JP7456114B2 - Cooling/heating switching device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a heating/cooling switching device.

BACKGROUND ART In an air conditioner (refrigeration cycle device) including a plurality of indoor units and an outdoor unit, a collective cooling/heating switching device is known for switching the cooling and heating operating states of the plurality of indoor units. This type of heating/cooling switching device includes a piping section having a plurality of refrigerant pipes connected to a plurality of indoor units and an outdoor unit, and a plurality of on-off valves provided in the plurality of refrigerant pipes, and a plurality of on-off valves. Some devices include a driving section having a plurality of opening/closing mechanisms for respectively opening and closing the pipes, and a casing in which the piping section and the driving section are housed. Each opening/closing mechanism has an electromagnetic coil that operates the opening/closing valve.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-163657

By the way, in the above-mentioned heating/cooling switching device, when the number of indoor units connected to one heating/cooling switching device is increased, the number of on-off valves also increases, so a large number of on-off valves are arranged closely in the drive section. That will happen. Therefore, the reliability of the opening/closing mechanism may be impaired due to a decrease in the heat dissipation performance of the heat generated by the electromagnetic coil of each opening/closing mechanism.

The disclosed technology has been developed in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a cooling/heating switching device that can improve the heat dissipation of the opening/closing mechanism of an opening/closing valve.

One aspect of the heating/cooling switching device disclosed in the present application includes a plurality of refrigerant pipes, a plurality of on-off valves provided in the plurality of refrigerant pipes, and a drive unit that drives the plurality of on-off valves, and the drive unit includes: It has a plurality of opening/closing mechanisms provided corresponding to each of the plurality of opening/closing valves to open and close each opening/closing valve, and the opening/closing mechanism includes an electromagnetic coil and a heat radiating member that radiates heat generated by the electromagnetic coil. The opening/closing mechanism is operated by supplying power to an electromagnetic coil, and the drive unit has a pair of opening/closing mechanisms in which power is not supplied to one opening/closing mechanism when power is supplied to the other opening/closing mechanism. However, one opening/closing mechanism and the other opening/closing mechanism are arranged adjacent to each other, and one end on the outer periphery of the heat radiating member of one opening/closing mechanism and one end on the outer periphery of the heat radiating member of the other opening/closing mechanism are in contact with each other . They are arranged adjacent to each other, and each of the one end portions has a portion adjacent to each other, and only the portions are thermally connected to each other by the heat transfer member.

According to one aspect of the heating/cooling switching device disclosed in the present application, the heat dissipation performance of the opening/closing mechanism of the opening/closing valve can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an air conditioner equipped with a cooling/heating switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the cooling/heating switching device of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the heating/cooling switching device of the embodiment from below. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the inside of the casing in the heating/cooling switching device of the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the inside of the casing in the heating/cooling switching device of the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a refrigerant circuit diagram showing a cooling/heating switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a side view showing the piping section and drive section of the heating/cooling switching device of the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a front view showing the heat transfer member of the drive unit in the example. FIG. 9 is a front view showing a modification of the heat transfer member of the drive unit in the example.

Embodiments of the heating/cooling switching device disclosed in the present application will be described in detail below based on the drawings. Note that the heating/cooling switching device disclosed in the present application is not limited to the following examples.

(Configuration of the air conditioning device)
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an air conditioner equipped with a cooling/heating switching device of the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the cooling/heating switching device 1 of the embodiment is provided in an air conditioner 2. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the air conditioner 2 equipped with the cooling/heating switching device 1 of the embodiment. The air conditioner 2 includes the cooling/heating switching device 1, a plurality of outdoor units 3-1 to 3-2, a plurality of indoor units 5-1 to 5-4, a low-pressure gas pipe 6, a high-pressure gas pipe 7, and a liquid pipe 8. Of the plurality of outdoor units 3-1 to 3-2, the outdoor unit 3-1 is connected to the cooling/heating switching device 1 via the low-pressure gas pipe 6, the high-pressure gas pipe 7, and the liquid pipe 8.

The outdoor unit 3-1 includes a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and a four-way valve (not shown). One end of the compressor is connected to a low pressure gas pipe 6, and the other end of the compressor is connected to a high pressure gas pipe 7. The compressor generates high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant by compressing the low-pressure gas-phase refrigerant supplied to the outdoor unit 3-1 via the low-pressure gas pipe 6, and discharges the high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant to the high-pressure gas pipe 7. One end of the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to the liquid pipe 8, and the other end of the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to a four-way valve. The four-way valve is connected to a high pressure gas pipe 7 and a low pressure gas pipe 6. The four-way valve is switched between a first mode and a second mode. When switched to the first mode, the four-way valve connects the high pressure gas pipe 7 to the indoor heat exchanger without connecting the low pressure gas pipe 6 to the high pressure gas pipe 7 and the indoor heat exchanger. When switched to the second mode, the four-way valve connects the low pressure gas pipe 6 to the indoor heat exchanger without connecting the high pressure gas pipe 7 to the low pressure gas pipe 6 and the indoor heat exchanger. Among the plurality of outdoor units 3-1 to 3-2, the outdoor unit 3-2, which is different from the outdoor unit 3-1, is formed similarly to the outdoor unit 3-1, and includes a low pressure gas pipe 6 and a high pressure gas pipe 7. and is connected to the cooling/heating switching device 1 via a liquid pipe 8.

