WO2017119137A1 - Air-conditioning device - Google Patents

Abstract

An air-conditioning device whereby it is possible to reduce the amount of usage of refrigerant and prevent leakage of refrigerant to an indoor space. This air-conditioning device is equipped with: an outdoor unit housing which houses a compressor, a refrigerant flow path switching device, and a heat-source-side heat exchanger; a heat carrier converter housing which houses a throttle device and an inter-heat-carrier heat exchanger; a heat carrier flow rate adjuster housing which houses heat carrier flow rate adjusting devices; indoor unit housings which each house a load-side heat exchanger and an indoor blower; and a heat carrier conveying device which conveys a heat carrier. The compressor, the refrigerant flow path switching device, the heat-source-side heat exchanger, the throttle device, and the refrigerant passage of the inter-heat-carrier heat exchanger are connected by a refrigerant pipe circulating the refrigerant therethrough so as to configure a refrigerant circulation circuit. The heat carrier passage of the inter-heat-carrier heat exchanger, the heat carrier conveying device, the heat carrier flow rate adjusting devices, and the load-side heat exchangers are connected by a heat carrier pipe circulating the heat carrier therethrough so as to configure a heat carrier circulation circuit.

Description

Air conditioner

The present invention relates to an air conditioner using a heat medium.

Some current air conditioners such as multi air conditioners for buildings have an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units connected by refrigerant piping. When the total length of such a refrigerant pipe is several hundreds of meters, the amount of refrigerant to be used is very large with the extension of the pipe. In such an air conditioner, when a refrigerant leaks and the leaked refrigerant flows into one room, the indoor space may be filled with the refrigerant, resulting in an oxygen deficient state.

Also, the current mainstream R410A refrigerant has a global warming potential of 2088, and it is regarded as a problem that the global warming potential is large. Note that the global warming potential is sometimes referred to as GWP as an abbreviation for Global Warming Potential. For this reason, conversion to refrigerants with a low global warming potential is required, but many of these refrigerants with low global warming potential are flammable, and it is also possible to consider the ignition of the refrigerant. It is necessary.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that a refrigerant is circulated in a refrigerant circulation circuit, and a heat medium such as water or brine that is not harmful to the heat medium circulation circuit is circulated to transfer the hot or cold heat of the refrigerant to the heat medium. A method employing the next loop method has been proposed. For example, in a water air-conditioning system or a chiller system in which a secondary loop system is adopted, an outdoor unit and a heat exchanger between heat media are connected to the refrigerant circulation circuit, and heat exchange between heat media is performed in the heat medium circulation circuit. The unit and the indoor unit are connected. In addition, by arranging the heat exchanger related to heat medium in a ceiling or the like that is not an indoor space, it has been attempted to reduce the transport distance of the refrigerant while preventing oxygen deficiency and ignition due to refrigerant leakage.

International Publication No. 12/073293

However, as in Patent Document 1, when the heat exchanger between heat media is arranged on the ceiling or the like, if the refrigerant leaks from the piping of the refrigerant circulation circuit circulating in the ceiling or the like, the refrigerant enters the indoor space. It is difficult to prevent the effects of refrigerant leakage. Further, since the refrigerant pipe is extended from the outdoor unit to the ceiling, it is difficult to say that the amount of necessary refrigerant is reduced.

Further, in the water air conditioning system and the chiller system as disclosed in Patent Document 1, in the water air conditioning system, the indoor functional force is controlled by the flow rate adjusting device in the heat medium converter, while in the chiller system, an optional component is provided for each indoor unit. The indoor functional force is controlled by a flow control device installed as. As described above, the water air conditioning system and the chiller system having the heat medium converter both control the supply capacity to each indoor unit despite being an indirect air conditioning system that supplies a heat medium such as water to the room. The method is different and no standardization has been made.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and in a building multi-air conditioner, the amount of refrigerant used can be reduced and the influence of refrigerant leakage into the indoor space can be reduced. An object is to obtain an air conditioner.

An air conditioner according to the present invention includes a compressor, a refrigerant flow switching device, an outdoor unit housing containing a heat source side heat exchanger, a throttling device, and a heat medium containing a heat exchanger between heat media. Converter housing, heat medium flow controller housing containing heat medium flow control device, load side heat exchanger, indoor unit housing containing indoor blower, and heat medium carrying heat medium A refrigerant passage of the compressor, the refrigerant flow switching device, the heat source side heat exchanger, the expansion device, and the heat exchanger related to heat medium is connected by a refrigerant pipe through which refrigerant flows. A refrigerant circulation circuit, the heat medium passage of the heat exchanger between the heat medium, the heat medium transport device, the heat medium flow control device, and the load side heat exchanger are heat that the heat medium circulates. They are connected by medium piping and constitute a heat medium circulation circuit.

According to the air conditioner of the present invention, the casing of the indoor unit in which the refrigerant does not circulate, and the casing of the heat medium flow controller are the outdoor unit in which the refrigerant circulates, and the casing of the heat medium converter. Are provided individually. For this reason, a heat medium circulation circuit can be provided in the vicinity of the indoor space, and a refrigerant circulation circuit can be provided in a place separated from the indoor space. Thereby, the quantity of the required refrigerant | coolant can be reduced and the refrigerant | coolant leakage to indoor space can also be prevented.

