Air conditioner

Abstract

The invention provides an air conditioner which can prevent a connecting pipe connected with a heat transfer pipe from being broken when the connecting pipe is bent when the air conditioner is installed. An air conditioner (1) is provided with: a plurality of heat transfer tubes (110) formed from aluminum or an aluminum alloy; a connection pipe (120) connected to the refrigerant inlet / outlet (114) of the heat transfer pipe and at least partially formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy; and a fixing member (132) that fixes at least one of the connection pipes connected to the respective two refrigerant inlets / outlets provided in the heat transfer pipe to other members other than the connection pipes inside the indoor unit (2) of the air conditioner.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Nowadays, air conditioners equipped with multiple refrigerant pipes are known. Patent document 1 discloses a pipe connection structure having a first refrigerant pipe and a second refrigerant pipe. Here, the first refrigerant pipe has a first portion, a first expansion portion, a second portion, a second expansion portion, and a third portion arranged in sequence, and the second refrigerant pipe is inserted into the first refrigerant pipe and has a fourth portion corresponding to the second portion and a fifth portion opposite to the third portion. The second portion and the fourth portion are opposite to each other to increase the strength of the connection portion, and the brazing portion is limited to the fifth portion and the third portion, so that the area of ​​the brazing portion can be reduced.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 7227512 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] When installing an air conditioner, service personnel sometimes bend the pipes appropriately according to the installation conditions of the indoor and outdoor units. At this time, the force applied to the connecting pipe is applied to the connecting portion between the heat transfer tube of the heat exchanger and the connecting pipe, so that the connecting pipe may break at the connecting portion.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent the connection pipe from being broken when the connection pipe is bent when installing an air conditioner.

[0009] Solutions to Solve Problems

[0010] The present invention is an air conditioner comprising: a plurality of heat transfer tubes formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy; connecting pipes connected to the refrigerant inlets and outlets of the heat transfer tubes and at least a portion of which is formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy; and a fixing component that fixes at least one of the connecting pipes respectively connected to the two refrigerant inlets and outlets provided on the heat transfer tubes to other components other than the connecting pipes inside an indoor unit of the air conditioner.

[0011] The effects of the invention are as follows.

[0012] According to the present invention, when installing the air conditioner, it is possible to prevent the connecting pipe from being broken when the connecting pipe is bent. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the appearance structure of the air conditioner.

[0014] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner.

[0015] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing an indoor exchanger.

[0016] Figure 4 It is an enlarged view of the fixed parts.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the connection portion between the heat transfer tube and the connecting pipe.

[0018] Figure 6 It is an explanatory diagram of the sixth modification example.

[0019] Figure 7 It is an explanatory diagram of the sixth modification example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of an air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment. The air conditioner 1 performs air conditioning by circulating a refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle (heat pump cycle). Figure 1 As shown, the air conditioner 1 includes an indoor unit 2 installed indoors (air-conditioned space), an outdoor unit 3 installed outdoors (outdoors), and a remote controller 4 operated by a user.

[0021] The indoor unit 2 includes a remote controller communication unit 5. The remote controller communication unit 5 transmits and receives predetermined signals to and from the remote controller 4 by infrared communication or the like. For example, the remote controller communication unit 5 receives signals such as operation instructions, stop instructions, changes in set temperature, changes in operation mode, or timer settings from the remote controller 4. Figure 1 Although omitted in the figure, the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3 are connected via refrigerant piping and are also connected via a communication line.

[0022] Figure 2 : is a diagram showing a refrigerant circuit Q of the air conditioner 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 2 The solid arrows shown indicate the flow of the refrigerant during heating operation. Figure 2 The dashed arrows shown indicate the flow of the refrigerant during cooling operation.

[0023] In addition to the remote control communication unit 5, the indoor unit 2 also includes an indoor heat exchanger 6 and a cross-flow fan (also called a cross-flow fan, indoor fan) 7. In the indoor heat exchanger 6, heat is exchanged between the refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer pipe described below and the indoor air sent in from the cross-flow fan 7. The indoor heat exchanger 6 operates as a condenser or an evaporator by switching the four-way valve 13 described below. The cross-flow fan 7 is arranged near the indoor heat exchanger 6. The cross-flow fan 7 sends indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger 6 by driving the indoor fan motor 8. The specific structure of the indoor unit 2 is described below.

