JPH07280375A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To raise a heat exchanging efficiency as compared with that of parallel flows and to improve an efficiency by sealing non-azeotrope refrigerant in which at least two or more types of non-azeotrope refrigerants are mixed, and setting a refrigerant flowing direction of a heat exchanger as counterflows to an air flowing direction at the time of both heating and cooling. CONSTITUTION:The air conditioner comprises valves 2a-2d as first refrigerant channel switching units, and valves 4a-4d as second refrigerant channel switching units. At the time of heating, the valves 2a, 2c, 4a, 4c are set to open states in the first and second units, and the valves 2b, 2d, 4b, 4d are set to closed states. In the case of cooling, the valves 2b, 2d, 4b, 4d of the first and second units are set to open states, and the valves 2a, 2c, 4a, 4c are set to closed states. Thus, refrigerants flowing in an outdoor heat exchanger 7 and an indoor heat exchanger 3 become counterflow to the air flow at the time of both heating and cooling, and hence a temperature difference from the air flowing at its periphery is held.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly to an air conditioner using a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, a pressure reducing device, and an outdoor heat exchanger are connected to form a cycle, and a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant in which at least two kinds of refrigerants are mixed is enclosed in the cycle. A conventional air conditioner capable of cooling and heating is, as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-11388,
One refrigerant flow path switching device was connected to the discharge side and the suction side of the compressor.

[0003]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-113
In the conventional device described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 88, the flow direction of the refrigerant is only reversed during heating and during cooling, so that there are the following problems.

That is, HFC-32 / HFC-134a
As shown in FIG. 2, a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant such as (hydrofluorocarbon-32 / hydrofluorocarbon-134a) is used in the two-phase region in which the refrigerant is in the state of condensation or evaporation. The dew point temperature and the boiling point temperature are different under a constant pressure, and the higher the dryness is, the higher the temperature is for the same composition. Therefore, when the number of rows of heat exchangers is more than one, in order to increase the heat exchange efficiency between the refrigerant and the air flowing around, both in the evaporation process and the condensation process, as shown in FIG. It is necessary to set the refrigerant flow direction from the leeward side to the upwind side, that is, the counterflow with respect to the flow direction of the air for heat exchange, and always maintain the temperature difference between the air and the refrigerant from the inlet to the outlet of the heat exchanger.

However, one refrigerant flow path switching device is
In the conventional air conditioner that is connected to the discharge side and the suction side of the compressor and only reverses the flow direction of the refrigerant during heating and cooling, for example, even if a counterflow occurs during heating, it is shown in FIG. 4 during cooling. Such a parallel flow has a problem that heat exchange efficiency is reduced.

An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner using at least two kinds of non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant, which prevents a decrease in heat exchange efficiency due to the flow direction of the refrigerant during heating and cooling, thereby improving efficiency. To provide a device.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an air conditioner of the present invention comprises a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger having a plurality of rows, a pressure reducing device, and an outdoor heat exchanger having a plurality of rows. To form a cycle, and a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant in which at least two kinds of non-azeotropic refrigerants are mixed is enclosed in the cycle, and the discharge side of the compressor and the indoor side Selectively connect a heat exchanger or outdoor heat exchanger,
Further, a first refrigerant flow path switching device for selectively connecting the decompression device and the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger is provided, and the suction side of the compressor is connected to the suction side of the compressor. A second refrigerant flow path switching device is provided for selectively connecting the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger and selectively connecting the pressure reducing device to the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger. , So that the refrigerant flow direction for each row of the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger flows from the same direction during the heating operation and the cooling operation, and from the leeward side of the air for heat exchange to the upwind side. It is characterized by being configured.

