Finned tube heat exchanger and air conditioner having the same

Abstract

Disclosed is a fin-and-tube heat exchanger and an air conditioner provided with the same. The present application aims to reduce the manufacturing cost of an outdoor heat exchanger (fin-and-tube heat exchanger) configured by arranging a pair of heat exchangers side by side. The outdoor heat exchanger is configured by arranging heat exchangers side by side to the left and right, the heat exchangers being provided with: a plurality of heat transfer fins stacked at a predetermined interval with air being able to pass therebetween and arranged in multiple rows with respect to the air flow; and a plurality of heat transfer tubes penetrating the plurality of heat transfer fins to form a passage through which refrigerant flows inside, the heat transfer tubes penetrating the heat transfer fins of each row being arranged in a staggered manner with respect to the direction of the air flow. In addition, one of the heat exchangers arranged side by side to the left and right is configured to be arranged upside down with respect to the other heat exchanger.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a finned tube heat exchanger and an air conditioner provided with the same, and is particularly suitable for an air conditioner provided with a top flow type outdoor unit having a blow fan mounted on an upper portion of a heat exchanger. BACKGROUND

[0002] In an air conditioner, in a large air conditioner for a building such as a commercial building, an air conditioner provided with one to a plurality of outdoor units and a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor units through refrigerant piping is used. Such an air conditioner is, for example, referred to as a VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) system, and an outdoor unit for an air conditioner of the VRF system is mostly a top flow type outdoor unit in which a blow fan is mounted on an upper portion of an outdoor heat exchanger. In addition, in such an air conditioner, improvement of the refrigeration / heating capacity of each unit of the outdoor unit is sought. In order to improve the capacity, the outdoor heat exchanger becomes large and complex in structure, and the manufacturability is reduced.

[0003] As an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-180543 (Patent Literature 1) describes an outdoor unit provided with a pair of blow fans arranged side by side and an outdoor heat exchanger arranged below the blow fan on the upstream side in a manner corresponding to each blow fan and configured by left and right pairs of halves of mutually symmetrical shapes arranged side by side.

[0004] In addition, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-223672 (Patent Literature 2) describes a finned tube heat exchanger in which the number of refrigerant passages in the outdoor heat exchanger is increased compared to the air conditioner described in the above-mentioned Patent Literature 1, and the heating capacity is improved.

[0005] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0006] PATENT LITERATURE

[0007] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-180543

[0008] Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-223672 SUMMARY

[0009] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0010] The heat transfer tube used in the outdoor heat exchanger is generally in a thin tube shape, and therefore, in order to reduce the flow resistance of the refrigerant, as described in the above-described Patent Document 2, the refrigerant passages are increased in number, and a structure in which each refrigerant passage reciprocates inside the heat exchanger is adopted. In the case of a finned tube heat exchanger configured by providing such a multi-pass finned tube heat exchanger as described in the above-described Patent Document 1 in a heat exchanger in which a left and right pair of halves are arranged side by side, since the left and right heat exchangers are arranged in a symmetrical shape with respect to each other, the heat exchanger arranged on the left side and the heat exchanger arranged on the right side are different in shape with respect to one unit of the outdoor unit. Therefore, it is necessary to manufacture two kinds of heat exchangers, the heat exchanger arranged on the left side and the heat exchanger arranged on the right side, respectively, and there is a problem in that the manufacturing cost of the finned tube heat exchanger increases.

[0011] An object of the present application is to obtain a finned tube heat exchanger capable of suppressing the manufacturing cost of an outdoor heat exchanger configured by arranging a left and right pair of heat exchangers side by side, and an air conditioning unit provided with the finned tube heat exchanger.

[0012] Means for solving the problem

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, the present application is a finned tube heat exchanger which is an outdoor heat exchanger configured by arranging heat exchangers side by side to the left and right, the heat exchanger being provided with: a plurality of heat transfer fins which are stacked at a predetermined interval with respect to each other in a manner in which air can pass therethrough, and which are arranged in combination with respect to an air flow in a plurality of columns; and a plurality of heat transfer tubes which pass through the plurality of heat transfer fins, and which form passages in which refrigerant flows inside, the heat transfer tubes which pass through the heat transfer fins of each column being arranged in a staggered shape with respect to the direction of the air flow, the finned tube heat exchanger being characterized in that one of the heat exchangers arranged side by side to the left and right is configured to be arranged in an upside-down reversed relationship with respect to the other heat exchanger.

[0014] Another feature of the present application is that the finned tube heat exchanger is used as the outdoor heat exchanger in an air conditioning unit provided with an outdoor heat exchanger, a blow fan arranged at an upper portion of the outdoor heat exchanger, and a compressor.

[0015] Effects of the invention

[0016] According to the present application, the following effects can be obtained: a finned tube heat exchanger capable of suppressing the manufacturing cost of an outdoor heat exchanger configured by arranging a left and right pair of heat exchangers side by side, and an air conditioning unit provided with the finned tube heat exchanger. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is a refrigeration cycle configuration diagram of an air conditioning unit of Embodiment 1 of the present application.

[0018] Figure 2 is Figure 1 is a perspective view of the outdoor unit 90.

[0019] Figure 3 is a view illustrating Figure 2 is a perspective view of the outdoor heat exchanger 3.

[0020] Figure 4 is a view illustrating the structure of a conventional fin-and-tube heat exchanger corresponding to the outdoor heat exchanger 3. Figure 3

[0021] Figure 5 is a view illustrating Figure 3 is a view illustrating the structure of the outdoor heat exchanger (fin-and-tube heat exchanger) 3 of Example 1.

[0022] Figure 6 is a view illustrating one example of refrigerant flow in the fin-and-tube heat exchanger.

[0023] Figure 7 is a view illustrating another structural example of the outdoor heat exchanger 3.

[0024] Figure 8 is a view illustrating still another structural example of the outdoor heat exchanger 3.

[0025] Figure 9 is a view illustrating still another structural example of the outdoor heat exchanger 3.

[0026] Figure 10 is a front view of Figure 9

[0027] Figure 11 is a perspective view showing one example of a trifurcated joint used in the outdoor heat exchanger of Example 1.

[0028] Figure 12 is a perspective view showing a prior example of a trifurcated joint used in the outdoor heat exchanger of Example 1.

[0029] Figure 13 is a view showing the outdoor unit of Example 2 of the present application, and is a view corresponding to Figure 2

[0030] Figure 14 is a perspective view of the heat exchanger 3. Figure 13

[0031] is a planar sectional view of a portion of the outdoor heat exchanger in the outdoor unit. Figure 15 DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figure 13

[0032] ​​​​​Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the fin-and-tube heat exchanger and the air conditioner provided with the fin-and-tube heat exchanger according to the present application will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, portions denoted by the same reference numerals are the same or equivalent portions.

[0033] [Embodiment 1]

[0034] Use Figures 1 to 12 Embodiment 1 of the fin-and-tube heat exchanger and the air conditioner provided with the fin-and-tube heat exchanger according to the present application will be described.

