JPH04281170A - Air-conditioning machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To defrost an outdoor side heat exchanger, constituting an air- conditioning machine of heat pump type, efficiently. CONSTITUTION:When the surface of the refrigerant conducting tube 3 of an outdoor side heat exchanger 2 is frosted, one part of refrigerant, used for indoor heating and brought into high-temperature high-pressure condition, is introduced into one of areas 3b, partitioned into two areas in the tube 3, and defrosting is effected by the effect of the refrigerant. In this case, the pipe for introducing one part of the high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant can be provided independently on the outdoor side heat exchanger 2.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heat pump type air conditioner, and more particularly to the structure of an outdoor heat exchanger constituting the air conditioner.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when an air conditioner of this type performs heating operation, an outdoor heat exchanger is appropriately defrosted. This defrosting method includes, for example, a method in which the heating operation is temporarily stopped, the refrigeration cycle device is operated in reverse cycle, and a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger to defrost the refrigeration cycle device. A known method is to defrost the refrigerant by increasing the flow rate in the pressure regulator and sending the remaining high-temperature refrigerant that has not been condensed in the indoor heat exchanger to the outdoor heat exchanger.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Among the conventional defrosting methods described above, in the former method, the heating operation is temporarily stopped, resulting in a significant drop in room temperature, and in the latter method, the heating operation continues. Although this is done, a decrease in air volume cannot be avoided, which also causes discomfort to the user. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can effectively defrost an outdoor heat exchanger without substantially affecting the heating operation capacity.

0004

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the main means adopted by the present invention is to provide an air conditioner equipped with an indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor heat exchanger, and a compressor. In the conditioner, air is provided in the outdoor heat exchanger with a pipe through which a portion of the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant before being compressed by the compressor and used for indoor heating flows independently. It is a harmonizing machine.

[0005]

[Function] In the air conditioner according to the present invention, when frost formation is detected in the outdoor heat exchanger, a portion of the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant used for room heating is directly passed through the pipes. As described above, by directly defrosting using the refrigerant before being supplied to the indoor heat exchanger, frost can be effectively removed. Note that the frosting state on the outdoor heat exchanger is detected based on the temperature detected by, for example, a thermistor attached to an appropriate location on the outdoor heat exchanger.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Examples embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings to provide an understanding of the present invention. It should be noted that the following examples are examples of embodying the present invention, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention. Here, FIG. 1 is a refrigeration cycle diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of an outdoor heat exchanger constituting the air conditioner, and FIG. 3 is a diagram taken along A-A in FIG. ´Arrow sectional view,
4 is a perspective view of a main part of the outdoor heat exchanger in the refrigeration cycle shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line BB' in FIG. 4. In the air conditioner 1 according to this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the refrigerant circulation tube 3 of the outdoor heat exchanger 2 has an internal space partitioned into two regions 3a and 3b in the longitudinal direction. It is formed by a flat tube. The tubes 3 together with the fins 4 constitute the outdoor heat exchanger 2. For example, during heating operation, a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant from the indoor heat exchanger 5 flows through the region 3a. In the above area 3b,
During the heating operation and during defrosting, a portion of the refrigerant in a high temperature and high pressure state before being used for indoor heating is circulated and used to remove frost adhering to the outdoor heat exchanger 2. Note that the frosting state on the outdoor heat exchanger 2 is detected based on the temperature detected by, for example, a thermistor attached to an appropriate location on the outdoor heat exchanger 2. In this case,
For the tubes used for the above-mentioned purposes, it is also possible to use two independent tubes that are provided individually, or one that is overlapped and joined together in the longitudinal direction. The outdoor heat exchanger 2 configured as described above includes a compressor 6
, four-way valve 7, indoor heat exchanger 5, pressure regulator 8, check valves 9, 10, solenoid valves 11, 12, 13, accumulator 14, etc., are connected by piping as shown in Fig. 1 to form a refrigeration cycle. are doing. In the air conditioner 1 configured as described above, when performing heating operation, for example, the refrigerant in a high temperature and high pressure state discharged from the compressor 6 is transferred to the four-way valve 7.
The heat is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 5 through the indoor heat exchanger 5, where it is condensed and releases heat. After that, the above refrigerant is
The pressure is reduced by the pressure regulator 8, and it is evaporated through the region 3a of the tube 3 in the outdoor heat exchanger 2, and then the four-way valve 7
, and is returned to the compressor 6 through the accumulator 14.

In this case, the solenoid valves 11 and 13 are closed, and the solenoid valve 12 is opened. In the outdoor heat exchanger 2, when frost formation is detected at a relatively early stage, the solenoid valves 11 and 13 are opened, and the solenoid valve 12 is closed. Then, a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 6 and in a high temperature and high pressure state before being used for indoor heating is supplied into the region 3b of the tube 3 through the four-way valve 7 and the electromagnetic valve 11. The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant supplied into the region 3b effectively removes frost in the outdoor heat exchanger 2, and thereafter the refrigerant passes through the solenoid valve 13 to the upstream side of the pressure regulator 8. At this point, it joins with the refrigerant flowing out from the indoor heat exchanger 5. Therefore, in the air conditioner 1 according to the present invention, the outdoor heat exchanger 2 can be effectively defrosted without substantially affecting the heating operation capability. By defrosting at an early stage as described above, it is possible to prevent complete frost formation, and it is possible to continue heating operation efficiently for a relatively long period of time. In addition, in the air conditioner 1 according to the present invention, in the refrigeration cycle shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerant leaving the region 3b may be directly returned to the accumulator 14 without passing through the region 3a as described above. , the above area 3b
It is also possible to configure the refrigerant that has exited the pressure regulator 8 to be returned to the downstream side of the pressure regulator 8 without merging it on the upstream side.

[0008]

[Effects of the Invention] Since the air conditioner according to the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to effectively defrost the outdoor heat exchanger without substantially affecting the heating operation capacity. .

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a refrigeration cycle diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an outdoor heat exchanger that constitutes the air conditioner.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A' in FIG. 2;

4 is a perspective view of essential parts of the outdoor heat exchanger in the refrigeration cycle shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B' in FIG. 4.

[Explanation of symbols]

Claims (1)

[Claims] [Claim 1] In an air conditioner equipped with an indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor heat exchanger, and a compressor, the air conditioner is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger before being compressed by the compressor and used for indoor heating. An air conditioner characterized by having a pipe through which a part of the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant flows independently.