Outdoor unit and air conditioner

Abstract

According to the air conditioner, a compressor, an air pipe, an outdoor heat exchanger and an air-liquid separator are connected to a switching device, the outdoor heat exchanger is connected with an outdoor throttling device, the outdoor throttling device is connected with a liquid pipe, an outdoor unit comprises an outdoor branch pipeline, one end of the outdoor branch pipeline is connected with the outdoor heat exchanger, and the other end of the outdoor branch pipeline is connected with a third pipeline; the switching device is arranged in the mode that when the air conditioner is in the first state, the switching device enables the exhaust end of the compressor to communicate with one end of the outdoor branch pipeline and enables one end of the air pipe to communicate with the air suction end of the compressor; when the air conditioner is in the second state, the switching device enables the exhaust end of the compressor to communicate with one end of the air pipe and enables one end of the outdoor branch pipeline to communicate with the air suction end of the compressor. By means of the structure, the number of the switching devices can be reduced, the structure is simplified, cost is reduced, and therefore the constant-temperature dehumidification function of the air conditioner can be achieved on the premise that the structure is simple and cost is low.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] An air conditioner generally dehumidifies by refrigeration. When the air conditioner is used for dehumidification, in addition to dehumidification, it will also have a certain impact on the indoor environmental temperature. Especially in the case of low temperature and high humidity (for example, in the plum rain season or in southern regions), when the air conditioner dehumidifies, the outlet air temperature is relatively low, resulting in poor comfort and causing many inconveniences. Therefore, there is a need for an air conditioner to have a constant temperature dehumidification function. For existing air conditioners, as Figure 5 shown, the air conditioner includes an outdoor unit ( Figure 5 the part within the dashed box X), two indoor units ( Figure 5 the part within the dashed box Y), and a liquid pipe 52, a gas pipe 53, and a third pipe 54 connecting the outdoor unit and the indoor units. The outdoor unit includes a compressor 515, a gas-liquid separator 516, and an outdoor heat exchanger 517. The two indoor units respectively include two first indoor heat exchangers 551, 552 and two second indoor heat exchangers 553, 554. In addition, the outdoor unit further includes at least two switching devices (a four-way valve 511 and a control valve 512 including a first two-way valve 512a and a second two-way valve 512b), and two branch pipes 513, 514 respectively provided with the first two-way valve 512a and the second two-way valve 512b. The pipeline is switched through the switching device to achieve the constant temperature dehumidification function in the refrigeration and heating modes. However, the above-mentioned air conditioner has a complex structure, and the corresponding control is also complex, with a high cost. Therefore, the subsequent problem is how to enable the air conditioner to achieve the constant temperature dehumidification function on the premise of a simple structure and a low cost. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention is completed based on the above problems, and its purpose is to provide an air conditioner that can achieve the constant temperature dehumidification function on the premise of a simple structure and a low cost.

[0004] One aspect of the present invention provides an outdoor unit, which includes: a compressor having a suction end and a discharge end; an outdoor heat exchanger; an outdoor throttling device; a liquid pipe shut-off valve; a gas pipe shut-off valve; a third pipeline shut-off valve; and a switching device having a first end, a second end, a third end and a fourth end. The discharge end of the compressor is connected to the first end of the switching device, one end of the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to the second end of the switching device, the suction end of the compressor is connected to the third end of the switching device, the fourth end of the switching device is connected to the gas pipe shut-off valve, the other end of the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to one end of the outdoor throttling device, the other end of the outdoor throttling device is connected to the liquid pipe shut-off valve, and the outdoor unit further includes: an outdoor branch pipeline, one end of which is connected to one end of the outdoor heat exchanger and the other end of which is connected to the third pipeline shut-off valve.

