Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
  • F24F1/06—Separate outdoor units, e.g. outdoor unit to be linked to a separate room comprising a compressor and a heat exchanger
  • F24F1/08—Compressors specially adapted for separate outdoor units
  • F24F1/10—Arrangement or mounting thereof
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
  • F24F1/06—Separate outdoor units, e.g. outdoor unit to be linked to a separate room comprising a compressor and a heat exchanger
  • F24F1/14—Heat exchangers specially adapted for separate outdoor units
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
  • F24F1/06—Separate outdoor units, e.g. outdoor unit to be linked to a separate room comprising a compressor and a heat exchanger
  • F24F1/46—Component arrangements in separate outdoor units
  • F24F1/48—Component arrangements in separate outdoor units characterised by air airflow, e.g. inlet or outlet airflow
  • F24F1/50—Component arrangements in separate outdoor units characterised by air airflow, e.g. inlet or outlet airflow with outlet air in upward direction

Definitions

• This disclosure relates to a top-flow outdoor unit for a refrigeration cycle device, and to a refrigeration cycle device.
• the refrigeration cycle device disclosed herein includes the outdoor unit described above and an indoor unit that is connected to the outdoor unit by a refrigerant pipe that circulates the refrigerant and adjusts the temperature of a target using the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit.
• FIG. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram illustrating the configuration of a refrigeration cycle device according to a first embodiment.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration example of an outdoor heat exchanger according to the first embodiment.
• 1 is a perspective view illustrating an outdoor unit according to a first embodiment.
• 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the internal configuration of an outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1.
• FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of an outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1.
• FIG. FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically showing the wind speed distribution in an outdoor unit according to a comparative example.
• FIG. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram illustrating the configuration of a refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment.
• the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 is, for example, an air conditioner.
• the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 includes an outdoor unit 1 and an indoor unit 2, which are connected to each other by refrigerant piping 5.
• the outdoor unit 1 includes a compressor 10, a flow switching device 11, a first flow control valve 12, a second flow control valve 13, an accumulator 14, a first heat exchanger 30a, a second heat exchanger 30b, and a third heat exchanger 30c within a housing indicated by a dashed-line square in FIG. 1 .
• the indoor unit 2 includes a throttling device 20 and an indoor heat exchanger 21 within a housing indicated by a dashed-line square.
• the accumulator 14, compressor 10, and flow path switching device 11 are connected in series by refrigerant piping 5.
• first flow control valve 12 Connected to the first flow control valve 12 are a first heat exchanger 30a and a third heat exchanger 30c, which are connected in parallel to each other by refrigerant piping 5.
• Connected to the second flow control valve 13 is a second heat exchanger 30b, which is connected in series to the refrigerant piping 5.
• the first heat exchanger 30a, the second heat exchanger 30b, and the third heat exchanger 30c are connected to the throttling device 20 by refrigerant piping 5.
• the throttling device 20 is connected in series to the indoor heat exchanger 21 by refrigerant piping 5, and the indoor heat exchanger 21 is connected in series to the flow path switching device 11. This forms a refrigerant circuit 6 through which refrigerant circulates.
• Compressor 10 draws in low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant, compresses it, and discharges high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant.
• Compressor 10 is an inverter compressor whose capacity, or the amount of refrigeration delivered per unit time, is controlled, for example, by changing the operating frequency.
• the flow path switching device 11 is, for example, a four-way valve that switches the refrigerant flow path to switch between cooling and heating operation. Specifically, during cooling operation, the flow path switching device 11 sets the refrigerant flow path as shown by the solid line, connecting the discharge side of the compressor 10 to the first to third heat exchangers 30a to 30c. On the other hand, during heating operation, the flow path switching device 11 sets the refrigerant flow path as shown by the dashed line, connecting the discharge side of the compressor 10 to the indoor heat exchanger 21.
• Each of the first flow control valve 12 and the second flow control valve 13 is, for example, an electronic expansion valve with an adjustable opening.
• the first flow control valve 12 adjusts the flow rate of refrigerant flowing into the first heat exchanger 30a and the third heat exchanger 30c by changing its opening rate.
• the second flow control valve 13 adjusts the flow rate of refrigerant flowing into the second heat exchanger 30b by changing its opening rate.
• the first heat exchanger 30a, the second heat exchanger 30b, and the third heat exchanger 30c each exchange heat between the outdoor air and the refrigerant.
