RU2395044C1 - Heat source unit of cooling system, and cooling system - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: heating. ^ SUBSTANCE: heat source unit of cooling system includes circuit (12) of heat source. Circuit (12) includes the first gas port (31) continuously interconnected with delivery side of compressor (14), the second gas port (32) continuously interconnected with suction side of compressor (14), the third gas port (33) selectively interconnected with one of the first gas line (25) and the second gas line (26), liquid port (34) continuously interconnected with the end of liquid inlet/outlet of heat exchanger (15) of heat source, the first switching mechanism (17) which switches over the state of interconnection of the end of liquid inlet/outlet of heat exchanger (15) of heat source, and the second switching mechanism (18) which switches over the state of interconnection of the third gas line (27). Cooling system includes unit (10) of heat source of system (5) and unit (7) of heat consumption, which has circuit (8) of heat consumption, which includes pressure reducing mechanism (41) and heat consumption heat exchanger (40). Circuit (9) of cooling agent has been created with the connection of the third gas port (33) of circuit (12) of unit (10) of heat source and the gas inlet/outlet end of heat consumption circuit (8) and as the connection of liquid port (34) of circuit (12) and the liquid inlet/outlet end of heat consumption circuit (8). ^ EFFECT: possibility of using auxiliary heat exchanger both in cooling and heating modes. ^ 5 cl, 16 dwg

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to a heat source unit of a cooling system coupled to a heat consumption unit through a connection pipe, and a cooling system including a heat source unit.

State of the art

Traditionally, heat source blocks of cooling systems have been known, including a compressor and a heat source heat exchanger. The heat source unit constitutes the cooling system together with the heat consumption unit connected to the heat source unit through a connecting pipe. A heat source unit of this kind is described, for example, in Japanese Published Patent Application No. 2006-078087 (hereinafter referred to as Document 1) and in Japanese Published Patent Application No. H11-241844 (hereinafter referred to as Document 2).

More specifically, as a heat source unit of this kind, Document 1 discloses an outdoor air conditioning unit that is installed outdoors. The outdoor unit includes a single gas port and a single liquid port. The gas port is connected to a four-way switching valve connected to the pressure side and the suction side of the compressor. A liquid port is connected to the end of the inlet / outlet of the fluid of the outdoor heat exchanger. This air conditioner is switchable between the air cooling mode and the air heating mode by actuating the four-way switching valve.

Figure 3 of Document 2 shows an outdoor unit that includes two gas ports and a single liquid port. In this outdoor unit, one of the gas ports is permanently connected to the pressure side of the compressor through the pressure line, and the other gas port is constantly connected to the suction side of the compressor via the suction line. The liquid port is permanently connected to the end of the fluid inlet / outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger. The end of the gas inlet / outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to a four-way switching valve connected to the pressure side and the suction side of the compressor.

In addition, Document 2 describes an air conditioner to which an outdoor unit is applied. An air conditioner includes a plurality of indoor units and BS units for selecting operating states of indoor units, respectively. The BS unit switches the gas pipe of the corresponding indoor unit to a message with a pressure line or a message with a suction line. In this air conditioner, when the BS unit allows the gas pipe of the indoor unit to be connected to the pressure line of the outdoor unit, the heating mode is performed in which the heat consumption heat exchanger of the indoor unit is functioning as a condenser. When the BS unit allows the gas pipe of the indoor unit to be connected to the suction line of the outdoor unit, the cooling mode is performed in which the heat consumption heat exchanger of the indoor unit is functioning as an evaporator. An air conditioner is a so-called individually controlled air conditioner that allows for individual selection of the air cooling mode or air heating mode as the operating state of each of the indoor units.

In the cooling system described in Document 1, the operating state of the heat consumption unit is switched by a switching mechanism (for example, a four-way switching valve) provided in the heat source unit. In the cooling system described in Document 2, the operating states of the heat consumption unit are switched by switching mechanisms respectively provided for in the heat consumption units. Since the heat source unit according to Document 1 has only one gas port, it cannot be applied to the latter cooling system. In addition, since the heat source unit according to Document 2 does not have a switching mechanism for changing the operating state of the heat consumption unit in the heat source circuit, it cannot be applied to the first cooling system.

The heat source unit applicable to both of the first and last cooling systems can be configured, for example, as shown in FIG. 13. The heat source circuit (12) of the heat source unit (10) shown in FIG. 13 includes two gas ports (32, 33) and one single liquid port (34). One of the gas ports (32) constantly communicates with the suction side of the compressor (14), and the other gas port (33) selectively communicates with the pressure side or the suction side of the compressor (14). The liquid port (34) is constantly in communication with the end of the inlet / outlet of the fluid installed outdoors of the heat exchanger (15). The end of the gas inlet / outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger (15) selectively communicates with the pressure side or the suction side of the compressor (14). The first cooling system (5) is created by connecting the heat consumption unit (7) to the heat source unit (10), as shown in FIG. 13 (A). In addition, the last cooling system (5) is created by connecting the heat consumption unit (7) to the heat source unit (10), as shown in FIG. 13 (B).

In a cooling system using this heat source unit, when a relatively high cooling or heating capacity is required by the heat consumption unit, for example, when a large number of indoor units are connected, the heat exchange amount required by the heat consumption heat exchanger of the heat consumption unit cannot be supplied only by the heat exchanger of the source heat block heat source. In this case, the proper cooling cycle cannot be performed, and the efficiency (efficiency) becomes relatively low. This problem can be solved by attaching an auxiliary unit, including an auxiliary heat exchanger, to the refrigerant circuit. If the heat consumption units (7) require high heating capacity, then the auxiliary unit (50) is connected as shown in Fig. 14, so that the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) functions as an evaporator together with the heat source heat exchanger (15) in the heating mode . In addition, if high cooling capacity is required by the heat consumption units (7), the auxiliary unit (50) is connected as shown in FIG. 15, so that the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) functions as a condenser together with the heat source heat exchanger (15) in cooling mode.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem to which the invention is directed

However, it was not possible to configure the auxiliary unit in order to use it for both modes, heating and cooling, in a cooling system including a conventional heat source unit. More specifically, when the auxiliary unit is configured for use in the heating mode, refrigerant discharged from the compressor in the cooling mode cannot be supplied to the auxiliary heat exchanger of the auxiliary unit. As a result, the auxiliary heat exchanger does not function as a condenser. On the other hand, when the auxiliary unit is configured for use in cooling mode, the refrigerant vaporized in the auxiliary heat exchanger of the auxiliary unit in heating mode cannot be led to the suction side of the compressor. As a result, the auxiliary heat exchanger does not function as an evaporator.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention has been developed. The present invention relates to a design of a heat source unit, which is applicable both to a cooling system in which the operating state of the heat consumption unit is switched by a switching mechanism provided in the heat source unit, and to a cooling system in which the operating states of the heat consumption unit are switched by switching mechanisms included into switching units corresponding to heat consumption units, respectively. An object of the invention is to configure a heat source unit so that an auxiliary unit including an auxiliary heat exchanger can be used in both cooling and heating modes.

