JP2001289465A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the filling quantity of a secondary refrigerant circulating in a secondary refrigerant circuit, in an air conditioner. SOLUTION: A secondary refrigerant circuit (3) connected to an indoor heat exchanger is separated from a primary refrigerant circuit (2) where a primary refrigerant circulates. The secondary refrigerant circuit (3) is equipped with a heater and a cooler, and it circulates a secondary refrigerant by the discharge of the secondary refrigerant by heating and the suction of the secondary refrigerant by cooling. A heat exchanger which exchanges heat between the primary refrigerant and the secondary refrigerant is installed in the vicinity in a room.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner having an indoor heat exchanger installed indoors, and more particularly to a measure for preventing refrigerant leakage.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, air conditioners are disclosed in
There is one disclosed in US Pat. As shown in FIG. 13, this air conditioner has a plurality of units each including an indoor heat exchanger, an indoor electric expansion valve, and the like for one outdoor unit (a) including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and the like. Of the indoor units (b) are connected to each other by a refrigerant pipe (c) so that the refrigerant can flow therethrough. In the air conditioner, for example, during a cooling operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor condenses in the outdoor heat exchanger, then evaporates in the indoor heat exchanger, and returns to the compressor.

[0003]

However, in the multi-type air conditioner described above, the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are connected so as to form one closed circuit. Therefore, for example, when a large number of indoor units are installed as in an air conditioner used for building air conditioning, a large amount of refrigerant is charged into the system. Therefore, when the refrigerant leaks into the room (d), there is a problem that all the refrigerant in the system is discharged into one room (d).

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that reduces the amount of refrigerant flowing in a room.

[0005]

According to the present invention, a primary refrigerant circuit (2) flowing through an outdoor unit (4) and a secondary refrigerant circuit (3) flowing through an indoor unit (6) are separated. It is like that.

Specifically, a first solution is to provide a primary refrigerant circuit (2) in which a primary refrigerant circulates, an indoor heat exchanger (16) installed indoors, and a secondary refrigerant circuit. A secondary refrigerant circuit (3) in which a secondary refrigerant is circulated by the transport means;
Primary refrigerant and secondary refrigerant circuit (3) of secondary refrigerant circuit (2)
And a refrigerant heat exchanger (11) for exchanging heat of the secondary refrigerant.

In the first solution, the primary refrigerant circulates in the primary refrigerant circuit (2), while the secondary refrigerant circulates only in the secondary refrigerant circuit (3). The secondary refrigerant exchanges heat with the refrigerant heat exchanger (11). The secondary refrigerant air-conditions the room using the primary refrigerant as a heat source. In particular, the secondary refrigerant circuit (3) has a shorter pipe length than before, and the length of the circuit connected to the room is shorter than before.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the secondary refrigerant circuit (3) includes one indoor heat exchanger (16).

In the second solution, a separate secondary refrigerant circuit (3) is provided for each indoor heat exchanger (16).

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the secondary refrigerant circuit (3) includes a plurality of indoor heat exchangers (16) connected in parallel with each other. It was decided that.

In the third solution, the secondary refrigerant flowing through one refrigerant heat exchanger (11) flows through a plurality of indoor heat exchangers (16) to air-condition the room.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the primary refrigerant circuit (2) includes an indoor heat exchanger (16) installed indoors. is there.

In the fourth solution, a part of the room is 1
It will be directly air-conditioned by the next refrigerant.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the transport means is a liquid pump (59).

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the conveying means is a gas pump (60).

In the fifth or sixth solution means, the secondary refrigerant circulates by obtaining the conveying force by the liquid pump (59) or the gas pump (60).

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the conveying means includes two tank means (20, 21) for storing a secondary refrigerant, and the tank means (20, 2).
1) pressurize the tank by discharging gas refrigerant,
Pressurizing and depressurizing means (62) for depressurizing the tank by sucking gas refrigerant from the tank means (20, 21);
The tank means (20, 21) pressurized by the pressurizing / depressurizing means (62) discharges the secondary refrigerant, while the tank means (20, 2) depressurized by the pressurizing / depressurizing means (62).
1) is configured as a liquid drive pump (61) for sucking a secondary refrigerant.

The seventh solution means comprises two tank means (20, 21) for storing the secondary refrigerant. The gas refrigerant discharged from the pressurizing / depressurizing means (62) is stored in the tank means (20, 21) to pressurize the tank, and has the same volume as the liquid refrigerant discharged to the tank means (20, 21). Is discharged from the tank means (20, 21). On the other hand, the pressurizing / depressurizing means (62) is connected to the tank means (20, 20).
The tank is depressurized by sucking the gas refrigerant from 21), and the liquid refrigerant having the same volume as the gas refrigerant sucked from the tank means (20, 21) is sucked into the tank means (20, 21).

An eighth aspect of the present invention is based on the first aspect, wherein the conveying means includes a heater (22) for heating the secondary refrigerant and a cooler (23) for cooling the secondary refrigerant. A heat-driven pump (13) for circulating the secondary refrigerant by discharging the secondary refrigerant by heating and sucking the secondary refrigerant by cooling.

In the eighth solution, heat is applied to the heating heat exchanger (22) and the cooling heat exchanger (23), so that a pressure difference is generated in the secondary refrigerant in the secondary refrigerant circuit (3). Occurs. Then, this pressure difference is used as a conveying force of the secondary refrigerant.

According to a ninth solution, in the eighth solution, the heater (22) heats the secondary refrigerant by the high-pressure primary refrigerant in the primary refrigerant circuit (2) during the cooling operation. Heating heat exchanger (22)
The cooler (23) serves as a primary refrigerant circuit (2) during cooling operation.
And a cooling heat exchanger (23) for cooling the secondary refrigerant by evaporating the liquid-phase primary refrigerant.

In the ninth solution, the secondary refrigerant circulates by obtaining the transport force from the primary refrigerant.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned eighth aspect, the heater (22) is set to 1 during cooling / heating operation.
The high pressure primary refrigerant in the secondary refrigerant circuit (2)
A cooling heat exchanger (22) that heats the secondary refrigerant, while the cooler (23) converts the secondary refrigerant by evaporation of the liquid-phase primary refrigerant in the primary-side refrigerant circuit (2) during the cooling / heating operation. The cooling heat exchanger (23) for cooling is configured.

According to the tenth solution, not only in the cooling operation but also in the heating operation, the secondary refrigerant is heated by the primary refrigerant in the heating heat exchanger (22), and in the cooling heat exchanger (23). Cooled. This heating and cooling causes a pressure difference in the secondary refrigerant.

According to an eleventh solution, in the eighth solution, the heater (22) is configured to heat the secondary refrigerant by the heat generated by the thermoelectric machine (56).
On the other hand, the cooler (23) is configured as a cooling heat exchanger (23) that cools the secondary refrigerant by absorbing heat of the thermoelectric machine (57).

In the eleventh solution, the piping is simplified as compared with the case where the primary refrigerant is used as a heat source. On the other hand, the amount of heat given to the heating heat exchanger (22) and the cooling heat exchanger (23) is adjusted by electric power.

According to a twelfth solution, in the eleventh solution, the heating of the heating heat exchanger and the cooling of the cooling heat exchanger are performed by one thermoelectric machine.

In the twelfth solution, the heat source of the heating heat exchanger and the heat source of the cooling heat exchanger become one and the structure is simplified.

According to a thirteenth solution, in the eighth solution, the heater (22) is provided with a heat pipe (5).
8) while comprising a heating heat exchanger (22) comprising
The cooler (23) is a thermoelectric machine (5) for cooling the secondary refrigerant.
The heat pipe (58) is connected to the thermoelectric machine (57) in the cooling heat exchanger (23) provided with 7).

