JP3292146B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an air conditioner in which an additional indoor unit can be installed easily, as required, by providing a distributor for coupling a plurality of indoor units in the way of a coupling tube and disposing the distributor closely to an outdoor unit. SOLUTION: A distributor 2A is coupled with a gas side coupling tube 4A and a liquid side coupling tube 5A and an indoor unit 3A is coupled with a gas side branch tube 16A and a liquid side branch tube 18A. The distributor 2A is coupled, at the other end thereof, with a gas side coupling tube 4B and a liquid side coupling tube 5B and a distributor 2B coupled with the tube ends is coupled with the indoor unit 3A, 3X. More specifically, the distributors 2A, 2B, 2X are disposed in series with the gas side coupling tubes 4A, 4B, 4X and the liquid side coupling tube 5A, 5B, 5X and the distributors 2A, 2B, 2X are coupled, respectively, with the indoor units 3A, 3B, 3X. According to the arrangement, sequential extension of the indoor units 3A, 3B, 3X is facilitated and the number of the indoor units can be varied, as required.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner capable of connecting a plurality of indoor units to one outdoor unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a multi-room air conditioner in which a plurality of indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-169451. And a configuration in which a plurality of indoor units are connected in parallel to an outdoor unit, or as described in JP-A-63-91465, a single outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units are provided. A multi-room air conditioner in which an intermediate unit for connecting an indoor heat exchanger in an indoor unit to a main circuit of a refrigeration cycle in parallel is provided.

[0003]

According to the above prior art, a branch circuit connected in parallel is formed in an outdoor unit or an intermediate unit for connecting an indoor heat exchanger in an indoor unit in parallel at one branch point. Since the configuration is provided, the number of indoor units that can be installed is determined in advance, and it is difficult to freely select and add the number of indoor units. That is, to newly add an indoor unit, it is necessary to newly change the control mechanism of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit.

An object of the present invention is to provide a single outdoor unit.
And connect multiple indoor units to crawl the walls of a house
Reduce the length of piping and wiring, reduce the appearance of
An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that facilitates pipe and wiring work .

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object is to provide a single outdoor unit, a gas-side connection pipe and a liquid-side connection pipe connected to the outdoor unit, and a gas-side branch pipe branched from the gas-side connection pipe. a liquid side branch pipes branched from the liquid-side connecting pipe, and the gas-side branch pipe and distributor accommodating a liquid side branch pipes, gas side branch pipes and the liquid side branch pipes in the distributor contact < in br /> air conditioner having a connection to Ru chamber unit,
A valve that controls the flow of the working medium in the distributor receives signals from the pre-Symbol chamber <br/> the unit, distribution control means for outputting a result computed on the basis of these signals to the outdoor unit with the door, the plurality of indoor units by attaching sequential the distributor to said gas-side connecting pipe and the liquid-side connecting pipe is connected, achieved by the distributor is provided in the vicinity of the indoor unit of the respective Is done.

[0006]

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of a multi-room air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of a separate type air conditioner having one indoor unit. FIG. 3 is a control circuit diagram of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an outdoor unit, which is a compressor 8 whose rotation speed can be changed according to the capacity, a four-way valve 9 for switching the flow direction of the refrigerant when switching between a cooling operation and a heating operation, and outdoor heat exchange. Vessel 10, outdoor heat exchanger 1
0, an outdoor fan 11 for blowing air to the outdoor heat exchanger 10, an electric main expansion valve 12, and an accumulator. The gas-side connection pipe 4A is connected to the four-way valve 9 in the outdoor unit 1, the liquid-side connection pipe 5A is connected to the motor-operated main expansion valve 12, and the indoor heat exchanger indoor fan and the like are built in. It can be connected to indoor units. Connection with a plurality of indoor units is performed as follows.

