Air conditioner

Abstract

An air conditioner (100) is provided with a refrigerant circuit (RC) and a blower (32). The refrigerant flow path switching mechanism (RF) is configured so as to be switched in the first switching state so that the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant circuit (RC) in the order of the reheater (21), the first expansion valve (23), and the cooler (22). The refrigerant flow path switching mechanism (RF) is configured so as to be switched in the second switching state such that the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant circuit (RC) in the order of the reheater (21), the first expansion valve (23), and the cooler (22). The reheater (21) and the cooler (22) are configured such that air blown by the blower (32) passes through the cooler (22) and then passes through the reheater (21) regardless of whether in the first switching state or in the second switching state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner. Background Art

[0002] An air conditioner is known, which comprises: an outdoor unit having an outdoor heat exchanger functioning as a condenser; an indoor unit having a first indoor heat exchanger functioning as a cooler and a second indoor heat exchanger functioning as a reheater; and a compressor that circulates a refrigerant through the outdoor heat exchanger, the first indoor heat exchanger, and the second indoor heat exchanger. In the air conditioner, the air cooled and dehumidified by the first indoor heat exchanger is heated by the second indoor heat exchanger, thereby adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air blown from the indoor unit to the air-conditioned space. Such an air conditioner is described, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-89998 (Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-89998 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] However, in the air conditioner described in the above-mentioned gazette, only one four-way valve is used as a refrigerant flow switching mechanism. Therefore, when the cooling main operation and the heating main operation are respectively performed corresponding to the two switching states of the four-way valve, the direction of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor unit in the cooling main operation and the heating main operation is reversed. Therefore, the indoor heat exchanger that functions as a cooler in the cooling main operation and the heating main operation is replaced with the indoor heat exchanger that functions as a reheater. As a result, in the operation of either the cooling main operation or the heating main operation, the air heated by the reheater is cooled by the cooler, so that sufficient dehumidification cannot be performed.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide an air conditioner capable of making the directions of the refrigerant flowing in the reheater and the cooler the same in both the cooling main operation and the heating main operation.

[0009] Means for solving problems

[0010] The air conditioner disclosed in the present invention is provided with a refrigerant circuit and an air blower. The refrigerant circuit has a compressor, a six-way valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, a reheater, a first expansion valve, and a cooler, and is configured to circulate the refrigerant. The air blower is configured to be able to blow air to the reheater and the cooler. The six-way valve is configured to be able to switch between a first switching state and a second switching state. The six-way valve is configured to be switched in the first switching state so that the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant circuit in the order of the compressor, the six-way valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the six-way valve, the reheater, the first expansion valve, the six-way valve, and the cooler. The six-way valve is configured to be switched in the second switching state so that the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant circuit in the order of the compressor, the six-way valve, the reheater, the first expansion valve, the six-way valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the six-way valve, and the cooler. The reheater and the cooler are configured so that the air blown by the air blower passes through the reheater after passing through the cooler, regardless of whether it is in the first switching state or the second switching state.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the air conditioner disclosed in the present invention, the refrigerant flow switching mechanism is configured to be switched so that the refrigerant flows in the reheater and the cooler in the refrigerant circuit in the order of the reheater and the cooler, regardless of whether it is in the first switching state or the second switching state. Therefore, the directions of the refrigerant flowing in the reheater and the cooler can be made the same in both the cooling main operation and the heating main operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 This is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the cooling main operation of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the heating main operation of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a first switching state of the rotary six-way valve of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a second switching state of the rotary six-way valve of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a first switching state of the sliding six-way valve of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a second switching state of the sliding six-way valve of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the cooling main operation of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 2.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the heating main operation of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 2.

[0021] Fig. 9 This is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the cooling main operation of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 3.

[0022] Fig.10 This is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the heating main operation of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 3.

[0023] Fig.11 This is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the cooling main operation of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 4.

[0024] Fig.12 This is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the heating main operation of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 4.

[0025] Fig.13 This is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the cooling main operation of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 5.

[0026] Fig.14 This is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the heating main operation of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 5.

[0027] Fig.15 This is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the cooling main operation of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 6.

[0028] Fig.16 This is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the heating main operation of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 6.

[0029] Fig.17 It is a perspective view of a reheater and a cooler of the air conditioner according to the seventh embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the following, the same reference numerals are attached to the same or corresponding parts, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0031] Implementation method 1.

[0032] Reference Figure 1 , the structure of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 1 is described.

[0033] <Device Structure>

[0034] Figure 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 1As shown, the air conditioner 100 includes a refrigerant circuit RC, an outdoor blower 14, an air passage 31, a blower 32, and a control device CD. The refrigerant circuit RC includes a first pipe 1, a second pipe 2, a third pipe 3, a fourth pipe 4, a fifth pipe 5, a sixth pipe 6, a compressor 11, a six-way valve 12, an outdoor heat exchanger 13, a reheater 21, a cooler 22, and a first expansion valve 23.

[0035] In the refrigerant circuit RC, the compressor 11, the six-way valve 12, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the reheater 21, the cooler 22, and the first expansion valve 23 are connected via the first pipe 1, the second pipe 2, the third pipe 3, the fourth pipe 4, the fifth pipe 5, and the sixth pipe 6.

[0036] The first pipe 1 connects the compressor 11 and the six-way valve 12. The second pipe 2 connects the six-way valve 12 and the outdoor heat exchanger 13. The third pipe 3 connects the outdoor heat exchanger 13 and the six-way valve 12. The fourth pipe 4 connects the six-way valve 12 and the reheater 21. The fifth pipe 5 connects the reheater 21 and the six-way valve 12 via the first expansion valve 23. The sixth pipe 6 connects the six-way valve 12 and the cooler 22.

[0037] In the first switching state, the refrigerant circuit RC is constructed so that the refrigerant flows in the order of compressor 11, first pipe 1, six-way valve 12, second pipe 2, outdoor heat exchanger 13, third pipe 3, six-way valve 12, fourth pipe 4, reheater 21, fifth pipe 5, first expansion valve 23, fifth pipe 5, six-way valve 12, sixth pipe 6, and cooler 22.

[0038] In the second switching state, the refrigerant circuit RC is constructed so that the refrigerant flows in the order of compressor 11, first pipe 1, six-way valve 12, fourth pipe 4, reheater 21, fifth pipe 5, first expansion valve 23, fifth pipe 5, six-way valve 12, third pipe 3, outdoor heat exchanger 13, second pipe 2, six-way valve 12, sixth pipe 6, and cooler 22.

