EP4343251A1 - Heat exchanger and outdoor unit - Google Patents
Heat exchanger and outdoor unit Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP4343251A1 EP4343251A1 EP23197429.6A EP23197429A EP4343251A1 EP 4343251 A1 EP4343251 A1 EP 4343251A1 EP 23197429 A EP23197429 A EP 23197429A EP 4343251 A1 EP4343251 A1 EP 4343251A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- header pipe
- side face
- pipes
- coupling
- flat
- 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
Links
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 157
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 157
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 157
- 239000003507 refrigerant Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 121
- 238000005219 brazing Methods 0.000 claims description 25
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 21
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 26
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 25
- 238000007664 blowing Methods 0.000 description 21
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 description 10
- 238000004378 air conditioning Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000005192 partition Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000007792 addition Methods 0.000 description 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910000838 Al alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003252 repetitive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013589 supplement Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F9/00—Casings; Header boxes; Auxiliary supports for elements; Auxiliary members within casings
- F28F9/02—Header boxes; End plates
- F28F9/0219—Arrangements for sealing end plates into casing or header box; Header box sub-elements
- F28F9/0224—Header boxes formed by sealing end plates into covers
-
- 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
- F24F1/06—Separate outdoor units, e.g. outdoor unit to be linked to a separate room comprising a compressor and a heat exchanger
- F24F1/14—Heat exchangers specially adapted for separate outdoor units
- F24F1/16—Arrangement or mounting thereof
-
- 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
- F24F1/06—Separate outdoor units, e.g. outdoor unit to be linked to a separate room comprising a compressor and a heat exchanger
- F24F1/14—Heat exchangers specially adapted for separate outdoor units
- F24F1/18—Heat exchangers specially adapted for separate outdoor units characterised by their shape
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D1/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators
- F28D1/02—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid
- F28D1/04—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with tubular conduits
- F28D1/053—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with tubular conduits the conduits being straight
- F28D1/0535—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with tubular conduits the conduits being straight the conduits having a non-circular cross-section
- F28D1/05366—Assemblies of conduits connected to common headers, e.g. core type radiators
- F28D1/05391—Assemblies of conduits connected to common headers, e.g. core type radiators with multiple rows of conduits or with multi-channel conduits combined with a particular flow pattern, e.g. multi-row multi-stage radiators
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F9/00—Casings; Header boxes; Auxiliary supports for elements; Auxiliary members within casings
- F28F9/02—Header boxes; End plates
- F28F9/0202—Header boxes having their inner space divided by partitions
- F28F9/0204—Header boxes having their inner space divided by partitions for elongated header box, e.g. with transversal and longitudinal partitions
- F28F9/0209—Header boxes having their inner space divided by partitions for elongated header box, e.g. with transversal and longitudinal partitions having only transversal partitions
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F9/00—Casings; Header boxes; Auxiliary supports for elements; Auxiliary members within casings
- F28F9/02—Header boxes; End plates
- F28F9/026—Header boxes; End plates with static flow control means, e.g. with means for uniformly distributing heat exchange media into conduits
- F28F9/0265—Header boxes; End plates with static flow control means, e.g. with means for uniformly distributing heat exchange media into conduits by using guiding means or impingement means inside the header box
- F28F9/0268—Header boxes; End plates with static flow control means, e.g. with means for uniformly distributing heat exchange media into conduits by using guiding means or impingement means inside the header box in the form of multiple deflectors for channeling the heat exchange medium
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F2275/00—Fastening; Joining
- F28F2275/04—Fastening; Joining by brazing
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a heat exchanger and an outdoor unit.
- the heat exchanger of International Publication No. WO 2016/121125 includes a first heat exchange unit, and a second heat exchange unit through which an air current that has passed through the first heat exchange unit passes.
- the first heat exchange unit includes a first flat pipe having, thereinside, a first channel through which a refrigerant is passed.
- the second heat exchange unit includes a second flat pipe having, thereinside, a second channel through which the refrigerant is passed. A pressure loss in the second channel is larger than a pressure loss in the first channel.
- the present disclosure provides a heat exchanger and an outdoor unit that prevent uneven distribution of a refrigerant to a plurality of flat pipes.
- the present disclosure provides a heat exchanger including: a plurality of header pipes; and a plurality of flat pipes connected to each of the header pipes in such a manner that the flat pipes are aligned in a longitudinal direction of the header pipes, in which at least one of the header pipes serves as a coupling header pipe to which a plurality of the flat pipes are connected in such a manner that the flat pipes are placed side by side in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the header pipe, a side face of the coupling header pipe has a connection side face to which a plurality of the flat pipes are connected and an opposite-side side face located opposite to the connection side face, and the opposite-side side face projects away from the connection side face toward substantially a center in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe.
- This technique includes a first heat exchange unit, and a second heat exchange unit through which an air current that has passed through the first heat exchange unit passes.
- the first heat exchange unit includes a first flat pipe having, thereinside, a first channel through which a refrigerant is passed
- the second heat exchange unit includes a second flat pipe having, thereinside, a second channel through which the refrigerant is passed, and a pressure loss in the second channel is larger than a pressure loss in the first channel.
- the inventors have found a problem that, in this heat exchanger, after the refrigerant collides with the wall, the refrigerant tends to separate up and down into a liquid refrigerant and a gas refrigerant due to the influence of gravity, the gas-liquid state of the refrigerant flowing out to a plurality of flat pipes from the other header pipe after flowing through the communication pipe becomes non-uniform, and the heat exchange performance is reduced, and has come to constitute the subject matter of the present disclosure to solve this problem.
- the present disclosure provides a heat exchanger and an outdoor unit that prevent uneven distribution of a refrigerant to a plurality of flat pipes.
- reference character FR denotes the front side of an outdoor unit that is installed on an installation surface and normally used
- reference character UP denotes the upper side of the outdoor unit
- reference character LH denotes the left side of the outdoor unit. Directions in the following description are based on these directions of the outdoor unit.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an outdoor unit 1 of an air conditioning apparatus according to the present embodiment.
- the air conditioning apparatus of the present embodiment includes a refrigeration circuit, the refrigeration circuit including an indoor heat exchanger housed in an indoor unit, and a compressor 5, an expansion valve, and an outdoor heat exchanger 50 that are housed in the outdoor unit 1, and the like.
- the air conditioning apparatus circulates a refrigerant through the refrigeration circuit to perform air conditioning in a space to be air-conditioned in which the indoor unit is provided.
- the outdoor unit 1 of the present embodiment is a so-called side-flow type or side-blow type outdoor unit that draws air into the inside thereof through the outdoor heat exchanger 50 disposed on a side face, performs heat exchange between the air and the refrigerant, and blows the air out through another side face.
- FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the internal structure of the outdoor unit 1.
- edges of a bottom plate 12 constituting lower edges of a front intake opening 15 and a side intake opening 17 and a predetermined portion of a back plate 18 constituting an edge of an exhaust opening 19 are indicated by long dashed short dashed lines.
- a flowing direction of air blown by an air-blowing fan 30 is indicated by a long dashed double-dotted line arrow A.
- the outdoor unit 1 includes a housing 10 having a box shape, the longitudinal direction of the housing 10 extending in the right-left direction.
- each part of the housing 10 is formed of a steel plate.
- the housing 10 includes the bottom plate 12 constituting the bottom face of the housing 10, a top plate 14 constituting the top face, a front plate 16 constituting the front face, the back plate 18 constituting the back face, a left side plate 11 constituting the left side face, and a right side plate 13 constituting the right side face.
- the front plate 16 is provided with the front intake opening 15.
- the front intake opening 15 is a rectangular opening through which air is drawn into the inside of the housing 10 from the outside thereof.
- the front intake opening 15 is provided at a position closer to the left side plate 11 than to the right side plate 13.
- a plurality of fastening holes 20, which are through holes, are provided at positions close to an edge of the front intake opening 15, the edge being adjacent to the right side plate 13. These fastening holes 20 are aligned on a line extending in the up-down direction of the housing 10.
- the front plate 16 is provided with three fastening holes 20.
- the left side plate 11 is provided with the side intake opening 17.
- the side intake opening 17 is a rectangular opening through which air is drawn into the inside of the housing 10.
- the side intake opening 17 is provided at a position closer to the front plate 16 than to the back plate 18.
- three fastening holes 20 are provided at positions close to an edge of the side intake opening 17, the edge being adjacent to the back plate 18, the fastening holes 20 being aligned on a line extending in the up-down direction of the housing 10.
- the back plate 18 is provided with the exhaust opening 19.
- the exhaust opening 19 is an opening through which air drawn into the inside of the housing 10 is blown out to the outside of the housing 10.
- front intake opening 15, the side intake opening 17, and the exhaust opening 19 may be provided with a filter or a lattice-shaped protection member.
- the partition plate 21 is a plate-like member that extends in the up-down direction of the housing 10 at a predetermined height dimension and extends in the front-back direction of the housing 10.
- the partition plate 21 is fixed to the housing 10 with its lower end coupled to the bottom plate 12.
- the partition plate 21 has an end that is located on the front side of the housing 10 and coupled to the front plate 16 and an end that is located on the back side of the housing 10 and coupled to the back plate 18.
- two spaces are formed with the partition plate 21 therebetween, the two spaces including a machine chamber S1 located on the right side of the housing 10 and a fan chamber S2 located on the left side of the housing 10.
- Members constituting the refrigeration circuit such as the compressor 5, the expansion valve, a header pipe 52 included in the outdoor heat exchanger 50, and a refrigerant pipe, various electrical components, and the like are housed in the machine chamber S1.
- the air-blowing fan 30 and the outdoor heat exchanger 50 excluding the header pipe 52 are housed in the fan chamber S2.
- the air-blowing fan 30 is an axial fan that is driven to rotate to introduce air into the fan chamber S2 from the outside of the housing 10, cause the air to exchange heat with the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 50, and then release the air again to the outside of the housing 10.
