Heat Exchanger

Abstract

To reduce a head difference caused by a flow divider with a simple constitution, in a heat exchanger including a flow dividing portion.SOLUTION: A heat transfer pipe HR3 as a second heat transfer pipe and a heat transfer pipe HR4 as a third heat transfer pipe are disposed at an upper part in a gravity direction GD of a heat transfer pipe HR1 as a first heat transfer pipe. A first pipe P1 connects a first main body-side flow dividing portion 27 and the heat transfer pipe HR1. A second pipe P2 and a third pipe P3 connect the first main body-side flow dividing portion 17, and the heat transfer tube HR3 and the heat transfer tube HR4. The first pipe P1 is connected to one side of the first main body-side flow dividing portion 27, and the second pipe P2 and the third pipe P3 are connected to the other side of the first main body-side flow dividing portion 27. The first pipe P1 extends in a first direction within a range of an inclination of ±45° to a horizontal direction, just before the first main body-side flow dividing portion 27.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger having a flow dividing section. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a configuration has been adopted in which a flow divider is used to divide the refrigerant into a plurality of refrigerant flow paths provided in a heat exchanger. When such a heat exchanger functions as a condenser, the refrigerant is in a liquid state at the outlet of the heat exchanger, so the refrigerant density is high and the flow rate is slow. Thus, when the heat exchanger functions as a condenser, the liquid refrigerant is likely to stagnate due to the head difference caused by the height difference between the refrigerant flow path and the flow divider. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] As a heat exchanger for reducing the head difference caused by the flow divider, for example, there is a heat exchanger described in Patent Document 1 (International Publication No. WO 2019 / 150851). When the heat exchanger of Patent Document 1 functions as a condenser, liquid refrigerant flows out from the upper side of the flow divider in the direction of gravity. Also, refrigerant flows in from a plurality of thin tubes connected to the lower side of the flow divider in the direction of gravity. The configuration of the flow divider of Patent Document 1 described above can reduce the head difference caused by the installation height of the flow divider. However, the heat exchanger of Patent Document 1 requires a lot of bending of the piping, and the configuration of the piping connected to the flow divider becomes complicated.

[0004] A heat exchanger having a flow dividing section has a problem of reducing the head difference caused by the flow dividing section with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A heat exchanger according to a first aspect includes a first heat transfer tube, a second heat transfer tube to an Nth heat transfer tube, a main body side branch section, a first tube, and a second tube to an Nth tube. The second heat transfer tube to the Nth heat transfer tube are disposed above the first heat transfer tube in the direction of gravity. The first tube connects the main body side branch section and the first heat transfer tube. The second tube to the Nth tube connect the main body side branch section and the second heat transfer tube to the Nth heat transfer tube. The first tube is connected to one side of the main body side branch section, and the second tube to the Nth tube are connected to the other side of the main body side branch section. The first tube extends along a first direction having an inclination of ±45° with respect to the horizontal direction immediately before the main body side branch section.

[0006] In the heat exchanger of the first aspect, a liquid refrigerant flows through the first heat transfer tube arranged below the second heat transfer tube to the Nth heat transfer tube. The portion of this first heat transfer tube immediately before it is connected to the main body side branch section extends in the first direction. The heat exchanger of this configuration can reduce the head difference compared to a heat exchanger of a conventional configuration in which the portion of the first heat transfer tube immediately before it is connected to the main body side branch section is arranged to extend in the direction of gravity.

[0007] A heat exchanger according to a second aspect is the heat exchanger according to the first aspect, in which the second tube to the Nth tube are aligned horizontally on the other side of the main body-side distributor.

[0008] In the heat exchanger of the second aspect, the second tube to the Nth tube are arranged horizontally on the other side of the main body-side branch section, making it easier to evenly branch the refrigerant from the second tube to the Nth tube in the main body-side branch section when functioning as an evaporator.

[0009] A heat exchanger according to a third aspect is the heat exchanger according to the first or second aspect, wherein the first heat transfer tube is disposed in a lowermost flow path in the direction of gravity.

[0010] A heat exchanger according to a fourth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, in which (N-1) is a multiple of two.

[0011] A heat exchanger of a fifth aspect is a heat exchanger of any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, in which there is one first tube and (N-1) is 2, 4, or 8, or there are two first tubes and (N-2) is 4 or 8, or there are four first tubes and (N-4) is 8.

[0012] A heat exchanger according to a sixth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising a tube plate for fixing the first to Nth heat transfer tubes. The distance from the tube plate to the main body side flow dividing portion is 30 mm or less.

[0013] A heat exchanger of a seventh aspect is a heat exchanger of any one of the first aspect to the sixth aspect, in which a first heat transfer tube is arranged on the outlet side when functioning as a condenser, and second to Nth heat transfer tubes are arranged on the inlet side.

