Air conditioning system

Abstract

This disclosure provides an air conditioning system that can improve heat exchange efficiency without using switching piping. [Solution] The air conditioning system of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of heat exchangers through which a refrigerant flows sequentially, and a blower that supplies air to the heat exchangers, wherein the flow of the refrigerant relative to the airflow by the blower at the refrigerant inlet side of each heat exchanger and the flow of the refrigerant relative to the airflow by the blower at the refrigerant outlet side of each heat exchanger are different.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for improving the performance of a refrigeration cycle device by making the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger in counterflow in both cooling and heating in a refrigeration cycle device using azeotropic refrigerant mixtures.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides an air conditioner that can improve heat exchange efficiency without using a switching pipe.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] [[ID=DI=42]]The air conditioner in the present disclosure includes a plurality of heat exchangers through which a refrigerant sequentially flows, and a blower that sends air to the heat exchangers. The flow of the refrigerant with respect to the flow of air by the blower on the inlet side of the refrigerant in each heat exchanger is different from the flow of the refrigerant with respect to the flow of air by the blower on the outlet side of the refrigerant in each heat exchanger.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] The air conditioning system in this disclosure is configured such that the flow of refrigerant differs from the flow of air from the blower at the inlet and outlet sides of each heat exchanger, thereby enabling efficient heat exchanger operation in both cooling and heating modes. Therefore, by increasing the heat exchange efficiency, the performance of the air conditioning system can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioning system in Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view showing the indoor unit in Embodiment 1 [Figure 3] Bottom view showing the indoor unit in Embodiment 1 [Figure 4] Schematic diagram showing the indoor heat exchanger in Embodiment 1 [Figure 5] Graph showing the change in refrigerant temperature in the indoor heat exchanger when using a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant in Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] Perspective view showing multiple outdoor heat exchangers in Embodiment 2 [Figure 7] Schematic diagram showing the indoor heat exchanger in Embodiment 3 [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] (Knowledge and other information that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors conceived of this disclosure, there was a technology that improved the performance of a refrigeration cycle system by making the outdoor heat exchanger and indoor heat exchanger counter-flow in both cooling and heating systems. However, the inventors discovered that conventional technology requires switching piping to switch between heating and cooling flows due to the need for counter-flow in the heat exchanger, which results in increased product size and piping costs. To solve this problem, they arrived at the subject matter of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure provides an air conditioning system that can improve heat exchange efficiency without using switching piping.

[0009] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, some unnecessarily detailed explanations may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. The attached drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand this disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) [1-1. Structure] [1-1-1. Configuration of the air conditioning system] Figure 1 shows the configuration of an air conditioning system that includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. As shown in Figure 1, the air conditioning system comprises an outdoor unit 10 and an indoor unit 20. The outdoor unit 10 includes a compressor 11, a four-way valve 12, an outdoor heat exchanger 13, an outdoor expansion valve 14, and an outdoor blower 15. A four-way valve 12 is connected to the discharge side of the compressor 11 via refrigerant piping 16. An outdoor heat exchanger 13 equipped with an outdoor blower 15 is connected to the four-way valve 12 via refrigerant piping 16. The outdoor heat exchanger 13 is configured to exchange heat between the air supplied by the outdoor blower 15 and the refrigerant.

[0011] The indoor unit 20 includes an indoor heat exchanger 21 and an indoor blower 22. The outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 are connected by refrigerant piping 16. This constitutes a refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 circulates through the refrigerant piping 16. In this embodiment, a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant is used as the refrigerant.

[0012] [1-1-2. Indoor Unit Configuration] Next, the configuration of the indoor unit 20 will be described. In this embodiment, a four-way cassette type indoor unit 20 that blows air in four directions will be used as an example. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the indoor unit in Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a bottom view showing the indoor unit in Embodiment 1.

