Air conditioning device and method for constructing same

Abstract

This air conditioning device comprises: a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger which are provided inside an outdoor unit housing; an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor blower which are provided inside an indoor unit housing; and heat medium piping connected to the indoor heat exchanger and through which flows a heat medium that performs heat exchange directly with indoor air. The indoor heat exchanger includes a first heat exchange unit that heats the indoor air during a dehumidification operation, and a second heat exchange unit that cools the indoor air during the dehumidification operation and condenses water vapor in the indoor air. The indoor heat exchanger is provided to the indoor unit housing in a first installation mode or a second installation mode. A surface of the indoor heat exchanger, the surface facing an air flow generated by the indoor blower, is different in the first installation mode and the second installation mode, and the second heat exchange unit is provided below the first heat exchange unit in both the first installation mode and the second installation mode.

Description

Air conditioning equipment and its installation method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning apparatus and an installation method thereof.

[0002] In order to dehumidify the indoor air conditioner during summer operation without significantly lowering the indoor temperature, there is a technology in which an indoor heat exchanger installed in the room functions as both a condenser and an evaporator (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, the indoor heat exchanger is composed of a cooling heat exchanger and a reheating heat exchanger. The cooling heat exchanger functions as an evaporator and cools the drawn-in air. The reheating heat exchanger functions as a condenser and heats the drawn-in air.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-133976

[0004] In air conditioners, pipes carrying a heat medium such as refrigerant, water, antifreeze, or brine are connected to an indoor heat exchanger installed inside the indoor unit housing. However, the air conditioner proposed in Patent Document 1 does not consider the orientation of the indoor heat exchanger inside the indoor unit housing or the location of the connection port through which the pipes connect to the indoor heat exchanger. As a result, when the installation space for the indoor unit housing is limited and the orientation of the indoor unit housing cannot be selected, the pipes have often been extended or bent to connect to the indoor heat exchanger. However, extending or bending the pipes increases the flow resistance of the heat medium, resulting in a problem of reduced performance of the air conditioner.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made against the backdrop of the above-mentioned problems, and provides an air conditioning apparatus and an installation method thereof that enable the installation of an indoor unit casing while suppressing a decrease in performance of the air conditioning apparatus caused by the arrangement of piping.

[0006] The air conditioning apparatus according to the present disclosure comprises a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger provided inside an outdoor unit housing, an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan provided inside an indoor unit housing, and a heat medium pipe connected to the indoor heat exchanger and through which a heat medium flows that directly exchanges heat with indoor air, the indoor heat exchanger having a first heat exchange section that heats the indoor air during dehumidification operation and a second heat exchange section that cools the indoor air during dehumidification operation to condense water vapor in the indoor air, the indoor heat exchanger being provided in the indoor unit housing in either a first mounting configuration or a second mounting configuration, the surface of the indoor heat exchanger facing the airflow generated by the indoor fan being different between the first mounting configuration and the second mounting configuration, and in both the first mounting configuration and the second mounting configuration, the second heat exchange section being provided below the first heat exchange section.

[0007] The installation method for an air conditioning device according to the present disclosure is a method for installing the above-mentioned air conditioning device, and includes a step of installing the indoor heat exchanger in an installation mode, of the first and second installation modes, in which the length of the heat medium piping located between the outdoor unit housing and the indoor heat exchanger is shortened.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the indoor heat exchanger includes a first heat exchanger that heats indoor air during dehumidifying operation and a second heat exchanger that cools indoor air during dehumidifying operation to condense water vapor in the indoor air. The indoor heat exchanger can be mounted inside the indoor unit housing in either a first mounting configuration or a second mounting configuration. While the surface of the indoor heat exchanger facing the airflow differs between the first and second mounting configurations, the second heat exchanger is mounted below the first heat exchanger in both the first and second mounting configurations. Therefore, even when the indoor unit housing is installed in a space where the orientation of the indoor unit housing cannot be selected, installing the indoor heat exchanger inside the indoor unit housing in either the first or second mounting configuration allows the indoor unit housing to be installed while suppressing a decrease in air conditioner performance caused by the placement of the heat medium piping.

[0009] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a first mounting mode of an indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the indoor unit casing shown in FIG. 3.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the indoor unit casing shown in FIG. 3.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a first mounting mode and a second mounting mode of the indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a heat transfer tube of the indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a heat transfer tube of another example of the indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1.

[0029] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the side plates and the fixing plate when the indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1 is in the first mounting mode.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the side plates and the fixing plate when the indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1 is in the second mounting mode.

[0029] FIG. 9 is a schematic bottom perspective view of the indoor unit casing for explaining the side plates when the indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1 is in the first mounting mode.

[0029] FIG. 10 is a schematic bottom perspective view of the indoor unit casing for explaining the side plates when the indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1 is in the second mounting mode. 1 is a schematic bottom perspective view of an indoor unit housing for illustrating another example of a side plate when the indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1 is in a second mounting mode. FIG. 2 is a schematic bottom perspective view of an indoor unit housing for illustrating a mounting mode of a side plate according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram for illustrating an installation mode of an indoor unit housing according to Comparative Example 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram for illustrating an installation mode of an indoor unit housing according to Comparative Example 2. FIG. 5 is a schematic refrigerant circuit configuration diagram inside an indoor unit housing according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a diagram for illustrating a refrigerant flow between a first heat exchange unit and a second heat exchange unit of an indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 7 is a diagram for illustrating a first branch section according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 8 is a diagram for illustrating a first mounting mode of an indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 9 is a diagram for illustrating a second mounting mode of an indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 10 is a diagram for illustrating a schematic wind speed distribution in a first mounting mode of an indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 4. FIG. 11 is a diagram for illustrating a schematic wind speed distribution in a second mounting mode of an indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 4. FIG. 12 is a diagram for illustrating a first mode of an indoor fan according to Embodiment 5. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a second mode of the indoor fan according to the fifth embodiment.Fig. 10 is a diagram for explaining a first aspect of another example of an indoor fan according to embodiment 5. Fig. 11 is a diagram for explaining a second aspect of another example of an indoor fan according to embodiment 5. Fig. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioning apparatus according to embodiment 6. Fig. 13 is a diagram for explaining an indoor heat exchanger according to embodiment 6.

[0010] The air conditioner according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments and their variations, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the present disclosure includes all possible combinations of the configurations shown in the following embodiments and variations. In the following description, directional terms (e.g., "up," "down," "right," "left," "front," "rear," etc.) are used as appropriate to facilitate understanding, but these are for explanatory purposes and do not limit the present disclosure. In the drawings, identical reference numerals denote identical or equivalent components, and this applies throughout the specification. Note that the relative dimensional relationships or shapes of the components in the drawings may differ from those in actuality. Furthermore, the highs and lows of temperatures, pressures, etc. in the following description are not determined in relation to absolute values, but are determined relative to the state or operation of the air conditioner.

[0011] Embodiment 1 (Configuration of Air Conditioning Apparatus) Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1. The solid arrows in Fig. 1 indicate the direction of refrigerant flow during cooling operation of the air conditioning apparatus 100. The open arrows indicate airflow. Furthermore, in Fig. 1 and the drawings shown thereafter, the flow of refrigerant is indicated by solid arrows, and the flow of air is indicated by open arrows.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1 , the air conditioning apparatus 100 of this embodiment includes an indoor unit 200, an outdoor unit 500, and refrigerant piping 400. The indoor unit 200 includes an indoor unit housing 210. Inside the indoor unit housing 210, an indoor heat exchanger 20, a first throttling device 104, and an indoor blower 220 are provided. The outdoor unit 500 includes an outdoor unit housing 510. Inside the outdoor unit housing 510, a compressor 101, a flow path switching device 102, an outdoor heat exchanger 50, a second throttling device 105, an outdoor blower 520, and a control device 103 are provided. The compressor 101, the flow path switching device 102, the outdoor heat exchanger 50, the second throttling device 105, the indoor heat exchanger 20, and the first throttling device 104 are connected by refrigerant piping 400 to form a refrigerant circuit in which a refrigerant, which is a heat medium, circulates.

[0013] The indoor heat exchanger 20 includes a first heat exchange section 21 and a second heat exchange section 22. The refrigerant piping 400 includes a first refrigerant piping 401 provided between the outdoor unit housing 510 and the first heat exchange section 21, a second refrigerant piping 402 provided between the outdoor unit housing 510 and the second heat exchange section 22, and a third refrigerant piping 403 provided between the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22. The first refrigerant piping 401 is connected to the first heat exchange section 21. The second refrigerant piping 402 is connected to the second heat exchange section 22. The third refrigerant piping 403 is connected to the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22. The first throttling device 104 is provided in the third refrigerant piping 403. The second throttling device 105 is provided in the refrigerant piping 400 between the outdoor heat exchanger 50 and the first heat exchange section 21. Details of the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22 will be described later. In the following description, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the first heat exchange unit 21 and the second heat exchange unit 22, they will simply be referred to as the "indoor heat exchanger 20." The term "indoor heat exchanger 20" is intended to include the first heat exchange unit 21 and the second heat exchange unit 22. In the following description, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the first refrigerant piping 401, the second refrigerant piping 402, and the third refrigerant piping 403, they will simply be referred to as the "refrigerant piping 400." The term "refrigerant piping 400" is intended to include at least one of the first refrigerant piping 401, the second refrigerant piping 402, and the third refrigerant piping 403.

[0014] The compressor 101 draws in a refrigerant, compresses the drawn in refrigerant, and discharges the refrigerant in a high-temperature, high-pressure state. The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 101 is discharged and flows into the flow path switching device 102. The compressor 101 is, for example, a rotary compressor, a scroll compressor, a screw compressor, a reciprocating compressor, or the like.

[0015] The flow path switching device 102 switches the direction of refrigerant flow in the refrigerant circuit. The flow path switching device 102 is, for example, a four-way valve. The flow path switching device 102 switches the direction of refrigerant flow between heating operation of the air conditioning apparatus 100 and cooling operation and dehumidification operation. In the cooling operation and dehumidification operation, the flow path switching device 102 connects the discharge port of the compressor 101 to the outdoor heat exchanger 50 and connects the suction port of the compressor 101 to the indoor heat exchanger 20. In the heating operation, the flow path switching device 102 connects the discharge port of the compressor 101 to the indoor heat exchanger 20 and connects the suction port of the compressor 101 to the outdoor heat exchanger 50. The first refrigerant piping 401 connecting the outdoor unit housing 510 and the first heat exchanger 21 is connected to the discharge side of the compressor 101 in the cooling operation and dehumidification operation. Furthermore, the second refrigerant pipe 402 connecting the outdoor unit housing 510 and the second heat exchanger 22 is connected to the suction side of the compressor 101 during cooling operation and dehumidifying operation.

[0016] The outdoor heat exchanger 50 exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing in from the refrigerant pipe 400 and a heat exchange fluid such as air flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 50. The outdoor heat exchanger 50 is configured as, for example, a fin-and-tube heat exchanger, a microchannel heat exchanger, a shell-and-tube heat exchanger, a heat pipe heat exchanger, a double-pipe heat exchanger, or a plate heat exchanger.

[0017] During heating operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 50 functions as an evaporator. In the outdoor heat exchanger 50 functioning as an evaporator, heat exchange occurs between the refrigerant that has flowed inside and a heat exchange fluid, causing the refrigerant to evaporate and vaporize.

[0018] The outdoor heat exchanger 50 functions as a condenser during cooling operation and dehumidifying operation. In the outdoor heat exchanger 50 functioning as a condenser, heat exchange occurs between the refrigerant flowing inside and a heat exchange fluid, causing the refrigerant to condense and liquefy.

[0019] The outdoor blower 520 supplies air as a heat exchange fluid to the outdoor heat exchanger 50. The outdoor blower 520 is provided adjacent to the outdoor heat exchanger 50 to supply air. Supplying air from the outdoor blower 520 to the outdoor heat exchanger 50 increases the efficiency of heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger 50. The outdoor blower 520 is configured as a propeller fan, a line flow fan (registered trademark), or a multi-blade centrifugal fan depending on the flow rate, static pressure, or other operating conditions. The heat exchange fluid supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 50 may be water instead of air. In this case, a water pump or the like may be provided instead of the outdoor blower 520.

[0020] The second throttling device 105 expands the refrigerant to reduce its pressure. That is, the second throttling device 105 functions as a pressure reducing valve or an expansion valve. The second throttling device 105 is configured, for example, as an electric expansion valve capable of adjusting the refrigerant flow rate. However, the second throttling device 105 is not limited to an electric expansion valve and may be configured as a mechanical expansion valve employing a diaphragm in the pressure receiving section. Furthermore, the second throttling device 105 does not have to be provided inside the outdoor unit housing 510. The second throttling device 105 may be provided inside the indoor unit housing 210. Furthermore, although not shown, if multiple indoor units are provided, the second throttling device 105 may be provided in a diverter unit that divides the refrigerant among the multiple indoor units.

[0021] The indoor heat exchanger 20 exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing in from the refrigerant pipe 400 and the heat exchange fluid flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 20. The indoor heat exchanger 20 is configured as, for example, a fin-and-tube heat exchanger, a microchannel heat exchanger, a shell-and-tube heat exchanger, a heat pipe heat exchanger, a double-pipe heat exchanger, or a plate heat exchanger.

[0022] During heating operation, both the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22 of the indoor heat exchanger 20 function as condensers. In the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22 functioning as condensers, heat is exchanged between the refrigerant flowing therein and the indoor air, causing the refrigerant to condense and liquefy.

[0023] During cooling operation, both the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22 of the indoor heat exchanger 20 function as evaporators. In the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22 functioning as evaporators, heat is exchanged between the refrigerant flowing therein and the indoor air, causing the refrigerant to evaporate and vaporize.

[0024] During dehumidifying operation, the first heat exchanger 20 functions as a condenser, and the second heat exchanger 22 functions as an evaporator. In the first heat exchanger 21 functioning as a condenser, heat exchange occurs between the refrigerant that has flowed into the interior and the indoor air, causing the refrigerant to condense and liquefy. In the second heat exchanger 22 functioning as an evaporator, heat exchange occurs between the refrigerant that has flowed into the interior and the indoor air, causing the refrigerant to evaporate and vaporize.

