EP4749196A1

EP4749196A1 - Air conditioning device

Info

Publication number: EP4749196A1
Application number: EP25834838.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Shota AGO; Shun Yoshioka; Shinji Sato; Kazuki KAMIBEPPU
Original assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2024-10-08
Filing date: 2025-08-26
Publication date: 2026-05-27
Also published as: WO2026079008A1; JP2026067157A

Abstract

The indoor heat exchanger (40) includes: a heat exchanger body (B) that has a plurality of fins (41) arranged in a first direction and a heat transfer tube (42) penetrating the plurality of fins (41); and a plate structure (50) that is arranged side by side with the heat exchanger body (B) in the first direction and forms a refrigerant flow path (51) communicating with the heat transfer tube (42). The regulation mechanism (60, 80) is disposed in the indoor casing (31) to overlap the heat exchanger body (B) and the plate structure (50) when viewed in the first direction.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner.

BACKGROUND ART

Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioner including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, and a four-way switching valve. The air conditioner performs a cooling cycle and a heating cycle by switching the four-way switching valve. The air conditioner includes a flow path switching valve as a regulation mechanism in a refrigerant circuit. The flow path switching valve is disposed in an indoor unit and regulates the direction of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger. Specifically, the flow path switching valve regulates the flow of the refrigerant so that the air and the refrigerant flow in opposite directions in the indoor heat exchanger in both the cooling cycle and the heating cycle. This improves the heat exchange performance of the indoor heat exchanger.

CITATION LIST

PATENT DOCUMENT

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2021-12016

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

When the regulation mechanism is disposed in an indoor casing as described in Patent Document 1, the size of the indoor casing becomes large.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an air conditioner that can reduce the size of an indoor casing.

SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

A first aspect is directed to an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes: a refrigerant circuit (11) that includes a compressor (21), an outdoor heat exchanger (22), a decompression mechanism (23), an indoor heat exchanger (40), and a flow path switching mechanism (24) and is configured to circulate a refrigerant to perform a refrigeration cycle; an indoor unit (30) that includes an indoor casing (31) housing the indoor heat exchanger (40); and an outdoor unit (20) that includes an outdoor casing (20a) housing the compressor (21) and the outdoor heat exchanger (22).
The flow path switching mechanism (24) is configured to change a flow of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (11) for switching between a first refrigeration cycle in which the outdoor heat exchanger (22) functions as a radiator and the indoor heat exchanger (40) functions as an evaporator and a second refrigeration cycle in which the indoor heat exchanger (40) functions as a radiator and the outdoor heat exchanger (22) functions as an evaporator. The refrigerant circuit (11) further includes a regulation mechanism (60, 80) configured to regulate a direction of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger (40) to be the same in both the first refrigeration cycle and the second refrigeration cycle. The indoor heat exchanger (40) includes: a heat exchanger body (B) that has a plurality of fins (41) arranged in a first direction and a heat transfer tube (42) penetrating the plurality of fins (41); and a plate structure (50) that is arranged side by side with the heat exchanger body (B) in the first direction and forms a refrigerant flow path (51) communicating with the heat transfer tube (42). The regulation mechanism (60, 80) is disposed in the indoor casing (31) to overlap the heat exchanger body (B) and the plate structure (50) when viewed in the first direction.
In the first aspect, the plate structure (50) is provided inside the indoor casing (31) to be arranged side by side with the heat exchanger body (B) in the first direction. As compared with a configuration in which the refrigerant pipes are connected to the heat exchanger body (B), a space adjacent to the heat exchanger body (B) in the first direction can be widened. The regulation mechanism (60, 80) is disposed to overlap the heat exchanger body (B) and the plate structure (50) when viewed in the first direction. This allows the regulation mechanism (60, 80) to be disposed in the space widened in the first direction. As a result, the size of the indoor casing (31) can be reduced in the first direction and the direction orthogonal to the first direction.
In the second aspect, a length (L1) of the regulation mechanism (60, 80) in the first direction is shorter than a length (L2) of the regulation mechanism (60, 80) in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.
In the second aspect, the length (L1) of the regulation mechanism (60, 80) in the first direction is short, reducing the size of the indoor casing (31) in the first direction.
A third aspect is an embodiment of the first or second aspect. In the third aspect, the flow path switching mechanism (24) is disposed in the outdoor casing (20a).
In the third aspect, the flow path switching mechanism (24) is disposed in the outdoor casing (20a), and thus the size of the indoor casing (31) can be reduced.
A fourth aspect is an embodiment of any one of the first to third aspects. In the fourth aspect, the plate structure (50) is disposed between the heat exchanger body (B) and the regulation mechanism (60, 80) in the first direction.
In the fourth aspect, the regulation mechanism (60, 80) is disposed in a space across the plate structure (50) from the heat exchanger body (B). This can reduce the size of the indoor casing (31) in the first direction.
A fifth aspect is an embodiment of any one of the first to fourth aspects. In the fifth aspect, the refrigerant circuit (11) includes a functional component (91) housed in the indoor casing (31). The functional component (91) is an expansion valve (91), an electromagnetic valve, or a flow divider. The regulation mechanism (60, 80) and the functional component (91) do not overlap each other when viewed in the first direction.
In the fifth aspect, the expansion valve (91), the electromagnetic valve, or the flow divider does not overlap the regulation mechanism (60, 80) when viewed in the first direction. This can reduce the size of the indoor casing (31) in the first direction.
A sixth aspect is an embodiment of any one of the first to fifth aspects. In the sixth aspect, the plate structure (50) is a plate stack including a plurality of plates (P) stacked in the first direction. The number of the plates (P) is five or less.
In the sixth aspect, the plate structure (50) is a plate stack, and the number of the plates (P) is five or less, reducing the thickness of the plate structure (50) in the first direction. This can reduce the size of the indoor casing (31) in the first direction.
A seventh aspect is an embodiment of any one of the first to sixth aspects. In the seventh aspect, the plate structure (50) is a plate stack including a plurality of plates (P) stacked in the first direction. A thickness of at least one of the plurality of plates (P) in the first direction is equal to or less than 3 mm.
In the seventh aspect, the plate structure (50) is a plate stack, and the thickness of the plate (P) in the first direction is equal to or less than 3 mm, reducing the thickness of the plate structure (50) in the first direction. This can reduce the size of the indoor casing (31) in the first direction.
An eighth aspect is an embodiment of any one of the first to seventh aspects. In the eighth aspect, the regulation mechanism (60, 80) is a rotary flow path switching valve (60) including a motor (63) and a valve body (65) rotationally driven by the motor (63).
A ninth aspect is an embodiment of the eighth aspect. In the ninth aspect, the motor (63) and the valve body (65) do not overlap each other when viewed in the first direction.
In the ninth aspect, the motor (63) and the valve body (65) do not overlap each other when viewed in the first direction, reducing the size of the indoor casing (31) in the first direction.
A tenth aspect is an embodiment of any one of the first to seventh aspects. In the tenth aspect, the regulation mechanism (60, 80) is a bridge mechanism (80) including four pipes (81, 82, 83, 84) connected in a bridge shape and check valves (CV) respectively provided in the pipes (81, 82, 83, 84).
An eleventh aspect is an embodiment of any one of the first to tenth aspects. In the eleventh aspect, the indoor unit (30) is a wall-mounted unit. The indoor casing (31) has a length in the first direction greater than a length in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.
In the eleventh aspect, the indoor casing (31) is horizontal in the first direction.
A twelfth aspect is an embodiment of any one of the first to eleventh aspects. In the twelfth aspect, the refrigerant is a non-azeotropic refrigerant.
In the twelfth aspect, the regulation mechanism (60, 80) can regulate the flow of the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger (40) to be the same in the refrigerant circuit (11) using the non-azeotropic refrigerant. This allows the refrigerant and the air to flow in opposite directions in both the first refrigeration cycle and the second refrigeration cycle in the indoor heat exchanger (40), improving the performance of the indoor heat exchanger (40).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a piping system diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment.
[FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of an air-conditioning indoor unit.
[FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the air-conditioning indoor unit taken along line A-A.
[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a front view of an internal structure of the air-conditioning indoor unit.
[FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of connection between heat transfer tubes and a plate stack.
[FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a top view of a major part of an indoor heat exchanger.
[FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is a right side view of the indoor heat exchanger.
[FIG. 8] FIGS. 8 show cross-sectional views of an internal structure of a flow path switching valve. In FIG. 8, (A) illustrates the flow path switching valve in a first state, and (B) illustrates the flow path switching valve in a second state.
[FIG. 9] FIG. 9 is a piping system diagram illustrating the flow of a refrigerant during a cooling operation.
[FIG. 10] FIG. 10 is a piping system diagram illustrating the flow of a refrigerant during a heating operation.
[FIG. 11] FIG. 11 is a piping system diagram of an air conditioner according to a first variation.
[FIG. 12] FIG. 12 is a top view of a major part of an indoor heat exchanger according to the first variation.
[FIG. 13] FIG. 13 is a right side view of the indoor heat exchanger according to the first variation.
[FIG. 14] FIG. 14 is a right side view of an indoor heat exchanger according to a second variation.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments shown below, and various changes can be made within the scope without departing from the technical concept of the present disclosure. Since each of the drawings is intended to illustrate the present disclosure conceptually, lengths, ratios, or numbers may be exaggerated or simplified as necessary for the sake of ease of understanding.

