Air-conditioning indoor unit and refrigeration cycle apparatus

Abstract

To improve the performance of a heat exchanger.SOLUTION: When distances in the first direction between the fins (41) at both ends in the first direction are defined as L1 and distances in the first direction between connecting positions (C) of the heat transfer tubes (42) and the connecting portions (536395) in the plate units (U) and end portions of the plate structures (5060) on the other end side in the first direction are defined as L2, a relationship of L2 / (L1 + L2) <0.09 is satisfied.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning indoor unit and a refrigeration cycle device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioning indoor unit. The air conditioning indoor unit has a heat exchanger, a refrigerant distributor (plate unit) connected to the heat exchanger, and a casing that houses the heat exchanger and a refrigerant flow divider. The refrigerant flow divider is composed of multiple plates stacked one on top of the other. A flow path through which the refrigerant flows is formed inside the refrigerant flow divider. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-125652 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an air conditioning indoor unit such as that described in Patent Document 1, a space is required in the casing to accommodate the plate unit having the plate stack and the refrigerant piping. If this space becomes larger in the first direction, which is the direction in which the fins are arranged, the heat exchanger becomes smaller in the first direction by that amount. As a result, the performance of the heat exchanger decreases.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to improve the performance of heat exchangers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first aspect is directed to an air conditioning indoor unit. a heat exchanger (40) having a plurality of fins (41) arranged in a first direction and heat transfer tubes (42); a plate unit (U) arranged adjacent to the heat exchanger (40) on one end side in the first direction; and a casing (31) accommodating the heat exchanger (40) and the plate unit (U), wherein the plate unit (U) has connection parts (53, 63, 95) to which the heat transfer tubes (42) are connected and has a plate structure that forms refrigerant flow paths (51, 52) through which a refrigerant flows. The plate structure (50, 60) is a plate stack (50, 60) having a plurality of plates stacked in the first direction, and the plate stack (50, 60) has, when viewed in the first direction, first regions (81, 83) that overlap with the fins (41) of the heat exchanger (40), and second regions (82, 84) that are located outside the first regions (81, 83).

[0007] In the first aspect , puThe space for accommodating the rate unit (U) is reduced in the first direction, which results in the size of the heat exchanger (40) being increased in the first direction and the heat transfer area of ​​the heat exchanger (40), thereby improving the performance of the heat exchanger (40).

[0008] In the second aspect, the heat exchanger (40) in the first aspect has a front heat exchange section (40A) located toward the front of the casing (31) and a rear heat exchange section (40B) located toward the rear of the casing (31), and the first region (81, 83) includes a front first region (81) that overlaps with the fins (41) of the front heat exchange section (40A) when viewed in the first direction, and the second region (82, 84) includes a front second region (82) located outside the front first region (81) when viewed in the first direction, and the front second region (82) includes a first outer edge portion (82a) formed on the front side of the front first region (81) when viewed in the first direction.

[0009] The third aspect is the second aspect, wherein the first area (81, 83) includes a rear first area (83) that overlaps with the fins (41) of the rear heat exchange section (40B) when viewed in the first direction, and the second area (82, 84) includes a rear second area (84) that is located outside the rear first area (83) when viewed in the first direction, and the rear second area (84) includes a fourth outer edge portion (84b) that is formed on the rear side of the rear first area (83) when viewed in the first direction.

[0010] In the fourth aspect, in the third aspect, the front second region (82) includes a second outer edge portion (82b) formed on the rear side of the front first region (81) when viewed in the first direction. .

[0011] In the fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect, the rear second region (84) includes a third outer edge portion (84a) formed in front of the rear first region (83) when viewed in the first direction.

[0012] A sixth aspect is any one of the third to fifth aspects, wherein the area of ​​the first outer edge portion (82a) is larger than the area of ​​the fourth outer edge portion (84b) when viewed in the first direction.

[0013] In the seventh embodiment, the area of ​​the second outer edge portion (82b) is larger than the area of ​​the third outer edge portion (84a) when viewed in the first direction in the fifth embodiment.

[0014] An eighth aspect is any one of the third to seventh aspects, wherein the refrigerant pipe (71) connects the first outer edge portion (82a) and the fourth outer edge portion (84b).

[0015] A ninth aspect is any one of the third to eighth aspects, wherein the refrigerant pipe (71) connects the front heat exchange section (40A) and the fourth outer peripheral section (84b).

[0016] A tenth aspect is any one of the second to eighth aspects, wherein the refrigerant pipe (71) connects the rear heat exchange section (40B) and the first outer edge section (82a).

[0017] In an eleventh aspect, in any one of the first to tenth aspects, the cooling system further includes a valve (37) connected to the refrigerant pipe (71), and the valve (37) has a portion located closer to the heat exchanger (40) in the first direction than the plate stack (50, 60) in top view.

[0018] In a twelfth aspect, in any one of the first to eleventh aspects, when the distance in the first direction between the fins (41) at both ends in the first direction in the heat exchanger (40) is L1, and the distance in the first direction between the connection position (C) of the heat transfer tube (42) and the connection portion (53, 63, 95) in the plate unit (U) and the end portion on one end side in the first direction of the plate unit (U) is L2, the relationship L2 / (L1+L2)<0.09 is satisfied.

[0019] No. 1 3 The aspects are 1 to 1 2 The refrigeration cycle apparatus includes the air conditioner indoor unit (30) according to any one of the above aspects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a piping diagram of an air conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the air conditioning indoor unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioning indoor unit taken along line AA. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view showing the internal structure of the air conditioning indoor unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection structure between a heat transfer tube and a plate stack. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the indoor heat exchanger and the main parts of the plate unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view of the indoor heat exchanger and the main parts of the plate unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a top view of the indoor heat exchanger and the main parts of the plate unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a view of the plate unit as seen from the left side. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the dimensional relationship of the indoor unit. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a top view of the indoor heat exchanger and the main parts of the plate unit of the first modification. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a top view of the indoor heat exchanger and the main parts of the plate unit of the second modification. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a view of the plate unit of the second modification seen from the left side. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a top view of the indoor heat exchanger and the main parts of the plate unit of the third modification. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a view of the plate unit of the third modification seen from the left side. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the indoor heat exchanger and the main parts of the plate unit of the fourth modification. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a top view of the indoor heat exchanger and the main parts of the plate unit of the fourth modification. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a view of the plate unit of the fourth modification seen from the right side. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a view of the plate unit of the fifth modified example seen from the left side. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a front view of the third surface of the plate stack of the sixth modification. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram for explaining the dimensional relationship of the air conditioning indoor unit of Modification 7. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram for explaining the dimensional relationship of the air conditioning indoor unit of Modified Example 8. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram for explaining the dimensional relationship of the air conditioning indoor unit of Modified Example 9. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 of the air conditioning indoor unit of Modification 10. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 of an air conditioning indoor unit of Modification 11. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments shown below, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present disclosure. Since the drawings are intended to conceptually explain the present disclosure, dimensions, ratios, or numbers may be exaggerated or simplified as necessary to facilitate understanding.

[0022] (1) Overall configuration of the air conditioning unit This embodiment is an air conditioner (10) including a heat exchanger unit (U). The air conditioner (10) adjusts the temperature of air in an indoor space (I) which is a target space.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 1, the air conditioner (10) is an example of a refrigeration cycle device including a refrigerant circuit (11). The refrigerant circuit (11) is filled with a refrigerant. The refrigerant circuit (11) performs a refrigeration cycle by circulating the refrigerant.

[0024] The air conditioner (10) includes an outdoor unit (20), an indoor unit (30), a first connecting pipe (12), and a second connecting pipe (13). The air conditioner (10) is a pair type having one outdoor unit (20) and one indoor unit (30). The first connecting pipe (12) is a gas connecting pipe, and the second connecting pipe (13) is a liquid connecting pipe. In the air conditioner (10), a refrigerant circuit (11) is formed by connecting the outdoor unit (20) and the indoor unit (30) with the first connecting pipe (12) and the second connecting pipe (13).

[0025] The outdoor unit (20) is installed outdoors and includes an outdoor casing (20a), a compressor (21) housed in the outdoor casing (20a), an outdoor heat exchanger (22), an outdoor expansion valve (23), a four-way selector valve (24), and an outdoor fan (25).

[0026] The compressor (21) is a rotary compressor such as a swing piston type, rotary type, or scroll type. The outdoor heat exchanger (22) exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outdoor air. The outdoor heat exchanger (22) is a fin-and-tube air heat exchanger. The outdoor expansion valve (23) reduces the pressure of the refrigerant. The outdoor expansion valve (23) is an electronic expansion valve. The four-way selector valve (24) switches between a first state (a state indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1 ) and a second state (a state indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 1 ). In the first state, the four-way selector valve (24) connects the discharge port of the compressor (21) to the gas end of the outdoor heat exchanger (22) and connects the suction port of the compressor (21) to the first connecting pipe (12). The four-way selector valve (24) in the second state communicates the discharge port of the compressor (21) with the first connecting pipe (12) and also communicates the suction port of the compressor (21) with the gas end of the outdoor heat exchanger (22). The outdoor fan (25) transports the air flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger (22). The outdoor fan (25) is a propeller fan.

[0027] The indoor unit (30) includes a casing (31), an indoor fan (32), an indoor heat exchanger (40), and a plate unit (U). The indoor fan (32), the indoor heat exchanger (40), and the plate unit (U) are housed in the casing (31).

[0028] (2) Indoor unit The indoor unit (30), which is an air conditioning indoor unit, will be described in detail with reference to Figures 2 to 4. The indoor unit (30) of this embodiment is a wall-mounted type that is installed on a wall of the indoor space (I). Note that the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "front," and "rear" described below correspond to the directions of the arrows shown in Figures 2 and 3 and indicate directions when the casing (31) is viewed from the front.

[0029] (2-1) Casing The casing (31) is formed in the shape of a laterally elongated box and includes a front plate (31a), a rear plate (31b), an upper plate (31c), a lower plate (31d), a first side plate (31e), and a second side plate (31f).

