EP4790352A1

EP4790352A1 - Heat exchanger

Info

Publication number: EP4790352A1
Application number: EP25804565.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Masahito Sekiya; Kiyotaka TOYOYAMA; Yusuke UETSUKI; Takuro MAKIHARA
Original assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2024-09-30
Filing date: 2025-07-08
Publication date: 2026-08-12
Also published as: JP2026062468A; WO2026069925A1

Abstract

To provide a heat exchanger capable of enhancing the flexibility of arrangement of a communication path that communicates with a flat tube. The liquid header (60) includes a first channel (A), a second channel (B), and a third channel (C) that are connected to each other at a branch portion (65c), the second channel (B) is located on a front side with respect to the branch portion (65c) in a front-rear direction and includes a second main channel (B2) extending along the up-down direction, a second connection channel (B 1) that connects an end portion of the second main channel (B2) and the branch portion (65c), and a plurality of second liquid flow division openings (64b) that connects the second main channel (B2) and the plurality of flat tubes (28), and the third channel (C) is located on a rear side with respect to the branch portion (65c) in the front-rear direction, and includes a third main channel (C2) extending along the up-down direction, a third connection channel (C1) that connects an end portion of the third main channel (C2) and the branch portion (65c), and a plurality of third liquid flow division openings (64c) that connects the third main channel (C2) and the plurality of flat tubes (28).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, as a heat exchanger used in a refrigeration cycle apparatus, the one in which a refrigerant is divided in a header connected to a plurality of flat tubes and is distributed to flow through each flat tube has been used.
For example, in a heat exchanger disclosed in PTL 1 ( Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2021-008973 ), a structure is proposed, in which one channel extending along the longitudinal direction of a header is provided and the refrigerant flowing through this channel is distributed to flow through a plurality of flat tubes.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

However, in the above heat exchanger, since the refrigerant is distributed to each heat transfer tube via one channel extending along the direction in which the flat tubes are arranged side by side, all of the communication paths provided between the channel and the flat tubes need to be connected to the single channel, which results in poor flexibility of arrangement.

Solution to Problem

A heat exchanger according to a first aspect includes a header and a plurality of flat tubes. The plurality of flat tubes is arranged side by side in a first direction. The plurality of flat tubes is connected to the header. The header includes a first channel, a second channel, and a third channel. The first channel, the second channel, and the third channel are connected to each other at a branch portion. The second channel is located on one side with respect to the branch portion in a third direction. The third direction is a direction orthogonal to both the first direction and a second direction that is a direction in which the plurality of flat tubes extends. The second channel includes a second main channel, a second connection channel, and a plurality of second communication paths. The second main channel extends along the first direction. The second connection channel connects an end portion of the second main channel and the branch portion. The plurality of second communication paths connects the second main channel and the plurality of flat tubes. The third channel is located on the other side with respect to the branch portion in the third direction. The third channel includes a third main channel, a third connection channel, and a plurality of third communication paths. The third main channel extends along the first direction. The third connection channel connects an end portion of the third main channel and the branch portion. The plurality of third communication paths connects the third main channel and the plurality of flat tubes.
The heat exchanger includes the second main channel and the third main channel as channels extending along the first direction, which is the direction in which the flat tubes are arranged side by side, and includes the second communication path that causes the flat tube and the second main channel to communicate with each other, and the third communication path that causes the flat tube and the third main channel to communicate with each other. This makes it possible to increase the flexibility of arrangement of the communication path that causes the flat tube and the channel extending along the direction in which the flat tubes are arranged side by side to communicate with each other.
A heat exchanger according to a second aspect is the heat exchanger according to the first aspect, and the second connection channel and the third connection channel extend to have symmetry with respect to a virtual plane including a line extending from the branch portion in the first direction and a line extending from the branch portion in the second direction.
In the heat exchanger, it is easy to equalize the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing from the branch portion to the second connection channel and the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing from the branch portion to the third connection channel.
A heat exchanger according to a third aspect is the heat exchanger according to the first aspect or the second aspect, and the second connection channel and the third connection channel extend in a horizontal direction.
In the heat exchanger, it is possible to suppress the uneven refrigerant flow rate caused by gravitational effects between the refrigerant branching and flowing into the second connection channel and the refrigerant branching and flowing into the third connection channel.
A heat exchanger according to a fourth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any of the first aspect to the third aspect, and the second main channel includes a second narrowing portion, and the third main channel includes a third narrowing portion.
In the heat exchanger, by passing the refrigerant through the second narrowing portion, the flow speed of the refrigerant can be increased, and it is easier for the refrigerant to reach a point far from the second narrowing portion in the second main channel, and by passing the refrigerant through the third narrowing portion, the flow speed of the refrigerant can be increased, and it is easier for the refrigerant to reach a point far from the third narrowing portion in the third main channel.
A heat exchanger according to a fifth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, and the second main channel and the third main channel are provided to extend along the same plane. The first channel extends along a virtual plane including a line extending from the branch portion in the first direction and a line extending from the branch portion in the second direction.
In the heat exchanger, the refrigerant that has reached the branch portion from the first channel can be equally divided into the second main channel and the third main channel in an easy manner.
A heat exchanger according to a sixth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, and the plurality of flat tubes includes one or more first flat tubes. The first flat tubes communicate with the second main channel via any of the plurality of second communication paths and do not communicate with any of the third communication paths.
The heat exchanger can include the flat tubes to which the refrigerant that has passed through the second main channel is supplied and to which the refrigerant that has passed through the third main channel is not supplied.
A heat exchanger according to a seventh aspect is the heat exchanger according to the sixth aspect, and the plurality of flat tubes further includes one or more second flat tubes. The second flat tubes do not communicate with any of the plurality of second communication paths but communicate with the third main channel via any of the third communication paths. The heat exchanger includes a portion where the first flat tubes and the second flat tubes are arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction.
In the heat exchanger, the flat tubes arranged adjacent to each other can have different main channels serving as supply sources of the refrigerant.
A heat exchanger according to an eighth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any of the first aspect to the seventh aspect, and the plurality of flat tubes includes one or more third flat tubes. The third flat tubes communicate with the second main channel via any of the plurality of second communication paths and communicate with the third main channel via any of the third communication paths.
The heat exchanger may include a flat tube to which the refrigerant that has passed through the second main channel is supplied and to which the refrigerant that has passed through the third main channel is also supplied.
A heat exchanger according to a ninth aspect is the heat exchanger according to the eighth aspect, and the third flat tubes either are unevenly provided to a side farther from the second connection channel at the second main channel than a center of the second main channel in the first direction, or are unevenly provided to a side closer to the second connection channel at the second main channel than the center of the second main channel in the first direction, or are unevenly provided at the center of the second main channel in the first direction at the second main channel.
In the heat exchanger, it is easy to supply a large amount of refrigerant to the point where the third flat tubes are unevenly provided.
A heat exchanger according to a tenth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any of the first aspect to the ninth aspect, and the number of the second communication paths is different from the number of the third communication paths.
In the heat exchanger, it is possible to vary the amount of refrigerant supplied to the plurality of flat tubes between the side where the second communication path is provided and the side where the third communication path is provided.
A heat exchanger according to an eleventh aspect is the heat exchanger according to any of the first aspect to the tenth aspect, and the plurality of second communication paths includes second communication paths having different areas of cross-sections perpendicular to the second direction. The plurality of third communication paths includes third communication paths having different areas of cross-sections perpendicular to the second direction.
In the heat exchanger, it is possible to facilitate the supply of the refrigerant to the second communication paths having a relatively large cross-sectional area perpendicular to the second direction, and to facilitate the supply of the refrigerant to the third communication paths having a relatively large cross-sectional area perpendicular to the second direction.
A heat exchanger according to a twelfth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any of the first aspect to the eleventh aspect, and the header includes a common circulation portion. The common circulation portion connects two points of the second main channel at different positions in the first direction and connects two points of the third main channel at different positions in the first direction.
In the heat exchanger, the refrigerant that flows separately into the second main channel and the third main channel but does not flow into the second communication path or the third communication path can be merged in the common circulation portion and returned separately to the second main channel and the third main channel.
A heat exchanger according to a thirteenth aspect is the heat exchanger according to the twelfth aspect, and when a side on which the second main channel is located with respect to the second connection channel is defined as a first side and the opposite side is defined as a second side, a portion on the second side of a connection portion between the second main channel and the common circulation portion does not overlap with any of the second communication paths when viewed in the second direction. A portion on the second side of a connection portion between the third main channel and the common circulation portion does not overlap with any of the third communication paths when viewed in the second direction.
In the heat exchanger, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant returning from the common circulation portion to the second main channel from concentrating in the specific second communication path, and to prevent the refrigerant returning from the common circulation portion to the third main channel from concentrating in the specific third communication path.
A heat exchanger according to a fourteenth aspect is the heat exchanger according to the twelfth aspect, and when a side on which the second main channel is located with respect to the second connection channel is defined as a first side and the opposite side is defined as a second side, a first portion and a second portion are located on the first side with respect to a merging portion. Here, the first portion is a portion on the first side of a connection portion between the second main channel and the common circulation portion. The second portion is a portion on the first side of a connection portion between the third main channel and the common circulation portion. The merging portion is a portion of the common circulation portion where a channel extending from the first portion and a channel extending from the second portion connect with each other.
In the heat exchanger, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant flowing from the second main channel toward the common circulation portion via the first portion from flowing back to the third main channel, while preventing the refrigerant flowing from the third main channel toward the common circulation portion via the second portion from flowing back to the second main channel.
A heat exchanger according to a fifteenth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any of the first aspect to the eleventh aspect, and the header includes a first circulation portion and a second circulation portion. The first circulation portion connects two points of the second main channel at different positions in the first direction. The second circulation portion connects two points of the third main channel at different positions in the first direction.
In the heat exchanger, it is possible to return the refrigerant that has not flowed into the second communication path among the refrigerant divided to the second main channel back to the second main channel without merging with the refrigerant divided to the third main channel, and to return the refrigerant that has not flowed into the third communication path among the refrigerant divided to the third main channel back to the third main channel without merging with the refrigerant divided to the second main channel.
A heat exchanger according to a sixteenth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any of the first aspect to the fifteenth aspect, and the header includes a first plate member having a first opening and a second opening. The first opening forms the second main channel and a second connection channel portion. The second opening forms the third main channel and a third connection channel portion. The second connection channel portion is at least a part of the second connection channel. The third connection channel portion is at least a part of the third connection channel. The first plate member includes a first plate portion, a second plate portion, and a coupling plate portion. The first plate portion is located between the second main channel and the third main channel. The second plate portion is located on an opposite side of the first plate portion with respect to the second connection channel portion. The coupling plate portion couples the first plate portion and the second plate portion.
Here, the second plate portion may be located on an opposite side of the first plate portion with respect to the third connection channel portion.
Further, the coupling plate portion may include a portion located between the second connection channel portion and the third connection channel portion.
In addition, the first plate portion may be coupled to the portion between the second main channel and the third main channel on the opposite side of the second connection channel portion, and may be coupled to a portion bordering the end portion of the second main channel on the opposite side of the second connection channel portion and a portion bordering the end portion of the third main channel on the opposite side of the second connection channel portion.
The coupling plate portion may couple an end portion of the first plate portion on the second plate portion side in the first direction and an end portion of the second plate portion on the first plate portion side in the first direction. The coupling plate portion may couple a lower end of the first plate portion and an upper end of the second plate portion.
In a case where one plate member forming the header has openings forming a plurality of main channels extending along each other and has a plate portion extending between the plurality of main channels, and one end of the plate portion is a fixed end and the other end of the plate portion is a free end, the strength of the plate portion in the plate member tends to be insufficient, and the accuracy of the position of the plate portion in the plate member tends to be lowered.
On the other hand, in the heat exchanger, the first plate portion extending between the second main channel and the third main channel toward the second connection channel portion and the third connection channel portion is continuous with the second plate portion via the coupling plate portion. For this reason, as the end portion of the first plate portion on the second connection channel portion side or the third connection channel portion side is supported by the second plate portion via the coupling plate portion, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the position of the first plate portion in the first plate member.
A heat exchanger according to a seventeenth aspect is the heat exchanger according to the sixteenth aspect, and the header includes a second plate member having a third opening. The second plate member is stacked on the first plate member. The third opening includes a portion that overlaps with the second connection channel portion when viewed in the second direction, and a portion that overlaps with the third connection channel portion when viewed in the second direction.
In the heat exchanger, the refrigerant flowing through the third opening can be divided to flow through the second connection channel portion and the third connection channel portion.
A heat exchanger according to an eighteenth aspect is the heat exchanger according to the seventeenth aspect, and the header includes a third plate member having a fourth opening. The third plate member is stacked on the second plate member. The fourth opening includes a portion that overlaps with the third opening when viewed in the second direction. The fourth opening has a refrigerant pipe inserted.
In the heat exchanger, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe can flow toward the third opening.
A heat exchanger according to a nineteenth aspect is the heat exchanger according to the eighteenth aspect, and includes a refrigerant pipe. When viewed in the second direction, a refrigerant channel at the fourth opening does not overlap with the first opening and the second opening.
Here, the refrigerant channel at the fourth opening includes a channel inside the refrigerant pipe when there is a portion of the fourth opening into which the refrigerant pipe is inserted, and includes a channel inside the fourth opening when there is a portion of the fourth opening into which the refrigerant pipe is not inserted.
The refrigerant channel at the fourth opening may include a portion overlapping with the coupling plate portion when viewed in the second direction.
In the heat exchanger, the direction of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant channel at the fourth opening can be changed at the coupling plate portion before the refrigerant flows into the first opening or the second opening, and therefore, the liquid-phase refrigerant and the gas-phase refrigerant are easily mixed.
A heat exchanger according to a twentieth aspect is the heat exchanger according to the eighteenth aspect, and includes a refrigerant pipe. When viewed in the second direction, a refrigerant channel at the fourth opening and the second connection channel portion have an overlapping portion. The refrigerant channel at the fourth opening and the third connection channel portion have an overlapping portion.
Here, the refrigerant channel at the fourth opening includes a channel inside the refrigerant pipe when there is a portion of the fourth opening into which the refrigerant pipe is inserted, and includes a channel inside the fourth opening when there is a portion of the fourth opening into which the refrigerant pipe is not inserted.
The refrigerant channel at the fourth opening may include a portion that does not overlap with the coupling plate portion when viewed in the second direction.
In the heat exchanger, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant channel at the fourth opening can branch and flow into the second connection channel portion and the third connection channel portion without hitting the coupling plate portion, thereby suppressing pressure loss associated with refrigerant flow hitting the coupling plate portion.
A heat exchanger according to a twenty-first aspect is the heat exchanger according to the seventeenth aspect, and the header includes a third plate member having a fourth opening. The third plate member is stacked on the second plate member. The fourth opening includes a portion that overlaps with the third opening when viewed in the second direction.
In the heat exchanger, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe can flow toward the third opening.
A heat exchanger according to a twenty-second aspect is the heat exchanger according to the twenty-first aspect, and the fourth opening does not overlap with the first opening and the second opening when viewed in the second direction.
Here, the refrigerant channel at the fourth opening may include a portion that overlaps with the coupling plate portion when viewed in the second direction.
In the heat exchanger, the direction of the refrigerant flowing through the fourth opening can be changed in the coupling plate portion before flowing into the first opening or the second opening, thus making it easier to mix the liquid-phase refrigerant and the gas-phase refrigerant.
A heat exchanger according to a twenty-third aspect is the heat exchanger according to the twenty-first aspect, and when viewed in the second direction, the fourth opening and the second connection channel portion have an overlapping portion, and the fourth opening and the third connection channel portion have an overlapping portion.
Here, the refrigerant channel at the fourth opening may include a portion that does not overlap with the coupling plate portion when viewed in the second direction.
In the heat exchanger, the refrigerant flowing through the fourth opening can branch and flow into the second connection channel portion and the third connection channel portion without hitting the coupling plate portion, thereby suppressing pressure loss associated with refrigerant flow hitting the coupling plate portion.
A heat exchanger according to a twenty-fourth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any of the seventeenth aspect to the twenty-third aspect, and a total channel cross-sectional area of the plurality of second communication paths is larger than a total channel cross-sectional area of the plurality of third communication paths. When viewed in the second direction, the area of the portion where the third opening and the second connection channel portion overlap with each other is larger than the area of the portion where the third opening and the third connection channel portion overlap with each other.
In the heat exchanger, the refrigerant can branch and flow such that a larger amount of refrigerant is guided to either the plurality of second communication paths or the plurality of third communication paths having the larger total channel cross-sectional area.
A heat exchanger according to a twenty-fifth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any of the sixteenth aspect to the twenty-fourth aspect, and a width of the coupling plate portion in the third direction is equal to or more than a thickness of the first plate member.
Here, the width of the coupling plate portion in the third direction, which is compared with the thickness of the first plate member, may be the point with the smallest width in the third direction in a case where the coupling member has portions with different widths in the third direction.
In the heat exchanger, the first opening and the second opening of the first plate member can be easily formed by punching.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioning apparatus.
Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an outdoor heat exchanger.
Fig. 3 is a partially enlarged view of a heat exchange unit of the outdoor heat exchanger.
Fig. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a state where heat transfer fins are attached to flat tubes in the heat exchange unit.
Fig. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating a state of refrigerant flow when the outdoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator of a refrigerant.
Fig. 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a gas header.
Fig. 7 is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional configuration diagram of the gas header.
Fig. 8 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a liquid header.
Fig. 9 is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional configuration diagram of the liquid header.
Fig. 10 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of a lower end of a fifth liquid-side portion in the liquid header.
Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating how the refrigerant flows in the liquid header when the outdoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant.
Fig. 12 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a liquid header according to another embodiment C.
Fig. 13 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a liquid header according to another embodiment D.
Fig. 14 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a liquid header according to another embodiment E.
Fig. 15 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a liquid header according to another embodiment F.
Fig. 16 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a liquid header according to another embodiment G.
Fig. 17 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a liquid header according to another embodiment H.
Fig. 18 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a liquid header according to another embodiment I.
Fig. 19 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a liquid header according to another embodiment J.
Fig. 20 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a liquid header according to another embodiment K.
Fig. 21 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a liquid header according to another embodiment L.
Fig. 22 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a liquid header according to another embodiment M.
Fig. 23 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a liquid header according to another embodiment N.
Fig. 24 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a liquid header according to another embodiment O.
Fig. 25 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a liquid header according to another embodiment P.
Fig. 26 is a schematic external side view of a liquid header according to another embodiment Q.
Fig. 27 is a schematic external plan view of the liquid header according to another embodiment Q.
Fig. 28 is a schematic plan configuration diagram illustrating an A-A cross-section of the liquid header according to another embodiment Q.
Fig. 29 is a schematic plan configuration diagram illustrating a B-B cross-section of the liquid header according to another embodiment Q.
Fig. 30 is a schematic plan configuration diagram illustrating a C-C cross-section of the liquid header according to another embodiment Q.
Fig. 31 is a schematic plan configuration diagram of a C-C cross-section of a liquid header according to another embodiment R.
Fig. 32 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a liquid header according to another embodiment S.
Fig. 33 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fifth liquid-side portion according to another embodiment S.
Fig. 34 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating the overlapping relationship around a liquid connection opening according to another embodiment S.
Fig. 35 is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional configuration diagram at a portion of the liquid connection opening of the liquid header according to another embodiment S.
Fig. 36 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a liquid header according to another embodiment T.
Fig. 37 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fifth liquid-side portion according to another embodiment T.
Fig. 38 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating the overlapping relationship around a liquid connection opening according to another embodiment T.
Fig. 39 is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional configuration diagram at a portion of the liquid connection opening of the liquid header according to another embodiment T.
Fig. 40 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a liquid header according to another embodiment W.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of a heat exchanger according to the present disclosure and a refrigeration apparatus employing the heat exchanger will be described.