It is a schematic circuit block diagram which shows an example of the circuit structure of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a circuit diagram which shows the flow of the refrigerant | coolant and heat medium at the time of the cooling only operation mode of the air conditioning apparatus of FIG. It is a circuit diagram which shows the flow of the refrigerant | coolant and heat medium at the time of the heating only operation mode of the air conditioning apparatus of FIG. It is a schematic circuit block diagram which shows an example of the circuit structure of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on a modification. It is a circuit diagram which shows the flow of the refrigerant | coolant and heat medium in the time of the cooling only operation mode of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on a modification. It is a circuit diagram which shows the refrigerant | coolant and the flow of a heat medium at the time of the heating only operation mode of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on a modification.

Embodiment.
The air conditioner 100 according to the present embodiment can be selected from, for example, a cooling only operation mode in which all indoor units cool, or a heating only operation mode in which all indoor units heat. It is. FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit configuration diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of an air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, an air conditioner 100 according to the present embodiment includes an outdoor unit 1, a heat medium converter 3, and a heat medium flow controller that are connected by a refrigerant circuit A and a heat medium circuit B. 4. Provided with indoor units 2a, 2b, 2c. Hot or cold heat is generated by the refrigeration cycle using the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit A, and conditioned air is supplied to the indoor space by the heat medium circulating in the heat medium circuit B.

[Refrigerant circulation circuit A]
The refrigerant circulation circuit A is constituted by a refrigerant pipe 5 and connects the outdoor unit 1 and the heat medium relay unit 3. A refrigerant flows through the refrigerant pipe 5 of the refrigerant circuit A. The refrigerant is not particularly limited. For example, difluoromethane or tetrafluoropropene having flammable properties can be used as a refrigerant having a low global warming potential.

[Heat medium circulation circuit B]
The heat medium circulation circuit B is configured by a heat medium pipe 6 and connects the heat medium converter 3, the heat medium flow controller 4 and the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c. A heat medium transport device 8 is connected between the heat medium converter 3 and the heat medium flow controller 4. A highly safe heat medium that is harmless to humans circulates in the heat medium pipe 6 of the heat medium circuit B. As the heat medium, for example, an antifreeze solution such as brine, water, a mixed solution of brine and water, a mixed solution of water and an additive having a high anticorrosion effect, or the like is used.

In the air conditioner 100, the outdoor unit 1 accommodated in the casing 15 is installed outdoors such as the rooftop of a building or in a machine room with a ventilation device, and the heat medium converter 3 accommodated in the casing 32 is It is arranged in a machine room where a ventilation device, a refrigerant leak detection device, etc. are installed. The heat medium flow controller 4 accommodated in the housing 46 is disposed in a machine room or a ceiling space, and the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c accommodated in the housing 24 are spaces that require air conditioning. Installed in each. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which three indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c are connected, the number of indoor units is not limited.

[Outdoor unit 1]
The casing 15 of the outdoor unit 1 accommodates a compressor 10 connected by a refrigerant pipe 5, a refrigerant flow switching device 11 such as a four-way valve, a heat source side heat exchanger 12, and an accumulator 13. . In addition, an outdoor blower 14 is provided in the vicinity of the heat source side heat exchanger 12 to blow air to the heat source side heat exchanger 12. The number of revolutions of the compressor 10 and the outdoor blower 14 is controlled by the first control device 23.

The compressor 10 sucks a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant and compresses the refrigerant to bring it into a high-temperature and high-pressure state, and is composed of, for example, an inverter compressor capable of capacity control. The refrigerant flow switching device 11 switches the refrigerant flow in the cooling operation mode and the refrigerant flow in the heating operation mode.

The heat source side heat exchanger 12 functions as a condenser during the cooling operation and functions as an evaporator during the heating operation, and performs heat exchange between the air supplied from the outdoor blower 14 such as a fan and the refrigerant. .

The accumulator 13 functions to store excess refrigerant in the heating only operation mode and to prevent liquid refrigerant from flowing into the compressor 10.

Further, the outdoor unit 1 is provided with a first pressure detection device 20 and a second pressure detection device 21 as pressure detection devices. The first pressure detection device 20 is provided in the refrigerant pipe 5 that connects the discharge side of the compressor 10 and the refrigerant flow switching device 11, and detects the pressure of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant that is compressed and discharged by the compressor 10. To do. The second pressure detection device 21 is provided in the refrigerant pipe 5 that connects the refrigerant flow switching device 11 and the suction side of the compressor 10, and determines the pressure of the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant sucked into the compressor 10. It is to detect.

Further, the outdoor unit 1 is provided with a first temperature detection device 22 as a temperature detection device. The first temperature detection device 22 is provided in the refrigerant pipe 5 that connects the discharge side of the compressor 10 and the refrigerant flow switching device 11 and detects the temperature of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant that is compressed and discharged by the compressor 10. . As the first temperature detecting device 22, a thermistor or the like can be used.

