KR20050077139A - Multi airconditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-air conditioner, and more particularly, to minimize the pressure drop of the refrigerant when operating in the cooling mode and to secure the supercooling of the refrigerant to reduce the refrigerant expansion noise in the indoor unit, and to improve the heat exchange performance. It relates to an air conditioner.

To this end, the present invention is an outdoor unit 10, the outdoor heat exchanger 12 and the compressor 11 is installed; At least two indoor units (30a, 30b, 30c) connected to the outdoor unit (10) and having indoor heat exchangers (31a, 31b, 31c) installed therein; A distributor 20 installed in a refrigerant pipe connecting the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor units 30a, 30b, 30c to distribute the refrigerant to the indoor units 30a, 30b, 30c; And a first refrigerant pipe 21 connecting the outdoor heat exchanger 12 and the distributor 20 to expand a portion of the discharge refrigerant of the outdoor heat exchanger 12, and the expanded refrigerant divides the distributor. And a heat exchanger (100) configured to be introduced into a second refrigerant pipe (22) connecting the distributor (20) and the compressor (11) after heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing to the (20) side. to provide.

Description

Multi air conditioner

The present invention relates to a multi-type air conditioner, and more particularly, to minimize the pressure drop of the refrigerant when operating in the cooling mode and to ensure the supercooling of the refrigerant, to reduce the expansion noise of the refrigerant in the indoor unit, improving heat exchange performance A multi air conditioner.

In general, an air conditioner is classified into a general air conditioner in which one indoor unit is connected to one outdoor unit, and a multi air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit.

The multi-air conditioner is a simultaneous multi-air conditioner that operates some indoor units in a cooling mode and simultaneously operates some indoor units in a heating mode, and a switchable multi-air conditioner selectively operates all indoor units in a cooling mode or a heating mode. Are distinguished.

The multi-air conditioner is mainly composed of an outdoor unit, a distributor and an indoor unit.

The outdoor unit is provided with a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, and an accumulator. A distributor is connected to the outdoor unit, and an indoor heat exchanger is connected to the distributor. The indoor unit is provided with an indoor heat exchanger, an indoor fan, and an expansion device.

The operation of the multi-air conditioner configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

1 is a p-h diagram showing a cooling cycle of a conventional multi-type air conditioner.

When the multi-air conditioner is operated in a cooling mode, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows into the outdoor heat exchanger under high pressure. At this time, the outdoor fan is rotated to condense the refrigerant.

The condensed refrigerant is introduced into the indoor unit by the distributor and is introduced into the indoor heat exchanger in the expanded state by the expansion device. At this time, the refrigerant is expanded to a low temperature low pressure state as the pressure drops. At this time, the indoor fan is rotated to supply cold air to the room. The low temperature refrigerant is discharged from the indoor unit to the distributor, and the refrigerant discharged from the distributor is reflowed into the compressor via an accumulator.

This series of refrigerant circulation is repeated continuously to cool the indoor space.

Next, the heating mode of the multi-air conditioner circulates the refrigerant as opposed to the cooling mode described above. Therefore, description thereof will be omitted.

Such a multi-air conditioner has the following problems.

First, since the multi-air conditioner is installed in a building such as a high-rise building, the installation length of the refrigerant pipe is long between the outdoor unit and the distributor. As the pipe lengthens, the refrigerant pipe between the outdoor unit and the distributor may have a pressure drop phenomenon (PH → P1) of the refrigerant, as shown in FIG. 1.

Second, when the pressure of the coolant drops in the coolant pipe, the coolant flows into the indoor unit in a two phase state. Therefore, in the expansion device, there is a problem that the refrigerant expansion noise increases as the refrigerant in the two-phase state is expanded again.

Third, since the expansion performance of the refrigerant is reduced in the expansion device, there is a problem that the cooling performance is also significantly lowered because the subcooling is not secured in the indoor unit.