[0013] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the ceiling-embedded type indoor unit 20 is installed in the ceiling space between the ceiling 35 of the building and the ceiling board 36 installed below this ceiling 35. As shown in FIG. 2, the indoor unit 20 includes a rectangular housing 23 in plan view.

[0014] A blower motor 24 is attached to the lower surface of the upper plate of the housing 23, and an impeller 25 is attached to the rotating shaft of the blower motor 24. The blower motor 24 and the impeller 25 constitute an indoor blower 22. An indoor heat exchanger 21 is arranged on the side of the indoor blower 22. The indoor heat exchanger 21 is a heat exchanger that functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant during cooling operation and functions as a condenser of the refrigerant during heating operation. [[ID=IS]]The indoor heat exchanger 21 is configured to perform heat exchange between the indoor air sucked into the housing 23 by the operation of the indoor blower 22 and the refrigerant, so that during cooling operation, it can cool the air in the air-conditioned room, and during heating operation, it can heat the indoor air.

[0015] Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 23 is provided with a suction opening 26 with an open lower surface. A decorative panel 27 covering the suction opening 26 is attached to the lower surface of the housing 23. A slit-shaped suction port 28 is formed at a position corresponding to the suction opening 26 of the decorative panel 27. A bellmouth 29 for rectifying the air sucked into the indoor blower 22 is attached to the suction opening 26. [[ID=2l]] An air outlet 30 for blowing the air after heat exchange by the indoor heat exchanger 21 into the room is formed outside the suction port 28 of the decorative panel 27. That is, the air outlet 30 is provided along each side of the substantially rectangular decorative panel 27 in plan view, and the air is blown out in four directions from the air outlet 30. Each air outlet 30 is provided with a flap 31 (Figure 2) that allows for adjustment of the direction of airflow.

[0016] [1-1-3. Configuration of the indoor heat exchanger] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the indoor heat exchanger 21 in Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 4, in this embodiment, the indoor heat exchanger 21 is composed of a first indoor heat exchanger 21a, a second indoor heat exchanger 21b, a third indoor heat exchanger 21c, and a fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d along the four sides of the housing 23, corresponding to the four air outlets 30. The indoor heat exchanger 21 is configured as a so-called flat-tube heat exchanger and consists of a plurality of flat tubes 40 and headers 41 connected to both ends of these flat tubes 40.

[0017] Furthermore, the first indoor heat exchanger 21a is composed of multiple rows (three rows in this embodiment) of flattened tubes 40, and a header 41 is connected to the end of each of these rows of flattened tubes 40. More specifically, in this embodiment, the first row of flattened pipes 40 is positioned furthest from the indoor fan 22, and the third row of flattened pipes 40 is positioned closest to the indoor fan 22. A first inlet header 41aa is connected to one end of the first row of flattened pipes 40. A connection header 41ab, which is connected to one end of the second row of flattened pipes 40, is connected to the other end of the first row of flattened pipes 40. A connection header 41ac, which is connected to one end of the third row of flattened pipes 40, is connected to the other end of the second row of flattened pipes 40. A first outlet header 41ad is connected to the other end of the third row of flattened pipes 40.

[0018] As a result, when refrigerant is sent to the first inlet header 41aa of the first indoor heat exchanger 21a, it flows sequentially from the first row of flat tubes 40 to the connecting header 41ab, the second row of flat tubes 40, the connecting header 41ac, and the third row of flat tubes 40, and is sent to the outside of the first indoor heat exchanger 21a from the first outlet header 41ad.

[0019] As the refrigerant flows in this manner, when the first indoor heat exchanger 21a functions as a condenser, the airflow from the indoor blower 22 becomes a counterflow, and when the first indoor heat exchanger 21a functions as an evaporator, the airflow from the indoor blower 22 becomes a parallel flow.

