REFRIGERATION CYCLE APPARATUS

Abstract

A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes: a refrigerant flow path module including stacked plates; a first valve including a first drive unit; and a cover that covers the first drive unit from above in a vertical direction of the refrigerant flow path module. The refrigerant flow path module has a low-pressure refrigerant flow path therein. A lower surface of the refrigerant flow path module faces downward at one end of the stacked plates in a stacking direction of the plates. The cover includes an upper covering portion that covers at least a part of the first drive unit that is in a downward projection region of the lower surface.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a refrigeration cycle apparatus.

BACKGROUND

As illustrated in PATENT LITERATURE 1, in a known refrigeration cycle apparatus including a refrigerant circuit that performs a vapor compression refrigeration cycle operation, a plurality of refrigerant pipes through which a refrigerant flows has been integrated into one module (refrigerant flow path module) in order to downsize the refrigerant circuit. The module includes a module body having a plurality of plates in a stacked manner and a refrigerant flow path formed inside, and a connecting pipe connected to an end surface of a pipe body in a stacking direction of the plurality of plates. A valve provided with a drive unit including a motor, a solenoid, and the like is connected to the connecting pipe.

PATENT LITERATURE

• • PATENT LITERATURE 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2022-116694

SUMMARY

A refrigeration cycle apparatus of the present disclosure includes

• • a refrigerant flow path module including a plurality of plates in a stacked manner and provided with a low-pressure refrigerant flow path inside,
  • a first valve having a first drive unit, and
  • a cover that covers the first drive unit, in which
  • the refrigerant flow path module has a lower surface facing downward at one end in a stacking direction of the plurality of plates,
  • at least a part of the first drive unit is disposed in a downward projection region of the lower surface, and
  • the cover includes an upper covering portion that covers the at least a part of the first drive unit from above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the refrigeration cycle apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating an interior of the refrigeration cycle apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a refrigerant flow path module and components connected to the refrigerant flow path module.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the refrigerant flow path module and the components connected to the refrigerant flow path module.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view (partial sectional view) of the refrigerant flow path module.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the refrigerant flow path module, a flow path switching valve, and an expansion valve.

FIG. 8 is a front view (partial sectional view) of the refrigerant flow path module, the flow path switching valve, and the expansion valve.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the refrigerant flow path module, the flow path switching valve, and the expansion valve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

A refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 includes a refrigerant circuit that performs vapor compression refrigeration cycle operation. The refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to one or more embodiments is an air conditioner. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 includes an outdoor unit (heat source unit) 31, a plurality of indoor units (utilization units) 32, and a flow path switching device 33. The outdoor unit 31 and the flow path switching device 33, as well as the flow path switching device 33 and the indoor units 32 are respectively connected via connection pipes 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38. The air conditioner 1 according to one or more embodiments is of a so-called freely cooling and heating type configured to allow each of the plurality of indoor units 32 to individually execute cooling operation or heating operation. The refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 is not limited to an air conditioner but may be a refrigerator, a freezer, a hot-water supplier, or the like.

(Configuration of Refrigerant Circuit)

The outdoor unit 31 includes a refrigerant circuit 30. The refrigerant circuit 30 is connected to a refrigerant circuit in the flow path switching device 33 via a liquid connection pipe 34, a sucked gas connection pipe 35, and a high and low-pressure gas connection pipe 36. The refrigerant circuit in the flow path switching device 33 is connected to a refrigerant circuit in each of the indoor units 32 via the connection pipes 37 and 38.

The refrigerant circuit 30 includes a first shutoff valve 39a, a second shutoff valve 39b, a third shutoff valve 39c, a compressor 40, an accumulator 41, a plurality of flow path switching valves (switching mechanisms; first valves) 42 (42a, 42b, and 42c), an outdoor heat exchanger 43, a plurality of expansion valves (second valves) 44 (44a, 44b, 44c, and 44d), a subcooler 45, an oil separator 46, and the like. These components are connected via refrigerant pipes to constitute the refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant pipe also includes a refrigerant flow path module 10 to be described later. The outdoor unit 31 is provided therein with a fan 62 (see FIG. 2), a controller 61a (see FIG. 3), and the like.

The first shutoff valve 39a has a first end connected to the sucked gas connection pipe 35. The first shutoff valve 39a has a second end connected to a refrigerant pipe extending to the accumulator 41. A flow path of the refrigerant pipe extending to the accumulator 41 includes a flow path of the refrigerant pipe 23 connecting the first shutoff valve 39a and a refrigerant flow path module 10A (indicated by a frame F1) to be described later, and a flow path 27 in the refrigerant flow path module 10A. A low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant flowing from the sucked gas connection pipe 35 into the outdoor unit 31 flows through the refrigerant pipe 23 and the flow path 27 in the refrigerant flow path module 10A via the first shutoff valve 39a, and flows into the accumulator 41.

