JP2005345100A - Branching method of connecting pipe - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make size compactification in the vicinity of a branch part of a branching joint compatible with prevention of drift flow in the branch part, in a branching method for a connecting pipe for distributing a refrigerant to a plurality of outdoor units. <P>SOLUTION: The following branching joint 181 is used in this branching method for the connecting pipe for distributing the refrigerant to the plurality of outdoor units 2, in an air conditioner 1 provided with the plurality of outdoor units 2. The branching joint 181 is provided with a substantially Y-shaped tubular branching part 182, the first branch nozzle 183, the second branch nozzle 184, and the first split tube 186. One end part of the first split tube 186 is a tube member connected to a tip part of the first branch nozzle 183 in execution of piping. The first branch nozzle 183 and the second branch nozzle 184 are arranged to bring a space between the most second-branch-nozzle-184-sided portion in the tip part of the first branch nozzle 183, and a portion nearest to the tip part of the first branch nozzle in the second branch nozzle 184, into 40mm or less. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a connecting pipe branching method, and more particularly to a connecting pipe branching method for distributing a refrigerant to a plurality of outdoor units in an air conditioner including a plurality of outdoor units.

  Conventionally, there is a so-called separate type air conditioner configured by connecting an outdoor unit and an indoor unit via a communication pipe such as a gas refrigerant communication pipe or a liquid refrigerant communication pipe. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of indoor units 3 (four in FIG. 1) are installed as such an air conditioner 1, and refrigerant can be distributed from the communication pipe 4 to each indoor unit 3. In addition to branching the connecting pipe 4 and installing a plurality of outdoor units 2 (three in FIG. 1), the connecting pipe 4 (in FIG. 1, gas is used to distribute refrigerant to each outdoor unit 2). Some have branched refrigerant communication pipe 5 and liquid refrigerant communication pipe 6).

  Next, regarding the branching structure of the communication pipe 4 for distributing the refrigerant to the plurality of outdoor units 2 and the plurality of indoor units 3, for example, the gas refrigerant communication pipe 5 for distributing the gas refrigerant to the plurality of outdoor units 2. Will be described. The gas refrigerant communication pipe 5 is mainly connected to the merging communication pipe 51 between the indoor unit 3 and the plurality of outdoor units 2 and to the merging communication pipe 51 according to the number of the outdoor units 2 to flow the refrigerant. A plurality (two in FIG. 1) of branch pipe joints 52 that are distributed into two flows, branch connection pipes 53 that connect between the branch pipe joints 52 as required, and each branch pipe joint 52 It is comprised from the unit branch piping 54 which connects the connection port 21 of each outdoor unit 2. FIG. In such a gas refrigerant communication pipe 5, the branch pipe joint 52 is connected to the merge connection pipe 51 by brazing or the like, the unit branch pipe 54 is connected to the connection port 21 of each outdoor unit 2, and the branch connection pipe 53 is connected. Piping is performed by connecting to each branch pipe joint 52 by brazing or the like. As for the branch structure of the gas refrigerant communication pipe 5 for distributing the gas refrigerant to the plurality of indoor units 3, the branch pipe joint 55, the branch connection pipe 56 and the unit branch pipe 57 are joined and communicated in the same manner as described above. It is configured by being connected to the pipe 51. Further, the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 6 also has a branch structure including branch pipe joints 62 and 65, similarly to the gas refrigerant communication pipe 5.