Means of solving the problem

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a block (10) of a heat source of a cooling system including a heat source circuit (12) including a compressor (14) and a heat source heat exchanger (15) connected to each other. The heat source circuit (12) of the heat source unit (10) includes a first gas port (31), which is provided at the end of the first gas line (25), which is constantly in communication with the pressure side of the compressor (14), a second gas port (32), which is provided at the end of the second gas line (26), constantly in communication with the suction side of the compressor (14), the third gas port (33), which is provided at the end of the third gas line (26), selectively communicating with one of the first gas line (25) and a second gas line (26), a liquid port (34), which provided at the end of the liquid line (28) in continuous communication with the end of the fluid inlet / outlet of the heat source (15), a first switching mechanism (17) that switches the end of the gas inlet / outlet of the heat exchanger (15) to communicate with the pressure side of the compressor (14) or communication with the suction side of the compressor (14), and a second switching mechanism (18) that switches the third gas line (27) to communication with the first gas line (25) or communication with the second gas line (26).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooling system (5) including a heat source unit (10) of a cooling system (5) according to a first aspect of the invention; and a heat consumption unit (7) having a heat consumption circuit (8) including a pressure reducing mechanism (41) and a heat consumption heat exchanger (40) connected to each other to be arranged in this order from the end of the liquid inlet / outlet heat consumption circuit (8), while the refrigerant circuit (9) is created by connecting the third gas port (33) to the heat source circuit (12) of the heat source unit (10) and the gas inlet / outlet end of the heat consumption circuit (8) and the liquid port connection (34) loop (12) heat source and conc inlet / fluid discharge circuit (8) heat consumption, the circuit (9) performs the vapor compression refrigeration cycle.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the cooling system according to the second aspect further includes: an auxiliary unit (50) having an auxiliary heat exchanger (52), a first connecting port (56) constantly in communication with the liquid inlet / outlet end of the auxiliary heat exchanger (52), a second connecting a port (57) and a third connecting port (58), which selectively communicates with the end of the gas inlet / outlet of the auxiliary heat exchanger (52), and an auxiliary switching mechanism (54) that switches the end of the inlet the suction / exhaust gas of the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) in communication with the second connection port (57) or in communication with the third connection port (58), while in the refrigerant circuit (9) the first connection port (56) is connected to the liquid port (34) of the circuit (12) a heat source, the second connecting port (57) is connected to the first gas port (31) of the heat source circuit (12), and the third connecting port (58) is connected to the second gas port (32) of the heat source circuit.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the cooling system according to the second or third aspect, there are a plurality of heat consumption units (7), and in the refrigerant circuit (9), a plurality of heat consumption circuits (8) connected to the heat source circuit (12) are parallel to each other.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the cooling system according to the fourth aspect further includes: switching units (60) corresponding to a plurality of heat consumption units (7), respectively, each of which includes operating state switching mechanisms (63, 64) that switch the end the gas inlet / outlet of the heat consumption circuit (8) of the heat consumption unit (7) for communication with the second gas port (32) or communication with the third gas port (33).

Functioning

According to a first aspect of the invention, the heat source circuit (12) of the heat source unit (10) includes three gas ports (31, 32, 33) and one liquid port (34). The first gas port (31) is constantly in communication with the pressure side of the compressor (14). The second gas port (32) is constantly in communication with the suction side of the compressor (14). The third gas port (33) is switched to communicate with the first gas line (25) or the second gas line by switching the second switching mechanism (18). The liquid port (34) is constantly in communication with the end of the inlet / outlet of the liquid of the heat exchanger (15) of the heat source. The end of the gas inlet / outlet of the heat exchanger (15) of the heat source switches to communication with the pressure side of the compressor (14) or communication with the suction side of the compressor (14) by switching the first switching mechanism (17). Thus, the heat source unit (10), for example, the heat source unit (10) shown in FIG. 13, is applicable to both: a cooling system (5) in which the operating state of the heat consumption unit (7) is switched by a mechanism (17 ) switching provided in the block (10) of the heat source and the cooling system (5) in which the operating states of the heat consumption blocks (7) are switched by switching mechanisms (63, 64) included in the switching blocks (60) corresponding to the blocks (7) ) heat consumption, respectively, is equipped with the first gas port (31), according continuously communicating with the pressure side of the compressor (14).

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the refrigerant circuit (9) of the cooling system (5), the third gas port (33) of the heat source circuit (12) of the heat source unit (10) is connected to the gas inlet / outlet end of the heat consumption circuit (8), and the liquid port (34) the heat source circuit (12) is connected to the fluid inlet / outlet end of the heat consumption circuit (8). In this cooling system (5), when the switching units (60) described later are not connected, the first switching mechanism (17) and the second switching mechanism (18) switch the operating state of the heat consumption unit (7). More precisely, when the first switching mechanism (17) allows the end of the gas inlet / outlet of the heat source heat exchanger (15) to communicate with the pressure side of the compressor (14), and the second switching mechanism (18) allows the third gas line (27) to communicate with the second by the gas line (26), a cooling mode is performed in which the heat source heat exchanger (15) functions as a condenser and the heat consumption heat exchanger (40) functions as an evaporator. In addition, when the first switching mechanism (17) allows the end of the gas inlet / outlet of the heat source heat exchanger (15) to communicate with the suction side of the compressor (14), and the second switching mechanism (18) allows the third gas line (27) to communicate with the first by the gas line (25), a heating mode is performed in which the heat source heat exchanger (40) functions as a condenser and the heat consumption heat exchanger (15) functions as an evaporator.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the cooling system (5) includes an auxiliary unit (50). In the auxiliary unit (50), the gas inlet / outlet end of the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) is switched to communicate with the second connection port (57) or to communicate with the third connection port (58) by actuating the auxiliary switching mechanism (54). Thus, in the cooling system (5) according to the third aspect of the invention, the end of the gas inlet / outlet of the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) is switched to communication with the first gas port (31) connected to the second connecting port (57), or communication with the second gas port ( 32) connected to the third connecting port (58) by actuating the auxiliary switching mechanism (54).