Further, a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger having a plurality of rows,
An expansion device and an outdoor heat exchanger having a plurality of rows are connected to form a cycle, and at least two non-azeotropic refrigerants are contained in the cycle.
A non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant, which is a mixture of more than one kind, is enclosed, and the discharge side of the compressor is switched to the second refrigerant flow path between the discharge side of the compressor and one of the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers. A device selectively connected to the inflator and a room;
A first refrigerant flow path switching device for selectively connecting one of the outdoor heat exchanger and the second refrigerant flow path switching device is provided, and a suction side of the compressor is provided on a suction side of the compressor. Selectively connect the heat exchanger of one of the side and the indoor or outdoor side or the second refrigerant flow path switching device,
In addition, a second refrigerant flow path switching device for selectively connecting the first refrigerant flow path switching device to one of the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers or the first flow path switching device is provided, Refrigerant flow direction for each row of the heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger is configured to flow from the same direction during heating operation and cooling operation, and from the leeward side of the air for heat exchange to the upwind side. It is characterized by that.

A compressor, an indoor heat exchanger having a plurality of rows,
A decompression device and an outdoor heat exchanger having a plurality of rows are connected to form a cycle, and at least two non-azeotropic refrigerants are contained in the cycle.
Enclosing a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant mixed in more than one kind, providing a first refrigerant flow path switching device on the discharge side of the compressor, and a second refrigerant flow path switching device on the suction side of the compressor,
The refrigerant is compressed by switching between the first refrigerant flow path switching device and the second refrigerant flow path switching device,
The indoor heat exchanger, the decompression device, the outdoor heat exchanger, or the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the decompression device, and the indoor heat exchanger are configured to circulate in this order, and a row of the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger. It is characterized in that the refrigerant flows in the respective directions so as to flow from the same direction both during the heating operation and during the cooling operation and from the leeward side of the air for heat exchange to the upwind side.

A compressor, a first refrigerant flow path switching device, an indoor heat exchanger having a plurality of rows, a pressure reducing device, and an outdoor heat exchanger having a plurality of rows are connected to form a cycle. A non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant in which at least two kinds of non-azeotropic refrigerants are mixed is enclosed, and an indoor heat exchanger and a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger and a pressure reducing device, or an outdoor heat exchange is provided on the suction side of the compressor. Of the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger by providing a second refrigerant flow path switching device for selectively connecting the air conditioner and the compressor, and the indoor heat exchanger and the pressure reducing device. The flow direction of the refrigerant for each row is configured to flow from the same direction during heating operation and during cooling operation, and from the leeward side of the air for heat exchange to the upwind side. .

A compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, a pressure reducing device, an outdoor heat exchanger, and a plurality of refrigerant flow path switching devices are provided to form a cycle, and the refrigerant flow path switching device drives the pressure difference of the refrigeration cycle. A four-way valve that operates as a force, characterized in that a pressure switching device for driving the four-way valve is configured so that a plurality of four-way valves are shared and driven.

Further, a check valve is provided in the pressure pipe for driving the four-way valve so as to prevent the circulating refrigerant from being short-circuited. Further, the heat exchanger having a plurality of rows is configured such that the refrigerant flow direction of each row is the same direction. Further, in the heat exchanger having a plurality of rows, a gap or a heat insulating material is provided between the rows to reduce the amount of heat transfer between the rows. Further, a liquid receiver is provided between the expansion valve and the heat exchanger that functions as a condenser during the heating operation or the cooling operation.

[0013]

With the above-mentioned structure, the air conditioner using the non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant as the refrigerant, during heating,
Since the direction of the refrigerant flow for each row is from the leeward side to the upwind side of the air for heat exchange even during cooling, the temperature difference with the air flowing around the refrigerant can be maintained and the heat exchange efficiency can be increased. .

Further, the refrigerant flowing in the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger has a counterflow to the air flow during heating and cooling, so that a temperature difference with the air flowing around can be maintained.

Further, since the liquid receiver is provided between the expansion valve and the heat exchanger acting as a condenser during the heating operation and the cooling operation, the refrigerant flowing into the liquid receiver has a dryness after condensation. Since it is a small refrigerant, the composition difference between the refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant staying in the liquid receiver is small, and the difference between the composition of the circulating refrigerant and the composition of the refrigerant when sealed is small. Therefore, it becomes easy to manage the composition when the refrigerant is sealed.

Further, during the heating operation and the cooling operation, since the refrigerant flows into the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger from the upper side, the liquid pool in the heat exchanger can be minimized and the heat exchanger It is possible to suppress performance deterioration and minimize the amount of the filled refrigerant without filling it more than necessary.