(1) General Configuration of Air Conditioner

An air conditioner (10) of the present embodiment adjusts the temperature of air in an indoor space (I) which is a target space. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the air conditioner (10) is an example of a refrigeration cycle apparatus that includes a refrigerant circuit (11). The refrigerant circuit (11) is filled with a refrigerant. The refrigerant circuit (11) circulates the refrigerant to perform a refrigeration cycle.
The air conditioner (10) includes an outdoor unit (20), an indoor unit (30), a first connection pipe (12), and a second connection pipe (13). The air conditioner (10) is a pair type air conditioner including one outdoor unit (20) and one indoor unit (30). The first connection pipe (12) is a gas connection pipe, and the second connection pipe (13) is a liquid connection pipe. In the air conditioner (10), the outdoor unit (20) and the indoor unit (30) are connected by the first connection pipe (12) and the second connection pipe (13) to form the refrigerant circuit (11). The refrigerant circuit (11) includes a compressor (21), an outdoor heat exchanger (22), an outdoor expansion valve (23), an indoor heat exchanger (40), a four-way switching valve (24), and a flow path switching valve (60).
The outdoor unit (20) is installed outdoors. The outdoor unit (20) includes an outdoor casing (20a), and the compressor (21), the outdoor heat exchanger (22), the outdoor expansion valve (23), the four-way switching valve (24), and an outdoor fan (25) that are housed in the outdoor casing (20a). The outdoor expansion valve is an example of a decompression mechanism, and the four-way switching valve (24) is an example of a flow path switching mechanism.
The compressor (21) is a scroll or rotary compressor. The outdoor heat exchanger (22) exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outdoor air. The outdoor heat exchanger (22) is a fin-and-tube air heat exchanger. The outdoor expansion valve (23) decompresses the refrigerant. The outdoor expansion valve (23) is an electronic expansion valve. The outdoor fan (25) conveys air flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger (22). The outdoor fan (25) is a propeller fan.
The indoor unit (30) includes an indoor casing (31), an indoor fan (32), the indoor heat exchanger (40), and the flow path switching valve (60). The indoor casing (31) houses the indoor fan (32), the indoor heat exchanger (40), and the flow path switching valve (60).
The four-way switching valve (24) switches between a first state (the state indicated by the solid lines in FIG. 1) and a second state (the state indicated by the broken lines in FIG. 1). The four-way switching valve (24) in the first state allows a discharge portion of the compressor (21) and a gas end of the outdoor heat exchanger (22) to communicate with each other, and allows a suction portion of the compressor (21) and the first connection pipe (12) to communicate with each other. When the compressor (21) is operated in this state, the refrigerant circuit (11) performs a first refrigeration cycle (cooling cycle) in which the outdoor heat exchanger (22) functions as a radiator (a condenser) and the indoor heat exchanger (40) functions as an evaporator. The four-way switching valve (24) in the second state allows the discharge portion of the compressor (21) and the first connection pipe (12) to communicate with each other, and allows the suction portion of the compressor (21) and the gas end of the outdoor heat exchanger (22) to communicate with each other. When the compressor (21) is operated in this state, the refrigerant circuit (11) performs a second refrigeration cycle (heating cycle) in which the indoor heat exchanger (40) functions as a radiator (a condenser) and the outdoor heat exchanger (22) functions as an evaporator.
The refrigerant according to this embodiment is a non-azeotropic refrigerant. The non-azeotropic refrigerant is a refrigerant mixture of two or more refrigerants having different evaporation temperatures. In particular, the refrigerant is R454C. R454C is a refrigerant mixture consisting of 21.5 wt% R32 (difluoromethane) and 78.5 wt% R-1234yf (2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene).

