Heat exchanger and refrigeration apparatus

Abstract

To provide a heat exchanger and a refrigerating device capable of reducing the number of components.SOLUTION: The gas header portion has a gas space 50S therein. The liquid header section 60 has a liquid space 60S therein. The inlet-outlet header has a fourth common member 44 and a fifth common member 45. The fifth common member 45 is stacked on the fourth common member 44 in the left-right direction. The fourth common member 44 and the fifth common member 45 form a gas header portion. The fourth common member 44 and the fifth common member 45 form a liquid header section 60. The fourth common member 44 has a first gas opening 442 that forms part of the 50S of the gas space, and a liquid dividing opening 446 and a descending-side opening 447 that form part of the 60S of the liquid space. The fifth common member 45 has a second gas opening 452 that forms part of the gas space 50S, and a lower circulating opening 456 and an upper circulating opening 457 that form part of the liquid space 60S.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to heat exchangers and refrigeration devices. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a heat exchanger such as that described in Patent Document 1 (JP 2022-043207 A) has been proposed in which a header is formed by stacking a plurality of plate-like members. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] In such a heat exchanger, a space for the gas refrigerant to flow is formed by stacking multiple components in the gas header, and a space for the liquid refrigerant to flow in the liquid state or in a two-layer gas-liquid state is formed by stacking multiple components in the liquid header. In this way, when both the gas header and the liquid header are constructed by stacking multiple components, it is desirable to reduce the number of parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] A heat exchanger according to a first aspect includes a plurality of flat tubes and a header. The plurality of flat tubes are aligned in a first direction. The flat tubes are connected to the header. The header has a gas header section and a liquid header section. The gas header section and the liquid header section are aligned in the first direction. The gas header section has a gas space therein. The liquid header section has a liquid space therein. The header has a first stack member and a second stack member. The second direction is a direction in which the portions of the flat tubes connected to the header extend. The second stack member is stacked in the second direction relative to the first stack member. The first stack member and the second stack member form the gas header section. The first stack member and the second stack member form the liquid header section. The first stack member has a first gas opening that forms a portion of the gas space and a first liquid opening that forms a portion of the liquid space. The second stack member has a second gas opening that forms a portion of the gas space and a second liquid opening that forms a portion of the liquid space.

[0005] The longitudinal direction of the gas space is preferably the first direction.

[0006] Furthermore, it is preferable that a plurality of flat tubes communicate with the gas space, more preferably three or more flat tubes communicate with the gas space, and even more preferably five or more flat tubes communicate with the gas space.

[0007] Furthermore, when viewed in the second direction, it is preferable that the gas space overlaps with multiple flat tubes, it is more preferable that the gas space overlaps with three or more flat tubes, and it is even more preferable that the gas space overlaps with five or more flat tubes.

[0008] In this heat exchanger, by stacking the first laminate member and the second laminate member, a gas space including a first gas opening and a second gas opening can be formed, and a liquid space including a first liquid opening and a second liquid opening can be formed. Furthermore, because the first gas opening and the first liquid opening are included in the first laminate member, which is a single member, the number of parts can be reduced compared to when the member having the first gas opening and the member having the first liquid opening are separate members. Furthermore, because the second gas opening and the second liquid opening are included in the second laminate member, which is a single member, the number of parts can be reduced compared to when the member having the second gas opening and the member having the second liquid opening are separate members.

[0009] A heat exchanger according to a second aspect is the heat exchanger of the first aspect, wherein 80% or more of the first gas openings overlap with the second gas openings when viewed in the second direction.

[0010] This heat exchanger makes it easy to ensure a large gas space.

[0011] A heat exchanger according to a third aspect is the heat exchanger according to the first or second aspect, wherein the area of ​​the first gas opening is at least twice the area of ​​the first liquid opening, or the area of ​​the second gas opening is at least twice the area of ​​the second liquid opening.

[0012] In this heat exchanger, the volume of the gas space can be ensured to be larger than the volume of the liquid space.

[0013] A heat exchanger according to a fourth aspect is a heat exchanger according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which, in the refrigerant flow direction when functioning as a refrigerant radiator or condenser, the gas space is on the inlet side and the liquid space is on the outlet side.

[0014] A heat exchanger according to a fifth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the header further includes a first member that integrates the first lamination member and the second lamination member.

[0015] In this heat exchanger, the first and second lamination members shared by the gas header section and the liquid header section are integrated with the first member, thereby making it possible to increase the strength of the headers.

[0016] A heat exchanger according to a sixth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the header further has a second member. The second member has a gas lid portion and a liquid lid portion. The gas lid portion covers the gas space from a second direction. A first refrigerant pipe communicating with the gas space is connected to the gas lid portion. The liquid lid portion covers the liquid space from the second direction. A second refrigerant pipe communicating with the liquid space is connected to the liquid lid portion.

[0017] This heat exchanger reduces the number of parts while still covering the gas space and the liquid space by using a single component for the part that covers the gas space from the second direction and the part that covers the liquid space from the second direction.

[0018] A heat exchanger according to a seventh aspect is the heat exchanger according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the header has a first member and a second member. Flat tubes are connected to the first member. A first refrigerant pipe communicating with the gas space is connected to the second member. The second member covers the gas space from the second direction. The first stacking member, the second stacking member, and the second member are stacked in this order in the second direction. The second stacking member and the second member are in contact with each other. The first member has a first portion, a first clamping portion, and a second clamping portion. The first portion extends in a plane perpendicular to the second direction. The first clamping portion extends from the first portion in the second direction. The second clamping portion extends from the first portion in the second direction. When a direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction is defined as a third direction, the first stacking member, the second stacking member, and the second member are sandwiched between the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion in the third direction. The first clamping portion has a first crimping portion provided at an end opposite the first portion in the second direction, and the second clamping portion has a second crimping portion provided at an end opposite the first portion in the second direction.

[0019] In this heat exchanger, the first lamination member, the second lamination member, and the second member can be crimped and integrated by the first crimping portion and the second crimping portion.

[0020] A heat exchanger according to an eighth aspect is the heat exchanger according to the seventh aspect, wherein the first crimped portion and the second crimped portion are bent so as to approach each other.

[0021] In this heat exchanger, the strength of the crimped header can be increased by the bent first crimped portion and second crimped portion.

[0022] A heat exchanger according to a ninth aspect is the heat exchanger according to the eighth aspect, wherein the second member is stacked so as to be in contact with the second stacked member, and the width of the second gas opening in the third direction is smaller than the width of the first gas opening in the third direction.

[0023] Here, the second laminated member may be laminated so as to be in contact with the first laminated member.

[0024] This heat exchanger can increase the pressure resistance strength of the gas header section by reducing the second member side end of the gas space when viewed in the first direction. Furthermore, even if a part of the second member is pressed toward the flat tubes due to the crimping between the first crimped portion and the second crimped portion, the edges of the second laminated member on both sides of the second gas opening in the third direction can support the second member from the flat tube side. This suppresses deformation of the second member due to the crimping.

[0025] A heat exchanger according to a tenth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the second liquid opening has a first opening portion, a second opening portion, and a third opening portion. The first opening portion, the second opening portion, and the third opening portion are aligned in a first direction. In a direction intersecting both the first and second directions, the width of the second opening portion is smaller than the width of the first opening portion and smaller than the width of the third opening portion.

[0026] This heat exchanger allows the flow rate of the refrigerant to increase when passing through the second opening portion.

[0027] A heat exchanger according to an eleventh aspect is the heat exchanger according to the tenth aspect, wherein the length of the second lamination member in the second direction is shorter than the length of the first lamination member in the second direction.

[0028] In this heat exchanger, by making the second opening portion smaller, it is possible to further increase the flow rate of the refrigerant when it passes through the second opening portion.

[0029] A heat exchanger according to a twelfth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the first stacking members are stacked on the flat tube side in the second direction relative to the second stacking members. The first liquid opening has a plurality of liquid diversion openings aligned in the first direction. The plurality of liquid diversion openings connect the second liquid opening and the plurality of flat tubes. The plurality of liquid diversion openings are arranged at positions offset from the center of the flat tubes in a direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction.

[0030] In this heat exchanger, the multiple liquid diversion openings are positioned at positions offset from the center of the flat tubes in the direction intersecting the first and second directions, so by using the heat exchanger so that the side where the multiple liquid diversion openings are offset is on the upwind side, it is possible to improve the heat exchange efficiency.

[0031] A heat exchanger according to a thirteenth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the length of the first lamination member in the second direction is different from the length of the second lamination member in the second direction.

[0032] In this heat exchanger, it is possible to adjust the relationship between the size of the first gas opening and the size of the first liquid opening, and the size of the second gas opening and the size of the second liquid opening.

[0033] A heat exchanger according to a fourteenth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, wherein the first lamination member has a first edge portion, a second edge portion, and a first connecting portion. A direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction is defined as a third direction. The first edge portion extends in the longitudinal direction of the gas space on one side of the third direction relative to the first gas opening. The second edge portion extends in the longitudinal direction of the gas space on the other side of the third direction relative to the first gas opening. The first connecting portion connects the first edge portion and the second edge portion.

[0034] In this heat exchanger, deformation of the first gas opening is suppressed.

[0035] A heat exchanger according to a fifteenth aspect is the heat exchanger according to the fourteenth aspect, wherein the second stacking member has a third edge portion, a fourth edge portion, and a second connecting portion. The third edge portion extends in the longitudinal direction of the gas space on one side in the third direction relative to the second gas opening. The fourth edge portion extends in the longitudinal direction of the gas space on the other side in the third direction relative to the second gas opening. The second connecting portion connects the third edge portion and the fourth edge portion. When viewed in the second direction, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion have a portion where they do not overlap.

[0036] In this heat exchanger, deformation of both the first gas opening and the second gas opening is suppressed. Moreover, in this heat exchanger, separation of the gas space by the first communication portion and the second communication portion is suppressed.

[0037] A heat exchanger according to a sixteenth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, wherein the first lamination member and the second lamination member have plate-shaped portions.

[0038] In this heat exchanger, the first lamination member and the second lamination member are easily laminated.

[0039] A heat exchanger according to a seventeenth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any one of the first to sixteenth aspects, further comprising a turn-back header. The turn-back header is connected to the end of the flat tubes opposite to the end on the gas header section and liquid header section side. The turn-back header guides the refrigerant that has passed through the gas header section to the liquid header section side, or guides the refrigerant that has passed through the liquid header section to the gas header section side.

[0040] This heat exchanger allows the refrigerant to flow in a turn-around manner in the turn-around header.

[0041] A refrigeration device according to an eighteenth aspect includes the heat exchanger according to any one of the first to seventeenth aspects.

[0042] This refrigeration device can perform a refrigeration cycle using a heat exchanger with a reduced number of parts. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0043] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an outdoor heat exchanger. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged view of a heat exchange portion of the outdoor heat exchanger. [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which heat transfer fins are attached to flat tubes in a heat exchange section. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the state of refrigerant flow when the outdoor heat exchanger functions as a radiator or a condenser of the refrigerant. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a gas header portion. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional schematic diagram of a gas header portion. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a liquid header portion. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional schematic diagram of a liquid header section. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a second liquid plate portion as viewed in the plate thickness direction. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a liquid header portion of another embodiment C. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] Hereinafter, embodiments of a heat exchanger according to the present disclosure and a refrigeration device in which the heat exchanger is employed will be described.

[0045] (1) Air conditioning system configuration An air conditioner 1, which is one embodiment of a refrigeration device, will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0046] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner 1 having an outdoor heat exchanger 11 that is a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] The air conditioner 1 is an apparatus that cools and heats a space to be air-conditioned by operating a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The space to be air-conditioned is, for example, a space inside a building such as an office building, a commercial facility, or a residence. Note that the air conditioner is merely one example of a refrigeration cycle device, and the heat exchanger of the present disclosure may also be used in other refrigeration cycle devices, such as refrigerators, freezers, water heaters, and floor heating devices. Note that the refrigerant used in the air conditioner 1 is not particularly limited, and examples include R290, CO2, and R32.

[0048] 1, the air conditioner 1 mainly comprises an outdoor unit 2, an indoor unit 9, a liquid refrigerant connection pipe 4, a gas refrigerant connection pipe 5, and a control unit 3 that controls the equipment that makes up the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 9. The liquid refrigerant connection pipe 4 and the gas refrigerant connection pipe 5 are refrigerant connection pipes that connect the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 9. In the air conditioner 1, the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 9 are connected via the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 4 and the gas refrigerant connection pipe 5 to form a refrigerant circuit 6.

