U.S. patent application number 10/580909 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-24 for branching pipe joint and an air conditioner provided therewith.
This patent application is currently assigned to Daikin Industries, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Kazuhide Mizutani, Satoru Okura, Tadashi Sao.
Application Number | 20070113582 10/580909 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35428466 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070113582 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sao; Tadashi ; et
al. |
May 24, 2007 |
Branching pipe joint and an air conditioner provided therewith
Abstract
A branching pipe joint includes a substantially Y-pipe shaped
branch part, a first branch nozzle part, a second branch nozzle
part, and a first branch pipe. The first branch pipe has an end
connected to a tip part of the first branch nozzle part during
plumbing work. The first branch nozzle part and the second branch
nozzle part are disposed so that a spacing between a portion of the
tip part of the first branch nozzle part nearest the second branch
nozzle part side and a portion of the second branch nozzle part
nearest the tip part of the first branch nozzle part is less than
or equal to 40 mm.
Inventors: |
Sao; Tadashi; (Osaka,
JP) ; Mizutani; Kazuhide; (Osaka, JP) ; Okura;
Satoru; (Osaka, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GLOBAL IP COUNSELORS, LLP
1233 20TH STREET, NW, SUITE 700
WASHINGTON
DC
20036-2680
US
|
Assignee: |
Daikin Industries, Ltd.
Osaka-shi
JP
530-8323
|
Family ID: |
35428466 |
Appl. No.: |
10/580909 |
Filed: |
May 24, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
May 24, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP05/09451 |
371 Date: |
May 30, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/498 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 2500/01 20130101;
F25B 41/40 20210101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/498 |
International
Class: |
F25B 1/00 20060101
F25B001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 24, 2004 |
JP |
2004-153056 |
Claims
1. A branching pipe joint comprising: a substantially Y-pipe shaped
branch part including an inlet pipe part through which a
refrigerant flows in from a main pipe, a first outlet pipe part and
a second outlet pipe part through which flows the refrigerant along
a first direction, which is a flow direction of the refrigerant
that flows through said inlet pipe part, and along said first
direction in paths substantially symmetric to a centerline of said
inlet pipe part; a first branch nozzle part connected to said first
outlet pipe part and extending along said first direction; a second
branch nozzle part connected to said second outlet pipe part and
extending along said first direction; and a first branch pipe with
an end connected to a tip part of said first branch nozzle during
plumbing work, said first branch pipe being bent so that another
end faces a direction that intersects said first direction in a
state in which said first branch pipe is connected to said first
branch nozzle part, said first branch nozzle part and said second
branch nozzle part being disposed so that a spacing between a
portion of said tip part of said first branch nozzle part nearest a
second branch nozzle part side and a portion of said second branch
nozzle part nearest said tip part of said first branch nozzle part
is less than or equal to 40 mm.
2. The branching pipe joint as recited in claim 1, wherein said
first branch pipe is configured for connecting to said first branch
nozzle part by brazing; and said spacing is greater than or equal
to 7 mm.
3. The branching pipe joint as recited in claim 1, wherein said
another end of said first branch pipe has a first reducer pipe
connecting part, and wherein a pipe diameter changes in steps.
4. The branching pipe joint as recited in claim 1, wherein a tip
part of said second branch nozzle part has a second reducer pipe
connecting part that protrudes further than said tip part of said
first branch nozzle part toward said first direction and wherein a
pipe diameter changes in steps.
5. The branching pipe joint as recited in claim 1, further
comprising a second branch pipe having an end connected during
plumbing work to said second branch nozzle part, said second branch
pipe including a second reducer pipe connecting part at another end
with a pipe diameter changing in steps, and extending along said
first direction in a state connected to said second branch nozzle
part.
6. An air conditioner, comprising: at least one indoor unit; a
plurality of outdoor units; a union connecting piping that serves
as a main pipe extending from said indoor unit to said plurality of
outdoor units; at least one branching pipe joint, as recited in
claim 1, said at least one branching pipe joint being connected to
said union connecting piping in accordance with a number of said
outdoor units and distributing a flow of a refrigerant to two
flows; and a plurality of unit branch pipings that each connects
said at least one branching pipe joint to a connection port of one
of said outdoor units.
