Outdoor unit of air conditioner

Abstract

An outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment includes a compressor that discharges refrigerant to a flow path, a heat exchanger, an expansion valve, a blower, an electric component that drives and controls the compressor and the blower, and a radiator that cools the electric component with the refrigerant. In the heat exchanger, a plurality of heat exchangers are connected in parallel, and a first group of heat exchangers and a second group of heat exchangers are provided, the first group of heat exchangers being composed of at least one of the heat exchangers, and the second group of heat exchangers being composed of at least one of the heat exchangers that does not belong to the first group. The expansion valve has a first expansion valve that adjusts a degree of supercooling of the first group of heat exchangers and a second expansion valve that adjusts a degree of supercooling of the second group of heat exchangers. In the flow path of the refrigerant, the radiator is disposed at a position that is more upstream than a confluence of the refrigerant condensed by the heat exchangers of the first group and the second group and more downstream than the second expansion valve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the outdoor unit of an air conditioner. Background Technology

[0002] The outdoor unit of an air conditioner includes a mechanism for cooling electrical components that generate heat, such as the switching elements of an inverter and the substrate on which these elements are mounted. As an example of this cooling mechanism, a refrigerant-cooled radiator (hereinafter also simply referred to as a radiator) that uses refrigerant to cool the electrical components can be described.

[0003] The radiator is positioned, for example, downstream of the single heat exchanger (condenser) of the outdoor unit in the refrigerant flow path, or downstream of multiple heat exchangers (condensers) connected in parallel in the confluence of the refrigerants (condensed liquid refrigerant) flowing from each heat exchanger. During cooling operation, the cooling effect of the radiator varies depending on the temperature and circulation rate of the liquid refrigerant after condensation in the heat exchanger (condenser). For example, the cooling effect of the radiator increases when the liquid refrigerant temperature is low and the refrigerant circulation rate is high. Therefore, the cooling effect of the radiator in an air-cooled condenser increases as the temperature of the liquid refrigerant decreases to the temperature of the air intake through the condenser. To lower the liquid refrigerant temperature to the condenser's intake air temperature, the opening of the expansion valve located downstream of the condenser is reduced, adjusting the refrigerant circulation rate.

[0004] For example, the temperature of the liquid refrigerant can be lowered by reducing the expansion valve, but if the expansion valve is excessively reduced, flushing can occur due to the increased pressure of the high-temperature, high-pressure gas discharged from the compressor or the decrease in hydraulic pressure on the secondary side of the expansion valve. Under such circumstances, the performance of the air conditioner, specifically its cooling capacity, is reduced. Existing technical documents Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-117677 Summary of the Invention The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0006] The present invention is based on this, and its purpose is to provide an air conditioner that, while suppressing the decline in cooling capacity, can achieve the cooling effect of electrical components based on refrigerant cooling radiators. Technical means for solving technical problems

[0007] According to an embodiment, the outdoor unit of an air conditioner includes: a compressor that injects refrigerant into a flow path, a heat exchanger, an expansion valve, a blower, electrical components that drive and control the compressor and the blower, and a radiator that cools the electrical components with the refrigerant. In the heat exchanger, multiple heat exchangers are connected in parallel, including a first group of heat exchangers and a second group of heat exchangers. The first group of heat exchangers consists of at least one of the heat exchangers, and the second group of heat exchangers consists of at least one heat exchanger not belonging to the first group. The expansion valve has a first expansion valve for adjusting the subcooling of the first group of heat exchangers and a second expansion valve for adjusting the subcooling of the second group of heat exchangers. In the refrigerant flow path, the radiator is positioned upstream of the confluence of the refrigerant condensed by the heat exchangers of the first and second groups and downstream of the second expansion valve. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a circuit diagram that briefly illustrates the structure of the air conditioner involved in the implementation method. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram that briefly shows the structure of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner involved in the embodiment from a horizontal perspective. Figure 3A It is a brief representation Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the configuration of the first group of outdoor heat exchangers in the outdoor unit shown. Figure 3B It is a brief representation Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the configuration of the second group of outdoor heat exchangers in the outdoor unit shown. Detailed Implementation

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a circuit diagram that briefly illustrates the structure of the air conditioner 1 according to this embodiment. like Figure 1 As shown, the air conditioner 1 includes an outdoor unit 2 and an indoor unit 3. The outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 3 are connected by a flow path 4 that circulates the refrigerant between the two units 2 and 3. For example, the outdoor unit 2 is installed on the roof of a building, and the indoor unit 3 is installed in the ceiling space of each floor of the building. However, the installation locations of the units 2 and 3 are not limited to these locations.

