KR20200058137A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of minimizing a loss caused when a refrigerant passing through a condenser in a cooling mode flows to an indoor unit. The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a compressor for compressing a refrigerant; an outdoor heat exchanger in which the refrigerant and outdoor air are heat-exchanged; an indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger in which the refrigerant and indoor air are heat-exchanged; an integrated module disposed between the outdoor unit and the outdoor heat exchanger and having a refrigerant storage space formed therein, and a phase separator integrally provided to separate the refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant storage space into a gas-phase refrigerant and a liquid-phase refrigerant; a module pipe extended from the outdoor heat exchanger to the integrated module; a connection pipe extended from the integrated module to the indoor unit; and a bypass pipe directly connecting the module pipe and the connection pipe.

Description

Air conditioner {Air conditioner}

The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

The air conditioner is a device for maintaining the air in a predetermined space in the most suitable state according to the purpose and purpose. Generally, the air conditioner includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator, and a refrigerant cycle that performs compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation processes of the refrigerant is driven to cool or heat the predetermined space. .

The air conditioner can be operated to be switched to a cooling mode or a heating mode. When the air conditioner is operated in a cooling mode, the outdoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser and the indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator. On the other hand, when the air conditioner is operated in a heating mode, the outdoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator and the indoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser.

In addition, the air conditioner may be provided with a flow control valve that controls the flow direction of the refrigerant to enable switching of cooling operation or heating operation. In addition, the air conditioner is disposed on the inlet side of the compressor, and includes an accumulator that allows gaseous refrigerant to flow into the compressor among refrigerants passing through the evaporator.

On the other hand, in order to improve the cooling or heating capacity of the air conditioner, the air conditioner further includes a receiver for storing at least some of the condensed refrigerant and a phase separator separating the gaseous refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant from the condensed refrigerant. Can be. In addition, the gaseous refrigerant separated from the phase separator may be injected into the compressor to improve cycle efficiency.

However, the air conditioner described above has the following problems.

First, in the refrigerant circulation cycle of the air conditioner, the phase separator and the receiver are separately provided. According to this, the size of the outdoor unit may be relatively large, or spatial constraints on internal components may occur.

Second, since the inlet and outlet of the receiver are provided with separate refrigerant piping and refrigerant control valves, it is difficult to simplify the piping and has a disadvantage of low economic efficiency due to a relatively high material cost.

Third, when the air conditioner is operated in a cooling mode, the refrigerant passing through the condenser has a problem in that flow loss occurs in the process of passing through the phase separator. In detail, the supercooled refrigerant that has passed through the condenser causes expansion loss because the flow cross-sectional area rapidly expands in the process of flowing into the phase separator, and shrinkage loss occurs because the flow cross-sectional area decreases rapidly during discharge from the phase separator. .

According to the above-described flow loss, since the pressure of the refrigerant is lowered, there is a problem that a 2-phase refrigerant can be introduced into the indoor unit. As a result, since the supercooling degree of the refrigerant is maintained, it does not flow into the indoor unit, and thus the flow expansion may decrease the efficiency of the cycle.

In addition, when a plurality of indoor units are provided, the flow loss has a problem that causes uneven or unbalanced refrigerant distribution to each indoor unit.

Prior literature information related to this is as follows.

JP 4906894 B2 JP 3903342 B2

An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that can solve the problems of the above-described conventional air conditioner. In particular, the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of minimizing losses occurring in a process in which the refrigerant passing through the condenser in the cooling mode flows to the indoor unit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of increasing the efficiency of a cycle by injecting multiple vapor phase refrigerants into a compressor when operating in a heating mode.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of compacting an outdoor unit, simplifying piping, and reducing material cost.

In order to achieve the above object of the present invention, the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, a compressor for compressing a refrigerant; An outdoor heat exchanger in which heat exchange between the refrigerant and outdoor air; An indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger in which the refrigerant and the indoor air are heat exchanged; An integrated module disposed between the outdoor unit and the outdoor heat exchanger, a refrigerant storage space formed therein, and a phase separator separating the refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant storage space into gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant; A module pipe extending from the outdoor heat exchanger to the integrated module; Connection piping extending from the integrated module to the indoor unit; And a bypass pipe connecting the module pipe and the connection pipe directly.

In addition, the air conditioner is a bypass valve installed in the bypass pipe; A first main valve installed on the connection pipe; And a second main valve installed on the module pipe.