Further, the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger has a different flow direction between the heating operation and the cooling operation. Therefore, when the indoor heat exchanger is installed separately from the outdoor heat exchanger, two refrigerants are installed. Since the pipe is divided into the liquid side and the gas side, the liquid side pipe can be made thin and the amount of refrigerant can be reduced.

During the cooling operation, a part of the high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant gas in the first four-way valve before condensation does not pass through the outdoor heat exchanger and is at a lower pressure than in the first four-way valve. It is also possible to prevent the flow into the second four-way valve, which is low, and prevent a decrease in efficiency.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 5 to 7. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioner according to the present embodiment, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an effect of a heat exchanger having heat insulation between rows, and FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the effect, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the effect of the heat exchanger in which the refrigerant flow direction is the same for each row.

As shown in FIG. 1, 1 is a compressor, 2a to 2a.
d is a valve as a first refrigerant flow path switching device, 3 is an indoor heat exchanger having a plurality of rows, 4a to 4d are valves as a second refrigerant flow path switching device, 5 is a liquid receiver, and 6 is An expansion valve as a pressure reducing device, 7 is an outdoor heat exchanger having a plurality of rows, and the first refrigerant flow path switching device has a discharge side of the compressor 1, a discharge side of the compressor 1, and an expansion valve 6, The indoor heat exchanger 3 and the outdoor heat exchanger 7 are provided so that they can be selectively connected. The second refrigerant flow path switching device is provided on the suction side of the compressor 1 so that the indoor heat exchanger 3 and the outdoor heat exchanger 7 can be selectively connected to the compressor 1 or the expansion valve 6, respectively. These are connected by piping to form a refrigeration cycle, and the refrigerant is a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant such as H 2
FC-32 / HFC-134a or HFC-32 /
HFC-125 / HFC-134a is used.
Reference numeral 8 is an indoor blower fan, and 9 is an outdoor blower fan. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the indoor heat exchanger 3 and the outdoor heat exchanger 7 are provided with fins independently for each row, and a gap is provided between each row for heat insulation, The flow direction of the refrigerant is the same in each row as shown in FIG.

The operation of the thus-configured air conditioner will first be described by taking heating as an example. First when heating
In the second refrigerant flow path switching device, the valves 2a,
2c, 4a, 4c are set to the open state and valves 2b, 2d,
4b and 4d are set to the closed state. The high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 1 passes through the valve 2a, flows into the indoor heat exchanger 3 from above, and is directed toward the windward row with respect to the air blown by the indoor blower fan 8. It flows and dissipates heat into the air and condenses. Here, the case of flowing toward the row on the leeward side is referred to as the counter flow, and the case of flowing toward the row on the leeward side is referred to as the parallel flow. Then, passing through the valve 4a, flowing into the liquid receiver 5, the surplus refrigerant is accumulated, and the circulating refrigerant is decompressed by the expansion valve 6,
After passing through the valve 2c, the air flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 7 from above, flows in a counterflow to the air blown by the outdoor blower fan 9, absorbs heat from the air, and evaporates. Then, it returns to the compressor 1 again through the valve 4c.

In the case of cooling, the valves 2b, 2d, 4b, 4d are used in the first and second refrigerant flow path switching devices.
Is set to the open state and the valves 2a, 2c, 4a and 4c are set to the closed state. The high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 1 passes through the valve 2d, flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 7 from above as in the case of heating, and becomes a counterflow to the air blown by the outdoor blower fan 9. It flows and dissipates heat into the air and condenses.
Then, through the valve 4d, it flows into the liquid receiver 5, the surplus refrigerant is accumulated, and the circulating refrigerant is decompressed by the expansion valve 6. Then, it passes through the valve 2b, flows into the indoor heat exchanger 3 from above as in the case of heating, flows in a counterflow to the air blown by the indoor blower fan 8, absorbs heat from the air, and evaporates. Then, it returns to the compressor 1 again through the valve 4d.