Furthermore, the air conditioner 2 includes a plurality of indoor unit liquid pipes 11-1 to 11-4 and a plurality of indoor unit side gas pipes 12-1 to 12-4. The plurality of indoor unit liquid pipes 11-1 to 11-4 correspond to the plurality of indoor units 5-1 to 5-4. Among the plurality of indoor units 5-1 to 5-4, the indoor unit 5-1 is connected to the indoor unit liquid pipe 11 corresponding to the indoor unit 5-1 among the plurality of indoor unit liquid pipes 11-1 to 11-4. -1 to the heating/cooling switching device 1. The plurality of indoor unit side gas pipes 12-1 to 12-4 correspond to the plurality of indoor units 5-1 to 5-4. The indoor unit 5-1 is connected to the heating/cooling switching device 1 via the indoor unit side gas pipe 12-1 corresponding to the indoor unit 5-1 among the plurality of indoor unit side gas pipes 12-1 to 12-4. ing.

The indoor unit 5-1 includes an expansion valve and an indoor heat exchanger (not shown). One side of the expansion valve in the refrigerant flow direction is connected to the indoor unit liquid pipe 11-1, and the other side of the expansion valve is connected to one end of the indoor heat exchanger. The other end of the indoor heat exchanger is connected to the indoor unit side gas pipe 12-1. The other indoor units among the plurality of indoor units 5-1 to 5-4 are also formed in the same manner as the indoor unit 5-1, and one of the plurality of indoor unit liquid pipes 11-1 to 11-4 is formed similarly to the indoor unit 5-1. It is connected to the heating/cooling switching device 1 via one of the plurality of indoor unit side gas pipes 12-1 to 12-4.

Moreover, when the air conditioner 2 includes 13 or more indoor units, it further includes another heating/cooling switching device 14 , a low pressure gas pipe 15 , a high pressure gas pipe 16 , and a liquid pipe 17 . Like the heating and cooling switching device 1, the heating and cooling switching device 14 is connected to the 13th and subsequent indoor units, and is connected to the heating and cooling switching device 1 via the low pressure gas pipe 15, the high pressure gas pipe 16, and the liquid pipe 17. There is. When the air conditioner 2 uses 12 or less indoor units, it is not necessary to include the heating/cooling switching device 14, and the heating/cooling switching device 14, the low pressure gas pipe 15, the high pressure gas pipe 16, and the liquid pipe 17 may be omitted. .

(Configuration of heating/cooling switching device)
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the heating/cooling switching device 1 of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the heating/cooling switching device 1 of the embodiment from below. 4 and 5 are perspective views showing the inside of the casing of the heating/cooling switching device 1 of the embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the heating/cooling switching device 1 includes a plurality of indoor units 5-1 to 5-4 (hereinafter also referred to as indoor units 5) and two outdoor units as at least one outdoor unit. 3-1, 3-2 (hereinafter also referred to as the outdoor unit 3), a plurality of refrigerant pipes 30 (see FIG. 6), and a plurality of on-off valves 31 to 34 provided in the plurality of refrigerant pipes 30. A piping section 51 is provided. The cooling/heating switching device 1 also includes a driving section 52 having a plurality of opening/closing mechanisms 53 that open and close the plurality of opening/closing valves 31 to 34, a control section 54 that controls the plurality of opening/closing mechanisms 53, a piping section 51, and a driving section. 52 and a housing 55 in which the control unit 13 is housed. Note that the drive unit 52 refers to the entire plurality of opening/closing mechanisms 53 housed in a mechanism housing space 56B, which will be described later, inside the housing 55.

The piping section 51 has a plurality of piping groups 24-1 to 24-12 corresponding to each of the twelve indoor units 5, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Among the plurality of pipe groups 24-1 to 24-12, the pipe group 24-1 includes a plurality of refrigerant pipes 30, a plurality of on-off valves 31 to 34, and a plurality of capillary tubes 35 to 36 (see FIG. (see 6). Further, the plurality of pipe groups 24-2 to 24-12 are also similar to the pipe group 24-1. In the piping section 51, two refrigerant pipes 30 are connected to each indoor unit 5, and these two refrigerant pipes 30 (see broken lines in FIGS. 4 and 5) are connected to one outdoor unit 3. It is connected to the connected outdoor unit side low pressure gas pipe 21 and outdoor unit side high pressure gas pipe 22. The outdoor unit side liquid pipe 23 is arranged to pass through the inside of the piping section 51. Two refrigerant pipes 30 connected to one indoor unit 5 have a total of four on-off valves 31 to 34, which are discharge valves for adjusting the flow and pressure of refrigerant in one refrigerant circulation circuit (refrigeration cycle). , a suction valve, a pressurizing valve, and a pressure reducing valve. The on-off valves 31 to 34 are so-called electromagnetic valves, and are opened and closed by the electromagnetic coil 53b of the on-off mechanism 53.