[0025] The indoor blower 220 supplies air as a heat exchange fluid to the indoor heat exchanger 20. Supplying air from the indoor blower 220 to the indoor heat exchanger 20 increases the efficiency of heat exchange between the refrigerant and the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 20. The indoor blower 220 is configured as a propeller fan, a line flow fan (registered trademark), or a multi-blade centrifugal fan depending on the flow rate, static pressure, or other operating conditions.

[0026] The first throttling device 104 expands the refrigerant to reduce its pressure. That is, the first throttling device 104 functions as a pressure reducing valve or an expansion valve. The first throttling device 104 is configured, for example, as an electric expansion valve that can adjust the flow rate of the refrigerant. However, the first throttling device 104 is not limited to an electric expansion valve, and may be configured as a mechanical expansion valve that uses a diaphragm in the pressure receiving section.

[0027] The control device 103 controls the overall operation of the air conditioning device 100. The control device 103 is configured with dedicated hardware or a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes programs stored in memory. The CPU is also referred to as a central processing unit, processing device, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or processor. When the control device 80 is dedicated hardware, the control device 103 is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. Each functional unit realized by the control device 103 may be realized by individual hardware, or each functional unit may be realized by a single piece of hardware.

[0028] When the control device 103 is a CPU, each function executed by the control device 103 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in memory. The CPU realizes each function of the control device 103 by reading and executing the programs stored in memory. Here, the memory is, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). It should be noted that some of the functions of the control device 103 may be realized by dedicated hardware, and other functions may be realized by software or firmware. It should be noted that the control device 103 may be provided outside the outdoor unit housing 510.

[0029] The control device 103 controls the compressor 101, the flow path switching device 102, the outdoor blower 520, the indoor blower 220, the first throttling device 104, and the second throttling device 105 during heating operation, cooling operation, and dehumidification operation. The control device 103 controls the flow path switching device 102, for example, to switch the direction in which the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant circuit. The control device 103 may also control the compressor 101 to adjust the discharge rate of the compressed refrigerant. The control device 103 may also adjust the opening degrees of the first throttling device 104 and the second throttling device 105 to adjust the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit.

[0030] (Operation of Air Conditioning Apparatus) Next, a description will be given of the operation of the air conditioning apparatus 100. First, a description will be given of the operation of the air conditioning apparatus 100 during cooling operation.

[0031] [Operation during cooling operation] The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor 101 passes through the flow switching device 102 and flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 50, which functions as a condenser. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant that flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 50 is cooled and condensed by supplying heat to the outdoor air supplied by the outdoor blower 520, and flows out as a low-temperature liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant that flows out of the outdoor heat exchanger 50 is decompressed by the second throttling device 105 and becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant, which flows into the first heat exchanger 21, which functions as an evaporator. During cooling operation, both the first heat exchanger 21 and the second heat exchanger 22 function as evaporators. The low-temperature, low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant that flows into the first heat exchanger 21 absorbs heat from the indoor air supplied by the indoor blower 220 and evaporates. The refrigerant that flows out of the first heat exchange unit 21 flows into the second heat exchange unit 22 via the first throttling device 104, which is fully open, or bypasses the first throttling device 104. The refrigerant that flows into the second heat exchange unit 22 evaporates and becomes low-pressure gas refrigerant, which flows out of the second heat exchange unit 22. That is, the refrigerant flows out of the indoor heat exchanger 20 as low-pressure gas refrigerant. The low-pressure gas refrigerant that flows out of the indoor heat exchanger 20 passes through the flow switching device 102 and is then drawn into the compressor 101. The low-pressure gas refrigerant drawn into the compressor 101 is compressed again by the compressor 101 and discharged as high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant. This cycle is repeated during cooling operation of the air conditioning apparatus 100.

[0032] [Operation During Dehumidification Operation] Next, the operation of the air conditioning apparatus 100 during dehumidification operation will be described. High-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor 101 passes through the flow switching device 102 and flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 50, which functions as a condenser. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant that flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 50 is cooled and condensed by supplying heat to the outdoor air supplied to the outdoor blower 520, and flows out as a two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant. The two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant that flows out of the outdoor heat exchanger 50 flows into the first heat exchanger 21 through the second throttling device 105, which is fully open, or bypasses the second throttling device 105. During dehumidification operation, the first heat exchanger 21 functions as a condenser, and the second heat exchanger 22 functions as an evaporator. The two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant that flows into the first heat exchanger 21 condenses while releasing heat to the indoor air supplied by the indoor blower 220, becoming a low-temperature liquid refrigerant. The low-temperature liquid refrigerant flowing out of the first heat exchange unit 21 is decompressed by the first throttling device 104 to a saturation temperature below the dew point temperature of the indoor air, thereby becoming a low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. The low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the first throttling device 104 flows into the second heat exchange unit 22, which functions as an evaporator. The low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the second heat exchange unit 22 absorbs heat from the indoor air supplied by the indoor blower 220 and evaporates, becoming a low-pressure gas refrigerant. The low-pressure gas refrigerant flows out of the second heat exchange unit 22. That is, the refrigerant flows out of the indoor heat exchanger 20 as a low-pressure gas refrigerant. The low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 20 passes through the flow switching device 102 and is then drawn into the compressor 101. The low-pressure gas refrigerant drawn into the compressor 101 is compressed again by the compressor 101 and discharged as a high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant. During the dehumidifying operation of the air conditioner 100, this cycle is repeated.

[0033] The indoor airflow during dehumidification operation will now be described. The air in the indoor space is humid, and the indoor blower 220 draws humid air from the indoor space and supplies it to the indoor heat exchanger 20. Upstream of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the humid air is divided and flows into the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22. The air that flows into the first heat exchange section 21, which functions as a condenser, increases in temperature, while the air that flows into the second heat exchange section 22, which functions as an evaporator, decreases in temperature and is dehumidified. The air whose temperature has increased in the first heat exchange section 21 and the air whose temperature has decreased and been dehumidified in the second heat exchange section 22 merge downstream of the indoor heat exchanger 20. As a result, dehumidified air is supplied to the room while suppressing a decrease in the indoor temperature.

[0034] [Operation During Heating Operation] Next, the operation of the air conditioning apparatus 100 during heating operation will be described. High-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed by the compressor 101 passes through the flow switching device 102 and flows into the indoor heat exchanger 20, which functions as a condenser. During heating operation, both the first heat exchange unit 21 and the second heat exchange unit 22 function as condensers. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant that flows sequentially into the second heat exchange unit 22 and the first heat exchange unit 21 is cooled and condensed by supplying heat to the indoor air supplied by the indoor blower 220, becoming a low-temperature liquid refrigerant and flowing out of the first heat exchange unit 21. That is, the refrigerant flows out of the indoor heat exchanger 20 as a low-temperature liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 20 is decompressed by the second expansion device 105 to become a low-temperature, low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant and flow into the outdoor heat exchanger 50, which functions as an evaporator. The low-temperature, low-pressure, gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 50 absorbs heat from the outdoor air supplied by the outdoor blower 520. At this time, the liquid refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase state evaporates due to the absorbed heat, becoming low-pressure gas refrigerant. The low-pressure gas refrigerant flows out of the outdoor heat exchanger 50, passes through the flow switching device 102, and is then drawn into the compressor 101. The low-pressure gas refrigerant drawn into the compressor 101 is compressed again by the compressor 101 and discharged as high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant. This cycle is repeated during heating operation of the air conditioning apparatus 100. During heating operation, the first throttling device 104 may be closed, or the refrigerant may bypass the first throttling device 104.

[0035] [Indoor Heat Exchanger] Next, the indoor heat exchanger 20 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 6. Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a first mounting mode of the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 1. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a second mounting mode of the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 1. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the indoor unit housing 210 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the indoor unit housing 210 shown in Fig. 3.

[0036] Here, the directions used in the description of this embodiment and the following embodiments are defined. The airflow direction X is the direction along the airflow and is indicated by the symbol X in the drawings. The upstream side of the airflow direction X is referred to as the airflow upstream side X1, and the downstream side of the airflow direction X is referred to as the airflow downstream side X2. The vertical direction Y is the direction of gravity and is indicated by the symbol Y in the drawings. In FIG. 2, the direction from top to bottom on the paper is the vertical direction Y. The depth direction Z is the depth direction of the indoor unit housing 210 and is indicated by the symbol Z in the drawings. In this embodiment, the depth direction Z is the horizontal direction. Furthermore, the front side of the indoor unit housing 210 is referred to as the indoor unit housing front side Z1, and the rear side of the indoor unit housing 210 is referred to as the indoor unit housing rear side Z2.

[0037] As described above, the indoor heat exchanger 20 includes the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22. The first heat exchange section 21 has a first connection port 24 to which the first refrigerant pipe 401 is connected. The second heat exchange section 22 has a second connection port 25 to which the second refrigerant pipe 402 is connected. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the second heat exchange section 22 is provided below the first heat exchange section 21 in the vertical direction Y. The first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22 are installed in the indoor unit housing 210 so that the cross section of the indoor heat exchanger 20 along the vertical direction Y and the airflow direction X forms a horizontal V-shape. The apex of the horizontal V-shape is the portion where the end of the first heat exchange section 21 and the end of the second heat exchange section 22 contact each other or the portion where the ends of the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22 are closest to each other. The indoor heat exchanger 20 is provided at a position facing the indoor blower 220 so that the airflow generated by the indoor blower 220 passes around the heat transfer tubes of the indoor heat exchanger 20. In the example of Fig. 2, the indoor heat exchanger 20 is provided on the downstream side X2 in the airflow direction from the indoor blower 220. A filter 106 may be provided between the indoor heat exchanger 20 and the indoor blower 220 to capture dust contained in the airflow.

[0038] The mounting manner in which the indoor heat exchanger 20 is provided inside the indoor unit housing 210 includes a first mounting manner and a second mounting manner. The first mounting manner and the second mounting manner differ in the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 20 that faces the airflow generated by the indoor blower 220. In the first mounting manner, as shown in FIG. 2 , the indoor heat exchanger 20 is provided so that the inner peripheral surface of the horizontal V-shape faces the airflow generated by the indoor blower 220. In the second mounting manner, as shown in FIG. 3 , the indoor heat exchanger 20 is provided so that the outer peripheral surface of the horizontal V-shape faces the airflow generated by the indoor blower 220. In both the first mounting manner and the second mounting manner, the second heat exchange section 22 is provided below the first heat exchange section 21.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2 , in the first installation mode, the first refrigerant pipe 401 is inserted into the indoor unit housing 210 through a first opening 211a provided in the first wall surface 211 of the indoor unit housing 210. The second refrigerant pipe 402 is inserted into the indoor unit housing 210 through a second opening 211b provided in the first wall surface 211 of the indoor unit housing 210. That is, the refrigerant pipe 400 is inserted into the indoor unit housing 210 from the front side Z1 of the indoor unit housing. The second opening 211b is provided below the first opening 211a in the vertical direction Y. Furthermore, the first refrigerant pipe 401 inserted through the first opening 211a of the indoor unit housing 210 is connected to the first connection port 24 of the first heat exchanger 21. The second refrigerant pipe 402 inserted through the second opening 211b of the indoor unit housing 210 is connected to the second connection port 25 of the second heat exchanger 22.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3 , in the second installation mode, the first refrigerant piping 401 is inserted into the indoor unit housing 210 through the third opening 212a provided in the second wall surface 212 of the indoor unit housing 210. The second refrigerant piping 402 is inserted into the indoor unit housing 210 through the fourth opening 212b provided in the second wall surface 212 of the indoor unit housing 210. That is, the refrigerant piping 400 is inserted into the indoor unit housing 210 from the rear side Z2 of the indoor unit housing. The fourth opening 212b is provided below the third opening 212a in the vertical direction Y. Furthermore, the first refrigerant piping 401 inserted through the third opening 212a of the indoor unit housing 210 is connected to the first connection port 24 of the first heat exchanger 21. The second refrigerant piping 402 inserted through the fourth opening 212b of the indoor unit housing 210 is connected to the second connection port 25 of the second heat exchanger 22. 2 and 3, the first wall surface 211 and the second wall surface 212 of the indoor unit housing 210 face each other. Hereinafter, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the first opening 211a, the second opening 211b, the third opening 212a, and the fourth opening 212b, they will be simply referred to as "openings" as appropriate.

[0041] Furthermore, the first refrigerant pipe 401 and the second refrigerant pipe 402 of this embodiment are not limited to the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in which they are inserted into the same wall surface of the indoor unit housing 210, and they may be inserted into different wall surfaces. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first refrigerant pipe 401 may be inserted into the indoor unit housing 210 along the depth direction Z, and the second refrigerant pipe 402 may be inserted into the indoor unit housing 210 along the vertical direction Y. As shown in FIG. 4 , in a first installation mode, the first refrigerant pipe 401 is inserted into a first opening 211a provided in the first wall surface 211 of the indoor unit housing 210. The second refrigerant pipe 402 is inserted into a second opening 213b-1 provided in the bottom surface 213 of the indoor unit housing 210 in the opposite direction to the vertical direction Y. Then, in a second installation mode, as shown in FIG. 5 , the first refrigerant pipe 401 is inserted into a third opening 212a provided in the second wall surface 212 of the indoor unit housing 210. The second refrigerant piping 402 is inserted in the opposite direction to the vertical direction Y into a fourth opening 213b-2 provided in the bottom surface 213 of the indoor unit housing 210. In this way, in each of the first and second mounting modes, the first refrigerant piping 401 and the second refrigerant piping 402 are inserted into adjacent wall surfaces of the indoor unit housing 210. Note that although the second refrigerant piping 402 is inserted into the same bottom surface 213 in both the first and second mounting modes, its insertion position differs between the first and second mounting modes.