As described above, the refrigerant flowing in the outdoor heat exchanger 7 and the indoor heat exchanger 3 becomes a counterflow to the air flow during heating and cooling, so that there is a temperature difference from the air flowing around. Can be kept. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the heat exchange efficiency from decreasing due to the flow direction of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger being parallel to the air flow direction in the heating or cooling mode as in the conventional device. Moreover, since it is not necessary to compensate for the decrease by the heat transfer area of the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger can be downsized.

Further, the liquid receiver 5 can be provided between the expansion valve 6 and the heat exchanger as a condenser both during heating and during cooling. Therefore, since the refrigerant flowing into the liquid receiver 5 is a refrigerant having a low degree of dryness after condensation, the composition difference between the refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant staying in the liquid receiver 5 becomes small, and the composition of the circulating refrigerant and the enclosed refrigerant. The difference with the composition of the refrigerant becomes smaller. Therefore, it becomes easy to manage the composition when the refrigerant is sealed.

The indoor heat exchanger 3 is used both during heating and during cooling.
And since the refrigerant flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 7 from the upper side, the liquid pool in the heat exchanger can be minimized, the performance deterioration of the heat exchanger can be suppressed, and the enclosed refrigerant is not enclosed more than necessary, and the minimum You can keep it to the limit.

The indoor heat exchanger 3 and the outdoor heat exchanger 7 are
By independently forming the fins for each row and providing a gap to perform heat insulation, heat transfer due to heat conduction via the inter-row fins is eliminated, and a decrease in heat exchange efficiency can be prevented. However, even if the fins are not formed independently and the heat is not provided by providing a gap or the like, the effect of counterflow can be obtained.

Further, the indoor heat exchanger 3 and the outdoor heat exchanger 7
Since the flow direction of the refrigerant in each row is the same, it is possible to prevent the efficiency of the heat exchanger from decreasing. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, when the refrigerant flow direction in each row is different, the shape of the temperature gradient of the fins in each row is not uniform in each row, and the temperature difference with the air for heat exchange is different. Although a portion becomes smaller and heat exchange efficiency is reduced, if the refrigerant flow direction is the same in each row as shown in FIG. 7, the shape of the temperature gradient of the fins in each row becomes uniform in each row. As a result, the temperature difference with the air for heat exchange can be maintained, so that the heat exchange efficiency can be improved.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 8, 1 is a compressor, 2a to 2d are valves as a first refrigerant passage switching device, 3 is an indoor heat exchanger having a plurality of rows, and 4a to 4d are second refrigerant passages. A valve as a switching device, 6 is an expansion valve as a pressure reducing device, 7 is an outdoor heat exchanger having a plurality of rows, and the first refrigerant flow path switching device is provided on the discharge side of the compressor 1 with the compressor 1 The discharge side and the expansion valve 11 are provided so as to be selectively connectable to the outdoor heat exchanger 7 or the second refrigerant flow path switching device, respectively.
The second refrigerant passage switching device is provided on the suction side of the compressor 1 so that the indoor heat exchanger 3 and the outdoor heat exchanger 7 can be selectively connected to the compressor 1 or the first refrigerant passage switching device, respectively. ing. These are sequentially connected by piping to form a refrigeration cycle. 8 is an indoor blower fan,
9 is an outdoor blower fan. As the refrigerant, a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant such as HFC-32 / HFC is used as in the first embodiment.
-125 / HFC-134a is used.

The operation of the thus-configured air conditioner will first be described taking heating as an example. First when heating
In the second refrigerant flow switching device, the valve 2a,
2c, 4b and 4d are set to the open state, and valves 2b, 2d and 4 are set.
Set a and 4c to the closed state. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 1 passes through the valve 2a and the valve 4b, flows into the indoor heat exchanger 3 from below, and becomes a counterflow to the air blown by the indoor blower fan 8. It flows and dissipates heat into the air and condenses. Then, the pressure is reduced by the expansion valve 6, passes through the valve 2c, flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 7 from above, flows in a counterflow to the air blown by the outdoor blower fan 9, absorbs heat from the air, and evaporates. Then, it returns to the compressor 1 again through the valve 4d.