The second shutoff valve 39b has a first end connected to the high and low-pressure gas connection pipe 36. The second shutoff valve 39b has a second end connected to a refrigerant pipe extending to the flow path switching valve 42b. The flow path switching valve 42b is also connected to the refrigerant flow path module 10A (indicated by the frame F1). A low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant flowing from the high and low-pressure gas connection pipe 36 into the outdoor unit 31 flows through the flow path 27 in the refrigerant flow path module 10A via the second shutoff valve 39b and the flow path switching valve 42b, and flows into the accumulator 41.

The third shutoff valve 39c has a first end connected to the liquid connection pipe 34. The third shutoff valve 39c has a second end connected to a refrigerant pipe extending to the subcooler 45.

The compressor 40 has a hermetic structure incorporating a compressor motor, and is of a positive displacement type such as a scroll type or a rotary type. The compressor 40 compresses a low-pressure refrigerant sucked from a suction pipe 47 and then discharges the compressed refrigerant from a discharge pipe 48. The compressor 40 accommodates refrigerating machine oil inside. This refrigerating machine oil occasionally circulates in the refrigerant circuit 30 along with the refrigerant. The compressor 40 is a kind of container.

The oil separator 46 is a container used for separation of the refrigerating machine oil from the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 40. The refrigerating machine oil thus separated is returned to the compressor 40 via an oil return tube 46a.

The accumulator 41 is a container temporarily storing the low-pressure refrigerant to be sucked into the compressor 40 and used for separation between a gas refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant. The accumulator 41 has an inflow port 41b connected to a refrigerant pipe extending from the first shutoff valve 39a. The accumulator 41 has an outflow port 41a connected to the suction pipe 47. The oil return tube 50 has a first end connected to the accumulator 41. The oil return tube 50 has a second end connected to the suction pipe 47. The oil return tube 50 is a tube for returning the refrigerating machine oil from the accumulator 41 to the compressor 40. The oil return tube 50 is provided with a first on-off valve 51. The first on-off valve 51 includes an electromagnetic valve. When the first on-off valve 51 is opened, the refrigerating machine oil in the accumulator 41 passes through the oil return tube 50 and is sucked into the compressor 40 along with the refrigerant flowing in the suction pipe 47.

Each of the flow path switching valves 42 is a four-way switching valve. Each of the flow path switching valves 42 switches a refrigerant flow in accordance with an operation condition of the air conditioner 1. A refrigerant pipe extending from the oil separator 46 is connected to one refrigerant inflow port of each of the flow path switching valves 42.

Each of the flow path switching valves 42 is configured to shut off a refrigerant flow in one refrigerant flow path during operation, and actually functions as a three-way valve. The plurality of flow path switching valves 42 will be hereinafter also referred to as a first flow path switching valve 42a, a second flow path switching valve 42b, and a third flow path switching valve 42c.

Examples of the expansion valves 44 include a motor valve having an adjustable opening degree. Each of the expansion valves 44 has the opening degree adjusted in accordance with the operation condition, and decompresses the refrigerant passing therethrough in accordance with the opening degree. The plurality of expansion valves 44 will be hereinafter also referred to as a first expansion valve 44a, a second expansion valve 44b, a third expansion valve 44c, and a fourth expansion valve 44d.

The outdoor heat exchanger 43 is of a cross-fin type or a microchannel type. The outdoor heat exchanger 43 includes a first heat exchange unit 43a, a second heat exchange unit 43b, a third heat exchange unit 43c, and a fourth heat exchange unit 43d. The first heat exchange unit 43a has a gas side end connected to a refrigerant pipe extending to the third flow path switching valve 42c. The first heat exchange unit 43a has a liquid side end connected to a refrigerant pipe extending to the first expansion valve 44a.

The second heat exchange unit 43b has a gas side end connected to a refrigerant pipe extending to the first flow path switching valve 42a. The second heat exchange unit 43b has a liquid side end connected to a refrigerant pipe extending to the second expansion valve 44b.

The third heat exchange unit 43c and the fourth heat exchange unit 43d each have a gas side end connected to a refrigerant pipe extending from the oil separator 46 and branched. The third heat exchange unit 43c and the fourth heat exchange unit 43d each have a liquid side end connected to a refrigerant pipe extending to the third expansion valve 44c.

The subcooler 45 includes a first heat transfer tube 45a and a second heat transfer tube 45b. The first heat transfer tube 45a has a first end connected to a refrigerant pipe extending to the first to third expansion valves 44a, 44b, and 44c. The first heat transfer tube 45a has a second end connected to a refrigerant pipe extending to the third shutoff valve 39c. The second heat transfer tube 45b has a first end connected to a first branching tube 53 branching from a refrigerant pipe provided between the first heat transfer tube 45a and the first to third expansion valves 44a, 44b, and 44c. The first branching tube 53 is provided with the fourth expansion valve 44d. The second heat transfer tube 45b has a second end connected to a first end of an injection pipe 55. The injection pipe 55 has a second end connected to an intermediate port of the compressor 40.

