JP2911434B2 - Multi air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an air conditioner,
In particular, the present invention relates to a multi-air conditioner including one outdoor heat exchanger and a number of indoor heat exchangers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A multi-type air conditioner has at least two indoor units. As shown in FIG. 1, such a multi-type air conditioner has an outdoor unit 1 having one outdoor heat exchanger 12.
0, each of the indoor heat exchangers 20 and 22 and the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor heat exchangers 20 and 22 are connected to each other, and the cool air flowing out (discharged) from the outdoor unit 10 is transferred to the indoor heat exchanger 20. 22 includes a dispensing unit 30 for distributing and expanding. The outdoor heat exchanger 12 is connected to the compressor 14, and the distribution unit 30 connects the outdoor heat exchanger 12 to the indoor heat exchangers 20, 22, respectively. Fan (not shown)
As a result, the air is blown toward the outdoor heat exchanger 12, whereby the heat exchange efficiency is improved.

[0003] The distribution unit 30 opens and closes a valve 32 to convert the outdoor heat exchanger 12 to the indoor heat exchanger 20.
By selectively flowing and blocking the refrigerant into the refrigerant 22, the refrigerant flows into only one or both of the indoor heat exchangers 20 and 22. The refrigerant discharged from the outdoor unit 10 is expanded by the distribution unit 30 and selectively distributed to the indoor heat exchangers 20 and 22. In the indoor heat exchangers 20, 22, the refrigerant exchanges heat with indoor air to generate cool air for cooling the indoor space, and the heat-exchanged refrigerant is collected by the compressor 14. Thus, the refrigerant cools the indoor space while circulating through the compressor 14, the outdoor heat exchanger 12, the distribution unit 30, and the indoor heat exchangers 20,22.

However, in the multi-type air conditioner described above, the refrigerant that has exchanged heat in the outdoor heat exchanger 12 is expanded by the distribution unit 30 and distributed to the indoor heat exchangers 20 and 22, and the refrigerant flows in one direction. Designed for cooling only mode with only flow. That is, the multi air conditioner cannot heat the indoor space.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-air conditioner capable of cooling and heating an indoor space.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided an outdoor unit including a flow direction changing valve for selectively changing a flow direction of a refrigerant, and an outdoor unit connected to the outdoor unit. A plurality of indoor units for cooling and heating an indoor space, and connecting the outdoor unit and the plurality of indoor units, and selectively distributing the refrigerant discharged from the outdoor unit to the plurality of outdoor units; A multi-air conditioner including a distributor for causing the refrigerant discharged from the indoor unit to flow to the outdoor unit. The flow direction changing valve changes the flow direction of the refrigerant from the outdoor heat exchanger to the indoor unit and from the indoor unit to the outdoor heat exchanger by connecting the ports to each other. The distribution unit includes a plurality of distribution valves for selectively blocking the flow of the refrigerant, a plurality of check valves connected in series or parallel with the distribution valve to flow the refrigerant in one direction, and the distribution valve and the distribution valve. And a plurality of capillaries connected in series or parallel with the check valve to expand the refrigerant. The refrigerant is prevented from flowing in the reverse direction by the plurality of check valves of the distribution unit. The distribution unit expands the refrigerant by opening and closing the valve according to a flow direction of the refrigerant according to a cooling or heating mode of the multi-type air conditioner. According to the features of the present invention, the air conditioner can be operated in the cooling and heating modes, and has a simple structure and is easy to use.

[0007]

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the multi-type air conditioner 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a multi-type air conditioner 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes an outdoor unit 110 including a flow direction changing valve 112 for selectively changing a flow direction of a refrigerant. The outdoor unit 110 is a distribution unit (distribution unit)
Through 130, it is connected to an indoor unit 120 having a number of indoor heat exchangers 122,124. The flow direction changing valve 1
12 is located between the compressor 114 and the outdoor heat exchanger 116. The flow direction changing valve 112 has four ports P1,
P2, P3, and P4 are provided. A first port P1 is connected to the indoor heat exchangers 122 and 124, a second port P2 is at the inlet of the compressor 114, a third port P3 is at the outdoor heat exchanger 116, and a fourth port P4 is at the inlet. Each is connected to an outlet of the compressor 114.

