air conditioning unit

Abstract

An air conditioning system comprises a refrigerant circuit in which a first indoor unit and a heat transfer medium unit are connected in parallel to an outdoor unit via a refrigerant line, and refrigerant is intended to circulate. The first indoor unit has a first indoor heat exchanger that facilitates heat exchange between the refrigerant and a first heat transfer medium, which is different from the refrigerant. The heat transfer medium unit has a heat transfer medium heat exchanger that facilitates heat exchange between the refrigerant and a second heat transfer medium, which is different from the first heat transfer medium.The air conditioning device has a second indoor unit installed in an air conditioning target room that is different from an air conditioning target room where the first indoor unit is installed, and has a second indoor heat exchanger through which the second heat transfer medium is to flow, and has a heat transfer medium circuit in which the second heat transfer medium is to circulate through the heat transfer medium heat exchanger and the second indoor heat exchanger.The air conditioning device has a pressure regulating device located upstream of one or both of the first interior heat exchanger and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger, in the flow of the refrigerant in a heating operation, and for regulating the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into one or both of the first interior heat exchanger and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger in order to regulate the value of the heat exchange in the first interior heat exchanger and the value of the heat exchange in the heat transfer medium heat exchanger.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning device which is used, for example, with a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system. State of the art

[0002] Existing air conditioning devices are capable of heating or cooling indoor air through heat exchange between the indoor air and a refrigerant, thus conditioning the air in an indoor space and simultaneously heating water through heat exchange between the water and the refrigerant, thereby producing hot water for domestic hot water supply or heating. One such type of air conditioning device consists of a first application unit, comprising an indoor heat exchanger that facilitates heat exchange between the refrigerant and the indoor air, and a second application unit, comprising a water heat exchanger that facilitates heat exchange between the refrigerant and water, connected in parallel to an outdoor application unit, thus forming a single refrigerant circuit (see, for example, patent literature 1). Bibliography Patent literature

[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication JP 2017 - 142 039 A Summary of the invention: Technical problem

[0004] In the air conditioning device described in patent literature 1, the indoor heat exchanger, which facilitates heat exchange between the refrigerant and indoor air, and the water heat exchanger, which facilitates heat exchange between the refrigerant and water, are connected in parallel to the outdoor unit. Regarding the heat transfer medium that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in each of the heat exchangers in the air conditioning device described in patent literature 1, the heat transfer medium in one of the heat exchangers is indoor air, whereas the heat transfer medium in the other heat exchanger is water.

[0005] This means that the heat exchangers use different heat transfer media. Therefore, in the air conditioning device described in patent literature 1, the following applies: If the temperatures of the heat transfer media differ, i.e., if the temperature of the indoor air and the water differ, an imbalance occurs in the extent of heat exchange between the heat exchangers. In the air conditioning device described in patent literature 1, the following applies: Because such an imbalance occurs in the extent of heat exchange between the heat exchangers, although one of the target rooms to be air-conditioned is effectively heated, the other is not heated sufficiently, thus reducing comfort.

[0006] The present invention was designed to solve the above problem and relates to an air conditioning device that can reduce the deterioration of comfort. Solution to the problem

[0007] An air conditioning device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: an outdoor unit comprising a compressor configured to compress and discharge refrigerant and a heat exchanger on the heat source side configured to cause heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air; a first indoor unit comprising a first indoor heat exchanger configured to cause heat exchange between the refrigerant and a first heat transfer medium other than the refrigerant, and a first expansion device configured to decompress the refrigerant;a heat transfer medium unit comprising a heat transfer medium heat exchanger configured to cause heat exchange between the refrigerant and a second heat transfer medium different from the first heat transfer medium, and a second expansion device configured to decompress the refrigerant; a second indoor unit installed in an air conditioning target space different from an air conditioning target space in which the first indoor unit is installed, the second indoor unit comprising a second indoor heat exchanger through which the second heat transfer medium is to flow;a refrigerant circuit in which the first indoor unit and the heat transfer medium unit are connected in parallel to the outdoor unit by means of a refrigerant line, and in which the refrigerant is to circulate through the compressor, the first indoor heat exchanger, the heat transfer medium heat exchanger, the first expansion device, the second expansion device and the heat exchanger on the heat source side; a heat transfer medium circuit in which the heat transfer medium heat exchanger of the heat transfer medium unit and the second indoor heat exchanger of the second indoor unit are connected in series by means of a heat transfer medium line and the second heat transfer medium is to circulate through the heat transfer medium heat exchanger and the second indoor heat exchanger;and a pressure regulating device arranged upstream of one or both of the first interior heat exchanger and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger, in a refrigerant flow during heating operation in which the heat exchanger on the heat source side operates as an evaporator and each of the first interior heat exchanger and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger operates as a condenser, wherein the pressure regulating device is configured to regulate the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into one or both of the first interior heat exchanger and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger, thus regulating the value of the heat exchange in the first interior heat exchanger and the value of the heat exchange in the heat transfer medium heat exchanger. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0008] In the air conditioning device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the first indoor unit, which has the first indoor heat exchanger, and the heat transfer medium unit, which has the heat transfer medium heat exchanger, are connected in parallel to the outdoor unit, and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger of the heat transfer medium unit and the second indoor heat exchanger of the second indoor unit are connected in series by means of the heat transfer medium line.The air conditioning device includes the pressure regulating device, which is located upstream of one or both of the first interior heat exchanger and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger in the refrigerant flow direction during heating operation and is configured to regulate the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into one or both of the first interior heat exchanger and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger, thus regulating the extent of heat exchange in the first interior heat exchanger and the extent of heat exchange in the heat transfer medium heat exchanger.The air conditioning device allows the pressure regulating device to regulate the extent of heat exchange in the first indoor heat exchanger and that in the heat transfer medium heat exchanger, thus reducing the imbalance in air conditioning efficiency between the air conditioning target room in which the first indoor unit is installed and the air conditioning target room in which the second indoor unit is located, thereby reducing any deterioration in comfort. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an air conditioning device according to embodiment 1. Fig. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the air conditioning device according to embodiment 1. Fig. Figure 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating the refrigerant flow in a heating operation of the air conditioning device according to embodiment 1. Fig. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an air conditioning device according to embodiment 2. Fig. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the air conditioning device according to embodiment 2. Fig. Figure 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating the flow of the refrigerant during the heating operation of the air conditioning device according to embodiment 2. Fig. Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a modification of the air conditioning device according to embodiment 2. Fig. Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of an air conditioning device according to embodiment 3. Fig. Figure 9 is a circuit diagram illustrating the flow of the refrigerant during the heating operation of the air conditioning device according to embodiment 3. Description of embodiments

[0009] Embodiments are described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that in each of the drawings, components that are the same as or equivalent to those in a previous drawing or drawings are designated with the same reference numerals. The same applies to all descriptive text. Furthermore, it should be noted that the configurations of the components described below are merely examples, and their descriptions are not exhaustive. It should also be noted that the size relationship between the components, as illustrated in the drawings, may differ from that of the actual components. Design 1

[0010] Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 1. The air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 1 is installed in a building 500, such as an office building or other structure. The building 500 has non-air-conditioned rooms 501 and 502, which are not to be air-conditioned, and target rooms 503 and 504, which are to be air-conditioned. The non-air-conditioned room 501 is, for example, a room above a floor slab. The non-air-conditioned room 502 is, for example, a machine room. The target room 503 is, for example, a large room. The target room 504 is, for example, a small room. The air conditioning device 100 is configured to air-condition the target rooms 503 and 504. Air conditioning unit configuration 100

[0011] The air conditioning device 100 has an outdoor unit 101, a first indoor unit 105, a heat transfer medium unit 103, and a second indoor unit 104. The number of each of the first indoor units 105, the heat transfer medium units 103, and the second indoor units 104 is not limited to one, although in Fig. 1 each of which is shown as one; i.e., each of which can be any number. In embodiment 1, the first indoor unit 105 is installed in a large room, such as the air conditioning target room 503, and the second indoor unit 104 is installed in a small room, such as the air conditioning target room 504, but this is not limiting. The first indoor unit 105 can be installed in a small room, such as the air conditioning target room 504, and the second indoor unit 104 can be installed in a large room, such as the air conditioning target room 503.

[0012] The heat transfer medium unit 103 is provided in pairs with the second indoor unit 104. The heat transfer medium unit 103 is installed in the non-air-conditioned room 501, which is a separate room from the air-conditioning target room 504, where the second indoor unit 104 is installed. This is because installing the heat transfer medium unit 103, through which the refrigerant flows, in a separate room prevents the refrigerant from leaking into the air-conditioning target room 504.

[0013] The outdoor unit 101 is connected to the first indoor unit 105 and the heat transfer medium unit 103 by means of refrigerant lines through which refrigerant flows. The refrigerant lines have a main refrigerant line 106 and a refrigerant branch line 107. The heat transfer medium unit 103 is connected to the second indoor unit 104 by means of a heat transfer medium line 108 through which a heat transfer medium flows.

