Flow divider and refrigeration cycle device provided with flow divider

Abstract

The present disclosure addresses the problem of providing a flow divider configured to suppress gravitational flow displacement during horizontal placement. A flow divider (60) comprises: a first partition (67) partitioning the interior of a body (65) into a first space (651) and a second space (652) that are arranged in the X-direction from an inlet section (61) to an outlet section (63); and a second partition (69) for partitioning the second space (652) into a third space (653) and a fourth space (654). The first partition (67) comprises a first introduction opening (67a) and a second introduction opening (67b) that guide a fluid from the first space (651) to the second space (652). The second partition (69) comprises a first guiding opening (69a), a second guiding opening (69b), a third guiding opening (69c), and a fourth guiding opening (69d) that guide the fluid in the second space (652) to the outlet section. The introduction openings and the guiding openings are each arranged in the Y-direction which is orthogonal to the X-direction, and are arranged on the same plane parallel to both the X-direction and the Y-direction.

Description

Flow diverter and refrigeration cycle device equipped with the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a flow divider used in a refrigeration cycle device.

[0002] A flow divider that guides an inflowing refrigerant into multiple spaces and then branches the refrigerant that has flowed into each space to flow out is widely known. For example, a flow divider described in Patent Document 1 (JP 2017-83079 A) guides the inflowing fluid evenly into three spaces through three openings, and the refrigerant that has flowed into each space is guided to a corresponding outlet through a branching flow path provided for each space.

[0003] The above-mentioned flow divider is designed to be installed vertically so that the refrigerant flows vertically, and therefore requires a large installation space. Therefore, if the fan motor is enlarged to increase the airflow, the flow divider must be installed horizontally to ensure sufficient installation space.

[0004] However, when the flow divider is placed horizontally, gravity causes a bias in the flow, making it impossible to divide the refrigerant evenly. Therefore, there is a need to provide a flow divider that suppresses the bias in the flow caused by gravity when placed horizontally.

[0005] A flow divider according to a first aspect includes an inlet section, an outlet section, a body section, a first partition section, and a second partition section. The inlet section has one inlet port through which the fluid flows in. The outlet section has multiple outlet ports through which the fluid flows out. The body section forms a space between the inlet section and the outlet section. The first partition section divides the interior of the body section into a first space and a second space aligned in the X direction from the inlet section toward the outlet section, and is provided with multiple inlet openings that guide the fluid from the first space to the second space. The second partition section divides the second space and is provided with multiple guide openings that guide the fluid further downstream. The multiple inlet openings and multiple guide openings are aligned in the Y direction, which is perpendicular to the X direction. The multiple guide openings are aligned on the same plane parallel to both the X direction and the Y direction.

[0006] Generally, if a flow divider is oriented vertically with the X direction from the inlet to the outlet being the vertical direction, the fluid will not drift even if it is branched into multiple paths within the divider. However, if the flow divider is oriented horizontally, drift due to gravity is likely to occur.

[0007] Therefore, in this flow diverter, the multiple inlet openings and the multiple guide openings are arranged in the Y direction perpendicular to the X direction, and the multiple guide openings are arranged on the same plane parallel to both the X direction and the Y direction. Therefore, for example, when the flow diverter is placed in a horizontal position, by arranging the flow diverter so that the Y direction is horizontal, drift caused by gravity can be suppressed.

[0008] A flow divider according to a second aspect is the flow divider according to the first aspect, wherein the first partition portion divides the fluid that has flowed into the first space into two paths that flow into the second space.

[0009] A flow divider according to a third aspect is the flow divider according to the first aspect, wherein the second partition portion further divides each of the fluids divided into two by the first partition portion into two.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the flow divider is the flow divider of any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, wherein the plurality of inlet openings of the first partition section include a first opening and a second opening. The second space includes a third space communicating with the first opening and a fourth space communicating with the second opening. The third space and the fourth space are symmetrical with respect to an axis that is the same as the X direction and passes through the center of the inlet.

[0011] In this flow divider, the amount of fluid flowing from the first opening into the third space and the amount of fluid flowing from the second opening into the fourth space tend to be equal.

[0012] A flow divider according to a fifth aspect is the flow divider according to any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, in which the inlet of the inlet portion and the introduction opening of the first partition portion do not overlap when viewed from the X direction.

[0013] In this flow divider, the fluid that enters the first space from the inlet first hits the first partition section before flowing to each inlet opening, thereby preventing the fluid from concentrating and flowing through only one inlet opening.

[0014] A flow diverter of a sixth aspect is a flow diverter of any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, in which, when viewed from the X direction, the inlet opening of the first partition section does not overlap with the inlet port of the inlet section and the multiple outlet ports of the outlet section.

[0015] In this flow divider, it is possible to prevent the fluid that has entered the first space from the inlet from concentrating and flowing from one introduction opening to a specific outlet.

[0016] A seventh aspect of the flow divider is the flow divider of any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, and has a portion where the inlet of the inlet portion and the introduction opening of the first partition portion overlap each other when viewed from the X direction.

[0017] This flow shunt can be made smaller.

[0018] A flow divider according to an eighth aspect is the flow divider according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the guide openings in the second partition section are arranged at equal intervals in the Y direction.

[0019] In this flow divider, drift caused by differences in the intervals between the guide openings in at least the Y direction is suppressed.

[0020] A ninth aspect of the flow divider is the flow divider of any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the distances from the inlet of the inlet section to the plurality of introduction openings of the first partition section are equal.

[0021] In this flow divider, drift caused by differences in the distance from at least the inlet to each of the introduction openings is suppressed.