- the air-blowing fan 30 includes a fan motor 32 and an impeller 34.
- the fan motor 32 is a driver that rotates the impeller 34 and includes a driving shaft 36 to which the impeller 34 is attached.
- the impeller 34 is a rotating component that is rotated by the fan motor 32 to feed air out in the axial flow direction.
- the air-blowing fan 30 is positioned with the impeller 34 facing the exhaust opening 19 and the tip of the driving shaft 36 facing the exhaust opening 19.
- the air-blowing fan 30 when the air-blowing fan 30 is driven to rotate, the air-blowing fan 30 causes air to flow into the inside of the housing 10, that is, the fan chamber S2 from the outside of the outdoor unit 1. Specifically, as indicated by the arrows A in FIG. 2 , air flows into the fan chamber S2 mainly through the front intake opening 15 and the side intake opening 17.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the outdoor heat exchanger 50.
- FIG. 3 shows the outdoor heat exchanger 50 linearly formed in plan view.
- the flowing direction of air blown by the air-blowing fan 30 is indicated by a long dashed double-dotted line arrow A.
- the outdoor heat exchanger 50 is a heat exchanger having a channel through which a refrigerant flows, the heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant fed thereto from the indoor unit or a condenser that condenses the refrigerant.
- the outdoor heat exchanger 50 includes a pair of header pipes 52, a coupling header pipe 54, a first refrigerant pipe 66, a second refrigerant pipe 68, a plurality of flat pipes 62, and a plurality of fins 64.
- these members included in the outdoor heat exchanger 50 are all formed of aluminum or a so-called aluminum material made of an aluminum alloy.
- Each of the header pipes 52 is a hollow columnar member whose longitudinal direction extends in the up-down direction of the housing 10.
- each of the header pipes 52 is formed in a cylindrical shape.
- These header pipes 52 are both provided on one end of the outdoor heat exchanger 50 in the longitudinal direction.
- An internal space SP of the header pipe 52 is provided inside the header pipe 52.
- the first refrigerant pipe 66 is connected to one of the header pipes 52, and the second refrigerant pipe 68 is connected to the other of the header pipes 52.
- the first refrigerant pipe 66 and the second refrigerant pipe 68 function as an inflow port or an outflow port for the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 50.
- the first refrigerant pipe 66 is connected to an upper part of a side face 51 of the one header pipe 52.
- the second refrigerant pipe 68 is connected to a lower part of a side face 51 of the other header pipe 52.
- the coupling header pipe 54 is a hollow columnar member whose longitudinal direction extends in the up-down direction of the housing 10.
- the coupling header pipe 54 has an internal space SQ thereinside.
- the coupling header pipe 54 is provided on the other end of the outdoor heat exchanger 50 in the longitudinal direction.
- the flat pipes 62 are long and flat tubular members each having, thereinside, a channel through which the refrigerant flows.
- the ends of the flat pipes 62 on one side are in a line with a predetermined space therebetween in the longitudinal direction of the header pipe 52 and connected to a predetermined part of the side face 51 of the header pipe 52.
- the ends of the flat pipes 62 on the other side are in a line with a predetermined space therebetween in the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe 54 and connected to a predetermined part of the side face 53 of the coupling header pipe 54.
- each of the flat pipes 62 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the outdoor heat exchanger 50.
- the flat pipes 62 are connected to the header pipes 52 and the coupling header pipe 54 with their width directions parallel to each other. Note that the width direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction of each of the flat pipes 62.
- connection side face 55 the predetermined part of the side face 51 of each of the header pipes 52 to which each of the flat pipes 62 is connected
- connection side face 57 the predetermined part of the side face 53 of the coupling header pipe 54 to which each of the flat pipes 62 is connected.
- the flat pipes 62 extending from the respective header pipes 52 are connected to the connection side face 57 in such a manner that the ends on the other side of the flat pipes 62 are placed side by side in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe 54.
- the flat pipes 62 extending from the respective header pipes 52 are connected to the connection side face 57 in such a manner that the ends on the other side of the flat pipes 62 are placed side by side in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe 54. That is, the flat pipes 62 placed side by side in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe 54 are located at substantially the same height in the up-down direction of the housing 10.
- header pipes 52 are each coupled to the coupling header pipe 54 through the flat pipes 62.
- Both ends of each of the flat pipes 62 have openings.
- One end of each of the flat pipes 62 is open in the internal space SP, and the other end thereof is open in the internal space SQ.
- the fins 64 are flat-plate members each having, on a flat surface, a plurality of insertion holes in each of which the flat pipe 62 can be inserted.
- Each of the flat pipes 62 is connected to each of the header pipes 52 and 54 in a state in which the flat pipe 62 is inserted in each of the fins 64. That is, each of the fins 64 is disposed with its longitudinal direction and width direction perpendicular to each of the flat pipes 62. The longitudinal direction of each of the fins 64 disposed in this manner coincides with the longitudinal direction of each of the header pipes 52 and 54.
- the pair of header pipes 52, the coupling header pipe 54, the first refrigerant pipe 66, the second refrigerant pipe 68, the plurality of flat pipes 62, and the plurality of fins 64 are fixed to each other by so-called brazing using a brazing material.
- the outdoor heat exchanger 50 is disposed, in its longitudinal direction, along the front plate 16 and the left side plate 11. Specifically, the header pipes 52 are disposed at a position close to the edge of the front intake opening 15, the edge being adjacent to the right side plate 13, and the header pipe 54 is disposed at a position close to the edge of the side intake opening 17, the edge being adjacent to the back plate 18.
- the outdoor heat exchanger 50 is bent so as to be close to a corner 23 of the housing 10, the corner 23 being defined by the front plate 16 and the left side plate 11.
- the outdoor unit 1 includes a fixing member 70 that fixes the outdoor heat exchanger 50 to the housing 10.
- each of the header pipes 52 included in the outdoor heat exchanger 50 is fixed to the front plate 16 with a plurality of fixing members 70.
- each of the header pipes 52 is fixed with three fixing members 70.
- each of the header pipes 52 and the coupling header pipe 54 are disposed with their longitudinal directions aligned with the up-down direction of the housing 10.
- one header pipe 52 and the flat pipes 62 connected to the one header pipe 52 are disposed more distant from the side face of the housing 10, that is, disposed closer to the air-blowing fan 30 than the other header pipe 52 and the flat pipes 62 connected to the other header pipe 52 are.
- the flat pipes 62 connected to the one header pipe 52 are located upstream of the flat pipes 62 connected to the other header pipe 52. That is, the flat pipes 62 extending from the pair of header pipes 52 are placed side by side in the flowing direction of air blown by the air-blowing fan 30, the flowing direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe 54.
- the flat pipes 62 and the fins 64 are largely exposed from the housing 10 through the front intake opening 15 and the side intake opening 17.
- the header pipes 52 are shielded by the front plate 16, and the coupling header pipe 54 is shielded by the left side plate 11.
- header pipes 52 are disposed in the machine chamber S1
- the flat pipes 62, the fins 64, and the coupling header pipe 54 are disposed in the fan chamber S2.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the coupling header pipe 54.
- a second side face portion 90 is indicated by a long dashed double-dotted line, which is a virtual line, so that the internal space SQ can be visually recognized.
- FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a section of the coupling header pipe 54 taken on a plane V of FIG. 4 .
- the plane V extends between the pair of flat pipes 62 and a division plate 88 in the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe 54 and is parallel to the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe 54.
- the coupling header pipe 54 includes a first side face portion 80 constituting the connection side face 57.
- the first side face portion 80 is formed by bending a plate-like member into a U shape in plan view.
- the first side face portion 80 includes a connection side face portion 82.
- the connection side face portion 82 has the connection side face 57 that is flat in the flowing direction of air blown by the air-blowing fan 30 and the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe 54.
- connection side face portion 82 has, on its opposite ends in the direction along the flowing direction of air blown by the air-blowing fan 30, coupling end portions 84 extending by a predetermined length dimension toward the side opposite to the flat pipes 62 extending to the header pipes 52.
- the length dimension of each of the coupling end portions 84 in plan view is smaller than the length dimension of the connection side face 57 in the direction along the flowing direction of air blown by the air-blowing fan 30.
- the coupling header pipe 54 includes the second side face portion 90.
- the second side face portion 90 is formed by bending a plate-like member into a U shape in plan view.
- the second side face portion 90 includes an opposite-side side face portion 92.
- the opposite-side side face portion 92 has an opposite-side side face 59 having an arc shape convex opposite to the connection side face portion 82.
- the opposite-side side face 59 is formed as a curved face convex opposite to the connection side face portion 82 toward the coupling header pipe 54.
- the opposite-side side face 59 constitutes a part of the side face 53.
- the opposite-side side face portion 92 has an opposite-side inner side face 93.
- the opposite-side inner side face 93 is a curved face facing the internal space SQ and a section space SR in the opposite-side side face portion 92.
- the opposite-side inner side face 93 is a curved face formed in substantially the same shape as the opposite-side side face 59 in plan view in the opposite-side side face portion 92.
- the opposite-side side face portion 92 has, on its opposite ends in the direction along the flowing direction of air blown by the air-blowing fan 30, coupling end portions 94 extending by a predetermined length dimension in substantially the same direction as the flat pipes 62 extending to the header pipes 52.
- the length dimension of each of the coupling end portions 94 in plan view is smaller than the length dimension of the opposite-side side face portion 92 in the direction along the flowing direction of air blown by the air-blowing fan 30.
- the first side face portion 80 and the second side face portion 90 are coupled to each other in a state in which each of the coupling end portions 94 is located inside the corresponding one of the coupling end portions 84 and the tip of each of the coupling end portions 94 is in contact with the connection side face portion 82 in the direction along the flowing direction of air blown by the air-blowing fan 30.