[0024] The outdoor unit 3 includes a compressor 9, an outdoor heat exchanger 10, an outdoor fan 11, an outdoor expansion valve (expansion valve) 12, and a four-way valve 13. The compressor 9 compresses a low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant by driving a compressor motor 14, and ejects it as a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant. In the outdoor heat exchanger 10, heat is exchanged between the refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer pipe and the outside air sent in from the outdoor fan 11. The outdoor heat exchanger 10 operates as a condenser or an evaporator by switching the four-way valve 13.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, the outdoor fan 11 is provided near the outdoor heat exchanger 10. The outdoor fan 11 is driven by the outdoor fan motor 11a to send outside air to the outdoor heat exchanger 10. The outdoor expansion valve 12 has a function of decompressing the refrigerant condensed by the "condenser" (one of the outdoor heat exchanger 10 and the indoor heat exchanger 6). In addition, the refrigerant decompressed in the outdoor expansion valve 12 is guided to the "evaporator" (the other of the outdoor heat exchanger 10 and the indoor heat exchanger 6).

[0026] The four-way valve 13 is a valve that switches the flow path of the refrigerant according to the operation mode of the air conditioner 1. By switching the four-way valve 13, during cooling operation, as shown by the dotted arrow, a refrigeration cycle is formed in which the refrigerant circulates in the order of the compressor 9, the outdoor heat exchanger (condenser) 10, the outdoor expansion valve 12, and the indoor heat exchanger (evaporator) 6. And, by switching the four-way valve 13, during heating operation, as shown by the solid arrow, a refrigeration cycle is formed in which the refrigerant circulates in the order of the compressor 9, the indoor heat exchanger (condenser) 6, the outdoor expansion valve 12, and the outdoor heat exchanger (evaporator) 10. That is, in the refrigerant circuit Q in which the refrigerant circulates sequentially through the compressor 9, the "condenser", the outdoor expansion valve 12, and the "evaporator", one of the above-mentioned "condenser" and "evaporator" is the outdoor heat exchanger 10, and the other is the indoor heat exchanger 6.

[0027] Figure 3It is a schematic diagram of the indoor heat exchanger 6. The indoor heat exchanger 6 has a plurality of heat sinks 100, and a plurality of heat transfer tubes (capillaries) 110 are arranged in a manner that penetrates the heat sinks 100. In addition, both ends of each heat transfer tube 110 are connected to the ends of the adjacent heat transfer tubes 110 by a return pipe 112. The return pipe 112 is formed in a U shape. In this way, the plurality of heat transfer tubes 110 are connected in series through the return pipe 112 to form a longer refrigerant flow path. The two refrigerant inlets and outlets 114 in the heat transfer tube 110 at the indoor heat exchanger 6 are respectively inserted and connected with connecting pipes 120. The connecting pipe 120 is connected to the heat transfer tube 110 by brazing. In addition, as another example, the connecting pipe 120 can also be connected by riveting after being inserted into the heat transfer tube 110. There is no limitation on the connection method between the heat transfer tube 110 and the connecting pipe 120. The heat transfer pipe 110 , the return pipe 112 , and the connecting pipe 120 are all formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0028] The two connecting pipes 120 connected to the two refrigerant inlets and outlets 114 of the heat transfer tube 110 are both fixed to the return pipe 112. In the present embodiment, the two connecting pipes 120 are both set to be fixed to the return pipe 112a at the position closest to the refrigerant inlet and outlet 114 (the connecting portion of the connecting pipe 120 and the heat transfer tube 110). When installing the air conditioner 1, the indoor unit 2 is set indoors and the outdoor unit 3 is set outdoors. Then, according to the installation status of the indoor unit 2, the service personnel appropriately bend the connecting pipe 120 of the indoor unit 2. For example, in Figure 3 In the example, the connecting pipe 120 is bent at a portion 120b. In this way, when a portion of the connecting pipe 120 is bent, the connecting pipe 120 is sometimes broken at the connection portion connected to the heat transfer pipe 110 due to its stress. In contrast, the connecting pipe 120 of the present embodiment is fixed to the return pipe 112 from the connection portion connected to the heat transfer pipe 110 to the bent portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the stress during bending from being transmitted to the connection portion between the heat transfer pipe 110 and the connecting pipe 120, and to prevent the connecting pipe 120 from breaking at the connection portion. Moreover, by fixing the connecting pipe 120 to the return pipe 112a at the position closest to the refrigerant inlet and outlet 114, the routing space of the connecting pipe 120 can be reduced.