In the thirteenth solution, the heating heat exchanger (22) and the cooling heat exchanger (23) are connected to the heat pipe (5).
8) thermal connection.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned eighth aspect, the conveying means is provided with a driving refrigeration circuit (38).
And the heater (22) is provided with the driving refrigeration circuit (3).
8) The heating heat exchanger (22) that heats the secondary refrigerant by condensing the driving refrigerant in (8) is provided. On the other hand, the cooler (23) is driven by evaporation of the driving refrigerant in the driving refrigeration circuit (38). Cooling heat exchanger (2)
3).

In the fourteenth solution, the amount of heat supplied to the heating and cooling heat exchangers (22, 23) is controlled by the circulation amount of the driving refrigerant flowing through the driving refrigeration circuit (38).

According to a fifteenth solution, in the first solution, the secondary refrigerant in the secondary refrigerant circuit (3) is:
The heat medium is made of water or an aqueous heat medium mixed with a heat storage material.

In the fifteenth solution, since the secondary refrigerant flowing through the secondary refrigerant circuit (3) is water or a mixture of water and a heat storage material, the indoor unit installation is restricted by the amount of the refrigerant. Be outside.

[0035]

Therefore, according to the first solution,
Since the primary-side refrigerant circuit (2) and the secondary-side refrigerant circuit (3) are provided, the amount of the secondary refrigerant flowing through the secondary-side refrigerant circuit (3) can be reduced. Therefore, even when the secondary refrigerant leaks into the room, the amount of refrigerant discharged in the room can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional case. Further, since the primary refrigerant does not flow through the room, the primary refrigerant does not leak into the room.

Further, according to the second solution, even if the secondary refrigerant leaks in one secondary refrigerant circuit (3), it affects all other secondary refrigerant circuits (3). Therefore, all other rooms can be continuously air-conditioned.

Further, according to the third and fourth solutions, the number of refrigerant heat exchangers (11) can be reduced, so that the number of parts can be reduced.

Further, according to the fifth and sixth means, since the liquid pump (59) or the gas pump (60) is used, the configuration can be simplified.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a liquid refrigerant having the same volume as the gas refrigerant discharged from the pressurizing / depressurizing means (62) is discharged from the tank means (20, 21) to form a secondary refrigerant circuit. Can be circulated. In other words, when the secondary refrigerant is circulated using a gas pump as the transport means,
The gas pump must discharge gas refrigerant having the same mass as the liquid refrigerant. Therefore, the pressurizing / depressurizing means (62) can reduce the discharge mass to about 1/10 as compared with the case where the gas refrigerant is discharged using the gas pump as the transport means. As a result, the pressurizing / depressurizing means (62) can be reduced in size as compared with the gas pump, and power consumption can be suppressed.

According to the eighth solution, the secondary refrigerant is circulated by the amount of heat applied to the heating heat exchanger (22) and the cooling heat exchanger (23). ) And the gas pump (60), the service life can be extended, so that the number of maintenance operations can be extremely reduced.

Further, according to the ninth and tenth solving means, since the pressure difference between the secondary refrigerant and the primary refrigerant can be generated, the heat source can be effectively used.

Further, according to the eleventh solution means, since the thermoelectric machines (56, 57) are used, the circulation amount of the secondary refrigerant can be easily adjusted by electric power.

Further, according to the twelfth solution means, the heat sources of the heating heat exchanger and the cooling heat exchanger become one, and effective use of power consumption is achieved.

Further, according to the thirteenth solution, since the heat pipe (58) is used, it is necessary to arrange the heating heat exchanger (22) and the cooling heat exchanger (23) close to each other. Because there is no, the degree of freedom of arrangement can be secured.

Further, according to the fourteenth solution, since the driving refrigeration circuit (38) is provided, the heating and cooling of the secondary refrigerant can be easily controlled by the circulation amount of the driving refrigerant. it can.

According to the fifteenth solution, the indoor heat exchanger (16) can be installed in the small room.

[0047]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is a case where the air conditioner according to the present invention is applied to air conditioning for a building.

<First Embodiment of the Invention> As shown in FIG. 1, an air conditioner (1) comprises a primary refrigerant circuit (2),
A plurality of secondary refrigerant circuits (3). The primary refrigerant circuit (2) includes an outdoor unit (4) and a plurality of heat exchange units (5). Each of the secondary refrigerant circuits (3) includes a heat exchange unit (5),
It is configured over one indoor unit (6).
And each said heat exchange unit (5) is installed in the vicinity of the indoor unit (6) to which each heat exchange unit (5) is connected.

As shown in FIG. 2, the primary refrigerant circuit (2) includes an outdoor compressor (7), an outdoor four-way switching valve (8),
The outdoor heat exchanger (9), the outdoor expansion valve (10), and the refrigerant heat exchanger (11) are sequentially connected by piping. The primary refrigerant circuit (2) is filled with a primary refrigerant. The outdoor unit (4) is constituted by the outdoor compressor (7), the outdoor four-way switching valve (8), the outdoor heat exchanger (9), and the outdoor expansion valve (10) of the primary refrigerant circuit (2). ing.

The outdoor heat exchanger (9) is constituted by a so-called cross fin type heat exchanger, and exchanges heat between the primary refrigerant and the outdoor air. In the primary-side refrigerant circuit (2), the circulation direction of the primary refrigerant, which is the heat-source-side refrigerant, is reversed by switching the outdoor four-way switching valve (8), and the refrigeration cycle operation and the heat pump cycle operation are switched. .

The secondary-side refrigerant circuit (3) includes a main circuit (1).
2) and a thermal drive circuit (1) connected to the main circuit (12).
3). In the secondary refrigerant circuit (3),
The secondary refrigerant is charged, and the secondary refrigerant circulates to carry cold or warm heat. At that time, a circulation driving force is applied to the secondary refrigerant flowing through the heat drive circuit (13), and the main circuit (1)
In 2), the secondary refrigerant circulates while changing its phase.

The main circuit (1) of the secondary refrigerant circuit (3)
2) constitutes a circulation circuit. This main circuit (12)
Is an indoor four-way switching valve (14) and an indoor expansion valve (15)
, An indoor heat exchanger (16), and a refrigerant heat exchanger (11) in this order. The indoor heat exchanger (16) is constituted by a so-called cross-fin type heat exchanger, and exchanges heat between the secondary refrigerant and room air.

The indoor unit (6) comprises the indoor expansion valve (15) of the secondary refrigerant circuit (3) and the indoor heat exchanger (16). The heat drive circuit (1) for the refrigerant heat exchanger (11) and the secondary refrigerant circuit (3) is also used.
3) and the indoor four-way switching valve (14) constitute a heat exchange unit (5).

The refrigerant heat exchanger (11) is composed of a so-called plate heat exchanger, and has a primary passage (11a) and a secondary passage (11b). The primary side passage (11a) is connected to the primary side refrigerant circuit (2), and the secondary side passage (11b) is connected to the secondary side refrigerant circuit (3).

The primary passages (11a) of the respective refrigerant heat exchangers (11) are connected in parallel to the primary refrigerant circuit (2), while the secondary passages (11b) are independent of each other. Connected to the secondary refrigerant circuit (3). And
The refrigerant heat exchanger (11) is configured to exchange heat between the primary refrigerant and the secondary refrigerant.

The heat drive circuit (13) constitutes a transfer means comprising a so-called heat drive pump (13). The heat drive circuit (13) includes a first tank (20) and a second tank (20).
A tank (21), a heating heat exchanger (22) as a heater (22), and a cooling heat exchanger (23) as a cooler (23) are provided. Although not shown, the heating heat exchanger (22) constitutes a high-pressure unit that is supplied with heat from the outside and generates a high pressure. Also, a cooling heat exchanger (23)
Although not shown, a low-pressure portion is configured to generate low pressure by supplying cold heat from the outside.