A first end of a second branching tube 56 is connected to the injection pipe 55. The second branching tube 56 has a second end (outlet end) connected to the suction pipe 47. The second branching tube 56 is provided with a second on-off valve 57 and a check valve 58. The second on-off valve 57 includes an electromagnetic valve.

The subcooler 45 causes heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing from the compressor 40, passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 43 and the expansion valves 44, and flowing in the first heat transfer tube 45a, and the refrigerant decompressed by the expansion valve 44d and flowing in the second heat transfer tube 45b, to subcool the refrigerant flowing in the first heat transfer tube 45a. The refrigerant flowing in the second heat transfer tube 45b passes through the injection pipe 55 and is sucked into the intermediate port of the compressor 40. When the second on-off valve 57 is opened, the refrigerant flowing in the injection pipe 55 branches into the second branching tube 56 to flow therein and passes through the suction pipe 47 to be sucked into the compressor 40.

(Structure of Outdoor Unit)

A description will be given to the outdoor unit (heat source unit) 31 in terms of its specific structure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the refrigeration cycle apparatus. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating an interior of the refrigeration cycle apparatus.

The following description refers to a left-right direction, a front-rear direction, and an up-down direction according to arrows X, Y, and Z indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Specifically in the following description, the arrow X in FIGS. 2 and 3 indicates a first direction corresponding to the left-right direction, the arrow Y indicates a second direction corresponding to the front-rear direction, and the arrow Z indicates a third direction corresponding to the up-down direction. Note that these directions are described exemplarily without limiting the present disclosure. For example, the first direction X may correspond to the front-rear direction and the second direction Y may correspond to the left-right direction.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the outdoor unit 31 includes a casing 60 accommodating components such as the compressor 40, the accumulator 41, the outdoor heat exchanger 43, and the oil separator 46 constituting the refrigerant circuit, an electric component unit 61, the fan 62, and the like. The fan 62 is provided in an upper part of the casing 60.

The casing 60 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The casing 60 has a bottom plate 63, a support 64, a top panel 65, a front panel 66, and the like. The bottom plate 63 has a quadrilateral shape in a top view. The support 64 is constituted by a long member having a substantially L sectional shape and elongating in the up-down direction, and is attached to each of four corners of the bottom plate 63.

The top panel 65 has a quadrilateral shape substantially identically to the bottom plate 63, and is disposed above and apart from the bottom plate 63. The top panel 65 has four corners to which upper ends of the supports 64 are attached. The top panel 65 is provided with a vent hole having a substantially quadrilateral shape and provided with a grill 65a for suppressing entry of foreign matters.

As shown in FIG. 3, the casing 60 has a front surface provided with an opening 60a for maintenance. The opening 60a is closed by the front panel (front side plate) 66. Detaching the front panel 66 from the casing 60 enables maintenance, replacement, and the like of the components in the casing 60 through the opening 60a.

The bottom plate 63 of the casing 60 is provided thereon with components such as the compressor 40, the accumulator 41, the outdoor heat exchanger 43, and the oil separator 46.

The outdoor heat exchanger 43 is disposed to correspond to (face) three side surfaces of the casing 60. Specifically, the outdoor heat exchanger 43 has a U shape in a top view to extend along a left side surface, a right side surface, and a rear side surface of the casing 60. The outdoor heat exchanger 43 has a first end provided with a gas header 43e, and a second end provided with a liquid header 43f. The left side surface, the right side surface, and the rear side surface of the casing 60 are each provided with an intake port 60b for taking in outdoor air.

The outdoor unit 31 is configured to, when the fan 62 is driven, receive air via the intake port 60b of the casing 60, cause heat exchange between the received air and the outdoor heat exchanger 43, and then blow out air upward from the upper part of the casing 60.

The compressor 40 is disposed at a substantially center in the left-right direction X near the front surface of the casing 60. The electric component unit 61 is disposed near the front surface of the casing 60 and adjacent to the right side of the compressor 40. The accumulator 41 is disposed behind the compressor 40. The oil separator 46 is disposed on the left side of the accumulator 41. The electric component unit 61 includes the controller 61a that controls behavior of the compressor 40, the valves 42 and 44, the fan 62, and the like.

(Configuration of Refrigerant Flow Path Module)

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the refrigerant flow path module and components connected to the refrigerant flow path module. FIG. 5 is a side view of the refrigerant flow path module and the components connected to the refrigerant flow path module. FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the refrigerant flow path module.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the outdoor unit 31 is provided with the refrigerant flow path module 10. The refrigerant flow path module 10 is a module (unit) constituting some of flow paths of refrigerant pipes connecting components such as the compressor 40, the accumulator 41, the flow path switching valves 42, the outdoor heat exchanger 43, the expansion valves 44, and the oil separator 46. Specifically, the refrigerant flow path module 10 according to one or more embodiments constitutes refrigerant flow paths disposed in frames F1 and frames F2 each indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1.

The refrigerant flow path module 10 according to one or more embodiments includes an upper refrigerant flow path module 10A and a lower refrigerant flow path module 10B. The upper refrigerant flow path module 10A constitutes the refrigerant flow paths in the frames F1 in FIG. 1. The lower refrigerant flow path module 10B constitutes the refrigerant flow paths in the frames F2 in FIG. 1.