In addition, the bypass valve may include an electromagnetic expansion valve (EEV).

In addition, the bypass valve in the air conditioner. A control unit for controlling the first main valve and the second main valve is further included, and when the controller is operated in a cooling mode, the bypass valve is opened.

In addition, the bypass piping extends from a point of the connecting piping connecting the first main valve and the indoor unit to a point of the second main valve connecting the second main valve and the integrated module. Is done.

In addition, the air conditioner may be installed on the module pipe, and may further include an intermittent valve located between the bypass pipe and the integrated module.

In addition, the air conditioner is an accumulator provided on the suction side of the compressor; An outlet pipe extending from the integrated module to the accumulator; And an outlet valve installed in the outlet pipe.

In addition, the outlet valve is characterized in that it is opened only when the compression ratio and the refrigerant discharge temperature is lower than a predetermined value.

In addition, the air conditioner is a high pressure injection pipe extending from the integrated module to the compressor; And it may further include a high-pressure injection valve installed in the high-pressure injection pipe.

In addition, the air conditioner is an internal heat exchanger provided on the module pipe; A low pressure injection pipe extending from the internal heat exchanger to the compressor; And a low pressure injection valve installed in the low pressure injection pipe.

In addition, the bypass pipe, characterized in that the branch between the internal heat exchanger and the integrated module extends to the connection pipe.

In addition, the indoor heat exchanger is provided in a plurality, the connection pipe is characterized in that a distribution unit for distributing the refrigerant to the plurality of indoor heat exchangers or laminating refrigerant from the plurality of indoor heat exchangers is formed.

In addition, the indoor unit, a plurality of distribution pipes extending from the distribution unit to each indoor heat exchanger; And an indoor expansion valve installed in the plurality of distribution pipes.

In addition, the integrated module includes a body formed by the refrigerant storage space, and the module pipe and the connection pipe are respectively connected to communicate with the body.

In addition, the main body may include a receiver valve device that opens and closes a hole formed so that the refrigerant in the refrigerant storage space flows into the module pipe.

According to the present invention, when the cooling mode is operated, the refrigerant passing through the condenser bypasses the integrated module in which the functions of the receiver and the phase separator are integrated, and can directly go to the indoor unit, thereby reducing the flow loss of the refrigerant. There is an advantage that can be minimized.

In addition, there is an advantage that the distribution of the uniform or uniform refrigerant to a plurality of indoor units.

In addition, by providing an integrated module that can integrally perform the functions of the receiver and the phase separator, it is possible to eliminate the spatial constraints.

In addition, since the number of devices provided in the outdoor unit is reduced by the integrated module, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. In other words, it is possible to improve the economics of the product.

In addition, since the number or length of pipes connected between each component can be reduced, installation and manageability of products can be improved by simplifying the pipes.

In addition, since a plurality of internal heat exchangers connected in series can be provided, it is possible to inject gaseous refrigerants multiple times with a compressor. As a result, the cycle efficiency of the air conditioner can be improved.

1 is a view showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention
2 is a view showing the flow of refrigerant in the heating mode of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention
3 is a schematic PH diagram of a heating cycle of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention
4 is a view showing the flow of refrigerant in the cooling mode of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention
Figure 5 is a schematic PH diagram for the cooling cycle of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention
6 is a view showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail through exemplary drawings. It should be noted that in adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, the same components have the same reference numerals as possible even though they are displayed on different drawings. In addition, in describing embodiments of the present invention, when it is determined that detailed descriptions of related well-known configurations or functions interfere with understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

In addition, in describing the components of the embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are only for distinguishing the component from other components, and the nature, order, or order of the component is not limited by the term. When a component is described as being "connected", "coupled" or "connected" to another component, that component may be directly connected to or connected to the other component, but another component between each component It should be understood that may be "connected", "coupled" or "connected".

1 is a view showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a compressor 10 for compressing a refrigerant to form a cooling or heating cycle, a four-way valve for switching the flow direction of the refrigerant ( 20), an outdoor heat exchanger (40) in which refrigerant and outdoor air are exchanged, and an indoor unit (60) installed indoors.

The compressor 10 may compress the refrigerant and discharge high temperature and high pressure refrigerant. In addition, the compressor 10 may be provided with a plurality of compression units to perform multi-stage compression.