[0042] 2 and 3, the indoor unit housing 210 may be provided with the first opening 214a-1 and the third opening 214a-2 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. That is, the indoor unit housing 210 may be provided with the second opening 211b and the fourth opening 212b shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the first opening 214a-1 and the third opening 214a-2 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Although not shown, the first refrigerant piping 401 may be inserted into the indoor unit housing 210 along the vertical direction Y, and the second refrigerant piping 402 may be inserted into the indoor unit housing 210 along the depth direction Z. In this case, in the first installation mode, the first refrigerant piping 401 is inserted into the first opening 214a-1 provided on the top surface 214 of the indoor unit housing 210 in the vertical direction Y. The second refrigerant piping 402 is inserted into the second opening 211b provided in the first wall surface 211. In the second mounting mode, the first refrigerant piping 401 is inserted in the vertical direction Y into the third opening 214a-2 provided in the top surface 214 of the indoor unit housing 210. The second refrigerant piping 402 is inserted into the fourth opening 212b provided in the second wall surface 212. In this way, in both the first mounting mode and the second mounting mode, the first refrigerant piping 401 and the second refrigerant piping 402 are inserted into adjacent wall surfaces of the indoor unit housing 210. Note that, although the first refrigerant piping 401 is inserted into the same top surface 214 in both the first mounting mode and the second mounting mode, its insertion position differs between the first mounting mode and the second mounting mode.

[0043] Next, the mounting mode of the indoor heat exchanger 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining a first mounting mode and a second mounting mode of the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 1. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the first mounting mode and the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the second mounting mode, projected onto a first wall surface 211 of the indoor unit housing 210 from the rear side Z2 of the indoor unit housing toward the front side Z1 of the indoor unit housing. Fig. 6 is a diagram superimposing a first projection view obtained by projecting the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the first mounting mode onto the first wall surface 211 in the horizontal direction and a second projection view obtained by projecting the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the second mounting mode onto the first wall surface 211 in the horizontal direction. Hereinafter, the indoor heat exchanger 20, the first heat exchange section 21, the second heat exchange section 22, the first connection port 24, and the second connection port 25 in the first installation mode may be referred to as the indoor heat exchanger 20a, the first heat exchange section 21a, the second heat exchange section 22a, the first connection port 24a, and the second connection port 25a, respectively. Also, the indoor heat exchanger 20, the first heat exchange section 21, the second heat exchange section 22, the first connection port 24, and the second connection port 25 in the second installation mode may be referred to as the indoor heat exchanger 20b, the first heat exchange section 21b, the second heat exchange section 22b, the first connection port 24b, and the second connection port 25b, respectively.

[0044] The first imaginary point VP1a is a point in the first projection view obtained by projecting an arbitrary point of the first heat exchanger 21 in the first mounting configuration, and the second imaginary point VP1b is a point in the second projection view obtained by projecting the arbitrary point in the second mounting configuration. A straight line connecting the first imaginary point VP1a and the second imaginary point VP1b is defined as a first imaginary line VL1. The third imaginary point VP2a is a point in the first projection view obtained by projecting an arbitrary point of the second heat exchanger 22 in the first mounting configuration, and the fourth imaginary point VP2b is a point in the second projection view obtained by projecting the arbitrary point in the second mounting configuration. A straight line connecting the third imaginary point VP2a and the fourth imaginary point VP2b is defined as a second imaginary line VL2. The fifth imaginary point VP3a is a point in the first projection view obtained by projecting the center of the first connection port 24 in the first mounting mode, and the sixth imaginary point VP3b is a point in the second projection view obtained by projecting this center in the second mounting mode. A straight line connecting the fifth imaginary point VP3a and the sixth imaginary point VP3b is defined as a third imaginary line VL3. The seventh imaginary point VP4a is a point in the first projection view obtained by projecting the center of the second connection port 25 in the first mounting mode, and the eighth imaginary point VP4b is a point in the second projection view obtained by projecting this center in the second mounting mode. A straight line connecting the seventh imaginary point VP4a and the eighth imaginary point VP4b is defined as a fourth imaginary line VL4. The first imaginary line VL1, the second imaginary line VL2, the third imaginary line VL3, and the fourth imaginary line VL4 are parallel to one another.

[0045] Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a heat transfer tube of the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 1. Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of a heat transfer tube of the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 1. The heat transfer tube of the indoor heat exchanger 20 may be a circular tube 30 as shown in Fig. 7 or a flat tube 31 as shown in Fig. 8.

[0046] 7 and 8 , whether the heat transfer tubes of the indoor heat exchanger 20 are circular tubes 30 or flat tubes 31, the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22 each include a diverter header 28 and a merging header 29. The diverter header 28 of the first heat exchange section 21 has a first connection port 24, and the merging header 29 of the second heat exchange section 22 has a second connection port 25. A first refrigerant pipe 401 is connected to the first connection port 24 of the diverter header 28. A second refrigerant pipe 402 is connected to the second connection port 25 of the merging header 29. The merging header 29 of the first heat exchange section 21 and the diverter header 28 of the second heat exchange section 22 are connected by a third refrigerant pipe 403. A first expansion device 104 is provided in the third refrigerant pipe 403.

[0047] [Side Plates and Fixing Plates] The side plates 230 and fixing plates 240 attached to the indoor heat exchanger 20 will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the side plates 230 and fixing plates 240 when the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 1 is in a first attachment mode. Figure 10 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the side plates 230 and fixing plates 240 when the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 1 is in a second attachment mode.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22 of the indoor heat exchanger 20 are fixed and integrated by a fixing plate 240. The fixing plate 240 is a triangular plate-like member. The fixing plate 240 is attached to the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22 so as to connect the opposing surfaces of the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the position of the indoor heat exchanger 20 within the indoor unit housing 210 changes depending on whether the indoor heat exchanger 20 is attached in the first or second mounting manner. In FIGS. 9 and 10 , the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22 each include a protrusion for screwing the fixing plate 240. However, the method for attaching the fixing plate 240 to the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22 is not particularly limited. The fixing plate 240 may be attached to the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22 using an adhesive or the like.

[0049] The second mounting mode shown in Fig. 10 is obtained by rotating the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the first mounting mode shown in Fig. 9 by 180 degrees about an imaginary axis of rotation AX extending vertically upward. Similarly, the first mounting mode shown in Fig. 9 is obtained by rotating the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the second mounting mode shown in Fig. 10 by 180 degrees about the imaginary axis of rotation AX. As shown in Fig. 9, the fixing plate 240 located on the front side Z1 of the indoor unit housing in the first mounting mode is located on the rear side Z2 of the indoor unit housing in the second mounting mode, as shown in Fig. 10.

[0050] Although not shown, an opening may be provided in the indoor unit housing 210 so that the indoor heat exchanger 20 integrated with the fixing plate 240 can be removed from inside the indoor unit housing 210. Furthermore, at least one of the first wall surface 211 or the second wall surface 212 of the indoor unit housing 210 may be made detachable from the indoor unit housing 210 so that the indoor heat exchanger 20 integrated with the fixing plate 240 can be removed from inside the indoor unit housing 210.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , a side plate 230 is attached to the second heat exchanger 22. The side plate 230 is a member for fixing the indoor heat exchanger 20 to the indoor unit housing 210. The side plate 230 is a triangular plate-like member. The portion of the side plate 230 fixed to the bottom surface 213 of the indoor unit housing 210 is referred to as a side plate fixing portion 231. As shown in FIG. 9 , the side plate fixing portion 231 may protrude from the plate-like member of the side plate 230 in a direction intersecting the flat surface of the plate-like member. The side plate fixing portion 231, which is in surface contact with the bottom surface 213 of the indoor unit housing 210, is fixed to the indoor unit housing 210, thereby fixing the second heat exchanger 22 to the indoor unit housing 210. The position at which the side plate 230 is fixed to the indoor unit housing 210 differs between the first and second mounting modes of the indoor heat exchanger 20.

[0052] The positions at which the side plates 230 are fixed will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14 . FIG. 11 is a schematic bottom perspective view of the indoor unit housing 210 illustrating the side plates 230 when the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 1 is in a first mounting mode. FIG. 12 is a schematic bottom perspective view of the indoor unit housing 210 illustrating the side plates 230 when the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 1 is in a second mounting mode. FIG. 13 is a schematic bottom perspective view of the indoor unit housing 210 illustrating another example of the side plates 230 when the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 1 is in the second mounting mode. FIG. 14 is a schematic bottom perspective view of the indoor unit housing 210 illustrating the mounting mode of the side plates 230 according to Embodiment 1. In the following description, the side plates 230 and the side plate fixing portions 231 in the first mounting mode of the indoor heat exchanger 20 may be referred to as the side plates 230a and the side plate fixing portions 231a, respectively. Furthermore, the side plate 230 and the side plate fixing portion 231 in the second mounting mode of the indoor heat exchanger 20 may be referred to as the side plate 230b and the side plate fixing portion 231b, respectively. Furthermore, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the side plate 230 and the side plate fixing portion 231, the side plate 230 may be referred to as the side plate fixing portion 231. Figures 11 to 13 are views of the side plate 230 and the second heat exchange portion 22 viewed from the bottom surface 213 of the indoor unit housing 210 along the rotation axis AX shown in Figures 9 and 10. Figure 11 shows the side plate 230a, and Figures 12 and 13 show the side plate 230b.

[0053] As shown in Figures 9 and 11, in the first mounting configuration, the side plate 230 is located on the front side Z1 of the indoor unit housing. The side plate fixing portion 231 protrudes toward the front side Z1 of the indoor unit housing. In the second mounting configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the side plate 230b can be fixed to either the front side Z1 of the indoor unit housing or the rear side Z2 of the indoor unit housing. Figure 12 shows the side plate 230 removed from the second heat exchange section 22a shown in Figure 11, rotated 180 degrees around the vertical direction, and attached to the underside of the second heat exchange section 22b. In the second mounting configuration shown in Figures 10 and 12, the side plate 230b is fixed to the front side Z1 of the indoor unit housing with the side plate fixing portion 231b protruding toward the rear side Z2 of the indoor unit housing. Figure 13 shows the second heat exchange section 22a and side plate 230 shown in Figure 11 rotated 180 degrees around the vertical direction as a single unit. In the second mounting mode shown in FIG. 13, the side plate 230b is fixed to the indoor unit housing rear side Z2 with the side plate fixing portion 231b protruding toward the indoor unit housing rear side Z2.

[0054] The relationship between the configuration of Fig. 11 and the configuration of Fig. 13 will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the indoor unit housing 210 along the rotation axis AX (see Fig. 9), showing the side plates 230a and 230b. In Fig. 14, three arbitrary points on the side plate 230a in the first mounting configuration are shown as a first point PPT1a, a second point PPT2a, and a third point PPT3a, respectively. Furthermore, these three arbitrary points in the second mounting configuration are shown as a first point PPT1b, a second point PPT2b, and a third point PPT3b. The imaginary line connecting the first point PPT1a and the first point PPT1b is referred to as a first imaginary line SL1. The imaginary line connecting the second point PPT2a and the second point PPT2b is referred to as a second imaginary line SL2. The virtual line connecting the third point PPT3a and the third point PPT3b is designated as the third virtual line SL3. As shown in Figure 14, when viewed in the axial direction of the rotation axis AX, the first virtual line SL1, the second virtual line SL2, and the third virtual line SL3 intersect at the virtual intersection point VO. In this way, in each of the first and second mounting modes, the indoor heat exchanger 20 is positioned so that the first virtual line SL1, the second virtual line SL2, and the third virtual line SL3 intersect at the virtual intersection point VO. The position of the virtual intersection point VO is the same as the position of the virtual rotation axis AX.

[0055] (Effects of the Air Conditioning Apparatus) The effects of the air conditioning apparatus 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 15 and Fig. 16. Fig. 15 is a diagram for explaining the installation mode of the indoor unit housing according to Comparative Example 1. Fig. 16 is a diagram for explaining the installation mode of the indoor unit housing according to Comparative Example 2.

[0056] Comparative Example 1 shown in Fig. 15 will be described. An indoor unit housing 2100 of Comparative Example 1 is provided with an indoor heat exchanger 2000, an indoor blower 2200, and a filter 2006. The indoor heat exchanger 2000 has a first heat exchange section 2010 and a second heat exchange section 2020. A first refrigerant pipe 4010 is connected to a first connection port 2400 of the first heat exchange section 2010, and a second refrigerant pipe 4020 is connected to the second heat exchange section 2020. The first refrigerant pipe 4010 and the second refrigerant pipe 4020 are connected to an outdoor unit (not shown) installed outside the room via a wall hole 6001 provided in a wall 6000.

[0057] In Comparative Example 1, the airflow direction in the space in which the indoor unit housing 2100 is installed is fixed. The orientation of the indoor heat exchanger 2000 relative to the airflow direction within the indoor unit housing 2100 is also fixed, restricting the installation direction of the indoor unit housing 2100. Therefore, the indoor unit housing 2100 cannot be installed so that the first connection port 2400 and the second connection port 2500 face the first refrigerant piping 4010 and the second refrigerant piping 4020 that pass through the wall hole 6001. Therefore, in order to connect the first refrigerant piping 4010 and the second refrigerant piping 4020 to the first connection port 2400 and the second connection port 2500, the first refrigerant piping 4010 and the second refrigerant piping 4020 must be extended and then bent. However, if the first refrigerant pipe 4010 and the second refrigerant pipe 4020 are extended and bent, the flow resistance of the refrigerant pipes between the indoor heat exchanger 2000 and the compressor (not shown) increases, the refrigerant intake pressure of the compressor decreases, and the intake refrigerant density decreases, which reduces the refrigerant circulation flow rate in the air conditioning apparatus and leads to a decrease in air conditioning capacity.

[0058] In Comparative Example 1, in order to avoid the need to extend and bend the first refrigerant piping 4010 and the second refrigerant piping 4020, it is possible to change the position of the indoor heat exchanger 2000 so that the first connection port 2400 and the second connection port 2500 face the first refrigerant piping 4010 and the second refrigerant piping 4020. That is, in FIG. 15 , the indoor heat exchanger 2000 is installed so that the first connection port 2400 and the second connection port 2500 are located on the rear side Z2 of the indoor unit housing. However, in Comparative Example 1, in order to position the first connection port 2400 and the second connection port 2500 on the rear side Z2 of the indoor unit housing without changing the position of the indoor blower 2200 and the side of the indoor heat exchanger 2000 facing the airflow, the second heat exchanger 2020 would be provided above the first heat exchanger 2010. However, when second heat exchange unit 2020 functions as an evaporator during dehumidification operation, condensed water flows into first heat exchange unit 2010, which is provided below. Since first heat exchange unit 2010 functions as a condenser during dehumidification operation, the inflow of condensed water reduces the efficiency of heat exchange in first heat exchange unit 2010 and reduces the temperature of air sent from first heat exchange unit 2010. For this reason, the indoor temperature drops during dehumidification operation, and as a result, the dehumidification performance of the air conditioner drops.

