JPH0355472A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To assure comfortable conditioning at all times by connecting an outdoor extension heat exchange unit to a valve for extension unit provision of the outdoor unit and further connecting a room extension unit to a valve for extension unit provision of a refrigerant branch unit. CONSTITUTION:In the case where load in a building is increased owing to extension and reform of the building, an outdoor extension heat exchange unit D is connected to extension values 5, 6, and an outdoor extension unit CX is connected to unit extension valves 11, 12. Further, when a refrigerant sealing valve 4 is closed and the unit extension valves 5, 6, 11, 12 are opened for cooling operation, refrigerant discharged from a compressor 1 enters an outdoor heat exchanger 3 and further enters an outdoor heat exchanger after passing through and unit extension valve 5. Then, the refrigerant passes through the refrigerant branch unit B and enters outdoor units C1, C2, C3 and room heat exchangers of the room extension unit CX, and thereafter is sucked into each compressor 1. Thus, the outdoor heat exchanger 8 serve as condensers, and the respective room best exchangers of the unit C1, C2, C3, CX serve as evaporators for cooling.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a multi-type air conditioner having a plurality of indoor units.

(Prior Art) Generally, when installing a multi-type air conditioner in a building, the load in the building is calculated and an outdoor unit and an indoor unit with capacities matching the calculated values are selected.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, the load inside the building is not always constant and often changes due to various factors such as expansion or renovation.

For this reason, comfortable air conditioning may become difficult.

This invention was made in view of the above circumstances,
The purpose is to provide an air conditioner that can freely increase or decrease the number of units in response to changes in the load within the building, and that can always provide comfortable air conditioning.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) An outdoor unit, a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit via refrigerant branching units, and a unit equalization valve provided in the outdoor unit. , an outdoor expansion heat exchanger unit connectable to this unit expansion valve, a unit expansion valve provided in the refrigerant branch unit, and an indoor expansion unit connectable to this unit expansion valve.

(Function) When the load increases, connect the outdoor expansion heat exchanger unit to the unit expansion valve of the outdoor unit, and connect the indoor expansion unit to the unit expansion valve of the refrigerant branch unit. When reducing the load, remove the outdoor expansion heat exchanger unit and refrigerant branch unit.

(Example) Hereinafter, a first example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, A is an outdoor unit, and a plurality of indoor units C.A. , C2. Connect c3.

The outdoor unit A includes a compressor 1, a four-way valve 2, an outdoor heat exchanger 3, a refrigerant blockade valve 4, a unit expansion valve, etc.
, and an outdoor fan 7.

Indoor units c,,c2. Although C3 is not shown,
Each has an indoor unit and an indoor fan.

The compressor 1, four-way valve 2, outdoor heat exchanger 3, refrigerant blockade valve 4, and each indoor heat exchanger are sequentially connected from the outdoor unit A to the refrigerant branch unit B and the indoor units C, C2, and C3. It constitutes a heat-bump type refrigeration cycle.

That is, during cooling operation, the refrigerant flows in the direction of the solid arrow shown in the figure to form a cooling cycle, and during heating operation, b and r are four-way valves 2 and 3.
The switching operation causes the refrigerant to flow in the direction of the dashed arrow in the figure to form a heating cycle.

Further, both ends of the refrigerant sealing valve 4 are communicated with one end of each of the unit expansion valves 5 and 6. The outdoor expansion heat exchanger unit D can be connected to the other end of each of the unit expansion valves 5 and 6.

This outdoor expansion heat exchange unit D includes an outdoor heat exchanger 8 and an outdoor fan 9.

In addition, a unit expansion valve 11 is installed in the refrigerant branch unit B.
．． 12, and the indoor unit Cx can be connected to this unit expansion valve 11.12.

This indoor expansion unit Cx is the indoor unit CI +
C2 * Like C3, it has an indoor unit and an indoor fan.

Next, the operation in the above configuration will be explained.

If there is no change in the load in the building, no unit is connected to the unit expansion valves 5.6, 11.12, and the unit expansion valves 5, 6, 11.12 are kept closed. Further, the refrigerant sealing valve 4 is kept open.

In this state, when cooling operation is performed, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 3 through the four-way valve 2, and the refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 3 enters the refrigerant blocking valve 4.
and indoor unit CI through refrigerant branch unit B.
, C2 * C3 respectively flow into the indoor heat exchanger. The refrigerant that has passed through each indoor heat exchanger passes through a refrigerant branch unit B and a four-way valve 2, and is sucked into the compressor 1.

