WO2015076644A1 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

Even in the case of a large outdoor heat exchanger (24), it is possible to completely remove frost without reducing the defrosting effect. Provided are: a distributor (25) installed between the outdoor heat exchanger (24) and an expansion valve (26); a plurality of distribution pipes (252) of which one end is connected to the distributor (25) and of which the other end is connected to a plurality of heat transfer pipes (241) of the outdoor heat exchanger (24); and a bypass pipe (30) of which one end is connected to a compressor (23) and diverges on the way, and simultaneously of which the respective plurality of other ends are connected to a connection part between the distribution pipe (252) and the heat transfer pipe (241) or in the vicinity thereof.

Description

Air conditioner

The present invention is a defrost (

It relates to an air conditioner having a function.

A conventional air conditioner of this kind is configured to supply frost to the outdoor heat exchanger by discharging the hot gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor while continuing heating.

As a concrete configuration, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-85484, a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an indoor heat exchanger are provided, and a pipe connecting the discharge side pipe of the compressor to the pipe connecting the outdoor heat exchanger and the expansion valve is disclosed. Pass pipe is installed. In this configuration, the defrosting function can be realized by supplying the hot gas refrigerant from the compressor to the outdoor heat exchanger heat exchanger tube through the bypass pipe when the frost is removed.

However, the larger the outdoor heat exchanger, the longer the heat transfer tube is required, and the pressure loss due to the flow path resistance increases. In the case of using a large outdoor heat exchanger in general, the heat pipe is divided into several parts, and a distributor is installed between the outdoor heat exchanger and the expansion valve, and the distributor and each heat pipe are connected to each other in the distribution pipe.

However, when the frost is removed in the large outdoor heat exchanger as described above, since the hot gas refrigerant from the compressor flows through the distribution pipe and is supplied to each heat pipe, the flow rate of the hot gas refrigerant decreases due to the flow resistance of the distribution pipe. As a result, in a large-scale outdoor heat exchanger, the defrosting ability decreases and the defrosting time becomes long, and when the frost cannot be sufficiently removed, there is a problem of remaining afterimage.

Here, the main object of the present invention is to reliably remove frost without deteriorating the defrosting effect even in the case of a large outdoor heat exchanger.

That is, the air conditioner according to the present invention is a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve and an indoor heat exchanger annular (

Air purifier having a refrigerant circuit connected to the plurality of distribution pipes and one end connected to the plurality of heat transfer tubes of the outdoor heat exchanger having one end connected to the distributor and one end of the distributor installed between the outdoor heat exchanger and the expansion valve. It is characterized in that it further comprises a bypass pipe which is connected to the compressor and branched along the way, and each of the other ends is connected to or near the connection portion of the distribution pipe and the heat transfer pipe.

In the case of the air conditioner as described above, since the other end of the bypass pipe is connected to or near the connection part between the distribution pipe and the heat transfer pipe, the hot gas refrigerant may be supplied to the heat transfer pipe without receiving the flow resistance of the distribution pipe. As a result, even in a large outdoor heat exchanger, frost can be reliably removed without deteriorating the defrosting effect without reducing the flow rate of the hot gas refrigerant.

It is preferable to further include an auxiliary distributor connected to the plurality of heat transfer tubes, wherein one end of the distribution pipe is connected to the plurality of heat transfer tubes via the auxiliary distributor, and the other ends of the bypass pipe are connected to the auxiliary distributor. .

In this way, since the other end of the bypass pipe is connected to the auxiliary distributor, the branch of the bypass pipe can be reduced, and the cost and weight can be reduced.

As a specific embodiment, a plurality of said outdoor heat exchangers are provided and the said distributor, the said distribution pipe, and the said bypass pipe were respectively provided corresponding to each said outdoor heat exchanger.

The outdoor heat exchanger further includes a defrost control unit having a plurality of heat exchange elements and defrosting the heat exchange elements individually to switch the heat exchange element from which frost is removed, and the defrost control unit starts defrosting one heat exchange element. It is preferable to start the defrosting of the other heat exchange element before it is finished.

In the case of the air conditioner as described above, since the defrosting control unit starts defrosting the other heat exchange element before starting and terminating the defrost of one heat exchange element, the water generated in the defrost heat exchange element is frozen in the other heat exchange element. This prevents and ensures that each heat exchange element is defrosted reliably while continuing heating operations.

Preferably, the plurality of heat exchange elements are installed along the up and down direction, and the heat exchange element, from which the defrost control is defrosted, is sequentially switched from the top heat exchange element toward the bottom heat exchange element.

By doing this, it is possible to reliably prevent the water generated by defrosting the upper heat exchange element from freezing at the lower heat exchange element.

Preferably, the outdoor heat exchanger has an upper heat exchange element, a central heat exchange element and a lower heat exchange element and the central heat exchange element volume is smaller than the upper heat exchange element volume and the lower heat exchange element volume.