(1) Configuration of Air Conditioning Apparatus

Hereinafter, an air conditioning apparatus 1 as an example of a refrigeration cycle apparatus including a heat exchanger according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the air conditioning apparatus 1 including a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as an outdoor heat exchanger 11.
The air conditioning apparatus 1 is an apparatus that performs cooling and heating of an air conditioning target space by performing a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The air conditioning target space is, for example, a space within a building such as an office building, commercial facility, or residence. The air conditioning apparatus is merely an example of a refrigeration cycle apparatus, and the heat exchanger according to the present disclosure may be used in other refrigeration cycle apparatuses, such as refrigerators, freezers, water heaters, and floor heating systems. A refrigerant used in the air conditioning apparatus 1 is not limited, and examples thereof include R290, CO2, and R32.
As illustrated in Fig. 1, the air conditioning apparatus 1 mainly includes an outdoor unit 2, an indoor unit 9, a liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 4 and a gas-refrigerant connection pipe 5, and a control unit 3 that controls devices constituting the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 9. The liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 4 and the gas-refrigerant connection pipe 5 are refrigerant connection pipes that connect the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 9. In the air conditioning apparatus 1, a refrigerant circuit 6 is configured by connecting the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 9 via the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 4 and the gas-refrigerant connection pipe 5.
In Fig. 1, the air conditioning apparatus 1 includes the one indoor unit 9, but the air conditioning apparatus 1 may include the plurality of indoor units 9 connected in parallel to the outdoor unit 2 by the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 4 and the gas-refrigerant connection pipe 5. Also, the air conditioning apparatus 1 may include the plurality of outdoor units 2. In addition, the air conditioning apparatus 1 may be an integrated air conditioning apparatus in which the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 9 are integrally formed.

(1-1) Outdoor Unit

The outdoor unit 2 is installed outside the air conditioning target space, for example, on the roof of a building or near a wall surface of a building.
The outdoor unit 2 mainly includes an accumulator 7, a compressor 8, a four-way switching valve 10, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 (an example of a "heat exchanger"), an outdoor expansion valve 12, a liquid-side shutoff valve 13, a gas-side shutoff valve 14, and an outdoor fan 16.
The outdoor unit 2 mainly includes refrigerant pipes that connect various devices constituting the refrigerant circuit 6, such as a suction pipe 17, a discharge pipe 18, a first gas refrigerant pipe 19, a liquid refrigerant pipe 20, and a second gas refrigerant pipe 21. The suction pipe 17 connects the four-way switching valve 10 and the suction side of the compressor 8. The suction pipe 17 is provided with the accumulator 7. The discharge pipe 18 connects the discharge side of the compressor 8 and the four-way switching valve 10. The first gas refrigerant pipe 19 connects the four-way switching valve 10 and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 11. The liquid refrigerant pipe 20 connects the liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 and the liquid-side shutoff valve 13. The liquid refrigerant pipe 20 is provided with the outdoor expansion valve 12. The second gas refrigerant pipe 21 connects the four-way switching valve 10 and the gas-side shutoff valve 14.
The compressor 8 is a device that suctions a low-pressure refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle from the suction pipe 17, compresses the refrigerant with a compression mechanism (not illustrated), and discharges the compressed refrigerant to the discharge pipe 18.
The four-way switching valve 10 is a mechanism that changes the state of the refrigerant circuit 6 between a cooling operation state and a heating operation state by switching the flow direction of the refrigerant. When the refrigerant circuit 6 is in the cooling operation state, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as a radiator or a condenser of the refrigerant, and an indoor heat exchanger 91 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant. When the refrigerant circuit 6 is in the heating operation state, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant, and the indoor heat exchanger 91 functions as a radiator or a condenser of the refrigerant. When the four-way switching valve 10 sets the state of the refrigerant circuit 6 to the cooling operation state, the four-way switching valve 10 causes the suction pipe 17 to communicate with the second gas refrigerant pipe 21 and causes the discharge pipe 18 to communicate with the first gas refrigerant pipe 19 (see the solid lines inside the four-way switching valve 10 in Fig. 1). When the four-way switching valve 10 sets the state of the refrigerant circuit 6 to the heating operation state, the four-way switching valve 10 causes the suction pipe 17 to communicate with the first gas refrigerant pipe 19 and causes the discharge pipe 18 to communicate with the second gas refrigerant pipe 21 (see the broken lines inside the four-way switching valve 10 in Fig. 1).
The outdoor heat exchanger 11 is a device that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing inside and a fluid such as air at the installation location of the outdoor unit 2. Details of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 will be described below.
The outdoor expansion valve 12 is provided between the outdoor heat exchanger 11 and the indoor heat exchanger 91 in the refrigerant circuit 6. According to the present embodiment, the outdoor expansion valve 12 is provided in the liquid refrigerant pipe 20 between the outdoor heat exchanger 11 and the liquid-side shutoff valve 13. The outdoor expansion valve 12 has a mechanism that adjusts the pressure and the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the liquid refrigerant pipe 20.
The accumulator 7 is a container having a gas-liquid separation function to separate the flowing refrigerant into a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant. The accumulator 7 is also a container having a function to store surplus refrigerant generated in response to variations in operation load or the like.
The liquid-side shutoff valve 13 is a valve provided at a connection portion between the liquid refrigerant pipe 20 and the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 4. The gas-side shutoff valve 14 is a valve provided at a connection portion between the second gas refrigerant pipe 21 and the gas-refrigerant connection pipe 5. The liquid-side shutoff valve 13 and the gas-side shutoff valve 14 are opened during the operation of the air conditioning apparatus 1.
The outdoor fan 16 is a fan that suctions external heat source air into the casing of the outdoor unit 2 (not illustrated), supplies it to the outdoor heat exchanger 11, and discharges the air having exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 11 to outside the casing of the outdoor unit 2. The outdoor fan 16 is, for example, a propeller fan.

(1-2) Indoor Unit

The indoor unit 9 is a unit installed in the air conditioning target space. The indoor unit 9 is, for example, a ceiling-embedded unit, but may be a ceiling-suspended unit, wall-mounted unit, or floor-mounted unit. The indoor unit 9 may also be installed outside the air conditioning target space. For example, the indoor unit 9 may be installed in an attic, machine chamber, garage, etc. In this case, an air path is installed, which supplies the air having exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger 91 from the indoor unit 9 to the air conditioning target space. The air path is, for example, a duct.
The indoor unit 9 mainly includes the indoor heat exchanger 91, an indoor expansion valve 93, and an indoor fan 92.
In the indoor heat exchanger 91, heat is exchanged between the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 91 and the air in the air conditioning target space. The indoor heat exchanger 91 is, for example, a fin-and-tube heat exchanger including a plurality of heat transfer tubes and fins (not illustrated). One end of the indoor heat exchanger 91 is connected to the indoor expansion valve 93 via a refrigerant pipe. The other end of the indoor heat exchanger 91 is connected to the gas-refrigerant connection pipe 5 via a refrigerant pipe.
The indoor expansion valve 93 is provided between the indoor heat exchanger 91 and the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 4 in the refrigerant circuit 6. The indoor expansion valve 93 has a mechanism that adjusts the pressure and the flow rate of the refrigerant passing through the indoor expansion valve 93.
The indoor fan 92 is a mechanism that suctions air from the air conditioning target space into the casing (not illustrated) of the indoor unit 9, supplies the air to the indoor heat exchanger 91, and blows out the air having exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger 91 to the air conditioning target space. The indoor fan 92 is, for example, a turbofan.

(1-3) Control Unit

The control unit 3 is a functional unit that controls operations of various devices constituting the air conditioning apparatus 1.
The control unit 3 is configured such that, for example, an outdoor control unit (not illustrated) of the outdoor unit 2 and an indoor control unit (not illustrated) of the indoor unit 9 are communicably connected to each other via a transmission line (not illustrated). The outdoor control unit and the indoor control unit are, for example, units including a microcomputer or the like including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memories such as ROM, RAM, etc. in which various programs for controlling the air conditioning apparatus 1 that can be executed by the processors are stored, and the like. In Fig. 1, for the sake of convenience, the control unit 3 is depicted at a position away from the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 9.
The control unit 3 is electrically connected to various devices of the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 9, including the compressor 8, the four-way switching valve 10, the outdoor expansion valve 12, the outdoor fan 16, the indoor fan 92, and the indoor expansion valve 93. Additionally, the control unit 3 is electrically connected to various sensors provided in the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 9. The control unit 3 is also configured to communicate with a remote controller (not illustrated) operated by a user of the air conditioning apparatus 1.
The control unit 3 controls the operation and stoppage of the air conditioning apparatus 1 and the operations of various devices constituting the air conditioning apparatus 1 based on measurement signals from various sensors, commands received from the remote controller (not illustrated), and the like.

(2) Configuration of Outdoor Heat Exchanger

The configuration of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 will be described with reference to the drawings.
Fig. 2 is a schematic external perspective view of the outdoor heat exchanger 11. In Fig. 2, pipes and the like connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 11 are not illustrated. Fig. 3 is a partially enlarged view of a heat exchange unit 27 (described below) of the outdoor heat exchanger 11. Fig. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a state where fins 29, which will be described below, are attached to flat tubes 28 in the heat exchange unit 27. Fig. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating how the refrigerant flows in the outdoor heat exchanger 11. The arrows of the heat exchange unit 27 illustrated in Fig. 5 indicate the flow of the refrigerant during the heating operation (when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant).
Furthermore, in the following description, expressions such as "up", "down", "left", "right", "front (front surface)", and "rear (rear surface)" may be used to describe directions and positions. These expressions follow the directions of the arrows drawn in Fig. 2 unless otherwise specified. These expressions indicating the directions and the positions are used for convenience of explanation, and unless otherwise specified, they do not specify the direction and the position of the entire outdoor heat exchanger 11 or its components of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 to the direction and the position described.
Hereinafter, an explanation is provided for the case where the direction in which the plurality of flat tubes 28 is arranged, the longitudinal direction of a first header 40, the longitudinal direction of a gas header 50, and the longitudinal direction of a liquid header 60 are in the up-down direction, more specifically, the vertical direction (an example of a "first direction"). Also, an explanation is provided for the case where the direction in which a connection portion of the flat tube 28 to the first header 40 extends, the direction in which a first gas plate portion 51a and a first liquid plate portion 61a of a first member 41, a second member 42, a third member 43, a fourth member 44, a fifth member 45, a sixth member 46, and a seventh member 47 are stacked, and the plate thickness direction of the first gas plate portion 51a, the first liquid plate portion 61a, the second member 42, the third member 43, the fourth member 44, the fifth member 45, the sixth member 46, and the seventh member 47 are in the right-left direction (an example of a "second direction"). The direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the right-left direction is explained as the front-rear direction (an example of a "third direction").
The outdoor heat exchanger 11 is a device that exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing inside and the air.
The outdoor heat exchanger 11 mainly includes the plurality of flat tubes 28, the plurality of fins 29, a second header 30, and the first header 40 (an example of a "header"). According to the present embodiment, all of the flat tubes 28, the fins 29, the second header 30, and the first header 40 are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
The plurality of flat tubes 28 and the plurality of fins 29 form the heat exchange unit 27. In the heat exchange unit 27, the air passes through ventilation paths formed between the plurality of flat tubes 28 and the plurality of fins 29. Thus, heat is exchanged between the refrigerant and the air.

(2-1) Flat Tube

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the flat tube 28 is a flat heat transfer tube having upper and lower flat surfaces 28a serving as heat transfer surfaces. In the flat tube 28, a plurality of refrigerant paths 28b is formed, which extends along the direction in which the flat tube 28 extends and through which the refrigerant flows. The flat tube 28 is a flat multi-hole tube in which the large number of refrigerant paths 28b are formed. According to the present embodiment, the refrigerant paths 28b are arranged side by side in the air flow direction.
In the outdoor heat exchanger 11, the flat tubes 28 extending in a horizontal direction to connect the second header 30 and the first header 40 are vertically arranged in a plurality of stages. The plurality of flat tubes 28 is arranged in a row in a plurality of stages. The plurality of flat tubes 28 is arranged at regular intervals in the vertical direction. Each of the flat tubes 28 is provided in a posture in which each flat surface faces upward and downward.
According to the present embodiment, each of the flat tubes 28 has one bent portion in a plan view and is formed in a substantially L-shape.
When the outdoor fan 16 is driven, the air flow passing through the main surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 from the rear side to the front side and the air flow passing through the left side surface portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 from the left side to the right side are generated.
The outdoor heat exchanger 11 includes a first channel group X and a second channel group Y arranged in the up-down direction. The plurality of flat tubes 28 belong to either the first channel group X or the second channel group Y. The first channel group X is a channel group located at a lower position, to which the plurality of flat tubes 28 belongs. The second channel group Y is a channel group located above the first channel group X, to which the plurality of flat tubes 28 belongs.
The plurality of flat tubes 28 arranged in a row includes a plurality of first flat tubes 28x that communicates with a second liquid flow division opening 64b described below and does not communicate with a third liquid flow division opening 64c and a plurality of second flat tubes 28y that communicates with the third liquid flow division opening 64c and does not communicate with the second liquid flow division opening 64b. According to the present embodiment, the first flat tubes 28x and the second flat tubes 28y are arranged adjacent to each other in the up-down direction and thus are alternately arranged in the up-down direction. Also, according to the present embodiment, the plurality of second liquid flow division openings 64b and the plurality of first flat tubes 28x are provided to be connected one-on-one, and the plurality of third liquid flow division openings 64c and the plurality of second flat tubes 28y are provided to be connected one-on-one.

(2-2) Fin

The fins 29 are members for increasing the heat transfer area of the outdoor heat exchanger 11. Each of the fins 29 is a plate-shaped member that extends in the up-down direction in which the plurality of flat tubes 28 is arranged and in the flow direction of the air passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 11.
As illustrated in Fig. 4, each of the fins 29 is provided with a plurality of cutouts 29a extending along the insertion direction of the flat tubes 28 so that the plurality of flat tubes 28 may be inserted. The cutout 29a extends in a direction orthogonal to both the up-down direction and the thickness direction of the fin 29. In a state where the outdoor heat exchanger 11 is installed, the cutout 29a formed in each of the fins 29 extends in the horizontal direction. The cutouts 29a are formed in the fins 29 at intervals corresponding to the arrangement intervals of the flat tubes 28. In the outdoor heat exchanger 11, the fins 29 are arranged side by side along the direction in which the flat tubes 28 extend. By inserting the flat tube 28 into each of the plurality of cutouts 29a of the plurality of fins 29, a space between the adjacent flat tubes 28 is partitioned into a plurality of ventilation paths through which the air flows.
Each of the fins 29 includes a communication portion 29b communicating in the up-down direction on the upstream side or the downstream side in the air flow direction with respect to the flat tube 28. According to the present embodiment, the communication portion 29b of the fin 29 is located on the windward side with respect to the flat tube 28.

(2-3) First header

As illustrated in Fig. 5, the first header 40 includes the gas header 50 located at an upper portion and the liquid header 60 (an example of a "header") located at a lower portion.
The gas header 50 has therein a gas space 50S whose longitudinal direction is the up-down direction. The liquid header 60 has therein a liquid space 60S whose longitudinal direction is the up-down direction, as a space isolated from the gas space 50S. The gas space 50S of the gas header 50 and the liquid space 60S of the liquid header 60 are partitioned because openings formed in the laminated members are shaped to prevent communication between the gas side and the liquid side.
A gas-refrigerant connection pipe 19a forming one end of the first gas refrigerant pipe 19 is connected to the gas header 50. The gas-refrigerant connection pipe 19a is connected to a portion of the gas header 50 on the right side opposite to the left side to which the flat tubes 28 are connected in the right-left direction.
A liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a forming one end of the liquid refrigerant pipe 20 is connected to the liquid header 60. The liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a is connected to a portion of the liquid header 60 on the right side opposite to the left side to which the flat tubes 28 are connected in the right-left direction.
One end of each of the flat tubes 28 is connected to the gas header 50 and the liquid header 60 of the first header 40, and the other end of each of the flat tubes 28 is connected to the second header 30. The outdoor heat exchanger 11 is provided inside a casing (not illustrated) of the outdoor unit 2 in a posture in which the longitudinal direction of the first header 40 and the second header 30 substantially coincides with the vertical direction. The number of the flat tubes 28 connected to the gas header 50 is larger than the number of the flat tubes 28 connected to the liquid header 60. Each of the flat tubes 28 connected to the gas header 50 communicates with the gas space 50S. Each of the flat tubes 28 connected to the liquid header 60 communicates with the liquid space 60S.
The first header 40 includes the first member 41, the second member 42, the third member 43, the fourth member 44, the fifth member 45, the sixth member 46, and the seventh member 47. The first member 41, the second member 42, the third member 43, the fourth member 44, the fifth member 45, the sixth member 46, and the seventh member 47 extend in the up-down direction over the gas header 50 and the liquid header 60. More specifically, a part of the first member 41, the second member 42, the third member 43, the fourth member 44, the fifth member 45, the sixth member 46, and the seventh member 47 forms a part of the gas header 50, and the other part forms a part of the liquid header 60, and the gas header 50 and the liquid header 60 share these members.
Each of the first member 41, the second member 42, the third member 43, the fourth member 44, the fifth member 45, the sixth member 46, and the seventh member 47 has a longitudinal direction in the up-down direction and has the same length in the up-down direction. The lengths in the front-rear direction of portions of the first gas plate portion 51a and the first liquid plate portion 61a of the first member 41 except for a first gas side plate portion 51c, a first liquid side plate portion 61c, a second gas side plate portion 51d, and a second liquid side plate portion 61d are the same as those of the second member 42, the third member 43, the fourth member 44, the fifth member 45, the sixth member 46, and the seventh member 47 in the front-rear direction. The first gas side plate portion 51c and the first liquid side plate portion 61c have the same length in the right-left direction, which is the direction in which the flat tubes 28 extend. The second gas side plate portion 51d and the second liquid side plate portion 61d have the same length in the right-left direction, which is the direction in which the flat tubes 28 extend.
Furthermore, the fourth member 44, the fifth member 45, the sixth member 46, and the seventh member 47 of the first header 40 form the gas space 50S of the gas header 50 and the liquid space 60S of the liquid header 60.
The first member 41 includes a first gas-side portion 51 and a first liquid-side portion 61. The second member 42 includes a second gas-side portion 52 and a second liquid-side portion 62. The third member 43 includes a third gas-side portion 53 and a third liquid-side portion 63. The fourth member 44 includes a fourth gas-side portion 54 and a fourth liquid-side portion 64. The fifth member 45 includes a fifth gas-side portion 55 and a fifth liquid-side portion 65. The sixth member 46 includes a sixth gas-side portion 56 and a sixth liquid-side portion 66. The seventh member 47 includes a seventh gas-side portion 57 and a seventh liquid-side portion 67.