In addition, the four-way valve 20 may perform a switching operation such that high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 is directed to a condenser according to a cooling or heating mode. In one example, the four-way valve 20 may be connected to a discharge pipe extending to the discharge side of the compressor (10).

That is, the four-way valve 20 may switch the flow direction of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 to the outdoor heat exchanger 40 or the indoor unit 60.

In addition, the four-way valve 20 may be connected to the accumulator 30 provided on the suction side of the compressor 10. In one example, the four-way valve 20 may be connected to the inlet pipe 25 extending to the inlet side of the accumulator 30. Therefore, the refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator may be introduced into the accumulator 30 through the four-way valve 20 and the assortment pipe 25.

The accumulator 30 may provide a gaseous refrigerant among the introduced refrigerants to the suction side of the compressor 10.

In addition, the four-way valve 20 may be connected to the outdoor pipe 26 extending to the outdoor heat exchanger (40). The outdoor piping 26 may guide refrigerant flow between the outdoor heat exchanger 40 and the four-way valve 20.

On the other hand, the air conditioner (1), the receiver for storing at least a portion of the above-described condensed refrigerant and the function of the phase separator for separating the gas phase refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant from the condensed refrigerant can be performed by integrating The module 50 may be further included.

An internal space in which storage and / or phase separation of the refrigerant is performed may be formed in the integrated module 50.

That is, the integrated module 50 may be formed so that the condensed refrigerant can be introduced and stored. At the same time, the integrated module 50 may be formed to obtain a gaseous refrigerant from the introduced refrigerant.

A portion in which the condensed refrigerant is introduced and stored in the integrated module 50 may be called a receiver unit or a receiver. In addition, a portion capable of separating the gaseous refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant from the condensed refrigerant in the integrated module 50 may be referred to as a phase separator unit or a phase separator.

The integrated module 50 may be formed such that the receiver and the phase separator are integrally provided.

For example, the integrated module 50 may include a body forming an exterior. In addition, an internal space in which the refrigerant is stored may be formed in the main body. Meanwhile, the body may be formed in various shapes that form a space therein, such as a box shape or a cube shape.

Meanwhile, the internal space of the main body may function as a space in which the refrigerant is stored, that is, as a receiver. In addition, a phase separator for performing phase separation of the introduced refrigerant may be provided in the interior space of the main body. The phase separator may be formed so that the refrigerant introduced into the internal space of the main body undergoes heat exchange in the flow process.

Of course, the integrated module 50 may be formed so that a phase separator in which phase separation between the receiver storing the refrigerant and the refrigerant is performed is performed in a partitioned space inside the body.

The integrated module 50 may further include a receiver valve device (not shown) that can limit the outflow of refrigerant to the module pipe 45 to be described later. For example, a hole for guiding a refrigerant to the module pipe 45 connected to the lower side of the body may be formed in the body. And the receiver valve device (not shown) may be provided to open and close the hole.

According to this, when the air conditioner 1 is operated in a heating mode, a part of the refrigerant condensed into the integrated module 50 may be introduced and stored in the receiver. At this time, the refrigerant stored in the receiver may selectively flow to the module pipe 34 or the outlet pipe 53 by the opening / closing operation of the receiver valve device (not shown).

Meanwhile, the integrated module 50 may be controlled to selectively operate the provided receiver and the phase separator. In one example, the phase separator may be configured to stop operation when the internal space of the main body functions as a receiver.

That is, the integrated module 50 may perform the phase separator function of injecting the gaseous refrigerant obtained from the introduced refrigerant into the compressor 10 only when the heating mode is operated.

In other words, the integrated module 50 may be formed so that the receiver function is performed only when the injection of the compressor 10 is unnecessary.

That is, the integrated module 50 may function as a receiver that stores or discharges refrigerant circulating through the cycle only when the compression ratio and the refrigerant discharge temperature of the compressor 10 are lower than a preset value.

That is, the outlet valve 54, which will be described later, is opened when the unnecessary condition for the injection is satisfied and discharged so that the refrigerant stored in the integrated module 50 can cycle.

Meanwhile, the air conditioner 1 includes a module pipe 45 extending from the outdoor heat exchanger 40 to the integrated module 50, a main valve 47 installed in the module pipe 45, and an intermittent valve (49) may be further included.