In this way, the volume of the central heat exchange element is small, which makes the central heat exchange element high in temperature, and it is possible to more reliably prevent freezing of the water generated by the defrost of the upper heat exchange element from the central heat exchange element.

In addition, since the volume of the central heat exchange element is small, the volume generated by the defrosting of the central heat exchange element is reduced, the frost is less likely to occur in the lower heat exchange element, and as a result, the defrost time of the lower heat exchange element can be shortened.

The defrost control unit simultaneously defrosts the upper heat exchange element and the central heat exchange element and converts the heat exchange element that is defrosted from the upper heat exchange element to the lower heat exchange element to simultaneously defrost the central heat exchange element and the lower heat exchange element. It is desirable to.

In this way, water generated by the defrosting of the upper heat exchanger element can be more reliably prevented from freezing in the central heat exchanger element, and each heat exchanger element can be reliably defrosted.

The central heat exchanger until the defrost control unit defrosts the central heat exchanger element until the defrosting of the upper heat exchanger element begins and ends, and at the same time until the defrosting of the lower heat exchanger element is started and finished. It is desirable to defrost the elements.

Heat storage of the compressor ( Heat storage tank

) Is further provided and is configured to heat the refrigerant with heat stored in the heat storage tank and to flow the refrigerant to the outdoor heat exchanger through the bypass pipe.

In this way, the refrigerant can be heated using heat radiated from the compressor, and the defrosting operation can be made highly efficient. Thereby, the fall of the heating capability at the time of defrosting operation can be reduced, and the comfort of a user is not impaired at the time of defrosting operation.

The refrigerant flowing out of the heat storage tank is preferably configured to flow into the outdoor heat exchanger through the bypass pipe after entering the compressor.

In this way, the refrigerant flowing out of the heat storage tank becomes higher in the compressor, and the defrosting time can be shortened.

By doing in this way, the residual ice which arises between an upper heat exchange element and a central heat exchange element, and the remaining ice which arises between a lower heat exchange element and a central heat exchange element can be reliably prevented.

According to the present invention configured as described above, even in the case of a large outdoor heat exchanger, it is possible to reliably remove frost without deteriorating the defrosting effect.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment.

It is a schematic block diagram of the heat exchanger tube and distribution pipe connection part in 1st Embodiment.

3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner in a modification of the first embodiment.

4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment.

It is a figure explaining defrost operation in 2nd Embodiment.

6 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner in a modification of the second embodiment.

It is a figure explaining defrost operation in the modification of 2nd Embodiment.

8 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a bypass tube in a modification of the second embodiment.

9 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner in a modification of the second embodiment.

<1st embodiment>

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, 1st Embodiment of the air conditioner which concerns on this invention is described, referring drawings. Incidentally, in the first embodiment, reference numerals are reference numerals used only in Figs.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 100 according to the present embodiment is configured to allow refrigerant to be distributed to the indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 20, and the indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 20. A heat pump cycle 200.

The indoor unit 10 is provided with pressure reducing means 11A and 11B connected in parallel with each other, indoor heat exchangers 12A and 12B and indoor blowers 13A and 13B connected in series with the pressure reducing means 11A and 11B, respectively.

The outdoor unit 20 is provided with a four-way valve 21, an accumulator 22, a compressor 23, an outdoor heat exchanger 24, a distributor 25, an expansion valve 26, and an outdoor blower 27.

The heat pump cycle 200 includes the pressure reducing means 11A and 11B, the indoor heat exchangers 12A and 12B, the four-way valve 21, the outdoor heat exchanger 24, the distributor 25 and the expansion valve 26. The main circuit 201, the accumulator 22, and the compressor 23 are connected in order, and the compression circuit 202 is connected to the four-way valve 21 in order.

The heat pump cycle 200 is configured to reverse the refrigerant flow in the main circuit 201 and to switch the cooling operation and the heating operation by controlling the opening and closing of the four ports in the four-way valve 21. Specifically, the four-way valve 21 introduces the hot gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 23 into the outdoor heat exchanger 24 when the cooling operation is performed, and the hot gas discharged from the compressor 23 when the heating operation is performed. The refrigerant is configured to be introduced into the indoor heat exchangers 12A and 12B.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of auxiliary distributors 251 and a plurality of distribution pipes 252 are provided between the outdoor heat exchanger 24 and the distributor 25.

The auxiliary distributor 251 is disposed near the outdoor heat exchanger 24, and a plurality of heat transfer tubes 241 included in the outdoor heat exchanger 24 are connected. 1 shows a configuration in which three auxiliary distributors 251 are installed and three heat transfer tubes 241 are connected to each auxiliary distributor 251, but the number of auxiliary distributors 251 or the heat transfer tubes connected to each auxiliary distributor 251 is shown. The number of 241 is not limited to said number.