[0005] Another aspect of the present invention provides an air conditioner, which includes: an outdoor unit; one or more indoor units; and a liquid pipe, a gas pipe and a third pipeline connecting the outdoor unit and the one or more indoor units. The outdoor unit includes: a compressor having a suction end and a discharge end; an outdoor heat exchanger; an outdoor throttling device; and a switching device having a first end, a second end, a third end and a fourth end. The indoor unit includes: a first indoor heat exchanger, a second indoor heat exchanger, a first indoor throttling device and a second indoor throttling device. The discharge end of the compressor is connected to the first end of the switching device, one end of the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to the second end of the switching device, the suction end of the compressor is connected to the third end of the switching device, one end of the gas pipe is connected to the fourth end of the switching device, the other end of the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to one end of the outdoor throttling device, the other end of the outdoor throttling device is connected to one end of the liquid pipe, the other end of the liquid pipe is connected to one end of the first indoor throttling device, the other end of the first indoor throttling device is connected to one end of the first indoor heat exchanger, the other end of the first indoor heat exchanger is connected to one end of the third pipeline, one end of the second indoor throttling device is connected to one end of the second indoor heat exchanger, and the other end of the second indoor heat exchanger is connected to the other end of the gas pipe.

[0006] Thus, the air conditioner of the present invention can switch the refrigeration and heating circuits and realize the constant temperature dehumidification function through the above structure. Therefore, the air conditioner can realize the constant temperature dehumidification function on the premise of simple structure and low cost.

[0007] In addition, in the air conditioner of the present invention, the indoor unit further includes: an indoor branch pipeline, one end of which is connected to one end of the first indoor throttling device, and the other end of which is connected to the other end of the second indoor throttling device; the outdoor unit further includes: an outdoor branch pipeline, one end of which is connected to one end of the outdoor heat exchanger, and the other end of which is connected to the other end of the third pipeline. With this structure, by connecting the outdoor branch pipeline between one end of the outdoor heat exchanger and the other end of the third pipeline, the refrigeration and heating circuits can be switched through the switching device, the outdoor branch pipeline and the third pipeline, and the constant temperature dehumidification function can be realized. Thus, by reducing the number of switching devices, the structure is simplified and the cost is reduced. Therefore, the air conditioner can realize the constant temperature dehumidification function on the premise of a simple structure and low cost.

[0008] In addition, in the air conditioner of the present invention, the switching device is arranged such that: when the air conditioner is in the first state, the switching device connects the exhaust end of the compressor to one end of the outdoor branch pipeline, and connects one end of the trachea to the suction end of the compressor; and when the air conditioner is in the second state, the switching device connects the exhaust end of the compressor to one end of the trachea, and connects one end of the outdoor branch pipeline to the suction end of the compressor. With this structure, by connecting the outdoor branch pipeline between one end of the outdoor heat exchanger and the other end of the third pipeline, the refrigeration and heating circuits can be switched through the switching device, the outdoor branch pipeline and the third pipeline, and the constant temperature dehumidification function can be realized. Thus, by reducing the number of switching devices, the structure is simplified and the cost is reduced. Therefore, the air conditioner can realize the constant temperature dehumidification function on the premise of a simple structure and low cost.

[0009] In addition, in the air conditioner of the present invention, the switching device is a four-way valve.

[0010] In addition, in the air conditioner of the present invention, the switching device is arranged such that: when the air conditioner is in the first state, the first end of the switching device is connected to the second end of the switching device, and the third end of the switching device is connected to the fourth end of the switching device; and when the air conditioner is in the second state, the first end of the switching device is connected to the fourth end of the switching device, and the second end of the switching device is connected to the third end of the switching device. With this structure, the refrigeration and heating circuits can be switched through the switching device, the outdoor branch pipeline and the third pipeline, and the constant temperature dehumidification function can be realized. Thus, by reducing the number of switching devices, the structure is simplified and the cost is reduced. Therefore, the air conditioner can realize the constant temperature dehumidification function on the premise of a simple structure and low cost.

[0011] In addition, in the air conditioner of the present invention, the outdoor unit further includes: a gas-liquid separator, which is arranged between the third end of the switching device and the suction end of the compressor.