[0049] In FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 has one indoor unit 9, but the air conditioner 1 may have multiple indoor units 9 connected in parallel to the outdoor unit 2 by liquid refrigerant connection pipes 4 and gas refrigerant connection pipes 5. The air conditioner 1 may also have multiple outdoor units 2. The air conditioner 1 may also be an integrated air conditioner in which the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 9 are formed integrally.

[0050] (1-1) Outdoor unit The outdoor unit 2 is installed outside the space to be air-conditioned, for example, on the roof of a building or near a wall of a building.

[0051] The outdoor unit 2 mainly includes an accumulator 7, a compressor 8, a four-way switching valve 10, an outdoor heat exchanger 11, an outdoor expansion valve 12, a liquid-side shut-off valve 13, a gas-side shut-off valve 14, and an outdoor fan 16.

[0052] The outdoor unit 2 mainly has refrigerant pipes connecting various devices that make up the refrigerant circuit 6, including a suction pipe 17, a discharge pipe 18, a first gas refrigerant pipe 19, a liquid refrigerant pipe 20, and a second gas refrigerant pipe 21. The suction pipe 17 connects the four-way switching valve 10 and the suction side of the compressor 8. The suction pipe 17 is provided with an accumulator 7. The discharge pipe 18 connects the discharge side of the compressor 8 and the four-way switching valve 10. The first gas refrigerant pipe 19 connects the four-way switching valve 10 and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 11. The liquid refrigerant pipe 20 connects the liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 and the liquid-side shut-off valve 13. The liquid refrigerant pipe 20 is provided with an outdoor expansion valve 12. The second gas refrigerant pipe 21 connects the four-way switching valve 10 and the gas-side shut-off valve 14.

[0053] The compressor 8 is a device that draws in low-pressure refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle from a suction pipe 17, compresses the refrigerant using a compression mechanism (not shown), and discharges the compressed refrigerant to a discharge pipe .

[0054] The four-way switching valve 10 is a mechanism that switches the flow direction of the refrigerant to change the state of the refrigerant circuit 6 between cooling operation and heating operation. When the refrigerant circuit 6 is in cooling operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as a refrigerant radiator or condenser, and the indoor heat exchanger 91 functions as a refrigerant evaporator. When the refrigerant circuit 6 is in heating operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as a refrigerant evaporator, and the indoor heat exchanger 91 functions as a refrigerant radiator or condenser. When the four-way switching valve 10 sets the refrigerant circuit 6 in cooling operation, the four-way switching valve 10 connects the suction pipe 17 to the second gas refrigerant pipe 21 and the discharge pipe 18 to the first gas refrigerant pipe 19 (see the solid lines in the four-way switching valve 10 in FIG. 1 ). When the four-way switching valve 10 sets the state of the refrigerant circuit 6 to the heating operation state, the four-way switching valve 10 connects the suction pipe 17 to the first gas refrigerant pipe 19 and connects the discharge pipe 18 to the second gas refrigerant pipe 21 (see the dashed lines within the four-way switching valve 10 in Figure 1).

[0055] The outdoor heat exchanger 11 is a device that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing inside and a fluid such as air in the installation location of the outdoor unit 2. Details of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 will be described later.

[0056] The outdoor expansion valve 12 is disposed in the refrigerant circuit 6 between the outdoor heat exchanger 11 and the indoor heat exchanger 91. In this embodiment, the outdoor expansion valve 12 is disposed in the liquid refrigerant pipe 20 between the outdoor heat exchanger 11 and the liquid-side shut-off valve 13. The outdoor expansion valve 12 has a mechanism for adjusting the pressure and flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the liquid refrigerant pipe 20.

[0057] The accumulator 7 is a container having a gas-liquid separation function that separates the incoming refrigerant into gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant, and also has a function of storing surplus refrigerant that occurs in response to fluctuations in operating load, etc.

[0058] The liquid side shut-off valve 13 is a valve provided at the connection between the liquid refrigerant pipe 20 and the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 4. The gas side shut-off valve 14 is a valve provided at the connection between the second gas refrigerant pipe 21 and the gas refrigerant communication pipe 5. The liquid side shut-off valve 13 and the gas side shut-off valve 14 are open when the air conditioning apparatus 1 is operating.

[0059] The outdoor fan 16 is a fan that draws external heat source air into the casing of the outdoor unit 2 (not shown), supplies it to the outdoor heat exchanger 11, and discharges the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 11 to the outside of the casing of the outdoor unit 2. The outdoor fan 16 is, for example, a propeller fan.

[0060] (1-2) Indoor unit The indoor unit 9 is a unit installed in the space to be air-conditioned. The indoor unit 9 is, for example, a ceiling-mounted unit, but may also be a ceiling-suspended, wall-mounted, or floor-standing unit. The indoor unit 9 may also be installed outside the space to be air-conditioned. For example, the indoor unit 9 may be installed in an attic, a machine room, a garage, or the like. In this case, an air passage is installed to supply air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger 91 from the indoor unit 9 to the space to be air-conditioned. The air passage is, for example, a duct.

[0061] The indoor unit 9 mainly includes an indoor heat exchanger 91, an indoor expansion valve 93, and an indoor fan 92.

[0062] In the indoor heat exchanger 91, heat is exchanged between the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 91 and the air in the space to be air-conditioned. The indoor heat exchanger 91 is, for example, a fin-and-tube heat exchanger having a plurality of heat transfer tubes and fins (not shown). One end of the indoor heat exchanger 91 is connected to the indoor expansion valve 93 via a refrigerant piping. The other end of the indoor heat exchanger 91 is connected to the gas refrigerant connection pipe 5 via a refrigerant piping.

[0063] The indoor expansion valve 93 is disposed in the refrigerant circuit 6 between the indoor heat exchanger 91 and the liquid refrigerant communication pipe 4. The indoor expansion valve 93 has a mechanism for adjusting the pressure and flow rate of the refrigerant passing through the indoor expansion valve 93.

[0064] The indoor fan 92 is a mechanism that draws air from the space to be air-conditioned into a casing (not shown) of the indoor unit 9, supplies it to the indoor heat exchanger 91, and blows the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger 91 into the space to be air-conditioned. The indoor fan 92 is, for example, a turbofan.

[0065] (1-3) Control unit The control unit 3 is a functional unit that controls the operations of the various devices that make up the air conditioner 1.

[0066] The control unit 3 is configured, for example, by connecting an outdoor control unit (not shown) of the outdoor unit 2 and an indoor control unit (not shown) of the indoor unit 9 so that they can communicate with each other via a transmission line (not shown). The outdoor control unit and the indoor control unit are units that have, for example, a microcomputer or the like including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memories such as ROM and RAM in which various programs for controlling the air conditioning apparatus 1 that can be executed by the processor are stored. For convenience, the control unit 3 is drawn in FIG. 1 at a position separate from the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 9.

[0067] The control unit 3 is electrically connected to various devices in the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 9, including the compressor 8, four-way switching valve 10, outdoor expansion valve 12, outdoor fan 16, indoor fan 92, and indoor expansion valve 93. The control unit 3 is also electrically connected to various sensors provided in the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 9. The control unit 3 is also configured to be able to communicate with a remote control (not shown) operated by a user of the air conditioning apparatus 1.

[0068] The control unit 3 controls the operation and shutdown of the air conditioner 1 and the operation of the various devices that make up the air conditioner 1 based on measurement signals from various sensors and commands received from a remote control (not shown).

[0069] (2) Outdoor heat exchanger configuration The configuration of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0070] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the outdoor heat exchanger 11. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of a heat exchange section 27, described later, of the outdoor heat exchanger 11. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the attachment state of fins 29, described later, to flat tubes 28 in the heat exchange section 27. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the outdoor heat exchanger 11. The arrows in the heat exchange section 27 shown in FIG. 5 indicate the flow of refrigerant during cooling operation or defrosting operation (when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as a refrigerant radiator or condenser). FIG. 6 shows an external perspective view of the inlet / outlet header 40.

[0071] In the following description, expressions such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front (front face)," and "rear (rear face)" may be used to describe directions and positions. These expressions follow the directions of the arrows drawn in FIG. 2 unless otherwise specified. These expressions indicating directions and positions are used for the convenience of explanation, and do not specify the directions and positions of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 as a whole or each component of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 as the directions and positions of the expressions unless otherwise specified.

[0072] In the following description, the direction in which the flat tubes 28 are arranged, the longitudinal direction of the inlet / outlet header 40, the longitudinal direction of the gas header section 50, and the longitudinal direction of the liquid header section 60 are the up-down direction (an example of a "first direction"). In addition, the direction in which the connection portions of the flat tubes 28 with the inlet / outlet header 40 extend, the direction in which the tube sheet section 411 of the first common member 41, the second common member 42, the third common member 43, the fourth common member 44, the fifth common member 45, the sixth common member 46, the seventh common member 47, and the eighth common member 48 are stacked, and the plate thickness direction of the tube sheet section 411, the second common member 42, the third common member 43, the fourth common member 44, the fifth common member 45, the sixth common member 46, the seventh common member 47, and the eighth common member 48 are the left-right direction (an example of a "second direction"). The direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the left-right direction is described as the front-rear direction (an example of a "third direction").

[0073] The outdoor heat exchanger 11 is a device that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing inside and the air.

[0074] The outdoor heat exchanger 11 mainly has a plurality of flat tubes 28, a plurality of fins 29, a return header 30, and an inlet / outlet header 40. In this embodiment, the flat tubes 28, the fins 29, the return header 30, and the inlet / outlet header 40 are all made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0075] The flat tubes 28 and the fins 29 fixed to the flat tubes 28 form a heat exchange section 27. In the outdoor heat exchanger 11, air flows through an air passage formed by the flat tubes 28 and the fins 29 of the heat exchange section 27, whereby heat is exchanged between the refrigerant flowing through the flat tubes 28 and the air flowing through the air passage.

[0076] (2-1) Flat tube As shown in Fig. 3, the flat tubes 28 are flat heat transfer tubes having flat surfaces 28a on the top and bottom that serve as heat transfer surfaces. As shown in Fig. 3, the flat tubes 28 are formed with a plurality of refrigerant passages 28b through which the refrigerant flows. For example, the flat tubes 28 are flat multi-hole tubes formed with a large number of refrigerant passages 28b, each with a small cross-sectional area through which the refrigerant flows. In this embodiment, these multiple refrigerant passages 28b are arranged side by side in the air flow direction.

[0077] 5, in the outdoor heat exchanger 11, flat tubes 28 extending horizontally between the return header 30 side and the inlet / outlet header 40 side are arranged in multiple rows one above the other. Note that each flat tube 28 is arranged with its flat surface facing up or down.

[0078] In this embodiment, the flat tubes 28 extending between the return header 30 side and the inlet / outlet header 40 side are bent at one location, and the heat exchange section 27 formed by the flat tubes 28 is formed into a substantially L-shape in plan view. In this embodiment, the plurality of flat tubes 28 are arranged vertically at regular intervals.

[0079] When the outdoor fan 16 is driven, an air flow passes over the main surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 from the rear to the front, and an air flow passes over the left side portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 from the left to the right.

[0080] The outdoor heat exchanger 11 has a first flow path group X, a second flow path group Y, and a third flow path group Z, which are arranged in the vertical direction. In the outdoor heat exchanger 11, each of the flat tubes 28 arranged in the vertical direction belongs to one of the multiple flow path groups X, Y, and Z. The first flow path group X is the lowest flow path group, and includes multiple first flat tubes 28x. The second flow path group Y is a flow path group located above the first flow path group X and below the third flow path group Z, and includes multiple second flat tubes 28y. The third flow path group Z is the highest flow path group, and includes multiple third flat tubes 28z.