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the cooling system (5) includes a plurality of heat consumption units (7). The heat consumption circuits (8) of the heat consumption units (7) connected to the heat source circuit (12) are parallel to each other. The gas inlet / outlet end of each of the heat consumption units (7) is connected to the third gas port (33), and the liquid inlet / outlet end of each of the heat consumption units (7) is connected to the liquid port (34).

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, operating state switching mechanisms (63, 64) provided in each of the switching units (60) corresponding to the heat consumption units (7) respectively switch the gas inlet / outlet end of the heat consumption circuit (8) of the unit (7) heat consumption for communication with a second gas port (32) or communication with a third gas port (33). When the operating state switching mechanisms (63, 64) provide the end of the gas inlet / outlet of the heat consumption circuit (8) with the second gas port (32), a cooling mode is performed in which the heat consumption circuit (8) functions as an evaporator. More precisely, the refrigerant condensed in the heat exchanger (15) of the heat source is supplied to the heat consumption circuit (8) through the liquid port (34). The refrigerant supplied to the heat consumption circuit (8) is vaporized in the heat consumption heat exchanger (40), and then returns to the compressor suction side (14) through the second gas port (32). When the operating state switching mechanisms (63, 64) provide the end of the gas inlet / outlet of the heat consumption circuit (8) with the third gas port (33), a heating mode is performed in which the heat consumption circuit (8) functions as a condenser. More precisely, the refrigerant pumped from the compressor (14) is supplied to the heat consumption circuit (8) through the third gas port (33). The refrigerant supplied to the heat consumption circuit (8) condenses in the heat consumption heat exchanger (40), is supplied to the heat source heat exchanger (15) through the liquid port (34) and evaporates in it, and then it is sucked into the compressor (14). According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the heat source unit (10) according to the first aspect of the invention is applied to a cooling system (5) in which the operating state of each of the heat consumption units (7) is switched by the operating state switching mechanisms (63, 64) included in the units (60) ) switching corresponding to the blocks of heat consumption (7), respectively.

Effect of the invention

According to the present invention, in the heat source unit (10), which is applicable both to the cooling system (5), in which the operating state of the heat consumption unit (7) is switched by the switching mechanism (17) provided in the heat source unit (10), and cooling system (5), in which the operating states of heat consumption units (7) are switched by switching mechanisms (63, 64) included in switching units (60) corresponding to heat consumption units (7), respectively, a first gas port (31) is provided constantly communicating with napo hydrochloric side of the compressor (14). In this heat source unit (10), when the second switching mechanism (18) allows the third gas port (33) to communicate with the first gas line (25), the third gas port (33) functions as the port through which the compressed refrigerant flows, pumped from the compressor (14), the liquid port (34) functions as the port through which the condensed liquid refrigerant flows, which must be vaporized in the heat exchanger (15) of the heat source, and the second gas port (32) functions as the port through which it flows is twin refrigerant to be sucked into the compressor (14). On the other hand, when the second switching mechanism (18) allows the third gas port (33) to communicate with the second gas line (26), the liquid port (34) functions as a port through which liquid refrigerant condensed in the heat exchanger (15) flows a heat source, the second gas port (32) functions as the port through which the evaporated refrigerant flows, which must be sucked in by the compressor (14), and the first gas port (31) functions as the port through which the compressed refrigerant flows, melted from the compressor (14).

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, in a state where the second switching mechanism (18) allows the third gas port (33) to communicate with the first gas line (25), with the gas inlet / outlet end of the heat consumption circuit (8) connected to the third gas port (33), the liquid inlet / outlet end of the heat consumption circuit (8) connected to the liquid port (34), the liquid inlet / outlet end of the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) of the auxiliary unit (50) connected to the liquid port (34) ), and the end of the gas inlet / outlet a heat exchanger (52) selectively connected to the first gas port (31) or the second gas port (32), a heating mode is performed in which a heat consumption heat exchanger (40) into which a high pressure refrigerant pumped by the compressor (14) is supplied through a third gas port (33), functions as a capacitor. In the heating mode, when the refrigerant condensed in the heat consumption heat exchanger (40) is supplied to the auxiliary heat exchanger (52), the supplied refrigerant is vaporized in the auxiliary heat exchanger (52), flows into the heat source circuit (12) through the second gas port (32) and is sucked into the compressor (14). In addition, in a state where the second switching mechanism (18) allows the third gas port (33) to communicate with the second gas line (26), a cooling mode is executed in which the heat exchanger (40) is heat consumed, into which the liquid refrigerant is condensed to a heat source heat exchanger (15), fed through a liquid port (34), functions as an evaporator. In cooling mode, when the refrigerant pumped from the compressor (14) is supplied to the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) through the first gas port (31), the supplied refrigerant is condensed in the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) and fed to the heat consumption heat exchanger (40) together with liquid refrigerant condensed in a heat source heat exchanger (15). The refrigerant supplied to the heat consumption heat exchanger (40) evaporates in the heat consumption heat exchanger (40), and the vaporized low pressure refrigerant flows into the heat source circuit (12) through the third gas port (33) and is sucked into the compressor (14).

Thus, by selectively attaching the gas inlet / outlet end of the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) of the auxiliary unit (50) to the first gas port (31) or the second gas port (32), low pressure gaseous refrigerant from the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) serving as the evaporator in heating mode, can be supplied to the compressor (14) through the second gas port (32), and gaseous high-pressure refrigerant can be supplied to the auxiliary heat exchanger (52), which serves as a condenser in the mode hlazhdeniya through the first gas port (31). Therefore, the auxiliary unit (50) can be used for both cooling mode and heating mode. The outdoor unit (10) of the present invention allows the auxiliary unit (50) to be connected to the outdoor unit (10) so that the auxiliary unit (50) can be used for both cooling mode and heating mode.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the gas inlet / outlet end of the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) selectively attaches to the first gas port (31) or the second gas port (32). Therefore, as described above, gaseous low-pressure refrigerant from the auxiliary heat exchanger (52), which serves as the evaporator in the heating mode, can be supplied to the compressor (14) through the second gas port (32), and gaseous high-pressure refrigerant can be supplied to the auxiliary heat exchanger (52), serving as a condenser in cooling mode, through the first gas port (31). The auxiliary unit (50) according to the third aspect of the invention can be connected to the cooling system (5) in order to compensate for the lack of heat exchange in the heat exchanger (15) of the heat source in both cooling mode and heating mode.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a graphical block diagram of an outdoor unit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a graphical block diagram of a first example of an air conditioner including an outdoor unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a graphical block diagram illustrating an air cooling mode performed in a first example of an air conditioner including an outdoor unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

4 is a graphical block diagram illustrating a heating mode of air performed in a first example of an air conditioner including an outdoor unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

5 is a graphical block diagram of a second example of an air conditioner including an outdoor unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

6 is a graphical block diagram illustrating an air cooling mode performed in a second example of an air conditioner including an outdoor unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

7 is a graphical block diagram illustrating an air heating mode performed in a second example of an air conditioner including an outdoor unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a graphical block diagram of a third example of an air conditioner including an outdoor unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a graphical block diagram illustrating an air cooling mode performed in a third example of an air conditioner combined with an outdoor unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

10 is a graphical block diagram illustrating a heating mode of air performed in a third example of an air conditioner including an outdoor unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

11 is a graphical block diagram illustrating a cooling / heating mode of air performed in a third example of an air conditioner including an outdoor unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

12 is a graphical block diagram of an air conditioner according to another embodiment.

