TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an air-conditioning indoor unit.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Hitherto, air-conditioning indoor units that blow out conditioned air have been used.
For example, Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication
No.
2011-099609) discloses an air-conditioning indoor unit in which a fin-and-tube-type heat exchanger
is installed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
<Technical Problem>
[0003] In recent years, installing a micro-channel-type heat exchanger using flat multi-perforated
pipes in an air-conditioning unit has been considered. In the heat exchanger using
flat multi-perforated pipes, different heat-exchange areas corresponding to the numbers
of divisions of refrigerant flow paths may be formed. In addition, in the air-conditioning
indoor unit, due to the influence of, for example, an internal structure, the wind
speed distribution of air flow produced by a centrifugal fan may vary greatly in accordance
with position. Therefore, in the air-conditioning indoor unit in which the heat exchanger
using flat multi-perforated pipes is installed, the heat-exchange performance may
be reduced greatly in accordance with an internal wind speed distribution and the
position where the heat exchanger is disposed.
[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide an air-conditioning indoor unit
having high heat-exchange performance.
<Solution to Problem>
[0005] An air-conditioning indoor unit according to a first aspect of the present invention
includes a casing that is installed indoors, a fan that is provided inside the casing,
a heat exchanger that is disposed inside the casing and that includes a plurality
of flat multi-perforated pipes arranged side by side one above another, and a drain
pan that is provided below the heat exchanger. Here, the heat exchanger is divided
into an upper heat-exchange area and a lower heat-exchange area. When the heat exchanger
is used as a condenser, a subcooling area that is formed by one or more of the flat
multi-perforated pipes is formed at the lower heat-exchange area, the subcooling area
being where a refrigerant flowing in an interior is subcooled. The drain pan includes
a bottom portion that is provided below the heat exchanger and a wall portion that
stands from the bottom portion and that is provided on a downwind side of the heat
exchanger. In the air-conditioning indoor unit, at least a part of the subcooling
area is disposed at a position that is lower than an upper end of the wall portion
of the drain pan.
[0006] In the air-conditioning indoor unit according to the first aspect, since at least
a part of the subcooling area of the heat exchanger is disposed at a position that
is lower than the upper end of the wall portion of the drain pan, it is possible to
improve heat-exchange efficiency.
[0007] In the present invention, the term "indoor" is used to distinguish from other chambers,
and is used to mean not only an indoor space that is divided by a wall surface, but
also, for example, a space on a back side of an indoor ceiling.
[0008] In the present invention, the configuration in which the plurality of flat multi-perforated
pipes "are arranged side by side one above another" means any configuration in which
the position of the center of gravity of each flat multi-perforated pipe is arranged
side by side one above another. Therefore, the configuration means not only a configuration
in which an upper surface and/or a lower surface of each flat multi-perforated pipe
is arranged along a horizontal direction side by side one above another, but also
a configuration in which the upper surface and/or the lower surface of each flat multi-perforated
pipe is arranged obliquely from the horizontal direction side by side one above another.
In addition, the configuration means not only a configuration in which the plurality
of flat multi-perforated pipes are arranged along a vertical direction side by side
one above another, but also a configuration in which the plurality of flat multi-perforated
pipes are arranged obliquely from the vertical direction side by side one above another.
[0009] An air-conditioning indoor unit according to a second aspect of the present invention
is the air-conditioning indoor unit of the first aspect, in which an area of the upper
heat-exchange area is larger than an area of the lower heat-exchange area.
[0010] In the air-conditioning indoor unit according to the second aspect, since the area
of the upper heat-exchange area is larger than the area of the lower heat-exchange
area, it is possible to provide an air-conditioning indoor unit having high heat-exchange
efficiency.
[0011] An air-conditioning indoor unit according to a third aspect of the present invention
is the air-conditioning indoor unit of the first aspect or the second aspect, in which
at least a part of the subcooling area is disposed near the upper end of the wall
portion of the drain pan. Such a configuration allows a heat exchanger having a large
area where heat is exchanged between a gas refrigerant and air to be disposed above
the drain pan.
[0012] An air-conditioning indoor unit according to a fourth aspect of the present invention
is the air-conditioning indoor unit of any one of the first aspect to the third aspect,
in which at least a part of the subcooling area is disposed on both sides of the upper
end of the wall portion of the drain pan. Such a configuration allows a heat exchanger
having a high rate of exchanging heat with a gas refrigerant to be disposed above
the drain pan.
[0013] An air-conditioning indoor unit according to a fifth aspect of the present invention
is the air-conditioning indoor unit of any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect,
in which the casing has a blow-out port in a lower portion thereof, the fan is a centrifugal
fan, and the heat exchanger is disposed so as to surround the centrifugal fan inside
the casing.
[0014] The air-conditioning indoor unit according to the fifth aspect, for example, a ceiling-embedded-type
air-conditioning indoor unit can have improved heat-exchange efficiency.
[0015] An air-conditioning indoor unit according to a sixth aspect of the present invention
is the air-conditioning indoor unit of any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect,
in which the casing has a blow-out port in a side thereof and a partition plate is
provided inside the casing. Here, the partition plate is a member for forming a heat
exchanger chamber and a blowing chamber, the heat exchanger chamber communicating
with the blow-out port and being where the heat exchanger is disposed, the blowing
chamber communicating with the heat exchanger chamber and being where the fan is disposed.
[0016] The air-conditioning indoor unit according to the sixth aspect, for example, a duct-type
air-conditioning indoor unit can have improved heat-exchange efficiency.
[0017] An air-conditioning indoor unit according to a seventh aspect of the present invention
is the air-conditioning indoor unit of any one of the first aspect to the sixth aspect,
in which, as the heat exchanger, a heat exchanger unit that includes a plurality of
the heat exchangers is used.
[0018] The air-conditioning indoor unit according to the seventh aspect, or the air-conditioning
indoor unit in which the heat exchanger unit including a plurality of the heat exchangers
is installed can have improved heat-exchange efficiency.