[0010] The outdoor unit 2, as a main component, includes a compressor 2a, an oil separator 2b, a high-pressure sensor 2c, a check valve 2d, a four-way valve 2e, a heat exchanger (hereinafter referred to as the outdoor heat exchanger) 2f, a blower (hereinafter referred to as the outdoor fan) 2g, an expansion valve (hereinafter referred to as the outdoor expansion valve) 2h, a temperature sensor 2i, a refrigerant cooling radiator (hereinafter referred to as the radiator) 2j, an on / off valve 2k, an accumulator 2l, and a suction cup 2m. All components except the outdoor fan 2g are connected by piping within the housing 21 and are respectively arranged on the flow path 4 connected to the indoor unit 3. The outdoor fan 2g is positioned above the outdoor heat exchanger 2f. The housing 21 defines the outline of the outdoor unit 2. The aforementioned components 2a to 2m may not be arranged on a single housing 21, or they may be distributed across multiple housings.

[0011] Additionally, the outdoor unit 2 includes a control unit (hereinafter referred to as the outdoor control unit) 2n and an inverter 2o. The outdoor control unit 2n controls the operation of the outdoor unit 2, switching between cooling and heating operation. The inverter 2o rectifies the voltage of the commercial AC power supply (not shown), performs frequency conversion on the rectified voltage according to the instructions of the outdoor control unit 2n, and outputs it to the compressor 2a or the outdoor fan 2g. The inverter 2o has electrical components that drive and control the compressor 2a and the outdoor fan 2g. These electrical components are, for example, heat-generating components such as switching elements or substrates on which these elements are mounted, and are cooled by refrigerant through the heat sink 2j.

[0012] The indoor unit 3, as a main component, includes an expansion valve (hereinafter referred to as the indoor expansion valve) 3a, a heat exchanger (hereinafter referred to as the indoor heat exchanger) 3b, a blower (hereinafter referred to as the indoor fan) 3c, and a control unit (hereinafter referred to as the indoor control unit) 3d. The indoor expansion valve 3a and the indoor heat exchanger 3b are connected by piping within the housing 31 and are respectively disposed on the flow path 4 connecting to the outdoor unit 2. The indoor fan 3c is disposed within the housing 31 near the indoor heat exchanger 3b. The housing 31 defines the outline of the indoor unit 3. The aforementioned components 3a, 3b, and 3c may not be disposed on a single housing 31, or they may be distributed across multiple housings. The indoor control unit 3d includes, for example, an operation panel, switches, buttons, and a display, and controls the start-up of the indoor unit 3, the selection of cooling and heating operation modes, and the indoor temperature. Figure 1 In the example shown, only one indoor unit 3 is shown, but there can be multiple indoor units 3.

[0013] The operation of the air conditioner 1 in both cooling and heating modes is explained.

[0014] For example, when the air conditioner 1 is operating in cooling mode, the four-way valve 2e switches, and the high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant compressed by the compressor 2a is discharged into the flow path 4. The discharged gaseous refrigerant passes through the check valve 2d, and after the lubricating oil component is separated by the oil separator 2b, it is guided through the four-way valve 2e to the outdoor heat exchanger 2f, which functions as a condenser (radiator).

[0015] The gaseous refrigerant guided to the outdoor heat exchanger 2f condenses through heat exchange with the air, transforming into a high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant undergoes subcooling adjustment (described later) via the outdoor expansion valve 2h, and is depressurized during its passage through the indoor expansion valve 3a, transforming into a low-pressure liquid refrigerant. This liquid refrigerant is then guided to the indoor heat exchanger 3b, which functions as an evaporator (heat absorber), and exchanges heat with the air during its passage through the indoor heat exchanger 3b.

[0016] As a result, the liquid refrigerant absorbs heat from the air and evaporates, becoming a low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant. The air passing through the indoor heat exchanger 3b is cooled by heat exchange with the liquid refrigerant and is blown out as cold air to the areas where air conditioning (cooling) should be performed by the indoor fan 3c.

