JP2616523B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-room heat pump air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to one heat source unit, and in particular, air conditioning and heating are selectively performed for each indoor unit. The present invention relates to an air conditioner capable of simultaneously performing cooling in one indoor unit and heating in the other indoor unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional example will be described below. FIG. 8 is an overall configuration diagram mainly showing a refrigerant system of a conventional air conditioner. FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 show the operation state during the cooling and heating operation in the conventional example of FIG. 8, FIG. 9 is an operation state diagram of only the cooling or heating operation, and FIGS. FIG. 10 shows a heating operation (in the case where the total capacity of the indoor units performing the heating operation is larger than the total capacity of the indoor units performing the cooling operation).
FIG. 11 is an operation state diagram showing the main cooling operation (when the total capacity of the indoor units performing the cooling operation is larger than the total capacity of the indoor units performing the heating operation). In this conventional example, a case where three indoor units are connected to one heat source unit will be described, but the same applies to a case where two or more indoor units are connected.

In FIG. 8, A is a heat source unit, and B, C and D are indoor units connected in parallel to each other as described later, and have the same configuration. E is a repeater including a first branch, a second flow controller, a second branch, a gas-liquid separator, and first and second heat exchangers, as described later. 1 is a compressor, 2 is a four-way switching valve for switching the refrigerant flow direction of the heat source device, 3 is a heat source device side heat exchanger, 4 is an accumulator, and is connected to the above devices 1 to 3 to constitute a heat source device A. 5 is an indoor side heat exchanger of indoor units B, C and D, respectively.
Reference numeral 6 denotes a thick first connection pipe connecting the four-way switching valve 2 and the relay E, and 6b, 6c, and 6d connect the indoor-side heat exchangers 5 of the indoor units B, C, and D to the relay E, respectively. The first connection pipe on the indoor unit side corresponding to the first connection pipe 6, and the first connection pipe 6 for connecting the heat source unit side heat exchanger 3 and the repeater E to each other.
The thinner second connection pipes 7b, 7c and 7d connect the indoor-side heat exchangers 5 of the indoor units B, C and D and the relay unit E, respectively, and correspond to the indoor unit side corresponding to the second connection pipe 7. The second connection pipes 8 are the first connection pipes 6b, 6c, 6d on the indoor unit side.
A three-way switching valve 9 is connected to the first connection pipe 6 or the second connection pipe 7 so as to be switchable. The three-way switching valve 9 is connected close to the indoor heat exchanger 5. The degree of superheat at the outlet side of the first is controlled by the degree of supercooling during heating.
, The second connection pipes 7b, 7 on the indoor unit side.
c, 7d.

Reference numeral 10 denotes first connection pipes 6b, 6 on the indoor unit side.
c, 6d and a first three-way switching valve 8 switchably connected to the first connection pipe 6 or the second connection pipe 7.
And 11 are second connection pipes 7b and 7 on the indoor unit side.
c, 7d, and a second branch portion 12 composed of a meeting portion thereof, a gas-liquid separation device provided in the middle of the second connection pipe 7,
The gas phase is connected to each first port 8 a of the three-way switching valve 8, and the liquid phase is connected to the second branch 11. Reference numeral 13 denotes an openable and closable second flow rate control device connected between the gas-liquid separation device 12 and the second branch portion 11, and reference numeral 14 denotes a first flow rate connecting the second branch portion 11 and the first connection pipe 6. Is a third flow control device provided in the middle of the first bypass pipe 14, and 16b, 16c, 16d.
Is provided downstream of the third flow control device 15 in the first bypass pipe 14 and exchanges heat with the second connection pipes 7b, 7c, 7d on the indoor unit side in the second branch section 11, respectively. A third heat exchange section 16a is provided downstream of the third flow control device 15 in the first bypass pipe 14 and downstream of the third heat exchange sections 16b, 16c, 16d, and has a second branch section. 11, a second connection pipe 7b on each indoor unit side,
A second heat exchange section 19 for performing heat exchange between the meeting sections 7c and 7d is provided downstream of the third flow control device 15 of the first bypass pipe 14 and downstream of the second heat exchange section 16a. A first heat exchange section provided for performing heat exchange between a pipe provided for connecting the gas-liquid separation device 12 and the second flow control device 13, and a first heat exchange section 17 is provided for the second branch section 11 and the first connection pipe 6. A fourth flow rate control device 32 that can be opened and closed is connected between the heat source side heat exchanger 3 and the second connection pipe 7 and is a third check valve provided between the heat source side heat exchanger 3 and the second connection pipe 7. Refrigerant flow is allowed only from the exchanger 3 to the second connection pipe 7.

Reference numeral 33 denotes a fourth check valve provided between the four-way switching valve 2 of the heat source unit A and the first connection pipe 6, and a first check valve 33 is provided.
From the connection pipe 6 to the four-way switching valve 2 only. Reference numeral 34 denotes the four-way switching valve 2 of the heat source unit A and the second connection pipe 7
And a fifth check valve provided between the four-way switching valve 2
To the second connection pipe 7 only. 35
Is a sixth check valve provided between the heat source side heat exchanger 3 and the first connection pipe 6, and allows the refrigerant to flow only from the first connection pipe 6 to the heat source side heat exchanger 3. . The third check valve 32 to the sixth check valve 35 constitute the flow path switching valve device 40. Reference numeral 23 denotes a first temperature detector attached to a pipe connecting the second flow control device 13 and the first heat exchange unit 19;
Reference numeral 5 denotes a first pressure detector attached to the same pipe as the first temperature detector 23, and reference numeral 26 denotes a second pressure detector attached to the second branch portion 11.

A conventional example having such a configuration will be described. First, the case of only the cooling operation will be described with reference to FIG. That is, as indicated by solid arrows in FIG. 9, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas discharged from the compressor 1 is supplied to the four-way switching valve 2.
, The heat is circulated by exchanging heat in the heat source device side heat exchanger 3, and then the third check valve 32, the second connection pipe 7, the gas-liquid separator 12, and the second flow controller 13 are arranged in this order. Yes, second
, The second connection pipes 7b, 7c on the indoor unit side,
The refrigerant flowing into each of the indoor units B, C, and D through 7d is controlled by the degree of superheat at the outlet of each of the indoor heat exchangers 5.
The indoor heat exchanger 5 is decompressed to a low pressure by the flow control device 9 and exchanges heat with the indoor air to evaporate and gasify to cool the room. The refrigerant in the gaseous state passes through the first connection pipes 6b, 6c, 6d, the three-way switching valve 8, and the first branch portion 10 on the indoor unit side, and passes through the first connection pipe 6, the fourth connection pipe.
A circulation cycle is drawn through the check valve 33, the four-way switching valve 2, and the accumulator 4 to the compressor 1 to perform the cooling operation. At this time, the three-way switching valve 8 is connected to each of the first ports 8.
a is closed, and the second port 8b and the third port 8c are open.