The module pipe 45 may be connected to one side of the integrated module 50. That is, the module piping 45 may be connected to communicate with the interior space of the integrated module 50. For example, the module piping 45 may be connected to an outlet through which refrigerant flowing into the integrated module 50 is discharged in a heating mode.

The main valve 47 installed in the module piping 45 can control the flow of refrigerant flowing through the module piping 45 or the amount of refrigerant. For example, the main valve 47 installed in the module piping 45 may include an electromagnetic expansion valve (EEV). In detail, the main valve 47 installed in the module pipe 45 can control the refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger 40 or the refrigerant discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger 40.

The intermittent valve 49 may be installed between the main valve 47 and the integrated module 50 in the module pipe 45. For example, the intermittent valve 49 may include a check valve that allows only refrigerant flow in one direction.

The intermittent valve 49 operates to allow the flow of refrigerant from the integrated module 50 to the main valve 47, but not the flow in the opposite direction. Therefore, when the air conditioner 1 is operated in a cooling mode, the refrigerant flowing through the module pipe 45 may be restricted from flowing into the body of the integrated module 50.

In addition, the air conditioner 1 may further include an injection pipe 51 extending from the integrated module 50 to the compressor 10 and an injection valve 52 installed in the injection pipe 51. have.

The injection pipe 51 may guide the gaseous refrigerant obtained from the integrated module 50 to the compressor 10.

That is, the injection pipe 51 may have one side end connected to an outlet through which the gaseous refrigerant of the integrated module 50 is discharged. In one example, the injection pipe 51 may be connected to the phase separator of the integrated module 50. Therefore, the gaseous refrigerant separated from the phase separator may be introduced into the injection pipe 51.

In addition, the injection pipe 51 may be connected to the other end of the compressor 10. For example, the injection pipe 51 may be connected to the suction side of any one compression unit performing multi-stage compression in the compressor 10.

The injection valve 52 may control the flow of the gaseous refrigerant or the amount of the gaseous refrigerant flowing into the compressor 10 through the injection pipe 51. For example, the injection valve 52 may include an electromagnetic expansion valve (EEV). Therefore, the injection valve 53 may adjust the amount of refrigerant flowing through the injection pipe 51 through opening control.

In addition, the air conditioner 1 further includes an outlet pipe 53 extending from the integrated module 50 to the inflow side of the accumulator 30 and an outlet valve 54 installed in the outlet pipe 53. can do.

The outlet pipe 53 may guide the refrigerant stored in the integrated module 50 to the accumulator 30.

That is, the outlet pipe 53 may have one side end connected to an outlet through which the refrigerant stored in the integrated module 50 is discharged. In one example, the outlet pipe 53 may be connected to communicate with the receiver of the integrated module 40.

Of course, the outlet pipe 53 may be formed to branch from the module pipe 45 and extend to the accumulator 30.

The outlet valve 54 may control the flow of refrigerant or the amount of refrigerant flowing into the accumulator 30 through the outlet pipe 53. In one example, the outlet valve 54 may include an electromagnetic expansion valve (EEV). Therefore, the outlet valve 54 can control the amount of refrigerant flowing through the outlet pipe 53 through opening control.

In addition, the air conditioner 1 further includes a connecting pipe 55 extending from the integrated module 50 toward the indoor unit 60 and a main valve 57 installed in the connecting pipe 55. can do.

The connection pipe 55 may be connected to communicate with the interior space of the integrated module 50. In one example, the connecting pipe 55 may be connected to the upper end of the body of the integrated module 50.

In addition, the connection pipe 55 may guide the refrigerant flow between the integrated module 50 and the indoor unit 60.

The main valve 57 installed in the connection pipe 55 may control the flow of the refrigerant flowing into the integrated module 50 or the refrigerant discharged from the integrated module 50 or the amount of refrigerant.

That is, the main valve 57 installed in the connection pipe 55 can control a part of the refrigerant flowing through the connection pipe 55. For example, the main valve 57 installed in the connection pipe 55 may include an electromagnetic expansion valve (EEV).

Meanwhile, the main valve 57 installed in the connection pipe 57 may be referred to as a first main valve 57, and the main valve 47 installed in the module pipe 45 may include a second main valve ( 47).

A distribution unit 58 for distributing refrigerant flowing into the indoor unit 60 or laminating refrigerant discharged from the indoor unit 60 may be formed in the connection pipe 55.

The connection pipe 55 may form a distribution part 58 at an end opposite to the end connected to the integration module 50. As an example, a distributor may be installed in the distribution unit 58.

