KR20070052548A - Air condition - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a cabinet forming an exterior of an air conditioner, an evaporator installed inside the cabinet for a heat exchange cycle, a compressor, a condenser, an expander, a built-in accumulator installed inside the cabinet, and an outside of the cabinet. By including an external accumulator positioned in the accumulator and the accumulator switching means for allowing the external accumulator to be selectively connected to the heat exchange cycle, it is possible to miniaturize the air conditioner and the length of the refrigerant pipe without unnecessary costs And it provides an air conditioner that can be optimized the capacity of the accumulator according to the amount of refrigerant charge.

Air Conditioners, Compressors, Accumulators, Internal, External, Service Valves

Description

Air Conditioner {AIR CONDITION}

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an air conditioner according to the present invention.

2 is a block diagram of an outdoor unit system of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a state in which the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention operates in the cooling operation mode in a state in which an external accumulator is not additionally installed.

4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention operates in the cooling operation mode in a state in which an external accumulator is additionally installed.

5 is a block diagram showing a state in which the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention operates in the heating operation mode in a state in which no external accumulator is additionally installed.

6 is a block diagram showing a state in which the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention operates in the heating operation mode in a state where an external accumulator is additionally installed.

7 is a block diagram of an outdoor unit system of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols on main parts of the drawings>

2: indoor unit 4: refrigerant piping

6: outdoor unit 10: cabinet

12: outdoor heat exchanger 14: compressor

16: expander 18: four-way valve

30: oil separator 32: built-in accumulator

34: external accumulator 40: accumulator switching means

42: first service valve 44: bypass flow path

46: second service valve 48: third service valve

The present invention relates to an air conditioner capable of comforting indoor air, and more particularly, to an air conditioner having an external accumulator that can be selectively connected to a refrigerant pipe outside of a cabinet to freely select an accumulator capacity.

In general, an air conditioner is a device for supplying cold or warm air to a building or a room in which the air conditioner is installed by using a heat exchange cycle consisting of a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and an expander.

The separation type and the integrated type are functionally the same, but the separation type has an indoor heat exchanger (evaporator or condenser) installed in the indoor unit, and an outdoor heat exchanger (condenser or evaporator) and a compressor installed in the outdoor unit. The one-piece unit is an indoor heat exchanger, a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an expansion device.

The integrated air conditioner includes a window type air conditioner installed directly by hanging a device on a window, and a duct type air conditioner connected to an intake duct and a discharge duct and installed outside the room. The separate type air conditioners include stand type air conditioners installed upright and wall-mounted air conditioners mounted on a wall.

In addition, the air conditioner may be classified into a cooling air conditioner that is used only for cooling, and a heat pump type air conditioner that may be used for both cooling and heating.

Recently, a multi-type air conditioner including at least one outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units has been widely used.

This air conditioner allows refrigerant to be condensed in the condenser after it is compressed in the compressor, then expanded in the expansion mechanism, evaporated in the evaporator and then circulated back to the compressor through an accumulator where liquid refrigerant can accumulate. .

The accumulator may include a liquid refrigerant that has not been evaporated by the evaporator in the refrigerant flowing from the evaporator to the compressor. Among the refrigerants introduced into the accumulator, the liquid refrigerant remains in the accumulator, and only the gas refrigerant is in the accumulator. Allow flow to the compressor.

However, the air conditioner according to the prior art is configured with all the components in one cabinet together to limit the capacity and location of the accumulator due to the narrow installation space, depending on the installation environment, the evaporator, accumulator and compressor When the refrigerant pipes to be connected are long, there is a problem that the liquid refrigerant is relatively increased so that the liquid refrigerant may flow into the compressor.

In addition, the air conditioner according to the prior art has a problem that the charge of the accumulator is limited, it is not possible to further charge the refrigerant to increase the amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe.

Of course, the accumulator may be provided with a large capacity in consideration of the above problems, but there is a limitation in miniaturizing the air conditioner, and the refrigerant pipe connecting the evaporator, the accumulator, and the compressor is a relatively short installation environment. The accumulator has a problem that the capacity of the accumulator becomes relatively excessive compared to the system of the air conditioner, which adds unnecessary cost.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems of the prior art, the built-in accumulator is installed in the interior of the cabinet, the external accumulator which can be selectively connected to the refrigerant pipe from the outside of the cabinet is provided as an optional component, the accumulator The aim is to provide an air conditioner whose capacity can be optimized for the installation environment.

Air conditioner according to the present invention for solving the above problems and the cabinet to form the appearance of the air conditioner; An evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and an expander installed inside the cabinet to form a heat exchange cycle; A built-in accumulator installed inside the cabinet; An external accumulator positioned outside the cabinet; And an accumulator switching means for allowing the external accumulator to be selectively connected to the heat exchange cycle.