[0012] In addition, in the air conditioner of the present invention, the outdoor unit further includes: a control valve disposed on the outdoor branch pipeline for opening and closing the outdoor branch pipeline, and the control valve is an electronic two-way valve. With this structure, the on-off of the constant temperature dehumidification function can be correspondingly realized by the on-off of the control valve.

[0013] In addition, in the air conditioner of the present invention, the first indoor throttling device is an electronic expansion valve, the second indoor throttling device is an electronic expansion valve, and the outdoor throttling device is an electronic expansion valve.

[0014] In addition, in the air conditioner of the present invention, the outdoor unit further includes: a liquid pipe stop valve disposed between the other end of the outdoor throttling device and one end of the liquid pipe; a gas pipe stop valve disposed between the fourth end of the switching device and one end of the gas pipe; and a third pipeline stop valve disposed between the other end of the outdoor branch pipeline and the other end of the third pipeline. The liquid pipe stop valve is an electronic two-way valve, the gas pipe stop valve is an electronic two-way valve, and the third pipeline stop valve is an electronic two-way valve. With this structure, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit can be connected, and the opening and closing of the liquid pipe, the gas pipe, and the third pipeline can be respectively controlled by the on-off of the liquid pipe stop valve, the gas pipe stop valve, and the third pipeline stop valve.

[0015] Effects of the Invention

[0016] According to the air conditioner of the present invention, by reducing the number of switching devices, the structure is simplified and the cost is reduced. Therefore, the constant temperature dehumidification function can be realized on the premise of a simple structure and low cost. Description of the Drawings

[0017] Through the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings, the above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood, wherein:

[0018] Figure 1 Schematically shows a schematic structural diagram of the air conditioner 1 (multi-connected unit) according to the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 Schematically shows a circuit diagram of the air conditioner 1 according to the present invention in the first state.

[0020] Figure 3 Schematically shows a circuit diagram of the air conditioner 1 according to the present invention in the second state.

[0021] Figure 4 Schematically shows a schematic structural diagram of the air conditioner 2 (unit machine) according to the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 Schematically shows a circuit diagram of an existing air conditioner with a constant temperature dehumidification function.

[0023] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and represent a somewhat simplified representation of the various features showing the basic principles of the present invention. Specific design features of the present invention included herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes, will be determined in part by the particular application and use environment of the specific design.

[0024] In the drawings, reference numerals refer to the same or equivalent parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

[0025] Reference numeral

[0026] 1…Air conditioner, 11…Outdoor unit, 12, 121, 122…Indoor units, 13…Liquid pipe, 13a…One end of the liquid pipe, 13b…The other end of the liquid pipe, 14…Gas pipe, 14a…One end of the gas pipe, 14b…The other end of the gas pipe, 15…Third pipeline, 15a…One end of the third pipeline, 15b…The other end of the third pipeline, 111…Compressor, 111a…Suction end of the compressor, 111b…Discharge end of the compressor, 112…Gas-liquid separator, 112a…Inlet of the gas-liquid separator, 112b…Outlet of the gas-liquid separator, 113…Outdoor heat exchanger, 113a…One end of the outdoor heat exchanger, 113b…The other end of the outdoor heat exchanger, 114…Outdoor throttling device, 114a…One end of the outdoor throttling device, 114b…The other end of the outdoor throttling device, 115…Switching device, 115a…First end of the switching device, 115b…Second end of the switching device, 115c…Third end of the switching device, 115d…Fourth end of the switching device, 116…Outdoor branch pipeline, 116a…One end of the outdoor branch pipeline, 116b…The other end of the outdoor branch pipeline, 117…Control valve, 118…Liquid pipe stop valve, 119…Gas pipe stop valve, 120…Third pipeline stop valve, 121, 1211, 1212…First indoor heat exchanger, 121a, 1211a, 1212a…One end of the first indoor heat exchanger, 121b, 1211b, 1212b…The other end of the first indoor heat exchanger, 122, 1221, 1222…Second indoor heat exchanger, 122a, 1221a, 1222a…One end of the second indoor heat exchanger, 122b, 1221b, 1222b…The other end of the second indoor heat exchanger, 123, 1231, 1232…First indoor throttling device, 123a, 1231a, 1232a…One end of the first indoor throttling device, 123b, 1231b, 1232b…The other end of the first indoor throttling device, 124, 1241, 1242…Second indoor throttling device, 124a, 1241a, 1242a…One end of the second indoor throttling device, 124b, 1241b, 1242b…The other end of the second indoor throttling device, 125, 1251, 1252…Indoor branch pipeline, 125a, 1251a, 1252a…One end of the indoor branch pipeline, 125b, 1251b, 1252b…The other end of the indoor branch pipeline, 2…Air conditioner, 21…Outdoor unit, 22…Indoor unit, 511…Four-way valve, 512…Control valve, 512a…First two-way valve, 512b…Second two-way valve, 513, 514…Branch pipelines, 515…Compressor, 516…Gas-liquid separator, 517…Outdoor heat exchanger, 52…Liquid pipe, 53…Gas pipe, 54…Third pipeline, 551, 552…First indoor heat exchanger, 553, 554…Second indoor heat exchanger. Detailed implementation manner