[0014] A heat exchanger according to an eighth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the second heat transfer tube is located lower in the direction of gravity than the third to Nth heat transfer tubes. The main body side branch portion is located lower in the direction of gravity than the second heat transfer tube.

[0015] In the heat exchanger of the eighth aspect, it is easier to reduce the head difference compared to a case in which the main body side distribution portion is located higher in the gravitational direction than the second heat transfer tube.

[0016] A heat exchanger of a ninth aspect is a heat exchanger of any one of the first aspect to the eighth aspect, wherein the main body side branch section has a first tube connected to the side surface and second to Nth heat transfer tubes connected to the top surface.

[0017] In the heat exchanger of the ninth aspect, the number of bends in the pipes between the first pipe and the second pipe to the Nth pipe can be reduced, and piping between the first pipe and the second pipe to the Nth pipe becomes easy. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a circuit diagram showing an example of an air conditioner equipped with an outdoor heat exchanger. [Diagram 2]FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the relationship between the heat transfer tubes, heat transfer fins, and U-shaped tubes of the outdoor heat exchanger. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration of a side surface of an outdoor heat exchanger. [Figure 4] 4 is a block diagram showing a connection relationship between a heat transfer tube of an outdoor heat exchanger and a main body-side dividing section. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of first and second main body side branch portions. FIG. [Figure 6A] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the inclination of the first and second main body side branch portions when they are attached. [Figure 6B] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the inclination of the first and second main body side branch portions when they are attached. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a relationship between a heat transfer tube and a main body side dividing portion according to a modified example. [Figure 8] 13 is a block diagram showing the relationship of a main body side branch portion according to a modified example. FIG. [Figure 9] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining a head difference when a conventional main body side branch portion is installed. [Figure 10A] FIG. 11 is a side view showing another example of a main body side branch portion according to a modified example. [Figure 10B] FIG. 11 is a top view showing another example of a main body side branch portion according to a modified example. [Figure 11A] FIG. 11 is a side view showing another example of a main body side branch portion according to a modified example. [Figure 11B] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another example of a main body side branch portion according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] (1) Overall structure 1 shows an air conditioner 1 as an example of a refrigeration cycle device to which a heat exchanger is applied. In this disclosure, a case where the refrigeration cycle device is the air conditioner 1 will be described, but the refrigeration cycle device is not limited to the air conditioner 1. The refrigeration cycle device is a device that performs a refrigeration cycle. Examples of the refrigeration cycle device include a refrigerator, a freezer, a water heater, a floor heating device, and a heat pump device.

[0020] 1 includes a compressor 2, a four-way valve 3, an outdoor heat exchanger 4, an expansion valve 5, an indoor heat exchanger 6, an outdoor fan 7, and an indoor fan 8. The heat exchanger that is the subject of this disclosure, which will be described below, is the former of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the indoor heat exchanger 6.

[0021] The compressor 2, the four-way valve 3, the outdoor heat exchanger 4, the expansion valve 5, and the indoor heat exchanger 6 are connected by a connecting pipe 11 to form a refrigerant circuit 10. In the refrigerant circuit 10, the refrigerant circulates and a vapor compression refrigeration cycle is repeated. In other words, the refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit 10 while alternately performing decompression expansion and heat dissipation condensation. Examples of refrigerants used in the refrigerant circuit 10 in which the vapor compression refrigeration cycle is performed include hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants, hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), unsaturated HFC refrigerants, and natural refrigerants. Examples of HFC refrigerants include R32, R410A, R407C, and R134a. Examples of HFOs include R1234ze and R1234yf. Examples of natural refrigerants include R717.

[0022] The flow path of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 10 is switched by the four-way valve 3. The air conditioner 1 can switch between cooling operation and heating operation by switching the flow path with the four-way valve 3. During cooling operation, the refrigerant flows in the following order: compressor 2, four-way valve 3, outdoor heat exchanger 4, expansion valve 5, indoor heat exchanger 6, four-way valve 3, and compressor 2. During heating operation, the refrigerant flows in the following order: compressor 2, four-way valve 3, indoor heat exchanger 6, expansion valve 5, outdoor heat exchanger 4, four-way valve 3, and compressor 2.

[0023] The outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the indoor heat exchanger 6 are fin-and-tube type heat exchangers. During cooling operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 functions as a condenser, and the indoor heat exchanger 6 functions as an evaporator. During heating operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 functions as an evaporator, and the indoor heat exchanger 6 functions as a condenser.