[0019] An air-conditioning indoor unit according to an eighth aspect of the present invention
is the air-conditioning indoor unit of the seventh aspect, in which, of the heat exchanger
unit, a heat exchanger that is disposed on a downwind most side with respect to the
fan is such that at least a part of the subcooling area is disposed at a position
that is lower than the upper end of the wall portion of the drain pan.
[0020] The air-conditioning indoor unit according to the eighth aspect, or the air-conditioning
indoor unit in which the heat exchanger unit including a plurality of the heat exchangers
is installed can have further improved heat-exchange efficiency.
<Advantageous Effects of Invention>
[0021] The air-conditioning indoor unit according to the first aspect can have improved
heat-exchange efficiency.
[0022] The air-conditioning indoor unit according to the second aspect can be an air-conditioning
indoor unit having high heat-exchange efficiency.
[0023] The air-conditioning indoor unit according to the third aspect allows a heat exchanger
having a large area where heat is exchanged between a gas refrigerant and air to be
disposed above the drain pan.
[0024] The air-conditioning indoor unit according to the fourth aspect allows a heat exchanger
having a high rate of exchanging heat with a gas refrigerant to be disposed above
the drain pan.
[0025] The air-conditioning indoor unit according to the fifth aspect, for example, a ceiling-embedded-type
air-conditioning indoor unit can have improved heat-exchange efficiency.
[0026] The air-conditioning indoor unit according to the sixth aspect, for example, a duct-type
air-conditioning indoor unit can have improved heat-exchange efficiency.
[0027] The air-conditioning indoor unit according to the seventh aspect, or the air-conditioning
indoor unit in which the heat exchanger unit including a plurality of the heat exchangers
is installed can have improved heat-exchange efficiency.
[0028] The air-conditioning indoor unit according to the eighth aspect, or the air-conditioning
indoor unit in which the heat exchanger unit including a plurality of the heat exchangers
is installed can have further improved heat-exchange efficiency.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029]
Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a configuration of an air conditioner 1 according to
a first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is an external perspective view of an indoor unit 4 of a ceiling-installed-type
air conditioner according the same embodiment.
Fig. 3 is a schematic side sectional view of the indoor unit 4 of the ceiling-installed-type
air conditioner according to the same embodiment.
Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating a state in which a top plate 33 of the
indoor unit 4 of a ceiling-embedded-type according to the same embodiment is removed.
Fig. 5 is a partial enlarged view for describing a structure of a drain water-receiving
groove 40i according to the same embodiment.
Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a heat exchanger 42a used in a heat exchanger
unit 42 according to the same embodiment.
Fig. 7 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the heat exchanger used in the heat
exchanger unit 42 according to the same embodiment.
Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view illustrating another example of a heat exchanger
42a used in the heat exchanger unit 42 according to the same embodiment.
Fig. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of the heat exchanger unit
42 according to the same embodiment.
Fig. 10 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of the heat exchanger unit
42 according to the same embodiment.
Fig. 11 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a first heat exchanger
52 according to the same embodiment.
Fig. 12 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a second heat exchanger
62 according to the same embodiment.
Fig. 13 is a diagram for describing an internal state when the heat exchanger unit
42 according to the same embodiment is used as a condenser.
Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating a wind speed distribution between a drain pan 40
and an inner wall of a casing 31 according to the same embodiment.
Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating an air-flow flow-line distribution between the drain
pan 40 and the inner wall of the casing 31 according to the same embodiment.
Fig. 16 is a schematic view illustrating a planar shape of the heat exchanger unit
42 according to the same embodiment.
Fig. 17 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of an indoor heat exchanger
according to Modification 1A.
Fig. 18 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of the indoor heat exchanger
according to Modification 1A.
Fig. 19 is a schematic view illustrating an example of a heat exchanger unit according
to Modification 1B.
Fig. 20 is a schematic view illustrating an example of a heat exchanger unit according
to Modification 1D.
Fig. 21 is a schematic sectional view of a duct-type indoor unit 4S according to a
second embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 22 is a schematic view illustrating a modification of the indoor unit 4S according
to the same embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Embodiments and modifications thereof of an air conditioner according to the present
invention are described below with reference to the drawings. Specific configurations
of the air conditioner according to the present invention are not limited to those
of the embodiments and the modifications thereof below, and are changeable within
a scope that does not depart from the spirit of the invention.
<First Embodiment
(1) Overview of Air Conditioner
(1-1) Basic Configuration of Air Conditioner
[0031] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a configuration of an air conditioner 1 according to
a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] The air conditioner 1 is a device that is capable of cooling and warming the interior
of rooms of, for example, a building by performing a vapor-compression-type refrigeration
cycle. The air conditioner 1 is constructed primarily by connecting an outdoor unit
2 and an indoor unit 4 to each other. Here, the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit
4 are connected to each other via a liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 5 and a gas-refrigerant
connection pipe 6. Various operations of the air conditioner 1 are controlled by a
control unit 8 including an indoor control unit 8a and an outdoor control unit 8.
The control unit 8 controls, for example, various devices and valves based on detection
signals from various sensors.
[0033] Here, although the air conditioner 1 of a pair-type in which one outdoor unit 2 is
connected to one indoor unit 4 is illustrated, the air conditioner 1 according to
the embodiment may be a multi-type air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor
units are connected to one outdoor unit.
(1-2) Basic Operations of Air Conditioner
[0034] Next, basic operations of the air conditioner 1 are described. As basic operations,
the air conditioner 1 is capable of performing a cooling operation and a heating operation.
The air conditioner 1 is also capable of performing, for example, a defrost operation
and an oil return operation. These operations are controlled by the control unit 8.