[0029] Furthermore, the connection pipe 120 is fixed to the return pipe 112 at the straight portion 120a thereof. Thus, the workability when the connection pipe 120 is fixed to the return pipe 112 can be improved.

[0030] The straight portion 120a of the connecting pipe 120 is covered by the covering member 130 and fixed to the return pipe 112a by the fixing member 132 via the covering member 130. The covering member 130 is formed of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the thermal conductivity of the connecting pipe. Specifically, the covering member 130 is formed of rubber or resin. Thus, heat exchange is prevented between the refrigerant flowing in the return pipe 112a and the refrigerant flowing in the portion of the connecting pipe 120 fixed to the return pipe 112a.

[0031] Furthermore, the fixing member 132 is formed of resin. Thus, the fixing member 132 is formed of a material softer than aluminum. Thus, the connection pipe 120 and the return pipe 112 can be prevented from being scraped by the fixing member 132. Furthermore, by using resin, sufficient strength for fixing can be obtained.

[0032] Figure 4 This is an enlarged view of the fixing component 132. The fixing component 132 includes a belt portion 132a and a head portion 132b. The belt portion 132a is a belt-shaped component for bundling a plurality of components. The head portion 132b is a component for fixing both ends of the belt portion 132a. The belt portion 132a bundles the covering component 130 and the return pipe 112a in a manner of concentrating them, and is fixed by the head portion 132b. The position where the head portion 132b is arranged is on the covering component 130, not on the return pipe 112a. That is, the head portion 132b is in contact with the covering component 130, but not in contact with the return pipe 112a. By setting it as such a structure, it is possible to prevent the return pipe 112a from being damaged by the head portion 132b.

[0033] The connection pipe 120 and the return pipe 112 are fixed at the position of the return pipe 112 farthest from the heat sink 100, that is, the bottom of the U-shape of the return pipe 112. Thus, the bending diameter of the connection pipe 120 during the bending operation can be ensured.

[0034] As described above, in the air conditioner of this embodiment, since the connection pipe is fixed to the return pipe, it is possible to prevent the connection pipe from being broken when the connection pipe is bent when the air conditioner is installed.

[0035] Furthermore, when the insertion portion of the connecting pipe 120 into the heat transfer tube 110 is extended as in the technique of Patent Document 1, the flow noise of the refrigerant becomes a problem. Figure 51 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the connection portion between the heat transfer tube 110 and the connecting pipe 120. The arrow indicates the flow of the refrigerant. When the connection portion between the connecting pipe 120 and the heat transfer tube 110 is extended and the connecting pipe 120 is inserted into the position where the heat sink 100 is arranged, the tube is contracted in order to reduce the diameter of the front end portion of the connecting pipe 120. As a result, the wall thickness of the contracted tube portion 122 becomes thicker. Moreover, since the aluminum pipe is weaker than the copper pipe, its wall thickness is thicker than the wall thickness of the copper pipe. Therefore, a large step 200 is generated in the flow path at the connection portion between the heat transfer tube 110 and the connecting pipe 120. A vortex of the refrigerant is generated in the portion of the step 200, which becomes the cause of the refrigerant sound. In contrast, in the air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment, by setting the above-mentioned structure, it is not necessary to extend the insertion portion of the connecting pipe 120 into the heat transfer tube 110. In this way, by shortening the contracted tube portion 122, the refrigerant sound can be suppressed.

[0036] The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments involved, and for example, a modification of a certain embodiment can be applied to other embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

[0037] As such a first modification, in the outdoor unit 3 as well, the connection pipe may be fixed to the return pipe similarly to the indoor unit 2 .

[0038] As a second modification, at least one of the two connecting pipes 120 respectively connected to the two refrigerant inlets and outlets 114 may be fixed to the return pipe 112. More preferably, when the indoor heat exchanger 6 operates as a condenser, the connecting pipe 120 connected to the refrigerant inlet and outlet 114 serving as the inlet of the refrigerant may be fixed to the return pipe 112.

[0039] As a third variation, the connecting pipe 120 may be fixed to the return pipe 112, and the position and number of fixed locations are not limited to the embodiment. The fixed location is preferably close to the connection portion between the heat transfer pipe 110 and the connecting pipe 120, but on the other hand, if there are restrictions due to the configuration of other components, it may not be located at the nearest return pipe 112. In addition, the connecting pipe 120 may be fixed to multiple return pipes 112 at multiple locations.