(Configuration of drive unit)
The drive unit 52 has four opening/closing mechanisms 53 for each indoor unit 5 (see FIGS. 7 and 8), for a total of 48 opening/closing mechanisms 53. Each opening/closing mechanism 53 has a drive shaft 53a that operates the opening/closing valves 31 to 34 and an electromagnetic coil 53b (see FIG. 7), and is electrically connected to the control unit 54 via the electromagnetic coil 53b. The main parts of the drive unit 52 in this embodiment will be described later.

The housing 55 has a pipe housing space 56A in which the refrigerant pipe 30 and the on-off valves 31 to 34 are housed, a mechanism housing space 56B in which the opening and closing mechanism 53 is housed, and a board housing space 56C to be described later, which are independent from each other. It is divided into sections. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the casing 55 has one side surface portion 55a that is a partition wall that partitions the board storage space 56C and the mechanism storage space 56B. Furthermore, the housing 55 has a lid 57 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) that allows the substrate storage space 56C to be opened and closed. The lid 57 is removably attached to the housing 55, and is fixed to the housing 55 with a fastening member (not shown) such as a screw.

FIG. 6 is a refrigerant circuit diagram showing the heating/cooling switching device of the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the heating/cooling switching device 1 includes an outdoor unit side low pressure gas pipe 21, an outdoor unit side high pressure gas pipe 22, an outdoor unit side liquid pipe 23, and a plurality of pipe groups 24-1 to 24-12. , a plurality of indoor unit side gas pipes 25-1 to 25-12, and a plurality of indoor unit side liquid pipes 26-1 to 26-12. The outdoor unit side low pressure gas pipe 21 is connected to the low pressure gas pipe 6. The outdoor unit side high pressure gas pipe 22 is connected to the high pressure gas pipe 7. The outdoor unit side liquid pipe 23 is connected to the liquid pipe 8. The plurality of indoor unit side gas pipes 25-1 to 25-12 correspond to the plurality of pipe groups 24-1 to 24-12. The plurality of indoor unit side liquid pipes 26-1 to 26-12 correspond to the plurality of pipe groups 24-1 to 24-12.

Among the multiple piping groups 24-1 to 24-12, in piping group 24-1, the multiple on-off valves 31 to 34 and the multiple capillary tubes 35 to 36 are connected to each other via multiple refrigerant piping 30. That is, among the multiple on-off valves 31 to 34, the first on-off valve 31 has one side in the refrigerant flow direction connected to the outdoor unit side low pressure gas pipe 21, and the other side of the first on-off valve 31 is connected to the indoor unit side gas pipe 25-1 corresponding to piping group 24-1 among the multiple indoor unit side gas pipes 25-1 to 25-12. Among the multiple on-off valves 31 to 34, the second on-off valve 32 has one side in the refrigerant flow direction connected to the outdoor unit side high pressure gas pipe 22, and the other side of the second on-off valve 32 is connected to the indoor unit side gas pipe 25-1. Among the multiple on-off valves 31 to 34, the third on-off valve 33 has one side in the refrigerant flow direction connected to the outdoor unit side low pressure gas pipe 21, and the other side of the third on-off valve 33 is connected to one end of the first capillary tube 35. Among the multiple on-off valves 31 to 34, the fourth on-off valve 34 has one side in the refrigerant flow direction connected to the outdoor unit side high pressure gas pipe 22, and the other side of the fourth on-off valve 34 is connected to one end of the first capillary tube 35. The other end of the first capillary tube 35 is connected to the indoor unit side gas pipe 25-1. One end of the second capillary tube 36 is connected to one side of the first on-off valve 31 in the refrigerant flow direction, and the other end of the second capillary tube 36 is connected to the other side of the first on-off valve 31.

Among the plurality of piping groups 24-1 to 24-12, other piping groups 24-2 to 24-12 that are different from the piping group 24-1 are also formed in the same manner as the piping group 24-1. For example, the pipe group 24-12 among the plurality of pipe groups 24-1 to 24-12 includes a plurality of on-off valves 31 to 34 and a plurality of capillary tubes 35 to 36. The pipe group 24-12 is connected to the indoor unit gas pipe 25-12 corresponding to the pipe group 24-12 among the plurality of indoor unit gas pipes 25-1 to 25-12.