FIGS. 13 (A) and 13 (B) are graphical structural diagrams of a cooling system including a conventional heat source unit, FIG. 13 (A) is a graphical structural diagram of a first cooling system described in the Related Art Section, and FIG. 13 (B) is a graphical block diagram of the last cooling system described in the Prior Art Section.

Fig. 14 is a graphical block diagram of a cooling system including a conventional heat source unit to which an auxiliary unit for use in a heating mode is connected.

FIG. 15 is a graphical block diagram of a cooling system including a conventional heat source unit to which an auxiliary unit for use in a cooling mode is connected.

List of Reference Items

5 - Air conditioning (cooling system)

7 - Indoor unit (heat consumption unit)

8 - Indoor installation circuit (heat consumption circuit)

9 - Refrigerant circuit

10 - Outdoor unit (heat source unit)

12 - Outdoor circuit (heat source circuit)

14 - Compressor

15 - Outdoor heat exchanger (heat source heat exchanger)

17 - The first four-way switching valve (first switching mechanism)

18 - Second four-way switching valve (second switching mechanism)

25 - The first gas line

26 - The second gas line

27 - Third gas line

28 - Liquid line

31 - The first gas port

32 - Second gas port

33 - Third gas port

34 - Liquid port

40 - Indoor heat exchanger (heat consumption heat exchanger)

41 - Pressure reducing mechanism (expansion valve installed indoors)

50 - Auxiliary unit

52 - Auxiliary heat exchanger

54 - Auxiliary gear

56 - The first connecting port

57 - The second connecting port

58 - Third connecting port

63 - The first solenoid valve (operating state switching mechanism)

64 - Second solenoid valve (operating state switching mechanism)

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Next, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail embodiments of the present invention.

The outdoor unit (10) of the present embodiment is the heat source unit of the cooling system of the present invention. The outdoor unit (10) is connected to the heat consumption unit (7) through a gas connecting pipe (20) and a liquid connecting pipe (21).

As shown in FIG. 1, an outdoor unit (10) includes an outdoor circuit (12) as a heat source circuit. A compressor (14), an outdoor heat exchanger (15), an outdoor expansion valve (16), a first four-way switching valve (17) and a second four-way switching valve (18) are connected to an outdoor circuit (12). The first four-way switching valve (17) constitutes the first switching mechanism, and the second four-way switching valve (18) constitutes the second switching mechanism. The outdoor unit (10) is equipped with a first gas port (31), a second gas port (32), a third gas port (33) and a liquid port (34).

Compressor (14) is a variable volume compressor. The discharge side of the compressor (14) is connected to the first gas port (31) through the first gas line (25). The first port of the first four-way switching valve (17) is connected to the first gas line (25). The suction side of the compressor (14) is connected to the second gas port (32) through the second gas line (26). The third port of the first four-way switching valve (17) is connected to the second gas line (26).

The outdoor heat exchanger (15) is a cross-fin / tube heat exchanger and constitutes a heat source heat exchanger. The end of the fluid inlet / outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger (15) is connected to the fluid port (34) through the fluid line (28). The end of the gas inlet / outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger (15) is connected to the second gas port of the first four-way switching valve (17). The fourth port of the first four-way switching valve (17) is closed. An outdoor expansion valve (16) is configured as an electronic expansion valve and is arranged on a fluid line (28).

The first port of the second four-way switching valve (18) is connected to the second gas line (26). The second port of the second four-way switching valve (18) is closed. The third port of the second four-way switching valve (18) is connected to the first gas line (25). The fourth port of the second four-way switching valve (18) is connected to the third gas port (33) through the third gas line (27).

Each of the first four-way switching valve (17) and the second four-way switching valve (18) is switchable between a first state in which the first and second ports communicate with each other and the third and fourth ports communicate with each other (the state shown by a solid line on 1), and a second state in which the first and fourth ports are in communication with each other, and the second and third ports are in communication with each other (the state shown by the dashed line in FIG. 1). Instead of four-way switching valves (17, 18), three-way switching valves can be used to create a first switching mechanism (17) and a second switching mechanism (18), or two electromagnetic valves can be used to create a first switching mechanism (17) and a second switching mechanism (18) .

Next, three examples of a cooling system (5) will be described respectively, including an outdoor unit (10) according to the present invention.

A first example of a cooling system (5) is an air conditioner (5) of air capable of performing an air cooling operation as a cooling mode and an air heating operation as a heating mode. As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioner (5) includes a plurality of indoor units (7a, 7b, ...) connected to the outdoor unit (10) to be parallel to each other. The number of indoor units (7) can be reduced to 1.

Each of the indoor units (7) includes an indoor circuit (8). The indoor circuit (8) includes an indoor heat exchanger (40) and an indoor expansion valve (41) connected in this order from the gas inlet / outlet end of the indoor circuit (8). The indoor heat exchanger (40) is configured as a cross-fin / tubular heat exchanger. Indoor expansion valve (41) is designed as an electronic expansion valve.

The end of the gas inlet / outlet of each indoor circuit (8) is connected to the third gas port (33) of the outdoor unit (10) through the gas connecting pipe (20). The end of the fluid inlet / outlet of each indoor circuit (8) is connected to the fluid port (34) of the outdoor unit (10) through the fluid connection pipe (21). In an air conditioner (5), an outdoor circuit (12) and indoor circuit (8a, 8b, ...) are connected through a gas connection (20) and a liquid connection (21) to constitute a refrigerant circuit (9), which performs a vapor compression refrigeration cycle.