[0027] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0028] In this specification, it should be understood that terms such as "include", "comprise", "have", etc. mean the presence of the described features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof, but do not exclude the presence of one or more other features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof. In addition, it should be understood that "connection" in this specification includes direct connection and indirect connection. The so-called direct connection means that there are no other components between the two connected components, and the so-called indirect connection means that there may be other components between the two connected components.

[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic structure of an air conditioner 1 (multi-split air conditioner) according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a circuit diagram of the air conditioner 1 according to the present invention in the first state. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a circuit diagram of the air conditioner 1 according to the present invention in the second state.

[0030] As Figure 1 shown, the air conditioner 1 is a multi-split air conditioner. The air conditioner 1 includes an outdoor unit 11 and a plurality of indoor units 12.

[0031] In this embodiment, as an example, the plurality of indoor units 12 include two indoor units, an indoor unit 121 and an indoor unit 122, but are not limited thereto. The plurality of indoor units 12 may also include indoor units 121, 122... indoor unit 12 n , where n > 2 and is an integer.

[0032] In addition, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the air conditioner 1 further includes a liquid pipe 13, a gas pipe 14 and a third pipe 15. The liquid pipe 13, the gas pipe 14 and the third pipe 15 connect the outdoor unit 11 and the plurality of indoor units 12.

[0033] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the outdoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 1 ( Figure 2 and Figure 3 the part of the dashed box A) includes a compressor 111, an outdoor heat exchanger 113, an outdoor throttling device 114 and a switching device 115.

[0034] The compressor 111 has a suction end 111a and a discharge end 111b. The compressor 111 is used to compress the refrigerant.

[0035] The outdoor heat exchanger 113 is used to exchange heat between the refrigerant and the outdoor environment.

[0036] The outdoor throttling device 114 is used to throttle the refrigerant.

[0037] The outdoor throttling device 114 can be an electronic expansion valve, but is not limited thereto, and can also be other applicable throttling devices.

[0038] The indoor unit 12 ( Figure 2 and Figure 3 the part within the dashed box B) includes: a first indoor heat exchanger 121 for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the indoor environment; a second indoor heat exchanger 122 for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the indoor environment; a first indoor throttling device 123 for throttling the refrigerant; and a second indoor throttling device 124 for throttling the refrigerant.