[0035] The air conditioner is composed of an outdoor unit provided in an outdoor and an indoor unit provided in an indoor, and performs heating and cooling of the indoor. The outdoor unit and the indoor unit are provided with a heat exchanger (outdoor heat exchanger, indoor heat exchanger) that exchanges heat between air and refrigerant, a blower (outdoor blower, indoor blower) that causes air to flow to the heat exchanger, and a refrigerant pipe that connects the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, and the like.

[0036] The air conditioner according to the present application is provided with an outdoor heat exchanger (fin-and-tube heat exchanger) composed of a pair of halves (a pair of left and right heat exchangers) arranged side by side. First, the use Figure 1 and Figure 2 The overall structure of the air conditioner will be described.

[0037] Figure 1 is a refrigeration cycle configuration diagram of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present application.

[0038] As shown in Figure 1 , the air conditioner 100 is provided with an outdoor unit 90 and a plurality of indoor units 91, and the outdoor unit 90 and each of the indoor units 91 are connected via a pipe 10, and two of the indoor units 91 are connected in parallel through the pipe 10. In this embodiment, an example in which the indoor units 91 are provided as two units is shown, but the indoor units 91 can be provided as one unit or three or more units.

[0039] The outdoor unit 90 is provided with an outdoor heat exchanger (fin-and-tube heat exchanger) 3 composed of a compressor 1, a four-way valve 2, a pair of left and right heat exchangers 30a, 30b described later, an outdoor blower 4 (4a, 4b) provided for each of the heat exchangers 30a, 30b, a receiver 5, an outdoor expansion valve 6a, 6b provided for each of the heat exchangers 3a, 30b, and the like.

[0040] The indoor units 91 are provided as two units in this example, and are each provided with an indoor heat exchanger 7, an indoor expansion valve 8, and an indoor blower 9.

[0041] The outdoor blower 4 sends outside air to the outdoor heat exchanger 3, and the indoor blower 9 sends indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger 7. The outdoor unit 90 is provided with a liquid blocking valve 15 and a gas blocking valve 16, which are connected to the pipe 10.

[0042] The air conditioner 100 can perform cooling operation and heating operation by switching the four-way valve 2. In the cooling operation, the indoor heat exchanger 7 is used as an evaporator, and the outdoor heat exchanger 3 is used as a condenser. In the heating operation, the indoor heat exchanger 7 is used as a condenser, and the outdoor heat exchanger 3 is used as an evaporator. Further, Figure 1 The switching state of the four-way valve 2 shown in the drawing is a state in the cooling operation. In addition, in the Figure 1 In the drawing, a solid arrow X shows the circulation direction of the refrigerant in the cooling operation, and a dashed arrow Y shows the circulation direction of the refrigerant in the heating operation.

[0043] For example, in the cooling operation, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 1 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 3 (30a, 30b) through the four-way valve 2, is cooled and condensed by heat exchange with air, and becomes liquid refrigerant. Thereafter, the liquid refrigerant flows to each indoor expansion valve 8 through the outdoor expansion valve 6 (6a, 6b), the liquid blocking valve 15, and the pipe 10. In each indoor expansion valve 8, the liquid refrigerant is isenthalpically expanded to become low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant gas-liquid two-phase flow, and flows into the indoor heat exchanger 7.

[0044] In the indoor heat exchanger 7, the refrigerant is evaporated by heat absorption from indoor air to become gas refrigerant. When the liquid refrigerant is vaporized in the indoor heat exchanger 8, the indoor air passing through the indoor heat exchanger 7 is cooled, thereby cooling the indoor. The refrigerant from each indoor heat exchanger 7 flows to the gas blocking valve 16 through the pipe 10, and then returns to the compressor 1 through the four-way valve 2 and the accumulator 5. The refrigerant that returns to the compressor 1 is compressed again to become high-temperature and high-pressure, and flows again to the indoor unit 91 side through the four-way valve 2, the outdoor heat exchanger 3 (30a, 30b), the outdoor expansion valve 6 (6a, 6b), and the liquid blocking valve 15, thereby repeating the cycle. The cooling cycle continues.

[0045] Next, the indoor unit 91 will be described. Figure 2 The indoor unit 91 is Figure 1 The outdoor unit 90 shown in the drawing will be described in detail. Figure 2 The outdoor unit 90 shown in the drawing is a substantially rectangular cuboid. Figure 1 The outdoor unit 90 shown in the drawing is a substantially rectangular cuboid.

[0046] As shown in the drawing, the outdoor unit 90 has a substantially rectangular cuboid shape. Figure 2

[0047] ​The outdoor unit 90 has a base member 12 that is rectangular when viewed from above, four support frames 11 that are respectively provided upright at the four corners of the base member 12, an outdoor heat exchanger 3 that is disposed on the base member 12 on the inner side of each support frame 11, and an outdoor blower 4 (4a, 4b) and the like that is disposed above the outdoor heat exchanger 3.

[0048] The support frame 11 is an L-shaped angle member, and the corners thereof are disposed in correspondence with the corners of the base member 12. The outdoor heat exchanger 3 is provided with a plurality of elongated plate-shaped heat transfer fins that extend in the vertical direction, in a manner stacked in the peripheral direction of the outdoor unit 90, and is provided with a plurality of heat transfer pipes (refrigerant pipes) that pass through and connect the plurality of heat transfer fins.

[0049] The outdoor heat exchanger 3 is disposed in a manner exposed on three sides (the back and both sides) in the substantially cuboid outdoor unit 90. In addition, the outdoor heat exchanger 3 forms the inner side space (internal space) of the outdoor unit 90 together with a panel 31 disposed on the front surface of the outdoor unit 90. The compressor 1, an electrical box 33, and the like are disposed in the inner side space.

[0050] The outdoor blower 4 is disposed above the outdoor heat exchanger 3.

[0051] The outdoor blower 4 is configured to discharge air from the inner side space formed on the inner side of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 toward the upper side of the outdoor unit 90. That is, it is configured to, when the outdoor blower 4 rotates, draw outside air from between the fins of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 exposed on the three sides of the outdoor unit 90 into the outdoor unit 90, and to discharge the drawn air to the outside upper side of the outdoor unit 90.

[0052] The outdoor unit 90 of the present embodiment has two outdoor blowers 4a, 4b disposed side by side to the left and right. In addition, in cases where the two outdoor blowers 4a, 4b are not particularly distinguished, it is sometimes referred to as the outdoor blower 4. The outdoor blower 4 has a propeller fan 41 (41a, 41b), a motor (not shown) that rotates the propeller fan 41, and a bell mouth 43 that covers the periphery of the propeller fan 41.

[0053] The propeller fans 41a, 41b of the respective outdoor blowers 4a, 4b rotate counterclockwise (counterclockwise) when viewed from above. The propeller fans 41a, 41b that rotate in this way discharge air from the inner side space of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 toward the upper side of the outdoor unit 90.

[0054] The bell mouth 43 is a cylindrical body, positioned to cover the outer circumference of the propeller fan 41. Furthermore, a top plate 13 is fixed to the support frame 11 above the inner space of the heat exchanger 3, at a position higher than the upper end surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 3. An opening having a diameter substantially equal to that of the lower portion of the bell mouth 43 is formed in the top plate 13, connecting the inner space of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the inner side of the bell mouth 43 via this opening. Furthermore, a support member (not shown) for the motor driving the propeller fan 41 is mounted and fixed to the support frame 11, etc., in the radial direction of this circular opening.