(2-4) Second Header

The second header 30 is connected to the opposite end portion of each of the flat tubes 28 from the end portion connected to the first header 40.
The second header 30 is formed by surrounding and crimping a stack of plate-shaped members with a U-shaped crimping member 31 in plan view to which the flat tubes 28 are connected.

(3) Flow of Refrigerant in Each Operation and in Outdoor Heat Exchanger

The control unit 3 receives detection information from various sensors or commands from a remote controller, or the like, and switches between and executes cooling operation, heating operation, defrosting operation, etc.
When the air conditioning apparatus 1 performs a heating operation, the control unit 3 switches the connection state of the four-way switching valve 10 to the state indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 1 and operates the compressor 8. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 8 releases heat or condenses by exchanging heat with indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 91, is decompressed in the indoor expansion valve 93 or the outdoor expansion valve 12, and is then sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 11. The refrigerant sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 11 is evaporated by exchanging heat with the outside air and is suctioned into the compressor 8 again.
In this way, when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant during the heating operation, the refrigerant in a liquid state or a gas-liquid two-phase state that has reached the liquid header 60 from the liquid refrigerant pipe 20 is divided in the internal space of the liquid header 60 and is sent to the flat tubes 28 belonging to the first channel group X. The refrigerant flowing through the flat tubes 28 of the first channel group X exchanges heat with the air to be partially evaporated, and reaches the lower region of the internal space of the second header 30. The refrigerant sent to the lower region of the internal space of the second header 30 is sent to the upper region of the internal space of the second header 30. The refrigerant sent to the upper region of the second header 30 flows through the plurality of flat tubes 28 belonging to the second channel group Y connected to the upper region of the second header 30. The refrigerant flowing through the plurality of flat tubes 28 belonging to the second channel group Y further evaporates by exchanging heat with the air again, and reaches the gas header 50. The refrigerant that has reached the gas header 50 merges and then flows through the first gas refrigerant pipe 19.
When the air conditioning apparatus 1 performs a cooling operation, the control unit 3 switches the connection state of the four-way switching valve 10 to the state indicated by the solid lines in Fig. 1 and operates the compressor 8. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 8 releases heat or condenses by exchanging heat with the outside air in the outdoor heat exchanger 11, is decompressed in the outdoor expansion valve 12 or the indoor expansion valve 93, and is then sent to the indoor heat exchanger 91. The refrigerant sent to the indoor heat exchanger 91 is evaporated by exchanging heat with the indoor air, and is suctioned into the compressor 8 again.
In a case where the air conditioning apparatus 1 performs a heating operation, when a predetermined defrosting start condition is satisfied, the control unit 3 switches the connection state of the four-way switching valve 10 to the state indicated by the solid lines in Fig. 1, operates the compressor 8, and performs a defrosting operation to supply a high-temperature, high-pressure discharge refrigerant to the outdoor heat exchanger 11. By this defrosting operation, frost deposited on the outdoor heat exchanger 11 is melted.
In this way, when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as a radiator or a condenser of the refrigerant during the cooling operation or the defrosting operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 8 flows into the gas header 50 after flowing through the first gas refrigerant pipe 19. The gaseous refrigerant that has reached the gas header 50 is divided in the internal space of the gas header 50, and then flows through the plurality of flat tubes 28 belonging to the second channel group Y connected to the gas header 50. The refrigerant flowing through the plurality of flat tubes 28 belonging to the second channel group Y partially releases heat or condenses by exchanging heat with air, and reaches the upper region of the internal space of the second header 30. The refrigerant sent to the upper region of the internal space of the second header 30 is sent to the lower region of the second header 30. The refrigerant sent to the lower region of the second header 30 is sent to the plurality of flat tubes 28 belonging to the first channel group X connected to the lower region of the second header 30. The refrigerant flowing through the plurality of flat tubes 28 of the first channel group X further releases heat or condenses by exchanging heat with the air again, and reaches the liquid header 60. The refrigerant that has reached the liquid header 60 flows out from the outdoor heat exchanger 11 via the liquid refrigerant pipe 20.

(4) Details of Gas Header

Fig. 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the gas header 50. Fig. 7 is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional configuration diagram of the gas header 50. Fig. 7 illustrates a horizontal cross-section in a case where the flat tube 28 located at the lowermost stage among the plurality of flat tubes 28 connected to the gas header 50 is cut horizontally at the center position in the thickness direction (up-down direction).
The gas header 50 includes the first gas-side portion 51 of the first member 41, the second gas-side portion 52 of the second member 42, the third gas-side portion 53 of the third member 43, the fourth gas-side portion 54 of the fourth member 44, the fifth gas-side portion 55 of the fifth member 45, the sixth gas-side portion 56 of the sixth member 46, and the seventh gas-side portion 57 of the seventh member 47. Among these, the fourth gas-side portion 54, the fifth gas-side portion 55, the sixth gas-side portion 56, and the seventh gas-side portion 57 form the gas space 50S.
The gas header 50 is formed by brazing together the first gas-side portion 51, the second gas-side portion 52, the third gas-side portion 53, the fourth gas-side portion 54, the fifth gas-side portion 55, the sixth gas-side portion 56, and the seventh gas-side portion 57.

(4-1) First Gas-Side Portion

The first gas-side portion 51 forms a part of the gas header 50 and includes the first gas plate portion 51a, the first gas side plate portion 51c, the second gas side plate portion 51d, a first gas crimping claw 51e, and a second gas crimping claw 51f. The first gas-side portion 51 mainly forms the periphery of the outer shape of the gas header 50 together with the seventh gas-side portion 57.
The first gas plate portion 51a is stacked to face and be in contact with the left surface of a second gas plate portion 52a of the second gas-side portion 52. The first gas plate portion 51a has a plurality of gas-side flat tube connection openings 51b.
The gas-side flat tube connection openings 51b are arranged side by side in the up-down direction and are openings penetrating through the first gas plate portion 51a in the plate thickness direction. The outline of the gas-side flat tube connection opening 51b has a shape that follows the outline of the flat tube 28. As a result, the flat tubes 28 are brazed together in a state where the end thereof in the insertion direction has passed through the gas-side flat tube connection opening 51b and the outer periphery of the flat tube 28 is in contact with the inner periphery of the gas-side flat tube connection opening 51b.
The first gas side plate portion 51c is a plate-shaped portion extending rightward from the front edge of the first gas plate portion 51a. The second gas side plate portion 51d is a plate-shaped portion extending rightward from the rear edge of the first gas plate portion 51a. The first gas side plate portion 51c and the second gas side plate portion 51d are provided to face each other in the front-rear direction, thereby sandwiching the second gas plate portion 52a, a third gas plate portion 53a, a fourth gas plate portion 54a, a fifth gas plate portion 55a, a sixth gas plate portion 56a, and a seventh gas plate portion 57a in the front-rear direction.
The first gas crimping claws 51e are a plurality of crimping claws provided at a predetermined interval in the up-down direction at the right end portion of the first gas side plate portion 51c. The second gas crimping claws 51f are a plurality of crimping claws provided at a predetermined interval in the up-down direction at the right end portion of the second gas side plate portion 51d. In a state before crimping, the first gas crimping claws 51e extend to the right on an extension of the first gas side plate portion 51c, and the second gas crimping claws 51f extend to the right on an extension of the second gas side plate portion 51d. In a state where the first gas plate portion 51a, the second gas plate portion 52a, the third gas plate portion 53a, the fourth gas plate portion 54a, the fifth gas plate portion 55a, the sixth gas plate portion 56a, and the seventh gas plate portion 57a are stacked, the first gas crimping claws 51e and the second gas crimping claws 51f are placed inside to approach each other in the front-rear direction so that the second gas plate portion 52a, the third gas plate portion 53a, the fourth gas plate portion 54a, the fifth gas plate portion 55a, the sixth gas plate portion 56a, and the seventh gas plate portion 57a are crimped and integrated. In this state, brazing is performed in a furnace or the like so that the members are joined by brazing and completely fixed to each other.

(4-2) Second Gas-Side Portion

The second gas-side portion 52 forms a part of the gas header 50 and includes the second gas plate portion 52a.
The second gas plate portion 52a is stacked to face and be in contact with the right surface of the first gas plate portion 51a and to face and be in contact with the left surface of the third gas plate portion 53a. The second gas plate portion 52a has a plurality of gas insertion openings 52b.
The gas insertion openings 52b are arranged side by side in the up-down direction and are openings penetrating through the second gas plate portion 52a in the plate thickness direction. The front and rear edges of the gas insertion opening 52b are located outside the front and rear edges of the gas-side flat tube connection opening 51b when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the second gas plate portion 52a. Further, the upper and lower edges of the plurality of gas insertion openings 52b are located outside the upper and lower edges of the gas-side flat tube connection opening 51b when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the second gas plate portion 52a. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the second gas plate portion 52a, the outline of the gas insertion opening 52b does not overlap with the outline of the flat tube 28, and is located outside the outline of the flat tube 28. As a result, the end of the flat tube 28 in the insertion direction is inserted to pass through the gas insertion opening 52b. Further, even when there is a surplus of brazing material at the time of brazing, a clearance is secured between the flat tube 28 and the gas insertion opening 52b, and the surplus brazing material can be guided so that the channel of the flat tube 28 is prevented from being blocked by the surplus brazing material.

(4-3) Third Gas-Side Portion

The third gas-side portion 53 forms a part of the gas header 50 and includes the third gas plate portion 53a.
The third gas plate portion 53a is stacked to face and be in contact with the right surface of the second gas plate portion 52a and to face and be in contact with the left surface of the fourth gas plate portion 54a. The third gas plate portion 53a has a plurality of gas regulation openings 53b.
The gas regulation openings 53b are arranged side by side in the up-down direction and are openings penetrating through the third gas plate portion 53a in the plate thickness direction. The front and rear edges of the gas regulation opening 53b are located inside the front and rear edges of the gas insertion opening 52b when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the third gas plate portion 53a. The width of the plurality of gas regulation openings 53b in the front-rear direction is narrower than the width of the flat tube 28 in the front-rear direction. As a result, the end of the flat tube 28 in the insertion direction comes into contact with the edge of the gas regulation opening 53b so that the insertion position is determined. The upper and lower edges of the plurality of gas regulation openings 53b are located outside the front and rear edges of the flat tube 28.
In the refrigerant flow direction when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as a radiator or condenser of the refrigerant, the refrigerant that has flowed into the gas space 50S formed by the third gas plate portion 53a, the fourth gas plate portion 54a, the fifth gas plate portion 55a, the sixth gas plate portion 56a, and the seventh gas plate portion 57a via the gas-refrigerant connection pipe 19a branches and flows to the plurality of gas regulation openings 53b.

(4-4) Fourth Gas-Side Portion

The fourth gas-side portion 54 forms a part of the gas header 50 and includes the fourth gas plate portion 54a.
The fourth gas plate portion 54a is stacked to face and be in contact with the right surface of the third gas plate portion 53a and to face and be in contact with the left surface of the fifth gas plate portion 55a. The fourth gas plate portion 54a has a fourth gas opening 54b.
The fourth gas opening 54b is an opening that penetrates through the fourth gas plate portion 54a in the plate thickness direction, and is an opening whose longitudinal direction is the up-down direction. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the fourth gas plate portion 54a, the fourth gas opening 54b overlaps with the connection points of the plurality of flat tubes 28 in the gas header 50, and for example, overlaps with the connection points of the three or more or five or more flat tubes 28. The width of the fourth gas opening 54b in the front-rear direction corresponds to the width of the gas regulation opening 53b of the third member 43 in the front-rear direction.

(4-5) Fifth Gas-Side Portion

The fifth gas-side portion 55 forms a part of the gas header 50 and include the fifth gas plate portion 55a.
The fifth gas plate portion 55a is stacked to face and be in contact with the right surface of the fourth gas plate portion 54a and to face and be in contact with the left surface of the sixth gas plate portion 56a. The fifth gas plate portion 55a has a fifth gas opening 55b.
The fifth gas opening 55b is an opening penetrating through the fifth gas plate portion 55a in the plate thickness direction and is an opening whose longitudinal direction is the up-down direction. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the fifth gas plate portion 55a, the fifth gas opening 55b overlaps with the connection points of the plurality of flat tubes 28 in the gas header 50.

(4-6) Sixth Gas-Side Portion

The sixth gas-side portion 56 forms a part of the gas header 50 and includes the sixth gas plate portion 56a.
The sixth gas plate portion 56a is stacked to face and be in contact with the right surface of the fifth gas plate portion 55a and to face and be in contact with the left surface of the seventh gas plate portion 57a. The sixth gas plate portion 56a has a sixth gas opening 56b.
The sixth gas opening 56b is an opening penetrating through the sixth gas plate portion 56a in the plate thickness direction and is an opening whose longitudinal direction is the up-down direction. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the sixth gas plate portion 56a, the sixth gas opening 56b overlaps with the connection points of the plurality of flat tubes 28 in the gas header 50.

(4-7) Seventh Gas-Side Portion

The seventh gas-side portion 57 forms a part of the gas header 50 and includes the seventh gas plate portion 57a.
The seventh gas plate portion 57a is stacked to face and be in contact with the right surface of the sixth gas plate portion 56a. The seventh gas plate portion 57a has a gas pipe connection opening 57b which is an opening penetrating through the seventh gas plate portion 57a in the plate thickness direction and to which the gas-refrigerant connection pipe 19a is connected.
The seventh gas plate portion 57a is a plate-shaped member which has a surface extending to overlap with the sixth gas opening 56b when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the seventh gas plate portion 57a and which forms an outer wall portion of the gas header 50 to close the gas space 50S from the right side.
The front portion of the seventh gas plate portion 57a is crimped by the first gas crimping claws 51e of the first member 41. The rear portion of the seventh gas plate portion 57a is crimped by the second gas crimping claws 51f.

(5) Details of Liquid Header

Fig. 8 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the liquid header 60 (corresponding to a "header"). Fig. 9 is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional configuration diagram of the liquid header 60. Fig. 9 illustrates a horizontal cross-section in a case where the flat tube 28 located at the lowermost stage among the plurality of flat tubes 28 connected to the liquid header 60 is cut horizontally at the center position in the thickness direction (up-down direction). Fig. 10 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the lower end of the fifth liquid-side portion 65 in the liquid header 60.
The liquid header 60 includes the first liquid-side portion 61 of the first member 41, the second liquid-side portion 62 of the second member 42, the third liquid-side portion 63 of the third member 43, the fourth liquid-side portion 64 of the fourth member 44, the fifth liquid-side portion 65 of the fifth member 45, the sixth liquid-side portion 66 of the sixth member 46, and the seventh liquid-side portion 67 of the seventh member 47. Among these, the fourth liquid-side portion 64, the fifth liquid-side portion 65, the sixth liquid-side portion 66, and the seventh liquid-side portion 67 form the liquid space 60S of the liquid header 60.
The liquid header 60 is formed by brazing together the first liquid-side portion 61, the second liquid-side portion 62, the third liquid-side portion 63, the fourth liquid-side portion 64, the fifth liquid-side portion 65, the sixth liquid-side portion 66, and the seventh liquid-side portion 67.
The liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a is connected to the liquid header 60.
In the liquid header 60, in the refrigerant flow when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant, the refrigerant flowing in via the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a is divided inside the liquid header 60, and each divided refrigerant is sent to the plurality of flat tubes 28 included in the first channel group X among the plurality of flat tubes 28.

(5-1) First Liquid-Side Portion

The first liquid-side portion 61 forms a part of the liquid header 60 and includes the first liquid plate portion 61a, the first liquid side plate portion 61c, the second liquid side plate portion 61d, a first liquid crimping claw 61e, and a second liquid crimping claw 61f. The first liquid-side portion 61 mainly forms the periphery of the outer shape of the liquid header 60 together with the seventh liquid-side portion 67.
The first liquid plate portion 61a is provided to be continuous with the first gas plate portion 51a on the same plane. The first liquid side plate portion 61c is provided to be continuous with the first gas side plate portion 51c on the same plane. The second liquid side plate portion 61d is provided to be continuous with the second gas side plate portion 51d on the same plane.
The first liquid plate portion 61a is stacked to face and be in contact with the left surface of a second liquid plate portion 62a of the second liquid-side portion 62. The first liquid plate portion 61a has a plurality of liquid-side flat tube connection openings 61b.
The liquid-side flat tube connection openings 61b are arranged side by side in the up-down direction and are openings penetrating through the first liquid plate portion 61a in the plate thickness direction. The outline of the liquid-side flat tube connection opening 61b has a shape along the outline of the flat tube 28. As a result, the flat tubes 28 are brazed together in a state where the end thereof in the insertion direction has passed through the liquid-side flat tube connection opening 61b and the outer periphery of the flat tube 28 is in contact with the inner periphery of the liquid-side flat tube connection opening 61b.
The first liquid side plate portion 61c is a plate-shaped portion extending rightward from the front edge of the first liquid plate portion 61a. The second liquid side plate portion 61d is a plate-shaped portion extending rightward from the rear edge of the first liquid plate portion 61a. The first liquid side plate portion 61c and the second liquid side plate portion 61d are provided to face each other in the front-rear direction, thereby sandwiching the second liquid plate portion 62a, a third liquid plate portion 63a, a fourth liquid plate portion 64a, a fifth liquid plate portion 65a, a sixth liquid plate portion 66a, and a seventh liquid plate portion 67a in the front-rear direction.
The first liquid crimping claws 61e are a plurality of crimping claws provided at a predetermined interval in the up-down direction at the right end portion of the first liquid side plate portion 61c. The second liquid crimping claws 61f are a plurality of crimping claws provided at a predetermined interval in the up-down direction at the right end portion of the second liquid side plate portion 61d. In a state before crimping, the first liquid crimping claw 61e extends rightward on an extension of the first liquid side plate portion 61c, and the second liquid crimping claw 61f extends rightward on an extension of the second liquid side plate portion 61d. In a state where the first liquid plate portion 61a, the second liquid plate portion 62a, the third liquid plate portion 63a, the fourth liquid plate portion 64a, the fifth liquid plate portion 65a, the sixth liquid plate portion 66a, and the seventh liquid plate portion 67a are stacked, the first liquid crimping claws 61e and the second liquid crimping claws 61f are placed inside to approach each other in the front-rear direction so that the second liquid plate portion 62a, the third liquid plate portion 63a, the fourth liquid plate portion 64a, the fifth liquid plate portion 65a, the sixth liquid plate portion 66a, and the seventh liquid plate portion 67a are crimped and integrated. In this state, brazing is performed in a furnace or the like so that the members are joined by brazing and completely fixed to each other.