The heat drive circuit (13) is connected to both tanks (2
0, 21) with the heating heat exchanger (22) and the cooling heat exchanger (2).
3) are alternately communicated with each other to pressurize and depressurize the inside of the tank (20, 21), thereby applying a circulation driving force to the secondary refrigerant. A liquid pipe for suction (24) and a liquid pipe for discharge (25) are connected to the first tank (20) and the second tank (21), respectively.

One end of the suction liquid pipe (24) is connected to the indoor four-way switching valve (14), and the other end is connected to two branch pipes (2).
4a, 24b). The suction liquid pipe (2
4), one branch pipe (24a) communicates with the lower end of the first tank (20), and the other branch pipe (24b) communicates with the lower end of the second tank (21). Inhalation liquid piping (2
4) Each branch pipe (24a, 24b) has a tank (2
0, 21), which allows only the flow of refrigerant into the check valve (2).
6) are provided one by one.

One end of the discharge liquid pipe (25) is branched into two branch pipes (25a, 25b), and the other end is connected to the indoor four-way switching valve (14). The discharge liquid pipe (2
One branch pipe (25a) of 5) communicates with the lower end of the first tank (20), and the other branch pipe (25b) communicates with the lower end of the second tank (21). Discharge liquid piping (2
5) Each branch pipe (25a, 25b) has a tank (2
Check valve (2) that allows only the outflow of refrigerant from
7) are provided one by one.

The indoor four-way switching valve (14) comprises a discharge liquid pipe (25) and a first main liquid pipe (28) of the main circuit (12).
And a state in which the liquid pipe for suction (24) communicates with the second main liquid pipe (29) of the main circuit (12) (a state shown by a solid line in FIG. 2), and a liquid pipe for discharge (25). A state in which the second main liquid pipe (29) is in communication and the suction liquid pipe (24) is in communication with the first main liquid pipe (28) (a state shown by a broken line in FIG. 2).
It is configured to switch to By switching the indoor four-way switching valve (14), the main circuit (1) is switched.
The circulation direction of the secondary refrigerant in 2) is switched. The first main liquid pipe (28) is connected to the indoor four-way switching valve (14) and the indoor heat exchanger (16). The second main liquid pipe (29) is connected to the indoor four-way switching valve (14) and the secondary side passage (18) of the refrigerant heat exchanger (11).

The heating heat exchanger (22) is for pressurizing the first tank (20) and the second tank (21), and is constituted by a so-called plate heat exchanger. The heating heat exchanger (22) is connected to the first and second tanks (20, 21) via a gas supply pipe (30). One end of the gas supply pipe (30) is connected to a heating heat exchanger (2).
It is connected to the upper end of the secondary passage (22b) of 2), and the other end is branched into two branch pipes (30a, 30b). One branch pipe (30a) of the gas supply pipe (30) is connected to the upper end of the first tank (20), and the other branch pipe (30a).
b) is connected to the upper end of the second tank (21).
A first tank pressurizing solenoid valve (31) is provided on one branch pipe (30a) of the gas supply pipe (30), and a second tank pressurizing solenoid valve (32) is provided on the other branch pipe (30b). ) Is provided.

A liquid recovery pipe (33) is connected to the lower end of the secondary side passage (22b) of the heating heat exchanger (22). The heating heat exchanger (22) is provided with a liquid recovery pipe (3).
It is connected to the discharge liquid pipe (25) via 3).
The heating heat exchanger (22) is provided at a position lower than both tanks (20, 21).

The cooling heat exchanger (23) serves to reduce the pressure in the first tank (20) and the second tank (21), and is constituted by a so-called plate heat exchanger. The cooling heat exchanger (23) is connected to the first and second tanks (20, 21) via a gas recovery pipe (34). One end of the gas recovery pipe (34) is connected to two branch pipes (34).
a, 34b), and the other end is a cooling heat exchanger (23)
Of the secondary side passage (23b). One branch pipe (34a) of the gas recovery pipe (34) is connected to the upper end of the first tank (20), and the other branch pipe (34).
b) is connected to the upper end of the second tank (21).
A first tank pressure reducing solenoid valve (35) is provided on one branch pipe (34a) of the gas recovery pipe (34), and a second tank pressure reducing solenoid valve (36) is provided on the other branch pipe (34b). Is provided.

A liquid supply pipe (37) is connected to the lower end of the secondary side passage (23b) of the cooling heat exchanger (23), and the liquid supply pipe (37) is connected to a suction liquid pipe (24). It is connected to the. The cooling heat exchanger (23) is connected to the liquid supply pipe (3).
7) is connected to the suction liquid pipe (24).
Further, the cooling heat exchanger (23) is connected to both tanks (20, 2).
It is installed at a higher position than 1).

-Operating operation- The circulation operation of the refrigerant will be described separately for the cooling operation and the heating operation.

-During cooling operation- The outdoor four-way switching valve (8) and the indoor four-way switching valve (1) shown in FIG.
4) is switched to the solid line side in the figure. The primary refrigerant circulates through the primary refrigerant circuit (2). Specifically, the primary refrigerant is discharged from the outdoor compressor (7), passes through the outdoor four-way switching valve (8), and exchanges heat with outside air in the outdoor heat exchanger (9) to condense. Thereafter, the primary refrigerant is supplied to the outdoor expansion valve (1).
After passing through 0), it flows into the primary side passage (11a) of the refrigerant heat exchanger (11). In the refrigerant heat exchanger (11), the primary refrigerant exchanges heat with the secondary refrigerant flowing through the secondary passage (11b) and evaporates. That is, the refrigerant heat exchanger (11)
It serves as a condenser for the secondary refrigerant circuit (3). The primary refrigerant flowing out of the refrigerant heat exchanger (11) passes through the outdoor four-way switching valve (8), returns to the outdoor compressor (7), and the circulation is repeated.

On the other hand, the secondary refrigerant is provided with a circulating driving force by the heat drive circuit (13) and circulates in the main circuit (12).
That is, in the main circuit (12), the liquid-phase secondary refrigerant is discharged from the heat drive circuit (13), and the indoor four-way switching valve (1
After passing through 4), it flows into the indoor unit (6). The secondary refrigerant flowing into the indoor unit (6) is supplied to the indoor expansion valve (1).
The pressure is reduced by 5), and in the indoor heat exchanger (16),
The room air cools and evaporates. Then, the secondary refrigerant returns to the heat exchange unit (5) and flows into the secondary side passage (11b) of the refrigerant heat exchanger (11). This refrigerant heat exchanger (1)
In 1), the secondary refrigerant is cooled by the primary refrigerant flowing through the primary passage (11a) and condenses. The condensed secondary refrigerant passes through the indoor four-way switching valve (14),
It returns to the heat drive circuit (13) through the suction liquid pipe (24), and this circulation is repeated.

The secondary refrigerant is continuously discharged from the discharge side of the heat drive circuit (13), and is drawn into the suction side. Specifically, the heating heat exchanger (22) evaporates the secondary refrigerant by a heat source (not shown). That is, the heating heat exchanger (2
2) plays a role as a heater of the heat drive circuit (13). By the evaporation of the secondary refrigerant, the heat exchanger (2
2) generates high pressure. Meanwhile, the cooling heat exchanger (23)
Condenses the secondary refrigerant with a heat source (not shown). That is, the cooling heat exchanger (23) functions as a cooler of the heat drive circuit (13). Due to this condensation, the cooling heat exchanger (23) generates a low pressure. Then, the first state and the second state described below are repeated.