At this time, since the first connection pipe 6 has a low pressure and the second connection pipe 7 has a high pressure, the refrigerant necessarily flows to the third check valve 32 and the fourth check valve 33. At the time of this cycle, part of the refrigerant that has passed through the second flow control device 13 enters the first bypass pipe 14, and the third flow control device 1
5, the pressure is reduced to a low pressure, and the third heat exchange portions 16b, 16
c, 16d, the second connection pipes 7b, 7c on each indoor unit side,
7d, and the second connection pipes 7b, 7c, 7d on the indoor unit side of the second branch unit 11 in the second heat exchange unit 16a.
And the refrigerant that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant flowing into the second flow control device 13 in the first heat exchange unit 19 and evaporates enters the first connection pipe 6, The compressor 1 passes through a fourth check valve 33, a four-way switching valve 2, and an accumulator 4.
Inhaled. On the other hand, the first, second, and third heat exchange units 19, 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d exchange heat, and are cooled and provided with a sufficient degree of supercooling.
The refrigerant No. 1 flows into the indoor units B, C, and D to be cooled.

Next, the case of only the heating operation will be described with reference to FIG. That is, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas discharged from the compressor 1 passes through the four-way switching valve 2 as shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 9, the fifth check valve 34, the second connection pipe 7,
The refrigerant flowing into the indoor units B, C, and D through the gas-liquid separator 12, the first branch portion 10, the three-way switching valve 8, the first connection pipes 6b, 6c, and 6d on the indoor unit side, Heat exchanges with indoor air to condense and liquefy and heat the room. The refrigerant in the liquid state passes through the first flow control device 9 controlled by the degree of supercooling at the outlet of each indoor heat exchanger 5, and
The second connection pipes 7b, 7c, 7d on the indoor unit side
Flows into the junction 11 and merges, and further passes through the fourth flow control device 17, where either the first flow control device 9 or the fourth flow control device 17 and the third flow control device 15 Meanwhile, the pressure is reduced to a low pressure two-phase state. Then, the refrigerant decompressed to a low pressure flows through the first connection pipe 6 into the sixth check valve 35 and the heat source device side heat exchanger 3 and exchanges heat to evaporate and become a gaseous refrigerant. A circulation cycle is drawn into the compressor 1 via the four-way switching valve 2 and the accumulator 4, and the heating operation is performed. At this time, the three-way switching valve 8 has the second port 8b closed and the first port 8a and the third port 8c open. At this time, since the first connection pipe 6 has a low pressure and the second connection pipe 7 has a high pressure, the fifth check valve 3
4. The refrigerant flows to the sixth check valve 35.

Referring to FIG. 10, a description will be given of a case where heating is mainly performed in simultaneous operation of cooling and heating. Here, indoor units B and C
A case will be described in which two units are heating and one indoor unit D is trying to cool. That is, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas discharged from the compressor 1 passes through the four-way switching valve 2, the fifth check valve 34, and the second connection pipe 7 as shown by a solid line arrow in FIG. Is sent, passes through the gas-liquid separation device 12, passes through the first branch portion 10, the three-way switching valve 8 connected to the indoor units B and C, and the first connection pipes 6b and 6c on the indoor unit side in this order. The refrigerant flowing into the indoor units B and C to be heated exchanges heat with the indoor air in the indoor unit side heat exchanger 5 to be condensed and liquefied, thereby heating the room. The refrigerant in the liquid state is controlled by the degree of supercooling at the outlet of the indoor heat exchanger 5, is slightly reduced in pressure through the first flow control device 9 which is almost fully opened, and is intermediate between high pressure and low pressure. Pressure (intermediate pressure)
It flows into the second branch 11 from the second connection pipes 7b and 7c on the indoor unit side. And the second connection pipe 7 on the indoor unit side
d, enters the indoor unit D to be cooled, is decompressed by the first flow control device 9 controlled by the degree of superheat at the exit of the indoor unit heat exchanger 5, and then enters the indoor heat exchanger 5 to generate heat. Replace it and evaporate it to a gas state to cool the room,
It flows into the first connection pipe 6 via the three-way switching valve 8 connected to the indoor unit D.

On the other hand, the other refrigerant passes through a fourth open / close flow control device 17 which is controlled so as to keep the difference between the high pressure of the second connection pipe 7 and the intermediate pressure of the second branch portion 11 constant. hand,
The refrigerant that has passed through the indoor unit D to be cooled merges with the refrigerant, flows into the thick first connection pipe 6, flows into the sixth check valve 35, the heat source unit side heat exchanger 3, and exchanges heat to evaporate. The refrigerant in the gaseous state forms a circulation cycle that is drawn into the compressor 1 via the four-way switching valve 2 and the accumulator 4, and performs a heating-main operation. At this time, the indoor unit D to be cooled
The pressure difference between the evaporation pressure of the indoor-side heat exchanger 5 and the evaporation pressure of the heat-source-unit-side heat exchanger 3 becomes smaller because the first connection pipe 6 is switched to the thicker one. At this time, the three-way switching valve 8 connected to the indoor units B and C has its second port 8b closed and the first port 8b closed.
The port 8a and the third port 8c are open. Indoor unit D
The three-way switching valve 8 connected to the second port 8b and the third port 8c
Is open, and the first port 8a is closed.

At this time, since the first connection pipe 6 has a low pressure and the second connection pipe 7 has a high pressure, the refrigerant necessarily flows to the fifth check valve 34 and the sixth check valve 35. In this cycle, a part of the liquid refrigerant is supplied to the second connection pipe 7 on each indoor unit side.
b, enters the first bypass pipe 14 from the junction of 7c,
The pressure is reduced to a low pressure by the third flow control device 15, and the third heat exchange units 16b, 16c, 16d communicate with the second connection pipes 7b, 7c, 7d on the indoor unit side, and A second flow control device is provided between the heat exchange unit 16a and the associated portion of the second connection pipes 7b, 7c, 7d on the indoor unit side of the second branch unit 11, and further, a second flow control device is provided at the first heat exchange unit 19. The refrigerant evaporated by performing heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing into the first connection pipe 6
Through the sixth check valve 35, the heat source unit side heat exchanger 3
And heat exchange to evaporate to a gaseous state. Then, the refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 1 via the four-way switching valve 2 and the accumulator 4. On the other hand, the second branch portion 1 which has been cooled by being exchanged heat in the first, second and third heat exchange portions 19, 16a, 16b, 16c and 16d and having a sufficient degree of subcooling has been provided.
The refrigerant No. 1 flows into the indoor unit D to be cooled.

Referring to FIG. 11, a description will be given of a case where cooling is mainly performed in simultaneous cooling and heating operation. Here, indoor units B and C
A case will be described in which two units are going to be cooled and one indoor unit D is going to heat. That is, as shown by a solid line arrow in FIG. 11, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas discharged from the compressor 1 passes through the four-way switching valve 2 and exchanges an arbitrary amount of heat in the heat source unit side heat exchanger 3 to form a gas-liquid two-phase. It becomes high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant, and the third check valve 3
2. From the second connection pipe 7, the gas-liquid separation device 1 of the repeater E
Sent to 2. Here, the gaseous refrigerant is separated into a gaseous refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant, and the separated gaseous refrigerant is heated in the order of the first branch portion 10, the three-way switching valve 8, and the first connection pipe 6d on the indoor unit side. The refrigerant flows into the indoor unit D, exchanges heat with the indoor air in the indoor unit side heat exchanger 5 to condense and liquefy, and heats the room. Further, the pressure is controlled by the degree of supercooling at the outlet of the indoor heat exchanger 5 and is slightly reduced through the first flow control device 9 which is almost fully open, and becomes an intermediate pressure between the high pressure and the low pressure (intermediate pressure). It flows into the second branch 11. On the other hand, the remaining liquid refrigerant flows into the second branch portion 11 through the second flow control device 13 which is controlled so as to keep the difference between the high pressure and the intermediate pressure, and the indoor unit D which is going to heat is cooled. Merges with the passed refrigerant.