(1-2-1) Cooling Operation
[0035] In a cooling operation, a refrigerant circuit 10 is a state that a four-way switching
valve 22 becomes as indicated by a solid line in Fig. 1. In the refrigerant circuit
10, a low-pressure gas refrigerant is compressed by a compressor 21 and becomes a
high-pressure gas refrigerant. The high-pressure gas refrigerant is sent to an outdoor
heat exchanger 23 via the four-way switching valve 22. The high-pressure gas refrigerant
sent to the outdoor heat exchanger exchanges heat with outdoor air and is condensed
at the outdoor heat exchanger 23. This causes the high-pressure gas refrigerant to
become a high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant has
its pressure reduced and becomes a low-pressure refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase
state at an expansion valve 24. The low-pressure refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase
state is sent to an indoor heat exchanger 42 via the liquid-refrigerant connection
pipe 5 and a liquid-side connection pipe 5a. Then, the refrigerant exchanges heat
with air that is blown out from an indoor fan 41 and evaporates at the indoor heat
exchanger 42. This causes the refrigerant sent to the indoor heat exchanger 42 to
become a low-pressure gas refrigerant. The low-pressure gas refrigerant is sent again
to the compressor 21 via a gas-side connection pipe 6a, the gas-refrigerant connection
pipe 6, and the four-way switching valve 22.
(1-2-2) Heating Operation
[0036] In a heating operation, the refrigerant circuit 10 is in a state that the four-way
switching valve 22 becomes as indicated by a broken line in Fig. 1. In the refrigerant
circuit 10, a low-pressure gas refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 21 and
becomes a high-pressure gas refrigerant. The high-pressure gas refrigerant is sent
to the indoor heat exchanger 42 via the four-way switching valve 22, the gas-refrigerant
connection pipe 6, and the gas-side connection pipe 6a. The high-pressure gas refrigerant
sent to the indoor heat exchanger 42 exchanges heat with air that is blown out from
the indoor fan 41 and is condensed. This causes the high-pressure gas refrigerant
to become a high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant
is sent to the expansion valve 24 via the liquid-side connection pipe 5a and the liquid-refrigerant
connection pipe 5. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant has its pressure reduced and
becomes a low-pressure refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state at the expansion
valve 24. The low-pressure refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state is sent to
the outdoor heat exchanger 23. Then, the refrigerant exchanges heat with outdoor air
and evaporates at the outdoor heat exchanger 23. This causes the refrigerant sent
to the outdoor heat exchanger 23 to become a low-pressure gas refrigerant. The low-pressure
gas refrigerant is sent again to the compressor 21 via the four-way switching valve
22.
(2) Configuration of Indoor Unit
[0037] In addition to the air conditioner according to the embodiment having the above-described
basic configuration, the indoor unit has the following configuration.
[0038] In the embodiment, the term "indoor" is used to distinguish from other chambers,
and is used to mean not only an indoor space that is divided by a wall surface, but
also, for example, a space on a back side of an indoor ceiling.
(2-1) Basic Configuration of Indoor Unit
[0039] The indoor unit 4 is installed indoors, and constitutes a part of the refrigerant
circuit 10. The indoor unit 4 primarily includes the indoor fan 41, the indoor heat
exchanger 42, and the indoor control unit 8a.
[0040] The indoor fan 41 sucks in indoor air into the indoor unit 4. This allows the indoor
air and a refrigerant to exchange heat at the indoor heat exchanger 42. The indoor
fan 41 supplies the indoor air that has exchanged heat at the indoor heat exchanger
42 into the interior as supply air. As the indoor fan 41, for example, a centrifugal
fan or a multi-blade fan is used. The indoor fan 41 is driven by an indoor-fan motor
whose number of rotations is controllable.
[0041] When a cooling operation is performed, the indoor heat exchanger 42 functions as
an "evaporator" of a refrigerant to cool indoor air, and, when a heating operation
is performed, the indoor heat exchanger 42 functions as a "condenser" (radiator) of
a refrigerant to heat indoor air. The indoor heat exchanger 42 is connected to the
liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 5 and the gas-refrigerant connection pipe 6. The
indoor heat exchanger 42 is described in more detail below.
[0042] The indoor control unit 8a is a unit that controls the operation of various portions
that constitute the indoor unit 4. Specifically, the indoor control unit 8a includes,
for example, a microcomputer and a memory, and controls the operations of the indoor
unit 4 based on, for example, detection values of various sensors or the like provided
inside the indoor unit 4. The indoor control unit 8a communicates by using a control
signal with a remote controller (not illustrated) for individually operating the indoor
unit 4, and communicates by using a control signal with the outdoor control unit 8b
via a transmission line.
[0043] The indoor unit 4 is provided with the various sensors. Therefore, for example, the
temperature of a refrigerant at the indoor heat exchanger 42 and the temperature of
indoor air that is sucked into the indoor unit 4 are detected.
(2-2) Ceiling-Embedded-Type Indoor Unit
[0044] For the indoor unit 4 according to the embodiment, a configuration of a type that
is called a ceiling-embedded type can be used. Fig. 2 is an external perspective view
of the indoor unit 4 of the ceiling-embedded-type according the embodiment. Fig. 3
is a schematic sectional view of the ceiling-embedded-type indoor unit 4 according
to the embodiment. Here, Fig. 3 is a sectional view along A-O-A in Fig. 4 described
below. Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating a state in which a top plate 33
of the ceiling-embedded-type indoor unit 4 according to the embodiment is removed.
[0045] The ceiling-embedded-type indoor unit accommodates the indoor fan 41 and the indoor
heat exchanger 42 inside a casing 31. A drain pan 40 is mounted in a lower portion
of the casing 31.
(2-2-1) Casing
[0046] The casing 31 is a casing that accommodates various structural devices therein. The
casing 31 primarily includes a casing main body 31a and a decorative panel 32 disposed
on a lower side of the casing main body 31a. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the casing
main body 31a is disposed on a ceiling U of the room that is provided with conditioned
air. The ceiling U has an opening, and the casing main body 31a is inserted into the
opening of the ceiling U. The decorative panel 32 is fitted and disposed in the opening
of the ceiling U.