In this way, the outdoor heat exchanger 3 acts as a condenser, each indoor heat exchanger acts as an evaporator, and the indoor unit ct
+c21 The room where c3 is installed is cooled.

When heating operation is performed, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 passes through the four-way valve 2 and the refrigerant branch unit B, and flows into the indoor heat exchangers of the indoor units c, C2, and C3, respectively.

The refrigerant that has passed through each indoor heat exchanger flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 3 through the refrigerant branch unit B and the refrigerant sealing valve 4,
The refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 3 passes through the four-way valve 2 and is sucked into the compressor 1.

In this way, each indoor heat exchanger acts as a condenser, the outdoor heat exchanger 3 acts as an evaporator, and the indoor unit C. ．．
The room in which C2'+C3 is installed is heated.

By the way, if the load inside the building increases due to expansion or renovation, etc.
Outdoor expansion heat exchanger unit D to unit expansion valve 5.6
and connect the outdoor expansion unit Cx to the unit and installation valves 11 and 12. Then, close the refrigerant blockage valve 4, and close the unit expansion valves 5, 6, 11.12.
Leave it open.

When cooling operation is performed in this state, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 3 through the four-way valve 2, and the refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 3 enters the unit expansion valve 5.
It flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 8 through the. The refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 8 passes through the unit expansion valve 6 and the refrigerant branch unit B, and flows into the indoor heat exchangers of the indoor units cl, C2, c3 and the indoor expansion unit Cx. The refrigerant that has passed through each indoor heat exchanger is transferred to the refrigerant branch unit B.
It passes through the four-way valve 2 and is sucked into each compressor 1.

In this way, the outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the outdoor heat exchanger 8 act as condensers, and the units Cl, C2, C3, Cx
Each of the indoor heat exchangers acts as an evaporator to cool the room in which the units C l c21 c3rCx are installed.

When heating operation is performed, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 passes through the four-way valve 2 and the refrigerant branch unit B and flows into the indoor heat exchangers of the indoor units c, c2, c3 and the indoor extension unit Cx.

The refrigerant that has passed through each indoor heat exchanger flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 8 through the refrigerant branch unit B and the unit expansion valve 6, and the refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 8 passes through the unit expansion valve 5 and goes outside. It flows into the heat exchanger 3. The refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 3 passes through the four-way valve 2 and is sucked into the compressor 1.

Thus, unit CI + c2+ C3 +
Each of the indoor heat exchangers of C will be carried out.

Thereafter, when the load in the building decreases, the unit expansion valves 5, 6, 11.12 are closed and the refrigerant blockage valve 4 is opened. Then, the outdoor expansion heat exchanger unit D is removed from the unit embedding valves 5 and 6, and the outdoor expansion unit Cx is removed from the unit expansion valves 11 and 12.

In this way, it is possible to freely increase or decrease the number of units in response to changes in the load within the building, and optimal air conditioning is always possible without being affected by extensions or renovations.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.

In the drawings, the same parts as in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations will be omitted.

Here, the refrigerant blockade valve 4 in the outdoor unit A is
is being removed. , and from the outdoor unit A to the refrigerant branch unit B and the indoor units C1, C2 . C, a compressor 1, a four-way valve 2, an outdoor heat exchanger 3, unit expansion valves 5 and 6, and each indoor heat exchanger are sequentially connected to form a heat-bump type refrigeration cycle.

Furthermore, the refrigerant piping between the unit expansion valves 5 and 6 is made detachable, and the outdoor expansion heat exchange unit D can be connected thereto.

The rest of the structure is the same as the first embodiment.

That is, when there is no change in the load in the building, the outdoor expansion heat exchanger unit 8 is not connected to the unit expansion valve 5.6, and the unit expansion valve 56 is left open. Also,
Indoor expansion unit C to unit expansion valve 11.12
Do not connect X.

When cooling operation is performed in this state, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 3 through the four-way valve 2, and the refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 3 enters the unit expansion valve 5.
．． 6 and the indoor unit C through the refrigerant branch unit B.
, , C2 and C3 respectively flow into the indoor heat exchanger. The refrigerant that has passed through each indoor heat exchanger passes through a refrigerant branch unit B and a four-way valve 2, and is sucked into the compressor 1.