[0024] (2) Detailed configuration (2-1) Outdoor heat exchanger Fig. 2 shows a part of the heat transfer tubes 21, the U-shaped tubes 22, and the heat transfer fins 24 of the outdoor heat exchanger 4. As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 includes a plurality of heat transfer tubes 21, a plurality of U-shaped tubes 22, a plurality of connecting tubes 23, a plurality of heat transfer fins 24, a header collecting tube 25, an inlet / outlet side dividing section 26, a first main body side dividing section 27, a second main body side dividing section 28, a first inlet / outlet 31, a second inlet / outlet 32, and a tube plate 35. Fig. 3 shows a schematic diagram of the connection relationship of the heat transfer tubes 21, the U-shaped tubes 22, the connecting tube 23, the inlet / outlet side dividing section 26, the first main body side dividing section 27, the second main body side dividing section 28, and the header collecting tube 25 as viewed from the side of the outdoor heat exchanger 4. Here, the main body side branch section refers to a branch section provided in a heat exchanger other than the header manifold 25 (header type branch section) arranged between the first inlet / outlet 31 and the heat transfer tube 21 or the inlet / outlet side branch section 26 arranged between the second inlet / outlet 32 ​​and the heat transfer tube 21.

[0025] In the outdoor heat exchanger 4 functioning as a condenser, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 enters the outdoor heat exchanger 4 through the first inlet / outlet 31. In the outdoor heat exchanger 4 functioning as an evaporator, the refrigerant that has undergone heat exchange in the indoor heat exchanger 6 exits the outdoor heat exchanger 4 through the first inlet / outlet 31. Whether functioning as a condenser or as an evaporator, the refrigerant that passes through the first inlet / outlet 31 is mainly gasified refrigerant.

[0026] The header collecting pipe 25 is connected to the first inlet / outlet 31 and the multiple connecting pipes 23. In the outdoor heat exchanger 4 functioning as a condenser, the refrigerant entering from the first inlet / outlet 31 is distributed by the header collecting pipe 25 and flows into the multiple connecting pipes 23. In the outdoor heat exchanger 4 functioning as an evaporator, the refrigerant flowing through the multiple connecting pipes 23 is joined at the header collecting pipe 25 and flows to the first inlet / outlet 31.

[0027] The connection pipe 23 is connected to the heat transfer tube 21. The 44 heat transfer tubes 21 of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 shown by circles in FIG. 3 are arranged in 2 columns and 22 rows. Note that the arrangement in the gravity direction GD shown by arrows in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 is the row, and the arrangement in the horizontal direction HD is the column. Here, the column in which the heat transfer tubes 21 connected to the header collecting pipe 25 are arranged is referred to as the second column, and the column in which the heat transfer tubes 21 connected to the first main body side branching section 27 are arranged is referred to as the first column. In other words, the column of the heat transfer tubes 21 on the right side of FIG. 3 is the first column, and the column of the heat transfer tubes 21 on the left side is the second column. The number and arrangement of the heat transfer tubes 21 of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 to which the technology of the present disclosure is applied are not limited to the arrangement shown in FIG. 3.

[0028] FIG. 3 shows a circular cross section of the heat transfer tube 21. In other words, the heat transfer tube 21 extends in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 3. The U-shaped tube 22 is connected to the end of the heat transfer tube 21 to which the connecting tube 23 is not connected. The U-shaped tube 22 connects two heat transfer tubes 21. The U-shaped tube 22 is a tube for turning back the refrigerant flowing through one heat transfer tube 21 at the end of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 and flowing it to the other heat transfer tube 21. In FIG. 3, the U-shaped tube 22 shown by the solid line is disposed in the front, and the U-shaped tube 22 shown by the broken line is disposed in the back. All the heat transfer tubes 21 vertically penetrate the multiple heat transfer fins 24. The multiple heat transfer fins 24 are disposed so that their main surfaces are parallel to each other. The multiple heat transfer tubes 21 and the multiple U-shaped tubes 22 are fixed to a tube plate 35.

[0029] The two heat transfer tubes 21 and the second main body side branch section 28 are connected by two connecting tubes 23. The two heat transfer tubes 21 and the first main body side branch section 27 are connected by two connecting tubes 23. In the outdoor heat exchanger 4 of FIG. 3, when functioning as a condenser, the refrigerant flows from the two heat transfer tubes 21 through the two connecting tubes 23 to the second main body side branch section 28. The refrigerant flows from the two connecting tubes 23 into the second main body side branch section 28 and is combined at the second main body side branch section 28 and flows out from the single connecting tube 23. Similarly, the refrigerant flows from the two heat transfer tubes 21 through the two connecting tubes 23 to the first main body side branch section 27. The refrigerant flows from the two connecting tubes 23 into the first main body side branch section 27 and is combined at the first main body side branch section 27 and flows out from the single connecting tube 23.

