Heat exchanger

Abstract

To provide a heat exchanger capable of causing a coolant to flow while branching it so as to suppress the deviation of a ratio of a gas-phase coolant and a liquid-phase coolant to a small value.SOLUTION: An outdoor heat exchanger (11) comprises a liquid header (60) and a plurality of heat transfer tubes (28) connected to the liquid header (60). The liquid header (60) includes a first channel (A), a second channel (B), and a third channel (C), which are mutually connected in a connection part (P). The first channel (A) extends in a first direction that is a vertical direction, the second channel (B) extends in a second direction, and the third channel (C) extends in a third direction. The second direction and the third direction have symmetry with respect to a virtual plane including a line extending from the connection part (P) in the vertical direction and a line extending in a direction in which the flat tubes (28) extend from the connection part (P). The first channel (A) includes a first restriction part (81).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a heat exchanger used in a refrigeration cycle device, in a header to which a plurality of heat transfer tubes are connected, a refrigerant is branched and distributed to each heat transfer tube for flowing.

[0003] For example, in the heat exchanger described in Patent Document 1 (International Publication No. 2015 / 049727), it has been proposed to divide the refrigerant flow into a plurality of paths by providing a plurality of branch points of the refrigerant flow path inside the header and send the refrigerant to each heat transfer tube.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above heat exchanger, for example, when refrigerants having different specific gravities, such as a vapor-phase refrigerant and a liquid-phase refrigerant, flow together inside the header, a bias may occur in the refrigerant amounts among the refrigerants after branching inside the header.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The heat exchanger according to the first aspect includes a header and a plurality of heat transfer tubes. The plurality of heat transfer tubes are connected to the header. The header has a first flow path, a second flow path, and a third flow path. The first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path are connected to each other at a connection portion. The first flow path extends in a first direction that is a vertical direction. The second flow path extends in a second direction. The third flow path extends in a third direction. The second direction and the third direction have symmetry with respect to a virtual plane including a line extending vertically from the connection portion and a line extending in the direction in which the heat transfer tube extends from the connection portion. The first flow path has a first throttle portion.

[0006] In this heat exchanger, the refrigerant flowing through the first flow path of the header increases the refrigerant flow rate when passing through the first throttle portion and branches into the second flow path and the third flow path, so that it is possible to suppress the deviation of the refrigerant amount in each branch flow path.

[0007] In the heat exchanger according to the second aspect, in the heat exchanger according to the first aspect, the second direction and the third direction are horizontal directions.

[0008] In this heat exchanger, it is possible to suppress the deviation of the refrigerant amount due to the influence of gravity between the refrigerant flowing through the second flow path and the refrigerant flowing through the third flow path.

[0009] In the heat exchanger according to the third aspect, in the heat exchanger according to the first aspect or the second aspect, the first throttle portion is connected to the connection portion.

[0010] In this heat exchanger, immediately after increasing the refrigerant flow rate at the first throttle portion, it is possible to branch and flow into the second flow path and the third flow path, so that it is possible to further suppress the deviation of the refrigerant amount in each branch flow path.

[0011] In the heat exchanger according to the fourth aspect, in the heat exchanger according to the third aspect, the first throttle portion is located above the connection portion.

[0012] In this heat exchanger, the refrigerant flowing from the first flow path toward the connection portion passes through the first throttle portion downward, so that the refrigerant flow rate is likely to increase due to gravity.

[0013] In the heat exchanger according to the fifth aspect, in the heat exchanger according to any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, the header is a laminated header in which a plurality of plate members including the first plate member are laminated. The first plate member forms the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path.

[0014] Note that the first plate member may form at least a part of the first flow path, at least a part of the second flow path, and at least a part of the third flow path.

[0015] In this heat exchanger, it becomes easy to form the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path in the header.

[0016] The heat exchanger according to the sixth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, wherein the second flow path has a second throttle portion. The third flow path has a third throttle portion.

[0017] In this heat exchanger, it is easy to suppress the deviation in the amount of refrigerant between the refrigerant after passing through the second throttle portion of the second flow path and the refrigerant after passing through the third throttle portion of the third flow path.

[0018] The heat exchanger according to the seventh aspect is the heat exchanger according to any one of the first aspect to the sixth aspect, wherein the flow path area of the second flow path and the flow path area of the third flow path are the same. The flow path length of the second flow path and the flow path length of the third flow path are the same.

[0019] In this heat exchanger, it becomes possible to make the degree of pressure loss when the refrigerant flows through the second flow path and the degree of pressure loss when the refrigerant flows through the third flow path closer to each other.

[0020] The heat exchanger according to the eighth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any one of the first aspect to the seventh aspect, further including a fourth flow path and a fifth flow path. The fourth flow path is connected to the second flow path and extends in a direction different from the direction in which the second flow path extends. The fifth flow path is connected to the third flow path and extends in a direction different from the direction in which the third flow path extends.

[0021] In this heat exchanger, it becomes possible to guide the refrigerant that has flowed through the second flow path in a direction different from the direction in which the second flow path extends, and to guide the refrigerant that has flowed through the third flow path in a direction different from the direction in which the third flow path extends.

[0022] The heat exchanger according to the ninth aspect is the heat exchanger according to the eighth aspect, wherein either both the fourth flow path and the fifth flow path extend upward or both the fourth flow path and the fifth flow path extend downward.

[0023] In this heat exchanger, by aligning the connection direction of the fourth flow path with respect to the second flow path and the connection direction of the fifth flow path with respect to the third flow path, it is easy to greatly suppress the deviation in the amount of refrigerant between the refrigerant flowing through the fourth flow path and the refrigerant flowing through the fifth flow path.

[0024] The heat exchanger according to the tenth aspect is the heat exchanger according to the eighth or ninth aspect, wherein the second flow path has a first bulging portion. The first bulging portion bulges on the side opposite to the connection portion side with respect to the connection location between the second flow path and the fourth flow path in the direction in which the second flow path extends. The third flow path has a second bulging portion. The second bulging portion bulges on the side opposite to the connection portion side with respect to the connection location between the third flow path and the fifth flow path in the direction in which the third flow path extends.

[0025] In this heat exchanger, even if the refrigerant flowing through the second flow path contains a lump of liquid refrigerant, the lump of liquid refrigerant is likely to be guided to the first bulging portion, so that the lump of liquid refrigerant is suppressed from being directly sent to the fourth flow path. Similarly, even if the refrigerant flowing through the third flow path contains a lump of liquid refrigerant, the lump of liquid refrigerant is likely to be guided to the second bulging portion, so that the lump of liquid refrigerant is suppressed from being directly sent to the fifth flow path.

[0026] The heat exchanger according to the eleventh aspect is the heat exchanger according to any one of the eighth to tenth aspects, wherein the fourth flow path has a fourth throttling portion. The fifth flow path has a fifth throttling portion.

[0027] In this heat exchanger, it is easy for the refrigerant that has passed through the fourth throttling portion to reach the end of the fourth flow path, and it is easy for the refrigerant that has passed through the fifth throttling portion to reach the end of the fifth flow path.

[0028] The heat exchanger according to the twelfth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any one of the eighth to eleventh aspects, further comprising a first connecting pipe with both ends connected to the header and a second connecting pipe with both ends connected to the header. The first connecting pipe constitutes at least a part of a flow path connecting the fourth flow path and a sixth flow path that is a flow path inside the header. The second connecting pipe constitutes at least a part of a flow path connecting the fifth flow path and a seventh flow path that is a flow path inside the header.

[0029] In this heat exchanger, the refrigerant sent to the fourth flow path can be guided to the sixth flow path, which is a flow path inside the header separated from the fourth flow path, and the refrigerant sent to the fifth flow path can be guided to the seventh flow path, which is a flow path inside the header separated from the fifth flow path.

[0030] The heat exchanger according to the thirteenth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any one of the first aspect to the twelfth aspect, wherein the first flow path has a first portion having a larger flow path cross-sectional area than the first throttle portion. The flow path cross-sectional area of the second flow path and the flow path cross-sectional area of the third flow path are smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area of the first portion.

[0031] In this heat exchanger, the deviation of the amount of refrigerant flowing through the second flow path and the third flow path is suppressed.

[0032] The heat exchanger according to the fourteenth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any one of the first aspect to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the header has a plate-like member in which a first opening and a second opening are formed. The first opening forms at least a part of the connection portion, the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path. The second opening is isolated from the first opening and forms an eighth flow path, which is a flow path other than the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path.

[0033] In this heat exchanger, in one plate-like member, it is possible to form the connection portion, the first flow path, the second flow path, the third flow path, and the eighth flow path, which is a flow path different from these.

[0034] The heat exchanger according to the fifteenth aspect is the heat exchanger according to any one of the first aspect to the fourteenth aspect, wherein when the heat exchanger functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant, the refrigerant flows from the first flow path toward the connection portion.

[0035] In this heat exchanger, by suppressing the uneven flow of the liquid refrigerant when functioning as an evaporator of the refrigerant, it is possible to improve the performance.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0036]

Figure 1

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Figure 20

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments of the heat exchanger of the present disclosure and a refrigeration device employing the heat exchanger will be described.

[0038] (1) Configuration of the air conditioner Hereinafter, an air conditioner 1 as an example of a refrigeration cycle device including a heat exchanger according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0039] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner 1 having a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as an outdoor heat exchanger 11.

[0040] The air conditioner 1 is a device that performs cooling and heating of an air-conditioned space by performing a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The air-conditioned space 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 an example of a refrigeration cycle device, and the heat exchanger of the present disclosure may be used in other refrigeration cycle devices, such as a refrigerator, a freezer, a water heater, a floor heating device, etc. The refrigerant used in the air conditioner 1 is not particularly limited, and examples include R290, CO2, R32, etc.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 mainly includes an outdoor unit 2, an indoor unit 9, a liquid refrigerant connection pipe 4 and a gas refrigerant connection pipe 5, and a control unit 3 that controls the devices constituting 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, thereby constituting a refrigerant circuit 6.

[0042] Note that in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 has one indoor unit 9. However, the air conditioner 1 may have a plurality of indoor units 9 that are connected in parallel to the outdoor unit 2 by the liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 4 and the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 5. Further, the air conditioner 1 may have a plurality of outdoor units 2. Moreover, the air conditioner 1 may be an integrated air conditioner in which the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 9 are integrally formed.

[0043] (1-1) Outdoor Unit The outdoor unit 2 is installed outside the air-conditioned space, for example, on the rooftop of a building or near the wall surface of a building.

[0044] The outdoor unit 2 mainly has an accumulator 7, a compressor 8, a four-way switching valve 10, an outdoor heat exchanger 11 (an example of a "heat exchanger"), an outdoor expansion valve 12, a liquid-side shutoff valve 13 and a gas-side shutoff valve 14, and an outdoor fan 16.

[0045] As refrigerant pipes for connecting various devices constituting the refrigerant circuit 6, the outdoor unit 2 mainly has 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. An accumulator 7 is provided in the suction pipe 17. 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 shutoff valve 13. An outdoor expansion valve 12 is provided in the liquid refrigerant pipe 20. The second gas refrigerant pipe 21 connects the four-way switching valve 10 and the gas-side shutoff valve 14.

[0046] The compressor 8 is a device that sucks low-pressure refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle from the suction pipe 17, compresses the refrigerant with a compression mechanism (not shown), and discharges the compressed refrigerant to the discharge pipe 18.