The upper refrigerant flow path module 10A and the lower refrigerant flow path module 10B each include a module body 11 having a flow path inside, and a connecting pipe (joint tube) 12 attached to the module body 11 and communicating with the flow path in the module body 11.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view (partial sectional view) of the refrigerant flow path module.

The module body 11 has a plate shape or a block shape. The module body 11 includes a plurality of plates 71 and 72 stacked on top of each other. The module body 11 is disposed in a state in which a stacking direction of the plurality of plates 71 and 72 (normal direction of each of the plates 71 and 72) is oriented in the up-down direction (third direction Z). Therefore, the module body 11 has an upper surface 11b and a lower surface 11a which are disposed horizontally. The upper surface 11b and the lower surface 11a of the module body 11 substantially constitute an upper surface and a lower surface of the refrigerant flow path module 10.

The upper surface 11b and the lower surface 11a of the module body 11 are rectangular. The module body 11 has a thickness (vertical length) less than lengths of long sides and short sides of the upper surface 11b and the lower surface 11a. The module body 11 thus has a flat shape. The module body 11 is not required to be disposed exactly horizontally, and for example, may be slanted by at most ±10° from a horizontal direction.

The plurality of plates 71 and 72 includes stainless steel. The plates 71 and 72 according to one or more embodiments include SUS304L, for example. The plurality of plates 71 and 72 is joined by brazing.

The plurality of plates 71 and 72 includes end plates 71 disposed at both ends in the stacking direction and an intermediate plate 72 disposed between the end plates 71 on both sides. The module body 11 according to one or more embodiments includes three intermediate plates 72. The number of the plates 71 and 72 constituting the module body 11 is not limited, and is only required to be two or more.

The end plate 71 is provided with an opening 73 for attaching the connecting pipe 12. The opening 73 passes through the end plates 71 in the up-down direction Z. The opening 73 has a circular shape. The intermediate plate 72 is provided with an opening 74 constituting a flow path 15. The opening 74 passes through the intermediate plate 72 in the up-down direction Z. The opening 74 is long in the horizontal direction or has a circular shape. The shape of the opening 74 is not limited, and the shape is appropriately set in accordance with a required form of the flow path 15. The flow path 15 of the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A includes the flow path 27 described in FIG. 1.

The connecting pipe 12 is a cylinder attached to each of the upper surface 11b and the lower surface 11a of the module body 11. The connecting pipe 12 includes a material containing copper as a main component, for example, copper (pure copper) or a copper alloy. The connecting pipe 12 is joined by brazing while being inserted into the opening 73 of the module body 11. A refrigerant pipe constituting a refrigerant circuit is connected to the connecting pipe 12. The plurality of plates 71 and 72 of the module body 11 constituting the refrigerant flow path module 10 and the connecting pipe 12 are joined by in-furnace brazing. In particular, since the plate 71 and the connecting pipe 12 are joined by different materials of stainless steel and copper, in-furnace brazing may be used.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A and the lower refrigerant flow path module 10B are disposed in parallel with each other. As shown in FIG. 3, the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A and the lower refrigerant flow path module 10B are disposed to overlap each other in a top view. The upper refrigerant flow path module 10A is larger in area than the lower refrigerant flow path module 10B in a top view. The lower refrigerant flow path module 10B is disposed in a projection area in the up-down direction of the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A.

As shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerant flow path module 10 is disposed on the left side (a first side in the first direction X) of the compressor 40 and the accumulator 41. The refrigerant flow path module 10 is disposed on a front side (on a first side in the second direction Y) of the oil separator 46. The refrigerant flow path module 10 according to one or more embodiments is supported by a refrigerant pipe via components constituting the refrigerant circuit fixed onto the bottom plate 63 of the casing 60. The lower refrigerant flow path module 10B is also supported by the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A via a refrigerant pipe and the components constituting the refrigerant circuit.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A has a lower side connected with a refrigerant pipe 21 extending from the refrigerant outflow port 41a of the accumulator 41 and a refrigerant pipe 22 extending from the refrigerant inflow port 41b. The accumulator 41 is attached and fixed to a fixture 67 provided on the bottom plate 63 of the casing 60 of the outdoor unit 31. The refrigerant pipes 21 and 22 are connected to the connecting pipe 12 provided on the lower surface of the module body 11 of the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A, and support the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A from below.

A refrigerant pipe 23 extending from the first shutoff valve (gas shutoff valve) 39a serving as an inlet for a gas refrigerant from the flow path switching device 33 (see FIG. 1) is also connected to the lower side of the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A. As shown in FIG. 5, the first shutoff valve 39a is attached and fixed to a fixture 68 provided on the bottom plate 63. The refrigerant pipe 23 is bent and extends upward from the first shutoff valve 39a, and has an upper end connected to the connecting pipe 12 provided on the lower surface 11a of the module body 11 of the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A.