[0055] The electrical box 33 houses a control device (control board) for controlling the air conditioner 100, and is disposed along the rear side of the panel 31 in proximity to the top plate 13. Reference numeral 44 denotes a housing provided on the upper side of the top plate 13 to cover the periphery of the two outdoor fans 4a and 4b.

[0056] Next, use Figure 3 The outdoor heat exchanger 3 constituting the outdoor unit 90 will be described in detail. Figure 3 It is an explanation Figure 2 The outdoor heat exchanger 3 is a perspective view of the overall structure of the outdoor heat exchanger 3. The outdoor heat exchanger 3 is arranged on the upstream side of the outdoor blower 4.

[0057] like Figure 3 As shown, the outdoor heat exchanger 3 includes a left heat exchanger (left half) 30a and a right heat exchanger (right half) 30b arranged side by side, connected at the center by a plate-shaped connecting support 40. Furthermore, the left heat exchanger 30a and the right heat exchanger 30b are arranged so as to correspond to the left and right outdoor fans 4a and 4b, respectively.

[0058] The left heat exchanger 30a and the right heat exchanger 30b are Figure 3 Although shown as bilaterally symmetrical in the figure, in this embodiment, as described later, the arrangement structure of the heat transfer tubes is different in the left heat exchanger 30a and the right heat exchanger 30b, and the left heat exchanger 30a and the right heat exchanger 30b have an asymmetrical structure.

[0059] The left-side heat exchanger 30a and the right-side heat exchanger 30b each have a side surface portion 3a disposed on a side surface of the outdoor unit 90, a back surface portion 3b disposed on a back surface of the outdoor unit 90, and a convex surface portion 3c disposed in opposition to the side surface portion 3a. The convex surface portion 3c is formed so as to extend toward the front surface side from the left and right central portions of the back surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 3. That is, the left-side heat exchanger 30a and the right-side heat exchanger 30b each have the side surface portion 3a, the back surface portion 3b, and the convex surface portion 3c disposed in this order in the circumferential direction centered on each of the outdoor blowers 4a, 4b. In this embodiment, the side surface portion 3a and the convex surface portion 3c are in opposition to each other, and the convex surface portion 3c has an end portion 3d on the opposite side to the back surface portion 3b.

[0060] The back surface portion 3b is configured to extend linearly in the left and right directions on the back surface of the outdoor unit 90, and the side surface portion 3a and the convex surface portion 3c have portions extending linearly in the front and back directions of the outdoor unit 90 and curved portions (circular arc-shaped portions) connecting the back surface portion 3b. In addition, the left-side heat exchanger 30a and the right-side heat exchanger 30b are disposed in opposition to each other with the convex surface portions 3c. The outdoor heat exchanger 3 increases the heat exchange area by providing the convex surface portions 3c.

[0061] The connecting pillar 40 extends in the up and down directions between the convex surface portion 3c of the left-side heat exchanger 30a and the convex surface portion 3c of the right-side heat exchanger 30b. In addition, the connecting pillar 40 maintains the minimum width of the gap 39 formed between the convex surface portion 3c of the left-side heat exchanger 30a and the convex surface portion 3c of the right-side heat exchanger 30b, and integrally connects the left-side heat exchanger 30a and the right-side heat exchanger 30b. Furthermore, the connecting pillar 40 prevents external air from directly entering the inside space (internal space) of the heat exchanger from the gap 39 by closing the gap 39. In addition, the lower end portion of the connecting pillar 40 is fixed to the base member 12 (see Figure 2 ), and the upper end portion of the connecting pillar 40 is fixed to the ceiling plate 13 (see Figure 2 ).

[0062] The width of the gap 39 is formed so as to gradually narrow from the back surface side of the outdoor unit 90 toward the front surface side. In addition, the convex surface portions 3c of the left and right heat exchangers 30a, 30b are disposed at positions further outward than the radii of rotation of the propeller fans 41a, 41b.

[0063] A service space 31a is provided in the inside space of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 between the end portion of the side surface portion 3a of the left-side heat exchanger 30a and the end portion of the side surface portion 3a of the right-side heat exchanger 30b. Through the service space 31a, maintenance of various refrigeration cycle constituent devices such as the electrical box 33, the compressor 1 (see Figure 2 ), and the like can be performed. Furthermore, the service space 31a is closed by the panel 31 (seeFigure 2 ) is closed.

[0064] Next, use Figures 4 to 12 The structure of this embodiment including the arrangement structure of the heat transfer tubes in the outdoor heat exchanger 3 will be described.

[0065] First, use Figure 4 Description and Figure 3 The outdoor heat exchanger 3 shown corresponds to the structure of a conventional outdoor heat exchanger (fin-tube heat exchanger). Figure 4 This is a diagram of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 as viewed from the front slightly above.

[0066] like Figure 4 As shown, the left heat exchanger 30a and the right heat exchanger 30b each consist of three rows of heat exchange sections arranged along the air flow direction. Specifically, there is a first row of heat exchange sections 71 on the upstream side, a second row of heat exchange sections 72 in the center, and a third row of heat exchange sections 73 on the downstream side. Furthermore, in each heat exchanger 30a or 30b, the two rows on the upwind side are arranged with U-shaped heat transfer tubes 51 spanning the first and second rows of heat exchange sections 71 and 72. The third row of heat exchange sections on the leeward side is arranged with the U-shaped heat transfer tubes 51 stacked in a stepped pattern.

[0067] Furthermore, the heat transfer tubes passing through the heat exchange parts 71 to 73 in each row are arranged in a staggered manner relative to the flow direction of air to improve heat exchange efficiency.

[0068] The ends (heat transfer tube ends) 51a of each U-shaped heat transfer tube 51 are connected to the ends 51a of other U-shaped heat transfer tubes 51 via passage connection tubes 52. Furthermore, the refrigerant flowing out of the heat transfer tube ends 51a of the lower heat exchange section 30L in each heat exchanger 30a, 30b flows through the connection tubes 53, 54 to the ends 51a of the U-shaped heat transfer tubes 51 of the upper heat exchange section 30U.

[0069] In addition, Figure 4 In FIG, Liquid1 ... Liquid8 are inlets and outlets for liquid refrigerant, and in this example, eight inlets and outlets are provided. In addition, Gas1 ... Gas32 are inlets and outlets for gas refrigerant, and in this example, 32 inlets and outlets are provided.

[0070] If the Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the left heat exchanger 30a and the right heat exchanger 30b are constructed to be line symmetrical including the arrangement of the heat transfer tubes. Therefore, in the left heat exchanger 30a and the right heat exchanger 30b, as shown in FIG. Figure 4As shown, the structure is different, and thus there is a problem of an increase in manufacturing cost because two types of heat exchangers, a heat exchanger for the left heat exchanger 30a and a heat exchanger for the right heat exchanger 30b, are required to be manufactured.