Then, the air flows into the indoor units B and C through the second branch portion 11 and the second connection pipes 7b and 7c on the indoor unit side. The refrigerant is reduced to a low pressure by the first flow control device 9 controlled by the degree of superheat at the outlet of the indoor heat exchanger 5 of the indoor units B and C, and the indoor heat exchanger 5 is connected to the indoor air. It is evaporated and gasified by heat exchange to cool the room.
Then, the refrigerant in the gas state is supplied to the first unit on the indoor unit side.
Connection pipes 6b and 6c, three-way switching valve 8 connected to indoor units B and C, first branch portion 10, first connection pipe 6, fourth connection pipe
Of the compressor 1 through the check valve 33, the four-way switching valve 2, and the accumulator 4 to perform the cooling-main operation. At this time, the first port 8a of the three-way switching valve 8 connected to the indoor units B and C is closed, and the second port 8b and the third port 8c are open. Further, the three-way switching valve 8 connected to the indoor unit D has the first port 8a and the third port 8c open,
The second port 8b is closed.

At this time, the first connection pipe 6 has a low pressure,
The third check valve 32 is inevitably because the connection pipe 7 has a high pressure.
The refrigerant flows to the fourth check valve 33. In this cycle, a part of the liquid refrigerant is supplied to the second connection pipe 7 on each indoor unit side.
b, 7c, and 7d, enter the first bypass pipe 14 from the junction, and are reduced to a low pressure by the third flow control device 15,
Each of the third heat exchange units 16b, 16c, and 16d is connected to the second connection pipes 7b, 7c, and 7d on the indoor unit side, and each of the second heat exchange units 16a is provided with each of the indoors of the second branch unit 11. Machine side 2
The refrigerant that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant flowing into the second flow control device 13 at the first heat exchange unit 19 between the junctions of the connection pipes 7b, 7c, and 7d, The fluid enters the first connection pipe 6 and is sucked into the compressor 1 through the fourth check valve 33, the four-way switching valve 2, and the accumulator 4. Meanwhile, the first
And second and third heat exchange sections 19, 16a, 16b, 1
The refrigerant in the second branch portion 11, which has been cooled by heat exchange at 6c and 16d and has a sufficient degree of supercooling, flows into the indoor units B and C to be cooled.

[0015]

In the conventional air conditioner as described above, when a plurality of indoor units are connected to a heat source unit, the connection is performed through one relay unit. When the range is widened, the connection pipe length from the repeater to the indoor unit becomes longer, and thus the total connection pipe length becomes longer, which causes a problem that the workability is deteriorated. Even if the number of indoor units to be connected increases, since the connection is made to one repeater, as the number of indoor units to be connected increases, the shape of the repeater becomes larger and the installability of the repeater worsens. There was a problem.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and even when a plurality of indoor units are installed and connected to a single heat source unit over a wide range,
It is an object of the present invention to obtain an air conditioner having good connection pipe workability and repeater installation property.

[0017]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An air conditioner according to the present invention comprises one heat source unit including a compressor, a switching valve, a heat source side heat exchanger, and the like, and a plurality of indoor units each having an indoor side heat exchanger. An indoor unit connected via first and second connection pipes, provided between the first and second connection pipes;
By switching the direction of the flowing refrigerant,
The first connection pipe between the heat source unit and the indoor unit
A channel switching valve device for increasing the pressure of the second connection pipe, a specific indoor unit configuration unit including one or more indoor units, and other indoor unit configuration units, and the specific indoor unit configuration. A first branching section that connects one of the indoor heat exchangers of the unit to a second connection pipe via a first connection pipe or a gas-liquid separation device so as to be switchable, and a chamber of the specific indoor unit constituent unit A second branch portion formed by connecting the other of the inner heat exchanger to the second connection pipe via the first flow control device;
Provided in the second connection pipe, it is connected between the second branch portions corresponding to the indoor unit configuration unit of the gas-liquid separator and JP <br/> constant
Re that the second flow controller and, the specific indoor unit configuration unit
And the first branch pipe corresponding to the
One of the bypass-side flow control device and the indoor-side heat exchanger of the other indoor unit constituent unit is connected to the first connection pipe or the upper side.
A first branch portion switchably connected to the second connection pipe via the gas-liquid separation device and the other of the indoor heat exchangers of the other indoor unit constituent units via a first flow control device. Te first and second branch portions, the upper corresponding to the second branch portion, the specific indoor unit configuration unit formed by connecting the second branch portion corresponding to the specific indoor unit configuration unit The second flow control device , a specific repeater incorporating the bypass flow control device , and other repeaters incorporating first and second branch portions corresponding to other indoor unit constituent units. It is provided with.

Further, a second branch portion and the bypass flow control equipment for communicating with the first connection pipe corresponding to the other indoor unit configuration unit, the bypass flow control device to another repeater It is built-in. In addition , a bypass flow control device for communicating a second branch portion corresponding to a specific indoor unit structural unit with the first connection pipe, a second branch portion corresponding to another indoor unit structural unit, and a first flow control device. And a bypass flow control device that communicates with a connection pipe of the same. A bypass flow control device corresponding to a specific indoor unit structural unit is provided to a specific repeater, and a bypass flow control corresponding to other indoor unit structural units is provided. The device is built in each of the other repeaters.

[0019]

In the air conditioner constructed as described above, when a plurality of indoor units are connected to the heat source unit, the operation is performed via a plurality of repeaters, so even if the installation range of the connected indoor units is wide. The pipe length from the repeater to the indoor unit can be shortened, so that the total connection pipe length is shortened, and the workability can be improved. Further, even if the number of indoor units to be connected is increased, since the connection is made to a plurality of repeaters, there is no need to increase the size of the repeaters, and the problem that the installability of the repeaters deteriorates can be solved. it can.

Furthermore, through the particular bypass flow amount control device and a second branch portion and the first connection pipe corresponding to the indoor unit configuration unit or other indoor unit configuration unit or each indoor unit configuration unit With the connection, the flow rate can be independently adjusted for each repeater according to the load of the indoor unit, and the control characteristics are improved.

[0021]

【Example】

Embodiment 1 FIG. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram mainly showing a refrigerant system of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 show operating states of the air-conditioning apparatus shown in FIG. 1 during a cooling / heating operation. FIG. 2 is an operating state diagram of only cooling or heating, and FIGS. FIG. 3 shows an operation of simultaneous cooling and heating operation. FIG. 3 shows a heating main operation (when the total capacity of an indoor unit performing a heating operation is larger than a total capacity of an indoor unit performing a cooling operation), and FIG. 4 shows a cooling main operation (a cooling operation). FIG. 10 is an operation state diagram illustrating a case where the total capacity of the indoor units to be operated is larger than the total capacity of the indoor units to be heated. FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram mainly showing a refrigerant system of an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an overall configuration diagram mainly showing a refrigerant system of an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an overall configuration diagram mainly showing a refrigerant system of an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a case where six indoor units and two relay units are connected to one heat source unit will be described. However, the same applies when two or more indoor units and two or more relay units are connected. It is.