The distribution unit 58 may be connected to a plurality of distribution pipes 63 respectively connected to a plurality of indoor heat exchangers 61 to be described later. Therefore, depending on the cooling or heating mode of the air conditioner 1, the distribution unit 58 may guide the branching of the refrigerant to the indoor unit 60 or the refrigerant from the indoor unit 60.

The indoor unit 60 includes an indoor heat exchanger 61 that performs heat exchange between indoor air and refrigerant, a distribution pipe 63 and a recovery pipe 66 that guide the entry and exit of the refrigerant to the indoor heat exchanger 61 can do.

In addition, the indoor unit 60 may further include an indoor expansion valve 62 installed in the distribution pipe 63.

The indoor heat exchanger 61 may be provided in a plurality so as to be respectively installed in a plurality of indoor spaces. The plurality of indoor heat exchangers 61 may be connected to each other in parallel and / or in series.

In addition, an indoor expansion valve 62 for decompressing the refrigerant to be introduced into the indoor heat exchanger 61 may be provided at one side of each indoor heat exchanger 61.

That is, a plurality of indoor expansion valves 62 may be provided corresponding to the number of indoor heat exchangers 61. For example, the indoor expansion valve 62 may be installed for each distribution pipe 63 extending from the distribution unit 58 to each indoor heat exchanger 61.

Therefore, the opening degree of the indoor expansion valve 62 may be adjusted to selectively block the refrigerant flowing into each of the indoor heat exchangers 61 according to whether the indoor heat exchanger 61 is operated.

The distribution pipe 63 is connected to one side of the indoor heat exchanger 61 to guide the flow of the refrigerant. In addition, the recovery pipe 66 may be connected to the other side of the indoor heat exchanger 61 to guide the flow of refrigerant.

The recovery pipes 66 may be provided according to the number of the indoor heat exchangers 61, respectively. That is, the recovery pipe 66 may be provided in a number corresponding to the distribution pipe (63). Therefore, the distribution pipe 63 and the recovery pipe 66 can guide the refrigerant entering and leaving the indoor heat exchanger 61.

Each of the recovery pipes 66 may be extended to be combined with a recovery portion 68 formed at one side end of the extension pipe 70.

In addition, the extension pipe 70 may be extended from the recovery pipe 66 to the four-way valve 20 at all times.

The recovery unit 68 may distribute the refrigerant flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 61 or mix the refrigerant discharged from the indoor heat exchanger 61 as in the distribution unit 58.

On the other hand, the air conditioner (1) is a bypass pipe (100) directly connected to the connecting pipe (55) from the module pipe (45) and the bypass valve (110) installed in the bypass pipe (100) It may further include.

The bypass pipe 100 may branch from the module pipe 45 and extend to the connection pipe 55.

In more detail, the bypass pipe 100 is branched from a point of the module pipe 45 positioned between the intermittent valve 49 and the outlet valve 54, so that the distribution unit 58 and the agent 1 may be extended to one point of the connecting pipe 55 located between the main valve 57.

In one example, when the air conditioner 10 is operated in a cooling mode, the bypass pipe 100 may allow refrigerant passing through the second main valve 47 to flow directly to the connection pipe 55. So that it can be branched from the module pipe 45 and extended to the connection pipe 55.

That is, based on the flow direction of the refrigerant in the cooling mode, the bypass pipe 100 may be branched from the downstream side of the second main valve 47 and connected to the downstream side of the first main valve 57.

The bypass valve 110 may control the flow of the refrigerant flowing through the bypass pipe 100 or the amount of refrigerant. As an example, the bypass valve 110 may include an electromagnetic expansion valve (EEV).

The bypass valve 110 may control the amount of refrigerant flowing through the bypass pipe 100 through opening control.

In addition, the bypass valve 110 may be closed to prevent the refrigerant from flowing into the bypass pipe 100.

In addition, when the air conditioner 1 is operated in a cooling mode, the bypass valve 110 is completely opened to guide the refrigerant in the module pipe 45 directly to the connection pipe 55. Can be.

Meanwhile, the air conditioner 1 may further include a control unit (not shown) for controlling the above-described components. In one example, the control unit (not shown) may control the flow of the refrigerant circulating through the cooling or heating cycle by controlling the plurality of valves described above.