[Heat medium converter 3]
The casing 32 of the heat medium relay unit 3 accommodates a heat exchanger related to heat medium 30 that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the heat medium, a first expansion device 31 that depressurizes the refrigerant, and the refrigerant leak detection device 7. ing. The heat exchanger related to heat medium 30 includes a refrigerant side and a heat medium side, the refrigerant side is connected to the refrigerant pipe 5 constituting the refrigerant circuit A, and the heat medium side includes the heat medium circuit B. It is connected to the heat medium piping 6 which comprises. The refrigerant leakage detection device 7 is an alarm device that detects the refrigerant concentration in the air and issues an alarm when a value equal to or greater than a certain value is detected.

The heat exchanger related to heat medium 30 functions as a condenser or an evaporator, performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat medium, and transmits cold heat or heat generated in the outdoor unit 1 and stored in the refrigerant to the heat medium. To do. A plate-type heat exchanger or the like may be used as the heat exchanger 30 between heat media, and a double-wall plate-type heat exchanger is further preferably used in order to reduce the risk of refrigerant leakage into the indoor space.

The first expansion device 31 is connected to the refrigerant pipe on the refrigerant side of the heat exchanger 30 between the heat mediums, expands the refrigerant under reduced pressure, and functions as a pressure reducing valve and an expansion valve. The opening area of the first diaphragm 31 is controlled by the second controller 45. The first throttling device 31 is preferably an electronic expansion valve or the like whose opening degree is variable by control.

The casing 32 of the heat medium relay unit 3 is provided with a third pressure detection device 44 as a pressure detection device. The third pressure detection device 44 is provided on the opposite side of the refrigerant pipe 5 connected to the heat exchanger 30 to the first expansion device 31 and flows into the heat exchanger 30. The pressure of the refrigerant flowing out is detected.

Further, the casing 32 of the heat medium relay 3 has a second temperature detection device 40, a third temperature detection device 41, a fourth temperature detection device 42, and a fifth temperature detection device as temperature detection devices. The device 43 is accommodated. The second temperature detection device 40 is provided on the side opposite to the first expansion device 31 of the refrigerant pipe 5 connected to the heat exchanger related to heat medium 30, and the third temperature detection device 41 includes a heat It is provided on the refrigerant pipe 5 that connects the inter-medium heat exchanger 30 and the first expansion device 31. The fourth temperature detection device 42 is provided on the heat medium pipe connected to the inflow side of the heat exchanger related to heat medium 30, and the fifth temperature detection device 43 is used for the heat exchanger 30 related to the heat medium. It is provided on the heat medium piping connected to the outflow side.

In addition, in FIG. 1, although the example which each provided the heat exchanger 30 between the heat media 30 and the 1st expansion device 31 is shown, it does not limit to this. A plurality of the heat exchangers related to heat medium 30 and the first expansion device 31 may be connected in parallel depending on the cooling capacity or heating capacity of the air conditioner 100.

[Heat medium flow controller 4]
Heat medium flow control devices 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c connected by the heat medium pipe 6 are accommodated in the casing 46 of the heat medium flow controller 4. The heat medium pipe 6 includes a branch portion 61 that distributes the heat medium to the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c, and a junction portion 62 that collects the heat medium flowing from the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c. The casing 46 of the heat medium flow controller 4 houses sixth temperature detection devices 51a, 51b, 51c and seventh temperature detection devices 52a, 52b, 52c as temperature detection devices. . Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which three indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c are connected to the heat medium flow controller 4, the number of indoor units may be one or more than two. A table may be used.

The heat medium flow control devices 50a, 50b, and 50c are provided on the heat medium pipe 6 immediately after the branching portion 61 through which the heat medium from the heat medium flow control device 4 to the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c passes. The flow rate of the heat medium supplied to the machines 2a, 2b and 2c is adjusted. The heat medium flow controller 4 distributes the heat medium having a flow rate adjusted according to the air conditioning load of each indoor unit 2a, 2b, 2c to the indoor units 2a, 2b, 2c. In the adjustment of the flow rate, the third control device 53 controls the opening area and the like of the heat medium flow control devices 50a, 50b, and 50c. For example, a two-way valve that can control the opening area can be used as the heat medium flow control devices 50a, 50b, and 50c so that the flow rate of the heat medium can be arbitrarily adjusted. As shown in FIG. 1, the heat medium flow control devices 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c may be provided on the heat medium pipe 6 that is located immediately after the branching portion 61, and the heat medium that is located immediately before the junction portion 62. It may be provided on the medium pipe 6.

The sixth temperature detectors 51a, 51b, 51c are provided on the heat medium pipe 6 immediately after the branching portion 61 through which the heat medium from the heat medium flow controller 4 to the indoor units 2a, 2b, 2c passes, The temperature of the heat medium supplied to the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c is detected. The seventh temperature detectors 52a, 52b, 52c are provided on the heat medium pipe 6 just before the junction 62 where the heat medium returning from the indoor units 2a, 2b, 2c flows into the heat medium flow controller 4. The temperature of the heat medium flowing out from the indoor units 2a, 2b, 2c is detected.

[Heat medium transfer device 8]
The heat medium transport device 8 is provided in the middle of the heat medium pipe 6 that connects the heat medium converter 3 and the heat medium flow controller 4. The heat medium transport device 8 is a device that circulates a heat medium such as a pump, for example. Through the circulation of the heat medium, the heat or cold supplied from the refrigerant side in the heat medium converter 3 can be supplied to the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c. As shown in FIG. 1, the heat medium transport device 8 may be provided in the middle of the heat medium pipe 6 that connects the heat medium converter 3 and the heat medium flow controller 4. The heat medium pipe 6 may be provided, or the heat medium pipe 6 inside the heat medium flow controller 4 may be provided.