[0071] Next, the structure of the outdoor heat exchanger (fin-and-tube heat exchanger) in the present embodiment will be described. Figure 5 The structure of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 shown in FIG. 1 is a view of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 as viewed from the front side slightly above. In Figure 5 is a view of the structure of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the front side slightly above. In Figure 3 The structure of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 shown in FIG. 1 is a view of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 as viewed from the front side slightly above. In Figure 5 In the present embodiment, the same or equivalent parts as Figure 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the parts common to Figure 4 will be basically omitted.

[0072] As with the conventional outdoor heat exchanger 3 described in Figure 4 , the outdoor heat exchanger 3 in the present embodiment is provided with a left heat exchanger 30a and a right heat exchanger 30b arranged side by side to the left and right.

[0073] Each heat exchanger 30a, 30b is provided with a plurality of plate-like heat transfer fins arranged in a stacked manner with a predetermined interval so as to allow air (gas) to pass therebetween, and a plurality of heat transfer pipes (U-shaped heat transfer pipes in the present example) 51 arranged in combination with a plurality of columns with respect to the air flow, the plurality of heat transfer pipes 51 penetrating the plurality of heat transfer fins in the stacking direction to form a passage through which refrigerant flows inside. In addition, the heat transfer pipes 51 penetrating the heat transfer fins of each column are arranged in a staggered manner with respect to the direction of the air flow.

[0074] The outdoor heat exchanger 3 of the present application differs from the conventional outdoor heat exchanger shown in Figure 4 in that the left heat exchanger 30a and the right heat exchanger 30b do not form a line-symmetrical relationship with each other (become left-right asymmetrical).

[0075] That is, in the present embodiment, one of the heat exchangers 30a, 30b arranged side by side to the left and right is arranged in a reversed-upside-down relationship with respect to the other heat exchanger 30a, 30b. That is, two heat exchangers of the same shape are manufactured, one of the heat exchangers is arranged as the right heat exchanger 30b or the left heat exchanger 30a, the other heat exchanger is arranged in a reversed-upside-down relationship by rotating 180° with respect to the one heat exchanger, and is arranged as the left heat exchanger 30a or the right heat exchanger 30b, to constitute the outdoor heat exchanger 3.

[0076] For example, the left heat exchanger 30a is configured by turning upside down the same components as the right heat exchanger 30b and arranging them on the left side as components of the left heat exchanger 30a. Also, the same components as the left heat exchanger 30a can be turned upside down and arranged on the right side as the right heat exchanger 30b.

[0077] By so configuring, only one kind of heat exchanger of the same shape is manufactured, and one of the left and right pair of heat exchangers is combined upside down with respect to the other heat exchanger, so that the manufacturing cost of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 can be greatly reduced.

[0078] That is, in the conventional outdoor heat exchanger 3, the heat exchanger 30a arranged on the left side and the heat exchanger 30b arranged on the right side are required to be manufactured separately, and two kinds of heat exchangers are required to be manufactured. In contrast, the outdoor heat exchanger 3 of the present embodiment can manufacture one kind of heat exchanger and use it as the heat exchangers on the left and right sides, so that the manufacturing of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 can be greatly simplified.

[0079] In the present embodiment, the heat transfer pipes 51 are composed of U-shaped heat transfer pipes formed by bending round pipes into a U shape, and a plurality of the U-shaped heat transfer pipes are provided with a passage connection pipe 52 connecting the end portions of the plurality of U-shaped heat transfer pipes. Also, the refrigerant flowing out from the heat transfer pipe end portions 51a of the lower side heat exchange portion 30L in each heat exchanger 30a, 30b flows to the end portions 51a of the U-shaped heat transfer pipes 51 of the upper side heat exchange portion 30U via the connection pipes 53, 54.

[0080] Also, in the present embodiment, each heat exchanger 30a, 30b is also composed of 3 rows of heat exchange portions (first row heat exchange portion 71, second row heat exchange portion 72, third row heat exchange portion 73) arranged in the direction of air flow. Further, in the present embodiment, the first row heat exchange portion 71 on the windward side (upstream side) is configured such that the U-shaped heat transfer pipes 51 are arranged in a manner of overlapping in the step direction, and with respect to the 2 rows on the leeward side (downstream side), the U-shaped heat transfer pipes 51 are arranged in a manner of straddling the second row heat exchange portion 72 and the third row heat exchange portion 73, which is also different from Figure 4

[0081] The end portions 51a of the U-shaped heat transfer pipes 51 of the third row heat exchange portion (the heat exchange portion on the most downstream side) 73 in the lower side heat exchange portion 30L are connected to the end portions 51a of the U-shaped heat transfer pipes 51 of the first row heat exchange portion (the heat exchange portion on the most upstream side) 71 in the upper side heat exchange portion 30U via the connection pipes 53, 54.

[0082] Further, as described above Figure 4 ​As shown, it can also be constructed so that the end 51a of the U-shaped heat transfer tube 51 of the first row of heat exchange sections (heat exchange sections on the most upstream side) 71 in the lower side heat exchange section 30L and the end 51a of the U-shaped heat transfer tube 51 of the third row of heat exchange sections (heat exchange sections on the most downstream side) 73 in the upper side heat exchange section 30U are connected via the connecting pipes 53 and 54.

[0083] Next, use Figure 6 An example of the flow of the refrigerant in the left heat exchanger 30a or the right heat exchanger 30b will be described. Figure 6 The example shown is a diagram illustrating the flow of refrigerant in one of the left and right heat exchangers 30a and 30b. The flow of refrigerant in the other heat exchanger 30a or 30b is also the same. In addition, when the left heat exchanger 30a and the right heat exchanger 30b are not distinguished, they are referred to as the heat exchanger 30.

[0084] Figure 6 The structure of the heat exchanger 30 shown is similar to Figure 5 The left heat exchanger 30a and the right heat exchanger 30b shown are identical, and the description will be made of a case where liquid refrigerant enters from eight liquid refrigerant inlets 1 to 8, evaporates into gas refrigerant within the heat exchanger 30, and flows out from 32 gas refrigerant outlets 1 to 32. While the description herein focuses on the flow of refrigerant entering from liquid refrigerant inlet 1 and flowing out from gas refrigerant outlets 1 to 4, the flow of refrigerant entering from liquid refrigerant inlets 2 to 8 and flowing out from gas refrigerant outlets 5 to 32 is also similar, and therefore the description of these refrigerant flows will be omitted.

[0085] The liquid refrigerant that flows into the U-shaped heat transfer tube 51 of the lower side heat exchange part 30L from the liquid refrigerant inlet 1 reciprocates (here is two reciprocations) in the U-shaped heat transfer tube 51 of the first row of heat exchange parts 71 and flows downward, then branches upward and downward through the three-way joint (a passage connecting pipe in three directions) 55, and flows to the lower side U-shaped heat transfer tube 51 and the upper side U-shaped heat transfer tube 51 arranged across the second row of heat exchange parts 72 and the third row of heat exchange parts 73.