[0040] As a fourth modification, the connecting pipe 120 may be fixed to a member other than the connecting pipe inside the indoor unit 2, and the fixing object is not limited to the return pipe 112. For example, the connecting pipe 120 may be fixed to the casing inside the indoor unit 2.

[0041] As a fifth variation, at least one of the two connecting pipes 120 may be fixed to the return pipe 112a at the position closest to the refrigerant inlet and outlet 114. For example, depending on the configuration of other components of the air conditioner 1, it may be difficult to fix one of the connecting pipes 120 to the return pipe 112a at the position closest to the refrigerant inlet and outlet 114. In such a case, it may also be fixed to a return pipe 112 other than the return pipe 112a at the position closest to the refrigerant inlet and outlet 114. In addition, in this case, it is also preferred that the connecting pipe 120 of one side is fixed to the return pipe 112 as close to the refrigerant inlet and outlet 114 as possible. In addition, it may be difficult for both connecting pipes 120 to be fixed to the return pipe 112a at the position closest to the refrigerant inlet and outlet 114. In this case, both of the two connecting pipes 120 may also be fixed to the return pipe 112 other than the return pipe 112a at the position closest to the refrigerant inlet and outlet 114. In this case, it is also preferable that both the connecting pipes 120 are fixed to the return pipe 112 as close to the refrigerant inlet and outlet 114 as possible.

[0042] Figure 6 and Figure 7 It is an explanatory diagram of the sixth modification example. Figure 6 It is a schematic three-dimensional diagram of the fixing portion of the sixth modification example. Figure 7 is observed along the length of the heat transfer tube 110 Figure 6 As a sixth variation, at least one of the connecting pipes 120 may be arranged at a position overlapping with the return pipe 112 in the longitudinal direction Y of the heat transfer pipe 110 (equal position), that is, at a different position in the depth direction X of the air conditioner 1. Figure 7 In the example shown, the connection pipe 120 connected to the refrigerant outlet 114a is arranged at a position overlapping the return pipe 112 in the longitudinal direction Y. Thus, by arranging it at a position overlapping the return pipe 112 in the longitudinal direction Y, the space required for the connection pipe 120 can be reduced.

[0043] Explanation of symbols

[0044] 1—air conditioner, 2—indoor unit, 3—outdoor unit, 4—remote controller, 5—remote controller communication unit, 6—indoor heat exchanger, 7—cross flow fan, 8—indoor fan motor, 9—compressor, 10—outdoor heat exchanger, 11—outdoor fan, 11a—outdoor fan motor, 12—outdoor expansion valve, 13—four-way valve, 14—compressor motor, 100—heat sink, 110—heat transfer pipe, 112—return pipe, 112a—return pipe, 114—refrigerant inlet and outlet, 120—connecting pipe, 120a—straight portion, 120b—a portion, 122—reduction portion, 130—covering component, 132—fixing component, 200—step.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, characterized in that: have: a plurality of heat transfer tubes formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy; A connecting pipe connected to the refrigerant inlet and outlet of the heat transfer pipe and at least a portion of which is formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy; as well as A fixing member fixes at least one of the connecting pipes respectively connected to the two refrigerant inlets and outlets provided in the heat transfer tube to a member other than the connecting pipe inside the indoor unit of the air conditioner.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the heat exchanger including the heat transfer tube operates as a condenser, the connection pipe connected to the refrigerant inlet and outlet serving as the inlet of the refrigerant is fixed to the other member.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two connecting pipes are fixed to the other member by the fixing member, respectively.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that: A return pipe is further provided to connect the heat transfer pipes to each other. The connecting pipe is fixed to the return pipe by the fixing member.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, characterized in that: The connecting pipe is fixed to the return pipe via a covering member. The thermal conductivity of the coating member is lower than the thermal conductivity of the connecting pipe.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 5, characterized in that The head portion of the fixing member is in contact with the covering member but not in contact with the heat transfer tube.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 4, characterized in that: A plurality of the above-mentioned return pipes are provided, The connecting pipe is fixed to the return pipe closest to the refrigerant inlet and outlet.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 4, characterized in that The fixing position of the return pipe and the connecting pipe is a position of the return pipe farthest from the fin of the heat exchanger.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 4, characterized in that: The connecting pipe is arranged at a position overlapping with the reflux pipe in the longitudinal direction of the heat transfer pipe.

10. The air conditioner according to claim 5, characterized in that The covering member is formed of rubber or resin.

11. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting pipe has a straight portion and is fixed to the other member at the straight portion.

12. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that The material of the fixing member is resin.

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