[0014] The air conditioning unit 100 allows for the selective use of a cooling-only operating mode and a heating-only operating mode. The cooling-only mode is a mode in which all indoor units, i.e., in this case both the first indoor unit 105 and the second indoor unit 104, operate in cooling mode. The heating-only mode is a mode in which all indoor units, i.e., in this case both the first indoor unit 105 and the second indoor unit 104, operate in heating mode.

[0015] Fig. Figure 2 is a circuit diagram of the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 1. The following applies to the air conditioning device 100, as shown in Fig. Figure 2 illustrates: The outdoor unit 101, the first indoor unit 105 and the heat transfer medium unit 103 are connected by means of the refrigerant main line 106 and the refrigerant branch line 107, so that a refrigerant circuit A is formed in which the refrigerant circulates.

[0016] The refrigerant main line 106 has a first refrigerant main line 106a and a second refrigerant main line 106b. The first refrigerant main line 106a carries gaseous refrigerant. The second refrigerant main line 106b carries liquid or two-phase refrigerant. The refrigerant branch line 107 has a refrigerant branch line 107a and a refrigerant branch line 107b. The outdoor unit 101 and the first indoor unit 105 are connected by means of the refrigerant main line 106 and the refrigerant branch line 107a. The outdoor unit 101 and the heat transfer medium unit 103 are connected by means of the refrigerant main line 106 and the refrigerant branch line 107b.

[0017] The heat transfer medium unit 103 and the second indoor unit 104 are connected by means of the heat transfer medium line 108, through which a heat transfer medium flows. The heat transfer medium unit 103 and the second indoor unit 104 are connected by means of the heat transfer medium line 108, thus forming a heat transfer medium circuit B in which a second heat transfer medium circulates. The second heat transfer medium will be described later. In the heat transfer medium circuit B, a heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 and a second indoor heat exchanger 15 are connected in series.

[0018] The air conditioning unit 100 transfers heat generated in the outdoor unit 101 to the first indoor unit 105 and the heat transfer medium unit 103. The heat generated in the outdoor unit 101 is transferred to the first indoor unit 105 and the heat transfer medium unit 103 by the refrigerant flowing through refrigerant circuit A. The first indoor unit 105 heats or cools the air conditioning target room 503 by utilizing the heat transferred from the outdoor unit 101. Furthermore, the heat generated in the outdoor unit 101 is transferred to the second indoor unit 104 via the heat transfer medium unit 103. The second indoor unit 104 heats or cools the air conditioning target room 504 by utilizing the heat indirectly transferred from the outdoor unit 101 via the heat transfer medium unit 103.

[0019] The refrigerant for use in the air conditioning unit 100 is, for example, a single-component refrigerant, such as R32; a nearly azeotropic refrigerant mixture, such as R410A; a refrigerant that has a double bond in its chemical formula, or CF3I, and it is considered a refrigerant with a relatively low global warming potential; or it is a mixture of these refrigerants. The refrigerant can be CF3I or a natural refrigerant, such as CO2 or propane. The refrigerant can be a single-component refrigerant, such as R1234yf, R1234ze, R32, or R290 (propane). The refrigerant can be a mixture of two or more refrigerants, such as R1234yf, R1234ze, R32, and R290 (propane). The refrigerant can be a mixture of any refrigerant, for example R1234yf, R1234ze, R32 and R290 (propane) and another refrigerant.The refrigerant can be a refrigerant mixture containing R1132(E) or a refrigerant mixture containing R1123. The refrigerant can be a mixture such as R516A, R445A, R444A, R454C, R444B, R454A, R455A, R457A, R459B, R452B, R454B, R447B, R447A, R446A, R459A, R474A, or R479A.

[0020] The second heat transfer medium for use in the air conditioning device 100 is, for example, water, a salt solution which is antifreeze, a mixture of salt solution and water, or a mixture of water and a highly anti-corrosive additive. Configuration of the outdoor unit 101

[0021] The outdoor unit 101 comprises a compressor 1, a flow reversing device 2, a heat exchanger 3 on the heat source side, an outdoor fan 4, a flow control valve 5, and an accumulator 6. The compressor 1 draws in gaseous low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant, compresses the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant into a gaseous high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant, and discharges the gaseous high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant. After being discharged from the compressor 1, the refrigerant circulates in refrigerant circuit A. For example, the compressor 1 is an inverter-type variable-capacity compressor.

[0022] In an example illustrated in the drawing, the flow switching device 2 is a four-way valve 2a. The flow switching device 2 switches a flow passage for the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 between several flow passages based on the operating mode of the first indoor unit 105 and that of the second indoor unit 104. In heating mode, the flow passage of the flow switching device 2 is switched to a flow passage indicated by the solid lines in Fig. 2 is shown; and in cooling mode, the flow passage of the flow switching device 2 is switched to a flow passage that corresponds to the dashed lines in Fig. 2 is shown.

[0023] During heating operation, the flow passage of the flow switching device 2 is switched, causing each of the first interior heat exchanger 8 and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 to operate as a condenser, and causing the heat exchanger 3 on the heat source side to operate as an evaporator.

[0024] In cooling mode, the flow path of the flow switching device 2 is reversed, causing each of the first interior heat exchanger 8 and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 to operate as an evaporator, and causing the heat exchanger 3 on the heat source side to operate as a condenser. The flow switching device 2 is not limited to a four-way valve; it can also be a three-way valve or a combination of two-way valves.

[0025] The heat exchanger 3 on the heat source side is, for example, a finned-tube heat exchanger. This heat exchanger facilitates heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outside air supplied by the outside fan 4. In cooling mode, the heat exchanger 3 acts as a condenser, causing the refrigerant to condense and become liquid. In heating mode, the heat exchanger 3 also acts as an evaporator, causing the refrigerant to evaporate and become gaseous.

[0026] The outdoor fan 4, for example, is a propeller fan. The outdoor fan 4 supplies air in the vicinity of the outdoor unit 101 to the heat exchanger 3 on the heat source side. The rotational speed of the outdoor fan 4 is controlled by an outdoor control unit 7 (which will be described later), thus controlling the condensation or evaporation capacity of the heat exchanger 3 on the heat source side.

[0027] The flow control valve 5 is configured to decompress the refrigerant, i.e., to reduce its pressure so that it expands. For example, the flow control valve 5 is an electronic expansion valve with an adjustable opening degree. In heating operation, the flow control valve 5 is set with respect to its opening degree to control the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger 3 on the heat source side; and in cooling operation, the flow control valve 5 is set with respect to its opening degree to control the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the first indoor unit 105 and the heat transfer fluid unit 103.

[0028] The accumulator 6 is located on the intake side of the compressor 1 and has the function of separating liquid refrigerant and gaseous refrigerant from each other, and of collecting excess refrigerant.

[0029] The outdoor unit 101 also includes an outlet pressure sensor 56, an intake pressure sensor 57, and the outdoor control unit 7. The outlet pressure sensor 56 detects the outlet pressure of the compressor 1 and is attached to an outlet line of the compressor 1. The intake pressure sensor 57 detects the intake pressure of the compressor 1 and is attached to an intake line of the compressor 1. The results of the measurements taken by the outlet pressure sensor 56 and the intake pressure sensor 57 are entered into the outdoor control unit 7.

[0030] The outdoor control unit 7 controls the operation of the compressor 1, the flow switching device 2, the outdoor fan 4, and the flow control valve 5 based on the results of measurements taken by the outlet pressure sensor 56, the intake pressure sensor 57, and other sensors, including a temperature sensor (not shown). For example, the temperature sensor is a thermistor. The outdoor control unit 7 controls the drive frequency of the compressor 1, the flow passage in the flow switching device 2, the speed of the outdoor fan 4, and the opening degree of the flow control valve 5.

[0031] The outdoor control unit 7 is a processor that includes memory for storing data and a program necessary for control, as well as a CPU for executing the program. The outdoor control unit 7 can be dedicated hardware, such as an ASIC or an FPGA. It can also be a combination of both the processor and dedicated hardware. The outdoor control unit 7 can communicate with a control device 14 for the heat transfer medium unit (described later), which is mounted in the heat transfer medium unit 103; an indoor control unit 13a (described later), which is mounted in the first indoor unit 105; and an indoor control unit 13b (described later), which is mounted in the second indoor unit 104. Configuration of the first indoor unit 105

[0032] The first indoor unit 105 is a direct expansion type indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit 101 via the refrigerant line. The first indoor unit 105 transfers heat stored in the refrigerant supplied by the outdoor unit 101 to the air conditioning target room 503 in response to a heating or cooling load. The first indoor unit 105 comprises a first expansion device 10a, the first indoor heat exchanger 8, a pressure regulating device 11a, and an indoor fan 12a. Within the first indoor unit 105, the first expansion device 10a, the first indoor heat exchanger 8, and the pressure regulating device 11a are arranged on the refrigerant branch lines 107a.

[0033] The first expansion device 10a is configured to decompress the refrigerant, causing it to expand, and it regulates the volume flow of the refrigerant through the refrigerant branch line 107a. For example, the first expansion device 10a is an electronic expansion valve with a variable opening degree. The first expansion device 10a is connected in series with the first interior heat exchanger 8 and decompresses refrigerant flowing out of or into the first interior heat exchanger 8, causing it to expand.