[0086] The liquid refrigerant flowing into the lower U-shaped heat transfer tube 51 makes two round trips before flowing into the connecting tube 53 and into the U-shaped heat transfer tubes 51 of the first row of heat exchange sections 71 in the upper heat exchange section 30U. After making one round trip in the U-shaped heat transfer tube 51, it branches upward and downward through the three-pronged joint 55 and flows into the lower and upper U-shaped heat transfer tubes 51, which are arranged across the second and third rows of heat exchange sections 72 and 73, respectively. After making one round trip each, it flows out through the gas refrigerant outlets 1 and 2.

[0087] Similarly, the liquid refrigerant flowing into the upper U-shaped heat transfer tube 51 of the lower heat exchange section 30L also makes two round trips before flowing into the connecting tube 54 and into the U-shaped heat transfer tube 51 of the first row of heat exchange sections 71 of the upper heat exchange section 30U. After making one round trip in the U-shaped heat transfer tube 51, it branches upward and downward at the three-pronged joint 55 and flows into the lower and upper U-shaped heat transfer tubes 51, which are arranged across the second and third rows of heat exchange sections 72 and 73, respectively. After making one round trip each, it flows out through the gas refrigerant outlets 3 and 4.

[0088] The liquid refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger 30 from the liquid refrigerant inlet 1 exchanges heat with the air passing through the heat exchanger 30 while flowing in the heat exchanger 30 , and evaporates into gas refrigerant, flowing out from the gas refrigerant outlets 1 to 4 .

[0089] The liquid refrigerant flowing into the U-shaped heat transfer tubes of the lower heat exchange section 30L from the liquid refrigerant inlets 2 to 8 also flows in the same manner as described above and flows out from the gas refrigerant outlets 5 to 32 of the upper heat exchange section 30U.

[0090] In this way, Figure 6 In the example shown, liquid refrigerant flows into the heat exchanger 30 through eight liquid refrigerant inlets 1 to 8, and then flows out through four times as many gas refrigerant outlets 1 to 32. Specifically, the volume of vaporized refrigerant is significantly increased relative to that of liquid refrigerant. Therefore, efficiency is improved by appropriately adjusting the refrigerant flow rate and circulation resistance to match this flow path structure.

[0091] In addition, Figure 2 In the outdoor unit of the air conditioner shown, since the outdoor blower 4 is located above the outdoor heat exchanger 3, the air passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 3 has a higher velocity (higher air volume) in the upper portion of the heat exchanger and a lower velocity (lower air volume) in the lower portion. Consequently, the refrigerant flow path length (path length) is increased in the lower portion of the heat exchanger (lower heat exchange section 30L), where the velocity is lower, while the path length is shortened in the upper portion (upper heat exchange section 30U), where the velocity is higher, thereby making the heat exchange amount substantially uniform between the upper and lower portions of the heat exchanger.

[0092] In addition, the above description of the refrigerant flow is a case where the outdoor heat exchanger 3 functions as an evaporator, but when the outdoor heat exchanger 3 functions as a condenser, the refrigerant flow is simply reversed. That is, the gas refrigerant flows from Figure 5 The gas refrigerant flows into the inlets and outlets Gas1 ... Gas32 shown, and after being condensed in the heat exchanger, the liquid refrigerant flows out from the liquid refrigerant inlets and outlets Liquid1 ... Liquid8.

[0093] In the outdoor heat exchanger 3 of the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 5 the left-side heat exchanger 30a and the right-side heat exchanger 30b become an asymmetric structure. Therefore, in the left-side heat exchanger 30a and the right-side heat exchanger 30b, there is a possibility that the heat exchange performance will differ somewhat. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 1 , the outdoor expansion valves 6a, 6b are provided corresponding to the left-side and right-side heat exchangers 30a, 30b, respectively. Thereby, even in the case where a difference in heat exchange performance occurs between the left-side and right-side heat exchangers 30a, 30b, by arbitrarily controlling the outdoor expansion valves 6a, 6b provided in the left-side and right-side heat exchangers 30a, 30b, respectively, by the control device provided in the electrical box 33 (refer to Figure 2 ), it is possible to control in such a manner that the heat exchange amounts of the left-side and right-side heat exchangers 30a, 30b are approximately equal.

[0094] Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 1 , Figure 2 , the outdoor blowers 4a, 4b are provided corresponding to the left-side and right-side heat exchangers 30a, 30b, respectively, and therefore, by arbitrarily controlling the rotational speeds of these outdoor blowers 4a, 4b by the control device provided in the electrical box 33, it is also possible to control in such a manner that the heat exchange amounts of the left-side and right-side heat exchangers 30a, 30b are approximately equal.

[0095] Next, another structure example of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 10 . Figure 3 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 .

[0096] Figure 7 The outdoor heat exchanger 3 shown in Figure 5 is an example of an outdoor heat exchanger 3 that shows a simple passage structure with a smaller number of passages compared to the outdoor heat exchanger 3 described in

[0097] In Figure 7 , the left-side and right-side heat exchangers 30a, 30b each have a first column of heat exchange portions 71, a second column of heat exchange portions 72, and a third column of heat exchange portions 73 arranged along the air flow. Further, each of the heat exchangers 30a, 30b arranges the straight heat transfer pipe portions (portions that pass through the heat transfer fins) of the U-shaped heat transfer pipes 51 in a staggered manner with respect to the direction of the air flow.

[0098] Further, one of the heat exchangers 30a, 30b arranged side by side is configured to be arranged upside down with respect to the other heat exchanger (to be rotated 180° and arranged upside down). Therefore, as in the above-described embodiment, the outdoor heat exchanger 3 of this example can also be manufactured as one heat exchanger and used as the left and right heat exchangers 30a, 30b, and thus the manufacturing of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 can be greatly simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be greatly reduced.

[0099] Further, the number of passages is reduced in the lower-side heat exchanging portion 30L, and the number of passages is increased in the upper-side heat exchanging portion 30U. That is, in this example, two liquid refrigerant inlets 61, 62 are provided in the lower-side heat exchanging portion 30L, and eight gas refrigerant inlets 61c to 61f, 62c to 62f are provided in the upper-side heat exchanging portion 30U. These eight gas refrigerant inlets are connected to a gas header (gas distributor) 63.

[0100] The flow of the refrigerant in the case where the outdoor heat exchanger 3 functions as an evaporator will be described.

[0101] The liquid refrigerant flowing into the end portion 51a of the U-shaped heat transfer tube 51 of the first column heat exchanging portion (the most upstream-side heat exchanging portion) 71 from the liquid refrigerant inlet 61 makes one round trip in the U-shaped heat transfer tube 51. Thereafter, the liquid refrigerant is divided into two by the three-way joint (three-direction passage connection tube) 55, makes one round trip in each U-shaped heat transfer tube 51, and then enters two U-shaped heat transfer tubes 51 of the first column heat exchanging portion 71 in the upper-side heat exchanging portion 30U through the connection tubes 61a, 61b. After making one round trip in each U-shaped heat transfer tube 51, the liquid refrigerant is again divided into two by the three-way joint 55.

[0102] Therefore, the liquid refrigerant is divided into four, makes one round trip in each U-shaped heat transfer tube 51, and then flows out to the gas header 63 from the gas refrigerant inlets 61c to 61f. That is, the gas header 63 is connected to the end portion 51a of the U-shaped heat transfer tube 51 of the third column heat exchanging portion (the most downstream-side heat exchanging portion) 73 in the upper-side heat exchanging portion 30U.