The distribution pipe 252 connects the distributor 25 and the outdoor heat exchanger 24, and simultaneously distributes the refrigerant flowing from the distributor 25 to the outdoor heat exchanger 24, and supplies the refrigerant to the heat transfer tubes 241. More specifically, one end of the distribution pipe 252 is connected to the distributor 25 and the other end of the distribution pipe 252 is connected to the heat transfer pipe 241 through the auxiliary distributor 251.

That is, the distribution pipe 252 and the heat transfer pipe 241 are connected through the auxiliary distributor 251 interposed therebetween.

1 and 2, one end of the air conditioner 100 according to the present embodiment is connected to the discharge side pipe 231 of the compressor 23 and branched along the way. The bypass tube 30 connected to or near the connection portion 252 with the heat transfer tube 241 is provided. In the present embodiment, as described above, an auxiliary distributor 251 is interposed between the distribution pipe 252 and the heat transfer pipe 241 (the connecting portion), and each other end of the bypass pipe 30 is connected to the auxiliary distributor 251. It is connected.

Specifically, the bypass pipe 30 is a main pipe connected to the discharge side pipe 231 of the compressor 23 (

; 31) and a plurality of branch pipes branching from the starting point P installed in the main pipe 31 (

; 32). The number of the branch pipes 32 is equal to the number of the auxiliary distributors 251 provided and three in this embodiment. The ends of these branch pipes 32, that is, the other ends of the bypass pipe 30, are configured to be connected to different auxiliary distributors 251, respectively.

In addition, in this embodiment, the anisotropy which opens and closes the bypass pipe 30 between the one end in the bypass pipe 30 to the branch point P, ie, on the main pipe 31,

) The valve 33 is provided. The anisotropic valve 33 is configured to open the bypass pipe 30 by receiving a signal from a controller (not shown) at the time of frost removal, and to allow a hot gas refrigerant to flow from the compressor 23 to the outdoor heat exchanger 24. have. Thereby, the frost of the outdoor heat exchanger 24 can be removed, continuing heating operation.

According to the air conditioner 100 according to the present embodiment configured as described above, since each other end of the bypass pipe 30 is connected to the auxiliary distributor 251, the flow resistance of the distribution pipe 252 is hardly received and the hot gas refrigerant Can be supplied to the heat transfer pipe 241. As a result, even in the case of the large outdoor heat exchanger 24, the flow rate of the hot gas refrigerant does not decrease, and it is possible to reliably remove the frost of the outdoor heat exchanger 24 without reducing the defrosting effect, and consequently, It is possible to prevent afterimages while reducing the defrosting time of the gas refrigerant flowing through the distribution pipe.

In addition, since the other end of the bypass pipe 30 is connected to the auxiliary distributor 251, the number of branch pipes 32 of the bypass pipe 30 can be reduced, so that the cost can be reduced or the weight can be reduced.

Moreover, since the anisotropic valve 33 is provided between the end of the bypass pipe 30 to the branch point P, when the bypass pipe 30 is opened by the said anisotropic valve 33, heating operation will be performed. Defrost function can be implemented.

It is apparent that the same effect can be obtained even when the other end of the bypass pipe 30 is always connected near the auxiliary distributor 251 between the auxiliary distributor 251 and the distribution pipe 252.

<Modified example of the first embodiment>

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said 1st Embodiment.

For example, the air conditioner 100 of the above embodiment has a single outdoor heat exchanger 24, but may be configured to include a plurality of outdoor heat exchangers 24A and 24B as shown in FIG. have. More specifically, the air conditioner 100 corresponds to each of the outdoor heat exchangers 24A and 24B, and includes distributors 25A and 25B, auxiliary distributors 251A and 251B, distribution pipes 252A and 252B and bypass pipes. 30A and 30B are provided.

Specifically, the air conditioner 100 includes a first outdoor heat exchanger 24A and a second outdoor heat exchanger 24B, and corresponds to each of the outdoor heat exchangers 24A and 24B, and the first distributor 25a and The 2nd distributor 25b, the 1st expansion valve 26A, and the 2nd expansion valve 26B are provided.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a first auxiliary distributor 251A and a plurality of first distribution pipes 252A are installed between the first outdoor heat exchanger 24A and the first distributor 25a, and the second second heat exchanger 24A is disposed between the first outdoor heat exchanger 24A and the first distributor 25a. A second auxiliary distributor 251B and a plurality of second distribution pipes 252B are provided between the outdoor heat exchanger 24B and the second distributor 25b.

In addition, these auxiliary distributors 251A and 251B and the distribution pipes 252A and 252B have the same structure as the auxiliary distributor 251 and the distribution pipe 252 of the said embodiment.