[0022] A flow divider according to a tenth aspect is the flow divider according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the distances from one introduction opening to the plurality of guide openings corresponding to that introduction opening are equal.

[0023] This flow divider suppresses drift caused by at least differences in distance from the introduction opening to each of the guide openings.

[0024] The flow divider of an eleventh aspect is the flow divider of any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein each of the plurality of inlet openings of the first partition section is circular and has the same diameter, and each of the plurality of guide openings of the second partition section is circular and has the same diameter.

[0025] In this flow divider, drift caused by at least the difference in diameter between the introduction openings and the difference in diameter between the guide openings is suppressed.

[0026] A flow divider according to a twelfth aspect is the flow divider according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the diameter of the introduction opening is larger than the diameter of the guide opening.

[0027] In this flow divider, the flow rate of fluid flowing through each inlet opening is greater than the flow rate of fluid flowing through each guide opening, so by making the diameter of the inlet opening greater than the diameter of the guide opening, pressure loss can be reduced.

[0028] A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the flow divider of any one of the first to twelfth aspects, wherein a refrigerant pipe is inserted into each of a plurality of outlets of the outlet portion. The refrigerant pipes have the same pipe diameter.

[0029] This flow divider allows the fluid to flow evenly to each outlet, eliminating the need to change the diameter of the refrigerant pipes.

[0030] A flow divider according to a fourteenth aspect is the flow divider according to any one of the first aspect to the thirteenth aspect, wherein a recess is provided on one of the body portion and the first partition portion, and a protrusion that is inserted into the recess is provided on the other.

[0031] In this flow divider, the first partition can be easily aligned with the body, and the first partition can be prevented from rotating relative to the body.

[0032] A flow divider according to a fifteenth aspect is the flow divider according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, wherein an end face of the outlet portion is provided with a protrusion surrounding edges of the plurality of outlet ports.

[0033] In this flow distributor, when brazing the outlet and the refrigerant pipe, it is only necessary to heat the periphery of the protruding portion, which makes the brazing work easy.

[0034] A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a sixteenth aspect is a refrigeration cycle apparatus including the flow diverter according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, in which the flow diverter is arranged in a position in which the Y direction is horizontal.

[0035] In this refrigeration cycle device, the flow divider is arranged so that the Y direction is horizontal, thereby suppressing drift caused by gravity.

[0036] A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a seventeenth aspect is the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the sixteenth aspect, further comprising an outdoor unit and an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit via a refrigerant communication pipe. The flow divider is disposed in the indoor unit.

[0037] In this refrigeration cycle device, the flow diverter is arranged so that the Y direction is horizontal, and therefore it is suitable for arrangement in an indoor unit where a large installation space for the flow diverter is not required.

[0038] An eighteenth aspect of the present invention is a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the sixteenth aspect, wherein the indoor unit includes a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the air. The heat exchanger has a first heat exchange section disposed near the front of the indoor unit and a second heat exchange section disposed near the rear of the indoor unit. A flow divider is disposed between the first and second heat exchangers.

[0039] In this refrigeration cycle device, the flow divider is arranged so that the Y direction is horizontal, and therefore is suitable for arrangement in the narrow space between the first heat exchange section and the second heat exchange section.

[0040] A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a nineteenth aspect is the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the sixteenth aspect, wherein the indoor unit includes a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between a refrigerant and air, and a fan device that sends air to the heat exchanger. The flow divider is disposed above the fan device.

[0041] In this refrigeration cycle device, the flow divider is arranged so that the Y direction is horizontal, and therefore it is suitable for arrangement in a small space above the fan device.

[0042] A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a twentieth aspect is the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the nineteenth aspect, wherein the fan device has an impeller, a motor for rotating the impeller, and a drip-proof cover for preventing water droplets from falling onto the motor, and the shortest distance between the shunt and the drip-proof cover is 5 mm or more.

[0043] In this refrigeration cycle device, if the shortest distance between the flow divider and the drip-proof cover is 5 mm or more, interference between them is prevented.

[0044] A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a twenty-first aspect is the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the sixteenth aspect, wherein the flow divider is arranged in a position where the X direction and the Y direction are horizontal, or in a position where the X direction is inclined relative to a horizontal plane with the horizontal Y direction as an axis.

[0045] In this refrigeration cycle device, gravity acts evenly on the refrigerant introduced into each outlet, so that uneven flow due to gravity is suppressed.

[0046] A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a twenty-second aspect is the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the sixteenth aspect, wherein the outlet portion of the flow divider is positioned higher in the direction of gravity than the inlet portion.

[0047] In this refrigeration cycle device, the liquid refrigerant is prevented from flowing unevenly due to gravity.

[0048] A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a twenty-third aspect is the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the sixteenth aspect, wherein the refrigerant pipe connected to the inlet portion has a bent portion that bends in the X direction.

[0049] In this refrigeration cycle apparatus, horizontal deviation of the refrigerant flowing into the flow divider is suppressed.

[0050] 1 is an external perspective view of a flow diverter according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the flow diverter shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a flow diverter connected to a pipe. FIG. 4 is a front view of the flow diverter shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the inlet side. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle device equipped with a flow diverter. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an indoor heat exchanger 32. FIG. 7 is a side view of the indoor heat exchanger 32 showing the refrigerant path. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of a flow diverter according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, with a portion cut away. FIG. 9 is a front view of the flow diverter shown in FIG. 8 as viewed from the inlet side. FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of a flow diverter according to a first modified example, with a portion cut away. FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of a flow diverter according to a second modified example.

[0051] First Embodiment (1) Schematic Configuration of Flow Divider Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a flow divider 60 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the flow divider 60 shown in Fig. 1 .