And as a branch pipe joint (in FIG. 1, the branch pipe joints 52 and 55 of the gas refrigerant connection pipe 5) used for such a branch of the connection pipe, the Y-shaped branch shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. There are a pipe 81 and a T-shaped branch pipe 91.
The Y-shaped branch pipe 81 mainly includes a Y-shaped branch portion 82, and a first branch nozzle portion 83 and a second branch nozzle portion 84 connected to the Y-shape branch portion 82. The Y-shaped branch portion 82 is a substantially Y-shaped member, and an inlet pipe portion through which a refrigerant flowing from the junction connection pipe or the branch connection pipe (corresponding to the junction connection pipe 51 or the branch connection pipe 53 in FIG. 1) flows. 82a and the flow direction of the refrigerant flowing through the inlet pipe portion 82a (hereinafter referred to as the first direction A) and substantially symmetric with respect to the center line OO of the inlet pipe portion 82a along the first direction A It has the 1st exit pipe part 82b and the 2nd exit pipe part 82c which a refrigerant | coolant flows toward a direction. The first branch nozzle part 83 is a pipe member that is connected to the first outlet pipe part 82b and extends along the first direction A after extending away from the second branch nozzle part 84. A first different-diameter pipe connecting portion 83a whose pipe diameter changes stepwise is formed so that the diameter pipe can be connected. The second branch nozzle part 84 is a pipe member that extends substantially straight along the first direction A connected to the second outlet pipe part 82c. Like the first branch nozzle part 83, the pipe diameter is at the tip thereof. A second different-diameter pipe connecting portion 84a that changes stepwise is formed. Here, the first different diameter pipe connection portion 83a is cut using a pipe cutter, so that the first branch nozzle portion 83 is adapted to the pipe diameter of the unit branch pipe (corresponding to the unit branch pipe 54 in FIG. 1). Therefore, even when the unit branch pipe connected to the first branch nozzle portion 83 is a different diameter pipe, connection by brazing or the like is enabled. Similarly to the first different diameter pipe connection portion 83a, the second different diameter pipe connection portion 84a is cut using a pipe cutter so that the second branch nozzle portion 84 has a pipe diameter of the branch connection pipe or the unit branch pipe. Therefore, even when the branch connection pipe or the unit branch pipe connected to the second branch nozzle portion 84 is a different diameter pipe, the connection by brazing or the like is enabled. The first different diameter pipe connection portion 83a and the second different diameter pipe connection portion 84a are arranged in the first direction after the first branch nozzle portion 83 extends away from the first branch nozzle portion 84 as described above. By making the shape extending along A, an interval that can secure a space for performing a cutting operation by a pipe cutter (in FIG. 1, the portion closest to the second branch nozzle portion 84 and the second portion of the first different diameter pipe connecting portion 83a) The branch nozzle portion 84 is disposed with a gap (corresponding to a distance S between the first branch nozzle portion 83 and the portion closest to the first different diameter pipe connecting portion 83a).

The T-shaped branch pipe 91 mainly includes a T-shaped branch portion 92, and a first branch nozzle portion 93 and a second branch nozzle portion 94 connected to the T-shape branch portion 92. The T-shaped branch portion 92 is a substantially T-shaped member, and an inlet pipe portion 92a through which a refrigerant flowing from the junction connection pipe or the branch connection pipe (corresponding to the junction connection pipe 51 or the branch connection pipe 53 in FIG. 1) flows. And a first outlet pipe portion 92b in which the refrigerant flows in a direction substantially perpendicular to a flow direction of the refrigerant flowing through the inlet pipe portion 92a (hereinafter referred to as a first direction A), and a direction along the first direction A. And a second outlet pipe portion 92c through which the refrigerant flows. The first branch nozzle part 93 is a pipe member that is connected to the first outlet pipe part 92b and extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction A, and a pipe diameter that changes in a stepwise manner at the tip thereof. A different diameter pipe connecting portion 93a is formed. The second branch nozzle part 94 is a pipe member that extends substantially straight along the first direction A connected to the second outlet pipe part 92c. Like the first branch nozzle part 93, the pipe diameter is at the tip thereof. A second different diameter pipe connecting portion 94a that changes stepwise is formed. Here, the first different diameter pipe connection portion 83a is cut using a pipe cutter, so that the first branch nozzle portion 83 is adapted to the pipe diameter of the unit branch pipe (corresponding to the unit branch pipe 54 in FIG. 1). Therefore, even when the unit branch pipe connected to the first branch nozzle portion 83 is a different diameter pipe, connection by brazing or the like is enabled. Similarly to the first different diameter pipe connection portion 83a, the second different diameter pipe connection portion 84a is cut using a pipe cutter so that the second branch nozzle portion 84 has a pipe diameter of the branch connection pipe or the unit branch pipe. Therefore, even when the branch connection pipe or the unit branch pipe connected to the second branch nozzle portion 84 is a different diameter pipe, the connection by brazing or the like is enabled. The first different diameter pipe connection portion 83a and the second different diameter pipe connection portion 84a are formed by a pipe cutter because the first branch nozzle portion 83 and the second branch nozzle portion 84 extend in directions orthogonal to each other. Space for cutting work is secured.
'98 Cold Handbook Air Conditioning, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

