JP7154035B2 - air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an air conditioner, there is known an air conditioner that separates high-temperature air currents from low-temperature air currents. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-76550 (Patent Document 1), an indoor heat exchanger divided into two is arranged so as to surround a cross-flow fan, and it is possible to create a temperature difference in the air generated from the outlet. air conditioner is disclosed.

JP 2013-76550 A

However, in the form of the indoor unit of the air conditioner described in JP-A-2013-76550, when trying to blow hot air and cold air vertically and horizontally, it is insufficient to separate airflows of two temperatures. There is room for improvement because hot air and cold air are mixed and blown out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and its object is to have a plurality of independent heat exchangers in an indoor unit to generate hot air and cold air separately. To provide an air conditioner capable of

An air conditioner of the present disclosure includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. The outdoor unit compresses the gaseous refrigerant and then condenses it into a liquid state or a two-phase state during cooling, and evaporates the liquid or two-phase refrigerant into a gaseous state and then compresses it during heating. Configured. During cooling, the indoor unit receives liquid or two-phase refrigerant from the outdoor unit, expands and evaporates it, and returns it to the outdoor unit as a gas. It is configured to be returned to the outdoor unit as a liquid state or a two-phase state. The indoor unit includes a plurality of indoor heat exchangers and an expansion switching mechanism. The expansion switching mechanism is configured to be switchable between a first connection mode in which the plurality of indoor heat exchangers are connected in parallel and a second connection mode in which the plurality of indoor heat exchangers are connected in series, and a first connection mode. In the mode, both of the plurality of indoor heat exchangers are evaporators or condensers, and in the second connection mode, at least one of the plurality of indoor heat exchangers is a condenser and at least one is an evaporator. configured to expand a refrigerant;

According to the air conditioner according to the present invention, the indoor unit has a plurality of independent heat exchangers, and in addition to conventional heating operation and conventional cooling operation, some heat exchangers are condensers, and the remaining heat exchangers are A comfortable space can be realized by operating the heat exchanger as an evaporator to generate hot and cold air.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows the structure of the air conditioner which concerns on this Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a control device that controls the air conditioner; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the connection pattern of the flow path switching valve and the operation mode of the air conditioner; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a connection pattern P1 of flow path switching valves; FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a connection pattern P2 of flow path switching valves; FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a connection pattern P3 of flow path switching valves; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the states of the channel switching valve and the four-way valve and the flow of refrigerant in mode M1 (cooling); 10 is a time chart showing how the temperature of air blown out from two indoor heat exchangers is changed in mode M1 (cooling) based on movement or change of temperature monitoring targets. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the states of the channel switching valve and the four-way valve and the flow of refrigerant in mode M2 (cooling); FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the states of the channel switching valve and the four-way valve and the flow of refrigerant in mode M3 (cooling); FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the states of the channel switching valve and the four-way valve and the flow of refrigerant in mode M4 (heating); 10 is a time chart showing how the temperature of the air blown out from the two indoor heat exchangers is changed in mode M4 (heating) based on the movement or change of the temperature monitoring target. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the states of the channel switching valve and the four-way valve and the flow of refrigerant in mode M5 (heating); FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the states of the channel switching valve and the four-way valve and the flow of refrigerant in mode M6 (heating); FIG. 3 is a diagram collectively showing each operation mode of the air conditioner and the control state of the constituent elements. It is a figure which shows the modification of an expansion|swelling switching mechanism.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings. In the drawings below, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1 , air conditioner 50 includes outdoor unit 52 and indoor unit 51 .

The outdoor unit 52 compresses the gaseous refrigerant and then condenses it into a liquid state or a two-phase state during cooling, and evaporates the liquid or two-phase refrigerant into a gaseous state and then compresses it during heating. configured to

During cooling, the indoor unit 51 receives the liquid or two-phase refrigerant from the outdoor unit, expands and evaporates it, and returns it to the outdoor unit 52 as a gas. and is returned to the outdoor unit 52 as a liquid state or a two-phase state.

The air conditioner 50 includes a compressor 1 , a four-way valve 2 , an outdoor heat exchanger 3 and an outdoor fan 10 . Compressor 1 , four-way valve 2 , outdoor heat exchanger 3 , and outdoor fan 10 are arranged in outdoor unit 52 .