[0081] (2-2) Finn The multiple fins 29 are members for increasing the heat transfer area of ​​the outdoor heat exchanger 11. Each fin 29 is a plate-shaped member extending in the row direction in which the flat tubes 28 are arranged. The outdoor heat exchanger 11 is used in a mode in which multiple horizontally extending flat tubes 28 are arranged in a vertical direction. Therefore, when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 is installed in the outdoor unit 2, each fin 29 extends in the vertical direction.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 4 , each fin 29 has a plurality of notches 29a formed therein that extend along the insertion direction of the flat tubes 28 so that multiple flat tubes 28 can be inserted. The notches 29a extend in the extension direction of the fins 29 and in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the fins 29. When the outdoor heat exchanger 11 is installed in the outdoor unit 2, the notches 29a formed in each fin 29 extend horizontally. The notches 29a are formed in the fins 29 at intervals that correspond to the arrangement spacing of the flat tubes 28. In the outdoor heat exchanger 11, the multiple fins 29 are arranged side by side along the extension direction of the flat tubes 28. By inserting the flat tubes 28 into each of the multiple notches 29a of the multiple fins 29, the space between adjacent flat tubes 28 is divided into a plurality of ventilation passages through which air flows.

[0083] Each fin 29 has a communication portion 29b that communicates in the vertical direction, on the upstream side or downstream side in the air flow direction relative to the flat tubes 28. In this embodiment, the communication portion 29b of the fin 29 is located on the upwind side of the flat tubes 28.

[0084] (2-3) Entrance / exit header As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the inlet / outlet header 40 has a gas header section 50 located at the top and a liquid header section 60 located at the bottom. The gas header section 50 and the liquid header section 60 are separated by openings formed in the stacked members that do not allow communication between the gas side and the liquid side. The gas header section 50 has a gas space 50S therein, the longitudinal direction of which is vertical. The liquid header section 60 has a liquid space 60S therein, the longitudinal direction of which is vertical, as a space isolated from the gas space 50S.

[0085] A gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a that constitutes one end of the first gas refrigerant pipe 19 is connected to the liquid header section 60. In the present embodiment, the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a is connected to a portion of the liquid header section 60 that is on the opposite side in the left-right direction to the side to which the flat tubes 28 are connected.

[0086] A liquid refrigerant connection pipe 20a that constitutes one end of the liquid refrigerant pipe 20 is connected to the gas header section 50. In this embodiment, the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 20a is connected to a portion of the gas header section 50 that is opposite in the left-right direction to the side to which the flat tubes 28 are connected.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 5 , one end of each flat tube 28 is connected to the gas header section 50 and the liquid header section 60 of the inlet / outlet header 40, and the other end of each flat tube 28 is connected to the return header 30. The outdoor heat exchanger 11 is disposed in a casing (not shown) of the outdoor unit 2 so that the longitudinal direction of the return header 30 and the inlet / outlet headers 40 roughly coincides with the vertical direction. Here, the number of flat tubes 28 connected to the gas header section 50 is greater than the number of flat tubes 28 connected to the liquid header section 60. Furthermore, in the gas header section 50, the refrigerant is not diverted in the gas space 50S, but is diverted to all of the flat tubes 28 connected to the gas header section 50. In the liquid header section 60, the liquid space 60S has the function of diverting the refrigerant separately from the diverted flow to each flat tube 28. Therefore, in the liquid header section 60, the refrigerant diverted in the liquid space 60S is further diverted to flow to the flat tubes 28 connected to the liquid header section 60.

[0088] The inlet / outlet header 40 includes a first common member 41, a second common member 42, a third common member 43, a fourth common member 44, a fifth common member 45, a sixth common member 46, a seventh common member 47, and an eighth common member 48. The first common member 41, the second common member 42, the third common member 43, the fourth common member 44, the fifth common member 45, the sixth common member 46, the seventh common member 47, and the eighth common member 48 extend in the vertical direction across the gas header section 50 and the liquid header section 60. More specifically, the first common member 41, the second common member 42, the third common member 43, the fourth common member 44, the fifth common member 45, the sixth common member 46, the seventh common member 47, and the eighth common member 48 partially constitute part of the gas header section 50, and partially constitute part of the liquid header section 60, and are shared by both the gas header section 50 and the liquid header section 60.

[0089] The first common member 41 has a tube sheet 411, a plurality of flat tube connection openings 412, a first side plate 413, a second side plate 414, a first crimping claw 415, and a second crimping claw 416. The tube sheet 411 is a plate-like member that extends in the up-down and front-rear directions. The plurality of flat tube connection openings 412 are openings that penetrate the tube sheet 411 in the thickness direction and are arranged in a row in the up-down direction. Flat tubes 28 are connected to these flat tube connection openings 412. When viewed in the thickness direction of the tube sheet 411, the outline of the flat tube connection openings 412 matches the outline of the flat tubes 28. The first side plate 413 is a plate-like portion that extends rightward from the front end of the tube sheet 411. The second side plate portion 414 is a plate-shaped portion that extends rightward from the rear end of the tube plate portion 411 and faces the first side plate portion 413. A plurality of first crimping claws 415 are provided on the right end of the first side plate portion 413 so as to be aligned vertically. A plurality of second crimping claws 416 are provided on the right end of the second side plate portion 414 so as to be aligned vertically.

[0090] The second common member 42 has an insertion plate portion 421 and multiple insertion openings 422. The insertion plate portion 421 is a plate-shaped member that extends in the vertical and front-to-rear directions, and is stacked so as to be in contact with the tube plate portion 411. The multiple insertion openings 422 are openings that penetrate the insertion plate portion 421 in the plate thickness direction, and are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the insertion plate portion 421, the outline of the insertion openings 422 is located outside the outline of the flat tubes 28. The flat tubes 28 are inserted into these insertion openings 422.

[0091] The third common member 43 has a restricting plate portion 431 and a plurality of restricting openings 432. The restricting plate portion 431 is a plate-shaped member that extends in the up-down and front-rear directions and is stacked so as to be in contact with the insertion plate portion 421. The plurality of restricting openings 432 are openings that penetrate the restricting plate portion 431 in the plate thickness direction and are arranged in a row in the up-down direction. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the restricting plate portion 431, the outline of the restricting opening 432 has a portion that overlaps with the outline of the flat tube 28. Specifically, both longitudinal end portions of the cross section of the flat tube 28 overlap with both longitudinal end portions of the restricting opening 432. As a result, the restricting opening 432 determines the insertion position of the flat tube 28 by restricting the insertion of the flat tube 28.

[0092] The first common member 41, the second common member 42, the third common member 43, the fourth common member 44, the fifth common member 45, the sixth common member 46, the seventh common member 47, and the eighth common member 48 all have their longitudinal directions in the up-down direction and have the same length in the up-down direction. The front-to-rear length of the tube sheet portion 411 of the first common member 41, excluding the first side plate portion 413 and the second side plate portion 414, is the same as the front-to-rear length of the second common member 42, the third common member 43, the fourth common member 44, the fifth common member 45, the sixth common member 46, the seventh common member 47, and the eighth common member 48. Of the first side plate portion 413, the first gas side plate portion 413a belonging to the gas header portion 50 and the first liquid side plate portion 413b belonging to the liquid header portion 60 are the same length in the left-right direction, which is the direction in which the flat tubes 28 extend. Of the second side plate portion 414, the second gas side plate portion 414a belonging to the gas header portion 50 and the second liquid side plate portion 414b belonging to the liquid header portion 60 are the same length in the left-right direction, which is the direction in which the flat tubes 28 extend.

[0093] Additionally, the fourth common member 44, fifth common member 45, sixth common member 46, seventh common member 47, and eighth common member 48 of the inlet / outlet header 40 form a gas space 50S of the gas header section 50 and a liquid space 60S of the liquid header section 60. These will be described in detail later.

[0094] (2-4) Folded header To the turn-back header 30, ends of the flat tubes 28 different from the ends of the flat tubes 28 connected to the gas header section 50 and liquid header section 60 of the inlet / outlet header 40 are connected.

[0095] The folded header 30 is constructed by surrounding and crimping a stack of multiple plate-like members with crimping members 31 that are U-shaped in plan view and to which the flat tubes 28 are connected. The plate-like members stacked on the crimping members 31 include a member having the same shape as the second common member 42 of the inlet / outlet header 40 and a member having the same shape as the third common member 43. This makes it possible to standardize the members.

[0096] (3) Refrigerant flow during each operation and in the outdoor heat exchanger The control unit 3 receives detection information from various sensors or commands from a remote controller or the like, and switches between and executes cooling operation, heating operation, defrosting operation, and the like.

[0097] When the air conditioner 1 performs heating operation, the control unit 3 switches the connection state of the four-way switching valve 10 to the state shown by the dashed line in Figure 1 and operates the compressor 8. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 8 releases heat or condenses by exchanging heat with indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 91, is decompressed in the indoor expansion valve 93 or the outdoor expansion valve 12, and is then sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 11. The refrigerant sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 11 evaporates by exchanging heat with the outdoor air and is then sucked into the compressor 8 again.

[0098] Thus, when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as a refrigerant evaporator during heating operation, the refrigerant in a liquid state or a two-phase gas-liquid state that reaches the liquid header section 60 from the liquid refrigerant pipe 20 is divided into a refrigerant flowing through the first flow path group X and a refrigerant flowing through the second flow path group Y in the internal space of the liquid header section 60. The divided refrigerant then flows through the plurality of first flat tubes 28x belonging to the first flow path group X and the plurality of second flat tubes 28y belonging to the second flow path group Y, respectively. A portion of the refrigerant flowing through the plurality of first flat tubes 28x and the second flat tubes 28y evaporates by exchanging heat with the air and reaches a lower region of the internal space of the return header 30. The refrigerant sent to the lower region of the internal space of the return header 30 is sent to an upper region of the internal space of the return header 30. The refrigerant sent to the upper region of the return header 30 flows through the plurality of third flat tubes 28z belonging to the third flow path group Z, which is connected to the upper region of the return header 30. The refrigerant flowing through the multiple third flat tubes 28z evaporates again by exchanging heat with the air, and reaches the gas header unit 50. The refrigerant that has reached the gas header unit 50 merges and then flows through the first gas refrigerant pipes 19.

[0099] When the air conditioner 1 performs cooling operation, the control unit 3 switches the connection state of the four-way switching valve 10 to the state shown by the solid line in Figure 1 and operates the compressor 8. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 8 releases heat or condenses by exchanging heat with outside air in the outdoor heat exchanger 11, is decompressed in the outdoor expansion valve 12 or the indoor expansion valve 93, and is then sent to the indoor heat exchanger 91. The refrigerant sent to the indoor heat exchanger 91 evaporates by exchanging heat with the indoor air, and is then sucked into the compressor 8 again.

[0100] Furthermore, when the air conditioner 1 is performing heating operation and predetermined defrost start conditions are met, the control unit 3 switches the connection state of the four-way switching valve 10 to the state shown by the solid lines in Fig. 1 to operate the compressor 8 and perform defrosting operation in which high-temperature, high-pressure discharge refrigerant is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 11. This defrosting operation melts frost that has adhered to the outdoor heat exchanger 11. The predetermined defrost termination conditions are determined by the control unit 3 based on the detection value of a temperature sensor 99, which will be described later.

[0101] When the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as a refrigerant radiator or condenser during cooling operation or defrosting operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 8 flows through the first gas refrigerant pipe 19 and then flows into the gas header section 50. The gaseous refrigerant that reaches the gas header section 50 is divided in the internal space of the gas header section 50 and then flows through the plurality of third flat tubes 28z belonging to the third flow path group Z connected to the gas header section 50. The refrigerant flowing through the plurality of third flat tubes 28z exchanges heat with the air, causing a portion of the refrigerant to radiate heat or condense, and reaches an upper region of the internal space of the return header 30. The refrigerant sent to the upper region of the internal space of the return header 30 is sent to a lower region of the return header 30. The refrigerant sent to the lower region of the return header 30 is divided and flows through the plurality of first flat tubes 28x belonging to the first flow path group X and the plurality of second flat tubes 28y belonging to the second flow path group Y, both of which are connected to the lower region of the return header 30. The refrigerant flowing through the plurality of first flat tubes 28x and the second flat tubes 28y exchanges heat with the air again, thereby further releasing heat or condensing, and reaches the liquid header section 60. The refrigerant that has flowed through the plurality of first flat tubes 28x belonging to the first flow path group X and the refrigerant that has flowed through the plurality of second flat tubes 28y belonging to the second flow path group Y join together in the liquid header section 60 and then flow through the liquid refrigerant pipes 20.