Fourth, since the performance of the air conditioner is reduced overall, the capacity of the compressor is inevitably increased. Therefore, the volume of the outdoor unit is increased, and the manufacturing cost is increased.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is to minimize the pressure drop of the refrigerant when operating in the cooling mode, to ensure the supercooling of the refrigerant to reduce the refrigerant expansion noise in the indoor unit, to improve the heat exchange performance The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is an outdoor unit installed with an outdoor heat exchanger and a compressor; At least two indoor units connected to the outdoor unit and provided with an indoor heat exchanger; A distributor installed in the refrigerant pipe connecting the outdoor unit and the indoor unit to distribute the refrigerant to the indoor unit; And a first refrigerant pipe connecting the outdoor heat exchanger and the distributor, expands a portion of the discharge refrigerant of the outdoor heat exchanger, exchanges the expanded refrigerant with the refrigerant flowing to the distributor, and then expands the distributor and the compressor. It provides a multi-air conditioner comprising a: a heat exchange device to be introduced into the second refrigerant pipe connecting.

The heat exchange device includes a heat exchange means having a flow path so that the refrigerant discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger is divided and introduced; Expansion means for expanding a refrigerant introduced into a predetermined flow path of the heat exchange means; And a bypass pipe connecting the predetermined flow path and the second refrigerant pipe so that the expanded refrigerant flows into the second refrigerant pipe.

At this time, the heat exchange means is preferably formed in a double tube structure.

The bypass pipe is connected to the inner flow pipe of the heat exchange means, and the first refrigerant pipe is connected to the outer flow pipe of the heat exchange means.

The first refrigerant pipe is branched and connected to the refrigerant inlet of the inner flow path and the outer flow path of the heat exchange means, an expansion device is installed in the branch pipe connected to the inner flow pipe, and the refrigerant discharge part of the inner flow pipe Bypass piping is connected.

It is preferable that the heat exchange part protrudes from the inner flow pipe of the heat exchange means to improve the heat exchange area.

Hereinafter, the multi-air conditioner according to the present invention will be described.

The multi-air conditioner is a simultaneous multi-air conditioner for driving some indoor units in a cooling mode and at the same time operating some indoor units in a heating mode, and a switchable multi-air conditioning unit for selectively operating all indoor units in a cooling mode or a heating mode. It is divided into groups.

First, a simultaneous multi-air conditioner according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the air-conditioning simultaneous multi-air conditioner according to the present invention.

The simultaneous multi-air conditioner is mainly composed of an outdoor unit 10, a distributor 20, and a plurality of indoor units 30a, 30b, and 30c.

The outdoor unit 10 is provided with a compressor 11, an outdoor heat exchanger 12, an outdoor fan 13, and an accumulator 14. In this case, the outdoor heat exchanger 12 is connected to the distributor 20 by the first refrigerant pipe 21, and the compressor 11 is connected to the distributor 20 by the second refrigerant pipe 22.

The first refrigerant pipe 21 is branched by the number of indoor units are connected to each indoor unit (30a, 30b, 30c). In addition, the second refrigerant pipe 22 is branched into the first branch pipe 23 and the second branch pipe 24 in the distributor 20. In this case, the second branch pipe 24 is branched again and connected to each indoor unit 30a, 30b, and 30c, respectively, and the first branch pipe 23 is branched again and branched from the second branch pipe 24. Are each connected to. In addition, an expansion device 25 is installed in the second branch pipe 24, and opening and closing devices 26a, 26b, and 26c are installed in branched pipes of the first and second branch pipes 23 and 24, respectively. .

At this time, it is preferable that the subcooling securing device 27 having a double pipe structure is installed in the first refrigerant pipe 21 in the distributor 20. The subcooling securing device performs a function of securing the subcooling of the refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchangers 31a, 31b, and 31c through heat exchange between the refrigerants.

Each indoor unit 30a, 30b, 30c is provided with an indoor heat exchanger 31a, 31b, 31c, an indoor fan (not shown), and an expansion device 32a, 32b, 32c. At this time, the expansion device is installed on the pipe branched from the first refrigerant pipe (21), respectively.