Reference numerals 2A, 2B, and 2X denote distributors of the present invention, respectively, which are gas side pipes connected to the gas side connection pipe and having connection portions at both ends (indicated by 14A, 14B, and 14X in the figure).
And a two-way valve (17 in the drawing)
A, 17B, and 17X) are provided on the gas side branch pipes (shown by 16A, 16B, and 16X in the figure) as a branch circuit, and the liquid side pipes (shown by 16A, 16B, and 16X in the figure) are connected to the liquid side connection pipes and have connection portions at both ends. 15A, 15B, and 15X in the figure, and a flow control valve (19A, 19
B, 19X), and is constituted by a liquid side branch pipe (shown by 18A, 18B, 18X in the figure) as a branch circuit. The distributors 2A, 2B, and 2X make the following connections with the indoor unit 3A including the indoor heat exchanger 20A, the indoor fan 21A, and the indoor units 3B and 3X having the same configuration. First, the distributor 2A is connected to pipe ends of the gas-side connection pipe 4A and the liquid-side connection pipe 5A, and the gas-side branch pipe 1 is connected.
6A, the indoor unit 3A is connected to the liquid side branch pipe 18A,
A gas-side connection pipe 4B and a liquid-side connection pipe 5B are connected to the other end of the distributor 2A, and a distributor 2B is connected to the pipe ends thereof.
Hereinafter, similarly, it connects to the indoor units 3A and 3X. That is, a distributor is provided in series with respect to the gas-side connection pipe and the liquid-side connection pipe constituting the main circuit, and each distributor is connected to each indoor unit.

A second gas-side connecting pipe (7A, 7A in the figure) is used to connect the gas-side branch pipe to the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger.
7B and 7X) and the liquid side branch pipes are connected to the liquid side of the indoor heat exchanger using a second liquid side connection pipe.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a capillary tube which forms a bypass for the gas-side pipe 14X and the liquid-side pipe 15X of the distributor 2X located farthest from the outdoor unit 1. The resistance of the capillary tube 22 during the heating operation is reduced. The refrigerant is selected so as to flow into the capillary tube 22 slightly more than the amount of refrigerant condensed by heat radiation from the side connection pipes 4B and 4X. Each connection pipe is connected by a union and is detachable.

FIG. 2 shows a case where only one indoor unit is connected, and shows a connection method at that time. 2, the same symbols as those in FIG. 1 represent the same parts. In the figure, reference numeral 4 denotes a gas-side connection pipe connecting the outdoor unit 1 and the gas side of the indoor unit 3A, and reference numeral 5 denotes a liquid-side connection pipe connecting the outdoor unit 1 and the liquid side of the indoor unit 3A.

When the separate type air conditioner shown in FIG. 2 is changed to the multi-room type air conditioner shown in FIG. 1, the distributor 2 is provided in the middle of the gas side connection pipe 4 and the liquid side connection pipe 5.
A can be easily changed by providing A, branching and connecting the distributors one by one, and connecting the distributor to the indoor unit.

The control circuit configuration of the multi-room air conditioner will be described with reference to FIG. The outdoor unit 1 is provided with a discharged refrigerant temperature sensor 25, a compressor suction temperature sensor 26, and an outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 27, an inverter circuit 30 for driving the compressor 8, and a four-way valve for driving the four-way valve 9. A driving device 31, an outdoor fan driving device 32 for driving the outdoor fan 11, and a main expansion valve driving device 33 for driving the main expansion valve 12
The outdoor controller 28 for controlling the

The distributors 2A, 2B, 2X are provided with liquid side branch pipe temperature sensors 34A, 34B, 34X, respectively, and a two-way valve driving device 35A, which opens and closes the two-way valves 17A, 17B, 17X. 35B, 35X and flow control valve 1
Flow control valve driving device 3 for driving 9A, 19B, 19X
6A, 36B, and 36X, and distribution controllers 23A, 23B, and 23X for controlling the flow rate control valve driving device are provided.

The indoor units 3A, 3B, and 3X have indoor heat exchanger intermediate temperature sensors 37A, 37B, and 37X, respectively.
X, indoor air temperature sensors 38A, 38B, 38X,
Operation mode (40A, 40B, 40X) Indoor set temperature
Controllers 39A, 3 for selecting (41A, 41B, 41X)
9B, 39X and indoor fans 21A, 21B, 2
Indoor fan drive units 42A, 42B, 4 for driving 1X
2X and indoor controllers 24A, 24B, 24X for controlling the indoor fan driving device are provided.

The outdoor controller and the distribution controller, the distribution controller and the distribution controller, and the distribution controller and the indoor controller can transfer data in the phase direction.
The required rotation speed, the opening degree of the main expansion valve, and the like are transferred via signal lines connecting the respective devices.