7. The branching pipe joint as recited in claim 3, wherein a tip
part of said second branch nozzle part has a second reducer pipe
connecting part that protrudes further than said tip part of said
first branch nozzle part toward said first direction and wherein a
pipe diameter changes in steps.
8. The branching pipe joint as recited in claim 3, further
comprising a second branch pipe having an end connected during
plumbing work to said second branch nozzle part, said second branch
pipe including a second reducer pipe connecting part at another end
with a pipe diameter changing in steps, and extending along said
first direction in a state connected to said second branch nozzle
part.
9. An air conditioner, comprising: at least one indoor unit; a
plurality of outdoor units; a union connecting piping that serves
as a main pipe extending from said indoor unit to said plurality of
outdoor units; at least one branching pipe joint, as recited in
claim 3, said at least one branching pipe joint being connected to
said union connecting piping in accordance with a number of said
outdoor units and distributing a flow of a refrigerant to two
flows; and a plurality of unit branch pipings that each connects
said at least one branching pipe joint to a connection port of one
of said outdoor units.
10. An air conditioner, comprising: at least one indoor unit; a
plurality of outdoor units; a union connecting piping that serves
as a main pipe extending from said indoor unit to said plurality of
outdoor units; at least one branching pipe joint, as recited in
claim 5, said at least one branching pipe joint being connected to
said union connecting piping in accordance with a number of said
outdoor units and distributing a flow of a refrigerant to two
flows; and a plurality of unit branch pipings that each connects
said at least one branching pipe joint to a connection port of one
of said outdoor units.
11. The branching pipe joint as recited in claim 2, wherein said
another end of said first branch pipe has a first reducer pipe
connecting part, and wherein a pipe diameter changes in steps.
12. The branching pipe joint as recited in claim 2, wherein a tip
part of said second branch nozzle part has a second reducer pipe
connecting part that protrudes further than said tip part of said
first branch nozzle part toward said first direction and wherein a
pipe diameter changes in steps.
13. The branching pipe joint as recited in claim 2, further
comprising a second branch pipe having an end connected during
plumbing work to said second branch nozzle part, said second branch
pipe including a second reducer pipe connecting part another end
with a pipe diameter changing in steps, and extending along said
first direction in a state connected to said second branch nozzle
part.
14. An air conditioner, comprising: at least one indoor unit; a
plurality of outdoor units; a union connecting piping that serves
as a main pipe extending from said indoor unit to said plurality of
outdoor units; at least one branching pipe joint, as recited in
claim 2, said at least one branching pipe joint being connected to
said union connecting piping in accordance with a number of said
outdoor units and distributing a flow of a refrigerant to two
flows; and a plurality of unit branch pipings that each connects
said at least one branching pipe joint to a connection port of one
of said outdoor units.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a branching pipe joint and
an air conditioner provided therewith.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Conventionally, there is a so-called separate type air
conditioner constituted by connecting outdoor units and indoor
units via a connecting piping, such as a gas refrigerant connecting
piping and a liquid refrigerant connecting piping. An example of
such an air conditioner 1 is one that, as depicted in FIG. 1,
disposes a plurality (four units in FIG. 1) of indoor units 3 and
branches a connecting piping 4 so that a refrigerant can be
distributed therefrom to all indoor units 3, and also disposes a
plurality (three units in FIG. 1) of outdoor units 2 and branches
the connecting piping 4 (a gas refrigerant connecting piping 5 and
a liquid refrigerant connecting piping 6 in FIG. 1) so that the
refrigerant can be distributed therefrom to all outdoor units
2.
