JPH11281200A - Outdoor machine unit and air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a refrigerant from flowing down from an outdoor heat exchanger to a compressor at suspension of the compressor. SOLUTION: In an air conditioner whose outdoor machine unit 10 possesses an outdoor heat exchanger 31 for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant circulating within a heat exchange pipe 110b and outside air, a compressor 33 arranged under the outdoor heat exchanger 31, and a refrigerant pipe 112 for connecting the compressor 33 with the outdoor machine unit 31 through a four-way valve 35, the refrigerant pipe 112 is arranged to connect with the compressor 33 after passing the position higher than the heat exchange pipe 110b through a U-turn part 112b projecting upward. Or, it will do to open the four-way valve 35 so as to send out a gas refrigerant to a heating cycle, that is, from the compressor 33 to the indoor heat exchanger.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner for circulating a refrigerant to exchange heat between inside and outside air, and more particularly to preventing a liquid level in a compressor from rising during off-season.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An air conditioner that performs cooling and heating by using a heat pump includes a refrigerant circuit including elements such as an indoor heat exchanger, a compressor, a four-way valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an expansion valve. Cooling and heating of the room is realized by exchanging heat in the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger while the refrigerant passes through this circuit. Further, the refrigerant circuit may be provided with a refrigerant heater for directly heating the refrigerant itself, instead of relying solely on receiving the heat of the refrigerant by the outdoor heat exchanger (during the heating operation). .

In recent years, as a power source for a compressor in the above-described refrigerant circuit, a type using a gas engine instead of a commonly used electric motor has been developed. An air conditioner using this gas engine is generally called a gas heat pump type air conditioner (hereinafter abbreviated as GHP). According to this GHP, a relatively inexpensive gas can be used as fuel, so that the running cost does not increase as in an air conditioner (hereinafter abbreviated as EHP) equipped with a compressor using an electric motor. Costs can be reduced.

Further, in the GHP, for example, during heating operation, if the heat of the high-temperature exhaust gas discharged from the gas engine is used as a heating source for the refrigerant, it is possible to obtain an excellent heating effect, Use efficiency can be improved. By the way, the heating capacity at the time of low outside air temperature is about 1.2 to 1.5 times higher than the EHP. Also,
By introducing such a mechanism, in the refrigerant circuit,
It is not necessary to specially install equipment such as the above-described refrigerant heater.

[0005] In addition, in the GHP, the so-called defrosting operation of the outdoor heat exchanger required for the heating operation is also performed.
It can be carried out using the exhaust heat of the engine. Generally, in the defrost operation in the EHP, the heating operation is stopped, the cooling operation is temporarily performed, and the outdoor heat exchanger is defrosted. In this case, since the cool air is blown into the room, the comfort of the room environment is impaired. In the GHP, the continuous heating operation becomes possible due to the above-described circumstances, and there is no occurrence of a problem that is a concern in the EHP.

[0006]

Although the GHP has many advantages as described above, it has the following problems in the winter season when the heating operation is performed similarly to the EHP. That is, this GHP is configured to be switchable between a heating cycle and a cooling cycle by a four-way valve. However, as in a state in which the main power supply is turned off or a state in which the thermostat is activated and the operation is temporarily stopped. When the compressor is stopped, the four-way valve is switched so as to constitute a cooling cycle.

[0007] In this state, if the outside air temperature is extremely lowered due to snowfall or strong wind blows, the gaseous refrigerant remaining in the outdoor heat exchanger is condensed and liquefied. In some cases, the liquid flowed down to the compressor through a four-way valve (so-called liquid stagnation phenomenon). When this liquid stagnation occurs, the lubricating oil in the compressor is diluted, so that when the compressor is started again, the effect of the lubricating oil is reduced, and there is a possibility that the sliding portion may be seized or seized.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to prevent refrigerant from flowing from an outdoor heat exchanger to a compressor when the compressor is stopped.

[0009]

The present invention has the following features to attain the object mentioned above. That is, the outdoor unit according to the first aspect is provided with an outdoor heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchange pipe and the outside air, and a lower temperature than the outdoor heat exchanger. A compressor that discharges high-pressure gas refrigerant, and a refrigerant pipe that connects the compressor and the outdoor heat exchanger, wherein the refrigerant pipe passes through a position higher than the heat exchange pipe It is characterized by being connected to the compressor.