The plurality of indoor unit side gas pipes 25-1 to 25-12 correspond to the plurality of indoor units 5-1 to 5-4. For example, among the indoor unit side gas pipes 25-1 to 25-12, the indoor unit side gas pipe 25-1 corresponding to the indoor unit 5-1 is connected to the indoor unit side gas pipe 12-1. , is connected to the indoor unit 5-1 via the indoor unit side gas pipe 12-1. Among the indoor unit side gas pipes 25-1 to 25-12, the indoor unit side gas pipe 25-2 corresponding to the indoor unit 5-2 is connected to the indoor unit side gas pipe 12-2, and is connected to the indoor unit side gas pipe 12-2. It is connected to the indoor unit 5-2 via a machine-side gas pipe 12-2. Among the indoor unit side gas pipes 25-1 to 25-12, the indoor unit side gas pipe 25-3 corresponding to the indoor unit 5-3 is connected to the indoor unit side gas pipe 12-3. It is connected to the indoor unit 5-3 via a machine-side gas pipe 12-3. Among the indoor unit side gas pipes 25-1 to 25-12, the indoor unit side gas pipe 25-4 corresponding to the indoor unit 5-4 is connected to the indoor unit side gas pipe 12-4. It is connected to the indoor unit 5-4 via a machine-side gas pipe 12-4.

Each of the plurality of indoor unit side liquid pipes 26-1 to 26-12 is connected to the outdoor unit side liquid pipe 23. The plurality of indoor unit side liquid pipes 26-1 to 26-12 correspond to the plurality of indoor units 5-1 to 5-4. For example, among the plurality of indoor unit side liquid pipes 26-1 to 26-12, the indoor unit side liquid pipe 26-1 corresponding to the indoor unit 5-1 is connected to the indoor unit liquid pipe 11-1, It is connected to the indoor unit 5-1 via an indoor unit liquid pipe 11-1. Among the indoor unit side liquid pipes 26-1 to 26-12, the indoor unit side liquid pipe 26-2 corresponding to the indoor unit 5-2 is connected to the indoor unit liquid pipe 11-2, and It is connected to the indoor unit 5-2 via a liquid pipe 11-2. Among the indoor unit side liquid pipes 26-1 to 26-12, the indoor unit side liquid pipe 26-3 corresponding to the indoor unit 5-3 is connected to the indoor unit liquid pipe 11-3, and It is connected to the indoor unit 5-3 via a liquid pipe 11-3. Among the indoor unit side liquid pipes 26-1 to 26-12, the indoor unit side liquid pipe 26-4 corresponding to the indoor unit 5-4 is connected to the indoor unit liquid pipe 11-4, and It is connected to the indoor unit 5-4 via a liquid pipe 11-4.

The outdoor unit side low pressure gas pipe 21 of the heating/cooling switching device 1 is connected to the low pressure gas pipe 15 when the air conditioner 2 includes another heating/cooling switching device. It is connected to the low pressure gas pipe 21 on the outdoor unit side. At this time, the outdoor unit side high pressure gas pipe 22 of the heating/cooling switching device 1 is connected to the high pressure gas pipe 16 , and is connected to the outdoor unit side high pressure gas pipe 22 of the cooling/heating switching device 14 via the high pressure gas pipe 16 . There is. The outdoor unit side liquid pipe 23 of the heating/cooling switching device 1 is connected to the liquid pipe 17 , and is connected to the outdoor unit side liquid pipe 23 of the heating/cooling switching device 14 via the liquid pipe 17 . That is, the outdoor unit side low pressure gas pipe 21, the outdoor unit side high pressure gas pipe 22, and the outdoor unit side liquid pipe 23 of the heating/cooling switching device 14 are connected to the low pressure gas pipe 6, the high pressure gas pipe 7, and the liquid pipe through the heating/cooling switching device 1. The tubes 8 are connected to each other. Further, like the heating/cooling switching device 1, the heating/cooling switching device 14 connects the gas pipes 25-1 to 25-12 on the indoor unit side and the liquid pipes 26-1 to 26-12 on the indoor unit side. , is connected to the 13th and subsequent indoor units.

(Configuration of main parts of drive part)
The configuration of the main parts of the drive section 52 in this embodiment will be explained below. FIG. 7 is a side view showing the piping section 51 and the drive section 52 of the heating/cooling switching device 1 of the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a front view showing the heat transfer member of the drive unit 52 in the example.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the four opening/closing mechanisms 53 in the two refrigerant pipes 30 connected to one indoor unit 5 are controlled by the control unit 54 when the indoor unit 5 is operated for cooling or heating. A pair of opening/closing mechanisms 53A and 53B (a pair of opening/closing mechanisms 100 ). Specifically, the pair of opening/closing mechanisms 100 (53A, 53B) is an opening/closing mechanism 53A that opens and closes a pressurizing valve as the opening/closing valve 34, and an opening/closing mechanism 53B that opens and closes a pressure reducing valve as the opening/closing valve 33. Among the four opening/closing mechanisms 53 corresponding to one indoor unit 5, the other two opening/closing mechanisms 53 are opening/closing mechanisms that open and close the intake valve, which is the opening/closing valve 31, and the discharge valve, which is the opening/closing valve 32. It is 53.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the pair of opening/closing mechanisms 100 (53A, 53B) includes a heat radiating member 80 that radiates heat generated by the electromagnetic coil 53b. Similarly to the pair of opening/closing mechanisms 100 (53A, 53B), the opening/closing mechanism 53 that opens and closes the discharge valve, which is the opening/closing valve 32, is also provided with a heat radiating member 80. In a plurality of opening/closing mechanisms 53 in a plurality of refrigerant pipes 30 connected to one indoor unit 5, a pair of opening/closing mechanisms 53A and 53B are arranged adjacent to each other in a housing 55.