  When the above-mentioned former Y-shaped branch pipe 81 is used as a branch pipe joint, the Y-shaped branch pipe 81 is usually arranged so that the Y-shaped branch section 82 faces in the horizontal direction and the first branch nozzle section 83 and the second It arrange | positions so that the branch nozzle part 84 may become the same height position (henceforth a horizontal branch arrangement | positioning). Thereby, the refrigerant flowing into the Y-shaped branch pipe 81 from the junction connecting pipe or the branch connecting pipe has a height difference in the Y-shaped branch portion 82 in a direction substantially symmetric with respect to the center line OO of the inlet pipe portion 82a. It is difficult to drift because it is branched. However, since the Y-shaped branch pipe 81 has a shape extending along the first direction A after the first branch nozzle section 83 extends away from the second branch nozzle section 84, the inlet pipe of the Y-shaped branch section 82 is used. It is necessary to attach the heat insulating material 85 over a portion extending from the portion 82a in the first direction A so that the first branch nozzle portion 83 of the first and second branch nozzle portions 83 and 84 is away from the second branch nozzle portion 84. (See FIG. 2), there is a problem that the size near the branch pipe joint cannot be made compact. In addition, there is a problem that it takes time to finish finishing (hereinafter referred to as racking) by winding a tape around the outer periphery of the heat insulating material or attaching a decorative cover after attaching the heat insulating material to the communication pipe.

  Further, when the Y-shaped branch pipe 81 is used as a branch joint, for example, when the outdoor unit is installed on a gantry, the Y-shaped branch pipe 81 is located below the connection port of the outdoor unit. May be placed. In such a case, since the refrigerant pipe such as a unit branch pipe connected to the first branch nozzle portion 83 must be arranged to rise upward, the horizontal branch arrangement as described above, Plumbing is performed so that the Y-shaped branch pipe 81 is arranged so that the Y-shaped branch portion 82 faces in the horizontal direction and the first branch nozzle portion 83 is above the second branch nozzle portion 84. It is desirable. However, when the Y-shaped branch pipe 81 is arranged in this way, when a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant or a gas refrigerant accompanied by refrigerating machine oil flows in the communication pipe, a large amount of liquid refrigerant or A drift that causes the refrigerating machine oil to flow occurs. For this reason, when using the Y-shaped branch pipe 81 as a joint for branching, in order to maintain a horizontal branch arrangement | positioning, there also exists a problem that the restrictions at the time of piping construction increase.

  On the other hand, when the latter T-shaped branch pipe 91 is used as a branch pipe joint, the portions to which the heat insulating material 95 is attached are first and second from the inlet pipe portion 92a of the T-shaped branch portion 92 toward the first direction A. Since it may be up to the first and second outlet pipe portions 92b and 92c of the branch nozzle portions 93 and 94 (see FIG. 3), the size near the branch pipe joint is made smaller than when the Y-shaped branch pipe 81 is used. Can be made compact. However, the T-shaped branch pipe 91 has a horizontal branch arrangement similar to the case where the Y-shaped branch pipe 81 is used, that is, the T-shaped branch pipe 91 is arranged so that the T-shaped branch portion 92 faces in the horizontal direction. And even if the 1st branch nozzle part 93 and the 2nd branch nozzle part 94 arrange | position in the same height position, the refrigerant | coolant which flows in into the T-shaped branch pipe 91 from a junction connection pipe or a branch connection pipe is the inlet pipe part 82a. However, the T-shaped branch portion 92 is not branched in a symmetric direction with respect to the center line OO of the inlet pipe portion 92a. There is a problem that drift is likely to occur.

