JP2007205661A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner having excellent cooling performance and heat exchange efficiency while suppressing the drift of a coolant of a heat exchanger is inhibited. <P>SOLUTION: Of a plurality of coolant paths formed for an indoor heat exchanger (5), a coolant path at a lower most stage is arranged to distribute the coolant over heat transfer pipes (6) located at the upwind side and the downwind side of air blown from an air blower (21) at the time of cooling operation, and makes the coolant flow out of the heat transfer pipe (6) at an out port side positioned at the upwind side of a second stage from a lower most part of the indoor heat exchanger (5). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner for suppressing refrigerant drift in a heat exchanger.

  In recent years, the demand for energy saving has increased, and in a heat exchanger of a high-capacity air conditioner, one U-shaped heat transfer tube is connected to one refrigerant flow path in order to avoid degradation of equipment performance due to pressure loss in the evaporator. A multi-path configuration is required.

  Here, when the number of refrigerant paths is increased, in order to suppress the difference in heat exchange amount for each refrigerant path due to the difference in wind speed distribution, and to guide the sucked indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger so as not to leak, The lower end portion is directly placed on the bottom surface of the drain pan (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In the following, an example of taking a conventional refrigerant path will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, in FIGS. 4-6, the case where an indoor heat exchanger (5) is used as an evaporator is demonstrated.

  Among the plurality of refrigerant paths shown in FIG. 4, the refrigerant path in the lowermost stage is the second stage from the bottom and the refrigerant flows from the heat transfer pipe (6) on the leeward side. The lower heat transfer tube (6) is circulated in order, and the refrigerant flows out from the lowermost heat transfer tube (6) on the windward side.

  In the lowermost refrigerant path shown in FIG. 5, the refrigerant flows in from the lowermost heat transfer pipe (6) on the windward side, and passes through the second uppermost heat transfer pipe (6) and the second lowermost heat transfer pipe (6). It is circulated in order, and is piped so that the refrigerant flows out from the heat transfer tube (6) on the leeward side.

Further, in the lowermost refrigerant path shown in FIG. 6, the refrigerant flows in from the lowermost heat transfer tube (6) on the windward side, and the second uppermost heat transfer tube and the lowermost heat transfer tube (6) on the leeward side sequentially. It is circulated and piped so that the refrigerant flows out from the second-stage heat transfer tube (6) on the leeward side.
JP 2005-315455 A

  However, in the refrigerant path shown in FIG. 4, when the indoor heat exchanger (5) is used as an evaporator, the condensed water generated in the indoor heat exchanger (5) is stored in the drain pan (22). , The heat transfer pipe (6) on the outlet side of the refrigerant path at the bottom of the indoor heat exchanger (5) is submerged, and part of the capacity is used for heat exchange with the condensed water, resulting in an extreme decrease in the outlet side capacity. There was a problem of being invited.

  Moreover, in the refrigerant | coolant path | pass shown in FIG.5, FIG.6, since the heat exchanger tube (6) of the exit side of a refrigerant | coolant path | pass is arrange | positioned on the leeward side, the problem that the heat exchange efficiency of an indoor heat exchanger (5) worsens. was there.

  This invention is made | formed in view of this point, The objective is suppressing the refrigerant | coolant drift of a heat exchanger, and providing the air conditioning apparatus excellent in the air_conditioning | cooling capability and heat exchange efficiency.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, in order to prevent the heat transfer tube (6) on the outlet side of the lowermost refrigerant path from being submerged, the heat transfer tube on the outlet side ( 6) is provided.

That is, the first invention includes a heat exchanger (5) having a plurality of refrigerant paths formed by a plurality of heat transfer tubes (6) arranged at predetermined intervals,
A blower (21) that blows indoor air to the heat exchanger (5) to exchange heat;
An air conditioner comprising a drain pan (22) for storing condensed water generated in the heat exchanger (5),
The lowermost refrigerant path among the plurality of refrigerant paths circulates the refrigerant across the heat transfer tubes (6) positioned on the windward side and the leeward side of the air blown from the blower (21) during the cooling operation. In addition, the heat exchanger (5) is piped so that the refrigerant flows out from the heat transfer pipe (6) on the outlet side located at the second and higher stages from the lowermost part of the heat exchanger (5). It is.

  In the first invention, the lowermost refrigerant path allows the refrigerant to flow across the heat transfer pipes (6) positioned on the windward side and the leeward side during the cooling operation, and at the same time the heat exchanger (5). The refrigerant flows out from the heat transfer tube (6) on the outlet side located at the second or higher stage from the lower side and on the windward side.

  For this reason, the number of turns of the heat transfer tube (6) is increased to increase the heat exchange capacity of the lowermost refrigerant path of the heat exchanger (5), thereby suppressing a decrease in the evaporation capacity of the heat exchanger (5). This is advantageous. Furthermore, since the heat transfer tube (6) on the refrigerant outlet side is arranged at the second or higher stage from the bottom of the heat exchanger (5) and on the windward side, heat exchange by the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22) The decrease in efficiency can be minimized.

According to a second invention, in the first invention,
A drain pump (23) for draining the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22);
The drain pump (23) is configured to drain condensed water before the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22) reaches the heat transfer pipe (6) on the outlet side. It is.