When the heat medium transport device 8 is arranged inside the heat medium converter 3, the heat medium transport device 8 includes, for example, a fourth temperature detection device 42 and a fourth temperature detection device 42 installed before and after the heat exchanger 30 between heat media. What is necessary is just to control an output so that the temperature difference with the five temperature detection apparatuses 43 may become a predetermined value. Thereby, since the heat carrier transport device 8 can be operated with power according to the indoor air conditioning load, power consumption can be reduced.

When the heat medium relay unit 3 is arranged at a distance close to the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c, the moving distance of the heat medium becomes small and the pressure loss when circulating through the heat medium circulation circuit B becomes small. The transport device 8 can be reduced in size and power consumption can be reduced.

[Indoor units 2a, 2b, 2c]
The indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c accommodate the load-side heat exchangers 60a, 60b, and 60c and the indoor blowers 61a, 61b, and 61c in the respective casings 24, and the heat medium flow adjuster by the heat medium pipe 6. 4 is connected. The load-side heat exchangers 60a, 60b, and 60c exchange heat between the air supplied from the indoor fans 61a, 61b, and 61c such as fans and the heat medium, and the heating air or cooling supplied to the indoor space It produces working air.

[First control device 23, second control device 45, third control device 53]
The first control device 23, the second control device 45, and the third control device 53 are configured by a microcomputer or the like, and are mounted on the outdoor unit 1, the heat medium converter 3, and the heat medium flow controller 4, respectively. Has been.

The first control device 23 mounted on the outdoor unit 1 determines the drive frequency of the compressor 10, the rotational speed of the outdoor blower 14, and ON / OFF based on information detected by various detection means and instructions from the remote controller. And switching of the refrigerant flow switching device 11 and the like.

The second control device 45 mounted on the heat medium relay unit 3 controls the first throttling device 31. For example, when the refrigerant evaporates in the heat exchanger related to heat medium 30, the refrigerant is overheated. Control is performed based on the degree, and when the refrigerant condenses, control is performed based on the degree of supercooling of the refrigerant. For the control, one of the second temperature detection device 40, the third temperature detection device 41, the third pressure detection device 44, the first pressure detection device 20, or the second pressure detection device 21 is used. Two detection values can be used.

The second control device 45 may be configured to be able to control the output of the heat medium transfer device 8 installed in or near the heat medium converter 3 by communication or the like. In this case, the output of the heat medium transport device 8 is the detection value of the fourth temperature detection device 42 on the heat medium side installed before and after the heat exchanger 30 between heat media and the fifth temperature detection device 43. Control based on For example, when the control target value is a difference between detection values detected by the fourth temperature detection device 42 and the fifth temperature detection device 43, the heat medium is supplied at a flow rate corresponding to the load on the indoor side. it can.

The third control device 53 mounted on the heat medium flow control device 4 controls the opening area of the heat medium flow control devices 50a, 50b, and 50c and is necessary for each indoor unit 2a, 2b, and 2c. A heat medium having a flow rate according to the load is supplied. The opening area of the heat medium flow control devices 50a, 50b, and 50c is detected by at least one of the sixth temperature detection devices 51a, 51b, and 51c and the seventh temperature detection devices 52a, 52b, and 52c. What is necessary is just to acquire a value and control based on a temperature difference. For example, when the indoor / outlet water temperature difference is controlled to be constant like the sixth temperature detection device 51a and the seventh temperature detection device 52a, the capacity control according to the air conditioning load required for each indoor unit Can do.

In the above description, an example in which the first control device 23, the second control device 45, and the third control device 53 are mounted in different locations has been described, but the mounting location is not limited, and any one control is performed. The apparatus may operate each control target by communication or the like. Moreover, you may mount two or more several control apparatuses in arbitrary apparatuses.

[Description of operation mode]
Next, each operation mode executed by the air conditioner 100 will be described. The air conditioner 100 according to the present embodiment can select a cooling only operation mode in which all indoor units to be operated cool or a heating only operation mode in which all indoor units perform heating.

[Cooling operation mode]
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing the flow of the refrigerant and the heat medium when the air-conditioning apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 is in the cooling only operation mode. In FIG. 2, the flow direction of the refrigerant is indicated by a solid line arrow, and the flow direction of the heat medium is indicated by a broken line arrow. In the following description, the cooling only operation mode will be described by taking as an example a case where a cooling load is generated in the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c.

In the refrigerant circuit A, the refrigerant flowing on the heat source side is compressed by the compressor 10 and discharged as a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 12 through the refrigerant flow switching device 11. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the heat source side heat exchanger 12 is condensed while dissipating heat to the outdoor air, and becomes high-pressure liquid refrigerant. Then, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat source side heat exchanger 12 flows out of the outdoor unit 1, passes through the refrigerant pipe 5, and flows into the heat medium relay unit 3. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the heat medium relay unit 3 is depressurized to a low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase refrigerant by the first throttling device 31 and then flows into the heat exchanger related to heat medium 30 that functions as an evaporator to absorb heat. The vicinity is cooled to become a low-temperature and low-pressure gas. The low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat exchanger related to heat medium 30 flows into the outdoor unit 1 through the refrigerant pipe 5. The refrigerant flowing into the outdoor unit 1 passes through the refrigerant flow switching device 11 and the accumulator 13 and is sucked into the compressor 10.