[0039] The refrigerant circuit RC is configured to circulate a refrigerant. The refrigerant is a mixed refrigerant. The mixed refrigerant is a mixture of two or more refrigerants. In addition, the refrigerant may be a single refrigerant.

[0040] The air conditioner 100 includes an outdoor unit 10 and an indoor unit 20. The outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 are connected by a second pipe 2 and a third pipe 3. The outdoor unit 10 includes an outdoor heat exchanger 13 and an outdoor fan 14. The outdoor heat exchanger 13 and the outdoor fan 14 are accommodated in the outdoor unit 10. The indoor unit 20 includes a compressor 11, a six-way valve 12, a reheater 21, a cooler 22, a first expansion valve 23, an air passage 31, an air blower 32, and a control device CD. The compressor 11, the six-way valve 12, the reheater 21, the cooler 22, the first expansion valve 23, the air blower 32, and the control device CD are accommodated in the indoor unit 20. The indoor unit 20 is provided with an air passage 31.

[0041] The compressor 11 is configured to compress the refrigerant. The compressor 11 is configured to compress the sucked refrigerant and discharge it. The compressor 11 is configured to have a variable capacity, for example. The compressor 11 is configured to change the capacity by adjusting the rotation speed of the compressor 11 based on an instruction from the control device CD, for example.

[0042] The six-way valve 12 is configured to be switchable between a first switching state and a second switching state. The six-way valve 12 is configured to switch between the first switching state and the second switching state based on, for example, an instruction from the control device CD. The six-way valve 12 is configured to be switched in the first switching state so that the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant circuit RC in the order of the compressor 11, the six-way valve 12, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the six-way valve 12, the reheater 21, the first expansion valve 23, the six-way valve 12, and the cooler 22. The six-way valve 12 is in the first switching state in the cooling main operation.

[0043] The six-way valve 12 is configured to be switched in the second switching state so that the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant circuit RC in the order of the compressor 11, the six-way valve 12, the reheater 21, the first expansion valve 23, the six-way valve 12, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the six-way valve 12, and the cooler 22. The six-way valve 12 is in the second switching state in the heating main operation.

[0044] The six connection ports (the first connection port P1 to the sixth connection port P6) of the six-way valve 12 are connected to the first pipe 1, the second pipe 2, the third pipe 3, the fourth pipe 4, the fifth pipe 5, and the sixth pipe 6, respectively. The first connection port P1 is connected to the second pipe 2. The second connection port P2 is connected to the sixth pipe 6. The third connection port P3 is connected to the fifth pipe 5. The fourth connection port P4 is connected to the third pipe 3. The fifth connection port P5 is connected to the fourth pipe 4. The sixth connection port P6 is connected to the first pipe 1.

[0045] In the first switching state of the six-way valve 12, a refrigerant circuit RC is formed that reaches the compressor 11 again via the compressor 11, the first pipe 1, the six-way valve 12, the second pipe 2, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the third pipe 3, the six-way valve 12, the fourth pipe 4, the reheater 21, the first expansion valve 23, the fifth pipe 5, the six-way valve 12, the sixth pipe 6, and the cooler 22. In the first switching state of the six-way valve 12, the first connection port P1 is connected to the sixth connection port P6, the second connection port P2 is connected to the third connection port P3, and the fourth connection port P4 is connected to the fifth connection port P5.

[0046] In the second switching state of the six-way valve 12, a refrigerant circuit RC is formed that reaches the compressor 11 again via the compressor 11, the first pipe 1, the six-way valve 12, the fourth pipe 4, the reheater 21, the first expansion valve 23, the fifth pipe 5, the six-way valve 12, the third pipe 3, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the second pipe 2, the six-way valve 12, the sixth pipe 6, and the cooler 22. In the second switching state of the six-way valve 12, the first connection port P1 is connected to the second connection port P2. The third connection port P3 is connected to the fourth connection port P4. The fifth connection port P5 is connected to the sixth connection port P6.

[0047] The outdoor heat exchanger 13 is configured to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing inside the outdoor heat exchanger 13 and the air flowing outside the outdoor heat exchanger 13. The outdoor heat exchanger 13 is configured to function as a condenser that condenses the refrigerant in the cooling-main operation. The outdoor heat exchanger 13 is configured to function as an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant in the heating-main operation. The outdoor heat exchanger 13 is, for example, a fin-tube heat exchanger having a plurality of fins and a heat transfer tube that passes through the plurality of fins.

[0048] The control device CD is configured to perform calculations, instructions, etc. to control each device of the air conditioner 100. The control device CD is electrically connected to the compressor 11, the six-way valve 12, the first expansion valve 23, the blower 32, etc., and is configured to control their operations.

[0049] The reheater 21 is configured to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing inside the reheater 21 and the air flowing outside the reheater 21. The reheater 21 is configured to function as a condenser for condensing the refrigerant in the cooling main operation and the heating main operation. The reheater 21 is, for example, a fin-tube heat exchanger having a plurality of fins and heat transfer tubes penetrating the plurality of fins.

[0050] The cooler 22 is configured to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing inside the cooler 22 and the air flowing outside the cooler 22. The cooler 22 is configured to function as an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant in the cooling main operation and the heating main operation. The cooler 22 is, for example, a fin-tube heat exchanger having a plurality of fins and a heat transfer tube that passes through the plurality of fins.

[0051] The first expansion valve 23 is configured to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant condensed by the condenser by expanding it. The first expansion valve 23 is configured to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant condensed by the reheater 21 in the cooling main operation and the heating main operation. The first expansion valve 23 is, for example, an electromagnetic expansion valve. The first expansion valve 23 is configured to change the amount of pressure reduction by adjusting the opening of the first expansion valve 23 based on an instruction from the control device CD.

[0052] The air duct 31 is provided in the housing of the indoor unit 20. The reheater 21 and the cooler 22 are arranged in the air duct 31. The air blower 32 is configured to blow air to the reheater 21 and the cooler 22. The reheater 21 and the cooler 22 are arranged side by side in the flow direction of the air blown by the air blower 32. The reheater 21 is arranged at a position on the downwind side of the cooler 22 in the flow of the air blown by the air blower 32. In the air duct 31, the cooler 22 is arranged upstream of the reheater 21.