[0047] The four-way switching valve 10 is a mechanism that changes the state of the refrigerant circuit 6 between the cooling operation state and the heating operation state by switching the flow direction of the refrigerant. When the refrigerant circuit 6 is in the cooling operation state, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as a radiator or condenser of the refrigerant, and the indoor heat exchanger 91 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant. When the refrigerant circuit 6 is in the heating operation state, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant, and the indoor heat exchanger 91 functions as a radiator or condenser of the refrigerant. When the four-way switching valve 10 sets the state of the refrigerant circuit 6 to the cooling operation state, the four-way switching valve 10 communicates the suction pipe 17 with the second gas refrigerant pipe 21 and communicates the discharge pipe 18 with the first gas refrigerant pipe 19 (see the solid line 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 communicates the suction pipe 17 with the first gas refrigerant pipe 19 and communicates the discharge pipe 18 with the second gas refrigerant pipe 21 (see the dashed line in the four-way switching valve 10 in FIG. 1).

[0048] The outdoor heat exchanger 11 is a device that causes heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing inside and a fluid such as the air at the installation location of the outdoor unit 2. Details of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 will be described later.

[0049] The outdoor expansion valve 12 is disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger 11 and the indoor heat exchanger 91 in the refrigerant circuit 6. In the present embodiment, the outdoor expansion valve 12 is disposed in the liquid refrigerant pipe 20 between the outdoor heat exchanger 11 and the liquid-side shutoff 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.

[0050] The accumulator 7 is a container having a gas-liquid separation function of separating the incoming refrigerant into gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant. The accumulator 7 is also a container having a function of storing surplus refrigerant generated according to fluctuations in the operation load and the like.

[0051] The liquid-side shut-off valve 13 is a valve provided at the connection part between the liquid refrigerant pipe 20 and the liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 4. The gas-side shut-off valve 14 is a valve provided at the connection part between the second gas refrigerant pipe 21 and the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 5. The liquid-side shut-off valve 13 and the gas-side shut-off valve 14 are open during the operation of the air conditioner 1.

[0052] The outdoor fan 16 is a fan that sucks external heat source air into the casing of the outdoor unit 2 (not shown) and 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 outside the casing of the outdoor unit 2. The outdoor fan 16 is, for example, a propeller fan.

[0053] (1-2) Indoor unit The indoor unit 9 is a unit installed in the air-conditioned space. The indoor unit 9 is, for example, a ceiling-embedded unit, but it may also be a ceiling-suspended type, wall-mounted type, or floor-standing type unit. Also, the indoor unit 9 may be installed outside the air-conditioned space. For example, the indoor unit 9 may be installed in the attic, machine room, garage, etc. In this case, an air passage for supplying the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger 91 from the indoor unit 9 to the air-conditioned space is installed. The air passage is, for example, a duct.

[0054] The indoor unit 9 mainly has an indoor heat exchanger 91, an indoor expansion valve 93, and an indoor fan 92.

[0055] In the indoor heat exchanger 91, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 91 and the air in the air-conditioned space. The indoor heat exchanger 91 is, for example, a fin-and-tube type 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 pipe. The other end of the indoor heat exchanger 91 is connected to the gas refrigerant connecting pipe 5 via a refrigerant pipe.

[0056] The indoor expansion valve 93 is disposed between the indoor heat exchanger 91 and the liquid refrigerant connecting pipe 4 in the refrigerant circuit 6. 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.

[0057] The indoor fan 92 is a mechanism that sucks air in the air-conditioning target space into the casing (not shown) of the indoor unit 9 and supplies it to the indoor heat exchanger 91, and blows out the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger 91 into the air-conditioning target space. The indoor fan 92 is, for example, a turbo fan.

[0058] (1-3) Control unit The control unit 3 is a functional unit that controls the operations of various devices constituting the air conditioner 1.

[0059] The control unit 3 is configured such that, for example, an outdoor control unit (not shown) of the outdoor unit 2 and an indoor control unit (not shown) of the indoor unit 9 are communicably connected via a transmission line (not shown). The outdoor control unit and the indoor control unit are units having, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory such as a ROM and a RAM in which various programs for controlling the air conditioner 1 executable by the processor are stored, such as a microcomputer. In FIG. 1, for convenience, the control unit 3 is drawn at a position separated from the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 9.

[0060] The control unit 3 is electrically connected to various devices of the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 9, including the compressor 8, the four-way switching valve 10, the outdoor expansion valve 12, the outdoor fan 16, the indoor fan 92, and the 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 communicable with a remote control (not shown) operated by a user of the air conditioner 1.

[0061] The control unit 3 controls the operation and stop of the air conditioner 1 and the operations of various devices constituting the air conditioner 1 based on the measurement signals of various sensors and commands received from a remote controller (not shown).

[0062] (2) Configuration of the outdoor heat exchanger With reference to the drawings, the configuration of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 will be described.

[0063] FIG. 2 is a schematic external perspective view of the outdoor heat exchanger 11. In FIG. 2, pipes and the like connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 11 are shown omitted. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 of a heat exchange section 27 described later. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the mounting state of fins 29 described later on a flat tube 28 in the heat exchange section 27. FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory view showing the flow direction of the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 11. The arrow in the heat exchange section 27 shown in FIG. 5 indicates the flow of the refrigerant during the heating operation (when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant).

[0064] In the following description, in order to explain the orientation and position, expressions such as "up", "down", "left", "right", "front (front surface)", "rear (rear surface)" may be used. Unless otherwise specified, these expressions follow the direction of the arrow drawn in FIG. 2. Note that these expressions representing the direction and position are used for convenience of explanation, and when not otherwise specified, they do not specify the orientation and position of the entire outdoor heat exchanger 11 or each component of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 in the direction and position of the expression in the description.

[0065] In the following, when the direction in which a plurality of flat tubes 28 are arranged, the longitudinal direction of the first header 40, the longitudinal direction of the gas header 50, and the longitudinal direction of the liquid header 60 are in the vertical direction, more specifically, when they are in the vertical direction (an example of the "first direction"), a more specific description will be given by way of example. Further, when the direction in which the connection portion of the flat tube 28 with the first header 40 extends, the direction in which the first gas plate portion 51a and the first liquid plate portion 61a of the first member 41, the second member 42, the third member 43, the fourth member 44, the fifth member 45, the sixth member 46, and the seventh member 47 are stacked, and the thickness direction of the first gas plate portion 51a, the first liquid plate portion 61a, the second member 42, the third member 43, the fourth member 44, the fifth member 45, the sixth member 46, and the seventh member 47 are in the left-right direction (an example of the "second direction"), a description will be given by way of example. And the direction perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the left-right direction is described as the front-back direction (an example of the "third direction").

[0066] The outdoor heat exchanger 11 is a device that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing inside and the air.

[0067] The outdoor heat exchanger 11 mainly has a plurality of flat tubes 28, a plurality of fins 29, a second header 30, and a first header 40 (an example of a "header"). In the present embodiment, all of the flat tube 28, the fin 29, the second header 30, and the first header 40 are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0068] The plurality of flat tubes 28 and the plurality of fins 29 form a heat exchange portion 27. In the heat exchange portion 27, air passes through the ventilation path formed between the plurality of flat tubes 28 and the plurality of fins 29. Thereby, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant and the air.

[0069] (2-1) Flat Tube The flat tube 28 is a flat heat transfer tube having flat surfaces 28a serving as heat transfer surfaces up and down as shown in FIG. 3. In the flat tube 28, a plurality of refrigerant passages 28b extending along the direction in which the flat tube 28 extends and through which the refrigerant flows are formed. The flat tube 28 is a flat multi-hole tube in which a large number of refrigerant passages 28b are formed. In the present embodiment, these plurality of refrigerant passages 28b are arranged side by side in the air flow direction.

[0070] In the outdoor heat exchanger 11, a plurality of flat tubes 28 extending horizontally so as to connect the second header 30 and the first header 40 are arranged in a plurality of rows vertically side by side. The plurality of flat tubes 28 are arranged at regular intervals vertically. Each flat tube 28 is arranged in a posture in which each flat surface faces up and down.

[0071] In this embodiment, each flat tube 28 has one bent portion in a plan view and is formed in a substantially L shape.

[0072] When the outdoor fan 16 is driven, an air flow passing through the main surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 from the rear to the front side and an air flow passing through the left side surface portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 from the left side to the right side are generated.

[0073] The outdoor heat exchanger 11 has a first flow path group X and a second flow path group Y arranged vertically. The plurality of flat tubes 28 belong to either the first flow path group X or the second flow path group Y. The first flow path group X is a flow path group located below and to which the plurality of flat tubes 28 belong. The second flow path group Y is a flow path group located above the first flow path group X and to which the plurality of flat tubes 28 belong.

[0074] (2-2) Fins The plurality of fins 29 are members for increasing the heat transfer area of the outdoor heat exchanger 11. Each fin 29 is a plate-like member extending in the vertical direction in which the plurality of flat tubes 28 are arranged and in the air flow direction passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 11.

[0075] In each fin 29, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of notches 29a extending along the insertion direction of the flat tube 28 are formed so that a plurality of flat tubes 28 can be inserted. The notches 29a extend in a direction orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the thickness direction of the fin 29. In the installed state of the outdoor heat exchanger 11, the notches 29a formed in each fin 29 extend in the horizontal direction. The notches 29a are formed in the fin 29 at intervals corresponding to the arrangement intervals of the flat tubes 28. In the outdoor heat exchanger 11, the plurality of fins 29 are arranged side by side along the extending direction of the flat tubes 28. When the flat tubes 28 are inserted into the respective notches 29a of the plurality of fins 29, the spaces between the adjacent flat tubes 28 are partitioned into a plurality of ventilation paths through which air flows.

[0076] Each fin 29 has a communication portion 29b that communicates vertically on the upstream or downstream side of the flat tube 28 in the air flow direction. In the present embodiment, the communication portion 29b of the fin 29 is located on the windward side of the flat tube 28.

[0077] (2-3) First header As shown in FIG. 5, the first header 40 has a gas header 50 located at the upper part and a liquid header 60 (an example of a "header") located at the lower part.

[0078] The gas header 50 has a gas space 50S inside whose longitudinal direction is the vertical direction. The liquid header 60 has a liquid space 60S inside whose longitudinal direction is the vertical direction as a space isolated from the gas space 50S. The gas space 50S of the gas header 50 and the liquid space 60S of the liquid header 60 are partitioned by the fact that the openings formed in the laminated members do not communicate on the gas side and the liquid side.

[0079] A gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a that constitutes one end of the first gas refrigerant pipe 19 is connected to the gas header 50. The gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a is connected to the right side portion of the gas header 50, which is the opposite side to the left side where the flat tubes 28 are connected in the left-right direction.

[0080] One end of the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 20a that forms one end of the liquid refrigerant pipe 20 is connected to the liquid header 60. The liquid refrigerant connection pipe 20a is connected to the right side portion of the liquid header 60, which is the side opposite to the left side where the flat pipe 28 in the left-right direction is connected.

[0081] One end of each flat pipe 28 is connected to the gas header 50 and the liquid header 60 of the first header 40, and the other end of each flat pipe 28 is connected to the second header 30. The outdoor heat exchanger 11 is disposed in a casing (not shown) of the outdoor unit 2 in a posture where the longitudinal directions of the first header 40 and the second header 30 generally coincide with the vertical direction. The number of flat pipes 28 connected to the gas header 50 is larger than the number of flat pipes 28 connected to the liquid header 60. Also, each flat pipe 28 connected to the gas header 50 communicates with the gas space 50S. Each flat pipe 28 connected to the liquid header 60 communicates with the liquid space 60S.

[0082] Note that the first header 40 includes a first member 41 (an example of a "plate member"), a second member 42 (an example of a "plate member"), a third member 43 (an example of a "plate member"), a fourth member 44 (an example of a "plate member"), a fifth member 45 (an example of a "plate member"), a sixth member 46 (an example of a "plate member", an example of a "first plate member", an example of a "plate-like member"), and a seventh member 47 (an example of a "plate member"). The first member 41, the second member 42, the third member 43, the fourth member 44, the fifth member 45, the sixth member 46, and the seventh member 47 extend in the vertical direction across the gas header 50 and the liquid header 60. More specifically, the first member 41, the second member 42, the third member 43, the fourth member 44, the fifth member 45, the sixth member 46, and the seventh member 47 partially form a part of the gas header 50 and another part form a part of the liquid header 60, and are shared by the gas header 50 and the liquid header 60.