In the first state, the first tank pressurizing solenoid valve (3
1) and the second tank pressure reducing solenoid valve (36) are set to the open state, while the second tank pressurizing solenoid valve (32) and the first tank pressure reducing solenoid valve (35) are set to the closed state. Thus, the heating heat exchanger (22) communicates with the first tank (20), while the second tank (21) communicates with the cooling heat exchanger (2).
3) communicates with. As a result, the first tank (20) is pressurized from above, and the liquid refrigerant in the first tank (20) is pushed downward. The extruded secondary refrigerant flows through the discharge liquid pipe (25) and is discharged from the heat drive circuit (13). Since the second tank (21) is depressurized by the low pressure of the cooling heat exchanger (23), the main circuit (1)
The secondary refrigerant circulated through 2) flows through the suction liquid pipe (24) and is collected in the second tank (21).

Thereafter, when the secondary refrigerant in the first tank (20) decreases and the secondary refrigerant in the second tank (21) increases, the state is switched to the second state.

In the second state, the first tank pressurizing solenoid valve (3
1) and the second tank pressure reducing solenoid valve (36) are set to the closed state, while the second tank pressurizing solenoid valve (32) and the first tank pressure reducing solenoid valve (35) are set to the open state. Thus, the heating heat exchanger (22) communicates with the second tank (21), and the first tank (20) communicates with the cooling heat exchanger (23). As a result, the second tank (21)
Is pressurized from above, and the liquid refrigerant in the second tank (21) is pushed downward. As a result, contrary to the first state, 2
The next refrigerant is discharged from the second tank (21) and is sucked into the first tank (20).

When the secondary refrigerant in the second tank (21) decreases and the secondary refrigerant in the first tank (20) increases, the state is switched to the first state again.

As described above, by repeating the first state and the second state, a circulating driving force is continuously applied to the secondary refrigerant. Therefore, the secondary refrigerant is continuously discharged from the discharge side of the heat drive circuit (13) as the secondary refrigerant transfer means, while the secondary refrigerant is drawn into the suction side of the heat drive circuit (13).

-During heating operation-The outdoor four-way switching valve (8) and the indoor four-way switching valve (1
4) is switched to the wavy line side in the figure. The primary refrigerant circulates through the primary refrigerant circuit (2). Specifically, after the primary refrigerant is discharged from the outdoor compressor (7) and passes through the outdoor four-way switching valve (8), the primary refrigerant (1) is passed through the refrigerant heat exchanger (11).
1a), and exchanges heat with the secondary refrigerant flowing through the secondary passage (11b) to condense. That is, the refrigerant heat exchanger (11) functions as an evaporator of the secondary-side refrigerant circuit (3). The primary refrigerant passes through the outdoor expansion valve (10),
In the outdoor heat exchanger (9), heat is exchanged with outside air to evaporate. The primary refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger (9) passes through the outdoor four-way switching valve (8) and returns to the outdoor compressor (7), and this circulation is repeated.

On the other hand, the secondary refrigerant is provided with a circulating driving force by the heat drive circuit (13) and circulates in the main circuit (12).
That is, in the main circuit (12), after the liquid-phase secondary refrigerant is discharged from the heat drive circuit (13) through the discharge liquid pipe (25) and passes through the indoor four-way switching valve (14), The refrigerant flows into the secondary passage (11b) of the refrigerant heat exchanger (11).
In the refrigerant heat exchanger (11), the secondary passage (11b)
Is heated by the primary refrigerant flowing through the primary side passage (11a) and evaporates. This evaporated 2
The secondary refrigerant is heated in the indoor heat exchanger (16) to condense the indoor air. Then, after passing through the indoor expansion valve (15), the secondary refrigerant returns to the heat exchange unit (5), flows through the suction liquid pipe (24), returns to the heat drive circuit (13), and this circulation is repeated. .

The discharge and suction operations of the secondary refrigerant in the heat drive circuit (13) are the same as those in the cooling operation.

-Effects of First Embodiment- According to the first embodiment, the following effects are exhibited. Since the primary-side refrigerant circuit (2) and the secondary-side refrigerant circuit (3) are provided, the amount of the secondary refrigerant flowing through the secondary-side refrigerant circuit (3) can be reduced. Therefore, even when the secondary refrigerant leaks into the room, the amount of refrigerant discharged in the room can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional case. Further, since the primary refrigerant does not flow through the room, the primary refrigerant does not leak into the room. Even if the secondary refrigerant leaks in one secondary-side refrigerant circuit (3), all other secondary-side refrigerant circuits (3) are not affected, so that all other rooms are continuously air-conditioned. be able to.

<Embodiment 2> In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a refrigeration circuit (38) for driving a heating heat exchanger (22) and a cooling heat exchanger (23) is provided. It is.

The drive refrigeration circuit (38) comprises a drive compressor (39), a primary passage (22a) of a heating heat exchanger (22), a drive expansion valve (40), a cooling heat The primary side passage (23a) of the exchanger (23) is connected by piping in order. The drive refrigeration circuit (38) is filled with a drive refrigerant. The heating heat exchanger (22)
The cooling heat exchanger (23) is constituted by a so-called plate type heat exchanger, and has primary passages (22a, 23), respectively.
a) and secondary side passages (22b, 23b) are formed. The primary side passages (22a, 23a) are connected to the drive refrigeration circuit (38), and the secondary side passages (22b,
23b) is connected to the secondary refrigerant circuit (3). Then, the heating heat exchanger (22) and the cooling heat exchanger (2)
3) is configured to exchange heat between the driving refrigerant and the secondary refrigerant.

-Operation- Next, the operation will be described. Since the circulation operation of the secondary refrigerant is the same as that of the first embodiment, only the circulation operation of the driving refrigerant will be described here.

The driving refrigerant is discharged from the driving compressor (39), and the primary side passage (22a) of the heating heat exchanger (22).
Flows into. In the heating heat exchanger (22), the driving refrigerant flowing through the primary side passage (22a) passes through the secondary side passage (22).
The secondary refrigerant flowing through b) is heated and condensed. That is, the secondary refrigerant is heated by the condensation of the driving refrigerant.
Then, the condensed driving refrigerant is decompressed by the driving expansion valve (40) and flows into the primary side passage (23a) of the cooling heat exchanger (23). In the cooling heat exchanger (23), the driving refrigerant flowing through the primary passage (23a) cools the secondary refrigerant flowing through the secondary passage (23b) and evaporates. That is, the secondary refrigerant is cooled by condensation of the driving refrigerant.

The evaporated drive refrigerant returns to the drive compressor (39), and the circulation is repeated. By the evaporation and condensation of the driving refrigerant, a circulation driving force is applied to the secondary refrigerant.

-Effects of Second Embodiment- According to the second embodiment, the following effects are exhibited. Control of heating and cooling of the secondary refrigerant can be facilitated by the circulation amount of the driving refrigerant.

Other configurations, functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.
Is the same as

<Third Embodiment of the Invention> In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a secondary refrigerant is heated and cooled by a primary refrigerant in a heat drive circuit (13) during a cooling operation, and a heating operation is performed during a heating operation. The secondary refrigerant of the secondary refrigerant circuit (3) naturally circulates.

The heating heat exchanger (22) and the cooling heat exchanger (23) in the heat drive circuit (13) are connected to the primary refrigerant circuit (2).

That is, in the liquid line (41) between the outdoor expansion valve (10) and the refrigerant heat exchanger (11) in the primary refrigerant circuit (2), a check valve (42) and a heating heat Primary passage (22a) of exchanger (22) and auxiliary expansion valve (43)
And are connected in order.

The primary refrigerant circuit (2) is provided with a cooling line (44) and a bypass line (45).