[0059] Furthermore, in Comparative Example 1, to avoid the need to extend and bend the first refrigerant pipe 4010 and the second refrigerant pipe 4020, it is also possible to change the orientation of the indoor unit housing 2100 and position the first connection port 2400 and the second connection port 2500 on the rear side Z2 of the indoor unit housing. That is, in FIG. 15 , the indoor unit housing 2100 can be positioned so that the indoor blower 2200 is on the left side of the page and the indoor heat exchanger 2000 is on the right side of the page. However, in this case, the direction of the airflow generated by the indoor blower 2200 is reversed, which may not be suitable for the airflow path conditions of the space in which the air conditioner is installed. For example, in a space with a different heat source, such as a boiler, upstream of the airflow of the indoor unit housing 2100 and a space with air outlets downstream of the airflow of the indoor unit housing 2100 that blow air to individual rooms, changing the direction of the airflow generated by the indoor blower 2200 would lead to poor heat accommodation design and the release of dust into the indoor space. In other words, the conditions for installing the indoor blower 2200 in the air passage are not met, and therefore the arrangement direction of the indoor unit housing 2100 cannot be changed.

[0060] Comparative Example 2 shown in FIG. 16 includes an airflow duct 7000 to alleviate the restriction on the placement direction of the indoor unit housing 2100 imposed by the airflow path. In FIG. 16, the position of the wall hole 6001 differs from that in FIG. 13, but the configuration of the indoor unit housing 2100 is the same as that in FIG. 15. In Comparative Example 2 shown in FIG. 16, the airflow duct 7000 is provided to redirect the airflow generated by the indoor blower 2200. The airflow duct 7000 prevents the airflow generated by the indoor blower 2200 from reversing its direction, allowing the installation direction of the indoor unit housing 2100 to be changed without extending or bending the first refrigerant piping 4010 and the second refrigerant piping 4020. However, providing the airflow duct 7000 as in Comparative Example 2 requires space for the airflow duct 7000. Furthermore, including the airflow duct 7000 increases the size of the air conditioning apparatus. Furthermore, since the path through which the airflow supplied from the indoor blower 2200 passes becomes longer, the flow resistance of the airflow reduces the amount of air blown, leading to a decrease in air conditioning capacity.

[0061] On the other hand, in the air conditioning apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, the indoor heat exchanger 20 can be installed inside the indoor unit housing 210 by selecting either the first or second installation mode. Therefore, when installing the indoor unit housing 210 in the space shown in FIG. 15 , the indoor heat exchanger 20 can be installed inside the indoor unit housing 210 in the second installation mode (see FIG. 3 ). Furthermore, in this embodiment, in both the first and second installation modes of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the second heat exchange unit 22 is installed below the first heat exchange unit 21. Therefore, even if condensation occurs in the second heat exchange unit 22, which functions as an evaporator during dehumidification operation, it does not flow into the first heat exchange unit 21, which functions as a condenser. More specifically, during dehumidification operation, the second heat exchange unit 22 exchanges heat between the refrigerant at a temperature below the dew point of the indoor air and the indoor air, causing condensation to form on the outside of the heat transfer tube. However, the condensation that adheres to the heat transfer tubes in the second heat exchange section 22 flows down the refrigerant piping 400 using gravity as a driving force, into a drainage path (not shown) provided below, and is then discharged outside the indoor unit housing 210.

[0062] As described above, unlike Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the air conditioning apparatus 100 according to this embodiment allows the indoor heat exchanger 20 to be mounted in either the first or second mounting mode. Therefore, even when the installation space for the indoor unit housing 210 is limited, the refrigerant piping 400 can be connected to the indoor heat exchanger 20 without either or both of extending and bending the refrigerant piping 400. Furthermore, in both the first and second mounting modes, the second heat exchanger 22 is located below the first heat exchanger 21, so that the air conditioning capacity during dehumidification operation is not reduced. In other words, the indoor unit housing 210 according to this embodiment is not limited by the installation space for the indoor unit housing 210, and can be installed while suppressing a reduction in the performance of the air conditioning apparatus 100 due to the placement of the refrigerant piping 400.

[0063] As described above, the air conditioning apparatus 100 according to this embodiment includes the compressor 101 and the outdoor heat exchanger 50 provided inside the outdoor unit housing 510, the indoor heat exchanger 20 and the indoor blower 220 provided inside the indoor unit housing 210, and the refrigerant piping 400 connected to the indoor heat exchanger 20 as heat medium piping through which a refrigerant, a heat medium that directly exchanges heat with the indoor air, flows. In other words, the heat medium piping is part of the refrigerant piping 400. The indoor heat exchanger 20 has a first heat exchange unit 21 that heats the indoor air during dehumidifying operation and a second heat exchange unit 22 that cools the indoor air during dehumidifying operation to condense water vapor in the indoor air. The indoor heat exchanger 20 is mounted in the indoor unit housing 210 in either a first mounting mode or a second mounting mode. The surface of the indoor heat exchanger 20 facing the airflow generated by the indoor blower 220 differs between the first and second mounting modes. In both the first and second mounting modes, the second heat exchange section 22 is provided below the first heat exchange section 21. Refrigerant piping 400, through which a refrigerant flows as a heat medium, connects a first throttling device 104 provided inside the indoor unit housing 210, the compressor 101, the outdoor heat exchanger 50, the indoor heat exchanger 20, and the first throttling device 104. The first heat exchange section 21 of the indoor heat exchanger 20 functions as a condenser during dehumidifying operation, and the second heat exchange section 22 of the indoor heat exchanger 20 functions as an evaporator during dehumidifying operation.

[0064] In this configuration, the indoor heat exchanger 20, which has a first heat exchanger 21 that functions as a condenser during dehumidifying operation and a second heat exchanger 22 that functions as an evaporator during dehumidifying operation, can be installed inside the indoor unit housing 210 in either a first installation mode or a second installation mode. The surface of the indoor heat exchanger 20 that faces the airflow differs between the first installation mode and the second installation mode, but in both the first installation mode and the second installation mode, the second heat exchanger 22 is installed below the first heat exchanger 21. Therefore, the indoor heat exchanger 20 can be installed in the indoor unit housing 210 by selecting an installation mode that does not require at least one of extending and bending the refrigerant piping 400. Therefore, when the indoor unit housing 210 is installed in a space where the placement direction of the indoor unit housing 210 cannot be selected, the indoor heat exchanger 20 can be installed in the indoor unit housing 210 in either the first installation mode or the second installation mode, thereby suppressing the deterioration in performance of the air conditioning device 100 caused by the placement of the refrigerant piping 400 and allowing the indoor unit housing 210 to be installed.

[0065] Furthermore, in both the first and second mounting modes of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the second heat exchange section 22 is provided below the first heat exchange section 21. Therefore, when the air conditioning apparatus 100 is in dehumidifying operation, condensation water generated in the second heat exchange section 22, which functions as an evaporator, does not enter the first heat exchange section 21. Therefore, there is no difference in air conditioning capacity when the air conditioning apparatus 100 is in dehumidifying operation between the first and second mounting modes of the indoor heat exchanger 20.

[0066] Furthermore, in the air conditioning apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, the refrigerant piping 400 includes a first refrigerant piping 401 provided between the outdoor unit housing 510 and the first heat exchange unit 21, and a second refrigerant piping 402 provided between the outdoor unit housing 510 and the second heat exchange unit 22. The indoor unit housing 210 has a first wall surface 211 having a first opening 211a through which the first refrigerant piping 401 passes in the first installation mode and a second opening 211b through which the second refrigerant piping 402 passes, and a second wall surface 212 having a third opening 212a through which the first refrigerant piping 401 passes and a fourth opening 212b through which the second refrigerant piping 402 passes in the second installation mode. The first wall surface 211 and the second wall surface 212 face each other.

[0067] With this configuration, the refrigerant piping 400 passes through either the first wall surface 211 or the second wall surface 212 facing each other of the indoor unit housing 210 and is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 20. That is, in a first installation mode of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the first refrigerant piping 401 is connected to the first connection port 24 of the first heat exchange section 21 via the first opening 211a of the first wall surface 211, and the second refrigerant piping 402 is connected to the second connection port 25 of the second heat exchange section 22 via the second opening 211b of the first wall surface 211. Furthermore, in a second installation mode of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the first refrigerant piping 401 is connected to the first connection port 24 of the first heat exchange section 21 via the third opening 212a of the second wall surface 212, and the second refrigerant piping 402 is connected to the second connection port 25 of the second heat exchange section 22 via the fourth opening 212b of the second wall surface 212.

[0068] Therefore, the indoor heat exchanger 20 may be mounted in either the first or second mounting mode, depending on whether the wall surface of the indoor unit housing 210 that faces the ends of the first refrigerant piping 401 and the second refrigerant piping 402 extending from the outdoor unit housing 510 is the first wall surface 211 or the second wall surface 212. That is, the refrigerant piping 400 can be connected to the indoor heat exchanger 20 from the facing first wall surface 211 or the second wall surface 212 of the indoor unit housing 210 without changing the installation direction of the indoor unit housing 210 or without extending or bending the first refrigerant piping 401 and the second refrigerant piping 402. Therefore, in a space where the orientation of the indoor unit housing 210 cannot be selected, the indoor unit housing 210 can be installed while suppressing a decrease in performance of the air conditioning apparatus 100 that would be caused by the placement of the refrigerant piping 400.

[0069] In the air conditioning apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the refrigerant piping 400 includes a first refrigerant piping 401 provided between the outdoor unit housing 510 and the first heat exchange unit 21, and a second refrigerant piping 402 provided between the outdoor unit housing 510 and the second heat exchange unit 22. In the first mounting mode, the indoor unit housing 210 has a first wall surface 211 having a first wall surface opening through which one of the first refrigerant piping 401 and the second refrigerant piping 402 passes, and in the second mounting mode, a second wall surface 212 having a second wall surface opening through which the first refrigerant piping 401 and the second refrigerant piping 402 passes, and a third wall surface having third and fourth wall surface openings through which the other of the first refrigerant piping 401 and the second refrigerant piping 402 passes. The first wall surface 211 and the second wall surface 212 face each other and are connected by the third wall surface. Here, the first wall surface opening is either the first opening 211a through which the first refrigerant pipe 401 passes or the second opening 211b through which the second refrigerant pipe 402 passes. The second wall surface opening is either the third opening 212a through which the first refrigerant pipe 401 passes or the fourth opening 212b through which the second refrigerant pipe 402 passes. The third wall surface opening is either the first opening 214a-1 through which the first refrigerant pipe 401 passes or the second opening 213b-1 through which the second refrigerant pipe 402 passes. The fourth wall surface opening is either the third opening 214a-2 through which the first refrigerant pipe 401 passes or the fourth opening 213b-2 through which the second refrigerant pipe 402 passes.

[0070] Therefore, the mounting manner of the indoor heat exchanger 20 may be either the first mounting manner or the second mounting manner, depending on the wall surface of the indoor unit housing 210 that faces the first refrigerant piping 401 and the second refrigerant piping 402 extending from the outdoor unit housing 510. In other words, the first refrigerant piping 401 inserted from the first wall surface 211, the second wall surface 212, and the top surface 214 of the indoor unit housing 210 can be connected to the first heat exchange unit 21 without changing the installation direction of the indoor unit housing 210 and without extending or bending the first refrigerant piping 401. Furthermore, the second refrigerant piping 402 inserted from the first wall surface 211, the second wall surface 212, and the bottom surface 213 of the indoor unit housing 210 can be connected to the second heat exchange unit 22 without changing the installation direction of the indoor unit housing 210 and without extending or bending the second refrigerant piping 402. Therefore, in a space where the placement direction of the indoor unit housing 210 cannot be selected, the indoor unit housing 210 can be installed while suppressing a decrease in performance of the air conditioning device 100 caused by the placement of the refrigerant piping 400.

[0071] Furthermore, in the air conditioning apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the first heat exchanger 21 has a first connection port 24 to which the first refrigerant pipe 401 is connected, and the second heat exchanger 22 has a second connection port 25 to which the second refrigerant pipe 402 is connected. The first heat exchanger 21 and the second heat exchanger 22 are installed in the indoor unit housing 210 so that the cross section of the indoor heat exchanger 20 along the vertical direction Y is shaped like a horizontal V. In the first mounting mode, the inner peripheral surface of the V-shape of the indoor heat exchanger 20 faces the airflow, and in the second mounting mode, the outer peripheral surface of the V-shape faces the airflow. When the indoor heat exchanger 20 is projected horizontally onto the first wall surface 211 of the indoor unit housing 210, a first virtual line VL1 is a straight line connecting a first virtual point VP1a, which is obtained by projecting an arbitrary point on the first heat exchange section 21 in the first mounting mode, and a second virtual point VP1b, which is obtained by projecting an arbitrary point on the second heat exchange section 22 in the second mounting mode. A second virtual line VL2 is a straight line connecting a third virtual point VP2a, which is obtained by projecting an arbitrary point on the second heat exchange section 22 in the first mounting mode, and a fourth virtual point VP2b, which is obtained by projecting an arbitrary point on the second heat exchange section 22 in the second mounting mode. A third virtual line VL3 is a straight line connecting a fifth virtual point VP3a, which is obtained by projecting the center of the first connection port 24 in the first mounting mode, and a sixth virtual point VP3b, which is obtained by projecting the center of the first connection port 24 in the second mounting mode. The fourth virtual line VL4 is a straight line connecting the seventh virtual point VP4a projected in the first mounting mode and the eighth virtual point VP4b projected in the second mounting mode through the center of the second connection port 25. The first virtual line VL1, the second virtual line VL2, the third virtual line VL3, and the fourth virtual line VL4 are all parallel to each other.