[0047] As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the casing main body 31a is a box-shaped body in
which a lower surface having a substantially octagonal shape in plan view has is opened,
the substantially octagonal shape having long sides and short sides that are alternately
formed. Specifically, the casing main body 31a includes the substantially octagonal
top plate 33 having long sides and short sides alternately formed continuously and
a side plate 34 extending downward from peripheral edge portions of the top plate
33. The side plate 34 includes side plates 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d that correspond
to the long sides of the top plate 33, and side plates 34e, 34f, 34g, and 34h that
correspond to the short sides of the top plate 33. The side plate 34h includes a portion
through which the liquid-side connection pipe 5a and the gas-side connection pipe
6a pass, and allows the refrigerant connection pipes 5 and 6 to be connected to the
indoor heat exchanger 42.
[0048] As illustrated in Figs. 2 to 4, the decorative panel 32 is a substantially square
plate-shaped body in plan view, and primarily includes a panel main body 32a fixed
to a lower end portion of the casing main body 31a. The panel main body 32a has a
suck-in port 35 that is disposed at a substantial center thereof and that sucks in
air inside the air-conditioned room and a blow-out port 36 that is formed so as to
surround the suck-in port 35 in plan view and that blows out air into the air-conditioned
room. The suck-in port 35 is a substantially square opening. The suck-in port 35 is
provided with a suck-in grill 37 and a filter 38 for removing dust in the air sucked
in from the suck-in port 35. The blow-out port 36 is a substantially square, ring-shaped
opening. Horizontal flaps 39a, 39b, 39c, and 39d that adjust the wind direction of
the air that is blown out into the air-conditioned room are provided at the blow-out
port 36 so as to be in correspondence with the sides of the square shape of the panel
main body 32a.
(2-2-2) Drain Pan
[0049] The drain pan 40 is a member for receiving drain water that is produced due to moisture
in the air being condensed at the indoor heat exchanger 42. The drain pan 40 is mounted
at a lower portion of the casing main body 31a. The drain pan 40 has blow-out ports
40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 40f, and 40g, a suck-in port 40h, and a drain water-receiving
groove 40i. The blow-out ports 40a to 40g are formed so as communicate with the blow-out
port 36 of the decorative panel 32. The suck-in port 40h is formed so as to communicate
with the suck-in port 35 of the decorative panel 32. The drain water-receiving groove
40i is formed on a lower side of the indoor heat exchanger 42. A bell mouth 41c for
guiding air that is sucked in from the suck-in port 35 to an impeller 41b of the indoor
fan is disposed at the suck-in port 40h of the drain pan 40.
[0050] As illustrated in Fig. 5, the drain water-receiving groove 40i includes a bottom
portion 40t that is provided below the indoor heat exchanger 42 and a wall portion
40w that stands from the bottom portion 40t and that is provided on a downwind side
of the indoor heat exchanger 42. When the indoor heat exchanger 42 is used as a condenser,
the indoor heat exchanger 42 has a subcooling area Sc that is constituted by one or
more flat multi-perforated pipes, the subcooling area Sc being where a refrigerant
flowing in the interior is subcooled. The indoor unit 4 according to the embodiment
is formed so that at least a part of the subcooling area Sc of the indoor heat exchanger
42 is disposed at a position that is lower than an upper end 40u of the wall portion
40w of the drain pan 40. Examples of such a configuration include a configuration
in which the entire subcooling area Sc is disposed at a position that is lower than
the upper end 40u of the wall portion 40w of the drain pan 40, a configuration in
which a part of the subcooling area Sc is disposed near the upper end 40u, and a configuration
in which a part of the subcooling area Sc is disposed on both sides of the upper end
40u.
(2-2-3) Indoor Fan
[0051] The indoor fan 41 is constituted by a centrifugal blower. Here, the indoor fan 41
is a fan that sucks indoor air into the casing main body 31a via the suck-in port
35 of the decorative panel 32 and that blows out the air from the casing main body
31a via the blow-out port 36 of the decorative panel 32. Specifically, the indoor
fan 41 includes a fan motor 41a that is provided at the center of the top plate 33
of the casing main body 31a and the impeller 41b that is coupled to the fan motor
41a and rotationally driven. The impeller 41b includes turbo blades. By the impeller
41b, air is sucked into the impeller 41b from there below and the sucked-in air is
blown out towards an outer peripheral side of the impeller 41b in plan view.
(2-2-4) Indoor Heat Exchanger
[0052] The indoor heat exchanger 42 is bent so as to surround the indoor fan 41 in plan
view and is disposed inside the casing 31. A liquid side of the indoor heat exchanger
42 is connected to the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe 5 via the liquid-side connection
pipe 5a. A gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 42 is connected to the gas-refrigerant
connection pipe 6 via the gas-side connection pipe 6a. The indoor heat exchanger 42
functions as an evaporator of a refrigerant at the time of a cooling operation, and
functions as a condenser of a refrigerant at the time of a heating operation. Therefore,
the indoor heat exchanger 42 exchanges heat with air blown out from the indoor fan
41, and cools the air at the time of the cooling operation and heats the air at the
time of the heating operation.
(2-2-4-1) Basic Configuration of Heat Exchanger
[0053] Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a basic configuration of a heat exchanger
42a used in the indoor heat exchanger 42. Fig. 6 does not illustrate, for example,
the refrigerant pipes and the connection pipes. Fig. 7 is a schematic vertical sectional
view of the heat exchanger used in the heat exchanger 42a.
[0054] The heat exchanger 42a is an insertion-fin-type and lamination-type heat exchanger
primarily including heat transfer pipes 421 that are constituted by flat multi-perforated
pipes, a plurality of fins 422, and two headers 423 and 424.
[0055] The heat transfer pipes 421 are realized by the flat multi-perforated pipes. Here,
two ends of each heat transfer pipe 421 are connected to a corresponding one of the
headers 423 and 424. With planar portions of the heat transfer pipes 421 facing an
up-down direction, the heat transfer pipes 421 are arranged in a plurality of layers
and apart from each other. Specifically, each heat transfer pipe 421 includes upper
and lower planar portions that become heat transfer surfaces and a plurality of small
refrigerant flow paths 421a in which a refrigerant flows. As the refrigerant flow
paths 421a, those having small flow path ports having a circular shape whose inside
diameter is 1 mm or less or a polygonal shape having a cross-sectional area equivalent
thereto are used. The heat transfer pipes 421 are made of aluminum or an aluminum
alloy.