The operation of the air conditioner configured as described above will be described. First, a case in which all the indoor units perform the cooling operation will be described. All actuators 39A, 39B, 39X
When the operation modes 40A, 40B, and 40X of the air conditioner are set to the cooling operation, the two-way valves 17A, 17B, and 17X are opened, the four-way valve 19 is set to the cooling operation side, and the outdoor fan 11, the indoor fans 21A, 21B, and 21X are set. Turns ON. Also,
The required rotation speed fX of the compressor 8 in proportion to the temperature difference between the set temperature 41X of the indoor unit 3X and the temperature detected by the indoor air temperature sensor 38X is transferred to the distribution controller 23X at regular intervals. Similarly, the required rotation speed fA from the indoor unit 3A and the required rotation speed fB from the indoor unit 3B are transferred to the distribution controllers 23A and 23B, respectively. Distribution controller 23A,
23B and 23X sequentially sum the required rotation speed of the distribution controller on the far side from the outdoor unit 1 and the required rotation speed of the compressor of the indoor controller and transfer the sum to the distribution control closer to the outdoor unit 1 side. That is, in the distribution controller 23X furthest from the outdoor unit 1, the required rotation speed f of the indoor unit 3X is used.
X is transferred to the distribution controller 23B, and the distribution controller 23B transfers the sum of the required rotation speed fX and the required rotation speed fB of the indoor unit 3B to the distribution controller 23A, and the closest distribution controller 23A from the outdoor unit 1 Then, the total value fx + fB + fA of the required number of rotations fx + fB from the distribution controller 23B and the required number of rotations fA from the indoor unit 3A is transferred to the outdoor controller 28, and the number of rotations of the compressor 8 is set to f through the inverter circuit 30.
Control is performed so that X + fB + fA. Further, from the distribution controllers 2A, 2B, 2X, an opening signal of the main expansion valve 12 corresponding to the required rotation speed is transferred to the outdoor controller 28 at the same time as the required rotation speed, and the main expansion valve driving device 33 transmits the main expansion valve. 12
Is set. Flow control valves 19A, 19B, 19
X is set by the flow control valve drive units 36A, 36B, 36X so that the opening degree is in accordance with the required rotational speeds fA, fB, fx from the indoor controllers 24A, 24B, 24X.

The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 8 passes through the four-way valve 9 and radiates heat to the outside air in the outdoor heat exchanger 10 to be condensed. The condensed liquid refrigerant is reduced in pressure by the main expansion valve 12 to become a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and is sent to the distributor 2A through the liquid-side connection pipe 5A. Part of the refrigerant sent to the liquid-side pipe 15A of the distributor 2A is sent to the liquid-side branch pipe 18A, and the rest is sent to the distributors 2B, 2X via the liquid-side connection pipes 15B, 15X. The refrigerant that has entered the liquid-side branch pipe 18A is supplied to the flow control valve 19A.
The pressure is further reduced by the second liquid-side connection pipe 7A, sent to the indoor unit 3A through the second liquid-side connection pipe 7A, absorbed by the indoor-side heat exchanger 20A, converted into a gaseous refrigerant, and passed through the second gas-side connection pipe 6A.
A, return to the gas side branch pipe 16A, the two-way valve 17A,
Similarly, the refrigerant becomes gas refrigerant in the indoor units 3B and 3X in the gas side pipe 14A, merges with the refrigerant returning from the gas side connection pipes 4X and 4B, is sent to the four-way valve 9 through the gas side connection pipe 4A, and passes through the accumulator 13 to the compressor. Return to 8. Here, since the opening degree of the flow control valves 19A, 19B, and 19X is controlled according to the required rotation speed, the indoor heat exchangers 20A,
20B and 20X are supplied with a refrigerant amount suitable for each required rotation speed. Therefore, the indoor units 3A, 3
The amount of heat absorbed at B and 3X is appropriately controlled according to the required rotation speed.

When a part of the cooling operation becomes unnecessary, the operation mode is selected to be stopped, and the operation mode is connected to a distributor connected to the indoor unit which is no longer operated, for example, the indoor unit 3B. The flow control valve 19B in the distributor 2B is fully closed so that no refrigerant is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 20B, thereby eliminating heat absorption from the outside. At this time, the refrigerant pressure in the indoor side heat exchanger 20B is changed to the gas side pipe 1
4B, the pressure becomes low, and it becomes a gas refrigerant. Therefore, there is no stagnation of the liquid refrigerant in the stop indoor unit,
There is no shortage of refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle.