The heat exchange device 100 is connected to the first refrigerant pipe 21 connecting the outdoor heat exchanger 12 and the distributor 20. The heat exchanger 100 expands a portion of the discharged refrigerant of the outdoor heat exchanger, heat-exchanges the refrigerant with the expanded refrigerant discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger and flows to the distributor 20, and then the distributor 20 and the compressor ( 11) to flow into the second refrigerant pipe (22) connecting. This heat exchanger 100 will be described in detail below.

Next, a switchable multi-air conditioner according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the air-conditioning switching multi air conditioner according to the present invention.

The switchable multi-air conditioner is mainly composed of an outdoor unit 50, a distributor 60, and a plurality of indoor units 70a, 70b, 70c.

The outdoor unit 50 is provided with a compressor 51, an outdoor heat exchanger 52, an outdoor fan 53, and an accumulator 54. In this case, the outdoor heat exchanger 52 is connected to the distributor 60 by the first refrigerant pipe 61, and the compressor 51 is connected to the distributor 60 by the second refrigerant pipe 62.

The first and second refrigerant pipes 51 and 52 are branched by the number of indoor units and are connected to the respective indoor units 70a, 70b and 70c. At this time, the second refrigerant pipe 62 is provided with opening and closing devices (66a, 66b, 66c).

Each indoor unit 70a, 70b, 70c is provided with an indoor heat exchanger 71a, 71b, 71c, an indoor fan (not shown), and an expansion device 72a, 72b, 72c. In this case, the expansion device is installed on the pipe branched from the first refrigerant pipe (61), respectively.

The heat exchange device 100 is connected to the first refrigerant pipe 61 connecting the outdoor heat exchanger 52 and the distributor 60. The heat exchanger 100 expands a portion of the discharged refrigerant of the outdoor heat exchanger 52, and the expanded refrigerant is discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger 52 and heat-exchanged with the refrigerant flowing to the distributor 60. To flow into the second refrigerant pipe 62 connecting the 60 and the compressor 51.

On the other hand, the heat exchanger 100 described above is commonly applied to simultaneous and switchable multi-air conditioners. Therefore, the structure of the heat exchanger will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a double tube heat exchanger installed in the multi-air conditioner of Figures 2 and 3, Figure 5a is a cross-sectional perspective view showing an example of the heat exchange means of Figure 4, Figure 5b is another example of the heat exchange means of Figure 4 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view, and FIG. 6 is a ph diagram illustrating a cooling cycle of the multi-air conditioners of FIGS. 2 and 3.

The heat exchange apparatus 100 is configured to include a heat exchange means 110, expansion means 114 and the bypass pipe 115.

The heat exchange means 110 is formed with a flow path so that the refrigerant discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger 12 is divided into the heat exchange means. The expansion means 114 expands the refrigerant introduced into the predetermined flow path of the heat exchange means. In addition, the bypass pipe 115 is installed to connect a predetermined flow path and the second refrigerant pipe 22 (see FIG. 2). The bypass pipe is installed such that the expanded refrigerant flows into the second refrigerant pipe 22.

At this time, the heat exchange means 110 is preferably formed of a double pipe structure consisting of the inner flow pipe (111) and the outer flow pipe (112). This is to improve the heat exchange efficiency of the refrigerant.

Of course, the heat exchange means may be formed in a structure to contact the two flow pipes. At this time, it is more preferable that the two flow path tubes are surrounded by a material having high thermal conductivity and are in contact with each other. In addition, it is understood that the heat exchange means may be formed in a structure in which a pipe in which an expanded refrigerant flows in the first refrigerant pipe flows several times.

The heat exchange means is not limited to the above-described structure and can be changed into various shapes as long as the refrigerant is heat-exchanged.

In this case, the bypass pipe 115 is connected to the inner flow pipe 111 of the heat exchange means 110, and the first refrigerant pipe 21 is connected to the outer flow pipe 112. This causes the low-temperature refrigerant to expand in the inner flow passage 111 and the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger 12 to the outer flow passage 112 so that the moisture of the outdoor air is transferred to the heat exchange means 110. This is to prevent it from forming on the surface.