[0039] In this embodiment, as an example, the first indoor heat exchanger 121 includes a first indoor heat exchanger 1211 and a first indoor heat exchanger 1212, the second indoor heat exchanger 122 includes a second indoor heat exchanger 1221 and a second indoor heat exchanger 1222, the first indoor throttling device 123 includes a first indoor throttling device 1231 and a first indoor throttling device 1232, and the second indoor throttling device 124 includes a second indoor throttling device 1241 and a second indoor throttling device 1242. The first indoor heat exchanger 1211, the second indoor heat exchanger 1221, the first indoor throttling device 1231, and the second indoor throttling device 1241 are disposed in the indoor unit 121. The first indoor heat exchanger 1212, the second indoor heat exchanger 1222, the first indoor throttling device 1232, and the second indoor throttling device 1242 are disposed in the indoor unit 122. However, the above components are not limited to 2, and can also be 3 or more according to the actual situation.

[0040] The first indoor throttling device 123 can be an electronic expansion valve, but is not limited thereto, and can also be other applicable throttling devices.

[0041] The second indoor throttling device 124 can be an electronic expansion valve, but is not limited thereto, and can also be other applicable throttling devices.

[0042] The switching device 115 has a first end 115a, a second end 115b, a third end 115c, and a fourth end 115d.

[0043] As Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the exhaust end 111b of the compressor 111 is connected to the first end 115a of the switching device 115. One end 113a of the outdoor heat exchanger 113 is connected to the second end 115b of the switching device 115. The suction end 111 of the compressor 111 is connected to the third end 115c of the switching device 115. One end 14a of the gas pipe 14 is connected to the fourth end 115d of the switching device 115. The other end 113b of the outdoor heat exchanger 113 is connected to one end 114a of the outdoor throttling device 114. The other end 114b of the outdoor throttling device 114 is connected to one end 13a of the liquid pipe 13.

[0044] In addition, the outdoor unit 11 further includes: an outdoor branch pipe 116, one end 116a of which is connected to one end 113a of the outdoor heat exchanger 113, and the other end 116b of which is connected to the other end 15b of the third pipe 15.

[0045] The outdoor unit 11 further includes: a control valve 117, which is arranged on the outdoor branch pipe 116. The control valve 117 is used to open and close the outdoor branch pipe 116.

[0046] The control valve 117 can be an electronic two-way valve, but is not limited thereto, and can also be other suitable control valves as long as the requirement of opening and closing the outdoor branch pipe 116 can be satisfied.

[0047] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the other end 13b of the liquid pipe 13 is connected to one end 123a of the first indoor throttling device 123. The other end 123b of the first indoor throttling device 123 is connected to one end 121a of the first indoor heat exchanger 121. The other end 121b of the first indoor heat exchanger 121 is connected to one end 15a of the third pipe 15.

[0048] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, one end 124a of the second indoor throttling device 124 is connected to one end 122a of the second indoor heat exchanger 122. The other end 122b of the second indoor heat exchanger 122 is connected to the other end 14b of the gas pipe 14.

[0049] In addition, the indoor unit 12 further includes: an indoor branch pipe 125, one end 125a of which is connected to one end 123a of the first indoor throttling device 123, and the other end 125b of which is connected to the other end 124b of the second indoor throttling device 124.

[0050] In this embodiment, as an example, the indoor branch pipeline 125 includes an indoor branch pipeline 1251 and an indoor branch pipeline 1252. The indoor branch pipeline 1251 is arranged in the indoor unit 121. The indoor branch pipeline 1252 is arranged in the indoor unit 122. However, it is not limited thereto, and the indoor branch pipeline 125 may also include the indoor branch pipeline 1251, the indoor branch pipeline 1252... the indoor branch pipeline 125 n , which are respectively arranged in the indoor unit 121, the indoor unit 122... the indoor unit 12 n .

[0051] The switching device 115 is set such that when the air conditioner 1 is in the first state, the switching device 115 connects the exhaust end 111b of the compressor 111 to one end 116a of the outdoor branch pipeline 116, and connects one end 14a of the trachea 14 to the suction end 111a of the compressor 111. When the air conditioner 1 is in the second state, the switching device 115 connects the exhaust end 111b of the compressor 111 to one end 14a of the trachea 14, and connects one end 116a of the outdoor branch pipeline 116 to the suction end 111a of the compressor 111.