In the case of cooling, the valves 2b, 2d, 4a, 4c are used in the first and second refrigerant flow path switching devices.
Is set to an open state, and the valves 2a, 2c, 4b, and 4d are set to a closed state. The high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 1 passes through the valve 2d, flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 7 from above as in the case of heating, and becomes a counterflow to the air blown by the outdoor blower fan 9. It flows and dissipates heat into the air and condenses. Then, the pressure is reduced by the expansion valve 6 through the valve 4c, the valve 2b, and flows into the indoor heat exchanger 3 from above, which is the reverse of the heating time.
The air blown by the indoor blower fan 8 flows in parallel with the air and absorbs heat from the air and evaporates. Then, it returns to the compressor 1 again through the valve 4a.

As described above, the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 7 becomes a counter flow to the air flow during heating and cooling, and the heat exchange efficiency can be improved as compared with the parallel flow. On the other hand, the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 3 has different flow directions during heating and cooling, so when the indoor heat exchanger is installed separately from the outdoor heat exchanger, the two refrigerant pipes are connected to the liquid side. Since it is divided into two parts, the gas side and the gas side, the liquid side pipe can be made thin and the amount of refrigerant can be reduced.

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment.

In this embodiment, the first embodiment of the first embodiment is used.
A four-way valve that operates by using the pressure difference of the refrigeration cycle as a driving force is used as the second refrigerant flow path switching device, and the pressure switching device for driving the first and second refrigerant flow path switching devices is used. It is configured to be shared. In FIG. 9, 1 is a compressor, 10 is a first four-way valve,
12 is a second four-way valve, which has pistons 11 and 1 inside.
3 is inserted. 3 is an indoor heat exchanger with multiple rows,
Reference numeral 6 is an expansion valve as a pressure reducing device, 7 is an outdoor heat exchanger having a plurality of rows, and these are connected in sequence to form a refrigeration cycle. Reference numeral 8 is an indoor blower fan, 9 is an outdoor blower fan, and 17 is a pilot valve as a pressure switching device for driving the four-way valve. Three pressure pipes 14 to 16 are connected to the pilot valve 17, and the first pressure pipe 14 branches in the middle as shown in FIG. 9, and the first four-way valve shown in FIG. The left end of 10,
It is connected to the right end of the second four-way valve 12. The second pressure pipe 15 is connected to the suction side of the compressor 1,
The third pressure pipe 16 branches off in the middle, and the first four-way valve 10
Is connected to the right end of the second four-way valve 12.

The operation of the thus-configured air conditioner will first be described taking heating as an example. During heating, the pilot valve 17 operates so that the first pressure pipe 14 and the second pressure pipe 15 are electrically connected. First pressure line 1
4 and the second pressure pipe 15 are electrically connected, the pistons 11 and 13 in the first four-way valve 10 and the second four-way valve 12 are connected.
Moves to the left side on the low pressure side shown in FIG. 9, and the four-way valves 10 and 12 and the first pressure pipe 14 are closed. The operation as a refrigeration cycle is similar to the operation during heating in the first embodiment.

When cooling, the pilot valve 17 is
It operates so that the second pressure pipe 15 and the third pressure pipe 16 are electrically connected. By connecting the second pressure pipe 15 and the third pressure pipe 16 to each other, the pistons 11 and 13 in the first four-way valve 10 and the second four-way valve 12 respectively have a low pressure side as shown in FIG. To the right of the four-way valve 10,
12 and the second pressure pipe 16 are closed. The operation as a refrigeration cycle is similar to the operation during cooling in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, since the first and second refrigerant flow path switching devices are four-way valves, the number of parts is reduced, and the switching between the two four-way valves 10 and 12 is performed by only one pilot valve 17. Therefore, a more reliable air conditioner can be provided. Further, when the pilot valve 17 is driven by an electromagnetic coil or the like which requires electric power, it is possible to save power by the electromagnetic coil that is reduced by the common use.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment.

This embodiment is a combination of the second embodiment and the third embodiment. As described in the second embodiment, since the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 3 has different flow directions during heating and cooling, the indoor heat exchanger is replaced by an outdoor heat exchanger like a separate type air conditioner. When installed separately, the two refrigerant pipes are divided into the liquid side and the gas side, so the liquid side pipe can be made thinner, the amount of enclosed refrigerant can be reduced, and the piping space can be reduced. Can be made smaller. Also, if you are using something that requires electric power such as an electromagnetic coil to drive the pilot valve,
Power consumption can be reduced by the amount of electromagnetic coils that have been reduced due to the common use.