[0030] The front plate (31a) is formed on the front side of the casing (31) and constitutes the front surface of the casing (31). The rear plate (31b) is formed on the rear side of the casing (31) and constitutes the rear surface of the casing (31). The upper plate (31c) is formed on the upper side of the casing (31) and constitutes the upper surface of the casing (31). The lower plate (31d) is formed on the lower side of the casing (31) and constitutes the lower surface of the casing (31). The first side plate (31e) is formed on the right side of the casing (31) and constitutes the right surface of the casing (31). The second side plate (31f) is formed on the left side of the casing (31) and constitutes the left surface of the casing (31).

[0031] An air inlet (33) is formed in the upper plate (31c), and an air outlet (34) is formed in the lower plate (31d). An air passage (P) is formed inside the casing (31) from the air inlet (33) to the air outlet (34). The air inlet (33) extends in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the casing (31). The air inlet (33) is an opening for taking air from the indoor space (I) into the air passage (P). An air outlet (34) is formed in the lower plate (31d). The air outlet (34) extends in the longitudinal direction of the casing (31). The air outlet (34) is an opening for blowing air from the air passage (P) into the indoor space (I).

[0032] (2-2) Filter The indoor unit (30) includes a filter (35). The filter (35) is located at the back of the air inlet (33) and upstream of the indoor heat exchanger (40). The filter (35) collects dust in the air sent from the air inlet (33) to the indoor heat exchanger (40). The indoor unit (30) may include a dust removal mechanism that removes the dust collected by the filter (35).

[0033] (2-3) Indoor fan The indoor fan (32) is disposed in the air passage (P). The indoor fan (32) is disposed in the air passage (P) downstream of the indoor heat exchanger (40). The indoor fan (32) is a cross-flow fan. The fan rotor of the indoor fan (32) extends in the longitudinal direction of the casing (31).

[0034] (2-4) Flap The indoor unit (30) has a flap (36) that adjusts the direction of air blown out from the air outlet (34). The flap (36) adjusts the air direction in the vertical direction. The indoor unit (30) may have multiple flaps (36). The flap (36) may adjust the air direction in the horizontal direction.

[0035] (2-5) Electrical equipment unit The indoor unit (30) has an electrical component unit (38). The electrical component unit (38) includes a printed circuit board. A power supply circuit for supplying power to each mechanical component of the indoor unit (30), a control circuit for controlling each mechanical component, and the like are mounted on the printed circuit board.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, a partition plate (39) is provided in the casing (31) in the internal space (S) between the first side plate (31e) and the plate stack (50, 60). The thickness direction of the partition plate (39) is the axial direction of the heat transfer tubes (42). The partition plate (39) divides the internal space (S) in the axial direction (left-right direction) of the heat transfer tubes (42). An electrical component chamber (S1) is formed between the partition plate (39) and the first side plate (31e). The electrical component unit (38) is disposed in the electrical component chamber (S1). The electrical component unit (38) is disposed on the opposite side of the plate stack (50, 60) from the heat exchanger body (B) in the axial direction of the heat transfer tubes (42).

[0037] (3) Indoor heat exchanger The indoor heat exchanger (40) exchanges heat between air and a refrigerant. The indoor heat exchanger (40) is a fin-and-tube air heat exchanger. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the indoor heat exchanger (40) has a plurality of fins (41) arranged in the longitudinal direction of the casing (31) and a plurality of heat transfer tubes (42) extending in the direction of arrangement of the fins (41).

[0038] The direction in which the fins (41) are lined up (arrangement direction) corresponds to the longitudinal direction (here, the left-right direction) of the casing (31). The fins (41) are rectangular plate-shaped with long and short sides. The thickness direction of the fins (41) corresponds to the arrangement direction of the fins (41). The multiple fins (41) are arranged at predetermined intervals in the thickness direction. This interval defines an air flow path. The fins (41) are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0039] The heat transfer tubes (42) are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. A refrigerant flow path is formed inside the heat transfer tubes (42). The heat transfer tubes (42) extend parallel to one another and penetrate the fins (41). One end of the heat transfer tube (42), i.e., a right end, protrudes to the right of the fin (41). One end of the heat transfer tube (42) is connected to the plate stack (50, 60). A U-shaped hairpin structure is provided at the other end of the heat transfer tubes (42).

[0040] The indoor heat exchanger (40) of this embodiment has a front heat exchange section (40A) as a first heat exchange section and a rear heat exchange section (40B) as a second heat exchange section. The front heat exchange section (40A) is located toward the front of the casing (31), and the rear heat exchange section (40B) is located toward the rear of the casing (31). The front heat exchange section (40A) and the rear heat exchange section (40B) are arranged in the front-to-rear direction with the indoor fan (32) interposed therebetween. The front-to-rear direction is a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the fins (41) are arranged (the axial direction of the heat transfer tubes (42)) and the up-to-down direction. Here, the direction in which the fins (41) are arranged corresponds to a first direction, and the front-to-rear direction and the up-to-down direction correspond to second directions perpendicular to the first direction.

[0041] The front heat exchange section (40A) includes a front main heat exchange section (43), a first auxiliary heat exchange section (44), and a second auxiliary heat exchange section (45).

[0042] The front main heat exchange section (43) is disposed closer to the indoor fan (32) in the front heat exchange section (40A). The front main heat exchange section (43) has a V-shaped outer shape when viewed in the axial direction of the heat transfer tubes (42). The tip of the V faces forward. The fins (41) constituting the front main heat exchange section (43) have a first portion (41a) whose longitudinal direction is the third direction and a second portion (41b) whose longitudinal direction is the fourth direction when viewed in the axial direction of the heat transfer tubes (42). The third direction is a direction extending obliquely upward toward the rear. The fourth direction is a direction extending obliquely downward toward the rear. The angle between the third direction and the fourth direction is approximately 90° to 110°. The first portion (41a) and the second portion (41b) may be integrally formed or may be separate.

[0043] The first auxiliary heat exchange section (44) is provided on the inlet side (front side) of the first front main heat exchange section (43a). The lengths of the long sides and the short sides of the fins (41) of the first auxiliary heat exchange section (44) are shorter than those of the fins (41) of the first front main heat exchange section (43a). The number of heat transfer tubes (42) in the direction along the long sides (hereinafter referred to as the number of rows) of the first auxiliary heat exchange section (44) is smaller than the number of rows of the heat transfer tubes (42) of the first front main heat exchange section (43a). The number of heat transfer tubes (42) in the direction along the short sides (hereinafter referred to as the number of rows) of the heat transfer tubes (42) of the first auxiliary heat exchange section (44) is smaller than the number of rows of the heat transfer tubes (42) of the first front main heat exchange section (43a).

[0044] The second auxiliary heat exchange section (45) is provided on the inlet side (front side) of the second front main heat exchange section (43b). The lengths of the long sides and the short sides of the fins (41) of the second auxiliary heat exchange section (45) are shorter than those of the fins (41) of the second front main heat exchange section (43b). The number of rows and columns of the heat transfer tubes (42) of the second auxiliary heat exchange section (45) is fewer than the number of rows and columns of the heat transfer tubes (42) of the second front main heat exchange section (43b).

[0045] The rear heat exchange section (40B) has a rear main heat exchange section (46) and a third auxiliary heat exchange section (47). The rear main heat exchange section (46) is disposed closer to the indoor fan (32) in the rear heat exchange section (40B). The third auxiliary heat exchange section (47) is provided on the inlet side (rear side) of the rear main heat exchange section (46). The lengths of the long sides and the short sides of the fins (41) of the third auxiliary heat exchange section (47) are shorter than the lengths of the long sides and the short sides of the fins (41) of the rear main heat exchange section (46). The number of rows and columns of the heat transfer tubes (42) of the third auxiliary heat exchange section (47) is fewer than the number of rows and columns of the heat transfer tubes (42) of the rear main heat exchange section (46).

[0046] As shown in Fig. 5, one end of the heat transfer tube 42 has a flared portion 48. The flared portion 48 has an expanded diameter portion 48a whose diameter increases as it approaches the plate stack 50, 60, and a cylindrical portion 48b that extends axially with the same diameter from the end of the expanded diameter portion 48a on the plate stack 50, 60 side. As will be described in detail later, the flared portion 48 is a portion that is connected to the connecting pipes 53, 63 of the plate stack 50, 60.

[0047] (4) Plate unit Inside the casing (31), the plate unit (U) is disposed adjacent to the indoor heat exchanger (40) on one end side in the first direction (the right side in FIG. 4 ). The plate unit (U) includes a plate stack (50, 60) which is a plate structure, an intermediate pipe (71), a liquid relay pipe (72), and a gas relay pipe (73) which serve as refrigerant pipes, and an electronic expansion valve (37) which serves as a valve.

[0048] The other end of the indoor heat exchanger (40) in the first direction has a hairpin structure, and is not provided with the plate unit (U). In other words, the plate unit (U) is disposed adjacent to the indoor heat exchanger (40) only at one end of the indoor heat exchanger (40) in the first direction.

[0049] The plate stack (50, 60) is disposed to the right of the rightmost fin (41) and parallel to the fin (41). The plate stack (50, 60) is connected to one end of the heat transfer tube (42). As shown in FIGS. 6, 8, and 9, the plate stack (50, 60) includes a front plate stack (50) connected to the heat transfer tube (42) of the front heat exchange section (40A) and a rear plate stack (60) connected to the heat transfer tube (42) of the rear heat exchange section (40B). The front plate stack (50) is disposed so as to overlap the front heat exchange section (40A) in the first direction. The rear plate stack (60) is disposed so as to overlap the rear heat exchange section (40B) in the first direction.

[0050] (4-1) Front plate stack The front plate stack (50) has a front main body (52) having a refrigerant flow path therein (strictly speaking, a first refrigerant flow path (51)), a plurality of front connecting pipes (53) connecting the plurality of heat transfer pipes (42) of the front heat exchange section (40A) to the first refrigerant flow path (51), a front intermediate connecting portion (54) to which one end of the intermediate piping (71) is connected, and a liquid side connecting portion (55) to which the liquid relay pipe (72) is connected.