In this outdoor unit, even if the gaseous refrigerant is condensed and liquefied in the outdoor heat exchanger while the operation of the compressor is stopped, the liquid refrigerant flows out of the outdoor heat exchanger. After that, the liquid cannot flow naturally to the compressor side unless the vehicle goes over a higher position, so that liquid stagnation does not occur.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the outdoor unit includes an outdoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the outside air, and a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant disposed below the outdoor heat exchanger. A compressor for discharging, and a four-way valve for selectively sending out the gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor to either the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger, wherein the four-way valve stops the compressor. Sometimes, it is opened to send the gas refrigerant to the indoor heat exchanger.

In this outdoor unit, when the compressor is stopped, the four-way valve is forcibly opened so as to form a heating cycle, so that the gaseous refrigerant may condense and liquefy in the outdoor heat exchanger. Instead of flowing the liquid refrigerant as it is into the compressor, the liquid refrigerant flows through a four-way valve into a device for separating liquid components such as an accumulator, whereby the occurrence of liquid stagnation can be prevented.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner having an outdoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a refrigerant flowing through a heat exchange pipe and outside air, and an air conditioner disposed below the outdoor heat exchanger. An outdoor unit including a compressor that discharges a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant, a refrigerant pipe that connects the compressor and the outdoor heat exchanger, and a fan that sucks air from the room and blows it out of the air outlet And an indoor unit comprising an indoor heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit and the air sucked in by the fan, and the refrigerant pipe comprises: The compressor is connected to the compressor after passing through a position higher than the heat exchange pipe.

In this air conditioner, even if the gaseous refrigerant may condense and liquefy in the outdoor heat exchanger when the compressor is stopped, if the fluid refrigerant does not act on the liquid refrigerant at a certain pressure or more, the outdoor heat exchanger may be turned off. Since the liquid cannot flow naturally to the compressor side, no liquid stagnation occurs. Therefore, even when the compressor is used in a cold region, it is possible to reliably avoid a situation in which operation becomes impossible due to galling or burning when the compressor is restarted.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner, comprising: an outdoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a refrigerant and outside air; and a gas refrigerant having a high temperature and a high pressure disposed below the outdoor heat exchanger. An outdoor unit comprising: a compressor that discharges gas; a four-way valve that selectively sends gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor to either an indoor heat exchanger or an outdoor heat exchanger; And an indoor unit including a fan that sucks air and blows out from the air outlet, and an indoor heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit and the air sucked by the fan. Wherein the four-way valve is opened to send the gas refrigerant to the indoor heat exchanger when the compressor is stopped.

In this air conditioner, even if the gaseous refrigerant may condense and liquefy in the outdoor heat exchanger when the compressor is stopped, the four-way valve is opened so that the refrigerant is sent to the indoor heat exchanger. Liquid stagnation of the compressor can be reliably prevented. Therefore, even when the compressor is used in a cold region, it is possible to reliably avoid a situation in which operation becomes impossible due to galling or burning when the compressor is restarted.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, FIG.
The overall configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The GHP (gas heat pump type air conditioner) of the present embodiment mainly includes an indoor unit 10 and an outdoor unit 20. The indoor unit 10 has an indoor heat exchanger that evaporates and evaporates a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant to remove heat from indoor air during a cooling operation, and condenses and liquefies a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant during a heating operation to warm indoor air. And a fan 12 that draws indoor air, passes through the indoor heat exchanger 11, exchanges heat with the refrigerant, and then blows out from the outlet.

The outdoor unit 20 has a refrigerant circuit section 30 inside which a refrigerant circuit is further formed, and a gas engine 4.
The gas engine unit 40 mainly includes a gas engine unit 40 and has components attached thereto.

Inside the refrigerant circuit section 30, the outdoor heat exchanger 3
1, water heat exchanger 32, compressor 33, accumulator 3
4. Four-way valve 35, oil separator 36, and expansion valve 3
7 is provided. The outdoor heat exchanger 31 condenses and liquefies the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant during the cooling operation and radiates heat to the outdoor air, and conversely evaporates the low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant during the heating operation to take heat from the outdoor air. In other words, the outdoor heat exchanger 31 performs the opposite operation of the indoor heat exchanger 11 during each of the cooling and heating operations.