[0003] The following explains the branch structure of the
connecting piping 4 for distributing the refrigerant to the
plurality of outdoor units 2 and the plurality of indoor units 3,
e.g., the gas refrigerant connecting piping 5 that distributes a
gas refrigerant to the plurality of outdoor units 2. The gas
refrigerant connecting piping 5 principally comprises: a union
connecting piping 51 that extends from the indoor units 3 to the
plurality of outdoor units 2; a plurality (two in FIG. 1) of
branching pipe joints 52 connected to the union connecting piping
51 in accordance with the number of outdoor units 2, and that
distribute the flow of the refrigerant to two flows; branch
connecting pipings 53 that each conjoin branching pipe joints 52 as
needed; and unit branch pipings 54 that each connect one of the
branching pipe joints 52 and a connection port 21 of the
corresponding outdoor unit 2. Such a gas refrigerant connecting
piping 5 is plumbed by connecting one of the branching pipe joints
52 to the union connecting piping 51 by brazing and the like,
connecting each unit branch piping 54 to the connection port 21 of
the corresponding outdoor unit 2, and connecting each branch
connecting piping 53 to the corresponding branching pipe joint 52
by braising and the like. In addition, the branch structure of the
gas refrigerant connecting piping 5 for distributing the gas
refrigerant to the plurality of indoor units 3 is also constituted
by connecting branching pipe joints 55, branch connecting pipings
56, and unit branch pipings 57 to the union connecting piping 51,
the same as above. Furthermore, the liquid refrigerant connecting
piping 6 also has a branch structure that includes branching pipe
joints 62, 65, the same as the gas refrigerant connecting piping
5.
[0004] Furthermore, examples of the branching pipe joints (the
branching pipe joints 52, 55 of the gas refrigerant connecting
piping 5 in FIG. 1) used to branch such a connecting piping include
a Y-shaped branch pipe 81 and a T-shaped branch pipe 91 depicted in
FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.
[0005] The Y-shaped branch pipe 81 principally comprises a Y-shaped
branch part 82, and a first branch nozzle part 83 and a second
branch nozzle part 84 connected to the Y-shaped branch part 82. The
Y-shaped branch part 82 is a substantially Y-pipe shaped member,
and has an inlet pipe part 82a, wherethrough flows the refrigerant
that flows in from the union connecting piping or the branch
connecting piping (corresponding to the union connecting piping 51
and the branch connecting pipings 53 in FIG. 1), and a first outlet
pipe part 82b and a second outlet pipe part 82c, wherethrough flows
the refrigerant along a flow direction (hereinafter referred to as
the first direction A) of the refrigerant flowing through the inlet
pipe part 82a and in directions along the first direction A
substantially symmetric to a centerline O-O of the inlet pipe part
82a. The first branch nozzle part 83 is a pipe member connected to
the first outlet pipe part 82b, and extends away from the second
branch nozzle part 84 and then along the first direction A;
further, at the tip thereof a first reducer pipe connecting part
83a is formed, wherein the pipe diameter changes in steps so that
it can connect to a differently diametered pipe. The second branch
nozzle part 84 is a pipe member connected to the second outlet pipe
part 82c, and extends substantially straight along the first
direction A; further, at the tip thereof a second reducer pipe
connecting part 84a is formed, wherein the pipe diameter changes in
steps, the same as the first branch nozzle part 83. Here, even if
the unit branch piping (corresponding to the unit branch piping 54
in FIG. 1) to be connected to the first branch nozzle part 83 is a
differently diametered pipe, it is still possible to make the
connection by brazing and the like because the first branch nozzle
part 83 can be made to conform to the pipe diameter of the unit
branch piping by cutting the first reducer pipe connecting part 83a
using a pipe cutter. In addition, even if the branch connecting
piping or the unit branch piping to be connected to the second
branch nozzle part 84 is a differently diametered pipe, it is still
possible to make the connection by brazing and the like because the
second branch nozzle part 84 can be made to conform to the pipe
diameter of the branch connecting piping or the unit branch piping
by cutting the second reducer pipe connecting part 84a using a pipe
cutter, the same as the first reducer pipe connecting part 83a.