One end of the cooling line (44) is connected between the heating heat exchanger (22) and the auxiliary expansion valve (43) in the liquid line (41), and the other end is connected to the refrigerant heat exchanger (1).
1) and an outdoor four-way switching valve (8).
The cooling line (44) is connected to the cooling expansion valve (46) and the primary side of the cooling heat exchanger (23).

The bypass line (45) is configured so that the primary refrigerant bypasses the heating heat exchanger (22) during the heating operation. One end of the bypass line (45) is connected to the heating heat exchanger (22) in the liquid line (41).
And the other end is connected between the outdoor expansion valve (10) and the heating heat exchanger (22) in the liquid line (41). The bypass line (45) is provided with a check valve (47) that allows the primary refrigerant to flow only into the outdoor expansion valve (10).

In the secondary refrigerant circuit (3), the refrigerant heat exchanger (11) is disposed below the indoor heat exchanger (16) so that the secondary refrigerant naturally circulates during the heating operation. . That is, the heat exchange unit (5) is disposed below the indoor unit (6).

-Operating operation- The refrigerant circulating operation will be described separately for the cooling operation and the heating operation.

[During Cooling Operation] In FIG. 4, the outdoor four-way switching valve (8) and the indoor four-way switching valve (14) are switched to the solid line side in the figure. Then, the primary refrigerant flows in the direction of the arrow indicated by the solid line in the figure. Specifically, the primary refrigerant is discharged from the outdoor compressor (7), passes through the outdoor four-way switching valve (8), and exchanges heat with outside air in the outdoor heat exchanger (9) to condense. Subsequently, the primary refrigerant flows to the heating heat exchanger (22) and heats the secondary refrigerant. Thereafter, the primary refrigerant flowing out of the heating heat exchanger (22) is divided, and one of the primary refrigerants is decompressed in the cooling expansion valve (46), flows into the cooling heat exchanger (23), and flows into the secondary refrigerant. Is cooled and evaporated. On the other hand, the other primary refrigerant is depressurized in the auxiliary expansion valve (43), and evaporates by exchanging heat with the secondary refrigerant in the refrigerant heat exchanger (11). The primary refrigerants flowing out of the cooling heat exchanger (23) and the refrigerant heat exchanger (11) merge, pass through the outdoor four-way switching valve (8), return to the outdoor compressor (7), and this circulation is repeated. It is.

On the other hand, the circulation operation of the secondary refrigerant is the same as that of the first embodiment. That is, the secondary refrigerant is provided with a circulating drive force in the heat drive circuit (13), and the main circuit (12)
Circulate.

In the heating operation In FIG. 4, the outdoor four-way switching valve (8) and the indoor four-way switching valve (14) are switched to the dashed lines in the drawing, and the cooling expansion valve (46) is closed. . Then, the primary refrigerant flows in the direction of the dashed arrow in the figure. Specifically, the outdoor compressor (7)
After passing through the outdoor four-way switching valve (8), the primary refrigerant discharged from the refrigerant heat exchanger (11) exchanges heat with the secondary refrigerant and condenses. After the primary refrigerant flowing out of the refrigerant heat exchanger (11) passes through the auxiliary expansion valve (43), the primary refrigerant is depressurized by the outdoor expansion valve (10), and the outside air and the heat in the outdoor heat exchanger (9). It exchanges and evaporates and returns to the outdoor compressor (7), and this circulation is repeated.

On the other hand, in the secondary refrigerant circuit (3),
The secondary refrigerant performs natural circulation. That is, the refrigerant heat exchanger (1)
The secondary refrigerant evaporated in 1) flows into the indoor heat exchanger (16) at an upper position by expansion due to evaporation, and heats the room and condenses. Then, the condensed secondary refrigerant flows out from the lower part of the indoor heat exchanger (16) by natural fall, and flows into the indoor expansion valve (15) and the indoor four-way switching valve (1).
4), a check valve (26, 2) in the thermal drive circuit (13);
After passing through 7), it flows into the refrigerant heat exchanger (11). At this time, the heating heat exchanger (22) and the cooling heat exchanger (23)
Has stopped the heating and cooling operations, and the heat drive circuit (13) has stopped the transport function of the secondary refrigerant circuit. Therefore, the secondary refrigerant naturally circulates by falling due to condensation in the indoor heat exchanger (16) and rising by evaporation in the refrigerant heat exchanger (11).

-Effects of Third Embodiment- According to the third embodiment, the following effects are exhibited. During the cooling operation, the pressure difference between the secondary refrigerant and the primary refrigerant can be generated, so that the heat source can be effectively used.

Other configurations, functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.
Is the same as

<Embodiment 4> In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the heat drive circuit (13) heats and cools the secondary refrigerant by the primary refrigerant during the cooling / heating operation. is there.

The heating heat exchanger (22) and the cooling heat exchanger (23) in the heat drive circuit (13) are connected to the primary refrigerant circuit (2).

That is, the main circuit (2a) of the primary refrigerant circuit (2) includes an outdoor compressor (7), an outdoor four-way switching valve (8), an outdoor heat exchanger (9), and an outdoor expansion valve. Valve (10)
And an auxiliary expansion valve (43) and one of the refrigerant heat exchangers (11).
The secondary side passage (11a) is connected in order. In the main circuit (2a), one end of the primary passage (11a) of the refrigerant heat exchanger (11) is connected to the compressor (7) via a low-pressure gas pipe (48) and a high-pressure gas pipe (49). Are connected to the suction side and the discharge side. Also,
The outdoor four-way switching valve (8) is configured to switch and connect to the outdoor heat exchanger (9) and the suction side of the outdoor compressor (7). One port of the outdoor four-way switching valve (8) is always connected to the suction side of the outdoor compressor (7) via a capillary tube (50).

The low-pressure gas pipe (48) is provided with a first solenoid valve (51), while the high-pressure gas pipe (49) is provided with a second solenoid valve (52) and a third solenoid valve (51). 5
3) is provided.

The main circuit (2a) in the primary refrigerant circuit (2) is provided with a heating line (54) and a cooling line (55). One end of the heating line (54) is connected to a second solenoid valve (5) in the high-pressure gas pipe (49).
2) and the third solenoid valve (53), and the other end is connected between the outdoor expansion valve (10) and the auxiliary expansion valve (43) in the main circuit (2a). The primary side passage (22a) of the heating heat exchanger (22) is connected to the heating line (54).

On the other hand, one end of the cooling line (55)
The heating line (54) is connected to the connection side of the outdoor expansion valve (10) and the auxiliary expansion valve (43), and the other end is connected to the first solenoid valve (51) of the low-pressure gas pipe (48) in the main circuit (2a). ) And the outdoor compressor (7). The cooling line (55) has a cooling expansion valve (46) and a primary passage (23) for the cooling heat exchanger (23).
a) are connected.

-Operating operation- Next, the refrigerant circulating operation will be described separately for the cooling operation and the heating operation.

-Cooling Operation- In FIG. 5, the outdoor four-way switching valve (8) and the indoor four-way switching valve (14) are switched to the solid line side in FIG.
3) is closed. Then, the primary refrigerant flows in the direction of the solid arrow in the figure. Specifically, the primary refrigerant discharged from the outdoor compressor (7) is branched, and one of the primary refrigerants passes through the outdoor four-way switching valve (8), flows into the outdoor heat exchanger (9), and the other flows into the outdoor heat exchanger (9). 1 Heat exchange unit (5) passing through solenoid valve (51)
Flows to

The primary refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor four-way switching valve (8) exchanges heat with the outside air in the outdoor heat exchanger (9), condenses, passes through the outdoor expansion valve (10), and then undergoes auxiliary expansion. The pressure is reduced by the valve (43). Thereafter, the primary refrigerant evaporates by supplying cold heat to the secondary refrigerant in the refrigerant heat exchanger (11), and flows into the low-pressure gas pipe (48).