[0072] Here, the following mounting configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20 may be considered to reverse the orientation of the indoor heat exchanger 20 relative to the airflow generated by the indoor blower. That is, in the first mounting configuration and the second mounting configuration, the indoor heat exchanger 20 may be mounted so that the first virtual line VL1 or the second virtual line VL2 intersects with the third virtual line VL3 and the fourth virtual line VL4 at a single point. In this case, although the positions of the first connection port 24 and the second connection port 25 can be different in the first mounting configuration and the second mounting configuration, the second heat exchange section 22 is located above the first heat exchange section 21. However, in this embodiment, the positions of the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the first mounting configuration and the second mounting configuration are determined so that the first virtual line VL1, the second virtual line VL2, the third virtual line VL3, and the fourth virtual line VL4 are parallel to each other. Therefore, in both the first and second installation modes, the indoor heat exchanger 20 can be installed inside the indoor unit housing 210 so that (i) the second heat exchange section 22 remains positioned below the first heat exchange section 21, (ii) the first refrigerant piping 401 is connected to the first connection port 24 of the first heat exchange section 21 without tilting horizontally regardless of whether it is inserted from the first wall surface 211 or the second wall surface 212, and (iii) the second refrigerant piping 402 is connected to the second connection port 25 of the second heat exchange section 22 without tilting horizontally regardless of whether it is inserted from the first wall surface 211 or the second wall surface 212.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the air conditioning apparatus 100 is provided with a fixing plate 240 that fixes and integrates the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22. The indoor unit housing 210 is provided with an openable and closable opening for removing the integrated first heat exchange section 21 and second heat exchange section 22 from the indoor unit housing 210.

[0074] With this configuration, the fixing plate 240 connects the opposing surfaces of the first heat exchanger 21 and the second heat exchanger 22 at their ends, thereby ensuring a sufficient heat transfer area for the first heat exchanger 21 and the second heat exchanger 22. Furthermore, the heat transfer area can be ensured in both the first and second mounting modes. Furthermore, because the fixing plate 240 is provided between the first and second heat exchanger 21 and 22, a dedicated installation space for the fixing plate 240 is not required inside the indoor unit housing 210. This avoids an increase in the size of the indoor unit housing 210 due to the provision of the fixing plate 240. Furthermore, because the indoor unit housing 210 has an openable / closable opening, the mounting mode of the indoor heat exchanger 20 integrated with the fixing plate 240 can be easily changed between the first and second mounting modes. This facilitates the work of a worker changing the mounting mode of the indoor heat exchanger 20 at the installation location of the indoor unit housing 210.

[0075] Furthermore, the air conditioning apparatus 100 in this embodiment is provided with a side plate 230 that fixes the second heat exchange unit 22 to the bottom surface 213 of the indoor unit housing 210, and the position at which the side plate 230 is fixed to the bottom surface 213 differs between the first and second mounting modes. With this configuration, in both the first and second mounting modes of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the second heat exchange unit 22 can be fixed to the bottom surface 213 of the indoor unit housing 210 by the side plate 230.

[0076] Furthermore, in the air conditioning apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the mounting mode of the indoor heat exchanger 20 can be changed between a first mounting mode and a second mounting mode by rotating 180 degrees around an imaginary rotation axis AX extending in the vertical direction Y. If three arbitrary points on the side plate 230 are designated as a first point PPT1, a second point PPT2, and a third point PPT3, respectively, a first imaginary straight line SL1 is a line connecting an arbitrary first point PPT1 on the side plate 230 with a position PPT1a in the first mounting mode and a position PPT1b in the second mounting mode. A second imaginary straight line SL2 is a line connecting an arbitrary second point PPT2 on the side plate 230 with a position PPT2a in the first mounting mode and a position PPT2b in the second mounting mode. The third imaginary line SL3 is a line connecting an arbitrary third point PPT3 on the side plate 230 with a position PPT3a in the first mounting mode and a position PPT3b in the second mounting mode. When viewed in the axial direction of the imaginary rotation axis AX, the first imaginary line SL1, the second imaginary line SL2, and the third imaginary line SL3 intersect at one point VO.

[0077] In this configuration, in the first and second mounting modes of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the second heat exchanger 22 is fixed to the indoor unit housing 210 so that the first imaginary line SL1, the second imaginary line SL2, and the third imaginary line SL3 intersect at a single point VO. Therefore, in both the first and second mounting modes, the indoor heat exchanger 20 can be installed inside the indoor unit housing 210 so that (i) the second heat exchanger 22 remains positioned below the first heat exchanger 21, and (ii) the first connection port 24 of the first heat exchanger 21 and the second connection port 25 of the second heat exchanger 22 face either an opening provided in the first wall surface 211 or the second wall surface 212 of the indoor unit housing 210.

[0078] Furthermore, the installation method for the air conditioning apparatus 100 according to this embodiment includes a step of installing the indoor heat exchanger 20 in an installation mode, either the first installation mode or the second installation mode, in which the length of the refrigerant piping 400, which is the heat medium piping located between the outdoor unit housing 510 and the indoor heat exchanger 20, is shortened. Therefore, even if the space in which the indoor unit housing 210 is installed is limited and the orientation of the indoor unit housing 210 cannot be selected, the refrigerant piping 400 between the outdoor unit housing 510 and the indoor heat exchanger 20 can be made shorter. Therefore, in a space in which the orientation of the indoor unit housing 210 cannot be selected, the indoor unit housing 210 can be installed while suppressing a decrease in performance of the air conditioning apparatus 100 caused by the orientation of the refrigerant piping 400.

[0079] Embodiment 2 In this embodiment, differences from embodiment 1 will be mainly described. The difference between this embodiment and embodiment 1 is the configuration of the refrigerant circuit inside the indoor unit casing 210. The other configurations are the same as those in embodiment 1, so descriptions will be omitted.

[0080] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerant circuit inside an indoor unit housing 210 according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the flow of refrigerant between the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22 of the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 2. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 , a first branch section 411 is provided in the first refrigerant pipe 401, a second branch section 412 is provided in the second refrigerant pipe 402, and a third branch section 413 and a fourth branch section 414 are provided in the third refrigerant pipe 403. The first throttling device 104 is provided between the third branch section 413 and the fourth branch section 414. The configuration of the refrigerant circuit according to this embodiment will be described below using an example in which the air conditioning apparatus 100 is performing cooling or dehumidifying operation.

[0081] At the first branch portion 411, a fourth refrigerant pipe 404 branches off from the first refrigerant pipe 401. The fourth refrigerant pipe 404 connects the first branch portion 411 and the fourth branch portion 414. That is, at the fourth branch portion 414, the third refrigerant pipe 403 and the fourth refrigerant pipe 404 join together. A first on-off valve 421 is provided on the fourth refrigerant pipe 404. The first on-off valve 421 is a valve that opens and closes the flow path of the fourth refrigerant pipe 404, and is controlled by the control device 103.

[0082] The refrigerant flowing from the outdoor unit housing 510 (see FIG. 1 ) through the first refrigerant pipe 401 into the indoor unit housing 210 is divided at the first branching portion 411 into the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant pipe 401 and the refrigerant flowing through the fourth refrigerant pipe 404 when the first on-off valve 421 is opened. The refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant pipe 401 flows into the first heat exchanger 21. The refrigerant flowing through the fourth refrigerant pipe 404 flows into the third refrigerant pipe 403 at the fourth branching portion 414 and then flows into the second heat exchanger 22.

[0083] At the third branch portion 413, a fifth refrigerant pipe 405 branches off from the third refrigerant pipe 403. The fifth refrigerant pipe 405 connects the third branch portion 413 and the second branch portion 412. That is, at the second branch portion 412, the second refrigerant pipe 402 and the fifth refrigerant pipe 405 join together. A second on-off valve 422 is provided in the fifth refrigerant pipe 405. The second on-off valve 422 is a valve that opens and closes the flow path of the fifth refrigerant pipe 405, and is controlled by the control device 103.

[0084] When the second on-off valve 422 is opened, the refrigerant flowing from the first heat exchange unit 21 through the third refrigerant pipe 403 is divided at the third branching portion 413 into the refrigerant flowing through the third refrigerant pipe 403 and the refrigerant flowing through the fifth refrigerant pipe 405. The refrigerant flowing through the third refrigerant pipe 403 passes through the first throttling device 104 and the fourth branching portion 414 and flows into the second heat exchange unit 22. The refrigerant flowing through the fifth refrigerant pipe 405 flows into the second refrigerant pipe 402 at the second branching portion 412 and flows out of the indoor unit housing 210.

[0085] The air conditioning apparatus 100 according to this embodiment may include a temperature measuring device 250 that measures the temperature of the refrigerant and a saturation temperature measuring device 260 that measures the saturation temperature of the refrigerant. The temperature measuring device 250 and the saturation temperature measuring device 260 are provided on the refrigerant piping 400. Fig. 17 shows an example in which the temperature measuring device 250 and the saturation temperature measuring device 260 are provided on the refrigerant piping 400 arranged inside the indoor unit housing 210.

[0086] The temperature measuring device 250 is provided on the refrigerant piping 400 connecting the second heat exchanger 22 and the suction side of the compressor 101 during cooling operation and dehumidification operation. The temperature measuring device 250 may be provided on the second refrigerant piping 402. The saturation temperature measuring device 260 is provided on the refrigerant piping 400 connecting the fourth branch 414 and the suction side of the compressor 101 during cooling operation and dehumidification operation. The saturation temperature measuring device 260 may be provided on the second refrigerant piping 402 or on the refrigerant piping 400 passing through the second heat exchanger 22. For example, the saturation temperature measuring device 260 may have a pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the refrigerant and measure the saturation temperature based on the correspondence relationship between the refrigerant pressure and the saturation temperature. Alternatively, the saturation temperature may be measured by measuring the two-phase temperature of the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 22. In this case, the saturation temperature measuring device 260 is a temperature measuring device provided to measure the two-phase temperature of the refrigerant in the second heat exchange section 22 .

[0087] [Operation during cooling operation] In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, during cooling operation of the air conditioning apparatus 100, the outdoor heat exchanger 50 functions as a condenser, and the first heat exchange unit 21 and the second heat exchange unit 22 function as evaporators. During cooling operation, the control device 103 opens the first on-off valve 421 and the second on-off valve 422. The control device 103 also closes the first throttling device 104. Therefore, the refrigerant that flows into the indoor unit housing 210 through the first refrigerant pipe 401 is branched at the first branch portion 411 and flows through the first refrigerant pipe 401 and the fourth refrigerant pipe 404.

[0088] The refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant pipe 401 flows into the first heat exchange unit 21. At this time, the first throttling device 104 is closed and the second on-off valve 422 is open, so the refrigerant flowing out of the first heat exchange unit 21 flows into the fifth refrigerant pipe 405 without flowing into the third refrigerant pipe 403. In other words, during cooling operation, the refrigerant does not flow from the first heat exchange unit 21 to the second heat exchange unit 22. The refrigerant that has flowed into the fifth refrigerant pipe 405 merges at the second branch portion 412 with the refrigerant that has flowed out of the second heat exchange unit 22 and is flowing through the second refrigerant pipe 402.

[0089] The refrigerant that branches at the first branch portion 411 and flows through the fourth refrigerant pipe 404 flows into the third refrigerant pipe 403 at the fourth branch portion 414. However, because the first throttling device 104 is in a closed state, the refrigerant that flows into the third refrigerant pipe 403 at the fourth branch portion 414 flows into the second heat exchange portion 22, not the first heat exchange portion 21. Because the first throttling device 104 is in a closed state, refrigerant does not flow from the first heat exchange portion 21 into the third refrigerant pipe 403. The refrigerant that flows into the second heat exchange portion 22 flows out into the second refrigerant pipe 402. The refrigerant that flows out of the second heat exchange portion 22 merges with the refrigerant flowing in from the fifth refrigerant pipe 405 at the second branch portion 412, passes through the second refrigerant pipe 402, and flows out of the indoor unit housing 210.

[0090] As described above, in the present embodiment, the first heat exchanger 21 and the second heat exchanger 22 are arranged in parallel in the refrigerant circuit during cooling operation, which reduces the pressure loss of the refrigerant during cooling operation and improves the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioner 100.

[0091] [Operation during dehumidifying operation] In the present embodiment, similarly to embodiment 1, the outdoor heat exchanger 50 and the first heat exchange unit 21 function as a condenser, and the second heat exchange unit 22 functions as an evaporator, during dehumidifying operation of the air conditioning apparatus 100. During dehumidifying operation, the control device 103 closes the first opening / closing valve 421 and the second opening / closing valve 422, and opens the first expansion device 104 and the second expansion device 105 (see FIG. 1 ).

[0092] Because the first on-off valve 421 is closed, the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant pipe 401 flows into the first heat exchange unit 21 without being diverted to the fourth refrigerant pipe 404 at the fourth branch 414. Because the first throttling device 104 is open and the second on-off valve 422 is closed, the refrigerant that flows into the first heat exchange unit 21 flows into the third refrigerant pipe 403 without being diverted to the fifth refrigerant pipe 405 at the third branch 413. The refrigerant that flows into the third refrigerant pipe 403 flows into the second heat exchange unit 22 through the first throttling device 104 and the fourth branch 414. The refrigerant that flows into the second heat exchange unit 202 flows out of the indoor unit housing 210 through the second refrigerant pipe 402. That is, during dehumidification operation, the refrigerant flows in series from the first heat exchange unit 21 to the second heat exchange unit 22 and then flows out of the indoor unit housing 210.

[0093] During dehumidification operation, the control device 103 adjusts the opening degree of the first throttling device 104 so that the refrigerant flowing out of the second heat exchange section 22 becomes superheated vapor. The control device 103 receives data acquired by the temperature measuring device 250 and the saturation temperature measuring device 260. Based on the received data, the control device 103 derives the opening degree of the first throttling device 104 so that the refrigerant flowing out of the second heat exchange section 22 becomes superheated vapor. The control device 103 controls the first throttling device 104 so that the first throttling device 104 is in an open state at the derived opening degree. For example, the control device 103 may transmit a control signal to the first throttling device 104 to control the opening degree of the first throttling device 104.

[0094] As described above, in this embodiment, during dehumidification operation, the first heat exchange unit 21 and the second heat exchange unit 22 are arranged in series in the refrigerant circuit. Therefore, indoor air whose temperature has been increased by the first heat exchange unit 21 and indoor air whose temperature has been decreased and dehumidified by the second heat exchange unit 22 are supplied to the room from the indoor heat exchanger 20, thereby dehumidifying the indoor space while suppressing a decrease in the indoor temperature. Furthermore, the opening degree of the first expansion device 104 is controlled by the control device 103, thereby adjusting the flow rate of refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit so that the refrigerant flowing out of the second heat exchange unit 22 becomes superheated vapor. Therefore, the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioner 100 during dehumidification operation is improved.