Next, the principle of operation of the first example of an air conditioner (5) will be described. In this air conditioner (5), if the air cooling mode or the air heating mode is performed, the first four-way switching valve (17) and the second four-way switching valve (18) of the outdoor unit (10) are controlled. When the first four-way changeover valve (17) and the second four-way changeover valve (18) are set to the air cooling mode, each working indoor unit (7) operates in the air cooling mode. On the other hand, when the first four-way switching valve (17) and the second four-way switching valve (18) are set to the air heating mode, each operating indoor unit (7) performs the air heating mode.

In the air cooling mode, as shown in FIG. 3, the first four-way switching valve (17) is set to the first state, and the second four-way switching valve (18) is set to the second state. In this case, when the compressor (14) is driven in this state, the refrigerant circuit (9) performs a vapor compression cooling cycle in which the outdoor heat exchanger (15) functions as a condenser and the indoor heat exchanger (40) functions as an evaporator.

More precisely, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (14) condenses while it exchanges heat with the outside air in an outdoor heat exchanger (15). The refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger (15) is distributed over each of the indoor circuits (8a, 8b, ...). The refrigerant flowing into each of the indoor circuits (8) is depressurized by the expansion valve installed inside the room (41) and then evaporates as it exchanges heat with the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger (40). The refrigerant vaporized in the indoor heat exchanger (40) and flowing into the outdoor circuit (12) is sucked into the compressor (14) and compressed.

In the air heating mode, as shown in FIG. 4, the first four-way switching valve (17) is set to the second state, and the second four-way switching valve (18) is set to the first state. In this case, when the compressor (14) is driven in this state, the refrigerant circuit (9) performs a vapor compression cooling cycle in which the indoor heat exchanger (40) functions as a condenser and the outdoor heat exchanger (15) functions as an evaporator.

More precisely, the refrigerant pumped from the compressor (14) is distributed over each of the indoor circuits (8a, 8b, ...). The refrigerant flowing into each of the indoor circuits (8) is condensed, while it exchanges heat with the internal air in the indoor heat exchanger (40). The refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger (40) flows into the outdoor circuit (12). The refrigerant flowing into the outdoor circuit (12) is depressurized by the outdoor expansion valve (16) and then evaporates as it exchanges heat with the outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger (15). The refrigerant vaporized in an outdoor heat exchanger (15) is sucked into the compressor (14) and compressed.

As shown in FIG. 5, a second example of an air conditioner (5) includes an additional unit (50) in addition to the construction of the first example of an air conditioner (5). The auxiliary unit (50) is located outside together with the outdoor unit (10). Two or more auxiliary units (50) may be used.

The auxiliary unit (50) includes a circuit (51) of the auxiliary unit. The auxiliary unit circuit (51) includes an auxiliary heat exchanger (52), an expansion valve (53), and a four-way changeover valve (54). The auxiliary unit (50) further includes a first connection port (56), a second connection port (57) and a third connection port (58).

The auxiliary heat exchanger (52) is made in the form of a cross-fin / tubular heat exchanger. The fluid inlet / outlet end of the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) is connected to the first connecting port (56). The gas inlet / outlet end of the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) is connected to the second gas port of the four-way switching valve (54). The first port of the four-way switching valve (54) is connected to the third connecting port (58). The third port of the four-way switching valve (54) is connected to the second connecting port (57). The fourth port of the four-way switching valve (54) is closed. The expansion valve (53) is made in the form of an electronic expansion valve and is arranged between the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) and the first connecting port (56).

The four-way switching valve (54) is switchable between a first state in which the first and second ports communicate with each other and a third and fourth ports communicate with each other (the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 5) and the second state in which the first and fourth ports communicate with each other, and the second and third ports communicate with each other (the state shown by the broken line in FIG. 5). When the four-way switching valve (54) is set to the first state, the gas inlet / outlet end of the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) communicates with the third connection port (58). When the four-way switching valve (54) is set to the second state, the gas inlet / outlet end of the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) communicates with the second connecting port (57). Thus, the four-way switching valve (54) constitutes an auxiliary switching mechanism. Instead of a four-way switching valve (54), a three-way switching valve can be used to create an auxiliary switching mechanism, or two solenoid valves can be used to create an auxiliary switching mechanism.

The first connecting port (56) of the auxiliary unit (50) is connected to the liquid connecting pipe (21). The second connecting port (57) is connected to the first gas port (31) of the outdoor unit (10). The third connecting port (58) is connected to the second gas port (32) of the outdoor unit (10).

Next, the principle of operation of the second example of an air conditioner (5) will be described. In the air conditioner (5), in the same manner as in the first example of the air conditioner (5), each working indoor unit (7) performs the air cooling mode when the first four-way switching valve (17) and the second four-way switching valve (18) are installed to the state of the air cooling mode. On the other hand, when the first four-way switching valve (17) and the second four-way switching valve (18) are set to the air heating mode, each operating indoor unit (7) performs the air heating mode.

In the air cooling mode, as shown in FIG. 6, the first four-way switching valve (17) is set to the first state, and the second four-way switching valve (18) is set to the second state. In this case, when the compressor (14) is driven in this state, the refrigerant circuit (9) performs a vapor compression cooling cycle in which the outdoor heat exchanger (15) functions as a condenser and the indoor heat exchanger (40) functions as an evaporator.

When a relatively high cooling capacity of the air is required, for example, when a large number of indoor units (7) are connected that perform the air cooling mode, the four-way switching valve (54) of the auxiliary unit (50) is set to the second state. In this state, the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) of the auxiliary unit (50) functions as a condenser together with an outdoor heat exchanger (15). On the other hand, the four-way switching valve (54) of the auxiliary unit (50) is set to the first state when the required air cooling capacity is relatively low. In this case, the expansion valve (53) is closed, and the refrigerant does not flow into the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) of the auxiliary unit (50). The air conditioner (5) is capable of performing a cooling cycle, which is always consistent with the required air cooling ability, by using or not using the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) of the auxiliary unit (50). Thus, the air conditioner (5) of the air can be driven with a high coefficient of performance (efficiency) all the time.

Next, a flow of refrigerant will be described when the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) of the auxiliary unit (50) is used as a condenser. The flow of refrigerant in the outdoor unit (10) and indoor unit (7) is omitted, since it is the same as in the air cooling mode of the first example of an air conditioner (5).

In the air cooling mode, part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (14) flows into the auxiliary unit circuit (51). The refrigerant flowing into the auxiliary unit circuit (51) condenses while it exchanges heat with the outside air in the auxiliary heat exchanger (52). The refrigerant condensed in the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) flows with the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger (15) to be distributed along the indoor circuits (8).