The external accumulator may be connected in series with the internal accumulator.

The accumulator switching means includes: a first service valve installed on a refrigerant pipe connecting the built-in accumulator and the compressor to open and close; A bypass flow path provided for refrigerant to bypass the first service valve; And a second and third service valve configured to selectively connect the bypass flow path and the external accumulator.

The accumulator switching means includes: a first service valve installed on a refrigerant pipe connecting the evaporator and the built-in accumulator to open and close; A bypass flow path provided for refrigerant to bypass the first service valve; And a second and third service valve configured to selectively connect the bypass flow path and the external accumulator.

The second and third service valves may be provided in a structure protruding to the outside of the cabinet.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the air conditioner according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. For reference, the air conditioner according to the present invention may be applied to all types of air conditioners without any type of integrated / separable or cooling only / cooling combined or single / multi type, but is limited to heat pump type air conditioners for convenience of description. Explain.

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an air conditioner according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a block diagram of the outdoor unit system of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The air conditioner according to the present invention shown in Figs. 2) and the refrigerant installed outside the indoor unit (i. It consists of the outdoor unit 6 which returns to the indoor unit 2 in the state which can exchange heat with the air of the said room I.

The indoor heat exchanger acts as an evaporator to cool the air in the room (I) as the low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger evaporates when cooled, and the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger when heated. As condensation acts as a condenser to increase the air temperature of the room (I).

The outdoor unit 6 includes a cabinet 10 forming the exterior of the outdoor unit 6 of the air conditioner, an outdoor heat exchanger 12 through which air and a refrigerant introduced into the cabinet 10 exchange heat, and air An outdoor blower (not shown) forcibly blown by the outdoor heat exchanger (12) and a compressor (14) for compressing the refrigerant so that a high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant can be supplied to the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger (12). ), An expander 16 which expands the refrigerant to supply the low temperature and low pressure liquid refrigerant to the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger 12, and the refrigerant according to the cooling / heating operation mode of the air conditioner. It is comprised including the four-way valve 18 which switches a flow direction.

The outdoor heat exchanger 12 acts as a condenser in which the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 12 is condensed so that a low temperature and low pressure liquid refrigerant can be supplied to the indoor heat exchanger during cooling. The refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 12 acts as an evaporator so that the gas refrigerant can be supplied.

The outdoor heat exchanger 12 may be provided as a single body or may be separated into a plurality. In this embodiment, the outdoor heat exchanger 12 is limited to a plurality of structures.

The outdoor heat exchanger 12 separated into a plurality allows the refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger 12 to be evenly distributed to the outdoor heat exchanger 12 separated into a plurality, and the outdoor heat exchanger 12 It is connected to a distributor (DISTRIBUTER; 13) that collects the refrigerant that has passed.

The outdoor heat exchanger 12 may be provided with outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensors 20 and 22 for measuring the temperature of the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 12.

The compressor 14 may be provided in one or two or more pieces, and may be provided as an inverter compressor or a constant speed compressor having a constant compression capacity.

At the inlet of the compressor 14, a compressor suction temperature sensor 24 for measuring the temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the compressor 14 may be installed.

The compressor discharge temperature sensor 26 for measuring the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 14 may be installed at the outlet of the compressor 14.

The expander 16 may be implemented as an electronic expansion valve to variably control the degree of expansion of the refrigerant.

The four-way valve 18 is connected to the outlet of the compressor 14 to direct the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor 14 toward the outdoor heat exchanger 12 during the cooling operation. The high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor 14 is directed to the indoor heat exchanger.

Meanwhile, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner includes an oil separator 30 positioned between the compressor 14 and the four-way valve 18 to separate oil discharged together with the gas refrigerant from the compressor 14 from the gas refrigerant. May be included.

In addition, the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor unit of the air conditioner is connected to the inlet of the compressor 14 before the high temperature and low pressure refrigerant discharged from the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger flows into the compressor 14. The accumulator further accumulates liquid refrigerant that has not evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 12 and directs only the gas refrigerant to the compressor 14.

The accumulator is installed inside the cabinet 10 and connected to the inlet of the compressor 14, and an external accumulator connected to the inlet of the compressor 14 from the outside of the cabinet 10. 34 may be provided.

The built-in accumulator 32 is provided such that refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger 12 may always flow into the compressor 14 through the built-in accumulator 32.

The built-in accumulator 32 is preferably manufactured in a capacity appropriate to the standard refrigerant filling amount and the standard length of the refrigerant pipe.