[0095] [First Branch Section] Next, the first branch section 411 will be described with reference to Fig. 19. Fig. 19 is a diagram for explaining the first branch section 411 according to Embodiment 2. In Fig. 19, during cooling operation of the air conditioning apparatus 100, the direction in which the refrigerant flows into the first branch section 411 is shown as an inflow direction FI, the direction in which the refrigerant flows out from the first branch section 411 to the first refrigerant pipe 401 is shown as a first outflow direction FO1, and the direction in which the refrigerant flows out from the first branch section 411 to the fourth refrigerant pipe 404 is shown as a second outflow direction FO2.

[0096] If the dot product of the vector representing the inflow direction FI and the vector representing the direction of gravity during cooling operation is positive, the inertial force of the inflow refrigerant in the first branch portion 411 does not resist gravity. This increases the degree of uneven distribution of liquid refrigerant in the two-phase refrigerant in the first branch portion 411 due to gravity. However, in the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to this embodiment, the second heat exchange section 22 is provided below the first heat exchange section 21 in both the first and second mounting configurations. That is, the gravitational relationship between the first and second heat exchange sections 21 and 22 does not change depending on the mounting configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20. This allows the indoor heat exchanger 20 to be designed to suppress uneven distribution of the two-phase refrigerant in the first branch portion 411 due to gravity. Therefore, in both the first and second mounting configurations of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioning apparatus 100 during cooling operation is not reduced.

[0097] In the air conditioning apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, the first branch portion 411 is positioned so that the dot product of the vector of the inflow direction FI during cooling operation and the vector of gravity, i.e., the vertical direction Y, is negative. Because the inertial force of the refrigerant flowing into the first branch portion 411 is oriented to offset gravity, uneven distribution of the liquid refrigerant due to gravity is reduced. Therefore, during cooling operation of the air conditioning apparatus 100, the refrigerant can be diverted without reducing the air conditioning capacity. In other words, during cooling operation, the refrigerant is diverted at the first branch portion 411 to the first heat exchange portion 21 and the second heat exchange portion 22 without reducing the air conditioning capacity, thereby improving the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioning apparatus 100.

[0098] 18 and 19 show a T-shaped first branch portion 411. However, the shape of the first branch portion 411 is not particularly limited as long as the dot product of the vector of the inflow direction FI and the vector of the vertical direction Y is negative. The first branch portion 411 may be Y-shaped or F-shaped. The first branch portion 411 may also be a collision-type distributor such as a distributor. The vectors of the first outflow direction FO1 and the second outflow direction FO2 of the first branch portion 411 are determined depending on the installation space of the refrigerant piping.

[0099] Embodiment 3 In this embodiment, differences from Embodiments 1 and 2 will be mainly described. This embodiment differs from Embodiments 1 and 2 in that the indoor heat exchanger 20 includes a third heat exchange section 23. Descriptions of the same configuration as in Embodiments 1 and 2 will be omitted or simplified.

[0100] FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a first installation mode of the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a second installation mode of the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 , the indoor heat exchanger 20 further includes a third heat exchange unit 23. The third heat exchange unit 23 is provided in a first refrigerant piping 401 provided between the outdoor unit housing 510 (see FIG. 1 ) and the first heat exchange unit 21. Therefore, the first refrigerant piping 401 inserted into the indoor unit housing 210 through either the first opening 211 a or the third opening 212 a of the indoor unit housing 210 passes through the third heat exchange unit 23 and is connected to the first connection port 24 of the first heat exchange unit 21. In addition, in this embodiment, the second throttling device 105 (see FIG. 1 ) is located upstream of the third heat exchange unit 23 in the refrigerant flow direction during cooling operation and dehumidification operation.

[0101] 20 and 21 , the first refrigerant piping 401 inserted into the indoor unit housing 210 via the first opening 211a or the third opening 212a is connected to the third connection port 26 of the third heat exchange section 23. The fourth connection port 27 of the third heat exchange section 23 and the first connection port 24 of the first heat exchange section 21 are also connected by the first refrigerant piping 401.

[0102] In both the first and second mounting modes of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the third heat exchange section 23 is provided downstream X2 in the airflow direction X from the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22. The third heat exchange section 23 is located upstream of the first heat exchange section 21 in the refrigerant flow direction during cooling operation and dehumidifying operation, and functions as a condenser during dehumidifying operation.

[0103] Furthermore, the surface of the third heat exchanger 23 facing the airflow is reversed between the first and second mounting modes. Therefore, in Fig. 19 showing the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the first mounting mode, the third connection port 26 of the third heat exchanger 23 is located on the upper side of the page and the fourth connection port 27 is located on the lower side of the page, but in Fig. 20 showing the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the second mounting mode, the third connection port 26 of the third heat exchanger 23 is located on the lower side of the page and the fourth connection port 27 is located on the upper side of the page.

[0104] As described above, the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to this embodiment further includes the third heat exchange unit 23, which is provided upstream of the first heat exchange unit 21 in the direction of refrigerant flow during dehumidifying operation. In both the first and second mounting modes, the third heat exchange unit 23 is provided downstream X2 in the airflow direction of the first and second heat exchange units 21 and 22. The surface of the third heat exchange unit 23 that faces the airflow differs between the first and second mounting modes.

[0105] With this configuration, even if the temperature of the dehumidified air generated by the first heat exchange unit 21 functioning as a condenser and the second heat exchange unit 22 functioning as an evaporator is low during dehumidification operation, the third heat exchange unit 23 functioning as a condenser provided on the downstream side X2 in the airflow direction can further increase the temperature of the dehumidified air. In other words, a decrease in the temperature of the outlet air sent out from the indoor heat exchanger 20 is suppressed, so a decrease in the temperature of the indoor space during dehumidification operation can be suppressed. Therefore, the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioner 100 during dehumidification operation is improved.

[0106] Furthermore, heat exchange in the first heat exchanger 21, which functions as a condenser, increases the temperature of the air passing through the first heat exchanger 21. Meanwhile, heat exchange in the second heat exchanger 22, which functions as an evaporator, decreases the temperature of the air passing through the second heat exchanger 22 to below the dew point temperature. Condensation occurs downstream X2 of the first and second heat exchangers 21 and 22 in the airflow direction because the air passing through the first heat exchanger 21 is cooled by the air passing through the second heat exchanger 22. However, the third heat exchanger 23 further increases the temperature of the dehumidified air generated by the first and second heat exchangers 21 and 22, thereby suppressing condensation on the downstream X2 of the third heat exchanger 23 in the airflow direction. This suppresses condensation on the air duct and dew splashing into the indoor space. This improves the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioner 100 during dehumidifying operation.

[0107] Furthermore, the surface of the third heat exchange unit 23 that faces the airflow generated by the indoor blower 220 differs between the first and second mounting modes of the indoor heat exchanger 20. Therefore, the length of the first refrigerant piping 401 between the fourth connection port 27 of the third heat exchange unit 23 and the first connection port 24 of the first heat exchange unit 21 does not differ significantly between the first and second mounting modes. In other words, the extension of the first refrigerant piping 401 due to differences in the mounting mode of the indoor heat exchanger 20 can be suppressed. Therefore, in a space where the arrangement direction of the indoor unit housing 210 cannot be selected, the indoor unit housing 210 can be installed while suppressing a decrease in performance of the air conditioning apparatus 100 caused by the arrangement of the refrigerant piping 400.

[0108] Embodiment 4. In this embodiment, differences from Embodiments 1 to 3 will be mainly described. This embodiment differs from Embodiments 1 to 3 in the installation angle of the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22 of the indoor heat exchanger 20. Descriptions of the same configurations as those in Embodiments 1 to 3 will be omitted or simplified.

[0109] FIG. 22 is a diagram schematically illustrating the air velocity distribution in a first mounting mode of the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 4. FIG. 23 is a diagram schematically illustrating the air velocity distribution in a second mounting mode of the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 4. As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 , the angle formed by an imaginary line perpendicular to the first heat exchange section 21 and an imaginary line perpendicular to the second heat exchange section 22 with respect to the horizontally V-shaped inner circumferential surface of the indoor heat exchanger 20 is referred to as angle θ. The angle θ is equal to or greater than 90 degrees and equal to or less than 150 degrees. That is, in both the first mounting mode and the second mounting mode of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22 are provided so that the angle θ is equal to or greater than 90 degrees and equal to or less than 150 degrees.

[0110] Whether the indoor heat exchanger 20 is installed in the first or second installation mode, by providing the first heat exchange section 21 and the second heat exchange section 22 so that the angle θ is 90 degrees or greater, a decrease in air conditioning capacity during cooling and dehumidifying operation due to uneven air velocity distribution is suppressed. Furthermore, when the indoor heat exchanger 20 is installed in the first installation mode (see FIG. 22 ), as the angle θ increases, the air velocity increases in the region near the top of the horizontal V-shape and decreases in the region away from the top of the V-shape. In other words, the air velocity decreases toward the top and bottom of the page in FIG. 22 . On the other hand, when the indoor heat exchanger 20 is installed in the second installation mode (see FIG. 23 ), a more uniform air velocity distribution is formed compared to the first installation mode. This is because the effect of forming a U-shaped air velocity distribution when viewed in the airflow direction X, which is caused by the static pressure difference between the airflow before and after passing through the indoor heat exchanger 20, is offset by the effect of forming an inverted U-shaped air velocity distribution, which is caused by shear stress between the wall surfaces of the indoor unit housing 210. In this case, a smaller angle θ reduces the heat transfer area, leading to a decrease in the heat exchange performance of the indoor heat exchanger 20. In this embodiment, by setting the angle θ to be between 90 degrees and 150 degrees, the heat exchange performance of the indoor heat exchanger 20 is maintained in both the first and second mounting modes. Therefore, there is no difference in the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioner 100 between the first and second mounting modes of the indoor heat exchanger 20.

[0111] Embodiment 5. In this embodiment, differences from Embodiments 1 to 4 will be mainly described. This embodiment differs from Embodiments 1 to 4 in the configuration of the indoor blower 220. Descriptions of the same configuration as in Embodiments 1 to 4 will be omitted or simplified.

[0112] Fig. 24 is a diagram illustrating a first aspect of the indoor fan 220 according to embodiment 5. Fig. 25 is a diagram illustrating a second aspect of the indoor fan 220 according to embodiment 5. Fig. 26 is a diagram illustrating a first aspect of another example of the indoor fan 220 according to embodiment 5. Fig. 27 is a diagram illustrating a second aspect of another example of the indoor fan 220 according to embodiment 5.

[0113] In this embodiment, the indoor blower 220 is a centrifugal blower. For example, the indoor blower 220 shown in Figures 24 and 25 has a built-in multi-blade blower. The indoor blower 220 may also be a turbo-type blower. When a turbo-type blower is used, the same effect as when a multi-blade blower is used can be obtained by changing the installation direction of the turbo-type blower and changing the direction in which air is blown out from the turbo-type blower, as shown in Figures 26 and 27.

[0114] The indoor blower 220 can be installed inside the indoor unit housing 210 by selecting either a first mode in which the indoor blower 220 generates an airflow toward the indoor heat exchanger 20, or a second mode in which the indoor blower 220 generates an airflow in the opposite direction to the direction in which the indoor heat exchanger 20 is located. That is, as shown in Figures 24 and 26, when the indoor blower 220 is installed in the indoor unit housing 210 in the first mode, the indoor blower 220 is installed on the upstream side X1 of the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the airflow direction X. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 25 and 27, when the indoor blower 220 is installed in the indoor unit housing 210 in the second mode, the indoor blower 220 is installed on the downstream side X2 of the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the airflow direction X.

[0115] In the indoor unit housing 210 according to this embodiment, the mounting mode of the indoor blower 220 can be selected from either the first mode or the second mode. Therefore, when the indoor unit housing 210 is installed in a space where the airflow direction is fixed but the placement direction of the indoor unit housing 210 cannot be changed, the indoor blower 220 can be installed inside the indoor unit housing 210 in a mounting mode that matches the airflow direction. This eliminates the need to install an additional air blower duct 7000, as in Comparative Example 2 shown in FIG. 16 . Because the direction of the airflow generated by the indoor blower 220 can be changed depending on the mounting mode of the indoor blower 220, the extension of the air blowing path can be suppressed.

[0116] Furthermore, the indoor heat exchanger 20 can be installed inside the indoor unit housing 210 in either the first or second installation manner, but in both the first and second installation manners, the second heat exchange section 22 is provided below the first heat exchange section 21. Therefore, the installation manner of the indoor heat exchanger 20 is not limited by the installation manner of the indoor blower 220. That is, in the air conditioning apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, if the installation space of the indoor unit housing 210 restricts the connection direction of the refrigerant piping 400 and the direction of the airflow generated by the indoor blower 220, the installation manner of the indoor heat exchanger 20 and the installation manner of the indoor blower 220 can be changed. Since the indoor heat exchanger 20 and the indoor blower 220 can be installed in the indoor unit housing 210 in accordance with the installation space of the indoor unit housing 210, the indoor unit housing 210 can be installed while suppressing a decrease in performance of the air conditioning apparatus 100 caused by the arrangement of the refrigerant piping 400 and the airflow direction X.

[0117] Sixth Embodiment Fig. 28 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning apparatus 100 according to a sixth embodiment. Fig. 29 is a diagram for explaining an indoor heat exchanger 20 according to the sixth embodiment. In this embodiment, unlike the first to fifth embodiments, the air conditioning apparatus 100 includes a relay unit 700. Descriptions of the same configuration as in the first to fifth embodiments will be omitted or simplified.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 28 , the air conditioning apparatus 100 of this embodiment is composed of an indoor unit 200, an outdoor unit 500, a refrigerant pipe 400 that is a heat medium pipe, a relay unit 700, and a water pipe 800 that is a heat medium pipe. The relay unit 700 includes a relay unit housing 710. An intermediate heat exchanger 70, a first expansion device 104, and a water pump 720 are provided inside the relay unit housing 710. The intermediate heat exchanger 70 exchanges heat between the refrigerant that is a heat medium flowing through the refrigerant pipe 400 and the water that is a heat medium flowing through the water pipe 800. Note that the water that is a heat medium flowing through the water pipe 800 may contain an additive such as antifreeze or brine. The intermediate heat exchanger 70 includes a first intermediate heat exchanger 71 and a second intermediate heat exchanger 72. In the following description, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the first intermediate heat exchanger 71 and the second intermediate heat exchanger 72, they will be simply referred to as the "intermediate heat exchanger 70." Furthermore, when the term "intermediate heat exchanger 70" is used, it is understood to include the first intermediate heat exchanger 71 and the second intermediate heat exchanger 72.