In the air heating mode, as shown in FIG. 7, the first four-way switching valve (17) is set to the second state, and the second four-way switching valve (18) is set to the first state. In this case, when the compressor (14) is driven in this state, the refrigerant circuit (9) performs a vapor compression cooling cycle in which the indoor heat exchanger (40) functions as a condenser and the outdoor heat exchanger (15) functions as an evaporator.

When a relatively high ability to heat the air is required, for example, when a large number of indoor units (7) are connected that perform the air heating mode, the four-way switching valve (54) of the auxiliary unit (50) is set to the first state. In this state, the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) of the auxiliary unit (50) functions as an evaporator together with an outdoor heat exchanger (15). The four-way switching valve (54) of the auxiliary unit (50) is set to a second state when the required heating ability of the air is relatively low. In this case, the expansion valve (53) is closed, and the refrigerant does not flow into the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) of the auxiliary unit (50). The air conditioner (5) is capable of performing a cooling cycle, which is always consistent with the required ability to heat the air, by using or not using the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) of the auxiliary unit (50). Thus, the air conditioner (5) of the air can be driven with a high coefficient of performance (efficiency) all the time.

Next, the refrigerant flow will be described when the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) of the auxiliary unit (50) is used as an evaporator. The flow of refrigerant in the outdoor unit (10) and indoor unit (7) is omitted, since it is the same as in the air heating mode of the first example of an air conditioner (5).

In the air heating mode, a part of the refrigerant condensed in the heat exchanger (40) installed indoors is flowing into the auxiliary unit circuit (51). The refrigerant flowing into the auxiliary unit circuit (51) is pressurized by the expansion valve (53) and then evaporates while it exchanges heat with the outside air in the auxiliary heat exchanger (52). The refrigerant vaporized in the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) flows into the outdoor circuit (12) and flows with the refrigerant vaporized in the outdoor heat exchanger (15) to be sucked into the compressor (14).

The third example is air conditioner (5), the so-called individually controlled air conditioner (5), allowing individual selection of the air cooling mode or air heating mode for each of the indoor units (7a, 7b, ...). In this air conditioner (5), as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of indoor units (7a, 7b, ...) are connected to the indoor unit (10) to be parallel to each other, and units (60a are provided , 60b, ...) BSs corresponding to indoor units (7a, 7b, ...), respectively. Each of the blocks (60a, 60b, ...) of the BS constitutes a switching unit. In Fig. 8, indoor units other than the first indoor unit (7a) and the second indoor unit (7b) are omitted.

Each of the BS units (60) includes a liquid circuit (61) and a gas circuit (62). The end of the liquid circuit (61) is connected to the liquid connecting pipe (21) passing from the liquid port (34) of the outdoor unit (10). The other end of the fluid circuit (61) is connected to a refrigerant pipe connected to the end of the fluid inlet / outlet of the indoor circuit (8).

The gas circuit (62) includes a first pipe provided with a first solenoid valve (63) and a second pipe provided with a second solenoid valve (64). The end of the first pipeline and the end of the second pipeline are connected to each other. The refrigerant piping extending from the junction of the ends of the first and second pipelines is connected to the end of the gas inlet / outlet of the indoor circuit (8). The other end of the first pipeline is connected to the first gas connecting pipe (20a) extending from the third gas port (33) of the outdoor unit (10). The other end of the second pipeline is connected to the second gas connecting pipe (20b) passing from the second gas port (32) of the outdoor unit (10). The first solenoid valve (63) and the second solenoid valve (64) constitute operating state switching mechanisms.

This air conditioner (5) includes the same auxiliary unit (50) as that used in the second example of the air conditioner (5). The first connecting port (56) of the auxiliary unit (50) is connected to the liquid connecting pipe (21). The second connecting port (57) is connected to the first gas port (31) of the outdoor unit (10). The third connection port (58) is connected to the second gas connection pipe (20b).

Next, the principle of operation of a third example of an air conditioner (5) will be described. In addition to the air cooling mode and the air heating mode, this air conditioner (5) performs a cooling / heating mode in which an indoor unit (7) performs an air cooling mode, while another indoor unit (7) performs an air heating mode .

In the air cooling mode, as shown in Fig. 9, the second four-way switching valve (18) of the outdoor unit (10) is installed in the second state. The four-way switching valve (54) of the auxiliary unit (50) is installed in the second state. In each of the BS units (60), the first solenoid valve (63) is closed and the second solenoid valve (64) is open. In the case when the compressor (14) is driven in this state, the refrigerant circuit (9) performs a vapor compression cooling cycle, in which the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) of the auxiliary unit (50) functions as a condenser, and the indoor heat exchanger (40) ) functions as an evaporator.

If a relatively high air-cooling capacity is required, for example, when a large number of indoor units (7) are connected that perform the air cooling mode, the first four-way switching valve (17) of the outdoor unit (10) is set to the first state. In this state, the outdoor heat exchanger (15) functions as a condenser together with the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) of the auxiliary unit (50). The first four-way switching valve (17) is set to a second state when the required air cooling capacity is relatively low. In this case, the outdoor expansion valve (16) is closed and the refrigerant does not flow into the outdoor heat exchanger (15). The air conditioner (5) is capable of performing a cooling cycle, which is always consistent with the required ability to cool the air, by using or not using an outdoor heat exchanger (15). Thus, the air conditioner (5) of the air can be driven with a high coefficient of performance (efficiency) all the time.

Next, a flow of refrigerant will be described when an outdoor heat exchanger (15) is used as a condenser.

In the air cooling mode, part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (14) flows into the auxiliary unit circuit (51) through the second connecting port (57) of the auxiliary unit (50). The refrigerant flowing into the auxiliary unit circuit (51) condenses while it exchanges heat with the outside air in the auxiliary heat exchanger (52). The remaining refrigerant discharged from the compressor (14) condenses while it exchanges heat with the outside air in an outdoor heat exchanger (15). The refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger (15) flows together with the refrigerant condensed in the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) of the auxiliary unit (50).

Concurrently flowing condensed refrigerants are distributed over each of the indoor circuits (8). The distributed refrigerant flows through the fluid circuit (61) of the BS unit (60) and flows into the indoor circuit (8). The refrigerant flowing into the indoor circuit (8) is depressurized by an indoor expansion valve (41) and evaporates as it exchanges heat with the outdoor air in the indoor heat exchanger (40). The refrigerant vaporized in the indoor heat exchanger (40) flows into the outdoor circuit (12) through the second gas pipeline of the gas circuit (62) of the BS unit (60) and other pipelines and is sucked into the compressor (14).