2 is a view showing the flow of the refrigerant in the heating mode of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a schematic PH of the heating cycle of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention Is the leader.

Hereinafter, when the air conditioner 1 is operated in a heating mode, a flow process of the refrigerant according to the above-described multiple valve control will be described in detail.

2 and 3, when the air conditioner 1 is operated in a heating mode, the indoor heat exchanger 61 of the indoor unit 60 functions as a condenser, and the outdoor heat exchanger 40 Functions as an evaporator.

The high-temperature, high-pressure compressed refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 may flow into the extension pipe 70 through the four-way valve 20. In addition, the compressed refrigerant may be distributed from the recovery unit 68 to a plurality of recovery pipes 66 to pass through the indoor heat exchanger 61 connected to each recovery pipe 66. At this time, the indoor expansion valve 62 may be completely opened.

The compressed refrigerant is condensed while passing through the indoor heat exchanger (61), and the condensed refrigerant may be incorporated into the distribution unit (58) through the distribution pipe (63) and introduced into the connection pipe (55).

The condensed refrigerant introduced into the connection pipe 55 may flow to the integrated module 50 and / or the module pipe 45 under the control of the first main valve 57 and the bypass valve 110. have.

For example, when the injection of the gas phase refrigerant into the compressor 10 is an unnecessary condition, that is, when the compression ratio and the discharge temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 are lower than a preset value, the integrated module 50 Only the receiver function can be performed.

Therefore, when storing the refrigerant circulating the cycle with the integrated module 50, the first main valve 57 and the bypass valve 110 are opened, and the outlet valve 54 can be closed. . Of course, in this case, the injection valve 52 and the receiver valve device (not shown) may also be closed.

According to this, some of the condensing refrigerant in the connection pipe 55 flows into the module pipe 45 through the bypass pipe 100, and can be expanded by adjusting the opening degree of the second main valve 47. have. In addition, a portion of the condensing refrigerant in the connection pipe 55 may be introduced into the integrated module 50 and stored.

Conversely, when the refrigerant stored in the integrated module 50 is discharged, the first main valve 57 is closed, and the outlet valve 54 and the bypass valve 110 can be opened. Therefore, further condensation refrigerant flow from the connecting pipe 55 to the integrated module 50 is blocked, and the refrigerant stored in the integrated module 50 can flow to circulate a cycle through the outlet pipe 54. have.

On the other hand, when the condition for the injection of the gaseous refrigerant into the compressor 10 is required, the first main valve 57 and the second main valve 47 may be opened. In addition, the first main valve 57 and the second main valve 47 can control the high pressure and low pressure of the cycle by adjusting the opening degree.

 And the refrigerant flowing into the integrated module 50 through the first main valve 57 may be separated into a liquid refrigerant and a gaseous refrigerant through a phase separator provided inside the integrated module 50. At this time, the injection valve 52 may be opened to inject separated gaseous refrigerant into the compressor 10.

The injection valve 52 may adjust the amount of gaseous refrigerant injected into the compressor 10 through opening control. As a result, since the gaseous refrigerant is injected from the integrated module 50 into the compressor 10, it is possible to increase the efficiency of the cycle. Of course, in this case, the outlet valve 54 may be closed.

Then, the separated liquid refrigerant flows into the module pipe 45 and expands through the intermittent valve 49 and the second main valve 47, and the expanded refrigerant may flow into the outdoor heat exchanger 40.

On the other hand, when the condition for the injection of gaseous refrigerant into the compressor 10 is required, the integrated module 50 may function as a phase separator. Therefore, the bypass valve 110 may be closed to prevent the refrigerant from the connecting pipe 55 from being drawn into the bypass pipe 100 due to a pressure difference.

The expanded refrigerant introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger 40 is evaporated, and the evaporated refrigerant may be introduced into the pipe 25 through the outdoor pipe 26 and the four-way valve 20. In addition, a gaseous refrigerant among refrigerants flowing into the accumulator 30 through the ascending pipe 25 may be cycled while flowing to the suction side of the compressor 10.

4 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the cooling mode of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a schematic PH of the cooling cycle of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention Is the leader.

Hereinafter, when the air conditioner 1 is operated in a cooling mode, a flow process of the refrigerant according to the above-described multiple valve control will be described in detail.

4 and 5, when the air conditioner 1 is operated in a cooling mode, the outdoor heat exchanger 40 functions as a condenser, and the indoor heat exchanger 61 can function as an evaporator. have.

