WO2007088964A1

WO2007088964A1 - Air conditioner

Info

Publication number: WO2007088964A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/051779
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shun Yoshioka; Naoyuki Ohta
Original assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-02-03
Filing date: 2007-02-02
Publication date: 2007-08-09
Also published as: EP1983270A4; JP4495090B2; CN101375108B; KR20080083356A; CN101375108A; AU2007210492A1; KR100981246B1; EP1983270A1; JP2007205661A; AU2007210492B2

Abstract

An indoor heat exchanger (5) has refrigerant passes, and the lowermost refrigerant pass of the refrigerant passes is laid such that, in cooling operation, it allows refrigerant to flow to heat transmission tubes (6) on both the windward and the leeward of air that is sent from a fan device (21) and also allows the refrigerant to flow out of an exit side heat transmission tube (6) that is located on the windward side, at the second row from the lowermost part of the indoor heat exchanger (5).

Description

Air conditioner

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner for suppressing refrigerant drift in a heat exchanger.

Background art

[0002] In recent years, the demand for energy saving has increased, and in a heat exchanger of a large-capacity air conditioner, a single U-shaped transmission is used in order to avoid degradation of equipment performance due to pressure loss in the evaporator. When a heat pipe is used as one refrigerant flow path, a multi-pass configuration is required.

[0003] Here, when the number of refrigerant paths is increased, the difference in the heat exchange amount for each refrigerant path due to the difference in the wind speed distribution is suppressed, and the sucked room air is not leaked to the indoor heat exchanger. Need to guide. For this purpose, the lower end portion is directly placed on the bottom surface of the drain pan (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0004] Hereinafter, an example of a conventional refrigerant path removal will be described with reference to FIGS.

4 to 6 illustrate the case where indoor heat exchange (5) is used as an evaporator.

[0005] Of the plurality of refrigerant paths shown in FIG. 4, the lowermost refrigerant path is the second stage from the lowermost part and the refrigerant flows from the heat transfer pipe (6) on the leeward side, and the second stage and the leeward side on the leeward side. The lowermost heat transfer pipe (6) on the side is circulated in order, and the refrigerant flows out from the lowermost heat transfer pipe (6) on the windward side.

[0006] In addition, in the lowermost refrigerant path shown in FIG. 5, the refrigerant flows in from the lowermost heat transfer pipe (6) on the windward side, and the second stage on the windward side and the second stage heat transfer pipe on the leeward side ( 6) is circulated in order, and is piped so that the refrigerant flows out from the lowermost heat transfer pipe (6) on the leeward side.

[0007] Further, in the lowermost refrigerant path shown in FIG. 6, the refrigerant flows in from the lowermost heat transfer pipe (6) on the windward side, and the second uppermost stage and the lowermost heat transfer pipe (6 ) In order, and piped so that the refrigerant flows out from the second heat transfer pipe (6) on the leeward side.

Patent Document 1: JP-A-2005-315455 Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] However, in the refrigerant path shown in Fig. 4, when the indoor heat exchange (5) is used as an evaporator, the condensed water generated in the indoor heat exchange (5) enters the drain pan (22). As a result of the storage, the heat transfer pipe (6) on the outlet side of the lowermost refrigerant path of the indoor heat exchanger (5) is submerged, and a part of the capacity is used for heat exchange with the condensed water. There was a problem that would cause an extreme decline in

Further, in the refrigerant path shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the heat transfer tube (6) on the outlet side of the refrigerant path is arranged on the leeward side, so that the heat exchange efficiency of the indoor heat exchange (5) is deteriorated. O

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of power, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner excellent in cooling capacity and heat exchange efficiency by suppressing refrigerant drift of heat exchange. That's true.

Means for solving the problem

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, the heat transfer tube on the outlet side of the lowermost refrigerant path

The heat transfer tube (6) on the outlet side was installed on the windward side of the second and higher tiers from the bottom of the bottom (6) to prevent submersion.