[0051] 5, 6, and 8, the front body 52 is a thick plate-like member formed by stacking five front plates. The stacking direction of the front plates corresponds to the first direction.

[0052] In the front plate stack (50), a first front plate (FP1), a second front plate (FP2), a third front plate (FP3), a fourth front plate (FP4), and a fifth front plate (FP5) are stacked in order from the side closest to the front heat exchange section (40A). The first front plate (FP1) is a cover plate on the heat exchanger body (B) side in the axial direction of the heat transfer tubes (42). The fifth front plate (FP5) is a cover plate on the opposite side from the heat exchanger body (B) in the axial direction of the heat transfer tubes (42) (the side closest to the first side plate (31e) of the casing (31)). The second front plate (FP2), the third front plate (FP3), and the fourth front plate (FP4) are intermediate plates sandwiched between the first front plate (FP1) and the fifth front plate (FP5). The five front plates are flat members with a common outer edge shape. Each front plate is made of the same material as the heat transfer tubes (42) and the front connecting tube (53). In this embodiment, each front plate is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The first front plate (FP1) and the fifth front plate (FP5) have a thickness of 1.5 mm. The second front plate (FP2), the third front plate (FP3), and the fourth front plate (FP4) have a thickness of 3.0 mm. The front plates are joined to each other by furnace brazing. Note that the number of front plates is merely an example, and the number may be four or less, or six or more. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the front plates, they will be simply referred to as front plates.

[0053] The front main body (52) has a first front surface (52a) corresponding to the first surface, a second front surface (52b) corresponding to the second surface, and a third front surface (52c) corresponding to the third surface. The first front surface (52a) is the surface of the front main body (52) on the other end side in the first direction (the heat exchanger main body (B) side). The first front surface (52a) is the surface of the first front plate (FP1) on the heat exchanger main body (B) side. The second front surface (52b) is the surface of the front main body (52) on one end side in the first direction (the side opposite to the first front surface (52a)). The second front surface (52b) is the surface of the fifth front plate (FP5) on the side opposite to the heat exchanger main body (B). The front third surface (52c) is a peripheral surface of the front main body (52) that spans the front first surface (52a) and the front third surface (52c). In other words, the front third surface (52c) is formed by the front side, lower side, rear side, and upper side of the front main body (52). The front third surface (52c) is formed by connecting the peripheral surfaces of the front plates.

[0054] 9, the front first surface (52a) of the front main body (52) is provided with a front first region (81) as a first region overlapping with the fins (41) of the front heat exchange section (40A) when viewed in the first direction, and a front second region (82) as a second region positioned outward of the front first region (AF1). The front first region (81) overlaps with the first portion (41a) and the second portion (41b) of the fins (41) when viewed in the axial direction of the heat transfer tube (42). The front second region (82) includes a first outer edge portion (82a) formed on the front side of the front main body (52) and a second outer edge portion (82b) formed on the rear side of the front main body (52). The first outer edge portion (82a) extends forward from the front first region (81). The second outer edge (82b) is a portion that extends rearward from the front first region (81).

[0055] (4-2) Rear plate laminate The rear plate laminate (60) includes a rear main body (62) having a refrigerant flow path therein (strictly speaking, a second refrigerant flow path (61)), a plurality of rear connecting pipes (63) connecting the plurality of heat transfer tubes (42) of the rear heat exchange section (40B) to the second refrigerant flow path (61), a rear intermediate connecting portion (64) to which the other end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected, and a gas side connecting portion (65) to which the gas relay pipe (73) is connected.

[0056] 5, 6, and 8, the rear body 62 is a thick plate-like member formed by stacking five rear plates. The stacking direction of the rear plates is the same as the axial direction of the heat transfer tubes 42.

[0057] In the rear plate stack (60), a first rear plate (BP1), a second rear plate (BP2), a third rear plate (BP3), a fourth rear plate (BP4), and a fifth rear plate (BP5) are stacked in order from the rear heat exchange section (40B). The first rear plate (BP1) is a cover plate on the heat exchanger body (B) side in the axial direction of the heat transfer tubes (42). The fifth rear plate (BP5) is a cover plate on the opposite side from the heat exchanger body (B) in the axial direction of the heat transfer tubes (42) (the side of the first side plate (31e) of the casing (31)). The second rear plate (BP2), the third rear plate (BP3), and the fourth rear plate (BP4) are intermediate plates sandwiched between the first rear plate (BP1) and the fifth rear plate (BP5). The five rear plates are flat members with a common outer edge shape. Each rear plate is made of the same material as the heat transfer tubes (42) and the rear connecting tubes (63). In this embodiment, each rear plate is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The first rear plate (BP1) and the fifth rear plate (BP5) have a thickness of 1.5 mm. The second rear plate (BP2), the third rear plate (BP3), and the fourth rear plate (BP4) have a thickness of 3.0 mm. The rear plates are joined to each other by furnace brazing. Note that the number of rear plates is merely an example, and the number may be four or less, or six or more. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the rear plates, they will simply be referred to as rear plates.

[0058] The rear main body (62) has a rear first surface (62a) corresponding to the first surface, a rear second surface (62b) corresponding to the second surface, and a rear third surface (62c) corresponding to the third surface. The rear first surface (62a) is the surface of the rear main body (62) on the other end side in the first direction (the heat exchanger main body (B) side). The rear first surface (62a) is the surface of the first rear plate (BP1) on the heat exchanger main body (B) side. The rear second surface (62b) is the surface of the rear main body (62) on one end side in the first direction (the surface opposite to the rear first surface (62a)). The rear second surface (62b) is the surface of the fifth rear plate (BP5) on the opposite side to the heat exchanger main body (B). The rear third surface (62c) is a peripheral surface of the rear main body (62) that spans the rear first surface (62a) and the rear third surface (62c). In this embodiment, the rear third surface (62c) is formed by the front side surface, lower side surface, rear side surface, and upper side surface of the rear main body (62). The rear third surface (62c) is formed by connecting the peripheral surfaces of the rear plates.

[0059] 9 , when viewed in the axial direction of the heat transfer tubes (42), the rear first surface (62a) of the rear main body (62) is provided with a rear first region (83) as a first region overlapping with the fins (41) of the rear heat exchange section (40B), and a rear second region (84) as a second region located outward of the rear first region (83). The rear second region (84) includes a third outer edge portion (84a) formed on the front side of the rear main body (62) and a fourth outer edge portion (84b) formed on the rear side of the front main body (52). The third outer edge portion (84a) extends forward from the rear first region (83). The fourth outer edge portion (84b) extends rearward from the rear first region (83).

[0060] (4-3) Connecting pipe 5 and 8, the plate stack (50) has a plurality of front connecting pipes (53) and a plurality of rear connecting pipes (63). The front connecting pipes (53) are provided in the front plate stack (50), and the rear connecting pipes (63) are provided in the rear plate stack (60). When there is no need to distinguish between the front connecting pipes (53) and the rear connecting pipes (63), they are also referred to as connecting pipes (53, 63). The connecting pipes (53, 63) are first connecting pipes that extend from first surfaces (52a, 62a), which are side surfaces on the other end side in the first direction of the main bodies (52, 62) of the plate structures (50, 60), toward the indoor heat exchanger (40) and are connected to the heat transfer pipes (42).

[0061] The front connecting pipe (53) is provided on the first front plate (FP1) of the front body (52) on the side of the heat exchanger body (B). In other words, the front connecting pipe (53) is provided on the first front surface (52a) of the front body (52). The front connecting pipe (53) protrudes from the first front surface (52a) in a first direction toward the front heat exchange section (40A).

[0062] The rear connecting pipe (63) is provided on the first rear plate (BP1) of the rear main body (62) on the side of the heat exchanger main body (B). In other words, the rear connecting pipe (63) is provided on the first rear surface (62a) of the rear main body (62). The rear connecting pipe (63) protrudes from the first rear surface (62a) in a first direction toward the rear heat exchange section (40B).

[0063] The connecting pipes (53, 63) are circular pipes. The connecting pipes (53, 63) are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. As shown in FIG. 5 , the tip ends of the connecting pipes (53, 63) are inserted into the ends of the corresponding heat transfer pipes (42). In other words, the ends of the heat transfer pipes (42) are inserted onto the connecting pipes (53, 63). The connecting pipes (53, 63) are inserted into the flared portions (48) of the corresponding heat transfer pipes (42). The connecting pipes (53, 63) are inserted into the flared portions (48) and joined to the cylindrical portions (48b) of the flared portions (48) by burner brazing.

[0064] (4-4) Front intermediate joint and rear intermediate joint As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the front intermediate connector (54) is provided on the first front surface (52a) of the front main body (52). The front intermediate connector (54) is a circular pipe to which one end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected. The front intermediate connector (54) and the intermediate pipe (71) are joined by burner brazing. One end of the intermediate pipe (71) is fitted onto the front intermediate connector (54). As shown in FIG. 9, the front intermediate connector (54) is located in the second front region (82) of the first front surface (52a). Specifically, the front intermediate connector (54) is located near the upper end of the first outer edge (82a). The front intermediate connector (54) may also be located on the second outer edge (82b).

[0065] The rear intermediate connector (64) is provided on the first rear surface (62a) of the rear main body (62). The rear intermediate connector (64) is a circular pipe to which the other end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected. The rear intermediate connector (64) and the intermediate pipe (71) are joined by burner brazing. The other end of the intermediate pipe (71) is fitted onto the rear intermediate connector (64). As shown in FIG. 9 , the rear intermediate connector (64) is located in the second rear region (84) of the first rear surface (62a). Specifically, the rear intermediate connector (64) is located near the upper end of the fourth outer edge portion (84b). The liquid connector (55) may be formed in the first front region (81) so as to be directly connected to the heat transfer tube (42) of the front heat exchange section (40A), or may be located in the second outer edge portion (82b).