[0020] The second indoor heat exchanger 21b has the same configuration as the first indoor heat exchanger 21a. In other words, in the second indoor heat exchanger 21b, the first row of flattened pipes 40 is positioned furthest from the indoor blower 22, and the third row of flattened pipes 40 is positioned closest to the indoor blower 22. A second inlet header 41ba is connected to one end of the first row of flattened pipes 40. A connecting header 41bb, which is connected to one end of the second row of flattened pipes 40, is connected to the other end of the first row of flattened pipes 40. A connecting header 41bc, which is connected to one end of the third row of flattened pipes 40, is connected to the other end of the second row of flattened pipes 40. A second outlet header 41bd is connected to the other end of the third row of flattened pipes 40. As a result, when the second indoor heat exchanger 21b functions as a condenser, the airflow from the indoor blower 22 becomes a counterflow, and when the second indoor heat exchanger 21b functions as an evaporator, the airflow from the indoor blower 22 becomes a parallel flow.

[0021] The third indoor heat exchanger 21c is different from the first indoor heat exchanger 21a and the second indoor heat exchanger 21b. In other words, in the third indoor heat exchanger 21c, the first row of flattened pipes 40 is positioned closest to the indoor blower 22, and the third row of flattened pipes 40 is positioned furthest from the indoor blower 22. A third inlet header 41ca is connected to one end of the first row of flattened pipes 40. A connecting header 41ab, which is connected to one end of the second row of flattened pipes 40, is connected to the other end of the first row of flattened pipes 40. A connecting header 41cc, which is connected to one end of the third row of flattened pipes 40, is connected to the other end of the second row of flattened pipes 40. A third outlet header 41cd is connected to the other end of the third row of flattened pipes 40. As a result, when the third indoor heat exchanger 21c functions as a condenser, the airflow from the indoor blower 22 becomes a parallel flow, and when the third indoor heat exchanger 21c functions as an evaporator, the airflow from the indoor blower 22 becomes a counterflow.

[0022] The fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d has the same configuration as the third indoor heat exchanger 21c. Specifically, one end of the first row of flattened pipes 40 is connected to the fourth inlet header 41da. The other end of the first row of flattened pipes 40 is connected to the connection header 41db, which is connected to one end of the second row of flattened pipes 40. The other end of the second row of flattened pipes 40 is connected to the connection header 41dc, which is connected to one end of the third row of flattened pipes 40. The other end of the third row of flattened pipes 40 is connected to the fourth outlet header 41dd. As a result, when the fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d functions as a condenser, the airflow from the indoor blower 22 becomes a parallel flow, and when the fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d functions as an evaporator, the airflow from the indoor blower 22 becomes a counterflow.

[0023] The first outlet header 41aa of the first indoor heat exchanger 21a is connected to the second inlet header 41ba of the second indoor heat exchanger 21b. The second outlet header 41bd of the second indoor heat exchanger 21b is connected to the third inlet header 41ca of the third indoor heat exchanger 21c. The third outlet header 41cd of the third indoor heat exchanger 21c is connected to the fourth inlet header 41da of the fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d.

[0024] As a result, during cooling operation, the indoor heat exchanger 21 functions as an evaporator. In this case, the refrigerant flows in from the first inlet header 41aa of the first indoor heat exchanger 21a, flows sequentially through the second indoor heat exchanger 21b, the third indoor heat exchanger 21c, and the fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d, and flows out from the fourth outlet header 41dd of the fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d. At this time, in the first indoor heat exchanger 21a and the second indoor heat exchanger 21b, which are the inlet sides of the refrigerant, the flow of the refrigerant is parallel to the flow of air from the indoor blower 22, while in the third indoor heat exchanger 21c and the fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d, which are the outlet sides of the refrigerant, the flow of the refrigerant is counter-flowing to the flow of air from the indoor blower 22.