[0052] The above-mentioned first state is the refrigeration state. Specifically, the refrigeration state means that the refrigerant condenses in the outdoor heat exchanger 113 and evaporates in the second indoor heat exchanger 122, thereby forming a refrigeration circuit state.

[0053] The above-mentioned second state is the heating state. Specifically, the heating state means that the refrigerant evaporates in the outdoor heat exchanger 113 and condenses in the second indoor heat exchanger 122, thereby forming a heating circuit state.

[0054] Through the above setting of the switching device 115, the refrigeration and heating circuits can be switched, and the constant temperature and dehumidification function can be realized through the third pipeline 15 and the first indoor heat exchanger 121 connected to the third pipeline 15.

[0055] In this embodiment, as Figure 2 shown, the switching device 115 is set such that when the air conditioner 1 is in the first state (refrigeration state), the first end 115a of the switching device 115 is connected to the second end 115b of the switching device 115, and the third end 115c of the switching device 115 is connected to the fourth end 115d of the switching device 115.

[0056] In this embodiment, as Figure 3 shown, the switching device 115 is set such that when the air conditioner 1 is in the second state (heating state), the first end 115a of the switching device 115 is connected to the fourth end 115d of the switching device 115, and the second end 115b of the switching device 115 is connected to the third end 115c of the switching device 115.

[0057] In this embodiment, the switching device 115 is a four-way valve, but it is not limited thereto. The switching device 115 can also be other suitable control valves, as long as it can meet the requirements of switching the refrigeration and heating circuits of the air conditioner and realizing the constant temperature dehumidification function.

[0058] In addition, the outdoor unit 11 further includes: a liquid pipe stop valve 118, a gas pipe stop valve 119, and a third pipeline stop valve 120.

[0059] The liquid pipe stop valve 118 is disposed between the other end 114b of the outdoor throttling device 114 and one end 13a of the liquid pipe 13. The liquid pipe stop valve 118 is used to open and close the liquid pipe 13.

[0060] The liquid pipe stop valve 118 can be an electronic two-way valve, but it is not limited thereto. It can also be other suitable control valves, as long as it can meet the requirement of opening and closing the liquid pipe 13.

[0061] The gas pipe stop valve 119 is disposed between the fourth end 115d of the switching device 115 and one end 14a of the gas pipe 14. The gas pipe stop valve 119 is used to open and close the gas pipe 14.

[0062] The gas pipe stop valve 119 can be an electronic two-way valve, but it is not limited thereto. It can also be other suitable control valves, as long as it can meet the requirement of opening and closing the gas pipe 14.

[0063] The third pipeline stop valve 120 is disposed between the other end 116b of the outdoor branch pipeline 116 and the other end 15b of the third pipeline 15. The third pipeline stop valve 120 is used to open and close the third pipeline 15.

[0064] The third pipeline stop valve 120 can be an electronic two-way valve, but it is not limited thereto. It can also be other suitable control valves, as long as it can meet the requirement of opening and closing the third pipeline 15.

[0065] In addition, the fourth end 115d of the switching device 115 is connected to the gas pipe stop valve 119.

[0066] The other end 114b of the outdoor throttling device 114 is connected to the liquid pipe stop valve 118.

[0067] The other end 116b of the outdoor branch pipeline 116 is connected to the third pipeline stop valve 120.

[0068] In addition, the outdoor unit 11 further includes a gas-liquid separator 112.

[0069] The gas-liquid separator 112 is disposed between the third end 115c of the switching device 115 and the suction end 111a of the compressor 111.

[0070] The gas-liquid separator 112 has an inlet 112a and an outlet 112b. The gas-liquid separator 112 is used to separate the liquid refrigerant from the gaseous refrigerant.