[0017] Low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant from the indoor heat exchanger 3b is introduced into the receiver 2l via the four-way valve 2e. If any unevaporated liquid refrigerant is mixed in with the refrigerant, it is separated into liquid and gaseous refrigerant here. The low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant separated from the liquid refrigerant is drawn from the receiver 2l into the compressor 2a, where it is compressed again into high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant and discharged into the flow path 4.

[0018] On the other hand, when the air conditioner 1 is operating in heating mode, the four-way valve 2e switches, and the high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant ejected from the compressor 2a is introduced into the indoor heat exchanger 3b via the four-way valve 2e to exchange heat with the air passing through the indoor heat exchanger 3b. In this case, the indoor heat exchanger 3b functions as a condenser.

[0019] As a result, the gaseous refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger 3b condenses and transforms into a high-pressure liquid refrigerant through heat exchange with the air. The air passing through the indoor heat exchanger 3b is heated through heat exchange with the gaseous refrigerant and is blown out as warm air to the areas where air conditioning (heating) should be performed by the indoor fan 3c.

[0020] The high-temperature liquid refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger 3b is guided to the outdoor expansion valve 2h, where it is depressurized and becomes a low-pressure liquid refrigerant. This liquid refrigerant is then guided to the outdoor heat exchanger 2f, which functions as an evaporator, where it evaporates through heat exchange with air, becoming a low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant. The low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 2f is drawn into the compressor 2a via the four-way valve 2e and the receiver 2l, where it is again compressed into a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant and discharged into the flow path 4.

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, the outdoor heat exchanger 2f of the outdoor unit 2 in this embodiment consists of two sets of heat exchangers. Both sets of heat exchangers consist of at least one heat exchanger (outdoor heat exchanger) and are connected in parallel. Specifically, one of the two sets (hereinafter referred to as the first set) consists of at least one outdoor heat exchanger, and the other set (hereinafter referred to as the second set) consists of at least one outdoor heat exchanger that does not belong to the first set.

[0022] exist Figure 1 In the example shown, outdoor heat exchanger 21f belongs to the first group, and outdoor heat exchanger 22f belongs to the second group. That is, in this example, both the first and second groups of outdoor heat exchangers 2f consist of one outdoor heat exchanger 21f and one outdoor heat exchanger 22f. However, the first and second groups of outdoor heat exchangers 2f can also each have multiple outdoor heat exchangers 2f.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram that briefly represents the structure of outdoor unit 2 from a horizontal perspective. For example... Figure 2 As shown, outdoor heat exchangers 21f and 22f are provided on two opposing side portions S1 and S2 of the housing 21 of the outdoor unit 2, which is, for example, rectangular parallelepiped. Therefore, outdoor heat exchanger 21f is divided into two constituent parts (hereinafter referred to as heat exchanger constituent parts) 211f and 212f, each adjacent to the opposing side portions S1 and S2. Similarly, outdoor heat exchanger 22f is divided into two heat exchanger constituent parts 221f and 222f, each adjacent to the opposing side portions S1 and S2. External air intakes (not shown) are formed on the side portions S1 and S2. When the outdoor fan 2g is driven, as indicated by arrows A1 and A2, external air is drawn into the housing 21 through the intakes of the side portions S1 and S2 via the outdoor heat exchangers 21f and 22f, and as indicated by arrow A3, is exhausted outside the housing 21 by the outdoor fan 2g.

[0024] In the housing 21, from the vertical direction below ( Figure 2The lower surface of the device is sequentially equipped with an outdoor heat exchanger 22f (as the second heat exchanger), an outdoor heat exchanger 21f (as the first heat exchanger), and a blower (outdoor fan) 2g. That is, compared to the outdoor heat exchanger 22f, the outdoor heat exchanger 21f is positioned closer to the outdoor fan 2g. Therefore, as... Figure 2 As indicated by arrows A1 and A2, when the outdoor fan 2g is driven, the outdoor heat exchanger 21f, which is closer to the outdoor fan 2g, is more likely to draw outside air into the housing 21 compared to the outdoor heat exchanger 22f. In other words, the airflow and velocity drawn into the housing 21 are more likely to increase at the outdoor heat exchanger 21f location compared to the outdoor heat exchanger 22f location. Therefore, the efficiency of heat exchange between the refrigerant and outside air (air) is more easily improved at the outdoor heat exchanger 21f location compared to the lower outdoor heat exchanger 22f location. Therefore, in Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the example shown, the upper outdoor heat exchanger 21f functions as the main heat exchanger, while the lower outdoor heat exchanger 22f functions as an auxiliary heat exchanger. Furthermore, regarding the outdoor heat exchangers 21f and 22f, they can be installed as a single unit, provided the refrigerant flow paths are independent.