[0083] Note that the first member 41, the second member 42, the third member 43, the fourth member 44, the fifth member 45, the sixth member 46, and the seventh member 47 all have their longitudinal directions in the vertical direction, and the lengths in each vertical direction are the same. Also, among the first gas plate portion 51a and the first liquid plate portion 61a of the first member 41, the length in the front-rear direction of the portion excluding the first gas side plate portion 51c, the first liquid side plate portion 61c, the second gas side plate portion 51d, and the second liquid side plate portion 61d is the same as the length in the front-rear direction of the second member 42, the third member 43, the fourth member 44, the fifth member 45, the sixth member 46, and the seventh member 47. Further, the first gas side plate portion 51c and the first liquid side plate portion 61c have the same length in the left-right direction, which is the direction in which the flat tube 28 extends. The second gas side plate portion 51d and the second liquid side plate portion 61d have the same length in the left-right direction, which is the direction in which the flat tube 28 extends.

[0084] Also, the fourth member 44, the fifth member 45, the sixth member 46, and the seventh member 47 of the first header 40 form the gas space 50S of the gas header 50 and the liquid space 60S of the liquid header 60.

[0085] Note that the first member 41 has a first gas side portion 51 and a first liquid side portion 61. The second member 42 has a second gas side portion 52 and a second liquid side portion 62. The third member 43 has a third gas side portion 53 and a third liquid side portion 63. The fourth member 44 has a fourth gas side portion 54 and a fourth liquid side portion 64. The fifth member 45 has a fifth gas side portion 55 and a fifth liquid side portion 65. The sixth member 46 has a sixth gas side portion 56 and a sixth liquid side portion 66. The seventh member 47 has a seventh gas side portion 57 and a seventh liquid side portion 67.

[0086] (2-4) Second Header To the second header 30, the ends of each flat tube 28 opposite to the ends connected to the first header 40 are connected.

[0087] Note that the second header 30 is formed by enclosing and caulking a structure in which a plurality of plate-like members are laminated with a caulking member 31 in a U-shape in plan view to which the flat tubes 28 are connected.

[0088] (3) Refrigerant flow in each operation and the outdoor heat exchanger The control unit 3 receives detection information from various sensors or commands from a remote control or the like, and switches and executes a cooling operation, a heating operation, a defrosting operation, etc.

[0089] When the air conditioner 1 performs a heating operation, the control unit 3 switches the connection state of the four-way switching valve 10 to the state shown by the broken line in FIG. 1 and operates the compressor 8. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 8 exchanges heat with the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 91 to dissipate heat or condense, and after being decompressed by the indoor expansion valve 93 or the outdoor expansion valve 12, it is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 11. The refrigerant sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 11 evaporates by exchanging heat with the outside air and is inhaled into the compressor 8 again.

[0090] Thus, when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant during the heating operation, the refrigerant in a liquid state or a gas-liquid two-phase state that has reached the liquid header 60 from the liquid refrigerant pipe 20 is shunted in the internal space of the liquid header 60 and sent to each flat tube 28 belonging to the first flow path group X. The refrigerant flowing through the flat tubes 28 of the first flow path group X evaporates partially by exchanging heat with the air and reaches the lower region in the internal space of the second header 30. The refrigerant sent to the lower region in the internal space of the second header 30 is sent to the upper region in the internal space of the second header 30. The refrigerant sent to the upper region of the second header 30 flows through a plurality of flat tubes 28 belonging to the second flow path group Y connected to the upper region of the second header 30. The refrigerant flowing through the plurality of flat tubes 28 belonging to the second flow path group Y evaporates further by exchanging heat with the air again and reaches the gas header 50. The refrigerant that has reached the gas header 50 merges and then flows through the first gas refrigerant pipe 19.

[0091] When the air conditioner 1 performs a 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 FIG. 1 and operates the compressor 8. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 8 exchanges heat with the outside air in the outdoor heat exchanger 11 to dissipate heat or condense, and after being decompressed by the outdoor expansion valve 12 or the indoor expansion valve 93, it is 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 sucked into the compressor 8 again.

[0092] Also, when the air conditioner 1 is performing a heating operation and a predetermined defrost start condition is satisfied, the control unit 3 switches the connection state of the four-way switching valve 10 to the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 and operates the compressor 8 to perform a defrost operation of supplying the discharged refrigerant at high temperature and high pressure to the outdoor heat exchanger 11. By this defrost operation, the frost adhering to the outdoor heat exchanger 11 melts.

[0093] Thus, when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as a radiator or condenser of the refrigerant during the cooling operation or the defrost operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 8 flows through the first gas refrigerant pipe 19 and then flows into the gas header 50. The gaseous refrigerant that reaches the gas header 50 is divided in the internal space of the gas header 50 and then flows through a plurality of flat tubes 28 belonging to the second flow path group Y connected to the gas header 50. The refrigerant flowing through the plurality of flat tubes 28 belonging to the second flow path group Y exchanges heat with the air, and part of it dissipates heat or condenses and reaches the upper region in the internal space of the second header 30. The refrigerant sent to the upper region in the internal space of the second header 30 is sent to the lower region of the second header 30. The refrigerant sent to the lower region of the second header 30 is sent to a plurality of flat tubes 28 belonging to the first flow path group X connected to the lower region of the second header 30. The refrigerant flowing through the plurality of flat tubes 28 of the first flow path group X exchanges heat with the air again to further dissipate heat or condense and reaches the liquid header 60. The refrigerant that reaches the liquid header 60 flows out of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 through the liquid refrigerant pipe 20.

[0094] (4) Details of the gas header Fig. 6 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of the gas header 50. Fig. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional configuration diagram of the gas header 50 in the horizontal direction. In Fig. 7, a horizontal cross-section is shown when cutting horizontally at the central position in the thickness direction (vertical direction) of the flat tube 28 located at the lowermost stage among the plurality of flat tubes 28 connected to the gas header 50.

[0095] The gas header 50 is composed of a first gas side portion 51 of the first member 41, a second gas side portion 52 of the second member 42, a third gas side portion 53 of the third member 43, a fourth gas side portion 54 of the fourth member 44, a fifth gas side portion 55 of the fifth member 45, a sixth gas side portion 56 of the sixth member 46, and a seventh gas side portion 57 of the seventh member 47. Among these, the fourth gas side portion 54, the fifth gas side portion 55, the sixth gas side portion 56, and the seventh gas side portion 57 form a gas space 50S.

[0096] The gas header 50 is formed by brazing the first gas side portion 51, the second gas side portion 52, the third gas side portion 53, the fourth gas side portion 54, the fifth gas side portion 55, the sixth gas side portion 56, and the seventh gas side portion 57 to each other.

[0097] (4-1) First gas side portion The first gas side portion 51 constitutes a part of the gas header 50 and has a first gas plate portion 51a, a first gas side plate portion 51c, a second gas side plate portion 51d, a first gas caulking claw 51e, and a second gas caulking claw 51f. This first gas side portion 51 mainly constitutes the periphery of the outer shape of the gas header 50 together with the seventh gas side portion 57.

[0098] The first gas plate portion 51a is laminated so as to be in contact with the left side surface of the second gas plate portion 52a of the second gas side portion 52. The first gas plate portion 51a has a plurality of gas side flat tube connection openings 51b.

[0099] The plurality of gas-side flat tube connection openings 51b are arranged side by side in the vertical direction and are openings penetrating in the plate thickness direction of the first gas plate portion 51a. The contour of the gas-side flat tube connection opening 51b has a shape along the contour of the flat tube 28. Thus, 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-side flat tube connection opening 51b in a state where the tip in the insertion direction of the flat tube 28 has passed through the gas-side flat tube connection opening 51b.

[0100] The first gas-side plate portion 51c is a plate-like portion extending rightward from the front edge of the first gas plate portion 51a. The second gas-side plate portion 51d is a plate-like portion extending rightward from the rear edge of the first gas plate portion 51a. The first gas-side plate portion 51c and the second gas-side plate portion 51d are provided so as to face each other in the front-rear direction, thereby sandwiching the second gas plate portion 52a, the third gas plate portion 53a, the fourth gas plate portion 54a, the fifth gas plate portion 55a, the sixth gas plate portion 56a, and the seventh gas plate portion 57a from the front and rear directions.

[0101] The first gas caulking claws 51e are caulking claws provided in a plurality at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction at the right end of the first gas-side plate portion 51c. The second gas caulking claws 51f are caulking claws provided in a plurality at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction at the right end of the second gas-side plate portion 51d. In the state before caulking, the first gas caulking claws 51e extend rightward on the extension of the first gas-side plate portion 51c, and the second gas caulking claws 51f extend rightward on the extension of the second gas-side plate portion 51d. Then, in a state where the first gas plate portion 51a, the second gas plate portion 52a, the third gas plate portion 53a, the fourth gas plate portion 54a, the fifth gas plate portion 55a, the sixth gas plate portion 56a, and the seventh gas plate portion 57a are laminated, the first gas caulking claws 51e and the second gas caulking claws 51f are woven so as to approach each other in the front-rear direction, whereby the second gas plate portion 52a, the third gas plate portion 53a, the fourth gas plate portion 54a, the fifth gas plate portion 55a, the sixth gas plate portion 56a, and the seventh gas plate portion 57a are caulked and integrated. In this state, brazing is performed in a furnace or the like, so that the mutual members are joined by brazing and completely fixed.

[0102] (4-2) Second Gas Side The second gas side portion 52 forms part of the gas header 50 and has a second gas plate portion 52a.

[0103] The second gas plate portion 52a is laminated so as to face and contact the right side surface of the first gas plate portion 51a and the left side surface of the third gas plate portion 53a. The second gas plate portion 52a has a plurality of gas insertion openings 52b.

[0104] The plurality of gas insertion openings 52b are arranged side by side in the vertical direction and are openings penetrating in the plate thickness direction of the second gas plate portion 52a. The front and rear edges of the gas insertion opening 52b are located outside the front and rear edges of the gas side flat tube connection opening 51b in a view in the plate thickness direction of the second gas plate portion 52a. Also, the upper and lower edges of the plurality of gas insertion openings 52b are located outside the upper and lower edges of the gas side flat tube connection opening 51b in a view in the plate thickness direction of the second gas plate portion 52a. In a view in the plate thickness direction of the second gas plate portion 52a, the contour of the gas insertion opening 52b does not overlap with the contour of the flat tube 28 and is located outside the contour of the flat tube 28. Thereby, the tip of the flat tube 28 in the insertion direction is inserted so as to pass through the gas insertion opening 52b. Also, even if there is excess brazing material during brazing, a gap is secured between the flat tube 28 and the gas insertion opening 52b, and the excess brazing material can be guided, so that it is suppressed that the flow path of the flat tube 28 is blocked by the excess brazing material.

[0105] (4-3) Third gas side portion The third gas side portion 53 forms part of the gas header 50 and has a third gas plate portion 53a.

[0106] The third gas plate portion 53a is laminated so as to face and contact the right side surface of the second gas plate portion 52a and the left side surface of the fourth gas plate portion 54a. The third gas plate portion 53a has a plurality of gas regulation openings 53b.