The water heat exchanger 32 is provided for the refrigerant to recover heat from the cooling water of the gas engine 41 described later. That is, at the time of the heating operation, the refrigerant does not rely only on the heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger 31 but also receives heat from the cooling water of the gas engine 41, so that the effect of the heating operation can be further enhanced. It becomes possible.

The compressor 33 compresses the gas refrigerant sucked from either the indoor heat exchanger 11 or the outdoor heat exchanger 31 and discharges it as a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant. Thus, during cooling, even if the outside air temperature is high, the refrigerant can radiate heat to the outdoor air through the outdoor heat exchanger 31, and during heating, it is possible to apply heat to the indoor air through the indoor heat exchanger 11.

The accumulator 34 is provided for storing a liquid component contained in the gas refrigerant flowing into the compressor 33. The four-way valve 35 is provided for selectively sending out the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed in the compressor 33 to either the indoor heat exchanger 11 or the outdoor heat exchanger 31, whereby the heating cycle ( Indoor heat exchanger 1
1) and a cooling cycle (when opened to deliver to the outdoor heat exchanger 31). Also, the four-way valve 35 is
When the compressor 33 stops operating, such as when the main power supply is turned off or the thermostat operates and the operation is temporarily stopped, the air conditioner is set to switch to the cooling cycle.

The oil separator 36 separates oil contained in the refrigerant. Further, the expansion valve 37 is for decompressing and expanding the high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant sent from the outdoor heat exchanger 31 during the cooling operation to make it a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant.

On the other hand, in the gas engine section 40, a cooling water system 50, an exhaust gas system 60,
Four systems, a fuel intake system 70 and an engine oil system 80, are provided. The gas engine 41 includes the refrigerant circuit unit 3
The motor 33 is connected to the compressor 33 installed in the housing 0 by a shaft or a belt, so that power is transmitted from the gas engine 41 to the compressor 33.

The cooling water system 50 includes a water pump 51, a reservoir tank 52, and a radiator 53. The cooling water system 50 is a system for cooling the gas engine 41 with cooling water passing through a circuit constituted by these components. The water pump 51 is a gas engine 4
It is provided to circulate one cooling water through the circuit.
The reservoir tank 52 is used to temporarily store an excess of the cooling water flowing through the circuit, or to supply the cooling water when the circuit runs short of the cooling water. The radiator 53 is integrally formed with the outdoor heat exchanger 31 and is provided to release heat taken from the gas engine 41 by the cooling water to the outside air.

The cooling water system 50 is provided with an exhaust gas heat exchanger 54 in addition to the above configuration. This is provided to recover the heat of the exhaust gas into the cooling water. The cooling water system 50 includes the water heat exchanger 3 described above.
2 are provided, and are disposed so as to straddle both the refrigerant circuit unit 30 and the cooling water system 50. For these reasons, during the heating operation, the cooling water not only removes heat from the gas engine 41 but also recovers heat from the exhaust gas, and the recovered heat is transferred from the cooling water to the refrigerant through the water heat exchanger 32. The mechanism is given.

The exhaust gas system 60 includes a muffler 61, an exhaust top 62, and a drain filter 63.
This is a system for guiding exhaust gas discharged from the outside to the outside.
The muffler 61 is provided to absorb noise caused when the gas engine 41 discharges exhaust gas. The exhaust top 62 separates moisture contained in the exhaust gas,
This is provided so as not to be scattered to the external environment. From the viewpoint of this function, the exhaust top 62 is sometimes called an exhaust separator. The drain filter 63 is provided for temporarily storing the water separated from the exhaust top 62 just described. Further, a neutralizing agent is provided inside the drain filter 63. This corresponds to the fact that the moisture contained in the exhaust gas is generally strongly acidic, and is provided for the purpose of neutralizing this acidic moisture to render it harmless.

The fuel intake system 70 includes a gas regulator 7
1, solenoid valve 72, intake box 73, air cleaner 74
And a system for supplying fuel and air to the gas engine 41. The gas regulator 71 is provided for adjusting the delivery pressure of gas supplied from outside the outdoor unit 20 via the electromagnetic valve 72. On the other hand, the intake box 73 is provided to take in air from outside the outdoor unit 20. In addition, the intake box 73
Also has a function of preventing the noise generated at the time of intake. The air cleaner 74 is provided for removing dust from the air thus sucked. As described above, the gas and air supplied from outside are respectively shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the gas regulator 71 and the air cleaner 7
After passing through No. 4, they are mixed and sent to the gas engine 41 to be used as fuel.