That is, the first invention provides a heat exchanger (5) having a plurality of refrigerant paths formed by a plurality of heat transfer tubes (6) arranged at predetermined intervals, and the heat exchanger ( Targeting an air conditioner equipped with a blower (21) that exchanges heat by sending indoor air to 5) and a drain pan (22) that stores condensed water generated in the heat exchanger (5)! / Speak.

[0013] And, the lowermost refrigerant path among the plurality of refrigerant paths is a heat transfer pipe (6) positioned respectively on the windward side and leeward side of the air blown from the air blower (21) during the cooling operation. Further, the refrigerant is circulated across the pipe, and the refrigerant is flown out from the heat transfer pipe (6) on the outlet side located at the second or higher stage from the lowermost part of the heat exchanger (5) and on the windward side.

[0014] In the first aspect of the invention, the lowermost refrigerant path distributes the refrigerant across the heat transfer tubes (6) installed on the windward side and the leeward side during the cooling operation, and performs heat exchange. (Five) Refrigerant flows out from the heat transfer tube (6) on the outlet side located at the second or higher stage and on the windward side.

[0015] For this reason, the number of turns of the heat transfer tube (6) is increased, the heat exchange capacity of the lowermost refrigerant path of the heat exchanger (5) is increased, and the evaporation capacity as the heat exchange (5) is reduced. This is advantageous in suppressing In addition, the heat transfer tube (6) on the refrigerant outlet side is located at the second and higher levels from the bottom of the heat exchanger (5) and on the windward side, so heat exchange with the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22) The decrease in efficiency can be minimized.

[0016] A second invention includes the drain pump (23) for draining the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22) in the first invention. The drain pump (23) is configured to drain the condensed water until the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22) reaches the heat transfer pipe (6) on the outlet side.

In the second invention, the condensed water is drained until the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22) reaches the heat transfer pipe (6) on the outlet side. For this reason, the heat transfer tube (6) on the outlet side of the refrigerant path is prevented from being used for heat exchange with the condensed water by preventing a part of the ability of the heat transfer tube (6) from being submerged in the condensed water. Can be suppressed.

[0018] In a third aspect based on the first aspect, the drain pump (23) drains the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22), and the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22) And a water level detection means (24) for detecting that a predetermined water level has been reached, which is lower than the heat transfer tube (6). The drain pump (23) is configured to drain condensed water based on the detection result of the water level detection means (24).

[0019] In the third invention, the water level detection means (24) detects that the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22) is lower than the heat transfer pipe (6) on the outlet side and has reached a predetermined water level. Based on the detection result! /, The drain water (23) drains the condensed water. For this reason, conventionally, in order to prevent the refrigerant path from being submerged, the drain pump (23) is operated continuously regardless of the water level of the condensed water, and the drain pump (23) is operated intermittently based on the water level of the condensed water. And power consumption can be reduced.

The invention's effect

[0020] As described above, according to the present invention, the number of turns of the heat transfer tube (6) is increased, and heat exchange is performed. This is advantageous in increasing the heat exchange capacity of the lowermost refrigerant path of the heat exchanger (5) and suppressing the decrease in the evaporation capacity of the heat exchanger (5). Furthermore, since the heat transfer tube (6) on the refrigerant outlet side is arranged on the windward side at the second and higher stages from the lowermost part of the heat exchanger (5), heat exchange by the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22) is performed. The decrease in efficiency can be minimized.

[0021] Further, according to the second invention, a part of the ability of the heat transfer tube (6) on the outlet side of the refrigerant path to be submerged in the condensed water is used for heat exchange with the condensed water. This can prevent the decrease in heat exchange efficiency.