• the first heat exchanger 30a, the second heat exchanger 30b, and the third heat exchanger 30c function as condensers that cause the refrigerant to release heat to the outdoor air and condense the refrigerant.
• the first heat exchanger 30a, the second heat exchanger 30b, and the third heat exchanger 30c function as evaporators that cause the refrigerant to absorb heat from the outdoor air and evaporate the refrigerant. Details of the first heat exchanger 30a, the second heat exchanger 30b, and the third heat exchanger 30c will be described later.
• the throttling device 20 is, for example, an electronic expansion valve with an adjustable opening, and by adjusting the opening, the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into all or part of the first heat exchanger 30a, the second heat exchanger 30b, the third heat exchanger 30c, and the indoor heat exchanger 21 is adjusted.
• the throttling device 20 is described as being provided in the indoor unit 2, but the installation location of the throttling device 20 is not particularly limited, and the throttling device 20 may be provided in the outdoor unit 1, for example.
• the indoor heat exchanger 21 exchanges heat between the target and the refrigerant.
• the target may be the air in the room or inside the storage unit, or water.
• the indoor heat exchanger 21 functions as an evaporator, evaporating the refrigerant and cooling the target with the heat of vaporization.
• the indoor heat exchanger 21 functions as a condenser, releasing the heat of the refrigerant to the target and condensing the refrigerant.
• the accumulator 14 is located on the suction side of the compressor 10 and is used to store excess refrigerant that occurs due to differences in operating conditions between cooling and heating, or excess refrigerant that occurs due to transient changes in operation. Furthermore, the accumulator 14 is used to prevent liquid from returning to the compressor 10.
• the flow path switching device 11 connects the discharge side of the compressor 10 to the first heat exchanger 30a, the second heat exchanger 30b, and the third heat exchanger 30c.
• High-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 flows into the first heat exchanger 30a, the second heat exchanger 30b, and the third heat exchanger 30c, respectively, via the flow path switching device 11.
• the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant that flows into the first heat exchanger 30a, the second heat exchanger 30b, and the third heat exchanger 30c exchanges heat with the outdoor air and condenses while releasing heat, becoming a low-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant, which then flows out of the first heat exchanger 30a, the second heat exchanger 30b, and the third heat exchanger 30c, respectively.
• the low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing out of the first heat exchanger 30a, the second heat exchanger 30b, and the third heat exchanger 30c flows into the throttling device 20, where it is decompressed, becoming a low-temperature, low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant, which then flows into the indoor heat exchanger 21.
• the low-temperature, low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant that flows into the indoor heat exchanger 21 evaporates while exchanging heat with the object and absorbing heat, becoming a low-temperature, low-pressure gas refrigerant that flows out of the indoor heat exchanger 21. At this time, the object is cooled, for example, to cool the room.
• the low-temperature, low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 21 is drawn into the compressor 10 via the flow switching device 11 and the accumulator 14, where it again becomes a high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant.
• the flow path switching device 11 connects the discharge side of the compressor 10 to the indoor heat exchanger 21.
• the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 21 via the flow path switching device 11.
• the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant that flows into the indoor heat exchanger 21 condenses while exchanging heat with an object and releasing heat, becoming a low-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant that flows out of the indoor heat exchanger 21.
• the object is heated, and, for example, heating is performed indoors.
• the low-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant that flows out of the indoor heat exchanger 21 flows into the expansion device 20, where it is decompressed to become a low-temperature, low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant.
• the low-temperature, low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant flows into each of the first heat exchanger 30a, second heat exchanger 30b, and third heat exchanger 30c.
• the low-temperature, low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant that flows into each of the first heat exchanger 30a, second heat exchanger 30b, and third heat exchanger 30c exchanges heat with the outdoor air, evaporating while absorbing heat, and flows out as low-temperature, low-pressure gas refrigerant.
• the low-temperature, low-pressure gas refrigerant that flows out of each of the first heat exchanger 30a, second heat exchanger 30b, and third heat exchanger 30c is drawn into the compressor 10 via the flow switching device 11 and accumulator 14, where it again becomes high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view that schematically shows an example configuration of the outdoor heat exchanger 30 according to embodiment 1. Note that the arrows shown in Figure 2 indicate the flow of refrigerant when the outdoor heat exchanger 30 functions as a condenser.