On the other hand, in the heat medium circulation circuit B, the heat medium is pressurized by the heat medium conveying device 8 of the heat medium pipe 6 and circulates through the heat medium pipe 6. The heat medium pressurized by the heat medium transport device 8 flows into the heat medium converter 3, is absorbed by the heat source side refrigerant of the heat exchanger related to heat medium 30, is cooled, and flows out. After the heat medium flows out of the heat medium converter 3, it is transported to the heat medium flow controller 4 and flows into the heat medium flow controller 4. The heat medium that has flowed into the heat medium flow controller 4 is distributed at the branching section 61, passes through each of the heat medium flow controllers 50a, 50b, and 50c, and flows out of the heat medium flow controller 4 to form the heat medium pipe. 6 flows into each of the indoor units 2a, 2b and 2c. The heat medium absorbs heat from indoor air in the load side heat exchangers 60a, 60b, 60c of the indoor units 2a, 2b, 2c to cool the indoor space, and flows out of the indoor units 2a, 2b, 2c. The heat medium that has flowed out flows through the heat medium pipe 6, gathers at the junction 62 of the heat medium flow controller 4, and flows into the heat medium transport device 8.

[Heating operation mode]
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating the flow of the refrigerant and the heat medium when the air-conditioning apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 is in the heating only operation mode. As shown in FIG. 3, the flow direction of the refrigerant is indicated by a solid line arrow, and the flow direction of the heat medium is indicated by a broken line arrow. In the following description, the heating only operation mode will be described by taking as an example a case where a thermal load is generated in the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c.

In the refrigerant circuit A, the refrigerant flowing on the heat source side is compressed by the compressor 10 and discharged as a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 flows out of the outdoor unit 1 through the refrigerant flow switching device 11 and flows into the heat medium relay unit 3 through the refrigerant pipe 5. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the heat medium relay unit 3 is condensed while dissipating heat in the heat exchanger related to heat medium 30 that functions as a condenser, and flows into the first expansion device 31 as a high-pressure liquid refrigerant. . Then, after the pressure is reduced to the low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase refrigerant by the first expansion device 31, the heat medium converter 3 flows out, passes through the refrigerant pipe 5, and flows into the outdoor unit 1. The low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the outdoor unit 1 flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 12 that functions as an evaporator, and evaporates by absorbing heat from the outdoor air to become low-temperature and low-pressure gas. The low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant flowing out from the heat source side heat exchanger 12 passes through the refrigerant flow switching device 11 and the accumulator 13 and is sucked into the compressor 10.

On the other hand, in the heat medium circulation circuit B, the heat medium pressurized by the heat medium transport device 8 flows into the heat medium conversion device, and is heated by the heat of the heat source side refrigerant in the heat exchanger 30 between the heat media and flows out. To do. It flows out from the heat medium relay 3. After the heat medium flows out of the heat medium converter 3, it is transported to the heat medium flow controller 4 and flows into the heat medium flow controller 4. The heat medium that has flowed into the heat medium flow controller 4 is distributed at the branching section 61, passes through each of the heat medium flow controllers 50a, 50b, and 50c, and flows out of the heat medium flow controller 4 to form the heat medium pipe. 6 flows into each of the indoor units 2a, 2b and 2c. The heat medium radiates heat to the indoor air in the load side heat exchangers 60a, 60b, 60c of the indoor units 2a, 2b, 2c, and flows out from the indoor units 2a, 2b, 2c while heating the indoor space. The heat medium that has flowed out again flows into the heat medium transport device 8 through the heat medium pipe 6 and the heat medium flow controller 4.

As described above, the outdoor unit 1, the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c, the heat medium converter 3, and the heat medium flow controller 4 are accommodated in the individual casings 15, 24, 32, and 46, respectively. The outdoor unit 1 and the heat medium converter 3 are connected by the refrigerant circulation circuit A, and the heat medium converter 3, the heat medium flow controller 4 and the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c are the heat medium circuit B. Connected by. That is, the housing 46 of the heat medium flow controller 4 is separate from the housing 32 of the heat medium converter 3. For this reason, the refrigerant circulation circuit A can be disposed in the outdoor space, and the heat medium circulation circuit B can be disposed in the indoor space, thereby reducing the influence of refrigerant leakage. Furthermore, even in a place where a sufficient space cannot be secured outside the room, it is possible to arrange the housings 15, 24, 32, 46 with flexibility by dispersing them. Since the constituent elements are distributed in the respective casings 15, 24, 32, and 46, the sizes of the respective casings 15, 24, 32, and 46 can be suppressed.