[0052] 1 and 2 , the flow divider 60 has an inlet portion 61, an outlet portion 63, and a body portion 65. The inlet portion 61 has a single inlet port 61a through which the fluid flows in. The outlet portion 63 has multiple outlet ports 63a, 63b, 63c, and 63d through which the fluid flows out. The body portion 65 forms a space between the inlet portion 61 and the outlet portion 63.

[0053] The flow divider 60 also includes a first partition 67 and a second partition 69. The first partition 67 divides the interior of the body 65 into a first space 651 and a second space 652 that are aligned in the direction from the inlet 61 toward the outlet 63 (hereinafter referred to as the X direction).

[0054] The first partition portion 67 is provided with a plurality of introduction openings 67 a and 67 b that introduce the fluid from the first space 651 to the second space 652 .

[0055] The second partition portion 69 partitions the second space 652. The second partition portion 69 is provided with a plurality of guide openings 69a, 69b, 69c, and 69d that guide the fluid further downstream.

[0056] The introduction openings 67 a, 67 b and the guide openings 69 a, 69 b, 69 c, and 69 d are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the X direction (hereinafter referred to as the Y direction). The guide openings 69 a, 69 b, 69 c, and 69 d are aligned on the same plane parallel to both the X direction and the Y direction.

[0057] (2) Detailed Configuration of Flow Divider Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the flow divider 60 connected to a pipe. In Figure 3, this cross section is also a plan view of the flow divider 60 cut along a plane that passes through the center of the inlet 61a and is parallel to the Y direction in which the multiple guide openings 69a are arranged. The detailed configuration of the flow divider 60 will be described below with reference to Figure 3.

[0058] (2-1) Inlet Portion 61 The inlet portion 61 has one inlet 61a with a circular cross section. The inlet 61a is connected to the pipe PI.

[0059] (2-2) Outlet Portion 63 The outlet portion 63 has four circular cross sections: a first outlet 63a, a second outlet 63b, a third outlet 63c, and a fourth outlet 63d. Pipes PO are connected to the outlets 63a, 63b, 63c, and 63d. The diameters of the four pipes PO are the same.

[0060] (2-3) Body 65 The body 65 is a cylindrical member that surrounds the space between the inlet 61 and the outlet 63. An orifice 66 that guides the fluid that flows in from the inlet 61 to the center is disposed inside the body 65. The orifice 66 is provided with a small hole 66a that is concentric with the inlet 61a and has a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the inlet 61a.

[0061] The step between the inlet 61 a and the small hole 66 a determines the position of the pipe PI to be inserted into the inlet 61 a. In this embodiment, from the viewpoint of reducing the flow resistance of the fluid, the inner diameter of the pipe PI and the diameter of the small hole 66 a are set to be equal to each other in order to eliminate the step in the flow path.

[0062] (2-4) First Partition 67 The first partition 67 is disposed downstream of the orifice 66 in the X direction and divides the internal space of the body 65 into a first space 651 and a second space 652. The first space 651 and the second space 652 are aligned along the X direction. The first partition 67 is provided with a first introduction opening 67a and a second introduction opening 67b. The first introduction opening 67a and the second introduction opening 67b are each circular and have the same diameter. The distances from the inlet 61a of the inlet 61 to the first introduction opening 67a and the second introduction opening 67b of the first partition 67 are equal.

[0063] A groove-shaped recess 671 that opens toward the second space 652 is formed in the center of the downstream surface of the first partition portion 67 .

[0064] (2-5) Second Partition 69 A convex portion 691 that protrudes toward the first partition 67 is formed in the center of the upstream surface of the second partition 69. The convex portion 691 fits into the concave portion 671 of the first partition 67, thereby dividing the second space 652 into a third space 653 and a fourth space 654.

[0065] The third space 653 and the fourth space 654 are aligned in the Y direction. The first introduction opening 67a of the first partition 67 communicates with the third space 653, and the second introduction opening 67b communicates with the fourth space 654.

[0066] The second partition 69 is provided with a first guide opening 69 a, a second guide opening 69 b, a third guide opening 69 c, and a fourth guide opening 69 d. The first guide opening 69 a, the second guide opening 69 b, the third guide opening 69 c, and the fourth guide opening 69 d are each circular and have the same diameter. The first guide opening 69 a, the second guide opening 69 b, the third guide opening 69 c, and the fourth guide opening 69 d are arranged at equal intervals in the Y direction.

[0067] Furthermore, the distances from the first introduction opening 67a to the first guide opening 69a and the second guide opening 69b are equal, and the distances from the second introduction opening 67b to the third guide opening 69c and the fourth guide opening 69d are equal.

[0068] Furthermore, the diameters of the first introduction opening 67a and the second introduction opening 67b are larger than the diameters of the first guide opening 69a, the second guide opening 69b, the third guide opening 69c and the fourth guide opening 69d.

[0069] In the first embodiment, the second partition 69 and the outlet 63 are integrally formed, and the first guide opening 69 a is connected to the first outlet 63 a, the second guide opening 69 b is connected to the second outlet 63 b, the third guide opening 69 c is connected to the third outlet 63 c, and the fourth guide opening 69 d is connected to the fourth outlet 63 d. The second partition 69 may be integrally formed with the body 65 or the first partition 67.

[0070] In addition, in this embodiment, in order to reduce the flow resistance of the fluid and eliminate steps in the flow path, the inner diameter of the insertion portion of the piping PO is set to be equal to the diameters of the first guide opening 69a, the second guide opening 69b, the third guide opening 69c and the fourth guide opening 69d.