A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of the air conditioner according to this embodiment.

This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in the fourth embodiment.
The first four-way valve 10 provided in the pressure pipe 14 of the
The check valve 18 is provided in the forward direction from the second four-way valve 12 to the pilot valve 17 between the branch point to the four-way valve 12.

With this configuration, a part of the high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant gas in the first four-way valve 10 before condensation does not pass through the outdoor heat exchanger 7 during the cooling operation, and the first four-way valve 10 does not pass through the outdoor heat exchanger 7. 10
It is possible to prevent the refrigerant from flowing into the second four-way valve 12, which has a lower pressure and a lower refrigerant temperature than the inside, and prevents the efficiency from decreasing.

A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of the air conditioner according to this embodiment.

In FIG. 12, 1 is a compressor and 10 is a first
Four-way valve as a refrigerant flow path switching device, 3 is an indoor heat exchanger having a plurality of rows, 6 is an expansion valve as a pressure reducing device, 7 is an outdoor heat exchanger having a plurality of rows, and 19a to 19d are second The four-way valve 10 is a check valve as a refrigerant flow path switching device of
The discharge side and the suction side of the compressor 1 are provided so as to be selectively connected to the indoor heat exchanger 3 and the second refrigerant flow path switching device, respectively, and the check valves 19a to 19d as the second refrigerant flow path switching devices are provided. , The expansion valve 6 from the lower side of the outdoor heat exchanger 7 and the four-way valve 10 from the lower side of the outdoor heat exchanger 7 so that the refrigerant flow direction of the outdoor heat exchanger 7 is constant during cooling. From the four-way valve 10 to the upper side of the outdoor heat exchanger 7,
The expansion valve 6 and the upper side of the outdoor heat exchanger 7 are provided so as to be in the forward direction, and these are connected by piping to form a refrigeration cycle. A non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant is used as the refrigerant. Reference numeral 8 is an indoor blower fan, and 9 is an outdoor blower fan.

The operation of the thus-configured air conditioner will first be described taking heating as an example. During heating, the high-temperature high-pressure gas compressed by the compressor 1 passes through the four-way valve 10, flows into the indoor heat exchanger 3 from above, and flows in a counterflow to the air blown by the indoor blower fan 8, It radiates heat to the air and condenses. Then, the pressure is reduced by the expansion valve 6, passes through the check valve 19d in the forward direction, flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 7 from above, flows in a counterflow to the air blown by the indoor blower fan 9, and absorbs heat from the air. Evaporate. The check valve 19a does not flow to the downstream side because it has a high pressure corresponding to the pressure loss in the outdoor heat exchanger 7, and therefore does not flow, and passes through the check valve 19b, and the check valve 19c has the outdoor side on the downstream side. Since the pressure is high due to the pressure loss in the heat exchanger 7, it does not flow and the four-way valve 10
Pass through and return to compressor 1.

During cooling, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas compressed by the compressor 1 passes through the four-way valve 10 and is in the forward direction 19c.
And flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 7 from above and flows counter to the air blown by the outdoor blower fan 9,
It radiates heat to the air and condenses. The check valve 19b does not flow to the check valve 19b because it has a high pressure corresponding to the pressure loss in the outdoor heat exchanger 7 on the downstream side thereof, and the check valve 19b passes through the check valve 19a. It does not flow because it has a high pressure corresponding to the pressure loss in the heat exchanger 7, and it flows into the expansion valve 6 and is decompressed,
The air flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 3 from below and flowing in parallel with the air blown by the indoor blower fan 8 absorbs heat from the air and evaporates. Then, through the four-way valve 10, the compressor 1
Return to.