On the other hand, the other primary refrigerant discharged from the outdoor compressor (7) flows through the high-pressure gas pipe (49) and flows into the primary side of the heating heat exchanger (22). In the heating heat exchanger (22), the primary refrigerant heats and condenses the secondary refrigerant. Then, the condensed primary refrigerant is supplied to the cooling line (5).
5), cools and evaporates the secondary refrigerant in the cooling heat exchanger (23), and returns to the outdoor compressor (7).

In the heating operation In FIG. 5, the outdoor four-way switching valve (8) and the indoor four-way switching valve (14) are switched to the dashed line side in the figure, and the first solenoid valve (5
1) is closed. Then, the primary refrigerant flows in the direction of the dashed arrow in the figure. Specifically, the primary refrigerant discharged from the outdoor compressor (7) flows through the high-pressure gas pipe (49) and branches, and one of the primary refrigerants flows through the heating line (54) and flows through the heating heat exchanger (22). ), And the other primary refrigerant flows into the refrigerant heat exchanger (11).

The primary refrigerant flowing into the heating heat exchanger (22) heats and condenses the secondary refrigerant in the heating heat exchanger (22). The primary refrigerant flowing out of the heating heat exchanger (22) flows through the cooling line (55), and is depressurized by the cooling expansion valve (46). The decompressed primary refrigerant supplies cold heat to the secondary refrigerant in the cooling heat exchanger (23) and evaporates.
The primary refrigerant flowing out of the cooling heat exchanger (23) flows to the low-pressure gas pipe (48).

The primary refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant heat exchanger (11) heats and condenses the secondary refrigerant in the refrigerant heat exchanger (11). The primary refrigerant flowing out of the refrigerant heat exchanger (11) is decompressed by the outdoor expansion valve (10) and evaporates in the outdoor heat exchanger (9). And the cooling heat exchanger (2
3) is combined with the primary refrigerant flowing out and the outdoor compressor (7)
Return to

-Effects of Fourth Embodiment- According to the fourth embodiment, the following effects are exhibited. Since the pressure difference of the secondary refrigerant can be generated by the primary refrigerant, the heat source can be effectively used.

Other configurations, functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.
Is the same as

<Embodiment 5> As shown in FIG. 6, the present embodiment relates to a thermoelectric machine utilizing the Peltier effect as a heat source of a heating heat exchanger (22) and a cooling heat exchanger (23). A Peltier device (56, 57) is provided.

The heating heat exchanger (22) is provided with a Peltier element (56) so that the heat generation side of the Peltier element (56) is in contact with the Peltier element (56). The above heat exchanger (2
2) is configured such that the secondary refrigerant is heated by the heat generated by the Peltier element (56).

A Peltier element (57) is attached to the cooling heat exchanger (23) such that the heat absorption side of the Peltier element (57) is in contact with the Peltier element (57). The cooling heat exchanger (2)
3) is configured such that the secondary refrigerant is cooled by the heat absorption of the Peltier element (57).

Therefore, when the Peltier element (56) attached to the heating heat exchanger (22) is energized, the heat generation side of the Peltier element (56) generates heat. The heat generated heats the secondary refrigerant flowing through the heating heat exchanger (22). On the other hand, when the Peltier element (57) attached to the cooling heat exchanger (23) is energized, the heat absorption side of the Peltier element (57) absorbs heat. By this heat absorption, the cooling heat exchanger (23)
Is cooled.

Due to the heating and cooling of the secondary refrigerant, a pressure difference is generated in the secondary cooling medium circuit (3), and a circulation driving force is applied to the secondary refrigerant.

-Effects of Fifth Embodiment- According to the fifth embodiment, the following effects are exhibited. Since Peltier elements (56, 57) are used,
The circulation amount of the secondary refrigerant can be easily adjusted by the electric power.

Other structures, functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.
Is the same as

<Embodiment 6> In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the heating heat exchanger (22) includes a heat pipe (58), while the cooling heat exchanger (23) serves as a heat source. A Peltier device (57) is provided.

The heating heat exchanger (22) is connected to one end of a heat pipe (58). The heat pipe (58) is filled with an evaporable liquid (not shown).

The cooling heat exchanger (23) is provided with a Peltier element (57) so that the heat absorbing side of the Peltier element (57) is in contact with the cooling heat exchanger (23), and the secondary refrigerant is cooled by the heat absorption of the Peltier element (57). It is configured as follows.
The heat generation side of the Peltier element (57) is connected to the other end of the heat pipe (58).

Therefore, when the Peltier element (57) attached to the cooling heat exchanger (23) is energized, the heat absorption side of the Peltier element (57) absorbs heat. This heat absorption cools the secondary refrigerant flowing through the cooling heat exchanger (23). On the other hand, the heat generation side of the Peltier element (57) generates heat. The other end of the heat pipe (58) is heated by this heat generation. By this heating, the evaporable liquid filled in the heat pipe (58) evaporates on the other end side. Due to this evaporation, convection occurs in the evaporative liquid, and the heat pipe (58)
Condenses at one end. Due to this condensation, one end of the heat pipe (58) radiates heat. That is, the heat given to the other end of the heat pipe (58) conducts heat to one end and gives heat to the heating heat exchanger (22) at one end. Thereby, the secondary refrigerant is heated.

By the heating and cooling of the secondary refrigerant, a pressure difference is generated in the secondary refrigerant circuit (3), and a circulation driving force is applied to the secondary refrigerant.

-Effects of Sixth Embodiment- According to the sixth embodiment, the following effects are exhibited. Since the heat pipe (58) is used, it is not necessary to arrange the heating heat exchanger (22) and the cooling heat exchanger (23) close to each other, so that the degree of freedom of arrangement can be ensured.

Other configurations, functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.
Is the same as

<Embodiment 7> In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a liquid pump (59) is provided as means for transporting a secondary refrigerant.

The secondary-side refrigerant circuit (3) includes a liquid pump (5
9), an indoor four-way switching valve (14), and an indoor expansion valve (1).
5), the indoor heat exchanger (16), and the refrigerant heat exchanger (1).
1) are sequentially connected by piping. Although not shown, the configuration of the primary-side refrigerant circuit (2) is the same as the configuration in the first embodiment.

The indoor four-way switching valve (14) has a state in which the discharge side of the liquid pump (59) communicates with the indoor expansion valve (15) and the suction side communicates with the refrigerant heat exchanger (11). The discharge side of the liquid pump (59) is connected to the refrigerant heat exchanger (1).
The state in which the suction side communicates with the indoor expansion valve (15) can be switched to 1).

Since the circulation operation of the secondary refrigerant is the same as the circulation operation of the main circuit (12) in the first embodiment, the description is omitted.

-Effects of Embodiment 7- According to Embodiment 7, the following effects are exhibited. Since the liquid pump (59) is used, the configuration can be simplified.

Other structures, operations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.
Is the same as

<Eighth Embodiment of the Invention> In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, a transfer compressor (60) as a gas pump is provided as a means for transferring a secondary refrigerant.

The secondary refrigerant circuit (3) is provided with a transfer compressor (6).
0), the indoor four-way switching valve (14), and the refrigerant heat exchanger (1).
1), an indoor expansion valve (15), and an indoor heat exchanger (16)
And are sequentially connected by piping. 1 not shown
The configuration of the secondary refrigerant circuit (2) is the same as the configuration in the first embodiment.

The indoor four-way switching valve (14) communicates the discharge side of the transport compressor (60) with the indoor expansion valve (15) and the suction side with the refrigerant heat exchanger (11). And a state in which the discharge side of the transfer compressor (60) communicates with the refrigerant heat exchanger (11) and the suction side communicates with the indoor expansion valve (15).