In FIGS. 1 to 5, A to D and 1 to 40 are the same as those of the above-mentioned conventional apparatus. In this embodiment, all the six indoor units are divided into three units and three units.
Is a specific indoor unit configuration unit (hereinafter, referred to as a specific configuration unit) 70 including the indoor units B, C, and D.
G, H, other indoor unit structural units (hereinafter
Other constituent units) . E is a specific repeater,
It is the same as the above-mentioned conventional device, and has a specific structural unit 60
, A second branch 11, a second branch 11,
Flow control device 13 , third and fourth flow control devices 15 and 17 as bypass flow control devices , first heat exchange unit 19, second heat exchange unit 16 a, third heat Exchange unit 16b,
16c, 16d and the like. I denotes a first branch 50, a second branch 51, and a bypass flow control device corresponding to the other structural units 70, as described later.
Sixth flow controller 57 of Te, fourth, a fifth and sixth heat exchanger 59,16i, 16f, 16g, other repeater with built-16h, etc., the indoor unit F, G, and H It is interposed between the heat source devices A and is connected in parallel with a specific relay device E.

6f, 6g, 6h are the indoor units F,
G and H indoor-side heat exchangers 5 are connected to the other repeaters I, and the first connection pipes 7f, 7g, and 7h on the indoor unit side corresponding to the first connection pipes 6 are indoor units F, G and H indoor-side heat exchangers 5 are connected to other relay units I, and second connection pipes on the indoor unit side corresponding to the second connection pipes 7 are first connection pipes 8 on the indoor unit side. 6f, 6g, 6h and the first connection pipe 6 or the gas-liquid separation device 12 of the specific repeater E
A three-way switching valve 9 switchably connected to the second connection pipe 7 side via the gas phase portion of the above, is connected in proximity to the indoor heat exchanger 5, and the outlet of the indoor heat exchanger 5 during cooling. A first flow control device controlled by the degree of superheating on the side and the degree of supercooling during heating is connected to the second connection pipes 7f, 7g, 7h on the indoor unit side.

Reference numeral 50 denotes the first connection pipes 6f, 6f on the indoor unit side.
g, 6h and the first connection pipe 6 or a specific repeater E
Connection pipe 7 through the gas phase of the gas-liquid separation device 12 of FIG.
A first branch portion 51 composed of a three-way switching valve 8 that is switchably connected to the indoor unit is connected to second connection pipes 7f and 7g on the indoor unit side.
7h and a second branch made up of the meeting part,
Is connected to the liquid phase part of the gas-liquid separation device 12 of the specific repeater E via the second flow control device 13. 54 is a second bypass pipe connecting the refrigerant outlet side of the third flow control device 15 and the first connection pipe 6, 16
f, 16g, 16h are provided in the second bypass pipe 5 4, first performs a second connection pipe 7f of the indoor unit side in the second branch portion 51, 7 g, respectively heat exchange between the 7h 6 The heat exchange section 16i is provided downstream of the third flow control device 15 and downstream of the sixth heat exchange sections 16f, 16g, 16h, and the second connection of each indoor unit side in the second branch section 51 is provided. A fifth heat exchange section 59 for performing heat exchange with the associated sections of the pipes 7f, 7g, 7h is provided downstream of the third flow control device 15 and downstream of the fifth heat exchange section 16i. A fourth heat exchange section 57 that performs heat exchange between the second flow control device 13 and the pipe connecting the second branch section 51, and a fourth heat exchange section 57 that connects the second branch section 51 and the first connection pipe 6. It is a sixth flow control device which can be freely opened and closed and connected between them.

An embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described. First, the case of only the cooling operation will be described with reference to FIG. That is, as shown by a solid line arrow in FIG. 2, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas discharged from the compressor 1 passes through the switching valve (the four-way switching valve 2 in this embodiment) and exchanges heat with the heat source device side heat exchanger 3. After being condensed, the refrigerant flows through the third check valve 32, the second connection pipe 7, the gas-liquid separator 12, and the second flow controller 13 in this order, and flows into the second branch 11 here. And the other refrigerant flowing into the repeater I. The refrigerant flowing into the second branch portion 11 passes through the second connection pipes 7b, 7c, 7d on the indoor unit side, flows into the indoor units B, C, D, and exits from the indoor heat exchanger 5. The pressure is reduced to a low pressure by the first flow control device 9 controlled by the degree of superheat, and the indoor heat exchanger 5 exchanges heat with room air to evaporate and gasify, thereby cooling the room. The refrigerant in the gaseous state is supplied to the first connection pipes 6b, 6b on the indoor unit side.
c, 6d, a circulation drawn through the three-way switching valve 8, the first branch portion 10, the first connection pipe 6, the fourth check valve 33, the four-way switching valve 2, and the accumulator 4 to the compressor 1. Construct a cycle and perform cooling operation. At this time, the three-way switching valve 8
The first port 8a is closed, and the second port 8b and the third port 8c are open.

At this time, since the first connection pipe 6 has a low pressure and the second connection pipe 7 has a high pressure, the refrigerant necessarily flows to the third check valve 32 and the fourth check valve 33. At the time of this cycle, part of the refrigerant that has passed through the second flow control device 13 enters the first bypass pipe 14, and the third flow control device 1
5, the pressure is reduced to a low pressure, and the third heat exchange portions 16b, 16
c, 16d, the second connection pipes 7b, 7c on each indoor unit side,
7d, and the second connection pipes 7b, 7c, 7d on the indoor unit side of the second branch unit 11 in the second heat exchange unit 16a.
And the refrigerant that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant flowing into the second flow control device 13 in the first heat exchange unit 19 and evaporates enters the first connection pipe 6, The compressor 1 passes through a fourth check valve 33, a four-way switching valve 2, and an accumulator 4.
Inhaled. On the other hand, the first, second, and third heat exchange units 19, 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d exchange heat, and the cooled refrigerant of the second branch unit 11 having a sufficient degree of supercooling is cooled. It flows into the indoor units B, C, and D that are about to be started.

On the other hand, the refrigerant flowing into the other repeater I is supplied to the second branch 51 and the second connection pipe 7 on the indoor unit side.
f, 7g, 7h, flow into each indoor unit F, G, H,
The indoor heat exchanger 5 is decompressed to a low pressure by the first flow control device 9 controlled by the degree of superheat at the outlet of each indoor heat exchanger 5 and exchanges heat with indoor air to evaporate and gasify. Cool. The refrigerant in the gaseous state passes through the first connection pipes 6f, 6g, 6h, the three-way switching valve 8, and the first branch portion 50 on the indoor unit side, and passes through the first connection pipe 6, the fourth
A circulation cycle is drawn through the check valve 33, the four-way switching valve 2, and the accumulator 4 to the compressor 1 to perform the cooling operation. At this time, the three-way switching valve 8 is connected to each of the first ports 8.
a is closed, and the second port 8b and the third port 8c are open.