[0022] Further, according to the third invention, the drain pump (23) is conventionally operated regardless of the water level of the condensed water in order to prevent the refrigerant path from being submerged, and the water level of the condensed water is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to operate intermittently and reduce power consumption.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the configuration of the refrigerant path of the indoor heat exchanger according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of another indoor unit of a conventional air conditioner.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of another indoor unit of a conventional air conditioner.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of another indoor unit of a conventional air conditioner. Explanation of symbols

[0024] 5 Indoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger)

6 Heat transfer tube

21 Blower

22 Drain non

23 Drain pump

24 Float switch (water level detection means)

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following preferred fruit The description of the embodiments is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its application, or its use at all.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerant circuit (1) includes a compressor (7) as a compression mechanism, a four-way switching valve (9) as a refrigerant control means, an outdoor heat exchanger (3), and an expansion mechanism. The expansion valve (11) and the indoor heat exchange (5) are sequentially connected to form a closed circuit. The refrigerant circuit (1) is filled with a refrigerant, and the refrigerant circulates to perform a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The four-way switching valve (9) is provided with first to fourth ports (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) to which the piping of the refrigerant circuit (1) can be connected.

[0027] In addition, the indoor heat exchanger (5) has a branch flow for depressurizing the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger (3) during cooling operation and branching it to each refrigerant path of the indoor heat exchanger (5). Connected to the heat exchanger (13) and the confluencer (15) that reflows the refrigerant evaporated in the refrigerant paths of the indoor heat exchanger (5) and flows them into the outdoor heat exchanger (3)! The

[0028] In this refrigerant circuit (1), the discharge port of the compressor (7) is the first port of the four-way switching valve (9).

Connected to (9a). The third port (9c) of the four-way switching valve (9) is connected to one end of the outdoor heat exchanger (3). The other end of the outdoor heat exchanger (3) is connected to one end of the indoor heat exchanger (5) via the expansion valve (11). The other end of the indoor heat exchanger (5) is connected to the fourth port (9d) of the four-way switching valve (9). The second port (9b) of the four-way switching valve (9) is connected to the suction port of the compressor (7).

[0029] In the four-way switching valve (9), the first port (9a) and the third port (9c) communicate with each other, and at the same time the second port (9b) and the fourth port (9d) communicate with each other ( (The state shown in Fig. 1 (a)), the first port (9a) and the fourth port (9d) communicate with each other, and the second port (9b) and the third port (9c) communicate with each other (Fig. 1). (The state shown in (b)).

[0030] That is, the four-way switching valve (9) condenses the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchange (3) and switches the indoor heat exchange (5) by switching the circulation direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (1). ) And a state in which the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger (3) evaporates and at the same time the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger (5) is condensed.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to the present embodiment. The In FIG. 2, the indoor unit includes an indoor heat exchanger (5), a fan (21) that blows indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger (5) to exchange heat, and an indoor heat exchanger (5). The drain pan (22) for storing the condensed water generated in the indoor heat exchanger (5), the drain pump (23) for draining the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22), and the drain pan (22) A float switch (24) is provided as a water level detection means for detecting that the condensed water stored in the tank has reached a predetermined water level.

[0032] The indoor heat exchanger (5) has a plurality of refrigerant paths formed by a plurality of heat transfer tubes (6) arranged at predetermined intervals. Specifically, in the present embodiment, 24 heat transfer tubes (6) are arranged, and the ends of the plurality of heat transfer tubes (6) are connected to each other by U-shaped tubes, so that a total of 11 refrigerant paths can be formed. Formed (see Figure 3). In FIGS. 2 and 3, the refrigerant circulation direction during the cooling operation is indicated by arrows.

[0033] The refrigerant divided by the flow divider (13) flows into each of the plurality of refrigerant paths. The refrigerant that has also flowed out of the plurality of refrigerant path forces joins at the junction (15), and then flows into the outdoor heat exchanger (3).

[0034] Here, the plurality of refrigerant paths are different only in the lowermost path, and the other refrigerant paths have the same path. Specifically, the lowermost refrigerant path is formed by four heat transfer tubes (6), and the refrigerant flows from the lowermost windward heat transfer tube (6) of the indoor heat exchanger (5), and the leeward side The second heat transfer pipe (6) on the lowermost part and the leeward side are circulated in order, and the refrigerant flows out from the second heat transfer pipe (6) on the leeward side.