[0102] (4) Gas header details Fig. 7 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of the gas header section 50. Fig. 8 shows a schematic horizontal cross-sectional configuration diagram of the gas header section 50. Note that Fig. 8 shows a horizontal cross-section taken horizontally at the center position in the thickness direction (vertical direction) of the flat tube 28 located at the lowest level among the multiple flat tubes 28 connected to the gas header section 50.

[0103] The gas header section 50 is configured to have gas-side portions of a first common member 41, a second common member 42, a third common member 43, a fourth common member 44, a fifth common member 45, a sixth common member 46, a seventh common member 47, and an eighth common member 48. Of these, the gas-side portions of the fourth common member 44, the fifth common member 45, the sixth common member 46, the seventh common member 47, and the eighth common member 48 form a gas space 50S of the gas header section 50.

[0104] The gas header section 50 is formed by joining the gas side portions of the first common member 41, the second common member 42, the third common member 43, the fourth common member 44, the fifth common member 45, the sixth common member 46, the seventh common member 47, and the eighth common member 48 together by brazing.

[0105] (4-1) Gas side part of the first common component The first common member 41 has, as its gas-side portion, a gas tube plate portion 411a that constitutes part of the gas header section 50 of the tube plate portion 411, a first gas side plate portion 413a that constitutes part of the gas header section 50 of the first side plate portion 413, a second gas side plate portion 414a that constitutes part of the gas header section 50 of the second side plate portion 414, a first gas crimping claw 415a that constitutes part of the gas header section 50 of the first crimping claw 415, and a second gas crimping claw 416a that constitutes part of the gas header section 50 of the second crimping claw 416. The gas-side portion of this first common member 41, together with the gas-side portion of the eighth common member 48, mainly constitutes the periphery of the outer shape of the gas header section 50.

[0106] The gas pipe plate portion 411a is stacked so as to face and contact the left surface of the gas insertion plate portion 421a of the second common member 42. The gas pipe plate portion 411a has a plurality of gas connection openings 412a that constitute part of the gas header portion 50 among the plurality of flat tube connection openings 412.

[0107] The gas connection openings 412a are arranged in a line in the vertical direction and are openings that penetrate the gas pipe plate portion 411a in the plate thickness direction. The contours of the gas connection openings 412a have a shape that follows the contours of the flat tubes 28. As a result, the flat tubes 28 are brazed to each other with the outer periphery of the flat tube 28 in contact with the inner periphery of the gas connection opening 412a when the leading end of the flat tube 28 in the insertion direction has passed through the gas connection opening 412a.

[0108] The plate thickness of the gas tube plate portion 411a is smaller than the plate thickness of the gas insertion plate portion 421a of the second common member 42. Therefore, the contour of the gas connection opening 412a has a shape that follows the contour of the flat tubes 28. Even if friction occurs between the circumferential surface of the flat tubes 28 and the inner periphery of the gas connection opening 412a when inserting the flat tubes 28, the degree of friction is kept small, making it easy to insert the flat tubes 28. On the other hand, the gas insertion plate portion 421a of the second common member 42 that is stacked on the gas tube plate portion 411a has a plate thickness greater than that of the gas tube plate portion 411a. This increases the pressure resistance of the gas header portion 50 at the insertion portion of the flat tubes 28.

[0109] The first gas side plate 413a is a plate-like portion extending rightward from the front edge of the gas tube plate 411a. The second gas side plate 414a is a plate-like portion extending rightward from the rear edge of the tube plate 411. The first gas side plate 413a and the second gas side plate 414a are arranged opposite each other in the front-rear direction, and sandwich the gas insertion plate 421a of the second common member 42, the gas regulating plate 431a of the third common member 43, the first gas plate 441a of the fourth common member 44, the second gas plate 451a of the fifth common member 45, the third gas plate 461a of the sixth common member 46, the fourth gas plate 471a of the seventh common member 47, and the fifth gas plate 481a of the eighth common member 48 therebetween in the front-rear direction.

[0110] The first gas crimping claws 415a are crimping claws provided at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction on the right end of the first gas side plate portion 413a. The second gas crimping claws 416a are crimping claws provided at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction on the right end of the second gas side plate portion 414a. Before crimping, the first gas crimping claw 415a extends to the right along an extension of the first gas side plate portion 413a, and the second gas crimping claw 416a extends to the right along an extension of the second gas side plate portion 414a. Then, with the gas tube plate 411a, gas insertion plate 421a, gas regulating plate 431a, first gas plate 441a, second gas plate 451a, third gas plate 461a, fourth gas plate 471a, and fifth gas plate 481a stacked, the first gas crimping claws 415a and second gas crimping claws 416a are interwoven so as to approach each other in the front-to-back direction, thereby crimping and integrating the gas insertion plate 421a, gas regulating plate 431a, first gas plate 441a, second gas plate 451a, third gas plate 461a, fourth gas plate 471a, and fifth gas plate 481a. In this state, brazing is performed in a furnace or the like, and the components are completely fixed by being joined by brazing.

[0111] (4-2) Gas side part of the second common component The second common member 42 has, as a gas side portion of the second common member 42, a gas insertion plate portion 421a that constitutes part of the gas header portion 50 of the insertion plate portion 421.

[0112] The gas insertion plate 421a is stacked so as to face and contact the right side of the gas tube plate 411a of the first common member 41, and to face and contact the left side of the gas regulating plate 431a of the third common member 43. The gas insertion plate 421a has a plurality of gas insertion openings 422a that constitute part of the gas header 50 among the plurality of insertion openings 422.

[0113] The multiple gas insertion openings 422a are arranged side by side in the vertical direction and are openings that penetrate the gas insertion plate portion 421a in the plate thickness direction. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the gas insertion plate portion 421a, the front and rear edges of the gas insertion openings 422a are located outside the front and rear edges of the gas connection opening 412a, which is the opening of the gas header portion 50 among the flat tube connection openings 412. Furthermore, when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the gas insertion plate portion 421a, the upper and lower edges of the multiple gas insertion openings 422a are located outside the upper and lower edges of the gas connection opening 412a. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the gas insertion plate portion 421a, the outline of the gas insertion openings 422a does not overlap with the outline of the flat tubes 28 and is located outside the outline of the flat tubes 28. As a result, the leading ends of the flat tubes 28 in the insertion direction are inserted so as to pass through the gas insertion openings 422a. Furthermore, even if excess brazing material is produced during brazing, a gap is secured between the flat tube 28 and the gas insertion opening 422a, allowing the excess brazing material to be guided, thereby preventing the flow path of the flat tube 28 from being blocked by excess brazing material.

[0114] (4-3) Gas side part of the third common component The third common member 43 has, as a gas side portion of the third common member 43, a gas regulating plate portion 431a that constitutes a part of the gas header portion 50 out of the regulating plate portion 431.

[0115] The gas regulation plate 431a is stacked so as to face and contact the right side of the gas insertion plate 421a of the second common member 42, and so as to face and contact the left side of the first gas plate 441a of the fourth common member 44. The gas regulation plate 431a has a plurality of gas regulation openings 432a that constitute part of the gas header 50, among the plurality of regulation openings 432.

[0116] The multiple gas regulation openings 432a are arranged side by side in the vertical direction and are openings that penetrate the gas regulation plate portion 431a in the plate thickness direction. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the gas regulation plate portion 431a, the front and rear edges of the gas regulation openings 432a are located more inward than the front and rear edges of the gas injection opening 422a. The front and rear widths of the multiple gas regulation openings 432a are narrower than the front and rear widths of the flat tubes 28. As a result, the leading ends of the flat tubes 28 in the insertion direction hit the edges of the gas regulation openings 432a, thereby determining the insertion position. The top and bottom edges of the multiple gas regulation openings 432a are located more outward than the front and rear edges of the flat tubes 28.

[0117] In addition, in the refrigerant flow direction when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as a refrigerant radiator or condenser, the refrigerant that flows into the gas space 50S formed by the gas regulating plate portion 431a, the first gas plate portion 441a, the second gas plate portion 451a, the third gas plate portion 461a, the fourth gas plate portion 471a, and the fifth gas plate portion 481a via the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a branches off and flows into multiple gas regulating openings 432a.

[0118] (4-4) Gas side part of the fourth common component The fourth common member 44 has, as a gas side portion of the fourth common member 44, a first gas plate portion 441a that constitutes a part of the gas header portion 50 of the first space forming portion 441.

[0119] The first gas plate portion 441a is stacked so as to face and contact the right side surface of the gas regulating plate portion 431a of the third common member 43, and so as to face and contact the left side surface of the second gas plate portion 451a of the fifth common member 45. The first gas plate portion 441a has a first gas opening portion 442.

[0120] The first gas opening 442 is an opening that penetrates the first gas plate portion 441a in the plate thickness direction and has a longitudinal direction that is the up-down direction. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the fourth common member 44, the first gas opening 442 overlaps with a connection location of multiple flat tubes 28 in the gas header portion 50, for example, overlaps with a connection location of three or more or five or more flat tubes 28. The front-rear width of the first gas opening 442 corresponds to the front-rear width of the gas restriction opening 432a of the third common member 43.

[0121] The first gas plate portion 441a includes a first front gas plate edge portion 443 extending in the vertical direction in front of the first gas opening 442, a first rear gas plate edge portion 444 extending in the vertical direction behind the first gas opening 442, and a first gas plate connection portion 445 extending to connect a portion of the first front gas plate edge portion 443 and a portion of the first rear gas plate edge portion 444. The longitudinal direction of the first gas plate connection portion 445 is the front-rear direction. A plurality of first gas plate connection portions 445 may be provided, for example, so as to connect different portions of the first front gas plate edge portion 443 and the first rear gas plate edge portion 444. The first gas plate connection portion 445 suppresses deformation of the first gas opening 442 and improves the strength of the first gas plate portion 441a, thereby enabling the pressure resistance of the gas space 50S to be increased. In addition, from the viewpoint of keeping the resistance to refrigerant passage low, it is preferable that the number of first gas plate communication sections 445 is less than the number of flat tubes 28 communicating with the first gas openings 442, and is less than half the number of flat tubes 28 communicating with the first gas openings 442.

[0122] One first gas opening 442 is provided in the first gas plate portion 441a, but the first gas opening 442 is divided into multiple openings above and below by the first gas plate connection portion 445. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the fourth common member 44, the first gas opening 442 has an overlapping portion of 80% or more with the second gas opening 452 of the fifth common member 45, an overlapping portion of 80% or more with the third gas opening 462 of the sixth common member 46, and an overlapping portion of 80% or more with the fourth gas opening 472 of the seventh common member 47.

[0123] In the fourth common member 44, the opening area of ​​the first gas opening 442 is at least twice the total opening area of ​​the liquid dividing opening 446 and the downward opening 447, which are openings on the liquid side.

[0124] (4-5) Gas side part of the fifth common component The fifth common member 45 has, as a gas side portion of the fifth common member 45, a second gas plate portion 451a that constitutes a part of the gas header portion 50 of the second space forming portion 451.

[0125] The second gas plate portion 451a is stacked so as to face and contact the right side surface of the first gas plate portion 441a of the fourth common member 44, and so as to face and contact the left side surface of the third gas plate portion 461a of the sixth common member 46. The second gas plate portion 451a has a second gas opening portion 452.

[0126] The second gas opening 452 is an opening that penetrates the second gas plate portion 451a in the plate thickness direction and has a longitudinal direction that is the up-down direction. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the fifth common member 45, the second gas opening 452 overlaps with connection points of multiple flat tubes 28 in the gas header portion 50, for example, overlaps with connection points of three or more or five or more flat tubes 28. The front-rear width of the second gas opening 452 is wider than the front-rear width of the first gas opening 442 of the fourth common member 44, and the front and rear edges of the second gas opening 452 are located outside the front and rear edges of the first gas opening 442.

[0127] The second gas plate portion 451a includes a second front gas plate edge portion 453 extending in the vertical direction in front of the second gas opening 452, a second rear gas plate edge portion 454 extending in the vertical direction behind the second gas opening 452, and a second gas plate connection portion 455 extending to connect a portion of the second front gas plate edge portion 453 and a portion of the second rear gas plate edge portion 454. The longitudinal direction of the second gas plate connection portion 455 is the front-rear direction. A plurality of second gas plate connection portions 455 may be provided, for example, so as to connect different portions of the second front gas plate edge portion 453 and the second rear gas plate edge portion 454. The second gas plate connection portion 455 suppresses deformation of the second gas opening 452 and improves the strength of the second gas plate portion 451a, thereby enabling the pressure resistance of the gas space 50S to be increased. In addition, from the viewpoint of keeping the resistance to refrigerant passage low, it is preferable that the number of second gas plate communication sections 455 is less than the number of flat tubes 28 communicating with the second gas openings 452, and is less than half the number of flat tubes 28 communicating with the second gas openings 452.