[0030] The subcool heat exchange section SC is provided at the lowest stage of the outdoor heat exchanger 4. The subcool heat exchange section SC has a function of further lowering the temperature of the liquefied refrigerant by heat exchange when the outdoor heat exchanger 4 functions as a condenser. The subcool heat exchange section SC is composed of four heat transfer tubes 21 and two U-shaped tubes 22 arranged at the lower part of the outdoor heat exchanger 4. The first main body side branch section 27 is connected to the first row of heat transfer tubes 21 of the subcool heat exchange section SC. The second main body side branch section 28 is connected to the second row of heat transfer tubes 21 of the subcool heat exchange section SC. In other words, the first row of heat transfer tubes 21 of the subcool heat exchange section SC is included in the flow path of the lowest stage of the outdoor heat exchanger 4. Similarly, the second row of heat transfer tubes 21 of the subcool heat exchange section SC is included in another flow path of the lowest stage of the outdoor heat exchanger 4. The refrigerant that has passed through the first row of heat transfer tubes 21 and the second row of heat transfer tubes in the subcool heat exchange section SC flows into the inlet / outlet side branch section 26. The refrigerant that has flowed from the subcool heat exchange section SC into the inlet / outlet side branch section 26 joins together in the inlet / outlet side branch section 26 and flows out from the second inlet / outlet 32.

[0031] In the outdoor heat exchanger 4 functioning as an evaporator, the refrigerant flowing into the inlet / outlet side branch section 26 from the second inlet / outlet 32 ​​is distributed to the two connecting pipes 23 at the inlet / outlet side branch section 26. The refrigerant distributed to the two connecting pipes 23 at the inlet / outlet side branch section 26 flows into the first main body side branch section 27 and the second main body side branch section 28 via the heat transfer tube 21, the U-shaped tube 22, and the connecting pipe 23, respectively. The refrigerant flowing into the first main body side branch section 27 and the second main body side branch section 28 is distributed to two connecting pipes 23 at the first main body side branch section 27 and the second main body side branch section 28, respectively. The refrigerant branched into two at the first main body side branch section 27 and the second main body side branch section 28 flows into the header collecting pipe 25 via the connecting pipe 23, the heat transfer tube 21, and the U-shaped tube 22, respectively. The refrigerant that flows into the header collecting pipe 25 from the four connecting pipes 23 is combined at the header collecting pipe 25 and flows out from the first inlet / outlet 31. Whether functioning as a condenser or as an evaporator, the refrigerant that passes through the second inlet / outlet 32 ​​is mainly liquefied refrigerant.

[0032] (2-1-1) Heat transfer tube connected to the main body side branch With respect to the first main body side distribution section 27, the 22 rows of heat transfer tubes 21 aligned in the direction of gravity in the first column of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 include three heat transfer tubes HR1, HR3, and HR4 (see FIG. 3). With respect to the second main body side distribution section 28, the 22 rows of heat transfer tubes 21 aligned in the direction of gravity in the second column of the outdoor heat exchanger 4 include the heat transfer tube HR2, and the first column includes the heat transfer tubes HR5 and HR6 (see FIG. 3). These heat transfer tubes HR1 to HR6 are fixed to a tube plate 35.

[0033] The heat transfer tubes HR1 to HR6 may be connected to the header collector pipe 15 via other heat transfer tubes 21 and U-shaped tubes 22, or may be directly connected to the header collector pipe 15. The three connecting tubes 23 connected to the first main body side branch section 27 and the three connecting tubes 23 connected to the second main body side branch section 28 are respectively denoted by reference characters such as the first tube P1 to the third tube P3, and the respective connecting tubes will be described separately. For example, the heat transfer tube HR6 related to the second main body side branch section 28 is connected to the third tube P3 of the second main body side branch section 28. For example, the heat transfer tube HR1 is included in the subcool heat exchange section SC. In other words, the heat transfer tube HR1 is disposed in the lowest flow path in the gravity direction.

[0034] When the outdoor heat exchanger 4 functions as a condenser, a heat transfer tube HR1, which is a first heat transfer tube, is disposed on the outlet side, and heat transfer tubes HR3 and HR4, which are the second to Nth heat transfer tubes, are disposed on the inlet side. However, in this case, N=3.

[0035] (2-1-2) Main body side distribution section As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 includes a first tube P1, a second tube P2, and a third tube P3 for the first main body side branch section 27. The first tube P1 connects the first main body side branch section 27 to the heat transfer tube HR1, which is the first heat transfer tube. The second tube P2 to the third tube P3 connect the first main body side branch section 27 to the heat transfer tube HR3 to the heat transfer tube HR4. The heat transfer tube HR3 is the second heat transfer tube, and the heat transfer tube HR4 is the third heat transfer tube. The heat transfer tubes HR3 to HR4 are disposed above the heat transfer tube HR1 in the direction of gravity.