- the first side face portion 80 and the second side face portion 90 are fixed to each other by so-called brazing using a brazing material.
- side faces of the first side face portion 80 and the second side face portion 90, the side faces facing each other, are coated with the brazing material.
- the coupling header pipe 54 including the first side face portion 80 and the second side face portion 90 coupled to each other in this manner is formed in a partial circle shape in plan view.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a section of the coupling header pipe 54 taken on a plane VI of FIG. 4 .
- the plane VI intersects the other end of each of the flat pipes 62 housed in the internal space SQ and is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe 54.
- a plurality of division plates 88 are provided inside the coupling header pipe 54. As shown in FIG. 6 , each of the division plates 88 is disposed between the flat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe 54. Thus, the division plates 88 are plate-like members that divide the internal space SQ into a plurality of section spaces SR.
- the division plate 88 is formed in substantially the same shape as the outer shape of the coupling header pipe 54 in plan view. Edges of the division plate 88 are in contact with the inner side face of the first side face portion 80 and the inner side face of the second side face portion 90 throughout the entire circumference of the division plate 88.
- the side faces of the first side face portion 80 and the second side face portion 90, the side faces facing each other, are coated with the brazing material.
- the division plate 88 is brazed to the first side face portion 80 and the second side face portion 90 with the brazing material.
- the division plate 88 is not coated with the brazing material.
- the amount of the brazing material used in the outdoor heat exchanger 50 can be reduced. This prevents, in the coupling header pipe 54, an excessive brazing material from melting out onto the inner side face, the internal space SQ, and the section spaces SR of the coupling header pipe 54 during brazing and remaining in a projecting manner into the internal space SQ and the section space SR from the opposite-side inner side face 93, thereby obstructing the flow of the refrigerant. Further, it is possible to prevent, in the outdoor heat exchanger 50, the remaining brazing material from changing the direction of the flow of the refrigerant flowing inside the coupling header pipe 54, and causing a collision and separation of the refrigerant into liquid and gas. Thus, the gas-liquid state of the refrigerant flowing out to the flat pipes 62 becomes uniform, and the heat exchange performance can be improved.
- each of the pair of flat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction is disposed inside each of the section spaces SR.
- the compressor 5 compresses the refrigerant sealed in the refrigeration circuit and feeds the gas refrigerant out through each refrigerant pipe.
- the gas refrigerant is condensed in the indoor heat exchanger by dissipating heat, then flows into the expansion valve through the pipe, is decompressed by the expansion valve, and flows into the internal space SP of the other header pipe 52 through the second refrigerant pipe 68.
- the refrigerant flowing into the internal space SP flows into each of the section spaces SR of the coupling header pipe 54 through each flat pipe 62. Then, the refrigerant flows toward the one header pipe 52 through each flat pipe 62 connected to the one header pipe 52.
- the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 50 absorbs heat and evaporates by exchanging heat with air fed by the air-blowing fan 30 in the flat pipes 62.
- the refrigerant flows into the internal space SP of the one header pipe 52 and then returns to the compressor 5 through the first refrigerant pipe 66.
- the air-blowing fan 30 starts rotating prior to the compressor 5.
- the rotating air-blowing fan 30 causes air to flow into the inside of the housing 10, that is, the fan chamber S2 from the outside of the outdoor unit 1.
- the air flows into the fan chamber S2 mainly through the front intake opening 15 and the side intake opening 17.
- the air flowing into the fan chamber S2 passes between the flat pipes 62 and the fins 64 in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the up-down direction of the outdoor heat exchanger 50, in other words, the width direction of the flat pipes 62.
- the air-blowing fan 30 discharges the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant to the outside of the housing 10 through the exhaust opening 19.
- the outdoor unit 1 absorbs heat from the outdoor air into the refrigeration circuit and feeds the air to the inside of the room by repeating the operation described above.
- the refrigerant circulation direction in the refrigeration circuit is opposite to that in a heating operation, and the outdoor heat exchanger 50 functions as a condenser.
- the internal space SQ is divided by the division plates 88 into the section spaces SR.
- the refrigerant flowing to the coupling header pipe 54 from one of the flat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction is prevented from interfering or mixing with the flow of the refrigerant flowing to the coupling header pipe 54 from another flat pipe 62 adjacent to this flat pipe 62 in the up-down direction and obstructing a flow along the opposite-side inner side face 93.
- the coupling header pipe 54 it is possible to prevent the gas-liquid state in the internal space SQ from becoming non-uniform, the gas-liquid state of the refrigerant flowing out of the internal space SQ to the flat pipes 62 becomes uniform, and the heat exchange performance can be improved.
- This flow of the refrigerant in the coupling header pipe 54 can be achieved even during a high-load operation in which, in particular, the refrigerant circulation amount is large and the refrigerant flow velocity is high.
- this flow of the refrigerant can prevent the refrigerant from suddenly changing its direction and colliding with the wall surface, and separating into liquid and gas in the coupling header pipe 54, the gas-liquid state of the refrigerant flowing out to the flat pipes 62 becomes uniform, and the heat exchange performance can be improved.
- the refrigerant flows through one of the flat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction and then flows into the section space SR from the other end of this flat pipe 62 in the coupling header pipe 54.
- the refrigerant flows toward substantially the center of the coupling header pipe 54 in the air flowing direction along the opposite-side inner side face 93. Then, the refrigerant flows closer to the other of the flat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction. Then, the refrigerant enters the other of the flat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction and flows out of the coupling header pipe 54.
- the flowing direction of the refrigerant flowing from one of the flat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction is changed toward the flat pipe 62 connected to one of the header pipes 52 along the opposite-side inner side face 93.
- the coupling header pipe 54 it is possible to reduce the influence of a collision with the opposite-side inner side face 93 and prevent separation of liquid and gas.
- the gas-liquid state of the refrigerant flowing to the other of the flat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction becomes uniform, and the heat exchange performance can be improved.
- the section space SR half or more of the refrigerant flowing from one of the flat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction, the half of more of the refrigerant flowing close to the opposite-side inner side face 93, changes its direction along the opposite-side inner side face 93. Accordingly, in the section space SR, half or less of the refrigerant flowing from one of the flat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction, the half or less of the refrigerant flowing close to the connection side face 57, is affected by the flow of the refrigerant flowing close to the opposite-side inner side face 93. Then, the refrigerant flows to the other of the flat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction and flows out.
- the section space SR even during a low-load operation in which, in particular, the refrigerant circulation amount is small and an inertial force is small, by causing half or more of the refrigerant to flow along the opposite-side inner side face 93, the remaining refrigerant can be caused to follow the same flow.
- the flow can be changed to the direction opposite to the flowing direction of the refrigerant flowing into the section space SR.
- the outdoor heat exchanger 50 includes the coupling header pipe 54 to which the flat pipes 62 are connected in such a manner that the flat pipes 62 are placed side by side in the air flowing direction.
- the side face 53 of the coupling header pipe 54 has the connection side face 57 to which the flat pipes 62 are connected and the opposite-side side face 59 located opposite to the connection side face 57.
- the opposite-side side face 59 projects away from the connection side face toward substantially the center of the coupling header pipe 54 in the air flowing direction.
- the flowing direction of the refrigerant flowing from one of the flat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction is gently changed toward the flat pipe 62 connected to one of the header pipes 52 along the opposite-side inner side face 93.
- the outdoor heat exchanger 50 can improve the heat exchange performance.
- the internal space SQ may be divided by the division plates 88 into the section spaces SR.
- the refrigerant flowing to the coupling header pipe 54 from one of the flat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction is prevented from interfering or mixing with the flow of the refrigerant flowing to the coupling header pipe 54 from another flat pipe 62 adjacent to this flat pipe 62 in the up-down direction and obstructing a flow along the opposite-side inner side face 93.
- the coupling header pipe 54 it is possible to prevent the gas-liquid state in the internal space SQ from becoming non-uniform, the gas-liquid state of the refrigerant flowing out of the internal space SQ to the flat pipes 62 becomes uniform, and the outdoor heat exchanger 50 can improve the heat exchange performance.
- the division plate 88 may not be coated with the brazing material.
- the amount of the brazing material used in the outdoor heat exchanger 50 can be reduced. This prevents an excessive brazing material from melting out onto the inner side face of the coupling header pipe 54 during brazing and an unnecessary brazing material remaining on the opposite-side inner side face 93 from obstructing the flow of the refrigerant.
- the outdoor heat exchanger 50 it is possible to prevent the refrigerant flowing inside the coupling header pipe 54 from changing its flowing direction, causing a collision, and separating into liquid and gas.
- the gas-liquid state of the refrigerant flowing out to the flat pipes 62 becomes uniform, and the heat exchange performance can be improved.
- the first embodiment has been described as an example of the techniques disclosed in the present application.
- the techniques in the present disclosure are not limited thereto and also applicable to embodiments with changes, replacements, additions, omissions, and the like.
- the constituent elements described above in the first embodiment may be combined to constitute a new embodiment.
- FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a section of a coupling header pipe 154 according to a first modification of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 7 shows the section taken on a plane that extends between the pair of flat pipes 62 and the division plate 88 in the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe 154 and is parallel to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe 154 as with the plane V of FIG. 4 .
- the coupling header pipe 54 having the opposite-side side face 59 formed in a circular arc shape in plan view has been described.
- the outdoor heat exchanger 50 may include the coupling header pipe 154, the coupling header pipe 154 including an opposite-side side face portion 192 having a flat face 100 parallel to the connection side face 57 on substantially the center in the air flowing direction.
- the opposite-side side face portion 192 has an opposite-side side face 159 constituting the outer side face of the coupling header pipe 154, and an opposite-side inner side face 193 constituting the inner side face of the coupling header pipe 154, the opposite-side inner side face 193 facing the internal space SQ and the section space SR.