[0056] The fins 422 are inserted with respect to the plurality of layers of heat transfer
pipes 421 arranged between the headers 423 and 424. Specifically, the fins 422 have
a plurality of cutouts 422a extending horizontally in an elongated form. The shapes
of the cutouts 422a substantially correspond to the cross-sectional external shapes
of the heat transfer pipes 421. Therefore, by engaging the cutouts 422a and outer
surfaces of the heat transfer pipes 421 with each other, it is possible to insert
the fins 422 with respect to the heat transfer pipes 421 so as to contact the heat
transfer pipes 421. The fins 422 are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The fins
422 can have various shapes, and may have, for example, a wavy shape as that illustrated
in Fig. 8.
[0057] The two headers 423 and 424 each have the function of supporting the heat transfer
pipes 421, the function of guiding a refrigerant to the refrigerant flow paths 421a
of the heat transfer pipes 421, and the function of gathering a refrigerant that has
come out from the refrigerant flow paths 421a.
(2-2-4-2) Configuration of Heat Exchanger Unit
[0058] The indoor heat exchanger 42 according to the embodiment is constituted by a heat
exchanger unit in which a plurality of the above-described heat exchangers 42a are
combined. In the description below, for convenience sake, in describing the heat exchanger
unit, reference numeral "42" denoting the indoor heat exchanger is added to describe
the heat exchanger unit. The heat exchanger unit 42 is assumed as including at least
a first heat exchanger 52 and a second heat exchanger 62. Here, although the first
heat exchanger 52 and the second heat exchanger 62 are assumed as having a configuration
that is similar to that of the above-described heat exchanger 42a, for convenience
sake, the reference numeral 42a is replaced by the reference numerals 52 and 62. Specifically,
in the description below, when the overall configuration of the heat exchanger unit
is to be described, the first number of the reference numeral is "4"; when the first
heat exchanger 52 is to be described, the first number of the reference numeral is
replaced by "5"; and when the second heat exchanger 62 is to be described, the first
number of the reference numeral is replaced by "6". For example, although the heat
transfer pipes of the first heat exchanger 52 or the second heat exchanger 62 have
the same structure as the above-described heat transfer pipes 421, instead of the
reference numeral 421, the heat transfer pipes of the first heat exchanger 52 are
each given reference numeral "521" and are described, and the heat transfer pipes
of the second heat exchanger 62 are each given reference numeral "621" and are described.
[0059] Fig. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of the heat exchanger unit
42 according to the embodiment. The heat exchanger unit 42 includes the first heat
exchanger 52 that is disposed on an upwind side of air flow produced by the indoor
fan (fan) 41 and the second heat exchanger 62 that is disposed beside the first heat
exchanger 52 on a downwind side of the air flow produced by the indoor fan 41. Here,
a first direction D1 in which a refrigerant flows from a first header 523 of the first
heat exchanger 52 towards a second header 524 and a second direction D2 in which a
refrigerant flows from an upper third header 523U of the second heat exchanger 62
towards an upper fourth header 624U oppose each other. In Fig. 9, although, for convenience
of explanation, the first heat exchanger 52 and the second heat exchanger 62 are illustrated
apart from each other, they are disposed sufficiently close to each other so as to
function together (refer to Fig. 10).
[0060] The first heat exchanger 52 includes the first header 523 and the second header 524,
and a first flat pipe group 500 including a plurality of flat multi-perforated pipes
(heat transfer pipes) that are each connected to the first header 523 and the second
header 523. In the first flat pipe group 500, the plurality of flat multi-perforated
pipes are arranged side by side one above another. In the first flat pipe group 500,
as illustrated in Fig. 11, one or more of the flat multi-perforated pipes on an upper
side form an upper first heat-exchange area 500U, and one or more of the flat multi-perforated
pipes on a lower side form a lower first heat-exchange area 500L.
[0061] As illustrated in Fig. 11, the first header 523 includes an upper first header 523U
that is connected to the upper first heat-exchange area 500U and a lower first header
523L that is connected to the lower first heat-exchange area 500L. The gas-side connection
pipe 6a (gas refrigerant pipe) in which a gas refrigerant flows is connected to the
upper first header 523U. Coupling pipes 525 and 526 are connected to the lower first
header 523L. Therefore, an upper second header 524U and the lower first header 523L
are coupled to each other. In the first header 523, an internal space is partitioned
by a partition plate 523a into upper and lower portions (here, two portions). Consequently,
the upper first header 523U and the lower first header 523L are formed so that they
do not internally communicate with each other.
[0062] As illustrated in Fig. 11, the second header 524 includes the upper second header
524U that is connected to the upper first heat-exchange area 500U and a lower second
header 524L that is connected to the lower first heat-exchange area 500L. Coupling
pipes 525 and 526 are connected to the upper second header 524U. Therefore, the upper
second header 524U and the lower first header 523L are coupled to each other. The
liquid-side connection pipe 5a in which a liquid refrigerant flows is connected to
the lower second header 524L. In the second header 524, an internal space is partitioned
by a partition plate 524a into upper and lower portions (here, two portions). Consequently,
the upper second header 524U and the lower second header 524L are formed so that they
do not internally communicate with each other.
[0063] The coupling pipes 525 and 526 are pipes that couple the upper second header 524U
and the lower first header 523L to each other. A temperature measuring instrument
for measuring the temperature of a refrigerant is mounted on each of the coupling
pipes 525 and 526.
[0064] The second heat exchanger 62 includes a third header 623 and a fourth header 624,
and a second flat pipe group 600 including a plurality of flat multi-perforated pipes
that are each connected to the third header 623 and the fourth header 624. In the
second flat pipe group 600, the plurality of flat multi-perforated pipes are arranged
side by side one above another. In the second flat pipe group 600, as illustrated
in Fig. 12, one or more of the flat multi-perforated pipes on an upper side form an
upper second heat-exchange area 600U, and one or more of the flat multi-perforated
pipes on a lower side form a lower second heat-exchange area 600L.