Next, the heating operation will be described. Operation modes 40A, 4 of all actuators 39A, 39B, 39X
When 0B, 40X is set to the heating operation, the two-way valve 17A,
17B and 17X are switched to the heating operation side of the flow path of the four-way valve 9 with the open state, and the outdoor fan 11, the indoor fan 21A,
21B and 21X are turned ON. Further, from the indoor units, the set temperatures 41A, 41B and 41 are set in the same manner as in the cooling operation.
X and the required rotational speeds fA, fB, fx proportional to the temperature differences detected by the indoor temperature sensors 38A, 38B, 38X are transferred to the distribution controller, and further transferred to the outdoor controller 28 to obtain a total value fA + fB + fX of the compressor. 8 is controlled to rotate. Further, the flow control valves 19A, 19B, and 19X have valve opening degrees set in accordance with the required rotation speeds of the indoor units 3A, 3B, and 3X as in the case of the cooling operation.
When the compressor outlet refrigerant gas temperature detected by the discharge refrigerant temperature sensor 25 is equal to or lower than the set value Td, the temperature difference detected by the outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor 27 and the compressor suction temperature sensor 26 becomes equal to the set value Ts. (2) When the temperature of the discharged refrigerant gas exceeds the set value Td, the valve opening is set to the set value Td.

During the heating operation, the operation of the compressor 8 is reversed.
The high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant that has exited
A, 4B, and 4X. In the distributors 2A, 2B, 2X, the refrigerant flow rates corresponding to the valve opening degrees of the flow control valves 19A, 19B, 19X are divided into the gas side branch pipes 16A, 16B, 16X, and the two-way valves 17A, 17B, 17X, respectively. The indoor unit 3 passes through the second gas side connection pipes 6A, 6B, 6X.
A, 3B, and 3X. Indoor units 3A, 3B,
In the indoor heat exchangers 20A, 20B, 20X in the 3X, heat is radiated to the outside to become a liquid refrigerant, and the second liquid-side connection pipes 17A, 17
B, 17X, return to the distributors 2A, 2B, 2X, are decompressed by the flow control valves 19A, 19B, 19X, become two-phase refrigerant, and sequentially merge with the liquid-side connection pipes 5X, 5B, 5A while merging sequentially. Is sent to the main expansion valve 12. The pressure is further reduced by the main expansion valve 12, the heat is absorbed from the outside air in the outdoor heat exchanger 10, and the refrigerant becomes a gas refrigerant, and returns to the compressor 8 via the four-way valve 9 and the accumulator 13.

Here, when the required rotation speeds of the indoor units are significantly different, for example, when the required rotation speed of the indoor unit 3B is small, the temperature is detected by the indoor heat exchanger middle temperature sensor 37B and the branch pipe temperature sensor 34B. The rotation speed of the indoor fan 21B is controlled so that the difference between the intermediate temperature of the indoor heat exchanger and the inlet temperature of the flow control valve of the liquid side branch pipe becomes constant. By controlling in this manner, the amount of refrigerant in the heat exchanger is kept constant even when the amount of heat released from the indoor unit is small, and the amount of refrigerant charged in the air conditioner can be reduced.

When the heating mode is partially eliminated, for example, when the indoor unit 3B becomes unnecessary, the operation mode 40B is stopped, and the two-way valve 17B is closed.
As a result, no refrigerant is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 20B and no heat is radiated to the outside. Further, the refrigerant pressure in the indoor heat exchanger 20B becomes the same pressure as the liquid side pipe 15B, the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger 20B stays in a gas-liquid two-phase state, and the refrigerant of the operating refrigeration cycle is Insufficient liquid side connection pipe 5
When the pressure of A, 5B, and 5X decreases, the refrigerant is discharged from the indoor side exchanger 20B, and conversely, when the refrigerant becomes excessive,
The pressure of A, 5B, and 5X rises, and the refrigerant stays in the indoor heat exchanger 20B and is absorbed, so that the refrigerant is always operated with an appropriate refrigerant amount. Here, even in a case where the indoor unit that does not require heating is the indoor unit 3X farthest from the outdoor unit 1, the refrigerant flowing through the capillary tube 22 flows through the gas-side connection pipe 4X, so that the liquid refrigerant does not stay. . Although the refrigerant always flows through the capillary tube 22, it is much smaller than the refrigerant flowing through the indoor unit, and there is almost no thermal loss.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the gas side connection pipe and the liquid side connection pipe constituting the main circuit are connected to the outdoor unit, and the distributor is connected in series to the main circuit. By providing the indoor units via the distributor, it becomes easy to sequentially add the indoor units, and the number of the indoor units can be easily changed as necessary. Also, the compressor required rotation speed from the indoor unit and the compressor required rotation speed from the distributor farther from the outdoor unit are transferred to the distributor, and the total is transferred to the outdoor unit or the distributor closest to the outdoor unit. By providing the distribution controller for transferring, the distributor and the controller of the indoor unit can be easily connected without changing other controllers.
Furthermore, since the pressure is reduced by the main expansion valve in the outdoor unit and the flow control valve in the distributor, the refrigerant in the liquid-side connection pipe can be made into a gas-liquid two-phase, and the required refrigerant amount in the connection pipe can be reduced. In addition, by providing a bypass in the gas-side connection pipe and the liquid-side connection pipe of the farthest distributor of the outdoor unit, liquid refrigerant does not stay in the gas-side connection pipe even during a partial heating operation. Connection pipe length can be increased. Also,
By connecting the distributor and the indoor unit by the second connection pipe, the distributor and the indoor unit can be installed separately. For example, by installing the distributor on the outer wall, an air conditioner that does not impair the aesthetic appearance of the room can be obtained. Can be