[0103] As described above, the liquid refrigerant flowing in from the liquid refrigerant inlet 62 is also divided in the lower-side heat exchanging portion 30L, enters the upper-side heat exchanging portion 30U via the connection tubes 62a, 62b, is again divided, and flows out to the gas header 63 from the gas refrigerant inlets 62c to 62f.

[0104] Further, the flow of the refrigerant in the case where the outdoor heat exchanger 3 functions as a condenser is opposite to the above. That is, the gas refrigerant flows from the gas header 63 side into the gas refrigerant inlet and outlet ports 61c to 61f, 62c to 62f, the gas refrigerant is condensed in the heat exchanger to become liquid refrigerant, and the liquid refrigerant flows out from the liquid refrigerant inlet and outlet ports 61, 62.

[0105] The above-described flow of the refrigerant is the same in the left and right heat exchangers 30a, 30b. In this example, the passage length in the lower side heat exchange portion 30L and the upper side heat exchange portion 30U is respectively the length of two round trips of the U-shaped heat transfer pipe 51.

[0106] Further, Figure 7 The heat exchangers 30a, 30b of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 shown are not shaped like a U as Figure 5 but can be shaped like a U as Figure 5 well. In this case, the liquid refrigerant inlet and outlet ports 61, 62 are connected to the end portions of the U-shaped heat transfer pipes 51 of the third column heat exchange portion 73 in the lower side heat exchange portion 30L.

[0107] Further, it can be configured such that the end portions of the U-shaped heat transfer pipes 51 of the first column heat exchange portion 71, which is the most upstream side with respect to the air flow, in the upper side heat exchange portion 30U are connected to the gas header 63, and the end portions of the U-shaped heat transfer pipes 51 of the third column heat exchange portion 73, which is the most downstream side with respect to the air flow, in the lower side heat exchange portion 30L are connected to the liquid refrigerant inlet and outlet ports 61, 62. In this case, the end portions of the U-shaped heat transfer pipes 51 of the first column heat exchange portion 71, which is the most upstream side in the lower side heat exchange portion 30L, and the end portions of the U-shaped heat transfer pipes 51 of the third column heat exchange portion 73, which is the most downstream side in the upper side heat exchange portion 30U, are connected via the connection pipes 61a, 61b, 62a, 62b.

[0108] Figure 8 The outdoor heat exchanger 3 shown is an example of a more simplified outdoor heat exchanger 3 in which the number of U-shaped heat transfer pipes 51 is less than the outdoor heat exchanger 3 described in Figure 5 Figure 7 In this example, each of the left and right heat exchangers 30a, 30b also has the first column heat exchange portion 71, the second column heat exchange portion 72, and the third column heat exchange portion 73.

[0109] ​Furthermore, in each of the left and right heat exchangers 30a and 30b, the linear heat transfer tube portions of the U-shaped heat transfer tubes 51 are arranged in a staggered pattern relative to the direction of air flow. Furthermore, in this example, one of the left and right juxtaposed heat exchangers 30a and 30b is configured to be flipped upside down relative to the other heat exchanger (rotated 180°). Thus, similar to the aforementioned embodiment, a single heat exchanger can be manufactured and used as both the left and right heat exchangers, significantly simplifying the manufacture of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 and significantly reducing manufacturing costs.

[0110] Figure 9 、 Figure 10 The outdoor heat exchanger 3 shown is an example of an outdoor heat exchanger in a more simplified form to which the present invention is applied. Figure 9 It's a stereogram. Figure 10 yes Figure 9 As shown in these figures, in this example, the left and right heat exchangers 30a and 30b of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 are composed of two rows of first row heat exchange sections 71 and second row heat exchange sections 72. In addition, each heat exchanger 30a and 30b is a heat exchanger bent into an L shape.

[0111] In each of the first and second heat exchange portions 71 and 72 where a plurality of heat transfer fins are stacked, a plurality of U-shaped heat transfer tubes 51 inserted into the heat transfer fins are arranged so as to overlap in the vertical direction (step direction).

[0112] In each heat exchanger 30a, 30b, the linear heat transfer tube portions of the multiple U-shaped heat transfer tubes 51 are arranged in a staggered pattern relative to the direction of air flow. Furthermore, one of the heat exchangers 30a, 30b, arranged side by side on the left and right, is configured to be vertically reversed relative to the other heat exchanger (rotated 180°). Therefore, as shown in these figures, the left heat exchanger 30a and the right heat exchanger 30b are not linearly symmetrical.

[0113] The outdoor heat exchanger 3 described in this example also has a structure in which one of the left and right heat exchangers 30a and 30b is arranged upside down. Therefore, as in the above-mentioned embodiment, a single heat exchanger can be manufactured and used as both a left and right heat exchanger. This greatly simplifies the manufacture of the heat exchanger and significantly reduces manufacturing costs.

[0114] Next, use Figure 11 、 Figure 12 , an example of the three-pronged joint (a pipe connecting passages in three directions) 55 used in the above-mentioned embodiment will be described. Figure 11 is a perspective view showing an example of a three-pronged joint, Figure 12is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional trifurcated joint.

[0115] Figure 11 and Figure 12 The trifurcated joint 55 (55a, 55b) shown in the drawing is configured to distribute refrigerant flowing from one U-shaped heat transfer pipe to two U-shaped heat transfer pipes, and to distribute refrigerant flowing from one refrigerant inlet to two directions, and to flow from outlet 1 and outlet 2.

[0116] First, according to Figure 12 The conventional trifurcated joint 55b is described. Refrigerant flows from one inlet of the trifurcated joint 55b, is distributed upward and downward within the trifurcated joint 55b, and flows from outlets 1 and 2. Therefore, depending on the flow rate and dryness of the refrigerant flowing in, the distribution amount of refrigerant to the outlet 1 side and the outlet 2 side changes, and sometimes an appropriate refrigerant amount cannot be distributed to the two outlets.

[0117] Therefore, in the present embodiment, an appropriate refrigerant amount is distributed to the two outlets depending on the flow rate and dryness of the refrigerant at the site where the trifurcated joint is provided.

[0118] Specifically, as shown in Figure 11 , the trifurcated joint 55a is configured. That is, in the present embodiment, instead of connecting a refrigerant inlet pipe composed of an elbow to the center of two refrigerant outlet pipes as shown in Figure 12 , it is connected to one refrigerant outlet pipe side as shown in Figure 11 . By being configured like this, as shown by the arrows in the drawing, the refrigerant entering the refrigerant inlet pipe of the trifurcated joint 55a is a flow that turns, and therefore centrifugal force F acts on the flowing refrigerant. Therefore, in the distribution portion of the trifurcated joint 55a, as shown by the arrow D, the flow becomes a flow that is pulled to the left side of the drawing, and it is possible to increase the flow amount flowing to the left side more than the flow amount flowing to the right side.