In the cooling mode, the first port P1
Is connected to the second port P2 and the third port P3
Is connected to the fourth port P4, so that the refrigerant flows from the indoor heat exchangers 122 and 124 to the compressor 1
14, and flows along the outdoor heat exchanger 116. In the heating mode, the fourth port P4 communicates with the first port P1, and the third port P3 communicates with the second port P2, so that the refrigerant flows from the outdoor heat exchanger 116 to the compressor. 114, and flows along the indoor heat exchangers 122,124. The distribution unit 130 includes a first distribution valve 13 provided between the outdoor heat exchanger 116 and the indoor heat exchangers 122 and 124.
2, and a first, which is connected in parallel with the first distribution valve 132 and prevents the refrigerant from flowing to the outdoor heat exchanger 116
A check valve 134, connected in parallel with the first check valve 134, and
A second check valve 138 for preventing flow to 124 is provided. The first check valve 134 is connected in series with a first capillary 136, and the second check valve 138 is connected in series with a second capillary 140. When the refrigerant is discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger 116 and the first distribution valve 132 is closed, the refrigerant expands through the first check valve 134 and the first capillary tube 136 and is expanded.
It flows toward 22,124. On the other hand, when the refrigerant is discharged from the indoor heat exchangers 122 and 124 and the first distribution valve 132 is closed, the refrigerant is expanded through the second check valve 138 and the second capillary tube 140 and the outdoor heat exchange is performed. It flows toward the vessel 116.

On the other hand, the distribution unit 130 is provided with second and third distribution valves 142 and 14 for selectively blocking the flow of the refrigerant flowing into and out of the indoor heat exchangers 122 and 124.
4 inclusive. The second and third distribution valves 142 and 144 are connected in parallel with each other, and the first distribution valve 132 and the second
A third check valve 146 is interposed between the first and second distribution valves 142 and 144. The refrigerant discharged from the indoor heat exchangers 122 and 124 is prevented from flowing to the outdoor heat exchanger 116 by the third check valve 146. The third check valve 146 is connected in series with the second and third distribution valves 142 and 144 through a third capillary 148, and is connected in parallel with the fourth capillary 150. When the refrigerant is discharged from the indoor heat exchangers 122 and 124, the second and third distribution valves 142 and 144 are selectively opened,
The refrigerant expands through the third and fourth capillaries 148 and 150 and flows toward the outdoor heat exchanger 116.

FIG. 3 shows a multi air conditioner 1 according to the present invention.
00 shows another example. In the figure, the first distribution valve 132
Is provided between the third check valve 146 and the second and third distribution valves 142 and 144. First distribution valve 13
2, the first check valve 134, and the second check valve 13
8 are connected in parallel with each other, and the first check valve 134
And the first capillary 136 are connected in series, and the second check valve 138 and the second capillary 140 are connected in series. A third capillary 148 is connected in series between the first distribution valve 132 and the third check valve 146, and the third check valve 146 and the fourth capillary 150 are connected in parallel.

The operation of the multi-type air conditioner 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 shows the open / closed state of the valve according to the mode of the multi-air conditioner 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, in the cooling mode, the first port P1 of the flow direction changing valve 112 is connected to the second port P2.
The third port P3 is connected to a fourth port P4, and the third port P3 is connected to a fourth port P4. If the indoor heat exchangers 122, 12
If only one of the four is activated, the second and third distribution valves 14
2, 144 and the first distribution valve 132 are opened. At this time, the refrigerant is supplied to the indoor heat exchangers 122, 1
24 flows into the distribution unit 130 through the compressor 114 and the outdoor heat exchanger 116. In the distribution unit 130, the refrigerant is supplied to the first distribution valve 132
And the third capillary 14 through the third check valve 146.
8, the second and third distribution valves 142, 1
44, the indoor heat exchangers 122, 12
4 The refrigerant is the indoor heat exchanger 122,
While flowing through the heat exchanger 124, the room is cooled by heat exchange with the room air.

On the other hand, if both the indoor heat exchangers 122 and 124 are activated, the first distribution valve 132 is closed and both the second and third distribution valves 142 and 144 are opened. At this time, the refrigerant is supplied to the indoor heat exchangers 122, 1
From the compressor 24, the refrigerant flows into the distribution unit 130 through the compressor 114 and the outdoor heat exchanger 116. The distribution unit 130
The refrigerant is first expanded in the first capillary tube 136 through the first check valve 134, and secondarily expanded in the third capillary tube 148 through the third check valve 146. Flowed into. While the refrigerant flows through the indoor heat exchangers 122 and 124, the refrigerant exchanges heat with indoor air to cool the room.