The heat dissipation member 80 is formed in a cylindrical shape from a metal material having high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, copper, or brass, and is attached to the outer circumferential side of the electromagnetic coil 53b of the opening/closing mechanism 53. The heat dissipation member 80 includes a plurality of heat dissipation fins 80a as a heat dissipation section, and a connecting section 80b to which a heat transfer member 82, which will be described later, is connected. The heat radiation fin 80a is formed by providing a plurality of grooves along the circumferential direction at one end of the cylindrical heat radiation member 80. The other end of the heat radiating member 80 is provided with a connecting portion 80b in which the heat radiating fins 80a are not formed. The heat dissipation member 80 is not limited to the structure having the above-mentioned heat dissipation fins 80a, and may be formed in any shape.

Each heat radiating member 80 of the pair of opening/closing mechanisms 100 (53A, 53B) is connected by a heat transfer member 82 that thermally connects the heat radiating members 80 to each other. The heat transfer member 82 is formed into a plate shape of a metal material having high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, copper, or brass. The heat transfer member 82 has one end connected to the connecting portion 80b of the heat radiating member 80 of the opening/closing mechanism 53A, and the other end connected to the connecting portion 80b of the heat radiating member 80 of the opening/closing mechanism 53B. Both ends of the heat transfer member 82 are connected to the heat radiating member 80 by a fastening member such as welding or screws. Both ends of the heat transfer member 82 may be curved to match the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 80b of the cylindrical heat dissipation member 80, so that the contact state between the heat transfer member 82 and the heat dissipation member 80 can be appropriately ensured. Alternatively, a part of the outer circumferential surface of the connecting portion 80b in the cylindrical heat dissipating member 80 may be formed into a flat surface, so that the contact state between the flat heat transfer member 82 and the connecting portion 80b can be appropriately ensured.

By connecting the heat transfer member 82 to the connecting portion 80b of the heat radiating member 80 in this manner, it becomes possible to transfer heat between each heat radiating member 80 by the heat transfer member 82. In addition, since the pair of opening/closing mechanisms 100 (53A, 53B) are arranged next to each other, it becomes possible to easily connect the pair of opening/closing mechanisms 100 (53A, 53B) by the heat transfer member 82, making it possible to easily connect the opening/closing mechanisms 100 (53A, 53B). The shape of the thermal member 82 is simplified.

The heat transfer member 82 is connected to the connection portion 80b at a position other than the heat radiation fin 80a, so that the heat radiation member 80 of one opening/closing mechanism 53A (53B) can be connected to the other opening/closing mechanism 53A (53B) without impairing the heat radiation performance of the radiation fin 80a. Heat is transferred to the heat radiating member 80 of the opening/closing mechanism 53B (53A). In other words, the heat generated by the electromagnetic coil 53b of one opening/closing mechanism 53A (53B) is radiated via the heat transfer member 82 by the radiation fins 80a of each heat radiating member 80 of the pair of opening/closing mechanisms 100 (53A, 53B). becomes possible. Further, the heat transfer member 82 is provided in each of the pair of opening/closing mechanisms 100 (53A, 53B) in all the indoor units 5 connected to the heating/cooling switching device 1.

In addition, a mechanism housing space 56B in the drive unit 52, which will be described later, is communicated with the outside of the housing 55 through, for example, a vent (not shown) in the housing 55, so that external air flows into the mechanism housing space 56B. It may be formed as follows. Thereby, heat dissipation by the heat dissipation member 80 disposed within the mechanism housing space 56B is properly ensured. Note that, as long as appropriate heat dissipation properties of the heat dissipation member 80 are ensured, the housing 55 is not limited to a structure having a vent.

Furthermore, if droplets due to dew condensation adhere to the opening/closing mechanism 53, this is not preferable since there is a risk of damaging the opening/closing mechanism 53. For this reason, although not shown, when the cooling/heating switching device 1 is installed in the usage environment, each opening/closing mechanism 53 is positioned above the opening/closing valves 31 to 34. This prevents droplets condensed and attached to the opening/closing mechanism 53 from being transmitted and attached thereto.