[0034] The pressure regulating device 11a is a device that controls the saturation temperature of the refrigerant and is capable of regulating the pressure of the refrigerant. For example, the pressure regulating device 11a is an electronic expansion valve whose opening degree is variably controlled. The pressure regulating device 11a is connected in series with the first interior heat exchanger 8. The pressure regulating device 11a is arranged upstream of the first interior heat exchanger 8 in the direction of refrigerant flow during heating operation and decompresses the refrigerant flowing into the first interior heat exchanger 8 during heating operation, thus expanding the refrigerant and controlling the condensation temperature, which is the saturation temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the first interior heat exchanger 8.

[0035] The first interior heat exchanger 8 is, for example, a finned-tube heat exchanger. The first interior heat exchanger 8 facilitates heat exchange between the refrigerant and a first heat transfer medium supplied by the interior fan 12a. The first heat transfer medium is, for example, air.

[0036] The interior fan 12a, for example, is a turbo fan. The interior fan 12a directs air, which is the first heat transfer medium, to the first interior heat exchanger 8 in the air conditioning target chamber 503. The speed of the interior fan 12a is controlled by the interior control unit 13a (which will be described later). The speed of the interior fan 12a is controlled by the interior control unit 13a, thus controlling the heating or cooling capacity of the first interior heat exchanger 8.

[0037] The first indoor unit 105 further comprises a pressure sensor 50a, an intake temperature sensor 55, and the indoor control unit 13a. The pressure sensor 50a is arranged on a line between the pressure regulating device 11a and the first indoor heat exchanger 8 and measures the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the first indoor heat exchanger 8 during heating operation. The intake temperature sensor 55 measures the temperature of the air drawn into the first indoor unit 105. The results of the measurements by the pressure sensor 50a and the intake temperature sensor 55 are input into the indoor control unit 13a.

[0038] The interior control unit 13a controls the operations of the first expansion device 10a, the pressure regulating device 11a, and the interior fan 12a based on the results of measurements taken by the pressure sensor 50a and the intake air temperature sensor 55, as well as the results of measurements taken by, for example, another temperature sensor (not shown). The interior control unit 13a is a processor with memory that stores data and a program necessary for control, and a CPU that executes the program. The interior control unit 13a can be dedicated hardware, such as an ASIC or an FPGA. It can also be a combination of both the processor and dedicated hardware. Configuration of the heat transfer medium unit 103

[0039] The heat transfer medium unit 103 comprises a second expansion device 10b, the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9, a pressure regulating device 11b, and a pump 16. In the heat transfer medium unit 103, the second expansion device 10b, the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9, and the pressure regulating device 11b are arranged on refrigerant branch lines 107b.

[0040] The second expansion device 10b is configured to decompress the refrigerant, causing it to expand, and it regulates the volume flow of the refrigerant through the refrigerant branch line 107b. For example, the second expansion device 10b is an electronic expansion valve with a variable opening degree. The second expansion device 10b is connected in series with the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 and decompresses refrigerant flowing out of or into the first heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9, causing the refrigerant to expand.

[0041] The pressure regulating device 11b is a device that controls the saturation temperature of the refrigerant and is capable of regulating the refrigerant pressure. For example, the pressure regulating device 11b is an electronic expansion valve whose opening degree is variably controlled. The pressure regulating device 11b is connected in series with the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9. The pressure regulating device 11b is arranged upstream of the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 in the direction of refrigerant flow during heating operation and decompresses the refrigerant flowing into the first heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 during heating operation, thus expanding the refrigerant and controlling the saturation temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9.The pressure regulating device 11b and the pressure regulating device 11a, which is arranged in the first indoor unit 105, form a pressure regulating device 11.

[0042] The heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 is, for example, a plate heat exchanger. The heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 facilitates heat exchange between refrigerant supplied by the outdoor unit 101 and circulated in refrigerant circuit A, and a second heat transfer medium circulated in heat transfer medium circuit B by means of pump 16. The heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 transfers heat stored in the refrigerant supplied by the outdoor unit 101 to the second heat transfer medium by facilitating heat exchange between the refrigerant and the second heat transfer medium. In heating mode, the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 acts as a condenser to condense and liquefy the refrigerant; and in cooling mode, the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 acts as an evaporator to evaporate and convert the refrigerant into a gaseous state.

[0043] Pump 16, for example, is a capacitance-controlled, inverter-driven centrifugal pump. Pump 16 has an inverter-driven motor and is driven by the motor, which serves as the energy source. Pump 16 is located in the heat transfer medium circuit B and pressurizes the second heat transfer medium and circulates it within the circuit. Pump 16 is arranged to create a counter-current flow for heating, in which the second heat transfer medium flows in one direction (with the dashed arrows pointing inwards) within the circuit. Fig. 3 shown) (which will be described later) flows in the opposite direction (with the solid arrows pointing inwards) Fig. 3 shown) (which will be described later), in which the refrigerant flows in refrigerant circuit A during heating operation. The location of pump 16 is not limited to the example above. Pump 16 can be arranged to create a cooling counterflow, in which the second heat transfer medium in heat transfer medium circuit B flows in the opposite direction to the direction in which the refrigerant flows in refrigerant circuit A during cooling operation.

[0044] The heat transfer medium unit 103 further comprises a pressure sensor 50b, a temperature sensor 53, and the control unit 14 for the heat transfer medium unit. The pressure sensor 50b is arranged on a line between the pressure regulating device 11b and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 and measures the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 during heating operation. The temperature sensor 53 measures the temperature of a second heat transfer medium flowing into the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 in the heat transfer medium circuit B. The results of the measurements by the pressure sensor 50b and the temperature sensor 53 are input into the control unit 14 for the heat transfer medium unit.

[0045] The control unit 14 for the heat transfer medium unit controls the operations of the second expansion unit 10b, the pressure regulating unit 11b, and the pump 16 based on the results of measurements taken by the pressure sensor 50b and the temperature sensor 53, as well as the results of measurements taken by, for example, another temperature sensor (not shown). The control unit 14 for the heat transfer medium unit is a processor with memory that stores data and a program necessary for control, and a CPU that executes the program. The control unit 14 for the heat transfer medium unit can be dedicated hardware, such as an ASIC or an FPGA. Alternatively, the control unit 14 for the heat transfer medium unit can be a combination of both the processor and dedicated hardware. Configuration of the second interior unit 104

[0046] The second indoor unit 104 is an indirect-type indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit 101 via the heat transfer medium line 108. The second indoor unit 104 transfers heat, obtained through a conversion process carried out by the heat transfer medium unit 103, to the air conditioning target room 504 in response to a heating or cooling load. The second indoor unit 104 includes the second indoor heat exchanger 15 and an indoor fan 12b.

[0047] The second interior heat exchanger 15 is, for example, a finned-tube heat exchanger. The second interior heat exchanger 15 facilitates heat exchange between the second heat transfer medium and the first heat transfer medium, which is supplied by the interior fan 12b. The first heat transfer medium is, for example, air.

[0048] The interior fan 12b, for example, is a cross-flow fan. The interior fan 12b supplies air, corresponding to the first heat transfer medium in the air conditioning target room 504, to the second interior heat exchanger 15. The speed of the interior fan 12b is controlled by the interior control unit 13b (which will be described later). The heating or cooling capacity of the second interior heat exchanger 15 is controlled by adjusting the speed of the interior fan 12b, a control exercise performed by the interior control unit 13b.

[0049] The second indoor unit 104 also includes the indoor control unit 13b. The indoor control unit 13b controls the operation of the indoor fan 12b. The indoor control unit 13b is a processor that includes memory for storing data and a program necessary for control, as well as a CPU for executing the program. The indoor control unit 13b can be dedicated hardware, such as an ASIC or an FPGA. The indoor control unit 13b can also be a combination of both the processor and dedicated hardware.

[0050] The air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 1 performs heating or cooling operation in response to, for example, instructions from remote controls (not shown), each of which is provided for a corresponding or assigned first indoor unit 105 and second indoor unit 104. Each heating and cooling operation is carried out by a switching operation of the flow switching device 2 in the outdoor unit 101.

[0051] Although Fig. Figure 2 illustrates a configuration in which each of the control devices is mounted in an associated outdoor unit 101, the first indoor unit 105, the heat transfer medium unit 103, and the second indoor unit 104; this is not a limitation. The control devices can each be located in any of the outdoor unit 101, the first indoor unit 105, the heat transfer medium unit 103, and the second indoor unit 104, and they can be configured to perform control in cooperation with one another. In the following description, the “control devices” refer to the outdoor control unit 7, the control device 14 for the heat transfer medium unit, and the indoor control units 13a and 13b, without distinguishing them from one another, as devices that perform control in cooperation with one another.

[0052] The air conditioning unit 100, which has the above configuration, has refrigerant circuit A in which the first indoor unit 105 and the heat transfer medium unit 103 are connected in parallel to the outdoor unit 101 by means of the refrigerant main line 106 and the refrigerant branch line 107, and the refrigerant circulates. Refrigerant circuit A is a circuit in which the refrigerant circulates through the compressor 1, the first indoor heat exchanger 8, the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9, the first expansion device 10a, the second expansion device 10b, and the heat exchanger 3 on the heat source side.