[0066] (4-5) Liquid side connection and gas side connection As shown in FIG. 9 , the liquid side connector (55) is provided on the front first surface (52a) of the front main body (52). The liquid side connector (55) is a circular pipe to which one end of the liquid relay pipe (72) is connected. One end of the liquid relay pipe (72) is fitted onto the liquid side connector (55). The liquid side connector (55) and the liquid relay pipe (72) are joined by burner brazing. The liquid side connector (55) is located in the front second region (82) of the front first surface (52a). Specifically, the liquid side connector (55) is located near the lower end of the second outer edge portion (82b).

[0067] The gas-side connecting portion (65) is provided on the first rear surface (62a) of the rear main body (62). The gas-side connecting portion (65) is a circular pipe to which one end of the gas relay pipe (73) is connected. One end of the gas relay pipe (73) is fitted onto the gas-side connecting portion (65). The gas-side connecting portion (65) and the gas relay pipe (73) are joined by burner brazing. The gas-side connecting portion (65) is located in the second rear region (84) of the first rear surface (62a). Specifically, the gas-side connecting portion (65) is located near the lower end of the third outer peripheral portion (84a). The gas-side connecting portion (65) may be formed in the first rear region (83) so as to be directly connected to the heat transfer tube (42) of the rear heat exchange section (40B).

[0068] (4-6) Refrigerant piping The plate unit (U) has an intermediate pipe (71), a liquid relay pipe (72), and a gas relay pipe (73). The relay pipe (71), the liquid relay pipe (72), and the gas relay pipe (73) are refrigerant pipes that communicate with the refrigerant flow paths (51, 52) inside the plate stack (50, 60).

[0069] (4-6-1) Intermediate piping The intermediate pipe (71) connects the front heat exchange section (40A) and the rear heat exchange section (40B). In this embodiment, the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the indoor expansion valve (37). The intermediate pipe (71) has a first internal pipe (71a) between the front plate stack (50) and the indoor expansion valve (37) and a second internal pipe (71b) between the rear plate stack (60) and the indoor expansion valve (37).

[0070] 8 and 9, one end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the front plate stack (50). Specifically, one end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the front intermediate connecting portion (54). In other words, one end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the front first surface (52a) of the front plate stack (50). Specifically, one end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the front second region (82) of the front first surface (52a) (strictly speaking, the first outer edge portion (82a)). The first internal pipe (71a) of the intermediate pipe (71) extends rearward from the front first surface (52a) of the front plate stack (50). By connecting one end of the intermediate pipe (71) to the front first surface (52a) in this manner, it is possible to prevent the intermediate pipe (71) from extending from the front second surface (52b) of the front plate stack (50) to the side opposite the heat exchanger body (B).

[0071] The other end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the rear plate stack (60). Specifically, the other end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the rear intermediate connecting portion (64), which is the second connecting portion. In other words, the other end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the rear first surface (62a) of the rear plate stack (60). Specifically, the other end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the rear second region (84) (strictly speaking, the fourth outer edge portion (84b)) of the rear first surface (62a). The second internal pipe (71b) of the intermediate pipe (71) extends from the rear first surface (62a) of the rear plate stack (60) toward the front side. By connecting the other end of the intermediate pipe (71) to the front first surface (52a) in this manner, it is possible to prevent the intermediate pipe (71) from extending from the rear second surface (62b) of the rear plate stack (60) to the side opposite the heat exchanger body (B).

[0072] When viewed in the front-rear direction, which is the second direction, the intermediate pipe (71) is located entirely closer to the heat exchanger body (B) than the second front surface (52b) of the front plate stack (50). Therefore, the intermediate pipe (71) does not extend from the second front surface (52b) of the front plate stack (50) to the side opposite the heat exchanger body (B). When viewed in the front-rear direction, which is the second direction, the intermediate pipe (71) is located entirely closer to the heat exchanger body (B) than the second rear surface (62b) of the rear plate stack (60). Therefore, the intermediate pipe (71) does not extend from the second rear surface (62b) of the rear plate stack (60) to the side opposite the heat exchanger body (B). As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the axial length of the heat transfer tubes (42) in the internal space (S) formed between the plate stack (50, 60) and the side surface (first side plate (31e)) of the casing (31) can be shortened.

[0073] Both ends of the intermediate pipe (71) are connected to the first surfaces (52a, 62a) of the plate stack (50, 60). Therefore, the intermediate pipe (71) can be extended along the first surfaces (52a, 62a), thereby shortening the length of the intermediate pipe (71). This configuration prevents the intermediate pipe (71) from extending beyond the second surfaces (52b, 62b) to the opposite side of the heat exchanger body (B).

[0074] One end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the front second region (82), which prevents the intermediate pipe (71) from interfering with the front heat exchange section (40A). The other end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the rear second region (84), which prevents the intermediate pipe (71) from interfering with the rear heat exchange section (40B). This simplifies the process of connecting the intermediate pipe (71) to the plate unit (U).

[0075] Both ends of the intermediate pipe (71) are connected to the vertical ends (strictly speaking, the upper ends) of the plate stack (50, 60). This allows the length of the intermediate pipe (71) to be further shortened. This prevents the intermediate pipe (71) from interfering with the heat exchanger body (B).

[0076] (4-6-2) Indoor expansion valve The indoor expansion valve (37) is disposed on the right side of the heat exchanger body (B). The indoor expansion valve (37) is connected to the intermediate pipe (71). The indoor expansion valve (37) reduces the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the intermediate pipe (71). The indoor expansion valve (37) is an electronic expansion valve.

[0077] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 , the indoor expansion valve (37) is located closer to the heat exchanger body (B) than the second front surface (52b) of the front plate stack (50). The indoor expansion valve (37) is located closer to the heat exchanger body (B) than the second rear surface (62b) of the rear plate stack (60). The entire indoor expansion valve (37) is located closer to the heat exchanger body (B) than the second surfaces (52b, 62b) of the plate stacks (50, 60). The indoor expansion valve (37) does not extend from the second surfaces (52b, 62b) of the plate stacks (50, 60) to the side opposite the heat exchanger body (B). This allows the axial length of the heat transfer tube (42) in the internal space (S) to be shortened.

[0078] As shown in Fig. 9, the indoor expansion valve (37) of this embodiment is disposed between the front plate stack (50) and the rear plate stack (60) when viewed in the first direction. Strictly speaking, the indoor expansion valve (37) is located between the upper end of the front plate stack (50) and the upper end of the rear plate stack (60). This prevents the indoor expansion valve (37) from interfering with the heat exchanger body (B) and the indoor fan (32). This simplifies maintenance of the indoor expansion valve (37).

[0079] (4-6-3) Liquid relay pipe 6 and 9, one end of the liquid relay pipe (72) is connected to the front plate stack (50). The other end of the liquid relay pipe (72) is connected to the second connection pipe (13), which is a liquid connection pipe, outside the casing (31).

[0080] One end of the liquid relay pipe (72) is connected to the liquid-side connector (55). In other words, one end of the liquid relay pipe (72) is connected to the front first surface (52a) of the front plate stack (50). Specifically, one end of the liquid relay pipe (72) is connected to the front second region (82) of the front first surface (52a) (strictly speaking, the second outer edge portion (82b)). One end of the liquid relay pipe (72) is connected to, for example, the lower portion of the front first surface (52a). The liquid relay pipe (72) extends rearward from the liquid-side connector (55), then bends leftward, and extends along and parallel to the heat transfer tubes (42).

[0081] Connecting one end of the liquid relay pipe (72) to the first front surface (52a) in this manner prevents the liquid relay pipe (72) from extending from the second front surface (52b) of the front plate stack (50) to the side opposite the heat exchanger body (B), thereby reducing the axial length of the heat transfer pipe (42) in the internal space (S).

[0082] The entire liquid relay pipe (72) is located closer to the heat exchanger body (B) than the first front surface (52a), thereby reducing the axial length of the heat transfer pipe (42) in the internal space (S).

[0083] At least a portion of the liquid relay pipe (72) is disposed between the front heat exchange section (40A) and the rear heat exchange section (40B) when viewed in the axial direction of the heat transfer pipe (42). In other words, the liquid relay pipe (72) is disposed in the arrangement space of the indoor fan (32). This prevents the arrangement space for the liquid relay pipe (72) from expanding in the axial direction of the heat transfer pipe (42), thereby reducing the axial length of the heat transfer pipe (42) in the interior space (S).

[0084] (4-6-4) Gas relay pipe 6 and 9, one end of the gas relay pipe (73) is connected to the rear plate assembly (60). The other end of the gas relay pipe (73) is connected to the first connection pipe (12), which is a gas connection pipe, outside the casing (31).

[0085] One end of the gas relay pipe (73) is connected to the gas-side connector (65). In other words, one end of the gas relay pipe (73) is connected to the first rear surface (62a) of the rear plate assembly (60). Specifically, one end of the gas relay pipe (73) is connected to the second rear region (84) of the first rear surface (62a) (strictly speaking, the third outer edge portion (84a)). One end of the gas relay pipe (73) is connected to, for example, a lower portion of the first rear surface (62a). The gas relay pipe (73) extends, for example, downward from the gas-side connector (65), then bends leftward, and extends along and parallel to the heat transfer tubes (42).

[0086] Connecting one end of the gas relay pipe (73) to the first rear surface (62a) in this manner prevents the gas relay pipe (73) from extending from the second rear surface (62b) of the rear plate stack (60) to the side opposite the heat exchanger body (B), thereby reducing the axial length of the heat transfer pipe (42) in the internal space (S).

[0087] The entire gas relay pipe (73) is located closer to the heat exchanger body (B) than the first rear surface (62a), thereby reducing the axial length of the heat transfer pipe (42) in the internal space (S).

[0088] At least a portion of the gas relay pipe (73) is disposed between the front heat exchange section (40A) and the rear heat exchange section (40B) when viewed in the axial direction of the heat transfer pipe (42). This prevents the arrangement space for the gas relay pipe (73) from expanding in the axial direction of the heat transfer pipe (42), thereby reducing the axial length of the heat transfer pipe (42) in the internal space (S).

[0089] (5) Driving behavior The air conditioner (10) performs cooling operation, heating operation, and dehumidifying operation.