The compressed refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 may flow into the outdoor heat exchanger 40 through the four-way valve 20. In addition, the compressed refrigerant may be condensed while passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 40.

The condensation refrigerant that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 40 may be introduced into the module pipe 45.

At this time, the bypass valve 110 and the second main valve 47 may be completely opened. In addition, the condensing refrigerant of the module piping 45 may be introduced into the bypass piping 100 rather than the integrated module 50 by the intermittent valve 49.

As described above, the conventional air conditioner has a problem in that the condensing refrigerant flows through the phase separator or the receiver and flows into the indoor unit in a state where the supercooling degree is lost (see b in FIG. 5).

However, in the air conditioner 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the condensing refrigerant flows into the bypass pipe 100 in the cooling mode and flows to the indoor unit 60 through the connecting pipe 55. Flow loss and supercooling problems can be solved. In addition, it is possible to solve the problem that the two-phase (2-phase) refrigerant is introduced into the indoor unit. (See a in Fig. 5)

The condensing refrigerant flowing into the bypass pipe 100 may flow into the distribution pipe 63 through the connection pipe 55. For example, the condensing refrigerant may flow to be distributed to distribution pipes 63 connected to a plurality of indoor heat exchangers 61 while passing through the distribution portion 58 of the connection pipe 55.

The refrigerant flowing into the distribution pipe 63 expands while passing through the indoor expansion valve 62, and the expanded refrigerant may be evaporated while passing through the indoor heat exchanger 61. In addition, the evaporated refrigerant may be laminated through the recovery pipe 66 and the recovery unit 68 and introduced into the accumulator 30 through the four-way valve 20.

In addition, gaseous refrigerant among refrigerants introduced into the accumulator 30 may be cycled while flowing to the suction side of the compressor 10.

Meanwhile, in the cooling mode, the integrated module 50 may operate to control the amount of refrigerant circulating in the cycle. That is, the integrated module 50 may perform a receiver function in the cooling mode. Of course, in this case, since the phase separator of the integrated module 50 does not operate, the injection valve 52 may maintain a closed state.

For example, when the first main valve 57 is opened, some of the refrigerant flowing through the bypass pipe 100 may flow into the integrated module 50.

When the total amount of refrigerant circulating through the cycle is reduced by storing the refrigerant flowing into the integrated module 50, the outlet valve 53 and the receiver valve device (not shown) may be closed.

On the other hand, when the total amount of refrigerant circulating through the cycle is increased by discharging the refrigerant stored in the integrated module 50, the outlet valve 54 is opened and the first main valve 57 can be closed. .

Therefore, all the refrigerant flowing through the bypass pipe 100 flows to the indoor unit 60 through the connection pipe 55, and the refrigerant stored in the integrated module 50 connects the outlet pipe 53. By flowing into the accumulator 30, the cycle can be circulated.

6 is a view showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the second embodiment, a description of a configuration that overlaps with the first embodiment will use the description of the first embodiment described above. Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be mainly described with a configuration different from the first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, the air conditioner 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention may further include an internal heat exchanger 200 capable of performing supercooling of the condensed refrigerant.

The internal heat exchanger 200 may be disposed between the condenser and the expansion device.

That is, the internal heat exchanger 200 may be installed on the refrigerant passage formed by the module pipe 45.

In detail, the module piping 45 includes the outdoor module piping 45 ′ connecting one side of the outdoor heat exchanger 40 and the internal heat exchanger 200 and the other side of the internal heat exchanger and the integrated module ( It may include a module extension pipe 210 for connecting 50).

The second main valve 47 may be installed in the outdoor module piping 45 '.

In addition, the bypass pipe 100 may branch from the module extension pipe 210 and extend to the connection pipe 55.

 In addition, the intermittent valve 49 ′ may be installed in the module extension pipe 210. In detail, the intermittent valve 49 ′ may be installed between the integrated module 50 and a point of the module extension pipe 210 where the bypass pipe 100 is branched.

The internal heat exchanger 200 may obtain a gas phase refrigerant by performing heat exchange while the refrigerant passes.

The air conditioner (1) is a low pressure injection pipe (220) for injecting the gaseous refrigerant obtained from the internal heat exchanger (200) to the compressor (10) and the low pressure injection valve (220) installed in the low pressure injection pipe (220) 230) may be further included.