(5-2) Second Liquid-Side Portion

The second liquid-side portion 62 forms a part of the liquid header 60 and is provided between the third liquid-side portion 63 and the first liquid-side portion 61. The second liquid-side portion 62 includes the second liquid plate portion 62a and a plurality of liquid insertion openings 62b.
The second liquid plate portion 62a is stacked to face and be in contact with the right surface of the first liquid plate portion 61a and to face and be in contact with the left surface of the third liquid plate portion 63a.
The liquid insertion openings 62b are arranged side by side in the up-down direction and are openings penetrating through the second liquid plate portion 62a in the plate thickness direction. The front and rear edges of the liquid insertion opening 62b are located outside the front and rear edges of the liquid-side flat tube connection opening 61b when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the second liquid plate portion 62a. In addition, the upper and lower edges of the plurality of liquid insertion openings 62b are located outside the upper and lower edges of the liquid-side flat tube connection opening 61b when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the second liquid plate portion 62a. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the second liquid plate portion 62a, the outline of the liquid insertion opening 62b does not overlap with the outline of the flat tube 28 and is located outside the outline of the flat tube 28. As a result, the end of the flat tube 28 in the insertion direction is inserted to pass through the liquid insertion opening 62b. Further, even when there is a surplus of brazing material at the time of brazing, a clearance is secured between the flat tube 28 and the liquid insertion opening 62b, and the surplus brazing material can be guided so that the channel of the flat tube 28 is prevented from being blocked by the surplus brazing material.

(5-3) Third Liquid-Side Portion

The third liquid-side portion 63 forms a part of the liquid header 60 and is provided between the fourth liquid-side portion 64 and the second liquid-side portion 62. The third liquid-side portion 63 includes the third liquid plate portion 63a and a plurality of liquid regulation openings 63b.
The third liquid plate portion 63a is a plate-shaped member that has its plate thickness direction in the right-left direction and extends in the up-down and front-rear directions. The third liquid plate portion 63a is stacked to face and be in contact with the left surface of the fourth liquid plate portion 64a and to face and be in contact with the right surface of the second liquid plate portion 62a.
The liquid regulation openings 63b are arranged side by side in the up-down direction and are openings penetrating through the third liquid plate portion 63a in the plate thickness direction. The front and rear edges of the liquid regulation opening 63b are located inside the front and rear edges of the liquid insertion opening 62b when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the third liquid plate portion 63a. The width of the plurality of liquid regulation openings 63b in the front-rear direction is narrower than the width of the flat tube 28 in the front-rear direction. As a result, the end of the flat tube 28 in the insertion direction comes into contact with the edge of the liquid regulation opening 63b so that the insertion position is determined. The upper and lower edges of the plurality of liquid regulation openings 63b are located outside the front and rear edges of the flat tube 28.
The plurality of liquid regulation openings 63b overlap and communicate with the plurality of second liquid flow division openings 64b and the plurality of third liquid flow division openings 64c when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the third liquid plate portion 63a. According to the present embodiment, the liquid regulation openings 63b overlap one-on-one with the plurality of second liquid flow division openings 64b and the plurality of third liquid flow division openings 64c when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the third liquid plate portion 63a. According to the present embodiment, the liquid regulation openings 63b communicating with the second liquid flow division openings 64b and the liquid regulation openings 63b communicating with the third liquid flow division openings 64c are alternately arranged in the up-down direction.
According to the present embodiment, the number of the second liquid flow division openings 64b is equal to the number of the third liquid flow division openings 64c. In addition, the channel cross-sectional area of each of the second liquid flow division openings 64b is equal to the channel cross-sectional area of each of the third liquid flow division openings 64c.

(5-4) Fourth Liquid-Side Portion

The fourth liquid-side portion 64 forms a part of the liquid header 60 and is provided between the fifth liquid-side portion 65 and the third liquid-side portion 63. The fourth liquid-side portion 64 includes the fourth liquid plate portion 64a, the plurality of second liquid flow division openings 64b (an example of a "second communication path"), and the plurality of third liquid flow division openings 64c (an example of a "third communication path").
The fourth liquid plate portion 64a is a plate-shaped member that has its plate thickness direction in the right-left direction and extends in the up-down and front-rear directions. The fourth liquid plate portion 64a is stacked to face and be in contact with the left surface of the fifth liquid plate portion 65a and to face and be in contact with the right surface of the third liquid plate portion 63a.
All of the plurality of second liquid flow division openings 64b and the plurality of third liquid flow division openings 64c are openings that penetrate through the fourth liquid plate portion 64a in the plate thickness direction. The second liquid flow division opening 64b forms a second communication path B3, which is a part of a second channel B described below. Also, the third liquid flow division opening 64c forms a third communication path C3, which is a part of a third channel C described below.
The plurality of second liquid flow division openings 64b is provided to be arranged side by side in the up-down direction at positions unevenly to the front side in the fourth liquid plate portion 64a. Here, the front side of the fourth liquid plate portion 64a corresponds to the leeward side of an air flow F when the outdoor fan 16 is driven. The plurality of second liquid flow division openings 64b overlaps with the plurality of liquid regulation openings 63b and a second blowout portion 65j provided in the fifth liquid-side portion 65 when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the fourth liquid plate portion 64a. Thus, the plurality of second liquid flow division openings 64b communicates with the plurality of liquid regulation openings 63b and the second blowout portion 65j.
The plurality of third liquid flow division openings 64c is provided to be arranged side by side in the up-down direction at positions unevenly to the rear side in the fourth liquid plate portion 64a. Here, the rear side of the fourth liquid plate portion 64a corresponds to the windward side of the air flow F when the outdoor fan 16 is driven. The plurality of third liquid flow division openings 64c overlaps with the plurality of liquid regulation openings 63b and a third blowout portion 65k provided in the fifth liquid-side portion 65 when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the fourth liquid plate portion 64a. Thus, the plurality of third liquid flow division openings 64c communicates with the plurality of liquid regulation openings 63b and the third blowout portion 65k.
The plurality of second liquid flow division openings 64b and the plurality of third liquid flow division openings 64c are arranged in a staggered manner. To be specific, the plurality of second liquid flow division openings 64b and the plurality of third liquid flow division openings 64c are arranged to be alternately located in the up-down direction.

(5-5) Fifth Liquid-Side Portion

The fifth liquid-side portion 65 forms a part of the liquid header 60 and is provided between the sixth liquid-side portion 66 and the fourth liquid-side portion 64. The fifth liquid-side portion 65 includes the fifth liquid plate portion 65a and a fifth opening 65b.
The fifth liquid plate portion 65a is a plate-shaped member that has its plate thickness direction in the right-left direction and extends in the up-down and front-rear directions. The fifth liquid plate portion 65a is stacked to face and be in contact with the left surface of the sixth liquid plate portion 66a and to face and be in contact with the right surface of the fourth liquid plate portion 64a.
The fifth opening 65b is an opening penetrating through the fifth liquid plate portion 65a in the plate thickness direction and includes a branch portion 65c, a second introduction portion 65d, a third introduction portion 65e, a second opening 65f, and a third opening 65g.
The branch portion 65c forms the vicinity of the center in the front-rear direction of the lower portion of the fifth opening 65b. The branch portion 65c is a portion that overlaps with a liquid connection opening 66b of the sixth liquid-side portion 66 described below when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the fifth liquid plate portion 65a. The length of the branch portion 65c in the up-down direction corresponds to the length of the liquid connection opening 66b in the up-down direction. This makes it possible to minimize the pressure loss experienced by the refrigerant flowing into the branch portion 65c from the liquid connection opening 66b of the sixth liquid-side portion 66.
The second introduction portion 65d extends in the horizontal direction from the branch portion 65c toward the front side. The second introduction portion 65d has, on the side close to the branch portion 65c, a shape portion where the upper edge of the second introduction portion 65d is located at a lower position toward the front side from the branch portion 65c. The second introduction portion 65d has, on the side far from the branch portion 65c, a shape portion where the upper edge of the second introduction portion 65d extends horizontally toward the front side, and the channel cross-sectional area of the shape portion is smaller than the channel cross-sectional area of the liquid connection opening 66b of the sixth liquid-side portion 66 connected to the branch portion 65c. The lower edge of the second introduction portion 65d extends horizontally toward the front side.
The third introduction portion 65e extends in the horizontal direction from the branch portion 65c toward the rear side. The third introduction portion 65e has, on the side close to the branch portion 65c, a shape portion where the upper edge of the third introduction portion 65e is located at a lower position toward the rear side from the branch portion 65c. The third introduction portion 65e has, on the side far from the branch portion 65c, a shape portion where the upper edge of the third introduction portion 65e extends horizontally toward the rear side, and the channel cross-sectional area of the shape portion is smaller than the channel cross-sectional area of the liquid connection opening 66b of the sixth liquid-side portion 66 connected to the branch portion 65c. The lower edge of the third introduction portion 65e extends horizontally toward the rear side.
The third introduction portion 65e is provided symmetrically to the second introduction portion 65d with respect to the branch portion 65c. More specifically, the second introduction portion 65d and the third introduction portion 65e are provided to be plane-symmetrical with respect to a virtual plane extending in the up-down and right-left directions at the center of the branch portion 65c in the front-rear direction. Thus, the refrigerant that has reached the branch portion 65c can be equally distributed to the second introduction portion 65d and the third introduction portion 65e.
The second opening 65f is a portion of the fifth opening 65b that is closer to the front side of the second introduction portion 65d, extends upward from a position rearward of the front end portion, and includes a second blowout portion 65j and a second narrowing portion 65h. The second blowout portion 65j extends in the up-down direction such that its longitudinal direction is the up-down direction at a position closer to the front side of the fifth liquid plate portion 65a. The second blowout portion 65j overlaps and communicates with the plurality of second liquid flow division openings 64b of the fourth liquid-side portion 64 when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the fifth liquid plate portion 65a. The refrigerant sent from the second blowout portion 65j to the second liquid flow division opening 64b is sent to the plurality of first flat tubes 28x among the plurality of flat tubes 28. An upper end of the second blowout portion 65j overlaps and communicates with a second upper connection portion 66d of the sixth liquid-side portion 66 described below when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the fifth liquid plate portion 65a. A lower end of the second blowout portion 65j overlaps and communicates with a second lower connection portion 66i of the sixth liquid-side portion 66 described below when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the fifth liquid plate portion 65a. The second narrowing portion 65h connects the lower end of the second blowout portion 65j and the upper end portion of the second introduction portion 65d closer to the front. The channel cross-sectional area of the second narrowing portion 65h is smaller than the channel cross-sectional area of the second blowout portion 65j. Furthermore, the channel cross-sectional area of the second narrowing portion 65h is smaller than the channel cross-sectional area of the portion of the second introduction portion 65d to which the second narrowing portion 65h is connected (the channel cross-sectional area of the shape portion of the second introduction portion 65d where the upper edge of the second introduction portion 65d extends horizontally toward the front side on the side far from the branch portion 65c). For this reason, the flow speed of the refrigerant passing through the second narrowing portion 65h can be increased, and when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant, the refrigerant blown out from the second narrowing portion 65h to the second blowout portion 65j can easily reach the end portion of the second blowout portion 65j that is on the side far from the second narrowing portion 65h.
The third opening 65g is a portion of the fifth opening 65b that is closer to the rear side of the third introduction portion 65e, extends upward from a position forward of the rear end portion, and includes a third blowout portion 65k and a third narrowing portion 65i. The third blowout portion 65k extends in the up-down direction such that its longitudinal direction is the up-down direction at a position closer to the rear side of the fifth liquid plate portion 65a. The third blowout portion 65k overlaps and communicates with the plurality of third liquid flow division openings 64c of the fourth liquid-side portion 64 when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the fifth liquid plate portion 65a. The refrigerant sent from the third blowout portion 65k to the third liquid flow division opening 64c is sent to the plurality of second flat tubes 28y among the plurality of flat tubes 28. An upper end of the third blowout portion 65k overlaps and communicates with a third upper connection portion 66e of the sixth liquid-side portion 66 described below when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the fifth liquid plate portion 65a. A lower end of the third blowout portion 65k overlaps and communicates with a third lower connection portion 66j of the sixth liquid-side portion 66 described below when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the fifth liquid plate portion 65a. The third narrowing portion 65i connects the lower end of the third blowout portion 65k and the upper end portion of the third introduction portion 65e closer to the rear side. The channel cross-sectional area of the third narrowing portion 65i is smaller than the channel cross-sectional area of the third blowout portion 65k. Furthermore, the channel cross-sectional area of the third narrowing portion 65i is smaller than the channel cross-sectional area of the portion of the third introduction portion 65e to which the third narrowing portion 65i is connected (the channel cross-sectional area of the shape portion of the third introduction portion 65e where the upper edge of the third introduction portion 65e extends horizontally toward the front side on the side far from the branch portion 65c). For this reason, the flow speed of the refrigerant passing through the third narrowing portion 65i can be increased, and when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant, the refrigerant blown out from the third narrowing portion 65i to the third blowout portion 65k can easily reach the end portion of the third blowout portion 65k that is on the side far from the third narrowing portion 65i.
The second opening 65f and the third opening 65g extend along a plane in which the fifth liquid plate portion 65a spreads, and thus extend on the same plane.

(5-6) Sixth Liquid-Side Portion

The sixth liquid-side portion 66 forms a part of the liquid header 60 and is provided between the seventh liquid-side portion 67 and the fifth liquid-side portion 65. The sixth liquid-side portion 66 includes the sixth liquid plate portion 66a, the liquid connection opening 66b, and a common circulation portion 66c.
The sixth liquid plate portion 66a is a plate-shaped member that has its plate thickness direction in the right-left direction and extends in the up-down and front-rear directions. The sixth liquid plate portion 66a is stacked to face and be in contact with the left surface of the seventh liquid plate portion 67a and face and be in contact with the right surface of the fifth liquid plate portion 65a.
The liquid connection opening 66b is provided near the lower end of the sixth liquid-side portion 66 and is a cylindrical opening penetrating through the sixth liquid plate portion 66a in the plate thickness direction. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the sixth liquid plate portion 66a, the liquid connection opening 66b overlaps with a liquid pipe connection opening 67b of the seventh liquid-side portion 67 described below and the branch portion 65c of the fifth opening 65b of the fifth liquid-side portion 65 and causes the liquid pipe connection opening 67b to communicate with the branch portion 65c.
The common circulation portion 66c is an opening provided above the liquid connection opening 66b and penetrates through the sixth liquid plate portion 66a in the plate thickness direction. The common circulation portion 66c includes a circulation main channel 66g, an upper merging portion 66f (an example of a "merging portion"), a lower merging portion 66h, a second lower connection portion 66i, a second upper connection portion 66d (an example of a "first portion"), a third lower connection portion 66j, and a third upper connection portion 66e (an example of a "second portion").
The circulation main channel 66g is a portion extending in the up-down direction such that its longitudinal direction is the up-down direction near the center of the sixth liquid plate portion 66a in the front-rear direction. The upper merging portion 66f is located at the upper end of the circulation main channel 66g, and is connected to the second upper connection portion 66d and the third upper connection portion 66e. The lower merging portion 66h is located at the lower end of the circulation main channel 66g, and is connected to the second lower connection portion 66i and the third lower connection portion 66j.
The front end portion of the second upper connection portion 66d overlaps and communicates with the upper end of the second blowout portion 65j of the fifth liquid-side portion 65 when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the sixth liquid plate portion 66a. The second upper connection portion 66d extends to be located at a lower position toward the rear side and is connected to the upper merging portion 66f. The second upper connection portion 66d is located above the upper merging portion 66f in the vertical direction. For this reason, the refrigerant sent from the second blowout portion 65j of the fifth liquid-side portion 65 to the upper merging portion 66f via the second upper connection portion 66d is easily guided to the circulation main channel 66g due to the influence of its own weight in addition to the direction and the flow speed of the refrigerant flow, and the refrigerant is prevented from rising in the third upper connection portion 66e and flowing backward toward the third blowout portion 65k.
The rear end portion of the third upper connection portion 66e overlaps and communicates with the upper end of the third blowout portion 65k of the fifth liquid-side portion 65 when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the sixth liquid plate portion 66a. The third upper connection portion 66e extends to be located at a lower position toward the front side and is connected to the upper merging portion 66f. The third upper connection portion 66e is located above the upper merging portion 66f in the vertical direction. For this reason, the refrigerant sent from the third blowout portion 65k of the fifth liquid-side portion 65 to the upper merging portion 66f via the third upper connection portion 66e is easily guided to the circulation main channel 66g due to the influence of its own weight in addition to the direction and the flow speed of the refrigerant flow, and the refrigerant is prevented from rising in the second upper connection portion 66d and flowing backward toward the second blowout portion 65j.
The front end portion of the second lower connection portion 66i overlaps and communicates with the lower end of the second blowout portion 65j of the fifth liquid-side portion 65 when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the sixth liquid plate portion 66a. The second lower connection portion 66i extends to be located at an upper position toward the rear side and is connected to the lower merging portion 66h. For this reason, the refrigerant that descends in the circulation main channel 66g and is branched to the second lower connection portion 66i is easily guided from the second lower connection portion 66i to the second blowout portion 65j of the fifth liquid-side portion 65 due to the influence of its own weight in addition to the direction and the flow speed of the refrigerant flow, and the backflow from the second blowout portion 65j to the second lower connection portion 66i is prevented. The second lower connection portion 66i is located above the second narrowing portion 65h of the fifth liquid-side portion 65 when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the sixth liquid plate portion 66a, and does not overlap with the second narrowing portion 65h. As a result, the refrigerant that has returned to the second blowout portion 65j via the second lower connection portion 66i merges with the refrigerant whose flow speed has been increased when passing through the second narrowing portion 65h, and is blown out again to the second blowout portion 65j. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the sixth liquid plate portion 66a, the second lower connection portion 66i does not overlap with any of the plurality of second liquid flow division openings 64b of the fourth liquid-side portion 64, and overlaps with the second blowout portion 65j at a position below the plurality of second liquid flow division openings 64b. Accordingly, when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the sixth liquid plate portion 66a, the position where the second lower connection portion 66i and the second blowout portion 65j overlap with each other does not overlap with any of the plurality of second liquid flow division openings 64b, thereby preventing the refrigerant from intensively flowing into the specific second liquid flow division opening 64b among the plurality of second liquid flow division openings 64b.
The rear end portion of the third lower connection portion 66j overlaps and communicates with the lower end of the third blowout portion 65k of the fifth liquid-side portion 65 when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the sixth liquid plate portion 66a. The third lower connection portion 66j extends to be located at an upper position toward the front side and is connected to the lower merging portion 66h. For this reason, the refrigerant that descends in the circulation main channel 66g and is branched to the third lower connection portion 66j is easily guided from the third lower connection portion 66j to the third blowout portion 65k of the fifth liquid-side portion 65 due to the influence of its own weight in addition to the direction and the flow speed of the refrigerant flow, and the backflow from the third blowout portion 65k to the third lower connection portion 66j is prevented. The third lower connection portion 66j is located above the third narrowing portion 65i of the fifth liquid-side portion 65 when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the sixth liquid plate portion 66a, and does not overlap with the third narrowing portion 65i. As a result, the refrigerant that has returned to the third blowout portion 65k via the third lower connection portion 66j merges with the refrigerant whose flow speed has been increased when passing through the third narrowing portion 65i, and is blown out to the third blowout portion 65k again. Further, when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the sixth liquid plate portion 66a, the third lower connection portion 66j does not overlap with any of the plurality of third liquid flow division openings 64c of the fourth liquid-side portion 64, and overlaps with the third blowout portion 65k at a position below the plurality of third liquid flow division openings 64c. Accordingly, when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the sixth liquid plate portion 66a, the position where the third lower connection portion 66j and the third blowout portion 65k overlap with each other does not overlap with any of the plurality of third liquid flow division openings 64c, thereby preventing the refrigerant from intensively flowing into the specific third liquid flow division opening 64c among the plurality of third liquid flow division openings 64c.
In addition, since the shape of the second lower connection portion 66i extends to be located at an upper position toward the rear side and connects to the lower merging portion 66h, and the third lower connection portion 66j extends to be located at an upper position toward the front side and connects to the lower merging portion 66h, the lower portion of the common circulation portion 66c includes an edge portion with an upwardly convex shape. Since the liquid connection opening 66b is provided below the vertex of the upwardly convex shape (the lower edge of the lower merging portion 66h), it is possible to minimize the vertical dimension between the common circulation portion 66c and the liquid connection opening 66b.