Of course, it is also possible to connect the first refrigerant pipe 21 to the inner flow pipe (111) of the heat exchange means 110, and the bypass pipe (115) to the outer flow pipe (112). At this time, since the low-temperature refrigerant flows relative to the outer flow path tube 112, there is a possibility that the moisture of the outdoor air is formed on the surface of the heat exchange means (110).

More specifically, the first refrigerant pipe 21 is connected to the heat exchange means 110 is branched to the refrigerant inlet portion of the inner flow path pipe 111 and the outer flow path pipe 112. An expansion means 114 is installed in the branch pipe 116a connected to the inner passage. The expansion means 114 expands a portion of the refrigerant discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger 12. In addition, the bypass pipe 115 is connected to the refrigerant discharge part of the inner passage pipe 111. The bypass pipe 115 has a structure in which one end thereof is connected to the refrigerant discharge part of the inner passage pipe 111, and the other end thereof is connected to the second refrigerant pipe 22.

The branch pipes 116a and 116b of the first refrigerant pipe 21 and the bypass pipe 115 are preferably connected such that the refrigerant of the inner flow path 111 and the outer flow path 112 flows in opposite directions. . This is to improve the heat exchange efficiency by flowing the refrigerant in the opposite direction.

For example, the branch pipe 116a of the first refrigerant pipe 21 in which the expansion means 114 is installed is connected to one end of the inner flow pipe 111, as shown in the drawing, and the first refrigerant pipe 21 The other branch pipe 116b is connected to the other end of the outer flow pipe 112. In addition, the bypass pipe 115 is connected to the other end of the inner flow pipe (111).

The bypass pipe 115 is preferably connected to a predetermined section of the refrigerant inlet side of the accumulator 14 of the second refrigerant pipe 22. This flows into the compressor 11 through the accumulator 14 even though the expanded refrigerant is introduced into the second refrigerant pipe 22 after heat exchange, thereby preventing the liquid refrigerant from flowing into the compressor to secure stability of the compressor. For sake.

Of course, it is also understood that the bypass pipe 115 may be connected to a predetermined section for connecting the accumulator and the compressor 11 of the second refrigerant pipe 22. This is because such a refrigerant is expanded and almost in a gas phase state, so even if it is introduced into the compressor 11, the stability of the compressor 11 is not significantly impaired.

This heat exchange means is preferably installed in the outdoor unit (10). This is to allow the liquid refrigerant to be supplied to the distributor 20 by heat-exchanging the refrigerant discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger 12, thereby preventing some of the refrigerant of the first refrigerant pipe 21 from expanding during the flow. . Therefore, it is possible to minimize the refrigerant pressure drop in the first refrigerant pipe (21).

The heat exchange means 110 is preferably installed in the length range of 1-2.5m. This is to ensure that the refrigerant in the first refrigerant pipe 21 is properly heat exchanged.

The structure of the inner flow pipe 111 and the outer flow pipe 112 of the heat exchange means 110 will be described in detail.

The heat exchange part 113 protrudes from the inner flow path 111 to improve the heat exchange area.

At this time, the heat exchange part 113 is preferably formed on the inner surface of the inner flow pipe (111). This is because the refrigerant discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger 12 of the outer flow path tube 112 reduces the flow resistance, while the expanded refrigerant of the inner flow path tube 111 improves the heat exchange area.

Of course, it is also understood that the heat exchange part may be formed on both the inner and outer surfaces of the inner flow pipe, or both on the inner and outer surfaces of the inner flow pipe and the inner surface of the outer flow pipe.

The heat exchange part 113 is formed spirally along the flow direction of the refrigerant as shown in Figure 5a. Such a structure can increase the heat exchange area of the refrigerant while increasing the flow resistance of the expanded refrigerant.

In addition, the heat exchange part 113a may be formed to be thin and long in the flow direction of the refrigerant as shown in FIG. 5B. Such a structure can reduce the flow resistance of the expanded refrigerant while increasing the heat exchange area of the refrigerant.