Furthermore, by making the first reducer pipe connecting part 83a
and the second reducer pipe connecting part 84a shaped so that the
first branch nozzle part 83 extends away from the second branch
nozzle part 84 and then extends along the first direction A, as
discussed above, a spacing is created that can secure the space
needed to perform the cutting work with the pipe cutter
(corresponding to the spacing S between the portion of the first
reducer pipe connecting part 83a nearest the second branch nozzle
part 84 side and the portion of the second branch nozzle part 84
nearest to the first reducer pipe connecting part 83a of the first
branch nozzle part 83 in FIG. 2).
[0006] In addition, the T-shaped branch pipe 91 principally
comprises a T-shaped branch part 92, and a first branch nozzle part
93 and a second branch nozzle part 94 connected to the T-shaped
branch part 92. The T-shaped branch part 92 is a substantially
T-shaped member, and has an inlet pipe part 92a, wherethrough flows
the refrigerant that flows in from the union connecting piping or
the branch connecting piping (corresponding to the union connecting
piping 51 or the branch connecting piping 53 in FIG. 1), a first
outlet pipe part 92b, wherethrough flows the refrigerant in a
direction substantially orthogonal to the flow direction
(hereinafter, referred to as the first direction A) of the
refrigerant flowing through the inlet pipe part 92a, and a second
outlet pipe part 92c, wherethrough flows the refrigerant in a
direction along the first direction A. The first branch nozzle part
93 is a pipe member connected to the first outlet pipe part 92b,
and extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first
direction A; further, at the tip thereof a first reducer pipe
connecting part 93a is formed, wherein the pipe diameter changes in
steps. The second branch nozzle part 94 is a pipe member connected
to the second outlet pipe part 92c, and extends substantially
straight along the first direction A; further, at the tip thereof,
a second reducer pipe connecting part 94a is formed wherein the
pipe diameter changes in steps, the same as the first branch nozzle
part 93. Here, even if the unit branch piping (corresponding to the
unit branch piping 54 in FIG. 1) to be connected to the first
branch nozzle part 83 is a differently diametered pipe, it is
possible to make the connection by brazing and the like because the
first branch nozzle part 83 can be made to conform to the pipe
diameter of the unit branch piping by cutting the first reducer
pipe connecting part 83a using a pipe cutter. In addition, even if
the branch connecting piping or the unit branch piping to be
connected to the second branch nozzle part 84 is a differently
diametered pipe, it is possible to make the connection by brazing
and the like because the second branch nozzle part 84 can be made
to conform to the pipe diameter of the branch connecting piping or
the unit branch piping by cutting the second reducer pipe
connecting part 84a using a pipe cutter, the same as the first
reducer pipe connecting part 83a. Furthermore, because the first
branch nozzle part 83 and the second branch nozzle part 84 extend
in mutually orthogonal directions, a space is secured between the
first reducer pipe connecting part 83a and the second reducer pipe
connecting part 84a to perform the cutting work with the pipe
cutter.
<Non-Patent Document 1>
[0007] 1998 Cooling and Heating Handbook-Air Conditioning Volume,
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problems Solved by the Invention
[0008] If the Y-shaped branch pipe 81, which is the former branch
pipe discussed above, is used as the branching pipe joint, then it
is normally disposed so that the Y-shaped branch part 82 faces the
horizontal direction and so that the first branch nozzle part 83
and the second branch nozzle part 84 are positioned at the same
height (hereinafter referred to as the horizontal branch
arrangement). Thereby, the refrigerant that flows in from the union
connecting piping or the branch connecting piping into the Y-shaped
branch pipe 81 tends not to drift because the refregerant branches
in the Y-shaped branch part 82 without any height differential
between the directions substantially symmetric to the centerline
O-O of the inlet pipe part 82a. However, because the shape of the
first branch nozzle part 83 of the Y-shaped branch pipe 81 extends
away from the second branch nozzle part 84 and then extends along
the first direction A, there is a problem in that a heat insulating
material 85 (refer to FIG. 2) must be affixed around the portion of
the first and second branch nozzle parts 83, 84 where the first
branch nozzle part 83 extends away from the second branch nozzle
part 84 in the first direction A from the inlet pipe part 82a of
the Y-shaped branch part 82, and the vicinity of the branching pipe
joint therefore cannot be made compact. In addition, there is a
problem in that it is troublesome to do the finishing work
(hereinafter referred to as the racking process) of wrapping tape
around the outer circumference of the heat insulating material 85
after affixing it to the connecting piping and then affixing a face
cover.
