air conditioners |
-
2018
- 2018-03-06 EP EP18775577.2A patent/EP3604969A4/en active Pending
- 2018-03-06 JP JP2019509106A patent/JPWO2018180279A1/en active Pending
- 2018-03-06 US US16/488,348 patent/US20200232656A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2018-03-06 CN CN201880021529.8A patent/CN110462296B/en active Active
- 2018-03-06 WO PCT/JP2018/008552 patent/WO2018180279A1/en unknown
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2018180279A1 (en) | 2018-10-04 |
EP3604969A4 (en) | 2020-04-01 |
CN110462296B (en) | 2021-05-28 |
US20200232656A1 (en) | 2020-07-23 |
CN110462296A (en) | 2019-11-15 |
JPWO2018180279A1 (en) | 2019-12-19 |
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