- the opposite-side side face portion 192 has, on both sides of the flat face 100, curved faces 110 each having an arc shape and projecting outward of the coupling header pipe 154.
- the opposite-side side face 159 and the opposite-side inner side face 193 extend throughout an area where the flat face 100 and the pair of curved faces 110 are provided on the opposite-side side face portion 192.
- the refrigerant flowing to the coupling header pipe 154 from one of the flat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction flows along one of the curved faces 110, then flows along the flat face 100, and then flows along the other of the curved faces 110. Accordingly, in the coupling header pipe 154, the flowing direction of the refrigerant flowing thereinto is changed without a sudden change, and the refrigerant is then caused to flow out to the other of the flat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction.
- the coupling header pipe 154 even during a high-load operation in which, in particular, the refrigerant circulation amount is large and the refrigerant flow velocity is high, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant from suddenly changing its direction and colliding with the wall surface, and separating into liquid and gas.
- the gas-liquid state of the refrigerant flowing out to the flat pipes 62 becomes uniform, and the heat exchange performance of the outdoor heat exchanger 50 can be improved.
- FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a section of a coupling header pipe 254 according to a second modification of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 8 shows the section taken on a plane that extends between the pair of flat pipes 62 and the division plate 88 in the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe 254 and is parallel to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe 254 as with the plane V of FIG. 4 .
- the outdoor heat exchanger 50 may include the coupling header pipe 254, the coupling header pipe 254 having coupling faces 120 on both sides of the flat face 100 instead of the curved faces 110 on the opposite-side side face 159.
- the coupling faces 120 are flat faces inclined outward of the coupling header pipe 254 from the flat face 100 toward the connection side face 57 in plan view of the coupling header pipe 254.
- the coupling header pipe 254 includes an opposite-side side face portion 292.
- the opposite-side side face portion 292 has an opposite-side side face 259 constituting the outer side face of the coupling header pipe 254, and an opposite-side inner side face 293 constituting the inner side face of the coupling header pipe 254, the opposite-side inner side face 293 facing the internal space SQ and the section space SR.
- the opposite-side side face 259 and the opposite-side inner side face 293 extend throughout an area where the flat face 100 and the pair of coupling faces 120 are provided on the opposite-side side face portion 292.
- the refrigerant flowing to the coupling header pipe 254 from one of the flat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction flows along one of the coupling faces 120, then flows along the flat face 100, and then flows along the other of the coupling faces 120. Accordingly, in the coupling header pipe 254, the flowing direction of the refrigerant flowing thereinto is changed without a sudden change, and the refrigerant is then caused to flow out to the other of the flat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction.
- a heat exchanger including: a plurality of header pipes; and a plurality of flat pipes connected to each of the header pipes in such a manner that the flat pipes are aligned in a longitudinal direction of the header pipes, in which at least one of the header pipes serves as a coupling header pipe to which a plurality of the flat pipes are connected in such a manner that the flat pipes are placed side by side in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the header pipe, a side face of the coupling header pipe has a connection side face to which a plurality of the flat pipes are connected and an opposite-side side face located opposite to the connection side face, and the opposite-side side face projects away from the connection side face toward substantially a center in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe.
- the flowing direction of the refrigerant flowing from one of the flat pipes adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction is gently changed toward the flat pipe connected to one of the header pipes along the opposite-side side face.
- the coupling header pipe even during a low-load operation in which, in particular, the refrigerant circulation amount is small and an inertial force is small, by causing half or more of the refrigerant to flow along the opposite-side side face, the remaining refrigerant can be caused to follow the same flow.
- the coupling header pipe it is possible to reduce the influence of a collision with the opposite-side side face and prevent separation of liquid and gas, the gas-liquid state of the refrigerant flowing out to the flat pipes becomes uniform, and the heat exchange performance can be improved.
- the coupling header pipe even during a high-load operation in which, in particular, the refrigerant circulation amount is large and the refrigerant flow velocity is high, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant from suddenly changing its direction and colliding with the wall surface, and separating into liquid and gas.
- the gas-liquid state of the refrigerant flowing out to the flat pipes becomes uniform, and the heat exchange performance of the outdoor heat exchanger can be improved.
- the refrigerant flowing to the coupling header pipe from one of the flat pipes adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction gently changes its direction along the projecting shapes of the opposite-side side face to the direction opposite to the flowing direction of the refrigerant flowing thereinto and flows out through the other of the flat pipes adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction.
- This technique prevents, in the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe, the refrigerant flowing to the coupling header pipe from one of the flat pipes adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction from merging and splitting in the internal space inside the coupling header pipe.
- the refrigerant flowing to the coupling header pipe from one of the flat pipes adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction is prevented from interfering or mixing with the flow of the refrigerant flowing to the coupling header pipe from another flat pipe adjacent to this flat pipe in the up-down direction and obstructing a flow along the opposite-side side face.
- the amount of the brazing material used in the outdoor heat exchanger can be reduced. This prevents an excessive brazing material from melting out onto the side face of the coupling header pipe during brazing and an unnecessary brazing material remaining on the opposite-side side face from obstructing the flow of the refrigerant.
- the outdoor heat exchanger it is possible to prevent the refrigerant flowing inside the coupling header pipe from changing its flowing direction, causing a collision, and separating into liquid and gas.
- the outdoor unit achieves the same effects as those achieved by the heat exchanger described above.
- the present disclosure is applicable to a heat exchanger including a flat pipe and a header pipe. Specifically, the present disclosure is applicable to, for example, a heat exchanger mounted on an outdoor unit.
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Abstract
Provided is a heat exchanger and an outdoor unit that prevent uneven distribution of a refrigerant to a plurality of flat pipes. In a heat exchanger including: a plurality of header pipes 52; and a plurality of flat pipes connected to each of the header pipes 52 in such a manner that the flat pipes are aligned in a longitudinal direction of the header pipes 52, at least one of the header pipes 52 serves as a coupling header pipe 54 to which a plurality of the flat pipes 62 are connected in such a manner that the flat pipes 62 are placed side by side in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the header pipe 52, a side face of the coupling header pipe 54 has a connection side face 57 to which a plurality of the flat pipes 62 are connected and an opposite-side side face 59 located opposite to the connection side face 57, and the opposite-side side face 59 projects away from the connection side face toward substantially a center in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe 54.
Description
- The present invention relates to a heat exchanger and an outdoor unit.
- International Publication No.
WO 2016/121125 discloses a heat exchanger and a refrigeration cycle apparatus that can improve heat exchange performance. - The heat exchanger of International Publication No.
WO 2016/121125 includes a first heat exchange unit, and a second heat exchange unit through which an air current that has passed through the first heat exchange unit passes. The first heat exchange unit includes a first flat pipe having, thereinside, a first channel through which a refrigerant is passed. The second heat exchange unit includes a second flat pipe having, thereinside, a second channel through which the refrigerant is passed. A pressure loss in the second channel is larger than a pressure loss in the first channel. - The present disclosure provides a heat exchanger and an outdoor unit that prevent uneven distribution of a refrigerant to a plurality of flat pipes.
- The present disclosure provides a heat exchanger including: a plurality of header pipes; and a plurality of flat pipes connected to each of the header pipes in such a manner that the flat pipes are aligned in a longitudinal direction of the header pipes, in which at least one of the header pipes serves as a coupling header pipe to which a plurality of the flat pipes are connected in such a manner that the flat pipes are placed side by side in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the header pipe, a side face of the coupling header pipe has a connection side face to which a plurality of the flat pipes are connected and an opposite-side side face located opposite to the connection side face, and the opposite-side side face projects away from the connection side face toward substantially a center in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe.
- According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent uneven distribution of a refrigerant to a plurality of flat pipes.
-
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an outdoor unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the outdoor unit; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an outdoor heat exchanger; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a coupling header pipe; -
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a section of the coupling header pipe taken on a plane V ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a section of the coupling header pipe taken on a plane VI ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a section of a coupling header pipe according to a modification of the present disclosure; and -
FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a section of a coupling header pipe according to a modification of the present disclosure. - At the time when the inventors conceived the present disclosure, there was a technique of a heat exchanger and a refrigeration cycle apparatus. This technique includes a first heat exchange unit, and a second heat exchange unit through which an air current that has passed through the first heat exchange unit passes. The first heat exchange unit includes a first flat pipe having, thereinside, a first channel through which a refrigerant is passed, the second heat exchange unit includes a second flat pipe having, thereinside, a second channel through which the refrigerant is passed, and a pressure loss in the second channel is larger than a pressure loss in the first channel.
- This improves the heat exchange performance in the heat exchanger and the refrigeration cycle apparatus.
- However, in the conventional configuration, when a heat exchanger including header pipes and flat pipes is used as an evaporator, a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into one of the header pipes from a refrigerant inflow pipe in each heat exchanger, flowing through a plurality of flat pipes, and flowing into the other of the header pipes from the flat pipes collides with a wall of the other header pipe. Then, in this heat exchanger, the refrigerant moves up or down through a communication pipe connected to the other header pipe and flows out in the direction opposite to the flowing direction of the refrigerant flowing thereinto from the flat pipes. Thus, the inventors have found a problem that, in this heat exchanger, after the refrigerant collides with the wall, the refrigerant tends to separate up and down into a liquid refrigerant and a gas refrigerant due to the influence of gravity, the gas-liquid state of the refrigerant flowing out to a plurality of flat pipes from the other header pipe after flowing through the communication pipe becomes non-uniform, and the heat exchange performance is reduced, and has come to constitute the subject matter of the present disclosure to solve this problem.
- Thus, the present disclosure provides a heat exchanger and an outdoor unit that prevent uneven distribution of a refrigerant to a plurality of flat pipes.
- Hereinbelow, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that more details than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed description of already well-known matters or repetitive description for substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid making the following description unnecessary redundant and facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art.
- Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.
- Hereinbelow, a first embodiment will be described with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 6 . In each of the drawings, reference character FR denotes the front side of an outdoor unit that is installed on an installation surface and normally used, reference character UP denotes the upper side of the outdoor unit, and reference character LH denotes the left side of the outdoor unit. Directions in the following description are based on these directions of the outdoor unit. -
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of anoutdoor unit 1 of an air conditioning apparatus according to the present embodiment. - The air conditioning apparatus of the present embodiment includes a refrigeration circuit, the refrigeration circuit including an indoor heat exchanger housed in an indoor unit, and a
compressor 5, an expansion valve, and anoutdoor heat exchanger 50 that are housed in theoutdoor unit 1, and the like. The air conditioning apparatus circulates a refrigerant through the refrigeration circuit to perform air conditioning in a space to be air-conditioned in which the indoor unit is provided. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , theoutdoor unit 1 of the present embodiment is a so-called side-flow type or side-blow type outdoor unit that draws air into the inside thereof through theoutdoor heat exchanger 50 disposed on a side face, performs heat exchange between the air and the refrigerant, and blows the air out through another side face. -
FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the internal structure of theoutdoor unit 1. InFIG. 2 , for convenience of explanation, edges of abottom plate 12 constituting lower edges of a front intake opening 15 and aside intake opening 17 and a predetermined portion of aback plate 18 constituting an edge of anexhaust opening 19 are indicated by long dashed short dashed lines. InFIG. 2 , a flowing direction of air blown by an air-blowingfan 30 is indicated by a long dashed double-dotted line arrow A. - As shown in
FIGS. 1 and2 , theoutdoor unit 1 includes ahousing 10 having a box shape, the longitudinal direction of thehousing 10 extending in the right-left direction. In the present embodiment, each part of thehousing 10 is formed of a steel plate. - The
housing 10 includes thebottom plate 12 constituting the bottom face of thehousing 10, atop plate 14 constituting the top face, afront plate 16 constituting the front face, theback plate 18 constituting the back face, aleft side plate 11 constituting the left side face, and aright side plate 13 constituting the right side face. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , thefront plate 16 is provided with the front intake opening 15. The front intake opening 15 is a rectangular opening through which air is drawn into the inside of thehousing 10 from the outside thereof. In thefront plate 16, thefront intake opening 15 is provided at a position closer to theleft side plate 11 than to theright side plate 13. - In the
front plate 16, a plurality offastening holes 20, which are through holes, are provided at positions close to an edge of the front intake opening 15, the edge being adjacent to theright side plate 13. Thesefastening holes 20 are aligned on a line extending in the up-down direction of thehousing 10. In the present embodiment, thefront plate 16 is provided with threefastening holes 20. - The
left side plate 11 is provided with the side intake opening 17. Theside intake opening 17 is a rectangular opening through which air is drawn into the inside of thehousing 10. In theleft side plate 11, theside intake opening 17 is provided at a position closer to thefront plate 16 than to theback plate 18. - In the
left side plate 11, threefastening holes 20 are provided at positions close to an edge of theside intake opening 17, the edge being adjacent to theback plate 18, thefastening holes 20 being aligned on a line extending in the up-down direction of thehousing 10. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , theback plate 18 is provided with theexhaust opening 19. Theexhaust opening 19 is an opening through which air drawn into the inside of thehousing 10 is blown out to the outside of thehousing 10. - Note that the
front intake opening 15, theside intake opening 17, and theexhaust opening 19 may be provided with a filter or a lattice-shaped protection member. - An internal space S of the
housing 10 is partitioned by apartition plate 21 into two spaces. Thepartition plate 21 is a plate-like member that extends in the up-down direction of thehousing 10 at a predetermined height dimension and extends in the front-back direction of thehousing 10. Thepartition plate 21 is fixed to thehousing 10 with its lower end coupled to thebottom plate 12. Thepartition plate 21 has an end that is located on the front side of thehousing 10 and coupled to thefront plate 16 and an end that is located on the back side of thehousing 10 and coupled to theback plate 18. - Accordingly, inside the
housing 10, two spaces are formed with thepartition plate 21 therebetween, the two spaces including a machine chamber S1 located on the right side of thehousing 10 and a fan chamber S2 located on the left side of thehousing 10. - Members constituting the refrigeration circuit, such as the
compressor 5, the expansion valve, aheader pipe 52 included in theoutdoor heat exchanger 50, and a refrigerant pipe, various electrical components, and the like are housed in the machine chamber S1. - The air-blowing
fan 30 and theoutdoor heat exchanger 50 excluding theheader pipe 52 are housed in the fan chamber S2. - The air-blowing
fan 30 is an axial fan that is driven to rotate to introduce air into the fan chamber S2 from the outside of thehousing 10, cause the air to exchange heat with the refrigerant flowing through theoutdoor heat exchanger 50, and then release the air again to the outside of thehousing 10. The air-blowingfan 30 includes afan motor 32 and animpeller 34. - The
fan motor 32 is a driver that rotates theimpeller 34 and includes a drivingshaft 36 to which theimpeller 34 is attached. - The
impeller 34 is a rotating component that is rotated by thefan motor 32 to feed air out in the axial flow direction. - The air-blowing
fan 30 is positioned with theimpeller 34 facing theexhaust opening 19 and the tip of the drivingshaft 36 facing theexhaust opening 19. - In the present embodiment, when the air-blowing
fan 30 is driven to rotate, the air-blowingfan 30 causes air to flow into the inside of thehousing 10, that is, the fan chamber S2 from the outside of theoutdoor unit 1. Specifically, as indicated by the arrows A inFIG. 2 , air flows into the fan chamber S2 mainly through thefront intake opening 15 and theside intake opening 17. -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing theoutdoor heat exchanger 50. For convenience of explanation,FIG. 3 shows theoutdoor heat exchanger 50 linearly formed in plan view. InFIG. 3 , the flowing direction of air blown by the air-blowingfan 30 is indicated by a long dashed double-dotted line arrow A. - The
outdoor heat exchanger 50 is a heat exchanger having a channel through which a refrigerant flows, the heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant fed thereto from the indoor unit or a condenser that condenses the refrigerant. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , theoutdoor heat exchanger 50 includes a pair ofheader pipes 52, acoupling header pipe 54, a firstrefrigerant pipe 66, a secondrefrigerant pipe 68, a plurality offlat pipes 62, and a plurality offins 64. - In the present embodiment, these members included in the
outdoor heat exchanger 50 are all formed of aluminum or a so-called aluminum material made of an aluminum alloy. - Each of the
header pipes 52 is a hollow columnar member whose longitudinal direction extends in the up-down direction of thehousing 10. In the present embodiment, each of theheader pipes 52 is formed in a cylindrical shape. Theseheader pipes 52 are both provided on one end of theoutdoor heat exchanger 50 in the longitudinal direction. - An internal space SP of the
header pipe 52 is provided inside theheader pipe 52. - The first
refrigerant pipe 66 is connected to one of theheader pipes 52, and the secondrefrigerant pipe 68 is connected to the other of theheader pipes 52. The firstrefrigerant pipe 66 and the secondrefrigerant pipe 68 function as an inflow port or an outflow port for the refrigerant in theoutdoor heat exchanger 50. - The first
refrigerant pipe 66 is connected to an upper part of aside face 51 of the oneheader pipe 52. The secondrefrigerant pipe 68 is connected to a lower part of aside face 51 of theother header pipe 52. - The
coupling header pipe 54 is a hollow columnar member whose longitudinal direction extends in the up-down direction of thehousing 10. - The
coupling header pipe 54 has an internal space SQ thereinside. Thecoupling header pipe 54 is provided on the other end of theoutdoor heat exchanger 50 in the longitudinal direction. - The
flat pipes 62 are long and flat tubular members each having, thereinside, a channel through which the refrigerant flows. - In a state in which the
flat pipes 62 are aligned in the longitudinal direction of each of theheader pipes 52 and thecoupling header pipe 54 with the longitudinal directions of theflat pipes 62 parallel to each other, the opposite ends of each of theflat pipes 62 are connected to theside face 51 of theheader pipe 52 and aside face 53 of theheader pipe 54. - That is, the ends of the
flat pipes 62 on one side are in a line with a predetermined space therebetween in the longitudinal direction of theheader pipe 52 and connected to a predetermined part of theside face 51 of theheader pipe 52. Similarly, the ends of theflat pipes 62 on the other side are in a line with a predetermined space therebetween in the longitudinal direction of thecoupling header pipe 54 and connected to a predetermined part of theside face 53 of thecoupling header pipe 54. - Thus, the longitudinal direction of each of the
flat pipes 62 coincides with the longitudinal direction of theoutdoor heat exchanger 50. - The
flat pipes 62 are connected to theheader pipes 52 and thecoupling header pipe 54 with their width directions parallel to each other. Note that the width direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction of each of theflat pipes 62. - Hereinbelow, the predetermined part of the
side face 51 of each of theheader pipes 52 to which each of theflat pipes 62 is connected is referred to as aconnection side face 55, and the predetermined part of theside face 53 of thecoupling header pipe 54 to which each of theflat pipes 62 is connected is referred to as aconnection side face 57. - The
flat pipes 62 extending from therespective header pipes 52 are connected to the connection side face 57 in such a manner that the ends on the other side of theflat pipes 62 are placed side by side in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of thecoupling header pipe 54. - In the present embodiment, the