[0071] (3) Flow of fluid within the flow diverter 60 Here, the flow of fluid within the flow diverter 60 will be described, assuming that the flow diverter 60 shown in FIG. 3 is arranged so that the Y direction is horizontal.

[0072] The fluid flowing in from the inlet 61a passes through the small holes 66a and enters the first space 651. The fluid in the first space 651 branches off and flows through the first introduction opening 67a and the second introduction opening 67b of the first partition portion 67.

[0073] The first inlet opening 67a and the second inlet opening 67b are aligned in the Y direction, and gravity acts evenly on the fluid branching into each of the first inlet opening 67a and the second inlet opening 67b, thereby suppressing fluid drift due to the influence of gravity.

[0074] The fluid branched to the first introduction opening 67a enters a third space 653 of the second space 652. The fluid branched to the second introduction opening 67b enters a fourth space 654 of the second space 652.

[0075] The refrigerant in the third space 653 branches off and flows through the first guide opening 69a and the second guide opening 69b of the second partition portion 69, and exits the flow divider 60 through the corresponding first outlet 63a and second outlet 63b.

[0076] The refrigerant in the fourth space 654 branches off and flows into the third guide opening 69c and the fourth guide opening 69d of the second partition portion 69, and then exits the flow divider 60 through the corresponding third outlet 63c and fourth outlet 63d.

[0077] The first guide opening 69a, the second guide opening 69b, the third guide opening 69c and the fourth guide opening 69d are aligned in the Y direction, and gravity acts evenly on the fluid branching into each of the first guide opening 69a, the second guide opening 69b, the third guide opening 69c and the fourth guide opening 69d, thereby suppressing fluid drift due to the influence of gravity.

[0078] Fig. 4 is a front view of the flow divider 60 shown in Fig. 1 as viewed from the inlet portion 61. In Fig. 4, two circles of the same diameter drawn with dashed lines indicate the outlines of the first inlet opening 67a and the second inlet opening 67b, and four circles of the same diameter drawn with dashed double-dashed lines indicate the first outlet 63a, the second outlet 63b, the third outlet 63c, and the fourth outlet 63d.

[0079] When viewed from the inlet 61a side, the inlet 61a and the first introduction opening 67a partially overlap, the first introduction opening 67a partially overlaps with the first outlet 63a and the second outlet 63b, and when viewed from the inlet 61a side, the inlet 61a and the second introduction opening 67b partially overlap, and the second introduction opening 67b partially overlaps with the third outlet 63c and the fourth outlet 63d.

[0080] The above-described overlap is an unavoidable configuration in order to reduce the size of the flow divider 60. As shown in Fig. 4, linear flow paths are formed in the section from the inlet 61a to the second outlet 63b and the section from the inlet 61a to the third outlet 63c, but since the overlap between the inlet 61a and the first introduction opening 67a and the second introduction opening 67b is very small, there is no risk of drifting.

[0081] (4) Application of the flow divider 60 to the air conditioner 100 Fig. 5 is a configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle device equipped with a flow divider 60. In Fig. 5, the refrigeration cycle device is an air conditioner 100 in which an outdoor unit 2, which is a heat source side installed outdoors, and an indoor unit 3, which is a user side installed indoors, are connected via two refrigerant communication pipes 11 and 12.

[0082] (4-1) Overview of the Air Conditioning Apparatus 100 In the air conditioning apparatus 100, a refrigerant circuit 10 is formed by annularly connecting a compressor 21, a four-way switching valve 22, an outdoor heat exchanger 23, and an electric expansion valve 24 included in the outdoor unit 2 with an indoor heat exchanger 32 included in the indoor unit 3. In the refrigerant circuit 10, a vapor compression refrigeration cycle is performed by circulating the filled refrigerant.

[0083] An outdoor fan 29 is installed near the outdoor heat exchanger 23. In the outdoor heat exchanger 23, heat is exchanged between the air transported by the outdoor fan 29 and the refrigerant flowing inside the outdoor heat exchanger 23.

[0084] An indoor fan 34 is located near the indoor heat exchanger 32. The indoor fan 34 is composed of a horizontally long impeller 34a and a motor 34b that drives the impeller 34a. A drip-proof cover 34c to prevent water droplets is attached to the motor 34b. As the impeller 34a rotates, air is drawn in from the room and directed at the indoor heat exchanger 32. In the indoor heat exchanger 32, heat is exchanged between the air transported by the indoor fan 34 and the refrigerant flowing within the indoor heat exchanger 32.

[0085] In the cooling operation mode, dehumidification operation mode, and reheat dehumidification operation mode, the four-way switching valve 22 switches to the first state (the state shown by the solid line in Figure 1), the first port P1 and the third port P3 are connected, and the second port P2 and the fourth port P4 are connected, so that the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 10 circulates in the direction of the solid arrow in Figure 1.

[0086] In the heating operation mode, the four-way switching valve 22 switches to the second state (the state indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 1), the first port P1 communicates with the fourth port P4, and the second port P2 communicates with the third port P3, so that the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 10 circulates in the direction of the dashed arrow in FIG. 1.

[0087] (4-2) Position of the flow divider 60 and flow of refrigerant As shown in Figure 5, the indoor heat exchanger 32 has a first heat exchange section 321 and a second heat exchange section 322, and the reheat dehumidification valve 33 and the flow divider 60 are arranged to connect between the first heat exchange section 321 and the second heat exchange section 322.

[0088] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the indoor heat exchanger 32. In Fig. 6, the indoor heat exchanger 32 has an inverted V shape when viewed from the side. The first heat exchanger 321 is located on the front side of the indoor unit 3, and the second heat exchanger 322 is located on the rear side of the indoor unit 3. In Fig. 6, the drip-proof cover 34c of the motor 34b is drawn with a dashed line to show the positional relationship between the indoor heat exchanger 32 and the drip-proof cover 34c.