[0053] The reheater 21 and the cooler 22 share the air passage 31 and the blower 32. The reheater 21 and the cooler 22 are configured such that the air blown by the blower 32 passes through the reheater 21 after passing through the cooler 22, regardless of whether the air is in the first switching state or the second switching state. The reheater 21 and the cooler 22 are configured such that, during the operation of the blower 32, the air passes through the reheater 21 after passing through the cooler 22, regardless of whether the six-way valve 12 is in the first switching state or the second switching state.

[0054] The reheater 21 and the cooler 22 may also be configured such that the flow of the refrigerant is a counter-flow relative to the flow of the air. Both the reheater 21 and the cooler 22 have a heat transfer tube flow path structure in which the air and the refrigerant are counter-flows. The reheater 21 and the cooler 22 have heat transfer tubes on the upwind side and heat transfer tubes on the leeward side, respectively. The heat transfer tubes on the upwind side are connected to the heat transfer tubes on the leeward side. In the cooling main operation and the heating main operation, the refrigerant is configured to flow from the heat transfer tubes on the leeward side to the heat transfer tubes on the upwind side. In both the cooling main operation and the heating main operation, the refrigerant flowing inside the heat transfer tubes of the reheater 21 and the cooler 22 and the air flowing outside the heat transfer tubes are counter-flows.

[0055] Next, the operation of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0056] <Cooling main operation>

[0057] First, refer to Figure 1 , the cooling-main operation of the air conditioner 100 of Embodiment 1 is described. The cooling-main operation is an operation in which the amount of cooling of the air in the cooler 22 is greater than the amount of heating of the air in the reheater 21, and the outdoor heat exchanger 13 functions as a condenser, thereby dissipating the excess heat of the heat pump to the outside air. In the cooling-main operation, the air after passing through the reheater 21 has a lower temperature and a lower moisture content than the air before passing through the cooler 22.

[0058] In the cooling main operation, such as Figure 1 As shown by the solid line of , the six-way valve 12 is switched to the first switching state. The high-temperature and high-pressure vapor refrigerant compressed in the compressor 11 flows out to the first pipe 1, passes through the six-way valve 12, and flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 13 via the second pipe 2. The outdoor heat exchanger 13 functions as a condenser. The high-temperature and high-pressure vapor refrigerant dissipates heat to the outdoor air introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger 13 by the outdoor blower 14. As a result, the high-temperature and high-pressure vapor refrigerant is condensed to become a high-temperature and high-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant.

[0059] The high-temperature and high-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows out to the third pipe 3, passes through the six-way valve 12, and flows into the reheater 21 via the fourth pipe 4. The reheater 21 functions as a condenser. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant dissipates heat to the air introduced into the reheater 21 by the blower 32. As a result, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is condensed to become a high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flows into the first expansion valve 23.

[0060] The high-pressure liquid refrigerant expands and decompresses in the first expansion valve 23 to become a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. The low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows out to the fifth pipe 5, passes through the six-way valve 12, and flows into the cooler 22 via the sixth pipe 6. The cooler 22 functions as an evaporator. By absorbing heat from the air introduced into the cooler 22 by the blower 32, the low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant evaporates to become a low-pressure vapor refrigerant. Thereafter, the low-pressure vapor refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 11. In the cooling main operation, the refrigerant then circulates in the refrigerant circuit RC in the same process.

[0061] The reheater 21 and the cooler 22 share the air passage 31 and the blower 32. The air guided by the blower 32 in the air passage 31 first passes through the cooler 22 to be cooled and dehumidified. As a result, the temperature of the air becomes lower and the moisture content of the air becomes less. The air that has passed through the cooler 22 is guided by the air passage 31 and passes through the reheater 21, thereby being heated. As a result, the temperature of the air rises. In addition, humidification is generally not performed in the reheater 21, so the moisture content of the air does not change before and after passing through the reheater 21. The air that has passed through the reheater 21 is guided by the air passage 31 and blown to the air-conditioned space.

[0062] After the air is cooled and dehumidified in the cooler 22, it is heated by the reheater 21 as needed, so that the dehumidification amount of the air and the temperature of the air can be adjusted independently. Therefore, air with a temperature and humidity set by the user can be supplied to the air-conditioning target space.

[0063] <Heating main body operation>

[0064] Next, refer to Figure 2 , the heating-main operation of the air conditioner 100 of Embodiment 1 is described. The heating-main operation is an operation in which the amount of heating of the air in the reheater 21 is greater than the amount of cooling of the air in the cooler 22, and the outdoor heat exchanger 13 functions as an evaporator, thereby dissipating the excess cold heat of the heat pump to the outside air. In the heating-main operation, the air after passing through the reheater 21 has a higher temperature and a lower moisture content than the air before passing through the cooler 22.

[0065] During the operation of the heating body, Figure 2 As shown by the solid line of , the six-way valve 12 is switched to the second switching state. The high-temperature and high-pressure vapor refrigerant compressed in the compressor 11 flows out to the first pipe 1, passes through the six-way valve 12, and flows into the reheater 21 via the fourth pipe 4. The reheater 21 functions as a condenser. The high-temperature and high-pressure vapor refrigerant dissipates heat to the air introduced into the reheater 21 by the blower 32. As a result, the high-temperature and high-pressure vapor refrigerant is condensed to become a high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flows into the first expansion valve 23.

[0066] The high-pressure liquid refrigerant expands and decompresses in the first expansion valve 23 to become a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. The low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows out to the fifth pipe 5, passes through the six-way valve 12, and flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 13 via the third pipe 3. The outdoor heat exchanger 13 functions as an evaporator. A part of the low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant evaporates by absorbing heat from the outdoor air introduced into the outdoor heat exchanger 13 by the outdoor blower 14. Thereafter, the low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows into the six-way valve 12 via the second pipe 2, and flows into the cooler 22 via the sixth pipe 6.

[0067] The cooler 22 functions as an evaporator. By absorbing heat from the air introduced into the cooler 22 by the blower 32, the low-temperature and low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant evaporates and becomes a low-pressure vapor refrigerant. The low-pressure vapor refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 11. In the heating main operation, the refrigerant then circulates in the refrigerant circuit RC in the same process.