Since the shape of the heat exchanger may be variously changed, it will be omitted for the modified shape.

Since the operation of the heat exchanger in the synchronous and switchable multi-air conditioners configured as described above is almost the same, a case where the synchronous multi-air conditioner is operated in the cooling mode will be described below.

The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 11 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 12. At this time, the outdoor fan 13 is rotated to condense the refrigerant exchanged with the outside air.

The refrigerant condensed in this way flows into the heat exchange apparatus 100 through the first refrigerant pipe 21. Subsequently, the condensed refrigerant flows into the inner flow passage 111 and the outer flow passage 112 through the branch pipes 116a and 116b. At this time, the refrigerant flowing into the inner passage pipe 111 is expanded by the expansion device 114.

The expanded refrigerant is heat-exchanged with the condensed refrigerant flowing through the outer flow path tube 112 while flowing through the inner flow path tube 111. The expanded heat exchanged heat is introduced into the second refrigerant pipe 22 through the bypass pipe 115, and the expanded refrigerant flows into the compressor 11 through the accumulator 14.

At the same time, the condensation refrigerant of the outer flow path pipe 112 is introduced into the distributor 20 through the outer flow path pipe 112 and the first refrigerant pipe 21. At this time, since the condensed refrigerant is heat-exchanged in the heat exchange means 110, it is hardly expanded during the flow of the first refrigerant pipe 21. Since the condensed refrigerant is not expanded, it flows into the distributor 20 in a high pressure liquid state. Therefore, in the first refrigerant pipe 21 between the outdoor heat exchanger 12 and the distributor 20, it is possible to prevent a pressure drop and to secure subcooling as shown in FIG.

The distributor 20 distributes the refrigerant and introduces the refrigerant into some indoor units 30b and 30c. The refrigerant introduced into the indoor units 30b and 30c is expanded through the expansion devices 32b and 32c and then flows into the indoor units 30b and 30c. At this time, the indoor fan is rotated to cool the indoor space.

The refrigerant discharged from the indoor units 30b and 30c flows into the distributor 20, and the refrigerant of the distributor 20 flows into the compressor 11 through the accumulator 14 by the second refrigerant pipe 22. .

Meanwhile, a part of the discharged refrigerant of the compressor 11 is directly introduced into the distributor 20 without passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 12, and the distributor 20 passes through the first branch pipe 23 through a predetermined indoor unit ( Distribute the high temperature refrigerant to 30a). At this time, the indoor fan is rotated to heat a predetermined indoor space. The refrigerant discharged from the indoor unit 30a is introduced into the first refrigerant pipe 21 of the distributor 20 and then re-introduced into the indoor units 30b and 30c for cooling.

Through this series of operations, some indoor units 30b and 30c may be operated in a cooling mode and some indoor units 30a may be operated in a heating mode.

As described above, the multi-air conditioner according to the present invention has the following effects.

First, since the refrigerant of the first refrigerant pipe is heat-exchanged with the refrigerant expanded in the heat exchanger, the refrigerant is hardly expanded while flowing into the distributor by flowing the first refrigerant pipe. Therefore, there is an effect of minimizing the pressure drop of the refrigerant in the first refrigerant pipe and allowing the high pressure liquid refrigerant to flow into the distributor.

Second, since the high-pressure liquid refrigerant is distributed to the indoor unit in the distributor, the expansion means has an effect of significantly reducing the expansion noise of the refrigerant as the liquid refrigerant is expanded.

Third, as the expansion performance of the refrigerant is improved in the indoor unit, the cooling efficiency of the indoor unit is increased.

Fourth, by minimizing the pressure drop in the first refrigerant pipe, there is an effect that can reduce the capacity of the compressor. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the air conditioner can be reduced and the volume can be reduced.

1 is a p-h diagram showing a cooling cycle of a conventional multi-type air conditioner.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the air-conditioning simultaneous multi-air conditioner according to the present invention.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the air-conditioning switching multi air conditioner according to the present invention.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a double tube heat exchanger installed in the multi-air conditioner of Figures 2 and 3.

