JP2015212602A - Refrigerant distribution device and multi-room air-conditioning device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique to individually adjust degrees of undercooling of a refrigerant supplied to respective indoor units.SOLUTION: A refrigerant distribution device (60) comprises a cooling storage container (25), a normal flow passage (50), a specific flow passage (52) and a flow passage selection mechanism (30). The normal flow passage (50) is a flow passage used for supplying a refrigerant from an outdoor unit (18) to a plurality of indoor units (20) without allowing the refrigerant to flow through the cooling storage container (25). The specific flow passage (52) is a flow passage used for supplying the refrigerant from the outdoor unit (18) to the plurality of indoor units (20) through the cooling storage container (25). The flow passage selection mechanism (30) is configured to select, for each of the plurality of indoor units (20), whether the normal flow passage (50) or the specific flow passage (52) is to be used for supplying the refrigerant thereto.

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerant distributor and a multi-room air conditioner using the same.

  FIG. 7 shows a conventional heat storage type cooling device described in Patent Document 1. The heat storage type cooling device includes a general cooling circuit, a cooling circuit, and a heat storage tank 209. The general cooling circuit is a circuit configured by sequentially connecting a compressor 211, a condenser 212, a first expansion valve 206, a plurality of second expansion valves 223, and a plurality of evaporators 221. The cooling circuit is a circuit formed by a series circuit, a plurality of second expansion valves 223 and a plurality of evaporators 221. The series circuit includes a heat exchanger 231 and a refrigerant pump 214 connected in series to the heat exchanger 231, and is connected to a portion between the first expansion valve 206 and the second expansion valve 223. One end and the other end connected to a portion between the evaporator 221 and the compressor 211 are provided. In the heat storage tank 209, a heat storage medium having a heat exchange relationship with the heat exchanger 231 is accommodated.

  The cold storage operation of the heat storage type cooling device shown in FIG. 7 will be described. First, the valves 207 and 220 are closed, the valves 208 and 237 are opened, and the compressor 211 is operated. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 211 is condensed by the condenser 212 and supplied to the first expansion valve 206. The refrigerant adiabatically expands at the first expansion valve 206 and changes from a liquid phase state to a gas-liquid two phase state. The refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase state evaporates in the heat exchanger 231. The refrigerant removes heat from the heat storage medium in the heat storage tank 209 and freezes the surface of the heat exchanger 231. The evaporated refrigerant returns to the compressor 211 via the accumulator. This cold storage operation is mainly performed at night when electric power is inexpensive, the outside air temperature is low, and high efficiency can be expected.

  Cooling operation is performed in the daytime when the cooling load becomes a predetermined value or more. First, the valves 207, 220 and 208 are opened, the valve 237 is closed, and the compressor 211 and the refrigerant pump 214 are operated. A portion between the condenser 212 and the first expansion valve 206 is provided with a supercooling heat exchanger 205 that can cool the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser 212 with a low-temperature heat source of a general cooling circuit or a cooling circuit. It has been. During the cooling operation, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing out of the condenser 212 is cooled in the supercooling heat exchanger 205 before flowing into the first expansion valve 206. Thereafter, the liquid refrigerant merges with the refrigerant condensed in the heat exchanger 231 and is supplied to each of the plurality of evaporators 221. At the inlet of the second expansion valve 223, the refrigerant maintains a supercooled state.

Japanese Patent No. 3071328

  In a multi-room air conditioner having a plurality of indoor units, the required cooling capacity (required cooling capacity) is different for each indoor unit. Indoor units that require a large cooling capacity and indoor units that require a small cooling capacity coexist. However, according to the configuration of the cooling device shown in FIG. 7, the liquid refrigerant having the same degree of supercooling is supplied to each of the plurality of evaporators 221 (indoor units). Therefore, in order to cope with the difference in required cooling capacity, it is necessary to greatly change the throttle of the expansion valve 223 or to intermittently operate a specific evaporator 221 (indoor unit). In this case, the pressure on the low pressure side of the refrigeration cycle is excessively reduced, or the refrigeration cycle is destabilized.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for individually adjusting the degree of supercooling of the refrigerant to be supplied to each indoor unit.

That is, this disclosure
A refrigerant distribution device that forms a refrigerant circuit between the outdoor unit and the plurality of indoor units when incorporated in a multi-room air conditioner having an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units,
A regenerator,
A normal flow path used to supply the refrigerant from the outdoor unit to each of the plurality of indoor units without going through the regenerator;
A specific flow path used for supplying the refrigerant from the outdoor unit to each of the plurality of indoor units via the regenerator;
A flow path selection mechanism configured to select, for each indoor unit, which of the normal flow path and the specific flow path should be used to supply the refrigerant to the plurality of indoor units. ,
A refrigerant distribution apparatus comprising:

  According to the above refrigerant distribution device, the degree of supercooling of the refrigerant to be supplied to each indoor unit can be individually adjusted.