[0009] In addition, if the Y-shaped branch pipe 81 is used as the
branching pipe joint, then there is a case wherein it is disposed
below the connection ports of the corresponding outdoor unit as in
the case, for example, where the outdoor unit is installed on a
platform. In such a case, the refrigerant piping, such as the unit
branch piping, connected to the first branch nozzle part 83 must be
disposed so that it stands upward, and it is consequently
preferable to plumb so that the Y-shaped branch pipe 81 is disposed
so that the Y-shaped branch part 82 faces the horizontal direction
and the first branch nozzle part 83 is on the upper side of the
second branch nozzle part 84, instead of the horizontal branch
arrangement discussed above. However, if the Y-shaped branch pipe
81 is disposed in this manner, drift occurs such that a large
amount of liquid refrigerant, refrigerator oil, and the like, flows
to the second branch nozzle part 84 when the gas refrigerant, which
accompanies the refrigerant in the vapor-liquid two-phase state and
the refrigerator oil, flows inside the connecting piping.
Consequently, if the Y-shaped branch pipe 81 is used as the
branching pipe joint, then there is a problem in that numerous
constraints occur during plumbing work in order to maintain the
horizontal branch arrangement.
[0010] However, if the T-shaped branch pipe 91, which is the latter
branch pipe discussed above, is used as the branching pipe joint,
then the portion where a heat insulating material 95 is affixed is
just the portion in the vicinity of the first and second outlet
pipe parts 92b, 92c of the first and second branch nozzle parts 93,
94 in the first direction A from the inlet pipe part 92a of the
T-shaped branch part 92 (refer to FIG. 3), and the vicinity of the
branching pipe joint can be made more compact than the case of
using the Y-shaped branch pipe 81. However, even if the T-shaped
branch pipe 91 is disposed so that it is in the horizontal branch
arrangement, the same as the case of using the Y-shaped branch pipe
81, i.e., so that the T-shaped branch part 92 of the T-shaped
branch pipe 91 faces the horizontal direction, and is disposed so
that the first branch nozzle part 93 and the second branch nozzle
part 94 are at the same height position, then the refrigerant that
flows in from the union connecting piping or the branch connecting
piping into the T-shaped branch pipe 91 branches without any height
differential between the directions substantially symmetric to the
centerline O-O of the inlet pipe part 82a, but there is a problem
in that drift tends to occur in the T-shaped branch part 92 because
it does not branch in directions symmetric to the centerline O-O of
the inlet pipe part 92a.
[0011] Thus, despite using either the conventional Y-shaped branch
pipe 81 or the T-shaped branch pipe 91 discussed above as the
branching pipe joint, it is not possible to achieve both the
prevention of drift in the branch part and a compaction of the
vicinity thereof.