(2) Indoor Unit

Details of the indoor unit (30) which is an air conditioning indoor unit will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7. The indoor unit (30) of the present embodiment is a wall-mounted unit that is placed on a wall of the indoor space (I). The terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "front", and "back" described below correspond to the directions of the arrows shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and indicate the directions in which the indoor casing (31) is viewed from the front side.

(2-1) Casing

The indoor casing (31) is formed in a laterally-long box shape. The indoor casing (31) includes a front panel (31a), a rear panel (31b), an upper panel (31c), a lower panel (31d), a first side panel (31e), and a second side panel (31f).
The front panel (31a) is on the front side of the indoor casing (31) and constitutes a front surface of the indoor casing (31). The rear panel (31b) is on the rear side of the indoor casing (31) and constitutes a rear surface of the indoor casing (31). The upper panel (31c) is on the upper side of the indoor casing (31) and constitutes an upper surface of the indoor casing (31). The lower panel (31d) is on the lower side of the indoor casing (31) and constitutes a lower surface of the indoor casing (31). The first side panel (31e) is on the right side of the indoor casing (31) and constitutes a right surface of the indoor casing (31). The second side panel (31f) is on the left side of the indoor casing (31) and constitutes a left surface of the indoor casing (31).
An air inlet (33) is formed in the upper panel (31c), and an air outlet (34) is formed in the lower panel (31d). An air passage (38) is formed in the indoor casing (31) from the air inlet (33) to the air outlet (34). The air inlet (33) extends in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the indoor casing (31). The air inlet (33) is an opening for taking air in the indoor space (I) into the air passage (38). The lower panel (31d) has the air outlet (34). The air outlet (34) extends in the longitudinal direction of the indoor casing (31). The air outlet (34) is an opening for blowing the air in the air passage (38) out to the indoor space (I).

(2-2) Filter

The indoor unit (30) includes a filter (35). The filter (35) is disposed behind the air inlet (33) and upstream of the indoor heat exchanger (40). The filter (35) collects dust in the air sent from the air inlet (33) to the indoor heat exchanger (40). The indoor unit (30) may include a dust removal mechanism for removing the dust collected by the filter (35).

(2-3) Indoor Fan

The indoor fan (32) is disposed in the air passage (38). The indoor fan (32) is disposed downstream of the indoor heat exchanger (40) in the air passage (38). The indoor fan (32) is a cross-flow fan. The indoor fan (32) has a fan rotor extending in the longitudinal direction of the indoor casing (31).

(2-4) Flap

The indoor unit (30) has a flap (36) for adjusting the direction of an airflow from the air outlet (34). The flap (36) adjusts the airflow direction in the upper-lower direction. The indoor unit (30) may include a plurality of flaps (36). The flap (36) may adjust the airflow direction in the left-right direction.

(3) Indoor Heat Exchanger

The indoor heat exchanger (40) exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the air. The indoor heat exchanger (40) includes a heat exchanger body (B), a plate stack (50), and a plurality of connection pipes (53).

(3-1) Heat Exchanger Body

The heat exchanger body (B) is a fin-and-tube air heat exchanger. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the heat exchanger body (B) includes a plurality of fins (41) arranged in a first direction and a plurality of heat transfer tubes (42) extending in the first direction. The first direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction (the left-right direction in this example) of the indoor casing (31). Each fin (41) has a rectangular plate shape having long sides and short sides. The direction of the thickness of the fins (41) corresponds to the direction of arrangement of the fins (41). The fins (41) are arranged at predetermined intervals in the thickness direction. An air passage is formed between the adjacent fins (41). The material of the fins (41) is aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
The material of the heat transfer tubes (42) is aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Refrigerant passages are formed inside the heat transfer tubes (42). The heat transfer tubes (42) extend parallel to each other to penetrate the fins (41). A right end, which is one end of the heat transfer tube (42), protrudes to the right of the fins (41). The one ends of the heat transfer tubes (42) are connected to the plate stack (50). Each of the heat transfer tubes (42) has a U-shaped hairpin structure on its other end side.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the heat exchanger body (B) of the present embodiment has a front heat exchange section (40A) and a rear heat exchange section (40B). The front heat exchange section (40A) is located closer to the front of the indoor casing (31), and the rear heat exchange section (40B) is located closer to the rear of the indoor casing (31). The front heat exchange section (40A) and the rear heat exchange section (40B) are arranged in the front-rear direction to sandwich the indoor fan (32).
The front heat exchange section (40A) includes a front main heat exchange part (43), a first auxiliary heat exchange part (44), and a second auxiliary heat exchange part (45). The front main heat exchange part (43) is disposed in the front heat exchange section (40A) on the side closer to the indoor fan (32). The first auxiliary heat exchange part (44) is provided on the inlet side (the front side) of the front main heat exchange part (43). The front main heat exchange part (43) includes an upper heat exchange portion (43a) on the upper side and a lower heat exchange portion (43b) on the lower side. The upper heat exchange portion (43a) and the lower heat exchange portion (43b) are connected to form a V-shape as a whole.
The rear heat exchange section (40B) includes a rear main heat exchange part (46) and a third auxiliary heat exchange part (47). The rear main heat exchange part (46) is disposed in the rear heat exchange section (40B) on the side closer to the indoor fan (32). The third auxiliary heat exchange part (47) is provided on the inlet side (the rear side) of the rear main heat exchange part (46).
As illustrated in FIG. 5, one end of each heat transfer tube (42) has a flare portion (48). The flare portion (48) includes an expanded portion (48a) having a diameter increasing toward the plate stack (50), and a cylindrical portion (48b) extending in the axial direction from an end of the expanded portion (48a) on the plate stack (50) side with the same diameter.