The block diagram of the multi-room type air conditioning apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention Configuration diagram of regenerator The figure which shows the flow of a refrigerant | coolant when a refrigerant | coolant is supplied to a 1st indoor unit and a 2nd indoor unit via a normal flow path. The figure which shows the flow of a refrigerant | coolant when a refrigerant | coolant is supplied to a 1st indoor unit and a 2nd indoor unit via a specific channel. The figure which shows the flow of a refrigerant | coolant when a refrigerant | coolant is supplied to a 1st indoor unit via a normal flow path, and a refrigerant | coolant is supplied to a 2nd indoor unit via a specific flow path. The figure which shows the flow of a refrigerant | coolant when a refrigerant | coolant is supplied to a 1st indoor unit via a specific flow path, and a refrigerant | coolant is supplied to a 2nd indoor unit via a normal flow path. The figure which shows the flow of the refrigerant which bypasses an indoor unit The other figure which shows the flow of the refrigerant | coolant which bypasses an indoor unit The block diagram of the multi-room type air conditioning apparatus which concerns on the modification 1. The block diagram of the multi-room type air conditioning apparatus which concerns on the modification 2. Configuration diagram of conventional air conditioner Configuration diagram of another conventional air conditioner

The first aspect of the present disclosure is:
A refrigerant distribution device that forms a refrigerant circuit between the outdoor unit and the plurality of indoor units when incorporated in a multi-room air conditioner having an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units,
A regenerator,
A normal flow path used to supply the refrigerant from the outdoor unit to each of the plurality of indoor units without going through the regenerator;
A specific flow path used for supplying the refrigerant from the outdoor unit to each of the plurality of indoor units via the regenerator;
A flow path selection mechanism configured to select, for each indoor unit, which of the normal flow path and the specific flow path should be used to supply the refrigerant to the plurality of indoor units. ,
A refrigerant distribution apparatus comprising:

  According to the refrigerant distribution device of the first aspect, the refrigerant can be supplied to a certain indoor unit via a regenerator, and the refrigerant can be supplied to other indoor units without going through the regenerator. That is, the multi-room air conditioner can be operated while adjusting the degree of supercooling of the refrigerant to be supplied to the plurality of indoor units for each indoor unit.

  Moreover, according to the refrigerant | coolant distribution apparatus of a 1st aspect, a refrigerant | coolant can be supplied to a some indoor unit, storing cold heat in a cool storage. That is, cold storage operation can be performed without impairing indoor comfort. The regenerator functions as a thermal buffer provided between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. When a thermal buffer that can be selectively connected to each indoor unit is provided, the degree of freedom of operation of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit is improved. As a result, the multi-room air conditioner can be operated with high efficiency.

  In the second aspect of the present disclosure, in addition to the first aspect, the plurality of indoor units includes a first indoor unit and a second indoor unit, and the flow path selection mechanism is configured to (a) pass through the normal flow path. A first state in which the refrigerant is supplied to the first indoor unit and the second indoor unit, and (b) the refrigerant is supplied to the first indoor unit and the second indoor unit via the specific flow path. (C) the refrigerant is supplied to the first indoor unit via the normal flow path, and the refrigerant is supplied to the second indoor unit via the specific flow path. A third state in which the refrigerant is supplied to the first indoor unit via the specific flow path, and the refrigerant is supplied to the second indoor unit via the normal flow path. Provided is a refrigerant distribution device which is a valve mechanism showing one state selected from four states. By controlling the flow path selection mechanism, the flow path to be used can be easily selected for each indoor unit.

  According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, in addition to the first or second aspect, the specific flow path is a flow path that is used to connect the regenerator in series with each of the plurality of indoor units. A dispensing device is provided. If the specific flow path is used, the refrigerant whose supercooling degree is adjusted by passing through the regenerator can be supplied to each of the plurality of indoor units.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in addition to any one of the first to third aspects, the plurality of indoor units includes a first indoor unit and a second indoor unit, and the normal flow path includes the outdoor unit. The first normal flow path for guiding the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit to the first indoor unit, and the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit to the refrigerant distributing unit are guided to the second indoor unit. A second normal flow path, and the specific flow path includes a common specific flow path for guiding the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit to the refrigerant distribution device to the regenerator, and from the regenerator. Provided is a refrigerant distribution device including a first specific flow path for guiding the refrigerant to a first indoor unit and a second specific flow path for guiding the refrigerant from the regenerator to the second indoor unit. If the normal flow path is used, the refrigerant having the same supercooling degree can be supplied to each of the plurality of indoor units without being affected by the regenerator. If the specific flow path is used, the refrigerant whose supercooling degree is adjusted by passing through the regenerator can be supplied to each of the plurality of indoor units.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in addition to the fourth aspect, the flow path selection mechanism includes a control valve disposed in the first normal flow path, a control valve disposed in the second normal flow path, Provided is a refrigerant distribution device including a control valve disposed in a first specific flow path and a control valve disposed in the second specific flow path. By controlling these control valves, it is possible to easily flow or stop the refrigerant in the first normal flow path, the second normal flow path, the first specific flow path, and the second specific flow path.

  In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in addition to the fourth aspect, the first specific flow path is connected to the first normal flow path, and the second specific flow path is connected to the second normal flow path. The flow path selection mechanism includes a three-way valve disposed at a connection position between the first specific flow path and the first normal flow path, the second specific flow path, and the second normal flow path. And a three-way valve disposed at the connection position. By controlling these three-way valves, it is possible to easily flow or stop the refrigerant in the first normal flow path, the second normal flow path, the first specific flow path, and the second specific flow path.

  In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, in addition to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the specific flow path is configured to guide the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit to the refrigerant distribution device to the regenerator. The refrigerant distribution device includes a common specific flow path, and the refrigerant distribution device further includes an expansion valve provided in the common specific flow path. The pressure of the refrigerant to be supplied to the indoor unit through the specific flow path can be adjusted by the function of the expansion valve.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, in addition to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the refrigerant that has passed through the regenerator bypasses the plurality of indoor units and is returned to the outdoor unit. A refrigerant distribution device further comprising a bypass channel. If the bypass flow path is used, the refrigerant can be flowed to the regenerator while supplying the refrigerant to the plurality of indoor units via the normal flow path. It is also possible to store the cooling energy in the regenerator by flowing the refrigerant only in the regenerator without flowing the refrigerant in the plurality of indoor units.