(Heat dissipation effect by heat transfer member)
In the pair of opening/closing mechanisms 100 (53A, 53B) of the drive unit 52 configured as described above, an operation in which the heat of each heat radiating member 80 is radiated via the heat transfer member 82 will be described. For example, when the indoor unit 5 is operated with air conditioning, the heat of the heat radiating member 80 of one opening/closing mechanism 53A that is activated is transferred via the heat transfer member 82 to the heat radiating member 80 of the other opening/closing mechanism 53B that is inactive. It will be done. Therefore, the heat generated by the electromagnetic coil 53b of one operating opening/closing mechanism 53A is transmitted to both the heat radiating fins 80a of the heat radiating member 80 of one opening/closing mechanism 53A and the radiation fin 80a of the heat radiating member 80 of the other opening/closing mechanism 53B. Since the heat is radiated by , the heat radiation area increases and the heat radiation efficiency is improved. As a result, the temperature of the heat radiating member 80 of one of the opening/closing mechanisms 53A that operates when the indoor unit 5 is operated in the air conditioner can be lowered.

Similarly, when the indoor unit 5 is operated with heating, the heat from the heat radiating member 80 of the other opening/closing mechanism 53B that is activated is transferred via the heat transfer member 82 to the heat radiating member 80 of the one opening/closing mechanism 53A that is inactive. heat is transferred. Thereby, the temperature of the heat radiating member 80 of the other opening/closing mechanism 53B that is activated when the indoor unit 5 is operated with heating can be lowered.

Here, the present example using the heat transfer member 82 as described above will be compared with a comparative example (not shown) that does not use the heat transfer member 82. In this example using the heat transfer member 82, the temperature of the heat radiating member 80 in the opening/closing mechanism 53 that operates when the indoor unit 5 is operated for cooling or heating is lower than that of the comparative example that does not use the heat transfer member 82. The temperature decreased by 9.8°C. Therefore, the heat dissipation performance of the heat dissipation member 80 of the opening/closing mechanism 53 is enhanced by the heat transfer member 82.

(Modified example of heat transfer member)
FIG. 9 is a front view showing a modification of the heat transfer member 82 of the drive unit 52 in the example. In the structure of the embodiment described above (FIG. 8), the heat transfer member 82 may be connected to the housing 55. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the heat transfer member 82 has a connecting portion 83 that is thermally connected to the housing 55, and the connecting portion 83 is connected to the housing 55 in the mechanism housing space 56B, for example. The opening/closing mechanism 53 is connected to the inner wall of the opening/closing mechanism 53, a support frame that supports the opening/closing mechanism 53, and the like. Although not shown, the connecting portion 83 is connected by welding, screws, or the like similarly to both ends of the heat transfer member 82. In this way, the heat radiating members 80 of the pair of opening/closing mechanisms 100 (53A, 53B) are connected to each other and connected to the housing 55 through the connecting portion 83, thereby improving the heat dissipation performance of the heat radiating members 80 of the operating opening/closing mechanisms 53. It becomes possible to further increase the

Moreover, as another modification, as shown in FIG. 9, each heat radiation member 80 and heat transfer member 82 of the pair of opening/closing mechanisms 100 (53A, 53B) may be formed integrally. In this case, the heat dissipation member 80 and the heat transfer member 82 are integrally molded from a thermally conductive metal material or the like. In this case, it becomes possible to omit the process of connecting the heat transfer member 82 to each heat radiating member 80 by welding, screws, etc., and the process of assembling the drive unit 52 is simplified. Further, for example, the heat transfer member 82 may be formed integrally with the connecting portion 80b of the heat radiating member 80, and the connecting portion 80b and the heat radiation fin 80a, which is a separate component, may be attached so as to be in contact with the connecting portion 80b.

(Operation of air conditioning device 2)
When the cooling/heating switching device 1 causes the indoor unit 5-1 to perform cooling operation, it opens the first on-off valve 31 of the piping group 24-1 corresponding to the indoor unit 5-1 and closes the second on-off valve 32 of the piping group 24-1 to connect the low-pressure gas pipe 6 to the indoor unit side gas pipe 12-1. At this time, the high-pressure liquid phase refrigerant flowing through the liquid pipe 8 is supplied to the indoor unit 5-1 through the indoor unit liquid pipe 11-1, and the low-pressure gas phase refrigerant flowing out from the indoor unit 5-1 through the indoor unit side gas pipe 12-1 is supplied to the low-pressure gas pipe 6. When the cooling/heating switching device 1 causes the indoor unit 5-1 to perform heating operation, it closes the first on-off valve 31 of the piping group 24-1 and opens the second on-off valve 32 of the piping group 24-1 to connect the high-pressure gas pipe 7 to the indoor unit side gas pipe 12-1. At this time, the high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant flowing through the high-pressure gas pipe 7 is supplied to the indoor unit 5-1 via the indoor unit side gas pipe 12-1, and the low-pressure two-phase refrigerant flowing out from the indoor unit 5-1 through the indoor unit liquid pipe 11-1 is supplied to the liquid pipe 8.

The third on-off valve 33 and the fourth on-off valve 34 of the pipe group 24-1 equalize the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the pipe group 24-1 when the first on-off valve 31 and the second on-off valve 32 open and close. In other words, the first on-off valve 31 and the second on-off valve 32 are opened and closed appropriately. When the heating/cooling switching device 1 causes other indoor units 15-2 to 15-4, which are different from the indoor unit 5-1 among the plurality of indoor units 5-1 to 5-4, to perform cooling operation or heating operation, Similar to the piping group 24-1, the plurality of piping groups 24-1 to 24-12 are operated.