In the above embodiment, the connection pipes for the second liquid side and the gas side are detachably attached to the distributor and the indoor unit with a union. A pipe may be provided, cut to a required length, and then connected to the distributor or the indoor unit side with a union or the like. Further, if the total length of the connecting pipes between the distributors is, for example, a short length of 2 m or less, the bypass of the gas-side connecting pipe and the liquid-side connecting pipe has a small retention of the liquid refrigerant in the gas-side connecting pipe and is not required. Is also good.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of a multi-room air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 are the same components. The distributors 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2X are installed near the locations where the indoor units are to be installed, and the gas-side branch pipes 16A, 16
Outlets of B, 16C, 16X and liquid side branch pipes 18A, 18
Valves 43A, 43B, 43C, 43X and valves 44A, 4 which can be opened and closed are respectively provided at outlets of B, 18C, 18X.
4B, 44C and 44X are provided. Distributor 2A, 2X
Are provided with indoor units 3A and 3C via second gas-side connecting pipes 6A and 6C and second liquid-side connecting pipes 7A and 7C, and the valves 43A and 43C and the valves 44A and 44C open the indoor units. Valve 43 for unconnected distributor
B, 43X and the valves 44B, 44X are set to the closed state.

With the above configuration, the distributors 2A and 2C and the indoor units 3A and 3C are shown in FIG.
The same operation as that of the embodiment shown in FIG. In the second embodiment, when an indoor unit is newly added, a distributor near the installation location, for example, the distributor 2
An indoor unit is installed via the second gas-side connecting pipe and the second liquid-side connecting pipe to the valves 43B and 44B of B, and after the air in the indoor unit is released by a vacuum pump or the like, the valves 43B and 44B are released. Can be easily added without affecting other cycle components by opening the. Conversely, when the indoor unit becomes unnecessary, for example, when the indoor unit 3A becomes unnecessary, the valve 43
A, after closing the valve 44A, the indoor unit, the second gas-side connection pipe 6A, and the second liquid-side connection pipe 7A may be removed from the valves 43A and 44A. In the above embodiment, the number of distributors is four, but the present invention can be freely applied to other number of distributors.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of a self-sealing coupling of a multi-room air conditioner according to still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 shows a connection state of the self-sealing coupling of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, in which the self-sealing coupling is used in place of the valves 43A, 43B, 43C, 43X and the valves 44A, 44B, 44C, 44X.

In the self-sealing coupling shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the F-coupling 45 seals the sleeve 48 and the body I49 with the O-ring 47, and furthermore, the stem valve 52 is moved by the force of the spring 51 attached to the retainer 50.
Is pressed against a sleeve 48 to perform sealing, and a coupling nut 53 is provided.
The poppet valve 56 is pressed against the body II 57 by a spring 55 provided on a retainer 54 to perform sealing, and a screw 59 for connection and a packing 59 on a connection surface between the screw 58 and the body I49 are provided.
Is provided. When the F-coupling 45 and the M-coupling 46 are connected, the poppet valve 56 is pushed by the stem valve 52, and the seal portion between the stem valve 52 and the sleeve 48 and the poppet valve 56 and the body 5
The seal portion 7 is opened to communicate with the inside. On the other hand, the body 49 and the body 57 are sealed by the packing 59 so that the refrigerant is not leaked to the outside.