In the air heating mode, as shown in FIG. 10, the second four-way switching valve (18) of the outdoor unit (10) is set to the first state. The four-way switching valve (54) of the auxiliary unit (50) is set to the first state. In each of the BS units (60), the first solenoid valve (63) is open and the second solenoid valve (64) is closed. In this case, when the compressor (14) is driven in this state, the refrigerant circuit (9) performs a vapor compression cooling cycle in which the indoor heat exchanger (40) functions as a condenser and the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) of the auxiliary unit ( 50) functions as an evaporator.

If a relatively high ability to heat the air is required, for example, when a large number of indoor units (7) are connected that perform the air heating mode, the first four-way switching valve (17) of the outdoor unit (10) is set to the second state. In this state, an outdoor heat exchanger (15) functions as an evaporator together with an auxiliary heat exchanger (52) of the auxiliary unit (50). The first four-way switching valve (17) is set to the first state when the required heating capacity is relatively low. In this case, the outdoor expansion valve (16) is closed and the refrigerant does not flow into the outdoor heat exchanger (15). The air conditioner (5) is capable of performing a cooling cycle, which is always consistent with the required ability to heat the air, by using or not using an outdoor heat exchanger (15). Thus, the air conditioner (5) of the air can be driven with a high coefficient of performance (efficiency) all the time.

Next, a flow of refrigerant will be described when an outdoor heat exchanger (15) is used as an evaporator.

In the air heating mode, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (14) is distributed over each of the circuits installed inside the room (8). The distributed refrigerant flows through the first pipeline of the gas circuit (62) of the BS unit (60) and flows into the indoor circuit (8). The refrigerant flowing into the indoor circuit (8) condenses while it exchanges heat with the outside air in the indoor heat exchanger (40).

Part of the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger (40) flows into the auxiliary unit circuit (51). The refrigerant flowing into the auxiliary unit circuit (51) is pressurized by the expansion valve (53) and then evaporates while it exchanges heat with the outside air in the auxiliary heat exchanger (52). The remainder of the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger (40) flows into the outdoor circuit (12). The refrigerant flowing into the outdoor circuit (12) is depressurized by the outdoor expansion valve (16) and then evaporates as it exchanges heat with the outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger (15). The refrigerant vaporized in the outdoor heat exchanger (15) flows with the refrigerant vaporized in the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) of the auxiliary unit (50) to be sucked into the compressor (14).

Now the cooling / heating mode of air will be described. In particular, a case will be described when only the first indoor unit (7a) performs the air cooling mode, and other indoor units (7b, ...) perform the air heating mode. In the air cooling / heating mode, as shown in FIG. 11, the second four-way switching valve (18) of the outdoor unit (10) is set to the first state. In the BS unit (60a) of the first indoor unit (7a), the first solenoid valve (63b) is closed and the second solenoid valve (64b) is open. In BS units (60b, ...) corresponding to indoor units other than the first indoor unit (7a), the first solenoid valves (63b, ...) are open and the second solenoid valves (64b, ...) are closed. In this case, when the compressor (14) is driven in this state, the refrigerant circuit (9) performs a vapor compression cooling cycle in which indoor heat exchangers (40b, ...) of indoor units (7b, ...) other than the first indoor unit (7a) function as condensers, and the indoor heat exchanger (40a) of the first indoor unit (7a) functions as an evaporator.

The first four-way switching valve (17) and an outdoor expansion valve (16) enable the outdoor heat exchanger (15) to function as a condenser or evaporator or to stop the spread of refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger (15). More precisely, when the outdoor expansion valve (16) is open and the first four-way switching valve (17) is set to the first state, the outdoor heat exchanger (15) functions as a condenser. When the outdoor expansion valve (16) is open and the first four-way switching valve (17) is set to the second state, the outdoor heat exchanger (15) functions as an evaporator. In addition, when the outdoor expansion valve (16) is closed, the distribution of refrigerant to the outdoor heat exchanger (15) is stopped.

An expansion valve (53) and a four-way switching valve (54) enable the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) of the auxiliary unit (50) to function as a condenser or evaporator or stop the spread of refrigerant to the auxiliary heat exchanger (52). More precisely, when the expansion valve (53) is open and the four-way switching valve (54) is set to the second state, the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) functions as a condenser. When the expansion valve (53) is open and the four-way switching valve (54) is set to the first state, the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) functions as an evaporator. In addition, when the expansion valve (53) is closed, the distribution of refrigerant to the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) is stopped.

In this air conditioner (5), the first four-way switching valve (17), an outdoor expansion valve (16), as well as the four-way switching valve (54) and the expansion valve (53) of the auxiliary unit (50) are properly controlled in response to the required air cooling ability and air heating ability. As a result, the functions of the outdoor heat exchanger (15) and the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) of the auxiliary unit (50) are determined. Thus, the air conditioner (5) can carry out a suitable cooling cycle and maintain a high coefficient of performance (efficiency) all the time.

Hereinafter, the refrigerant flow will be described when the outdoor heat exchanger (15) and the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) of the auxiliary unit (50) function as condensers.

In the air cooling / heating mode, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (14) is distributed over the indoor circuits (8b, ...) different from the indoor circuit (8a) of the first indoor unit (7a). The refrigerant flowing into the indoor circuits (8b, ...) condenses while it exchanges heat with the indoor air in the indoor heat exchangers (40b, ...). The refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchangers (40b, ...) is distributed into the outdoor circuit (12), the auxiliary unit circuit (51) and the indoor circuit (8a) of the first indoor unit (7a).

The refrigerant flowing into the outdoor circuit (12) is depressurized by the outdoor expansion valve (16) and then evaporates as it exchanges heat with the outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger (15). The refrigerant flowing into the auxiliary unit circuit (51) is pressurized by the expansion valve (53) and then evaporates while it exchanges heat with the outside air in the auxiliary heat exchanger (52). The refrigerant flowing into the indoor installation circuit (8a) of the first indoor unit (7a) is depressurized by the indoor expansion valve (41a) and then evaporates while it exchanges heat with the indoor air in the indoor installation heat exchanger (40a). In this case, the refrigerant vaporized in the outdoor heat exchanger (15), the refrigerant vaporized in the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) of the auxiliary unit (50), and the refrigerant vaporized in the indoor heat exchanger (40a) of the first indoor unit (7a) flow together to be sucked into the compressor (14).