[0128] The second gas plate connection portion 455 is disposed so as to not overlap with the first gas plate connection portion 445, but is vertically shifted to create a gap, when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the fifth common member 45. This prevents imbalance in the refrigerant flow in the gas space 50S.

[0129] One second gas opening 452 is provided in the second gas plate portion 451a, but is separated into multiple openings above and below by the second gas plate connection portion 455. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the fifth common member 45, the second gas opening 452 has an overlapping portion of 80% or more with the first gas opening 442 of the fourth common member 44, an overlapping portion of 80% or more with the third gas opening 462 of the sixth common member 46, and an overlapping portion of 80% or more with the fourth gas opening 472 of the seventh common member 47.

[0130] In the fifth common member 45, the opening area of ​​the second gas opening 452 is at least twice the total opening area of ​​the lower circulation opening 456 and the upper circulation opening 457, which are openings on the liquid side.

[0131] (4-6) Gas side part of the sixth common component The sixth common member 46 has a third gas plate portion 461a that constitutes a part of the gas header portion 50 of the third space forming portion 461 as a gas side portion of the sixth common member 46.

[0132] The third gas plate portion 461a is stacked so as to face and contact the right side surface of the second gas plate portion 451a of the fifth common member 45, and so as to face and contact the left side surface of the fourth gas plate portion 471a of the seventh common member 47. The third gas plate portion 461a has a third gas opening portion 462.

[0133] The third gas opening 462 is an opening that penetrates the third gas plate portion 461a in the plate thickness direction and has a longitudinal direction that is the up-down direction. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the sixth common member 46, the third gas opening 462 overlaps with connection points of multiple flat tubes 28 in the gas header portion 50, for example, overlaps with connection points of three or more or five or more flat tubes 28. The front-rear width of the third gas opening 462 is wider than the front-rear width of the first gas opening 442 of the fourth common member 44 and similar to the front-rear width of the second gas opening 452 of the fifth common member 45, and the front and rear edges of the third gas opening 462 are located outside the front and rear edges of the first gas opening 442.

[0134] The third gas plate portion 461a includes a third front gas plate edge portion 463 extending in the vertical direction in front of the third gas opening 462, a third rear gas plate edge portion 464 extending in the vertical direction behind the third gas opening 462, and a third gas plate connection portion 465 extending to connect a portion of the third front gas plate edge portion 463 and a portion of the third rear gas plate edge portion 464. The longitudinal direction of the third gas plate connection portion 465 is the front-rear direction. A plurality of third gas plate connection portions 465 may be provided, for example, so as to connect different portions of the third front gas plate edge portion 463 and the third rear gas plate edge portion 464. The third gas plate connection portion 465 suppresses deformation of the third gas opening 462 and improves the strength of the third gas plate portion 461a, thereby enabling the pressure resistance of the gas space 50S to be increased. In addition, from the viewpoint of keeping the resistance to refrigerant passage low, it is preferable that the number of third gas plate communication sections 465 is less than the number of flat tubes 28 communicating with the third gas opening 462, and is less than half the number of flat tubes 28 communicating with the third gas opening 462.

[0135] When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the sixth common member 46, the third gas plate connection portion 465 does not overlap with the second gas plate connection portion 455, but is arranged so as to be vertically shifted to create a gap, thereby suppressing unevenness in the refrigerant flow in the gas space 50S.

[0136] One third gas opening 462 is provided in the third gas plate portion 461a, but is separated into multiple openings above and below by third gas plate connection portions 465. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the sixth common member 46, the third gas opening 462 has an overlapping portion of 80% or more with the first gas opening 442 of the fourth common member 44, an overlapping portion of 80% or more with the second gas opening 452 of the fifth common member 45, and an overlapping portion of 80% or more with the fourth gas opening 472 of the seventh common member 47.

[0137] In the sixth common member 46, the opening area of ​​the third gas opening 462 is at least twice the total opening area of ​​the third lower opening 466 and the third upper opening 467, which are openings on the liquid side.

[0138] (4-7) Gas side part of the seventh common component The seventh common member 47 has, as a gas side portion of the seventh common member 47, a fourth gas plate portion 471a that constitutes a part of the gas header portion 50 of the fourth space forming portion 471.

[0139] The fourth gas plate portion 471a is stacked so as to face and contact the right side surface of the third gas plate portion 461a of the sixth common member 46, and so as to face and contact the left side surface of the fifth gas plate portion 481a of the eighth common member 48. The fourth gas plate portion 471a has a fourth gas opening portion 472.

[0140] The fourth gas opening 472 is an opening that penetrates the fourth gas plate portion 471a in the plate thickness direction and has a longitudinal direction that is the up-down direction. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the seventh common member 47, the fourth gas opening 472 overlaps with connection points of multiple flat tubes 28 in the gas header portion 50, for example, overlaps with connection points of three or more or five or more flat tubes 28. The front-rear width of the fourth gas opening 472 is narrower than the front-rear width of the third gas opening 462 of the sixth common member 46, and the front and rear edges of the fourth gas opening 472 are located inside the front and rear edges of the third gas opening 462.

[0141] The fourth gas plate portion 471a includes a fourth front gas plate edge portion 473 extending in the vertical direction in front of the fourth gas opening 472, a fourth rear gas plate edge portion 474 extending in the vertical direction behind the fourth gas opening 472, and a fourth gas plate connection portion 475 extending to connect a portion of the fourth front gas plate edge portion 473 and a portion of the fourth rear gas plate edge portion 474. The longitudinal direction of the fourth gas plate connection portion 475 is the front-rear direction. A plurality of fourth gas plate connection portions 475 may be provided, for example, so as to connect different portions of the fourth front gas plate edge portion 473 and the fourth rear gas plate edge portion 474. The fourth gas plate connection portion 475 suppresses deformation of the fourth gas opening 472 and improves the strength of the fourth gas plate portion 471a, thereby increasing the pressure resistance of the gas space 50S. In addition, from the viewpoint of keeping the resistance to refrigerant passage low, it is preferable that the number of fourth gas plate communication sections 475 is less than the number of flat tubes 28 communicating with the fourth gas opening 472, and is less than half the number of flat tubes 28 communicating with the fourth gas opening 472.

[0142] The fourth gas plate connection portion 475 is disposed so as to not overlap with the third gas plate connection portion 465 when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the seventh common member 47, but is vertically shifted to create a gap therebetween, thereby preventing imbalance in the refrigerant flow in the gas space 50S.

[0143] One fourth gas opening 472 is provided in the fourth gas plate portion 471a, but is separated into multiple openings above and below by fourth gas plate connection portions 475. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the seventh common member 47, the fourth gas opening 472 has an overlapping portion of 80% or more with the first gas opening 442 of the fourth common member 44, an overlapping portion of 80% or more with the second gas opening 452 of the fifth common member 45, and an overlapping portion of 80% or more with the third gas opening 462 of the sixth common member 46.

[0144] In addition, in the seventh common member 47, the opening area of ​​the fourth gas opening 472 is more than twice the total opening area of ​​the branch opening 476, the first communication opening 477, and the second communication opening 478, which are openings on the liquid side.

[0145] (4-8) Gas side part of the 8th common component The eighth common member 48 has a fifth gas plate portion 481a that constitutes a part of the gas header portion 50 of the fifth space forming portion 481 as a gas side portion of the eighth common member 48.

[0146] The fifth gas plate portion 481a is stacked so as to face and be in contact with the right surface of the fourth gas plate portion 471a of the seventh common member 47. The fifth gas plate portion 481a has a gas pipe connection opening 482 which is an opening penetrating through the fifth gas plate portion 481a in the plate thickness direction and to which the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a is connected.

[0147] The fifth gas plate portion 481a has a surface that extends to overlap with the first gas opening 442, the second gas opening 452, the third gas opening 462, and the fourth gas opening 472 when viewed in the thickness direction of the eighth common member 48, and is a plate-shaped member that forms the outer wall portion of the gas header portion 50 so as to block the gas space 50S from the right side.

[0148] The front portion of the fifth gas plate portion 481a is crimped by the first gas crimping claws 415a of the first common member 41. The rear portion of the fifth gas plate portion 481a is crimped by the second gas crimping claws 416a. Here, the fourth front gas plate edge portion 473 and the fourth rear gas plate edge portion 474 of the fourth gas plate portion 471a, which are stacked so as to be in contact with the fifth gas plate portion 481a, have a width in the front-to-rear direction that is greater than the third front gas plate edge portion 463 and the third rear gas plate edge portion 464 and the second front gas plate edge portion 453 and the second rear gas plate edge portion 454. Therefore, even if the front portion of the fifth gas plate portion 481a is strongly pushed to the left when being crimped by the first gas crimping claw 415a, the fourth front gas plate edge portion 473 supports the front portion of the fifth gas plate portion 481a from the right side, thereby suppressing deformation of the front portion of the fifth gas plate portion 481a and enabling sufficient crimping. Also, even if the rear portion of the fifth gas plate portion 481a is strongly pushed to the left when being crimped by the second gas crimping claw 416a, the fourth rear gas plate edge portion 474 supports the rear portion of the fifth gas plate portion 481a from the right side, thereby suppressing deformation of the rear portion of the fifth gas plate portion 481a and enabling sufficient crimping.

[0149] (5) Details of the liquid header Figure 9 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of the liquid header section 60. Figure 10 shows a schematic horizontal cross-sectional configuration diagram of the liquid header section 60. Note that Figure 10 shows a horizontal cross-section taken horizontally at the center position in the thickness direction (vertical direction) of the flat tube 28 located at the lowest level among the multiple flat tubes 28 connected to the liquid header section 60. Also, a first connecting pipe 71 and a second connecting pipe 72, which will be described later, etc. are omitted from Figure 10.

[0150] The liquid header section 60 is configured to have liquid side portions of the first common member 41, the second common member 42, the third common member 43, the fourth common member 44, the fifth common member 45, the sixth common member 46, the seventh common member 47, and the eighth common member 48. Of these, the gas side portions of the fourth common member 44, the fifth common member 45, the sixth common member 46, the seventh common member 47, and the eighth common member 48 form a liquid space 60S of the liquid header section 60.

[0151] The liquid header section 60 is formed by joining the liquid side portions of the first common member 41, the second common member 42, the third common member 43, the fourth common member 44, the fifth common member 45, the sixth common member 46, the seventh common member 47, and the eighth common member 48 together by brazing.

[0152] Furthermore, the liquid header section 60 is connected to the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 20a.

[0153] In the liquid header section 60, in the refrigerant flow when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as a refrigerant evaporator, the refrigerant that flows in via the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 20a passes through the merging flow path C and is then divided into a first refrigerant flow path A and a second refrigerant flow path B. The first refrigerant flow path A is a flow path from the connection with the merging flow path C to the first flat tube 28x included in the first flow path group X, and has first flow path portions A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, and A6. The second refrigerant flow path B is a flow path from the connection with the merging flow path C to the second flat tube 28y included in the second flow path group Y, and has second flow path portions B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, and B7. In the refrigerant flow when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as a refrigerant evaporator, the refrigerant flows in the first refrigerant flow path A through the first flow path portions A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, and A6 in this order, and in the second refrigerant flow path B through the second flow path portions B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, and B7 in this order. Thereafter, in the liquid header section 60, the refrigerant that has flowed through the first refrigerant flow path A is diverted to the plurality of first flat tubes 28x included in the first flow path group X among the plurality of flat tubes 28. The refrigerant that has flowed through the second refrigerant flow path B in the liquid header section 60 is diverted to the plurality of second flat tubes 28y included in the second flow path group Y among the plurality of flat tubes 28.

[0154] (5-1) The fifth liquid plate portion of the fifth space forming portion, the first connecting pipe, and the second connecting pipe The fifth liquid plate portion 481b of the fifth space forming portion 481 is a plate-shaped member that forms the outer wall portion of the right side of the liquid header portion 60 so as to block the liquid space 60S from the right side, and is connected to the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 20a.