[0090] (5-1) Cooling operation In the cooling operation, the controller of the air conditioner (10) operates the compressor (21), the outdoor fan (25), and the indoor fan (32), sets the four-way switching valve (24) to the first state (the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 1), appropriately adjusts the opening of the outdoor expansion valve (23), and fully opens the indoor expansion valve (37).

[0091] During the cooling operation, the refrigerant circuit (11) performs a refrigeration cycle in which the outdoor heat exchanger (22) functions as a condenser (heat radiator) and the indoor heat exchanger (40) functions as an evaporator.

[0092] The indoor unit (30) draws indoor air from the indoor space (I) into the air passage (P) through the inlet (33). The air in the air passage (P) is cooled by the indoor heat exchanger (40). The cooled air is supplied to the indoor space (I) through the outlet (34).

[0093] In the plate unit (U), the refrigerant that has flowed into the liquid relay pipe (72) flows into the front plate stack (50) of the front heat exchange section (40A). In the front heat exchange section (40A), the refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air while passing through the heat transfer tubes (42). Thereafter, the refrigerant passes through the front plate stack (50) and flows into the first internal pipe (71a), and then passes through the indoor expansion valve (37) and the second internal pipe (71b) in this order, and then flows into the rear plate stack (60) of the rear heat exchange section (40B). In the rear heat exchange section (40B), the refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air while passing through the heat transfer tubes (42). Thereafter, the refrigerant passes through the rear plate stack (60) and flows into the gas relay pipe (73) and then flows out of the plate unit (U).

[0094] (5-2) Heating operation In the heating operation, the controller of the air conditioner (10) operates the compressor (21), the outdoor fan (25), and the indoor fan (32), sets the four-way switching valve (24) to the second state (the state indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 1 ), adjusts the opening of the outdoor expansion valve (23) to a predetermined opening, and fully opens the indoor expansion valve (37).

[0095] During the heating operation, the refrigerant circuit (11) performs a refrigeration cycle in which the indoor heat exchanger (40) functions as a condenser (heat radiator) and the outdoor heat exchanger (22) functions as an evaporator.

[0096] The indoor unit (30) draws indoor air from the indoor space (I) into the air passage (P) through the inlet (33). The air in the air passage (P) is heated by the indoor heat exchanger (40). The heated air is supplied to the indoor space (I) through the outlet (34).

[0097] In the plate unit (U), the refrigerant that has flowed into the gas relay pipe (73) flows into the rear plate stack (60) of the rear heat exchange section (40B). In the rear heat exchange section (40B), the refrigerant dissipates heat to the indoor air while passing through the heat transfer tubes (42). Thereafter, the refrigerant passes through the rear plate stack (60) and flows into the second internal pipe (71b), and then passes through the indoor expansion valve (37) and the first internal pipe (71a) in this order, and then flows into the front plate stack (50) of the front heat exchange section (40A). In the front heat exchange section (40A), the refrigerant dissipates heat to the indoor air while passing through the heat transfer tubes (42). Thereafter, the refrigerant passes through the front plate stack (50) and flows into the liquid relay pipe (72) and then flows out of the heat exchanger unit (U).

[0098] (5-3) Dehumidification operation In the dehumidifying operation, the controller of the air conditioner (10) operates the compressor (21), the outdoor fan (25), and the indoor fan (32), sets the four-way switching valve (24) to the first state (the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 1), and appropriately adjusts the openings of the outdoor expansion valve (23) and the indoor expansion valve (37).

[0099] During the dehumidifying operation, the refrigerant circuit (11) performs a refrigeration cycle in which the outdoor heat exchanger (22) and the front heat exchange section (40A) of the indoor heat exchanger (40) function as condensers (radiators), and the rear heat exchange section (40B) of the indoor heat exchanger (40) functions as an evaporator.

[0100] The indoor unit (30) draws room air from the indoor space (I) into the air passage (P) through the inlet (33). The rear heat exchanger (40B) cools the air in the air passage (P) to a temperature below the dew point. The front heat exchanger (40A) heats the air in the air passage (P). The air passing through both the rear heat exchanger and the front heat exchanger mixes in the air passage (P) to produce low-humidity air. The dehumidified air is supplied to the indoor space (I) through the outlet (34).

[0101] The refrigerant that has flowed into the liquid relay pipe (72) flows into the front plate stack (50) of the front heat exchange section (40A). In the front heat exchange section (40A), the refrigerant dissipates heat to the indoor air while passing through the heat transfer tubes (42). Thereafter, the refrigerant passes through the front plate stack (50) and flows into the first internal pipe (71a). After being reduced in pressure while passing through the indoor expansion valve (37), the refrigerant flows through the second internal pipe (71b) and then flows into the rear plate stack (60) of the rear heat exchange section (40B). In the rear heat exchange section (40B), the refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air while passing through the heat transfer tubes (42). Thereafter, the refrigerant passes through the rear plate stack (60) and flows into the gas relay pipe (73) and flows out of the heat exchanger unit (U).

[0102] (6) Dimensions of the indoor unit The dimensional relationship of the indoor unit (30) of this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0103] (6-1) Relationship between L1, L2, and L3 10, the distance in the first direction between the fins (41) at both ends in the first direction of the indoor heat exchanger (40) is denoted by L1. Strictly speaking, the fins (41) at both ends are the first fin (F1) closest to one end in the first direction and the second fin (F2) closest to the other end in the first direction. L1 is the distance in the first direction between the first fin (F1) and the second fin (F2).

[0104] L1 is the effective length of the indoor heat exchanger (40). As L1 increases, the number of fins (41) increases and the length of the heat transfer tube (42) in the first direction also increases. Therefore, the heat transfer area between the indoor heat exchanger (40) and the air increases, improving the performance of the indoor heat exchanger (40).

[0105] L2 denotes the distance in the first direction between the connection position (C) of the heat transfer tube (42) and the connecting pipe (53, 63) in the plate unit (U) and the end of the plate stack (50, 60) on the other end side in the first direction. In this embodiment, the refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73) do not extend beyond one end side (right side) of the plate stack (50, 60). Therefore, the starting point of L2 on the one end side of the plate unit (U) in the first direction is the second surface (52b, 62b) on the right side of the plate stack (50, 60).

[0106] As also shown in Fig. 5, in this embodiment, the connecting pipes (53, 63) protrude from the plate stack (50, 60) toward the indoor heat exchanger (40). In this example, the connecting pipes (53, 63) are inserted into the heat transfer tubes (42). In this configuration, the connection position (C) of the connecting pipes (53, 63) of the heat transfer tubes (42) is the position (position indicated by the dashed-dotted line a in Fig. 5) where the connecting pipes (53, 63) and the heat transfer tubes (42) begin to overlap in the radial direction in the plate unit (U). In this example, the distance in the first direction between the second surfaces (52b, 62b) of the plate stack (50, 60) and the connection position (C) of the connecting pipes (53, 63) and the heat transfer tubes (42) is L2.

[0107] In addition, even in a configuration in which the heat transfer pipe (42) is inserted inside the connecting pipe (53, 63), the starting point of L2 on the other end side in the first direction is the connecting position (C) where the connecting pipe (53, 63) and the heat transfer pipe (42) begin to overlap.

[0108] L2 can be said to be the length in the first direction of the space required in the casing (31) by providing the plate unit (U). However, the refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73) connected to the plate unit (U) can be arranged to overlap the indoor heat exchanger (40) in the second direction. Therefore, the starting point of L2 on the other end side in the first direction does not take into account the refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73). On the other hand, if the refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73) extend to the right of the plate stack (50, 60), the length in the first direction of the space required to accommodate the plate unit (U) increases. Therefore, the starting point of L2 on one end side in the first direction takes into account the refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73) (details will be described later).

[0109] The distance in the first direction inside the casing (31) is defined as L3. L3 is the shortest distance between the inner wall of the first side plate (31e) of the casing (31) and the inner wall of the second side plate (31f) of the casing (31). If L3 is reduced, the indoor unit (30) can be made smaller in size in the first direction.

[0110] The indoor unit (30) of this embodiment satisfies the relational expression (1) of L2 / (L1+L2)<0.09. By making L2 / (L1+L2) smaller than 0.09, the space for accommodating the plate unit (U) is reduced in the first direction. Therefore, the casing (31) can be made smaller in size in the first direction.

[0111] Furthermore, by satisfying the relational expression (1), the indoor heat exchanger (40) becomes larger in the first direction. When the indoor heat exchanger (40) becomes larger in the first direction, the number of fins (41) of the indoor heat exchanger (40) increases, and the length of the heat transfer tube (42) in the first direction also increases. Therefore, the heat transfer area between the indoor heat exchanger (40) and the air increases, and the performance of the indoor heat exchanger (40) improves.

[0112] The indoor unit (30) of this embodiment satisfies the relational expression (1) of L2 / (L1+L2)<0.09. By making L2 / (L1+L2) smaller than 0.09, the space for accommodating the plate unit (U) is reduced in the first direction. Therefore, the casing (31) can be made smaller in size in the first direction.

[0113] The indoor unit (30) of this embodiment preferably satisfies the relational expression (2) of L1 / L3>0.87. By satisfying the relational expression (2), the size of the indoor heat exchanger (40) in the first direction relative to the entire space in the casing (31) can be ensured to be sufficient. This improves the performance of the indoor heat exchanger (40).

[0114] The indoor unit (30) of this embodiment preferably satisfies the relational expression (3), L2 / L3<0.08. When the relational expression (3) is satisfied, the space required for the plate unit (U) to occupy the entire space in the casing (31) can be reduced in the first direction.

[0115] The indoor unit (30) of this embodiment preferably satisfies the relational expression (4) of (L1+L2) / L3>0.95. By satisfying the relational expression (3), the space required for the indoor heat exchanger (40) and the plate unit (U) in the entire space within the casing (31) can be reduced in the first direction.