[0068] The air guided in the air passage 31 by the blower 32 is cooled and dehumidified in the cooler 22, heated by the reheater 21, and blown to the air-conditioned space in the same manner as in the cooling main operation. Therefore, the dehumidification amount of the air and the temperature of the air can be adjusted independently. Therefore, the air of the temperature and humidity set by the user can be supplied to the air-conditioned space.

[0069] Next, the effects of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0070] According to the air conditioner of Embodiment 1, the six-way valve 12 is configured to be switched so that the refrigerant flows in the reheater 21 and the cooler 22 in the refrigerant circuit RC in the order of the reheater 21 and the cooler 22, regardless of whether it is in the first switching state or in the second switching state. The six-way valve 12 becomes the first switching state in the cooling main operation, and becomes the second switching state in the heating main operation. Therefore, the directions of the refrigerant flowing in the reheater 21 and the cooler 22 can be made the same in both the cooling main operation and the heating main operation. Therefore, the reheater 21 can be used to heat the air cooled and dehumidified in the cooler 22, regardless of whether it is in the cooling main operation or the heating main operation. Therefore, air of the temperature and humidity set by the user can be supplied to the air-conditioned space.

[0071] In addition, the reheater 21 and the cooler 22 are configured such that the air blown by the blower 32 passes through the reheater 21 after passing through the cooler 22, regardless of whether it is in the first switching state or the second switching state. Therefore, in both the cooling-main operation and the heating-main operation, the air can be reheated after being cooled and dehumidified. Therefore, sufficient dehumidification can be performed in both the cooling-main operation and the heating-main operation.

[0072] In particular, sufficient dehumidification can be performed in the heating main operation, so the heating main operation can be used for drying and dehumidifying the air-conditioned space. Therefore, the air conditioner 100 of Embodiment 1 can also be used for drying food and materials.

[0073] In addition, in the cooling-main operation, the refrigerant after passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 13 flows to the reheater 21. In the heating-main operation, the refrigerant after passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 13 flows to the cooler 22. Therefore, by adjusting the effective heat transfer area of ​​the outdoor heat exchanger 13, it is easy to adjust the heat exchange amount of the refrigerant. In addition, by adjusting the rotation speed of the outdoor air blower 14, it is easy to adjust the heat exchange amount of the refrigerant. The refrigerant after the heat (internal energy) is adjusted in the outdoor heat exchanger 13 can be supplied to the reheater 21 or the cooler 22, so the heat exchange amount in the reheater 21 or the cooler 22 can be continuously adjusted. Therefore, the operation of the air conditioner 100 with a stable blowing temperature of the indoor unit 20 can be achieved.

[0074] According to the air conditioner of Embodiment 1, in the first switching state, the refrigerant circuit RC is configured so that the refrigerant flows in the order of the compressor 11, the first pipe 1, the six-way valve 12, the second pipe 2, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the third pipe 3, the six-way valve 12, the fourth pipe 4, the reheater 21, the fifth pipe 5, the first expansion valve 23, the fifth pipe 5, the six-way valve 12, the sixth pipe 6, and the cooler 22. In the second switching state, the refrigerant circuit RC is configured so that the refrigerant flows in the order of the compressor 11, the first pipe 1, the six-way valve 12, the fourth pipe 4, the reheater 21, the fifth pipe 5, the first expansion valve 23, the fifth pipe 5, the six-way valve 12, the third pipe 3, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the second pipe 2, the six-way valve 12, the sixth pipe 6, and the cooler 22. Therefore, in either the first switching state or the second switching state, the refrigerant can flow through the reheater 21 and the cooler 22 in this order in the refrigerant circuit RC.

[0075] According to the air conditioner 100 of embodiment 1, the refrigerant is a mixed refrigerant. A mixture of two or more refrigerants, i.e., a mixed refrigerant, is generally a non-azeotropic refrigerant, so the temperature during the gas-liquid phase change is not fixed. Therefore, as the mixed refrigerant changes phase, a temperature gradient is generated in the heat exchanger. Therefore, it is necessary to optimally design the heat exchanger. In the air conditioner 100 of embodiment 1, the reheater 21 and the cooler 22 can be specially designed, so that a high-performance air conditioner 100 can be achieved even when a mixed refrigerant is used.

[0076] According to the air conditioner 100 of Embodiment 1, the reheater 21 and the cooler 22 are configured so that the flow of the refrigerant is a counter-flow relative to the flow of the air. Therefore, the temperature gradient in the heat exchanger of the mixed refrigerant can be utilized to reduce the heat exchange temperature difference between the air and the refrigerant. Therefore, high-performance operation of the air conditioner 100 can be achieved.

[0077] The temperature of the non-azeotropic refrigerant rises as the refrigerant evaporates. Therefore, by making the air and the refrigerant into counter-current flows in the cooler 22 that functions as an evaporator, the temperature increase in the flow direction of the refrigerant and the temperature drop in the flow direction of the air interact with each other, which can reduce the heat exchange temperature difference between the air and the refrigerant in the entire area of ​​the cooler 22.

[0078] In addition, the temperature of the non-azeotropic refrigerant drops as the refrigerant condenses. Therefore, by making the air and the refrigerant have a counter-current flow structure in the reheater 21 that functions as a condenser, the temperature drop in the flow direction of the refrigerant and the temperature increase in the flow direction of the air interact with each other, which can reduce the heat exchange temperature difference between the air and the refrigerant in the entire area of ​​the reheater 21.

[0079] In addition, the position of the blower 32 is not limited to Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 The blower 32 may be located between the cooler 22 and the reheater 21 in the air passage 31 or may be located downstream of the reheater 21 in the air passage 31 .

[0080] In addition, refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the six-way valve 12 can also be a rotary structure. Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the first switching state of the rotary six-way valve 12 . Figure 4 1 is a schematic diagram of the second switching state of the rotary six-way valve 12. The rotary six-way valve 12 has a valve seat 12a and a valve core 12b configured to be rotatable relative to the valve seat 12a. The flow path is switched between the first switching state and the second switching state by the rotation of the valve core 12b relative to the valve seat 12a.

[0081] In addition, refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the six-way valve 12 can also be a sliding structure. Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the first switching state of the sliding six-way valve 12 . Figure 6 1 is a schematic diagram of the second switching state of the sliding six-way valve 12. The sliding six-way valve 12 has a valve seat 12a and a valve core 12b configured to slide relative to the valve seat 12a. The flow path is switched between the first switching state and the second switching state by the sliding of the valve core 12b relative to the valve seat 12a.