3, the 1st bypass pipe 30A and the 2nd bypass pipe 30B are provided corresponding to each outdoor heat exchanger 24A, 24B. This 1st bypass pipe 30A has the same structure as the bypass pipe 30 of the said embodiment. The 2nd bypass pipe 30B branches into the 2nd main pipe 31B branched from the 1st main pipe 31A of the 1st bypass pipe 30A, and the branch point P2 provided in the 2nd main pipe 31B. It has a branch pipe 32B.

Moreover, 33 A of 1st anisotropic valves are provided in 31 A of 1st main pipes, and the 2nd anisotropic valve 33B is provided in 2nd main pipes 31B.

With the above-described configuration, even in the case of the large outdoor heat exchangers 24A and 24B, it is possible to reliably remove frost without reducing the defrosting effect, and when the frost is removed from one outdoor heat exchanger 24A and 24B, the other outdoor heat exchanger is used. Since groups 24B and 24A can function as an evaporator, deterioration of heating capability can be suppressed when defrosting.

In addition, in the conventional configuration in which the other ends of the bypass pipes 30A and 30B are connected between the distributors 25A and 25B and the expansion valves 26A and 26B, the bypass pipes 30A and 30B require 13 minutes to defrost. In the above-described configuration in which the other end of 30B is connected to the auxiliary distributors 251A and 251B, the defrosting time is shorter than that of the prior art as the time taken to defrost is 5 minutes.

In addition, although the air conditioner of the above embodiment has a plurality of auxiliary distributors, each other end of the distribution pipe may be directly connected to the heat transfer pipe without the auxiliary distributor. In this case, it is preferable that each other end of the bypass pipe is connected to or near the connection portion between the distribution pipe and the heat transfer pipe.

However, the vicinity in the above description refers to a position of, for example, less than 1/10 of the total length of the distribution pipe on the upstream side or the downstream side (ie, the heat exchanger side or vice versa) from the connection portion.

<2nd embodiment>

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, 2nd Embodiment of the air conditioner which concerns on this invention is described with reference to drawings. Note that reference numerals in the second embodiment are reference numerals used only in FIGS. 4 to 9.

As shown in FIG. 4, the air conditioner 100 according to the present embodiment can distribute hot gas refrigerant to the indoor unit 10, the outdoor unit 20, and the indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 20. And a heat pump cycle 200 configured to.

The indoor unit 10 is provided with pressure reducing means 11A and 11B connected in parallel to each other, indoor heat exchangers 12A and 12B and indoor blowers 13A and 13B connected in series with the pressure reducing means 11A and 11B, respectively. .

The outdoor unit 20 is provided with a four-way valve 21, an accumulator 22, a compressor 23, an outdoor heat exchanger 24, a distributor 25, an expansion valve 26, and an outdoor blower 27.

The outdoor heat exchanger 24 has a plurality of heat exchange elements and in this embodiment has an upper heat exchange element 241 and a lower heat exchange element 242 installed along the up and down direction as shown in FIG. 4.

These heat exchange elements 241 and 242 are connected to the distributor 25 through distribution pipes 251, respectively, and each heat exchange element 241 and 242 is provided with a temperature sensor, not shown.

The heat pump cycle 200 includes the pressure reducing means 11A and 11B, the indoor heat exchangers 12A and 12B, the four-way valve 21, the outdoor heat exchanger 24, the distributor 25 and the expansion valve 26. The main circuit 201, the accumulator 22, and the compressor 23 are connected in order, and the compression circuit 202 is connected to the four-way valve 21 in order.

The heat pump cycle 200 is configured to invert the flow of the hot gas refrigerant in the main circuit 201 and to switch the cooling operation and the heating operation by controlling the opening and closing of four ports in the four-way valve 21. . Specifically, the four-way valve 21 allows the hot gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 23 to be introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger 24 when the cooling operation is performed, and discharged from the compressor 23 when the heating operation is performed. It is comprised so that hot gas refrigerant may be introduce | transduced into indoor heat exchanger 12A and 12B.

Here, the air conditioner 100 of the present embodiment is provided with a bypass pipe 30 having one end connected to the discharge side pipe 231 and branching in the middle while the other end is connected to the distribution pipe 251. It is. Specifically, the bypass pipe 30 is a first branch pipe which is a plurality of branch pipes branched from the main pipe 31 and the main pipe 31 connected to the discharge side pipe 231 of the compressor 23 and connected to the distribution pipe 251, respectively. 321 and the second branch pipe 322.

The bypass pipe 30 described above is provided with a first anisotropic valve 331 in the first branch pipe 321 and a second anisotropic valve 332 in the second branch pipe 322, and these anisotropic valves 331, 332. Is opened, the hot gas refrigerant flows through the corresponding branch pipes 321 and 322. The hot gas refrigerant is supplied to each of the heat exchange elements 241 and 242 via a distribution pipe 251 to which the branch pipes 321 and 322 are connected, thereby defrosting the respective heat exchange elements 241 and 242. .