[0107] The plurality of gas regulation openings 53b are arranged side by side in the vertical direction and are openings that penetrate in the plate thickness direction of the third gas plate portion 53a. The front and rear edges of the gas regulation opening 53b are located inside the front and rear edges of the gas insertion opening 52b when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the third gas plate portion 53a. The width of the plurality of gas regulation openings 53b in the front-rear direction is narrower than the width of the flat tube 28 in the front-rear direction. Thus, the tip of the flat tube 28 in the insertion direction hits the edge of the gas regulation opening 53b, and the insertion position is determined. Note that the upper and lower edges of the plurality of gas regulation openings 53b are located outside the front and rear edges of the flat tube 28.

[0108] Note that in the refrigerant flow direction when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as a radiator or condenser of the refrigerant, the refrigerant flowing into the gas space 50S formed by the third gas plate portion 53a, the fourth gas plate portion 54a, the fifth gas plate portion 55a, the sixth gas plate portion 56a, and the seventh gas plate portion 57a via the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a branches and flows through the plurality of gas regulation openings 53b.

[0109] (4-4) Fourth gas side portion The fourth gas side portion 54 constitutes a part of the gas header 50 and has a fourth gas plate portion 54a.

[0110] The fourth gas plate portion 54a is laminated so as to face and contact the right side surface of the third gas plate portion 53a and face and contact the left side surface of the fifth gas plate portion 55a. The fourth gas plate portion 54a has a fourth gas opening 54b.

[0111] The fourth gas opening 54b is an opening that penetrates in the plate thickness direction of the fourth gas plate portion 54a and has a longitudinal direction in the vertical direction. The fourth gas opening 54b overlaps with the connection locations of the plurality of flat tubes 28 in the gas header 50 when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the fourth gas plate portion 54a, and overlaps with the connection locations of, for example, three or more or five or more flat tubes 28. The width of the fourth gas opening 54b in the front-rear direction corresponds to the width of the gas regulation opening 53b of the third member 43 in the front-rear direction.

[0112] (4-5) Fifth gas side portion The fifth gas side part 55 constitutes a part of the gas header 50 and has a fifth gas plate part 55a.

[0113] The fifth gas plate part 55a is laminated so as to be in contact with the right side surface of the fourth gas plate part 54a and in contact with the left side surface of the sixth gas plate part 56a. The fifth gas plate part 55a has a fifth gas opening 55b.

[0114] The fifth gas opening 55b is an opening penetrating in the plate thickness direction of the fifth gas plate part 55a and has a longitudinal direction in the vertical direction. The fifth gas opening 55b overlaps with the connection locations of the plurality of flat tubes 28 in the gas header 50 when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the fifth gas plate part 55a.

[0115] (4 - 6) The sixth gas side part The sixth gas side part 56 constitutes a part of the gas header 50 and has a sixth gas plate part 56a.

[0116] The sixth gas plate part 56a is laminated so as to be in contact with the right side surface of the fifth gas plate part 55a and in contact with the left side surface of the seventh gas plate part 57a. The sixth gas plate part 56a has a sixth gas opening 56b (an example of the "second opening").

[0117] The sixth gas opening 56b is an opening penetrating in the plate thickness direction of the sixth gas plate part 56a and has a longitudinal direction in the vertical direction. The sixth gas opening 56b overlaps with the connection locations of the plurality of flat tubes 28 in the gas header 50 when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the sixth gas plate part 56a.

[0118] (4 - 7) The seventh gas side part The seventh gas side part 57 constitutes a part of the gas header 50 and has a seventh gas plate part 57a.

[0119] The seventh gas plate part 57a is laminated so as to be in contact with the right side surface of the sixth gas plate part 56a. The seventh gas plate part 57a has a gas pipe connection opening 57b which is an opening penetrating in the plate thickness direction of the seventh gas plate part 57a and to which the gas refrigerant connection pipe 19a is connected.

[0120] The seventh gas plate portion 57a has a surface that spreads so as to overlap with the sixth gas opening portion 56b in a view in the plate thickness direction of the seventh gas plate portion 57a, and is a plate-like member that constitutes the outer wall portion of the gas header 50 so as to block the gas space 50S from the right side.

[0121] The front side portion of the seventh gas plate portion 57a is caulked by the first gas caulking claw 51e of the first member 41. The rear side portion of the seventh gas plate portion 57a is caulked by the second gas caulking claw 51f.

[0122] (5) Details of the liquid header FIG. 8 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of the liquid header 60 (corresponding to the "header"). FIG. 9 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a horizontal cross section of the liquid header 60. In FIG. 9, a horizontal cross section is shown when cutting horizontally at the central position in the thickness direction (vertical direction) of the flat tube 28 at the same height position as the second blow-up region 64j among the plurality of flat tubes 28 connected to the liquid header 60. In FIG. 9, the first connection pipe 71 and the second connection pipe 72 are not shown. FIG. 10 shows a partially enlarged view of the vicinity of the lower end of the sixth liquid side portion 66 in the liquid header 60. FIG. 11 shows an explanatory diagram of the flow of the refrigerant in the liquid header 60 when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant.

[0123] The liquid header 60 is composed of a first liquid side portion 61 of the first member 41, a second liquid side portion 62 of the second member 42, a third liquid side portion 63 of the third member 43, a fourth liquid side portion 64 of the fourth member 44, a fifth liquid side portion 65 of the fifth member 45, a sixth liquid side portion 66 of the sixth member 46, a seventh liquid side portion 67 of the seventh member 47, a first connection pipe 71, and a second connection pipe 72. Among these, the fourth liquid side portion 64, the fifth liquid side portion 65, the sixth liquid side portion 66, and the seventh liquid side portion 67 form the liquid space 60S of the liquid header 60.

[0124] The liquid header 60 is formed by brazing the first liquid side portion 61, the second liquid side portion 62, the third liquid side portion 63, the fourth liquid side portion 64, the fifth liquid side portion 65, the sixth liquid side portion 66, and the seventh liquid side portion 67 to each other.

[0125] Further, a liquid refrigerant connection pipe 20a is connected to the liquid header 60.

[0126] In the liquid header 60, in the refrigerant flow when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant, the refrigerant flowing in through the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 20a is branched inside the liquid header 60, and each branched refrigerant is sent to a plurality of flat tubes 28 included in the first flow path group X among the plurality of flat tubes 28.

[0127] (5-1) First liquid side portion The first liquid side portion 61 forms a part of the liquid header 60, and has a first liquid plate portion 61a, a first liquid side plate portion 61c, a second liquid side plate portion 61d, a first liquid caulking claw 61e, and a second liquid caulking claw 61f. This first liquid side portion 61 mainly constitutes the periphery of the outer shape of the liquid header 60 together with the seventh liquid side portion 67.

[0128] The first liquid plate portion 61a is provided so as to be continuous on the same plane as the first gas plate portion 51a. The first liquid side plate portion 61c is provided so as to be continuous on the same plane as the first gas side plate portion 51c. The second liquid side plate portion 61d is provided so as to be continuous on the same plane as the second gas side plate portion 51d.

[0129] The first liquid plate portion 61a is laminated so as to face and contact the left side surface of the second liquid plate portion 62a of the second liquid side portion 62. The first liquid plate portion 61a has a plurality of liquid side flat tube connection openings 61b.

[0130] The plurality of liquid side flat tube connection openings 61b are arranged side by side in the vertical direction, and are openings penetrating in the plate thickness direction of the first liquid plate portion 61a. The contour of the liquid side flat tube connection opening 61b has a shape along the contour of the flat tube 28. Thereby, the flat tubes 28 are brazed to each other in a state where the tip of the flat tube 28 in the insertion direction passes through the liquid side flat tube connection opening 61b and the outer periphery of the flat tube 28 is in contact with the inner periphery of the liquid side flat tube connection opening 61b.

[0131] The first liquid side plate portion 61c is a plate-like portion extending rightward from the front edge of the first liquid plate portion 61a. The second liquid side plate portion 61d is a plate-like portion extending rightward from the rear edge of the first liquid plate portion 61a. The first liquid side plate portion 61c and the second liquid side plate portion 61d are provided so as to face each other in the front-rear direction, thereby sandwiching the second liquid plate portion 62a, the third liquid plate portion 63a, the fourth liquid plate portion 64a, the fifth liquid plate portion 65a, the sixth liquid plate portion 66a, and the seventh liquid plate portion 67a from the front and rear directions.

[0132] The first liquid caulking claw 61e is a plurality of caulking claws provided at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction at the right end of the first liquid side plate portion 61c. The second liquid caulking claw 61f is a plurality of caulking claws provided at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction at the right end of the second liquid side plate portion 61d. In the state before caulking, the first liquid caulking claw 61e extends rightward on the extension of the first liquid side plate portion 61c, and the second liquid caulking claw 61f extends rightward on the extension of the second liquid side plate portion 61d. Then, in the state where the first liquid plate portion 61a, the second liquid plate portion 62a, the third liquid plate portion 63a, the fourth liquid plate portion 64a, the fifth liquid plate portion 65a, the sixth liquid plate portion 66a, and the seventh liquid plate portion 67a are laminated, the first liquid caulking claw 61e and the second liquid caulking claw 61f are woven so as to approach each other in the front-rear direction, whereby the second liquid plate portion 62a, the third liquid plate portion 63a, the fourth liquid plate portion 64a, the fifth liquid plate portion 65a, the sixth liquid plate portion 66a, and the seventh liquid plate portion 67a are caulked and integrated. In this state, brazing is performed in a furnace or the like, so that the mutual members are joined by brazing and completely fixed.

[0133] (5-2) Second Liquid Side Portion The second liquid side portion 62 constitutes a part of the liquid header 60 and is provided between the third liquid side portion 63 and the first liquid side portion 61. The second liquid side portion 62 has a second liquid plate portion 62a and a plurality of liquid insertion openings 62b.

[0134] The second liquid plate portion 62a is laminated so as to face and contact the right side surface of the first liquid plate portion 61a and the left side surface of the third liquid plate portion 63a.

[0135] The plurality of liquid insertion openings 62b are arranged side by side in the vertical direction and are openings that penetrate in the thickness direction of the second liquid plate portion 62a. The front and rear edges of the liquid insertion opening 62b are located outside the front and rear edges of the liquid-side flat tube connection opening 61b in a view in the thickness direction of the second liquid plate portion 62a. Also, the upper and lower edges of the plurality of liquid insertion openings 62b are located outside the upper and lower edges of the liquid-side flat tube connection opening 61b in a view in the thickness direction of the second liquid plate portion 62a. In a view in the thickness direction of the second liquid plate portion 62a, the contour of the liquid insertion opening 62b does not overlap with the contour of the flat tube 28 and is located outside the contour of the flat tube 28. Thereby, the tip of the flat tube 28 in the insertion direction is inserted so as to pass through the liquid insertion opening 62b. Further, even if there is excess brazing material during brazing, a gap is secured between the flat tube 28 and the liquid insertion opening 62b, and the excess brazing material can be guided, so that it is suppressed that the flow path of the flat tube 28 is blocked by the excess brazing material.

[0136] (5-3) Third liquid-side portion The third liquid-side portion 63 constitutes a part of the liquid header 60 and is provided between the fourth liquid-side portion 64 and the second liquid-side portion 62. The third liquid-side portion 63 has a third liquid plate portion 63a and a plurality of liquid regulation openings 63b.

[0137] The third liquid plate portion 63a is a plate-like member with the left-right direction as the thickness direction and extending in the up-down and front-back directions. The third liquid plate portion 63a is laminated so as to face and contact the left side surface of the fourth liquid plate portion 64a and to face and contact the right side surface of the second liquid plate portion 62a.

[0138] The plurality of liquid regulation openings 63b are arranged side by side in the vertical direction and are openings that penetrate in the thickness direction of the third liquid plate portion 63a. The front and rear edges of the liquid regulation opening 63b are located inside the front and rear edges of the liquid insertion opening 62b in a view in the thickness direction of the third liquid plate portion 63a. The width of the plurality of liquid regulation openings 63b in the front-back direction is narrower than the width of the flat tube 28 in the front-back direction. Thereby, the tip of the flat tube 28 in the insertion direction hits the edge of the liquid regulation opening 63b, and the insertion position is determined. Note that the upper and lower edges of the plurality of liquid regulation openings 63b are located outside the front and rear edges of the flat tube 28.