[0012] It is an object of the present invention to achieve both the
prevention of drift in the branch part and a compaction of the
vicinity thereof in a branching pipe joint, for distributing the
refrigerant flowing inside the main pipe into two flows, and in an
air conditioner provided therewith.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0013] A branching pipe joint according to the first invention is a
branching pipe joint for distributing a refrigerant flowing within
a main pipe to two flows, comprising a substantially Y-pipe shaped
branch part, a first branch nozzle part, a second branch nozzle
part, and a first branch pipe. The branch part comprises an inlet
pipe part wherethrough flows the refrigerant that flows in from the
main pipe, and a first outlet pipe part and a second outlet pipe
part wherethrough flows the refrigerant along a first direction,
which is the flow direction of the refrigerant that flows through
the inlet pipe part, and along the first direction in directions
substantially symmetric to a centerline of the inlet pipe part. The
first branch nozzle part is connected to the first outlet pipe part
and extends along the first direction. The second branch nozzle
part is connected to the second outlet pipe part and extends along
the first direction. The first branch pipe is a pipe member,
wherein one end part is connected to a tip part of the first branch
nozzle during plumbing work, and is bent so that the other end part
faces a direction that intersects the first direction in a state
connected to the first branch nozzle part. The first branch nozzle
part and the second branch nozzle part are disposed so that the
spacing between the portion of the tip part of the first branch
nozzle part nearest the second branch nozzle part side and the
portion of the second branch nozzle part nearest the tip part of
the first branch nozzle part is less than or equal to 40 mm.
[0014] This branching pipe joint comprises a substantially Y-pipe
shaped branch part the same as a conventional Y-shaped branch pipe
but, unlike the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe, is structured so
that the first branch pipe can be connected to the tip part of the
first branch nozzle part during plumbing work. Consequently, this
branching pipe joint, unlike the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe,
does not have a first reducer pipe connecting part formed at the
tip part of the first branch nozzle part, and it is therefore not
necessary to secure a space to perform the work of cutting the tip
part of the first branch nozzle part using a pipe cutter, and the
spacing between the first branch nozzle part and the second branch
nozzle part (i.e., the spacing between the portion of the first
branch pipe of the first branch nozzle part nearest the second
branch nozzle part side of the connecting part and the portion of
the second branch nozzle part nearest the first branch nozzle part
side) is consequently less than or equal to 40 mm. Thereby, with
this branching pipe joint, it is possible to compact the vicinity
of the branch pipe more than the conventional Y-shaped branch
pipe.
[0015] Moreover, because the branching pipe joint is bent so that
the other end part thereof faces a direction that intersects the
first direction, in a state wherein the first branch pipe is
connected to the first branch nozzle part, it is possible to
maintain the horizontal branch arrangement of the branch part even
if, for example, the refrigerant piping connected to the first
branch nozzle part is disposed so that it stands upwards. Thereby,
this branching pipe joint can prevent drift of the refrigerant in
the branch part.
[0016] Thus, this branching pipe joint is structured so that the
first branch pipe, which is bent so that it faces a direction that
intersects the first direction, can be connected to the tip part of
the first branch nozzle part, and it is possible to achieve both a
compaction of the vicinity of the branch part and the prevention of
drift therein because the spacing between the first branch nozzle
part and the second branch nozzle part is reduced.
[0017] A branching pipe joint according to the second invention is
a branching pipe joint according to the first invention, wherein
the first branch pipe is capable of connecting to the first branch
nozzle part by brazing. The spacing between the portion of the tip
part of the first branch nozzle part nearest the second branch
nozzle part side and the portion of the second branch nozzle part
nearest to the tip part of the first branch nozzle part is greater
than or equal to 7 mm.
[0018] It is possible with this branching pipe joint to easily
connect the first branch pipe to the tip part of the first branch
nozzle part by brazing during plumbing work because the spacing
between the portion of the tip part of the first branch nozzle part
nearest the second branch nozzle part side and the portion of the
second branch nozzle part nearest the tip part of the first branch
nozzle part is greater than or equal to 7 mm.
[0019] A branching pipe joint according to the third invention is a
branching pipe joint according to the first or second inventions,
wherein the other end part of the first branch pipe comprises a
first reducer pipe connecting part, wherein the pipe diameter
changes in steps.
[0020] It is possible to connect a refrigerant piping having a
different diameter with this branching pipe joint because the first
reducer pipe connecting part is formed in the first branch
pipe.
[0021] A branching pipe joint according to the fourth invention is
a branching pipe joint according to any one invention of the first
through third inventions, wherein the tip part of the second branch
nozzle part comprises a second reducer pipe connecting part that
protrudes further than the tip part of the first branch nozzle part
toward the first direction side and wherein the pipe diameter
changes in steps.