Thus, the outdoor heat exchanger 3 acts as a condenser, each indoor heat exchanger acts as an evaporator, and the indoor unit CI.
The room where C2 and C3 are installed is cooled.

When heating operation is performed, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 passes through the four-way valve 2 and the refrigerant branch unit B, and flows into the indoor heat exchangers of the indoor units c, C2, and C3, respectively.

The refrigerant that has passed through each Muroyama heat exchanger flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 3 through the refrigerant branch unit B and the unit expansion valve 5.6, and the refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 3 passes through the four-way valve 2. It is sucked into the compressor 1.

In this way, each indoor heat exchanger acts as a condenser, the outdoor heat exchanger 3 acts as an evaporator, and the indoor units c, .
The room where C2 and c3 are installed is heated.

On the other hand, if the load inside the building increases due to expansion or renovation, etc., first close the unit expansion valve 5.6, and use the outdoor expansion heat exchanger instead of the refrigerant piping between the unit expansion valves 5.6. Connect D. Furthermore, the outdoor expansion unit Cx is connected to the unit expansion valve 11.12. Then, open the unit expansion valves 5, 6, 11, and 12.

When cooling operation is performed in this state, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 3 through the four-way valve 2, and the refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 3 enters the unit expansion valve 5.
It flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 8 through the. The refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 8 passes through the unit expansion valve 6 and the refrigerant branch unit B, and flows into the indoor heat exchangers of the indoor units c, , C2, c3 and the indoor expansion unit Cx. The refrigerant that has passed through each indoor heat exchanger is transferred to the refrigerant branch unit B.
It passes through the four-way valve 2 and is sucked into each compressor 1.

In this way, outdoor heat exchanger 3 and outdoor heat exchanger 8 act as condensers, and unit CIC2. The indoor heat exchangers C3 and Cx act as evaporators to cool the rooms in which the units cl, c2, and c3Cx are installed.

When heating operation is performed, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 passes through the four-way valve 2 and the refrigerant branch unit B and flows into the indoor heat exchangers of the indoor units c, , C2, C3 and the indoor extension unit Cx.

The refrigerant that has passed through each indoor heat exchanger flows into the outdoor exchanger 8 through the refrigerant branch unit l-B and the unit expansion valve 6, and the refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 8 passes through the unit expansion valve 5. and flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 3. The refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 3 passes through the four-way valve 2 and is sucked into the compressor 1.

In this way, the indoor heat exchangers of the units C1, C2, C, , Cx act as condensers, the outdoor heat exchangers 3 and 8 act as evaporators, and the units C+, C2, . The room where c3 and Cx are installed is heated.

Thereafter, when the load inside the building decreases, the unit expansion valves 5, 6, 11.12 are closed, and the outdoor expansion heat exchange unit D and the outdoor expansion unit Cx are removed. Then, the unit expansion valves 56 are connected to each other by refrigerant piping.

In this way, the power of the units can be increased freely in response to changes in the load within the building, and comfortable air conditioning is always possible without being affected by extensions or renovations.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where there is one outdoor extension heat exchanger unit D and one indoor extension unit Cx has been described, but the number is not limited and can be set as appropriate.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications can be made without changing the gist.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the outdoor unit and
A plurality of indoor units 1 connected to this outdoor unit via a refrigerant branch unit, a unit expansion valve provided in the outdoor unit, and an outdoor expansion heat exchanger unit connectable to this unit expansion valve, Since the refrigerant branch unit is equipped with a unit expansion valve provided on the refrigerant branch unit and an indoor expansion unit connectable to this unit expansion valve, the unit can be increased or decreased in response to changes in the load within the building. It is possible to provide an air conditioner that allows comfortable air conditions at all times.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a first embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a second embodiment of the invention. A... Outdoor unit, B... Refrigerant branch unit, c
,,c2,c3...indoor unit, Cx...indoor extension unit, D...outdoor extension heat exchanger unit, 56...
・Valve for unit expansion, 1 1, 1 2...Valve for unit expansion.

Claims (1)

[Claims] an outdoor unit, a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit via a refrigerant branch unit, a unit expansion valve provided in the outdoor unit, and an outdoor expansion heat exchanger unit connectable to the unit expansion valve. An air conditioner comprising: a unit expansion valve provided in the refrigerant branch unit; and an indoor expansion unit connectable to the unit expansion valve.