flat pipes 62 extending from therespective header pipes 52 are connected to the connection side face 57 in such a manner that the ends on the other side of theflat pipes 62 are placed side by side in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of thecoupling header pipe 54. That is, theflat pipes 62 placed side by side in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of thecoupling header pipe 54 are located at substantially the same height in the up-down direction of thehousing 10. - In this manner, the
header pipes 52 are each coupled to thecoupling header pipe 54 through theflat pipes 62. - Both ends of each of the
flat pipes 62 have openings. One end of each of theflat pipes 62 is open in the internal space SP, and the other end thereof is open in the internal space SQ. - The
fins 64 are flat-plate members each having, on a flat surface, a plurality of insertion holes in each of which theflat pipe 62 can be inserted. Each of theflat pipes 62 is connected to each of theheader pipes flat pipe 62 is inserted in each of thefins 64. That is, each of thefins 64 is disposed with its longitudinal direction and width direction perpendicular to each of theflat pipes 62. The longitudinal direction of each of thefins 64 disposed in this manner coincides with the longitudinal direction of each of theheader pipes - In the present embodiment, the pair of
header pipes 52, thecoupling header pipe 54, the firstrefrigerant pipe 66, the secondrefrigerant pipe 68, the plurality offlat pipes 62, and the plurality offins 64 are fixed to each other by so-called brazing using a brazing material. - In the fan chamber S2, the
outdoor heat exchanger 50 is disposed, in its longitudinal direction, along thefront plate 16 and theleft side plate 11. Specifically, theheader pipes 52 are disposed at a position close to the edge of thefront intake opening 15, the edge being adjacent to theright side plate 13, and theheader pipe 54 is disposed at a position close to the edge of theside intake opening 17, the edge being adjacent to theback plate 18. Theoutdoor heat exchanger 50 is bent so as to be close to acorner 23 of thehousing 10, thecorner 23 being defined by thefront plate 16 and theleft side plate 11. - The
outdoor unit 1 includes a fixingmember 70 that fixes theoutdoor heat exchanger 50 to thehousing 10. - Specifically, each of the
header pipes 52 included in theoutdoor heat exchanger 50 is fixed to thefront plate 16 with a plurality of fixingmembers 70. In the present embodiment, each of theheader pipes 52 is fixed with three fixingmembers 70. - In the
outdoor heat exchanger 50 fixed to thehousing 10 in this manner, each of theheader pipes 52 and thecoupling header pipe 54 are disposed with their longitudinal directions aligned with the up-down direction of thehousing 10. - In the
outdoor heat exchanger 50 fixed to thehousing 10, oneheader pipe 52 and theflat pipes 62 connected to the oneheader pipe 52 are disposed more distant from the side face of thehousing 10, that is, disposed closer to the air-blowingfan 30 than theother header pipe 52 and theflat pipes 62 connected to theother header pipe 52 are. - Thus, in the flowing direction of air blown by the air-blowing
fan 30, theflat pipes 62 connected to the oneheader pipe 52 are located upstream of theflat pipes 62 connected to theother header pipe 52. That is, theflat pipes 62 extending from the pair ofheader pipes 52 are placed side by side in the flowing direction of air blown by the air-blowingfan 30, the flowing direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of thecoupling header pipe 54. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , in theoutdoor heat exchanger 50 fixed to thehousing 10, theflat pipes 62 and thefins 64 are largely exposed from thehousing 10 through thefront intake opening 15 and theside intake opening 17. On the other hand, theheader pipes 52 are shielded by thefront plate 16, and thecoupling header pipe 54 is shielded by theleft side plate 11. - Note that the
partition plate 21 is provided extending between theheader pipes 52 and thefins 64. Accordingly,header pipes 52 are disposed in the machine chamber S1, and theflat pipes 62, thefins 64, and thecoupling header pipe 54 are disposed in the fan chamber S2. -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of thecoupling header pipe 54. InFIG. 4 , for convenience of explanation, a secondside face portion 90 is indicated by a long dashed double-dotted line, which is a virtual line, so that the internal space SQ can be visually recognized. -
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a section of thecoupling header pipe 54 taken on a plane V ofFIG. 4 . The plane V extends between the pair offlat pipes 62 and adivision plate 88 in the longitudinal direction of thecoupling header pipe 54 and is parallel to the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of thecoupling header pipe 54. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , thecoupling header pipe 54 includes a firstside face portion 80 constituting theconnection side face 57. As shown inFIG. 5 , the firstside face portion 80 is formed by bending a plate-like member into a U shape in plan view. - The first
side face portion 80 includes a connectionside face portion 82. The connectionside face portion 82 has the connection side face 57 that is flat in the flowing direction of air blown by the air-blowingfan 30 and the longitudinal direction of thecoupling header pipe 54. - The connection
side face portion 82 has, on its opposite ends in the direction along the flowing direction of air blown by the air-blowingfan 30,coupling end portions 84 extending by a predetermined length dimension toward the side opposite to theflat pipes 62 extending to theheader pipes 52. The length dimension of each of thecoupling end portions 84 in plan view is smaller than the length dimension of the connection side face 57 in the direction along the flowing direction of air blown by the air-blowingfan 30. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , thecoupling header pipe 54 includes the secondside face portion 90. As shown inFIG. 5 , the secondside face portion 90 is formed by bending a plate-like member into a U shape in plan view. - The second
side face portion 90 includes an opposite-sideside face portion 92. The opposite-sideside face portion 92 has an opposite-side side face 59 having an arc shape convex opposite to the connectionside face portion 82. The opposite-side side face 59 is formed as a curved face convex opposite to the connectionside face portion 82 toward thecoupling header pipe 54. The opposite-side side face 59 constitutes a part of theside face 53. - The opposite-side
side face portion 92 has an opposite-sideinner side face 93. The opposite-sideinner side face 93 is a curved face facing the internal space SQ and a section space SR in the opposite-sideside face portion 92. The opposite-sideinner side face 93 is a curved face formed in substantially the same shape as the opposite-side side face 59 in plan view in the opposite-sideside face portion 92. - The opposite-side
side face portion 92 has, on its opposite ends in the direction along the flowing direction of air blown by the air-blowingfan 30,coupling end portions 94 extending by a predetermined length dimension in substantially the same direction as theflat pipes 62 extending to theheader pipes 52. The length dimension of each of thecoupling end portions 94 in plan view is smaller than the length dimension of the opposite-sideside face portion 92 in the direction along the flowing direction of air blown by the air-blowingfan 30. - The first
side face portion 80 and the secondside face portion 90 are coupled to each other in a state in which each of thecoupling end portions 94 is located inside the corresponding one of thecoupling end portions 84 and the tip of each of thecoupling end portions 94 is in contact with the connectionside face portion 82 in the direction along the flowing direction of air blown by the air-blowingfan 30. - The first
side face portion 80 and the secondside face portion 90 are fixed to each other by so-called brazing using a brazing material. Thus, side faces of the firstside face portion 80 and the secondside face portion 90, the side faces facing each other, are coated with the brazing material. - The
coupling header pipe 54 including the firstside face portion 80 and the secondside face portion 90 coupled to each other in this manner is formed in a partial circle shape in plan view. -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a section of thecoupling header pipe 54 taken on a plane VI ofFIG. 4 . The plane VI intersects the other end of each of theflat pipes 62 housed in the internal space SQ and is parallel to the longitudinal direction of thecoupling header pipe 54. - A plurality of
division plates 88 are provided inside thecoupling header pipe 54. As shown inFIG. 6 , each of thedivision plates 88 is disposed between theflat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of thecoupling header pipe 54. Thus, thedivision plates 88 are plate-like members that divide the internal space SQ into a plurality of section spaces SR. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , thedivision plate 88 is formed in substantially the same shape as the outer shape of thecoupling header pipe 54 in plan view. Edges of thedivision plate 88 are in contact with the inner side face of the firstside face portion 80 and the inner side face of the secondside face portion 90 throughout the entire circumference of thedivision plate 88. - As described above, the side faces of the first
side face portion 80 and the secondside face portion 90, the side faces facing each other, are coated with the brazing material. Thedivision plate 88 is brazed to the firstside face portion 80 and the secondside face portion 90 with the brazing material. Thedivision plate 88 is not coated with the brazing material. - Accordingly, the amount of the brazing material used in the
outdoor heat exchanger 50 can be reduced. This prevents, in thecoupling header pipe 54, an excessive brazing material from melting out onto the inner side face, the internal space SQ, and the section spaces SR of thecoupling header pipe 54 during brazing and remaining in a projecting manner into the internal space SQ and the section space SR from the opposite-sideinner side face 93, thereby obstructing the flow of the refrigerant. Further, it is possible to prevent, in theoutdoor heat exchanger 50, the remaining brazing material from changing the direction of the flow of the refrigerant flowing inside thecoupling header pipe 54, and causing a collision and separation of the refrigerant into liquid and gas. Thus, the gas-liquid state of the refrigerant flowing out to theflat pipes 62 becomes uniform, and the heat exchange performance can be improved. - The other end of each of the pair of
flat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction is disposed inside each of the section spaces SR. - The operation of the
outdoor unit 1 configured as described above will be described below. - First, the flow of the refrigerant in the air conditioning apparatus will be described.