As described above, in this embodiment, the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 7 becomes a counterflow to the air flow during heating and cooling, and the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 3 during heating and cooling. Since the flow direction of the refrigerant is different from time to time, the same effect as in the second embodiment is obtained, and in addition, since a check valve is used as the second refrigerant flow path switching device, a drive device like a four-way valve is used. Since no pressure pipes or pressure pipes are required, a power-saving air conditioner can be obtained.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, all the heat exchangers have one pass, but they are also effective when the heat exchanger or the heat exchanger has a plurality of passes. is there.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the air conditioner enclosing the non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant in which at least two kinds of non-azeotropic refrigerants are mixed, the refrigerant flow direction of the heat exchanger is changed. The heat exchange efficiency can be increased as compared with the parallel flow by providing the counterflow to the air flow direction both during heating and during cooling, so that a highly efficient air conditioner can be provided. Further, in an air conditioner using a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant as a refrigerant, the refrigerant flow direction for each row during heating and cooling is from the leeward side of the air for heat exchange to the upwind side, so the refrigerant is The temperature difference with the air flowing around can be maintained, and the heat exchange efficiency can be increased.

The refrigerant flowing in the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger has a counterflow to the air flow during heating and cooling, so that the temperature difference with the air flowing around can be maintained.

Further, since the liquid receiver is provided between the expansion valve and the heat exchanger that functions as a condenser during the heating operation and the cooling operation, the refrigerant flowing into the liquid receiver has a dryness after condensation. Since it is a small refrigerant, the composition difference between the refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant staying in the liquid receiver is small, and the difference between the composition of the circulating refrigerant and the composition of the refrigerant when sealed is small. Therefore, it becomes easy to manage the composition when the refrigerant is sealed.

Also, during both heating operation and cooling operation, the refrigerant flows into the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger from the upper side, so that the liquid pool in the heat exchanger can be minimized and the heat exchanger It is possible to suppress performance deterioration and minimize the amount of the filled refrigerant without filling it more than necessary.

Further, since the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger has a different flow direction between the heating operation and the cooling operation, when the indoor heat exchanger is installed separately from the outdoor heat exchanger, two refrigerants are installed. Since the pipe is divided into the liquid side and the gas side, the liquid side pipe can be made thin and the amount of refrigerant can be reduced.

Further, during the cooling operation, a part of the high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant gas in the first four-way valve before condensation does not pass through the outdoor heat exchanger, and the refrigerant temperature is lower than that in the first four-way valve. It is also possible to prevent the flow into the second four-way valve, which is low, and prevent a decrease in efficiency.

[0055]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioner that is a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vapor-liquid equilibrium diagram of a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a refrigerant / air temperature in a process of evaporating a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a refrigerant / air temperature in a process of evaporating a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an effect of a heat exchanger having heat insulation between rows.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an effect of the heat exchanger in which the refrigerant flow direction is different for each row.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an effect of the heat exchanger in which the refrigerant flow direction is the same for each row.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioner that is a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioner that is a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioner that is a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioner that is a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of an air conditioner that is a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Compressor, 2a-2d ... Valve, 3 ... Indoor heat exchanger, 4a
... 4d ... Valve, 5 ... Liquid receiver, 6 ... Expansion valve, 7 ... Outdoor heat exchanger, 8 ... Indoor fan, 9 ... Outdoor fan, 10 ... First four-way valve, 11 ... Inside first four-way valve Piston, 12 ... Second four-way valve, 13 ... Piston in second four-way valve, 14 ... First
Pressure pipe, 15 ... Second pressure pipe, 16 ... Third pressure pipe, 17 ... Pilot valve, 18 ... Check valve, 19a
~ 19d ... Check valve.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Kazuya Matsuo 502 Jinritsucho, Tsuchiura-shi, Ibaraki Prefecture Hiritsu Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Mechanical Research Institute (72) Inventor Mitsuo Kudo 502 Jinritsucho, Tsuchiura-shi, Ibaraki Hiritsu Co., Ltd. Machinery Research Laboratory (72) Inventor Mari Uchida 502 Jinritsucho, Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki Prefecture Hitate Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Kogure 800 Tomita, Ohira-cho, Shimotsuga-gun, Tochigi Hitachi Living Equipment Co., Ltd. Within the business unit