• the outdoor heat exchanger 30 is a corrugated fin tube type with parallel piping.
• the outdoor heat exchanger 30 has a first header 31, a folded header 34, and a second header 35.
• the outdoor heat exchanger 30 has a pair of headers, one consisting of a first header 31 and a folded header 34, and the other consisting of a second header 35 and a folded header 34, arranged above and below.
• a plurality of flat tubes 32 are arranged perpendicular to the first header 31 and the folded header 34 and parallel to each other.
• another plurality of flat tubes 32 are arranged perpendicular to the second header 35 and the folded header 34 and parallel to each other.
• Each of the plurality of flat tubes 32 between the first header 31 and the folded header 34 is arranged with its flat surface facing opposite, and each of the plurality of flat tubes 32 between the second header 35 and the folded header 34 is arranged with its flat surface facing opposite.
• the multiple flat tubes 32 between the first header 31 and the return header 34, and the multiple flat tubes 32 between the second header 35 and the return header 34, are arranged in two rows in the air flow direction.
• the flat tubes 32 are an example of heat transfer tubes that allow refrigerant to flow through the outdoor heat exchanger 30 and transfer heat between the refrigerant and the air.
• the first header 31 is provided below the outdoor heat exchanger 30.
• the first header 31 is connected to other devices that make up the refrigeration cycle system 100, and is a pipe through which the refrigerant flows in and out and through which the refrigerant branches or merges.
• the first header 31 is provided with a first refrigerant inlet/outlet pipe 36 that is connected to the refrigerant piping 5 and through which the refrigerant flows in and out.
• the flat tubes 32 are heat transfer tubes with a flat cross section, with the outer surface on the long side of the flat shape along the air flow direction being flat, and the outer surface on the short side perpendicular to the long side being curved.
• the flat tubes 32 are multi-hole flat tubes with multiple holes inside that serve as refrigerant flow paths. Each hole in the flat tubes 32 is formed in the vertical direction, and the refrigerant flows in the vertical direction between the first header 31 or second header 35 and the return header 34.
• corrugated fins 33 are provided between two adjacent flat tubes 32.
• the corrugated fins 33 have a wave shape, and multiple apexes are joined to the flat surfaces of the flat tubes 32.
• the turn-back header 34 acts as a bridge that folds back from the multiple flat tubes 32 between one of the first header 31 and the second header 35 and the multiple flat tubes 32 between the turn-back header 34 to the multiple flat tubes 32 between the other of the first header 31 and the second header 35 and the multiple flat tubes 32 between the turn-back header 34.
• the second header 35 is provided below the outdoor heat exchanger 30.
• the second header 35 is connected to other devices that make up the refrigeration cycle system 100, and is a pipe through which the refrigerant flows in and out and through which the refrigerant branches or merges.
• the second header 35 is provided with a second refrigerant inlet/outlet pipe 37 that is connected to the refrigerant piping 5 and through which the refrigerant flows in and out.
• Each of the first surface 40a, second surface 40b, and third surface 40c is a flow surface that allows air to circulate, and is provided with a plate with an air intake port formed therein.
• a first heat exchanger 30a having a generally flat plate shape is provided facing the first surface 40a.
• a second heat exchanger 30b having a generally flat plate shape is provided facing the second surface 40b.
• a third heat exchanger 30c having a generally flat plate shape is provided facing the third surface 40c.
• FIG. 5 is a plan view schematically illustrating the configuration of the outdoor unit 1 according to embodiment 1.
• the first heat exchanger 30a is provided on the first surface 40a
• the second heat exchanger 30b is provided on the second surface 40b
• the third heat exchanger 30c is provided on the third surface 40c.
• a first sealing portion 44 that blocks air flow is provided where the first surface 40a and the second surface 40b meet and do not face the outdoor heat exchanger 30.
• a second sealing portion 45 that blocks air flow is provided where the second surface 40b and the third surface 40c meet and do not face the outdoor heat exchanger 30.
• the outdoor fan 42 rotates clockwise in a plan view, as indicated by the curved arrow.