The upper refrigerant flow path module 10A is supported from below by the refrigerant pipe 21, the refrigerant pipe 22, and the refrigerant pipe 23, and is disposed above and apart from the bottom plate 63 of the casing 60. The refrigerant pipe 21, the refrigerant pipe 22, and the refrigerant pipe 23 are gas pipes through which a gas refrigerant flows. The gas pipes are larger in pipe diameter and higher in strength than a liquid pipe through which a liquid refrigerant flows. The upper refrigerant flow path module 10A is thus stably supported by the refrigerant pipes 21, 22, and 23. The refrigerant pipe 21 and the refrigerant pipe 22 are connected to the accumulator 41 fixed to the casing 60, whereas the refrigerant pipe 23 is connected to the first shutoff valve 39a fixed to the casing 60. Accordingly, the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A is more stably supported by the refrigerant pipes 21, 22, and 23 via the components 41 and 39a constituting the refrigerant circuit fixed to the casing 60.

As shown in FIG. 5, a refrigerant pipe 24 extending from a refrigerant inflow port 40b of the compressor 40 is connected to the upper surface of the module body 11 of the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A. Accordingly, the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A is supported also from above by the refrigerant pipe 24. The refrigerant pipe 24 is a gas pipe through which a gas refrigerant flows, and is larger in diameter and higher in strength than a liquid pipe. The upper refrigerant flow path module 10A is thus stably supported by the refrigerant pipe 24. The compressor 40 is fixed via a fixture or the like provided on the bottom plate 63 of the casing 60. Accordingly, the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A is more stably supported by the refrigerant pipe 24 via the compressor 40 fixed to the bottom plate 63.

The flow path switching valve 42b is connected to an upper side of the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A. The flow path switching valve 42b includes a housing H incorporating a valve body, and a plurality of ports P serving as a refrigerant inlet or outlet for the housing H. The housing H has a cylindrical shape. The port P is a short pipe (refrigerant pipe) protruding upward and downward from the housing H. The port P includes a material containing copper as a main component, for example, copper (pure copper) or a copper alloy. The port P protruding to a lower side of the housing H is connected directly to the connecting pipe 12 provided at an upper part of the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A. The port P protruding to an upper side of the housing H is connected to the connecting pipe 12 provided at the upper side of the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A via a refrigerant pipe.

The lower refrigerant flow path module 10B is disposed below and apart from the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A. The lower refrigerant flow path module 10B is disposed above and apart from the bottom plate 63 of the casing 60. The upper refrigerant flow path module 10A and the lower refrigerant flow path module 10B interpose the flow path switching valves 42a and 42c.

The flow path switching valves 42a and 42c each include the housing H incorporating a valve body, and the plurality of ports P serving as refrigerant inlets or outlets for the housing H. The housing H has a cylindrical shape. The port P is a short pipe (refrigerant pipe) protruding upward and downward from the housing H. The port P includes a material containing copper as a main component, for example, copper (pure copper) or a copper alloy. The port P protruding upward from the housing H is connected directly to the connecting pipe 12 provided at a lower part of the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A. The port P protruding downward from the housing H is directly connected to the connecting pipe 12 provided in an upper part of the lower refrigerant flow path module 10B.

The upper refrigerant flow path module 10A and the lower refrigerant flow path module 10B interpose a refrigerant pipe 25. This refrigerant pipe 25 extends linearly in the vertical direction, and has an upper end connected to the connecting pipe 12 provided on the lower part of the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A, and a lower end connected to the connecting pipe 12 provided on the upper part of the lower refrigerant flow path module 10B. The refrigerant pipe 25 thus connects the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A and the lower refrigerant flow path module 10B in a shortest distance.

As shown in FIG. 4, the plurality of expansion valves 44 is connected to a lower side of the lower refrigerant flow path module 10B. Each of the expansion valves 44 includes a housing 44H that accommodates a valve body that adjusts a flow rate of a refrigerant and a drive unit (second drive unit) 44D that drives the valve body. The drive unit 44D includes a motor such as a pulse motor. The expansion valve 44 adjusts the flow rate of the refrigerant by operating the valve body by the drive unit 44D.

The lower refrigerant flow path module 10B is connected to the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A by the flow path switching valves 42a and 42c and the refrigerant pipe 25, and is supported from above by the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A via these components.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a refrigerant pipe 26 extending from the oil separator 46 is connected to the upper side of the lower refrigerant flow path module 10B. Since the refrigerant pipe 26 is connected to the oil separator 46 fixed to the casing 60, the lower refrigerant flow path module 10B is also supported by the refrigerant pipe 26. In other words, the lower refrigerant flow path module 10B is stably supported by the refrigerant pipe 26 via the component 46 constituting the refrigerant circuit fixed to the casing 60.

(Configuration of Flow Path Switching Valve)

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the refrigerant flow path module, a flow path switching valve, and an expansion valve. FIG. 8 is a front view (partial sectional view) of the refrigerant flow path module, the flow path switching valve, and the expansion valve. FIG. 9 is a side view of the refrigerant flow path module, the flow path switching valve, and the expansion valve.