2 and 3, the compressor 10 is configured so that at least one of the detection values of the first pressure detection device 20 or the second pressure detection device 21 has a predetermined value. The control device 23 is used. For example, in the case of the cooling only operation mode, if the evaporation temperature obtained from the detection value of the second pressure detection device 21 is controlled to a predetermined value, the cooling load required for the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c is increased. The corresponding refrigerant flow rate can be supplied. In the heating only operation mode, if the condensing temperature that can be obtained from the detection value of the first pressure detection device 20 is controlled to be a predetermined value, the thermal load required for the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c. The refrigerant flow rate according to

The outdoor blower 14 is controlled using the first control device 23 so that at least one of the detection values of the first pressure detection device 20 or the second pressure detection device 21 has a predetermined value. For example, in the case of the cooling only operation mode, the condensation temperature obtained from the detection value of the first pressure detection device 20 may be controlled to be a predetermined value. In the heating only operation mode, it is preferable to control the evaporation temperature that can be obtained from the detection value of the second pressure detection device 21 to a predetermined value.

When the first expansion device 31 is in the cooling only operation mode, the second control is performed so that the degree of superheat obtained as a difference between the second temperature detection device 40 and the third temperature detection device 41 is constant. The opening degree is controlled using the device 45. Alternatively, the degree of superheat obtained from the difference between the evaporation temperature obtained from the third pressure detection device 44 and the detection temperature of the second temperature detection device 40 may be controlled to be constant. The value obtained from the second pressure detection device 21 mounted on 1 may be used as the evaporation temperature. In the heating only operation mode, the degree of supercooling obtained as a difference between the condensation temperature calculated from the detection value of the third pressure detection device 44 and the detection value of the second temperature detection device 40 is constant. The opening degree is controlled using the second control device 45. Alternatively, the degree of supercooling obtained as a difference between the condensation temperature calculated from the detection value of the first pressure detection device 20 and the detection value of the second temperature detection device 40 may be controlled to be constant. good.

In the heat medium flow control devices 50a, 50b, and 50c, the temperature difference between the detection values of the sixth temperature detection devices 51a, 51b, and 51c and the detection values of the seventh temperature detection devices 52a, 52b, and 52c becomes a predetermined value. The opening is adjusted as follows. Thereby, the air-conditioning load required in each room is covered. The predetermined value is, for example, 2 ° C. to 7 ° C. in the cooling only operation mode, and is, for example, 5 ° C. to 10 ° C. in the heating only operation mode. When the temperature difference is smaller than the predetermined value, the opening degree of the heat medium flow control devices 50a, 50b, 50c is adjusted in the closing direction, and when the temperature difference is larger than the predetermined value, the opening degree is adjusted in the opening direction. Thus, the heat medium is controlled to a necessary flow rate according to the air conditioning load required in the room and flows into the load-side heat exchangers 60a, 60b, and 60c.

The heat medium transport device 8 may be output at a constant rotational speed, adjust the opening degree, and the detected value and the fifth temperature of the fourth temperature detecting device 42 installed before and after the heat exchanger related to heat medium 30. The temperature difference from the detection device 43 may be a predetermined value. In this case, the predetermined value may be 2 ° C. to 7 ° C., for example, in the case of the cooling only operation mode, and may be 5 ° C. to 10 ° C., for example, in the case of the heating only operation mode.

In the description of FIGS. 2 and 3, the case where the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c perform the cooling only operation mode or the heating only operation mode has been described as an example. It is good also as the operation mode in which a machine exists. In such a case, if the heat medium flow control devices 50a, 50b, and 50c connected to the indoor unit that does not perform the cooling operation are set to an opening degree at which the heat medium does not flow, for example, fully closed, the heat medium conveyance Power loss can be reduced.

Modified example.
FIG. 4 is a schematic circuit configuration diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of an air conditioner 200 according to a modification. As shown in FIG. 4, the air conditioner 200 according to the modified example includes a casing 54 of the outdoor unit 16 that houses each component connected by the refrigerant circulation circuit A, and a casing 46 of the heat medium flow controller 4. And the casing 24 of the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c. In addition, the refrigerant leak detection device 7 is disposed in the outdoor unit 16.

Each component housed in the casing 54 of the outdoor unit 1 includes a compressor 10 connected by a refrigerant pipe 5, a refrigerant flow switching device 11 such as a four-way valve, a heat source side heat exchanger 12, and an accumulator 13. The intermediate heat exchanger 30 and the first expansion device 31. A heat medium pipe 6 extending from the outside of the outdoor unit 16 is connected to the heat exchanger 30 between heat medium. That is, in the air conditioner 200 according to the modification, the components that are separated and accommodated in the casing 15 and the casing 32 in the air conditioner 100 according to the present embodiment are stored in the casing 54 of the outdoor unit 16. The unit is housed integrally and is generally called a chiller unit. The heat medium circulation circuit B extending from the outdoor unit 16 is connected to the heat medium flow controller 4 that distributes the heat medium having a flow rate corresponding to the air conditioning load, and is further connected to each of the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c. .

[Cooling operation mode]
FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating the flow of the refrigerant and the heat medium when the air-conditioning apparatus 200 according to the modification is in the cooling only operation mode. In FIG. 5, the flow direction of the refrigerant is indicated by a solid line arrow, and the flow direction of the heat medium is indicated by a broken line arrow.

In the cooling only operation mode in which a cooling load is generated in the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c, the same operation as described in FIG. 2 is performed. Specifically, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit A becomes gas refrigerant by the compressor 10 accommodated in the casing 54 of the outdoor unit 16 and flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 12 via the refrigerant flow switching device 11. Then, it flows out as a high-pressure liquid refrigerant by heat radiation to the outdoor air. Thereafter, the refrigerant is decompressed by the first expansion device 31, flows into the heat exchanger related to heat medium 30 acting as an evaporator, and absorbs heat from the heat medium flowing through the heat medium pipe 6, so that the refrigerant becomes a low-temperature and low-pressure gas. Become.