[0065] As illustrated in Fig. 12, the third header 623 includes an upper third header 623U
that is connected to the upper second heat-exchange area 600U and a lower third header
623L that is connected to the lower second heat-exchange area 600L. Specifically,
in the third header 623, an internal space is partitioned by a partition plate 623a
into upper and lower portions (here, two portions). Therefore, a space 623g on an
upper side of the partition plate 623a is connected to the upper second heat-exchange
area 600U, and a space 623h on a lower side of the partition plate is connected to
the lower second heat-exchange area 600L. The gas-side connection pipe 6a is connected
to the upper third header 623U. The liquid-side connection pipe 5a is connected to
the lower third header 623L.
[0066] As illustrated in Fig. 12, the fourth header 624 includes the upper fourth header
624U that is connected to the upper second heat-exchange area 600U and a lower fourth
header 624L that is connected to the lower second heat-exchange area 600L. Specifically,
in the fourth header 624, an internal space is partitioned by a partition plate 624a
into upper and lower portions (here, two portions). Therefore, a space 624i on an
upper side of the partition plate 624a is connected to the upper second heat-exchange
area 600U, and a space 624j on a lower side of the partition plate 624a is connected
to the lower second heat-exchange area 600L. The fourth header 624 includes a "turn-around
portion" that couples the upper fourth header 624U and the lower fourth header 624L
and that causes a refrigerant flowing in from a side of the third header 623 to turn
around towards the side of the third header 623. Specifically, as the turn-around
portion, the fourth header 624 includes a coupling pipe 625 that couples the upper
fourth header 624U and the lower fourth header 624L to each other. A temperature measuring
instrument for measuring the temperature of a refrigerant is mounted on the coupling
pipe 625.
(3) Features
(3-1)
[0067] In the heat exchanger unit 42 described above, the first heat exchanger 52 forms
the upper first heat-exchange area 500U and the lower first heat-exchange area 500L,
a connection port with the gas-side connection pipe 6a is disposed in the upper first
heat-exchange area 500U, and a connection port with the liquid-side connection pipe
5a is disposed in the lower first heat-exchange area 500L. The second heat exchanger
62 forms the upper second heat-exchange area 600U and the lower second heat-exchange
area 600L, a connection port with the gas-side connection pipe 6a is disposed in the
upper second heat-exchange area 600U, and a connection port with the liquid-side connection
pipe 5a is disposed in the lower second heat-exchange area 600L.
[0068] Therefore, when the heat exchanger unit 42 is used as a condenser, a state of an
internal portion of the heat-exchange areas becomes a state such as that illustrated
in Fig. 13, and subcooling areas Sc1 and Sc2 that are constituted by one or more flat
multi-perforated pipes are formed at the lower first heat-exchange area 500L and the
lower second heat-exchange area 600L. In Fig. 13, the hatching of the area Sc1 and
the hatching of the area Sc2 each indicate a subcooling area where a refrigerant is
subcooled, and the hatching of an area Sh1 and the hatching of an area Sh2 each indicate
a superheating area where a refrigerant is superheated.
[0069] Here, in the indoor unit 4 (air-conditioning indoor unit) according to the embodiment,
at least a part of the subcooling areas Sc1 and Sc2 of the heat exchanger unit 42
is disposed at a position that is lower than the upper end 40u of the wall portion
40w of the drain pan 40. Therefore, in the indoor unit 4 according to the embodiment,
compared to a configuration in which the entire subcooling area Sc is disposed at
a position that is higher than the upper end 40u of the wall portion 40w of the drain
pan 40, it is possible to improve heat exchange efficiency.
[0070] To supplement, according to studies conducted by the present inventors, in the indoor
unit 4, the flow speed of air flow (wind speed) in a space above the drain pan 40
is increased. Specifically, the wind speed distribution between the drain pan 40 and
an inner wall of the casing 31 is as indicated in the graph illustrated in Fig. 14.
Here, in Fig. 14, the vertical axis indicates the position in an up-down direction
inside the casing 31, and the horizontal axis indicates the wind speed. Fig. 14 shows
that, in the indoor unit 4, the wind speed in the space above the drain pan 40 is
increased. A flow-line distribution of air flow at a location between the drain pan
40 and the inner wall of the casing 31 is as indicated in Fig. 15.
[0071] In the configuration of the indoor unit 4 according to the embodiment, the heat-exchange
areas (primarily, the lower heat-exchange areas 500L and 600L), where heat is exchanged
between a liquid refrigerant and air, are disposed below the upper end 40u of the
wall portion 40w of the drain pan 40, and the heat-exchange areas (primarily, the
upper heat-exchange areas 500U and 600U), where heat is exchanged between a gas refrigerant
and air, are disposed in the space above the drain pan 40. In short, when the heat
exchanger unit 42 according to the embodiment is used as a condenser, a large part
of each of the upper first heat-exchange area 500U and upper second heat-exchange
area 600U, where the flow speed of a refrigerant is high, is disposed in the space
above the drain pan 40, where the wind speed of air flow is high. Therefore, it is
possible to provide the indoor unit 4 having high heat-exchange efficiency.
(3-2)
[0072] In the first heat exchanger 52 according to the embodiment, the area of the upper
first heat-exchange area 500U is larger than the area of the lower second heat-exchange
area 500L. Therefore, the number of divisions of refrigerant flow paths of the lower
first heat-exchange area 500L is smaller than the number of divisions of refrigerant
flow paths of the upper first heat-exchange area 500U. Consequently, in the first
heat exchanger 52, it is possible to increase the refrigerant flow speed in the lower
first heat-exchange area 500L than in the upper first heat-exchange area 500U.
[0073] When the first heat exchanger 52 is used as a condenser, the subcooling area Sc is
formed in the lower first heat-exchange area 500L. Therefore, in the indoor unit 4
according to the embodiment, compared to a configuration in which the entire subcooling
area Sc is disposed at a position that is higher than the upper end 40u of the wall
portion 40w of the drain pan 40, it is possible to improve heat exchange efficiency.