The indoor unit 5-1 performs cooling operation by being supplied with high-pressure liquid phase refrigerant from the cooling/heating switching device 1 through the indoor unit liquid pipe 11-1. At this time, the expansion valve of the indoor unit 5-1 expands the high-pressure liquid refrigerant supplied via the indoor unit liquid pipe 11-1 to generate a liquid-rich low-pressure two-phase refrigerant from the high-pressure liquid refrigerant. do. The indoor heat exchanger of the indoor unit 5-1 functions as a condenser. In other words, the indoor heat exchanger cools the indoor air by exchanging heat between the low-pressure two-phase refrigerant and the indoor air, and increases the dryness of the low-pressure two-phase refrigerant while keeping the pressure of the low-pressure two-phase refrigerant constant. , producing a superheated low-pressure gas-phase refrigerant from a low-pressure two-phase refrigerant.

The indoor unit 5-1 performs heating operation by being supplied with high-pressure gas phase refrigerant from the cooling/heating switching device 1 via the indoor unit side gas pipe 12-1. At this time, the indoor heat exchanger of the indoor unit 5-1 functions as a condenser. In other words, the indoor heat exchanger heats the indoor air by exchanging heat between the high-pressure vapor-phase refrigerant and indoor air, cools the high-pressure vapor-phase refrigerant while maintaining the pressure of the high-pressure vapor-phase refrigerant, and Reduces the dryness of gas phase refrigerant and generates high pressure liquid phase refrigerant. The expansion valve of the indoor unit 5-1 expands the high-pressure liquid refrigerant to generate a liquid-rich low-pressure two-phase refrigerant from the high-pressure liquid refrigerant.

Other indoor units different from the indoor unit 5-1 among the plurality of indoor units 5-1 to 5-4 also perform cooling operation or heating operation in the same manner as the indoor unit 5-1. .

In addition, the four-way valve of the outdoor unit 3-1 of the plurality of outdoor units 3-1 to 3-2 is such that the amount of refrigerant used in the indoor unit in the cooling operation is changed to the indoor unit in the heating operation. When the amount of refrigerant utilized is greater than that, the first mode is switched. At this time, the low-pressure gas-phase refrigerant flowing through the low-pressure gas pipe 6 is supplied to the compressor, and the high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant compressed by the compressor of the outdoor unit 3-1 is supplied to the high-pressure gas pipe 7, and the four-way valve is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger via. The outdoor heat exchanger of the outdoor unit 3-1 operates as a condenser. In other words, the outdoor heat exchanger exchanges heat between the high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant supplied from the compressor of the outdoor unit 3-1 through the four-way valve and the outside air, thereby maintaining the pressure of the high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant at a constant level. It cools the gas phase refrigerant, reduces the dryness of the high pressure gas phase refrigerant, and generates the high pressure liquid phase refrigerant. The high-pressure liquid phase refrigerant is supplied to the liquid pipe 8. The compressor compresses the low-pressure gas-phase refrigerant flowing through the low-pressure gas pipe 6, and generates a superheated high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant from the low-pressure gas-phase refrigerant.

In addition, the four-way valve of one of the two outdoor units 3-1 to 3-2, the four-way valve of the outdoor unit 3-1, is such that the amount of refrigerant used by the indoor unit in which heating operation is performed is controlled indoors in which cooling operation is performed. When the amount of refrigerant is greater than the amount of refrigerant utilized by the machine, it is switched to the second mode. At this time, the low-pressure gas-phase refrigerant flowing through the low-pressure gas pipe 6 and the low-pressure gas-phase refrigerant generated by the outdoor heat exchanger are supplied to the compressor, and the high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant is compressed by the compressor of the outdoor unit 3-1. Refrigerant is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger via a four-way valve. The outdoor heat exchanger of the outdoor unit 3-1 operates as an evaporator. That is, the outdoor heat exchanger exchanges heat between the low-pressure two-phase refrigerant flowing through the liquid pipe 8 and the indoor air, thereby increasing the dryness of the low-pressure two-phase refrigerant while keeping the pressure of the low-pressure two-phase refrigerant constant. Generates a superheated low-pressure gas-phase refrigerant from a phase refrigerant. The compressor compresses the low-pressure gas-phase refrigerant supplied from the four-way valve and the low-pressure gas-phase refrigerant flowing through the low-pressure gas pipe 6, generates superheated high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant from the low-pressure gas-phase refrigerant, and converts the high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant into is supplied to the high pressure gas pipe 7.

The other outdoor unit 3-2 among the plurality of outdoor units 3-1 to 3-2 also operates in the same manner as the outdoor unit 3-1.