[0155] The fifth liquid plate portion 481b is a plate-like member that extends in the vertical and horizontal directions and has a thickness that corresponds to the left-right direction, which is the extension direction of the flat tubes 28. The fifth liquid plate portion 481b has a liquid pipe connection opening 483, and first, second, third, and fourth outer wall openings 484, 485, 486, and 487.

[0156] The liquid pipe connection opening 483 is an opening that penetrates the fifth liquid plate portion 481b in the thickness direction near the lower end thereof, and is connected to the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 20a. The first outer wall opening 484, the second outer wall opening 485, the third outer wall opening 486, and the fourth outer wall opening 487 are each opening that penetrates the fifth liquid plate portion 481b in the thickness direction.

[0157] The first communication pipe 71 connects the first outer wall opening 484 and the second outer wall opening 485 to the right of the fifth liquid plate portion 481b. The first communication pipe 71 is provided with a temperature sensor 99 that detects the temperature of the refrigerant flowing therethrough.

[0158] The second connection pipe 72 connects the third outer wall opening 486 and the fourth outer wall opening 487 on the right side of the fifth liquid plate portion 481b.

[0159] The flow path length of the first communication pipe 71 and the flow path length of the second communication pipe 72 are the same, and the pressure loss of the refrigerant passing through the first communication pipe 71 and the pressure loss of the refrigerant passing through the second communication pipe 72 can be made approximately equal. This makes it easy to adjust the flow division state of the refrigerant flowing through the first communication pipe 71 and the second communication pipe 72, for example, by adjusting the amount of refrigerant flowing through the first communication pipe 71 and the second communication pipe 72. As described above, in the liquid header section 60 of this embodiment, it is possible to evenly distribute the refrigerant to the first flat tubes 28x included in the first flow path group X and the second flat tubes 28y included in the second flow path group Y.

[0160] The first connecting pipe 71, the first outer wall opening 484, and the second outer wall opening 485 constitute a first flow path portion A2 included in the first refrigerant flow path A. The second connecting pipe 72, the third outer wall opening 486, and the fourth outer wall opening 487 constitute a second flow path portion B2 included in the second refrigerant flow path B.

[0161] (5-2) Fourth liquid plate portion of the fourth space forming portion The fourth liquid plate portion 471b of the fourth space forming portion 471 is provided between the fifth liquid plate portion 481b and the third liquid plate portion 461b in the plate thickness direction.

[0162] The fourth liquid plate portion 471b is a plate-shaped member that extends in the vertical and horizontal directions and has a thickness in the horizontal direction. The fourth liquid plate portion 471b has a branch opening 476, a first communication opening 477, and a second communication opening 478. The branch opening 476, the first communication opening 477, and the second communication opening 478 are all openings that penetrate the fourth liquid plate portion 471b in the thickness direction.

[0163] When viewed from the stacking direction of the fifth liquid plate portion 481b and the fourth liquid plate portion 471b, which is the plate thickness direction of the fourth liquid plate portion 471b, the branch opening 476 is a single opening that connects the portion where the liquid piping connection opening 483 of the fifth liquid plate portion 481b and the branch opening 476 overlap, the portion where the second outer wall opening 485 of the fifth liquid plate portion 481b and the branch opening 476 overlap, and the portion where the third outer wall opening 486 of the fifth liquid plate portion 481b and the branch opening 476 overlap. The branch opening 476 extends upward from a portion overlapping with the liquid pipe connection opening 483 of the fifth liquid plate portion 481b and then branches into a flow path extending toward a portion where the second outer wall opening 485 of the fifth liquid plate portion 481b and the branch opening 476 overlap, and a flow path extending toward a portion where the third outer wall opening 486 of the fifth liquid plate portion 481b and the branch opening 476 overlap. Here, the portion of the branch opening 476 from the portion where the liquid pipe connection opening 483 of the fifth liquid plate portion 481b and the branch opening 476 overlap to the portion functioning as the nozzle constitutes the confluence flow path C. Furthermore, the portion of the branch opening 476 extending from the portion functioning as the nozzle toward the portion where the second outer wall opening 485 of the fifth liquid plate portion 481b and the branch opening 476 overlap constitutes a first flow path portion A1 included in the first refrigerant flow path A. Furthermore, the portion of the branch opening 476 that extends from the portion that functions as a nozzle toward the portion where the third outer wall opening 486 of the fourth liquid plate portion 471b and the branch opening 476 overlap constitutes a second flow path portion B1 included in the second refrigerant flow path B.

[0164] The first communication opening 477 is an opening that extends from the portion where the first outer wall opening 484 of the fifth liquid plate portion 481b and the first communication opening 477 overlap toward the portion where the third lower opening 466 of the third liquid plate portion 461b and the first communication opening 477 overlap when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the fourth liquid plate portion 471b. The first communication opening 477 constitutes a first flow path portion A3 included in the first refrigerant flow path A.

[0165] The second communication opening 478 is an opening that extends, when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the fourth liquid plate portion 471b, from a portion where the fourth outer wall opening 487 of the fifth liquid plate portion 481b and the second communication opening 478 overlap toward a portion where the third upper opening 467 of the third liquid plate portion 461b and the second communication opening 478 overlap. The second communication opening 478 constitutes a second flow path portion B3 included in the second refrigerant flow path B.

[0166] (5-3) Third liquid plate portion of the third space forming portion The third liquid plate portion 461b of the third space forming portion 461 is provided between the fourth liquid plate portion 471b and the second liquid plate portion 451b in the plate thickness direction.

[0167] The third liquid plate portion 461b is a plate-shaped member that extends in the vertical and horizontal directions and has a thickness in the horizontal direction. The third liquid plate portion 461b has a third lower opening 466 and a third upper opening 467. The third lower opening 466 and the third upper opening 467 are both openings that penetrate the third liquid plate portion 461b in the thickness direction.

[0168] The third lower opening 466 is an opening that overlaps with the introduction area of ​​the lower circulation opening 456 of the second liquid plate portion 451b when viewed from the stacking direction of the third liquid plate portion 461b and the second liquid plate portion 451b, which is the plate thickness direction of the third liquid plate portion 461b.

[0169] The third upper opening 467 is an opening where the introduction area of ​​the upper circulation opening 457 of the third liquid plate portion 461b overlaps with the third lower opening 466 when viewed from the stacking direction of the third liquid plate portion 461b and the second liquid plate portion 451b, which is the plate thickness direction of the third liquid plate portion 461b.

[0170] (5-4) Second liquid plate portion of second space forming portion The second liquid plate portion 451b of the second space forming portion 451 is located between the third liquid plate portion 461b and the first liquid plate portion 441b in the plate thickness direction.

[0171] The second liquid plate portion 451b is a plate-shaped member that extends in the vertical and horizontal directions and has a thickness in the left-right direction. The second liquid plate portion 451b has a lower circulation opening 456 and an upper circulation opening 457. The lower circulation opening 456 and the upper circulation opening 457 are both openings that penetrate the second liquid plate portion 451b in the thickness direction.

[0172] The plate thickness of the second liquid plate portion 451b is thinner than the plate thickness of the liquid insertion plate portion 421b, which is the plate thickness of the second common member 42. Therefore, when the lower circulation opening 456 and the upper circulation opening 457 are formed in the second liquid plate portion 451b by punching, it is possible to prevent the punch member from breaking.

[0173] 11, the lower circulation opening 456 has an introduction area 81b, a narrow area 82b, and a circulation area 83b. In the refrigerant flow when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as a refrigerant evaporator, the refrigerant that flows into the introduction area 81b from the third lower opening 466 of the third liquid plate section 461b increases its flow velocity as it passes through the narrow area 82b, which is a nozzle, and is then sent out to the circulation area 83b.

[0174] The introduction area 81b is provided at the rear lower end of the lower circulation opening 456. As shown in Fig. 11, when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the second liquid plate portion 451b, the introduction area 81b is provided at a position overlapping with the third lower opening 466 of the third liquid plate portion 461b.

[0175] The narrow region 82b is located between the inlet region 81b and the rising region 831b of the circulation region 83b. The front-to-rear width of the narrow region 82b is narrower than the front-to-rear width of the inlet region 81b, narrower than the front-to-rear width of the circulation region 83b, and narrower than the front-to-rear width of the rising region 831b. This increases the flow rate of the refrigerant passing through the narrow region 82b. When the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as a refrigerant evaporator, the refrigerant sent from the narrow region 82b to the rising region 831b easily reaches the vicinity of the upper end of the rising region 831b. As described above, the thickness of the second liquid plate portion 451b is thinner than the thickness of the liquid insertion plate portion 421b, which is the thickness of the second common member 42. This reduces the width of the narrow region 82b in the left-to-right direction, which is the direction in which the flat tubes 28 extend, further increasing the flow rate of the refrigerant passing through the narrow region 82b.

[0176] The circulation region 83b is located above the narrow region 82b and includes an ascending region 831b, a forward region 832b, a descending region 833b, and a return region 834b. When viewed in the thickness direction of the second liquid plate section 451b, the ascending region 831b overlaps with and is connected to the plurality of liquid diversion openings 446 provided in the first liquid plate section 441b. The ascending region 831b and the descending region 833b are separated in the front-rear direction by a partition section 45p, the longitudinal direction of which is vertical, of the second liquid plate section 451b. The forward region 832b, located above the partition section 45p, connects the vicinity of the upper end of the ascending region 831b with the vicinity of the upper end of the descending region 833b. The return region 834b connects the vicinity of the lower end of the rising region 831b to the vicinity of the lower end of the falling region 833b below the partition portion 45p. The partition portion 45p is supported by being connected by a connecting portion 45q of the second liquid plate portion 451b. The connecting portion 45q extends from the front end of the falling region 833b toward a part of the partition portion 45p. Note that a descending-side opening 447 is provided in the first liquid plate portion 441b, on which the second liquid plate portion 451b is stacked, so that the refrigerant descending in the falling region 833b can avoid the connecting portion 45q and reach the lower end of the falling region 833b. With the above configuration, when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as a refrigerant evaporator, the refrigerant sent to the introduction region 81b increases its flow velocity in the narrow region 82b and is sent to the circulation region 83b. In the rising region 831b of the circulation region 83b, the refrigerant flows upward and can be diverted to the plurality of liquid diversion openings 446 corresponding to the first flow path portion A5 among the plurality of liquid diversion openings 446 formed in the first liquid plate portion 441b. Here, even if the refrigerant ascending in the rising region 831b reaches the vicinity of the upper end of the rising region 831b without flowing toward the plurality of liquid diversion openings 446, the refrigerant can be returned to the rising region 831b again via the forward region 832b, the descending region 833b, and the return region 843b, and can be merged with the refrigerant with a high flow rate that passed through the narrowed region 82b.

[0177] The upper circulation opening 457 has a shape similar to that of the lower circulation opening 456 and includes an inlet region 81c, a narrow region 82c, and a circulation region 83c. In the refrigerant flow when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as a refrigerant evaporator, the refrigerant that flows into the inlet region 81c from the third upper opening 467 of the third liquid plate section 461b increases its flow velocity as it passes through the narrow region 82c, which is a nozzle, and is then sent to the circulation region 83c. In the rising region of the upper circulation opening 457, the refrigerant also flows upward and is diverted to one of the liquid diversion openings 446 formed in the first liquid plate section 441b that corresponds to the second flow path portion B5.

[0178] (5-5) First liquid plate portion of the first space forming portion The first liquid plate portion 441b of the first space forming portion 441 is located between the second liquid plate portion 451b and the liquid regulating plate portion 431b of the third common member 43 in the plate thickness direction.

[0179] The first liquid plate portion 441b is a plate-shaped member that extends in the vertical and horizontal directions and has a thickness in the left-right direction. The first liquid plate portion 441b has multiple liquid diversion openings 446 and a downward-side opening 447. All of the multiple liquid diversion openings 446 are openings that penetrate the first liquid plate portion 441b in the thickness direction.

[0180] The multiple liquid dividing openings 446 are arranged in a vertical line at a position biased toward the rear of the first liquid plate section 441b. Here, the rear of the first liquid plate section 441b corresponds to the upwind side of the air flow F when the outdoor fan 16 is driven. This allows a large amount of refrigerant to be guided to the upwind side of the multiple flat tubes 28, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency.