5A is a cross-sectional perspective view showing an example of the heat exchange means of FIG. 4.

Figure 5b is a sectional perspective view showing another example of the heat exchange means of Figure 4;

6 is a p-h diagram showing a cooling cycle of the operation of the multi-air conditioner of FIGS.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

10,50: outdoor unit 11,51: compressor

12,52: Outdoor heat exchanger 13,53: Outdoor fan

14,54: Accumulator 20,60: Splitter

21,61: first refrigerant pipe 22,62: second refrigerant pipe

23: branch 1 branch 24: branch 2 branch

25: expansion device 26a, 26b, 26c: switchgear

30a, 30b, 30c, 70a, 70b, 70c: Indoor unit

31a, 31b, 31c, 71a, 71b, 71c: Indoor heat exchanger

32a, 32b, 32c, 72a, 72b, 72c: expansion device

100: heat exchanger 110,110a: heat exchange means

111,111a: inner flow pipe 113,113a: heat exchange part

112, 112a: outer flow pipe 114: expansion means

115: bypass piping 116a, 116b: branch piping

Claims (14)

An outdoor unit in which an outdoor heat exchanger and a compressor are installed; At least two indoor units connected to the outdoor unit and provided with an indoor heat exchanger; A distributor installed in the refrigerant pipe connecting the outdoor unit and the indoor unit to distribute the refrigerant to the indoor unit; And, Connected to the first refrigerant pipe connecting the outdoor heat exchanger and the distributor, expanding a portion of the discharge refrigerant of the outdoor heat exchanger, and exchanging the expanded refrigerant with the refrigerant flowing to the distributor, and then connecting the distributor and the compressor. A heat exchange device for introducing the second refrigerant pipe: a multi-air conditioner comprising a. The method of claim 1, The heat exchanger is: Heat exchange means in which a flow path is formed so that refrigerant discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger is divided and introduced; Expansion means for expanding a refrigerant introduced into a predetermined flow path of the heat exchange means; And a bypass pipe connecting the predetermined flow path and the second refrigerant pipe to allow the expanded refrigerant to flow into the second refrigerant pipe. The method of claim 2, The heat exchange means is a multi-air conditioner, characterized in that formed in a double tube structure. The method of claim 3, The bypass pipe is connected to the inner flow pipe of the heat exchange means, Multi-air conditioner, characterized in that the first refrigerant pipe is connected to the outer flow pipe of the heat exchange means. The method of claim 4, wherein The first refrigerant pipe is branched and connected to the refrigerant inlet of the inner flow path and the outer flow path of the heat exchange means, An expansion device is installed in the branch pipe connected to the inner passage pipe, Multi-air conditioner, characterized in that the bypass pipe is connected to the refrigerant discharge portion of the inner passage pipe. The method of claim 5, The branch pipe and the bypass pipe of the first refrigerant pipe is a multi-air conditioner, characterized in that connected to the refrigerant flows in the opposite direction of the inner passage pipe and the outer passage pipe. The method of claim 5, The bypass pipe of the heat exchange means is connected to a predetermined section of the refrigerant inlet side of the accumulator of the second refrigerant pipe multi air conditioner. The method of claim 5, The bypass pipe of the heat exchange means is a multi-air conditioner, characterized in that connected to a predetermined section connecting the accumulator and the compressor of the second refrigerant pipe. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 8, The heat exchange means is a multi-air conditioner, characterized in that installed in the outdoor unit. The method of claim 9, The heat exchange means is a multi-air conditioner, characterized in that installed in the length range of 1 ~ 2.5m. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 8, And a heat exchange part protruding from an inner flow pipe of the heat exchange means to improve a heat exchange area. The method of claim 11, The heat exchanger is a multi-air conditioner, characterized in that formed on the inner surface of the inner flow pipe. The method of claim 12, The heat exchange unit is a multi-air conditioner, characterized in that formed in a spiral along the refrigerant flow direction. The method of claim 12, The heat exchange unit is a multi-air conditioner, characterized in that formed in the elongated thinner along the flow direction of the refrigerant.