  In a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, in addition to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the regenerator, the normal flow path, the specific flow path, and the flow path selection mechanism are housed in a single housing. A refrigerant distribution device is provided. When the components of the refrigerant distribution device are housed in a single housing, it is easy to introduce the refrigerant distribution device into an existing air conditioner. Moreover, the increase in the occupation area of an air conditioning apparatus can also be suppressed.

  In a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, in addition to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the regenerator further includes a heat exchange unit for causing heat exchange between the refrigerant and the regenerator material. And a refrigerant distribution device in which the refrigerant flows through the heat exchange unit. By the function of the heat exchange part, the cold energy is efficiently stored in the heat storage material, and the cold energy is efficiently released from the heat storage material.

An eleventh aspect of the present disclosure includes
Any one of the first to tenth refrigerant distribution devices;
An outdoor unit connected to the refrigerant distributor;
A plurality of indoor units connected to the refrigerant distributor;
A multi-room type air conditioner comprising:

  According to the 11th aspect, the same effect as the 1st aspect is acquired.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, in addition to the eleventh aspect, the refrigerant distribution device is the refrigerant distribution device according to the ninth aspect, and the casing of the refrigerant distribution device is different from the casing of the outdoor unit. And the multi-room air conditioner which is a structure which should be installed in the inside of the building where the multi-room air conditioner is used is provided. According to such a configuration, it is easy to introduce the refrigerant distributor into an existing air conditioner, and an increase in the area occupied by the air conditioner can be suppressed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes an outdoor unit 18, a refrigerant distribution device 60, and a plurality of indoor units 20. The air conditioner 100 is a multi-room air conditioner that can change the set temperature, the air volume, and the like for each indoor unit 20. The outdoor unit 18 is connected to the refrigerant distribution device 60 so that the refrigerant can be supplied from the outdoor unit 18 to the refrigerant distribution device 60 and the refrigerant can be collected from the refrigerant distribution device 60 to the outdoor unit 18. The plurality of indoor units 20 are also connected to the refrigerant distributor 60. The refrigerant distribution device 60 supplies (distributes) the refrigerant received from the outdoor unit 18 to each of the plurality of indoor units 20. The refrigerant distribution device 60 collects the refrigerant from the plurality of indoor units 20 and returns it to the outdoor unit 18.

  The outdoor unit 18 includes a compressor 11, an outdoor heat exchanger 12, a blower 13, an electric expansion valve 14, a four-way valve 15, an accumulator 16, and a controller 17. When the cooling operation is performed, the four-way valve 15 is in a solid line state, and the refrigerant flows in the direction of the solid line arrow. When the heating operation is performed, the four-way valve 15 is in a broken line state, and the refrigerant flows in the direction of the broken line arrow. The outdoor heat exchanger 12 functions as a condenser during the cooling operation, and functions as an evaporator during the heating operation. The electric expansion valve 14 is an expansion valve with a variable opening.

  Unless otherwise stated, the following description is an explanation when the air-conditioning apparatus 100 performs the cooling operation.

  Each of the plurality of indoor units 20 includes an indoor heat exchanger 21, a blower 22, and an electric expansion valve 23. The plurality of indoor units 20 are connected in parallel to the outdoor unit 18 via the refrigerant distributor 60. In the present embodiment, the plurality of indoor units 20 includes a first indoor unit 20a and a second indoor unit 20b. The indoor heat exchanger 21 functions as an evaporator during cooling operation and functions as a condenser during heating operation. The electric expansion valve 23 is an expansion valve with a variable opening.

  The air conditioning apparatus 100 may include a plurality of input devices (not shown) for changing the air conditioning conditions such as the set temperature, the air volume, and the wind direction for each indoor unit 20. The input device is disposed indoors and is electrically connected to the controller 17 of the outdoor unit 18.

  The refrigerant distribution device 60 includes a regenerator 25 (a heat accumulator in a broad sense), a normal flow path 50, a specific flow path 52, a bypass flow path 44, a common flow path 49, and a flow path selection mechanism 30. The regenerator 25 is disposed in the specific flow path 52. The refrigerant distribution device 60 is incorporated in the air conditioner 100 and forms a refrigerant circuit between the outdoor unit 18 and the plurality of indoor units 20. Each flow path may be formed by one or a plurality of pipes.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the regenerator 25 can be formed by a sealed container 26, a regenerator material 27, and a heat exchange unit 28. The regenerator 25 has a structure similar to a shell tube heat exchanger, for example. The sealed container 26 is a container having heat insulation properties. A cool storage material 27 and a heat exchange unit 28 are accommodated in the sealed container 26. The cold storage material 27 is, for example, a latent heat cold storage material having a melting point within the operating temperature range. In order to release the cooling energy from the regenerator 25 to the refrigerant during the cooling operation, a regenerator material 27 having a melting point of about 10 ° C. can be suitably used. As such a cold storage material 27, a paraffin-type cold storage material is mentioned. The heat exchanging portion 28 is a portion forming a part of the specific flow path 52, and is formed by a pipe bent in a spiral shape. Inside the sealed container 26, the cold storage material 27 is in direct contact with the heat exchanging portion 28. When the refrigerant flows through the heat exchange unit 28, heat exchange occurs between the refrigerant and the cold storage material 27. Due to the action of the heat exchange unit 28, the cold energy is efficiently stored in the heat storage material 27, and the cold energy is efficiently released from the heat storage material 27.