The air conditioner 100 according to the present embodiment individually defrosts the heat exchange elements 241 and 242 and replaces the defrosted heat exchange elements 241 and 242 with the upper heat exchange element 241 and the lower heat exchange element ( A defrosting control unit, not shown, is provided that switches to 242.

Specifically, the defrost control unit is configured to switch the heat exchange elements 241 and 242 from which frost is removed by switching the respective anisotropic valves 331 and 332 to the open state and the closed state, and in this embodiment, shown in FIG. 5. As described above, the other heat exchange elements 242 and 241 can be started before the defrost of one heat exchange element 241 or 242 starts and ends.

More specifically, the defrost control unit receives a signal from a non-illustrated temperature sensor installed in the upper heat exchange element 241 when the temperature sensor value is lower than or equal to a predetermined first lower limit, that is, the temperature of the upper heat exchange element 241 is predetermined When the temperature falls below the first lower limit temperature, the defrosting of the upper heat exchange element 241 is started. In addition, the defrost control unit starts defrosting of the lower heat exchange element 242 when the temperature sensor value is greater than or equal to a predetermined second lower limit value, that is, when the temperature of the upper heat exchange element 241 becomes greater than or equal to the predetermined second lower limit temperature. Consists of.

In addition, in this embodiment, the 1st lower limit temperature is set to the value lower than 2nd lower limit temperature.

Specifically, when the temperature of the upper heat exchange element 241 is less than or equal to -5 degrees, the defrost control unit starts the defrost of the upper heat exchange element 241 by opening the first anisotropic valve 331 to open the upper heat exchange element 241. Is set to start the defrost of the lower heat exchange element 242 with the second anisotropic valve 332 open.

In addition, the defrosting control unit performs heat exchange when the value of the temperature sensor, which is not illustrated in each of the heat exchange elements 241 and 242, is higher than or equal to a predetermined upper limit, that is, when the temperature of each heat exchange element 241 and 242 becomes higher than or equal to the predetermined upper limit. The defrosting of the elements 241, 242 is configured to end. Specifically, when the temperature of each heat exchange element (241, 242) is at least 2 degrees, the defrost control unit is to close each anisotropic valve (331, 332) to terminate the defrost of each heat exchange element (241, 242). It is set.

In addition, the upper limit temperature of each heat exchange element 241 and 242 can be changed freely, without having to set to the same value mutually.

With the above-described setting, the defrosting control unit starts defrosting of the lower heat exchange element 242 before starting and ending defrosting of the upper heat exchange element 241 as shown in FIG. 5. The heat exchange elements 241 and 242 are each defrosted for about 7 minutes while the top heat exchange element 241 and the bottom heat exchange element 242 are simultaneously defrosted for about 2 minutes.

In addition, the defrost time of each heat exchange element 241,242 can be changed freely by changing the lower limit temperature and upper limit temperature mentioned above.

Here, the defrost time for defrosting the heat exchange elements 241 and 242 respectively is calculated according to the ratio of the heating operation time to the sum of the heating operation time and the defrost time, and in this embodiment, the heating operation time is the heating operation time and the defrost. It is calculated to be 80% or more of the sum of time. However, when the frost melts within the defrost time (7 minutes in the present embodiment) calculated as described above, each temperature sensor value rises, so in this case the defrost is finished within the defrost time.

Moreover, the defrost time (7 minutes in this embodiment) which defrosts each heat exchange element 241 and 242 mentioned above, the time which simultaneously defrosts the upper heat exchange element 241 and the lower heat exchange element 242 (this embodiment). 2 minutes) may or may not be included.

According to the air conditioner 100 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the defrost control unit starts defrosting of the lower heat exchange element 242 before starting and ending defrost of the upper heat exchange element 241. Water generated in the upper heat exchange element 241 may be prevented from freezing in the lower heat exchange element 242 and may prevent a decrease in the heating capability of the air conditioner 100.

In addition, by moving the other heat exchange element 242, 241 as an evaporator while defrosting one heat exchange element 241, 242, each heat exchange element 241, 242 can be surely defrosted while continuing heating operation. .

In addition, the heat exchange elements 241 and 242 are installed in the up and down direction and the defrosting control is defrosted. The heat exchange elements 241 and 242 are sequentially switched from the upper upper heat exchange element 241 to the lower lower heat exchange element 242. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the water generated by defrosting the upper heat exchange element 241 from freezing in the lower heat exchange element 242.

<Modified example of the second embodiment>

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said 2nd Embodiment.

For example, in the air conditioner 100 of the above embodiment, the outdoor heat exchanger 24 has an upper heat exchange element 241 and a lower heat exchange element 242, but the number of heat exchange elements is not limited and is illustrated, for example, in FIG. 6. It may have an upper heat exchange element 241, a lower heat exchange element 242, and a central heat exchange element 243 as shown at the top of FIG.