[0022] It is possible with this branching pipe joint to secure a
space for performing the work of cutting the second reducer pipe
connecting part using a pipe cutter because the second reducer pipe
connecting part, which is formed at the tip part of the second
branch nozzle part, protrudes further than the tip part of the
first branch nozzle part toward the first direction side.
[0023] A branching pipe joint according to the fifth invention is a
branching pipe joint according to any one invention of the first
through third inventions, further comprising a second branch pipe.
The second branch pipe is a pipe member wherein one end part is
connected during plumbing work to the second branch nozzle part,
comprising a second reducer pipe connecting part at the other end
part wherein the pipe diameter changes in steps, and extending
along the first direction in a state connected to the second branch
nozzle part.
[0024] It is possible with this branching pipe joint to reduce the
size of the branch part in the first direction because it is
structured so that the second branch pipe, which extends along the
first direction, can connect to the tip part of the second branch
nozzle part.
[0025] An air conditioner according to the sixth invention
comprises: at least one indoor unit; a plurality of outdoor units;
a union connecting piping that serves as a main pipe extending from
the indoor unit to the plurality of outdoor units; at least one
branching pipe joint, according to any one invention of the first
through fifth inventions, that is connected to the union connecting
piping in accordance with a number of the outdoor units and that
distributes the flow of a refrigerant to two flows; and a plurality
of unit branch pipings that each connects the branching pipe joint
to a connection port of one of the outdoor units.
[0026] It is possible with this air conditioner to achieve both a
compaction of the vicinity of the branch part and the prevention of
drift therein because it constitutes a branch structure that
distributes the refrigerant from the union connecting piping to the
connection port of each outdoor unit using at least one branching
pipe joint according to any one invention of the first through
fifth inventions. Thereby, compared with the case of using a
conventional Y-shaped branch pipe, it is possible to reduce the
troublesome time when performing the racking process after affixing
the heat insulating material to the connecting piping.
Effects of the Invention
[0027] The following are the effects obtained according to the
present invention, as discussed in the explanation above.
[0028] With the first invention, the structure is such that the
first branch pipe, which is bent so that it faces a direction that
intersects the first direction, can be connected to the tip part of
the first branch nozzle part, and it is possible to achieve both a
compaction of the vicinity of the branch part and the prevention of
drift therein because the spacing between the first branch nozzle
part and the second branch nozzle part is reduced.
[0029] With the second invention, it is possible to easily connect
the first branch pipe to the connecting part of the first branch
nozzle part by brazing during plumbing work because the spacing
between the portion of the tip part of the first branch nozzle part
nearest the second branch nozzle part side and the portion of the
second branch nozzle part nearest the tip part of the first branch
nozzle part is greater than or equal to 7 mm.
[0030] With the third invention, it is possible to connect a
refrigerant piping having a different diameter because the first
reducer pipe connecting part is formed in the first branch
pipe.
[0031] With the fourth invention, it is possible to secure a space
for performing the work of cutting the second reducer pipe
connecting part using a pipe cutter because the second reducer pipe
connecting part, which is formed at the tip part of the second
branch nozzle part, protrudes further than the tip part of the
first branch nozzle part toward the first direction side.
[0032] With the fifth invention, it is possible to reduce the size
of the branch part in the first direction because it is structured
so that the second branch pipe, which extends along the first
direction, can connect to the tip part of the second branch nozzle
part.
[0033] With the sixth invention, it is possible to reduce the
troublesome time when performing the racking process after affixing
the heat insulating material to the connecting piping.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0034] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an air
conditioner.
[0035] FIG. 2 is an outline drawing of a conventional Y-shaped
branch pipe.
[0036] FIG. 3 is an outline drawing of a conventional T-shaped
branch pipe.
[0037] FIG. 4 is an outline drawing that depicts the structure of a
branching pipe joint according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0038] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the C arrow in
FIG. 4.