[0053] The air conditioning device 100 further comprises the heat transfer medium circuit B, in which the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 and the second interior heat exchanger 15 are connected in series by means of the heat transfer medium line 108 and the second heat transfer medium circulates through the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 and the second interior heat exchanger 15.

[0054] The air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 1 comprises the pressure regulating device 11. In embodiment 1, the pressure regulating device 11 comprises the pressure regulating device 11a, which is arranged in the first indoor unit 105, and the pressure regulating device 11b, which is arranged in the heat transfer medium unit 103. The pressure regulating device 11 regulates the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into one or both of the first indoor heat exchanger 8 and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 during heating operation, thus changing the saturation temperature and regulating the heat exchange rate in the first indoor heat exchanger 8 and that in the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9.

[0055] The pressure regulating device 11 regulates the heat exchange rate in the first internal heat exchanger 8 and that in the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9, thus correcting any imbalance in the heat exchange rate between the first internal heat exchanger 8 and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9. The pressure regulating device 11 is controlled by the control unit. The control unit for the pressure regulating device 11 will be described later. Heating operation

[0056] Fig. Figure 3 is a circuit diagram that shows the flow of the refrigerant during the heating operation of the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 3 The solid arrows indicate the flow of the refrigerant in refrigerant circuit A during heating operation, and the dashed arrows indicate the flow of the second heat transfer medium in heat transfer medium circuit B.

[0057] During heating operation, gaseous high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant, released from compressor 1, flows through the flow switching device 2, the first refrigerant main line 106a and the refrigerant branch line 107, and then flows into the first indoor unit 105 and the heat transfer medium unit 103.

[0058] The pressure of the gaseous high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant flowing into the first indoor unit 105 is regulated by the pressure regulating device 11a. The gaseous high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant, whose pressure has been regulated by the pressure regulating device 11a, flows into the first indoor heat exchanger 8, which acts as a condenser. The gaseous refrigerant flowing into the first indoor heat exchanger 8 exchanges heat with the first heat transfer medium from the indoor fan 12a, and consequently condenses and liquefies, becoming a liquid low-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant.

[0059] At this time, the first heat transfer medium is heated by heat exchange with the gaseous refrigerant and is then fed to the air conditioning target chamber 503, thus heating the air conditioning target chamber 503. The liquid low-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant flows out of the first indoor heat exchanger 8 and is decompressed by the first expansion unit 10a, becoming a two-phase low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant. The two-phase low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant flows out of the first indoor unit 105 through the refrigerant branch line 107a.

[0060] On the other hand, the pressure of the gaseous high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant flowing into the heat transfer medium unit 103 is regulated by the pressure regulating device 11b. The gaseous high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant, whose pressure has been regulated by the pressure regulating device 11b, flows into the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9, which acts as a condenser. The gaseous refrigerant flowing into the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 exchanges heat with the second heat transfer medium flowing through the heat transfer medium circuit B, and consequently condenses and liquefies, becoming a liquid low-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant. The liquid low-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant flows out of the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 and is decompressed by the second expansion device 10b, becoming a two-phase low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant.The two-phase low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant flows out of the heat transfer medium unit 103 through the refrigerant branch line 107b.

[0061] The two-phase low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant that has flowed out of the first indoor unit 105 merges with the two-phase low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat transfer medium unit 103, and then flows into the outdoor unit 101 through the second refrigerant main line 106b.

[0062] The two-phase, low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant that has flowed into the outdoor unit 101 flows through the flow control valve 5 and then into the heat exchanger 3 on the heat source side. The refrigerant in the heat exchanger 3 on the heat source side exchanges heat with air supplied by the outdoor fan 4, and consequently evaporates and transitions into a gaseous state, becoming a gaseous, high-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant. The gaseous, high-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant flows out of the heat exchanger 3 on the heat source side, passes through the flow changeover device 2 and the accumulator 6, and then returns to the compressor 1.

[0063] The heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 in the heat transfer medium unit 103 facilitates heat exchange between the refrigerant circulating in refrigerant circuit A and the second heat transfer medium circulating in heat transfer medium circuit B by the operation of pump 16, thus heating the second heat transfer medium. The heated second heat transfer medium flows into the second indoor heat exchanger 15 in the second indoor unit 104.

[0064] The second heat transfer medium, which has flowed into the second interior heat exchanger 15 in the second interior unit 104, is cooled by the interior fan 12b through heat exchange with the first heat transfer medium. At this time, the first heat transfer medium is heated by heat exchange with the second heat transfer medium and is then supplied to the air conditioning target room 504, thus heating the air conditioning target room 504. The second heat transfer medium, which flows out of the second interior heat exchanger 15, returns to the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9.

[0065] As described above, the air conditioning device 100 causes the first indoor unit 105 to heat the air conditioning target room 503, and causes the second indoor unit 104 to heat the air conditioning target room 504.

[0066] In the air conditioning unit 100, the first indoor unit 105 and the heat transfer medium unit 103 are connected in parallel to the outdoor unit 101. More precisely, in the air conditioning unit 100, the first indoor heat exchanger 8, which facilitates heat exchange between the refrigerant and the first heat transfer medium, and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9, which facilitates heat exchange between the refrigerant and the second heat transfer medium, are connected in parallel to the outdoor unit 101. Therefore, if the temperature of the first heat transfer medium and that of the second heat transfer medium differs, an imbalance occurs in the amount of heat exchange between the first indoor heat exchanger 8 and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9.

[0067] For the reason stated above, the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 1 includes the pressure regulating device 11. In embodiment 1, the pressure regulating device 11 comprises pressure regulating device 11a, which is located in the first indoor unit 105, and pressure regulating device 11b, which is located in the heat transfer medium unit 103. The pressure regulating device 11 regulates the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through one or both of the first indoor heat exchanger 8 and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9, thus changing the saturation temperature of the refrigerant flowing through one or both of the first indoor heat exchanger 8 and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9. Consequently, the pressure regulating device 11 corrects the imbalance in the amount of heat exchange between the first indoor heat exchanger 8 and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9.

[0068] More precisely: The air conditioning unit 100 controls the pressure regulating unit 11 so that a first heat exchange temperature difference in the first interior heat exchanger 8 and a second heat exchange temperature difference in the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 are brought closer together. Even more precisely: The air conditioning unit 100 controls the pressure regulating unit 11 so that the first heat exchange temperature difference in the first interior heat exchanger 8 and the second heat exchange temperature difference in the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 are equalized.

[0069] The first heat exchange temperature difference is the temperature difference between the saturation temperature of the refrigerant flowing in the first interior heat exchanger 8 and the temperature of the first heat transfer medium. The second heat exchange temperature difference is the temperature difference between the saturation temperature of the refrigerant flowing in the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 and the temperature of the second heat transfer medium. The above "equalizing" means not only ensuring that the above differences are equal to each other, but also ensuring that the difference between them falls within a predetermined range.

[0070] The air conditioning device 100 provides a method for controlling both pressure regulating devices 11a and 11b, a method for controlling only the pressure regulating device 11a, and a method for controlling only the pressure regulating device 11b. The control of the pressure regulating device 11 in heating operation is described below, assuming that in heating operation the saturation temperature of the refrigerant flowing in the first interior heat exchanger 8 is higher than the temperature of the first heat transfer medium, and the saturation temperature of the refrigerant flowing in the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 is higher than the temperature of the second heat transfer medium. Control of both pressure regulating devices 11a and 11b

[0071] In the case where both the first heat exchange temperature difference and the second heat exchange temperature difference are controlled and the first and second heat exchange temperature differences are brought closer together so that the first and second heat exchange temperature differences are equalized, the air conditioning device 100 controls both pressure regulating devices 11a and 11b.

[0072] The following description refers to an example in which the temperature of the first heat transfer medium is higher than that of the second heat transfer medium, and the first heat exchange temperature difference is smaller than the second heat exchange temperature difference. In this case, the air conditioning device 100 controls the pressure regulating device 11a so that the first heat exchange temperature difference is increased, i.e., the temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the first interior heat exchanger 8 is reduced, and simultaneously, the air conditioning device 100 controls the pressure regulating device 11b so that the second heat exchange temperature difference is reduced, i.e., the temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 is increased.Consequently, the air conditioning device 100 can equalize the first and second heat exchange temperature differences by bringing the first and second heat exchange temperature differences closer together.

[0073] It is possible to obtain the saturation temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the first interior heat exchanger 8 by converting the pressure measured by pressure sensor 50a into a saturation temperature. The temperature of the first heat transfer medium can be measured by the intake temperature sensor 55. It is also possible to obtain the saturation temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 by converting the pressure measured by pressure sensor 50b into a saturation temperature. The temperature of the second heat transfer medium can be measured by temperature sensor 53. The values ​​measured by the above sensors are input to the controller. The controller then regulates the pressure regulating devices 11a and 11b based on the input measurement values.