(3-2) Plate Stack

The plate stack (50) is disposed adjacent to one end side of the heat exchanger body (B) in the first direction (the right side in FIG. 4). The plate stack (50) is disposed on the right side of the rightmost fin (41) to be parallel with the fins (41). As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, the plate stack (50) of this embodiment is connected to the heat transfer tubes (42) of the front heat exchange section (40A). Strictly speaking, the plate stack (50) is connected to the heat transfer tubes (42) of the upper heat exchange portion (43a). The plate stack (50) and the heat exchanger body (B) (strictly, the upper heat exchange portion (43a)) overlap each other when viewed in the first direction.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the plate stack (50) has a refrigerant flow path (51) therein. The refrigerant flow path (51) communicates with the heat exchanger body (B) and the refrigerant pipes. The plate stack (50) is a thick plate-like member formed by stacking a plurality of plates (P). The stacking direction of the plates (P) corresponds to the first direction. The plate stack (50) of the present embodiment includes, as the plates (P), a first plate (P1), a second plate (P2), a third plate (P3), a fourth plate (P4), and a fifth plate (P5). In the plate stack (50), the first plate (P1), the second plate (P2), the third plate (P3), the fourth plate (P4), and the fifth plate (P5) are stacked in this order from the side closer to the heat exchanger body (B). The first plate (P1) is a cover plate on the heat exchanger body (B) side in the axial direction of the heat transfer tubes (42). The fifth plate (P5) is a cover plate located on the side opposite to the heat exchanger body (B) in the axial direction of the heat transfer tubes (42) (on the first side panel (31e) side of the indoor casing (31)). The second plate (P2), the third plate (P3), and the fourth plate (P4) are intermediate plates sandwiched between the first plate (P1) and the fifth plate (P5). The five plates (P) are flat plate-shaped members having the same outer edge shape. Each plate (P) is made of the same material as the heat transfer tubes (42) and the connection pipes (53). In the present embodiment, the material of the plates (P) is aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The first plate (P1) and the fifth plate (P5) have a thickness of 1.5 mm. The second plate (P2), the third plate (P3), and the fourth plate (P4) have a thickness of 3.0 mm. The plates are joined together by furnace brazing. The number of the plates (P) is merely an example, but is preferably five or less. It is preferable that at least one of the plates (P) has a thickness in the first direction of 3 mm or less, and it is more preferable that all the plates (P) have a thickness in the first direction of 3 mm or less.
The plate stack (50) has a first surface (50a) and a second surface (50b). The first surface (50a) is a surface of the plate stack (50) on the other end side in the first direction (on the heat exchanger body (B) side). The second surface (50b) is a surface of the plate stack (50) on one end side in the first direction. The second surface (50b) is a surface of the fifth plate (P5) on the side opposite to the heat exchanger body (B).

(3-3) Connection Pipe

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the connection pipes (53) are provided on the first surface (50a) of the plate stack (50). The connection pipes (53) protrude from the first surface (50a) toward the heat exchanger body (B) in the first direction.
The connection pipes (53) are circular pipes. The material of the connection pipes (53) is aluminum or an aluminum alloy. A tip end of each connection pipe (53) is inserted into the end of a corresponding one of the heat transfer tubes (42). In other words, the end of the heat transfer tube (42) is externally fitted to the connection pipe (53). The connection pipe (53) is inserted into the flare portion (48) of the corresponding heat transfer tube (42). The connection pipe (53) is inserted into the flare portion (48) and is joined to the cylindrical portion (48b) of the flare portion (48) by burner brazing.

(4) Flow Path Switching Valve and its Periphery

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a first space (S1) is formed inside the indoor casing (31) on the one end side of the plate stack (50) in the first direction. The first space (S1) is formed between the second surface (50b) of the plate stack (50) and the first side panel (31e) of the indoor casing (31). The flow path switching valve (60) is disposed in the first space (S1). In the first space (S1), a liquid relay pipe (55), a gas relay pipe (56), a first relay pipe (57), and a second relay pipe (58) are disposed as the refrigerant pipes.

(4-1) Details of Flow Path Switching Valve

The flow path switching valve (60) is an example of a regulation mechanism. The flow path switching valve (60) regulates the direction of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger (40) to be the same in both the cooling cycle and the heating cycle. Specifically, the flow path switching valve (60) regulates the flow of the refrigerant so that the indoor heat exchanger (40) is configured for counterflow in both the cooling cycle and the heating cycle. The "counterflow" used herein includes not only the state where the air flow and the refrigerant flow completely face each other, but also the state where the air flow and the refrigerant flow substantially face each other. In the present embodiment, the refrigerant flows from the downstream side to the upstream side of the air flow in the indoor heat exchanger (40) during the cooling cycle and the heating cycle. When a non-azeotropic refrigerant is used as the refrigerant, the temperature difference between the air and the refrigerant tends to be small on the downstream side of the indoor heat exchanger (40) in the direction of the refrigerant flow due to what is called temperature glide. In contrast, when the indoor heat exchanger (40) is configured for counterflow in both the cooling cycle and the heating cycle, the temperature difference can be increased in both the cycles. This can improve the heat exchange efficiency of the indoor heat exchanger (40) in both the cooling cycle and the heating cycle.
The flow path switching valve (60) shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 is an electrically driven rotary switching valve. The flow path switching valve (60) includes a motor case (61), a valve case (62), a motor (63), a transmission mechanism (64), and a ball valve (65).
The motor case (61) is disposed above the valve case (62). The motor case (61) has a cylindrical peripheral wall (61a). The motor (63) is housed inside the peripheral wall (61a). The axis of the motor (63) extends in a direction orthogonal to the first direction, specifically, in the vertical direction. The motor (63) constitutes a drive source for rotationally driving the ball valve (65). The motor (63) has a drive shaft (63a) extending downward.
The valve case (62) is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape. A housing chamber (66) is formed inside the valve case (62). As schematically illustrated in FIG. 7, the transmission mechanism (64) is disposed in an upper portion of the housing chamber (66). The transmission mechanism (64) includes a pinion (64a), a gear (64b), and an output shaft (64c). Their axial directions are all correspond to the vertical direction. The pinion (64a) is provided at a lower end of the drive shaft (63a). The gear (64b) is disposed adjacent to the front side of the pinion (64a). The pinion (64a) and the gear (64b) mesh with each other in the horizontal direction. One end of the output shaft (64c) is connected to the axial center of the gear (64b). The output shaft (64c) extends downward from the gear (64b). The ball valve (65) is connected to the output shaft (64c). The ball valve (65) rotates about the output shaft (64c).
As illustrated in FIG. 8, the valve case (62) includes a first wall (62a) and a second wall (62b). The first wall (62a) constitutes a front surface of the valve case (62), and the second wall (62b) constitutes a rear surface of the valve case (62). The first wall (62a) and the second wall (62b) face each other with the housing chamber (66) interposed therebetween. The first wall (62a) is provided with a first port (71) and a second port (72). The first port (71) is located to the right of the second port (72). The second wall (62b) is provided with a third port (73) and a fourth port (74). The third port (73) is located to the right of the fourth port (74).
The ball valve (65) is disposed at the center of the housing chamber (66) when viewed in a horizontal cross section. The ball valve (65) is formed in a partially cut spherical shape. A cylindrical communication passage (67) is formed inside the ball valve (65). The communication passage (67) penetrates the ball valve (65). The communication passage (67) is blocked from the housing chamber (66) by the ball valve (65). One end of the communication passage (67) selectively communicates with the first port (71) and the second port (72). The other end of the communication passage (67) selectively communicates with the third port (73) and the fourth port (74).
The ball valve (65) is rotationally driven by the drive shaft (63a) to change its position between the first state and the second state. The first state of the ball valve (65) corresponds to the state indicated by the solid lines in FIG. 1 and the state shown in (A) of FIG. 8. The second state of the ball valve (65) corresponds to the state indicated by the broken lines in FIG. 1 and the state shown in (B) of FIG. 8. When the ball valve (65) enters the first state, the first port (71) and the third port (73) communicate with each other through the communication passage (67), and the second port (72) and the fourth port (74) communicate with each other through the housing chamber (66). When the ball valve (65) enters the second state, the first port (71) and the fourth port (74) communicate with each other through the communication passage (67), and the second port (72) and the third port (73) communicate with each other through the housing chamber (66).