[0074] The argument for the first heat exchanger 52 also holds for the second heat exchanger
62. Therefore, it is possible to increase the heat transfer coefficient in the lower
second heat-exchange area 600L.
(3-3)
[0075] As described above, in the indoor unit 4 according to the embodiment, the casing
31 has the blow-out port 36 in the lower portion thereof, and the indoor heat exchanger
42 is disposed so as to surround the centrifugal fan 41 inside the casing 31. That
is, as illustrated in Fig. 16, the indoor unit 4 is bent so as to surround the indoor
fan 41 in plan view and is disposed inside the casing 31. Therefore, for example,
the ceiling-embedded-type indoor unit 4 can have improved heat-exchange efficiency.
(3-4)
[0076] As described above, in the heat exchanger unit 42 according to the embodiment, since
the heat exchangers 52 and 62 are installed, it is possible to improve heat-exchange
efficiency. As illustrated in Fig. 13, when the first direction D1 in which a refrigerant
flows inside the first heat exchanger 52 and the second direction D2 in which a refrigerant
flows inside the second heat exchanger 62 (the upper second heat-exchange area 600U)
oppose each other, temperature irregularities of blown-out air are suppressed. Therefore,
the heat exchanger unit 42 according to the embodiment can provide blown-out air having
little temperature irregularities.
[0077] When the heat exchanger unit 42 includes a plurality of heat exchangers 52 and 62,
it is desirable that, of the heat exchangers 52 and 62, the heat exchanger that is
disposed on a downwind most side with respect to the indoor fan 41 (in the example
in Fig. 13, the first heat exchanger 52) be such that at least a part of the subcooling
area Sc is disposed at a position that is lower than the upper end 40u of the wall
portion 40w of the drain pan 40.
(4) Modifications
(4-1) Modification 1A
[0078] Although the description above is given by using the heat exchanger unit 42 as an
indoor heat exchanger, the indoor heat exchanger according to the embodiment may be
constituted by a single heat exchanger. For example, as illustrated in Figs. 17 and
18, the indoor heat exchanger 42 may be constituted by only the first heat exchanger
52 or the second heat exchanger 62. Even in such a configuration, as long as at least
a part of the subcooling area Sc1 of the first heat exchanger 52 or the subcooling
area Sc2 of the second heat exchanger 62 is disposed at a position that is lower than
the upper end 40u of the wall portion 40w of the drain pan 40, it is possible to improve
heat exchange efficiency.
(4-2) Modification 1B
[0079] Although the description above is given by using the heat exchanger unit 42 as an
indoor heat exchanger, the heat exchanger unit according to the embodiment may be
constituted by a combination of the heat exchangers 52 and 62 that are arbitrarily
constructed. For example, the heat exchanger unit 42 may have another configuration
illustrated in Fig. 19. Even in such a configuration, as long as at least a part of
the subcooling area Sc1 of the first heat exchanger 52 or the subcooling area Sc2
of the second heat exchanger 62 is disposed at a position that is lower than the upper
end 40u of the wall portion 40w of the drain pan 40, it is possible to improve heat
exchange efficiency.
(4-3) Modification 1C
[0080] In the indoor unit 4 according to the embodiment, when the indoor heat exchanger
42 is used as a condenser, at least a part of the subcooling area Sc only needs to
be disposed near the upper end 40u of the wall portion 40w of the drain pan 40. In
short, the indoor unit 4 according to the embodiment need not be one in which the
entire subcooling area Sc of the heat exchanger unit 42 is formed at a position that
is lower than the upper end 40u of the wall portion 40w of the drain pan 40.
[0081] The inventors conducted studies and found out that, near the upper end 40u of the
wall portion 40w of the drain pan 40, as illustrated in Fig. 13, local wind speeds
are increased. Therefore, even if the subcooling area Sc is not formed entirely over
the position that is lower than the upper end 40u of the wall portion 40w of the drain
pan 40, as long as the subcooling area Sc is formed at least near the upper end 40u,
the degree of subcooling of a refrigerant can be increased.
[0082] Further, in the indoor unit 4 according to the embodiment, when the indoor heat exchanger
42 is used as a condenser, at least a part of the subcooling area Sc may be disposed
on both sides of the upper end 40u of the wall portion 40w of the drain pan 40. Due
to such an arrangement, at both sides of the upper end 40u of the wall portion 40w
of the drain pan 40, the rate of heat exchange between a liquid refrigerant and air
is increased, so that it is possible to increase the degree of subcooling of a refrigerant
at the subcooling area Sc.
(4-4) Modification 1D
[0083] In the heat exchanger unit 42 according to the embodiment, although the upper side
and the lower side are defined at the first heat exchanger 52 and the second heat
exchanger 62, the upper side and the lower side may be defined based on the heat exchanger
unit 42 according to the embodiment as a whole. Specifically, when the heat exchanger
unit 42 is one in which the first heat exchanger 52 and the second heat exchanger
62 are connected and integrated to each other with coupling pipes, a connection port
side with the gas-side connection pipe 6a is defined as the "upper side", and a connection
port side with the liquid-side connection pipe 5a is defined as the "lower side".
In this case, the area of the upper heat-exchange area of the heat exchanger unit
42 is larger than the area of the lower heat-exchange area. In short, the indoor heat
exchanger according to the embodiment includes one in which, even if, in the single
first heat exchanger 52 or second heat exchanger 62, the area of the upper heat-exchange
area (500U or 600U) is not larger than the area of the lower heat-exchange area (500L
or 600L), the area of the upper heat-exchange area is larger than the area of the
lower heat-exchange area as a whole. For example, as the configuration illustrated
in Fig. 20, the indoor heat exchanger according to the embodiment is one in which
the first heat exchanger 52 and the second heat exchanger 62 are connected and integrated
to each other with coupling pipes 427 and 428. In the example of Fig. 20, although
only the first heat exchanger 52 includes the subcooling areas Sc1 and Sc2, the heat
exchanger unit 42 is one in which, in terms of the definitions above, the area of
the upper heat-exchange area is larger than the area of the lower heat-exchange area
as a whole.