The flow path switching valve 42 includes a drive unit (first drive unit) D in addition to the housing H and the port P. The drive unit D operates the valve body provided in the housing H. The drive unit D is attached to a side surface on a front side (one side in the second direction Y) of the housing H. Here, it can be said that the second direction Y corresponds to a direction in which the housing H and the drive unit D are aligned.

The drive unit D according to one or more embodiments includes a coil D1 and an actuating member D2. The coil D1 and the actuating member D2 are aligned in the first direction X. The coil D1 constitutes an electromagnetic solenoid. The actuating member D2 includes a valve body that reciprocates by the coil D1. A low-pressure refrigerant and a high-pressure refrigerant are supplied from the port P to the actuating member D2 via pilot pipes (capillary pipes) p1 and p2. A hydraulic chamber provided at a first end and a hydraulic chamber provided at a second end in the housing H are connected to the actuating member D2 by pilot pipes (capillary pipes) p3 and p4, respectively. The low-pressure refrigerant and the high-pressure refrigerant supplied to the actuating member D2 are switched to one of the pilot pipe p3 or p4 by the valve body of the actuating member D2, and flow into the hydraulic chamber in the housing H. The valve body in the housing H is operated by a pressure difference between the low-pressure refrigerant and the high-pressure refrigerant. Here, it can be said that the first direction X corresponds to a direction in which the coil D1 and the actuating member D2 are aligned.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the flow path switching valves 42a and 42c provided between the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A and the lower refrigerant flow path module 10B are partially disposed in a downward projection region R of the lower surface 11a of the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A (module body 11). In particular, a part of the drive unit D of each of the flow path switching valves 42a and 42c is disposed in the downward projection region R of the lower surface 11a of the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A. In FIG. 7, the lower surface 11a is indicated by a two-dot chain line. The downward projection region R of the lower surface 11a is a region surrounded by the two-dot chain line.

As described with reference to FIG. 1, the low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant flows into the flow path 27 in the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A during a cooling operation. Therefore, the surrounding air is cooled by the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A, and dew condensation water w (see FIGS. 8 and 9) is likely to be generated in the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A. Since the lower surface 11a of the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A is disposed horizontally, there is a possibility that the dew condensation water w generated on the lower surface 11a drops directly downward.

The drive unit D of each of the flow path switching valves 42a and 42c, which is disposed in the downward projection region R of the lower surface 11a of refrigerant flow path module 10A as described above, can possibly get splashed by the dew condensation water w dropping from the lower surface 11a. Since the drive unit D includes the coil D1 through which a current flows, adhesion of the dew condensation water w causes a defect such as a failure. Therefore, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to one or more embodiments includes a cover 81 that covers the drive unit D.

(Structure of Cover)

As shown in FIG. 9, the cover 81 has a substantially L shape. The cover 81 includes an upper covering portion 82 and a lateral covering portion 83. The upper covering portion 82 covers the drive unit D from above. As also shown in FIG. 7, the upper covering portion 82 covers the entire drive unit D.

The lateral covering portion 83 covers the drive unit D from a side (a front side). Specifically, the lateral covering portion 83 covers a side of the drive unit D opposite to the housing H. As shown in FIG. 8, the lateral covering portion 83 covers the entire drive unit D.

As shown in FIG. 9, an upper end of the lateral covering portion 83 and one end (front end) of the upper covering portion 82 in the second direction Y are connected to each other. The cover 81 includes metal or synthetic resin. For example, the cover 81 is constituted by, for example, steel galvanized cold commercial (SGCC). The cover 81 is fixed to the drive unit D (for example, a case of the coil D1), the housing H, or the port P with a screw or the like.

The upper covering portion 82 is disposed to be inclined with respect to a horizontal. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the upper covering portion 82 is disposed to be inclined in a direction (the first direction X) in which the coil D1 and the actuating member D2 of the drive unit D are aligned. In particular, the upper covering portion 82 is inclined such that the side of the coil D1 is higher and the side of the actuating member D2 is lower. Hereinafter, this inclination is also referred to as a “first inclination”. The first inclination may have an inclination angle of 10° or more with respect to the horizontal for flowing water. The angle of the first inclination can be set to, for example, 15°.

As shown in FIG. 9, the upper covering portion 82 is also disposed to be inclined in a direction (the second direction Y) in which the housing H and the drive unit D are aligned. In particular, the upper covering portion 82 is disposed to be inclined so as to be higher from the drive unit D toward the housing H. This inclination is also referred to as a “second inclination”. The second inclination may have an inclination angle of 10° or more with respect to the horizontal for flowing water. The angle of the second inclination can be set to, for example, 15°.

As described above, when dew condensation water w generated on the lower surface 11a of the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A drops, the dew condensation water w is blocked by the upper covering portion 82 of the cover 81. It is therefore possible to suppress a splash of the dew condensation water w to the drive unit D. As shown in FIG. 8, the dew condensation water w dropping to the upper covering portion 82 flows from the side of the coil D1 to the side of the actuating member D2 by the first inclination. It is therefore possible to suppress adhesion of the dew condensation water w to the coil D1 through which the current flows and suppress troubles such as failures.