  The normal flow path 50 is a flow path used for supplying the refrigerant from the outdoor unit 18 to each of the plurality of indoor units 20 without passing through the regenerator 25 during the cooling operation. The normal flow path 50 has one end connected to the outdoor unit 18 and a plurality of other ends connected to each of the plurality of indoor units 20. Specifically, the normal flow path 50 is formed by the common normal flow path 40, the first normal flow path 42a, and the second normal flow path 42b. The common normal flow path 40 is a portion of the normal flow path 50 that is relatively close to the outdoor unit 18 in the refrigerant flow direction during the cooling operation. The first normal flow path 42a is a flow path for guiding the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit 18 to the refrigerant distribution device 60 to the first indoor unit 20a during the cooling operation. The second normal flow path 42b is a flow path for guiding the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit 18 to the refrigerant distribution device 60 to the second indoor unit 20b during the cooling operation. The first normal flow path 42a and the second normal flow path 42b are portions of the normal flow path 50 that are relatively far from the outdoor unit 18 in the refrigerant flow direction during the cooling operation. If the normal flow path 50 is used, the refrigerant having the same degree of supercooling can be supplied to each of the plurality of indoor units 20 without being affected by the regenerator 25.

  The specific flow path 52 is a flow path used for supplying the refrigerant from the outdoor unit 18 to each of the plurality of indoor units 20 via the regenerator 25 during the cooling operation. That is, the specific flow path 52 is a flow path used for connecting the regenerator 25 in series to each of the plurality of indoor units 20. In the present embodiment, the specific flow path 52 branches from the common normal flow path 40 in the normal flow path 50, and merges with each of the first normal flow path 42a and the second normal flow path 42b. Specifically, the specific flow path 52 is formed by the common specific flow path 41, the first specific flow path 43a, and the second specific flow path 43b. The common specific flow path 41 is a flow path for guiding the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit 18 to the refrigerant distribution device 60 to the regenerator 25 during the cooling operation. The first specific flow path 43a is a flow path for guiding the refrigerant from the regenerator 25 to the first indoor unit 20a during the cooling operation. The second specific channel 43b is a channel for guiding the refrigerant from the regenerator 25 to the second indoor unit 20b during the cooling operation. The common specific channel 41 is a portion of the specific channel 52 that is relatively close to the outdoor unit 18 in the refrigerant flow direction during the cooling operation. The first specific channel 43a and the second specific channel 43b are portions of the specific channel 52 that are relatively far from the outdoor unit 18 in the refrigerant flow direction during the cooling operation. If the specific flow path 52 is used, the refrigerant whose supercooling degree is adjusted by passing through the regenerator 25 can be supplied to each of the plurality of indoor units 20.

  The specific flow path 52 is provided with an expansion valve 45 (control valve). The expansion valve 45 is typically an electric expansion valve with a variable opening. By the action of the expansion valve 45, the pressure of the refrigerant to be supplied to the indoor unit 20 through the specific flow path 52 can be adjusted. Specifically, the expansion valve 45 is provided in the common specific flow path 41. More specifically, the expansion valve 45 is disposed upstream of the regenerator 25 so that the pressure of the refrigerant to be supplied from the outdoor unit 18 to the regenerator 25 can be reduced during the cooling operation. . The expansion valve 45 makes it possible to store cold energy in the regenerator 25 and to release the cool energy from the regenerator 25 without adding another special flow path.

  The flow path selection mechanism 30 is configured to select which of the normal flow path 50 and the specific flow path 52 should be used for each indoor unit 20 in order to supply the refrigerant to the plurality of indoor units 20. ing. By the action of the flow path selection mechanism 30, the degree of supercooling of the refrigerant to be supplied to each indoor unit 20 can be individually adjusted.

  In the present embodiment, the flow path selection mechanism 30 includes a plurality of control valves 32 to 35 disposed in the normal flow path 50 and the specific flow path 52. Specifically, the flow path selection mechanism 30 is disposed in the control valve 32 disposed in the first normal flow path 42a, the control valve 34 disposed in the second normal flow path 42b, and the first specific flow path 43a. The control valve 33 and the control valve 35 disposed in the second specific flow path 43b. The control valve 32 is located upstream of the connection position between the first normal flow path 32a and the first specific flow path 43a during the cooling operation. The control valve 34 is upstream of the connection position between the second normal flow path 32b and the second specific flow path 43b during the cooling operation. Each of the control valves 32 to 35 can be an on-off valve. The control valves 32 to 35 may be expansion valves with variable opening degrees. By controlling these control valves 32 to 35, the refrigerant can be easily flowed or stopped in the first normal flow path 42a, the second normal flow path 42b, the first specific flow path 43a, and the second specific flow path 43b. can do.

  The flow path selection mechanism 30 can be a valve mechanism that indicates one state selected from the following plurality of states during cooling operation. The plurality of states include four states of a first state to a fourth state shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D. In FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D, the thick line indicates the flow of the refrigerant. As shown in FIG. 3A, the first state is a state in which the refrigerant is supplied to the first indoor unit 20a and the second indoor unit 20b via the normal flow path 50. As shown in FIG. 3B, the second state is a state in which the refrigerant is supplied to the first indoor unit 20a and the second indoor unit 20b via the specific flow path 52. As shown in FIG. 3C, in the third state, the refrigerant is supplied to the first indoor unit 20a via the normal flow path 50, and the refrigerant is supplied to the second indoor unit 20b via the specific flow path 52. State. As shown in FIG. 3D, in the fourth state, the refrigerant is supplied to the first indoor unit 20a via the specific flow path 52, and the refrigerant is supplied to the second indoor unit 20b via the normal flow path 50. State. By controlling the flow path selection mechanism 30, the flow path to be used can be easily selected for each indoor unit 20.

  In FIG. 3B, the regenerator 25 has a serial connection relationship with each of the first indoor unit 20a and the second indoor unit 20b. In FIG. 3C, the regenerator 25 is in a parallel connection relationship with the first indoor unit 20a, and is in a serial connection relationship with the second indoor unit 20b. In FIG. 3D, the regenerator 25 has a serial connection relationship with the first indoor unit 20a, and has a parallel connection relationship with the second indoor unit 20b. The regenerator 25 can be connected to each of the plurality of indoor units 20 in series or in parallel.