[0025] Furthermore, during heating operation, the indoor heat exchanger 21 functions as a condenser. In this case, the refrigerant flows in from the fourth outlet header 41dd of the fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d, flows sequentially through the third indoor heat exchanger 21c, the second indoor heat exchanger 21b, and the first indoor heat exchanger 21a, and flows out from the first inlet header 41aa of the first indoor heat exchanger 21a. At this time, in the fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d and the third indoor heat exchanger 21c, which are on the refrigerant inlet side, the refrigerant flow is parallel to the airflow from the indoor blower 22, while in the second indoor heat exchanger 21b and the first indoor heat exchanger 21a, which are on the refrigerant outlet side, the refrigerant flow is counter-flow to the airflow from the indoor blower 22.

[0026] [1-2. Effects, etc.] Next, the operation of Embodiment 1 will be described. During cooling operation, when the compressor 11, outdoor fan 15, expansion valve, and indoor fan 22 are operated, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 11 is circulated through the refrigerant piping 16. The refrigerant sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 13 is heat-exchanged with the air supplied by the outdoor fan 15.

[0027] The refrigerant that has undergone heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger 13 is sent to the indoor heat exchanger 21 via the expansion valve. The refrigerant sent to the indoor heat exchanger 21 flows in from the first inlet header 41aa of the first indoor heat exchanger 21a, and then sequentially flows through the second indoor heat exchanger 21b, the third indoor heat exchanger 21c, and the fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d, before flowing out from the fourth outlet header 41dd of the fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d. In this way, as the refrigerant flows from the first indoor heat exchanger 21a to the fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d, it exchanges heat with the indoor air supplied by the indoor blower 22. Here, in the first indoor heat exchanger 21a and the second indoor heat exchanger 21b, which are the refrigerant inlet sides, the refrigerant flow is parallel to the airflow from the indoor blower 22, while in the third indoor heat exchanger 21c and the fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d, which are the refrigerant outlet sides, the refrigerant flow is counter-flow to the airflow from the indoor blower 22.

[0028] On the other hand, during heating operation, the refrigerant flows in from the fourth outlet header 41dd of the fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d, flows sequentially through the third indoor heat exchanger 21c, the second indoor heat exchanger 21b, and the first indoor heat exchanger 21a, and flows out from the first inlet header 41aa of the first indoor heat exchanger 21a. At this time, in the fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d and the third indoor heat exchanger 21c, which are on the refrigerant inlet side, the refrigerant flow is parallel to the airflow from the indoor blower 22, while in the second indoor heat exchanger 21b and the first indoor heat exchanger 21a, which are on the refrigerant outlet side, the refrigerant flow is counter-flow to the airflow from the indoor blower 22.

[0029] Figure 5 is a graph showing the change in refrigerant temperature in an indoor heat exchanger when using a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant. As shown in Figure 5, when a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant is used as the refrigerant, and the indoor heat exchanger 21 functions as an evaporator during cooling operation, there is a tendency for a temperature glide to occur, where the refrigerant temperature rises as the refrigerant flows from the inlet side to the outlet side of the indoor heat exchanger 21. In this case, if the outlet side of the indoor heat exchanger 21 experiences parallel flow, the temperature difference with the outlet temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 21 becomes small, making it impossible to ensure sufficient heat exchange performance. In this embodiment, the flow of refrigerant in the third indoor heat exchanger 21c and the fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d, which are the outlet sides of the refrigerant, is made to flow in the opposite direction to the airflow by the indoor blower 22. This ensures a temperature difference on the outlet side of the indoor heat exchanger 21, enabling efficient heat exchange.

[0030] Furthermore, during heating operation, the indoor heat exchanger 21 functions as a condenser. In this embodiment, during heating operation, the refrigerant flows from the fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d to the first indoor heat exchanger 21a, and in the second indoor heat exchanger 21b and the first indoor heat exchanger 21a, which are the outlet sides of the refrigerant, the flow of the refrigerant becomes a counterflow against the airflow caused by the indoor blower 22. In this embodiment, the indoor heat exchanger 21 is composed of four heat exchangers, from the first indoor heat exchanger 21a to the fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d, and by devising the connection of the refrigerant piping 16, the outlet side can be configured as a counterflow in both cooling and heating operations.