• the refrigerant flows vertically in each outdoor heat exchanger 30, and the first refrigerant inlet/outlet pipe 36 and the second refrigerant inlet/outlet pipe 37 are each connected to the refrigerant piping 5. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, during cooling operation, the refrigerant flowing out of the flow path switching device 11 is distributed to each of the first heat exchanger 30a, second heat exchanger 30b, and third heat exchanger 30c, exchanges heat with the outdoor air in each outdoor heat exchanger 30, and then merges after flowing out of each outdoor heat exchanger 30.
• the refrigerant from the indoor unit 2 is distributed to each of the first heat exchanger 30a, second heat exchanger 30b, and third heat exchanger 30c, exchanges heat with the outdoor air in each outdoor heat exchanger 30, and then merges after flowing out of each outdoor heat exchanger 30. That is, in embodiment 1, the first heat exchanger 30a, the second heat exchanger 30b, and the third heat exchanger 30c are arranged in parallel, and after flowing out of any one of the outdoor heat exchangers 30, the refrigerant flows into the refrigerant pipe 5 without flowing into any of the other outdoor heat exchangers 30.
• FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing the wind speed distribution in an outdoor unit 1A according to a comparative example.
• the wind speed in each outdoor heat exchanger 30 is indicated by a white arrow, and the wider the white arrow, the higher the wind speed.
• the wind speed is also indicated by a white arrow, and the magnitude of the wind speed is indicated by the width of the white arrow.
• the wind speed in the first heat exchanger 30a which is the flow surface and is adjacent to the fourth surface 40d, which is the sealing surface, in the direction along the rotation direction of the outdoor fan 42, is the highest among all the outdoor heat exchangers 30.
• the wind speed in the third heat exchanger 30c which is located on the third surface 40c, which is the flow surface adjacent to the sealing surface in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the outdoor fan 42, is the smallest among all the outdoor heat exchangers 30.
• a bias in the air velocity distribution in the first heat exchanger 30a, the second heat exchanger 30b, and the third heat exchanger 30c causes a bias in the amount of heat exchanged between the refrigerant and the air flowing through the first heat exchanger 30a, the second heat exchanger 30b, and the third heat exchanger 30c.
• the bias in the amount of heat exchanged in each outdoor heat exchanger 30 can reduce the heat exchange performance of the outdoor heat exchanger 30 as a whole.
• the outdoor unit 1 according to embodiment 1 has the following configuration for adjusting the bias in the air velocity distribution that leads to a reduction in heat exchange performance.
• the air flowing through the first heat exchanger 30a is stagnated, reducing the wind speed in the first heat exchanger 30a compared to conventional systems. This corrects the bias in the wind speed distribution in the first heat exchanger 30a through the third heat exchanger 30c, improving heat exchange performance.
• the accumulator 14 is located closer to the sealing surface than the compressor box 10A, but the compressor box 10A may also be located closer to the sealing surface than the accumulator 14.
• FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration for adjusting the bias in the wind speed distribution in the outdoor heat exchanger 30 of the outdoor unit 1 according to a modified example of embodiment 1.
• the same equipment configuration as FIG. 7 is used, but the rotation direction of the outdoor fan 42 is reversed relative to the rotation direction of the outdoor fan 42 in FIG. 7.
• the third surface 40c is the upstream surface
• the third heat exchanger 30c is the upstream heat exchanger
• the second heat exchanger 30b and the first heat exchanger 30a are downstream heat exchangers.
• the compressor box 10A and the accumulator 14 are each positioned so that the horizontal distance from the third heat exchanger 30c, which is the upstream heat exchanger, is shorter than the horizontal distance from the first heat exchanger 30a.
• the configuration shown in FIG. 8 can also achieve the same effects as the configuration shown in FIG. 7.
• the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 has an outdoor unit 1 and an indoor unit 2.
• the indoor unit 2 is connected to the outdoor unit 1 by a refrigerant pipe 5 through which a refrigerant flows, and adjusts the temperature of a target using the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit 1.
• the outdoor unit 1 includes a housing 40, two or more outdoor heat exchangers 30, a compressor 10, and an outdoor fan 42.
• the housing 40 is rectangular and has an air outlet 41 on its top surface.
• the two or more outdoor heat exchangers 30 are provided inside the housing 40 and exchange heat between the refrigerant and air.
• the compressor 10 is provided inside the housing 40 and compresses the refrigerant.
• the outdoor fan 42 circulates air upward from the outlet 41. Refrigerant flows in parallel through the two or more outdoor heat exchangers 30.