The air conditioner 50 further includes an indoor heat exchanger 4, an indoor fan 11, an indoor heat exchanger 5, an indoor fan 12, flow path switching valves 6 and 7, expansion valves 8 and 9, and wind direction control. It comprises devices 13 and 14 and a temperature distribution sensing device 15 . Indoor heat exchanger 4, indoor fan 11, indoor heat exchanger 5, indoor fan 12, flow path switching valves 6 and 7, expansion valves 8 and 9, wind direction control devices 13 and 14, and temperature distribution The detection device 15 is arranged in the indoor unit 51 .

Indoor unit 51 includes indoor heat exchangers 4 and 5 and an expansion switching mechanism 80 . The expansion switching mechanism 80 is configured to be switchable between a first connection mode in which the indoor heat exchangers 4 and 5 are connected in parallel and a second connection mode in which the indoor heat exchangers 4 and 5 are connected in series. In the first connection mode, both the indoor heat exchangers 4 and 5 are evaporators or condensers, and in the second connection mode, at least one of the indoor heat exchangers 4 and 5 is a condenser, and at least one other It is configured to expand the refrigerant such that one is an evaporator.

The air conditioner 50 further includes a first pipe 53 and a second pipe 54 that connect the outdoor unit 52 and the indoor unit 51 . The first pipe 53 allows liquid or two-phase refrigerant to pass, and the second pipe 54 allows gaseous refrigerant to pass.

The expansion switching mechanism 80 connects the plurality of expansion valves 8 and 9 provided corresponding to each of the plurality of indoor heat exchangers 4 and 5 and the plurality of indoor heat exchangers 4 and 5 in a first connection mode and a second connection mode. It includes a plurality of flow path switching valves 6, 7 configured to switch between two modes of connection.

The flow path switching valves 6 and 7 switch the connection form of the plurality of indoor heat exchangers 4 and 5 between series connection and parallel connection, and specify the heat exchanger on the most upstream side in the case of series connection. be able to.

The expansion valves 8 and 9 cause internal pressure loss when a plurality of indoor heat exchangers 4 and 5 are connected in series, and loss internal pressure when a plurality of indoor heat exchangers 4 and 5 are connected in parallel. while controlling the flow rate of the passing refrigerant.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the air conditioner 50 includes a plurality of indoor fans 11 and 12 provided corresponding to the plurality of indoor heat exchangers 4 and 5, respectively, and the plurality of indoor fans 11 and 12 generate a plurality of indoor heat sources. It further comprises wind direction control devices 13 and 14 configured to blow the air that has passed through the exchangers 4 and 5 in mutually independent directions.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a control device that controls the air conditioner. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the control device 100 receives various detected values from the temperature distribution detection device 15, the room temperature sensor 21, and the pressure sensor 22, and from the remote control 23, starts/stops cooling operation and heating operation, and sets temperature. receive driving instructions including

Based on various detected values and operation commands, the control device 100 controls the wind direction control devices 13 and 14, the indoor fans 11 and 12, the expansion valves 8 and 9, the flow path switching valves 6 and 7, the four-way valve 2, the compressor 1, The outdoor fan 10 is controlled.

In particular, the control device 100 includes a temperature distribution detection device 15 that detects the indoor temperature distribution, and based on the temperature distribution detected by the temperature distribution detection device 15, the plurality of indoor fans 11 and 12 and the wind direction control devices 13 and 14. is configured to control As the temperature distribution detection device 15, for example, an infrared sensor, an infrared camera, or the like can be used.

Next, the channel switching valves 6 and 7 will be explained in detail. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the connection pattern of the flow path switching valve and the operation mode of the air conditioner. The connection ports of the channel switching valve 6 and the channel switching valve 7 are assigned A to D in the clockwise direction. Each of the flow path switching valve 6 and the flow path switching valve 7 has a path connection pattern between internal ports that is at least AB and AD, AB and CD, and AD and BC. It is a flow path switching valve provided with three ways. The connection patterns of the respective routes are assumed to be connection patterns P1, P2, and P3.