[0181] The liquid diversion openings 446 corresponding to the first flow path portion A5 overlap and communicate with the rising region 831b of the lower circulation opening 456 corresponding to the first flow path portion A4 in the thickness direction of the first liquid plate portion 441b. The liquid diversion openings 446 corresponding to the second flow path portion B5 overlap and communicate with the rising region 831c of the upper circulation opening 457 corresponding to the second flow path portion B4 in the thickness direction of the first liquid plate portion 441b.

[0182] (5-6) Liquid side part of the third common component The third common member 43 has a liquid regulating plate portion 431b that constitutes a part of the liquid header portion 60 of the regulating plate portion 431 as a liquid side portion of the third common member 43.

[0183] The liquid regulating plate 431b is stacked so as to face and contact the left side surface of the first liquid plate 441b and face and contact the right side surface of the liquid insertion plate 421b of the second common member 42. The liquid regulating plate 431b has a plurality of liquid regulating openings 432b that constitute part of the liquid header section 60 out of the plurality of regulating openings 432.

[0184] The multiple liquid restriction openings 432b are arranged side by side in the vertical direction and are openings that penetrate the liquid restriction plate 431b in the plate thickness direction. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the liquid restriction plate 431b, the front and rear edges of the liquid restriction openings 432b are located more inward than the front and rear edges of the liquid insertion opening 422b. The front and rear widths of the multiple liquid restriction openings 432b are narrower than the front and rear widths of the flat tubes 28. As a result, the leading ends of the flat tubes 28 in the insertion direction hit the edges of the liquid restriction openings 432b, thereby determining the insertion position. The top and bottom edges of the multiple liquid restriction openings 432b are located more outward than the front and rear edges of the flat tubes 28.

[0185] The liquid regulating openings 432b corresponding to the first flow path portion A6 overlap and communicate with the liquid dividing openings 446 corresponding to the first flow path portion A5 in the thickness direction of the liquid regulating plate 431b. The liquid regulating openings 432b corresponding to the second flow path portion B6 overlap and communicate with the liquid dividing openings 446 corresponding to the second flow path portion B5 in the thickness direction of the liquid regulating plate 431b.

[0186] (5-7) Liquid side part of the second common member The second common member 42 has a liquid insertion plate portion 421b that constitutes part of the liquid header portion 60 of the insertion plate portion 421 as the liquid side portion of the second common member 42.

[0187] The liquid insertion plate 421b is stacked so as to face and contact the right surface of the liquid tube plate 411b of the first common member 41, and face and contact the left surface of the liquid regulating plate 431b. The liquid insertion plate 421b has a plurality of liquid insertion openings 422b, which are among the plurality of insertion openings 422 and form part of the liquid header section 60.

[0188] The multiple liquid insertion openings 422b are arranged side by side in the vertical direction and are openings that penetrate the liquid insertion plate section 421b in the plate thickness direction. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the liquid insertion plate section 421b, the front and rear edges of the liquid insertion openings 422b are located outside the front and rear edges of the liquid connection opening 412b, which is the opening of the liquid header section 60 among the flat tube connection openings 412. Furthermore, when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the liquid insertion plate section 421b, the top and bottom edges of the multiple liquid insertion openings 422b are located outside the top and bottom edges of the liquid connection opening 412b. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the liquid insertion plate section 421b, the outline of the liquid insertion openings 422b does not overlap with the outline of the flat tubes 28 and is located outside the outline of the flat tubes 28. As a result, the leading end of the flat tube 28 in the insertion direction is inserted so that it passes through the liquid insertion opening 422b. Furthermore, even if excess brazing material is produced during brazing, a gap is secured between the flat tube 28 and the liquid insertion opening 422b, allowing the excess brazing material to be guided, thereby preventing the flow path of the flat tube 28 from being blocked by the excess brazing material.

[0189] The liquid insertion openings 422b corresponding to the first flow path portion A7 overlap and communicate with the liquid restriction openings 432b corresponding to the first flow path portion A6 in the thickness direction of the liquid insertion plate portion 421b. The liquid insertion openings 422b corresponding to the second flow path portion B7 overlap and communicate with the liquid restriction openings 432b corresponding to the second flow path portion B6 in the thickness direction of the liquid insertion plate portion 421b.

[0190] (5-8) Liquid side portion of the first common member The first common member 41 has, as its liquid side portion, a liquid tube plate portion 411b that constitutes part of the liquid header section 60 of the tube plate portion 411, a first liquid side plate portion 413b that constitutes part of the liquid header section 60 of the first side plate portion 413, a second liquid side plate portion 414b that constitutes part of the liquid header section 60 of the second side plate portion 414, a first liquid crimping claw 415b that constitutes part of the liquid header section 60 of the first crimping claw 415, and a second liquid crimping claw 416b that constitutes part of the liquid header section 60 of the second crimping claw 416. This liquid side portion of the first common member 41 mainly constitutes the periphery of the outer shape of the liquid header section 60 together with the fifth liquid plate portion 481b.

[0191] The liquid tube plate 411b is stacked so as to face and contact the left side of the liquid insertion plate 421b. The liquid tube plate 411b has a plurality of liquid connection openings 412b among the plurality of flat tube connection openings 412, which constitute part of the liquid header 60.

[0192] The liquid connection openings 412b are arranged in a line in the vertical direction and are openings that penetrate the liquid tube plate portion 411b in the plate thickness direction. The outline of the liquid connection openings 412b has a shape that follows the outline of the flat tubes 28. As a result, the flat tubes 28 are brazed to each other with the outer periphery of the flat tube 28 in contact with the inner periphery of the liquid connection opening 412b when the leading end of the flat tube 28 in the insertion direction has passed through the liquid connection opening 412b.

[0193] The thickness of the liquid tube plate section 411b is smaller than the thickness of the liquid insertion plate section 421b. Therefore, the contours of the liquid connection openings 412b have a shape that follows the contours of the flat tubes 28. Even if friction occurs between the circumferential surfaces of the flat tubes 28 and the inner peripheries of the liquid connection openings 412b when inserting the flat tubes 28, the degree of friction is kept small, making it easy to insert the flat tubes 28. On the other hand, the liquid insertion plate section 421b that is layered on the liquid tube plate section 411b has a thickness greater than that of the liquid tube plate section 411b. This increases the pressure resistance of the liquid header section 60 at the insertion portion of the flat tubes 28.

[0194] The first liquid side plate 413b is a plate-like portion extending rightward from the front edge of the liquid tube plate 411b. The second liquid side plate 414b is a plate-like portion extending rightward from the rear edge of the tube plate 411. The first liquid side plate 413b and the second liquid side plate 414b are arranged opposite each other in the front-rear direction, thereby sandwiching the liquid insertion plate 421b, the liquid regulating plate 431b, the first liquid plate 441b, the second liquid plate 451b, the third liquid plate 461b, the fourth liquid plate 471b, and the fifth liquid plate 481b in between in the front-rear direction.

[0195] The first liquid crimping claws 415b are crimping claws provided at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction on the right end of the first liquid side plate portion 413b. The second liquid crimping claws 416b are crimping claws provided at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction on the right end of the second liquid side plate portion 414b. Before crimping, the first liquid crimping claws 415b extend to the right along the extension of the first liquid side plate portion 413b, and the second liquid crimping claws 416b extend to the right along the extension of the second liquid side plate portion 414b. Then, with the liquid tube plate 411b, liquid insertion plate 421b, liquid regulating plate 431b, first liquid plate 441b, second liquid plate 451b, third liquid plate 461b, fourth liquid plate 471b, and fifth liquid plate 481b stacked together, the first liquid crimping claws 415b and second liquid crimping claws 416b are woven together so as to approach each other in the front-to-back direction, thereby crimping and integrating the liquid insertion plate 421b, liquid regulating plate 431b, first liquid plate 441b, second liquid plate 451b, third liquid plate 461b, fourth liquid plate 471b, and fifth liquid plate 481b. In this state, brazing is performed in a furnace or the like, and the components are joined and completely fixed by brazing.

[0196] (6) Features of the embodiment The inlet / outlet header 40 of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 of the air conditioner 1 has a gas header section 50 located above the inlet / outlet header 40 and a liquid header section 60 located below the inlet / outlet header 40, which are arranged side by side one above the other. In this inlet / outlet header 40, a first common member 41 is used to crimp and integrate the multiple members that make up the gas header section 50 and the multiple members that make up the liquid header section 60. This increases the strength of the inlet / outlet header 40, which has the gas header section 50 and the liquid header section 60.

[0197] Here, the gas header section 50 has a structure that divides the refrigerant that flows through one gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a and enters the gas space 50S into multiple flat tubes 28 connected to the gas header section 50. The liquid header section 60 has a structure that divides the refrigerant that flows through one liquid refrigerant connection pipe 20a and enters the liquid space 60S into a first refrigerant flow path A and a second refrigerant flow path B before being divided into the multiple flat tubes 28 connected to the liquid header section 60. By dividing the refrigerant into multiple stages, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-layer state from separating into a liquid refrigerant and a gas refrigerant. In this way, the fourth common member 44, which is provided to realize different functions in the gas space 50S of the gas header section 50 and the liquid space 60S of the liquid header section 60, is a single member including a first gas plate portion 441a that forms part of the gas space 50S and a first liquid plate portion 441b that forms part of the liquid space 60S, making it possible to reduce the number of parts compared to a case where the gas side and liquid side are separated into two members. Similarly, the number of parts can be reduced in the fifth common member 45, which is a single member including the second gas plate portion 451a and the second liquid plate portion 451b, the sixth common member 46, which is a single member including the third gas plate portion 461a and the third liquid plate portion 461b, and the seventh common member 47, which is a single member including the fourth gas plate portion 471a and the fourth liquid plate portion 471b. In addition, the eighth common member 48, which is a single member having the fifth gas plate portion 481a and the fifth liquid plate portion 481b, can seal both the gas space 50S and the liquid space 60S, thereby further reducing the number of parts.

[0198] Furthermore, the gas header section 50 can increase the internal volume of the gas space 50S by ensuring a large overlap between the first gas opening 442, the second gas opening 452, the third gas opening 462, and the fourth gas opening 472 in the direction in which the common members are stacked. Furthermore, by ensuring that the area of ​​each opening constituting the gas space 50S is larger than the area of ​​each opening constituting the liquid space 60S, the internal volume of the gas space 50S can be sufficiently increased. Even when the internal volume of the gas space 50S is increased in this way, the first gas opening 442, the second gas opening 452, the third gas opening 462, and the fourth gas opening 472 are provided with the first gas plate connecting portion 445, the second gas plate connecting portion 455, the third gas plate connecting portion 465, and the fourth gas plate connecting portion 475, which extend in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the openings, respectively, thereby suppressing deformation of each opening and increasing pressure resistance. Furthermore, by making the front-rear width of the first gas opening 442 and the fourth gas opening 472 shorter than the front-rear width of the second gas opening 452 and the third gas opening 462, the shape of the gas space 50S when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the gas header section 50 becomes closer to a circle than a rectangle. Therefore, even if the refrigerant pressure in the gas space 50S increases, stress concentration at specific locations is alleviated, and pressure resistance strength can be improved. Moreover, the fourth front gas plate edge portion 473 and the fourth rear gas plate edge portion 474, which are secured large by reducing the front-rear width of the fourth gas opening 472, can support the fifth gas plate portion 481a when crimped with the first gas crimping claws 415a and the second gas crimping claws 416a, thereby enabling crimping with sufficient force.

[0199] Furthermore, the part constituting the gas header section 50 (a stack of gas tube plate section 411a, gas insertion plate section 421a, gas regulating plate section 431a, first gas plate section 441a, second gas plate section 451a, third gas plate section 461a, fourth gas plate section 471a, and fifth gas plate section 481a) and the part constituting the liquid header section 60 (a stack of liquid tube plate section 411b, liquid insertion plate section 421b, liquid regulating plate section 431b, first liquid plate section 441b, second liquid plate section 451b, third liquid plate section 461b, fourth liquid plate section 471b, and fifth liquid plate section 481b) have the same length in the left-right direction in which the flattened tubes 28 extend. For this reason, the first common member 41 can obtain an integrated inlet / outlet header 40 simply by crimping the first crimping claws 415 and the second crimping claws 416 in a state in which the second common member 42 to the eighth common member 48 are stacked on the first space forming portion 441. Moreover, since the first common member 41 to the eighth common member 48 are all single members that extend so as to connect the gas header section 50 and the liquid header section 60, the strength of the inlet / outlet header 40 can be increased.