At the time of this cycle, a part of the refrigerant decompressed to a low pressure by the third flow control device 15 enters the second bypass pipe 54, and the sixth heat exchange sections 16f, 16g,
16h, the second connection pipes 7f, 7g, 7h on the indoor unit side
Between the second branch portion 5 and the fifth heat exchange portion 16i.
Heat exchange between the second connection pipes 7f, 7g, 7h on the side of each indoor unit 1 and the refrigerant flowing into the second branch 51 at the fourth heat exchange section 59. Then, the evaporated refrigerant enters the first connection pipe 6 and is sucked into the compressor 1 through the fourth check valve 33, the four-way switching valve 2, and the accumulator 4. On the other hand, the fourth, fifth, and sixth heat exchange units 59, 16
The refrigerant in the second branch 51, which has undergone heat exchange at i, 16f, 16g, and 16h and has been cooled and has a sufficient degree of supercooling, flows into the indoor units F, G, and H to be cooled.

Next, the case of only the heating operation will be described with reference to FIG. That is, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas discharged from the compressor 1 passes through the four-way switching valve 2 as shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 2, the fifth check valve 34, the second connection pipe 7,
After passing through the gas-liquid separation device 12, it is divided into the first branch portion 10 and the other refrigerant flowing into the repeater I. The refrigerant flowing into the first branch portion 10 passes through the three-way switching valve 8 and the first connection pipes 6b, 6c, 6d on the indoor unit side, and passes through the indoor units B,
It flows into C and D and exchanges heat with indoor air to condense and liquefy and heat the room. The refrigerant in the liquid state passes through the first flow control device 9 controlled by the degree of supercooling at the outlet of each indoor heat exchanger 5, and passes through the second connection pipes 7b and 7c on the indoor unit side. , 7d, flow into the second branch 11 and merge there, further pass through the fourth flow control device 17, where the first
The pressure is reduced to a low pressure gas-liquid two-phase state by one of the flow control device 9 or the fourth flow control device 17 and the third flow control device 15. And the refrigerant depressurized to low pressure,
Through the first connection pipe 6, the check valve 35 of the sixth, the refrigerant becomes gas state evaporates by heat exchange flows into the heat source apparatus side heat exchanger 3 is four-way switching valve 2, through the accumulator 4 Compressor 1
A circulation cycle is drawn into the hopper and a heating operation is performed.
At this time, the three-way switching valve 8 has the second port 8b closed and the first port 8a and the third port 8c open. At this time, since the first connection pipe 6 has a low pressure and the second connection pipe 7 has a high pressure, the refrigerant necessarily flows to the fifth check valve 34 and the sixth check valve 35.

On the other hand, the refrigerant flowing into the other relay unit I is supplied to the first branch portion 50, the three-way switching valve 8, and the first unit 50 on the indoor unit side.
Through the connection pipes 6f, 6g, 6h of each indoor unit F, G,
It flows into H, exchanges heat with room air, condenses and liquefies, and heats the room. The refrigerant in the liquid state passes through the first flow control device 9 controlled by the degree of supercooling at the outlet of each indoor heat exchanger 5, and passes through the second connection pipe 7 on the indoor unit side.
f, 7g, and 7f, flow into the second branch portion 51 to merge therewith, further flow into the sixth flow control device 57 or a specific repeater E, pass through the fourth flow control device 17, and here. Either the first flow control device 9 or the fourth flow control device 17 and the sixth flow control device 57 are reduced to a low pressure two-phase state. Then, the refrigerant depressurized to a low pressure, through the first connection pipe 6, the sixth check valve 35, the refrigerant becomes gas state evaporates and flows into the heat source unit side heat exchanger 3 exchanges heat of
Four-way switching valve 2, through the accumulator 4 constitutes a circulation cycle is sucked into the compressor 1 performs the heating operation. At this time, the three-way switching valve 8 has its second port 8b closed,
The port 8a and the third port 8c are open.

The case of mainly heating in simultaneous cooling and heating operation will be described with reference to FIG. Here, indoor units B, C,
A case will be described in which four units D and F are heating, and two indoor units G and H are trying to cool. That is, as indicated by solid arrows in FIG. 3, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas discharged from the compressor 1 passes through the four-way switching valve 2, the fifth check valve 34, and the second connection pipe 7, and passes through a specific relay machine. E, passes through the gas-liquid separator 12, and is separated into a refrigerant flowing into the first branch 10 and another refrigerant flowing into the repeater I. The refrigerant flowing into the first branch portion 10 is supplied to the three-way switching valve 8 connected to the indoor units B, C, and D, the first connection pipe 6b on the indoor unit side,
6c, 6d, in order, heating the indoor unit B,
It flows into C and D and exchanges heat with the indoor air in the indoor unit side heat exchanger 5 to condense and liquefy, thereby heating the room. The refrigerant in the liquid state is controlled by the degree of supercooling at the outlet of the indoor heat exchanger 5, and the first flow control device 9 is almost fully opened.
, And becomes a pressure intermediate between the high pressure and the low pressure (intermediate pressure), and the second connection pipes 7b, 7c, 7
d flows into the second branch portion 11. On the other hand, the refrigerant that has flowed into the other relay units I is supplied to the first branch unit 50 and the indoor unit F.
Flows into the indoor unit F to be heated through the three-way switching valve 8 connected to the air conditioner and the first connection pipe 6f on the indoor unit side, exchanges heat with the indoor air in the indoor unit side heat exchanger 5, and condenses. And heat the room. The refrigerant in the liquid state is controlled by the degree of supercooling at the outlet of the indoor unit-side heat exchanger 5, passes through the first flow control device 9 which is almost fully opened, and is slightly reduced in pressure to high pressure and low pressure. Intermediate pressure (intermediate pressure)
It flows into the second branch 51 from the second connection pipe 7f on the indoor unit side.

The flow of the refrigerant to the indoor units G and H to be cooled flows from the second branch 51 to the second connection pipes 7 g and 7 h on the indoor unit side, and to the outlet of the indoor side heat exchanger 5. After the pressure is reduced by the first flow rate control device 9 controlled by the degree of superheat, the gas enters the indoor heat exchanger 5 and exchanges heat to evaporate to a gaseous state to cool the room and to be connected to the indoor units G and H. It flows into the first connection pipe 6 via the three-way switching valve 8.
The flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into the indoor units G and H is determined according to the magnitude of the cooling load of the indoor units G and H to be cooled.
Therefore, when the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into the indoor units G and H from the second branch unit 51 is larger than the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into the second branch unit 51 from the indoor unit F, the second flow from the indoor units B, C and D is performed. A part of the refrigerant flowing into the second branch portion 51 flows into the second branch portion 51, merges with the refrigerant flowing into the second branch portion 51 from the indoor unit F, and flows into the indoor units G and H. . On the other hand, the other refrigerant flowing from the indoor units B, C, and D into the second branch portion 11 has a high pressure in the second connection pipe 7 and an intermediate pressure in the second branch portion 11 and the second branch portion 51. Through the fourth flow control device 17 or the sixth flow control device 57 that can be opened and closed to be controlled so as to make the difference constant, and joins the refrigerant that has passed through the indoor units G and H to be cooled. Thick first connection pipe 6
Flows into the check valve 35 of the sixth, flows into the heat source apparatus side heat exchanger 3, the heat exchanger to evaporated refrigerant becomes gas state four-way switching valve 2, the compressor 1 through the accumulator 4 A circulation cycle for suction is formed, and a heating-main operation is performed.