[0071] With the above structure, when the air conditioner 1 is in the first state (refrigeration state), as Figure 2 shown, the refrigerant becomes high-pressure gas after passing through the compressor 111, enters the first end 115a of the switching device 115 through the exhaust end 111b of the compressor 111, and then flows out from the second end 115b of the switching device 115 to point O. At point O, the refrigerant is divided into two parts. One part enters the outdoor heat exchanger 113 and condenses to release heat to become high-pressure liquid. After that, the refrigerant passes through the outdoor throttling device 114 and flows through each indoor branch pipe 125 respectively, and then through each second indoor throttling device 124 to become low-temperature and low-pressure liquid, and evaporates and absorbs heat through each second indoor heat exchanger 122 to become low-temperature and low-pressure gas. Then it enters the fourth end 115d of the switching device 115 through the gas pipe 14, and enters the compressor 111 through the gas-liquid separator 112 from the third end 115c of the switching device 115. Thus, a refrigeration (dehumidification) circuit is formed. In addition, the control valve 117 is in the open state. At point O, the other part of the refrigerant enters the outdoor branch pipe 116, and then enters the first indoor heat exchanger 121 through the third pipe 15 to condense and release heat to become high-pressure liquid. Thus, a heating (reheat) circuit is formed. Then the other part of the refrigerant merges with the previous part of the refrigerant at point Q (at point Q1 and point Q2 respectively in this embodiment) through the first indoor throttling device 123, enters the indoor branch pipe 125, and thus enters the above-mentioned refrigeration (dehumidification) circuit. Thereby, the constant-temperature dehumidification function is realized.

[0072] With the above structure, when the air conditioner 1 is in the second state (heating state), as Figure 3As shown, the refrigerant becomes high-pressure gas after passing through the compressor 111, enters the first end 115a of the switching device 115 through the exhaust end 111b of the compressor 111, and then flows out from the fourth end 115d of the switching device 115, enters the second indoor heat exchanger 122 through the trachea 14 to condense and release heat to become high-pressure liquid, and then reaches point Q (in this embodiment, reaches points Q1 and Q2 respectively) through the second indoor throttling device 124 and the indoor branch pipeline 125. At point Q, the refrigerant is divided into two parts. One part enters the outdoor heat exchanger 113 through the liquid pipe 13 and the outdoor throttling device 114, and then enters the gas-liquid separator 112 through the second end 115b and the third end 115c of the switching device 115, and then returns to the compressor 111. Thus, a heating (reheating) circuit is formed. In addition, the control valve 117 is in an open state. At point Q, the other part of the refrigerant becomes low-temperature and low-pressure liquid through the first indoor throttling device 123, enters the first indoor heat exchanger 121 to evaporate and absorb heat to become low-temperature and low-pressure gas. Thus, a refrigeration (dehumidification) circuit is formed. Then, this other part of the refrigerant enters the outdoor branch pipeline 116 through the third pipeline 15, and then merges with the previous part of the refrigerant at point O, and then enters the gas-liquid separator 112 through the second end 115b and the third end 115c of the switching device 115, and then returns to the compressor 111, entering the above-mentioned heating (reheating) circuit. Thus, the constant-temperature dehumidification function is realized.

[0073] The above has described the case where the air conditioner 1 includes an outdoor unit 11 and a plurality of indoor units 12, that is, the air conditioner 1 is a multi-connected unit. In addition, it can also be applied to the case where the air conditioner is a unitary machine (for example, as Figure 4 shown, the air conditioner 2 includes an outdoor unit 21 and one indoor unit 22).