[0082] Implementation method 2.

[0083] The air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 2 has the same structure, operation, and effects as those of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 1 unless otherwise specified.

[0084] Reference Figure 7 , the structure of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 2 is described. Figure 7 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 2. The air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 2 has a configuration in which the connection positions of the fifth pipe 5 and the sixth pipe 6 to the six-way valve 12 are interchanged compared to the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0085] The six connection ports (the first connection port P1 to the sixth connection port P6) of the six-way valve 12 are connected to the first pipe 1, the second pipe 2, the third pipe 3, the fourth pipe 4, the fifth pipe 5, and the sixth pipe 6, respectively. The first connection port P1 is connected to the second pipe 2. The second connection port P2 is connected to the fifth pipe 5. The third connection port P3 is connected to the sixth pipe 6. The fourth connection port P4 is connected to the third pipe 3. The fifth connection port P5 is connected to the fourth pipe 4. The sixth connection port P6 is connected to the first pipe 1.

[0086] In the first switching state, the refrigerant circuit RC is constructed so that the refrigerant flows in the order of compressor 11, first pipe 1, six-way valve 12, second pipe 2, outdoor heat exchanger 13, third pipe 3, six-way valve 12, fourth pipe 4, reheater 21, fifth pipe 5, first expansion valve 23, fifth pipe 5, six-way valve 12, sixth pipe 6, and cooler 22.

[0087] In the second switching state, the refrigerant circuit RC is constructed so that the refrigerant flows in the order of compressor 11, first pipe 1, six-way valve 12, fourth pipe 4, reheater 21, fifth pipe 5, first expansion valve 23, fifth pipe 5, six-way valve 12, second pipe 2, outdoor heat exchanger 13, third pipe 3, six-way valve 12, sixth pipe 6, and cooler 22.

[0088] Next, refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the operation of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 2 will be described.

[0089] The operation of the air conditioner 100 according to the second embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. Figure 7 In the cooling main operation of the air conditioner 100 of embodiment 2, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit RC flows through the compressor 11, the first pipe 1, the six-way valve 12, the second pipe 2, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the third pipe 3, the six-way valve 12, the fourth pipe 4, the reheater 21, the first expansion valve 23, the fifth pipe 5, the six-way valve 12, the sixth pipe 6, and the cooler 22 to the compressor 11 again.

[0090] Reference Figure 8In the heating main operation of the air conditioner 100 of embodiment 2, the refrigerant flows through the compressor 11, the first pipe 1, the six-way valve 12, the fourth pipe 4, the reheater 21, the first expansion valve 23, the fifth pipe 5, the six-way valve 12, the second pipe 2, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the third pipe 3, the six-way valve 12, the sixth pipe 6, and the cooler 22 in the refrigerant circuit RC and flows to the compressor 11 again.

[0091] Next, the effects of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 2 will be described.

[0092] According to the air conditioner 100 of the second embodiment, in the first switching state, the refrigerant circuit RC is configured so that the refrigerant flows in the order of the compressor 11, the first pipe 1, the six-way valve 12, the second pipe 2, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the third pipe 3, the six-way valve 12, the fourth pipe 4, the reheater 21, the fifth pipe 5, the first expansion valve 23, the fifth pipe 5, the six-way valve 12, the sixth pipe 6, and the cooler 22. In the second switching state, the refrigerant circuit RC is configured so that the refrigerant flows in the order of the compressor 11, the first pipe 1, the six-way valve 12, the fourth pipe 4, the reheater 21, the fifth pipe 5, the first expansion valve 23, the fifth pipe 5, the six-way valve 12, the second pipe 2, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the third pipe 3, the six-way valve 12, the sixth pipe 6, and the cooler 22. Therefore, in either the first switching state or the second switching state, the refrigerant can flow through the reheater 21 and the cooler 22 in this order in the refrigerant circuit RC.

[0093] In the air conditioner 100 of Embodiment 2, the air flow direction guided by the outdoor blower 14 to the outdoor heat exchanger 13 is the same in both the cooling main operation and the heating main operation. By making the flow direction of the refrigerant circulating inside the outdoor heat exchanger 13 the same in both the first switching state and the second switching state of the six-way valve 12, the heat exchange between the air and the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 13 can be made into a counter-flow mode in both the cooling main operation and the heating main operation. Since the temperature of the air and the refrigerant changes with the heat exchange, by making the heat exchange into a counter-flow mode, the heat exchange temperature difference between the air and the refrigerant can be reduced in the entire area of ​​the outdoor heat exchanger 13 compared with the parallel flow heat exchange mode. As a result, the performance and power consumption of the air conditioner 100 can be optimized.

[0094] In particular, in recent years, many mixtures of high-performance refrigerants and refrigerants with small global warming coefficients or refrigerants with slow combustion rates have been proposed for the purpose of reducing the impact on global warming when the refrigerant leaks from the air conditioner 100 and reducing the refrigerant combustion rate when the refrigerant leaks.

[0095] A mixture of two or more refrigerants, i.e., a mixed refrigerant, generally has a non-azeotropic characteristic in which a temperature change occurs during a phase change process of evaporation and condensation. The counter-flow heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger 13 of Embodiment 2 is particularly effective when a mixture of two or more refrigerants, i.e., a mixed refrigerant, is sealed in the air conditioner 100.

[0096] The temperature of the non-azeotropic refrigerant decreases as the refrigerant condenses. Therefore, in the cooling main operation, the air and the refrigerant are counter-flowed in the outdoor heat exchanger 13 functioning as a condenser, so that the temperature drop in the flow direction of the refrigerant and the temperature rise in the flow direction of the air interact with each other. As a result, the heat exchange temperature difference between the air and the refrigerant can be reduced in the entire area of ​​the outdoor heat exchanger 13.

[0097] In addition, the temperature of the non-azeotropic refrigerant rises as the refrigerant evaporates, so in the heating main operation, by making the air and the refrigerant counter-flow in the outdoor heat exchanger 13 functioning as an evaporator, the temperature increase in the flow direction of the refrigerant and the temperature decrease in the flow direction of the air interact with each other. As a result, the heat exchange temperature difference between the air and the refrigerant can be reduced in the entire area of ​​the outdoor heat exchanger 13.

[0098] Implementation method 3.

[0099] The air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 3 has the same structure, operation, and effects as those of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 1 unless otherwise specified.