[0031] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, the air conditioning system 1 in this embodiment comprises a plurality of indoor heat exchangers 21 (heat exchangers) through which the refrigerant flows sequentially, and a blower that supplies air to the indoor heat exchangers 21, wherein the flow of the refrigerant relative to the airflow by the blower at the refrigerant inlet side of each indoor heat exchanger 21 is different from the flow of the refrigerant relative to the airflow by the blower at the refrigerant outlet side of each indoor heat exchanger 21. According to this, by configuring the flow of refrigerant to differ from the airflow from the blower at the inlet and outlet sides of each indoor heat exchanger 21, an efficient heat exchanger can be achieved in both cooling and heating operation. Therefore, by increasing the heat exchange efficiency, the performance of the air conditioning operation can be improved.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the air conditioning system 1, when the indoor heat exchanger 21 (heat exchanger) functions as an evaporator, at least half of the indoor heat exchangers 21 located on the refrigerant outlet side have opposing flow directions for the refrigerant and the air. According to this, when a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant is used as the refrigerant, a temperature glide tends to occur as the refrigerant flows from the inlet side to the outlet side of the indoor heat exchanger 21, causing the refrigerant temperature to rise. However, by making the outlet side of the refrigerant a counterflow, a temperature difference can be secured at the outlet side of the indoor heat exchanger 21, enabling efficient heat exchange.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the air conditioning system 1 includes an indoor heat exchanger 21 (heat exchanger) comprising multiple rows of flattened pipes 40 and a header 41 connected to the ends of the flattened pipes 40. According to this, by using a header 41 connected to the flattened pipe 40, it is possible to easily perform tasks such as refrigerant diversion.

[0034] (Embodiment 2) [2-1. Structure] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the indoor heat exchanger in Embodiment 2. As shown in Figure 6, in this embodiment, the headers 41 of the first indoor heat exchanger 21a, the second indoor heat exchanger 21b, the third indoor heat exchanger 21c, and the fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d are connected to each other by a connecting section 50. The connecting portion 50 is configured such that, for example, one header 41 has a protrusion and the other header 41 has a recess, and the protrusion and the recess are able to engage with each other. Furthermore, by engaging the convex portion and the concave portion, it becomes possible to connect the two headers 41 without using refrigerant piping.

[0035] [2-2. Effects, etc.] In this embodiment as well, the same effect as in Embodiment 1 is achieved. In this embodiment, the two headers 41 can be easily connected by engaging the convex portion and the concave portion.

[0036] [2-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, the air conditioning system 1 in this embodiment is equipped with a connecting section 50 that connects the headers 41 of each indoor heat exchanger 21 (heat exchanger). According to this, the two headers 41 can be easily connected by the connection part 50. In addition, since refrigerant piping is not required, the installation work of each indoor heat exchanger 21 can be easily performed.

[0037] (Embodiment 3) [3-1. Structure] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the indoor heat exchanger in Embodiment 3. In this embodiment, the first indoor heat exchanger 21a, the second indoor heat exchanger 21b, the third indoor heat exchanger 21c, and the fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d each have three rows of flattened tubes 40. In this embodiment, of the first indoor heat exchanger 21a, the second indoor heat exchanger 21b, the third indoor heat exchanger 21c, and the fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d, two rows of flattened tubes 40 function as inlet-side flattened tubes 40 when the indoor heat exchanger 21 functions as an evaporator. Each of the flattened pipes 40 is connected by a refrigerant pipe. Two rows of flattened tubes 40 in the fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d are connected to another row of flattened tubes 40 via a header 41 or refrigerant piping. From the fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d to the first indoor heat exchanger 21a, the other rows of flattened pipes 40 are connected to each other by refrigerant piping.