[0116] (6-2) Refrigerant path of indoor heat exchanger 3, the indoor heat exchanger (40) has a plurality of refrigerant paths (P1, P2, P3) that are parallel to one another. That is, the refrigerant that is split at the plate unit (U) flows through the plurality of refrigerant paths (P1, P2, P3), and the refrigerant in these refrigerant paths (P1, P2, P3) join together again at the plate unit (U).

[0117] The indoor heat exchanger (40) preferably has three or more refrigerant paths (P1, P2, P3) connected in parallel to one another. When the size of the indoor heat exchanger (40) in the first direction increases by satisfying the relational expression (1) of L2 / (L1+L2), the pressure loss in the refrigerant flow path of the indoor heat exchanger (40) is likely to increase. In contrast, by setting the number of refrigerant paths (P1, P2, P3) of the indoor heat exchanger (40) to three or more, the pressure loss of the indoor heat exchanger (40) can be reduced.

[0118] On the other hand, in a configuration in which the indoor heat exchanger (40) has many refrigerant paths (P1, P2, P3), connecting these refrigerant paths (P1, P2, P3) to a general flow divider or multiple pipes requires a large space to accommodate these components, resulting in a large casing (31). In contrast, in this embodiment, the multiple refrigerant paths (P1, P2, P3) are connected to the plate structure (50, 60). The plate structure (50, 60) can be made smaller in size in the first direction than a general flow divider or multiple pipes. As a result, the indoor heat exchanger (40) can be made larger in the first direction while reducing pressure loss in the refrigerant flow path of the heat exchanger (40).

[0119] In the indoor heat exchanger (40), the length of each of the refrigerant paths (P1, P2, P3) from the inlet end to the outlet end is preferably 10 m or less, which can sufficiently reduce the pressure loss of the refrigerant.

[0120] (6-3) Plates in plate structures The main body (front main body (52) and rear main body (62)) of the plate structure (50, 60) has a plurality of plates (FP1 to FP5, BP1 to BP5) stacked in the first direction. The number of the plurality of plates (FP1 to FP5, BP1 to BP5) of the front main body (52) or the rear main body (62) is preferably 2 or more and 5 or less.

[0121] By setting the number of plates (FP1-FP5, BP1-BP5) to two or more, the refrigerant flow paths (51, 52) of the plate structure (50, 60) can be easily secured. Furthermore, the pressure loss in the refrigerant flow paths (51, 52) can be reduced. By setting the number of plates (FP1-FP5, BP1-BP5) to five or less, the plate structure (50, 60) can be made smaller in the first direction.

[0122] The thickness of each of the plurality of plates (FP1 to FP5, BP1 to BP5) is preferably 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less. By making the thickness of the plates (FP1 to FP5, BP1 to BP5) 1 mm or more, the refrigerant flow paths (51, 52) can be easily secured. Furthermore, the pressure loss in the refrigerant flow paths (51, 52) can be reduced. By making the thickness of the plates (FP1 to FP5, BP1 to BP5) 5 mm or less, the plate structure (50, 60) can be made smaller in the first direction.

[0123] 5, the length L4 between both ends of the main body (52, 62) of the plate structure (50, 60) in the first direction is preferably 10 mm or more and 25 mm or less. In this embodiment, L4 is the distance in the first direction from the tip (left end) of the connecting pipe (53, 63) to the second surface (52b, 62b) of the plate structure (50, 60).

[0124] By setting the length L4 between both ends of the main body (52, 62) of the plate structure (50, 60) in the first direction to 10 mm or more, it is possible to easily ensure the refrigerant flow paths (51, 52). Also, it is possible to reduce pressure loss in the refrigerant flow paths (51, 52). By setting the length L4 between both ends of the main body (52, 62) of the plate structure (50, 60) in the first direction to 25 mm or less, it is possible to reduce the size of the plate structure (50, 60) in the first direction.

[0125] (6-4) Heat transfer tubes As shown in Fig. 5, the length L5 in the pipe axis direction of the connecting pipe (53, 63) which is the first pipe (71) is 30 mm or less. Strictly speaking, L5 is the distance from the first surface (52a, 62a) of the plate structure (50, 60) to the other end of the connecting pipe (53, 63) in the first direction. Setting L5 to 30 mm or less makes it possible to reduce the size of the plate unit (U) in the first direction (corresponding to L2), and to increase the size of the indoor heat exchanger (40) in the first direction.

[0126] (7) Effects of the embodiment (7-1) The indoor unit (30) satisfies the relationship L2 / (L1+L2)<0.09, where L1 is the distance in the first direction between the fins (41) at both ends in the first direction of the indoor heat exchanger (40) and L2 is the distance in the first direction between the connection position (C) of the heat transfer tube (42) and the connection portion (53, 63, 95) in the plate unit (U) and the end of the plate structure (50, 60) on the other end side in the first direction.

[0127] By satisfying this relationship, the indoor heat exchanger (40) can be enlarged in the first direction, thereby increasing the heat transfer area of ​​the indoor heat exchanger (40) and improving the performance of the indoor heat exchanger (40). As a result, the cooling capacity and heating capacity of the air conditioner (10) can be improved. In addition, by reducing the space for accommodating the plate unit (U), the casing (31) can be made smaller in the first direction.

[0128] (7-2) The indoor heat exchanger (40) has three or more refrigerant paths (P1, P2, P3) connected in parallel to one another. This reduces the pressure loss of the indoor heat exchanger (40). If a general refrigerant divider or connecting piping is used in such an indoor heat exchanger (40), these components become complicated, and the space for accommodating these components tends to become large. In contrast, in this embodiment, the plate structures (50, 60) are used, so that the space for accommodating the plate unit (U) does not become large in the first direction.

[0129] The length of each of the refrigerant paths (P1, P2, P3) from the inlet end to the outlet end is 10 m or less, which further reduces the pressure loss in the indoor heat exchanger (40).

[0130] (7-3) The refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73) are connected to first surfaces (52a, 62a), which are side surfaces of the main bodies (52, 62) of the plate structures (50, 60) at the other end in the first direction. This reduces the space for accommodating the plate units (U) in the first direction. As a result, the indoor heat exchanger (40) can be enlarged in the first direction, and the heat transfer area of ​​the indoor heat exchanger (40) can be increased. This improves the performance of the indoor heat exchanger (40).

[0131] (7-4) The plate unit (U) is disposed adjacent to the heat exchanger (40) at only one end of the heat exchanger (40) in the first direction. In other words, the other end of the heat exchanger (40) in the first direction has a hairpin structure. This reduces the space required to accommodate the plate unit (U), allowing the indoor heat exchanger (40) to be larger in the first direction.

[0132] (7-5) The heat transfer tube (42) is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Piping made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy tends to have a larger diameter than copper pipes. If a general flow divider or multiple pipes were connected to such a heat transfer tube (42), the space required to accommodate these components would be large, resulting in a larger casing (31). In contrast, in this embodiment, the heat transfer tube (42) is connected to a plate structure (50, 60). The plate structure (50, 60) can be made smaller in size in the first direction than a general flow divider or multiple pipes. As a result, the heat exchanger (40) can be made larger in the first direction while reducing pressure loss in the refrigerant flow path of the heat exchanger (40).

[0133] (8) Variations The above-described embodiment may be modified as follows: The following describes the differences from the above-described embodiment.

[0134] (8-1) Variation 1 In the plate unit (U) of Modification 1 shown in FIG. 11 , the intermediate pipe (71) is not provided with an indoor expansion valve (37). As in the above embodiment, one end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the front intermediate connector (54), and the other end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the rear intermediate connector (64). In other words, one end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the front first surface (52a) of the front plate stack (50), and the other end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the rear plate stack (60). The entire intermediate pipe (71) is located closer to the heat exchanger body (B) than the second surfaces (52b, 62b) of the plate stacks (50, 60). The entire intermediate pipe (71) is located between the first surfaces (52a, 62a) of the plate stacks (50, 60) and the heat exchanger body (B). This configuration allows the internal space (S) to be shortened in the axial direction of the heat transfer tube (42).

[0135] (8-2) Variation 2 12 and 13, similarly to the above embodiment, the front heat exchange section (40A) and the rear heat exchange section (40B) are aligned in the front-rear direction, which is the second direction. The front plate stack (50) overlaps with the front heat exchange section (40A) in the first direction, and the rear plate stack (60) overlaps with the rear heat exchange section (40B) in the first direction.

[0136] One end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the heat transfer pipe (42) (first heat transfer pipe (42a)) of the front heat exchange section (40A). In this example, the intermediate pipe (71) is inserted outside the first heat transfer pipe (42a). The intermediate pipe (71) may be inserted inside the first heat transfer pipe (42a). As in the above embodiment, the first heat transfer pipe (42a) may be provided with a flared portion (48). The first heat transfer pipe (42a) is located at the upper end of the front heat exchange section (40A) and close to the rear end.

[0137] The other end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the rear intermediate connector (64). The rear intermediate connector (64) is provided on the first rear surface (62a) of the rear plate stack (60). Specifically, the rear intermediate connector (64) is provided on the upper end of the fourth outer edge portion (84b) of the first rear surface (62a).

[0138] The entire intermediate pipe (71) is located closer to the heat exchanger body (B) than the second surfaces (52b, 62b) of the plate stacks (50, 60). This configuration enables the internal space (S) to be shortened in the first direction. One end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the upper end of the front heat exchange section (40A) and the other end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the upper end of the rear plate stack (60), thereby enabling the length of the intermediate pipe (71) to be shortened.

[0139] The intermediate pipe (71) of the second modification may be connected to an indoor expansion valve (37) in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

[0140] (8-3) Variation 3 14 and 15, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the front heat exchange section (40A) and the rear heat exchange section (40B) are aligned in the front-rear direction, which is the second direction. The front plate stack (50) overlaps with the front heat exchange section (40A) in the first direction, and the rear plate stack (60) overlaps with the rear heat exchange section (40B) in the first direction.