[0089] As shown in Fig. 6 , the pipe PI connected to the inlet 61 has a bent portion PIx that bends in the X direction, which suppresses horizontal deviation of the refrigerant flowing into the flow divider 60. In Fig. 6 , the pipe PI extends from below toward the inlet 61 of the flow divider 60 and then bends in the X direction, so horizontal deviation of the refrigerant is inherently unlikely to occur. On the other hand, if the pipe PI extends toward the inlet 61 of the flow divider 60 along the horizontal Y direction that is perpendicular to the X direction and then bends in the X direction, the section of the bent portion PIx that extends along the X direction eliminates horizontal deviation of the refrigerant flowing into the flow divider 60.

[0090] 2 and 3 are horizontal, or in a position where the X direction is inclined relative to the horizontal plane around the horizontal Y direction as an axis, and the X direction is inclined relative to the horizontal plane, and the flow divider 60 is disposed between the first heat exchange unit 321 and the second heat exchange unit 322. In particular, a position where the outlet portion 63 is located higher in the direction of gravity than the inlet portion 61 is desirable, which prevents the liquid refrigerant from flowing unevenly due to gravity.

[0091] The flow divider 60 is disposed above the indoor fan 34 so that the shortest distance between the flow divider 60 and the drip-proof cover 34c is 5 mm or more.

[0092] Figure 7 is a side view of the indoor heat exchanger 32 showing the refrigerant path. The flow of refrigerant through the indoor heat exchanger 32 during reheat dehumidification operation will be described below with reference to Figure 7. In Figure 7, during reheat dehumidification operation, the opening of the reheat dehumidification valve 33 is narrowed, so that the first heat exchanger 321 functions as a condenser and the second heat exchanger 322 functions as an evaporator.

[0093] During reheat dehumidification operation, refrigerant is supplied from the first branch section 130 to refrigerant inlets 131 located near one end of each of the two auxiliary heat exchange sections 321a of the first heat exchange section 321. The supplied refrigerant flows out from outlets 132 located near the other end of each auxiliary heat exchange section 321a and enters the second branch section 133.

[0094] The eight refrigerant streams branched in the second branch section 133 are supplied to the first heat exchange section 321 from the eight inlets 134 of the first heat exchange section 321. The refrigerant then condenses in the first heat exchange section 321, becomes liquid refrigerant, flows out from the eight outlets 135, and merges at the first merging section 136.

[0095] The refrigerant coming out of the first junction 136 enters the reheat dehumidifying valve 33, and is decompressed by the reheat dehumidifying valve 33 to a low pressure that allows evaporation in the second heat exchange section 322. The refrigerant decompressed by the reheat dehumidifying valve 33 is branched into four when passing through the flow divider 60, and is supplied to the second heat exchange section 322 from four inlets 137 of the second heat exchange section 322. The refrigerant then evaporates in the second heat exchange section 322 and becomes gas refrigerant, flows out from four refrigerant outlets 138, and merges at the second junction 139.

[0096] The flow divider 60 is positioned so that the alignment direction of the first inlet opening 67a and the second inlet opening 67b and the alignment direction of the first guide opening 69a, the second guide opening 69b, the third guide opening 69c and the fourth guide opening 69d are horizontal, thereby suppressing refrigerant drift within the flow divider 60 due to the influence of gravity.

[0097] (5) Features of the First Embodiment (5-1) The flow divider 60 includes a first partition 67 that divides the interior of the body 65 into a first space 651 and a second space 652 that are aligned in the X direction from the inlet 61 toward the outlet 63, and a second partition 69 that divides the second space 652 into a third space 653 and a fourth space 654.

[0098] The first partition 67 has a first inlet opening 67a and a second inlet opening 67b that guide the fluid from the first space 651 to the second space 652. The second partition 69 has a first guide opening 69a, a second guide opening 69b, a third guide opening 69c, and a fourth guide opening 69d that guide the fluid in the second space 652 to the outlet 63.

[0099] The first introduction opening 67a and the second introduction opening 67b, and the first guide opening 69a, the second guide opening 69b, the third guide opening 69c, and the fourth guide opening 69d are aligned in the Y direction perpendicular to the X direction, and the first guide opening 69a, the second guide opening 69b, the third guide opening 69c, and the fourth guide opening 69d are aligned on the same plane parallel to both the X direction and the Y direction.

[0100] Therefore, when the flow diverter 60 is placed in a horizontal position, by arranging the flow diverter 60 so that the Y direction is horizontal, drift caused by gravity is suppressed.

[0101] (5-2) The first partition portion 67 divides the fluid that has flowed into the first space 651 into two flows that flow to the first inlet opening 67a and the second inlet opening 67b, and then flows them into the second space 652.

[0102] (5-3) The second partition 69 further divides the fluid that is guided through the first inlet opening 67a of the first partition 67 and flows into the third space 653 of the second space 652 into two flows toward the first guide opening 69a and the second guide opening 69b.

[0103] In addition, the second partition 69 further branches the fluid that is guided through the second inlet opening 67b of the first partition 67 and flows into the fourth space 654 of the second space 652 into two flows to the third guide opening 69c and the fourth guide opening 69d.

[0104] (5-4) The third space 653 and the fourth space 654 are symmetrical with respect to an axis that is the same as the X direction and passes through the center of the inlet 61 a. Therefore, the amount of fluid flowing from the first introduction opening 67 a to the third space 653 and the amount of fluid flowing from the second introduction opening 67 b to the fourth space 654 tend to be equal.