[0139] Of the plurality of liquid regulation openings 63b, the two at the lower end overlap and communicate with the opening 64b of the fourth liquid side portion 64 in a view in the plate thickness direction of the third liquid plate portion 63a.

[0140] Those located above the two at the lower end among the plurality of liquid regulation openings 63b are such that the lower plurality of liquid regulation openings 63b overlap and communicate with the first blowing-up region 64f in the first through portion 64c of the fourth liquid side portion 64, and the upper plurality of liquid regulation openings 63b overlap and communicate with the second blowing-up region 64j in the second through portion 64g of the fourth liquid side portion 64.

[0141] (5-4) Fourth liquid side portion The fourth liquid side portion 64 constitutes a part of the liquid header 60 and is provided between the fifth liquid side portion 65 and the third liquid side portion 63. The fourth liquid side portion 64 has a fourth liquid plate portion 64a, an opening 64b, a first through portion 64c, and a second through portion 64g.

[0142] The fourth liquid plate portion 64a is a plate-like member with the left-right direction as the plate thickness direction and extending in the up-down, front-back directions. The fourth liquid plate portion 64a is laminated so as to face and contact the left side surface of the fifth liquid plate portion 65a and the right side surface of the third liquid plate portion 63a.

[0143] The first through portion 64c is provided above the opening 64b in the fourth liquid side portion 64 and below the second through portion 64g, and is an opening that penetrates the fourth liquid plate portion 64a in the plate thickness direction. The first through portion 64c has a first introduction region 64d, a first throttle region 64e, and a first upwelling region 64f. The first introduction region 64d, the first throttle region 64e, and the first upwelling region 64f are arranged in this order from bottom to top at the center in the front-rear direction and are connected to each other. The width of the first throttle region 64e in the front-rear direction is smaller than the width of the first introduction region 64d in the front-rear direction and smaller than the width of the first upwelling region 64f in the front-rear direction. The first introduction region 64d overlaps and communicates with the first communication opening 65b of the fifth liquid side portion 65 in a view in the plate thickness direction of the fourth liquid plate portion 64a. The first throttle region 64e is covered from the right side by the fifth liquid plate portion 65a of the fifth liquid side portion 65. The first upwelling region 64f communicates with a plurality of liquid regulation openings 63b arranged vertically on the left side. The first upwelling region 64f communicates with the first forward opening 65d of the fifth liquid side portion 65 located on the right side at the upper end and communicates with the first return opening 65c of the fifth liquid side portion 65 located on the right side at the lower end. Of the first upwelling region 64f, the portion below the location communicating with the first forward opening 65d and above the location communicating with the first return opening 65c is covered from the right side by the fifth liquid plate portion 65a of the fifth liquid side portion 65.

[0144] The second through-hole portion 64g is provided above the first through-hole portion 64c in the fourth liquid side portion 64, and is an opening that penetrates the fourth liquid plate portion 64a in the plate thickness direction. The second through-hole portion 64g has a second introduction region 64h, a second throttle region 64i, and a second upwelling region 64j. The second introduction region 64h, the second throttle region 64i, and the second upwelling region 64j are arranged in this order from bottom to top at the center in the front-rear direction and are connected to each other. The width of the second throttle region 64i in the front-rear direction is smaller than the width of the second introduction region 64h in the front-rear direction and smaller than the width of the second upwelling region 64j in the front-rear direction. The second introduction region 64h overlaps and communicates with the second communication opening 65e of the fifth liquid side portion 65 when viewed in the plate thickness direction of the fourth liquid plate portion 64a. The second throttle region 64i is covered from the right side by the fifth liquid plate portion 65a of the fifth liquid side portion 65. The second upwelling region 64j communicates with a plurality of liquid regulation openings 63b arranged vertically on the left side. The second upwelling region 64j communicates with the second forward opening 65g of the fifth liquid side portion 65 located on the right side at the upper end and communicates with the second return opening 65f of the fifth liquid side portion 65 located on the right side at the lower end. Of the second upwelling region 64j, the portion below the location communicating with the second forward opening 65g and above the location communicating with the second return opening 65f is covered from the right side by the fifth liquid plate portion 65a of the fifth liquid side portion 65.

[0145] (5-5) Fifth liquid side portion The fifth liquid side portion 65 forms a part of the liquid header 60 and is provided between the sixth liquid side portion 66 and the fourth liquid side portion 64. The fifth liquid side portion 65 has a fifth liquid plate portion 65a, a first communication opening 65b, a first return opening 65c, a first forward opening 65d, a second communication opening 65e, a second return opening 65f, and a second forward opening 65g.

[0146] The fifth liquid plate portion 65a is a plate-like member with the left-right direction as the plate thickness direction and extending in the up-down and front-rear directions. The fifth liquid plate portion 65a is laminated so as to face and contact the left side surface of the sixth liquid plate portion 66a and the right side surface of the fourth liquid plate portion 64a.

[0147] The first communication opening 65b, the first return opening 65c, the first forward opening 65d, the second communication opening 65e, the second return opening 65f, and the second forward opening 65g are all openings that penetrate in the plate thickness direction of the fifth liquid plate portion 65a, and are arranged in this order from the bottom.

[0148] On the left side, the first communication opening 65b communicates with the first introduction region 64d of the fourth liquid side portion 64, and on the right side, it communicates with the first communication opening 66c of the sixth liquid side portion 66.

[0149] On the left side, the first return opening 65c communicates with the lower end portion of the first upwelling region 64f of the fourth liquid side portion 64, and on the right side, it communicates with the lower end portion of the first descending opening 66d of the sixth liquid side portion 66.

[0150] On the left side, the first forward opening 65d communicates with the upper end portion of the first upwelling region 64f of the fourth liquid side portion 64, and on the right side, it communicates with the upper end portion of the first descending opening 66d of the sixth liquid side portion 66.

[0151] On the left side, the second communication opening 65e communicates with the second introduction region 64h of the fourth liquid side portion 64, and on the right side, it communicates with the second communication opening 66e of the sixth liquid side portion 66.

[0152] On the left side, the second return opening 65f communicates with the lower end portion of the second upwelling region 64j of the fourth liquid side portion 64, and on the right side, it communicates with the lower end portion of the second descending opening 66f of the sixth liquid side portion 66.

[0153] On the left side, the second forward opening 65g communicates with the upper end portion of the second upwelling region 64j of the fourth liquid side portion 64, and on the right side, it communicates with the upper end portion of the second descending opening 66f of the sixth liquid side portion 66.

[0154] (5-6) Sixth liquid side portion The sixth liquid side part 66 constitutes a part of the liquid header 60 and is provided between the seventh liquid side part 67 and the fifth liquid side part 65. The sixth liquid side part 66 has a sixth liquid plate part 66a, a first opening 66b, a first communication opening 66c (an example of a "second opening"), a first descending opening 66d (an example of a "second opening"), a second communication opening 66e (an example of a "second opening"), and a second descending opening 66f (an example of a "second opening").

[0155] The sixth liquid plate part 66a is a plate-like member with the left-right direction as the plate thickness direction and extending in the up-down and front-back directions. The sixth liquid plate part 66a is laminated so as to face and contact the left side surface of the seventh liquid plate part 67a and the right side surface of the fifth liquid plate part 65a.

[0156] The first opening 66b, the first communication opening 66c, the first descending opening 66d, the second communication opening 66e, and the second descending opening 66f are all openings penetrating in the plate thickness direction of the sixth liquid plate part 66a and are arranged in this order from the bottom.

[0157] The left side of the first opening 66b is covered by the fifth liquid plate part 65a of the fifth liquid side part 65, and on the right side, it communicates with the liquid pipe connection opening 67b, the first distribution opening 67c, and the second distribution opening 67d of the seventh liquid side part 67. Although details will be described later, when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as a refrigerant evaporator, the first opening 66b divides and flows the refrigerant flowing in from the liquid pipe connection opening 67b to the first distribution opening 67c and the second distribution opening 67d.

[0158] The first communication opening 66c communicates with the first communication opening 65b of the fifth liquid side part 65 on the left side and communicates with the first communication opening 67e of the seventh liquid side part 67 on the right side.

[0159] The first descending opening 66d communicates with the first return opening 65c of the fifth liquid side part 65 at the lower left end, communicates with the first forward opening 65d of the fifth liquid side part 65 at the upper left end, and the right side is covered by the seventh liquid plate part 67a of the seventh liquid side part 67.

[0160] The second communication opening 66e communicates with the second communication opening 65e of the fifth liquid side portion 65 on the left side and communicates with the second communication opening 67f of the seventh liquid side portion 67 on the right side.

[0161] The second descending opening 66f communicates with the second return opening 65f of the fifth liquid side portion 65 at the lower end on the left side, communicates with the second forward opening 65g of the fifth liquid side portion 65 at the upper end on the left side, and the right side is covered by the seventh liquid plate portion 67a of the seventh liquid side portion 67.

[0162] When the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant, the refrigerant introduced into the first introduction region 64d through the flow path (an example of the "sixth flow path") constituted by the first communication opening 67e, the first communication opening 66c, the first communication opening 65b, and the first introduction region 64d is blown upward from the first throttling region 64e toward the first blowing-up region 64f. The refrigerant blown up to the first blowing-up region 64f is divided into a plurality of liquid regulation openings 63b at each height position while flowing upward in the first blowing-up region 64f, and the refrigerant that does not flow toward the plurality of liquid regulation openings 63b reaches the upper end of the first blowing-up region 64f. The refrigerant that reaches the upper end of the first blowing-up region 64f passes through the first forward opening 65d, descends through the first descending opening 66d, and then returns to the lower end portion of the first blowing-up region 64f through the first return opening 65c to circulate. Similarly, when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant, the refrigerant introduced into the second introduction region 64h through the flow path (an example of the "seventh flow path") constituted by the second communication opening 67f, the second communication opening 66e, the second communication opening 65e, and the second introduction region 64h is blown upward from the second throttling region 64i toward the second blowing-up region 64j. The refrigerant blown up to the second blowing-up region 64j is divided into a plurality of liquid regulation openings 63b at each height position while flowing upward in the second blowing-up region 64j, and the refrigerant that does not flow toward the plurality of liquid regulation openings 63b reaches the upper end of the second blowing-up region 64j. The refrigerant that reaches the upper end of the second blowing-up region 64j passes through the second forward opening 65g, descends through the second descending opening 66f, and then returns to the lower end portion of the second blowing-up region 64j through the second return opening 65f to circulate.

[0163] In addition, when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant, the flow path constituted by the first communication opening 67e, the first communication opening 66c, the first communication opening 65b, and the first introduction region 64d, and the flow path constituted by the second communication opening 67f, the second communication opening 66e, the second communication opening 65e, and the second introduction region 64h preferably have the same flow path area and the same flow path length.

[0164] (5-7) The seventh liquid side part The seventh liquid side part 67 constitutes a part of the liquid header 60 and is provided on the right side of the sixth liquid side part 66. The seventh liquid side part 67 has a seventh liquid plate part 67a, a liquid pipe connection opening 67b, a first distribution opening 67c, a second distribution opening 67d, a first communication opening 67e, and a second communication opening 67f.

[0165] The seventh liquid plate part 67a is a plate-like member that constitutes the outer wall part on the right side of the liquid header 60 so as to block the liquid space 60S from the right side, and extends in the vertical, front-rear, and lateral directions. The seventh liquid plate part 67a covers a part of the first opening 66b, the first descending opening 66d, and the second descending opening 66f of the sixth liquid side part 66 from the right side.