More specifically, the outdoor heat exchanger 24 is configured such that the volume of the central heat exchange element 243 is smaller than the volume of the upper heat exchange element 241 and the lower heat exchange element 242.

Specifically, each of these heat exchange elements 241, 242, 243 is connected to the distributor 25 via a distribution pipe 251, respectively, which branches from the main pipe 31 of the bypass pipe 30 to the distribution pipe 251. The first branch pipe 321, the second branch pipe 322, and the third branch pipe 323 which are a plurality of branch pipes are connected. Each of these branch pipes 321, 322, and 323 is provided with a first anisotropic valve 331, a second anisotropic valve 332, and a third anisotropic valve 333, respectively.

The defrosting control unit, which is not shown, is configured to switch the heat exchange elements 241, 242 and 243 which are defrosted as the respective anisotropic valves 331, 332 and 333 are switched to the open state and the closed state. More specifically, the defrost control unit initially begins to defrost the upper heat exchange element 241 as shown in the lower part of FIG. 6 and before the defrost of the upper heat exchange element 241 ends, the central heat exchange element 243. The defrost of the lower heat exchange element 242 before the defrost of the corresponding central heat exchange element 243 ends.

Incidentally, the timing at which the defrost control unit starts and ends the defrosting of each heat exchange element 241, 242, 243 is based on the unshown temperature sensor values installed in each heat exchange element 241, 242, 243 as in the above embodiment. Controlled.

According to the above-described configuration, the volume of the central heat exchange element 243 is smaller than the volume of the upper heat exchange element 241 and the lower heat exchange element 242 so that the central heat exchange element 243 becomes hot and defrost of the upper heat exchange element 241. The generated water can be more reliably prevented from freezing in the central heat exchange element 243.

In addition, the volume of the central heat exchange element 243 is reduced, so that the amount of water generated by the defrost of the central heat exchange element 243 is reduced, thereby reducing the amount of water flowing into the lower heat exchange element 242, so that the defrost time of the lower heat exchange element 242 is reduced. Can be shortened.

In addition, the volume of the central heat exchange element 243 is small to ensure the capacity of the evaporator during defrosting and to prevent the indoor blowing temperature from lowering, thereby reducing the discomfort caused by continuous heating.

In the configuration having the upper heat exchange element 241, the central heat exchange element 243 and the lower heat exchange element 242 as shown in FIG. 7, the defrost control unit defrosts the upper heat exchange element 241 and the central heat exchange element 243. May be simultaneously started and the central heat exchange element 242 and the bottom heat exchange element 243 may be terminated simultaneously.

In other words, the defrost control unit starts the defrost of the upper heat exchange element 241 and the central heat exchange element 243 at the same time, the defrost of the central heat exchange element 243 continues to defrost the heat exchange element in the upper heat exchange element 241 Switching to the bottom heat exchange element 242 is configured to end defrost of the central heat exchange element 243 and the bottom heat exchange element 242 simultaneously.

This configuration can more reliably prevent freezing of the water generated by the defrosting of the upper heat exchange element 241 at the central heat exchange element 243, and the respective heat exchange elements 241, 242, 243 can be viewed while continuing the heating operation. You can certainly defrost it.

As a specific structure for implementing the above-mentioned control, the structure shown in FIG. 8 is mentioned.

In other words, the air conditioner 100 further includes an auxiliary distributor 25a-c interposed between the distribution tube 251 and the heat transfer tubes 24a-c of each heat exchange element 241, 242, 243. The first branch pipe 321 and the second branch pipe 322 branching from the main pipe 31 are connected to the auxiliary distributors 25a to c.

More specifically, the first branch pipe 321 branched into two further pieces along the way, one of which is connected to the auxiliary distributor 25a installed corresponding to the upper heat exchange element 241, and the other of which is installed to correspond to the central heat exchange element 243. Is connected to the distributor 25c.

In addition, the second branch pipe 322 is further divided into two in the middle, and one side is connected to the auxiliary distributor 25b provided in correspondence with the lower heat exchange element 242, and the other distributor is installed in correspondence with the central heat exchange element 243 ( 25c).

The first branch pipes 321 and the second branch pipes 322 branch off and join again to be connected to the auxiliary distributor 25c, and branch points P1 and P2 installed at the confluence point X and the branch pipes 321 and 322. Between each

) Valves V1 and V2 are provided.

With the above-described configuration, the hot gas refrigerant can be simultaneously supplied from the first branch pipe 321 to the upper heat exchange element 241 and the central heat exchange element 243, and the hot gas refrigerant can be supplied from the second branch pipe 322 to the lower heat exchange element 242. ) And the central heat exchange element 243 can be supplied simultaneously.