Further, the indoor units G, H from the second branch 51
When the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into the second branch portion 51 from the indoor unit F is smaller than the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into the
A part of the refrigerant flowing into the branch 51 of the second branch 51
Flows into the indoor units G and H from. On the other hand, from the indoor unit F to the second
The other refrigerant flowing into the branch portion 51 of the indoor units B, C, D
Together with the refrigerant flowing into the second branch 11 from the high pressure of the second connection pipe 7 and the second branch 11 and the second branch 5.
Openable and closable fourth flow control device 17 or sixth flow control device 5 which is controlled so as to keep the difference from the first intermediate pressure constant.
7 and the refrigerant that has passed through the indoor units G and H to be cooled, flows into the thick first connection pipe 6,
The check valve 35, the heat source unit side heat exchanger 3 to the inlet to the heat exchanger and the refrigerant was evaporated to a gaseous state by the four-way switching valve 2, a circulation cycle is drawn into the compressor 1 through the accumulator 4 structure of Then, the main heating operation is performed.

At this time, the pressure difference between the evaporation pressure of the indoor heat exchanger 5 of the indoor units G and H to be cooled and the evaporation pressure of the heat source side heat exchanger 3 is switched to the thick first connection pipe 6. Become smaller. At this time, the indoor units B, C,
The three-way switching valves 8 connected to D and F have respective second ports 8.
b is closed, and the first port 8a and the third port 8c are open. In the three-way switching valve 8 connected to the indoor units G and H, the second port 8b and the third port 8c are open, and the first port 8a is closed. At this time, since the first connection pipe 6 has a low pressure and the second connection pipe 7 has a high pressure, the refrigerant necessarily flows to the fifth check valve 34 and the sixth check valve 35.

In this cycle, a part of the liquid refrigerant flows into the third flow control device 15 from the junction of the second connection pipes 7b, 7c, 7d on the indoor unit side. The inflowing refrigerant is decompressed to a low pressure by the third flow control device 15, and
Refrigerant flowing into the heat exchange sections 16b, 16c, 16d of
The refrigerant flows into the sixth heat exchange units 16f, 16g, and 16h. Third heat exchange units 16b, 16c, 16d
Flows into the third heat exchange units 16b, 16c, 1
6d between the second connection pipes 7b, 7c, 7d on the indoor unit side, and the second heat exchange section 16a at the second branch section 11
Between the second connection pipes 7b, 7c and 7d on the side of each indoor unit, and further with the refrigerant flowing into the second flow control device 13 in the first heat exchange section 19. And evaporate,
The gas enters the first connection pipe 6, passes through the sixth check valve 35, flows into the heat source unit side heat exchanger 3, exchanges heat and evaporates to a gas state. Then, the refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 1 via the four-way switching valve 2 and the accumulator 4. Further, the refrigerant that has entered the sixth heat exchange units 16f, 16g, 16h passes through the sixth heat exchange units 16f, 16g, 16h between the second connection pipes 7f, 7g, 7h on the indoor unit side. And the fifth heat exchange section 1
At 6i, the second branch 51 is connected to the junction of the second connection pipes 7f, 7g, and 7h on the indoor unit side, and the fourth heat exchange unit 59 further connects the second repeater E from the specific repeater E to the second. The refrigerant exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing into the branch portion 51 to evaporate, and the first connection pipe 6
Through the sixth check valve 35, the heat source unit side heat exchanger 3
And heat exchange to evaporate to a gaseous state. Then, the refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 1 via the four-way switching valve 2 and the accumulator 4. On the other hand, the first and second and third and fourth
And the fifth and sixth heat exchange units 19, 16a, 16b, 1
6c, 16d, 59, 16i, 16f, 16g, 16h
The refrigerant which has been cooled by the heat exchange in step (1) and has a sufficient degree of supercooling flows into the indoor units G and H to be cooled. Further, by providing the fourth and sixth flow control devices 17 and 57 in the specific repeater E and the other repeater I, respectively, according to the loads of the connected indoor units B, C, D and F, respectively. It is possible to adjust the flow rate independently for each specific repeater E and other repeaters I.

Here, four indoor units B, C, D, and F are heating, and two indoor units G and H are trying to cool, ie, all the indoor units trying to cool are all other relay units I.
Has been described, but when all the indoor units to be cooled are connected to a specific relay unit E, and when the indoor unit to be cooled is connected to a specific and other relay units E and I, respectively. A similar effect can be obtained for the heating main body when connected.

Referring to FIG. 4, a description will be given of a case where cooling is mainly performed in the simultaneous cooling and heating operation. Here, indoor units B, C,
A case in which four units D and F are going to cool, and two indoor units G and H are going to heat will be described. That is, as shown by solid arrows in FIG. 4, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas discharged from the compressor 1 passes through the four-way switching valve 2 and exchanges an arbitrary amount of heat in the heat source device side heat exchanger 3 to form a two-phase gas-liquid mixture. The refrigerant becomes high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant, and is sent from the third check valve 32 and the second connection pipe 7 to the gas-liquid separator 12 of the specific relay E. Here, the gaseous refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant are separated, and the separated gaseous refrigerant is supplied to the first branch portion 50, the three-way switching valve 8, the first connection pipe 6 on the indoor unit side.
g, 6h, the indoor units G, H to be heated
And heat exchanges with the indoor air in the indoor unit side heat exchanger 5 to condense and liquefy and heat the room. Further, the indoor heat exchanger 5
Is controlled by the degree of subcooling at the outlet of
The pressure is slightly reduced through the flow rate control device 9 of the first embodiment, becomes an intermediate pressure (intermediate pressure) between the high pressure and the low pressure, and flows into the second branch portion 51. On the other hand, the remaining liquid refrigerant flows into the second branch portion 11 and the second branch portion 51 through the second flow control device 13 which is controlled so as to keep the difference between the high pressure and the intermediate pressure constant.

The flow of the refrigerant to the indoor units B, C, and D to be cooled passes through the second branch section 11 and the second connection pipes 7b, 7c, and 7d on the indoor unit side. C, D
Flows into. The refrigerant is controlled by the first degree of superheat at the outlets of the indoor heat exchangers 5 of the indoor units B, C, and D.
Is reduced to a low pressure by the flow control device 9, and heat exchanges with the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 5 to evaporate and gasify, thereby cooling the room. The refrigerant in this gas state is supplied to the first connection pipes 6b, 6c, 6d on the indoor unit side, the indoor unit B,
The three-way switching valve 8 connected to C and D and the first branch portion 10 flow into the first connection pipe 6. In addition, the flow of the refrigerant to the indoor unit F to be cooled is
1. The air flows into the indoor unit F through the second connection pipe 7f on the indoor unit side. Then, the refrigerant is reduced to a low pressure by the first flow control device 9 controlled by the degree of superheat at the outlet of the indoor heat exchanger 5 of the indoor unit F, and exchanges heat with the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 5. It evaporates and is gasified to cool the room.
Then, the refrigerant in the gas state is supplied to the first unit on the indoor unit side.
Connection pipe 6f, three-way switching valve 8 connected to indoor unit F,
Through the first branch portion 50, it flows into the first connection pipe 6. In the first connection pipe 6, the refrigerant from the specific relay E and the refrigerant from the other relays I join together and pass through the fourth check valve 33, the four-way switching valve 2, the accumulator 4 and the compressor 1.
A circulation cycle is drawn in, and cooling-main operation is performed.