(5-7) Seventh Liquid-Side Portion

The seventh liquid-side portion 67 forms a part of the liquid header 60 and is provided on the right side of the sixth liquid-side portion 66. The seventh liquid-side portion 67 includes the seventh liquid plate portion 67a and the liquid pipe connection opening 67b.
The seventh liquid plate portion 67a is a plate-shaped member forming an outer wall portion on the right side of the liquid header 60 to close the liquid space 60S from the right side, and extends in the up-down and front-rear directions. The seventh liquid plate portion 67a closes the right side of the common circulation portion 66c of the sixth liquid-side portion 66.
The liquid pipe connection opening 67b is a cylindrical opening penetrating through the seventh liquid plate portion 67a in the plate thickness direction in the vicinity of the lower end of the seventh liquid-side portion 67 and in the vicinity of the center in the front-rear direction. The liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a is connected to the liquid pipe connection opening 67b.
A front side portion of the seventh liquid plate portion 67a is crimped by the first liquid crimping claws 61e. A rear side portion of the seventh liquid plate portion 67a is crimped by the second liquid crimping claws 61f.

(5-8) First Channel, Second Channel, Third Channel

The liquid header 60 includes a first channel A, a second channel B, and a third channel C, which are refrigerant channels formed by the fourth liquid-side portion 64, the fifth liquid-side portion 65, the sixth liquid-side portion 66, the seventh liquid-side portion 67, and the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a.
The first channel A is a channel configured by the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a, the liquid pipe connection opening 67b, and the liquid connection opening 66b communicating with each other, and extends to the branch portion 65c. The first channel A is a channel that extends along a virtual plane including a line extending in the up-down direction from the branch portion 65c and a line extending in the right-left direction from the branch portion 65c, and according to the present embodiment, extends such that its longitudinal direction is the right-left direction.
The second channel B is a channel that extends from the branch portion 65c and is configured by the second introduction portion 65d, the second narrowing portion 65h, the second blowout portion 65j, and the plurality of second liquid flow division openings 64b communicating with each other. The second channel B includes a second connection channel B1, a second main channel B2, and the plurality of second communication paths B3. The second connection channel B1 is configured such that the second introduction portion 65d is sandwiched between the fourth liquid plate portion 64a and the sixth liquid plate portion 66a in the right-left direction. The second main channel B2 is formed by a portion where the second narrowing portion 65h is sandwiched between the fourth liquid plate portion 64a and the sixth liquid plate portion 66a in the right-left direction and a portion where the second blowout portion 65j is sandwiched between the fourth liquid-side portion 64 and the sixth liquid-side portion 66 in the right-left direction. The plurality of second communication paths B3 is formed by the plurality of second liquid flow division openings 64b.
The third channel C is a channel that extends from the branch portion 65c and is configured by the third introduction portion 65e, the third narrowing portion 65i, the third blowout portion 65k, and the plurality of third liquid flow division openings 64c communicating with each other. The third channel C includes a third connection channel C1, a third main channel C2, and the plurality of third communication paths C3. The third connection channel C1 is configured such that the third introduction portion 65e is sandwiched between the fourth liquid plate portion 64a and the sixth liquid plate portion 66a in the right-left direction. The third main channel C2 is formed by a portion where the third narrowing portion 65i is sandwiched between the fourth liquid plate portion 64a and the sixth liquid plate portion 66a in the right-left direction and a portion where the third blowout portion 65k is sandwiched between the fourth liquid-side portion 64 and the sixth liquid-side portion 66 in the right-left direction. The plurality of third communication paths C3 is configured by the plurality of third liquid flow division openings 64c.
When the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant, the gas-liquid two-phase state refrigerant flowing through the first channel A from right to left reaches the branch portion 65c, comes into contact with the fourth liquid plate portion 64a, greatly changes its flow direction, and branches and flows into the second connection channel B1 of the second channel B and the third connection channel C1 of the third channel C.
The refrigerant passing through the second connection channel B1 and flowing in the second main channel B2 is divided into the plurality of second communication paths B3. The refrigerant that has reached the end portion of the second main channel B2 without flowing toward the plurality of second communication paths B3 is sent to the common circulation portion 66c.
The refrigerant passing through the third connection channel C1 and flowing through the third main channel C2 is divided into the plurality of third communication paths C3. The refrigerant that has reached the end portion of the third main channel C2 without flowing toward the plurality of third communication paths C3 is sent to the common circulation portion 66c.
The refrigerant sent from the second main channel B2 and the third main channel C2 to the common circulation portion 66c merges, then is divided into the second main channel B2 and the third main channel C2, and again flows through the second main channel B2 and the third main channel C2.

(6) Features of Embodiment

The liquid header 60 of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 has a structure in which, when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant, the refrigerant that has flowed in via the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a is divided before being sent to the plurality of flat tubes 28 connected to the liquid header 60. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide a conventionally known flow divider separately from the liquid header 60, and it is possible to make the installation space compact and reduce the component cost.
Then, in the liquid header 60, the refrigerant that has flowed through the first channel A and reached the branch portion 65c comes into contact with the fourth liquid plate portion 64a and flows separately to the second connection channel B1 and the third connection channel C1 whose channel extending direction is greatly different from that of the first channel A. Therefore, when the refrigerant flowing through the first channel A includes a gas-phase refrigerant and a liquid-phase refrigerant, the gas-phase refrigerant and the liquid-phase refrigerant can be stirred, and thus, the proportions of the gas-phase refrigerant and the liquid-phase refrigerant can be substantially the same between the refrigerant flowing through the second connection channel B1 and the refrigerant flowing through the third connection channel C1. In addition, since the second connection channel B1 and the third connection channel C1 extend to have symmetry with respect to a virtual plane including both the refrigerant flow direction of the first channel A and the up-down direction, which is the gravity direction, it is possible to make the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing from the branch portion 65c to the second connection channel B1 and the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing from the branch portion 65c to the third connection channel C1 approximately the same.
Then, the refrigerant passing through the second connection channel B1 and flowing in the second main channel B2 is sent to the plurality of first flat tubes 28x via the plurality of second liquid flow division openings 64b of the fourth liquid-side portion 64. The refrigerant passing through the third connection channel C1 and flowing through the third main channel C2 is sent to the plurality of second flat tubes 28y via the plurality of third liquid flow division openings 64c of the fourth liquid-side portion 64. In this way, the refrigerant can be sent to the plurality of flat tubes 28 from the plurality of main channels including the second main channel B2 and the third main channel C2. Thus, the number of liquid flow division openings (the second liquid flow division openings 64b and the third liquid flow division openings 64c) connected to one main channel can be reduced as compared with the case where only one main channel is provided, and hence the refrigerant can be easily equally divided to each of the liquid flow division openings. In addition, since it is possible to ensure a wide interval between the liquid flow division openings (an interval between the liquid flow division openings connected to the same main channel), it is easy to equally divide the refrigerant to each liquid flow division opening.
Since the refrigerant can be sent to the plurality of flat tubes 28 from the plurality of main channels including the second main channel B2 and the third main channel C2, it is possible to improve the flexibility of the arrangement of the liquid flow division openings that connect the main channels and the flat tubes 28, as compared with the case where only one main channel is provided.

(7) Other Embodiments

(7-1) Another Embodiment A

In the above embodiment, the liquid header 60 is described as an example in which the second connection channel B1 and the third connection channel C1 extend in the horizontal direction such that they are away from the branch portion 65c.
However, the liquid header 60 is not limited to this. For example, the second connection channel B1 and the third connection channel C1 may extend at an inclination relative to the horizontal direction such that they are away from the branch portion 65c. For example, the second connection channel B1 and the third connection channel C1 may extend to be located at a lower position as they are away from the branch portion 65c, or may extend to be located at a higher position as they are away from the branch portion 65c. Even in these cases, the refrigerant flowing through the first channel A can be equally divided as in the above-described embodiment.

(7-2) Another Embodiment B

In the above-described embodiment, the liquid header 60 is described as an example in which the first channel A extends in the horizontal direction along the right-left direction.
However, the liquid header 60 is not limited to this. For example, the first channel A may extend along a virtual plane including a line extending in the up-down direction from the branch portion 65c and a line extending in the right-left direction from the branch portion 65c, or may extend downward in the vertical direction from the branch portion 65c.

(7-3) Another Embodiment C

In the above-described embodiment, the liquid header 60 is described as an example, which has a structure in which, in the refrigerant flow when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant, the refrigerant that has passed through the second main channel B2 and the refrigerant that has passed through the third main channel C2 merge in the common circulation portion 66c, then branch in the common circulation portion 66c, and return to the second main channel B2 and the third main channel C2.
However, the liquid header 60 is not limited to this. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 12, the liquid header 60 may have a structure in which the refrigerant that has passed through the second main channel B2 and the refrigerant that has passed through the third main channel C2 are returned to the second main channel B2 and the third main channel C2, respectively, without merging.
In the liquid header 60 illustrated in Fig. 12, a 61st liquid-side portion 166 and a 62nd liquid-side portion 266 are provided between the fifth liquid-side portion 65 and the seventh liquid-side portion 67 instead of the sixth liquid-side portion 66 interposed between the fifth liquid-side portion 65 and the seventh liquid-side portion 67 according to the above embodiment, and other configurations are the same as those in the above embodiment.
The 61st liquid-side portion 166 forms a part of the liquid header 60 and is provided between the 62nd liquid-side portion 266 and the fifth liquid-side portion 65. The 61st liquid-side portion 166 includes a 61st liquid plate portion 166a, a liquid connection opening 166b, a second forward opening 166c, a second return opening 166e, a third forward opening 166d, and a third return opening 166f.
The 61st liquid plate portion 166a is a plate-shaped member that has its plate thickness direction in the right-left direction and extends in the up-down and front-rear directions. The 61st liquid plate portion 166a is stacked to face and be in contact with the left surface of a 62nd liquid plate portion 266a and to face and be in contact with the right surface of the fifth liquid plate portion 65a.
The liquid connection opening 166b is provided in the vicinity of the lower end of the 61st liquid-side portion 166 and is a cylindrical opening penetrating through the 61st liquid plate portion 166a in the plate thickness direction. The liquid connection opening 166b overlaps with a liquid connection opening 266b of the 62nd liquid-side portion 266 and the branch portion 65c in the fifth opening 65b of the fifth liquid-side portion 65 when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the 61st liquid plate portion 166a, and causes the liquid connection opening 266b to communicate with the branch portion 65c.
The second forward opening 166c is an opening provided at the front side near the upper end of the 61st liquid-side portion 166 and penetrates through the 61st liquid plate portion 166a in the plate thickness direction. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the 61st liquid plate portion 166a, the second forward opening 166c overlaps with the upper end of the second blowout portion 65j and an upper end of a first circulation portion 266c of the 62nd liquid-side portion 266 described below, and causes them to communicate with each other.
The second return opening 166e is an opening provided at the front side near the lower end of the 61st liquid-side portion 166 and penetrates through the 61st liquid plate portion 166a in the plate thickness direction. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the 61st liquid plate portion 166a, the second return opening 166e overlaps with the lower end of the second blowout portion 65j and the lower end of the first circulation portion 266c of the 62nd liquid-side portion 266 described below, and causes them to communicate with each other.
The third forward opening 166d is an opening provided at the rear side near the upper end of the 61st liquid-side portion 166 and penetrates through the 61st liquid plate portion 166a in the plate thickness direction. The third forward opening 166d overlaps with the upper end of the third blowout portion 65k and the upper end of a second circulation portion 266d of the 62nd liquid-side portion 266 described below when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the 61st liquid plate portion 166a, and causes them to communicate with each other.
The third return opening 166f is an opening provided at the rear side near the lower end of the 61st liquid-side portion 166 and penetrates through the 61st liquid plate portion 166a in the plate thickness direction. The third return opening 166f overlaps with the lower end of the third blowout portion 65k and the lower end of the second circulation portion 266d of the 62nd liquid-side portion 266 described below when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the 61st liquid plate portion 166a, and causes them to communicate with each other.
The 62nd liquid-side portion 266 forms a part of the liquid header 60 and is provided between the seventh liquid-side portion 67 and the 61st liquid-side portion 166. The 62nd liquid-side portion 266 includes the 62nd liquid plate portion 266a, the liquid connection opening 266b, the first circulation portion 266c, and the second circulation portion 266d.
The 62nd liquid plate portion 266a is a plate-shaped member that has its plate thickness direction in the right-left direction and extends in the up-down and front-rear direction. The 62nd liquid plate portion 266a is stacked to face and be in contact with the left surface of the seventh liquid plate portion 67a and to face and be in contact with the right surface of the 61st liquid plate portion 166a.
The liquid connection opening 266b is a cylindrical opening provided in the vicinity of the lower end of the 62nd liquid-side portion 266 and penetrating through the 62nd liquid plate portion 266a in the plate thickness direction. The liquid connection opening 266b overlaps with the liquid connection opening 166b of the 61st liquid-side portion 166 and the liquid pipe connection opening 67b of the seventh liquid-side portion 67 when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the 62nd liquid plate portion 266a, and causes the liquid connection opening 166b to communicate with the liquid pipe connection opening 67b.
The first circulation portion 266c is an opening penetrating through the 62nd liquid plate portion 266a in the plate thickness direction. The first circulation portion 266c extends such that its longitudinal direction is the up-down direction at a position closer to the front side of the 62nd liquid-side portion 266.
The second circulation portion 266d is an opening penetrating through the 62nd liquid plate portion 266a in the plate thickness direction. The second circulation portion 266d extends such that its longitudinal direction is the up-down direction at a position closer to the rear side of the 62nd liquid-side portion 266.
The 61st liquid-side portion 166 may form the liquid header 60 side of a 61st member 146. The 61st member 146 may have an opening forming a part of the gas space 50S on the gas header 50 side. The 62nd liquid-side portion 266 may form the liquid header 60 side of a 62nd member 246. The 62nd member 246 may have an opening forming a part of the gas space 50S on the gas header 50 side.
In the above-described liquid header 60 as well, the refrigerant that has reached the upper end without flowing from the second blowout portion 65j to the plurality of second liquid flow division openings 64b can be circulated to be sent to the upper end of the first circulation portion 266c via the second forward opening 166c and then returned to the second blowout portion 65j via the lower end of the first circulation portion 266c and the second return opening 166e. Similarly, the refrigerant that has reached the upper end without flowing from the third blowout portion 65k to the plurality of third liquid flow division openings 64c can be circulated to be sent to the upper end of the second circulation portion 266d via the third forward opening 166d and then returned to the third blowout portion 65k via the lower end of the second circulation portion 266d and the third return opening 166f.
It is preferable to use the sixth liquid-side portion 66 including the common circulation portion 66c as in the above-described embodiment in that the number of laminated plate-shaped members can be reduced.

(7-4) Another Embodiment D

According to the above embodiment and the other embodiment C, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 is described as an example, which includes the liquid header 60 in which the second liquid flow division openings 64b and the third liquid flow division openings 64c are arranged in a staggered manner and in which the first flat tubes 28x and the second flat tubes 28y are arranged alternately in the up-down direction.
However, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 is not limited to this. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 13, the liquid header 60 may include a fourth liquid-side portion 164 in which the two second liquid flow division openings 64b and the two third liquid flow division openings 64c are alternately arranged in the up-down direction instead of the fourth liquid-side portion 64 according to the other embodiment C. The outdoor heat exchanger 11 may be one in which the two first flat tubes 28x and the two second flat tubes 28y are alternately arranged in the up-down direction.

(7-5) Another Embodiment E

As illustrated in Fig. 14, the liquid header 60 may include a fourth liquid-side portion 264 in which the plurality of second liquid flow division openings 64b is collectively provided on the lower side and the plurality of third liquid flow division openings 64c is collectively provided on the upper side, instead of the fourth liquid-side portion 64 according to the other embodiment C. The outdoor heat exchanger 11 may be one in which the plurality of first flat tubes 28x is collectively provided on the lower side and the plurality of second flat tubes 28y is collectively provided on the upper side.