In the above embodiment, the defrosting control unit starts and ends defrosting of each heat exchange element by the temperature sensor value, but is configured to defrost each heat exchange element at a predetermined time by a value such as a timer, not shown. The defrost time of the element may be configured to overlap at a predetermined time.

Typically, the same effect can be obtained by connecting the first branch pipe 321 and the second branch pipe 322 near the auxiliary distributors 25a, 25b, and 25c between the auxiliary distributors 25a, 25b, and 25c and the distribution pipe 251. It is obvious that you can get it.

In addition, the air conditioner 100 further includes a heat storage tank 40 for accumulating the compressor 23, and the refrigerant heated by the heat stored in the heat storage tank 40 is bypass pipe 30. It may be configured to flow through the outdoor heat exchanger (24).

Specifically, the heat storage tank 40 is installed around the compressor 23 and heats the heat radiated from the compressor 23 through a contact surface with the compressor 23, for example, a heat storage material such as a liquid and a refrigerant therein. A heat storage heat exchanger 41 for supplying heat stored in the refrigerant at the same time as the temporary flow and a heat storage temperature sensor 42 for detecting the temperature of the heat storage tank (hereinafter also referred to as heat storage temperature).

However, the heat storage tank 40 does not necessarily need to be in contact with the compressor 23 and may be installed near the compressor 23.

In more detail, the air conditioner 100 is configured such that the refrigerant flowing out of the heat storage tank 40 flows into each outdoor heat exchange element 241 and 242 after flowing into the compressor 23 and then through the bypass pipe 30. As shown in FIG. 9, the outflow-side pipe 411 through which the refrigerant flows out of the heat storage tank 40 is connected between the outdoor heat exchanger 24 and the four-way valve 21. However, the check valve 5 is provided in the outflow side pipe 411.

In addition, an inflow pipe 412 into which the refrigerant flows into the heat storage tank 40 is branched between the indoor heat exchangers 12A and 12B and the distributor 25 and a signal from a control unit (not shown) in the inflow pipe 412. The third anisotropic valve 413 which is switched to the open state and the closed state is installed.

Hereinafter, the control contents associated with the control unit (not shown) will be described.

Here, the control unit receives a signal from the heat storage temperature sensor 42, and when the heat storage temperature is lower than the first predetermined temperature, the third anisotropic valve 413 is closed and the heat storage temperature is a second predetermined temperature. When the temperature is higher than the temperature, the third anisotropic valve 413 is opened, and when the heat storage temperature is higher than or equal to the first temperature and lower than or equal to the second temperature, the third anisotropic valve 413 is configured to maintain the open / close state.

That is, when the heat storage temperature rises, the third anisotropic valve 413 is closed until the second temperature is reached, and when the second temperature is reached, the third anisotropic valve 413 is opened. On the other hand, when the heat storage temperature is lowered, the third anisotropic valve 413 is in an open state until the first temperature is reached, and when the first temperature is reached, the third anisotropic valve 413 is in a closed state.

Further, the control unit acquires a signal from an outside air temperature sensor (not shown) that detects the temperature of the outside air (hereinafter also referred to as outside air temperature), and when the outside air temperature is below a predetermined temperature, The third anisotropic valve 413 is closed when defrosting and the third anisotropic valve 413 is opened when defrosting the lower heat exchange element 242.

By the above-described configuration, the refrigerant can be heated using heat radiated from the compressor 23, and the defrosting operation can be made highly efficient. Thereby, the fall of the heating capability at the time of defrosting operation can be reduced, and the comfort of a user at the time of defrosting operation can be maintained.

In addition, the heat of the heat storage tank 40 can be concentrated and used in the latter half of the defrosting operation, and the capacity of the heat storage material and the heat storage tank 40 can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced and the outdoor unit 20 can be made compact.

In addition, since the refrigerant heated by the heat storage tank 40 flows into the compressor 23 and then flows to each of the heat exchange elements 241 and 242, the refrigerant can be brought to a higher temperature and defrost of each heat exchange element 241, 242. You can shorten the time.

In addition, needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims (20)

1. A refrigerant circuit provided to connect the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the indoor heat exchanger;

   A distributor provided between the outdoor heat exchanger and the expansion valve;

   A plurality of distribution tubes, one end of which is connected to the distributor and the other end of which is connected to a plurality of heat transfer tubes provided in the outdoor heat exchanger;

   And a bypass tube having one end connected to the compressor and branched to form a plurality of other ends, wherein the plurality of other ends are respectively connected to the plurality of distribution pipes and the plurality of heat transfer pipes. Air conditioner characterized by.
2. The method of claim 1,

   Further comprising an auxiliary distributor to which the plurality of heat pipes are connected,

   The other end of the distribution pipe is connected to the plurality of heat transfer pipes through the auxiliary distributor,

   And the other end of the bypass pipe is connected to the auxiliary distributor.
3. The method of claim 1,