[0100] Reference Fig. 9 , the structure of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 3 is described. Fig. 9 This is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 3. The air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 3 is different from the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 1 in that a liquid receiver 24 is provided.

[0101] In the air conditioner 100 of Embodiment 3, the refrigerant circuit RC includes a liquid receiver 24. The liquid receiver 24 is disposed between the reheater 21 and the first expansion valve 23 in the refrigerant circuit RC. The liquid receiver 24 is configured to store the refrigerant.

[0102] Next, refer to Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , the operation of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 3 will be described.

[0103] The operation of the air conditioner 100 according to the third embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. Fig. 9In the cooling main operation of the air conditioner 100 of embodiment 3, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit RC flows through the compressor 11, the first pipe 1, the six-way valve 12, the second pipe 2, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the third pipe 3, the six-way valve 12, the fourth pipe 4, the reheater 21, the liquid receiver 24, the first expansion valve 23, the fifth pipe 5, the six-way valve 12, the sixth pipe 6, and the cooler 22 to flow to the compressor 11 again.

[0104] Reference Fig.10 In the heating main operation of the air conditioner 100 of embodiment 3, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit RC flows through the compressor 11, the first pipe 1, the six-way valve 12, the fourth pipe 4, the reheater 21, the liquid receiver 24, the first expansion valve 23, the fifth pipe 5, the six-way valve 12, the third pipe 3, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the second pipe 2, the six-way valve 12, the sixth pipe 6, and the cooler 22 to flow to the compressor 11 again.

[0105] Next, the effects of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 3 will be described.

[0106] In the cooling-main operation, when the heat dissipation in the outdoor heat exchanger 13 decreases, the amount of liquid refrigerant retained in the outdoor heat exchanger 13 decreases. In the air conditioner 100 without a refrigerant amount adjustment mechanism, the amount of refrigerant charged becomes too large relative to the appropriate amount of refrigerant for the operation, and thus, there is a concern that the compressor discharge refrigerant temperature or the compressor discharge refrigerant pressure will excessively increase, resulting in malfunction.

[0107] In the air conditioner 100 of Embodiment 3, the liquid receiver 24 is disposed between the reheater 21 and the first expansion valve 23 in the refrigerant circuit RC. Thus, by adjusting the effective refrigerant amount in the air conditioner 100, an appropriate operating point of the compressor 11 can be achieved.

[0108] In order to prevent refrigerant flow noise, liquid refrigerant is preferably supplied to the first expansion valve 23. The liquid receiver 24 is disposed upstream of the first expansion valve 23 in the refrigerant flow, thereby stably maintaining the refrigerant at the inlet of the first expansion valve 23 in a liquid state.

[0109] Implementation method 4.

[0110] The air conditioner 100 according to the fourth embodiment has the same structure, operation, and effects as those of the air conditioner 100 according to the third embodiment unless otherwise specified.

[0111] Reference Fig.11 , the structure of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 4 is described. Fig.11This is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 4. The air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 4 is different from the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 3 in that it includes a second expansion valve 25 .

[0112] In the air conditioner 100 of Embodiment 4, the refrigerant circuit RC includes the second expansion valve 25. The second expansion valve 25 is disposed between the reheater 21 and the liquid receiver 24 in the refrigerant circuit RC. The second expansion valve 25 is configured to be able to adjust the opening degree.

[0113] Next, refer to Fig.11 and Fig.12 , the operation of the air conditioner 100 according to the fourth embodiment will be described.

[0114] The operation of the air conditioner 100 according to the fourth embodiment is basically the same as that of the third embodiment. Fig.11 In the cooling main operation of the air conditioner 100 of implementation mode 4, the refrigerant flows through the compressor 11, the first pipe 1, the six-way valve 12, the second pipe 2, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the third pipe 3, the six-way valve 12, the fourth pipe 4, the reheater 21, the second expansion valve 25, the liquid receiver 24, the first expansion valve 23, the fifth pipe 5, the six-way valve 12, the sixth pipe 6, and the cooler 22 in the refrigerant circuit RC and flows to the compressor 11 again.

[0115] Reference Fig.12 In the heating main operation of the air conditioner 100 of implementation mode 4, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit RC flows through the compressor 11, the first pipe 1, the six-way valve 12, the fourth pipe 4, the reheater 21, the second expansion valve 25, the liquid receiver 24, the first expansion valve 23, the fifth pipe 5, the six-way valve 12, the third pipe 3, the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the second pipe 2, the six-way valve 12, the sixth pipe 6, and the cooler 22 to flow to the compressor 11 again.

[0116] Next, the effects of the air conditioner 100 according to the fourth embodiment will be described.

[0117] According to the air conditioner 100 of Embodiment 4, the second expansion valve 25 is disposed between the reheater 21 and the liquid receiver 24 in the refrigerant circuit RC. The refrigerant pressure inside the liquid receiver 24 can be adjusted by adjusting the opening of the second expansion valve 25. Thus, compared with Embodiment 3, the amount of liquid refrigerant stored inside the liquid receiver 24 can be actively adjusted. Therefore, the air conditioner 100 can be operated more stably.

[0118] In Embodiments 1 to 4, for the purpose of stably supplying liquid refrigerant to the first expansion valve 23 or the second expansion valve 25, it is preferred that the refrigerant inlet of the reheater 21 is located above the refrigerant outlet in the gravity direction. That is, the reheater 21 has a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet. The refrigerant inlet of the reheater 21 is located above the refrigerant outlet in the gravity direction.

[0119] In this configuration, the liquid refrigerant accumulated in the reheater 21 is discharged sequentially by gravity, so that the inlet refrigerant in the first expansion valve 23 or the second expansion valve 25 can be kept in a liquid state. Therefore, the air conditioner 100 can be operated stably.

[0120] Implementation method 5.

[0121] The air conditioner 100 according to the fifth embodiment has the same structure, operation, and effects as those of the air conditioner 100 according to the second embodiment unless otherwise specified.

[0122] Reference Fig.13 , the structure of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 5 is described. Fig.13 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 5. The air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 5 is different from the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 2 in the outdoor heat exchanger 13 .

[0123] The refrigerant circuit RC includes a first refrigerant closing mechanism 15 and a second refrigerant closing mechanism 16. The first refrigerant closing mechanism 15 and the second refrigerant closing mechanism 16 are, for example, solenoid valves.