[0025] In order for outdoor heat exchanger 21f to function as the main heat exchanger and outdoor heat exchanger 22f to function as an auxiliary heat exchanger, in this embodiment, their areas and volumes are set as follows: The area of ​​outdoor heat exchanger 21f is greater than or equal to the area of ​​outdoor heat exchanger 22f. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the example shown, the area of ​​outdoor heat exchanger 21f is the sum of the areas of the two heat exchanger components 211f and 212f, which corresponds to the total area of ​​the first set of heat exchangers. Similarly, the area of ​​outdoor heat exchanger 22f is the sum of the areas of the two heat exchanger components 221f and 222f, which corresponds to the total area of ​​the second set of heat exchangers. Furthermore, the volume of outdoor heat exchanger 21f is greater than or equal to the volume of outdoor heat exchanger 22f. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the example shown, the volume of outdoor heat exchanger 21f is the sum of the volumes of the two heat exchanger components 211f and 212f, which is equivalent to the total volume of the first set of heat exchangers. Similarly, the volume of outdoor heat exchanger 22f is the sum of the volumes of the two heat exchanger components 221f and 222f, which is equivalent to the total volume of the second set of heat exchangers.

[0026] Figure 3A It is a brief representation as Figure 2 A perspective view of the shape of the heat exchanger components 211f and 212f of the outdoor heat exchanger 21f of the first group of heat exchangers shown. Figure 3B It is a brief representation as Figure 2 A perspective view of the morphology of the heat exchanger components 221f and 222f of the outdoor heat exchanger 22f of the second group of heat exchangers shown. Figure 3A In the example shown, the heat exchanger components 211f and 212f are approximately cuboid in shape with a height (H21), width (W21), and depth (L21). Therefore, the area (S21) of the outdoor heat exchanger 21f is estimated to be 2 × L21 × H21, and the volume (V21) is estimated to be 2 × H21 × W21 × L21. In contrast, in Figure 3B In the example shown, the heat exchanger components 221f and 222f are approximately cuboid in shape with a height (H22), width (W22), and depth (L22). Therefore, the area (S22) of the outdoor heat exchanger 22f is estimated to be 2×L22×H22, and the volume (V22) is estimated to be 2×H22×W22×L22.

[0027] exist Figure 3A and Figure 3B In the example shown, the width (W21) and depth (L21) values ​​of heat exchanger components 211f and 212f are approximately the same as the width (W22) and depth (L22) values ​​of heat exchanger components 221f and 222f. On the other hand, the height (H21) value of heat exchanger components 211f and 212f is greater than the height (H22) value of heat exchanger components 221f and 222f. Therefore, the area (S21) and volume (V21) of outdoor heat exchanger 21f are larger than the area (S22) and volume (V22) of outdoor heat exchanger 22f by the difference in height (H21, H22) (S21 > S22, V21 > V22).

[0028] Corresponding to these outdoor heat exchangers 21f and 22f, the outdoor expansion valve 2h includes a first expansion valve 21h and a second expansion valve 22h. The first expansion valve 21h is configured in the first group of heat exchangers. Figure 1 In the example shown, the first expansion valve 21h is configured in the flow path of the liquid refrigerant after condensation through the outdoor heat exchanger 21f. Thus, for example, when the air conditioner 1 is operating in cooling mode, the first expansion valve 21h adjusts the subcooling of the liquid refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 21f. In contrast, the second expansion valve 22h is configured in the second set of heat exchangers, in... Figure 1 In the example shown, the second expansion valve 22h is configured in the flow path of the liquid refrigerant after condensation through the outdoor heat exchanger 22f. Thus, for example, when the air conditioner 1 is operating in cooling mode, the second expansion valve 22h adjusts the subcooling of the liquid refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 22f.