In the heating mode, the flow direction changing valve 11
2, the first port P1 is connected to the fourth port P4, and the third port P3 is connected to the second port P2. If only one of the indoor heat exchangers 122 and 124 is operated, one of the second and third distribution valves 142 and 144 and the first distribution valve 132 are opened. At this time, the refrigerant is supplied from one of the indoor heat exchangers 122 and 124 to the second distribution valve 142 or the third distribution valve 144.
After flowing through the third capillary tube 148 and the fourth capillary tube 150 through the third and fourth capillaries 150, they are first- and second-order expanded, and then flow into the outdoor heat exchanger 116 through the first distribution valve 132. The refrigerant is heat-exchanged by the outdoor heat exchanger 116, flows into the compressor 114 through the third port P3 and the second port P2 of the flow direction changing valve 112, and is compressed. The compressed refrigerant passes through the fourth port P4 and the first port P1 of the flow direction changing valve 112 and passes through the indoor heat exchanger 1
22 or 124. The indoor heat exchanger 12
The refrigerant of 2 or 124 heats the room by exchanging heat with room air.

On the other hand, if both heat exchangers 122 and 124 are activated, the first distribution valve 132 is closed and both the second and third distribution valves 142 and 144 are opened. At this time, the refrigerant is supplied to the indoor heat exchangers 122, 1
24 through the distribution unit 130 and the outdoor heat exchanger 11
6 In the distribution unit 130, the refrigerant is subjected to primary and secondary expansion in the third and fourth capillaries 148 and 150 via the second and third distribution valves 142 and 144, respectively.
Through the second check valve 138, the second capillary 140
And flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 116.
While the refrigerant flows through the indoor heat exchangers 122 and 124, the refrigerant exchanges heat with indoor air to heat the room.

[0015]

As described above, according to the multi-type air conditioner of the present invention, the structure is simple and the indoor space can be cooled and heated. Further, since the switching between the cooling mode and the heating mode is easy, the usability is good. Although a specific preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the present invention belongs to the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention as claimed in the appended claims. Anyone with ordinary knowledge in the field will be able to make various changes.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a general multi-air conditioner.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a multi-type air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a multi-type air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the multi-type air conditioner shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 110 outdoor unit 112 flow direction changing valve 114 compressor 116 outdoor heat exchanger 120 indoor unit 122, 124 indoor heat exchanger 130 distribution unit (distribution means) 132 first distribution valve 134 first check valve 136 first capillary tube 138 second Check valve 140 Second capillary 142 Second distribution valve 146 Third check valve 148 Third capillary 150 Fourth capillary P1 First port P2 Second port P3 Third port P4 Fourth port

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A compressor for compressing a refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat of the refrigerant, and a refrigerant flow between the compressor and the outdoor heat exchanger for selectively controlling a flow direction of the refrigerant. An outdoor unit including a flow direction changing valve for changing the air conditioner, a number of indoor units each including an indoor heat exchanger connected to the outdoor heat exchanger for cooling and heating an indoor space, the outdoor unit and the indoor unit And a distribution unit that expands the refrigerant discharged from the outdoor unit and the indoor unit and distributes the refrigerant to the indoor unit and the outdoor unit , wherein the distribution unit is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger, and Refrigerant
A first distribution valve for selectively shutting off the flow of the refrigerant; preventing a flow of the refrigerant to the outdoor heat exchanger;
A first capillary for expanding a medium, which is connected in series with the first capillary tube;
A first check valve connected in parallel with a distribution valve; the first distribution valve; the first check valve;
A second capillary connected in parallel with the capillary to expand the refrigerant;
Flow of the refrigerant to the indoor unit connected in series with a capillary
And a second check valve for preventing flow of the refrigerant selectively connected to the indoor unit.
A multi-air conditioner comprising a number of second distribution valves . 2. The multi-type air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the flow direction changing valve has at least four ports. 3. The third check valve, wherein the distribution means includes a third check valve that prevents the refrigerant from flowing to the outdoor unit through a space between the first distribution valve and the second distribution valve. A third capillary connected in series between the first and second distribution valves to expand the refrigerant; and a fourth capillary connected in parallel with the third check valve to expand the refrigerant. Claim 1
A multi-type air conditioner according to item 1. 4. The third check valve for preventing a flow of the refrigerant to the outdoor unit via a space between the outdoor unit and the first distribution valve, the third check valve, and a third check valve. claim 1 and a third capillary tube for expanding the refrigerant are connected in series between the first distribution valve, characterized in that connected in parallel with said third check valve further comprises a fourth capillary tube for expanding the refrigerant
A multi-type air conditioner according to item 1.