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A cycle is formed by connecting a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger having a plurality of rows, a pressure reducing device, and an outdoor heat exchanger having a plurality of rows, and at least two non-azeotropic refrigerants are contained in the cycle. Encapsulating a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant mixed in more than one kind, selectively connecting the discharge side of the compressor and the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger to the discharge side of the compressor, and the decompression device. And a first refrigerant flow path switching device for selectively connecting the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger, the suction side of the compressor and the indoor heat exchanger. Alternatively, a second refrigerant flow path switching device for selectively connecting the outdoor heat exchanger and selectively connecting the pressure reducing device to the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger is provided, and the indoor heat exchange is performed. The refrigerant flow direction for each row of the heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger is the heating operation. The air conditioning apparatus characterized by being configured to flow in the same direction during both the cooling operation and the leeward side of the air exchanging heat to flow on the windward side. 2. A cycle is formed by connecting a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger having a plurality of rows, an expansion device, and an outdoor heat exchanger having a plurality of rows, and at least two non-azeotropic refrigerants are contained in the cycle. A non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant, which is a mixture of more than one kind, is enclosed, and the discharge side of the compressor is switched to the second refrigerant flow path between the discharge side of the compressor and one of the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers. A first refrigerant flow path switching device for selectively connecting the expansion device and the expansion device and either the indoor or outdoor heat exchanger or the second refrigerant flow path switching device. A device is provided, and the suction side of the compressor is selectively connected to the suction side of the compressor and one of the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger or the second refrigerant flow switching device; Refrigerant flow path switching device and either indoor or outdoor heat exchanger or And providing the second refrigerant flow path switching device for selectively connecting the first flow path switching device,
The refrigerant flow direction for each row of the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger is configured to flow from the same direction during heating operation and cooling operation, and from the leeward side of the air for heat exchange to the upwind side. An air conditioner characterized by the above. 3. A cycle is formed by connecting a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger having a plurality of rows, a pressure reducing device, and an outdoor heat exchanger having a plurality of rows, and at least two non-azeotropic refrigerants are contained in the cycle. By enclosing a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant mixed in more than one kind, a first refrigerant flow path switching device is provided on the discharge side of the compressor, and a second refrigerant flow path switching device is provided on the suction side of the compressor, By switching between the first refrigerant flow path switching device and the second refrigerant flow path switching device, the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor, the indoor heat exchanger, the pressure reducing device, the outdoor heat exchanger, or the compressor.
It is configured to circulate in the order of the outdoor heat exchanger, the pressure reducing device, and the indoor heat exchanger, and the refrigerant flow direction for each row of the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger is the same direction during heating operation and cooling operation. An air conditioner characterized in that it is configured to flow from the leeward side to the leeward side of the air for heat exchange. 4. A cycle is constituted by connecting a compressor, a first refrigerant flow path switching device, an indoor heat exchanger having a plurality of rows, a pressure reducing device, and an outdoor heat exchanger having a plurality of rows, and the cycle is formed. A non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant in which at least two kinds of non-azeotropic refrigerants are mixed is enclosed, and an indoor heat exchanger and a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger and a pressure reducing device, or an outdoor heat exchange is provided on the suction side of the compressor. Of the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger by providing a second refrigerant flow path switching device for selectively connecting the air conditioner and the compressor, and the indoor heat exchanger and the pressure reducing device. The flow direction of the refrigerant for each row of
An air conditioner configured to flow from the same direction even during a cooling operation, and to flow from the leeward side to the windward side of air for heat exchange. 5. A cycle is formed by providing a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, a pressure reducing device, an outdoor heat exchanger, and a plurality of refrigerant flow path switching devices, and the refrigerant flow path switching device drives the pressure difference of a refrigeration cycle. An air conditioner, which is a four-way valve that operates as force, wherein a pressure switching device for driving the four-way valve is configured to be driven by sharing a plurality of four-way valves. 6. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein a check valve is provided in the pressure pipe for driving the four-way valve to prevent the circulating refrigerant from being short-circuited. 7. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchangers having a plurality of rows have the same refrigerant flow direction in each row. 8. A heat exchanger having a plurality of rows, wherein a gap or a heat insulating material is provided between the rows to reduce the amount of heat transfer between the rows. The air conditioner according to claim 1. 9. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a liquid receiver is provided between the expansion valve and the heat exchanger that functions as a condenser during the heating operation or the cooling operation.