Thus, regardless of which of the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81 or the T-shaped branch pipe 91 described above is used as the branch pipe joint, both the size reduction in the vicinity of the branch portion and the prevention of the drift in the branch portion are achieved. I can't.
An object of the present invention is to achieve both compactness of the size near the branch portion of the branch pipe joint and prevention of drift in the branch portion in the branching method of the connecting pipe for distributing the refrigerant to the plurality of outdoor units. is there.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a branching method for connecting pipes, comprising: one or more indoor units, a plurality of outdoor units, and a merging connecting pipe as a main pipe extending from the indoor units toward the plurality of outdoor units. The branching method of the connecting pipe for distributing the refrigerant from the merging connecting pipe to the plurality of outdoor units, using the following branch fittings.
The branch pipe joint is a branch pipe joint for distributing the refrigerant flowing in the main pipe into two flows, and has a substantially Y-shaped branch portion, a first branch nozzle portion, and a second branch nozzle portion. And a first divided pipe. The branching portion is substantially parallel to the inlet pipe portion through which the refrigerant flowing in from the main pipe flows, and the first line that is the flow direction of the refrigerant flowing through the inlet pipe portion, and substantially along the center line of the inlet pipe portion along the first direction. It has the 1st exit pipe part and the 2nd exit pipe part which a refrigerant flows toward a symmetrical direction. The first branch nozzle part is connected to the first outlet pipe part and extends along the first direction. The second branch nozzle part is connected to the second outlet pipe part and extends along the first direction. The first divided pipe is a pipe member whose one end is connected to the tip of the first branch nozzle part at the time of piping construction, and the other end is in the first direction while being connected to the first branch nozzle part. It turns to face the crossing direction. The first branch nozzle part and the second branch nozzle part are closest to the tip part of the first branch nozzle part and the tip part of the second branch nozzle part closest to the tip part of the first branch nozzle part. It arrange | positions so that the space | interval with a part may be 40 mm or less.

  And in this branching method of connecting piping, it arrange | positions so that it may become horizontal branch arrangement | positioning so that a branch part may face a horizontal direction, and a 1st branch nozzle part and a 2nd branch nozzle part are the same height positions. In this state, the branch pipe joint excluding the first divided pipe is connected to the junction connecting pipe according to the number of the plurality of outdoor units. Then, according to the relative height position of the merging communication pipe and the connection port of the outdoor unit, the height position of the other end of the first split pipe with respect to the first branch nozzle part is changed, and the first split pipe is changed to the first split pipe. Connect to one branch nozzle.

  The branch pipe joint used in the present invention includes a branch portion having a substantially Y-shape similar to that of the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe, but unlike the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe, the first branch nozzle is used during piping construction. It has the structure which can connect a 1st division pipe to the front-end | tip part of a part. For this reason, unlike the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe, this branch pipe joint does not have the first different diameter pipe connecting portion formed at the tip of the first branch nozzle portion, and the first branch using a pipe cutter. Since it is not necessary to secure a space for cutting the tip of the nozzle portion, the distance between the first branch nozzle portion and the second branch nozzle portion (that is, connection of the first branch nozzle portion to the first divided pipe) The distance between the portion closest to the second branch nozzle portion and the portion closest to the first branch nozzle portion of the second branch nozzle portion) is 40 mm or less. Thereby, in this pipe joint for branch, compared with the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe, the size near the branch pipe is compact.