The F coupling 45 constructed as described above
For example, the gas side branch pipe 16A and the liquid side branch pipe 18A of FIG.
By attaching the M coupling 46 to the second gas side connection pipe 6A and the second liquid side connection pipe 7A,
The indoor unit can be attached and detached, and the same effect as when a valve is attached can be obtained.

Further, according to this embodiment, the indoor unit can be easily attached and detached, and since the F-coupling and the M-coupling are both sealed, there is no leakage of refrigerant even if they are removed. In addition, when an indoor unit is newly added, it is not necessary to evacuate or refill the indoor unit when removing and installing the indoor unit by using the indoor unit in which the required amount of refrigerant is sealed. become.

It should be noted that a self-sealing coupling may be used at the connection between the connection pipe and the distributor. In this case, it is easier to change the number of distributors.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of a multi-room air conditioner according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 7, components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 and 4 are the same components. 60A, 60B, 60C, and 60X are first gas-side branch pipes 62A, 62B, 62C, and 62X provided with openable and closable valves 63A, 63B, 63C, and 63X, and a first gas-side branch pipe provided with valves 65A, 65B, 65C, and 65X.
Of the liquid side branch pipes 64A, 64B, 64C, 64X of the first distributor 61A, 61C are two-way valves 17A, 17C
The second liquid branch pipes 67A, 66C provided with the second gas branch pipes 66A, 66C provided with the flow control valves 19A, 19C.
7C is a second distributor made of 7C. Indoor unit 3A,
Valves 63A, 63 in the first distributors 60A, 60C connected to the second distributors 61A, 61C to which the 3C is attached.
C and the valves 65A and 65C are open and the valves 63B and 63 in the first distributor to which the indoor unit is not attached.
X and the valves 65B and 65X are closed so that FIG.
Operations similar to those of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 and the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 are performed, and similar effects can be obtained. Further, according to the present embodiment, by dividing the distributor into the first distributor and the second distributor, only the first distributor is required at the place where the indoor unit is to be mounted in the future, and the initial equipment The cost can be reduced and the parallel expansion can be facilitated.

FIG. 8 is a view showing the flow characteristics of the integrated flow control valve of the multi-room air conditioner according to still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a view showing the flow characteristics of the integrated flow control valve of FIG.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 68 denotes an integrated flow control valve in which the two-way valve and the flow control valve of FIG. 1 are integrally formed.
The liquid side branch pipe 15 and the gas side branch pipe 16 are connected to the body 69 to form a refrigerant flow path. The shaft 70 reciprocates by a pulse motor (not shown) provided in the drive unit 71, and controls the opening of the needle 72 and the orifice 73. In the integrated flow control valve 68, a valve seat 7 is further provided.
A valve 76 is provided for sealing in close contact with the valve 5, and the valve 76 is opened and closed by a plunger 74 interlocked with the shaft 70 by the force of a spring 77.

The operation of the integrated flow control valve constructed as described above will be described with reference to FIG. At the position where the stroke of the shaft 70 is 0, the valve 76 contacts the valve seat 75, and the flow path connecting the gas side branch pipe 16 and the heat exchanger of the indoor unit is cut off. Valve 7 when stroke is increased
6 moves away from the valve seat 75 and the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the valve section increases. When the stroke becomes x0 or more, the flow resistance of the gas side pipe 16 becomes dominant, and the flow rate becomes constant even if the stroke changes. On the other hand, since the opening area between the needle part 72 and the orifice 73 is set to be constant in the liquid side branch pipe 15 from the stroke 0 to x1, a constant flow of refrigerant flows. When the stroke is equal to or more than x1, the opening area between the needle portion 72 and the orifice 73 decreases, and the flow rate decreases in proportion to the increase in the stroke. At the full stroke, the flow path is cut off and the refrigerant stops flowing.

With the above configuration, the valve operates as a two-way valve for opening and closing the gas side branch pipe and a flow control valve for controlling the flow rate of the liquid side branch pipe. Has an effect.

According to the present embodiment described above, the distributor can be reduced in size by using the integral flow control valve, and the driving device for the two-way valve and the flow control valve can be integrated into one to facilitate control. Become.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a refrigeration cycle of a multi-room air conditioner according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 10, the same reference numerals as those in FIG.
Reference numeral 8 denotes a receiver tank for storing excess refrigerant.