[0105] (5-5) In the flow divider 60, the first guide opening 69a, the second guide opening 69b, the third guide opening 69c, and the fourth guide opening 69d are arranged at equal intervals in the Y direction in the second partition section 69. Therefore, drift of the flow caused by differences in the intervals between the guide openings in the Y direction is suppressed.

[0106] (5-6) In the flow divider 60, the distances from the inlet 61a of the inlet section 61 to the first introduction opening 67a and the second introduction opening 67b of the first partition section 67 are equal. Therefore, drift caused by differences in the distances from the inlet 61a to the introduction openings is suppressed.

[0107] (5-7) In the flow divider 60, the distances from the first inlet opening 67a to the first guide opening 69a and the second guide opening 69b are equal, and the distances from the second inlet opening 67b to the third guide opening 69c and the fourth guide opening 69d are equal. Therefore, in the flow divider 60, drift caused by differences in the distances from at least the inlet openings to the guide openings is suppressed.

[0108] (5-8) The first inlet opening 67a and the second inlet opening 67b of the first partition 67 are circular and have the same diameter. The first guide opening 69a, the second guide opening 69b, the third guide opening 69c, and the fourth guide opening 69d of the second partition 69 are circular and have the same diameter. Therefore, in the flow divider 60, drift caused by at least the difference in diameter between the inlet openings and the difference in diameter between the guide openings is suppressed.

[0109] (5-9) The diameters of the first inlet opening 67a and the second inlet opening 67b are larger than the diameters of the first guide opening 69a, the second guide opening 69b, the third guide opening 69c, and the fourth guide opening 69d. In the flow divider 60, the fluid flow rate through the first inlet opening 67a and the second inlet opening 67b is larger than the fluid flow rate through the first guide opening 69a, the second guide opening 69b, the third guide opening 69c, and the fourth guide opening 69d. Therefore, by making the diameters of the first inlet opening 67a and the second inlet opening 67b larger than the diameters of the first guide opening 69a, the second guide opening 69b, the third guide opening 69c, and the fourth guide opening 69d, pressure loss can be reduced.

[0110] (5-10) Pipes PO are inserted into the first outlet 63a, the second outlet 63b, the third outlet 63c, and the fourth outlet 63d of the outlet portion 63. The pipes PO have the same diameter. In the flow divider 60, the fluid flows evenly through the first outlet 63a, the second outlet 63b, the third outlet 63c, and the fourth outlet 63d, so there is no need to change the pipe diameters.

[0111] (5-11) In the air conditioning device 100, the diverter 60 is positioned in a position where the Y direction is horizontal. This makes it suitable for placement in the indoor unit 3, which does not require a large installation space for the diverter 60, and also suppresses drift due to gravity.

[0112] (5-12) The flow diverter 60 is positioned above the indoor fan 34 so that the Y direction is horizontal, and is therefore suitable for placement in the narrow space between the first heat exchange section 321 and the second heat exchange section 322 of the indoor heat exchanger 32.

[0113] (5-13) The indoor fan 34 has an impeller 34a, a motor 34b that rotates the impeller 34a, and a drip-proof cover 34c that prevents water droplets from falling onto the motor 34b. To prevent interference between the shunt 60 and the drip-proof cover 34c, the shortest distance between them is set to 5 mm or more.

[0114] (5-14) In the air conditioning apparatus 100, the flow diverter 60 is disposed in a position where the X direction and the Y direction are horizontal, or in a position where the X direction is inclined relative to the horizontal plane, with the horizontal Y direction as the axis. In the flow diverter 60, gravity acts evenly on the refrigerant guided to each of the first outlet 63 a, the second outlet 63 b, the third outlet 63 c, and the fourth outlet 63 d, so that drift due to gravity is suppressed.

[0115] (5-15) In the air conditioning apparatus 100, by positioning the flow divider 60 so that the outlet 63 is positioned higher in the direction of gravity than the inlet 61, the liquid refrigerant is prevented from flowing unevenly due to gravity.

[0116] (5-16) In the air conditioning apparatus 100, the pipe PI connected to the inlet 61 has a bent portion PIx that bends in the X direction. When the pipe PI extends to the inlet 61 along the Y direction, the pipe PI has the bent portion PIx that bends toward the X direction, thereby suppressing horizontal deviation of the refrigerant flowing into the flow divider 60.

[0117] Second Embodiment (1) Configuration of Flow Divider 60 Fig. 8 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a flow divider 60 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 9 is a front view of the flow divider 60 shown in Fig. 8 as viewed from the inlet portion 61 side.

[0118] 8 and 9, the difference from the first embodiment is that two first introduction openings 67a and two second introduction openings 67b are provided in the first partition section 67. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore the cross-sectional shape is the same as that in FIG.

[0119] 9, the two first inlet openings 67a are arranged above and below in the front view of Fig. 9 so as not to overlap with the inlet 61a, the first outlet 63a, and the second outlet 63b. Similarly, the two second inlet openings 67b are arranged above and below in the front view of Fig. 9 so as not to overlap with the inlet 61a, the third outlet 63c, and the fourth outlet 63d.

[0120] 9, when the flow divider 60 is arranged so that the Y direction is horizontal, the fluid flowing in from the inlet 61a first hits the first partition portion 67 and branches into two first inlet openings 67a and two second inlet openings 67b. The fluid that passes through the two first inlet openings 67a enters the third space 653 shown in FIG. 3, and the fluid that passes through the two second inlet openings 67b enters the fourth space 654 shown in FIG. 3.

[0121] Since the two first inlet openings 67a are arranged one above the other, the fluid passing through the two first inlet openings 67a may be biased toward the lower first inlet opening 67a due to the influence of gravity. However, the fluids that have passed through the two first inlet openings 67a join together in the third space 653, eliminating biased flow.