As shown in FIG. 9, the dew condensation water w dropping to the upper covering portion 82 flows from the housing H toward the drive unit D by the second inclination. Therefore, the dropping of the dew condensation water w to a coupling portion between the housing H and the drive unit D is suppressed. When the dew condensation water w drops on the coupling portion between the housing H and the drive unit D, the dew condensation water w is accumulated in a state of bridging the housing H and the drive unit D, and the possibility of adhesion to the coil D1 increases. Therefore, adhesion of the dew condensation water w to the coil D1 can be further suppressed by the second inclination of the upper covering portion 82. The dew condensation water w flowing along the upper covering portion 82 due to the second inclination further flows downward along the lateral covering portion 83.

Since both the high-pressure refrigerant and the low-pressure refrigerant flow through the flow path switching valves 42a and 42c and are partially cooled, there is a possibility that the temperature of the cover 81 itself becomes lower. When the temperature of the cover 81 itself becomes lower, there is a possibility that dew condensation water is generated on the cover 81. In this case, even if dew condensation water is generated on a lower surface of the upper covering portion 82, the dew condensation water flows from the side of the coil D1 to the side of the actuating member D2 by the first inclination, and adhesion to the coil D1 is suppressed.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the cover 81 covers not only the drive unit D but also the pilot pipes p1 and p2 connecting the drive unit D and the port P. The cover 81 also covers a part of the pilot pipes p3 and p4 connecting the drive unit D and the hydraulic chamber in the housing H. It is therefore possible to suppress adhesion of dew condensation water to at least a part of the pilot pipes p1 to p4.

As shown in FIG. 8, the cover 81 protrudes outward in the left-right direction (first direction X) from the drive unit D. The cover 81, which includes a portion protruding outward in the left-right direction from the drive unit D, can further suppress adhesion of the dew condensation water w to the drive unit D. For example, on the lower surface of an end of the upper covering portion 82 in the left-right direction, there is a possibility that the dew condensation water stays due to surface tension and the staying dew condensation water drops due to gravity. The cover 81, which includes a portion protruding from the drive unit D in the left-right direction, can prevent the dew condensation water dropping in such a manner from splashing to the drive unit D.

(Arrangement of Expansion Valve 44)

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the expansion valve 44 is attached to the lower surface 11a of the lower refrigerant flow path module 10B via a refrigerant pipe. The drive unit 44D of the expansion valve 44 is disposed on a side of the lower refrigerant flow path module 10B. The drive unit 44D is disposed at a position deviated from the downward projection region R of the lower surface 11a of the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A. Accordingly, even if dew condensation water generated on the lower surface 11a of the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A drops, the dew condensation water can be prevented from splashing to the drive unit 44D. It is therefore possible to suppress a defect such as a failure of the drive unit 44D.

Other Embodiments

In the above embodiments, a part of the drive unit D of each of the flow path switching valves 42a and 42c is disposed in the downward projection region R of the lower surface 11a of the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A. However, the entire drive unit D may be disposed in the downward projection region R. The cover 81 covers an entire upper side or the entire front side of the drive unit D, but is only required to cover at least a portion disposed in the downward projection region R.

In the above embodiments, the flow path switching valves 42a and 42c are connected to the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A, but is not required to be connected to the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A. In the above embodiments, the expansion valve 44 is not connected to the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A, but may be connected to the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A.

In the above embodiments, the drive unit D of the flow path switching valve 42 is exemplified as a drive unit disposed in the downward projection region R of the lower surface 11a of the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A, but the drive unit is not limited to this example. For example, at least a part of the drive unit 44D of the expansion valve 44 may be disposed in the downward projection region R of the lower surface 11a of the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A. In this case, the drive unit 44D is only required to be covered with the cover 81 including the upper covering portion 82. Drive units of the valves other than the flow path switching valve 42 and the expansion valve 44 may be disposed in the downward projection region R of the lower surface 11a of the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A. The drive unit D of each of the flow path switching valves 42a and 42c may be disposed at a position deviated from the downward projection region R.

The refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to the above embodiments includes the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A and the lower refrigerant flow path module 10B, but may include only the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A.

The first inclination of the upper covering portion 82 of the cover 81 may be inclined to be lower at the coil D1 than at the actuating member D2. The upper covering portion 82 of the cover 81 may have only one of the first inclination or the second inclination. The upper covering portion 82 of the cover 81 is not required to have both of the first inclination and the second inclination.

The cover 81 may further include a lateral covering portion that covers a side surface of the drive unit D facing the housing H. The cover 81 has a shape bent in a substantially L shape, but may have a shape curved in an arc shape. The cover 81 is only required to include at least the upper covering portion 82, and is not required to include the lateral covering portion.