[0074] With the above configuration, the air conditioning device 100 can reduce the imbalance in the extent of heat exchange between the first interior heat exchanger 8 and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 and achieve a similar heating efficiency in both the air conditioning target room 503 and the air conditioning target room 504, thus improving comfort.

[0075] The saturation temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the first interior heat exchanger 8 can be measured by a temperature sensor located in the first interior heat exchanger 8 where the temperature of the two-phase refrigerant can be detected. Similarly, the saturation temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 can be measured by a temperature sensor located in the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 where the temperature of the two-phase refrigerant can be detected. Controls only of the pressure regulating device 11a

[0076] In the case where only the first heat exchange temperature difference is controlled and the first and second heat exchange temperature differences are equalized by bringing the first heat exchange temperature difference closer to the second heat exchange temperature difference, the air conditioning device 100 only controls the pressure regulating device 11a.

[0077] The following description refers to the exemplary case in which the temperature of the first heat transfer medium is lower than that of the second heat transfer medium, and the first heat exchange temperature difference is greater than the second heat exchange temperature difference. In this case, the air conditioning device 100 adjusts the first heat exchange temperature difference by bringing it closer to the second heat exchange temperature difference, which is a smaller temperature difference. More precisely, the air conditioning device 100 controls the pressure regulating device 11a so that the first heat exchange temperature difference is reduced, i.e., the temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the first interior heat exchanger 8 is increased, so that the first heat exchange temperature difference is equal to the second heat exchange temperature difference.

[0078] In the case where only pressure regulating device 11a is controlled, pressure regulating device 11b is not controlled. Consequently, the electronic expansion valve corresponding to pressure regulating device 11b is in the fully open state. For this reason, it is also possible to obtain the saturation temperature of the refrigerant flowing in the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 by converting a pressure measured by the outlet pressure sensor 56 into a saturation temperature. Controls only of the pressure regulating device 11b

[0079] In the case where only the second heat exchange temperature difference is controlled and the first and second heat exchange temperature differences are equalized by bringing the second heat exchange temperature difference closer to the first heat exchange temperature difference, the air conditioning device 100 only controls the pressure regulating device 11b.

[0080] The following description refers to the exemplary case in which the temperature of the first heat transfer medium is higher than that of the second heat transfer medium, and the first heat exchange temperature difference is smaller than the second heat exchange temperature difference. In this case, the air conditioning device 100 adjusts the second heat exchange temperature difference by bringing it closer to the first heat exchange temperature difference, which is a smaller temperature difference. More precisely, the air conditioning device 100 controls the pressure regulating device 11b so that the second heat exchange temperature difference is reduced, i.e., the temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 is increased, so that the second heat exchange temperature difference is equal to the first heat exchange temperature difference.

[0081] In the case where only pressure regulating device 11b is controlled, pressure regulating device 11a is not controlled, and the electronic expansion valve corresponding to pressure regulating device 11a is consequently in the fully open state. It is therefore also possible to obtain the saturation temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the first interior heat exchanger 8 by converting a pressure measured by the outlet pressure sensor 56 into a saturation temperature.

[0082] It should be noted that Fig. Figure 2 illustrates the configuration in which the pressure regulating device 11 includes both pressure regulating device 11a and pressure regulating device 11b. However, as described above, the air conditioning device 100 can equalize the first and second heat exchange temperature differences by controlling only one of the pressure regulating devices 11a and 11b. For this reason, it is not essential that the pressure regulating device 11 includes both pressure regulating devices 11a and 11b. That is, the pressure regulating device 11 can also include only one of the pressure regulating devices 11a and 11b.

[0083] As described above, the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 1 comprises the outdoor unit 101, including the compressor 1, which is configured to compress and discharge the refrigerant, and the heat exchanger 3 on the heat source side, which is configured to cause heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air. The air conditioning device 100 comprises the first indoor unit 105, which includes the indoor heat exchanger 8, configured to cause heat exchange between the refrigerant and a first heat transfer medium other than the refrigerant, and the first expansion device 10a, which is configured to decompress the refrigerant.

[0084] The air conditioning device 100 comprises the heat transfer medium unit 103, which includes the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9, configured to facilitate heat exchange between the refrigerant and a second heat transfer medium different from the first heat transfer medium, and the second expansion device 10b, configured to decompress the refrigerant. The air conditioning device 100 also includes the second indoor unit 104, installed in a climate control target room different from the climate control target room where the first indoor unit 105 is installed, and which includes the second indoor heat exchanger 15 through which the second heat transfer medium flows.The air conditioning device 100 has the refrigerant circuit in which the first indoor unit 105 and the heat transfer medium unit 103 are connected in parallel to the outdoor unit 101 by means of the refrigerant line, and the refrigerant is circulated through the compressor 1, the first indoor heat exchanger 8, the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9, the first expansion device 10a, the second expansion device 10b and the heat exchanger 3 on the heat source side.

[0085] The air conditioning device 100 has a heat transfer medium circuit in which the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 of the heat transfer medium unit 103 and the second indoor heat exchanger 15 of the second indoor unit 104 are connected in series by means of the heat transfer medium line, and the second heat transfer medium circulates through the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 and the second indoor heat exchanger 15. The air conditioning device 100 has a pressure regulating device 11, which is configured to regulate the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into one or both of the first indoor heat exchanger 8 and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9, thus correcting any imbalance between the heat exchange value in the first indoor heat exchanger 8 and the heat exchange value in the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9.

[0086] With the above configuration, the air conditioning device 100 can correct the imbalance in the value of the heat exchange between the first interior heat exchanger 8 and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9, thus reducing a deterioration in comfort.

[0087] The air conditioning unit 100 includes a controller configured to control the pressure regulating device 11. The controller is configured to control the pressure regulating device 11 in such a way as to bring the first heat exchange temperature difference and the second heat exchange temperature difference closer together. The first heat exchange temperature difference is the temperature difference between the saturation temperature of the refrigerant flowing in the first interior heat exchanger 8 and the temperature of the first heat transfer medium. The second heat exchange temperature difference is the temperature difference between the saturation temperature of the refrigerant flowing in the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 and the temperature of the second heat transfer medium.

[0088] With the above configuration, the air conditioning device 100 can correct the imbalance in the extent of heat exchange between the first interior heat exchanger 8 and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9, thus reducing a deterioration in comfort.

[0089] The pressure regulating device 11 has an expansion valve which is arranged in one or each of the first indoor unit 105 and the heat transfer medium unit 103.

[0090] With the above configuration, the air conditioning device 100 can control the pressure of the refrigerant in one or both of the first interior heat exchanger 8 and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9, so that the imbalance in the extent of heat exchange between the first interior heat exchanger 8 and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 is corrected, thus reducing a deterioration in comfort. Design 2

[0091] An air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 2 has a forwarding unit 102. In this respect, the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 2 differs from the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 1. With regard to the other configurations, the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 2 is the same as or equivalent to the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 1. The following description is given mainly with reference to the differences in configuration between embodiments 1 and 2. Components not described below with regard to embodiment 2 are the same as those in embodiment 1. Air conditioning unit configuration 100

[0092] Fig. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 1. The air conditioning device 100 comprises an outdoor unit 101A, a distribution unit 102, a heat transfer medium unit 103, a first indoor unit 105, and a second indoor unit 104. The distribution unit 102 is connected between the outdoor unit 101A and each of the heat transfer medium unit 103 and the first indoor unit 105. The distribution unit 102 has several valves and serves as a flow distribution unit, splitting the refrigerant into several refrigerants that flow to the respective flow passages. The distribution unit 102 is installed in the non-air-conditioned room 501. The distribution unit 102 is connected to the outdoor unit 101A by means of the refrigerant main line 106, which is a refrigerant line.

[0093] Furthermore, the heat transfer medium unit 103 and the first indoor unit 105 are connected in parallel to the forwarding unit 102 by means of the refrigerant branch line 107, which is a refrigerant line. Although Fig. Figure 4 illustrates a medium unit 103, a first indoor unit 105 and a forwarding unit 102, the number of heat transfer medium units 103, the number of first indoor units 105 and the number of forwarding units 102 is not limited to one, but can be any number.

[0094] Fig. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 2. In the air conditioning device 100, the outdoor unit 101A, the distribution unit 102, the first indoor unit 105, and the heat transfer medium unit 103 are connected by means of the refrigerant main line 106 and the refrigerant branch line 107, so that the refrigerant circuit A is formed, in which the refrigerant is circulated.

[0095] The refrigerant main line 106 comprises a first refrigerant main line 106a and a second refrigerant main line 106b. The first refrigerant main line 106a is a high-pressure line through which high-pressure refrigerant flows. The second refrigerant main line 106b is a low-pressure line through which low-pressure refrigerant flows. The refrigerant branch line 107 comprises refrigerant branch lines 107a and 107b. The distribution unit 102 and the first indoor unit 105 are connected via refrigerant branch line 107a. The distribution unit 102 and the heat transfer medium unit 103 are connected via refrigerant branch line 107b.