[0119] The water piping 800 includes a first water piping 801 that connects the first intermediate heat exchanger 71 and the first heat exchange unit 21 of the indoor heat exchanger 20, and a second water piping 802 that connects the second intermediate heat exchanger 72 and the second heat exchange unit 22 of the indoor heat exchanger 20. The water pump 720 is provided on the first water piping 801 and includes a first water pump 721 that delivers water as a heat medium to the first heat exchange unit 21. The water pump 720 is also provided on the second water piping 802 and includes a second water pump 722 that delivers water as a heat medium to the second heat exchange unit 22. The intermediate heat exchanger 70, the water pump 720, and the indoor heat exchanger 20 are connected by the water piping 800 to form a water circuit in which water as a heat medium circulates. More specifically, the first intermediate heat exchanger 71, the first heat exchange unit 21, and the first water pump 721 are connected by a first water pipe 801 to form a single water circuit through which water, which is a heat medium, circulates. Also, the second intermediate heat exchanger 72, the second heat exchange unit 22, and the second water pump 722 are connected by a second water pipe 802 to form a single water circuit through which water, which is a heat medium, circulates.

[0120] 28 , the water pump 720 is provided inside the relay unit housing 710, but the installation location of the water pump 720 is not limited to the example shown. The water pump 720 may be provided inside the indoor unit housing 210, for example. Furthermore, the air conditioning apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment may be configured so that the heat exchange amount in the intermediate heat exchanger 70 or the indoor heat exchanger 20 can be adjusted by adjusting the rotation speed of the water pump 720.

[0121] In the present embodiment, a refrigerant circuit in which a refrigerant, which is a heat medium, circulates is configured by connecting a compressor 101, a flow switching device 102, an outdoor heat exchanger 50, a second throttling device 105, a first intermediate heat exchanger 71, a first throttling device 104, and a second intermediate heat exchanger 72 via refrigerant piping 400. The configuration of the refrigerant circuit according to the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the refrigerant circuits of Embodiments 1 to 5, except that an intermediate heat exchanger 70 is provided instead of the indoor heat exchanger 20. FIG. 28 shows, as an example of a refrigerant circuit according to the present embodiment, a refrigerant circuit having the same configuration as the refrigerant circuit described in Embodiment 2. Description of the configuration common to Embodiment 2 will be omitted.

[0122] In the present embodiment, in the refrigerant circuit, the first intermediate heat exchanger 71 functions in the same manner as the first heat exchange unit 21 in the first to fifth embodiments, and the second intermediate heat exchanger 72 functions in the same manner as the second heat exchange unit 22 in the first to fifth embodiments. The intermediate heat exchanger 70 in the present embodiment differs from the indoor heat exchangers 20 in the first to fifth embodiments in that the intermediate heat exchanger 70 performs heat exchange between the refrigerant, which is a heat medium, and water, and the indoor heat exchanger 20 performs heat exchange between the water, which is a heat medium, and indoor air, which is a heat exchange fluid. In the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the present embodiment, heat exchange occurs between the indoor air and the water, which is a heat medium. That is, the indoor air indirectly exchanges heat with the refrigerant via the water.

[0123] During heating operation, the first intermediate heat exchanger 70 and the second intermediate heat exchanger 72 function as condensers, and heat exchange occurs between the refrigerant and water, heating the water. The water heated in the first intermediate heat exchanger 71 flows into the first heat exchange unit 21 through the first water piping 801. The water that flows into the first heat exchange unit 21 supplies heat to the indoor air supplied by the indoor blower 220. As a result, the indoor air is heated. The water that has supplied heat to the indoor air in the first heat exchange unit 21 flows into the first intermediate heat exchanger 71 through the first water piping 801 and the first water pump 721. Meanwhile, the water heated in the second intermediate heat exchanger 72 flows into the second heat exchange unit 22 through the second water piping 802. The water that flows into the second heat exchange unit 22 supplies heat to the indoor air supplied by the indoor blower 220. As a result, the indoor air is heated. The water that has supplied heat to the indoor air in the second heat exchange unit 22 flows through the second water pipe 802 and the second water pump 722 into the second intermediate heat exchanger 72. During heating operation, this cycle is repeated in the water circuit.

[0124] During cooling operation, both the first intermediate heat exchanger 71 and the second intermediate heat exchanger 72 function as evaporators, and heat exchange occurs between the refrigerant and water, thereby cooling the water. The water cooled in the first intermediate heat exchanger 71 flows into the first heat exchange unit 21 through the first water piping 801. The water that flows into the first heat exchange unit 21 absorbs heat from the indoor air supplied by the indoor blower 220. This cools the indoor air. The water that has absorbed heat from the indoor air in the first heat exchange unit 21 flows into the first intermediate heat exchanger 71 through the first water piping 801 and the first water pump 721. The water cooled in the second intermediate heat exchanger 72 flows into the second heat exchange unit 22 through the second water piping 802. The water that flows into the second heat exchange unit 22 absorbs heat from the indoor air supplied by the indoor blower 220. This cools the indoor air. The water that has absorbed heat from the indoor air in the second heat exchange unit 22 flows through the second water pipe 802 and the second water pump 722 into the second intermediate heat exchanger 72. During cooling operation, this cycle is repeated in the water circuit.

[0125] Furthermore, during dehumidification operation, the first intermediate heat exchanger 71 of the intermediate heat exchanger 70 functions as a condenser, and the second intermediate heat exchanger 72 functions as an evaporator. In the first intermediate heat exchanger 71 functioning as a condenser, heat exchange occurs between the refrigerant and water, thereby heating the water. The water heated in the first intermediate heat exchanger 71 flows through the first water piping 801 into the first heat exchange unit 21. The water that flows into the first heat exchange unit 21 supplies heat to the indoor air supplied by the indoor blower 220. As a result, the indoor air is heated. The water that has supplied heat to the indoor air in the first heat exchange unit 21 flows through the first water piping 801 and the first water pump 721 into the first intermediate heat exchanger 71. In addition, in the second intermediate heat exchanger 72 functioning as an evaporator, heat exchange occurs between the refrigerant and water, thereby cooling the water. Furthermore, the water cooled in the second intermediate heat exchanger 72 flows through the second water piping 802 and into the second heat exchange unit 22. The water that flows into the second heat exchange unit 22 absorbs heat from the indoor air supplied by the indoor blower 220. As a result, the indoor air is cooled and the water vapor in the indoor air is condensed. The water that has absorbed heat from the indoor air in the second heat exchange unit 22 flows through the second water piping 802 and the second water pump 722 and into the second intermediate heat exchanger 72. During dehumidification operation, this cycle is repeated in the water circuit.

[0126] Next, the indoor heat exchanger 20 and indoor unit housing 210 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 29. Fig. 29 shows the indoor heat exchanger 20 in a first installation mode. The indoor heat exchanger 20 according to the present embodiment differs from the indoor heat exchangers 20 according to the first to fifth embodiments in the water piping 800, the first connection port 24, and the second connection port 25. The indoor unit housing 210 according to the present embodiment differs from the indoor unit housing 210 according to the first to fifth embodiments in the first opening 211a, the second opening 211b, the third opening 212a, and the fourth opening 212b.

[0127] The first heat exchange unit 21 has a first connection port 24 connected to a first water pipe 801 through which water flowing into the first heat exchange unit 21 flows, and a first connection port 24 connected to a first water pipe 801 through which water flowing out of the first heat exchange unit 21 flows. That is, in this embodiment, two first connection ports 24 are provided in the first heat exchange unit 21. The second heat exchange unit 22 has a second connection port 25 connected to a second water pipe 802 through which water flowing into the second heat exchange unit 22 flows, and a second connection port 25 connected to a second water pipe 802 through which water flowing out of the second heat exchange unit 22 flows. That is, in this embodiment, two second connection ports 25 are provided in the second heat exchange unit 22.

[0128] Further, a first opening 211a into which a first water pipe 801 through which water flowing into the first heat exchange section 21 flows is inserted, and a first opening 211a into which a first water pipe 801 through which water flowing out of the first heat exchange section 21 flows is inserted are provided on the first wall surface 211 of the indoor unit casing 210. In other words, in the present embodiment, two first openings 211a are provided on the indoor unit casing 210. Further, a second opening 211b into which a second water pipe 802 through which water flowing into the second heat exchange section 22 flows is inserted, and a second opening 211b into which a second water pipe 802 through which water flowing out of the second heat exchange section 22 flows is inserted are provided on the first wall surface 211 of the indoor unit casing 210. In other words, in the present embodiment, two second openings 211b are provided on the indoor unit casing 210. Therefore, in the first installation mode of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the first water pipe 801 and the second water pipe 802 are inserted into the indoor unit housing 210 from the front side Z1 of the indoor unit housing, in the same manner as the first refrigerant pipe 401 and the second refrigerant pipe 402 in embodiments 1 to 5.

[0129] Further, the second wall surface 212 of the indoor unit casing 210 is provided with a third opening 212a into which a first water pipe 801 through which water flowing into the first heat exchange section 21 flows is inserted, and a third opening 212a into which a first water pipe 801 through which water flowing out of the first heat exchange section 21 flows is inserted. That is, in this embodiment, two third openings 212a are provided in the indoor unit casing 210. Further, the second wall surface 212 of the indoor unit casing 210 is provided with a fourth opening 212b into which a second water pipe 802 through which water flowing into the second heat exchange section 22 flows is inserted, and a fourth opening 212b into which a second water pipe 802 through which water flowing out of the second heat exchange section 22 flows is inserted. That is, in this embodiment, two fourth openings 212b are provided in the indoor unit casing 210. Therefore, in the second installation mode of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the first water pipe 801 and the second water pipe 802 are inserted into the indoor unit housing 210 from the rear side Z2 of the indoor unit housing, in the same manner as the first refrigerant pipe 401 and the second refrigerant pipe 402 in embodiments 1 to 5.

[0130] As described above, the air conditioning apparatus 100 according to this embodiment includes the compressor 101 and the outdoor heat exchanger 50 provided inside the outdoor unit housing 510, the indoor heat exchanger 20 and the indoor blower 220 provided inside the indoor unit housing 210, and the water piping 800 connected to the indoor heat exchanger 20 as a heat medium piping through which water flows as a heat medium that directly exchanges heat with the indoor air. The indoor heat exchanger 20 also includes a first heat exchanger 21 that heats the indoor air during dehumidification operation and a second heat exchanger 22 that cools the indoor air during dehumidification operation to condense water vapor in the indoor air. The indoor heat exchanger 20 is mounted on the indoor unit housing 210 in either a first mounting mode or a second mounting mode, and the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 20 that faces the airflow generated by the indoor blower 220 differs between the first mounting mode and the second mounting mode, and in both the first mounting mode and the second mounting mode, the second heat exchange section 22 is provided below the first heat exchange section 21. In addition, the water piping 800, which is the heat medium piping, includes a first water piping 801 connected to the first heat exchange section 21 and a second water piping 802 connected to the second heat exchange section 22. Furthermore, the air conditioning apparatus 100 according to this embodiment includes a first intermediate heat exchanger 701 connected to the compressor 101 and the outdoor heat exchanger 50 by a refrigerant piping 400 and exchanging heat between the refrigerant, which is a heat medium, flowing through the refrigerant piping 400, and water, which is a heat medium, flowing through a first water piping 801; a second intermediate heat exchanger 702 connected to the compressor 101 and the outdoor heat exchanger 50 by the refrigerant piping 400 and exchanging heat between the refrigerant, which is a heat medium, flowing through the refrigerant piping 400, and water, which is a heat medium, flowing through a second water piping 802; a first water pump 721 that circulates the water, which is a heat medium, within the first water piping 801; and a second water pump 722 that circulates the water, which is a heat medium, within the second water piping 802.

[0131] With this configuration, the air conditioning apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, like the air conditioning apparatus 100 according to embodiments 1 to 5, allows the installation mode of the indoor heat exchanger 20 to be selected from the first installation mode or the second installation mode. Therefore, even if the space in which the indoor unit housing 210 is installed is limited, the water pipe 800 can be connected to the indoor heat exchanger 20 without either or both of extending the water pipe 800 and bending the water pipe 800. Therefore, when the indoor unit housing 210 is installed in a space in which the installation direction of the indoor unit housing 210 cannot be selected, the indoor heat exchanger 20 can be installed in either the first installation mode or the second installation mode, thereby suppressing a decrease in performance of the air conditioning apparatus 100 caused by the placement of the water pipe 800.

[0132] Furthermore, the installation method for the air conditioning apparatus 100 according to this embodiment includes a step of installing the indoor heat exchanger 20 in an installation mode, either the first installation mode or the second installation mode, in which the length of the water piping 800, which is the heat medium piping located between the relay unit housing 710 and the indoor heat exchanger 20, is shortened. That is, the installation method includes a step of installing the indoor heat exchanger 20 in an installation mode in which the length of the heat medium piping located between the outdoor unit housing 510 and the indoor heat exchanger 20 is shortened. Therefore, even when the installation space for the indoor unit housing 210 is limited and the arrangement direction of the indoor unit housing 210 cannot be selected, the water piping 800 between the relay unit housing 710 and the indoor heat exchanger 20 can be made shorter. Therefore, in a space where the arrangement direction of the indoor unit housing 210 cannot be selected, the indoor unit housing 210 can be installed while suppressing a decrease in performance of the air conditioning apparatus 100 caused by the arrangement of the water piping 800.

[0133] Although the first to sixth embodiments have been described above, the air conditioning apparatus according to the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments and various modifications are possible. For example, in each of the above embodiments, the air conditioning apparatus 100 is described as being composed of one indoor unit 200 and one outdoor unit 500. However, the air conditioning apparatus may also include multiple indoor units or multiple outdoor units. Furthermore, the air conditioning apparatus 100 according to the present disclosure is not particularly limited to the type of refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit, and various refrigerants can be used. For example, a decrease in the refrigerant circulation rate due to a decrease in the pressure of the refrigerant drawn into the compressor 101 can be suppressed with R32 refrigerant, R410A, or refrigerants with a lower gas density than R32 refrigerant, including at least olefin-based refrigerants, propane, and DME (dimethyl ether). Therefore, by using refrigerants that can suppress a decrease in the refrigerant circulation rate, a decrease in the performance of the air conditioning apparatus 100 can be further suppressed.