(7-6) Another Embodiment F

In the above embodiment and the other embodiment C, the liquid header 60 is described as an example, which is capable of circulating and flowing the refrigerant in the common circulation portion 66c of the sixth liquid-side portion 66 and the first circulation portion 266c and the second circulation portion 266d of the 62nd liquid-side portion 266.
On the other hand, for example, as in the liquid header 60 illustrated in Fig. 15, the refrigerant does not need to circulate and flow.
In the liquid header 60 illustrated in Fig. 15, the sixth liquid-side portion 66 in the liquid header 60 according to the above-described embodiment is not provided, and a fourth liquid-side portion 364 is provided instead of the fourth liquid-side portion 64 in the liquid header 60 according to the above-described embodiment.
In this example, since the sixth liquid-side portion 66 is not provided, the liquid pipe connection opening 67b of the seventh liquid plate portion 67a is directly connected to the branch portion 65c of the fifth liquid-side portion 65. In addition, both the second liquid flow division opening 64b and the third liquid flow division opening 64c are provided at each position in the up-down direction in the fourth liquid-side portion 364. Each of the plurality of flat tubes 28 of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 is a third flat tube 28z that communicates with both the second liquid flow division opening 64b and the third liquid flow division opening 64c.
In this example, it is possible to simultaneously supply the refrigerant to both the front side and the rear side in each of the third flat tubes 28z without circulating the refrigerant in the liquid header 60.

(7-7) Another Embodiment G

Also, as illustrated in Fig. 16, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 may use the fourth liquid-side portion 64 of the liquid header 60 according to the above embodiment instead of the liquid header 60 including the fourth liquid-side portion 364 according to the above other embodiment F.

(7-8) Another Embodiment H

According to the above embodiment and the other embodiment C, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 is described as an example, which includes the liquid header 60 in which the second liquid flow division openings 64b and the third liquid flow division openings 64c are arranged in a staggered manner and in which the first flat tubes 28x and the second flat tubes 28y are arranged alternately in the up-down direction.
However, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 is not limited to this. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 17, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 may include a fourth liquid-side portion 464 in which the second liquid flow division openings 64b and the third liquid flow division openings 64c are unevenly provided to the upper side instead of the fourth liquid-side portion 64 of the liquid header 60 according to the other embodiment C, and the plurality of third flat tubes 28z may be unevenly provided to the upper side. In the outdoor heat exchanger 11, the plurality of third flat tubes 28z is unevenly provided to the upper side of the second main channel B2 in the up-down direction of the second main channel B2. Specifically, when the second main channel B2 is divided into three in the up-down direction, the side far from the second connection channel B1, the side close to the second connection channel B1, and a portion therebetween, the number of the third flat tubes 28z located on the side far from the second connection channel B1 is larger than the number of the third flat tubes 28z located at the center of the second main channel B2, and the number of the third flat tubes 28z located on the side far from the second connection channel B1 is larger than the number of the third flat tubes 28z located on the side close to the second connection channel B1.
The fourth liquid-side portion 464 includes a portion where the second liquid flow division openings 64b and the third liquid flow division openings 64c are arranged in a staggered manner on the lower side and a portion where a plurality of combinations of the second liquid flow division opening 64b and the third liquid flow division opening 64c at the same position in the up-down direction is arranged side by side in the up-down direction on the upper side. The outdoor heat exchanger 11 includes a portion where the first flat tubes 28x and the second flat tubes 28y are alternately arranged in the up-down direction on the lower side and a portion where the third flat tubes 28z communicating with both the second liquid flow division opening 64b and the third liquid flow division opening 64c are arranged side by side in the up-down direction on the upper side.
In a case where the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant, for example, even when it is used in a situation where the liquid refrigerant tends to reach the upper regions of the second blowout portion 65j and the third blowout portion 65k, it is possible to supply the refrigerant to the plurality of third flat tubes 28z as the second blowout portion 65j communicates with a large number of the second liquid flow division openings 64b on the upper side and the third blowout portion 65k also communicates with a large number of the third liquid flow division openings 64c on the upper side.

(7-9) Another Embodiment I

Unlike the other embodiment H, as illustrated in Fig. 18, instead of the fourth liquid-side portion 64 of the liquid header 60 according to the other embodiment C, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 may include a fourth liquid-side portion 564 in which the second liquid flow division openings 64b and the third liquid flow division openings 64c are unevenly provided to the lower side, and the plurality of third flat tubes 28z may be unevenly provided to the lower side. In the outdoor heat exchanger 11, the plurality of third flat tubes 28z is unevenly provided to the lower side of the second main channel B2 in the up-down direction of the second main channel B2. Specifically, when the second main channel B2 is divided into three in the up-down direction, the side far from the second connection channel B1, the side close to the second connection channel B1, and a portion therebetween, the number of the third flat tubes 28z located on the side close to the second connection channel B1 is larger than the number of the third flat tubes 28z located at the center of the second main channel B2, and the number of the third flat tubes 28z located on the side close to the second connection channel B1 is larger than the number of the third flat tubes 28z located on the side far from the second connection channel B1.
The fourth liquid-side portion 564 includes a portion where the second liquid flow division openings 64b and the third liquid flow division openings 64c are arranged in a staggered manner on the upper side and a portion where a plurality of combinations of the second liquid flow division opening 64b and the third liquid flow division opening 64c at the same position in the up-down direction is arranged side by side in the up-down direction on the lower side. The outdoor heat exchanger 11 includes a portion where the first flat tubes 28x and the second flat tubes 28y are alternately arranged in the up-down direction on the upper side and a portion where the third flat tubes 28z communicating with both the second liquid flow division opening 64b and the third liquid flow division opening 64c are arranged side by side in the up-down direction on the lower side.
In a case where the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant, even when it is used in a situation where the liquid refrigerant tends to remain on the lower side of the second blowout portion 65j and the third blowout portion 65k, it is possible to supply the refrigerant to the plurality of third flat tubes 28z as the second blowout portion 65j communicates with a large number of the second liquid flow division openings 64b on the lower side and the third blowout portion 65k also communicates with a large number of the third liquid flow division openings 64c on the lower side.

(7-10) Another Embodiment J

Furthermore, unlike the other embodiment H and the other embodiment I, as illustrated in Fig. 19, instead of the fourth liquid-side portion 64 of the liquid header 60 according to the other embodiment C, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 may include a fourth liquid-side portion 664 in which the second liquid flow division openings 64b and the third liquid flow division openings 64c are unevenly provided at the center in the up-down direction, and the plurality of third flat tubes 28z may be unevenly provided at the center in the up-down direction. In the outdoor heat exchanger 11, the plurality of third flat tubes 28z is unevenly provided at the center of the second main channel B2 in the up-down direction of the second main channel B2. Specifically, when the second main channel B2 is divided into three in the up-down direction, the side far from the second connection channel B1, the side close to the second connection channel B1, and a portion therebetween, the number of the third flat tubes 28z located at the center is larger than the number of the third flat tubes 28z located on the side far from the second connection channel B1, and the number of the third flat tubes 28z located at the center is larger than the number of the third flat tubes 28z located on the side close to the second connection channel B1.
The fourth liquid-side portion 664 includes a portion where the second liquid flow division openings 64b and the third liquid flow division openings 64c are arranged in a staggered manner on the upper side, a portion where the second liquid flow division openings 64b and the third liquid flow division openings 64c are arranged in a staggered manner on the lower side, and, in the middle therebetween in the up-down direction, a portion where a plurality of combinations of the second liquid flow division opening 64b and the third liquid flow division opening 64c at the same position in the up-down direction is arranged side by side in the up-down direction. The outdoor heat exchanger 11 includes a portion where the first flat tubes 28x and the second flat tubes 28y are arranged alternately in the up-down direction on the upper side, a portion where the first flat tubes 28x and the second flat tubes 28y are arranged alternately in the up-down direction on the lower side, and, in the middle therebetween in the up-down direction, a portion where the third flat tubes 28z communicating with both the second liquid flow division opening 64b and the third liquid flow division opening 64c are arranged side by side in the up-down direction.
In a case where the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant, even when it is used in a situation where the liquid refrigerant tends to remain at the middle position between the second blowout portion 65j and the third blowout portion 65k in the up-down direction, it is possible to supply the refrigerant to the plurality of third flat tubes 28z as the second blowout portion 65j communicates with a large number of the second liquid flow division openings 64b at the middle position in the up-down direction and the third blowout portion 65k also communicates with a large number of the third liquid flow division openings 64c at the middle position in the up-down direction.

(7-11) Another Embodiment K

In the above embodiment, an example is described where the number of the second liquid flow division openings 64b and the number of the third liquid flow division openings 64c provided in the fourth liquid-side portion 64 of the liquid header 60 are the same, and the number of the first flat tubes 28x and the number of the second flat tubes 28y in the outdoor heat exchanger 11 are the same.
In contrast, as illustrated in Fig. 20, for example, the number of the second liquid flow division openings 64b provided in the fourth liquid-side portion 764 of the liquid header 60 may be different from the number of the third liquid flow division openings 64c, and the number of the first flat tubes 28x may be different from the number of the second flat tubes 28y in the outdoor heat exchanger 11.
The number of the second liquid flow division openings 64b may be larger than the number of the third liquid flow division openings 64c, or the number of the second liquid flow division openings 64b may be smaller than the number of the third liquid flow division openings 64c.
Therefore, for example, when the amount of heat exchange in the front-rear direction of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 differs between the windward side and the leeward side of the air flow formed by the outdoor fan 16, it is preferable to provide a larger number of liquid flow division openings on the side where the amount of heat exchange tends to be larger.

(7-12) Another Embodiment L

In the above embodiment, a case is explained where the size of the second liquid flow division openings 64b and the size of the third liquid flow division openings 64c, provided in the fourth liquid-side portion 64 of the liquid header 60, are the same.
In contrast, for example, as illustrated in Fig. 21, the second liquid flow division openings 64b and the third liquid flow division openings 64c provided in the fourth liquid-side portion 864 of the liquid header 60 may include ones with different channel cross-sectional areas.
The plurality of second liquid flow division openings 64b may include a second large liquid flow division opening 164b (an example of a "second communication path") having a larger channel cross-sectional area than the others. The second large liquid flow division opening 164b is preferably located on the upper side among the plurality of second liquid flow division openings 64b.
The plurality of third liquid flow division openings 64c may include a third large liquid flow division opening 164c (an example of a "third communication path") having a larger channel cross-sectional area than the others. The third large liquid flow division opening 164c is preferably located on the upper side among the plurality of third liquid flow division openings 64c.
In a case where the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant, even when it is used in a situation where the liquid refrigerant is unlikely to reach the vicinity of the upper ends of the second blowout portion 65j and the third blowout portion 65k in the up-down direction, it is possible to sufficiently supply the liquid refrigerant to the flat tubes 28 connected at the upper positions of the second blowout portion 65j and the third blowout portion 65k.

(7-13) Another Embodiment M

In the above embodiment, the case is described as an example, in which the outdoor heat exchanger 11 is used in a posture such that the longitudinal direction of the liquid header 60 is the up-down direction, the flat tubes 28 extend in the right-left direction, which is a horizontal direction, and the second main channel B2 and the third main channel C2 are arranged in the front-rear direction, which is a horizontal direction.
However, for example, as illustrated in Fig. 22, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 may be used in a posture such that the longitudinal direction of the liquid header 60 is the right-left direction, which is a horizontal direction, the flat tubes 28 extend in the up-down direction, and the second main channel B2 and the third main channel C2 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction, which is a horizontal direction.

(7-14) Another Embodiment N

Further, as illustrated in Fig. 23, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 may be used in the posture illustrated in the other embodiment M, and may include the liquid header 60 in which the refrigerant does not circulate and flow because the sixth liquid-side portion 66 is not provided, similarly to the relationship between the above embodiment and the other embodiment G.

(7-15) Another Embodiment O

In the above-described embodiment, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 is described as an example, which includes the liquid header 60 to which the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a extending in the right-left direction, which is a horizontal direction, is connected and in which the first channel A extends in the right-left direction, which is the direction in which the flat tubes 28 extend and which is a horizontal direction.
On the other hand, for example, as illustrated in Fig. 24, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 may include the liquid header 60 to which the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a is connected so that the first channel A extends in any of the direction in which the plurality of flat tubes 28 is arranged, the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the liquid header 60, the same direction as the direction in which the second main channel B2 extends, and the same direction as the direction in which the third main channel C2 extends.
The outdoor heat exchanger 11 of Fig. 24 includes the liquid header 60 including a fifth liquid-side portion 165, a sixth liquid-side portion 366, and a seventh liquid-side portion 167 instead of the liquid header 60 including the fifth liquid-side portion 65, the sixth liquid-side portion 66, and the seventh liquid-side portion 67 according to the other embodiment M.
The seventh liquid-side portion 167 is not provided with the liquid pipe connection opening 67b in the seventh liquid-side portion 67 according to the other embodiment M. The sixth liquid-side portion 366 is not provided with the liquid connection opening 66b in the sixth liquid-side portion 66 according to the other embodiment M. The sixth liquid-side portion 366 may form the liquid header 60 side of a sixth member 346. The sixth member 346 may include an opening forming a part of the gas space 50S on the gas header 50 side.
The fifth liquid-side portion 165 includes a branch portion 165c provided to be arranged side by side in the front-rear direction between the second introduction portion 65d and the third introduction portion 65e instead of the branch portion 65c in the fifth liquid-side portion 65 according to the other embodiment M and includes a liquid pipe connection opening 165b on the right side of the branch portion 165c. The liquid pipe connection opening 165b is provided such that the vicinity of the center in the front-rear direction of the right end portion of the fifth liquid-side portion 165 penetrates in the right-left direction, and the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a extending in the right-left direction is connected thereto. The upper side of the liquid pipe connection opening 165b is covered with the fourth liquid plate portion 64a, and the lower side is covered with the sixth liquid plate portion 66a. In the above configuration, the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a and the liquid pipe connection opening 165b form the first channel A connected to the branch portion 165c.
In this case as well, the refrigerant that has flowed into the branch portion 165c via the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a can be divided to flow into the second introduction portion 65d and the third introduction portion 65e while stirring the gas-phase refrigerant and the liquid-phase refrigerant.

(7-16) Another Embodiment P

In the above-described embodiment, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 is described as an example where the refrigerant flowing from the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a into the liquid header 60 of the first header 40 is divided when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant.
On the other hand, for example, as illustrated in Fig. 25, when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 may divide the refrigerant that flows into the lower end of the second header 30 via the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a.
The outdoor heat exchanger 11 illustrated in Fig. 25 includes the liquid header 60 having a structure in which the liquid header 60 illustrated in the other embodiment G is repeated twice in the up-down direction, and includes a fourth liquid-side portion 964, a fifth liquid-side portion 265, and a seventh liquid-side portion 267 instead of the fourth liquid-side portion 64, the fifth liquid-side portion 65, and the seventh liquid-side portion 67 of the liquid header 60 illustrated in the other embodiment G, and further includes a 64th liquid-side portion 466 and a 65th liquid-side portion 566 between the fifth liquid-side portion 265 and the seventh liquid-side portion 267. The outdoor heat exchanger 11 includes freeze prevention pipes 28s as the lowermost two of the plurality of flat tubes 28. A refrigerant before being divided in the liquid header 60 is made to flow in the freeze prevention pipes 28s to cause a pressure loss, thereby suppressing the growth of frost in the lowermost stage of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 during heating operation.
The fourth liquid-side portion 964 includes a connection opening 64s that is located below the plurality of second liquid flow division openings 64b and the plurality of third liquid flow division openings 64c, is provided in the vicinity of the center in the front-rear direction, and penetrates through the fourth liquid plate portion 64a in the plate thickness direction. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the fourth liquid plate portion 64a, the connection opening 64s communicates with the two lowermost liquid regulation openings 63b, the two lowermost liquid insertion openings 62b, the two lowermost liquid-side flat tube connection openings 61b, and the two lowermost freeze prevention pipes 28s of the flat tubes 28.
The fifth liquid-side portion 265 has a structure in which the two fifth openings 65b according to the above-described embodiment are arranged side by side in the up-down direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the fifth liquid-side portion 265. Furthermore, the fifth liquid-side portion 265 includes a connection opening 65s that is located below the two fifth openings 65b and in the vicinity of the center in the front-rear direction and penetrates through the fifth liquid plate portion 65a in the plate thickness direction. The connection opening 65s is smaller than the opening area of the connection opening 64s and overlaps with the connection opening 64s when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the fifth liquid plate portion 65a.
The 64th liquid-side portion 466 forms a part of the liquid header 60 and is provided between the fifth liquid-side portion 265 and the 65th liquid-side portion 566. The 64th liquid-side portion 466 includes a 64th liquid plate portion 466a, two liquid connection openings 466b, and a connection opening 466s. The 64th liquid plate portion 466a is a plate-shaped member that has its plate thickness direction in the right-left direction and extends in the up-down and front-rear directions. The 64th liquid plate portion 466a is stacked to face and be in contact with the left surface of a 65th liquid plate portion 566a and to face and be in contact with the right surface of the fifth liquid plate portion 65a. The two liquid connection openings 466b are openings provided at the points where they overlap with the branch portion 65c of the fifth opening 65b of the fifth liquid-side portion 265, when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the 64th liquid plate portion 466a. Here, the lower liquid connection opening 466b and the end portion of a fourth channel portion 566j described below on the side opposite to a fourth channel nozzle 566h form the first channel A connected to the branch portion 65c. In addition, the upper liquid connection opening 466b and the end portion of the fifth channel portion 566k described below on the side opposite to the fifth channel nozzle 566i form the different first channel A connected to the branch portion 65c. The connection opening 466s is an opening that is located below the two liquid connection openings 466b of the 64th liquid-side portion 466 and in the vicinity of the center in the front-rear direction and penetrates through the 64th liquid plate portion 466a in the plate thickness direction. The connection opening 466s overlaps and communicates with the connection opening 65s when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the 64th liquid plate portion 466a.
The 65th liquid-side portion 566 forms a part of the liquid header 60 and is provided between the 64th liquid-side portion 466 and the seventh liquid-side portion 267. The 65th liquid-side portion 566 includes the 65th liquid plate portion 566a and a branch opening 566b. The 65th liquid plate portion 566a is a plate-shaped member that has its plate thickness direction in the right-left direction and extends in the up-down and front-rear directions. The 65th liquid plate portion 566a is stacked to face and be in contact with a left surface of the 64th liquid plate portion 466a and to face and be in contact with a right surface of a seventh liquid plate portion 267a.
The branch opening 566b is an opening provided to penetrate through the 65th liquid plate portion 566a in the plate thickness direction and includes a first channel portion 566c, a first channel nozzle 566d, a channel merging portion 566e, a second channel portion 566f, a third channel portion 566g, the fourth channel nozzle 566h, the fifth channel nozzle 566i, a fourth channel portion 566j, and a fifth channel portion 566k.
The first channel portion 566c overlaps and communicates with the connection opening 466s when viewed in the stacking direction of the 65th liquid plate portion 566a. The first channel nozzle 566d is provided below the first channel portion 566c and has a narrower width in the front-rear direction and has a smaller channel cross-sectional area than the first channel portion 566c. The channel merging portion 566e is located below the first channel nozzle 566d and includes the second channel portion 566f extending toward the front side and the third channel portion 566g extending toward the rear side. The fourth channel nozzle 566h is connected to the upper side near the front end portion of the second channel portion 566f and is provided to extend in the up-down direction. The fourth channel nozzle 566h has a smaller channel cross-sectional area than the fourth channel portion 566j. The fifth channel nozzle 566i is connected to the upper side near the rear end portion of the third channel portion 566g and is provided to extend in the up-down direction. The fifth channel nozzle 566i has a smaller channel cross-sectional area than the fifth channel portion 566k. The fourth channel portion 566j has a shape that extends upward from above the fourth channel nozzle 566h, then turns back downward to the rear side, and further extends downward. The end portion of the fourth channel portion 566j on the side opposite to the fourth channel nozzle 566h overlaps and communicates with the lower opening of the two liquid connection openings 466b of the 64th liquid-side portion 466 when viewed in the stacking direction of the 65th liquid plate portion 566a. The fifth channel portion 566k has a shape that extends upward from above the fifth channel nozzle 566i, then turns back downward to the front side, and further extends downward. The end portion of the fifth channel portion 566k on the side opposite to the fifth channel nozzle 566i overlaps and communicates with the upper opening of the two liquid connection openings 466b of the 64th liquid-side portion 466 when viewed in the stacking direction of the 65th liquid plate portion 566a.
The seventh liquid-side portion 267 is not provided with the liquid pipe connection opening 67b in the seventh liquid-side portion 67 according to the above embodiment, and closes each opening of the 65th liquid-side portion 566 from the right side.
The 64th liquid-side portion 466 may form the liquid header 60 side of the sixth member 446. The sixth member 446 may have an opening forming a part of the gas space 50S on the gas header 50 side. The 65th liquid-side portion 566 may form the liquid header 60 side of the sixth member 546. The sixth member 546 may have an opening forming a part of the gas space 50S on the gas header 50 side.
In the above-described structure, when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant, the refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger 11 via the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a flows through the two lowermost freeze prevention pipes 28s of the plurality of flat tubes 28, passes through the two lowermost liquid-side flat tube connection openings 61b, the two lowermost liquid insertion openings 62b, and the two lowermost liquid regulation openings 63b, and merges at the connection opening 64s. The refrigerant that has passed through the connection opening 64s passes through the connection opening 65s and the connection opening 466s and is sent to the first channel portion 566c. The refrigerant sent to the first channel portion 566c passes downward through the first channel nozzle 566d to reach the channel merging portion 566e, and is branched and flows into the second channel portion 566f and the third channel portion 566g while stirring the gas-phase refrigerant and the liquid-phase refrigerant. The refrigerant branched to the second channel portion 566f side is blown out to the fourth channel portion 566j by passing through the fourth channel nozzle 566h, is sent to the other end of the fourth channel portion 566j, and is sent to the branch portion 65c included in the lower one of the two fifth openings 65b via the lower one of the two liquid connection openings 466b. The refrigerant that has passed through the third channel portion 566g is blown out to the fifth channel portion 566k by passing through the fifth channel nozzle 566i, is sent to the other end of the fifth channel portion 566k, and is sent to the branch portion 65c included in the upper one of the two fifth openings 65b via the upper one of the two liquid connection openings 466b. The subsequent flow of branching the refrigerant is the same as in the above embodiment.