[0119] Therefore, by being configured as the trifurcated joint 55a shown in Figure 11 , it is possible to design the distribution amount of refrigerant to be adjusted. For example, for a passage where the refrigerant flow easily becomes small, or a passage where it is desired to increase the refrigerant flow, it is sufficient to adopt the trifurcated joint 55a shown in Figure 11 , and to connect the passage where it is desired to increase the refrigerant amount to the refrigerant outlet pipe that becomes outlet 1 of the trifurcated joint 55a.

[0120] In this way, by adopting the trifurcated joint 55a shown in Figure 11 , it is possible to adjust in a manner that makes the refrigerant amount flowing in each passage uniform, or the heat exchange amount in each passage appropriate. That is, in the present embodiment, by using inertial forces such as centrifugal force that occur in accordance with the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into the trifurcated joint 55a, it is possible to appropriately adjust the distribution ratio to the heat transfer pipes to which the refrigerant is distributed.

[0121] As described above, according to Example 1 of the present invention, an outdoor heat exchanger is constructed by arranging heat exchangers in parallel on the left and right, and the heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat transfer fins and a plurality of heat transfer tubes. The plurality of heat transfer fins are stacked at predetermined intervals so that air (gas) can pass through, and are arranged in a plurality of rows relative to the air flow combination. The plurality of heat transfer tubes pass through the plurality of heat transfer fins to form a passage for the refrigerant to circulate inside. The heat transfer tubes passing through the heat transfer fins in each row are arranged in a staggered manner relative to the direction of the air flow. One side of the heat exchangers arranged in parallel on the left and right is configured to be in an upside-down configuration relative to the other side (a structure that is rotated 180° and turned upside down), so that the following effects can be obtained.

[0122] In other words, one of the two parallel heat exchangers has the same structure as the other heat exchanger, flipped upside down. Therefore, a single heat exchanger can be manufactured for both heat exchangers. Therefore, compared to conventional methods of manufacturing two heat exchangers, this embodiment can significantly reduce manufacturing costs by making only one heat exchanger. Consequently, a fin-tube heat exchanger and an air conditioner equipped with the fin-tube heat exchanger can be obtained, which maintains heat exchanger performance while improving manufacturability and profitability.

[0123] Furthermore, as described above, in the present invention, one of the left and right parallel heat exchangers is configured to be upside down relative to the other heat exchanger (rotated 180 degrees and turned upside down). However, the heat exchanger referred to here refers to the heat exchanger before the gas header, liquid header, and connecting pipes for the passages are connected. In other words, the heat exchanger on one side, consisting of the heat transfer fins and heat transfer pipes before the gas header, etc. are connected, is upside down relative to the other heat exchanger.

[0124] [Example 2]

[0125] use Figure 13 ~ to Figure 15 The second embodiment of the fin-tube heat exchanger and the air conditioner equipped with the fin-tube heat exchanger of the present invention will be described. Figure 1 The structure shown is the same. In addition, the air conditioner of this embodiment also includes an outdoor heat exchanger composed of a pair of half bodies (a pair of left and right heat exchangers) arranged in parallel.

[0126] First, use Figure 13 The overall structure of the outdoor unit in this embodiment will be described. Figure 13 is equivalent to Figure 2 FIG is an overall perspective view of the outdoor unit of this embodiment.

[0127] The air conditioner 100 of the second embodiment (see Figure 1 ) The air conditioner 100 of the first embodiment differs from the air conditioner 100 of the first embodiment only in the outdoor unit 90. In the description of this embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts as those of the first embodiment, and the description will focus on the parts that are different from the first embodiment.

[0128] like Figure 13 As shown, the outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the panel 31 of the outdoor unit 90 in this embodiment are different from those of the outdoor unit 90 in embodiment 1 (see Figure 2 )different.

[0129] exist Figure 13 In FIG. 4, 4a, 4b are outdoor blowers, 11 are support frames, 12 are base members, 13 are top plates, 41 (41a, 41b) are propeller fans, and 44 are housings. Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, the outdoor heat exchanger 3 in this embodiment has a front portion 3a' bent from the front of the side portions 3a of the left and right heat exchangers 30a and 30b. This is different from the outdoor heat exchanger 3 in the above-mentioned embodiment 1 (see Figure 3 ) is different. In addition, in this embodiment, since the front portion 3a' is provided, the panel 31 provided on the front surface of the outdoor unit 90 is arranged between the front portions 3a'. Therefore, the width of the panel 31 is smaller than that of the first embodiment.

[0130] Next, use Figure 14 and Figure 15 illustrate Figure 13 The structure of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 used in Figure 14 It is composed Figure 13 The overall perspective view of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 of the outdoor unit 90, Figure 15 yes Figure 13 The outdoor unit 90 is shown in a top cross-sectional view of a portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 .

[0131] As for the outdoor heat exchanger 3 of this embodiment 2, Figure 14 、 Figure 15 As shown, the left and right heat exchangers 30a and 30b of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 each include a front portion 3a' disposed on the front side, a side portion 3a disposed on the side, a back portion 3b disposed on the rear side, and a convex portion 3c disposed so as to face the side portion 3a. Furthermore, the back portion 3b faces the front portion 3a'.

[0132] The portions connecting the front portion 3a' to the side portion 3a are curved so as to form a 90-degree inner angle with each other via R portions having a predetermined curvature. Reference numeral 38 denotes a side plate, 39 denotes a gap, and 40 denotes a connecting support.

[0133] The left and right heat exchangers 30a and 30b have their front portions 3a' and back portions 3b facing each other, and their side portions 3a and convex portions 3c facing each other, respectively, in the front, back, and left and right directions around the outdoor blowers 4a and 4b. Thus, the left and right heat exchangers 30a and 30b each form a four-sided heat exchange body having a front portion 3a', side portions 3a, back portion 3b, and convex portion 3c.

[0134] Furthermore, the left-right length of the front portion 3a' is shorter than the left-right length of the back portion 3b, thereby forming a service space 31a between the ends of the front portion 3a' of the left heat exchanger 30a and the front portion 3a' of the right heat exchanger 30b. The panel 31 is mounted in the service space 31a, and an inner space is formed between the panel 31 and the outdoor heat exchanger 3. Equipment such as a compressor and an electrical box are arranged in this inner space.

[0135] The gap 39 is formed between the opposing portions 70 of the left and right heat exchangers 30a and 30b, and the width of the gap 39 is configured to gradually narrow from the back side toward the front side of the outdoor unit 90. Figure 15 In the figure, 60 is the central axis.

[0136] and Figure 5 Similar to the outdoor heat exchangers described in

[15] ,

[16] ,

[17] ,

[18] ,

[19] ,

[20] ,

[21] ,

[22] , the left and right heat exchangers 30a and 30b of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 in this embodiment also have three rows of stacked plate-shaped heat transfer fins arranged in the air flow direction. Furthermore, U-shaped heat transfer tubes are provided to penetrate each row of the heat transfer fins. The linear heat transfer tube portions of the multiple U-shaped heat transfer tubes in each heat exchanger 30a and 30b are arranged in a staggered pattern relative to the air flow direction.

[0137] Furthermore, one of the heat exchangers 30a and 30b, which are arranged side by side on the left and right sides, is configured to be upside down relative to the other heat exchanger (rotated 180 degrees and upside down). Therefore, similar to the first embodiment described above, the outdoor heat exchanger 3 of this example is also manufactured as a single heat exchanger and used as both the left and right heat exchangers. This greatly simplifies the manufacture of the heat exchanger and can significantly reduce manufacturing costs.