  The bypass flow path 44 is a flow path configured such that the refrigerant that has passed through the regenerator 25 bypasses the plurality of indoor units 20 and is returned to the outdoor unit 18. The bypass flow path 44 has one end connected to the specific flow path 52 and the other end connected to the common flow path 49 between the regenerator 25 and the flow path selection mechanism 30. A control valve 46 is provided in the bypass channel 44. The control valve 46 is provided to select whether or not to flow the refrigerant through the bypass passage 44. The control valve 46 is typically an on-off valve.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, if the bypass flow path 44 is used, the refrigerant flows through the regenerator 25 while supplying the refrigerant to the first indoor unit 20 a and the second indoor unit 20 b via the normal flow path 50. Can do. In FIG. 4A, the regenerator 25 has a parallel connection relationship with each of the first indoor unit 20a and the second indoor unit 20b. A refrigerant having the same degree of supercooling is supplied to each of the regenerator 25, the first indoor unit 20a, and the second indoor unit 20b. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, if the bypass flow path 44 is used, it is possible to store the cooling energy in the regenerator 25 by flowing the refrigerant only in the regenerator 25 without flowing the refrigerant in the plurality of indoor units 20. is there. That is, according to the bypass flow path 44, the degree of freedom of operation of the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 18 is further improved.

  The common channel 49 is used for supplying refrigerant from the outdoor unit 18 to each of the plurality of indoor units 20 during heating operation, and is used for returning the refrigerant from the plurality of indoor units 20 to the outdoor unit 18 during cooling operation. It is a flow path. The common flow path 49 may not be included in the refrigerant distribution device 60.

  The regenerator 25, the normal flow path 50, the specific flow path 52, the bypass flow path 44, the common flow path 49, and the flow path selection mechanism 34 are housed in, for example, a single housing. When the components of the refrigerant distribution device 60 are housed in a single housing, the refrigerant distribution device 60 can be easily introduced into an existing air conditioner, and an increase in the area occupied by the air conditioner 100 can be suppressed. Furthermore, construction when installing the air conditioner 100 in a building is facilitated. In addition, it is not essential that all the flow paths are housed in the housing. In the present embodiment, in order to connect the outdoor unit 18 and the plurality of indoor units 20 to the refrigerant distribution device 60, a part of the normal flow path 50 and a part of the common flow path 49 extend to the outside of the housing.

  The housing of the refrigerant distribution device 60 may be a structure to be installed inside a building where the air conditioner 100 is used. That is, the housing of the refrigerant distribution device 60 can be a different structure from the housing of the outdoor unit 18. According to such a configuration, it is easy to introduce the refrigerant distribution device 60 into an existing air conditioner, and an increase in the occupied area of the air conditioner 100 can be suppressed. The refrigerant distribution device 60 is installed in the vicinity of the indoor unit 20 or on the back side of the ceiling decorative plate, for example.

  Next, an operation method (cooling operation method) of the air conditioner 100 will be described. First, the problem of the conventional multi-room air conditioner 500 that does not have the refrigerant distributor 60 will be described with reference to FIG. Then, it demonstrates that the subject can be solved by the air conditioning apparatus 100 of this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in a conventional multi-room air conditioner 500, a scene in which an indoor unit 502a arranged in a space with a large air conditioning load and an indoor unit 502b arranged in a space with a small air conditioning load are mixed. Suppose. The expansion valve 506a and the blower 507a of the indoor unit 502a are controlled so as to maintain a constant blowing air amount, a constant refrigerant evaporation temperature, and a constant refrigerant flow rate. On the other hand, the indoor unit 502b is operated intermittently (so-called thermo-on / thermo-off operation). Specifically, the expansion valve 506b of the indoor unit 502b is controlled so as to repeat the predetermined opening and the fully closed state. When the temperature of the air sucked into the blower 507b of the indoor unit 502b falls below a predetermined value (set temperature), the expansion valve 506b is fully closed, and the refrigerant flow into the indoor unit 502b is prohibited. Thereby, the cooling capacity of the indoor unit 502b is lost (thermo-off).

  Here, the opening degree of the expansion valve 506b changes at a finite speed. Therefore, it is necessary to decrease the rotational speed of the compressor 511 in synchronization with the decreasing speed of the opening degree of the expansion valve 506b. Otherwise, the refrigerant flow rate of the indoor unit 502a becomes excessive, and the pressure on the low pressure side of the refrigeration cycle decreases excessively. As a result, the power required for the compressor 511 increases and the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle decreases.

  Thus, when performing the thermo-on / thermo-off operation, precise control is necessary so that the increase / decrease in the rotational speed of the compressor 511 is synchronized with the increase / decrease in the opening degree of the expansion valve 502b. However, it is very difficult to synchronize when the opening of the expansion valve 502b is very small. Therefore, the thermo-on / thermo-off operation is not necessarily an efficient operation method.

  On the other hand, according to the air conditioning apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the number of times of thermo-on / thermo-off can be reduced. In some cases, it is not necessary to perform the thermo-on / thermo-off operation. Hereinafter, the cooling operation method of the air conditioning apparatus 100 will be described. The controller 17 of the outdoor unit 18 controls not only the outdoor unit 18 and the indoor unit 20, but also the flow path selection mechanism 30, the expansion valve 45, and the control valve 46 of the refrigerant distribution device 60. However, a controller for controlling the flow path selection mechanism 30, the expansion valve 45, and the control valve 46 may be provided in the refrigerant distribution device 60 separately from the controller 17 of the outdoor unit 18.