[0096] The heat transfer medium unit 103 and the second interior unit 104 are connected in the same way as in embodiment 1; that is, they are connected by means of the heat transfer medium line 108, through which the second heat transfer medium flows. The heat transfer medium unit 103 and the second interior unit 104 are connected by means of the heat transfer medium line 108, thus forming the heat transfer medium circuit B in which the second heat transfer medium circulates. In the heat transfer medium circuit B, the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 and the second interior heat exchanger 15 are connected in series. Configuration of the outdoor unit 101A

[0097] The outdoor unit 101A comprises the compressor 1, the flow reversing device 2, the heat exchanger 3 on the heat source side, the outdoor fan 4, the flow control valve 5, the accumulator 6, check valves 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d, and the outdoor control unit 7. The check valves 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d are arranged to ensure that the refrigerant flows in the same direction regardless of which operating mode is used. Because the outdoor unit 101A includes the check valves 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d, the refrigerant flows in the same direction regardless of which operating mode is used.This means that in the outdoor unit 101A, the refrigerant flows in the first refrigerant main line 106a from the outdoor unit 101A to the distribution unit 102, regardless of whether heating or cooling operation is carried out; and the refrigerant in the second refrigerant main line 106b flows from the distribution unit 102 to the outdoor unit 101A, regardless of whether heating or cooling operation is carried out. Configuration of forwarding unit 102

[0098] The distribution unit 102 comprises a refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger 18, a refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger 20, a flow control valve 19, and a flow control valve 21. The distribution unit 102 also includes heating check valves 22a and 22b, cooling check valves 23a and 23b, heating solenoid valves 24a and 24b, and cooling solenoid valves 25a and 25b. The heating check valve 22a and the cooling check valve 23a are connected to the refrigerant branch line 107a. The heating check valve 22b and the cooling check valve 23b are connected to the refrigerant branch line 107b. The forwarding unit 102 is configured so that the above components are connected via the refrigerant line through which the refrigerant flows.

[0099] The refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchangers 18 and 20 are, for example, twin-pipe heat exchangers, plate heat exchangers, or shell-and-tube heat exchangers. These heat exchangers facilitate heat exchange between the refrigerants. Each of the flow control valves 19 and 21 is a solenoid valve with a variable opening degree. Flow control valve 19 is connected in series with the refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger 18 and regulates the volume flow of the refrigerant through it. The flow control valve 21 is connected in parallel with the cooling check valves 23a and 23b and regulates the volume flow of the refrigerant flowing to the downstream side of the cooling solenoid valves 25a and 25b via the refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger 20 and the refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger 18.

[0100] The heating check valves 22a and 22b and the cooling check valves 23a and 23b are configured to allow the refrigerant to flow in only one predetermined direction. The heating check valves 22a and 22b allow the refrigerant to flow in only one direction, from the heat transfer unit 103 and the first indoor unit 105 towards the distribution unit 102, during heating operation. The cooling check valves 23a and 23b allow the refrigerant to flow in only one direction, from the distribution unit 102 towards the heat transfer unit 103 and the first indoor unit 105, during cooling operation.

[0101] The heating solenoid valves 24a and 24b and the cooling solenoid valves 25a and 25b are selectively controlled to open and close, allowing or blocking the flow of refrigerant. The heating solenoid valves 24a and 24b are controlled to allow the flow of refrigerant during heating operation and to block the flow of refrigerant during cooling operation. The cooling solenoid valves 25a and 25b are controlled to allow the flow of refrigerant during cooling operation and to block the flow of refrigerant during heating operation.

[0102] The forwarding unit 102 further comprises a control unit 26 for the forwarding unit. The control unit 26 for the forwarding unit controls the operation of each of the flow control valves 19 and 21, the operation of each of the heating solenoid valves 24a and 24b, and the operation of each of the cooling solenoid valves 25a and 25b. The control unit 26 for the forwarding unit is a processor that includes memory configured to store data and a program necessary for control, as well as a CPU that executes the program. The control unit 26 for the forwarding unit can be dedicated hardware, such as an ASIC or an FPGA. The control unit 26 for the forwarding unit can be a combination of both the processor and dedicated hardware.

[0103] Since the remaining configurations are the same as those according to embodiment 1, their description is therefore omitted.

[0104] The air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 2 carries out the heating operation or the cooling operation in response, for example, to instructions from remote controls (not shown), which are each provided for an associated or assigned second indoor unit 104 and first indoor unit 105, as in embodiment 1. Each of the heating operation and the cooling operation is implemented by a switching operation of the flow switching device 2 in the outdoor unit 101A. Heating operation

[0105] Fig. Figure 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating the flow of the refrigerant during the heating operation of the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 2. Fig. 6. The solid arrows indicate the flow of the refrigerant in refrigerant circuit A during heating operation, and the dashed arrows indicate the flow of the second heat transfer medium in heat transfer medium circuit B. During heating operation, the heating solenoid valves 24a and 24b are open, the cooling solenoid valves 25a and 25b are closed, and the flow control valve 19 is fully closed.

[0106] Gaseous high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from compressor 1 flows through flow switching device 2, solenoid valve 17b, and the first refrigerant main line 106a, and then flows into the distribution unit 102. The gaseous refrigerant that has flowed into the distribution unit 102 flows through the heating solenoid valve 24a and the refrigerant branch line 107a and flows into the first indoor unit 105, and it also flows through the heating solenoid valve 24b and the refrigerant branch line 107b and flows into the heat transfer medium unit 103.

[0107] The pressure of the gaseous high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant flowing into the first indoor unit 105 is regulated by the pressure regulating device 11a. The gaseous high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant, whose pressure has been regulated by the pressure regulating device 11a, flows into the first indoor heat exchanger 8, which acts as a condenser. The gaseous refrigerant flowing into the first indoor heat exchanger 8 exchanges heat with the first heat transfer medium from the indoor fan 12a, and consequently condenses and liquefies, becoming a liquid low-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant.

[0108] At this time, the first heat transfer medium is heated by heat exchange with the gaseous refrigerant and is then fed to the air conditioning target chamber 503, thus heating the air conditioning target chamber 503. The liquid low-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant flows out of the first indoor heat exchanger 8 and is decompressed by the first expansion unit 10a, becoming a two-phase low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant. The two-phase low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant flows out of the first indoor unit 105 through the refrigerant branch line 107a.

[0109] On the other hand, the pressure of the gaseous high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant flowing into the heat transfer medium unit 103 is regulated by the pressure regulating device 11b. The gaseous high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant, whose pressure has been regulated by the pressure regulating device 11b, flows into the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9, which acts as a condenser. The gaseous refrigerant flowing into the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 exchanges heat with the second heat transfer medium flowing through the heat transfer medium circuit B, and consequently condenses and liquefies, becoming a liquid low-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant.

[0110] The liquid low-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant flows out of the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 and is decompressed by the second expansion unit 10b, becoming a two-phase low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant. The two-phase low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant then flows out of the heat transfer medium unit 103 through the refrigerant branch line 107b.

[0111] The two-phase, low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant flowing out of the first indoor unit 105 and the two-phase, low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant flowing out of the heat transfer medium unit 103 flow into the distribution unit 102, and then through the heating check valve 22a and the heating check valve 22b, respectively. The refrigerant that passed through the heating check valve 22a and the refrigerant that passed through the heating check valve 22b combine.

[0112] The combined refrigerant then flows to the high-pressure side of the refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger 20. After passing through the high-pressure side of the refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger 20, the refrigerant flows through the flow control valve 21, the low-pressure side of the refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger 20, the refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger 18 and the second refrigerant main line 106b, and then flows into the outdoor unit 101A.

[0113] The refrigerant flowing into the outdoor unit 101A passes through the solenoid valve 17c and the flow control valve 5, and then flows into the heat exchanger 3 on the heat source side. The refrigerant in the heat exchanger 3 on the heat source side exchanges heat with air supplied by the outdoor fan 4, and consequently evaporates and transitions into a gaseous state, becoming a gaseous high-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant. The gaseous high-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant flows out of the heat exchanger 3 on the heat source side, passes through the flow reversing device 2 and the accumulator 6, and then returns to the compressor 1.

[0114] In the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 2, as in embodiment 1, the pressure regulating device 11 regulates the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through one or both of the first interior heat exchanger 8 and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9, thus changing the saturation temperature of the refrigerant flowing through one or both of the first interior heat exchanger 8 and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9. Consequently, the pressure regulating device 11 corrects the imbalance in the amount of heat exchange between the first interior heat exchanger 8 and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9, as in embodiment 1.

[0115] As in embodiment 1, the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 2 provides a method for controlling both pressure regulating devices 11a and 11b, a method for controlling only the pressure regulating device 11a, and a method for controlling only the pressure regulating device 11b. These control methods are the same as those in embodiment 1, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0116] In the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 2, as in embodiment 1, the configuration of the pressure regulating device 11 is not limited to the configuration in which both the pressure regulating device 11a and the pressure regulating device 11b are present. The pressure regulating device 11 can also comprise only one of the pressure regulating devices 11a and 11b.