The engine oil system 80 has an oil sub tank 81 and is provided for supplying lubricating oil to the gas engine 41. An oil pan 41 a is provided below the gas engine 41 to receive the oil in the oil sub tank 81.

The outdoor unit 20 of the above configuration
3 and 4 are housed in the outdoor unit housing 21 as shown in FIGS. As shown in these figures, the interior of the outdoor unit housing 21 is
The upper and lower parts are divided into two by two. These upper and lower spaces are now called the heat exchange room 23 and the machine room 24, respectively.
I will call it. Note that, in FIGS. 3 and 4, illustration of the pipes as described in FIG. 2 is omitted.

The heat exchange chamber 23 is provided with an outdoor heat exchanger 31 and a radiator 53 so as to cover all the front and back surfaces of the outdoor unit housing 21. The outdoor heat exchanger 31 and the radiator 53 have an integrated structure as described above. In addition, the muffler 61, the exhaust top 62, and the intake box 73 of the elements shown in FIG.
Etc. are provided. Incidentally, the muffler 61 and the exhaust top 62 shown in FIG.
a is omitted in FIG.

In the heat exchange chamber 23, in addition to the components described above, a fan 91, a fan motor 92, and a fan fixture 9 are provided.
3 are provided. The fan 91 is attached to an output shaft of a fan motor 92 attached to a fan attachment 93 suspended from a ceiling surface of the outdoor unit housing 21. In the present embodiment, two sets of the fans 91 are mounted. Openings 94 are formed in the ceiling surface of the outdoor unit housing 21 so as to correspond to the mounting positions of the fans 91.
The opening 94 is provided with a mesh cover 95. The fan 91 assists the operation of the outdoor heat exchanger 31.

In the heat exchange chamber 23, two ventilation boxes 96 are provided on the partition plate 22, and a ventilation fan 97 is provided inside each of them. The ventilation box 96 and the ventilation fan 97 are provided to guide heat inside the machine room 24 to the heat exchange room 23. Therefore, the air heated in the machine room 24 is supplied to the ventilation fan 9.
6. The air is discharged to the outside of the outdoor unit housing 21 through the path of the heat exchange chamber 23 and the fan 91. Note that the intake box 73 is placed above the ventilation boxes 96. The air taken from the intake box 73 is
Gas engine 4 through the space between both ventilation boxes 96
1 to reach.

Next, the machine room 24 will be described.
Most of the components described in FIG. 2 and the components of each system are housed in the machine room 24. 3 and 4, the compressor 33, the accumulator 34, the four-way valve 35, and the oil separator 36 in the refrigerant circuit unit 30 and the gas engine 41, the drain filter 63, and the air cleaner 74 in the gas engine unit 40 are shown. Are shown respectively.

In the machine room 24, a drain pipe 101 is provided in addition to the above components. The drain pipe 101 is a pipe that connects the opening 22 a provided in the partition plate 22 and the floor opening 25 of the outdoor unit housing 21.
This is achieved by the outdoor unit housing 2 through the ceiling opening 94 described above.
1 is provided for draining rainwater that has entered the interior of the outdoor unit housing 21.

In the machine room 24, a base plate 102,
An anti-vibration rubber 103 is provided. The base plate 102 is a substantially square plate, and is used as a floor on which the components in the refrigerant circuit unit 30 and the gas engine unit 40 housed in the machine room 24 are mounted. This base plate 10
At the four corners of the lower surface 2, anti-vibration rubber 103 is arranged. Accordingly, the base plate 102 and the vibration isolating rubber 103 have a function of suppressing mechanical vibration generated from the refrigerant circuit unit 30 and the gas engine unit 40 placed above the base plate 102 and the vibration isolating rubber 103.

As shown in FIG. 1, an indoor heat exchanger 11 in the indoor unit 10 and a heat exchange pipe 110a passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 31 and the radiator 53 are provided in the outdoor unit housing 21. The refrigerant pipe 111 connects the refrigerant pipe 111 to connect the heat exchange pipe 110 b passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 31 and the radiator 53 to the compressor 33 via the four-way valve 35.
2 are arranged. The refrigerant pipe 112 is connected to the branch header 1
13 is connected to the heat exchange pipe 110b, and is connected to the branch header 113 via a U-turn part 112a that is upwardly convex.