(4-2) Refrigerant Pipes

One end of the liquid relay pipe (55) is connected to the third port (73) of the flow path switching valve (60). The liquid relay pipe (55) extends rearward from the flow path switching valve (60), and then extends in the first direction along the rear panel (31b) of the indoor casing (31). The other end of the liquid relay pipe (55) is connected to the second connection pipe (13) which is a liquid pipe. One end of the gas relay pipe (56) is connected to the fourth port (74) of the flow path switching valve (60). The gas relay pipe (56) extends rearward from the flow path switching valve (60), and then extends along the rear panel (31b) of the indoor casing (31). The other end of the gas relay pipe (56) is connected to the first connection pipe (12) which is a gas pipe.
One end of the first relay pipe (57) is connected to the first port (71) of the flow path switching valve (60). The other end of the first relay pipe (57) is connected to the first surface (50a) of the plate stack (50) and communicates with the refrigerant flow path (51). One end of the second relay pipe (58) is connected to the second port (72) of the flow path switching valve (60). The other end of the second relay pipe (58) is connected to the first surface (50a) of the plate stack (50) and communicates with the refrigerant flow path (51).

(5) Operation

The air conditioner (10) performs a cooling operation and a heating operation.

(5-1) Cooling Operation

In the cooling operation shown in FIG. 9, a controller of the air conditioner (10) operates the compressor (21), the outdoor fan (25), and the indoor fan (32), sets the four-way switching valve (24) to the first state, appropriately adjusts the opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve (23), and sets the flow path switching valve (60) to the first state.
In the cooling operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (21) dissipates heat (condenses) in the outdoor heat exchanger (22), and is decompressed by the outdoor expansion valve (23). The decompressed refrigerant is sent to the indoor unit (30). The refrigerant flows through the liquid relay pipe (55), the third port (73), the housing chamber (66), the first port (71), and the first relay pipe (57) in this order, and flows into the refrigerant flow path (51) of the plate stack (50). The refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path (51) flows into the heat exchanger body (B) through the connection pipes (53). In the heat exchanger body (B), the refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air to evaporate. In the heat exchanger body (B), the refrigerant and the indoor air flow in the opposite directions. The refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat exchanger body (B) flows into the refrigerant flow path (51) of the plate stack (50) through the connection pipes (53). The refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path (51) flows through the second relay pipe (58), the second port (72), the communication passage (67), the fourth port (74), and the gas relay pipe (56) in this order, and then is sent to the outdoor unit (20) and sucked into the compressor (21).
The indoor unit (30) sucks the indoor air in the indoor space (I) into the air passage (38) through the air inlet (33). The air in the air passage (38) is cooled by the indoor heat exchanger (40). The cooled air is supplied to the indoor space (I) through the air outlet (34).

(5-2) Heating Operation

In the heating operation shown in FIG. 10, the controller of the air conditioner (10) operates the compressor (21), the outdoor fan (25), and the indoor fan (32), sets the four-way switching valve (24) to the second state, appropriately adjusts the opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve (23), and sets the flow path switching valve (60) to the second state.
During the heating operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (21) is sent to the indoor unit (30). The refrigerant flows through the gas relay pipe (56), the fourth port (74), the communication passage (67), the first port (71), and the first relay pipe (57) in this order, and flows into the refrigerant flow path (51) of the plate stack (50). The refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path (51) flows into the heat exchanger body (B) through the connection pipes (53). In the heat exchanger body (B), the refrigerant dissipates heat to the indoor air to condense. In the heat exchanger body (B), the refrigerant and the indoor air flow in the opposite directions. The refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat exchanger body (B) flows into the refrigerant flow path (51) of the plate stack (50) through the connection pipes (53). The refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path (51) flows through the second relay pipe (58), the second port (72), the housing chamber (66), the third port (73), and the liquid relay pipe (55) in this order, and then is sent to the outdoor unit (20). The refrigerant is decompressed by the outdoor expansion valve (23), evaporates in the outdoor heat exchanger (22), and then sucked into the compressor (21).
The indoor unit (30) sucks the indoor air in the indoor space (I) into the air passage (38) through the air inlet (33). The air in the air passage (38) is heated by the indoor heat exchanger (40). The heated air is supplied to the indoor space (I) through the air outlet (34).