  In addition, in this branch pipe joint, the first split pipe is bent so that the other end portion is in a direction crossing the first direction in a state of being connected to the first branch nozzle portion. Even when the refrigerant pipes connected to the one branch nozzle part are arranged so as to rise upward, the horizontal branch arrangement of the branch part can be maintained. Thereby, in this branch pipe joint, the drift of the refrigerant | coolant in a branch part can be prevented.

  That is, in this branching method for connecting pipes, since such a branch pipe joint is used, it is possible to achieve both compactness of the size in the vicinity of the branch part of the branch pipe joint and prevention of drift in the branch part. .

  As described in the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to achieve both the size reduction in the vicinity of the branch portion of the branch pipe joint and the prevention of the drift in the branch portion.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a branching method for connecting pipes of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.
(1) Structure of branch pipe joint FIG. 4 is a view showing the structure of a branch pipe joint 181 used in the branching method for connecting pipes of the present invention.
The branch pipe joint 181 includes a substantially Y-shaped branch portion 182, a first branch nozzle portion 183, a second branch nozzle portion 184, and a first divided tube 186.

  The branching part 182 is a part having the same shape as the branching part 82 (see FIG. 2) of the conventional Y-shaped branching pipe 81, and is a main pipe (for example, the joining connecting pipe 51 of the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 5 shown in FIG. 1). The inlet pipe 182a through which the refrigerant flowing in from the branch connecting pipe 53) flows, and the inlet pipe along the first direction A along the first direction A which is the flow direction of the refrigerant flowing through the inlet pipe 182a. It has the 1st exit pipe part 182b and the 2nd exit pipe part 182c into which a refrigerant | coolant flows toward the direction substantially symmetrical with respect to the centerline OO of 182a.

  The first branch nozzle part 183 is connected to the first outlet pipe part 182b, and extends substantially straight along the first direction A. In addition, the first flare nozzle 183 is formed with a first flare portion 183a that is expanded so that one end of the first split tube 186 can be inserted at the tip of the first branch nozzle portion 183. No first different-diameter pipe connecting portion such as the first branch nozzle portion 83 (see FIG. 2) 81 is formed.

  The second branch nozzle part 184 is connected to the second outlet pipe part 182c and extends substantially straight along the first direction A. A second different-diameter pipe connection part 184a whose pipe diameter changes stepwise is formed at the tip of the second branch nozzle part 184. And the 2nd different diameter pipe connection part 184a protrudes in the 1st direction A side rather than the front-end | tip part (specifically 1st flare part 183a) of the 1st branch nozzle part 183. Thereby, the space which performs the cutting | disconnection operation | work by a pipe cutter is ensured around the 2nd different diameter pipe connection part 184a. As described above, the second branch nozzle portion 184 has the same shape as the second branch nozzle portion 84 (see FIG. 2) of the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81.

  In the branch pipe joint 181 of this embodiment, unlike the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81 (see FIG. 2), the first branch nozzle is used around the tip of the first branch nozzle part 183 using a pipe cutter. Since it is not necessary to secure a space for performing the operation of cutting the tip of the portion 183, the interval S between the first branch nozzle portion 183 and the second branch nozzle portion 184 (that is, the first flare of the first branch nozzle portion 183). The distance between the portion of the portion 183a closest to the second branch nozzle portion 184 and the portion of the second branch nozzle portion 184 closest to the first flare portion 183a of the first branch nozzle portion 183 is set to a small interval of 40 mm or less. Can be done. Thereby, in the branch pipe joint 181 of this embodiment, compared with the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81 (see FIG. 2), the size in the vicinity of the branch portion 182 is compact, and the branch pipe joint 181 is insulated. When attaching the material 185, the size of the heat insulating material 185 can be reduced, and labor can be reduced when racking the outer periphery of the heat insulating material 185.