[0166] The liquid pipe connection opening 67b is a cylindrical opening that penetrates in the plate thickness direction of the seventh liquid plate part 67a near the lower end of the seventh liquid side part 67 and at the center in the front-rear direction. A liquid refrigerant connection pipe 20a is connected to the liquid pipe connection opening 67b.

[0167] The first distribution opening 67c is provided below the front side of the liquid pipe connection opening 67b of the seventh liquid side part 67 and is a cylindrical opening that penetrates in the plate thickness direction of the seventh liquid plate part 67a. The first distribution opening 67c communicates with the fourth region 87 of the first opening 66b on the left side. A pipe end part 71a of the first communication pipe 71 is connected to the first distribution opening 67c on the right side.

[0168] The second distribution opening 67d is provided below and to the rear of the liquid pipe connection opening 67b of the seventh liquid side portion 67, and is a cylindrical opening penetrating in the plate thickness direction of the seventh liquid plate portion 67a. On the left side, the second distribution opening 67d communicates with the fifth region 89 of the first opening portion 66b. The pipe end portion 72a of the second connection pipe 72 is connected to the second distribution opening 67d on the right side.

[0169] The first communication opening 67e is a cylindrical opening penetrating in the plate thickness direction of the seventh liquid plate portion 67a above the liquid pipe connection opening 67b of the seventh liquid side portion 67 and at the center in the front-rear direction. The pipe end portion 71b of the first connection pipe 71 is connected to the first communication opening 67e.

[0170] The second communication opening 67f is a cylindrical opening penetrating in the plate thickness direction of the seventh liquid plate portion 67a above the first communication opening 67e of the seventh liquid side portion 67 and at the center in the front-rear direction. The pipe end portion 72b of the second connection pipe 72 is connected to the second communication opening 67f.

[0171] The front side portion of the seventh liquid plate portion 67a is caulked by the first liquid caulking claw 61e. The rear side portion of the seventh liquid plate portion 67a is caulked by the second liquid caulking claw 61f.

[0172] (5-8) Connection pipe The first connection pipe 71 is provided on the right side of the seventh liquid side portion 67, has a pipe end portion 71a and a pipe end portion 71b, and is a pipe extending from the pipe end portion 71a to the pipe end portion 71b. The first connection pipe 71 is connected to the first distribution opening 67c of the seventh liquid side portion 67 at the pipe end portion 71a. The first connection pipe 71 is connected to the first communication opening 67e of the seventh liquid side portion 67 at the pipe end portion 71b.

[0173] The second connection pipe 72 is provided on the right side of the seventh liquid side portion 67, has a pipe end portion 72a and a pipe end portion 72b, and is a pipe extending from the pipe end portion 72a to the pipe end portion 72b. The second connection pipe 72 is connected to the second distribution opening 67d of the seventh liquid side portion 67 at the pipe end portion 72a. The second connection pipe 72 is connected to the second communication opening 67f of the seventh liquid side portion 67 at the pipe end portion 72b.

[0174] (6) Flow splitting of the refrigerant at the first opening The first opening 66b has a connection part P, a first region 80 (an example of the "first part"), a first throttle part 81, a second region 82, a first bulging part 83, a third region 84, a second bulging part 85, a fourth throttle part 86, a fourth region 87, a fifth throttle part 88, and a fifth region 89.

[0175] The first region 80 is located above the center in the front - rear direction of the first opening 66b and extends vertically so that its longitudinal direction is the vertical direction. The left side of the first region 80 is covered by the fifth liquid plate part 65a. In a view in the plate - thickness direction of the sixth liquid plate part 66a, the first region 80 overlaps and communicates with the liquid - pipe connection opening 67b. The first region 80, the liquid - pipe connection opening 67b, and the liquid - refrigerant connection pipe 20a are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. It is preferable that the connection part between the first region 80 and the liquid - pipe connection opening 67b is located above the center in the up - down direction in the first region 80.

[0176] The first throttle part 81 is below the first region 80 and above the connection part P, and is connected to the first region 80 and the connection part P. The center in the front - rear direction of the first throttle part 81, the center in the front - rear direction of the first region 80, and the connection part P are arranged in the vertical direction. The horizontal cross - sectional area, which is the flow - path cross - sectional area of the first throttle part 81, is smaller than the horizontal cross - sectional area, which is the flow - path cross - sectional area of the first region 80, and is preferably not more than half of the horizontal cross - sectional area, which is the flow - path cross - sectional area of the first region 80. The left side of the first throttle part 81 is covered by the fifth liquid plate part 65a, and the right side is covered by the seventh liquid plate part 67a.

[0177] The second region 82 is connected to the connection part P and extends forward in the horizontal direction on the front side of the connection part P. The flow path cross-sectional area of the second region 82 is larger than the horizontal cross-sectional area which is the flow path cross-sectional area of the first throttle part 81. Thereby, the refrigerant flowing from the first throttle part 81 toward the second region 82 is more easily agitated between the vapor-phase refrigerant and the liquid-layer refrigerant due to the sudden expansion of the flow path. Also, the flow path cross-sectional area of the second region 82 is smaller than the horizontal cross-sectional area which is the flow path cross-sectional area of the first region 80. Thereby, it becomes possible to flow the refrigerant in the second region 82 while the vapor-phase refrigerant and the liquid-layer refrigerant are agitated. Note that the flow path cross-sectional area of the second region 82 is the cross-sectional area of a cross-section by a plane orthogonal to the horizontal direction which is the refrigerant flow direction in the second region 82, and may be the cross-sectional area of a cross-section at the center in the longitudinal direction of the second region 82. The left side of the second region 82 is covered by the fifth liquid plate part 65a, and the right side is covered by the seventh liquid plate part 67a.

[0178] The first bulging part 83 is located in front of the second region 82 and is connected to the second region 82. Specifically, the first bulging part 83 is located in front of the connection point between the second region 82 and the fourth throttle part 86. The upper end and the lower end of the first bulging part 83 are the same as the upper end and the lower end of the second region 82. The length of the first bulging part 83 in the front-rear direction is shorter than the length of the second region 82 in the front-rear direction, and may be, for example, equal to or less than the length of the fourth region 87 in the front-rear direction.

[0179] The third region 84 is connected to the connection part P and extends horizontally rearward behind the connection part P. The flow path cross-sectional area of the third region 84 is larger than the horizontal cross-sectional area which is the flow path cross-sectional area of the first throttle part 81. Thereby, the refrigerant flowing from the first throttle part 81 toward the third region 84 is more likely to be agitated between the vapor-phase refrigerant and the liquid-layer refrigerant due to the sudden expansion of the flow path. Also, the flow path cross-sectional area of the third region 84 is smaller than the horizontal cross-sectional area which is the flow path cross-sectional area of the first region 80. Thereby, it becomes possible to flow the refrigerant in the third region 84 while the vapor-phase refrigerant and the liquid-layer refrigerant are agitated. Note that the flow path cross-sectional area of the third region 84 is the cross-sectional area of a cross-section by a plane orthogonal to the horizontal direction which is the refrigerant flow direction in the third region 84, and may be the cross-sectional area of a cross-section at the center in the longitudinal direction of the third region 84. The flow path cross-sectional area of the third region 84 is equal to the flow path cross-sectional area of the second region 82. The left side of the third region 84 is covered by the fifth liquid plate part 65a, and the right side is covered by the seventh liquid plate part 67a.

[0180] The second bulging part 85 is located behind the third region 84 and is connected to the third region 84. Specifically, the second bulging part 85 is located behind the connection location between the third region 84 and the fifth throttle part 88. The upper end and the lower end of the second bulging part 85 are the same as the upper end and the lower end of the third region 84. The length of the second bulging part 85 in the front-rear direction is shorter than the length of the third region 84 in the front-rear direction, and may be, for example, equal to or less than the length of the fifth region 89 in the front-rear direction.

[0181] The fourth throttle part 86 is provided so as to extend upward from the upper end of the front end of the second region 82. The horizontal cross-sectional area which is the flow path cross-sectional area of the fourth throttle part 86 is smaller than the horizontal cross-sectional area which is the flow path cross-sectional area of the fourth region 87 and smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area of the second region 82. Note that the length of the fourth throttle part 86 in the front-rear direction is shorter than the total length of the second region 82 and the first bulging part 83 in the front-rear direction.

[0182] The fourth region 87 is provided so as to extend upward from the upper end of the fourth throttle portion 86. The center of the fourth throttle portion 86 in the front-rear direction and the center of the fourth region 87 in the front-rear direction are aligned vertically. In a view in the thickness direction of the sixth liquid plate portion 66a, the area of the fourth region 87 is smaller than the area of the first region 80. The left side of the fourth region 87 is covered by the fifth liquid plate portion 65a. The fourth region 87 overlaps and communicates with the first distribution opening 67c in a view in the thickness direction of the sixth liquid plate portion 66a. The fourth region 87, the first distribution opening 67c, and the pipe end portion 71a of the first communication pipe 71 are aligned horizontally. It should be noted that the connection portion between the fourth region 87 and the first distribution opening 67c is preferably located above the vertical center in the fourth region 87.

[0183] The fifth throttle portion 88 is provided so as to extend upward from the upper end of the rear end portion of the third region 84. The horizontal cross-sectional area, which is the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the fifth throttle portion 88, is smaller than the horizontal cross-sectional area, which is the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the fifth region 89, and smaller than the horizontal cross-sectional area, which is the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the third region 84. The horizontal cross-sectional area, which is the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the fifth throttle portion 88, is equal to the horizontal cross-sectional area, which is the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the fourth throttle portion 86. It should be noted that the length of the fifth throttle portion 88 in the front-rear direction is shorter than the total length of the third region 84 and the second bulging portion 85 in the front-rear direction.

[0184] The fifth region 89 is provided so as to extend upward from the upper end of the fifth throttle portion 88. The center of the fifth throttle portion 88 in the front-rear direction and the center of the fifth region 89 in the front-rear direction are aligned vertically. In a view in the thickness direction of the sixth liquid plate portion 66a, the area of the fifth region 89 is smaller than the area of the first region 80 and equal to the area of the fourth region 87. The left side of the fifth region 89 is covered by the fifth liquid plate portion 65a. The fifth region 89 overlaps and communicates with the second distribution opening 67d in a view in the thickness direction of the sixth liquid plate portion 66a. The fifth region 89, the second distribution opening 67d, and the pipe end portion 72a of the second communication pipe 72 are aligned horizontally. It should be noted that the connection portion between the fifth region 89 and the second distribution opening 67d is preferably located above the vertical center in the fifth region 89.

[0185] The above-described first opening 66b has a shape that is symmetric with respect to a virtual plane that includes the connection portion P and extends in the vertical and horizontal directions. Specifically, the second region 82 and the third region 84 extend in a direction that is symmetric with respect to the virtual plane and extend by the same length.

[0186] In the above configuration, the liquid header 60 has a first flow path A, a second flow path B, a third flow path C, a fourth flow path D, and a fifth flow path E, which are refrigerant flow paths formed by the above-described fifth liquid side portion 65, sixth liquid side portion 66, and seventh liquid side portion 67.

[0187] The first flow path A includes the first region 80 and the first throttle portion 81 of the sixth liquid side portion 66, and is a flow path configured to be surrounded on the left and right by the fifth liquid side portion 65 and the seventh liquid side portion 67, and extends vertically to the connection portion P.

[0188] The second flow path B includes the second region 82 and the first bulging portion 83 of the sixth liquid side portion 66, and is a flow path configured to be surrounded on the left and right by the fifth liquid side portion 65 and the seventh liquid side portion 67, and extends forward from the connection portion P.