[0141] One end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the heat transfer pipe (42) (the second heat transfer pipe (42b)) of the rear heat exchange section (40B). In this example, the intermediate pipe (71) is inserted outside the second heat transfer pipe (42b). The intermediate pipe (71) may be inserted inside the second heat transfer pipe (42b). As in the above embodiment, the second heat transfer pipe (42b) may be provided with a flared portion (48). The second heat transfer pipe (42b) is located at the upper end of the rear heat exchange section (40B) and close to the front end.

[0142] The other end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the front intermediate connector (54). The front intermediate connector (54) is provided on the first front surface (52a) of the front plate stack (50). Specifically, the front intermediate connector (54) is provided on the upper end of the first outer edge portion (82a) of the first front surface (52a).

[0143] The entire intermediate pipe (71) is located closer to the heat exchanger body (B) than the second surfaces (52b, 62b) of the plate stacks (50, 60). This configuration allows the internal space (S) to be shortened in the axial direction of the heat transfer tubes (42). One end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the upper end of the rear heat exchange section (40B) and the other end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the upper end of the front plate stack (50), thereby allowing the length of the intermediate pipe (71) to be shortened.

[0144] The intermediate pipe (71) of the third modification may be connected to an indoor expansion valve (37) in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

[0145] (8-4) Variation 4 In the fourth modification shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, one end of an intermediate pipe (71) serving as a pipe is connected to the front heat exchange section (40A), and the other end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the rear heat exchange section (40B). Specifically, one end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the heat transfer tube (42) (the third heat transfer tube (42c)) of the front heat exchange section (40A). As shown in FIG. 17, the third heat transfer tube (42c) is located in the third section (41c) of the front heat exchange section (40A). The third section (41c) does not overlap with the front plate stack (50) when viewed in the first direction. In other words, when the front plate stack (50) is viewed from the right side, the third section (41c) is exposed to the interior space (S). The third section (41c) is located at the upper end and rear end of the rear heat exchange section (40B).

[0146] The other end of the intermediate pipe (71) is connected to the heat transfer tube (42) (fourth heat transfer tube (42d)) of the rear heat exchange section (40B). As shown in FIG. 18 , the fourth heat transfer tube (42d) is located in the fourth section (41d) of the rear heat exchange section (40B). When viewed in the axial direction of the heat transfer tube (42), the fourth section (41d) is a section that does not overlap with the rear plate stack (60). In other words, when the rear plate stack (60) is viewed from the right side, the fourth section (41d) is exposed to the internal space (S). The fourth section (41d) is located at the upper and rear end of the rear heat exchange section (40B). The fourth section (41d) is located at the upper and front end of the rear heat exchange section (40B).

[0147] As in the above embodiment, the intermediate pipe (71) includes a first internal pipe (71a) and a second internal pipe (71b). An indoor expansion valve (37) is connected between the first internal pipe (71a) and the second internal pipe (71b). The first internal pipe (71a) and the second internal pipe (71b) are located between the front plate stack (50) and the rear plate stack (60) when viewed in the axial direction of the heat transfer tube (42). The indoor expansion valve (37) is located between the front plate stack (50) and the rear plate stack (60) when viewed in the first direction. This configuration ensures that a space for arranging the indoor expansion valve (37) and the intermediate pipe (71) is secured between the front plate stack (50) and the rear plate stack (60).

[0148] 17, the indoor expansion valve (37) is located closer to the heat exchanger body (B) than the second surfaces (52b, 62b) of the plate stacks (50, 60) when viewed in the second direction (here, the up-down direction). Therefore, the arrangement of the indoor expansion valve (37) can prevent the plate unit (U) from becoming larger in the first direction.

[0149] In the fourth modification, the entire intermediate pipe (71) may be disposed closer to the heat exchanger body (B) than the second surfaces (52b, 62b). A part of the intermediate pipe (71) may extend from the second surfaces (52b, 62b) to the side opposite the heat exchanger body (B).

[0150] (8-5) Variation 5 19, the liquid relay pipe (72) is disposed on the opposite side of the front heat exchange section (40A) from the rear heat exchange section (40B) when viewed in the first direction. Specifically, a portion of the liquid relay pipe (72) is located in front of the front heat exchange section (40A).

[0151] One end of the liquid relay pipe (72) is connected to the front plate stack (50). The other end of the liquid relay pipe (72) is connected to the second connection pipe (13), which is a liquid connection pipe, outside the casing (31). One end of the liquid relay pipe (72) is connected to the liquid-side connector (55). The liquid-side connector (55) is provided on the front first surface (52a) of the front plate stack (50). Specifically, the liquid-side connector (55) is provided in the front second region (82) of the front first surface (52a) (strictly speaking, the first outer edge portion (82a)). The liquid relay pipe (72) extends from the liquid-side connector (55) forward of the front heat exchange section (40A), then bends leftward, and extends along and parallel to the heat transfer tubes (42).

[0152] In this manner, the liquid relay pipe (72) is disposed on the opposite side of the front heat exchange section (40A) from the rear heat exchange section (40B) when viewed in the axial direction of the heat transfer pipe (42). This prevents the liquid relay pipe (72) from extending from the second surface (52b, 62b) to the side opposite the heat exchanger body (B). As a result, the internal space (S) can be shortened in the axial direction of the heat transfer pipe (42).

[0153] The intermediate pipe (71), a valve (e.g., the indoor expansion valve (37)) connected to the intermediate pipe (71), and the gas relay pipe (73) may be arranged on the opposite side of the front heat exchange section (40A) from the rear heat exchange section (40B) when viewed in the axial direction of the heat transfer pipe (42).

[0154] In the fifth modification, the gas relay pipe (73) serving as the refrigerant pipe is disposed on the opposite side of the rear heat exchange section (40B) from the front heat exchange section (40A) when viewed in the axial direction of the heat transfer pipe (42). Specifically, a part of the gas relay pipe (73) is located behind the rear heat exchange section (40B).

[0155] One end of the gas relay pipe (73) is connected to the rear plate stack (60). The other end of the gas relay pipe (73) is connected to the first connection pipe (12), which is a gas connection pipe, outside the casing (31). One end of the gas relay pipe (73) is connected to the gas side connection portion (65). The gas side connection portion (65) is provided on the rear first surface (62a) of the rear plate stack (60). Specifically, the gas side connection portion (65) is provided in the rear second region (84) (strictly speaking, the fourth outer edge portion (84b)) of the rear first surface (62a). The gas relay pipe (73) extends from the gas side connection portion (65) rearward of the rear heat exchange section (40B), then bends leftward, and extends along and parallel to the heat transfer tubes (42).

[0156] In this manner, when viewed in the axial direction of the heat transfer tubes (42), the gas relay pipe (73) is disposed on the opposite side of the rear heat exchange section (40B) from the front heat exchange section (40A). This prevents the gas relay pipe (73) from extending beyond the second surface (52b, 62b) to the side opposite the heat exchanger body (B). As a result, the internal space (S) can be shortened in the axial direction of the heat transfer tubes (42).

[0157] The intermediate pipe (71), a valve (e.g., the indoor expansion valve (37)) connected to the intermediate pipe (71), and the liquid relay pipe (72) may be arranged on the opposite side of the rear heat exchange section (40B) from the front heat exchange section (40A) when viewed in the axial direction of the heat transfer pipe (42).

[0158] (8-6) Variation 6 In the sixth modification, refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73) different from the heat transfer tubes (42) in the above-described embodiments and modifications are connected to the third surfaces (52c, 62c) of the plate stacks (50, 60). As shown in Fig. 19 and Fig. 20, a coupling member (90) serving as a pipe-side connector is provided on the front third surface (52c) of the front plate stack (50).

[0159] Notches (91) are formed in the ends of the second front plate (FP2), the third front plate (FP3), and the fourth front plate (FP4), which are intermediate plates. The notches (91) form recesses recessed inward from the end faces facing the third front surface (52c). When viewed in the stacking direction of the front plate assembly (50), the notches (91) are rectangular. The notches (91) of the second front plate (FP2), the third front plate (FP3), and the fourth front plate (FP4) overlap in the stacking direction to form a storage space (92) that stores the connecting member (90). The connecting member (90) and the storage space (92) are formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The connecting member (90) is provided inside the front plate assembly (50) so as to span the second front plate (FP2), the third front plate (FP3), and the fourth front plate (FP4).

[0160] The connecting member (90) is formed with insertion holes (93) into which the refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73) are inserted. The insertion holes (93) are cylindrical. With the refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73) inserted into the insertion holes (93), the connecting member (90) and the refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73) are joined together. The refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73) communicate with the first refrigerant flow path (51) inside the front plate stack (50). The above configuration can be similarly applied to the rear plate stack (60). The refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73) include the intermediate pipes (71), the liquid relay pipes (72), and the gas relay pipes (73) described in the above-described embodiment and modifications.

[0161] (8-7) Variation 7 As shown in Fig. 22, in the seventh modification, the refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73) of the plate unit (U) are connected to the second surfaces (52b, 62b) of the plate structures (50, 60). Therefore, a portion of the refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73) extends further toward one end in the first direction than the plate structures (50, 60). Here, the refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73) are, for example, liquid relay pipes (72) or gas relay pipes (73). The refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73) are curved toward the other end in the first direction and extend toward the indoor heat exchanger (40).

[0162] In this configuration, the starting point of the above-described L2 on one end side in the first direction is the one end side in the first direction of the refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73). That is, in this example, L2 is the distance in the first direction between the end on one end side in the first direction of the refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73) and the tip of the heat-transfer-side connector (53, 63).

[0163] The indoor air conditioner (30) of the seventh modification satisfies the relational expression (1) of L2 / (L1+L2)<0.09, and therefore provides the same advantages as those of the first embodiment.

[0164] (8-8) Variation 8 As schematically shown in FIG. 23 , in Modification 8, the valves (37) connected to the refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73) are located closer to one end in the first direction than the second surfaces (52b, 62b) of the plate structures (50, 60). The refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73) are, for example, intermediate pipes (71). The valves (37) are electronic expansion valves (37). In Modification 8, the electronic expansion valves (37) are located closest to one end in the first direction in the plate unit (U).