  The first divided pipe 186 is a pipe member whose one end is connected to the distal end of the first branch nozzle part 183 during pipe construction. In the present embodiment, the first divided pipe 186 moves the first divided pipe 186 closer to the first flare part 183a of the first branch nozzle part 183 from the direction of the arrow B as shown in FIG. Inserted and connected to the first flare portion 183a of the first branch nozzle portion 183 by brazing. Here, of the tip of the first branch nozzle part 183 (specifically, the first flare part 183a), the part closest to the second branch nozzle part 184 and the most first flare part 183a of the second branch nozzle part 184 are provided. The distance from the portion close to is ensured to be 7 mm or more. Thereby, the operation | work which connects the 1st division pipe 186 to the 1st flare part 183a of the 1st branch nozzle part 183 by brazing can be performed easily. That is, in the branch pipe joint 181 of the present embodiment, the interval S between the first branch nozzle part 183 and the second branch nozzle part 184 is an operation for brazing and connecting the first divided pipe 186 to the first branch nozzle part 183. In order to make the size in the vicinity of the branching portion 182 compact while ensuring the workability, the dimension range of 7 mm or more and 40 mm or less is set.

  In addition, a first different-diameter pipe connecting portion 186a whose pipe diameter changes stepwise is formed at the other end of the first divided pipe 186. The first divided pipe 186 is connected to the first branch nozzle portion 183, and the other end intersects the first direction A (in this embodiment, the direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction A). It turns so that it faces. For this reason, even in a state where the first divided pipe 186 is connected to the first branch nozzle part 183, a space for performing the work of cutting the first different diameter pipe connecting part 186a of the first divided pipe 186 using a pipe cutter is secured. Furthermore, the space which performs the operation | work which cut | disconnects the 2nd different diameter pipe | tube connection part 184a of the 2nd branch nozzle part 184 using the pipe cutter is ensured. Thereby, workability | operativity at the time of piping construction is improving.

  In addition, the first divided pipe 186 is bent so that the other end thereof faces the direction intersecting the first direction A while being connected to the first branch nozzle portion 183. In the present embodiment, the first dividing pipe 186 is bent in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction A. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5 (viewed in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 4), the first different-diameter pipe connecting portion of the first divided pipe 186 is maintained in the state where the horizontal branching arrangement of the branching portion 182 is maintained at the time of piping construction. 186a can be connected to the first branch nozzle portion 183 so as to face various directions (for example, arrows D, E, F, etc. in FIG. 5), and the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81 ( As shown in FIG. 2), the problem that the restriction at the time of piping construction increases in order to maintain the horizontal branch arrangement is less likely to occur.

  As described above, the branch pipe joint 181 of the present embodiment includes the branch portion 182 having a substantially Y-shaped pipe similar to the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81 (see FIG. 2). Unlike the branch pipe 81, the first split pipe 186 can be connected to the tip of the first branch nozzle part 183 (specifically, the first flare part 183a) at the time of piping construction. For this reason, unlike the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81, this branch pipe joint 181 does not have the first different diameter pipe connection portion formed at the tip of the first branch nozzle portion 183, and uses a pipe cutter. Since there is no need to secure a space for cutting the tip of the first branch nozzle part 183, the interval S between the first branch nozzle part 183 and the second branch nozzle part 184 can be reduced. ing. Thereby, in this branch pipe joint 181, the size in the vicinity of the branch portion 182 is more compact than the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81.

  Moreover, in the branch pipe joint 181, the first divided pipe 186 is bent so that the other end faces the direction intersecting the first direction A in a state where the first split pipe 186 is connected to the first branch nozzle part 183. For example, even when the refrigerant pipe connected to the first branch nozzle part 183 is arranged to rise upward (see arrows E and F in FIG. 5), the horizontal branch arrangement of the branch part 182 is maintained. It is possible. Thereby, in this branch pipe joint 181, the drift of the refrigerant | coolant in the branch part 182 can be prevented.