- In the case of a heating operation of the air conditioning apparatus, when the
outdoor unit 1 starts operating, thecompressor 5 is driven. Thecompressor 5 compresses the refrigerant sealed in the refrigeration circuit and feeds the gas refrigerant out through each refrigerant pipe. - The gas refrigerant is condensed in the indoor heat exchanger by dissipating heat, then flows into the expansion valve through the pipe, is decompressed by the expansion valve, and flows into the internal space SP of the
other header pipe 52 through the secondrefrigerant pipe 68. The refrigerant flowing into the internal space SP flows into each of the section spaces SR of thecoupling header pipe 54 through eachflat pipe 62. Then, the refrigerant flows toward the oneheader pipe 52 through eachflat pipe 62 connected to the oneheader pipe 52. The refrigerant flowing through theoutdoor heat exchanger 50 absorbs heat and evaporates by exchanging heat with air fed by the air-blowingfan 30 in theflat pipes 62. The refrigerant flows into the internal space SP of the oneheader pipe 52 and then returns to thecompressor 5 through the firstrefrigerant pipe 66. - When the
outdoor unit 1 starts operating, the air-blowingfan 30 starts rotating prior to thecompressor 5. The rotating air-blowingfan 30 causes air to flow into the inside of thehousing 10, that is, the fan chamber S2 from the outside of theoutdoor unit 1. Specifically, the air flows into the fan chamber S2 mainly through thefront intake opening 15 and theside intake opening 17. The air flowing into the fan chamber S2 passes between theflat pipes 62 and thefins 64 in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the up-down direction of theoutdoor heat exchanger 50, in other words, the width direction of theflat pipes 62. - This facilitates heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing inside the
flat pipes 62 and the air flowing between thefins 64. - The air-blowing
fan 30 discharges the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant to the outside of thehousing 10 through theexhaust opening 19. - The
outdoor unit 1 absorbs heat from the outdoor air into the refrigeration circuit and feeds the air to the inside of the room by repeating the operation described above. - When the air conditioning apparatus performs a cooling operation, the refrigerant circulation direction in the refrigeration circuit is opposite to that in a heating operation, and the
outdoor heat exchanger 50 functions as a condenser. - As described above, in the
coupling header pipe 54, the internal space SQ is divided by thedivision plates 88 into the section spaces SR. - This prevents, in the longitudinal direction of the
coupling header pipe 54, the refrigerant flowing to thecoupling header pipe 54 from one of theflat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction from merging and splitting in the internal space SQ inside thecoupling header pipe 54. In the section space SR, the refrigerant flows out through the other of theflat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction. - Thus, the refrigerant flowing to the
coupling header pipe 54 from one of theflat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction is prevented from interfering or mixing with the flow of the refrigerant flowing to thecoupling header pipe 54 from anotherflat pipe 62 adjacent to thisflat pipe 62 in the up-down direction and obstructing a flow along the opposite-sideinner side face 93. In thecoupling header pipe 54, it is possible to prevent the gas-liquid state in the internal space SQ from becoming non-uniform, the gas-liquid state of the refrigerant flowing out of the internal space SQ to theflat pipes 62 becomes uniform, and the heat exchange performance can be improved. - This flow of the refrigerant in the
coupling header pipe 54 can be achieved even during a high-load operation in which, in particular, the refrigerant circulation amount is large and the refrigerant flow velocity is high. Thus, in theoutdoor unit 1, this flow of the refrigerant can prevent the refrigerant from suddenly changing its direction and colliding with the wall surface, and separating into liquid and gas in thecoupling header pipe 54, the gas-liquid state of the refrigerant flowing out to theflat pipes 62 becomes uniform, and the heat exchange performance can be improved. - The refrigerant flows through one of the
flat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction and then flows into the section space SR from the other end of thisflat pipe 62 in thecoupling header pipe 54. The refrigerant flows toward substantially the center of thecoupling header pipe 54 in the air flowing direction along the opposite-sideinner side face 93. Then, the refrigerant flows closer to the other of theflat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction. Then, the refrigerant enters the other of theflat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction and flows out of thecoupling header pipe 54. - Accordingly, in the
coupling header pipe 54, the flowing direction of the refrigerant flowing from one of theflat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction is changed toward theflat pipe 62 connected to one of theheader pipes 52 along the opposite-sideinner side face 93. Thus, in thecoupling header pipe 54, it is possible to reduce the influence of a collision with the opposite-sideinner side face 93 and prevent separation of liquid and gas. In thecoupling header pipe 54, the gas-liquid state of the refrigerant flowing to the other of theflat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction becomes uniform, and the heat exchange performance can be improved. - In addition, in the section space SR, half or more of the refrigerant flowing from one of the
flat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction, the half of more of the refrigerant flowing close to the opposite-sideinner side face 93, changes its direction along the opposite-sideinner side face 93. Accordingly, in the section space SR, half or less of the refrigerant flowing from one of theflat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction, the half or less of the refrigerant flowing close to theconnection side face 57, is affected by the flow of the refrigerant flowing close to the opposite-sideinner side face 93. Then, the refrigerant flows to the other of theflat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction and flows out. - Accordingly, in the section space SR, even during a low-load operation in which, in particular, the refrigerant circulation amount is small and an inertial force is small, by causing half or more of the refrigerant to flow along the opposite-side
inner side face 93, the remaining refrigerant can be caused to follow the same flow. In the section space SR, the flow can be changed to the direction opposite to the flowing direction of the refrigerant flowing into the section space SR. - Thus, in the section space SR, it is possible to reduce the influence of a collision with the opposite-side
inner side face 93 and prevent separation of liquid and gas, the gas-liquid state of the refrigerant flowing out to theflat pipes 62 becomes uniform, and the heat exchange performance can be improved. - As above, in the present embodiment, the
outdoor heat exchanger 50 includes thecoupling header pipe 54 to which theflat pipes 62 are connected in such a manner that theflat pipes 62 are placed side by side in the air flowing direction. The side face 53 of thecoupling header pipe 54 has the connection side face 57 to which theflat pipes 62 are connected and the opposite-side side face 59 located opposite to theconnection side face 57. The opposite-side side face 59 projects away from the connection side face toward substantially the center of thecoupling header pipe 54 in the air flowing direction. - Accordingly, in the
coupling header pipe 54, the flowing direction of the refrigerant flowing from one of theflat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction is gently changed toward theflat pipe 62 connected to one of theheader pipes 52 along the opposite-sideinner side face 93. Thus, in thecoupling header pipe 54, it is possible to reduce the influence of a collision with the opposite-sideinner side face 93 and prevent separation of liquid and gas. Thus, theoutdoor heat exchanger 50 can improve the heat exchange performance. - As described in the present embodiment, in the
coupling header pipe 54, the internal space SQ may be divided by thedivision plates 88 into the section spaces SR. - This prevents, in the longitudinal direction of the
coupling header pipe 54, the refrigerant flowing to thecoupling header pipe 54 from one of theflat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction from merging and splitting in the internal space SQ inside the coupling header pipe. - Thus, the refrigerant flowing to the
coupling header pipe 54 from one of theflat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction is prevented from interfering or mixing with the flow of the refrigerant flowing to thecoupling header pipe 54 from anotherflat pipe 62 adjacent to thisflat pipe 62 in the up-down direction and obstructing a flow along the opposite-sideinner side face 93. In thecoupling header pipe 54, it is possible to prevent the gas-liquid state in the internal space SQ from becoming non-uniform, the gas-liquid state of the refrigerant flowing out of the internal space SQ to theflat pipes 62 becomes uniform, and theoutdoor heat exchanger 50 can improve the heat exchange performance. - As described in the present embodiment, the
division plate 88 may not be coated with the brazing material. - Accordingly, the amount of the brazing material used in the
outdoor heat exchanger 50 can be reduced. This prevents an excessive brazing material from melting out onto the inner side face of thecoupling header pipe 54 during brazing and an unnecessary brazing material remaining on the opposite-side inner side face 93 from obstructing the flow of the refrigerant. Thus, in theoutdoor heat exchanger 50, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant flowing inside thecoupling header pipe 54 from changing its flowing direction, causing a collision, and separating into liquid and gas. Thus, the gas-liquid state of the refrigerant flowing out to theflat pipes 62 becomes uniform, and the heat exchange performance can be improved. - As above, the first embodiment has been described as an example of the techniques disclosed in the present application. However, the techniques in the present disclosure are not limited thereto and also applicable to embodiments with changes, replacements, additions, omissions, and the like. Also, the constituent elements described above in the first embodiment may be combined to constitute a new embodiment.
- Thus, hereinbelow, other embodiments will be described as examples.
-
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a section of acoupling header pipe 154 according to a first modification of the present disclosure.FIG. 7 shows the section taken on a plane that extends between the pair offlat pipes 62 and thedivision plate 88 in the longitudinal direction of thecoupling header pipe 154 and is parallel to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of thecoupling header pipe 154 as with the plane V ofFIG. 4 . - In the first embodiment, the
coupling header pipe 54 having the opposite-side side face 59 formed in a circular arc shape in plan view has been described. However, this is not a limitation. For example, as shown inFIG. 7 , theoutdoor heat exchanger 50 may include thecoupling header pipe 154, thecoupling header pipe 154 including an opposite-sideside face portion 192 having aflat face 100 parallel to the connection side face 57 on substantially the center in the air flowing direction. - The opposite-side
side face portion 192 has an opposite-side side face 159 constituting the outer side face of thecoupling header pipe 154, and an opposite-sideinner side face 193 constituting the inner side face of thecoupling header pipe 154, the opposite-sideinner side face 193 facing the internal space SQ and the section space SR. - The opposite-side
side face portion 192 has, on both sides of theflat face 100, curved faces 110 each having an arc shape and projecting outward of thecoupling header pipe 154. The opposite-side side face 159 and the opposite-sideinner side face 193 extend throughout an area where theflat face 100 and the pair ofcurved faces 110 are provided on the opposite-sideside face portion 192. - In the
coupling header pipe 154, in the section space SR, the refrigerant flowing to thecoupling header pipe 154 from one of theflat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction flows along one of the curved faces 110, then flows along theflat face 100, and then flows along the other of the curved faces 110. Accordingly, in thecoupling header pipe 154, the flowing direction of the refrigerant flowing thereinto is changed without a sudden change, and the refrigerant is then caused to flow out to the other of theflat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction. - Accordingly, in the
coupling header pipe 154, even during a high-load operation in which, in particular, the refrigerant circulation amount is large and the refrigerant flow velocity is high, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant from suddenly changing its direction and colliding with the wall surface, and separating into liquid and gas. Thus, in thecoupling header pipe 154, the gas-liquid state of the refrigerant flowing out to theflat pipes 62 becomes uniform, and the heat exchange performance of theoutdoor heat exchanger 50 can be improved. -
FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a section of acoupling header pipe 254 according to a second modification of the present disclosure.FIG. 8 shows the section taken on a plane that extends between the pair offlat pipes 62 and thedivision plate 88 in the longitudinal direction of thecoupling header pipe 254 and is parallel to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of thecoupling header pipe 254 as with the plane V ofFIG. 4 . - As shown in
FIG. 8 , theoutdoor heat exchanger 50 may include thecoupling header pipe 254, thecoupling header pipe 254 having coupling faces 120 on both sides of theflat face 100 instead of the curved faces 110 on the opposite-side side face 159. The coupling faces 120 are flat faces inclined outward of thecoupling header pipe 254 from theflat face 100 toward the connection side face 57 in plan view of thecoupling header pipe 254. - The
coupling header pipe 254 includes an opposite-sideside face portion 292. The opposite-sideside face portion 292 has an opposite-side side face 259 constituting the outer side face of thecoupling header pipe 254, and an opposite-sideinner side face 293 constituting the inner side face of thecoupling header pipe 254, the opposite-sideinner side face 293 facing the internal space SQ and the section space SR. The opposite-side side face 259 and the opposite-sideinner side face 293 extend throughout an area where theflat face 100 and the pair of coupling faces 120 are provided on the opposite-sideside face portion 292. - In the
coupling header pipe 254, in the section space SR, the refrigerant flowing to thecoupling header pipe 254 from one of theflat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction flows along one of the coupling faces 120, then flows along theflat face 100, and then flows along the other of the coupling faces 120. Accordingly, in thecoupling header pipe 254, the flowing direction of the refrigerant flowing thereinto is changed without a sudden change, and the refrigerant is then caused to flow out to the other of theflat pipes 62 adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction. - Since the embodiments described above are intended to exemplify the techniques in the present disclosure, various changes, replacements, additions, omissions, and the like can be made within the scope of the claims or a scope equivalent thereto.