The indoor units B, C, D,
The indoor units B, C, D, and F depend on the cooling load of F.
Is determined. Therefore, when the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing from the indoor units G and H to the second branch 51 is larger than the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing from the second branch 51 to the indoor unit F,
Part of the refrigerant flowing from the indoor units G and H into the second branch unit 51 flows into the indoor unit F from the second branch unit 51, and the other refrigerant flows from the second branch unit 51 to the specific relay unit. The refrigerant flows into E, merges with the refrigerant that has passed through the second flow control device 13, and flows into the indoor units B, C, and D from the second branch portion 11. When the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing from the indoor units G and H to the second branch 51 is smaller than the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing from the second branch 51 to the indoor unit F, the refrigerant has passed through the second flow control device 13. Part of the refrigerant flows into the other relay device I, merges with the refrigerant flowing from the indoor units G and H at the second branch unit 51, and flows into the indoor unit F from the second branch unit 51. . The remaining refrigerant that has passed through the second flow control device 13 flows into the indoor units B, C, and D from the second branch portion 11.

At this time, the three-way switching valves 8 connected to the indoor units B, C, D and F have their first ports 8a closed and the second ports 8a closed.
The opening 8b and the third opening 8c are open. The three-way switching valve 8 connected to the indoor units G and H has a first port 8a and a third port 8a.
The port 8c is open and the second port 8b is closed. At this time, since the first connection pipe 6 has a low pressure and the second connection pipe 7 has a high pressure, the refrigerant necessarily flows to the third check valve 32 and the fourth check valve 33.

In this cycle, a part of the liquid refrigerant enters the third flow control device 15 from the junction of the second connection pipes 7b, 7c, 7d on the indoor unit side. The refrigerant that has entered the third flow control device 15 is decompressed to a low pressure by the third flow control device 15, and the third heat exchange units 16b, 16c, 16d
And the sixth heat exchange units 16f, 16g, 1
6h. Third heat exchange section 16
The refrigerant flowing into b, 16c, and 16d flows between the second connection pipes 7b, 7c, and 7d on the indoor unit side in the third heat exchange units 16b, 16c, and 16d. 16a
And the second connection pipe 7 on each indoor unit side of the second branch portion 11
b, 7c, and 7d, and heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing into the second flow control device 13 in the first heat exchange unit 19 to evaporate. And is sucked into the compressor 1 through the fourth check valve 33, the four-way switching valve 2, and the accumulator 4. In addition, the sixth heat exchange units 16f, 1
The refrigerant that has entered the 6g, 16h is the sixth heat exchange section 16f,
At 16g and 16h, the second connection pipes 7f and 7 on each indoor unit side are used.
g, 7h, and the second connection pipes 7f, 7g on the indoor unit side of the second branching section 51 in the fifth heat exchange section 16i.
7h, the fourth heat exchange unit 59 further exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing from the specific repeater E into the second branch unit 51 in the fourth heat exchange unit 59 to evaporate, and the first connection pipe Enter 6 and 4
Through the check valve 33, the four-way switching valve 2, the accumulator 4
, And is sucked into the compressor 1. On the other hand, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth heat exchange units 19, 16
a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 59, 16i, 16f,
The refrigerant which has been cooled by the heat exchange at 16 g and 16 h and which has a sufficient degree of supercooling is used for the indoor units B, C,
Flow into D and F. Thus, the third flow control device 15
From the refrigerant outlet of the first to third heat exchange units 19 and 16
a, 16b, 16c, 16d side and fourth to sixth heat exchange parts
Divide to 59, 16i, 16f, 16g, 16h side
With the configuration, the first, second, third, and fourth
And the heat exchange units 19, 16a, 16b, 1
6c, 16d, 59, 16i, 16f, 16g, 16h
The supercooling degree can be adjusted only by the third flow control device 15, and the structure and control can be simplified.

Here, four indoor units B, C, D, and F are for cooling, and two indoor units G and H are for heating.
Although the cooling main body when connected to is described, when all the indoor units to be heated are connected to a specific relay unit E, and the indoor unit to be heated is specified, and the other relay units E and I The same operation and effect can be obtained for the cooling main body when they are connected.

Embodiment 2 FIG. In the above embodiment, the sixth flow control device 57 is provided in the other repeater I to connect the second branch 51 to the first connection pipe 6, but as shown in FIG. Even if the sixth flow control device 57 is not provided in the repeater I and the second branch portion 51 is connected to the first connection pipe 6 via the fourth flow control device 17 of the specific repeater E. The same operation and effect as those of the above embodiment can be obtained. This also allows the number of flow control devices to be reduced.

Embodiments 3 and 4. In the first and second embodiments, the three-way switching valve 8 is provided to provide the first connection pipes 6b, 6c, 6d, 6f, 6g, and 6h on the indoor unit side and the first connection pipe 6 or the second connection pipe. 7 are switchably connected to each other, but as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG.
The same operation and effect as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained even if the on-off valves such as 0 and 31 are provided and connected so as to be switchable as described above.

[0045]

The air conditioner according to the present invention includes a single heat source unit including a compressor , a switching valve, a heat source side heat exchanger and the like, and a plurality of indoor units each having an indoor side heat exchanger. Are connected via the first and second connection pipes, and each of them comprises one or more indoor units.
Certain indoor unit structural units and other indoor unit structural units
One of the indoor heat exchangers of the specific indoor unit constituent unit is the first
Switchable connection to the second connection pipe or the second connection pipe.
A first branch portion, and the indoor side of the specific indoor unit constituent unit
The other end of the heat exchanger is connected to a second connection via the first flow control device.
A second branch connected to the continuation pipe, and the second connection
A second unit corresponding to a specific indoor unit configuration unit provided in a pipe
Flow control for communicating the first branch with the first branch
The indoor heat exchanger of the device and the above other indoor unit constituent units
Switch to one of the first connection pipe and the second connection pipe
A first branch for operable connection and the above other indoor mechanism
The other of the indoor heat exchangers of the unit is connected to the first flow control device.
Through the above specified indoor unit constituent unit or other indoor units
The second unit connected to the second branch corresponding to the machine configuration unit
Branching section and a second section corresponding to the specific indoor unit configuration unit.
Built-in 1st, 2nd branch, and the above 2nd flow control device
Supports specific repeater units and other indoor unit configuration units
And the other repeater having the first and second branch portions built therein, so that even if a large number of indoor units are installed and connected to one heat source unit over a wide range, the heat source Since a plurality of repeaters can be interposed between the unit and the indoor units, it is possible to obtain an air conditioner with good workability of connecting pipes and good installability of the repeaters.

[0046] Furthermore, the particular room mechanism formed unit, or other
By connecting the second branch portion corresponding to each indoor unit constituent unit or the first branch pipe corresponding to each indoor unit constituent unit via the flow control device for bypass , according to the load of the connected indoor unit Specific repeater or other repeater , or each repeater
The flow rate can be adjusted independently for each machine , improving controllability. In addition, even when a large number of indoor units are installed and connected to a large number of indoor units with respect to one heat source unit, a plurality of relay units can be interposed between the heat source units and the indoor units. It is possible to obtain an air-conditioning apparatus with good performance and good repeatability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram mainly showing a refrigerant system of an air conditioner showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is an operation state diagram of only the cooling or heating of the air-conditioning apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation state of the air-conditioning apparatus shown in FIG. 1 mainly for heating.