[0084] In Modification 1D, when the heat exchanger unit 42 is used as a condenser, it is
desirable that the upwind-side first heat exchanger 52 include the subcooling area
Sc instead of the downwind-side second heat exchanger 62.
<Second Embodiment
[0085] Portions corresponding to those that have already been described are given substantially
the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are not given below. In
order to distinguish the portions from those of other embodiments, in the embodiment,
the letter "S" is sometimes added.
[0086] An air conditioner 1S according to a second embodiment of the present invention differs
from the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment in a specific form of
an indoor unit 4S. Specifically, the indoor unit 4S in the embodiment uses a configuration
of a type that is called a duct type.
[0087] Fig. 21 is a schematic sectional view of the duct-type indoor unit 4S according to
the embodiment. In such a duct-type indoor unit 4S, a casing 31S has a blow-out port
36S in a side thereof. In the duct-type indoor unit 4S, a heat exchanger chamber 31H
that communicates with the blow-out port 36S and a blowing chamber 31S that communicates
with the heat exchanger chamber 31H via a partition plate B are formed inside the
casing 31S. An indoor heat exchanger 42 is installed in the heat exchanger chamber
31H. An indoor fan 41 is installed in the blowing chamber 31S. Here, the configuration
of the indoor heat exchanger 42 is the same as the configuration in the first embodiment.
[0088] Even in the indoor unit 4S having such a configuration, when at least a part of a
subcooling area Sc of an indoor heat exchanger 42S is disposed at a position that
is lower than an upper end 40Su of a wall portion 40Sw of a drain pan 40S, compared
to a configuration in which the entire subcooling area Sc is disposed at a position
that is higher than the upper end 40Su of the wall portion 40Sw of the drain pan 40S,
it is possible to improve heat exchange efficiency.
[0089] In the embodiment, the configuration in which a plurality of flat multi-perforated
pipes "are arranged side by side one above another" in the indoor heat exchanger 42S
refers not to a configuration in which an upper surface and/or a lower surface of
each flat multi-perforated pipe is arranged along a horizontal direction side by side
one above another, but to, as illustrated in Fig. 21, a configuration in which the
upper surface and/or the lower surface of each flat multi-perforated pipe is arranged
obliquely from the horizontal direction side by side one above another. As long as,
for example, heat exchangers having such a configuration are used, heat exchangers
of other types can be installed as they are, and, for example, such heat exchangers
can be easily manufactured.
[0090] However, the configuration of the heat exchanger 42S according to the embodiment
is not limited thereto, and, as illustrated in Fig. 22, may be a configuration in
which the plurality of flat multi-perforated pipes are arranged obliquely from a vertical
direction side by side one above another. As long as, for example, heat exchangers
having such a configuration are used, it is possible to allow air flow having a high
flow speed to pass the heat-exchange areas and to improve heat-exchange efficiency
between a refrigerant and air.
[0091] The above-described indoor heat exchanger 42S may be a heat exchanger unit including
a plurality of heat exchangers, or may be constituted by a single heat exchanger.
This is the same as for the first embodiment. That is, when the heat exchanger unit
42S including heat exchangers 52S and 62S is installed, it is possible to improve
heat exchange efficiency compared to one that is constituted by a single heat exchanger.
Further, when a first direction D1 in which a refrigerant flows inside the first heat
exchanger 52S and a second direction D2 in which a refrigerant flows inside the second
heat exchanger 62S oppose each other, temperature irregularities of blown-out air
can be suppressed.
[0092] When the heat exchanger unit 42 includes a plurality of heat exchangers, it is desirable
that the upwind-side first heat exchanger include the subcooling area rather than
the downwind-side heat exchanger. In addition, it is desirable that the subcooling
area of the upwind-side heat exchanger be disposed at a position that is lower than
the upper end 40u of the wall portion 40w of the drain pan 40 rather than the subcooling
area of the downwind-side heat exchanger.
<Other Embodiments>
[0093] Although embodiments and modifications thereof of the present invention are described
based on the drawings, specific configurations are not limited to those of the embodiments
and the modifications thereof, and are changeable within a scope that does not depart
from the spirit of the invention. For example, although, in the above-described embodiments
and modifications thereof, examples in which the present invention is applied to a
ceiling-embedded-type air conditioner and to a duct-type air conditioner are described,
air conditioners are not limited thereto. The present invention may also be applied
to air conditioners of a type that is called a ceiling-suspension type in which the
entire device is disposed below a ceiling.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0094]
- 4
- indoor unit (air-conditioning indoor unit)
- 4S
- indoor unit (air-conditioning indoor unit)
- 31
- casing
- 31S
- casing
- 31H
- heat exchanger chamber
- 31W
- blowing chamber
- 36
- blow-out port
- 36S
- blow-out port
- 40
- drain pan
- 40S
- drain pan
- 40t
- bottom portion of drain pan
- 40w
- wall portion of drain pan
- 40u
- upper end of wall portion of drain pan
- 41
- indoor fan (fan)
- 41S
- indoor fan (fan)
- 42
- indoor heat exchanger, heat exchanger unit (heat exchanger)
- 42S
- indoor heat exchanger, heat exchanger unit (heat exchanger)
- 52
- first heat exchanger (heat exchanger)
- 62
- second heat exchanger (heat exchanger)
- 500U
- upper first heat-exchange area (upper heat-exchange area)
- 500L
- lower first heat-exchange area (lower heat-exchange area)
- 600U
- upper second heat-exchange area (upper heat-exchange area)
- 600L
- lower second heat-exchange area (lower heat-exchange area)
- B
- partition plate
- Sc
- subcooling area
- Sc1
- subcooling area
- Sc2
- subcooling area
CITATION LIST
PATENT LITERATURE
[0095] Patent Literature 1
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
2011-099609