The operation of circulating the primary refrigerant in the primary refrigerant circuit (2) is the same as the operation in the first embodiment, and therefore, the operation of circulating the secondary refrigerant in the secondary refrigerant circuit will be described here.

In the cooling operation, the indoor four-way switching valve (14)
Is switched to the solid line side in FIG. 9, and after the secondary refrigerant discharged from the transfer compressor (60) passes through the indoor four-way switching valve (14), the primary refrigerant in the refrigerant heat exchanger (11) To cool and condense. And this condensed 2
The next refrigerant is decompressed by the indoor expansion valve (15), and cools and evaporates indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger (16). Then, 2 evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger (16)
After the next refrigerant passes through the indoor four-way switching valve (14), it returns to the transport compressor (60).

During the heating operation, the indoor four-way switching valve (14)
Is switched to the dashed line in FIG. 9 and the secondary refrigerant discharged from the transfer compressor (60) passes through the indoor four-way switching valve (14), and then heats the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger (16). And condense. Then, the condensed secondary refrigerant is decompressed by the indoor expansion valve (15), and the refrigerant heat exchanger (1)
In 1), the heat is given by the primary refrigerant to evaporate. The evaporated secondary refrigerant passes through the indoor four-way switching valve (14) and returns to the transport compressor (60).

-Effects of Embodiment 8- According to Embodiment 8, the following effects are exhibited. Since the transfer compressor (60), which is a gas pump, is used, the configuration can be simplified.

Other structures, operations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.
Is the same as

<Ninth Embodiment of the Invention> In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, a multi-type secondary refrigerant circuit (3) is provided. That is, some of the secondary refrigerant circuits (3) include a plurality of (two in this embodiment) indoor units (6) connected in parallel to one heat exchange unit (5). ing. On the other hand, another secondary-side refrigerant circuit (3) includes one indoor unit (6).

-Effects of Ninth Embodiment- According to the ninth embodiment, the following effects are exhibited. Since the number of refrigerant heat exchangers (11) can be reduced, the number of parts can be reduced.

Other structures, operations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.
Is the same as

<Tenth Embodiment of the Invention>
As shown in FIG. 11, the primary refrigerant circuit (2) includes an indoor unit (6). That is, the primary refrigerant circuit (2) includes an outdoor unit (4), an indoor unit (6) connected in parallel with each other, and a heat exchange unit (5) connected in parallel with the indoor unit (6). ).

-Effects of Tenth Embodiment- According to the tenth embodiment, the following effects are exhibited. Since the number of refrigerant heat exchangers (11) can be reduced, the number of parts can be reduced.

Other structures, functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.
Is the same as

<Eleventh Embodiment of the Invention>
As shown in FIG. 12, a liquid drive circuit (61) is provided in the secondary refrigerant circuit (3). That is, the secondary refrigerant circuit (3) includes a main circuit (12) and a liquid drive circuit (61) connected to the main circuit (12). The liquid drive circuit (61) constitutes a means for transporting a secondary refrigerant comprising a liquid drive pump.

The liquid drive circuit (61) includes a first tank (20) as tank means, a second tank (21) as tank means, and an indoor compressor (62) as pressurizing and depressurizing means. ing. The liquid drive circuit (61) communicates the indoor compressor (62) with each of the tanks (20, 21) to alternately pressurize and depressurize the inside of each of the tanks (20, 21). It is configured to provide a circulation driving force to the next refrigerant.

The discharge side of the indoor compressor (62) is connected to a first tank (20) and a second tank (21) via a gas supply pipe (30). One end of the gas supply pipe (30) is connected to the discharge side of the indoor compressor (62), and the other end is branched into two branch pipes (30a, 30b). One branch pipe (30a) of the gas supply pipe (30) is connected to the upper end of the first tank (20), and the other branch pipe (30b).
Is connected to the upper end of the second tank (21). A first tank pressurizing solenoid valve (31) is provided on one branch pipe (30a) of the gas supply pipe (30), and a second tank pressurizing solenoid valve (32) is provided on the other branch pipe (30b). ) Is provided.

The suction side of the indoor compressor (62) is connected to a first tank (20) and a second tank (21) via a gas recovery pipe (34). One end of the gas recovery pipe (34) is connected to the suction side of the indoor compressor (62), and the other end is branched into two branch pipes (34a, 34b). One branch pipe (34a) of the gas recovery pipe (34) is connected to the upper end of the first tank (20), and the other branch pipe (34).
b) is connected to the upper end of the second tank (21).
A first tank pressure reducing solenoid valve (35) is provided on one branch pipe (34a) of the gas recovery pipe (34), and a second tank pressure reducing solenoid valve (36) is provided on the other branch pipe (34b). Is provided.

First tank (20) and second tank (21)
Is connected to a suction liquid pipe (24) and a discharge liquid pipe (25), respectively.

One end of the suction liquid pipe (24) is connected to the indoor four-way switching valve (14), and the other end is connected to two branch pipes (2).
4a, 24b). The suction liquid pipe (2
4), one branch pipe (24a) communicates with the lower end of the first tank (20), and the other branch pipe (24b) communicates with the lower end of the second tank (21). Inhalation liquid piping (2
4) Each branch pipe (24a, 24b) has a tank (2
0, 21), which allows only the flow of refrigerant into the check valve (2).
6) are provided one by one.

One end of the discharge liquid pipe (25) is branched into two branch pipes (25a, 25b), and the other end is connected to the indoor four-way switching valve (14). The discharge liquid pipe (2
One branch pipe (25a) of 5) communicates with the lower end of the first tank (20), and the other branch pipe (25b) communicates with the lower end of the second tank (21). Discharge liquid piping (2
5) Each branch pipe (25a, 25b) has a tank (2
Check valve (2) that allows only the outflow of refrigerant from
7) are provided one by one.

-Operating operation- The refrigerant circulating operation in the liquid drive circuit (61) will be described. While the first state and the second state described below are sequentially switched and repeated, the secondary refrigerant flows through the discharge liquid pipe (25) and is continuously discharged from the liquid drive circuit (61), The liquid flows through the suction liquid pipe (24) and is sucked into the liquid drive circuit (61).

In the first state, the first tank pressurizing solenoid valve (31) and the second tank depressurizing solenoid valve (36) are set to the open state, while the second tank pressurizing solenoid valve (32) and the second tank pressurizing solenoid valve (36) are set to the open state. The one tank pressure reducing solenoid valve (35) is set to a closed state. As a result, the secondary refrigerant discharged from the indoor compressor (62) pressurizes the inside of the first tank (20) from above, and the liquid refrigerant in the first tank (20) is pushed downward, and the liquid drive circuit ( 61). On the other hand, since the pressure in the second tank (21) is reduced by suction by the indoor compressor (62), the secondary refrigerant circulating in the main circuit (12) is collected in the second tank (21).

Thereafter, when the secondary refrigerant in the first tank (20) decreases and the secondary refrigerant in the second tank (21) increases, the state is switched to the second state.

In the second state, the first tank pressurizing solenoid valve (3
1) and the second tank pressure reducing solenoid valve (36) are set to the closed state, while the second tank pressurizing solenoid valve (32) and the first tank pressure reducing solenoid valve (35) are set to the open state. Thereby, the secondary refrigerant discharged from the indoor compressor (62) pressurizes the inside of the second tank (21) from above, and the second tank (2)
The liquid refrigerant in 1) is pushed downward, and the liquid drive circuit (6)
Discharged from 1). On the other hand, since the pressure inside the first tank (20) is reduced by suction by the indoor compressor (62), the secondary refrigerant circulated through the main circuit (12) is collected in the first tank (20).