With the configuration described above, the same operation as that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is performed during the cooling operation and the heating operation of all the indoor units. Here, for example, when the heating operation of the indoor unit 3B is stopped, a control signal is sent from the distribution controller 23B so as to close the flow control valve 19B. Therefore, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant stays in the indoor heat exchanger 20B, and heat radiation is eliminated. On the other hand, the refrigerant amount in the refrigeration cycle during operation can be operated with an appropriate refrigerant amount because the refrigerant is replenished from the receiver tank 78.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, a two-way valve in the distributor becomes unnecessary and a low-cost multi-room air conditioner can be provided.

In this embodiment, the flow control valve of the stop indoor unit is closed during the partial operation of the heating operation, but may be opened by a small amount. In this case, the heat is slightly released from the stop unit, but the amount of the liquid refrigerant remaining in the indoor heat exchanger is reduced, and the capacity of the receiver tank can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the air circulation system using an indoor fan as an indoor unit has been described.
The present invention can be applied to a floor panel for floor heating and a panel for secondary cooling and heating.

[0045]

According to the present invention, one outdoor unit can be used.
On the other hand, multiple indoor units can be connected and crawling on the wall of a house
Reduce the length of piping and wiring, reduce the appearance of
An air conditioner that facilitates pipe and wiring work can be provided .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of a multi-room air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of a separate type air conditioner.

FIG. 3 is a control circuit diagram of the multi-room air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of a multi-room air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of a self-sealing coupling of a multi-chamber air conditioner according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a connection state of the self-sealing coupling of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of a multi-room air conditioner according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an integrated flow control valve of a multi-room air conditioner according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing flow characteristics of the integrated flow control valve of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of a multi-room air conditioner according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... outdoor unit, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2X ... distributor
3A, 3B, 3C, 3X ... indoor unit, 4, 4A, 4
B, 4C, 4X ... gas side connection pipe, 5, 5A, 5B, 5
C, 5X: liquid side connection pipe, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6X: second
7A, 7B, 7C, 7X ... second liquid side connection pipe, 12 ... main expansion valve, 16A, 16B, 16C, 16
X: gas side branch pipe, 17A, 17B, 17C, 17X ...
Two-way valve, 18A, 18B, 18C, 18X: liquid side branch pipe, 19A, 19B, 19C, 19X: flow control valve, 22
... Capillary tubes, 23A, 23B, 23X ... Distribution controllers, 24A, 24B, 24X ... Indoor controllers, 28 ...
Outdoor controller, 43A, 43B, 43C, 43X, 44
A, 44B, 44C, 44X, 63A, 63B, 63
C, 63X, 64A, 64B, 64C, 64X: valve, 45: F coupling, 46: M coupling, 4
Reference numeral 8: sleeve, 52: stem valve, 56: poppet valve, 60A, 60B, 60C, 60X: first distributor, 61A, 61C: second distributor, 68: integrated flow control valve, 70: shaft, 71: drive unit, 72: needle unit, 73: orifice, 74: plunger, 75: valve seat, 76: valve, 78: receiver tank.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (72) Inventor Masakatsu Hayashi 502, Kandate-cho, Tsuchiura-shi, Ibaraki Pref. Machinery Research Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd. Inside the Machinery Research Laboratory (72) Inventor Akio Sakazume 800, Tomita, Ohira-cho, Shimotsuga-gun, Tochigi Pref. Hitachi, Ltd. Tochigi Plant (56) References JP-A-63-294463 (JP, A) JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F25B 41/00 F24F 11/02 102 F25B 13/00 104 F25B 41/04

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An outdoor unit, a gas-side connection pipe and a liquid-side connection pipe connected to the outdoor unit, a gas-side branch pipe branched from the gas-side connection pipe, and a liquid-side connection pipe. It comprises a branched liquid side branch pipes, and the gas-side branch pipe and distributor accommodating a liquid side branch pipes, and a chamber unit gas side branch pipes and the liquid-side branch pipe Ru is connected in the distributor
Was in the air conditioner, the a valve for controlling the flow rate of the distributor in the working medium, to receive the signal from the pre-Symbol chamber <br/> the unit, the outdoor unit the computed results based on these signals and a distribution control means for outputting to said plurality of indoor units are connected by attaching sequential the distributor to said gas-side connecting pipe and the liquid-side connecting pipe, in the vicinity of the indoor unit of the distributor respectively The installed air conditioner.