[0122] Similarly, because the two second inlet openings 67b are also arranged one above the other, there is a possibility that the fluid passing through the two second inlet openings 67b will drift toward the lower second inlet opening 67b due to the influence of gravity. However, the fluids that have passed through the two second inlet openings 67b join together in the fourth space 654, eliminating drift.

[0123] The refrigerant in the third space 653 branches off and flows through the first guide opening 69a and the second guide opening 69b of the second partition portion 69, and exits the flow divider 60 through the corresponding first outlet 63a and second outlet 63b.

[0124] The refrigerant in the fourth space 654 branches off and flows into the third guide opening 69c and the fourth guide opening 69d of the second partition portion 69, and then exits the flow divider 60 through the corresponding third outlet 63c and fourth outlet 63d.

[0125] The first guide opening 69a, the second guide opening 69b, the third guide opening 69c and the fourth guide opening 69d are aligned in the Y direction, and gravity acts evenly on the fluid branching into each of the first guide opening 69a, the second guide opening 69b, the third guide opening 69c and the fourth guide opening 69d, thereby suppressing fluid drift due to the influence of gravity.

[0126] In the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, there are no linear flow paths in the section from the inlet 61a to the second outlet 63b and in the section from the inlet 61a to the third outlet 63c, so there is no risk of drift.

[0127] Therefore, when the flow divider 60 of the second embodiment is applied to the air conditioner 100, the same effects as when the flow divider of the first embodiment is applied to the air conditioner can be obtained.

[0128] (3) Features of the Second Embodiment The second embodiment inherits the features of the first embodiment and also has the following features.

[0129] (3-1) When viewed from the X direction, the flow divider 60 is configured such that the inlet 61a of the inlet portion 61 does not overlap with the first introduction opening 67a and the second introduction opening 67b of the first partition portion 67. Therefore, the fluid that enters the first space 651 from the inlet 61a first hits the first partition portion 67 before flowing to the first introduction opening 67a and the second introduction opening 67b, thereby preventing the fluid from concentrating its flow through only one introduction opening.

[0130] (3-2) When viewed from the X direction, the flow divider 60 has the first inlet opening 67a and the second inlet opening 67b of the first partition portion 67 not overlapping with the inlet 61a of the inlet portion 61 and the first outlet 63a, the second outlet 63b, the third outlet 63c, and the fourth outlet 63d of the outlet portion 63. This prevents the fluid that has entered the first space 651 from the inlet 61a from concentrating and flowing from the first inlet opening 67a or the second inlet opening 67b to a specific outlet.

[0131] <Modifications common to the first and second embodiments> (1) First Modification Fig. 10 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a flow divider 60 according to a first modification. In Fig. 10, the difference from the second embodiment is that the first partition portion 67, which is circular in plan view in the second embodiment, has a shape surrounded by two arc portions and two linear portions 68a in the first modification.

[0132] Due to the change in shape of the first partition 67, a flat portion 68b is formed in the portion of the body 65 into which the straight portion 68a of the first partition 67 is inserted. Compared to the original first partition 67 and body 65, the straight portion 68a of the first partition 67 corresponds to a recess, and the flat portion 68b of the body 65 corresponds to a protrusion. Therefore, fitting the protrusion into the recess makes it easy to align the first partition 67 with the body 65 and also prevents the first partition 67 from rotating relative to the body 65.

[0133] The first modified example can be applied to the first embodiment.

[0134] (2) Second Modification Fig. 11 is an external perspective view of a flow divider 60 according to a second modification. In Fig. 11, the difference from the first and second embodiments is that a protrusion 661 is provided on the end face of the outlet portion 63 to surround the edges of the first outlet 63a, the second outlet 63b, the third outlet 63c, and the fourth outlet 63d.

[0135] The protrusion 661 can be formed by raising a part of the end face of the outlet portion 63 or by removing a part of the end of the body portion 65 .

[0136] Piping PO is inserted into the first outlet 63a, the second outlet 63b, the third outlet 63c and the fourth outlet 63d and brazed, and in this process, it is only necessary to heat the area around the protrusion 661, making the brazing work easier than if the protrusion 661 were not present.

[0137] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined in the claims.

[0138] 2 Outdoor unit 3 Indoor unit 32 Indoor heat exchanger 34 Indoor fan (fan device) 34a Impeller 34b Motor 34c Drip-proof cover 321 First heat exchange section 322 Second heat exchange section 60 Flow divider 61 Inlet section 61a Inlet 63 Outlet section 63a First outlet (outlet) 63b Second outlet (outlet) 63c Third outlet (outlet) 63d Fourth outlet (outlet) 65 Body section 651 First space 652 Second space 653 Third space 654 Fourth space 661 Projection section 67 First partition section 67a First introduction opening (first opening) 67b Second introduction opening (second opening) 68a Straight section (concave section) 68b Flat section (convex section) 69 Second partition section 69a First guide opening (guide opening) 69b Second guide opening (guide opening) 69c Third guide opening (guide opening) 69d Fourth guide opening (guide opening) 100 Air conditioner (refrigeration cycle device) PI Pipe PIx Bent portion PO Pipe

[0139] JP 2017-83079 A

Claims

1. An inlet section (61) having one inlet (61a) through which a fluid flows in, an outlet section (63) having a plurality of outlets (63a, 63b, 63c, 63d) through which a fluid flows out, a body section (65) forming a space between the inlet section (61) and the outlet section (63), a first partition section (67) that partitions the inside of the body section (65) into a first space (651) and a second space (652) aligned in the X direction from the inlet section (61) toward the outlet section (63), and that is provided with a plurality of introduction openings (67a, 67b) through which the fluid is guided from the first space (651) to the second space (652), and a second partition section (69) that partitions the second space (652) and is provided with a plurality of guide openings (69a, 69b, 69c, 69d) through which the fluid is guided further downstream, a plurality of the introduction openings (67a, 67b) and a plurality of the guide openings (69a, 69b, 69c, 69d) are aligned in a Y direction perpendicular to the X direction, and a plurality of the guide openings (69a, 69b, 69c, 69d) are aligned on the same plane parallel to both the X direction and the Y direction.