[0038] [3-2. Effects, etc.] It produces the same effect as in Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the refrigerant that has undergone heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger 13 is sent to the indoor heat exchanger 21 via an expansion valve. The refrigerant sent to the indoor heat exchanger 21 flows in through the two rows of flattened tubes 40 of the first indoor heat exchanger 21a, then flows sequentially through the second indoor heat exchanger 21b and the third indoor heat exchanger 21c, and is sent to the fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d. The refrigerant sent to the fourth indoor heat exchanger 21d flows into another row of flat tubes 40 and is sent to the third indoor heat exchanger 21c, the second indoor heat exchanger 21b, and the first indoor heat exchanger 21a.

[0039] In this embodiment as well, similar to Embodiment 1, the refrigerant outlet can be configured to flow in the opposite direction to the airflow from the blower, regardless of whether it is during cooling or heating operation.

[0040] [2-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment of the air conditioning system 1, when the indoor heat exchanger 21 (heat exchanger) functions as an evaporator, more than half of the flattened tubes 40 in the multiple rows that make up each heat exchanger have opposing flow directions for the refrigerant and the air. According to this, when a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant is used as the refrigerant, a temperature glide tends to occur as the refrigerant flows from the inlet side to the outlet side of the indoor heat exchanger 21, causing the refrigerant temperature to rise. However, by making the outlet side of the refrigerant a counterflow, a temperature difference can be secured at the outlet side of the indoor heat exchanger 21, enabling efficient heat exchange.

[0041] (Other embodiments) As described above, the above embodiments have been explained as examples disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to these embodiments and can be applied to embodiments that have been modified, replaced, added, or omitted. Furthermore, it is possible to combine the components described in the above embodiments to create new embodiments. Therefore, other embodiments are described below as examples.

[0042] In the embodiments described above, an indoor heat exchanger 21 was used as an example of the heat exchanger of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the heat exchanger of the present disclosure may be applied to an outdoor heat exchanger 13.

[0043] (Note) Based on the above description of embodiments, the following technologies are disclosed.

[0044] (Technical 1) An air conditioning system comprising a plurality of heat exchangers through which a refrigerant flows sequentially, and a blower that supplies air to the heat exchangers, wherein the flow of the refrigerant relative to the airflow by the blower at the refrigerant inlet side of each heat exchanger and the flow of the refrigerant relative to the airflow by the blower at the refrigerant outlet side of each heat exchanger are different. This configuration allows for efficient heat exchanger operation in both cooling and heating modes by differentiating the refrigerant flow relative to the airflow from the blower at the inlet and outlet sides of each heat exchanger. Therefore, improving heat exchange efficiency can enhance the performance of the air conditioning system.

[0045] (Technical 2) The air conditioning system according to Technical 1, wherein, when the heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, at least half of the heat exchangers located on the outlet side of the refrigerant have opposing flow directions for the refrigerant and the air. With this configuration, when a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant is used, a temperature glide tends to occur as the refrigerant flows from the inlet to the outlet of the heat exchanger, causing the refrigerant temperature to rise. However, by making the refrigerant outlet a counterflow, a temperature difference can be ensured at the outlet of the heat exchanger, enabling efficient heat exchange.

[0046] (Technical 3) The air conditioning device according to Technical 1 or Technical 2, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of rows of flattened tubes and headers connected to the ends of the flattened tubes. With this configuration, refrigerant flow can be easily divided by using a header connected to a flat tube.

[0047] (Technical 4) The air conditioning system according to Technical 3, wherein, when the heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, at least half of the flattened tubes in the multiple rows constituting each of the heat exchanger have opposing flow directions for the refrigerant and the air. With this configuration, when a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant is used, a temperature glide tends to occur as the refrigerant flows from the inlet to the outlet of the heat exchanger, causing the refrigerant temperature to rise. However, by making the refrigerant outlet a counterflow, a temperature difference can be ensured at the outlet of the heat exchanger, enabling efficient heat exchange.