Connection pattern P1 is used in modes M1 (cooling) and M4 (heating), connection pattern P2 is used in modes M2 (cooling) and M5 (heating), and connection pattern P3 is used in modes M3 (cooling) and M6. used in (heating). Modes M1 to M6 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9 and FIGS. 11 to 13. First, connection patterns P1 to P3 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the connection pattern P1 of the flow path switching valve. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the connection pattern P2 of the flow path switching valve. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the connection pattern P3 of the flow path switching valve.

Since the channel switching valves 6 and 7 have the same configuration, the channel switching valve 6 will be described as a representative.

The flow path switching valve 6 includes a port A, a port B, a port C, and a port D. The flow path switching valve 6 further includes a cylinder 460 that slides the valve body 452 inside, and a cylinder 410 that slides the valve body 402 inside.

The valve body 452 is arranged inside the cylinder 460 and configured to be slidable in the axial direction of the cylinder 460 . The valve body 452 is configured to allow one of the intermediate port 411 and the intermediate port 412 to communicate with the port B and close the other.

The valve body 402 is arranged inside the cylinder 410 and configured to be slidable in the axial direction of the cylinder 410 . The central portion of the valve body 402 is processed into an inverted U shape. The valve element 402 is connected by this inverted U-shaped portion so that the refrigerant can flow between the adjacent ports AD or between the ports CD. The valve body 402 is further provided with a through hole communicating with the intermediate port 411 or 412 .

The valve body 402 can assume two positions in which different communication conditions are established. When the valve body 402 is placed at the first position, the intermediate port 411 communicates with the ports A and D, and the intermediate port 412 communicates with the port C. When the valve body 402 is placed at the second position, the intermediate port 412 communicates with the ports D and C, and the intermediate port 411 communicates with the port A.

The position of the valve element of the channel switching valve 6 and the flow of the refrigerant will be described below. FIG. 4 shows the setting states of the valve body 402 and the valve body 452 corresponding to the connection pattern P1.

In the connection pattern P1, the valve body 452 moves to the right to close the intermediate port 412 while allowing the port B and the intermediate port 411 to communicate. In addition, the valve body 402 moves leftward to allow the ports A and D to communicate with the intermediate port 411 and to communicate the port C and the intermediate port 412 . As a result, during heating operation, ports B, D, and A are in communication, and port C is out of communication.

FIG. 5 shows the setting state of the valve body of the flow path switching valve corresponding to the connection pattern P2. In the connection pattern P2, the valve body 452 moves to the right to close the intermediate port 412 while allowing the port B and the intermediate port 411 to communicate. Further, the valve body 402 moves to the right to allow communication between the port D and the port C and communication between the port A and the intermediate port 411 . As a result, port C and port D communicate with each other, and port B and port A communicate with each other.

FIG. 6 shows the setting state of the valve body of the flow path switching valve corresponding to the connection pattern P3. In the connection pattern P3, the valve body 452 moves to the left to close the intermediate port 411 while allowing the port B and the intermediate port 412 to communicate. In addition, the valve body 402 moves leftward to allow communication between the port D and the port A and communication between the port C and the intermediate port 412 . As a result, port A and port D communicate with each other, and port B and port C communicate with each other.

As described above, the indoor unit 51 includes the indoor heat exchanger 4 and the indoor heat exchanger 5 as a plurality of indoor heat exchangers. Expansion switching mechanism 80 includes flow path switching valve 6 and flow path switching valve 7 and expansion valve 8 and expansion valve 9 . As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, each of the flow path switching valves 6 and 7 has first to fourth ports (A, B, C, D). Each of the flow path switching valve 6 and the flow path switching valve 7 has a connection pattern P1 in which the port A, the port B, and the port D are in communication and the port C is closed, and the port A and the port B are in communication, In addition, the internal flow path can be switched between a connection pattern P2 in which the port C and the port D communicate and a connection pattern P3 in which the port A and the port D communicate and the port B and the port C communicate. .

Next, modes M1 to M6 of the air conditioner of the present embodiment will be described in order.
[Mode M1 (cooling)]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the states of the channel switching valve and the four-way valve and the flow of the refrigerant in mode M1 (cooling).