• the four side surfaces of the housing 40 include two or more flow surfaces that allow air to flow and a sealed surface that prevents air from flowing. The two or more flow surfaces are adjacent to each other.
• Each of the two or more outdoor heat exchangers 30 is provided opposite a corresponding one of the two or more flow surfaces.
• An upstream heat exchanger, which is one of the two or more outdoor heat exchangers 30, is provided opposite an upstream surface, which is a flow surface that is adjacent to the sealed surface in the rotation direction of the outdoor fan 42.
• the compressor 10 is provided at a position where the horizontal distance from the upstream heat exchanger is shorter than the horizontal distance from the downstream heat exchanger, which is one of the two or more outdoor heat exchangers 30 other than the upstream heat exchanger.
• each of the two or more outdoor heat exchangers 30 extends vertically and includes a plurality of heat transfer tubes through which a refrigerant flows. This makes it easy to install two or more outdoor heat exchangers 30 in parallel within the outdoor unit 1.
• the outdoor unit 1 in embodiment 1 further includes an accumulator 14 provided inside the housing 40 for storing refrigerant.
• the accumulator 14 is provided at a position where the horizontal distance from the upstream heat exchanger is shorter than the horizontal distance from the downstream heat exchanger. This causes the air flowing through the upstream heat exchanger to stagnate, further adjusting the imbalance in the air speed distribution in the two or more outdoor heat exchangers 30. Therefore, the imbalance in the heat exchange amount in the two or more outdoor heat exchangers 30 is further adjusted, further improving heat exchange performance.
• the outdoor unit 1 in embodiment 1 is equipped with three outdoor heat exchangers 30.
• Each of the three side surfaces of the housing 40 is a flow surface.
• Each of the three outdoor heat exchangers 30 is positioned so that it faces a flow surface. This increases the amount of heat exchanged in the outdoor unit 1 compared to when there are two outdoor heat exchangers 30.
• Embodiment 2 The following describes each configuration of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 and the outdoor unit 1 according to the second embodiment.
• the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.
• the same configurations as those in the first embodiment and the same functions as those in the first embodiment will not be described unless there are special circumstances.
• FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of the outdoor unit 1 according to the second embodiment.
• the outdoor unit 1 according to the second embodiment is equipped with two outdoor fans 42.
• the two outdoor fans 42 are arranged along the sealing surface and the second surface 40b.
• the outdoor fans 42 rotate in the same direction, as in the first embodiment.
• the first to third heat exchangers 30a to 30c are each provided on the first to third surfaces 40a to 40c, respectively, facing the first to third surfaces 40a to 40c.
• the upstream surface which is the flow surface adjacent to the sealing surface along the rotation direction of the outdoor fan 42, is the first surface 40a.
• the upstream heat exchanger is the first heat exchanger 30a.
• the compressor box 10A housing the compressor 10 and the accumulator 14 are positioned so that they are closest to the first heat exchanger 30a among the first, second, and third heat exchangers 30a, 30b, and 30c. Specifically, the compressor box 10A and the accumulator 14 are positioned along the first heat exchanger 30a, at a position closer to the first heat exchanger 30a than the third heat exchanger 30c. Furthermore, the compressor box 10A and the accumulator 14 are positioned so that the horizontal distance between them and the first heat exchanger 30a is shorter than the horizontal distance between them and the third heat exchanger 30c.
• the outdoor unit 1 is described as being provided with two outdoor fans 42, but the outdoor unit 1 may also be provided with three or more outdoor fans 42.
• the rotation directions of the three or more outdoor fans 42 are the same.
• the multiple outdoor fans 42 may be configured to rotate in the opposite direction to that shown in Figure 9.
• the compressor box 10A housing the compressor 10 and the accumulator 14 are positioned symmetrically to the arrangement in Figure 9.
• the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 has an outdoor unit 1 and an indoor unit 2.
• the indoor unit 2 is connected to the outdoor unit 1 by a refrigerant pipe 5 through which a refrigerant flows, and adjusts the temperature of a target using the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit 1.
• the outdoor unit 1 includes a housing 40, two or more outdoor heat exchangers 30, a compressor 10, and two or more outdoor fans 42.
• the housing 40 is rectangular and has an air outlet 41 on its top surface.
• the two or more outdoor heat exchangers 30 are provided inside the housing 40 and exchange heat between the refrigerant and air.