[0035] On the other hand, the other refrigerant paths excluding the lowermost refrigerant path are formed by two heat transfer tubes (6), and the windward heat transfer tube (6) also receives the refrigerant and the leeward heat transfer tube (6) Piping so that the refrigerant flows out of the pipe.

[0036] During the heating operation, the refrigerant flow direction with respect to the refrigerant path of the indoor heat exchanger (5) is opposite to that during the cooling operation. That is, in the lowermost refrigerant path, the refrigerant flows from the second-stage heat transfer pipe (6) on the leeward side of the indoor heat exchanger (5), and the second-stage leeward side and the lowermost heat-transfer pipe on the leeward side. (6) is circulated in order, so that the heat flows out from the heat transfer tube (6) at the bottom of the windward side.

[0037] On the other hand, in the other refrigerant paths excluding the lowermost refrigerant path, the refrigerant flows from the leeward heat transfer tube (6). Flows in and refrigerant flows out from the heat transfer tube (6) on the windward side!

[0038] The float switch (24) detects that the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22) has reached a predetermined water level lower than that of the heat transfer pipe (6) on the outlet side. The predetermined water level is a water level lower than the height position of the second-stage windward heat transfer tube (6) from the bottom of the indoor heat exchanger (5).

[0039] The drain pump (23) is based on the detection result of the float switch (24)!

It is configured to drain the condensed water in (22). This is advantageous in ensuring heat exchange efficiency by preventing the heat transfer tube (6) on the outlet side in the lowermost refrigerant path from being submerged.

[0040] As described above, according to the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention, the number of tans of the heat transfer tube (6) is increased, and the lowermost refrigerant path of the heat exchange (5) is increased. This is advantageous in increasing the heat exchange capacity and suppressing the decrease in evaporation capacity as heat exchange (5). Furthermore, because the heat transfer tube (6) on the refrigerant outlet side is located on the second windward side of the heat exchanger (5), the heat exchange efficiency by the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22) Can be minimized

[0041] In addition, since the condensed water is drained before the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22) reaches the heat transfer pipe (6) on the outlet side, the heat transfer pipe (6) on the outlet side of the refrigerant path It is possible to prevent a decrease in heat exchange efficiency by preventing a part of the ability to be submerged in the condensed water from being used for heat exchange with the condensed water.

[0042] Further, the float switch (24) detects that the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22) is lower than the heat transfer pipe (6) on the outlet side and reaches a predetermined water level, and based on the detection result. Because the condensate is drained by the drain pump (23), the drain pump (23) that has been operated at all times regardless of the level of the condensate in the past to prevent the refrigerant path from being submerged. It can be operated intermittently based on the water level of the condensed water, and power consumption can be reduced. Industrial applicability

[0043] As described above, the present invention is useful for minimizing a decrease in heat exchange efficiency due to condensed water generated during cooling operation.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] a heat exchanger (5) having a plurality of refrigerant paths formed by a plurality of heat transfer tubes (6) arranged at predetermined intervals;

An air conditioner comprising: a blower (21) that blows indoor air to the heat exchanger (5) to exchange heat; and a drain pan (22) that stores condensed water generated in the heat exchanger (5). A device,

Among the plurality of refrigerant paths, the lowermost refrigerant path is a refrigerant straddling the heat transfer tubes (6) positioned on the windward side and the leeward side of the air blown from the blower (21) during the cooling operation. The heat transfer pipe (6) on the outlet side located at the second or higher stage from the lowest part of the heat exchange (5) and on the windward side is also piped so that the refrigerant flows out! Air conditioner.

[2] In claim 1,

A drain pump (23) is provided for draining the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22), and the drain pump (23) condenses the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22) to the heat transfer tube (6) on the outlet side. Constructed to drain condensate before it reaches!

An air conditioner characterized by that.

[3] In claim 1,

The drain pump (23) for draining the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22), and the condensed water stored in the drain pan (22) has reached a predetermined water level lower than the heat transfer pipe (6) on the outlet side. Water level detection means (24) for detecting

The drain pump (23) is configured to drain condensed water based on the detection result of the water level detection means (24).

An air conditioner characterized by that.