As shown in FIG. 7 , a first pipe 53 is connected to port A of the flow path switching valve 6 . A second pipe 54 is connected to the port A of the flow path switching valve 7 . The port C of the channel switching valve 6 is connected to the port C of the channel switching valve 7 . An expansion valve 8 and an indoor heat exchanger 4 are connected in series between a port B of the flow path switching valve 6 and a port D of the flow path switching valve 7 . An expansion valve 9 and an indoor heat exchanger 5 are connected in series between a port D of the flow path switching valve 6 and a port B of the flow path switching valve 7 . This connection relationship is common to FIGS. 8 to 9 and FIGS. 11 to 13 as well.

Mode M1 (cooling) is an operation mode in which cool air is blown from the two indoor heat exchangers 4 and 5 . In order to operate the indoor heat exchanger 4 as an evaporator, the indoor heat exchanger 5 as an evaporator, and the outdoor heat exchanger 3 as a condenser, the first indoor flow switching valve 6 and the second indoor flow switching valve 7 are The path is set to the connection pattern P1 in FIG. 3, the opening degree of the expansion valve 8 is small, and the opening degree of the expansion valve 9 is small. By controlling in this way, cool air can be blown out from the two indoor heat exchangers.

In addition, in mode M1, if different values are used for the opening degrees of the two expansion valves 8 and 9, the flow rate of the refrigerant in the two indoor heat exchangers 4 and 5 will be different, resulting in a difference in heat exchange capacity, which will cause the air to blow out. You can make a difference in temperature.

FIG. 8 is a time chart showing how the temperature of the air blown out from the two indoor heat exchangers is changed based on the movement or change of the temperature monitoring target in mode M1 (cooling). FIG. 8 shows how the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor heat exchanger 4 and the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor heat exchanger 5 are exchanged.

According to mode M1 (cooling), when the opening degrees of the two expansion valves 8 and 9 are different, by exchanging those values, the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor heat exchanger 4 and the air blown out from the indoor heat exchanger 5 can be exchanged for temperature. By controlling in this way, the temperatures of the two indoor heat exchangers can be adjusted according to the movement or change of the temperature monitoring target.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, by gradually controlling the opening degrees of the two indoor expansion valves over time, the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor heat exchangers 4 and 5 can be gradually changed. Such control can prevent people in the room from feeling uncomfortable due to sudden temperature changes.

[Mode M2 (cooling)]
Mode M1 (cooling) described above is an operation mode capable of blowing cold air in two directions. This is the operating mode generated from the indoor heat exchanger 4 .

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the states of the channel switching valve and the four-way valve and the flow of the refrigerant in mode M2 (cooling).

In order to operate the indoor heat exchanger 4 as a condenser, the indoor heat exchanger 5 as an evaporator, and the outdoor heat exchanger 3 as a condenser, the first indoor flow switching valve 6 and the second indoor flow switching valve 7 are The route is set to the connection pattern P2 in FIG. By increasing the opening degree of the expansion valve 8 and decreasing the opening degree of the expansion valve 9 to adjust the condensation capacity in the outdoor heat exchanger 3, the condensation capacity in the indoor heat exchanger 4 is changed to that in the indoor heat exchanger 5. The opening degrees of the two expansion valves 8 and 9 are controlled so as to be equal to or less than the amount of heat of vaporization. By heat-exchanging part of the condensing capacity in the outdoor heat exchanger 3 in this way, the condensing capacity of the indoor heat exchanger 4 is always controlled to be equal to or lower than the evaporating capacity of the indoor heat exchanger 5 . Thereby, it becomes possible to generate hot air from the indoor heat exchanger 4 while decreasing or maintaining the indoor temperature.

Also in mode M2 (cooling), the degree of opening of the two expansion valves 8 and 9 is gradually controlled with the lapse of time, so that the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor heat exchanger can be gradually changed. It is possible to prevent a person from feeling uncomfortable due to a sudden temperature change.

[Mode M3 (cooling)]
Mode M2 (cooling) described above is an operation mode in which hot air is generated from the indoor heat exchanger 4 to such an extent that the room temperature does not rise while the indoor temperature is lowered or maintained. This is an operation mode in which hot air is generated from the indoor heat exchanger 5 to such an extent that the room temperature does not rise while the temperature is lowered or maintained.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the states of the channel switching valve and the four-way valve and the flow of the refrigerant in mode M3 (cooling).