[0036] Similarly, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is provided with a first tube P1, a second tube P2, and a third tube P3 for the second main body side branch section 28. The first tube P1 connects the second main body side branch section 28 to the heat transfer tube HR2, which is the first heat transfer tube. The second tube P2 to the third tube P3 connect the second main body side branch section 28 to the heat transfer tube HR5 to the heat transfer tube HR6. The heat transfer tube HR5 is the second heat transfer tube, and the heat transfer tube HR6 is the third heat transfer tube. The heat transfer tubes HR5 to HR6 are disposed above the heat transfer tube HR2 in the direction of gravity.

[0037] 5, the first pipe P1 is connected to one side S1 of the first body side branch section 27, and the second pipe P2 to the third pipe P3 are connected to the other side S2 of the first body side branch section 27. Similarly, the first pipe P1 is connected to one side S1 of the second body side branch section 28, and the second pipe P2 to the third pipe P3 are connected to the other side S2 of the second body side branch section 28.

[0038] The first body side branch portion 27 and the second body side branch portion 28 each have an insertion portion 40. The insertion portion 40 is a cylindrical space, and the cylindrical space SP1 extends in the first direction D1. In addition, the immediately preceding portions 41 of the first body side branch portion 27 and the second body side branch portion 28 also extend along the first direction D1. The immediately preceding portions 41 are portions adjacent to the insertion portions 40 of the first body side branch portion 27 and the second body side branch portion 28, and are portions of the first pipe P1 immediately before being connected to the first body side branch portion 27 and the second body side branch portion 28.

[0039] FIG. 6A shows a state in which the insertion portion 40 and the immediately preceding portion 41 are inclined by α degrees with respect to the horizontal direction HD. FIG. 6B shows a state in which the insertion portion 40 and the immediately preceding portion 41 are inclined by β degrees with respect to the horizontal direction HD. The first body side branching portion 27 and the second body side branching portion 28 are attached to the outdoor heat exchanger 4 so that the immediately preceding portion 41 extends along the first direction D1 inclined within a range of ±45° with respect to the horizontal direction HD. In other words, the first body side branching portion 27 and the second body side branching portion 28 are attached to the outdoor heat exchanger 4 so that the inclination of the immediately preceding portion 41 satisfies the condition 0≦α≦45 or 0≧β≧−45. In order to prevent a head difference from occurring when the outdoor heat exchanger 4 functions as a condenser, it is preferable to satisfy the condition 0<α≦+45. In other words, it is preferable that the first tube P1 is inclined so as to be lower toward the heat transfer tube 21.

[0040] The first tube P1 extends in the first direction D1 to the heat transfer tube HR1 with respect to the first body side distribution section 27. Similarly, the first tube P1 extends in the first direction D1 from the heat transfer tube HR2 to the second body side distribution section 28 with respect to the second body side distribution section 28. A distance di1 from the tube sheet 35 to the first body side distribution section 27 and the second body side distribution section 28 is 30 mm or less.

[0041] The second tube P2 and the third tube P3 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction HD and attached to the other side S2 of the first body side distribution section 27. Therefore, there is no up-down relationship between the second tube P2 and the third tube P3 when the refrigerant flows into the first body side distribution section 27 and the second body side distribution section 28. As a result, the occurrence of drift caused by the attachment positions of the second tube P2 and the third tube P3 is suppressed.

[0042] The heat transfer tube HR3, which is the second heat transfer tube, is located lower in the direction of gravity than the heat transfer tube HR4, which is the third heat transfer tube (see FIG. 3). The first main body side branch section 27 is located lower in the direction of gravity than the heat transfer tube HR3 (see FIG. 3). Similarly, the heat transfer tube HR5, which is the second heat transfer tube, is located lower in the direction of gravity than the heat transfer tube HR6, which is the third heat transfer tube (see FIG. 3). The second main body side branch section 28 is located lower in the direction of gravity than the heat transfer tube HR5 (see FIG. 3).

[0043] (3) Features (3-1) In the outdoor heat exchanger 4, when the first main body side dividing section 27 functions as a condenser, liquid refrigerant flows from the heat transfer tubes HR3 and HR4 to the heat transfer tube HR1. These heat transfer tubes HR3 and HR4 correspond to the second to Nth heat transfer tubes, and the heat transfer tube HR1 corresponds to the first heat transfer tube. The immediately preceding portion 41 of this first tube P1 extends along a first direction D1 that is inclined within a range of ±45° with respect to the horizontal direction HD. In the outdoor heat exchanger 4 configured in this manner, the head difference can be reduced compared to the head difference ΔH of the conventional main body side dividing section 127 in which the insertion portion 140 and the immediately preceding portion 141 shown in FIG. 9 extend along the gravity direction GD.