FIG. 4 is an operation state diagram of the air conditioning apparatus shown in FIG. 1 mainly for cooling.

FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram mainly showing a refrigerant system of an air conditioner showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an overall configuration diagram mainly showing a refrigerant system of an air conditioner showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an overall configuration diagram mainly showing a refrigerant system of an air conditioner showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an overall configuration diagram mainly showing a refrigerant system of a conventional air conditioner.

9 is an operation state diagram of only cooling or heating of the air-conditioning apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation state of the air conditioning apparatus shown in FIG. 8 mainly for heating.

11 is an operation state diagram of the air conditioning apparatus shown in FIG. 8 mainly for cooling.

[Explanation of symbols]

A heat source unit, B, C, D, F, G, H indoor unit, E specific relay unit, I other relay unit, 1 compressor, 2 switching valve, 3 heat source unit side heat exchanger, 5 indoor heat exchanger, 6
First connection pipe, 7 Second connection pipe, 9 First flow control device, 10, 50 First branch section, 11, 51
Second branch, 13 Second flow controller, 14 First
Bypass pipe, 15 the bypass flow amount control device, 16
a second heat exchange section, 16b, 16c, 16d third heat exchange section, 16f, 16g, 16h sixth heat exchange section,
Heat exchange portion of the 16i fifth, 17 bypass flow amount control device, 19 a first heat exchanger, 54 second bypass arrangement
Tube, 57 the bypass flow amount control device, 59 a fourth heat exchanger, 60 a specific indoor unit configuration unit 70 other chambers
Internal unit.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Tomohiko Kasai 6-66, Tehira, Wakayama-shi Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Wakayama Works (72) Inventor Junichi Kameyama 6-66, Teporo, Wakayama-shi Mitsubishi Electric Wakayama Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-3-125868 (JP, A)

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first and a second connection pipe for connecting one heat source unit including a compressor, a switching valve, a heat source unit side heat exchanger and the like and a plurality of indoor units each having an indoor side heat exchanger. Are connected between the first and second connection pipes.
By switching the direction of the flowing refrigerant,
Always keep the first connection pipe between the heat source unit and the indoor unit low.
A flow path switching valve device for setting the second connection pipe to a high pressure;
One of the specific indoor unit constituent units each including one or a plurality of indoor units and other indoor unit constituent units, and one of the indoor heat exchangers of the specific indoor unit constituent units is connected to a first connection pipe or a gas-liquid The other of the first branch unit that is switchably connected to the second connection pipe via the separation device and the other of the indoor heat exchangers of the specific indoor unit constituent unit is connected to the second branch via the first flow control device. A second branch connected to the second connection pipe, and the gas-liquid separation device provided in the second connection pipe.
Contact between the second branch portion corresponding to the specific indoor unit structural units
A second flow control device that will be continued, the specific indoor unit configuration
Communication between the second branch section corresponding to the unit and the first connection pipe
A flow rate control device for bypass to be performed and one of the indoor heat exchangers of the other indoor unit constituent units are switchably connected to a first connection pipe or a second connection pipe via the gas-liquid separation device . a first branch portion, the other indoor heat exchanger of the other indoor unit configuration unit via the first flow control device, connected to the second branch portion corresponding to the specific indoor unit configuration unit first, second branch portion, the upper Symbol second flow control device, and the particular which is incorporated the bypass flow control device corresponding to the second branch portion and comprising, in the specific indoor unit configuration unit An air conditioner comprising: a relay device of (1), and another relay device having first and second branch portions corresponding to other indoor unit constituent units. 2. A compressor, a switching valve, a heat exchanger of a heat source unit, and the like.
Has one heat source unit and each indoor heat exchanger
Connected to a plurality of indoor units via the first and second connection pipes.
In the continuation, provided between the first and second connection pipes
By switching the direction of the flowing refrigerant,
Always keep the first connection pipe between the heat source unit and the indoor unit low.
A flow path switching valve device for setting the second connection pipe to a high pressure;
A specific room consisting of one or more indoor units
Unit configuration unit and other indoor unit configuration units and the above specified
Connection of one of the indoor heat exchangers of the indoor unit constituting unit
Cut to the second connection pipe via pipe or gas-liquid separator
A first branch unit which is interchangeably connected, and the specific indoor unit
The other of the indoor heat exchangers of the constituent units is a first flow control device
Second branch connected to the second connection pipe via
And the gas-liquid separator provided in the second connection pipe.
Between the second branch corresponding to the specific indoor unit constituent unit and
A second flow control device to be continued and the other indoor mechanism described above
One of the indoor heat exchangers of the unit is connected to the first connection pipe or
Switchable to the second connection pipe via the gas-liquid separation device
A first branching section connected to the first and second indoor units,
The other of the indoor heat exchangers of the second order through the first flow control device.
And a second branch unit corresponding to the specific indoor unit constituent unit
And a second branch unit connected to the second branch unit
Link the second branch section corresponding to the unit and the first connection pipe.
A flow control device for bypass to be passed, and the specific indoor unit described above
A first and a second branch corresponding to the structural unit;
A specific repeater with a built-in flow control device
First and second branch portions corresponding to other indoor unit constituent units, and
Other relays incorporating the above bypass flow control device
An air conditioning apparatus characterized by comprising a machine. 3. A compressor, a switching valve, a heat exchanger of a heat source unit, and the like.
Has one heat source unit and each indoor heat exchanger
Connected to a plurality of indoor units via the first and second connection pipes.
In the continuation, provided between the first and second connection pipes
By switching the direction of the flowing refrigerant,
Always keep the first connection pipe between the heat source unit and the indoor unit low.
A flow path switching valve device for setting the second connection pipe to a high pressure;
A specific room consisting of one or more indoor units
Unit configuration unit and other indoor unit configuration units and the above specified
Connection of one of the indoor heat exchangers of the indoor unit constituting unit
Cut to the second connection pipe via pipe or gas-liquid separator
A first branch unit which is interchangeably connected, and the specific indoor unit
The other of the indoor heat exchangers of the constituent units is a first flow control device
Second branch connected to the second connection pipe via
And a second branch corresponding to the specific indoor unit constituent unit
Flow control device for communicating with the first connection pipe
And the gas-liquid separation device provided in the second connection pipe.
Between the unit and the second branch corresponding to the specific indoor unit structural unit
A second flow control device to be connected, and the other indoor units described above
One of the indoor heat exchangers of the structural unit is connected to the first connection pipe or
Can be switched to the second connection pipe via the gas-liquid separator
First branching section connected to the function, and the above other indoor unit configuration
The other of the indoor heat exchangers of the unit is connected via the first flow control device.
The second branch corresponding to the specific indoor unit configuration unit
Branch unit connected to the unit and the other indoor unit described above
The second branch portion corresponding to the structural unit and the first connection pipe
A flow control device for bypass to communicate with the specific room
1st and 2nd branch sections corresponding to machine configuration units, for bypass
Incorporating a flow control device and the second flow control device
Specific repeater units and other indoor units
The first and second branch portions and the bypass flow control device
An air conditioner, comprising: a storage unit that stores other relay devices.