[0117] As described above, the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 2 includes the distribution unit 102 and is configured such that the outdoor unit 101A and the distribution unit 102 are connected by means of the refrigerant main line 106, and the distribution unit 102, the first indoor unit 105, and the heat transfer medium unit 103 are connected by means of the refrigerant branch line 107. With the configuration in which the distribution unit 102 is present, the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 2 can correct the imbalance in the extent of heat exchange between the first indoor heat exchanger 8 and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9, as in embodiment 1, thus consequently reducing any deterioration in comfort.

[0118] The refrigerant main line 106 has a first refrigerant main line 106a and a second refrigerant main line 106b. The outdoor unit 101A and the distribution unit 102 are connected by means of the first refrigerant main line 106a and the second refrigerant main line 106b. With the configuration in which the outdoor unit 101A and the distribution unit 102 are connected by means of the two lines mentioned above, the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 2 can reduce the imbalance in the amount of heat exchange between the first indoor heat exchanger 8 and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9, thus consequently reducing any deterioration in comfort.

[0119] It is sufficient that the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 2 is configured such that the pressure regulating device 11 corrects the imbalance in the amount of heat exchange between the first interior heat exchanger 8 and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9, and that the distribution unit 102 is present. The configuration of the refrigerant circuit A is not limited to the configuration illustrated in the drawings. The configuration of the refrigerant circuit A can be modified as shown in Fig. Figure 7 illustrates this (and will be described later). A modification of the air conditioning device 100, which will be described below, differs from that of embodiment 2 only with regard to the configuration of the refrigerant circuit A. In the modification, the pressure regulating device 11 operates in the same way as described with regard to embodiment 2.

[0120] Fig. Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the modification of the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 2. The aforementioned air conditioning device 100, as shown in Fig. Figure 5 illustrates a configuration in which the pressure regulating device 11 is arranged in the first indoor unit 105 and the heat transfer medium unit 103. The air conditioning device 100 of the modification has a configuration in which the pressure regulating device 11 is arranged in a distribution unit 102A.

[0121] The pressure regulating device 11 comprises pressure regulating devices 11a and 11b. The pressure regulating devices 11a and 11b in embodiment 2 are similar to the pressure regulating devices 11a and 11b in embodiment 1. The transfer unit 102A comprises the separate pressure regulating devices 11a and 11b, assigned to the first indoor unit 105 and the heat transfer medium unit 103, respectively.

[0122] Compared to the configuration in Fig. 5 The air conditioning device 100 of the modification has the pressure regulating devices 11a and 11b instead of the heating solenoid valves 24a and 24b, as in Fig. 5 shown. From another perspective, it can be said that the air conditioning device 100 of the modification has a configuration in which integrated valves, which have a pressure regulating function in addition to the opening and closing function, are arranged in flow passages through which the refrigerant flows from the transfer unit 102A towards the first indoor unit 105 and the heat transfer medium unit 103 in heating operation.

[0123] Furthermore, the modified air conditioning device 100 features a cooling flow control valve 27 instead of the cooling solenoid valve 25b, which is located upstream of the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 during heating operation. For example, the cooling flow control valve 27 is an electronic expansion valve whose opening degree is variably controlled. The cooling flow control valve 27 is arranged to prevent freezing of water, which flows through the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 as the second heat transfer medium during cooling operation.

[0124] In the above-mentioned air conditioning device 100 of the modification, the following applies: Since the pressure regulating device 11 is arranged in the distribution unit 102A, the following advantage is achieved. In the air conditioning device 100 of the modification, the following applies: Since it is unnecessary to arrange the pressure regulating devices 11a and 11b in the first indoor unit 105 and the heat transfer medium unit 103, the housing of each of the first indoor unit 105 and the heat transfer medium unit 103 is not enlarged.

[0125] In order for the forwarding unit 102A to have a pressure-regulating function, the air conditioning device 100 of the modification is not configured such that the pressure-regulating device 11 is added to the configuration as shown in Fig. Figure 5 illustrates this; that is, it has the following configuration. The air conditioning device 100, as modified, has pressure regulating devices 11a and 11b instead of heating solenoid valves 24a and 24b. With such a configuration, the following applies to the air conditioning device 100 of modification: In order for the distribution unit 102A to have the pressure regulating function, it is not necessary to increase the size of the distribution unit 102A. embodiment 3

[0126] In the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 2, the outdoor unit 101A and the distribution unit 102 are connected by means of the first refrigerant main line 106a and the second refrigerant main line 106b. The configuration of the air conditioning device 100 is not limited to the configuration above, in which the outdoor unit and the distribution unit are connected by means of two lines. The outdoor unit and the distribution unit can also be connected by means of three lines. In an air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 3, the outdoor unit and the distribution unit are connected by means of three lines.

[0127] Fig. Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 3. In the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 3, an outdoor unit 101B and a distribution unit 102B are connected by means of the refrigerant main line 106. The refrigerant main line 106 has a first refrigerant main line 106c, a second refrigerant main line 106d, and a third refrigerant main line 106e. The outdoor unit 101B and the distribution unit 102B are connected by means of the first refrigerant main line 106c, the second refrigerant main line 106d, and the third refrigerant main line 106e.

[0128] The first refrigerant main line 106c is a high-pressure gas line through which gaseous high-pressure refrigerant flows. The second refrigerant main line 106d is a low-pressure gas line through which gaseous low-pressure refrigerant flows. The third refrigerant main line 106e is a liquid line through which liquid refrigerant flows. The following description is given by referring mainly to the differences in configuration between the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 3, as shown in Fig. 8 illustrated, and the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 2, as shown in Fig. 5 illustrates, reference is made to. Outdoor unit

[0129] Compared to the configuration that was in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 5, the check valves 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d from the outdoor unit 101B are excluded in embodiment 3. The flow switching device 2 has a single four-way valve in the above configuration, as shown in Figure 5. Fig. Figure 5 illustrates this, whereas in embodiment 3, the flow switching device 2 comprises a combination of two four-way valves 2b and 2c. In each of the four-way valves 2b and 2c, one to four ports are closed. As described above, the flow switching device 2 is not limited to a single four-way valve but can also be a combination of two four-way valves 2b and 2c. The four-way valve 2b switches its flow path between a flow path from the heat exchanger 3 on the heat source side to the accumulator 6 and a flow path from the compressor 1 to the heat exchanger 3 on the heat source side. The four-way valve 2c switches its flow path between a path from the compressor 1 to the transfer unit 102B and a flow path from the transfer unit 102B to the accumulator 6. Forwarding unit 102B

[0130] Compared to the configuration that was in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 5, the refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger 18 and the flow control valve 19 are excluded from the transfer unit 102B. The transfer unit 102B includes the refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger 20 and the flow control valve 21. The transfer unit 102B includes the heating check valves 22a and 22b, the cooling check valves 23a and 23b, the heating solenoid valves 24a and 24b, and the cooling solenoid valves 25a and 25b. The heating solenoid valves 24a and 24b are connected to the first refrigerant main line 106c, and the cooling solenoid valves 25a and 25b are connected to the second refrigerant main line 106d. The forwarding unit 102B is configured so that the above components are connected via the refrigerant lines through which the refrigerant flows.

[0131] The remaining configurations are the same as those in embodiments 1 and 2, and their further description is therefore omitted.

[0132] The air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 3 performs the heating operation or the cooling operation in response to, for example, instructions from the remote controls (not shown), which are available for the respective first indoor unit 105 and the second indoor unit 104, as in embodiments 1 and 2. Each of the heating and cooling operations is implemented by a switching operation of the flow switching device 2 in the outdoor unit 101B. Heating operation

[0133] Fig.Figure 9 is a circuit diagram illustrating the refrigerant flow during the heating operation of the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 3. Gaseous high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 flows through the four-way valve 2c and the first refrigerant main line 106c and then into the distribution unit 102B. The gaseous refrigerant that has flowed into the distribution unit 102B flows into the first indoor unit 105 through the heating solenoid valve 24a and the refrigerant branch line 107a and into the heat transfer medium unit 103 through the heating solenoid valve 24b and the refrigerant branch line 107b.

[0134] The pressure of the gaseous high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant flowing into the first indoor unit 105 is regulated by the pressure regulating device 11a. The gaseous high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant, whose pressure has been regulated by the pressure regulating device 11a, flows into the first indoor heat exchanger 8, which acts as a condenser. The gaseous refrigerant flowing into the first indoor heat exchanger 8 exchanges heat with the first heat transfer medium from the indoor fan 12a, and consequently condenses and liquefies, becoming a liquid low-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant.

[0135] At this time, the first heat transfer medium is heated by heat exchange with the gaseous refrigerant and is then fed to the air conditioning target chamber 503, thus heating the air conditioning target chamber 503. The liquid low-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant flows out of the first indoor heat exchanger 8 and is decompressed by the first expansion unit 10a, becoming a two-phase low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant. The two-phase low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant flows out of the first indoor unit 105 through the refrigerant branch line 107a.

[0136] The pressure of the gaseous high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant flowing into the heat transfer medium unit 103 is regulated by the pressure regulating device 11b. The gaseous high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant, whose pressure has been regulated by the pressure regulating device 11b, flows into the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9, which acts as a condenser. The gaseous refrigerant flowing into the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 exchanges heat with the second heat transfer medium flowing through the heat transfer medium circuit B, and consequently condenses and liquefies, becoming a liquid low-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant. The liquid low-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant flows out of the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9 and is decompressed by the second expansion device 10b, becoming a two-phase low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant.The two-phase low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant then flows out of the heat transfer medium unit 103 through the refrigerant branch line 107b.