On the other hand, in the heat exchanger circuit 30 to which the heat medium pipe 6 extending from the outside of the outdoor unit 16 is connected, the heat medium circuit B is in a state of being cooled by being absorbed by the refrigerant and being heat-exchanged between the heat medium. Out of the vessel 30. Thereafter, the heat medium is transferred to the respective components inside the housing 46 of the heat medium flow controller 4 and the housings 24 of the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c through the heat medium pipe 6, and the heat medium circuit B Circulate.

[Heating operation mode]
FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating the flow of the refrigerant and the heat medium when the air-conditioning apparatus 200 according to the modification is in the heating only operation mode. In FIG. 6, the flow direction of the refrigerant is indicated by a solid line arrow, and the flow direction of the heat medium is indicated by a broken line arrow.

In the heating only operation mode in which the thermal load is generated in the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c, the same operation as described in FIG. 3 is performed. Specifically, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit A becomes gas refrigerant by the compressor 10 accommodated in the casing 54 of the outdoor unit 16 and flows into the heat exchanger related to heat medium 30 via the refrigerant flow switching device 11. Then, it condenses while dissipating heat in the heat exchanger 30 between heat media, and flows into the first expansion device 31. Then, after the pressure is reduced by the first expansion device 31, the refrigerant flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 12, evaporates while absorbing heat from the outdoor air, and becomes a low-pressure gas refrigerant, via the refrigerant flow switching device 11 and the accumulator 13. It is sucked into the compressor 10.

On the other hand, in the heat exchanger circuit 30 connected to the heat medium pipe 6 extending from the outside of the outdoor unit 16, the heat medium circulation circuit B transmits the warm heat of the refrigerant to the heat medium, And flows out of the heat medium relay unit 3. Thereafter, the heat medium is transferred to the respective components inside the housing 46 of the heat medium flow controller 4 and the housings 24 of the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c through the heat medium pipe 6, and the heat medium circuit B Circulate.

In this way, since a series of operations by the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit A is performed by each component housed in the outdoor unit casing 54, the risk of refrigerant leakage into the indoor space can be greatly reduced. it can. In addition, since the heat medium is distributed at a flow rate corresponding to the air conditioning load of each of the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c by the heat medium flow controller 4 arranged in the heat medium circuit B, the comfort in each room is improved. To do. This makes it possible to update equipment with a high degree of freedom in system configuration according to the structure of the building and the intended use of the building.

Also, in a building where an air conditioning system using a heat medium such as a chiller unit is already installed, the air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 1 or the air conditioner 200 according to the modification can be installed. In this case, the existing indoor unit and the heat medium pipe connected to the indoor unit can be diverted to easily update the equipment. Moreover, since the housing | casing 46 of the heat medium flow controller 4 is separate from the housing | casing 32 of the heat medium converter 3, by using the heat medium flow controller 4 in embodiment mentioned above, existing Equipment renewal required for equipment is minimized. In this way, the effect of cost reduction can be expected by sharing the unit.

Note that the heat exchanger related to heat medium 30 is an embodiment using separate housings of the housing 32 of the heat medium converter 3 and the housing 15 of the outdoor unit 1, or the housing of the outdoor unit 1. Any form of the modified example using the body 54 may be shared. In this case, any form can be selected in accordance with the existing piping, and the shared heat exchanger related to heat medium 30 can be mounted.

According to the air conditioning apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment described above, the casing 24 of the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c in which the refrigerant does not circulate and the casing 46 of the heat medium flow controller 4 are refrigerant. The outdoor unit 1 that circulates and the casings 15 and 32 of the heat exchanger related to heat medium 30 are provided separately. And each of housing | casing 15, 24, 32, 46 is installed in a desired arrangement position, the outdoor unit 1 and the heat medium converter 3 are connected by the refrigerant circuit A, the heat medium converter 3, The heat medium flow controller 4 and the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c are connected by a heat medium circuit B. Thereby, heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat medium can be performed at a position away from the indoor space, and the cold heat transferred by the heat medium circuit B can be distributed to each of the indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c. The required amount can be reduced, and refrigerant leakage to the indoor space can be prevented.

Since the heat exchanger 30 between heat media can be shared, it is possible to select any form according to the existing piping and to mount the heat exchanger 30 between the heat media, and to heat the indoor unit The supply control method is unified, and unit sharing is possible.

Since the inter-heat medium heat exchanger 30 and the heat medium flow controller 4 are housed in separate housings, the degree of freedom of installation is increased, the system can be easily changed when the equipment is updated, and the degree of freedom of system selection is increased. improves.

A chiller unit in which the casing 15 of the outdoor unit 1 and the casing 32 of the heat medium relay unit 3 are formed in common can be installed by diverting existing piping.

By arranging the outdoor unit 1 through which the refrigerant circulates and the heat medium relay unit 3 outdoors, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant from leaking in the indoor space where a person exists.

The opening degree of the heat medium flow control devices 50a, 50b, 50c can be controlled according to the air conditioning load of each of the load side heat exchangers 60a, 60b, 60c.