  FIG. 3A shows the flow of the refrigerant when the cooling capacity required for the first indoor unit 20a is approximately equal to the cooling capacity required for the second indoor unit 20b. The flow path selection mechanism 30 is controlled to the first state described above. Specifically, the control valves 32 and 34 are opened, and the control valves 33 and 35 are closed. The control valve 46 is closed. In order to avoid a closed section in the refrigerant circuit, the expansion valve 45 is slightly open. The plurality of indoor units 20 are supplied with the refrigerant having the same degree of supercooling.

  Next, the control when only the air conditioning load of the space (room) where the second indoor unit 20b is placed will be described. Specifically, it is assumed that the suction temperature of the second indoor unit 20b has fallen and has reached a state where the cooling capacity of the second indoor unit 20b is not necessary. With the conventional air conditioner, the thermo-off operation of the second indoor unit 20b is executed. However, in this embodiment, the thermo-off operation is not essential.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, the flow path selection mechanism 30 is controlled so that the regenerator 25 and the second indoor unit 20b are connected in series. The flow path selection mechanism 30 is controlled to the third state described above. Specifically, the control valves 32 and 35 are opened, and the control valves 33 and 34 are closed. The control valve 46 is closed. The expansion valve 23 of the second indoor unit 20b is fully open. The refrigerant is expanded by controlling the expansion valve 45 upstream of the regenerator 25 to an appropriate opening degree. Low temperature refrigerant flows into the regenerator 25. Heat exchange occurs between the heat storage material 27 of the regenerator 25 and the refrigerant, and the cold energy of the refrigerant is absorbed by the regenerator 25. The refrigerant flows out of the regenerator 25 and then is supplied to the second indoor unit 20b through the second specific flow path 43b. Since the enthalpy of the refrigerant rises in the regenerator 25, the amount of heat exchange between the refrigerant and the room air in the second indoor unit 20b decreases. That is, the cooling capacity (lower limit of the cooling capacity) of the second indoor unit 20b can be lowered. The operation of the air conditioner 100 can be continued without stopping the second indoor unit 20b, and intermittent operation is avoided. The refrigerant distribution device 60 including the regenerator 25 functions as a thermal buffer.

  Of course, the second indoor unit 20b may be stopped. Specifically, the fan 22 of the second indoor unit 20b is stopped. In this case, all of the cold energy of the refrigerant flowing through the specific flow path 52 may be absorbed by the regenerator 25. In other words, the refrigerant may be overheated at the outlet of the regenerator 25.

  On the other hand, the capacity of the regenerator 25 is finite. When the cold storage material 27 completely changes to the solid phase, heat exchange does not substantially occur between the cold storage material 27 and the refrigerant. In this case, the following control is performed. Since the first indoor unit 20a requires a certain cooling capacity, the flow path selection mechanism 30 is controlled so that the regenerator 25 is connected in series to the first indoor unit 20a as shown in FIG. 3D. The flow path selection mechanism 30 is controlled to the fourth state described above. Specifically, the control valves 33 and 34 are opened, and the control valves 32 and 35 are closed. The control valve 46 is closed. The expansion valve 45 is fully open. The expansion valve 23 of the first indoor unit 20a is controlled to an appropriate opening degree. By adjusting the opening degree of the expansion valve 23, the state of the refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger 21 of the first indoor unit 20a can be adjusted. The high-pressure refrigerant flowing through the specific flow path 52 is cooled by the heat accumulator 25. That is, the degree of supercooling of the refrigerant flowing through the specific flow path 52 is increased. As a result, the work of the compressor 11 can be reduced (the refrigerant flow rate can be reduced) while the cooling capacity of the first indoor unit 20a is kept constant. In the second indoor unit 20b, intermittent operation may be performed.

  When the cold energy stored in the regenerator 25 is used up and the second indoor unit 20b is in operation, the flow path selection mechanism 30 is set so that the regenerator 25 is again connected in series to the second indoor unit 20b. Control. That is, the control valves 32 and 35 are opened, and the control valves 33 and 34 are closed. The refrigerant is supplied to the first indoor unit 20a via the normal flow path 50. If there is no change in the cooling load of the space where the first indoor unit 20a is placed, the opening of the expansion valve 23 of the first indoor unit 20a is increased, and the refrigerant flow rate in the first indoor unit 20a is increased. As described above, the second indoor unit 20b can be operated with a low cooling capacity while storing cold energy in the regenerator 25.

  Moreover, the cycle of the cold storage operation for storing cold energy in the regenerator 25 and the cooling operation for releasing the cold energy from the cooler 25 may be synchronized with the cycle of the thermo-on / thermo-off operation (intermittent operation). For example, it is assumed that the first indoor unit 20a is required to have a certain cooling capacity, and the second indoor unit 20b is performing intermittent operation. When the cooling capacity of the second indoor unit 20b becomes unnecessary, cold energy is stored in the regenerator 25 using the unnecessary capacity (cold storage operation). When the cooling capacity of the second indoor unit 20b becomes necessary, the cold storage energy of the regenerator 25 is used in the first indoor unit 20a (cooling operation). When such an operation is repeated, since the regenerator 25 functions as a thermal buffer, the fluctuation range of the work amount required for the compressor 11 is reduced. Even if the operating states of the plurality of indoor units 20 change, the work required for the outdoor unit 18 can be kept constant by offsetting the changes with the regenerator 25. In other words, the refrigeration cycle can be formed by separating the request for the outdoor unit 18 and the operating states of the plurality of indoor units 20. As a result, the air conditioner 100 can be efficiently operated while suppressing a decrease in efficiency based on a change in the operating state of the outdoor unit 20.