In order to operate the indoor heat exchanger 4 as an evaporator, the indoor heat exchanger 5 as a condenser, and the outdoor heat exchanger 3 as a condenser, the first indoor flow switching valve 6 and the second indoor flow switching valve 7 are arranged. The route is set to the connection pattern P3 in FIG. The opening degree of the expansion valve 8 is set small and the opening degree of the expansion valve 9 is set large to adjust the condensation capacity in the outdoor heat exchanger 3. The opening degrees of the two expansion valves 8 and 9 are adjusted so as to be equal to or less than the heat of vaporization. By heat-exchanging part of the condensing capacity in the outdoor heat exchanger 3 in this manner, the condensing capacity of the indoor heat exchanger 5 is always controlled to be equal to or lower than the evaporating capacity of the indoor heat exchanger 4 . Thereby, it becomes possible to generate warm air from the indoor heat exchanger 5 while decreasing or maintaining the indoor temperature.

Also, in mode M3 (cooling), the opening degrees of the two indoor expansion valves are controlled gradually over time, and the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor heat exchanger can be gradually changed. It is possible to prevent discomfort due to sudden temperature changes.

In modes M2 and M3, the opening degree of the expansion valve 8 and the opening degree of the expansion valve 9 are switched as shown in FIG. Switch to P3. Thereby, the mode M2 (cooling) and the mode M3 (cooling) can be naturally switched, and the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor heat exchanger 4 and the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor heat exchanger 5 can be exchanged. By controlling in this way, the temperatures of the two indoor heat exchangers can be exchanged according to the movement or change of the temperature monitoring target.

[Mode M4 (Heating)]
Modes M1 to M3 described above are operation modes related to cooling operation, and mode M4 (heating) is an operation mode for heating operation.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the states of the channel switching valve and the four-way valve and the flow of refrigerant in mode M4 (heating).

In order to operate the indoor heat exchanger 4 as a condenser, the indoor heat exchanger 5 as a condenser, and the outdoor heat exchanger 3 as an evaporator, the first indoor flow switching valve 6 and the second indoor flow switching valve 7 are The route is set to the connection pattern P1 in FIG. The opening degree of the expansion valve 8 is made small, and the opening degree of the expansion valve 9 is made small. By controlling in this way, warm air can be blown out from the two indoor heat exchangers 4 and 5 .

An example of control is described below. FIG. 12 is a time chart showing how the temperature of the air blown out from the two indoor heat exchangers is changed in mode M4 (heating) based on the movement or change of the temperature monitoring target.

According to mode M4 (heating), when the opening degrees of the two expansion valves 8 and 9 are different, by exchanging those values, the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor heat exchanger 4 and the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor heat exchanger 5 can be exchanged for temperature. By controlling in this way, the temperatures of the two indoor heat exchangers 4 and 5 can be exchanged according to the movement or change of the temperature monitoring target.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, by gradually controlling the opening degrees of the two expansion valves 8 and 9 over time, the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor heat exchangers 4 and 5 can be gradually changed. . Such control can prevent people in the room from feeling uncomfortable due to sudden temperature changes.

[Mode M5 (Heating)]
Mode M4 (heating) is an operation mode in which hot air with different temperatures can be blown in two directions in addition to conventional heating operation, but mode M5 (heating) raises or maintains the indoor temperature. However, it is an operation mode in which cold air is generated from the indoor heat exchanger 4 to such an extent that the room temperature does not drop.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the states of the channel switching valve and the four-way valve and the flow of refrigerant in mode M5 (heating).

In order to operate the indoor heat exchanger 4 as an evaporator, the indoor heat exchanger 5 as a condenser, and the outdoor heat exchanger 3 as an evaporator, the first indoor flow switching valve 6 and the second indoor flow switching valve 7 are The path is set to the connection pattern P2 in FIG. 3, the opening of the expansion valve 8 is large, and the opening of the expansion valve 9 is small. By controlling in this way, it is possible to generate cool air from the indoor heat exchanger 4 while increasing or maintaining the indoor temperature.

In addition, even in mode M5 (heating), the opening degrees of the two indoor expansion valves are controlled gradually over time, and the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor heat exchanger can be gradually changed. It is possible to prevent discomfort due to sudden temperature changes.