[0048] (Technical 5) An air conditioning system according to any one of Technical 1 to 4, further comprising a connecting portion for connecting the headers of each of the heat exchangers. This configuration allows for easy connection of the two headers via the connector. Furthermore, since refrigerant piping is unnecessary, the installation of each indoor heat exchanger can be easily performed.

[0049] (Technical 6) The air conditioning system according to any one of Technical 1 to Technical 5, wherein the heat exchanger is an indoor heat exchanger. This configuration allows for efficient heat exchange in the indoor heat exchanger, both during cooling and heating operation. Therefore, improving heat exchange efficiency enhances the performance of the air conditioning system.

[0050] (Technical 7) The air conditioning system according to any one of Technical 1 to Technical 5, wherein the heat exchanger is an outdoor heat exchanger. This configuration allows for efficient heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger, regardless of whether it is in cooling or heating mode. Therefore, by improving heat exchange efficiency, the performance of the air conditioning system can be enhanced.

[0051] (Technical 8) The air conditioning device according to any one of Technical 1 to Technical 7, wherein the refrigerant is a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant. This configuration can improve the heat exchange efficiency of non-azeotropic refrigerant mixtures.

[0052] (Technical 9) The air conditioning device according to any one of Technical 1 to Technical 7, wherein the refrigerant is a supercritical refrigerant. This configuration allows for increased heat exchange efficiency of supercritical refrigerants. [Industrial applicability]

[0053] As described above, this disclosure is suitably applicable to air conditioning systems that can improve heat exchange efficiency without using switching piping. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1. Air conditioning system 10 Outdoor unit 11 Compressor 12 Four-way valve 13 Outdoor heat exchanger 14 Outdoor expansion valve 15 Outdoor blower 16 Refrigerant Piping 20 Indoor unit 21 Indoor heat exchanger 21a 1st indoor heat exchanger 21b 2nd indoor heat exchanger 21c 3rd indoor heat exchanger 21d No. 4 indoor heat exchanger 22 Indoor fan 23 cabinets 24 Blower motor 25-inch vane 26 Suction opening 27 Decorative panels 28 Inlet 29 Bellmouth 30 Air outlet 31 Flap 35 Ceiling 36 Ceiling panels 40 flat tube 41 Header 41aa First entrance side header 41ab Connection Header 41ac connection header 41ad First Exit Side Header 41ba Second entrance side header 41bb connection header 41bc connection header 41bd Second Exit Header 41ca Third Entrance Side Header 41cc connection header 41cd Third Exit Side Header 41da Header for the 4th entrance 41db connection header 41dc connection header 41dd Exit 4 Header 41aa First Exit Side Header 50 Connection part

Claims

1. It comprises a plurality of heat exchangers through which a refrigerant flows sequentially, and a blower that supplies air to the heat exchangers, The flow of the refrigerant relative to the airflow from the blower at the inlet side of each heat exchanger is different from the flow of the refrigerant relative to the airflow from the blower at the outlet side of each heat exchanger. Air conditioning system.

2. When the heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, at least half of the heat exchangers located on the outlet side of the refrigerant have opposing flow directions for the refrigerant and the air. The air conditioning device according to claim 1.

3. The heat exchanger comprises a plurality of rows of flattened tubes and headers connected to the ends of the flattened tubes. The air conditioning device according to claim 1.

4. When the heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, at least half of the flattened tubes in the multiple rows constituting each heat exchanger have opposing flow directions for the refrigerant and the air. The air conditioning device according to claim 3.

5. Each of the heat exchangers is provided with a connecting portion for connecting the headers of the respective heat exchangers. The air conditioning device according to claim 3.

6. The heat exchanger is an indoor heat exchanger. The air conditioning device according to claim 1.

7. The heat exchanger is an outdoor heat exchanger. The air conditioning device according to claim 1.

8. The aforementioned refrigerant is a non-azeotropic mixed refrigerant. The air conditioning device according to claim 1.

9. The refrigerant is a supercritical refrigerant. The air conditioning device according to claim 1.

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