[0189] The third flow path C includes the third region 84 and the second bulging portion 85 of the sixth liquid side portion 66, and is a flow path configured to be surrounded on the left and right by the fifth liquid side portion 65 and the seventh liquid side portion 67, and extends rearward from the connection portion P.

[0190] The fourth flow path D includes the fourth throttle portion 86 and the fourth region 87 of the sixth liquid side portion 66, and is a flow path configured to be surrounded on the left and right by the fifth liquid side portion 65 and the seventh liquid side portion 67, and extends upward from the second flow path B.

[0191] The fifth flow path E includes the fifth throttle portion 88 and the fifth region 89 of the sixth liquid side portion 66, and is a flow path configured to be surrounded on the left and right by the fifth liquid side portion 65 and the seventh liquid side portion 67, and extends upward from the third flow path C.

[0192] When the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as a refrigerant evaporator, the refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase state that flows through the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 20a and flows into the first region 80 of the first opening 66b descends through the first flow path A, and the flow velocity is increased when passing through the first throttle portion 81, and is sent to the connection portion P. The refrigerant sent to the connection portion P hits the edge portion located vertically below the first throttle portion 81 in the second flow path B and the third flow path C. After the gaseous-phase refrigerant and the liquid-phase refrigerant are stirred, the refrigerant flow direction is greatly changed, and it branches and flows into the second flow path B and the third flow path C.

[0193] The refrigerant flowing through the second flow path B is sent to the fourth flow path D. In the fourth flow path D, the refrigerant whose flow velocity is increased at the fourth throttle portion 86 is blown up into the fourth region 87.

[0194] The refrigerant flowing through the third flow path C is sent to the fifth flow path E. In the fifth flow path E, the refrigerant whose flow velocity is increased at the fifth throttle portion 88 is blown up into the fifth region 89.

[0195] (7) Features of the Embodiment The liquid header 60 of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 has a structure for splitting the refrigerant that has flowed in through the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 20a before sending it to the plurality of flat tubes 28 connected to the liquid header 60 when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as a refrigerant evaporator. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide a conventionally known flow splitter separately from the liquid header 60, and it is possible to make the installation space compact and reduce the component cost.

[0196] When the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant, the refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase state that has flowed into the first opening 66b of the liquid header 60 through the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 20a has its flow velocity increased at the first throttle portion 81 where the flow path is narrowed when descending through the first flow path A, and is sent to the connection portion P, and then branches into the second flow path B and the third flow path C. Therefore, it becomes possible to greatly suppress the difference between the ratio of the gas-phase refrigerant and the liquid-phase refrigerant of the refrigerant flowing through the second flow path B and the ratio of the gas-phase refrigerant and the liquid-phase refrigerant of the refrigerant flowing through the third flow path C. Further, the second flow path B and the third flow path C have the same flow path cross-sectional area and the same flow path length as each other, and are symmetric with respect to a virtual plane including the connection portion P and extending in the vertical and horizontal directions. Therefore, it also becomes possible to reduce the difference between the amount of the refrigerant flowing from the connection portion P toward the second flow path B and the amount of the refrigerant flowing from the connection portion P toward the third flow path C. Moreover, the fourth throttle portion 86 of the fourth flow path D connected to the second flow path B and the fifth throttle portion 88 of the fifth flow path E connected to the third flow path C have the same flow path cross-sectional area as each other, and can cause the same pressure loss to the refrigerant. Also in this regard, the difference between the amount of the refrigerant in the second flow path B and the amount of the refrigerant in the third flow path C is greatly suppressed. As a result, it becomes possible to evenly distribute the refrigerant that has passed through the first flow path A to the second flow path B and the third flow path C.

[0197] Furthermore, the fourth flow path D and the fifth flow path E also have symmetry with respect to a virtual plane including the connection portion P and extending in the vertical and horizontal directions, and since the connection side of the fourth flow path D with respect to the second flow path B and the connection side of the fifth flow path E with respect to the third flow path C are the same upper side, it becomes possible to make the amount of the refrigerant supplied to the fourth flow path D and the fifth flow path E equal and also make the ratio of the gas-phase refrigerant and the liquid-phase refrigerant approximately the same.

[0198] Further, the second flow path B has a first bulging portion 83 that bulges on the side opposite to the connection portion P side with respect to the branching portion to the fourth flow path D, and the third flow path C has a second bulging portion 85 that bulges on the side opposite to the connection portion P side with respect to the branching portion to the fifth flow path E. Thus, even if there is a difference in the ratio of the liquid-phase refrigerant between the refrigerant flowing through the second flow path B and the refrigerant flowing through the third flow path C, it is possible to hold the liquid refrigerant in the bulging portion provided correspondingly in the flow path through which the liquid-phase refrigerant flows more, and it is possible to greatly suppress the difference in the ratio of the liquid-phase refrigerant between the refrigerant flowing through the fourth flow path D and the refrigerant flowing through the fifth flow path E.

[0199] The first opening 66b that realizes the diversion of the refrigerant flowing through the first flow path A of the refrigerant above to the second flow path B and the third flow path C, and further to the fourth flow path D and the fifth flow path E is provided in the sixth member 46 which is a single plate-like member. Thereby, it is possible to divert the refrigerant in the liquid header 60 with a small number of members.

[0200] Further, since the first flow path A, the fourth flow path D, and the fifth flow path E are all arranged on the upper side which is the same side with respect to the second flow path B and the third flow path C, it is possible to greatly suppress the vertical length of the first opening 66b.

[0201] (8) Other embodiments (8-1) Other embodiment A In the above embodiment, when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 configured such that the refrigerant that has passed through the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 20a flows into the first region 80 of the first opening 66b of the sixth liquid side portion 66 through the liquid pipe connection opening 67b of the seventh liquid side portion 67 has been described as an example.

[0202] In contrast, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, it may have a fifth liquid side portion 165 instead of the fifth liquid side portion 65 of the above embodiment, and a seventh liquid side portion 167 instead of the seventh liquid side portion 67 of the above embodiment, and the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 20a may be connected to the lower end of the second header 30. FIG. 13 shows an explanatory diagram of the refrigerant flow when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 according to another embodiment A functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant. Here, in the second header 30, in the region where the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 20a is connected, two flat pipes 28 are connected from below, and the inside of the second header 30 is partitioned into the region and a region above it (not shown).

[0203] The fifth liquid side portion 165 is provided with a further connection opening 65h in the fifth liquid side portion 65 of the above embodiment. The connection opening 65h is provided below the first communication opening 65b and is an opening penetrating in the plate thickness direction of the fifth liquid plate portion 65a. The connection opening 65h communicates with the opening 64b of the fourth liquid side portion 64 on the left side and communicates with the first region 80 in the first communication opening 66c of the sixth liquid side portion 66 on the right side.

[0204] The seventh liquid side portion 167 has the liquid pipe connection opening 67b omitted in the seventh liquid side portion 67 of the above embodiment. As a result, the right side of the first region 80 in the first communication opening 66c of the sixth liquid side portion 66 is covered by the seventh liquid plate portion 67a of the seventh liquid side portion 167.

[0205] In the above configuration, when the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as a refrigerant evaporator, the refrigerant introduced into the lower end region of the second header 30 via the liquid refrigerant connection pipe 20a flows through two flat tubes 28 from below, passes through two from below the liquid-side flat tube connection opening 61b, two from below the liquid insertion opening 62b, and two from below the liquid restriction opening 63b, and merges at the opening 64b of the fourth liquid-side portion 64. At this time, by sending the refrigerant to the two lowermost flat tubes 28 of the outdoor heat exchanger 11, pressure loss can be generated in the two flat tubes 28, and frost adhesion and frost growth in the vicinity of the lower end of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 can be suppressed. Then, the refrigerant merged at the opening 64b of the fourth liquid-side portion 64 is introduced into the first region 80 of the first opening 66b of the sixth liquid-side portion 66 via the connection opening 65h of the fifth liquid-side portion 165. The refrigerant introduced into the first region 80 hits the seventh liquid plate portion 67a of the seventh liquid-side portion 67, changes the flow direction downward, and flows toward the first throttle portion 81. Thereafter, the refrigerant flows and is divided in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

[0206] (8-2) Other Embodiment B In the above embodiment, the case where the first opening 66b is configured such that the same flow area extends for the second flow path B and the same flow area extends for the third flow path C has been described as an example.

[0207] In contrast, the first opening 66b is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the first opening 66b may have a second throttle portion 98 in which the flow area of the second flow path B is partially narrowed, and the third flow path C may have a third throttle portion 99 in which the flow area is partially narrowed. And the second throttle portion 98 and the third throttle portion 99 may have the same flow path cross-sectional area.

[0208] In this case, the refrigerant that has passed through the first throttle portion 81 undergoes pressure loss in the second throttle portion 98 and the third throttle portion 99, thereby restricting the amount of refrigerant passing through the second throttle portion 98 and restricting the amount of refrigerant passing through the third throttle portion 99, so that it is possible to suppress the concentrated flow of liquid refrigerant into either the second flow path B or the third flow path C.

[0209] (8-3) Other Embodiment C In the above embodiment, in the first opening 66b, taking as an example the case where the first flow path A, the fourth flow path D, and the fifth flow path E are all arranged on the upper side, which is the same side, with respect to the second flow path B and the third flow path C, an explanation has been given.

[0210] In contrast, the first opening 66b is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the first flow path A may be configured to have a first region 80a and a first throttle portion 81a, and may be located below the second flow path B and the third flow path C.

[0211] Even in this case, the refrigerant blown up from the first region 80a through the first throttle portion 81a to the connection portion P is evenly distributed to the second flow path B and the third flow path C, and is also evenly distributed to the fourth flow path D and the fifth flow path E.

[0212] (8-4) Other Embodiment D In the above embodiment, in the first opening 66b, taking as an example the case where the first flow path A, the fourth flow path D, and the fifth flow path E are all arranged on the upper side, which is the same side, with respect to the second flow path B and the third flow path C, an explanation has been given.

[0213] In contrast, the first opening 66b is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the fourth flow path D may be configured to have a fourth region 87a and a fourth throttle portion 86a, and be located below the second flow path B, and the fifth flow path E may be configured to have a fifth region 89a and a fifth throttle portion 88a, and be located below the third flow path C.

[0214] Even in this case, the refrigerant blown down from the first region 80 through the first throttle portion 81 to the connection portion P is evenly distributed to the second flow path B and the third flow path C, and is also evenly distributed to the fourth flow path D extending downward from the second flow path B and the fifth flow path E extending downward from the third flow path C.

[0215] In addition, as the first opening 66b, in addition to the above, it may have a fourth flow path D extending downward from the second flow path B and a fifth flow path E extending upward from the third flow path C, or it may have a fourth flow path D extending upward from the second flow path B and a fifth flow path E extending downward from the third flow path C.

[0216] (8-5) Other Embodiment E In the above embodiment, in the first opening 66b, the case where the first flow path A, the fourth flow path D, and the fifth flow path E are all arranged on the upper side, which is the same side with respect to the second flow path B and the third flow path C, has been described as an example.

[0217] In contrast, the first opening 66b is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the first flow path A includes a first region 80a and a first throttle portion 81a, is located below the second flow path B and the third flow path C, the fourth flow path D includes a fourth region 87a and a fourth throttle portion 86a, is located below the second flow path B, and the fifth flow path E includes a fifth region 89a and a fifth throttle portion 88a, and is located below the third flow path C.

[0218] Also in this case, the refrigerant blown up from the first region 80a to the connection portion P through the first throttle portion 81a is evenly distributed to the second flow path B and the third flow path C, and is also evenly distributed to the fourth flow path D extending downward from the second flow path B and the fifth flow path E extending downward from the third flow path C.

[0219] In addition, as the first opening 66b, in addition to the above, it may have a fourth flow path D extending downward from the second flow path B and a fifth flow path E extending upward from the third flow path C, or it may have a fourth flow path D extending upward from the second flow path B and a fifth flow path E extending downward from the third flow path C.