[0124] The outdoor heat exchanger 13 includes a first heat exchange portion 13a and a second heat exchange portion 13b. The first heat exchange portion 13a and the second heat exchange portion 13b are arranged in parallel with each other in the refrigerant circuit RC. The first heat exchange portion 13a has a larger internal volume than the second heat exchange portion 13b. The first refrigerant closing mechanism 15 is connected to the inlet of the first heat exchange portion 13a. The second refrigerant closing mechanism 16 is connected to the outlet of the first heat exchange portion 13a.

[0125] In addition, the refrigerant circuit RC has a bypass circuit 17. The bypass circuit 17 has a bypass pipe 17a and a flow control mechanism 17b. The bypass pipe 17a is connected to the second pipe 2 and the third pipe 3. The flow control mechanism 17b is configured to be able to adjust the opening. The flow control mechanism 17b is configured to be able to adjust the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing in the bypass circuit 17. The flow control mechanism 17b is, for example, a solenoid valve. The bypass circuit 17 is arranged in parallel with the outdoor heat exchanger 13 in the refrigerant circuit RC. The bypass circuit 17 is arranged between the six-way valve 12 and the outdoor heat exchanger 13 in the refrigerant circuit RC.

[0126] The operation of the air conditioner 100 according to the fifth embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. Fig.13 In the cooling main operation of the air conditioner 100 of embodiment 5, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit RC flows through the compressor 11, the first pipe 1, the six-way valve 12, the second pipe 2, the outdoor heat exchanger 13 and the bypass circuit 17, the third pipe 3, the six-way valve 12, the fourth pipe 4, the reheater 21, the first expansion valve 23, the fifth pipe 5, the six-way valve 12, the sixth pipe 6, and the cooler 22 to flow to the compressor 11 again.

[0127] Reference Fig.14 In the heating main operation of the air conditioner 100 of embodiment 5, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit RC flows through the compressor 11, the first pipe 1, the six-way valve 12, the fourth pipe 4, the reheater 21, the first expansion valve 23, the fifth pipe 5, the six-way valve 12, the second pipe 2, the outdoor heat exchanger 13 and the bypass circuit 17, the third pipe 3, the six-way valve 12, the sixth pipe 6, and the cooler 22 to flow to the compressor 11 again.

[0128] Next, the effects of the air conditioner 100 according to the fifth embodiment will be described.

[0129] The heat dissipation of condensation heat and the heat reception of evaporation heat in the outdoor heat exchanger 13 can be adjusted by reducing the rotation speed of the outdoor blower 14 to reduce the outdoor air volume guided to the outdoor heat exchanger 13. In addition, the first heat exchange part 13a and the second heat exchange part 13b of the outdoor heat exchanger 13 are arranged in parallel with each other in the refrigerant circuit RC. As a result, the refrigerant flow in a part of the outdoor heat exchanger 13 is blocked, thereby further suppressing the heat exchange amount in the outdoor heat exchanger 13. Therefore, the stable adjustment range of the heat exchange amount in the reheater 21 and the cooler 22 can be increased.

[0130] In addition, by allowing the refrigerant to flow through the bypass circuit 17 and preventing the refrigerant from flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 13, the amount of heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger 13 can be finely adjusted. As a result, the amount of heat exchange in the reheater 21 can be increased in the cooling-main operation. In addition, the amount of heat exchange in the cooler 22 can be increased in the heating-main operation. Therefore, the adjustment range of the blown air temperature and the blown air humidity of the air conditioner 100 can be expanded.

[0131] Implementation method 6.

[0132] The air conditioner 100 according to the sixth embodiment has the same structure, operation, and effects as those of the air conditioner 100 according to the fifth embodiment unless otherwise specified.

[0133] Reference Fig.15, the structure of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 6 is described. Fig.15 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 6. The air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 6 is different from the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 5 in the second refrigerant closing mechanism 16. The second refrigerant closing mechanism 16 is a check valve.

[0134] Reference Fig.15 and Fig.16 The operation of the air conditioner 100 in the sixth embodiment is basically the same as that in the fifth embodiment.

[0135] Next, the effects of the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 6 will be described.

[0136] According to the air conditioner 100 of Embodiment 6, the second refrigerant closing mechanism 16 is a check valve. In both the cooling main operation and the heating main operation, the refrigerant flow direction inside the outdoor heat exchanger 13 is the same, so a check valve can be used as the second refrigerant closing mechanism 16. The check valve is inexpensive and small compared to the solenoid valve, so the refrigerant can be closed in a cost-saving and space-saving manner.

[0137] Implementation method 7.

[0138] The air conditioner 100 according to the seventh embodiment has the same structure, operation, and effects as those of the air conditioner 100 according to the first embodiment unless otherwise specified.

[0139] Reference Fig.17 , the structures of the reheater 21 and the cooler 22 of Embodiment 7 are described. Fig.17 It is a perspective view of the reheater 21 and the cooler 22 of the seventh embodiment.

[0140] The reheater 21 has a smaller internal volume than the cooler 22. The reheater 21 has a first heat transfer tube T1. The cooler 22 has a second heat transfer tube T2. For example, the inner diameter of the first heat transfer tube T1 may be equal to the inner diameter of the second heat transfer tube T2, and the length of the first heat transfer tube T1 may be shorter than the length of the second heat transfer tube T2.

[0141] In addition, the reheater 21 has a plurality of first fins F1. The cooler 22 has a plurality of second fins F2. The plurality of first fins F1 have a smaller total surface area value than the plurality of second fins F2. For example, the length of the first fin F1 may be shorter than the length of the second fin F2, and the number of the first fins F1 may be less than the number of the second fins F2.

[0142] Next, the effects of the air conditioner 100 according to the seventh embodiment will be described.

[0143] According to the air conditioner 100 of Embodiment 7, the reheater 21 has a smaller internal volume than the cooler 22. The air once cooled by the cooler 22 is reheated by the reheater 21, and therefore, the temperature difference between the refrigerant and the air in the reheater 21 is larger than the temperature difference between the refrigerant and the air in the cooler 22. Therefore, even if the reheater 21 is designed to be smaller than the cooler 22 and have a smaller internal volume, the reheater 21 can still exhibit the required heat dissipation capacity for the preset target outlet air temperature.