[0200] As described above, in the liquid header section 60, the refrigerant that flows in via the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 20a can be divided inside the liquid header section 60 before being divided into the flat tubes 28. This eliminates the need to provide a conventionally known flow divider separately from the liquid header section 60, making it possible to make the installation space more compact, reduce parts costs, and eliminate the need for the work of connecting a conventionally known flow divider.

[0201] (7) Other embodiments (7-1) Other embodiment A In the above embodiment, an outdoor heat exchanger 11 was described as an example having an inlet / outlet header 40 in which one gas header section 50 and one liquid header section 60 are arranged in each longitudinal direction, and in which the refrigerant flows by making one turn in the return header 30.

[0202] However, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, an outdoor heat exchanger in which the refrigerant flows by turning back twice. In this case, by providing a header section having a structure corresponding to the turn-back header 30 above the liquid header section 60 and below the gas header section 50, it is possible to create a heat exchanger in which the refrigerant flows by turning back twice.

[0203] (7-2) Other embodiment B In the above embodiment, the first common member 41 has been described using an example in which the left-right lengths of the first gas side plate portion 413a and the second gas side plate portion 414a are the same as the left-right lengths of the first liquid side plate portion 413b and the second liquid side plate portion 414b.

[0204] In contrast, the first common member 41 is not particularly limited, and for example, if the number of members stacked to form the gas space 50S is different from the number of members stacked to form the liquid space 60S, the left-right lengths of the first gas side plate portion 413a and the second gas side plate portion 414a and the left-right lengths of the first liquid side plate portion 413b and the second liquid side plate portion 414b may be different to correspond to the difference in length.

[0205] (7-3) Other embodiment C In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the liquid header section 60 is provided with a first connecting pipe 71 and a second connecting pipe 72 each equipped with a temperature sensor 99, and the refrigerant flows from the fifth liquid plate section 481b of the eighth common member 48 toward the opposite side of the connection portion of the flat tube 28.

[0206] 12, for example, the first connection pipe 71 and the second connection pipe 72 provided with the temperature sensor 99 in the above embodiment may be omitted, and a liquid header section 60 may be provided with a fourth liquid plate section 471b of the seventh common member 47 provided with a branch connection opening 476' that replaces the branch opening 476, first connection opening 477, and second connection opening 478 in the above embodiment. This branch connection opening 476' is a single opening that integrally connects the branch opening 476 and the first connection opening 477 in the above embodiment (forming an A1' that directly connects A1 and A3 of the first flow path portion) and integrally connects the branch opening 476 and the second connection opening 478 in the above embodiment (forming a B1' that directly connects B1 and B3 of the second flow path portion). In this embodiment, the fifth liquid plate portion 481b of the eighth common member 48 does not have the first outer wall opening 484, the second outer wall opening 485, the third outer wall opening 486, or the fourth outer wall opening 487, and blocks the branch connection opening 476' of the fourth liquid plate portion 471b of the seventh common member 47 from the right side.

[0207] (Addendum) Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0208] 1. Air conditioning equipment (refrigeration equipment) 2 outdoor units 3. Control Unit 11 Outdoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger) 19 First gas refrigerant pipe 19a Gas refrigerant connection pipe (first refrigerant pipe) 20 Liquid refrigerant pipe 20a Liquid refrigerant connection pipe (second refrigerant pipe) 27 Heat exchange section 28 Flat tube 28x 1st flat tube 28y 2nd flat tube 28z 3rd flat tube 30 Folded Header 40 Entrance / Exit Header (Header) 41 First common member (first member) 42 Second common member 43 Third common member 44 Fourth common member (first laminated member, second laminated member) 45 5th common member (1st laminated member, 2nd laminated member) 46 6th common member (1st laminated member, 2nd laminated member) 47 Seventh common member (first laminated member, second laminated member) 48 8th common member (2nd member) 50 Gas header section 50S Gas Space 60 Liquid header 60S liquid space 71 First connecting pipe 72 Second connecting pipe 81b, 81c Introduction area (first opening part) 82b, 82c Narrow area (second opening part) 83b, 83c Circulation area (third opening) 99 Temperature Sensor 411 Tube plate part (1st part) 411a Gas pipe plate section (first section) 411b Liquid tube plate part (1st part) 412 Flat pipe connection opening 412a Gas connection opening 412b Liquid connection opening 413 First side plate part (first clamping part) 413a First gas side plate part (first clamping part) 413b First liquid side plate portion (first clamping portion) 414 Second side plate part (second clamping part) 414a Second gas side plate part (second clamping part) 414b Second liquid side plate portion (second clamping portion) 415 First crimping claw (first crimping part) 415a First gas caulking claw (first caulking part) 415b First liquid crimping claw (first crimping part) 416 Second crimping claw (second crimping part) 416a Second gas caulking claw (second caulking part) 416b Second liquid crimping claw (second crimping part) 421 Insertion plate part 421a Gas insertion plate 421b Liquid insertion plate 422 Insertion opening 422a Gas insertion opening 422b Liquid insertion opening 431 Regulating plate section 431a Gas regulation plate 431b Liquid control plate 432 Restricted Opening 432a Gas Control Opening 432b Liquid regulation opening 441 First space forming part 441a First gas plate section 441b 1st liquid plate section 442 First gas opening 443 First front gas plate edge (first edge, third edge) 444 First rear gas plate edge (second edge, fourth edge) 445 First Gas Plate Contact Section (First Contact Section, Second Contact Section) 446 Liquid separation opening (1st liquid opening) 447 Descent side opening (1st liquid opening) 451 Second space forming part 451a Second gas plate section 451b 2nd liquid plate section 452 Second gas opening 453 Second front gas plate edge (first edge, third edge) 454 Second rear gas plate edge (second edge, fourth edge) 455 Second Gas Plate Contact Section (First Contact Section, Second Contact Section) 456 Lower circulation opening (second liquid opening) 457 Upper circulation opening (second liquid opening) 461 Third space forming part 461a Third gas plate section 461b 3rd liquid plate section 462 Third gas opening (first gas opening) 463 Third front gas plate edge (first edge, third edge) 464 Third rear gas plate edge (second edge, fourth edge) 465 Third Gas Plate Contact Section (First Contact Section, Second Contact Section) 466 3rd lower opening (1st liquid opening) 467 3rd upper opening (1st liquid opening) 471 4th space forming part 471a 4th Gas Plate Section 471b 4th liquid plate section 472 4th gas opening (2nd gas opening) 473 Fourth front gas plate edge (first edge, third edge) 474 4th rear gas plate edge (2nd edge, 4th edge) 475 4th Gas Plate Contact Section (1st Contact Section, 2nd Contact Section) 476 Branching Aperture 477 First connecting opening (first liquid opening) 478 Second connecting opening (first liquid opening) 481 5th space forming part 481a 5th gas plate part (gas lid part) 481b 5th liquid plate part (liquid lid part) A First refrigerant flow path B Second refrigerant flow path C. Confluence [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0209] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-043207

Claims

1. a plurality of flat tubes (28) arranged in a first direction; A header (40) to which the flat tubes are connected; Equipped with The header has a gas header section (50) and a liquid header section (60) aligned in the first direction, The gas header portion has a gas space (50S) therein, The liquid header portion has a liquid space (60S) therein, The header includes first laminated members (44, 45, 46, 47) and second laminated members (44, 45, 46, 47) laminated in a second direction, which is a direction in which a connection portion of the flat tube with the header extends, the first stacked member and the second stacked member form the gas header portion, the first laminated member and the second laminated member form the liquid header portion, the first laminated member has first gas openings (442, 452, 462, 472) that form a part of the gas space and first liquid openings (446, 447, 456, 457, 466, 467, 476, 477, 478) that form a part of the liquid space; The second laminated member has second gas openings (442, 452, 462, 472) that form part of the gas space, and second liquid openings (446, 447, 456, 457, 466, 467, 476, 477, 478) that form part of the liquid space. Heat exchanger (11).

2. When viewed in the second direction, 80% or more of the first gas openings overlap with the second gas openings. The heat exchanger of claim 1 .

3. the area of ​​the first gas opening is at least twice the area of ​​the first liquid opening; the area of ​​the second gas opening is at least twice the area of ​​the second liquid opening; At least one of the following is true: The heat exchanger of claim 1 .

4. When the refrigerant functions as a radiator or a condenser for the refrigerant, the gas space is on the inlet side and the liquid space is on the outlet side in the flow direction of the refrigerant. The heat exchanger of claim 1 .

5. The header further includes a first member (41) that integrates the first laminated member and the second laminated member. The heat exchanger of claim 1 .

6. The header further includes a second member (48); the second member has a gas lid portion (481a) that covers the gas space from the second direction and a liquid lid portion (481b) that covers the liquid space from the second direction, A first refrigerant pipe (19a) communicating with the gas space is connected to the gas lid portion, A second refrigerant pipe (20a) communicating with the liquid space is connected to the liquid lid portion. The heat exchanger of claim 1 .

7. the header includes a first member (41) to which the flat tubes are connected, and a second member (48) to which a first refrigerant pipe (19a) communicating with the gas space is connected and which covers the gas space from the second direction, The first laminated members (44, 45, 46), the second laminated members (45, 46, 47), and the second member (48) are laminated in this order in the second direction, The first member has a first portion (411, 411a, 411b) extending in a plane perpendicular to the second direction, and a first clipping portion (413, 413a, 413b) and a second clipping portion (414, 414a, 414b) extending from the first portion in the second direction, When a direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction is defined as a third direction, the first laminated member, the second laminated member, and the second member are sandwiched between the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion in the third direction, the first clamping portion has a first crimping portion (415, 415a, 415b) provided at an end portion opposite to the first portion side in the second direction, The second clamping portion has a second crimping portion (416, 416a, 416b) provided at an end portion opposite to the first portion side in the second direction. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. The first crimping portion and the second crimping portion are bent so as to approach each other.

8. The heat exchanger of claim 7.

9. The second member (48) is laminated so as to be in contact with the second laminated member (47), The width of the second gas opening (472) in the third direction is smaller than the width of the first gas opening (462) in the third direction.

9. The heat exchanger of claim 8.

10. the second liquid openings (456, 457) have first opening portions (81b, 81c), second opening portions (82b, 82c), and third opening portions (83b, 83c) aligned in the first direction, In a direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction, a width of the second opening portion is smaller than a width of the first opening portion and smaller than a width of the third opening portion. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

11. The length of the second laminated member (45) in the second direction is shorter than the length of the first laminated member (47) in the second direction.

11. The heat exchanger of claim 10.

12. The first laminated member (44) is laminated on the flat tube side of the second laminated member (45) in the second direction, The first liquid opening has a plurality of liquid diversion openings (446) arranged in the first direction, the plurality of liquid dividing openings communicate the second liquid openings (456, 457) with the plurality of flat tubes (28); The plurality of liquid diversion openings are arranged at positions shifted from the center of the flat tube in a direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

13. The length of the first laminated member in the second direction is different from the length of the second laminated member in the second direction. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

14. When a direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction is defined as a third direction, the first laminated member (44, 45, 46, 47) has a first edge portion (443, 453, 463, 473) extending in the longitudinal direction of the gas space on one side of the first gas opening in the third direction, a second edge portion (444, 454, 464, 474) extending in the longitudinal direction of the gas space on the other side of the first gas opening in the third direction, and a first connecting portion (445, 455, 465, 475) connecting the first edge portion and the second edge portion. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

15. the second laminated member has a third edge portion (443, 453, 463, 473) extending in the longitudinal direction of the gas space on one side of the second gas opening in the third direction, a fourth edge portion (444, 454, 464, 474) extending in the longitudinal direction of the gas space on the other side of the second gas opening in the third direction, and a second connecting portion (445, 455, 465, 475) connecting the third edge portion and the fourth edge portion, When viewed in the second direction, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion have a non-overlapping portion.

15. The heat exchanger of claim 14.

16. The first laminated member and the second laminated member have plate-shaped portions. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

17. The system further includes a return header (30) connected to an end of the flat tube opposite to the end on the gas header section and liquid header section side, and directing the refrigerant that has passed through the gas header section to the liquid header section side, or directing the refrigerant that has passed through the liquid header section to the gas header section side. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

18. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Refrigeration device (1).

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