The operation of the GHP having the above-described configuration during the operation of each of the indoor cooling and the heating will be described. First, during the cooling operation, the refrigerant circuit unit 3
The zero-way four-way valve 35 is in a state where the compressor 33 and the outdoor heat exchanger 31 are connected to each other, and the indoor heat exchanger 11 and the accumulator 34 are connected to each other. In this state, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 33 is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 31.

The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant is condensed and liquefied in the outdoor heat exchanger 31, and radiates heat to outdoor air to become a high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant. Further, the high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant is reduced in pressure in the process of passing through the expansion valve 37, becomes a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant, and is sent to the indoor unit 10.

The low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant sent to the indoor unit 10 is evaporated and vaporized in the indoor heat exchanger 11, cools by removing heat from the indoor air, and becomes a low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant. It is sent to the refrigerant circuit unit 30 inside.

The low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the refrigerant circuit unit 30 flows into the accumulator 34 via the four-way valve 35,
After the liquid component is separated, it is sucked into the compressor 33. The gas refrigerant sucked into the compressor 33 is compressed by the operation of the compressor 33, becomes a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant, and is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 31 again.

On the other hand, during the heating operation, the four-way valve 35
Is in a state where the compressor 33 and the indoor heat exchanger 11 are connected, and the outdoor heat exchanger 31 and the accumulator 34 are connected. In this state, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 33 is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 1 of the indoor unit 10.
Sent to 1.

The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant is condensed and liquefied in the indoor heat exchanger 11, radiates heat to indoor air and is heated, and then is converted to a high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant and sent to the refrigerant circuit unit 30 in the outdoor unit 20. Can be The high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant sent to the refrigerant circuit unit 30 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 31. In the outdoor heat exchanger 31, the high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant takes heat from the outside air and evaporates to become a low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant.

This gas refrigerant flows into the water heat exchanger 32,
The heat exchange is performed with the engine cooling water to form a high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant that is further heated. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant flows into the accumulator 34, where the liquid component is separated, and then sucked into the compressor 33. The gas refrigerant sucked into the compressor 33 is compressed, becomes a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant, and is sent to the indoor heat exchanger 11 again.

In the meantime, during the heating operation, the thermostat operates to temporarily stop the heating operation, or when the operation of the compressor 33 is stopped, such as when the main power is turned off at bedtime or the like. Then, as described above, since the four-way valve 35 is opened so as to automatically configure the cooling cycle, during this time, when the outside air temperature is extremely reduced due to snowfall or the like, or when a strong wind blows, The gaseous refrigerant remaining in the outdoor heat exchanger 31 is condensed and liquefied, and the liquefied refrigerant may flow through the four-way valve 35 and flow down to the compressor 33 to cause liquid stagnation.

However, in the GHP of this embodiment,
Since the refrigerant pipe 112 that connects the heat exchange pipe 110b passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 31 and the radiator 53 and the compressor 33 via the four-way valve 45 is provided with the upwardly convex U-turn part 112a, the outdoor The refrigerant condensed and liquefied in the heat exchanger 31 must pass through the U-turn section 112a and be compressed.
It cannot flow down to the side. Therefore, even under the above-mentioned situation, liquid stagnation does not occur, and the occurrence of galling and seizure of sliding parts due to dilution of the lubricating oil in the compressor 33 is effectively prevented with a simple structure. can do.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The GHP of this embodiment has the same basic configuration as that of the first embodiment, and is characterized by the operation of the four-way valve. Therefore, only the operation of the four-way valve, which is a characteristic part thereof, will be described here, and the description of the other components will be omitted with reference to the reference numerals in FIGS.

That is, the four-way valve of the present embodiment is controlled by a command from the control unit when the compressor is stopped such as when the main power supply is turned off or when the operation is temporarily stopped due to the operation of the thermostat. , The refrigerant circuit is forcibly opened to form a heating cycle.

Therefore, in the GHP of this embodiment, even when the operation of the compressor 33 is stopped, the four-way valve is not switched so as to constitute the cooling cycle as in the first embodiment, The state where the heating cycle is configured is maintained. Therefore, even if the gaseous refrigerant is condensed and liquefied in the outdoor heat exchanger 31 during this time, the liquid refrigerant flows into the accumulator 34 through the four-way valve, so that the liquid does not stagnate, and the compressor does not stagnate. It is possible to effectively prevent the sliding portion from galling or seizing due to the dilution of the lubricating oil in the 33.