Here, the above-described injection pipe 51 is called a high pressure injection pipe 51, and the above-described injection valve 52 is called a high pressure injection valve 52.

The low pressure injection pipe 220 may extend from the internal heat exchanger 200 to the compressor 10. For example, the low pressure injection pipe 220 is a suction side of a compression unit performing compression at a lower stage than a compression unit to which the high pressure injection pipe 51 is connected, among a plurality of compression units of the compressor 10 performing multistage compression. Can be connected.

The low pressure injection valve 230 may control the flow of the gaseous refrigerant flowing through the low pressure injection pipe 220 or the amount of the gaseous refrigerant. For example, the low pressure injection valve 230 may include an electronic expansion valve (EEV).

Meanwhile, a plurality of internal heat exchangers 200 may be provided. For example, the plurality of internal heat exchangers 200 may be connected in series.

In this case, the plurality of internal heat exchangers 200 may be connected to a plurality of injection pipes extending to a plurality of compression units of the compressor 10 performing multistage compression, respectively. According to this, since the gas phase refrigerant injected into the compressor 10 is increased to double or triple, there is an advantage of improving the efficiency of the cycle.

10: compressor 20: four-way valve
30: accumulator 40: outdoor heat exchanger
50: integrated module 60: indoor unit
100: bypass piping

Claims (15)

A compressor for compressing the refrigerant;
An outdoor heat exchanger in which heat exchange between the refrigerant and outdoor air;
An indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger in which the refrigerant and the indoor air are heat exchanged;
An integrated module disposed between the outdoor unit and the outdoor heat exchanger, a refrigerant storage space formed therein, and a phase separator separating the refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant storage space into gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant;
A module pipe extending from the outdoor heat exchanger to the integrated module;
Connection piping extending from the integrated module to the indoor unit; And
An air conditioner including a bypass pipe for directly connecting the module pipe and the connection pipe.
According to claim 1,
A bypass valve installed on the bypass pipe;
A first main valve installed on the connection pipe; And
An air conditioner further comprising a second main valve installed on the module pipe.
According to claim 2,
The bypass valve is an air conditioner comprising an electromagnetic expansion valve (EEV).
According to claim 2,
The bypass valve. A control unit for controlling the first main valve and the second main valve is further included,
The control unit, when operating in a cooling mode, the air conditioner, characterized in that to open the bypass valve.
According to claim 2,
The bypass piping extends from a point of the connecting piping connecting the first main valve and the indoor unit to a point of the second main valve connecting the second main valve and the integrated module. Air conditioner.
6. The method of claim 5.
The air conditioner is installed in the module piping, and further comprising an intermittent valve located between the bypass piping and the integrated module.
According to claim 1,
An accumulator provided on the suction side of the compressor;
An outlet pipe extending from the integrated module to the accumulator; And
An air conditioner further comprising an outlet valve installed in the outlet pipe.
The method of claim 7,
The outlet valve is an air conditioner, characterized in that the compression ratio and the refrigerant discharge temperature are opened only under conditions lower than a predetermined value.
According to claim 1,
A high pressure injection pipe extending from the integrated module to the compressor; And
An air conditioner further comprising a high pressure injection valve installed in the high pressure injection pipe.
The method of claim 9,
An internal heat exchanger provided on the module pipe;
A low pressure injection pipe extending from the internal heat exchanger to the compressor; And
An air conditioner further comprising a low pressure injection valve installed on the low pressure injection pipe.
The method of claim 10,
The bypass piping,
Air conditioner characterized in that the branch between the internal heat exchanger and the integrated module extends to the connection pipe.
According to claim 1,
The indoor heat exchanger is provided in a number,
The connection pipe is an air conditioner, characterized in that a distribution unit capable of distributing refrigerant to the plurality of indoor heat exchangers or laminating refrigerant from the plurality of indoor heat exchangers is formed.
The method of claim 12,
The indoor unit,
A plurality of distribution pipes extending from the distribution unit to each indoor heat exchanger; And
An air conditioner further comprising an indoor expansion valve installed in the plurality of distribution pipes.
According to claim 1,
The integrated module includes a body formed by the refrigerant storage space,
The module pipe and the connection pipe, the air conditioner, characterized in that each connected to communicate with the main body.
The method of claim 14,
The main body, the air conditioner including a receiver valve device for opening and closing a hole formed to flow the refrigerant in the refrigerant storage space into the module pipe.

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