  It is desirable that the regenerator 25 has a sufficient regenerative capacity to release cold energy to the refrigerant, for example, for several minutes while the time of one cycle of thermo-on / thermo-off elapses. Since the large-capacity regenerator 25 is unnecessary, a small regenerator 25 can be used so that it can be installed indoors. For example, when the regenerator 25 is disposed in the vicinity of the indoor unit 20, the length of the pipe from the regenerator 25 to the indoor unit 20 is relatively short. In this case, it is possible to reduce thermal loss as much as possible due to heat exchange between the surrounding air and the refrigerant via the pipe.

  It is assumed that the state where the power load during summer daytime is large continues for several tens of minutes to several hours, for example, from 13:00 to 15:00. Therefore, the heat storage tank 209 of the conventional heat storage type cooling device described with reference to FIG. 7 needs a sufficient cold storage capacity to assist the cooling capacity for several hours. Even if water with a large latent heat is used as a cold storage material, the heat storage tank 209 having a large volume is required for the capacity of the cooling device. This causes an increase in the area occupied by the cooling device.

  On the other hand, according to this embodiment, it is not essential to assist the cooling capacity for several hours. Since a large capacity is not required for the regenerator 25, an increase in the area occupied by the air conditioner 100 can be avoided.

  In addition, instead of the second indoor unit 20b, when only the air conditioning load in the space where the first indoor unit 20a is placed decreases, as shown in FIG. 3D, the regenerator 25 and the first indoor unit 20a are connected in series. The flow path selection mechanism 30 may be controlled so as to be connected. The flow path selection mechanism 30 is controlled to the fourth state described above. Specifically, the control valves 33 and 34 are opened, and the control valves 32 and 35 are closed. The control valve 46 is closed. The expansion valve 23 of the first indoor unit 20a is fully open.

  Next, control when the cooling load of all the spaces (rooms) in which the indoor units 20 are placed is small and all the indoor units 20 are performing intermittent operation will be described.

  It is assumed that the cooling capacity of all the indoor units 20 and the cooling load determined based on the target room temperature are balanced, and the cooling capacity is below the control lower limit of each indoor unit 20. That is, even when the blower 22 is operated with the minimum air volume, each indoor unit 20 performs intermittent operation when a cooling capacity larger than the cooling load is exhibited.

  Each indoor unit 20 repeats on / off at a constant cycle. When the OFF timing is aligned, the cooling capacity is not required for all the indoor units 20. Along with this, the compressor 11 of the outdoor unit 18 stops its operation. Thereafter, if even one indoor unit 20 starts operation, the compressor 11 of the outdoor unit 18 also starts operation again. If such an operation is repeated, the outdoor unit 18 must be operated intermittently. Every time the outdoor unit 18 is restarted, a pressure boosting work that does not contribute to the air conditioning work is required, leading to a reduction in the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle.

  In this case, the control valve 46 is opened at the timing when all the indoor units 20 are stopped, and the control valves 32 to 35 are closed. The expansion valve 45 is appropriately controlled to adjust the low pressure of the refrigeration cycle. As shown in FIG. 4B, the refrigerant flows only in the bypass flow path 44. The cold storage operation is performed in order to store the cold energy in the cool storage 25 until the cooling capacity of the at least one indoor unit 20 is required again. Thereby, the intermittent operation of the outdoor unit 18 can be avoided.

  Further, when the operation of a specific indoor unit 20 is resumed, a larger cooling capacity is temporarily required than when the indoor unit 20 is stably operated. Therefore, the control valve 46 is closed at the timing when the operation of the specific indoor unit 20 is resumed, and the flow path selection mechanism 30 is controlled so that the refrigerant is supplied to the indoor unit 20 that should resume the operation via the regenerator 25. To do. Specifically, the control valve 33 or the control valve 35 is opened. Control valves 32 and 34 remain closed. Further, the expansion valve 45 is fully opened. The expansion valve 23 of the indoor unit 20 that should be restarted is appropriately controlled. Thereby, the air_conditioning | cooling capability of the indoor unit 20 which should restart driving | operation can be assisted.

  FIG. 3B also shows the refrigerant flow when the cooling capacity required for the first indoor unit 20a is approximately equal to the cooling capacity required for the second indoor unit 20b. However, the flow path selection mechanism 30 is controlled to the second state described above. Specifically, the control valves 32 and 34 are closed, and the control valves 33 and 35 are open. The control valve 46 is closed. The expansion valve 45 is fully open. In this case, since the regenerator material 27 of the regenerator 25 is cooled by the refrigerant, cold energy can be stored in the regenerator 25. The plurality of indoor units 20 are supplied with the refrigerant having the same degree of supercooling.

(Modification 1)
As shown in FIG. 5, the multi-room air conditioner 102 according to the first modification includes a flow path selection mechanism 31 having a structure different from the flow path selection mechanism 30 of the air conditioning apparatus 100 described with reference to FIG. 1. I have. Specifically, the flow path selection mechanism 31 includes a plurality of three-way valves 38 and 39 (two three-way valves in the present embodiment). The three-way valve 38 is disposed at a connection position between the first specific flow path 43a and the first normal flow path 42a. The three-way valve 39 is disposed at a connection position between the second specific flow path 43b and the second normal flow path 42b. By controlling the three-way valves 38 and 39, it is possible to easily flow or stop the refrigerant in the first normal flow path 42a, the second normal flow path 42b, the first specific flow path 43a, and the second specific flow path 43b. Can do. The structure of the flow path selection mechanism is particularly limited as long as it can be selected for each indoor unit 20 which of the normal flow path 50 and the specific flow path 52 should be used to supply the refrigerant to the plurality of indoor units 20. Not.