The external accumulator 34 may be implemented as an optional component that may be added to the fluid conditioner as needed to be connected to the heat exchange cycle of the air conditioner. The external accumulator 34 is preferably provided with a plurality of different capacities so that the external accumulator 34 can be appropriately selected for additional installation of the external accumulator 34. Of course, when the external accumulator 34 is additionally installed, one or more than two external accumulators 34 may be additionally installed as necessary.

On the other hand, the external accumulator 34 may be connected to the inlet of the compressor 14 through the accumulator switching means 40 which will be described later when the external accumulator 34 is required.

When the external accumulator 34 is additionally installed, the accumulator switching means 40 causes the internal accumulator 32 and the external accumulator 34 to be directly connected to each other so that the refrigerant accumulates in the internal accumulator 32 and the external accumulator 34. ) Can be flowed in order.

That is, the accumulator switching means 40 is installed on the refrigerant pipe connecting the built-in accumulator 32 and the compressor 14 to perform the opening and closing action of the first service valve 42 and the built-in accumulator 32. Refrigerant to the compressor 14 to bypass the first service valve 42, the bypass flow path 44 and the bypass flow path 44 and the external accumulator 34 to selectively connect The second and third service valves 46 and 48 may be configured.

The first service valve 42 may be located inside or outside the cabinet 10, and is preferably located inside the cabinet 10.

The bypass passage 44 is divided into an inlet passage 44A connected to the inlet of the first service valve 42 and an outlet portion 44B connected to the outlet of the first service valve 44.

The second service valve 46 may be installed on the inlet flow path 44A of the bypass flow path 44 and selectively connected to the inlet of the external accumulator 34.

In particular, the second service valve 46 is provided to protrude out of the cabinet 10 so that the second service valve 46 can be easily connected to the inlet of the external accumulator 34 when the external accumulator 34 is additionally installed. This is preferred.

The third service valve 48 may be installed on the outlet passage 44B of the bypass passage 44 to be selectively connected to the outlet of the external accumulator 34.

In particular, the third service valve 48 has a structure protruding to the outside of the cabinet 10 so that it can be easily connected to the outlet of the external accumulator 34 when the external accumulator 34 is additionally installed. desirable.

When the external accumulator 34 is not additionally installed during the cooling operation of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the operation will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a state in which the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention operates in the cooling operation mode in a state in which an external accumulator is not additionally installed.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the air conditioner is operated in the cooling operation mode in which the external accumulator 34 is not additionally installed, the four-way valve 18 is switched to the cooling operation mode, and the first service valve is installed. 42 is turned on, and the second and third service valves 46 and 48 are turned off.

In addition, the indoor blower and the outdoor blower and the compressor 14 are driven.

When the compressor 14 is driven, the high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor 14 passes through the oil separator 30 and is guided to the outdoor heat exchanger 12 by the four-way valve 18. do.

The high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant guided to the outdoor heat exchanger 12 is condensed while dissipating heat to the surroundings while passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 12.

The refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 12 is depressurized while passing through the expander 16, and the low temperature low pressure liquid refrigerant passing through the expander 16 is evaporated by taking away the surrounding heat while passing through the indoor heat exchanger. .

At this time, as the refrigerant takes away heat from the indoor heat exchanger and evaporates, air in the room passing through the indoor heat exchanger is cooled.

Therefore, the indoor space in which the indoor unit is installed can be cooled by receiving cold air from the indoor unit.

On the other hand, the low-temperature, low-pressure gas refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger is circulated to the compressor 14 after passing through the four-way valve 18, the built-in accumulator 32 and the first service valve 42 in turn. .

Next, the operation when the external accumulator 34 is additionally installed during the cooling operation of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention operates in the cooling operation mode in a state in which an external accumulator is additionally installed.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the air conditioner is operated in a cooling operation mode while the external accumulator 34 is additionally installed, the four-way valve 18 is switched to the cooling operation mode, and the first service valve 42 is provided. ) Is turned off, and the second and third service valves 46 and 48 are turned on.

In addition, as the indoor blower and the outdoor blower and the compressor 14 are driven, a refrigerant is supplied to the compressor 14, the oil separator 30, the four-way valve 18, the outdoor heat exchanger 12, and the expander. 16 passes through the indoor heat exchanger.

The low-temperature, low-pressure gas refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger passes through the four-way valve 18, the built-in accumulator 32, and the external accumulator 34, and then circulates back to the compressor 14.

Next, when the external accumulator 34 is not additionally installed during the heating operation of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the operation will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5.

5 is a block diagram showing a state in which the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention operates in the heating operation mode in a state in which no external accumulator is additionally installed.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the air conditioner is operated in the heating operation mode in which the external accumulator 34 is not additionally installed, the four-way valve 18 is switched to the heating operation mode, and the first service valve is installed. 42 is turned on, and the second and third service valves 46 and 48 are turned off.