2. The flow splitter (60) according to claim 1, wherein the first partition portion (67) branches the fluid that has flowed into the first space (651) into two and causes the fluid to flow into the second space (652).

3. The flow splitter (60) according to claim 1, wherein the second partition portion (69) further splits each of the fluids split into two by the first partition portion (67) into two.

4. A flow distributor (60) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the multiple inlet openings (67a, 67b) of the first partition portion (67) include a first opening (67a) and a second opening (67b), the second space (652) includes a third space (653) communicating with the first opening (67a) and a fourth space (654) communicating with the second opening (67b), and the third space (653) and the fourth space (654) are symmetrical with respect to an axis that is the same as the X direction and passes through the center of the inlet (61a).

5. A flow splitter (60) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, when viewed from the X direction, the inlet (61a) of the inlet portion (61) and the introduction openings (67a, 67b) of the first partition portion (67) do not overlap.

6. A flow splitter (60) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, when viewed from the X direction, the introduction opening (67a, 67b) of the first partition portion (67) does not overlap with the inlet port (61a) of the inlet portion (61) and the multiple outlet ports (63a, 63b, 63c, 63d) of the outlet portion (63).

7. A flow splitter (60) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, when viewed from the X direction, the inlet (61a) of the inlet portion (61) and the introduction openings (67a, 67b) of the first partition portion (67) have a portion where they overlap with each other.

8. A flow splitter (60) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein in the second partition portion (69), the multiple guide openings (69a, 69b, 69c, 69d) are arranged at equal intervals in the Y direction.

9. A flow splitter (60) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the distances from the inlet (61a) of the inlet portion (61) to the multiple introduction openings (67a, 67b) of the first partition portion (67) are equal.

10. A flow splitter (60) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the distances from one of the inlet openings (67a, 67b) to the plurality of guide openings (69a, 69b, 69c, 69d) corresponding to the inlet openings (67a, 67b) are equal.

11. A flow splitter (60) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each of the multiple inlet openings (67a, 67b) of the first partition portion (67) is circular and has the same diameter, and each of the multiple guide openings (69a, 69b, 69c, 69d) of the second partition portion (69) is circular and has the same diameter.

12. The flow splitter according to claim 11, wherein the diameter of the inlet openings (67a, 67b) is greater than the diameter of the guide openings (69a, 69b, 69c, 69d).

13. A flow splitter (60) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a refrigerant pipe (PO) is inserted into each of the multiple flow outlets (63a, 63b, 63c, 63d) of the outlet portion (63), and the refrigerant pipes (PO) have the same pipe diameter.

14. A flow distributor (60) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein one of the body portion (65) and the first partition portion (67) is provided with a recess (68a), and the other is provided with a protrusion (68b) that is inserted into the recess (68a).

15. A flow distributor (60) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein an end face of the outlet portion (63) is provided with a protrusion (661) surrounding the edges of the multiple flow outlets (63a, 63b, 63c, 63d).

16. A refrigeration cycle apparatus (100) comprising a flow diverter (60) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the flow diverter (60) is arranged in a position in which the Y direction is horizontal.

17. The refrigeration cycle apparatus (100) according to claim 16, further comprising: an outdoor unit (2); and an indoor unit (3) connected to the outdoor unit (2) via a refrigerant communication pipe; and the flow divider (60) is disposed in the indoor unit (3).

18. The refrigeration cycle apparatus (100) according to claim 16, wherein the indoor unit (3) includes a heat exchanger (32) for performing heat exchange between a refrigerant and air, the heat exchanger (32) having a first heat exchange section (321) arranged in a position close to the front surface of the indoor unit (3) and a second heat exchange section (322) arranged in a position close to the rear surface of the indoor unit (3), and the flow divider (60) is arranged between the first heat exchange section (321) and the second heat exchange section (322).

19. A refrigeration cycle apparatus (100) as described in claim 16, wherein the indoor unit (3) includes a heat exchanger (32) that performs heat exchange between a refrigerant and air, and a fan device (34) that sends air to the heat exchanger (32), and the flow divider (60) is disposed above the fan device (34).

20. The refrigeration cycle apparatus (100) as described in claim 19, wherein the fan device (34) has an impeller (34a), a motor (34b) that rotates the impeller (34a), and a drip-proof cover (34c) that prevents water droplets from falling onto the motor (34b), and the shortest distance between the diverter (60) and the drip-proof cover (34c) is 5 mm or more.

21. The refrigeration cycle apparatus (100) according to claim 16, wherein the flow divider (60) is disposed in a position in which the X direction and the Y direction are horizontal, or in which the X direction is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane with the horizontal Y direction as an axis.

22. The refrigeration cycle apparatus (100) according to claim 16, wherein in the flow divider (60), the outlet portion (63) is located higher in the direction of gravity than the inlet portion (61).

23. The refrigeration cycle apparatus (100) according to claim 16, wherein the refrigerant pipe (PI) connected to the inlet portion (61) has a bent portion (PIx) bent in the X-direction.

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