(6) Layout Features

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the flow path switching valve (60) is disposed in the first space (S1) to overlap the heat exchanger body (B) and the plate stack (50) when viewed in the first direction. Specifically, the motor (63) and the ball valve (65) overlap the heat exchanger body (B) and the plate stack (50) when viewed in the first direction.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the plate stack (50) is disposed between the heat exchanger body (B) and the flow path switching valve (60) in the first direction. In other words, the flow path switching valve (60) is disposed, in the first direction, on the side opposite to the heat exchanger body (B) across the plate stack (50).
As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the flow path switching valve (60) has a first length (L1) in the first direction which is shorter than the length in the upper-lower direction orthogonal to the first direction and the length in the front-rear direction orthogonal to the first direction. In the present embodiment, the length of the flow path switching valve (60) in the upper-lower direction is defined as a second length (L2), and the length of the flow path switching valve (60) in the front-rear direction is defined as a third length (L3). In this case, the first length (L1) is shorter than the second length (L2) and the third length (L3). Strictly speaking, the first length (L1), the second length (L2), and the third length (L3) mean the maximum lengths of the flow path switching valve (60) in the respective directions. The flow path switching valve (60) of the present embodiment is configured to satisfy the third length (L3) > the second length (L2) > the first length (L1).
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the motor (63) and the ball valve (65) do not overlap each other when viewed in the first direction. The motor (63) and the ball valve (65) overlap each other when viewed in the second direction (the upper-lower direction). The motor case (61) and the valve case (62) do not overlap each other when viewed in the first direction. The motor case (61) and the valve case (62) overlap each other when viewed in the second direction (the upper-lower direction). The motor case (61) is located rearward relative to the valve case (62).
In the present embodiment, the first relay pipe (57) and the second relay pipe (58) overlap the heat exchanger body (B) and the plate stack (50) when viewed in the first direction. The first relay pipe (57) and the second relay pipe (58) are located to face the first surface (50a) in the first direction.
The first relay pipe (57) and the second relay pipe (58) extend in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction. The first relay pipe (57) and the second relay pipe (58) are not connected to the surfaces of the valve case (62) at both ends in the first direction. The first relay pipe (57) and the second relay pipe (58) are connected to a surface (first wall (62a)) of the valve case (62) at one end in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction (front-rear direction).

(7) Advantages of Embodiments

(7-1) The indoor heat exchanger (40) includes the heat exchanger body (B) and the plate stack (50). The heat exchanger body (B) includes the fins (41) arranged in the first direction and the heat transfer tubes (42) penetrating the fins (41). The plate stack (50) is arranged side by side with the heat exchanger body (B) in the first direction and forms the refrigerant flow path (51) communicating with the heat transfer tubes (42). The flow path switching valve (60) as the regulation mechanism is disposed in the indoor casing (31) to overlap the heat exchanger body (B) and the plate stack (50) when viewed in the first direction.
In this configuration, the plate stack (50) disposed adjacent to the heat exchanger body (B) can reduce the size of the indoor heat exchanger (40) in the first direction. This is because the plate stack (50) allows the refrigerant flow paths to be integrated at a higher density than in a general refrigerant pipe. This can reduce the size of the indoor casing (31) in the first direction.
In addition, the plate stack (50) provided in this manner can ensure the first space (S1) between the indoor heat exchanger (40) and the first side panel (31e) of the indoor casing (31). Thus, the first space (S1) can be used as a space for placing the flow path switching valve (60) and the refrigerant pipes connected to the flow path switching valve (60).
In the first space (S1), the flow path switching valve (60) is arranged to overlap the heat exchanger body (B) and the plate stack (50) when viewed in the first direction. This can suppress an increase in the size of the indoor casing (31) in the direction orthogonal to the first direction. Specifically, the indoor unit (30) of the present embodiment is a wall-mounted unit and is horizontal in the first direction, which is also the longitudinal direction of the indoor fan (32). Thus, in the present embodiment, an increase in the size of the indoor casing (31) in the upper-lower direction and the front-rear direction, which are the transverse directions can be suppressed.
The plate stack (50) is disposed between the heat exchanger body (B) and the flow path switching valve (60) in the first direction, reducing the size of the indoor casing (31) in the first direction.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the size of the indoor casing (31) can be reduced in the first direction (the left-right direction), the second direction (the upper-lower direction), and the third direction (the front-rear direction).
(7-2) The length (L1) of the flow path switching valve (60) in the first direction is shorter than the length (L2) of the flow path switching valve (60) in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction. This can reduce the size of the indoor casing (31) in the first direction.
The motor (63) and the ball valve (65) do not overlap each other when viewed in the first direction. This can further reduce the size of the indoor casing (31) in the first direction.
(7-3) The four-way switching valve (24) as a flow path switching mechanism is disposed in the outdoor casing (20a). This can reduce the size of the indoor casing (31).
(7-4) The number of the plates (P) is five or less. This can reduce the size of the plate stack (50) in the first direction, and can reduce the size of the indoor casing (31) in the first direction.
The thickness of at least one of the plates (P) in the first direction is equal to or less than 3 mm. This can reduce the size of the stacked plates (P) in the first direction, and can reduce the size of the indoor casing (31) in the first direction.

(8) Variations

The above embodiment may be modified as the following variations. Differences from the above-described embodiments will be described below.