In addition, the indoor blower and the outdoor blower and the compressor 14 are driven.

When the compressor 14 is driven, the high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor 14 passes through the oil separator 30 and is then guided to the indoor heat exchanger by the four-way valve 18.

The high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant guided to the indoor heat exchanger is condensed while releasing heat to the surroundings while passing through the indoor heat exchanger.

At this time, as the refrigerant releases heat to the surroundings in the indoor heat exchanger, the air temperature of the room passing through the indoor heat exchanger is increased as it is condensed. Therefore, the indoor space in which the indoor unit is installed may be heated by receiving warmth from the indoor unit.

The refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger is depressurized while passing through the expander (16), and the low-temperature low-pressure liquid refrigerant passed through the expander (16) passes through the outdoor heat exchanger (12) to take heat away and evaporate. do.

The refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 12 is circulated to the compressor 14 after passing through the four-way valve 18, the built-in accumulator 32, and the first service valve 42.

Next, the operation when the external accumulator 34 is additionally installed during the heating operation of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6.

6 is a block diagram showing a state in which the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention operates in the heating operation mode in a state where an external accumulator is additionally installed.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the air conditioner is operated in the cooling operation mode with the external accumulator 34 additionally installed, the four-way valve 18 is switched to the cooling operation mode and the first service valve 42 is provided. ) Is turned off, and the second and third service valves 46 and 48 are turned on.

In addition, as the indoor blower, the outdoor blower, and the compressor 14 are driven, a refrigerant is supplied to the compressor 14, the oil separator 30, the four-way valve 18, the indoor heat exchanger, and the expander 16. After passing through the outdoor heat exchanger (12).

The low-temperature, low-pressure gas refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 12 passes through the four-way valve 18, the built-in accumulator 32, and the external accumulator 34, and then circulates back to the compressor 14. do.

7 is a block diagram of an outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 7 includes a built-in accumulator 60 connected to an inlet of the compressor 52 inside the cabinet 50, and an outside of the cabinet 50. If necessary, the external accumulator 62, which may be connected to the inlet of the compressor 52, and the external accumulator 62 is additionally installed, the refrigerant flows in the order of the external accumulator 62 and the internal accumulator 60. It is configured to include an accumulator switching means 70 that can be.

The accumulator switching means 70 is installed on a refrigerant pipe connecting the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger with the built-in accumulator 60 to open and close the first service valve 72 and the refrigerant to the first service. A bypass flow path 74 installed to bypass the valve 72 and second and third service valves 76 and 78 for selectively connecting the bypass flow path 74 and the external accumulator 62. Can be done.

Looking at the operation of the air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention configured as described above in detail.

When the external accumulator 62 is not additionally installed, the first service valve 72 is turned on and the second and third service valves 76 and 78 are turned off to operate the compressor 52. The refrigerant is directed to the compressor (52) after passing through the first service valve (72) and the built-in accumulator (60).

On the other hand, when the external accumulator 62 is additionally installed, the first service valve 72 is turned off and the second and third service valves 76 and 78 are turned on to be directed toward the compressor 52. The refrigerant flows through the bypass passage 74, the external accumulator 62, and the internal accumulator 60 in order, and then flows into the compressor 52.

Since the air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention is similar to the first embodiment of the present invention except for the above-described configuration and operation, further detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The air conditioner according to the present invention configured as described above is provided with a built-in accumulator having a standard capacity inside the cabinet, so that the air conditioner can be miniaturized and unnecessary costs are not generated. If the external accumulator is additionally installed as necessary, the risk of liquid refrigerant inflow is prevented, as well as the length of the refrigerant pipe and the additional charging of the refrigerant are possible.

Claims (5)

A cabinet forming an exterior of the air conditioner; An evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and an expander installed inside the cabinet to form a heat exchange cycle; A built-in accumulator installed inside the cabinet; An external accumulator positioned outside the cabinet; And an accumulator switching means for allowing said external accumulator to be selectively connected with said heat exchange cycle. The method according to claim 1, The external accumulator is connected to the built-in accumulator in series, the air conditioner. The method according to claim 1, The accumulator switching means includes: a first service valve installed on a refrigerant pipe connecting the built-in accumulator and the compressor to open and close; A bypass flow path provided for refrigerant to bypass the first service valve; And second and third service valves for selectively connecting the bypass flow path and the external accumulator. The method according to claim 1, The accumulator switching means includes: a first service valve installed on a refrigerant pipe connecting the evaporator and the built-in accumulator to open and close; A bypass flow path provided for refrigerant to bypass the first service valve; And second and third service valves for selectively connecting the bypass flow path and the external accumulator. The method according to claim 3 or 4, The second and third service valves are air conditioners, characterized in that the protruding structure to the outside of the cabinet.

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