According to an embodiment, an outdoor unit (10), which is applicable both to the cooling system (5), in which the operating state of the heat consumption unit (7) is switched by the switching mechanism (17) provided in the heat source unit (10), and the system (5) cooling, in which the operating states of the heat consumption units (7) are switched by switching mechanisms (63, 64) included in the switching units (60) corresponding to the heat consumption units (7), respectively, provided with a first gas port (31), constantly communicating I with the pressure side of the compressor (14).

As in the second example of the cooling system (5) or the third example of the cooling system (5), the second switching mechanism (18) allows the third gas port (33) to communicate with the first gas line (25) with the end of the gas inlet / outlet of the indoor circuit ( 8) connected to the third gas port (33), the end of the inlet / outlet of the liquid installed indoors indoor circuit (8), connected to the liquid port (34), the end of the inlet / outlet of the liquid auxiliary heat exchanger (52) of the auxiliary unit (50), when connected to the liquid port (34), and the gas inlet / outlet end of the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) selectively connected to the first gas port (31) or the second gas port (32). In this case, the air heating mode is performed, in which the indoor heat exchanger (40), into which the high-pressure refrigerant pumped from the compressor (14) is supplied through the third gas port (33), functions as a condenser. In the air heating mode, when the refrigerant condensed in the indoor heat exchanger (40) is supplied to the auxiliary heat exchanger (52), the supplied refrigerant is vaporized in the auxiliary heat exchanger (52), flows into the outdoor circuit installed (12) through the second gas port ( 32) and is sucked into the compressor (14). In addition, when the second switching mechanism (18) allows the third gas port (33) to communicate with the second gas line (26), an air cooling mode is performed in which the indoor heat exchanger (40) is installed in which liquid refrigerant is condensed in the installed outdoor heat exchanger (15), is fed through a liquid port (34), functions as an evaporator. In the air cooling mode, when the refrigerant pumped from the compressor (14) through the first gas port (31) is supplied to the auxiliary heat exchanger (52), the supplied refrigerant is condensed in the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) and supplied to the indoor heat exchanger (40) together with liquid refrigerant condensing in an outdoor heat exchanger (15). The refrigerant supplied to the indoor heat exchanger (40) is vaporized in the indoor heat exchanger (40), and the evaporated low pressure refrigerant flows into the outdoor circuit (12) through the third gas port (33) and is sucked into the compressor (14) .

Thus, by attaching the gas inlet / outlet end of the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) of the auxiliary unit (50) selectively to the first gas port (31) or the second gas port (32), low pressure gaseous refrigerant from the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) serving as the evaporator in the air heating mode, it can be supplied to the compressor (14) through the second gas port (32), and gaseous high-pressure refrigerant can be supplied to the auxiliary heat exchanger (52), which serves as a condenser in the air cooling press through the first gas port (31). Therefore, the auxiliary unit (50) can be used both for the air cooling mode and for the air heating mode. Thus, the outdoor unit (10) according to the present embodiment allows the auxiliary unit (50) to be connected to the outdoor unit (10) so that the auxiliary unit (50) can be used both for the air cooling mode and for the mode heating air. The auxiliary unit (50) according to the present embodiment is configured so that the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) can make up for the lack of heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger (15) both in cooling mode and heating mode.

As for the above-described embodiments, the air conditioner (5) may include a plurality of outdoor units (10, 10, ...) mounted parallel to each other, as shown in FIG. 12.

In fact, the foregoing embodiments are merely preferred embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention and its scope and use.

Industrial applicability

As described above, the present invention can be applied to a heat source unit of a cooling system connected to a heat consumption unit through a connecting pipe, and a cooling system including a heat source unit.

Claims (5)

1. The heat source block of the cooling system, comprising a circuit (12) of a heat source, including a compressor (14) and a heat source heat exchanger (15) connected to each other,
wherein the circuit (12) of the heat source includes:
the first gas port (31), which is provided at the end of the first gas line (25), constantly in communication with the pressure side of the compressor (14),
a second gas port (32), which is provided at the end of the second gas line (26), constantly in communication with the suction side of the compressor (14),
a third gas port (33), which is provided at the end of the third gas line (26) selectively communicating with one of the first gas line (25) and the second gas line (26),
a liquid port (34), which is provided at the end of the liquid line (28), constantly in communication with the end of the inlet / outlet of the liquid heat exchanger (15) heat source
a first switching mechanism (17) that switches the end of the gas inlet / outlet of the heat exchanger (15) of the heat source into communication with the pressure side of the compressor (14) or communication with the suction side of the compressor (14), and
a second switching mechanism (18) that switches the third gas line (27) to communicate with the first gas line (25) or to communicate with the second gas line (26). 2. A cooling system comprising:
block (10) of the heat source of the cooling system (5) according to claim 1 and
a heat consumption unit (7) having a heat consumption circuit (8) including a pressure reduction mechanism (41) and a heat consumption heat exchanger (40) connected to each other to be arranged in this order from the end of the fluid inlet / outlet of the circuit (8) heat consumption,
the refrigerant circuit (9) is created by connecting the third gas port (33) of the heat source (12) of the heat source unit (10) to the heat source and the gas inlet / outlet end of the heat consumption circuit (8) and connecting the liquid port (34) of the circuit (12) a heat source and a liquid inlet / outlet end of a heat consumption circuit (8), the refrigerant circuit (9) performing a vapor compression cooling cycle. 3. The system according to claim 2, additionally containing an auxiliary unit (50) having an auxiliary heat exchanger (52), a first connecting port (56), constantly in communication with the end of the fluid inlet / outlet of the auxiliary heat exchanger (52), a second connecting port (57) and a third connecting port (58), which selectively communicates the end of the gas inlet / outlet of the auxiliary heat exchanger (52), and an auxiliary switching mechanism (54) that switches the end of the gas inlet / outlet of the auxiliary heat exchanger (52) to communicate with a connecting port (57) or communicating with a third connecting port (58),
while in the refrigerant circuit (9), the first connecting port (56) is connected to the liquid port (34) of the heat source circuit, the second connecting port (57) is connected to the first gas port (31) of the heat source circuit, and the third connecting port (58) is connected to the second gas port (32) of the circuit (12) of the heat source. 4. The system according to claim 2 or 3, in which there are many blocks (7) of heat consumption,
however, in the refrigerant circuit (9), the plurality of heat consumption circuits (8) connected to the heat source circuit (12) are parallel to each other. 5. The system according to claim 4, further comprising switching blocks (60) corresponding to a plurality of heat consumption blocks (7), each of which includes operating state switching mechanisms (63, 64) that switch the end of the gas inlet / outlet of the circuit ( 8) heat consumption of the heat consumption unit (7) for communication with the second gas port (32) or communication with the third gas port (33).

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