(7-17) Another Embodiment Q

In the above embodiment, the liquid header 60 formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape by stacking a plurality of plate-shaped members is described as an example.
In contrast, for example, as illustrated in Figs. 26 to 30, the liquid header 60 may be configured to have a substantially cylindrical shape.
The liquid header 60 includes a tubular portion 70, a circulation partition portion 71, a flow division portion 72, a flow division partition portion 73, and an introduction space forming portion 74.
The tubular portion 70 includes a cylindrical portion 70a, a top surface portion 70b, a bottom surface portion 70c, a liquid pipe connection opening 70d, and a plurality of liquid-side flat tube connection openings 70e. The cylindrical portion 70a extends to have a cylindrical shape such that its axial direction and longitudinal direction are the up-down direction. The top surface portion 70b covers the upper end of the cylindrical portion 70a from above. The bottom surface portion 70c covers the lower end of the cylindrical portion 70a from below. The liquid pipe connection opening 70d is an opening provided to penetrate in the radial direction on the right side in the vicinity of the lower end of the cylindrical portion 70a, and the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a extending in the right-left direction is connected thereto. The liquid-side flat tube connection opening 70e is an opening provided to penetrate in the radial direction on the left of the cylindrical portion 70a, and the flat tube 28 extending in the right-left direction is connected thereto. The liquid-side flat tube connection openings 70e are arranged side by side in the up-down direction.
The circulation partition portion 71 is a plate-shaped portion that partitions a region above the introduction space forming portion 74, which is the internal space of the cylindrical portion 70a, into left and right regions. A clearance 71a is formed between the circulation partition portion 71 and the top surface portion 70b. A clearance 71b is formed between the circulation partition portion 71 and the introduction space forming portion 74.
The flow division portion 72 is a plate-shaped portion that divides the region closer to the flat tubes 28 than the circulation partition portion 71 into left and right regions within the region above the introduction space forming portion 74 in the internal space of the cylindrical portion 70a. The flow division portion 72 is provided with a plurality of flow division openings 72a that is opened to penetrate in the right-left direction at positions close to the front side and is arranged side by side in the up-down direction. Further, the flow division portion 72 is provided with a plurality of flow division openings 72b that is opened to penetrate in the right-left direction at positions close to the rear side and is arranged side by side in the up-down direction. The flow division openings 72a and the flow division openings 72b are arranged in a staggered manner when viewed in the thickness direction of the flow division portion 72 and are alternately arranged to be located at different heights. The plurality of flat tubes 28 includes the first flat tube 28x provided at a position overlapping with the flow division opening 72a and the second flat tube 28y provided at a position overlapping with the flow division opening 72b when viewed in the right-left direction.
The flow division partition portion 73 is a plate-shaped portion that extends from the center of the circulation partition portion 71 in the front-rear direction to the center of the flow division portion 72 in the front-rear direction and extends from the introduction space forming portion 74 to the top surface portion 70b.
The introduction space forming portion 74 is a plate-shaped portion that is provided below the circulation partition portion 71 in the internal space of the cylindrical portion 70a and vertically partitions the internal space. The introduction space forming portion 74 is provided with a nozzle 74a and a nozzle 74b that are located between the circulation partition portion 71 and the flow division portion 72 in a plan view and penetrate in the up-down direction. The nozzle 74a is located closer to the front side, and the nozzle 74b is located closer to the rear side.
A position in the middle between the nozzle 74a and the nozzle 74b in the front-rear direction and on the lower side of the introduction space forming portion 74 is a branch portion 70x that branches the refrigerant flow. Here, the region vertically sandwiched by the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a, the liquid pipe connection opening 70d, the introduction space forming portion 74, and the bottom surface portion 70c forms the first channel A connected to the branch portion 70x. The region extending from the branch portion 70x to the front side and below the nozzle 74a, the region above the nozzle 74a, and the plurality of flow division openings 72a form the second channel B. Furthermore, the region extending from the branch portion 70x to the rear side and below the nozzle 74b, the region above the nozzle 74b, and the plurality of flow division openings 72b form the third channel C.
With the above-described structure, as indicated by arrows in Figs. 28 to 30, the refrigerant flowing from the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a can be divided to each of the flat tubes 28. Specifically, the refrigerant that has flowed in the right-left direction toward the region below the introduction space forming portion 74 in the internal space of the cylindrical portion 70a via the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a is branched at the branch portion 70x into a refrigerant flow toward the front side and a refrigerant flow toward the rear side. Then, the refrigerant flowing at the position closer to the front side flows upward in the region between the circulation partition portion 71 and the flow division portion 72 and on the front side of the flow division partition portion 73 via the nozzle 74a, is divided into the plurality of flow division openings 72a, and is sent to the corresponding first flat tube 28x. The refrigerant flowing upward without being divided to the flow division opening 72a passes through the clearance 71a, flows downward in the region on the right side of the circulation partition portion 71, and is returned to the vicinity of the nozzle 74a or the nozzle 74b via the clearance 71b. In addition, the refrigerant flowing at a position closer to the rear side flows upward in a region between the circulation partition portion 71 and the flow division portion 72 and on the rear side of the flow division partition portion 73 via the nozzle 74b, is divided into the plurality of flow division openings 72b, and is sent to the corresponding second flat tube 28y. The refrigerant flowing upward without being divided into the flow division opening 72b passes through the clearance 71a, flows downward in the region on the right side of the circulation partition portion 71, and is returned to the vicinity of the nozzle 74a or the nozzle 74b via the clearance 71b.

(7-18) Another Embodiment R

In the other embodiment Q, the liquid header 60 having a substantially cylindrical shape is described as an example.
On the other hand, for example, as illustrated in Fig. 31, the liquid header 60 according to the other embodiment Q may include a plurality of channel partition portions 75 that vertically partitions the flat tubes 28 from each other in the internal space of the cylindrical portion 70a in the region on the left side of the flow division portion 72. Since the channel partition portion 75 extends to vertically partition the first flat tube 28x and the second flat tube 28y, it is possible to further enhance the flow division performance.

(7-19) Another Embodiment S

In the above embodiment, the first header 40 is described as an example, which includes the liquid header 60 in which, in the refrigerant flow when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant, the refrigerant flowing into the branch portion 65c of the fifth opening 65b of the fifth member 45 via the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a and the liquid connection opening 66b of the sixth member 46 is divided into a refrigerant flow toward the second opening 65f via the second introduction portion 65d and a refrigerant flow toward the third opening 65g via the third introduction portion 65e, and includes the fifth member 45 with the fifth opening 65b where the second introduction portion 65d, the branch portion 65c, and the third introduction portion 65e are arranged in sequence, and the sixth member 46 with the liquid connection opening 66b.
In contrast, for example, as illustrated in Fig. 32, the liquid header 60 of the first header 40 may include the fifth member 45 including a fifth liquid-side portion 665 provided with a first opening 81 (an example of a first opening) and a second opening 82 (an example of a second opening) instead of the fifth member 45 including the fifth liquid-side portion 65 provided with the fifth opening 65b according to the above embodiment, and may include the sixth member 46 including a sixth liquid-side portion 666 provided with a liquid connection opening 66k instead of the sixth member 46 including the sixth liquid-side portion 66 provided with the liquid connection opening 66b according to the above embodiment.
As illustrated in Fig. 33, the fifth liquid-side portion 665 has the first opening 81 and the second opening 82.
The first opening 81 is an opening that penetrates through the fifth liquid plate portion 65a in the plate thickness direction and has a second connection channel opening 65t and the second opening 65f. The second opening 65f is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and includes the second blowout portion 65j and the second narrowing portion 65h. The second connection channel opening 65t extends in the horizontal direction toward the front side from a coupling plate portion 85 described below, and an upper edge thereof is connected to the second narrowing portion 65h.
The second opening 82 is an opening that penetrates through the fifth liquid plate portion 65a in the plate thickness direction and has a third connection channel opening 65u and the third opening 65g. The third opening 65g is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and includes the third blowout portion 65k and the third narrowing portion 65i. The third connection channel opening 65u extends in the horizontal direction toward the rear side from the coupling plate portion 85 described below, and an upper edge thereof is connected to the third narrowing portion 65i.
The fifth liquid plate portion 65a of the fifth liquid-side portion 665 includes a first plate portion 83, a second plate portion 84, a third plate portion 86, and the coupling plate portion 85. The first plate portion 83 is a plate-shaped portion of the fifth liquid plate portion 65a that is located above the second connection channel opening 65t and the third connection channel opening 65u and extends between the first opening 81 and the second opening 82. The third plate portion 86 is a plate-shaped portion of the fifth liquid plate portion 65a that extends in the front-rear direction above the first opening 81 and the second opening 82. An upper end of the first plate portion 83 is connected to a lower end of the third plate portion 86. The second plate portion 84 is a plate-shaped portion of the fifth liquid plate portion 65a that extends in the front-rear direction below the second connection channel opening 65t and the third connection channel opening 65u. The coupling plate portion 85 is a plate-shaped portion of the fifth liquid plate portion 65a that extends between the first plate portion 83 and the second plate portion 84 in the up-down direction and between the second connection channel opening 65t and the third connection channel opening 65u in the front-rear direction. An upper end of the coupling plate portion 85 is connected to a lower end of the first plate portion 83. A lower end of the coupling plate portion 85 is connected to an upper end of the second plate portion 84. Thus, the first plate portion 83 and the second plate portion 84 are connected to each other via the coupling plate portion 85.
Here, the first plate portion 83 extends downward from the lower end of the third plate portion 86, and if the second connection channel opening 65t and the third connection channel opening 65u are shaped like the second introduction portion 65d and the third introduction portion 65e connected in the front-rear direction according to the above-described embodiment, the free end that is the lower end of the first plate portion 83 is located far away from the upper end that is the fixed end of the first plate portion 83, the strength of the first plate portion 83 in the fifth liquid-side portion 665 tends to be insufficient, and it is difficult to increase the accuracy of the position of the first plate portion 83 in the fifth liquid-side portion 665.
In contrast, in the first header 40 of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 according to the other embodiment S, the first plate portion 83 is connected to the second plate portion 84 via the coupling plate portion 85. Therefore, since the lower end of the first plate portion 83 is supported by the second plate portion 84 via the coupling plate portion 85, the strength is secured, and it is possible to stabilize the position of the first plate portion 83 in the fifth liquid-side portion 665. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately adjust the refrigerant channel cross-sectional areas of the second connection channel opening 65t, the third connection channel opening 65u, the second blowout portion 65j, the second narrowing portion 65h, the third blowout portion 65k, and the third narrowing portion 65i.
The width of the coupling plate portion 85 in the front-rear direction is configured to be equal to or more than the plate thickness of the fifth liquid-side portion 665. Therefore, in the case where the first opening 81 and the second opening 82 are formed in the fifth liquid-side portion 665 by punching a plate-shaped member with a punch to penetrate through the plate-shaped member in the plate thickness direction, the punching is facilitated. For example, when the first opening 81 and the second opening 82 are formed by punching, the portion that is supposed to remain as the coupling plate portion 85 is less likely to fall off when the portions of the second connection channel opening 65t and the third connection channel opening 65u are punched out. When the coupling plate portion 85 has shape portions having different widths in the front-rear direction, the point with the narrowest width in the front-rear direction may have equal to or more than the plate thickness of the fifth liquid-side portion 665.
The sixth liquid-side portion 666 includes the liquid connection opening 66k (an example of a third opening) and the common circulation portion 66c similar to that of the above-described embodiment. The liquid connection opening 66k is an opening that penetrates through the sixth liquid plate portion 66a in the plate thickness direction and is a substantially rectangular opening whose longitudinal direction is the front-rear direction.
As illustrated in Figs. 34 and 35, when viewed in the right-left direction which is the plate thickness direction of the sixth liquid-side portion 666, a part of the liquid connection opening 66k on the front side overlaps with a part of the second connection channel opening 65t on the rear side, and a part of the liquid connection opening 66k on the rear side overlaps with a part of the third connection channel opening 65u on the front side.
In the other embodiment S, when viewed in the right-left direction which is the plate thickness direction of the sixth liquid-side portion 666, the internal channel of the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a connected to the liquid pipe connection opening 67b of the seventh liquid-side portion 67 of the seventh member 47 does not overlap with the second connection channel opening 65t, does not overlap with the third connection channel opening 65u, and overlaps with the coupling plate portion 85.
Thus, as illustrated in Fig. 35, when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant, all of the refrigerant that has flowed through the first channel A inside the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a is pushed against the coupling plate portion 85, the first plate portion 83, and the second plate portion 84 so that the flow direction is bent, and the refrigerant flows separately through the second connection channel B1 and the third connection channel C1. In the refrigerant pushed against the coupling plate portion 85, the gas-phase refrigerant and the liquid-phase refrigerant are stirred, and it is possible to keep the deviation small between the mixing ratio of the gas-phase refrigerant and the liquid-phase refrigerant of the refrigerant flowing toward the second connection channel B1 and the mixing ratio of the gas-phase refrigerant and the liquid-phase refrigerant of the refrigerant flowing toward the third connection channel C1, making them approximately the same. In addition, in the other embodiment S, all of the refrigerant flowing through the first channel A is pushed against the coupling plate portion 85, the first plate portion 83, and the second plate portion 84, and therefore, even when some errors occur in the position of the coupling plate portion 85 in the front-rear direction during manufacturing, an increase in the difference between the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing toward the second connection channel B1 and the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing toward the third connection channel C1 is suppressed.
In the other embodiment S, the second connection channel B1 includes a second connection channel branch portion B1-1 formed by the front half of the liquid connection opening 66k and a second connection channel portion B1-2 formed by the second connection channel opening 65t. In addition, in the other embodiment S, the third connection channel C1 includes a third connection channel branch portion C1-1 formed by the rear half of the liquid connection opening 66k and a third connection channel portion C1-2 formed by the third connection channel opening 65u.
The refrigerant that has branched and flowed toward the second connection channel B1 flows through the second connection channel branch portion B1-1 toward the front side, then reaches the coupling point between the liquid connection opening 66k and the second connection channel opening 65t, and flows into the second connection channel portion B1-2. In the second connection channel portion B1-2, the refrigerant flows to the front side, and then flows toward the second main channel B2 as in the above-described embodiment.
The refrigerant that has branched and flowed toward the third connection channel C1 flows through the third connection channel branch portion C1-1 toward the rear side, then reaches the coupling point between the liquid connection opening 66k and the third connection channel opening 65u, and flows into the third connection channel portion C1-2. In the third connection channel portion C1-2, the refrigerant flows to the rear side, and then flows toward the third main channel C2 as in the above-described embodiment.
The above-described other embodiment S may be changed to the forms described in the above-described other embodiments A to R.