(Effects of Example)
As described above, the drive unit 52 in the heating/cooling switching device 1 of the embodiment is a pair of opening/closing mechanisms in which when power is supplied to one opening/closing mechanism 53A (53B), power is not supplied to the other opening/closing mechanism 53B (53B). 100 (53A, 53B). The heat radiating member 80 of one opening/closing mechanism 53A (53B) and the heat radiating member 80 of the other opening/closing mechanism 53B (53A) are thermally connected by a heat transfer member 82. As a result, the heat radiating member 180 of one opening/closing mechanism 53A (53B) where the electromagnetic coil 53b is activated is transferred via the heat transfer member 82 to the heat radiating member 80 of the other opening/closing mechanism 53B (53A) where the electromagnetic coil 53b is deactivated. Therefore, the heat generated by the electromagnetic coil 53b of the opening/closing mechanism 53 can be radiated by both of the two heat radiating members 80. Therefore, even if the arrangement intervals between the many opening/closing mechanisms 53 in the housing 55 are narrow and the many opening/closing mechanisms 53 are arranged closely together, the heat dissipation of the pair of opening/closing mechanisms 100 can be improved. . As a result, the reliability of the opening and closing operations of the opening and closing valves 33 and 34 by the pair of opening and closing mechanisms 100 can be improved.

Furthermore, the pair of opening/closing mechanisms 100 (53A, 53B) in the heating/cooling switching device 1 of the embodiment are arranged adjacent to each other in the housing 55. Thereby, the pair of opening/closing mechanisms 100 can be easily connected by the heat transfer member 82, and the shape of the heat transfer member 82 can be simplified.

Further, the heat transfer member 82 of the drive unit 52 of the heating/cooling switching device 1 of the embodiment is connected to the housing 55. This makes it possible to transfer the heat of the heat dissipation member 80 to the housing 55 via the heat transfer member 82, further improving the heat dissipation performance of the heat dissipation member 80 of the opening/closing mechanism 53A (53B) in which the electromagnetic coil 53b operates. be able to.

Furthermore, the heat dissipation member 80 of the drive unit 52 of the heating/cooling switching device 1 of the embodiment includes a heat dissipation fin 80a that dissipates the heat of the electromagnetic coil 53b, and a connecting portion 80b to which the heat transfer member 82 is fixed. Thereby, heat can be transferred between each heat radiating member 80 by the heat transfer member 82 while maintaining the heat radiating performance of each heat radiating member 80 of the pair of opening/closing mechanisms 100 (53A, 53B).

Further, in the drive unit 52 of the heating/cooling switching device 1 of the embodiment, each heat radiation member 80 and heat transfer member 82 of the pair of opening/closing mechanisms 100 (53A, 53B) are integrally formed. Thereby, it becomes possible to omit the process of connecting the heat transfer member 82 to each heat radiating member 80 by welding, screws, etc., and the process of assembling the drive unit 52 can be simplified.

1 Cooling/heating switching device 3 Outdoor unit 5 Indoor unit 30 Refrigerant piping 31 to 34 Opening/closing valve 51 Piping section 52 Drive section 53 Opening/closing mechanism 53A, 53B, 100 Pair of opening/closing mechanisms 53b Electromagnetic coil 54 Control section 55 Housing 80 Heat radiation member 80a Heat radiation Fin (heat dissipation part)
80b connecting portion 82 heat transfer member

Claims (4)

comprising a plurality of refrigerant pipes, a plurality of on-off valves provided in the plurality of refrigerant pipes, and a drive unit that drives the plurality of on-off valves,
The drive unit has a plurality of opening/closing mechanisms provided corresponding to each of the plurality of opening/closing valves to open and close each of the opening/closing valves,
The opening/closing mechanism includes an electromagnetic coil and a heat radiating member that radiates heat generated by the electromagnetic coil,
The opening/closing mechanism operates by supplying power to the electromagnetic coil,
The drive unit has a pair of opening/closing mechanisms in which power is not supplied to one opening/closing mechanism when power is supplied to the other opening/closing mechanism, and the one opening/closing mechanism and the other opening/closing mechanism are adjacent to each other. placed,
One end of the outer periphery of the heat radiating member of the one opening/closing mechanism and one end of the outer periphery of the heat radiating member of the other opening/closing mechanism are arranged adjacent to each other,
Each of the one end portions has portions adjacent to each other, and only the portions are thermally connected to each other by a heat transfer member. The heat dissipation member includes a heat dissipation fin that dissipates the heat of the electromagnetic coil, and a connection portion that is formed at the one end adjacent to the heat dissipation fin and to which the heat transfer member is fixed.
Both ends of the heat transfer member are fixed to only the part of the connection part in the outer peripheral part ,
The cooling/heating switching device according to claim 1. Further comprising a casing in which the drive unit is housed,
The heat transfer member is connected to the casing.
The cooling/heating switching device according to claim 1 or 2. Each of the heat radiating members and the heat transfer member of the pair of opening/closing mechanisms are integrally formed;
The heating/cooling switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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