  In the second invention, the condensed water is drained until the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22) reaches the heat transfer pipe (6) on the outlet side. For this reason, the heat transfer tube (6) on the outlet side of the refrigerant path is not submerged in the condensed water, and a part of the capacity is prevented from being used for heat exchange with the condensed water, thereby reducing the heat exchange efficiency. Can be suppressed.

According to a third invention, in the first invention,
A drain pump (23) for draining the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22);
Water level detection means (24) for detecting that the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22) has reached a predetermined water level lower than the heat transfer pipe (6) on the outlet side,
The drain pump (23) is configured to drain condensed water based on the detection result of the water level detection means (24).

  In the third aspect of the invention, the water level detection means (24) detects that the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22) has reached a predetermined water level lower than that of the heat transfer pipe (6) on the outlet side. Condensate is drained by the pump (23). For this reason, the drain pump (23) that has been conventionally operated regardless of the water level of the condensed water in order to prevent the refrigerant path from being submerged can be operated intermittently based on the water level of the condensed water, Power consumption can be reduced.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the number of turns of the heat transfer tube (6) is increased, the heat exchange capacity of the lowermost refrigerant path of the heat exchanger (5) is increased, and the heat exchanger (5 This is advantageous in suppressing a decrease in evaporation capability. Furthermore, since the heat transfer tube (6) on the refrigerant outlet side is arranged at the second or higher stage from the bottom of the heat exchanger (5) and on the windward side, heat exchange by the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22) The decrease in efficiency can be minimized.

  Further, according to the second invention, the heat transfer tube (6) on the outlet side of the refrigerant path is not submerged in the condensed water, and a part of the capacity is prevented from being used for heat exchange with the condensed water. Thus, it is possible to suppress a decrease in heat exchange efficiency.

  Further, according to the third invention, the drain pump (23) that has been conventionally operated at all times regardless of the water level of the condensed water in order to prevent the refrigerant path from being submerged is intermittently based on the water level of the condensed water. The power consumption can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or its application.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerant circuit (1) includes a compressor (7) as a compression mechanism, a four-way switching valve (9) as a refrigerant control means, an outdoor heat exchanger (3), and an expansion mechanism. The expansion valve (11) and the indoor heat exchanger (5) are sequentially connected to form a closed circuit. The refrigerant circuit (1) is filled with a refrigerant, and the refrigerant circulates to perform a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The four-way switching valve (9) is provided with first to fourth ports (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) to which the piping of the refrigerant circuit (1) can be connected.

  Further, the indoor heat exchanger (5) includes a shunt (13) that decompresses the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger (3) during the cooling operation and branches it to each refrigerant path of the indoor heat exchanger (5). ) And a merger (15) that causes the refrigerants evaporated in the plurality of refrigerant paths of the indoor heat exchanger (5) to rejoin and flow into the outdoor heat exchanger (3).

  In this refrigerant circuit (1), the discharge port of the compressor (7) is connected to the first port (9a) of the four-way switching valve (9). The third port (9c) of the four-way switching valve (9) is connected to one end of the outdoor heat exchanger (3). The other end of the outdoor heat exchanger (3) is connected to one end of the indoor heat exchanger (5) via the expansion valve (11). The other end of the indoor heat exchanger (5) is connected to the fourth port (9d) of the four-way switching valve (9). The second port (9b) of the four-way switching valve (9) is connected to the suction port of the compressor (7).

  In the four-way switching valve (9), the first port (9a) and the third port (9c) communicate with each other, and at the same time the second port (9b) and the fourth port (9d) communicate with each other (FIG. 1 ( a state shown in a), and the first port (9a) and the fourth port (9d) communicate with each other, and at the same time the second port (9b) and the third port (9c) communicate with each other (FIG. 1 (b)). It is possible to switch to the state shown in FIG.

  That is, the four-way selector valve (9) condenses the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger (3) by switching the refrigerant circulation direction in the refrigerant circuit (1), and at the same time the indoor heat exchanger (5) The state in which the refrigerant is evaporated and the state in which the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger (3) is evaporated and at the same time the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger (5) is condensed can be switched.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, the indoor unit includes an indoor heat exchanger (5), a blower (21) that blows indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger (5) to exchange heat, and an indoor heat exchanger (5). The drain pan (22) for storing the condensed water generated in the indoor heat exchanger (5), the drain pump (23) for draining the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22), and the drain pan (22) And a float switch (24) as water level detecting means for detecting that the stored condensed water has reached a predetermined water level.

  The indoor heat exchanger (5) has a plurality of refrigerant paths formed by a plurality of heat transfer tubes (6) arranged at predetermined intervals. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the heat transfer tubes In (6), 24 are arranged, and a total of 11 refrigerant paths are formed by connecting ends of the plurality of heat transfer tubes (6) with U-shaped tubes (see FIG. 3). In FIGS. 2 and 3, the direction of refrigerant circulation during cooling operation is indicated by arrows.