(Modification 2)
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the multi-room air conditioner 104 according to Modification 2 includes a total of three indoor units 20, a first indoor unit 20 a, a second indoor unit 20 b, and a third indoor unit 20 c. . Thus, the technique disclosed in this specification can be applied to an air conditioner including three or more indoor units 20, and is not limited by the number of indoor units 20. In the flow path selection mechanism 30a of the air conditioner 104, the normal flow path 50 further includes a third normal flow path 42c. A control valve 36 is disposed in the third normal flow path 42c. The specific flow path 52 further includes a third specific flow path 43c. A control valve 37 is disposed in the third specific flow path 43c. By appropriately controlling the flow path selection mechanism 30a, it is possible to select which of the normal flow path 50 and the specific flow path 52 should be used for each indoor unit 20.

(Other)
In this specification, there is a possibility that the regenerator 25 can be used for purposes other than thermal buffering during cooling operation. For example, heat may be stored in the regenerator 25 (heat accumulator) during heating operation, and the heat stored in the regenerator 25 (heat accumulator) may be used when performing the defrosting operation of the outdoor unit 18.

  The technique disclosed in this specification is useful for a multi-room air conditioner installed in a house, an office building, or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Compressor 12 Outdoor heat exchanger 13 Blower 14 Electric expansion valve 15 Four-way valve 16 Accumulator 17 Controller 18 Outdoor unit 20 Indoor unit 20a First indoor unit 20b Second indoor unit 21 Indoor heat exchanger 22 Blower 23 Electric expansion valve 25 Regenerator 30, 30a, 31 Flow path selection mechanism 32-37 Control valve 41 Common specific flow path 42a First normal flow path 42b Second normal flow path 43a First specific flow path 43b Second specific flow path 44 Bypass flow path 45 Expansion valve 46 Control valve 50 Normal flow path 52 Specific flow path 60, 61, 62 Refrigerant distributors 100, 102, 104 Multi-chamber air conditioner

Claims (12)

A refrigerant distribution device that forms a refrigerant circuit between the outdoor unit and the plurality of indoor units when incorporated in a multi-room air conditioner having an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units,
A regenerator,
A normal flow path used to supply the refrigerant from the outdoor unit to each of the plurality of indoor units without going through the regenerator;
A specific flow path used for supplying the refrigerant from the outdoor unit to each of the plurality of indoor units via the regenerator;
A flow path selection mechanism configured to select, for each indoor unit, which of the normal flow path and the specific flow path should be used to supply the refrigerant to the plurality of indoor units. ,
A refrigerant distribution device comprising: The plurality of indoor units includes a first indoor unit and a second indoor unit,
The flow path selection mechanism includes: (a) a first state in which the refrigerant is supplied to the first indoor unit and the second indoor unit via the normal flow path; and (b) via the specific flow path. A second state in which the refrigerant is supplied to the first indoor unit and the second indoor unit, and (c) the refrigerant is supplied to the first indoor unit via the normal flow path, and A third state in which the refrigerant is supplied to the second indoor unit via a flow path; and (d) the normal flow path in which the refrigerant is supplied to the first indoor unit via the specific flow path. 2. The refrigerant distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant distribution device is a valve mechanism that indicates one state selected from a fourth state in which the refrigerant is supplied to the second indoor unit via a second state.   The refrigerant distribution device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the specific flow path is a flow path used for connecting the regenerator in series with each of the plurality of indoor units. The plurality of indoor units includes a first indoor unit and a second indoor unit,
The normal flow path includes a first normal flow path for guiding the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit to the refrigerant distribution device to the first indoor unit, and the supply from the outdoor unit to the refrigerant distribution device. A second normal flow path for guiding the refrigerant to the second indoor unit,
The specific flow path is a common specific flow path for guiding the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit to the refrigerant distribution device to the regenerator, and for guiding the refrigerant from the regenerator to the first indoor unit. The refrigerant distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a first specific flow path and a second specific flow path for guiding the refrigerant from the regenerator to the second indoor unit.   The flow path selection mechanism includes a control valve disposed in the first normal flow path, a control valve disposed in the second normal flow path, a control valve disposed in the first specific flow path, The refrigerant distribution device according to claim 4, further comprising a control valve disposed in the second specific flow path. The first specific flow path is connected to the first normal flow path,
The second specific flow path is connected to the second normal flow path,
The flow path selection mechanism includes a three-way valve disposed at a connection position between the first specific flow path and the first normal flow path, and a connection position between the second specific flow path and the second normal flow path. The refrigerant distribution device according to claim 4, comprising a three-way valve arranged. The specific flow path includes a common specific flow path for guiding the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit to the refrigerant distribution device to the regenerator,
The refrigerant distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the refrigerant distribution device further includes an expansion valve provided in the common specific flow path.   The refrigerant according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a bypass flow path configured so that the refrigerant that has passed through the regenerator bypasses the plurality of indoor units and is returned to the outdoor unit. Refrigerant distribution device.   The refrigerant distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the regenerator, the normal flow path, the specific flow path, and the flow path selection mechanism are housed in a single housing. The regenerator further has a heat exchange part for causing heat exchange between the refrigerant and the regenerator material,
The refrigerant distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant flows through the heat exchange unit. The refrigerant distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
An outdoor unit connected to the refrigerant distributor;
A plurality of indoor units connected to the refrigerant distributor;
A multi-room air conditioner equipped with The refrigerant distributor is the refrigerant distributor according to claim 9,
The case of the refrigerant distribution device is a structure different from the case of the outdoor unit, and is a structure to be installed in a building where the multi-room air conditioner is used. Item 12. The multi-room air conditioner according to Item 11.

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