  In other words, the branch pipe joint 181 has a structure in which the first split pipe 186 bent so as to face the direction intersecting the first direction A can be connected to the tip of the first branch nozzle part 183, and the first branch Since the distance S between the nozzle portion 183 and the second branch nozzle portion 184 is reduced, it is possible to achieve both a compact size near the branch portion 182 and prevention of drift in the branch portion 182.

(2) Branch structure of communication pipe for distributing refrigerant to a plurality of outdoor units Next, in the air conditioner 1 shown in FIG. 1, the connection pipe 4 for distributing the refrigerant to a plurality of outdoor units 2 An example in which the branch pipe joint 181 of the present embodiment is used for the branch structure will be described below.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a branch structure when the communication pipe 4 and the connection ports 21 and 22 of the outdoor unit 2 are at the same height position. In this case, the first split pipe 186 of the branch pipe joint 181 is such that the first different-diameter pipe connection portion 186a faces the outdoor unit 2 in the horizontal direction (that is, the direction of arrow D in FIG. 5). Are connected to the first branch nozzle portion 183 by brazing. And the 1st different diameter pipe connection part 186a was cut | disconnected using the pipe cutter so that the pipe diameter of the unit branch piping 54 extended in the horizontal direction connected to the connection ports 21 and 22 of the outdoor unit 2 might be adapted. Then, it is connected to the unit branch pipe 54 by brazing. On the other hand, the second branch nozzle portion 184 is cut using a pipe cutter so as to be adapted to the pipe diameters of the branch connection pipe 53 and the unit branch pipe 54, and then brazed to the branch connection pipe 53 and the unit branch pipe 54. Connected to. In the branch structure of the connecting pipe 4, the horizontal branch arrangement of the branch pipe joint 181 is maintained.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, when the connection pipe 4 and the connection ports 21 and 22 of the outdoor unit 2 are at different height positions (for example, the connection pipe 4 is more than the connection ports 21 and 22 of the outdoor unit 2). In the case of being arranged at a position lower by the height H), a branching structure of the connecting pipe 4 for distributing the refrigerant to the plurality of outdoor units 2 can be configured as follows. In this case, the first split pipe 186 of the branch pipe joint 181 has its first different-diameter pipe connecting portion 186a oriented vertically upward toward the outdoor unit 2 (that is, in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 5). In this way, the first branch nozzle portion 183 is brazed. The first different-diameter pipe connecting portion 186a is adapted to the pipe diameter of the unit branch pipe 54 that extends in the horizontal direction connected to the connection ports 21 and 22 of the outdoor unit 2 and then extends in the vertical downward direction. After being cut using a pipe cutter, it is connected to the unit branch pipe 54 by brazing. On the other hand, the second branch nozzle portion 184 is cut using a pipe cutter so as to be adapted to the pipe diameters of the branch connection pipe 53 and the unit branch pipe 54, and then brazed to the branch connection pipe 53 and the unit branch pipe 54. Connected to. Also in the branch structure of the connecting pipe 4, the horizontal branch arrangement of the branch pipe joint 181 is maintained.

  As described above, in the air conditioner 1, the branch portion 182 is used by using the branch pipe joint 181 of the present embodiment for the branch structure of the connection pipe 4 for distributing the refrigerant to the plurality of outdoor units 2. It is possible to achieve both compactness in the vicinity of the size and prevention of drift in the branching portion 182. Thereby, compared with the case where the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81 is used, after attaching the heat insulating material 185 to the connection piping 4, the effort at the time of performing a racking process can be reduced.