(8-1) First Variation

An air conditioner of a first variation differs from the above-described embodiments in the configuration of the regulation mechanism. The regulation mechanism of the first variation is formed of a bridge mechanism (80). The bridge mechanism (80) includes four pipes and check valves connected to the four pipes. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the four pipes include a first pipe (81), a second pipe (82), a third pipe (83), and a fourth pipe (84). One check valve (CV) is provided in each of the pipes (81, 82, 83, 84). The check valve (CV) allows the refrigerant to flow in the direction indicated by arrows shown in FIG. 11, and prevents the refrigerant from flowing in the opposite direction.
An inlet end of the first pipe (81) and an outlet end of the second pipe (82) are connected to the first connection pipe (12) via the gas relay pipe (56). An outlet end of the first pipe (81) and an outlet end of the third pipe (83) are connected to the inlet of the indoor heat exchanger (40) via the first relay pipe (57). An inlet end of the third pipe (83) and an outlet end of the fourth pipe (84) are connected to the second connection pipe (13) via the liquid relay pipe (55). An inlet end of the second pipe (82) and an inlet end of the fourth pipe (84) are connected to the outlet side of the indoor heat exchanger (40) via the second relay pipe (58).
As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the bridge mechanism (80) includes a pipe unit (85) formed by connecting the four pipes (81, 82, 83, 84). The pipe unit (85) is disposed in the first space (S1). The pipe unit (85) includes a first straight portion (86), a second straight portion (87), an upper U-shaped portion (88), and a lower U-shaped portion (89). The first straight portion (86) and the second straight portion (87) extend parallel to each other in the upper-lower direction. The first straight portion (86) is located in front of the second straight portion (87). The upper U-shaped portion (88) is connected to an upper end of the first straight portion (86) and an upper end of the second straight portion (87). The lower U-shaped portion (89) is connected to a lower end of the first straight portion (86) and a lower end of the second straight portion (87).
As illustrated in FIG. 13, the first pipe (81) is formed by a lower portion of the first straight portion (86) and a front portion of the lower U-shaped portion (89). The second pipe (82) is formed by an upper portion of the first straight portion (86) and a front portion of the upper U-shaped portion (88). The third pipe (83) is formed by a lower portion of the second straight portion (87) and a rear portion of the lower U-shaped portion (89). The fourth pipe (84) is formed by an upper portion of the second straight portion (87) and a rear portion of the upper U-shaped portion (88).
In the first variation, one end of the liquid relay pipe (55) is connected to an intermediate portion of the second straight portion (87) in the upper-lower direction. One end of the gas relay pipe (56) is connected to an intermediate portion of the first straight portion (86) in the upper-lower direction. One end of the first relay pipe (57) is connected to an intermediate portion of the lower U-shaped portion (89) in the front-rear direction, in other words, a lower end of the lower U-shaped portion (89). One end of the second relay pipe (58) is connected to an intermediate portion of the upper U-shaped portion (88) in the front-rear direction, in other words, an upper end of the upper U-shaped portion (88).
In the first variation, one end of the liquid relay pipe (55), one end of the gas relay pipe (56), one end of the first relay pipe (57), and one end of the second relay pipe (58) are connected to the surface of the pipe unit (85) facing the other end side in the first direction (left side). Their one ends may be connected to the surface of the pipe unit (85) facing the one end side in the first direction (right side), or may be connected to another surface.
In the first variation, the bridge mechanism (80), which is a regulation mechanism, regulates the refrigerant flow so that the indoor heat exchanger (40) is configured for counterflow in both the cooling operation and the heating operation. In the cooling operation, the gas refrigerant in the gas relay pipe (56) flows through the first pipe (81), the first relay pipe (57), the indoor heat exchanger (40), the second relay pipe (58), and the fourth pipe (84) in order, and is sent to the liquid relay pipe (55). In the heating operation, the liquid refrigerant in the liquid relay pipe (55) flows through the third pipe (83), the first relay pipe (57), the indoor heat exchanger (40), the second relay pipe (58), and the second pipe (82) in order, and is sent to the gas relay pipe (56).
According to the first variation illustrated in FIG. 13, the bridge mechanism (80) serving as the regulation mechanism is disposed in the indoor casing (31) to overlap the heat exchanger body (B) and the plate stack (50) when viewed in the first direction. Strictly speaking, the first straight portion (86) and the second straight portion (87) of the pipe unit (85) are disposed in the indoor casing (31) to overlap the heat exchanger body (B) and the plate stack (50). This can suppress an increase in the size of the indoor casing (31) in the direction orthogonal to the first direction.
As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the bridge mechanism (80) (pipe unit (85)) has a first length (L1) in the first direction that is shorter than the length in the upper-lower direction orthogonal to the first direction and the length in the front-rear direction orthogonal to the first direction. In the first variation, the length of the bridge mechanism (80) in the upper-lower direction is defined as a second length (L2), and the length of the bridge mechanism (80) in the front-rear direction is defined as a third length (L3). In this case, the first length (L1) is shorter than the second length (L2) and the third length (L3). Strictly speaking, the first length (L1), the second length (L2), and the third length (L3) mean the maximum lengths of the flow path switching valve (60) in the respective directions. The bridge mechanism (80) of the first variation is configured to satisfy the second length (L2) > the third length (L3) > the first length (L1). This configuration can suppress an increase in the size of the indoor casing (31) in the first direction. The pipe unit (85) may be horizontal in the front-rear direction.
In the first variation, the upper U-shaped portion (88) and the lower U-shaped portion (89) are located not to overlap the plate stack (50) when viewed in the first direction. This allows easy routing of the pipes from the pipe unit (85) to the plate stack (50).

(8-2) Second Variation

As illustrated in FIG. 14, an air conditioner (10) of the second variation includes a functional component housed in the indoor casing (31). The functional component of this example is an indoor expansion valve (91). The indoor expansion valve (91) is used to reheat and dehumidify the indoor air using part of the indoor heat exchanger (40) as a radiator during the cooling operation. The indoor expansion valve (91) is disposed in the first space (S1). The indoor expansion valve (91) of this example is disposed below the flow path switching valve (60). In the second variation, the indoor expansion valve (91) and the regulation mechanism (e.g., the flow path switching valve (60)) do not overlap each other when viewed in the first direction. This can suppress an increase in the size of the indoor casing (31) in the first direction. The functional component may be another component housed in the indoor casing (31), for example, an electromagnetic valve or a flow divider.