[0220] (8-6) Other Embodiment F In the above embodiment, the case where the first flow path A includes the first region 80 and the first throttle portion 81 in the first opening 66b has been described as an example.

[0221] In contrast, the first opening 66b is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, in the first opening 66b, the first flow path A may include a first region 80b and a first throttle portion 81. This first region 80b includes an upper first region 80x and a lower first region 80y, and the first throttle portion 81 is interposed between the upper first region 80x and the lower first region 80y in the vertical direction. Note that the position of the first throttle portion 81 in the first region 80b is preferably provided at a position closer to the connection portion than the midpoint in the vertical direction, which is the refrigerant flow direction of the first flow path A, and is preferably at a position closer to the lower side of the first region 80b. The area of the flow path cross-section, which is the horizontal cross-section of the upper first region 80x of the first region 80b, and the area of the flow path cross-section, which is the horizontal cross-section of the lower first region 80y, are equal to each other, and both are larger than the area of the flow path cross-section, which is the horizontal cross-section of the first throttle portion 81.

[0222] Also in this case, the refrigerant blown down from the upper first region 80x of the first region 80b to the lower first region 80y and the connection portion P below via the first throttle portion 81 is evenly distributed to the second flow path B and the third flow path C, and is also evenly distributed to the fourth flow path D and the fifth flow path E.

[0223] (8-7) Other Embodiment G In the above embodiment, the case where the second flow path B and the third flow path C extend horizontally away from each other from the connection portion P in the first opening 66b has been described as an example.

[0224] In contrast, the first opening 66b is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the second flow path B and the third flow path C may extend while being inclined with respect to the horizontal direction so as to be separated from each other from the connection portion P. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the second flow path B is configured to have a second region 82a and a first bulging portion 83a, and the third flow path C is configured to have a third region 84a and a second bulging portion 85a, and may extend so as to be positioned upward as they are separated from each other from the connection portion P. Further, the second flow path B and the third flow path C may extend so as to be positioned downward as they are separated from each other from the connection portion P (not shown).

[0225] Even in these cases, similar to the above-described embodiment, the refrigerant flowing through the first flow path A is equally divided into the second flow path B and the third flow path C, and is also equally distributed to the fourth flow path D and the fifth flow path E.

[0226] (8-8) Other Embodiment H In the above-described embodiment, the case where the outdoor heat exchanger 11 is used in a posture where the longitudinal direction of the liquid header 60 is the vertical direction has been described by way of example.

[0227] In contrast, the longitudinal direction of the liquid header 60 in the outdoor heat exchanger 11 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 20, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 may be used in a state where the longitudinal direction of the liquid header 60 is inclined such that the longitudinal direction of the sixth liquid side portion 166 included in the liquid header 60 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction. In this case, even if the longitudinal direction of the sixth liquid side portion 166 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction, the shape and orientation of the first opening 166b included in the sixth liquid side portion 166 are the same as those in the above-described embodiment. Specifically, the first flow path A extends in the vertical direction, and the second flow path B and the third flow path C are provided to have symmetry with respect to a virtual plane including a line extending in the vertical direction from the connection portion P and a line extending from the connection portion P to the flat tube 28, and the fourth flow path D and the fifth flow path E are provided to have symmetry. Even in this case, similar to the above-described embodiment, the refrigerant flowing through the first flow path A is equally divided into the second flow path B and the third flow path C, and is also equally distributed to the fourth flow path D and the fifth flow path E.

[0228] (8 - 9) Other Embodiment I In the above embodiment, the case where the outdoor heat exchanger 11 has a plurality of flat tubes 28 connected to the liquid header 60 has been described by way of example.

[0229] In contrast, the heat transfer tubes connected to the liquid header 60 are not limited to flat tubes, and may be heat transfer tubes having a cylindrical cross - sectional flow path.

[0230] (8 - 10) Other Embodiment J In the above embodiment, regarding the first flow path A, the second flow path B, and the third flow path C, the case where the first opening 66b of the sixth liquid - side portion 66 of the sixth member 46, which is one plate member, is covered by the seventh liquid - plate portion 67a of the seventh liquid - side portion 67 of the seventh member 47 and the fifth liquid - plate portion 65a of the fifth liquid - side portion 65 of the fifth member 45 has been described by way of example.

[0231] In contrast, the first flow path A, the second flow path B, and the third flow path C are not limited to this. For example, the liquid header 60 may have a plurality of plate members provided with openings having a shape corresponding to the first opening 66b, and the first flow path A, the second flow path B, and the third flow path C may be configured by covering the laminate of these plurality of plate members from both sides in the plate - thickness direction.

[0232] (Appendix) Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure described in the claims.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0233] 1 Air conditioner 2 Outdoor unit 3 Control unit 11 Outdoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger) 19 First gas refrigerant pipe 19a Gas refrigerant connection pipe 20 Liquid refrigerant pipe 20a Liquid refrigerant connection pipe 27 Heat exchange part 28 Flat tube (heat transfer tube) 30 Second header 40 First header (header) 41 First member (plate member) 42 Second member (plate member) 43 Third member (plate member) 44 Fourth member (plate member) 45 Fifth member (plate member) 46 Sixth member (plate member, first plate member, plate-shaped member) 47 Seventh member (plate member) 50 Gas header 50S Gas space 56b Sixth gas opening (second opening) 60 Liquid header (header) 60S Liquid space 64d First introduction region (sixth flow path) 64h Second introduction region (seventh flow path) 65b First communication opening (sixth flow path) 65e Second communication opening (seventh flow path) 66b First opening 66c First communication opening (sixth flow path, second opening) 66d First descending opening (second opening) 66e Second communication opening (seventh flow path, second opening) 66f Second descending opening (second opening) 67e First communication opening (sixth flow path) 67f Second communication opening (seventh flow path) 71 First connecting pipe 72 Second connecting pipe 80 First region (first part) 81 First throttle part 82 Second region 83 First bulging part 84 Third region 85 Second bulging part 86 Fourth throttle part 87 Fourth region 88 Fifth throttle part 89 Fifth region 98 Second throttle part 99 Third throttle part 166 First opening 166a First opening A First flow path B Second flow path C Third flow path D Fourth flow path E Fifth flow path P Connection part

Prior art documents

Patent documents

[0234]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. A header (60); A plurality of heat transfer tubes (28) connected to the header; Equipped with The header has a first flow path (A), a second flow path (B), and a third flow path (C) connected to each other at a connection portion (P), The first flow path extends in a first direction which is a vertical direction, The second flow path extends in a second direction, The third flow path extends in a third direction, the second direction and the third direction are symmetrical with respect to a virtual plane including a line extending vertically from the connection portion and a line extending in a direction in which the heat transfer tube extends from the connection portion, The first flow path has a first throttle portion (81), A fourth flow path (D) connected to the second flow path and extending in a direction different from the direction in which the second flow path extends; A fifth flow path (E) connected to the third flow path and extending in a direction different from the direction in which the third flow path extends; Further equipped with Both the fourth flow path and the fifth flow path extend upward; Both the fourth flow path and the fifth flow path extend downward; Either Heat exchanger (11).

2. A header (60), A plurality of heat transfer tubes (28) connected to the header; Equipped with The header has a first flow path (A), a second flow path (B), and a third flow path (C) connected to each other at a connection portion (P), The first flow path extends in a first direction which is a vertical direction, The second flow path extends in a second direction, The third flow path extends in a third direction, the second direction and the third direction are symmetrical with respect to a virtual plane including a line extending vertically from the connection portion and a line extending in a direction in which the heat transfer tube extends from the connection portion, The first flow path has a first throttle portion (81), A fourth flow path (D) connected to the second flow path and extending in a direction different from the direction in which the second flow path extends; A fifth flow path (E) connected to the third flow path and extending in a direction different from the direction in which the third flow path extends; Further equipped with The second flow path has a first bulging portion (83) that bulges outward from a connection point between the second flow path and the fourth flow path toward an opposite side to the connection portion in a direction in which the second flow path extends, The third flow path has a second bulging portion (85) that bulges outward from a connection point between the third flow path and the fifth flow path toward the opposite side to the connection portion in a direction in which the third flow path extends. Heat exchanger (11).

3. A header (60), A plurality of heat transfer tubes (28) connected to the header; Equipped with The header has a first flow path (A), a second flow path (B), and a third flow path (C) connected to each other at a connection portion (P), The first flow path extends in a first direction which is a vertical direction, The second flow path extends in a second direction, The third flow path extends in a third direction, the second direction and the third direction are symmetrical with respect to a virtual plane including a line extending vertically from the connection portion and a line extending in a direction in which the heat transfer tube extends from the connection portion, The first flow path has a first throttle portion (81), A fourth flow path (D) connected to the second flow path and extending in a direction different from the direction in which the second flow path extends; A fifth flow path (E) connected to the third flow path and extending in a direction different from the direction in which the third flow path extends; Further equipped with a first connecting pipe (71) having both ends connected to the header; a second connecting pipe (72) having both ends connected to the header; Further equipped with The first communication pipe constitutes at least a part of a flow path connecting the fourth flow path and a sixth flow path (67e, 66c, 65b, 64d) which is a flow path inside the header, The second communication pipe constitutes at least a part of a flow path connecting the fifth flow path and a seventh flow path (67f, 66e, 65e, 64h) which is a flow path inside the header. Heat exchanger (11).

4. A header (60), A plurality of heat transfer tubes (28) connected to the header; Equipped with The header has a first flow path (A), a second flow path (B), and a third flow path (C) connected to each other at a connection portion (P), The first flow path extends in a first direction which is a vertical direction, The second flow path extends in a second direction, The third flow path extends in a third direction, the second direction and the third direction are symmetrical with respect to a virtual plane including a line extending vertically from the connection portion and a line extending in a direction in which the heat transfer tube extends from the connection portion, The first flow path has a first throttle portion (81), The header has a plate-like member (46) in which a first opening (66b) that forms the connection portion, the first flow path, the second flow path, and at least a part of the third flow path, and a second opening (66c, 66d, 66e, 66f, 56b) that is isolated from the first opening and forms an eighth flow path that is a flow path other than the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path are formed. Heat exchanger (11).

5. The second direction and the third direction are horizontal directions. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The first narrowing portion is connected to the connection portion. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The first narrowing portion is located above the connection portion.

7. The heat exchanger of claim 6.

8. The header is a laminated header in which a plurality of plate members (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47) including a first plate member (46) are laminated, The first plate member forms the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

9. The second flow passage has a second throttle portion (98), The third flow path has a third throttle portion (99). A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. A flow path area of ​​the second flow path and a flow path area of ​​the third flow path are equal to each other, The flow path length of the second flow path is the same as the flow path length of the third flow path. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

11. A fourth flow path (D) connected to the second flow path and extending in a direction different from the direction in which the second flow path extends; A fifth flow path (E) connected to the third flow path and extending in a direction different from the direction in which the third flow path extends; Further equipped with 5. The heat exchanger of claim 4.

12. The fourth flow passage has a fourth throttle portion (86), The fifth flow path has a fifth throttling portion (88). A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

13. The first flow path has a first portion (80) having a flow path cross-sectional area larger than that of the first throttle portion, A flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the second flow path and a flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the third flow path are smaller than a flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the first portion. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

14. The header has a plate-like member (46) in which a first opening (66b) that forms the connection portion, the first flow path, the second flow path, and at least a part of the third flow path, and a second opening (66c, 66d, 66e, 66f, 56b) that is isolated from the first opening and forms an eighth flow path that is a flow path other than the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path are formed. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

15. When the heat exchanger functions as an evaporator of a refrigerant, the refrigerant flows from the first flow path toward the connection portion. A heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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