(7-20) Another Embodiment T

In the other embodiment S, the liquid header 60 of the first header 40 is described as an example, which includes the fifth member 45 including the fifth liquid-side portion 665 provided with the first opening 81 including the second connection channel opening 65t and the second opening 82 including the third connection channel opening 65u, and the sixth member 46 including the sixth liquid-side portion 666 provided with the liquid connection opening 66k.
In contrast, as illustrated in Fig. 36, the liquid header 60 of the first header 40 may include the fifth member 45 including the fifth liquid-side portion 665 provided with the first opening 81 including a second connection channel opening 65v and the second opening 82 including a third connection channel opening 65w, instead of the fifth liquid-side portion 665 provided with the first opening 81 including the second connection channel opening 65t and the second opening 82 including the third connection channel opening 65u according to the other embodiment S, and the sixth member 46 including the sixth liquid-side portion 666 provided with a liquid connection opening 66l, instead of the sixth liquid-side portion 666 provided with the liquid connection opening 66k according to the other embodiment S.
As illustrated in Fig. 37, the fifth liquid-side portion 665 includes the first opening 81 and the second opening 82.
The first opening 81 is an opening that penetrates through the fifth liquid plate portion 65a in the plate thickness direction and includes the second connection channel opening 65v and the second opening 65f. The second opening 65f is the same as that of the above-described embodiment and includes the second blowout portion 65j and the second narrowing portion 65h. The second connection channel opening 65v extends in the horizontal direction toward the front side from a coupling plate portion 85a described below. The upper edge of the second connection channel opening 65v includes an upper edge portion that is located at a lower position toward the front side, which is the direction away from the coupling plate portion 85a, and an upper edge portion that, on the front side of it, extends in the horizontal direction toward the front side and is connected to the second narrowing portion 65h. The lower edge of the second connection channel opening 65v extends in the horizontal direction toward the front side which is a direction away from the coupling plate portion 85a.
The second opening 82 is an opening that penetrates through the fifth liquid plate portion 65a in the plate thickness direction and includes the third connection channel opening 65w and the third opening 65g. The third opening 65g is the same as that of the above-described embodiment and includes the third blowout portion 65k and the third narrowing portion 65i. The upper edge of the third connection channel opening 65w includes an upper edge portion that is located at a lower position toward the rear side, which is a direction away from the coupling plate portion 85a, and an upper edge portion that, on the rear side of it, extends in the horizontal direction toward the rear side and is connected to the third narrowing portion 65i. The lower edge of the third connection channel opening 65w extends in the horizontal direction toward the rear side, which is a direction away from the coupling plate portion 85a.
The fifth liquid plate portion 65a of the fifth liquid-side portion 665 includes a first plate portion 83a, the second plate portion 84, the third plate portion 86, and the coupling plate portion 85a. The first plate portion 83a is a plate-shaped portion of the fifth liquid plate portion 65a which is above the second connection channel opening 65v and the third connection channel opening 65w and which extends between the first opening 81 and the second opening 82. The third plate portion 86 is the same as that of the other embodiment S. The upper end of the first plate portion 83a is connected to the lower end of the third plate portion 86. The second plate portion 84 is a plate-shaped portion of the fifth liquid plate portion 65a that extends in the front-rear direction below the second connection channel opening 65v and the third connection channel opening 65w. The coupling plate portion 85a is a plate-shaped portion of the fifth liquid plate portion 65a that extends between the first plate portion 83a and the second plate portion 84 in the up-down direction and between the second connection channel opening 65v and the third connection channel opening 65w in the front-rear direction. An upper end of the coupling plate portion 85a is connected to a lower end of the first plate portion 83a. A lower end of the coupling plate portion 85a is connected to an upper end of the second plate portion 84. Thus, the first plate portion 83a and the second plate portion 84 are connected to each other via the coupling plate portion 85a. Accordingly, also in the other embodiment T, the lower end of the first plate portion 83a is supported by the second plate portion 84 via the coupling plate portion 85a, and thus the strength is secured, and it is possible to stabilize the position of the first plate portion 83a in the fifth liquid-side portion 665. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately adjust the refrigerant channel cross-sectional areas of the second connection channel opening 65v, the third connection channel opening 65w, the second blowout portion 65j, the second narrowing portion 65h, the third blowout portion 65k, and the third narrowing portion 65i. Further, the width of the coupling plate portion 85a in the front-rear direction is configured to be equal to or more than the plate thickness of the fifth liquid-side portion 665 so that punching is facilitated.
The sixth liquid-side portion 666 includes the liquid connection opening 66l (an example of a third opening) and the common circulation portion 66c similar to that of the above-described embodiment. The liquid connection opening 66l is a circular opening penetrating through the sixth liquid plate portion 66a in the plate thickness direction.
As illustrated in Figs. 38 and 39, when viewed in the right-left direction which is the plate thickness direction of the sixth liquid-side portion 666, a part of the liquid connection opening 66l on the front side overlaps with a part of the second connection channel opening 65v on the rear side, and a part of the liquid connection opening 66l on the rear side overlaps with a part of the third connection channel opening 65w on the front side.
In the other embodiment T, when viewed in the right-left direction, which is the plate thickness direction of the sixth liquid-side portion 666, the internal channel of the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a partially overlaps with the rear end portion of the second connection channel opening 65v, partially overlaps with the front end portion of the third connection channel opening 65w, and also overlaps with the coupling plate portion 85a.
Thus, as illustrated in Fig. 39, when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant, a part of the refrigerant flowing through the first channel A inside the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a is pushed against the coupling plate portion 85a, the first plate portion 83a, and the second plate portion 84 so that the flow direction is bent, and flows separately through the second connection channel B1 and the third connection channel C1, while another part flows separately through the second connection channel B1 and the third connection channel C1 without hitting the coupling plate portion 85a, the first plate portion 83a, and the second plate portion 84. In the refrigerant pushed against the coupling plate portion 85a, the gas-phase refrigerant and the liquid-phase refrigerant are stirred, and it is possible to keep the deviation small between the mixing ratio of the gas-phase refrigerant and the liquid-phase refrigerant of the refrigerant flowing toward the second connection channel B1 and the mixing ratio of the gas-phase refrigerant and the liquid-phase refrigerant of the refrigerant flowing toward the third connection channel C1. In addition, for the refrigerant flowing toward the second connection channel B1 and the third connection channel C1 without hitting the coupling plate portion 85a, the first plate portion 83a, and the second plate portion 84, an increase in pressure loss is suppressed.
In the other embodiment T, the second connection channel B1 includes the second connection channel branch portion B1-1 formed by the front half of the liquid connection opening 66l and the second connection channel portion B1-2 formed by the second connection channel opening 65v. In addition, in the other embodiment T, the third connection channel C1 includes the third connection channel branch portion C1-1 configured by the rear half of the liquid connection opening 66l and the third connection channel portion C1-2 configured by the third connection channel opening 65w.
The refrigerant that has branched and flowed toward the second connection channel B1 flows through the second connection channel branch portion B1-1 toward the front side, then reaches the coupling point between the liquid connection opening 66l and the second connection channel opening 65v, and flows into the second connection channel portion B1-2. In the second connection channel portion B1-2, the refrigerant flows to the front side, and then flows toward the second main channel B2 as in the above-described embodiment.
The refrigerant that has branched and flowed toward the third connection channel C1 flows through the third connection channel branch portion C1-1 toward the rear side, then reaches the coupling point between the liquid connection opening 66l and the third connection channel opening 65w, and flows into the third connection channel portion C1-2. In the third connection channel portion C1-2, the refrigerant flows to the rear side, and then flows toward the third main channel C2 as in the above-described embodiment.
The above-described other embodiment T may be modified to the forms described in the above-described other embodiments A to R.

(7-21) Another Embodiment U

In the other embodiment S, the first header 40 is described as an example, which includes the liquid header 60 configured such that the refrigerant flows into the liquid connection opening 66k provided in the sixth liquid-side portion 666 of the sixth member 46 via the internal channel of the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a connected to the liquid pipe connection opening 67b included in the seventh liquid-side portion 67 of the seventh member 47.
On the other hand, in the other embodiment S, the configuration for guiding the refrigerant to the liquid connection opening 66k provided in the sixth liquid-side portion 666 of the sixth member 46 is not limited to the configuration via the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a. For example, as described in the other embodiment P, the refrigerant may be guided to the liquid connection opening 66k via the liquid connection opening 466b by stacking the 64th liquid-side portion 466, in which the liquid connection opening 466b is formed, on the sixth member 46.

(7-22) Another Embodiment V

In the other embodiment T, the first header 40 is described as an example, which includes the liquid header 60 that is configured such that the refrigerant flows into the liquid connection opening 66l provided in the sixth liquid-side portion 666 of the sixth member 46 via the internal channel of the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a connected to the liquid pipe connection opening 67b included in the seventh liquid-side portion 67 of the seventh member 47.
In contrast, in the other embodiment T, the configuration for guiding the refrigerant to the liquid connection opening 66l provided in the sixth liquid-side portion 666 of the sixth member 46 is not limited to the configuration via the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 20a. For example, as described in the other embodiment P, the refrigerant may be guided to the liquid connection opening 66l via the liquid connection opening 466b by stacking the 64th liquid-side portion 466, in which the liquid connection opening 466b is formed, on the sixth member 46.

(7-23) Another Embodiment W

The liquid header 60 of the first header 40 is described as an example, which is configured such that, according to the other embodiment S, the refrigerant guided to the liquid connection opening 66k is equally distributed to the first opening 81 and the second opening 82, and according to the other embodiment T, the refrigerant guided to the liquid connection opening 66l is equally distributed to the first opening 81 and the second opening 82.
In contrast, the liquid header 60 of the first header 40 may be configured, for example, as illustrated in Fig. 40, such that more refrigerant guided to the liquid connection opening 66k is distributed to either the first opening 81 or the second opening 82.
In this case, as illustrated in Fig. 40, for example, the total channel cross-sectional area of the plurality of second liquid flow division openings 64b constituting the second communication path B3 may be larger than the total channel cross-sectional area of the plurality of third liquid flow division openings 64c constituting the third communication path C3, and when viewed in the right-left direction, which is the plate thickness direction of the fifth liquid plate portion 65a, the liquid connection opening 66m provided in the sixth liquid-side portion 666 may be located unevenly to the front side so that its overlapping area with the second connection channel opening 65t is larger than that with the third connection channel opening 65u. This makes it possible to distribute the refrigerant flow rate in accordance with the ratio of the total channel cross-sectional areas of the second communication path B3 and the third communication path C3.

(Appendix)

Although the embodiments according to the present disclosure are described above, it is understood that various modifications may be made to forms and details without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure described in the scope of claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1: air conditioning apparatus
2: outdoor unit
3: control unit
11: outdoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger)
19: first gas refrigerant pipe
19a: gas-refrigerant connection pipe
20: liquid refrigerant pipe
20a: liquid-refrigerant connection pipe (refrigerant pipe)
27: heat exchange unit
28: flat tube
28x: first flat tube (flat tube)
28y: second flat tube (flat tube)
28z: third flat tube (flat tube)
30: second header
40: first header (header)
41: first member
42: second member
43: third member
44: fourth member
45: fifth member (first plate member)
46: sixth member (second plate member)
47: seventh member (third plate member)
48: eighth member
50: gas header
50S: gas space
60: liquid header (header)
60S: liquid space
64b: second liquid flow division opening (second communication path)
64c: third liquid flow division opening (third communication path)
65c: branch portion
65h: second narrowing portion
65i: third narrowing portion
66c: common circulation portion
66d: second upper connection portion (first portion)
66e: third upper connection portion (second portion)
66f: upper merging portion (merging portion)
66k: liquid connection opening (third opening)
65t: second connection channel opening (second connection channel portion)
65v: second connection channel opening (second connection channel portion)
65u: third connection channel opening (third connection channel portion)
65w: third connection channel opening (third connection channel portion)
67b: liquid pipe connection opening (fourth opening)
70x: branch portion
81: first opening
82: second opening
83: first plate portion
84: second plate portion
85: coupling plate portion
85a: coupling plate portion
164b: second large liquid flow division opening (second communication path)
164c: third large liquid flow division opening (third communication path)
165c: branch portion
266c: first circulation portion
266d: second circulation portion
A: first channel
B: second channel
B1: second connection channel
B2: second main channel
B3: second communication path
B1-2: second connection channel portion
C: third channel
C1: third connection channel
C2: third main channel
C3: third communication path
C1-2: third connection channel portion

CITATION LIST

PATENT LITERATURE

PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2021-008973

Claims

A heat exchanger (11) comprising:
a header (60); and

a plurality of flat tubes (28, 28x, 28y, 28z) that is arranged side by side in a first direction and connected to the header, wherein

the header includes a first channel (A), a second channel (B), and a third channel (C) that are connected to each other at a branch portion (65c, 165c, 70x),

the second channel

is located on one side with respect to the branch portion in a third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and a second direction that is a direction in which the plurality of flat tubes extends, and

includes
a second main channel (B2) extending along the first direction,

a second connection channel (B1) that connects an end portion of the second main channel and the branch portion, and

a plurality of second communication paths (B3, 64b, 164b) that connects the second main channel and the plurality of flat tubes, and

the third channel

is located on the other side with respect to the branch portion in the third direction, and

includes
a third main channel (C2) extending along the first direction,

a third connection channel (C1) that connects an end portion of the third main channel and the branch portion, and

a plurality of third communication paths (C3, 64c, 164c) that connects the third main channel and the plurality of flat tubes.
The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the second connection channel and the third connection channel extend to have symmetry with respect to a virtual plane including a line extending from the branch portion in the first direction and a line extending from the branch portion in the second direction.
The heat exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second connection channel and the third connection channel extend in a horizontal direction.
The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the second main channel includes a second narrowing portion (65h), and

the third main channel includes a third narrowing portion (65i).
The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
the second main channel and the third main channel are provided to extend along the same plane, and

the first channel extends along a virtual plane including a line extending from the branch portion in the first direction and a line extending from the branch portion in the second direction.
The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plurality of flat tubes includes one or more first flat tubes (28x) that communicate with the second main channel via any of the plurality of second communication paths and do not communicate with any of the third communication paths.
The heat exchanger according to claim 6, wherein
the plurality of flat tubes further includes one or more second flat tubes (28y) that do not communicate with any of the plurality of second communication paths but communicate with the third main channel via any of the third communication paths, and

the heat exchanger includes a portion where the first flat tubes and the second flat tubes are arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction.
The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plurality of flat tubes includes one or more third flat tubes (28z) that communicate with the second main channel via any of the plurality of second communication paths and communicate with the third main channel via any of the third communication paths.
The heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein the third flat tubes either
are unevenly provided to a side farther from the second connection channel at the second main channel than a center of the second main channel in the first direction, or

are unevenly provided to a side closer to the second connection channel at the second main channel than the center of the second main channel in the first direction, or

are unevenly provided at the center of the second main channel in the first direction at the second main channel.
The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the number of the second communication paths is different from the number of the third communication paths.
The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein
the plurality of second communication paths (64b, 164b) includes second communication paths having different areas of cross-sections perpendicular to the second direction, and

the plurality of third communication paths (64c, 164c) includes third communication paths having different areas of cross-sections perpendicular to the second direction.
The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the header includes a common circulation portion (66c) that connects two points of the second main channel at different positions in the first direction and connects two points of the third main channel at different positions in the first direction.
The heat exchanger according to claim 12, wherein when a side on which the second main channel is located with respect to the second connection channel is defined as a first side and the opposite side is defined as a second side, a portion on the second side of a connection portion between the second main channel and the common circulation portion does not overlap with any of the second communication paths when viewed in the second direction, and a portion on the second side of a connection portion between the third main channel and the common circulation portion does not overlap with any of the third communication paths when viewed in the second direction.
The heat exchanger according to claim 12, wherein
when a side on which the second main channel is located with respect to the second connection channel is defined as a first side and the opposite side is defined as a second side,

a portion on the first side of a connection portion between the second main channel and the common circulation portion is defined as a first portion (66d),

a portion on the first side of a connection portion between the third main channel and the common circulation portion is defined as a second portion (66e),

a portion of the common circulation portion where a channel extending from the first portion and a channel extending from the second portion connect with each other is defined as a merging portion (66f), and

the first portion (66d) and the second portion (66e) are located on the first side with respect to the merging portion (66f).
The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the header includes a first circulation portion (266c) that connects two points of the second main channel at different positions in the first direction and a second circulation portion (266d) that connects two points of the third main channel at different positions in the first direction.
The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein
the header includes a first plate member (45) having a first opening (81) and a second opening (82),

the first opening forms
the second main channel (B2), and

a second connection channel portion (B1-2, 65t, 65v) that is at least a part of the second connection channel (B1), and

the second opening forms
the third main channel (C2), and

a third connection channel portion (C1-2, 65u, 65w) that is at least a part of the third connection channel (C1), and

the first plate member includes
a first plate portion (83) located between the second main channel and the third main channel,

a second plate portion (84) located on an opposite side of the first plate portion with respect to the second connection channel portion, and

a coupling plate portion (85, 85a) that couples the first plate portion and the second plate portion.
The heat exchanger according to claim 16, wherein
the header includes a second plate member (46) having a third opening (66k),

the second plate member is stacked on the first plate member, and

the third opening includes
a portion that overlaps with the second connection channel portion when viewed in the second direction, and

a portion that overlaps with the third connection channel portion when viewed in the second direction.
The heat exchanger according to claim 17, wherein

the header includes a third plate member (47) having a fourth opening (67b),

the third plate member is stacked on the second plate member, and

the fourth opening
includes a portion that overlaps with the third opening when viewed in the second direction, and

has a refrigerant pipe (20a) inserted.
The heat exchanger according to claim 18, comprising the refrigerant pipe (20a),wherein when viewed in the second direction, a refrigerant channel at the fourth opening does not overlap with the first opening (81) and the second opening (82).
The heat exchanger according to claim 18, comprising the refrigerant pipe (20a), wherein
when viewed in the second direction, a refrigerant channel at the fourth opening and the second connection channel portion (65v) have an overlapping portion, and the refrigerant channel at the fourth opening and the third connection channel portion (65w) have an overlapping portion.
The heat exchanger according to claim 17, wherein
the header includes a third plate member (47) having a fourth opening (67b),

the third plate member is stacked on the second plate member, and

the fourth opening includes a portion that overlaps with the third opening when viewed in the second direction.
The heat exchanger according to claim 21, wherein when viewed in the second direction, the fourth opening does not overlap with the first opening (81) and the second opening (82).
The heat exchanger according to claim 21, wherein when viewed in the second direction, the fourth opening and the second connection channel portion (65v) have an overlapping portion, and the fourth opening and the third connection channel portion (65w) have an overlapping portion.
The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 17 to 23, wherein
a total channel cross-sectional area of the plurality of second communication paths is larger than a total channel cross-sectional area of the plurality of third communication paths, and

when viewed in the second direction, an area of a portion where the third opening and the second connection channel portion overlap with each other is larger than an area of a portion where the third opening and the third connection channel portion overlap with each other.
The heat exchanger according to any one of claims 16 to 24, wherein a width of the coupling plate portion in the third direction is equal to or more than a thickness of the first plate member.