[Mode M6 (Heating)]
Mode M5 (heating) is an operation mode in which cold air is generated from the indoor heat exchanger 4 to such an extent that the room temperature does not decrease while increasing or maintaining the indoor temperature. This is an operation mode in which cool air is generated from the indoor heat exchanger 5 to such an extent that the room temperature does not drop while maintaining the temperature.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the states of the channel switching valve and the four-way valve and the flow of refrigerant in mode M6 (heating).

In order to operate the indoor heat exchanger 4 as a condenser, the indoor heat exchanger 5 as an evaporator, and the outdoor heat exchanger 3 as an evaporator, the first indoor flow switching valve 6 and the second indoor flow switching valve 7 are The path is set to the connection pattern P3 in FIG. 3, and the opening of the expansion valve 8 is controlled to be small and the opening of the expansion valve 9 to be large. By controlling in this way, it is possible to generate cool air from the indoor heat exchanger 5 while increasing or maintaining the indoor temperature.

Also in mode M6 (heating), the degree of opening of the two indoor expansion valves is controlled gradually over time, so that the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor heat exchanger can be gradually changed. It is possible to prevent discomfort due to sudden temperature changes.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the opening degree of the expansion valve 8 and the opening degree of the expansion valve 9 are switched, and at the time t11 when the blowing temperature becomes equal, the flow path switching valve is switched from the connection pattern P2 to the connection pattern P3. Thereby, the mode M5 (heating) and the mode M6 (heating) can be naturally switched, and the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor heat exchanger 4 and the temperature of the air blown out from the indoor heat exchanger 5 can be exchanged. By controlling in this way, the temperatures of the two indoor heat exchangers can be exchanged according to the movement or change of the temperature monitoring target.

As described above, according to the air conditioner according to the present embodiment, two independent heat exchangers are arranged in the indoor unit. Then, in addition to the cooling operation (mode M1) in which the two heat exchangers are operated as evaporators and the heating operation (mode M4) in which the two heat exchangers are operated as condensers, one is the condenser and the other is the evaporator. It has an operation mode (modes M2, M3, M5, M6) that operates as When one of the two heat exchangers is operated as a condenser and the other as an evaporator to generate hot air and cold air, hot air and cold air are generated from either heat exchanger. By adjusting the temperature, the indoor temperature can be maintained or lowered during cooling, and the indoor temperature can be maintained or increased during heating.

FIG. 15 is a diagram collectively showing each operation mode of the air conditioner and the control state of the constituent elements. FIG. 15 shows the control states of the components in modes M1 to M6 in order from the top. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 15, four-way valve 2 can be used to switch between cooling and heating operation modes. By setting the flow path switching valves 6 and 7 to one of the connection patterns P1 to P3, one of the modes M1 to M3 can be selected during the cooling operation, and one of the modes M4 to M6 can be selected during the heating operation.

In each operation mode, the opening degrees of the expansion valves 8 and 9 are set as shown in FIG. 15, and the heat exchangers 3-5 operate as evaporators or condensers as shown in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the airflow direction control devices 13 and 14, which are composed of airflow direction adjusting flaps and louvers, are individually provided in the indoor heat exchangers 4 and 5. When wind and cold wind are generated, a plurality of air currents can be blown vertically and horizontally without being mixed. Preferably, the temperature distribution detection device 15 can detect a person with a high body temperature and a person with a low body temperature, and the indoor heat exchangers 4 and 5 can generate wind of suitable temperature for each person, and the wind direction control devices 13 and 14 can deliver it. .

(Modification)
In the embodiment described above, the expansion switching mechanism 80 of the indoor unit is configured by the two expansion valves 8, 9 and the two flow path switching valves 6, 7 as shown in FIG. is not limited to this and can be modified in various ways. One example of a modification is introduced.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a modification of the expansion switching mechanism. Referring to FIG. 16, an indoor unit 51A of the modification includes indoor heat exchangers 4 and 5 and an expansion switching mechanism 80A.

The expansion switching mechanism 80A includes bridge-connected expansion valves 61-64 and bridge-connected expansion valves 71-74.