[0074] Although the present invention has been specifically described above in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments, it can be understood that the above description does not limit the present invention in any form. Those skilled in the art can make deformations and changes to the present invention according to needs without departing from the essence and scope of the present invention, and these deformations and changes all fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An outdoor unit, wherein, the outdoor unit includes: a compressor having a suction end and a discharge end; an outdoor heat exchanger; an outdoor throttling device; a liquid pipe stop valve; a gas pipe stop valve; a third pipe stop valve; and a switching device having a first end, a second end, a third end and a fourth end, the discharge end of the compressor is connected to the first end of the switching device, one end of the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to the second end of the switching device, the suction end of the compressor is connected to the third end of the switching device, the fourth end of the switching device is connected to the gas pipe stop valve, the other end of the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to one end of the outdoor throttling device, the other end of the outdoor throttling device is connected to the liquid pipe stop valve, the outdoor unit further includes: an outdoor branch pipe, one end of which is connected to the one end of the outdoor heat exchanger and the other end of which is connected to the third pipe stop valve.

2. An air conditioner, wherein, the air conditioner includes: an outdoor unit; one or more indoor units; and a liquid pipe, a gas pipe and a third pipe connecting the outdoor unit and one or more of the indoor units, the outdoor unit includes: a compressor having a suction end and a discharge end; an outdoor heat exchanger; an outdoor throttling device; and a switching device having a first end, a second end, a third end and a fourth end, the indoor unit includes: a first indoor heat exchanger, a second indoor heat exchanger, a first indoor throttling device and a second indoor throttling device, the discharge end of the compressor is connected to the first end of the switching device, one end of the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to the second end of the switching device, the suction end of the compressor is connected to the third end of the switching device, one end of the gas pipe is connected to the fourth end of the switching device, the other end of the outdoor heat exchanger is connected to one end of the outdoor throttling device, the other end of the outdoor throttling device is connected to one end of the liquid pipe, the other end of the liquid pipe is connected to one end of the first indoor throttling device, the other end of the first indoor throttling device is connected to one end of the first indoor heat exchanger, the other end of the first indoor heat exchanger is connected to one end of the third pipe, one end of the second indoor throttling device is connected to one end of the second indoor heat exchanger, and the other end of the second indoor heat exchanger is connected to the other end of the gas pipe.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein, the indoor unit further includes: an indoor branch pipe, one end of which is connected to the one end of the first indoor throttling device and the other end of which is connected to the other end of the second indoor throttling device, the outdoor unit further includes: an outdoor branch pipe, one end of which is connected to the one end of the outdoor heat exchanger and the other end of which is connected to the other end of the third pipe.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein, the switching device is arranged to: When the air conditioner is in the first state, the switching device connects the exhaust end of the compressor to one end of the outdoor branch pipeline, and connects one end of the air pipe to the suction end of the compressor; and When the air conditioner is in the second state, the switching device connects the exhaust end of the compressor to one end of the air pipe, and connects one end of the outdoor branch pipeline to the suction end of the compressor.

5. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the switching device is a four-way valve.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the switching device is arranged such that when the air conditioner is in the first state, the first end of the switching device is connected to the second end of the switching device, and the third end of the switching device is connected to the fourth end of the switching device; and when the air conditioner is in the second state, the first end of the switching device is connected to the fourth end of the switching device, and the second end of the switching device is connected to the third end of the switching device.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the outdoor unit further comprises a gas-liquid separator disposed between the third end of the switching device and the suction end of the compressor.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the outdoor unit further comprises a control valve disposed on the outdoor branch pipeline for opening and closing the outdoor branch pipeline, and the control valve is an electronic two-way valve.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the first indoor throttling device is an electronic expansion valve, the second indoor throttling device is an electronic expansion valve, and the outdoor throttling device is an electronic expansion valve.

10. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein the outdoor unit further comprises a liquid pipe stop valve disposed between the other end of the outdoor throttling device and one end of the liquid pipe; an air pipe stop valve disposed between the fourth end of the switching device and one end of the air pipe; and a third pipeline stop valve disposed between the other end of the outdoor branch pipeline and the other end of the third pipeline, wherein the liquid pipe stop valve is an electronic two-way valve, the air pipe stop valve is an electronic two-way valve, and the third pipeline stop valve is an electronic two-way valve.

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