  The refrigerant divided by the flow divider (13) flows into each of the plurality of refrigerant paths. And the refrigerant | coolant which each flowed out from the some refrigerant | coolant path | pass joins with a merger (15), and flows in into an outdoor heat exchanger (3) after that.

  Here, the plurality of refrigerant paths are different only in the lowermost path, and the other refrigerant paths have the same path. Specifically, the lowermost refrigerant path is formed by four heat transfer tubes (6), and the refrigerant flows from the lowermost windward heat transfer tube (6) of the indoor heat exchanger (5), so that the leeward side The second heat transfer tube (6) on the lowermost part and the leeward side are circulated in order, and the refrigerant flows out from the second heat transfer tube (6) on the leeward side.

  On the other hand, the other refrigerant paths other than the lowermost refrigerant path are formed by two heat transfer tubes (6), and the refrigerant flows from the windward heat transfer tube (6) and flows from the leeward heat transfer tube (6). It is piped to flow out.

  During the heating operation, the refrigerant flow direction with respect to the refrigerant path of the indoor heat exchanger (5) is opposite to that during the cooling operation. That is, in the lowermost refrigerant path, the refrigerant flows from the second-stage heat transfer pipe (6) on the windward side of the indoor heat exchanger (5), and the second-stage on the leeward side and the lowermost heat transfer pipe on the leeward side. (6) is circulated in order, and the refrigerant flows out from the lowest heat transfer tube (6) on the windward side.

  On the other hand, in other refrigerant paths excluding the lowermost refrigerant path, the refrigerant flows in from the leeward heat transfer pipe (6) and flows out from the leeward heat transfer pipe (6).

  The float switch (24) detects that the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22) has reached a predetermined water level lower than that of the heat transfer pipe (6) on the outlet side. Specifically, the predetermined water level is The water level is lower than the height position of the heat transfer tube (6) on the second windward side from the bottom of the indoor heat exchanger (5).

  The drain pump (23) is configured to drain the condensed water in the drain pan (22) based on the detection result of the float switch (24). This is advantageous in ensuring heat exchange efficiency by preventing the outlet heat transfer tube (6) in the lowermost refrigerant path from being submerged.

  As described above, according to the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention, the number of turns of the heat transfer tube (6) is increased, and the heat exchange capacity of the lowermost refrigerant path of the heat exchanger (5) is increased. However, this is advantageous in suppressing a decrease in the evaporation capacity of the heat exchanger (5). Furthermore, since the heat transfer tube (6) on the refrigerant outlet side is arranged on the second windward side from the bottom of the heat exchanger (5), the heat exchange efficiency of the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22) is improved. Degradation can be minimized.

  Further, since the condensed water is drained before the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22) reaches the heat transfer pipe (6) on the outlet side, the heat transfer pipe (6) on the outlet side of the refrigerant path is condensed water. Without being submerged, it is possible to prevent a part of the capacity from being used for heat exchange with condensed water, and to suppress a decrease in heat exchange efficiency.

  Further, the float switch (24) detects that the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22) has reached a predetermined water level lower than that of the heat transfer pipe (6) on the outlet side, and the drain pump (23) Since the condensate is drained by this, the drain pump (23), which has been operated at all times regardless of the condensate water level in order to prevent the refrigerant path from being submerged, is intermittently based on the condensate water level. The power consumption can be reduced.

  As described above, the present invention provides a highly practical effect that the reduction in heat exchange efficiency due to the condensed water generated during cooling operation can be minimized. The possibility is high.

It is a refrigerant circuit figure of the air harmony device concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic which shows the internal structure of the indoor unit of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a side view which shows the structure of the refrigerant path of the indoor heat exchanger which concerns on this embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the internal structure of the other indoor unit of the conventional air conditioning apparatus. It is the schematic which shows the internal structure of the other indoor unit of the conventional air conditioning apparatus. It is the schematic which shows the internal structure of the other indoor unit of the conventional air conditioning apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

5 Indoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger)
6 Heat transfer tube
21 Blower
22 Drain pan
23 Drain pump
24 Float switch (water level detection means)

Claims (3)

A heat exchanger (5) having a plurality of refrigerant paths formed by a plurality of heat transfer tubes (6) arranged at predetermined intervals;
A blower (21) that blows indoor air to the heat exchanger (5) to exchange heat;
An air conditioner comprising a drain pan (22) for storing condensed water generated in the heat exchanger (5),
The lowermost refrigerant path among the plurality of refrigerant paths circulates the refrigerant across the heat transfer tubes (6) positioned on the windward side and the leeward side of the air blown from the blower (21) during the cooling operation. And air that is piped so that the refrigerant flows out from the heat transfer pipe (6) on the outlet side located at the second and higher stages from the lowermost part of the heat exchanger (5). Harmony device. In claim 1,
A drain pump (23) for draining the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22);
The drain pump (23) is configured to drain condensed water until the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22) reaches the heat transfer pipe (6) on the outlet side. Harmony device. In claim 1,
A drain pump (23) for draining the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22);
Water level detection means (24) for detecting that the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22) has reached a predetermined water level lower than the heat transfer pipe (6) on the outlet side,
The air conditioner characterized in that the drain pump (23) is configured to drain condensed water based on a detection result of the water level detection means (24).

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