By controlling the expansion valves 61, 64, 71, 74 to an appropriate degree of opening and closing the expansion valves 62, 63, 72, 73, the connection pattern P1 of FIG. 15 can be realized. By controlling the expansion valves 61, 63, 71, 73 to an appropriate degree of opening and closing the expansion valves 62, 64, 72, 74, the connection pattern P2 in FIG. 15 can be realized. By controlling the expansion valves 62, 64, 72, 74 to an appropriate degree of opening and closing the expansion valves 61, 63, 71, 73, the connection pattern P1 in FIG. 15 can be realized. Even if the indoor unit 51A having such an expansion switching mechanism 80A is employed, the same effects as in the case of employing the indoor unit 51 can be obtained.

The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered as examples and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of the claims rather than the description of the above-described embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

1 compressor, 2 four-way valve, 3 outdoor heat exchanger, 4, 5 indoor heat exchanger, 6, 7 flow path switching valve, 8, 9, 61, 62, 63, 64, 71, 72, 73, 74 expansion Valve, 10 outdoor fan, 11, 12 indoor fan, 13, 14 wind direction control device, 15 temperature distribution detector, 21 room temperature sensor, 22 pressure sensor, 23 remote controller, 50 air conditioner, 51, 51A indoor unit, 52 outdoor unit , 53 first pipe, 54 second pipe, 80, 80A expansion switching mechanism, 100 control device, 402, 452 valve element, 410, 460 cylinder, 411, 412 intermediate port, A, B, C, D ports.

Claims (5)

During cooling, the gaseous refrigerant is compressed and then condensed into a liquid or two-phase state, and during heating, the liquid or two-phase refrigerant is evaporated into a gaseous state and then compressed. outdoor unit and
During cooling, the refrigerant in a liquid state or two-phase state is received from the outdoor unit, expanded and evaporated and returned to the outdoor unit as a gas state, and during heating, the refrigerant in a gas state is received from the outdoor unit, condensed and an indoor unit configured to be expanded and returned to the outdoor unit as a liquid state or a two-phase state;
The indoor unit
a first portion having a first indoor heat exchanger and a first expansion valve connected in series;
a second portion having a second indoor heat exchanger and a second expansion valve connected in series;
including a channel switching mechanism,
The channel switching mechanism is
configured to be switchable between a first connection configuration in which the first portion and the second portion are connected in parallel and a second connection configuration in which the first portion and the second portion are connected in series ,
In the first connection mode, both the first indoor heat exchanger and the second indoor heat exchanger serve as evaporators or condensers, and in the second connection mode, the first indoor heat exchanger and the second indoor heat exchanger The air conditioner, wherein the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve are controlled such that at least one of the heat exchangers serves as a condenser and at least one of the heat exchangers serves as an evaporator. Further comprising a first pipe and a second pipe connecting the outdoor unit and the indoor unit,
The first pipe passes the refrigerant in a liquid state or a two-phase state,
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the second pipe allows the gaseous refrigerant to pass therethrough. The channel switching mechanism is
including a first channel switching valve and a second channel switching valve ,
each of the first flow path switching valve and the second flow path switching valve has first to fourth ports,
Each of the first flow path switching valve and the second flow path switching valve is in a first state in which the first port, the second port, and the fourth port are communicated and the third port is closed. and a second state in which the first port and the second port communicate and the third port and the fourth port communicate, and the first port and the fourth port communicate, and The internal flow path is configured to be switchable to a third state in which the second port and the third port are in communication,
The first pipe is connected to the first port of the first flow path switching valve,
The second pipe is connected to the first port of the second flow path switching valve,
the third port of the first flow path switching valve is connected to the third port of the second flow path switching valve;
the first expansion valve and the first indoor heat exchanger are connected in series between the second port of the first flow path switching valve and the fourth port of the second flow path switching valve;
The second expansion valve and the second indoor heat exchanger are connected in series between the fourth port of the first flow path switching valve and the second port of the second flow path switching valve, The air conditioner according to claim 2. a first indoor fan and a second indoor fan provided corresponding to the first indoor heat exchanger and the second indoor heat exchanger , respectively;
a wind direction control device configured to blow the air passing through the first indoor heat exchanger and the second indoor heat exchanger in mutually independent directions by the first indoor fan and the second indoor fan ; The air conditioner of claim 1, further comprising: a detection device for detecting temperature distribution in the room;
The air conditioner according to claim 4 , further comprising a control device that controls said first indoor fan, said second indoor fan , and said wind direction control device based on the temperature distribution detected by said detection device.

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