(3) Modification In the above-described branch pipe joint 181, as shown in FIG. 8, the tip of the second branch nozzle part 184 is a second flare similar to the first flare part 183a of the first branch nozzle part 183. A portion 184b may be formed, and a structure having a second divided pipe 187 having one end connected to the second flare portion 184b by brazing at the time of piping construction (see arrow G in FIG. 8). The second divided pipe 187 is a pipe member that extends along the first direction A in a state of being connected to the second branch nozzle part 184, and the second different diameter in which the pipe diameter changes stepwise at the other end part. A pipe connection portion 187a is formed. Further, since the second flare portion 184b of the second branch nozzle portion 184 protrudes further toward the first direction A side than the end portion of the first flare portion 183a of the first branch nozzle portion 183, the second flare portion 184b The workability of the work of brazing and connecting the second branch pipe 187 to the periphery of can be ensured.

  As described above, in the branch pipe joint 181 of the present modification, since the second divided pipe 187 extending along the first direction A can be connected to the distal end portion of the second branch nozzle portion 184, the branch portion 182 is provided. The size in the first direction A can be made compact.

  By utilizing the present invention, it is possible to achieve both a compact size near the branch portion of the branch pipe joint and prevention of drift in the branch portion.

It is a schematic block diagram of an air conditioning apparatus. It is an external view of the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe. It is an external view of the conventional T-shaped branch pipe. It is a figure which shows the structure of the pipe joint for branch used for the branch method of the connection piping of this invention. It is C arrow line view of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the branch structure of the connection piping for distributing a refrigerant | coolant to several outdoor units using the branch method of the connection piping of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the branch structure of the connection piping for distributing a refrigerant | coolant to the several outdoor unit using the branch method of the connection piping of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the pipe joint for branch concerning a modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air conditioning apparatus 2 Outdoor unit 3 Indoor unit 21, 22 Connection port 51, 53 Junction connection piping, branch connection piping (main pipe)
54 Unit branch pipe 181 Branch pipe joint 182 Branch part 182a Inlet pipe part 182b First outlet pipe part 182c Second outlet pipe part 183 First branch nozzle part 184 Second branch nozzle part 184a Second different diameter pipe connection part 186 First 1 division pipe 186a 1st different diameter pipe connection part 187 2nd division pipe 187a 2nd different diameter pipe connection part S space | interval

Claims (1)

An air conditioner comprising one or more indoor units (3), a plurality of outdoor units (2), and a merging communication pipe (51, 53) as a main pipe extending from the indoor units toward the plurality of outdoor units. In
The inlet pipe (182a) through which refrigerant flowing in from the main pipe flows, and the inlet pipe along the first direction (A) that is the flow direction of the refrigerant flowing through the inlet pipe and along the first direction A substantially Y-shaped branch portion having a first outlet pipe portion (182b) and a second outlet pipe portion (182c) through which the refrigerant flows in a direction substantially symmetric with respect to the center line (OO) of the portion ( 182),
A first branch nozzle part (183) connected to the first outlet pipe part and extending along the first direction;
A second branch nozzle part (184) connected to the second outlet pipe part and extending along the first direction;
At the time of piping construction, one end is a pipe member connected to the tip of the first branch nozzle, and the other end intersects the first direction in a state of being connected to the first branch nozzle. A first dividing pipe (186) bent so as to face,
The first branch nozzle part and the second branch nozzle part are a part of the tip part of the first branch nozzle part closest to the second branch nozzle part and the first branch nozzle of the second branch nozzle part. It was arranged so that the distance (S) with the part near the tip of the part was 40 mm or less,
Using the branch pipe joint (181)
A branching method of the connecting pipe for distributing the refrigerant from the merging connecting pipe to the plurality of outdoor units,
In the state where the branching portion is arranged so as to face the horizontal direction, and the first branching nozzle unit and the second branching nozzle unit are arranged in a horizontal branching position at the same height position, In accordance with the number of outdoor units, the branch pipe joint excluding the first divided pipe is connected to the merging communication pipe,
According to the relative height position of the joining communication pipe and the connection port of the outdoor unit, the height position of the other end portion of the first split pipe with respect to the first branch nozzle portion is changed, and the first split Connecting a tube to the first branch nozzle section;
Branching method for connecting piping.

Images