As described above, by repeating the first state and the second state, a circulation driving force is applied to the secondary refrigerant, and the secondary refrigerant continuously circulates in the secondary refrigerant circuit (3).

-Effects of Eleventh Embodiment- According to the eleventh embodiment, the following effects are exhibited.

A liquid refrigerant having the same volume as the gas refrigerant discharged from the pressurizing / depressurizing means (62) can be discharged from the tank means (20, 21) and circulated in the secondary refrigerant circuit. That is, when the secondary refrigerant is circulated using the gas pump as the transport means, the gas pump needs to discharge the gas refrigerant having the same mass as the liquid refrigerant. Therefore, the pressurizing / depressurizing means (62) can reduce the discharge mass to about 1/10 as compared with the case where the gas refrigerant is discharged using the gas pump as the transport means. As a result, the pressure increasing and reducing means (6
2) can be reduced in size as compared with a gas pump, and power consumption can be suppressed.

Other structures, operations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.
Is the same as

<Other Embodiments of the Invention>
The first embodiment may have the following configuration.

The air conditioner (1) according to the present invention is not applied to a multi-type air conditioner but also to a so-called pair type air conditioner having one outdoor unit and one indoor unit. May be.

On the other hand, in the case of the multi-type, all 2
The secondary refrigerant circuit (3) may include a plurality of indoor heat exchangers (16).

Further, water or water mixed with a heat storage material may be used as the primary refrigerant. In this case, for example, a liquid pump is used as the transport means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner in which a secondary-side refrigerant circuit includes one indoor unit.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner in which a secondary refrigerant circuit includes a heat drive circuit.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a secondary refrigerant circuit in which a heating and cooling heat exchanger is connected to a driving refrigeration circuit.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner that uses a primary refrigerant as a heat source of a heating and cooling heat exchanger during a cooling operation.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner that uses a primary refrigerant as a heat source of a heating and cooling heat exchanger during a cooling and heating operation.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a secondary refrigerant circuit in which a heating and cooling heat exchanger includes a Peltier element.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a secondary refrigerant circuit in which the heating heat exchanger includes a heat pipe, the cooling heat exchanger includes a Peltier element, and the heat pipe and the Peltier element are connected.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a secondary refrigerant circuit in which the secondary refrigerant circuit includes a liquid pump.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a secondary refrigerant circuit in which the secondary refrigerant circuit includes a gas pump.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner in which a secondary-side refrigerant circuit includes a plurality of indoor units.

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner in which a primary-side refrigerant circuit includes an indoor unit.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a secondary refrigerant circuit in which the secondary refrigerant circuit includes a liquid drive circuit.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a conventional air conditioner.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (2) Primary refrigerant circuit (3) Secondary refrigerant circuit (11) Refrigerant heat exchanger (13) Heat drive circuit (16) Indoor heat exchanger (20) First tank means (21) Second tank means ( 22) Heating heat exchanger (23) Cooling heat exchanger (38) Driving refrigeration circuit (56) Peltier element (57) Peltier element (58) Heat pipe (59) Liquid pump (60) Transport compressor (61) Liquid Drive circuit (62) Indoor compressor

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Osamu Tanaka, Inventor 1304, Kanaokacho, Sakai City, Osaka Daikin Industries, Ltd. Inside the Kanaoka Plant of Sakai Seisakusho Co., Ltd. (72) Ryusuke Fujiyoshi 1304, Kanaokacho, Sakai City, Osaka Daikin Industries, Ltd. Sakai Plant Kanaoka Factory

Claims (15)

[Claims] A primary refrigerant circuit for circulating a primary refrigerant (2).
And an indoor heat exchanger (16) installed in the room, and a means for transporting the secondary refrigerant, and
A secondary refrigerant circuit (3) through which the secondary refrigerant circulates, and a primary refrigerant of the primary refrigerant circuit (2) and a secondary refrigerant of the secondary refrigerant circuit (3), which are installed near the room and heat the refrigerant. An air conditioner including a refrigerant heat exchanger (11) to be exchanged. 2. The indoor-side heat exchanger (16) according to claim 1, wherein the secondary-side refrigerant circuit (3) comprises one indoor heat exchanger (16).
Air conditioner equipped with. 3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the secondary refrigerant circuit (3) includes a plurality of indoor heat exchangers (16) connected in parallel with each other. 4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the primary refrigerant circuit (2) includes an indoor heat exchanger (16) installed indoors. 5. An air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the transport means is a liquid pump (59). 6. An air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the conveying means is a gas pump (60). 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the conveying means includes two tank means (2) for storing a secondary refrigerant.
0, 21) and a gas refrigerant is discharged to the tank means (20, 21) to pressurize the tank.
0, 21) and a pressure reducing means (62) for depressurizing the tank by sucking the gas refrigerant, and the tank means (20, 21) pressurized by the pressure reducing means (62) converts the secondary refrigerant. An air conditioner in which the tank means (20, 21) which is discharged while being decompressed by the pressurizing / depressurizing means (62) is constituted by a liquid drive pump (61) for sucking a secondary refrigerant. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the conveying means includes a heater (22) for heating the secondary refrigerant.
An air conditioner that is a heat-driven pump (13) that includes a cooler (23) that cools the secondary refrigerant and that circulates the secondary refrigerant by discharging the secondary refrigerant by heating and sucking the secondary refrigerant by cooling. . 9. The primary refrigerant circuit (2) according to claim 8, wherein the heater (22) is used for cooling operation.
In the heating heat exchanger (22) that heats the secondary refrigerant with the high-pressure primary refrigerant in the above, the cooler (23) operates during the cooling operation by the primary refrigerant circuit (2).
An air conditioner configured in a cooling heat exchanger (23) for cooling a secondary refrigerant by evaporating a liquid-phase primary refrigerant in (1). 10. A heating heat exchanger (22) according to claim 8, wherein the heater (22) heats the secondary refrigerant by the high-pressure primary refrigerant in the primary refrigerant circuit (2) during the cooling / heating operation. On the other hand, the air conditioner is configured as a cooling heat exchanger (23) that cools the secondary refrigerant by evaporating the liquid-phase primary refrigerant in the primary refrigerant circuit (2) during the cooling / heating operation. . 11. The heater (22) according to claim 8, wherein the heater (22) is configured as a heating heat exchanger (22) for heating the secondary refrigerant by the heat generated by the thermoelectric machine (56), while the cooler (23). An air conditioner comprising a cooling heat exchanger (23) for cooling a secondary refrigerant by absorbing heat of a thermoelectric machine (57). 12. The air conditioner according to claim 11, wherein heating of the heating heat exchanger and cooling of the cooling heat exchanger are performed by one thermoelectric machine. 13. The heat exchanger (22) according to claim 8, wherein the heater (22) is configured as a heating heat exchanger (22) including a heat pipe (58), while the cooler (23) cools the secondary refrigerant. Thermoelectric machine (5
An air conditioner configured as a cooling heat exchanger (23) including 7), wherein the heat pipe (58) is connected to the thermoelectric machine (57). 14. The refrigeration circuit according to claim 8, wherein the conveying means includes a driving refrigeration circuit (38), and the heater (22) converts the secondary refrigerant by condensing the driving refrigerant in the driving refrigeration circuit (38). The cooling heat exchanger (23) is configured as a heating heat exchanger (22) for heating, while the cooler (23) cools the secondary refrigerant by evaporating the driving refrigerant in the driving refrigeration circuit (38). The air conditioner that is configured in. 15. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the secondary refrigerant in the secondary refrigerant circuit (3) is a heat medium made of water or a heat medium in which a heat storage material is mixed with water.