- (Technique 1) A heat exchanger including: a plurality of header pipes; and a plurality of flat pipes connected to each of the header pipes in such a manner that the flat pipes are aligned in a longitudinal direction of the header pipes, in which at least one of the header pipes serves as a coupling header pipe to which a plurality of the flat pipes are connected in such a manner that the flat pipes are placed side by side in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the header pipe, a side face of the coupling header pipe has a connection side face to which a plurality of the flat pipes are connected and an opposite-side side face located opposite to the connection side face, and the opposite-side side face projects away from the connection side face toward substantially a center in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe.
- According to this technique, in the coupling header pipe, the flowing direction of the refrigerant flowing from one of the flat pipes adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction is gently changed toward the flat pipe connected to one of the header pipes along the opposite-side side face. Thus, in the coupling header pipe, it is possible to reduce the influence of a collision with the opposite-side side face and prevent separation of liquid and gas.
- (Technique 2) The heat exchanger according to
technique 1, in which the opposite-side side face has opposite ends located in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe, the opposite ends being located on an outer side relative to a plurality of the flat pipes placed side by side in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe. - According to this technique, inside the coupling header pipe, even during a low-load operation in which, in particular, the refrigerant circulation amount is small and an inertial force is small, by causing half or more of the refrigerant to flow along the opposite-side side face, the remaining refrigerant can be caused to follow the same flow. Thus, inside the coupling header pipe, it is possible to reduce the influence of a collision with the opposite-side side face and prevent separation of liquid and gas, the gas-liquid state of the refrigerant flowing out to the flat pipes becomes uniform, and the heat exchange performance can be improved.
- (Technique 3) The heat exchanger according to
technique 1 or 2, in which the opposite-side side face has a flat face on substantially the center in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe, the flat face being flat in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe. - According to this technique, in the coupling header pipe, even during a high-load operation in which, in particular, the refrigerant circulation amount is large and the refrigerant flow velocity is high, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant from suddenly changing its direction and colliding with the wall surface, and separating into liquid and gas. Thus, in the coupling header pipe, the gas-liquid state of the refrigerant flowing out to the flat pipes becomes uniform, and the heat exchange performance of the outdoor heat exchanger can be improved.
- (Technique 4) The heat exchanger according to any one of
techniques 1 to 3, in which the opposite-side side face has projecting shapes on both sides of substantially the center in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe, the projecting shapes projecting from inside of the coupling header pipe toward outside of the coupling header pipe. - According to this technique, the refrigerant flowing to the coupling header pipe from one of the flat pipes adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction gently changes its direction along the projecting shapes of the opposite-side side face to the direction opposite to the flowing direction of the refrigerant flowing thereinto and flows out through the other of the flat pipes adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction. Thus, even during a maximum-load operation in which, in particular, the refrigerant circulation amount is maximum and the refrigerant flow velocity is highest, change in the direction of the flow of the refrigerant can be reduced.
- (Technique 5) The heat exchanger according to any one of
techniques 1 to 4, in which the coupling header pipe is provided with a division plate that separates the flat pipes adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe. - This technique prevents, in the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe, the refrigerant flowing to the coupling header pipe from one of the flat pipes adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction from merging and splitting in the internal space inside the coupling header pipe. Thus, the refrigerant flowing to the coupling header pipe from one of the flat pipes adjacent to each other in the air flowing direction is prevented from interfering or mixing with the flow of the refrigerant flowing to the coupling header pipe from another flat pipe adjacent to this flat pipe in the up-down direction and obstructing a flow along the opposite-side side face.
- (Technique 6) The heat exchanger according to
technique 5, in which the coupling header pipe is coated with a brazing material on a face with which a refrigerant comes into contact, and the division plate is not coated with the brazing material. - According to this technique, the amount of the brazing material used in the outdoor heat exchanger can be reduced. This prevents an excessive brazing material from melting out onto the side face of the coupling header pipe during brazing and an unnecessary brazing material remaining on the opposite-side side face from obstructing the flow of the refrigerant. Thus, in the outdoor heat exchanger, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant flowing inside the coupling header pipe from changing its flowing direction, causing a collision, and separating into liquid and gas.
- (Technique 7) An outdoor unit including the heat exchanger according to any one of
techniques 1 to 6. - According to this technique, the outdoor unit achieves the same effects as those achieved by the heat exchanger described above.
- The present disclosure is applicable to a heat exchanger including a flat pipe and a header pipe. Specifically, the present disclosure is applicable to, for example, a heat exchanger mounted on an outdoor unit.
-
- 1 outdoor unit
- 50 outdoor heat exchanger
- 51, 53 side face
- 54, 154, 254 coupling header pipe
- 55, 57 connection side face
- 59, 159 opposite-side side face
- 62 flat pipe
Claims (7)
- A heat exchanger (50) comprising: a plurality of header pipes (52); and a plurality of flat pipes (62) connected to each of the header pipes in such a manner that the flat pipes are aligned in a longitudinal direction of the header pipes, characterized in thatat least one of the header pipes serves as a coupling header pipe (54, 154, 254) to which a plurality of the flat pipes are connected in such a manner that the flat pipes are placed side by side in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the header pipe,a side face of the coupling header pipe has a connection side face (55, 57) to which a plurality of the flat pipes are connected and an opposite-side side face (59, 159) located opposite to the connection side face, andthe opposite-side side face projects away from the connection side face toward substantially a center in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe.
- The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the opposite-side side face has opposite ends located in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe, the opposite ends being located on an outer side relative to a plurality of the flat pipes placed side by side in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe.
- The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opposite-side side face has a flat face (100) on substantially the center in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe, the flat face being flat in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe.
- The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opposite-side side face has projecting shapes on both sides of substantially the center in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe, the projecting shapes projecting from inside of the coupling header pipe toward outside of the coupling header pipe.
- The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coupling header pipe is provided with a division plate (88) that separates the flat pipes adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the coupling header pipe.
- The heat exchanger according to claim 5, whereinthe coupling header pipe is coated with a brazing material on a face with which a refrigerant comes into contact, andthe division plate is not coated with the brazing material.
- An outdoor unit (1) comprising the heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
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JP2022151381A JP2024046157A (en) | 2022-09-22 | 2022-09-22 | Heat exchanger and outdoor unit |
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EP4343251A1 true EP4343251A1 (en) | 2024-03-27 |
Family
ID=88068503
Family Applications (1)
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EP23197429.6A Pending EP4343251A1 (en) | 2022-09-22 | 2023-09-14 | Heat exchanger and outdoor unit |
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JP (1) | JP2024046157A (en) |
Citations (5)
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US20060054310A1 (en) * | 2004-09-15 | 2006-03-16 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Evaporator using micro-channel tubes |
US7708054B2 (en) * | 2003-08-01 | 2010-05-04 | Showa Denko K.K. | Heat exchanger |
US20150300680A1 (en) * | 2014-04-17 | 2015-10-22 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | Condensate drainage device for heat exchanger |
WO2016121125A1 (en) | 2015-01-30 | 2016-08-04 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Heat exchanger and refrigeration cycle device |
US9546824B2 (en) * | 2010-10-28 | 2017-01-17 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Heat exchanger |
-
2022
- 2022-09-22 JP JP2022151381A patent/JP2024046157A/en active Pending
-
2023
- 2023-09-14 EP EP23197429.6A patent/EP4343251A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US7708054B2 (en) * | 2003-08-01 | 2010-05-04 | Showa Denko K.K. | Heat exchanger |
US20060054310A1 (en) * | 2004-09-15 | 2006-03-16 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Evaporator using micro-channel tubes |
US9546824B2 (en) * | 2010-10-28 | 2017-01-17 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Heat exchanger |
US20150300680A1 (en) * | 2014-04-17 | 2015-10-22 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | Condensate drainage device for heat exchanger |
WO2016121125A1 (en) | 2015-01-30 | 2016-08-04 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Heat exchanger and refrigeration cycle device |
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