[0165] In this configuration, the starting point of the above-described L2 on one end side in the first direction is the part on one end side in the first direction of the electronic expansion valve (37). That is, L2 in this example is the distance in the first direction between the end on one end side in the first direction of the electronic expansion valve (37) and the tip of the heat-transfer-side connector (53, 63).

[0166] The indoor air conditioner (30) of the eighth modified example satisfies the relational expression (1) of L2 / (L1+L2)<0.09, and therefore provides the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0167] (8-9) Variation 9 As shown in Fig. 24, the plate unit (U) of the ninth modification does not have the connecting pipes (53, 63). The heat transfer pipes (42) are directly connected to the refrigerant flow paths (51, 52) through holes (95) formed in the first surfaces (52a, 62a) of the plate structures (50, 60). The holes (95) are the connecting parts of the present disclosure.

[0168] In this configuration, the starting point of the above-described L2 on the other end side in the first direction is the connection position (C) between the heat transfer tube (42) and the hole (95). That is, the starting point of L2 on the other end side in the first direction is the position where the heat transfer tube (42) and the inner circumferential surface of the hole (95) begin to overlap. In other words, the starting point of L2 on the other end side in the first direction is the first surface (52a, 62a) on which the hole (95) is formed. Therefore, in this example, the distance in the first direction between the first surface (52a, 62a) and the second surface (52b, 62b) of the plate structure (50, 60) is L2.

[0169] The indoor air conditioner (30) of the ninth modification satisfies the relational expression (1) of L2 / (L1+L2)<0.09, and therefore provides the same advantages as those of the first embodiment.

[0170] (8-10) Variation 10 In a tenth modification shown in FIG. 25 , an electronic expansion valve (37), which is a valve connected to the refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73), is arranged so as to overlap with the indoor heat exchanger (40) in a second direction (here, the front-to-rear direction) perpendicular to the first direction. The electronic expansion valve (37) in this example is arranged between the first heat exchange section (40A) and the second heat exchange section (40B). This configuration can prevent L2 from increasing due to the presence of the electronic expansion valve (37), and can increase the size of the indoor heat exchanger (40) in the first direction. The electronic expansion valve (37) may be arranged in front of the first heat exchange section (40A) or behind the second heat exchange section (40B).

[0171] (8-11) Variation 11 In an eleventh modification shown in FIG. 26 , the electric component unit (38) is not disposed between the plate structure (50, 60) and the side plate (first side plate (31e)) at one end of the casing (31) in the first direction. Specifically, the electric component unit (38) is disposed above the air outlet (34). More specifically, the electric component unit (38) is disposed near the air inlet (33) and upstream of the indoor heat exchanger (40) in the airflow direction. The electric component unit (38) is disposed so as to overlap with the indoor heat exchanger (40) in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. In this configuration, the presence of the electric component unit (38) can prevent the space for accommodating the indoor heat exchanger (40) from becoming small, thereby preventing L1 from becoming small. The electric component unit (38) may be disposed downstream of the indoor heat exchanger (40).

[0172] (9) Other embodiments The refrigeration cycle device (10) may be any device that performs a vapor compression refrigeration cycle, and is not limited to an air conditioner. The refrigeration cycle device may be a cooling device that cools the interior of a refrigerator or a refrigerated warehouse, a chiller device that cools or heats a heat medium such as water, or a heat pump water heater that heats water to produce hot water.

[0173] The air conditioner (10) does not have to be of the pair type, but may be of the multi-type.

[0174] The indoor unit (30) may be a ceiling-mounted type or a floor-standing type.

[0175] The direction in which the first heat exchange section (40A) and the second heat exchange section (40B) are arranged is not limited to the front-rear direction, but may be, for example, the up-down direction.

[0176] The valve connected to the refrigerant pipe (intermediate pipe (71)) does not have to be an expansion valve, but may be a solenoid valve, a check valve, a three-way valve, a four-way switching valve, a shutoff valve, or the like.

[0177] The plate structure may be made of a single plate rather than a plate stack, in which case the plate structure is manufactured by sintering metal powder using a 3D printer.

[0178] The indoor heat exchanger (40) may have a single heat exchange section, without including the front heat exchange section (40A) and the rear heat exchange section (40B). In this case, the intermediate pipe (71) and the indoor expansion valve (37) of the plate unit (U) are omitted.

[0179] The heat transfer tubes 42 and fins 41 of the heat exchanger body B may be made of copper. In this case, the plate structure and the refrigerant pipes connected to the plate structure are preferably made of copper. The plate structure and the refrigerant pipes connected to the plate structure may also be made of stainless steel.

[0180] The heat transfer tubes 42 may be flat tubes. The cross-sectional shape of the flat tubes perpendicular to the axial direction is an ellipse, an oval, or a substantially rectangular shape extending along the air flow direction. Strictly speaking, the flat tubes are flat, multi-hole tubes having multiple flow paths through which the refrigerant flows.

[0181] A header collecting pipe connected to the heat transfer tubes (42) may be provided at the other end of the heat exchanger (40) in the first direction. In this case, the header collecting pipe is provided instead of the hairpin structure of the above-described embodiment. The header collecting pipe has a refrigerant flow path formed therein that communicates with the heat transfer tubes (42). The header collecting pipe is formed in a tubular shape with both axial ends closed. The header collecting pipe is formed in a cylindrical or rectangular tubular shape.

[0182] Although the embodiments and modifications have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. Elements of the above embodiments, modifications, and other embodiments may be combined or substituted as appropriate.

[0183] The terms "first," "second," "third," etc. mentioned above are used to distinguish the terms to which these terms are attached, and do not limit the number or order of the terms. [Industrial Applicability]

[0184] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, the present disclosure is useful for air conditioner indoor units and refrigeration cycle devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0185] 10 Air conditioning equipment (refrigeration cycle equipment) 30 Indoor unit (air conditioning indoor unit) 31 Casing 34 Air outlet 37 Indoor expansion valve (valve) 38 Electrical equipment unit 40 Indoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger) 41 Finn 42 Heat transfer tube 50,60 Plate stack (plate structure) 51, 52 Refrigerant flow path 52,62 main body 52a,62a 1st page 52b,62b 2nd side 52c,62c 3rd side 53,63 Connecting pipe (connection part) 71, 72, 73 Refrigerant piping 95 holes (connection part) P1, P2, P3 refrigerant path FP1~FP5, BP1~BP5 plates U Plate Unit

Claims

1. a heat exchanger (40) having a plurality of fins (41) arranged in a first direction and a heat transfer tube (42); the heat exchanger (40), and a plate unit (U) arranged adjacent to one end side in the first direction; a casing (31) that houses the heat exchanger (40) and the plate unit (U), The plate unit (U) comprises: a plate structure (50, 60) having a connection (53, 63, 95) to which the heat transfer tube (42) is connected and forming a refrigerant flow path (51, 52) through which a refrigerant flows; refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73) communicating with the refrigerant flow paths (51, 52), a distance in the first direction between the fins (41) at both ends in the first direction of the heat exchanger (40) is defined as L1; When the distance in the first direction between a connection position (C) of the heat transfer tube (42) and the connection portion (53, 63, 95) in the plate unit (U) and an end portion on the other end side in the first direction of the plate structure (50, 60) is denoted by L2, The relationship L2 / (L1+L2)<0.09 is satisfied. Air conditioning indoor unit.

2. The heat exchanger (40) Three or more refrigerant paths (P1, P2, P3) connected in parallel with each other The air conditioning indoor unit according to claim 1.

3. The length of the flow path from the inlet end to the outlet end of each of the plurality of refrigerant paths (P1, P2, P3) is 10 m or less. The air conditioning indoor unit according to claim 2.

4. the main body (52, 62) of the plate structure (50, 60) has a first surface (52a, 62a) which is a side surface on the other end side in the first direction, and a second surface (52b, 62b) which is a side surface on one end side in the first direction, The refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73) are connected to the first surfaces (52a, 62a). The air conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the main body (52, 62) of the plate structure (50, 60) has a first surface (52a, 62a) which is a side surface on the other end side in the first direction, a second surface (52b, 62b) which is a side surface on one end side in the first direction, and a third surface (52c, 62c) which is a peripheral surface extending across the first surface (52a, 62a) and the second surface (52b, 62b), The refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73) are connected to the third surfaces (52c, 62c). The air conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73) are connected to the heat transfer pipes (42). The air conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. the main body (52, 62) of the plate structure (50, 60) has a plurality of plates (FP1 to FP5, BP1 to BP5) stacked in the first direction, The number of the plurality of plates (FP1 to FP5, BP1 to BP5) is 2 or more and 5 or less. The air conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. the main body (52, 62) of the plate structure (50, 60) has a plurality of plates (FP1 to FP5, BP1 to BP5) stacked in the first direction, The thickness of each of the plurality of plates (FP1 to FP5, BP1 to BP5) is 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less. The air conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. The length between both ends of the body (52, 62) of the plate structure (50, 60) in the first direction is 10 mm or more and 25 mm or less. The air conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. The plate unit (U) is disposed adjacent to the heat exchanger (40) only at one end of the heat exchanger (40) in the first direction. The air conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

11. the connection portion is a first connection pipe (53, 63) that extends from a first surface (52a, 62a), which is a side surface of the main body of the plate structure (50, 60) at the other end side in the first direction, toward the heat exchanger (40) and is connected to the heat transfer pipe (42), The length of the first connecting pipe (53, 63) in the pipe axis direction is 30 mm or less. The air conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

12. The heat transfer tube (42) is made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. The air conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

13. an electrical component unit (38) disposed inside the casing (31); The electrical component unit (38) is not disposed between the plate structure (50, 60) and a side plate (31e) at one end of the casing (31) in the first direction. The air conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

14. The casing (31) is formed with an outlet (34) for blowing out air, The electrical component unit (38) is disposed above the air outlet (34). The air conditioning indoor unit according to claim 13.

15. a valve (37) connected to the refrigerant pipes (71, 72, 73), The valve (37) is disposed so as to overlap the heat exchanger (40) in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. The air conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

16. A refrigeration cycle system comprising the air conditioning indoor unit (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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