   And a plurality of the outdoor heat exchangers, and a plurality of the distributors, the distribution pipes, and the bypass pipes to correspond to the plurality of heat exchangers.
4. The method of claim 1,

   The outdoor heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchange elements divided into units to which the plurality of heat transfer tubes are connected,

   The air conditioner further includes a defrost control unit provided to individually remove frost generated in the heat exchange element for each heat exchange element,

   And the defrost control unit starts defrosting the other heat exchange element before starting and ending defrost of one heat exchange element.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein

   The plurality of heat exchange elements are provided to be arranged in the vertical direction,

   The defrost control unit,

   And an frost is sequentially removed from the heat exchanging element located on the upper side toward the heat exchanging element located on the lower side.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein

   The outdoor heat exchanger comprises an upper heat exchange element, a central heat exchange element and a lower heat exchange element,

   The volume of the central heat exchange element is

   And an air conditioner smaller than said upper heat exchange element volume and said lower heat exchange element volume.
7. The method of claim 6,

   The defrost control unit,

   Defrost is simultaneously removed from the upper heat exchange element and the central heat exchange element, and when the defrost of the upper heat exchange element is completed, the defrost of the lower heat exchange element is provided to be simultaneously defrosted from the central heat exchange element and the lower heat exchange element. Air conditioner, characterized in that.
8. The method of claim 6,

   The defrost control unit,

   Wherein the defrosting of the central heat exchange element begins between the start and the end of the upper heat exchange element defrost and the defrost of the central heat exchange element ends between the start and the end of the lower heat exchange element defrost. .
9. The method of claim 1

   A heat storage tank for accumulating the compressor heat;

   And a refrigerant heated by heat stored in the heat storage tank to flow into the outdoor heat exchanger through the bypass pipe.
10. The method of claim 9,

    And a refrigerant discharged from the heat storage tank flows into the outdoor heat exchanger through the bypass pipe after flowing into the compressor.
11. A refrigerant circuit provided to connect a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger including a plurality of heat exchange elements partitioned from each other, an expansion valve, and an indoor heat exchanger;

    A distributor provided between the outdoor heat exchanger and the expansion valve;

    And a bypass tube having one end connected to the compressor and the other end connected between the distributor and the outdoor heat exchanger.

    And the plurality of heat exchange elements are connected to the bypass pipe, respectively, to defrost individually according to time difference.
12. The method of claim 11,

    The plurality of heat exchange elements are disposed in a vertical direction of the outdoor heat exchanger,

    Defrosting is started from the heat exchange element located on the upper side, and the air conditioner characterized in that the defrost of the heat exchange element located on the lower side proceeds sequentially.
13. The method of claim 12,

    The plurality of heat exchange elements are provided with three or more,

    And the one heat exchanger element disposed between the heat exchanger elements has a smaller volume than the plurality of other heat exchanger elements disposed at upper and lower ends of the outdoor heat exchanger.
14. The method of claim 12,

    The bypass pipe,

    A plurality of branch pipes formed by branching a portion of the bypass pipe so that the bypass pipe is connected between the plurality of heat exchange elements and the distributor,

    The air conditioner, characterized in that each of the plurality of branch pipes are provided with an anisotropic valve.
15. The method of claim 14,

    The anisotropic valve,

    An air conditioner, characterized in that it is opened or closed individually according to the defrost timing of the plurality of heat exchange elements.
16. The method of claim 14,

    And a plurality of auxiliary distributors provided between the plurality of heat transfer tubes provided in the plurality of heat exchange elements and the distributors,

    And the plurality of branch pipes are connected to the plurality of auxiliary distributors.
17. The method of claim 11,

    The plurality of outdoor heat exchangers are installed, the air conditioner characterized in that a plurality of the distributor and the bypass pipe is provided so as to correspond to the plurality of heat exchangers.
18. The method of claim 11,

    A heat storage tank for accumulating the compressor heat;

    And a refrigerant heated by heat stored in the heat storage tank to flow into the plurality of heat exchange elements through the bypass pipe.
19. The method of claim 18,

    And a refrigerant discharged from the heat storage tank flows into the plurality of heat exchanger elements through the bypass pipe after being introduced into the compressor.
20. A refrigerant circuit provided to connect the compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger including a plurality of heat exchange elements, an expansion valve, and an indoor heat exchanger;

    A distributor provided between the plurality of heat exchange elements and the expansion valve;

    And a bypass tube having one end connected to the compressor and the other end connected between the distributor and the plurality of heat exchange elements.

    The bypass pipe,

    One end branched into a plurality and connected to the plurality of heat exchange elements,

    And an air conditioner separately supplied to the plurality of heat exchange elements through a plurality of anisotropic valves provided in the bypass pipe to individually remove frost generated in the plurality of heat exchange elements. .

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