[0044] In the past, for example, because an outdoor heat exchanger must be housed in a narrow outdoor unit, the conventional main body side diverter 127 was attached to the outdoor unit so that the extending direction of the insertion part 140 and the immediately preceding part 141 coincides with the gravity direction GD, as shown in Fig. 9. The head difference ΔH was generated by bending the connecting pipe P102 into an inverted U shape or bending the connecting pipe P103 into an inverted U shape, as shown in Fig. 9. The first main body side diverter 27 and the second main body side diverter 28 of the present disclosure are attached so as to extend along the first direction D1 that is inclined within a range of ±45 degrees, so that it is not necessary to generate such an inverted U-shaped curved part and therefore not necessary to generate a large head difference ΔH. In addition, the connecting pipe P101 of the conventional main body side branch section 127 corresponds to the first pipe P1 connected to the first main body side branch section 27, the connecting pipe P102 corresponds to the second pipe P2, and the connecting pipe P103 corresponds to the third pipe P3.

[0045] In the outdoor heat exchanger 4, when the second body-side distribution section 28 functions as a condenser, the liquid refrigerant flows from the second heat transfer tube to the heat transfer tubes HR5 and HR6 corresponding to the Nth heat transfer tube toward the heat transfer tube HR2 corresponding to the first heat transfer tube. The immediately preceding portion 41 of the second body-side distribution section 28 also extends along the first direction D1 inclined within a range of ±45° with respect to the horizontal direction HD. Therefore, the second body-side distribution section 28 also provides the same effects as the first body-side distribution section 27.

[0046] (3-2) The first tube P1 of the first body-side diverting section 27 extends in the first direction D1 from the heat transfer tube HR1 to the first body-side diverting section 27. The first tube P1 of the first body-side diverting section 27 also extends in the first direction D1 from the heat transfer tube HR2 to the second body-side diverting section 28. Since the first tube P1 extends along the first direction D1 inclined within a range of ±45° with respect to the horizontal direction HD, the range occupied by the first tube P1 in the gravity direction GD can be smaller than when the first tube P1 extends in the gravity direction GD. This configuration makes it easier to arrange the first body-side diverting section 27 so as to reduce the head difference. Similarly, since the first tube P1 of the second body-side diverting section 28 extends in the first direction D1 from the heat transfer tube HR1 to the second body-side diverting section 28, it makes it easier to arrange the second body-side diverting section 28 so as to reduce the head difference.

[0047] (3-3) In the first main body side distribution section 27, the second tube P2 to the third tube P3 corresponding to the second tube to the Nth tube are arranged along the horizontal direction HD on the other side S2 of the first main body side distribution section 27. With this configuration, when the outdoor heat exchanger 4 functions as an evaporator, the first main body side distribution section 27 is likely to distribute the refrigerant evenly from the second tube P2 to the third tube P3. Similarly, in the second main body side distribution section 28, the second tube P2 to the third tube P3 are arranged along the horizontal direction HD on the other side S2 of the second main body side distribution section 28. Therefore, when the second main body side distribution section 28 functions as an evaporator, the second main body side distribution section 28 is likely to distribute the refrigerant evenly from the second tube P2 to the third tube P3.

[0048] (4) Variations (4-1) Variation A In the above embodiment, for example, as shown in Fig. 4, when focusing only on the first main-body-side dividing section 27, the outdoor heat exchanger 4 is illustrated in a case where N=3 among heat exchangers including N first to Nth heat transfer tubes. In other words, Fig. 4 illustrates heat transfer tubes HR1, HR3, and HR4 formed by dividing multiple rows of heat transfer tubes 21 aligned in the gravity direction GD into three groups for a part of the outdoor heat exchanger 4.

[0049] However, as shown in Fig. 4, the number N is not limited to 3. For example, Fig. 7 shows an outdoor heat exchanger 4 including five heat transfer tubes HR11 to HR15, which are the first to Nth heat transfer tubes, formed by dividing the heat transfer tubes 21 in multiple rows aligned in the gravity direction GD in the entire outdoor heat exchanger 4 into five groups. The main body side branch section 50 in Fig. 7 branches one refrigerant flow into four, and distributes the four branched refrigerant flows to the four heat transfer tubes HR12 to HR15. In this way, the number N may be an integer of 4 or more.

[0050] (4-2) Variation B In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which one refrigerant flow is divided into two refrigerant flows at first body-side dividing section 27 and second body-side dividing section 28, but one refrigerant flow may be divided into four refrigerant flows as in modification A. When dividing as in modification A, one refrigerant flow may be divided into two internally, and the two refrigerant flows may be further divided into four, as in body-side dividing section 50 shown in Fig. 8.