The lower surface 11a of the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A according to the above embodiments is disposed horizontally and faces downward. In other words, a normal direction of the lower surface 11a coincides with a vertical direction. However, the normal direction of the lower surface 11a may be inclined with respect to the vertical direction. Accordingly, “downward” that the lower surface 11a of the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A faces includes not only “directly below” but also “obliquely downward”. When the lower surface 11a of the upper refrigerant flow path module 10A faces obliquely downward, dew condensation water generated on the lower surface 11a easily flows in a specific direction due to the inclination of the lower surface 11a. Therefore, for example, dew condensation water can flow in a direction in which the drive units D and 44D of the valves and 44 are not 42 disposed.

Action and Effects of Embodiments

When a low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant flows in the flow path of the refrigerant flow path module, the surrounding air is cooled, and dew condensation water may be generated on a surface of a plate. When the dew condensation water adheres to the drive unit of the valve, the dew condensation water causes a failure. Therefore, one or more embodiments of the present disclosure suppress adhesion of water to a drive unit of a valve.

(Action and Effects)

(1) The refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to the above embodiments includes the refrigerant flow path module 10A including the plurality of plates 71 and 72 in a stacked manner and provided with the low-pressure refrigerant flow path 27 inside, the first valve (flow path switching valve) 42 including the first drive unit D, and the cover 81 that covers the first drive unit D. The refrigerant flow path module 10A has the lower surface 11a facing downward at one end in the stacking direction of the plurality of plates 71 and 72. At least a part of the first drive unit D is disposed in the downward projection region R of the lower surface 11a. The cover 81 includes the upper covering portion 82 that covers at least a part of the first drive unit D from above. In such a configuration, even if dew condensation water generated by the low-pressure refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path module 10A drops from the lower surface 11a of the refrigerant flow path module 10A, the dew condensation water can be prevented from splashing to the first drive unit D of the first valve 42.

(2) The refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to the above embodiments further includes the second valve (expansion valve) 44 having the second drive unit 44D. The second drive unit 44D is disposed at a position deviated from the downward projection region R of the lower surface 11a of the refrigerant flow path module 10A. Therefore, even if dew condensation water generated by the low-pressure refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path module 10A drops from the lower surface 11a of the refrigerant flow path module 10A, the dew condensation water can be prevented from splashing to the second drive unit 44D of the second valve 44.

(3) In the above embodiments, the upper covering portion 82 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. In this configuration, water adhering to the upper covering portion 82 can flow to the side of the first drive unit D.

(4) In the above embodiments, the first drive unit D includes the coil D1 and the actuating member D2 actuated by the coil D1. The upper covering portion 82 covers a portion over the coil D1 and the actuating member D2 and is inclined to be higher at the coil D1 than at the actuating member D2 (i.e., inclined downward from the coil D1 toward the actuating member D2). Therefore, the dew condensation water adhering to the upper covering portion 82 can flow from the coil D1 toward the actuating member D2, and adhesion of the dew condensation water to the coil D1 through which a current flows can be suppressed.

(5) In the above embodiments, the first valve 42 includes the housing H that accommodates the valve body and has the side surface to which the first drive unit D is coupled. The upper covering portion 82 is disposed to be inclined so as to be higher from the first drive unit D toward the housing H (i.e., inclined upward from the first drive unit D toward the housing H). This configuration can prevent the dew condensation water from dropping on the coupling portion between the housing H of the first valve 42 and the first drive unit D.

Although the disclosure has been described with respect to only a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that various other embodiments may be devised without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure should be limited only by the attached claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

• • 1 refrigeration cycle apparatus
  • 10A upper refrigerant flow path module
  • 27 flow path
  • 42 flow path switching valve (first valve)
  • 44 expansion valve (second valve)
  • 44D drive unit (second drive unit)
  • 44H housing
  • 71 plate
  • 72 plate
  • 81 cover
  • 82 upper covering portion
  • D drive unit (first drive unit)
  • D1 coil
  • D2 actuating member
  • R downward projection region

Claims

1. A refrigeration cycle apparatus comprising: a refrigerant flow path module comprising stacked plates;a first valve comprising a first drive unit; anda cover that covers the first drive unit from above in a vertical direction of the refrigerant flow path module, whereinthe refrigerant flow path module has a low-pressure refrigerant flow path therein,a lower surface of the refrigerant flow path module faces downward at one end of the stacked plates in a stacking direction of the plates,the cover comprises an upper covering portion that covers at least a part of the first drive unit that is in a downward projection region of the lower surface.

2. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second valve comprising a second drive unit disposed outside the downward projection region of the lower surface.

3. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upper covering portion is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction of the refrigerant flow path module, wherein the horizontal direction is orthogonal to the vertical direction.

4. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first drive unit comprises: a coil; andan actuating member actuated by the coil, andthe upper covering portion covers both the coil and the actuating member from above and is inclined downward from the coil toward the actuating member.

5. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first valve comprises a housing that accommodates a valve body,the first drive unit is coupled to a side surface of the first valve, andthe upper covering portion is inclined upward from the first drive unit toward the housing.