[0134] 20, 20a, 20b Indoor heat exchanger, 21, 21a, 21b First heat exchange section, 22, 22a, 22b Second heat exchange section, 23 Third heat exchange section, 24, 24a, 24b First connection port, 25, 25a, 25b Second connection port, 26 Third connection port, 27 Fourth connection port, 28 Branch header, 29 Merging header, 30 Circular pipe, 31 Flat pipe, 50 Outdoor heat exchanger, 70 Intermediate heat exchanger, 71 First intermediate heat exchanger, 72 Second intermediate heat exchanger, 100 Air conditioning device, 101 Compressor, 102 Flow path switching device, 103 Control device, 104 First throttle device, 105 Second throttle device, 106 Filter, 200 Indoor unit, 210 Indoor unit housing, 211 First wall surface, 211a First opening, 211b Second opening, 212 Second wall surface, 212a Third opening, 212b Fourth opening, 213 Bottom surface, 213b-1 Second opening, 213b-2 Fourth opening, 214 Top surface, 214a-1 First opening, 214a-2 Third opening, 220 Indoor blower, 230, 230a, 230b Side plate, 231, 231a, 231b Side plate fixing portion, 240 Fixing plate, 250 Temperature measuring device, 260 Saturation temperature measuring device, 400 Refrigerant piping, 401 First refrigerant piping, 402 Second refrigerant piping, 403 Third refrigerant piping, 404 Fourth refrigerant piping, 405 Fifth refrigerant piping, 411 First branch portion, 412 Second branch portion, 413 Third branch portion, 414 Fourth branch portion, 421 First on-off valve, 422 Second on-off valve, 500 Outdoor unit, 510 Outdoor unit housing, 520 Outdoor blower, 700 Relay unit, 710 Relay unit housing, 720 Water pump 721 First water pump, 722 Second water pump, 800 Heat medium piping, 801 First heat medium piping, 802 Second heat medium piping, 2000 Indoor unit, 2006 Filter, 2010 First heat exchange unit, 2020 Second heat exchange unit, 2100 Indoor unit housing, 2110 First wall surface, 2110a First opening, 2110b Second opening, 2120 Second wall surface, 2120a Third opening, 2120b Fourth opening, 2200 Indoor blower, 2400 First connection port, 2500 Second connection port, 4010 First refrigerant piping, 4020 Second refrigerant piping, 6000 wall, 6001 wall hole, 7000 air duct, AX rotation axis, FI inflow direction, FO1 first outflow direction, FO2 second outflow direction, PPT1, PPT1a, PPT1b first point of side plate, PPT2, PPT2a,PPT2b: second point on the side panel; PPT3, PPT3a, PPT3b: third point on the side panel; SL1: first virtual line; SL2: second virtual line; SL3: third virtual line; VL1: first virtual line; VL2: second virtual line; VL3: third virtual line; VL4: fourth virtual line; VO: virtual intersection; VP1a: first virtual point; VP1b: second virtual point; VP2a: third virtual point; VP2b: fourth virtual point; VP3a: fifth virtual point; VP3b: sixth virtual point; VP4a: seventh virtual point; VP4b: eighth virtual point; X: airflow direction; X1: upstream side of airflow direction; X2: downstream side of airflow direction; Y: vertical direction; Z: depth direction; Z1: front side of indoor unit housing; Z2: rear side of indoor unit housing; θ: angle.

Claims

1. A compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger provided inside an outdoor unit housing; an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan provided inside the indoor unit housing; a heat medium pipe connected to the indoor heat exchanger, through which a heat medium flows that directly exchanges heat with the indoor air; A first throttle device provided inside the indoor unit housing; a refrigerant pipe connecting the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the indoor heat exchanger, and the first throttling device, through which a refrigerant flows as the heat medium; Equipped with The indoor heat exchanger is a first heat exchange unit that heats the indoor air during a dehumidification operation; a second heat exchanger that cools the indoor air during the dehumidifying operation to condense water vapor in the indoor air; having The indoor heat exchanger is provided in the indoor unit housing in either a first mounting manner or a second mounting manner, a surface of the indoor heat exchanger facing an airflow generated by the indoor blower is different between the first mounting mode and the second mounting mode; In both the first and second mounting modes, the second heat exchange unit is provided below the first heat exchange unit, The heat medium piping is a part of the refrigerant piping, The first heat exchange unit of the indoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser during a dehumidification operation, The second heat exchange unit of the indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator during the dehumidification operation, The refrigerant piping is A first refrigerant pipe provided between the outdoor unit housing and the first heat exchanger; a second refrigerant pipe provided between the outdoor unit housing and the second heat exchanger; Including, The indoor unit housing is a first wall surface having a first opening through which the first refrigerant pipe passes in the first mounting state and a second opening through which the second refrigerant pipe passes; a second wall surface having a third opening through which the first refrigerant pipe passes in the second installation mode and a fourth opening through which the second refrigerant pipe passes; having The first wall surface and the second wall surface face each other. Air conditioning units.

2. A compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger provided inside an outdoor unit housing; an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan provided inside the indoor unit housing; a heat medium pipe connected to the indoor heat exchanger, through which a heat medium flows that directly exchanges heat with the indoor air; A first throttle device provided inside the indoor unit housing; a refrigerant pipe connecting the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the indoor heat exchanger, and the first throttling device, through which a refrigerant flows as the heat medium; Equipped with The indoor heat exchanger is a first heat exchange unit that heats the indoor air during a dehumidification operation; a second heat exchanger that cools the indoor air during the dehumidifying operation to condense water vapor in the indoor air; having The indoor heat exchanger is provided in the indoor unit housing in either a first mounting manner or a second mounting manner, a surface of the indoor heat exchanger facing an airflow generated by the indoor blower is different between the first mounting mode and the second mounting mode; In both the first and second mounting modes, the second heat exchange unit is provided below the first heat exchange unit, The heat medium piping is a part of the refrigerant piping, The first heat exchange unit of the indoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser during a dehumidification operation, The second heat exchange unit of the indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator during the dehumidification operation, The refrigerant piping is A first refrigerant pipe provided between the outdoor unit housing and the first heat exchanger; a second refrigerant pipe provided between the outdoor unit housing and the second heat exchanger; Including, The indoor unit housing is In the first installation mode, a first wall surface having a first wall surface opening through which one of the first refrigerant pipe and the second refrigerant pipe passes; In the second installation mode, the one of the first refrigerant pipe and the second refrigerant pipe has a second wall surface having a second wall surface opening; a third wall having a third wall opening and a fourth wall opening through which the other of the first refrigerant pipe and the second refrigerant pipe passes; having The first wall surface and the second wall surface face each other and are connected to each other by the third wall surface. Air conditioning units.

3. The first heat exchange unit has a first connection port to which the first refrigerant pipe is connected, The second heat exchange unit has a second connection port to which the second refrigerant pipe is connected, the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit are installed in the indoor unit housing such that a cross section along a vertical direction of the indoor heat exchanger has a horizontal V-shape; The indoor heat exchanger is In the first mounting mode, an inner circumferential surface of the V-shape faces the air flow, In the second mounting state, an outer peripheral surface of the V-shape faces the air flow, a first projection view obtained by projecting the indoor heat exchanger in the first mounting mode onto the first wall surface in a horizontal direction; and a second projection view obtained by projecting the indoor heat exchanger in the second mounting mode onto the first wall surface in the horizontal direction, The first virtual line is a straight line connecting a first virtual point, which is an arbitrary point of the first heat exchanger in the first projection view, and a second virtual point, which is the arbitrary point of the first heat exchanger in the second projection view, The second virtual line is a straight line connecting a third virtual point, which is an arbitrary point of the first heat exchanger in the first projection view, and a fourth virtual point, which is the arbitrary point of the first heat exchanger in the second projection view; The third virtual line is a straight line connecting a fifth virtual point, which is an arbitrary point of the first heat exchanger in the first projection view, and a sixth virtual point, which is the arbitrary point of the first heat exchanger in the second projection view; A fourth virtual line is a straight line connecting a seventh virtual point, which is an arbitrary point of the first heat exchanger in the first projection view, and an eighth virtual point, which is the arbitrary point of the first heat exchanger in the second projection view, The first virtual line, the second virtual line, the third virtual line, and the fourth virtual line are parallel to each other. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. An angle between a virtual line perpendicular to the first heat exchange portion and a virtual line perpendicular to the second heat exchange portion with respect to the inner circumferential surface of the V-shape is equal to or greater than 90 degrees and equal to or less than 150 degrees. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The refrigerant piping further includes a third refrigerant piping provided between the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit, The first refrigerant pipe has a first branch portion, The second refrigerant pipe has a second branch portion, The third refrigerant pipe has a third branch portion and a fourth branch portion, the first throttle device is provided between the third branch portion and the fourth branch portion, The refrigerant piping is a fourth refrigerant pipe connecting the first branch portion and the fourth branch portion; a fifth refrigerant pipe connecting the third branch portion and the second branch portion; and Including, a first on-off valve is provided in the fourth refrigerant pipe; A second on-off valve is provided on the fifth refrigerant pipe. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

6. During cooling operation, the outdoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser, and the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit function as evaporators, The first branch portion is provided so that an inner product of a vector in the inflow direction of the refrigerant and a vector in the gravity direction during the cooling operation is negative. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 5.

7. A control device is further provided. During cooling operation, the outdoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser, and the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit function as evaporators, The control device, during the cooling operation, The first on-off valve and the second on-off valve are opened, The first throttle device is closed. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 5.

8. A control device; A second throttling device provided in the first refrigerant pipe; a temperature measuring device provided in the refrigerant piping between the second branch portion and a suction side of the compressor during the dehumidification operation; a saturation temperature measuring device provided in the refrigerant piping between the fourth branch portion and the second branch portion, or in the refrigerant piping between the second branch portion and a suction side of the compressor during the dehumidification operation; Further equipped The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 5.

9. The control device, during the dehumidification operation, The first on-off valve and the second on-off valve are closed, The first and second throttling devices are in an open state, The opening degree of the first expansion device is adjusted so that the refrigerant flowing out of the second heat exchange portion becomes superheated vapor. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 8.

10. A fixing plate is provided to fix and integrate the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit, The indoor unit housing is provided with an openable / closable opening for removing the integrated first heat exchange portion and the second heat exchange portion from the indoor unit housing. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

11. A compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger provided inside an outdoor unit housing; an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor blower provided inside the indoor unit housing; a heat medium pipe connected to the indoor heat exchanger, through which a heat medium flows that directly exchanges heat with the indoor air; A first throttle device provided inside the indoor unit housing; a refrigerant pipe connecting the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the indoor heat exchanger, and the first throttling device, through which a refrigerant flows as the heat medium; Equipped with The indoor heat exchanger is a first heat exchange unit that heats the indoor air during a dehumidification operation; a second heat exchanger that cools the indoor air during the dehumidification operation to condense water vapor in the indoor air; having The indoor heat exchanger is provided in the indoor unit housing in either a first mounting manner or a second mounting manner, a surface of the indoor heat exchanger facing an airflow generated by the indoor blower is different between the first mounting mode and the second mounting mode; In both the first and second mounting modes, the second heat exchange unit is provided below the first heat exchange unit, The heat medium piping is a part of the refrigerant piping, The first heat exchange unit of the indoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser during a dehumidification operation, The second heat exchange unit of the indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator during the dehumidification operation, a side plate for fixing the second heat exchange portion to a bottom surface of the indoor unit housing; The position at which the side plate is fixed to the bottom surface differs between the first and second mounting modes. Air conditioning units.

12. The indoor heat exchanger is rotated 180 degrees around a virtual rotation axis extending in a vertical direction, thereby changing the mounting mode between the first mounting mode and the second mounting mode, When any three points on the side plate are designated as a first point, a second point, and a third point, a first virtual straight line is a line connecting the first point in the first mounting state and the first point in the second mounting state, a second virtual straight line is a line connecting the second point in the first mounting state and the second point in the second mounting state, a third virtual straight line is a line connecting the third point in the first mounting state and the third point in the second mounting state, When viewed in the axial direction of the virtual rotation axis, the first virtual line, the second virtual line, and the third virtual line intersect at one point. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 11.

13. A compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger provided inside an outdoor unit housing; an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor blower provided inside the indoor unit housing; a heat medium pipe connected to the indoor heat exchanger, through which a heat medium flows that directly exchanges heat with the indoor air; A first throttle device provided inside the indoor unit housing; a refrigerant pipe connecting the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the indoor heat exchanger, and the first throttling device, through which a refrigerant flows as the heat medium; Equipped with The indoor heat exchanger is a first heat exchange unit that heats the indoor air during a dehumidification operation; a second heat exchanger that cools the indoor air during the dehumidification operation to condense water vapor in the indoor air; having The indoor heat exchanger is provided in the indoor unit housing in either a first mounting manner or a second mounting manner, a surface of the indoor heat exchanger facing an airflow generated by the indoor blower is different between the first mounting mode and the second mounting mode; In both the first and second mounting modes, the second heat exchange unit is provided below the first heat exchange unit, The heat medium piping is a part of the refrigerant piping, The first heat exchange unit of the indoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser during a dehumidification operation, The second heat exchange unit of the indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator during the dehumidification operation, The indoor heat exchanger further includes a third heat exchange unit provided upstream of the first heat exchange unit in a flow direction of the refrigerant during the dehumidification operation, In both the first and second mounting modes, the third heat exchange unit is provided downstream of the airflow relative to the first and second heat exchange units, The surface of the third heat exchanger facing the airflow is different between the first mounting mode and the second mounting mode. Air conditioning units.

14. The indoor blower is a centrifugal blower, The centrifugal blower is The centrifugal blower is installed in either a first mode in which the airflow toward the indoor heat exchanger is generated, or a second mode in which the airflow toward the centrifugal blower is generated from the indoor heat exchanger. An air-conditioning apparatus according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 11 or claim 13.

15. A method for installing an air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 11 or claim 13, The method includes a step of installing the indoor heat exchanger in an installation mode in which a length of the heat medium pipe located between the outdoor unit housing and the indoor heat exchanger is shortened, out of the first installation mode and the second installation mode. Method for installing air conditioning equipment.