[0144] In addition, by designing the internal volume of the reheater 21 to be small, the amount of change in the amount of liquid refrigerant stored in the reheater 21 due to the adjustment of the heat exchange amount in the reheater 21 can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to suppress excessive increases in the compressor discharge refrigerant temperature and the compressor discharge refrigerant pressure. In addition, when the liquid receiver 24 is provided, its adjustment capacity can be reduced, so the liquid receiver 24 can be miniaturized.

[0145] According to the air conditioner 100 of Embodiment 7, the plurality of first fins F1 have a smaller total surface area than the plurality of second fins F2. When the reheater 21 is miniaturized, the total surface area of ​​the first fins F1 in contact with the air of the reheater 21 is designed to be smaller than the total surface area of ​​the second fins F2 in contact with the air of the cooler 22, so that the reheater 21 and the air conditioner 100 can be constructed inexpensively and in a small size.

[0146] When the reheater 21 and the cooler 22 are arranged inside the air duct 31 , by designing the reheater 21 to be smaller and the cooler 22 to be larger, a structure that exhibits the best performance within the size constraints of the air conditioner 100 can be realized.

[0147] The embodiments disclosed herein are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and non-restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0148] Description of symbols

[0149] 1: 1st piping; 2: 2nd piping; 3: 3rd piping; 4: 4th piping; 5: 5th piping; 6: 6th piping; 10: outdoor unit; 11: compressor; 12: six-way valve; 13: outdoor heat exchanger; 13a: 1st heat exchange part; 13b: 2nd heat exchange part; 14: outdoor air blower; 15: 1st refrigerant closing mechanism; 16: 2nd refrigerant closing mechanism; 17: bypass circuit; 17a: bypass piping; 17b: flow rate regulating mechanism; 20: indoor unit; 21: reheater; 22: cooler; 23: 1st expansion valve; 24: liquid receiver; 25: 2nd expansion valve; 31: air path; 32: air blower; 100: air conditioner; F1: 1st fin; F2: 2nd fin; T1: 1st heat transfer tube; T2: 2nd heat transfer tube; RC: refrigerant circuit.

Claims

1. An air conditioner comprising: a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a six-way valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, a reheater, a first expansion valve, and a cooler, and configured to circulate a refrigerant; and a blower configured to blow air toward the reheater and the cooler, The six-way valve is configured to be switchable between a first switching state and a second switching state. The six-way valve is constructed as follows: In the first switching state, the refrigerant is switched so that the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant circuit in the order of the compressor, the six-way valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the six-way valve, the reheater, the first expansion valve, the six-way valve, and the cooler, and In the second switching state, the refrigerant is switched so that the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant circuit in the order of the compressor, the six-way valve, the reheater, the first expansion valve, the six-way valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the six-way valve, and the cooler. The reheater and the cooler are configured such that the air blown by the blower passes through the reheater after passing through the cooler regardless of whether in the first switching state or the second switching state.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein: The refrigerant circuit comprises: a first pipe connecting the compressor and the six-way valve; a second pipe connecting the six-way valve and the outdoor heat exchanger; a third pipe connecting the outdoor heat exchanger and the six-way valve; a fourth pipe connecting the six-way valve and the reheater; and a fifth pipe connecting the reheater and the six-way valve via the first expansion valve. and a sixth pipe connecting the six-way valve and the cooler, In the first switching state, the refrigerant circuit is configured so that the refrigerant flows in the order of the compressor, the first pipe, the six-way valve, the second pipe, the outdoor heat exchanger, the third pipe, the six-way valve, the fourth pipe, the reheater, the fifth pipe, the first expansion valve, the fifth pipe, the six-way valve, the sixth pipe, and the cooler. In the second switching state, the refrigerant circuit is constructed so that the refrigerant flows in the order of the compressor, the first pipe, the six-way valve, the fourth pipe, the reheater, the fifth pipe, the first expansion valve, the fifth pipe, the six-way valve, the third pipe, the outdoor heat exchanger, the second pipe, the six-way valve, the sixth pipe, and the cooler.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein: The refrigerant circuit comprises: a first pipe connecting the compressor and the six-way valve; a second pipe connecting the six-way valve and the outdoor heat exchanger; a third pipe connecting the outdoor heat exchanger and the six-way valve; a fourth pipe connecting the six-way valve and the reheater; and a fifth pipe connecting the reheater and the six-way valve via the first expansion valve. and a sixth pipe connecting the six-way valve and the cooler, In the first switching state, the refrigerant circuit is configured so that the refrigerant flows in the order of the compressor, the first pipe, the six-way valve, the second pipe, the outdoor heat exchanger, the third pipe, the six-way valve, the fourth pipe, the reheater, the fifth pipe, the first expansion valve, the fifth pipe, the six-way valve, the sixth pipe, and the cooler. In the second switching state, the refrigerant circuit is constructed so that the refrigerant flows in the order of the compressor, the first pipe, the six-way valve, the fourth pipe, the reheater, the fifth pipe, the first expansion valve, the fifth pipe, the six-way valve, the second pipe, the outdoor heat exchanger, the third pipe, the six-way valve, the sixth pipe, and the cooler.

4. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The refrigerant is a mixed refrigerant.

5. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The refrigerant circuit has a liquid receiver, The liquid receiver is disposed between the reheater and the first expansion valve in the refrigerant circuit.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein: The refrigerant circuit has a second expansion valve. The second expansion valve is disposed between the reheater and the liquid receiver in the refrigerant circuit.

7. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The reheater has a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet. The refrigerant inlet is located above the refrigerant outlet in the gravity direction.

8. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The refrigerant circuit has a first refrigerant closing mechanism and a second refrigerant closing mechanism, The outdoor heat exchanger includes a first heat exchange portion and a second heat exchange portion. The first heat exchange part and the second heat exchange part are arranged in parallel with each other in the refrigerant circuit, and the first heat exchange part has a larger internal volume than the second heat exchange part. The first refrigerant closing mechanism is connected to the inlet of the first heat exchange part. The second refrigerant closing mechanism is connected to an outlet of the first heat exchange portion.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein: The refrigerant circuit has a bypass circuit. The bypass circuit is arranged in parallel with the outdoor heat exchanger in the refrigerant circuit.

10. The air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein: The second refrigerant closing mechanism is a check valve.

11. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The reheater has a smaller internal volume than the cooler.

12. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The reheater has a plurality of first fins, The cooler has a plurality of second fins, The plurality of first fins have a smaller total surface area than the plurality of second fins.

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