[0138] As described above, the air conditioner including the outdoor unit 90 of the second embodiment can achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above, and can also achieve the following operations and effects.

[0139] That is, in the outdoor heat exchanger 3 of the present embodiment 2, the front face portion 3a', the side face portion 3a, the back face portion 3b, and the convex face portion 3c are arranged in 4 faces along the outer periphery of the outdoor unit 90, and thus the heat transfer performance of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 can be improved. Thus, the ventilation resistance of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 can be reduced without making the outdoor unit 90 large, and thus an air conditioner that is excellent in energy saving performance and can be compact can be obtained.

[0140] Further, the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modifications. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the outdoor heat exchanger in which the heat transfer fins are arranged in 3 or 2 rows is described, but the present application can be applied to an outdoor heat exchanger in which the heat transfer fins are arranged in 4 or more rows as well. Further, the U-shaped heat transfer pipes are used as the heat transfer pipes that pass through the heat transfer fins, but the heat transfer pipes are not limited to the U-shaped heat transfer pipes, and for example, straight heat transfer pipes can be used by connecting the straight heat transfer pipes with U-shaped pipes.

[0141] Further, the above-described embodiments are embodiments that are described in detail for easy understanding of the present application, and are not limited to necessarily having all the structures described.

[0142] [Explanation of Symbols]

[0143] 1: compressor, 2: four-way valve, 3: outdoor heat exchanger, 3a: side face portion, 3a': front face portion, 3b: back face portion, 3c: convex face portion, 3d: end portion, 4 (4a, 4b): outdoor blower, 5: accumulator, 6 (6a, 6b): outdoor expansion valve, 7: indoor heat exchanger, 8: indoor expansion valve, 9: indoor blower, 10: pipe, 11: support frame, 12: base member, 13: top plate, 30: heat exchanger (30a: left side heat exchanger, 30b: right side heat exchanger), 30L: lower side heat exchange portion, 30U: upper side heat exchange portion, 31: panel, 31a: service space, 33: electrical box, 38: side plate, 39: gap, 15: liquid blocking valve, 16: gas blocking valve, 40: connecting support, 41 (41a, 41b): propeller fan, 43: horn, 44: housing, 51: U-shaped heat transfer pipe (heat transfer pipe), 51a: end portion, 52: passage connection pipe, 53, 54: connection pipe, 55: three-way joint (3-direction passage connection pipe), 60: center axis, 61, 62: liquid refrigerant inlet and outlet, 61a, 61b, 62a, 62b: connection pipe, 61c-61f, 62c-62f: gas refrigerant inlet and outlet, 63: gas header, 70: opposing portion, 71: first row heat exchange portion, 72: second row heat exchange portion, 73: third row heat exchange portion, 90: outdoor unit, 91: indoor unit, 100: air conditioner.

Claims

1. A fin-and-tube heat exchanger, comprising: an outdoor heat exchanger comprising heat exchangers arranged side by side on either side; the heat exchanger comprising: a plurality of heat transfer fins stacked at predetermined intervals to allow air to pass therethrough, and arranged in a plurality of rows relative to the air flow; and a plurality of heat transfer tubes penetrating the plurality of heat transfer fins to form passages for refrigerant to circulate therethrough, the heat transfer tubes penetrating the respective rows of heat transfer fins being arranged in a staggered pattern relative to the direction of the air flow. The fin tube heat exchanger is characterized in that: One of the heat exchangers arranged side by side on the left and right is configured identically to the other heat exchanger, and is disposed upside down relative to the other heat exchanger. Each of the heat exchangers includes an upper heat exchange portion and a lower heat exchange portion, and a length of a passage of the upper heat exchange portion is shorter than a length of a passage of the lower heat exchange portion.

2. The fin-tube heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that One of the heat exchangers arranged side by side on the left and right is configured to be arranged in a vertically reversed 180° relationship with respect to the other heat exchanger.

3. The fin-tube heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat transfer tube is composed of a U-shaped heat transfer tube formed by bending a round tube into a U-shape, and a plurality of U-shaped heat transfer tubes are provided. A passage connection tube is provided to connect the ends of the plurality of U-shaped heat transfer tubes.

4. The fin-tube heat exchanger according to claim 3, characterized in that: Each of the heat exchangers is composed of a plurality of rows of heat exchange parts arranged along the direction of air flow, and includes the U-shaped heat transfer tubes arranged so as to straddle the plurality of rows of heat exchange parts.

5. The fin-tube heat exchanger according to claim 4, characterized in that: The gas header, the liquid refrigerant inlet and outlet, the end of the U-shaped heat transfer tube of the heat exchange section on the most downstream side of the lower heat exchange section, and the end of the U-shaped heat transfer tube of the heat exchange section on the most upstream side of the upper heat exchange section are connected via a connecting pipe. The gas header is connected to the end of the U-shaped heat transfer tube of the heat exchange section located most downstream with respect to the air flow in the upper heat exchange section. The liquid refrigerant inlet and outlet are connected to an end portion of the U-shaped heat transfer tube of the heat exchange portion located most upstream with respect to the air flow in the lower heat exchange portion.

6. The fin-tube heat exchanger according to claim 4, characterized in that: The gas header, the liquid refrigerant inlet and outlet, the end of the U-shaped heat transfer tube of the heat exchange section on the upstream side of the lower heat exchange section, and the end of the U-shaped heat transfer tube of the heat exchange section on the downstream side of the upper heat exchange section are connected via a connecting pipe. The gas header is connected to the end of the U-shaped heat transfer tube of the heat exchange section located most upstream with respect to the air flow in the upper heat exchange section. The liquid refrigerant inlet and outlet are connected to an end portion of the U-shaped heat transfer tube of the heat exchange portion located most downstream with respect to the air flow in the lower heat exchange portion.

7. The fin-tube heat exchanger according to claim 3, characterized in that: The upper heat exchange portion and the lower heat exchange portion are connected via a connecting pipe connected to ends of the U-shaped heat transfer tube.

8. The fin-tube heat exchanger according to claim 3, characterized in that: The heat exchanger includes three-directional passage connection pipes for connecting the ends of the three U-shaped heat transfer pipes. The three-way passage connection pipe includes one refrigerant inlet pipe and two refrigerant outlet pipes each formed of a bent pipe, and the refrigerant inlet pipe is connected to one side of the two refrigerant outlet pipes.

9. An air conditioner comprising an outdoor heat exchanger, an air supply fan disposed above the outdoor heat exchanger, and a compressor. The air conditioner is characterized in that The fin-tube heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is used as the outdoor heat exchanger.

10. The air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein The air supply fans are respectively mounted on the upper parts of the left and right heat exchangers. The air conditioner includes a control device that controls each of the left and right air-sending fans to an arbitrary air volume.

11. The air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein The air conditioner includes outdoor expansion valves corresponding to the heat exchangers arranged side by side on the left and right, and includes a control device for controlling each of the outdoor expansion valves to an arbitrary expansion valve opening degree.

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