[0029] Additionally, temperature sensor 2i includes a first temperature sensor 21i and a second temperature sensor 22i. The first temperature sensor 21i is configured in the first set of heat exchangers. Figure 1 In the example shown, the first temperature sensor 21i is positioned downstream of the first expansion valve 21h in the flow path of the liquid refrigerant after condensation in the outdoor heat exchanger 21f. Thus, for example, when the air conditioner 1 is operating in cooling mode, the first temperature sensor 21i detects the temperature of the liquid refrigerant that has condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 21f and been depressurized by the first expansion valve 21h. In contrast, the second temperature sensor 22i is positioned in the second set of heat exchangers... Figure 1 In the example shown, the second temperature sensor 22i is positioned downstream of the second expansion valve 22h in the flow path of the liquid refrigerant after condensation in the outdoor heat exchanger 22f. Thus, for example, when the air conditioner 1 is operating in cooling mode, the second temperature sensor 22i detects the temperature of the liquid refrigerant that has condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 22f and been depressurized by the second expansion valve 22h.

[0030] The outdoor control unit 2n calculates the refrigerant's condensing temperature based on the value detected by the high-pressure sensor 2c, and calculates the refrigerant's subcooling degree based on the temperature difference between this condensing temperature and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 2i. When operating in cooling mode, the outdoor control unit 2n adjusts the opening of the first expansion valve 21h and the second expansion valve 22h based on the calculated subcooling degree. That is, the outdoor control unit 2n calculates the refrigerant's subcooling degree in the outdoor heat exchanger 21f based on the calculated temperature difference between the refrigerant's condensing temperature and the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 21i. Furthermore, the outdoor control unit 2n calculates the refrigerant's subcooling degree in the outdoor heat exchanger 22f based on the calculated temperature difference between the refrigerant's condensing temperature and the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 22i.

[0031] In this embodiment, the target subcooling degree of the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 22f is greater than the target subcooling degree of the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 21f. Therefore, the outdoor control unit 2n controls the opening degree of the first expansion valve 21h and the second expansion valve 22h so that the subcooling degree in the outdoor heat exchanger 21f and the outdoor heat exchanger 22f becomes their respective target subcooling degree.

[0032] The radiator 2j uses refrigerant to cool heat-generating electrical components, such as the switching elements of the inverter 2o or the substrate on which the elements are mounted. like Figure 1As shown, in the refrigerant flow path 4, the radiator 2j is positioned upstream of the confluence point P of the refrigerant condensed by the heat exchangers 21f and 22f of the first and second groups, and downstream of the second expansion valve 22h. In the following description, when the outdoor heat exchangers 21f and 22f function as condensers, the upstream and downstream flow directions relative to the condensed liquid refrigerant flowing in the flow path 4 are defined.

[0033] For example, when the air conditioner 1 is operating in cooling mode, the liquid refrigerant passing through the second outdoor heat exchanger 22f, which functions as a condenser, flows into the radiator 2j. In contrast, the liquid refrigerant passing through the first outdoor heat exchanger 21f does not flow into the radiator 2j. Therefore, the cooling effect of the radiator 2j is controlled by the temperature of the liquid refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 22f. In other words, the temperature of the liquid refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 21f does not contribute to the cooling effect of the radiator 2j. When the cooling effect of the radiator 2j is prioritized, the opening of the second expansion valve 22h is controlled by the outdoor control unit 2n, causing the temperature of the liquid refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 22f to decrease to the temperature of the outside air drawn into the casing 21 by the outdoor fan 2g.

[0034] The form of the radiator 2j is not particularly limited. For example, the radiator 2j is configured to include a surface that serves as a contact surface with electrical components that are being cooled, and a groove that serves as a contact surface with a flow path 4 through which liquid refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 22f passes. The radiator 2j is formed of various materials with excellent thermal conductivity (e.g., aluminum or aluminum alloy). The flow path 4 that contacts the radiator 2j is, for example, a copper pipe embedded in the groove of the radiator 2j.