(9) Other Embodiments

The refrigeration cycle apparatus may be any apparatus that performs a vapor compression refrigeration cycle, and is not limited to the air conditioner. The refrigeration cycle apparatus may be a cooling apparatus that cools the inside of a refrigerator or a cold storage, a chiller apparatus that cools or heats a heating medium such as water, or a heat pump water heater that heats water to generate hot water.
The refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (11) may not be a non-azeotropic refrigerant, and may be a single component refrigerant including a single refrigerant.
The air conditioner (10) may not be a pair type air conditioner, and may be a multi-type air conditioner.
The indoor unit (30) may be a ceiling-mounted unit or a floor standing unit.
The flow path switching mechanism may not be the four-way switching valve (24), and two three-way valves or four electromagnetic valves may be used in combination.
The decompression mechanism may not be the outdoor expansion valve (23), and may be any other component such as an indoor expansion valve, a capillary tube, or an expander.
The plate structure may be a single plate, instead of a plate stack including a plurality of plates stacked together. In this case, the plate structure is produced by sintering metal powder using a 3D printer.
The indoor heat exchanger (40) may be configured to have a single heat exchange section without having the front heat exchange section (40A) and the rear heat exchange section (40B).
The heat transfer tubes (42) and the fins (41) of the heat exchanger body (B) may be made of a copper material. In this case, the plate structure and the refrigerant pipe connected to the plate structure are preferably made of a copper material. The plate structure and the refrigerant pipes connected to the plate structure may be made of a stainless steel material.
The heat transfer tubes (42) may be flat tubes. The cross-sectional shape of the flat tube perpendicular to the axial direction is an ellipse, an oval, or a substantially rectangular shape extending along the air flow direction. Strictly, the flat tube is a flat perforated tube having a plurality of flow paths for the refrigerant.
The heat transfer tube (42) may not have the flare portion (48) at one end. The plate stack (50) may not include the connection pipes (53). One end of each heat transfer tube (42) without the flare portion (48) may be directly connected to the refrigerant flow path (51) of the plate stack (50). In this case, the heat transfer tubes (42) and the plate stack (50) are joined together by, for example, furnace brazing.
A header collecting pipe connected to the heat transfer tubes (42) may be provided on the other end side of the heat exchanger (40) in the first direction. In this case, a header collecting pipe is provided instead of the hairpin structure of the above-described embodiment. A refrigerant flow path communicating with the heat transfer tubes (42) is formed inside the header collecting pipe. The header collecting pipe is formed in a tubular shape with both ends in the axial direction closed. The header collecting pipe is formed in a cylindrical shape or a rectangular tube shape.
While the embodiments and variations thereof have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. The elements according to the embodiments, variations thereof, and the other embodiments may be combined and replaced with each other as appropriate.
The expressions of "first," "second," "third," . . . described above are used to distinguish the words to which these expressions are given, and the number and order of the words are not limited.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As can be seen in the foregoing, the present disclosure is useful for an air conditioner.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

10: Air Conditioner
11: Refrigerant Circuit
20: Outdoor Unit
20a: Outdoor Casing
21: Compressor
22: Outdoor Heat Exchanger
23: Outdoor Expansion Valve (Decompression Mechanism)
24: Four-Way Switching Valve (Flow Path Switching Mechanism)
30: Indoor Unit
31: Indoor Casing
40: Indoor Heat Exchanger
41: Fin
42: Heat Transfer Tube
50: Plate Stack (Plate Structure)
51: Refrigerant Flow Path
60: Flow Path Switching Valve
60, 80: Regulation Mechanism
63: Motor
65: Ball Valve (Valve Body)
80: Bridge Mechanism
91: Indoor Expansion Valve (Functional Component)
B: Heat Exchanger Body
CV: Check Valve
P: Plate

Claims

An air conditioner, comprising:
a refrigerant circuit (11) that includes a compressor (21), an outdoor heat exchanger (22), a decompression mechanism (23), an indoor heat exchanger (40), and a flow path switching mechanism (24) and is configured to circulate a refrigerant to perform a refrigeration cycle;

an indoor unit (30) that includes an indoor casing (31) housing the indoor heat exchanger (40); and

an outdoor unit (20) that includes an outdoor casing (20a) housing the compressor (21) and the outdoor heat exchanger (22), wherein

the flow path switching mechanism (24) is configured to change a flow of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (11) for switching between a first refrigeration cycle in which the outdoor heat exchanger (22) functions as a radiator and the indoor heat exchanger (40) functions as an evaporator and a second refrigeration cycle in which the indoor heat exchanger (40) functions as a radiator and the outdoor heat exchanger (22) functions as an evaporator,

the refrigerant circuit (11) further includes a regulation mechanism (60, 80) configured to regulate a direction of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger (40) to be the same in both the first refrigeration cycle and the second refrigeration cycle,

the indoor heat exchanger (40) includes:
a heat exchanger body (B) that has a plurality of fins (41) arranged in a first direction and a heat transfer tube (42) penetrating the plurality of fins (41); and

a plate structure (50) that is arranged side by side with the heat exchanger body (B) in the first direction and forms a refrigerant flow path (51) communicating with the heat transfer tube (42), and

the regulation mechanism (60, 80) is disposed in the indoor casing (31) to overlap the heat exchanger body (B) and the plate structure (50) when viewed in the first direction.
The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein
a length (L1) of the regulation mechanism (60, 80) in the first direction is shorter than a length (L2) of the regulation mechanism (60, 80) in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.
The air conditioner of claim 1 or 2, wherein
the flow path switching mechanism (24) is disposed in the outdoor casing (20a).
The air conditioner of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the plate structure (50) is disposed between the heat exchanger body (B) and the regulation mechanism (60, 80) in the first direction.
The air conditioner of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
the refrigerant circuit (11) includes a functional component (91) housed in the indoor casing (31),

the functional component (91) is an expansion valve (91), an electromagnetic valve, or a flow divider, and

the regulation mechanism (60, 80) and the functional component (91) do not overlap each other when viewed in the first direction.
The air conditioner of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein
the plate structure (50) is a plate stack including a plurality of plates (P) stacked in the first direction, and

the number of the plurality of plates (P) is five or less.
The air conditioner of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein
the plate structure (50) is a plate stack including a plurality of plates (P) stacked in the first direction, and

a thickness of at least one of the plurality of plates (P) in the first direction is equal to or less than 3 mm.
The air conditioner of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein
the regulation mechanism (60, 80) is a rotary flow path switching valve (60) including a motor (63) and a valve body (65) rotationally driven by the motor (63).
The air conditioner of claim 8, wherein
the motor (63) and the valve body (65) do not overlap each other when viewed in the first direction.
The air conditioner of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein
the regulation mechanism (60, 80) is a bridge mechanism (80) including four pipes (81, 82, 83, 84) connected in a bridge shape and check valves (CV) respectively provided in the pipes (81, 82, 83, 84).
The air conditioner of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein
the indoor unit (30) is a wall-mounted unit, and

the indoor casing (31) has a length in the first direction greater than a length in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.
The air conditioner of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein
the refrigerant is a non-azeotropic refrigerant.