[0051] The main body side distribution section 50 shown in FIG. 8 is an impingement type distribution section that distributes the refrigerant flow by colliding with a surface inside the distribution section. The main body side distribution section 50 in FIG. 8 distributes one refrigerant flow FL1 flowing in from the first pipe P1 into four refrigerant flows FL21 to FL24. In the main body side distribution section 50, the refrigerant flow FL1 that flows from the first pipe P1 into the opening 51a of the inlet plate 51 collides with the surface 53 of the intermediate plate 52 and is divided into two. Furthermore, the refrigerant flows FL11 and FL12 that are divided in two by the intermediate plate 52 and pass through the two openings 52a and 52b collide with the surfaces 55 and 56 of the main body section 54 and are divided into two refrigerant flows FL21 and FL22 that are generated by dividing the refrigerant flow FL11 in two on the surface 55 of the main body section 54, and are divided into two openings 54a and 54b and openings 54c and 54d, respectively. The refrigerant flows FL21, FL22, FL23, and FL24 that have passed through the four openings 54a, 54b, 54c, and 54d are distributed to the second tube P2 through the fifth tube P5. The inlet plate 51 is provided with an insertion section 40 into which the first tube P1 is inserted into the opening 51a. The portion of the first tube P1 adjacent to the insertion section 40 of the main body-side branch section 50 is the immediately preceding section 41.

[0052] (4-3) Variation C In the above embodiment, focusing only on the first main-body-side dividing section 27, three heat transfer tubes HR1, HR3, and HR4 are shown, which are included in the plurality of heat transfer tubes 21 aligned in the gravity direction GD of the outdoor heat exchanger 4. In terms of the flow path, one heat transfer tube HR1 (sub-cool heat exchange section SC) is divided into two heat transfer tubes HR3 and HR4 by one first main-body-side dividing section 27.

[0053] In the above embodiment, looking at the first body-side dividing section 27 and the second body-side dividing section 28, six heat transfer tubes HR1, HR2, HR3, HR4, HR5, and HR6 are shown, which are included in the plurality of heat transfer tubes 21 aligned in the gravity direction GD of the outdoor heat exchanger 4. Looking at the flow path, two heat transfer tubes HR1, HR2 (subcool heat exchange section SC) are divided into four heat transfer tubes HR3, HR4, HR5, and HR6 by the two first body-side dividing sections 27 and the second body-side dividing section 28.

[0054] In the above modification A, five heat transfer tubes HR11 to HR15 are shown, which are included in the plurality of heat transfer tubes 21 aligned in the gravity direction GD of the outdoor heat exchanger 4. In terms of the flow path, one heat transfer tube HR11 (subcool heat exchange section SC) is branched by one main body side branch section 50 into four heat transfer tubes HR12, HR13, HR14, and HR15.

[0055] In addition to the above configuration, for example, for the first to ninth heat transfer tubes arranged in the gravity direction GD for the entire heat exchanger, a configuration can be used in which one first heat transfer tube (subcool heat exchange section) is diverted to eight second to ninth heat transfer tubes by one main body side diversion section.

[0056] Alternatively, for the first to tenth heat transfer tubes arranged in the gravity direction GD for the entire heat exchanger, a configuration can be used in which the first and second heat transfer tubes (subcool heat exchange section) are diverted to eight third to tenth heat transfer tubes by two main body side diversion sections.

[0057] Alternatively, for the twelve first to twelfth heat transfer tubes included in the multiple heat transfer tubes 21 arranged in the gravity direction GD of the heat exchanger, a configuration can be used in which the first to fourth heat transfer tubes (subcool heat exchange section) are diverted two by two to the eight fifth to twelfth heat transfer tubes at four main body side diversion sections.

[0058] (4-4) Variation D In the above embodiment, the insertion portion 40 of both the first body side distribution portion 27 and the second body side distribution portion 28 is configured to extend along the first direction D1 inclined within a range of ±45° with respect to the horizontal direction HD. However, the insertion portion 40 of the first body side distribution portion 27 may be configured to extend along the first direction D1 inclined within a range of ±45° with respect to the horizontal direction HD. The second body side distribution portion 28 configured in this manner is arranged, for example, so that the insertion portion extends along the gravity direction GD. However, even with the second body side distribution portion 28 configured in this manner, it is configured so that an inverted U-shaped curved portion is not formed in the first tube, the second tube, and the third tube as in the conventional case.

[0059] (4-5) Variation E In the above embodiment, the first tube P1 to the third tube P3 and the first tube P1 to the fifth tube P5 are each a single tube with no joints. However, the first tube P1 to the third tube P3 and the first tube P1 to the fifth tube P5 may each be a plurality of tubes brazed together.