[0035] Therefore, according to this embodiment, in the event of overheating of electrical components, such as the inverter 2o switching element and the substrate on which the element is mounted, the subcooling degree of the outdoor heat exchanger 22f, which functions as a condenser upstream of the radiator 2j, can be controlled by the opening degree of the second expansion valve 22h to optimize the cooling effect of the radiator 2j. On the other hand, the subcooling degree of the outdoor heat exchanger 21f, which does not contribute to the cooling degree of the radiator 2j, can be controlled by the opening degree of the first expansion valve 21h to optimize the air conditioning performance, such as the cooling capacity, of the air conditioner 1. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the reduction of the air conditioning performance, such as the cooling capacity, of the air conditioner 1, and to suppress the temperature rise of electrical components.

[0036] Furthermore, the area (S21) of the outdoor heat exchanger 21f is greater than the area (S22) of the outdoor heat exchanger 22f, and the volume (V21) of the outdoor heat exchanger 21f is greater than the volume (V22) of the outdoor heat exchanger 22f. Therefore, even when the subcooling degree of the outdoor heat exchanger 22f is controlled by the second expansion valve 22h to optimize the cooling effect of the radiator 2j, the subcooling degree of the outdoor heat exchanger 21f can be effectively controlled by the first expansion valve 21h to optimize the air conditioning performance of the air conditioner 1. Therefore, the reduction in the air conditioning performance of the air conditioner 1 can be effectively suppressed, and the temperature rise of the electrical components can be suppressed.

[0037] Furthermore, the target subcooling degree of the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 22f is greater than that in the outdoor heat exchanger 21f. Therefore, even when the air conditioning performance of the air conditioner 1 is optimized using the first expansion valve 21h, the subcooling degree of the outdoor heat exchanger 22f can be effectively controlled by the second expansion valve 22h to optimize the cooling effect of the radiator 2j. Thus, the reduction in the air conditioning performance of the air conditioner 1 can be suppressed, and the temperature rise of electrical components can be effectively suppressed.

[0038] That is, according to the outdoor unit 2 of this embodiment, an air conditioner 1 can suppress the reduction of air conditioning performance, such as cooling capacity, and obtain the cooling effect of radiator 2j.

[0039] While embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, with various omissions, substitutions, and modifications possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are all included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and also within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the patent claims. Label Explanation

[0040] 1…Air conditioner, 2…Outdoor unit, 2a…Compressor, 2f, 21f, 22f…Heat exchanger (outdoor heat exchanger), 2g…Blower (outdoor fan), 2h…Expansion valve (outdoor expansion valve), 2i…Temperature sensor, 2j…Refrigerant cooling radiator (radiator), 2n…Control unit (outdoor control unit), 2o…Inverter, 3…Indoor unit, 4…Flow path, 21…Outdoor unit housing, 21h…First expansion valve, 22h…Second expansion valve, 21i…First temperature sensor, 22i…Second temperature sensor, 211f, 212f, 221f, 222f…Heat exchanger assembly.

Claims

1. An outdoor unit of an air conditioner, The device includes a compressor that injects refrigerant into a flow path, a four-way valve, a heat exchanger, an expansion valve, a blower, electrical components that drive and control the compressor and the blower, and a radiator that cools the electrical components with the refrigerant, characterized in that... The heat exchanger comprises multiple heat exchangers connected in parallel, including a first group of heat exchangers and a second group of heat exchangers. The first group of heat exchangers consists of at least one heat exchanger from the first group, and the second group of heat exchangers consists of at least one heat exchanger not belonging to the first group. The expansion valve has a first expansion valve for adjusting the subcooling of the first group of heat exchangers and a second expansion valve for adjusting the subcooling of the second group of heat exchangers. In the refrigerant flow path, when the second group of heat exchangers functions as a condenser, the radiator is positioned upstream of the confluence of the refrigerant condensed by the heat exchangers of the first and second groups and downstream of the second expansion valve. When the second group of heat exchangers functions as an evaporator, the radiator is positioned downstream of the confluence and upstream of the second expansion valve.

2. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The total area of ​​the first group of heat exchangers is greater than the total area of ​​the second group of heat exchangers, and the total volume of the first group of heat exchangers is greater than the total volume of the second group of heat exchangers.

3. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The target subcooling degree of the refrigerant in the second group of heat exchangers is greater than the target subcooling degree of the refrigerant in the first group of heat exchangers.

4. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The second set of heat exchangers, the first set of heat exchangers, and the blower are arranged sequentially from below in the vertical direction.

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