The air conditioning load of each of the load side heat exchangers 60a, 60b, 60c can be calculated from the temperatures of the inlets and outlets of the load side heat exchangers 60a, 60b, 60c.

Since the indoor air conditioning load is calculated based on the difference between the temperature of the heat medium flowing into the heat exchanger 30 and the temperature of the heat medium flowing out, the heat medium transport device 8 is operated, so that power consumption is suppressed. The

Since the casing 15 of each outdoor unit 1, the casing 32 of the heat medium relay unit 3, and the casing 46 of the heat medium flow controller 4 are arranged with control devices that control the housed components. The casings 15, 32, and 46 can be arranged at desired positions, respectively.

By detecting the refrigerant leaked from the refrigerant pipe 5 by the refrigerant leakage detection device 7 provided in the casing 32 of the heat medium relay unit 3 or the casing 15 of the outdoor unit 1, it is possible to suppress the influence of the leakage. .

1, 16 outdoor unit, 2a, 2b, 2c indoor unit, 3 heat medium converter, 4 heat medium flow controller, 5 refrigerant pipe, 6 heat medium pipe, 7 refrigerant leak detection device, 8 heat medium transport device, 10 compression Machine, 11 refrigerant flow switching device, 12 heat source side heat exchanger, 13 accumulator, 14 outdoor fan, 15, 24, 32, 46, 54 housing, 20 first pressure detection device, 21 second pressure detection device , 22 1st temperature detection device, 23 1st control device, 30 heat exchanger between heat medium, 31 1st expansion device, 40 2nd temperature detection device, 41 3rd temperature detection device, 42 4th Temperature detection device, 43 fifth temperature detection device, 44 third pressure detection device, 45 second control device, 50a, 50b, 50c heat medium flow control device, 51a, 51b, 51c sixth Degree detection device, 52a, 52b, 52c, seventh temperature detection device, 53, third control device, 60a, 60b, 60c, load side heat exchanger, 61, branching unit, 61a, 61b, 61c, indoor fan, 62, junction unit, 100, 200 Air conditioner.

Claims (14)

An outdoor unit housing containing a compressor, a refrigerant flow switching device, and a heat source side heat exchanger;
A heat medium converter housing housing the expansion device and the heat exchanger between heat mediums;
A heat medium flow controller housing housing the heat medium flow controller,
A load-side heat exchanger, and an indoor unit housing that houses the indoor fan,
A heat medium transport device for transporting the heat medium,
Refrigerant passages of the compressor, the refrigerant flow switching device, the heat source side heat exchanger, the expansion device, and the heat exchanger related to heat medium are connected by a refrigerant pipe through which refrigerant flows, and a refrigerant circulation circuit is provided. Configure
The heat medium passage of the heat exchanger between the heat medium, the heat medium conveying device, the heat medium flow rate adjusting device, and the load side heat exchanger are connected by a heat medium pipe through which the heat medium flows, and the heat medium circulation Composing the circuit,
Air conditioner. The heat exchanger related to heat medium is
A form in which the outdoor unit casing and the heat medium converter casing are housed in a single casing,
A form in which the outdoor unit housing and the heat medium converter housing are housed in individual housings,
Shared in the
The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1. The heat exchanger related to heat medium and the heat medium flow control device are:
Each of the heat medium flow regulator housings provided individually and housed in the heat medium converter housing,
The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The outdoor unit casing and the heat medium converter casing are housed in a single casing.
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The outdoor unit housing and the heat medium converter housing are disposed in an outdoor space,
The heat medium flow controller housing and the indoor unit housing are disposed in an indoor space,
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The heat medium transport device is housed in the heat medium converter housing.
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The heat medium flow control device adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium so that a temperature difference between the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature of the load side heat exchanger becomes a predetermined value.
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A first temperature detecting device for detecting the inlet temperature;
A second temperature detecting device for detecting the outlet temperature,
The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 7. The first temperature detection device and the second temperature detection device are accommodated in the heat medium converter housing,
The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 8. The predetermined value of the temperature difference between the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature is:
The air conditioning according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the heat source side heat exchanger is larger in heating operation functioning as an evaporator than the cooling operation in which the heat source side heat exchanger functions as a condenser. apparatus. The heat medium converter casing is
A third temperature detecting device for detecting the temperature of the heat medium flowing into the heat exchanger related to heat medium;
A fourth temperature detecting device for detecting the temperature of the heat medium flowing out of the heat exchanger related to heat medium;
The heat medium transport device is
The flow rate of the heat medium is adjusted so that the difference between the detection value of the third temperature detection device and the detection value of the fourth temperature detection device becomes a predetermined value.
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The predetermined value of the difference between the detection value of the third temperature detection device and the detection value of the fourth temperature detection device is:
In heating operation in which the heat source side heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, the heat source side heat exchanger is larger than in cooling operation in which it functions as a condenser.
The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 11. A first controller that is housed in the outdoor unit housing and controls the compressor and the refrigerant flow switching device;
A second control device that is housed in the heat medium converter housing and controls the expansion device;
A third controller that is housed in the heat medium flow controller housing and controls the heat medium flow controller.
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 12. At least one of the outdoor unit casing and the heat medium converter casing is provided with a refrigerant leakage detection device.
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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