[0137] The two-phase, low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant flowing out of the first indoor unit 105 and the two-phase, low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant flowing out of the heat transfer medium unit 103 flow into the distribution unit 102B, flow through the heating check valves 22a and 22b respectively, and merge. The combined refrigerant branches into refrigerant flowing into a flow passage leading towards the refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger 20 and refrigerant flowing into a flow passage leading towards the outdoor unit 101B. The refrigerant that has flowed into the flow passage leading towards the refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger 20 flows into the high-pressure side of the refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger 20.

[0138] The refrigerant that has flowed into the high-pressure side of the refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger 20 flows through the flow control valve 21 and the low-pressure side of the refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger 20 and then merges with the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant main line 106c. On the other hand, the refrigerant that has flowed into the flow passage leading towards the outdoor unit 101B flows through the third refrigerant main line 106e and then flows into the outdoor unit 101B.

[0139] The refrigerant that has flowed into the outdoor unit 101B flows through the flow control valve 5 and then into the heat exchanger 3 on the heat source side. The refrigerant in the heat exchanger 3 on the heat source side exchanges heat with air supplied by the outdoor fan 4, and consequently evaporates and transitions into a gaseous state, becoming a gaseous high-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant. The gaseous high-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant flows out of the heat exchanger 3 on the heat source side, through the four-way valve 2b and the accumulator 6, and then returns to the compressor 1.

[0140] In the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 3, as in embodiment 1, the pressure regulating device 11 regulates the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through one or both of the first interior heat exchanger 8 and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9, thus changing the saturation temperature of the refrigerant flowing through one or both of the first interior heat exchanger 8 and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9. Consequently, the pressure regulating device 11 corrects the imbalance in the amount of heat exchange between the first interior heat exchanger 8 and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9, as in embodiment 1.

[0141] As in embodiment 1, the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 3 has a method for controlling both pressure regulating devices 11a and 11b, a method for controlling only the pressure regulating device 11a, and a method for controlling only the pressure regulating device 11b. These control methods are the same as those in embodiment 1, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0142] In the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 3, as in embodiment 1, the configuration of the pressure regulating device 11 is not limited to the configuration in which both the pressure regulating device 11a and the pressure regulating device 11b are present. The pressure regulating device 11 can also comprise only one of the pressure regulating devices 11a and 11b.

[0143] As described above, the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 3 includes the distribution unit 102B and is configured such that the outdoor unit 101B and the distribution unit 102B are connected by three lines. Even with this configuration, the air conditioning device 100 can achieve the same advantages as in embodiment 1. That is, the air conditioning device 100 according to embodiment 3 can correct the imbalance in the amount of heat exchange between the first indoor heat exchanger 8 and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger 9, thus reducing any deterioration in comfort. Reference symbol list 1 compressor 2 Flow switching device 2a Four-way valve 2b Four-way valve 2c four-way valve 3 heat exchangers on the heat source side 4 outdoor fans 5 Flow control valve 6 Accumulator 7 Outdoor control unit 8 first interior heat exchanger 9 Heat transfer medium heat exchangers 10a first expansion facility 10b second expansion facility 11 Pressure regulating device 11a Pressure regulating device 11b Pressure regulating device 12a Interior fan 12b Interior fan 13a Interior control unit 13b Interior control unit 14 Control unit for the heat transfer medium unit 15 second interior heat exchangers 16 pump 17a Check valve 17b Check valve 17c Check valve 17d Check valve 18 refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchangers 19 Flow control valve 20 refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchangers 21 Flow control valve 22a Heating check valve 22b Heating check valve 23a Cooling check valve 23b Cooling check valve 24a Heating solenoid valve 24b Heating solenoid valve 25a Cooling solenoid valve 25b Cooling solenoid valve 26 Control unit for the forwarding unit 27 Cooling flow control valve 50a pressure sensor 50b pressure sensor 53 Temperature sensor 55 Intake air temperature sensor 56 Exhaust pressure sensor 57 Intake pressure sensor 100 air conditioning units 101 Outdoor Unit 101A Outdoor Unit 101B Outdoor Unit 102 Forwarding unit 102A Forwarding unit 102B Forwarding unit 103 Heat transfer medium unit 104 second interior unit 105 first interior unit 106 Refrigerant main line 106a first refrigerant main line 106b second refrigerant main line 106c first refrigerant main line 106d second refrigerant main line 106e third refrigerant main line 107 Refrigerant branch line 107a Refrigerant branch line 107b Refrigerant branch line 107c Check valve 108 Heat transfer medium line 500 buildings 501 non-air-conditioned room 502 non-air-conditioned room 503 Air Conditioning Target Area 504 Air conditioning target area A refrigerant circuit B Heat transfer medium circuit QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2017 - 142 039 A

[0003]

Claims

[1] Air conditioning device comprising the following: an outdoor unit comprising a compressor configured to compress and discharge refrigerant and a heat exchanger on the heat source side configured to cause heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air; a first indoor unit comprising a first indoor heat exchanger configured to cause heat exchange to take place between the refrigerant and a first heat transfer medium different from the refrigerant, and a first expansion device configured to decompress the refrigerant; a heat transfer medium unit comprising a heat transfer medium heat exchanger configured to cause heat exchange to take place between the refrigerant and a second heat transfer medium different from the first heat transfer medium, and a second expansion device configured to decompress the refrigerant; a second indoor unit installed in an air conditioning target room where the first indoor unit is not installed, wherein the second indoor unit has a second indoor heat exchanger through which the second heat transfer medium is to flow; a refrigerant circuit in which the first indoor unit and the heat transfer medium unit are connected in parallel to the outdoor unit by means of a refrigerant line, and in which the refrigerant is to circulate through the compressor, the first indoor heat exchanger, the heat transfer medium heat exchanger, the first expansion device, the second expansion device and the heat exchanger on the heat source side; a heat transfer medium circuit in which the heat transfer medium heat exchanger of the heat transfer medium unit and the second interior heat exchanger of the second interior unit are connected in series by means of a heat transfer medium line, and the second heat transfer medium is intended to circulate through the heat transfer medium heat exchanger and the second interior heat exchanger; and A pressure regulating device arranged upstream of one or both of the first interior heat exchanger and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger in a refrigerant flow during heating operation, in which the heat exchanger on the heat source side operates as an evaporator and each of the first interior heat exchanger and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger operates as a condenser, wherein the pressure regulating device is configured to regulate the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into one or both of the first interior heat exchanger and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger, thus regulating the value of the heat exchange in the first interior heat exchanger and the value of the heat exchange in the heat transfer medium heat exchanger. [2] Air conditioning device according to claim 1, further comprising: a controller configured to control the pressure regulating device, wherein the control is configured to control the pressure regulating device in such a way as to bring a first heat exchange temperature difference and a second heat exchange temperature difference closer together, wherein the first heat exchange temperature difference is the temperature difference between the temperature of the first heat transfer medium and the saturation temperature of the refrigerant flowing in the first interior heat exchanger, wherein the second heat exchange temperature difference is the temperature difference between the temperature of the second heat transfer medium and the saturation temperature of the refrigerant flowing in the heat transfer medium heat exchanger. [3] Air conditioning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressure regulating device has an expansion valve arranged in one or both of the first indoor unit and the heat transfer medium unit. [4] Air conditioning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a distribution unit configured to distribute the refrigerant to a plurality of flow passages, wherein the outdoor unit and the distribution unit are connected by means of a refrigerant main line, and The forwarding unit, the first indoor unit and the heat transfer medium unit are connected by means of a refrigerant branch line. [5] Air conditioning device according to claim 4, when dependent on claim 1, wherein the pressure regulating device is arranged in the forwarding unit and has expansion valves, each of which is arranged for an associated first indoor unit and the heat transfer medium unit. [6] Air conditioning device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the refrigerant main line has a first refrigerant main line and a second refrigerant main line, and The outdoor unit and the distribution unit are connected by means of the first refrigerant main line and the second refrigerant main line. [7] Air conditioning device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein The refrigerant main line has a first refrigerant main line, a second refrigerant main line, and a third refrigerant main line, and The outdoor unit and the distribution unit are connected by means of the first refrigerant main line, the second refrigerant main line and the third refrigerant main line. [8] Air conditioning device according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the heat transfer medium unit is arranged in a non-air-conditioned room. [9] Air conditioning device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: a flow switching device configured to switch the flow passage between a flow passage for heating operation, in which each of the first interior heat exchanger and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger operates as a condenser and the heat exchanger on the heat source side operates as an evaporator, and a flow passage for cooling operation, in which each of the first interior heat exchanger and the heat transfer medium heat exchanger operates as an evaporator and the heat exchanger on the heat source side operates as a condenser. [10] Air conditioning device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first heat transfer medium is air and the second heat transfer medium is water or antifreeze.

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