In this embodiment, when the compressor 33 is stopped, the four-way valve is opened so that a heating cycle is always formed. U-turn part 112a protruding upward from refrigerant pipe 112
It is not necessary to provide. In addition, each of the above embodiments is
Both of them have explained GHP, but EHP
(Including those that do not heat the refrigerant).

[0051]

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. (A) In the outdoor unit according to the first aspect, even if the gaseous refrigerant is condensed and liquefied in the outdoor heat exchanger while the operation of the compressor is stopped, the liquid refrigerant is removed from the outdoor unit. After flowing out of the heat exchanger, the liquid cannot flow naturally to the compressor side unless it climbs over a higher position, so that liquid stagnation does not occur. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the sliding portion from galling or seizure due to dilution of the lubricating oil in the compressor with a simple structure.

(B) In the outdoor unit according to the second aspect, when the compressor stops, the four-way valve is forcibly opened so as to constitute a heating cycle, so that gaseous refrigerant is discharged in the outdoor heat exchanger. Even if condensed and liquefied, the liquid refrigerant does not flow down to the compressor as it is, but flows into a device for separating liquid components, such as an accumulator, through a four-way valve, so that liquid stagnation is ensured. Can be prevented. Therefore, similar to the above (a), it is possible to effectively prevent the compressor from galling or burning.

(C) In the air conditioner according to the third aspect, even if the gaseous refrigerant is condensed and liquefied in the outdoor heat exchanger when the compressor is stopped, the liquid refrigerant has a predetermined fluid pressure or more. If it does not act, the natural heat cannot flow down from the outdoor heat exchanger to the compressor side, so that liquid stagnation does not occur. Therefore, even if it is used in a cold region, it will not be impossible to operate due to galling or burning when the compressor is restarted,
Highly reliable heating operation can be realized.

(D) In the air conditioner according to the fourth aspect, even when the gaseous refrigerant may condense and liquefy in the outdoor heat exchanger when the compressor is stopped, the refrigerant is delivered to the indoor heat exchanger. Since the four-way valve is opened as described above, the liquid stagnation of the compressor can be reliably prevented. Therefore, similarly to the above (c), a reliable heating operation can be realized even when used in a cold region.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air conditioner showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the air conditioner shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the outdoor unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the outdoor unit shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Indoor unit 11 Indoor heat exchanger 12 Fan 20 Outdoor unit 31 Outdoor heat exchanger 33 Compressor 35 Four-way valve 110b Heat exchange pipe 112 Refrigerant pipe 112a U-turn part

Claims (4)

[Claims] An outdoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a refrigerant flowing through a heat exchange pipe and outside air, and a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant disposed below the outdoor heat exchanger. A compressor, and a refrigerant pipe for connecting the compressor and the outdoor heat exchanger. The refrigerant pipe is connected to the compressor after passing through a position higher than the heat exchange pipe. An outdoor unit. 2. An outdoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a refrigerant and outside air, a compressor disposed below the outdoor heat exchanger and discharging a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant, A four-way valve for selectively sending gas refrigerant discharged from the machine to either the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger, wherein the four-way valve is connected to the indoor heat exchanger when the compressor is stopped. An outdoor unit that is opened to deliver the gas refrigerant. 3. An outdoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a refrigerant flowing in a heat exchange pipe and outside air, and a gas refrigerant having a high temperature and a high pressure disposed at a position lower than the outdoor heat exchanger. An outdoor unit including a compressor, a refrigerant pipe connecting the compressor and the outdoor heat exchanger, a fan for sucking air from a room and blowing out from an outlet, and supplied from the outdoor unit. An indoor heat exchanger comprising: an indoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the extracted refrigerant and air drawn in by the fan; wherein the refrigerant pipe is at a higher position than the heat exchange pipe. The air conditioner is connected to the compressor after passing through the air conditioner. 4. An outdoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a refrigerant and outside air, a compressor disposed below the outdoor heat exchanger and discharging a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant, An outdoor unit comprising a four-way valve for selectively sending gas refrigerant discharged from the unit to either an indoor heat exchanger or an outdoor heat exchanger; and sucking air from the room and blowing it out from the outlet. A fan, and an indoor unit including an indoor heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit and the air sucked by the fan, the four-way valve comprising: The air conditioner is opened to send the gas refrigerant to the indoor heat exchanger when the compressor is stopped.