• the compressor 10 is provided inside the housing 40 and compresses the refrigerant.
• Embodiment 3 The configurations of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 and the outdoor unit 1 according to embodiment 3 will be described below. Note that in embodiment 3, the same components as those in embodiments 1 and 2 above will be assigned the same reference numerals. Furthermore, in embodiment 3, explanations of configurations similar to those in embodiments 1 and 2 and functions similar to those in embodiments 1 and 2 will be omitted unless there are special circumstances.
• FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a schematic example of the configuration of the outdoor unit 1 according to embodiment 3.
• the fifth surface 40d1 which is part of the fourth surface 40d, i.e., the portion where the sealing plate 43 is not provided, is the flow surface
• the sixth surface 40d2 which is the remaining portion where the sealing plate 43 is provided, is the sealing surface.
• the fifth surface 40d1 is adjacent to the first surface 40a
• the sixth surface 40d2 is adjacent to the third surface 40c.
• the compressor box 10A housing the compressor 10 and the accumulator 14 are positioned closest to the fourth heat exchanger 30d among the first to fourth heat exchangers 30a to 30d. Specifically, the compressor box 10A and the accumulator 14 are positioned along the fourth heat exchanger 30d, closer to the fourth heat exchanger 30d than the first to third heat exchangers 30a to 30c.
• the upstream heat exchanger is provided along the upstream surface, which is the flow surface adjacent to the sealing surface in the rotational direction of the outdoor fan 42, of the four flow surfaces.
• the compressor 10 is located at a position where the horizontal distance from the upstream heat exchanger is shorter than the horizontal distance from the downstream heat exchanger, which is one of the four outdoor heat exchangers 30 other than the upstream heat exchanger.
• the air flowing through the upstream heat exchanger is stagnated by the compressor 10, thereby adjusting the imbalance in the air speed distribution in two or more outdoor heat exchangers 30. Therefore, the imbalance in the heat exchange amount in two or more outdoor heat exchangers 30 is adjusted, improving heat exchange performance.
• the outdoor heat exchanger 30 is a corrugated fin tube type in which groups of flat tubes 32 are arranged in two rows, but this is not limited to this, and groups of flat tubes 32 may be arranged in only one row or in three or more rows.
• the outdoor heat exchanger 30 had multiple flat tubes 32, but the outdoor heat exchanger 30 may have multiple circular tubes instead of multiple flat tubes 32.
• the circular tubes are an example of heat transfer tubes.
• the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 and the outdoor unit 1 include an accumulator 14, but the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 and the outdoor unit 1 do not necessarily have to include an accumulator 14.
• the outdoor unit 1 has three or more flow surfaces and three or more outdoor heat exchangers 30, but the outdoor unit 1 may also have two flow surfaces and two outdoor heat exchangers 30.
• Each of the two outdoor heat exchangers 30 is provided on the side of and along the respective flow surfaces.
• Embodiments 1 to 3 have been described above, the contents of this disclosure are not limited to the embodiments and include conceivable equivalents. Furthermore, the configurations described in Embodiments 1 to 3 and their variations can be combined with each other to the extent that their functions and operations are not impaired.
• the placement of either or both of the compressor 10 and the accumulator 14 may be determined based on the distribution of refrigerant circulation volume due to the refrigerant piping 5, in addition to the air volume distribution of the heat exchanger according to the rotation direction of the outdoor fan 42.
• the length of the refrigerant piping 5 connected to the compressor 10 and the bending state of the refrigerant piping 5 vary depending on the placement of the compressor 10, resulting in different pressure losses of the refrigerant before it reaches each heat exchanger. Therefore, it can be said that the refrigerant circulation volume in each heat exchanger varies depending on the piping state of the refrigerant piping 5.
• the placement of either or both of the compressor 10 and the accumulator 14 is determined taking into consideration not only the air volume distribution of the heat exchanger according to the rotation direction of the outdoor fan 42, but also the distribution of refrigerant circulation volume due to the refrigerant piping 5.
• either or both of the compressor 10 and the accumulator 14 may be installed so as to minimize the distance to the downstream heat exchanger shown in embodiments 1 to 3.

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Citations (5)

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  • 2024-02-09 WO PCT/JP2024/004509 patent/WO2025169450A1/ja active Pending
  • 2024-02-09 JP JP2025575255A patent/JPWO2025169450A1/ja active Pending

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