[0060] (4-6) Variation F The first body-side distribution section 27 and the second body-side distribution section 28 of the above embodiment and the body-side distribution section 50 of the modification B have an insertion section 40 for inserting the first pipe P1. However, the body-side distribution section applied to the technology of the present disclosure may not have an insertion section. For example, a body-side distribution section 60 of the branch pipe type shown in Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B may have no insertion section and may be applied to the technology of the present disclosure. The first pipe P1 connected to the body-side distribution section 60 of the branch pipe type extends along the first direction D1 in the range of ±45° with respect to the horizontal direction HD, even at the immediately preceding portion 41 of the body-side distribution section 60.

[0061] (4-7) Variation G In the first body-side diverter 27 and the second body-side diverter 28 of the above embodiment, the body-side diverter 50 of the modification B, and the body-side diverter 60 of the modification F, the direction of the refrigerant flow is not changed within the diverter, and the refrigerant flows along the first direction D1 within the diverter. However, the body-side diverter applied to the technology of the present disclosure may change the direction of the refrigerant flow within the diverter. For example, the body-side diverter applied to the technology of the present disclosure may not have an insertion part. For example, as in the body-side diverter 70 shown in FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, the first pipe P1 connected to the body-side diverter 70 extends along the first direction D1 in the range of ±45° with respect to the horizontal direction HD at the immediately preceding portion 41 of the body-side diverter 70. Furthermore, the internal flow path 71 adjacent to the first pipe P1 at the immediately preceding portion 41 also extends along the first direction D1. However, the internal flow path 71 of the body-side diverter 70 is curved internally so as to flow out along the gravity direction GD. Therefore, the first pipe P1 is connected to a side surface SS of the main body side distribution portion 70, and the second pipe P2 and the third pipe P3 are connected to an upper surface US of the main body side distribution portion 70.

[0062] The main body side branch section 70 having such a configuration can reduce the number of bends of the pipes between the first pipe P1 and the second pipe P2 to the third pipe P3, and facilitates piping of the first pipe P1 and the second pipe P2 to the third pipe P3. As can be seen from Fig. 11A, the flow path changes direction by 90 degrees inside the main body side branch section 70. Therefore, the angle of the flow path change in the first pipe P1 and the second pipe P2 to the third pipe P3 can be reduced by this 90 degrees, and the number of bends of the flow path can be reduced compared to the case where the first main body side branch section 27, the second main body side branch section 28, the main body side branch section 50, and the main body side branch section 60 are used.

[0063] 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 described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 4 Outdoor heat exchanger 21 Heat transfer tube 27 1st main body side flow divider 28 Second body-side flow dividing part 35 Tube sheet 50, 60, 70 Body-side flow dividing part HR1~HR6, HR11~HR15 Heat transfer tubes P1 First tube P2 Second tube P3 Third tube P4 Fourth tube P5 Fifth tube S1 One side S2 The other side

Prior art documents

Patent documents

[0065]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. A first heat transfer tube (HR1, HR11); second to Nth heat transfer tubes (HR4, HR6, HR15) disposed above the first heat transfer tube in a gravitational direction; A main body side branch portion (27, 28, 50, 60, 70); A first tube (P1) that connects the main body side branch portion and the first heat transfer tube; a second tube (P2) to an Nth tube (P3, P5) connecting the main body side branch portion and the second to Nth heat transfer tubes; Equipped with The first pipe is connected to one side (S1) of the main body side branch portion, and the second pipe to the N pipe are connected to the other side (S2) of the main body side branch portion, The first tube extends along a first direction having an inclination of ±45° with respect to a horizontal direction immediately before the main body side branch portion.

2. The second pipe to the Nth pipe are arranged along a horizontal direction on the other side of the main body side branch portion. A heat exchanger (4) according to claim 1.

3. The first heat transfer tube is disposed in a lowermost flow path in a gravity direction. A heat exchanger (4) according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. (N-1) is a multiple of 2, A heat exchanger (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The number of the first tubes is one and the (N-1) is 2, 4, or 8, or the number of the first tubes is two and the (N-2) is 4 or 8, or the number of the first tubes is four and the (N-4) is 8; A heat exchanger (4) according to any one of the preceding claims.

6. a tube plate (35) for fixing the first to Nth heat transfer tubes; The distance from the tube sheet to the main body side branch portion is 30 mm or less. A heat exchanger (4) according to any one of the preceding claims.

7. When functioning as a condenser, the first heat transfer tube is arranged on an outlet side, and the second to Nth heat transfer tubes are arranged on an inlet side. A heat exchanger (4) according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. the second heat transfer tube is located lower in a gravitational direction than the third to Nth heat transfer tubes, The main body side branch portion is located lower than the second heat transfer tube in a gravitational direction. A heat exchanger (4) according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. The main body side branch portion has the first tube connected to a side surface and the second to Nth heat transfer tubes connected to an upper surface. A heat exchanger (4) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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