[0039] FIG. 6 is an oblique view that depicts an example wherein
branching pipe joints, according to an embodiment of the present
invention, are used in the branch structure of a connecting piping
for distributing a refrigerant to a plurality of outdoor units.
[0040] FIG. 7 is an oblique view that depicts an example wherein
branching pipe joints, according to an embodiment of the present
invention, are used in the branch structure of a connecting piping
for distributing a refrigerant to a plurality of outdoor units.
[0041] FIG. 8 is an outline drawing that depicts the structure of a
branching pipe joint according to a modified example.
EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS
[0042] 1 Air conditioner [0043] 2 Outdoor unit [0044] 3 Indoor unit
[0045] 21, 22 Connection ports [0046] 51, 53 Union connecting
piping, branch connecting piping, (main pipes) [0047] 54 Unit
branch piping [0048] 181 Branching pipe joint [0049] 182 Branch
part [0050] 182a Inlet pipe part [0051] 182b First outlet pipe part
[0052] 182c Second outlet pipe part [0053] 183 First branch nozzle
part [0054] 184 Second branch nozzle part [0055] 184a Second
reducer pipe connecting part [0056] 186 First branch pipe [0057]
186a First reducer pipe connecting part [0058] 187 Second branch
pipe [0059] 187a Second reducer pipe connecting part [0060] S
Spacing
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0061] Referring to the drawings, a branching pipe joint and an air
conditioner provided therewith according to an embodiment of the
present invention is described below.
(1) Structure of the Branching Pipe Joint
[0062] FIG. 4 depicts the structure of a branching pipe joint 181
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0063] The branching pipe joint 181 comprises a substantially
Y-pipe shaped branch part 182, a first branch nozzle part 183, a
second branch nozzle part 184, and a first branch pipe 186.
[0064] The branch part 182 is a portion that has a shape the same
as a branch part 82 of a conventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81
(refer to FIG. 2), and comprises: an inlet pipe part 182a,
wherethrough flows the refrigerant that flows in from the main pipe
(e.g., a union connecting piping 51 and a branch connecting piping
53 of a gas refrigerant connecting piping 5 depicted in FIG. 1);
and a first outlet pipe part 182b and a second outlet pipe part
182c, wherethrough flows the refrigerant along a first direction A,
which is the flow direction of the refrigerant that flows through
the inlet pipe part 182a and in directions along the first
direction A substantially symmetric to a centerline O-O of the
inlet pipe part 182a.
[0065] The first branch nozzle part 183 is connected to the first
outlet pipe part 182b, and extends substantially straight along the
first direction A. Moreover, at the tip part of the first branch
nozzle part 183 a first flared part 183a is formed, wherein the
pipe is expanded so that one end part of the first branch pipe 186
can be inserted, and a first reducer pipe connecting part is not
formed as in the first branch nozzle part 83 of the conventional
Y-shaped branch pipe 81 (refer to FIG. 2).
[0066] The second branch nozzle part 184 is connected to the second
outlet pipe part 182c, and extends substantially straight along the
first direction A. At the tip part of the second branch nozzle part
184 a second reducer pipe connecting part 184a is formed, wherein
the pipe diameter changes in steps. Furthermore, the second reducer
pipe connecting part 184a protrudes further than the tip part
(specifically, the first flared part 183a) of the first branch
nozzle part 183 toward the first direction A side. Thereby, it is
possible to secure a space around the circumference of the second
reducer pipe connecting part 184a for performing the cutting work
with the pipe cutter. Thus, the second branch nozzle part 184 has a
shape the same as a second branch nozzle part 84 of a conventional
Y-shaped branch pipe 81 (refer to FIG. 2).
[0067] Furthermore, unlike the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81
(refer to FIG. 2), the branching pipe joint 181 of the present
embodiment does not need to secure space around the tip part of the
first branch nozzle part 183 to perform the work of cutting such
using a pipe cutter, and a spacing S between the first branch
nozzle part 183 and the second branch nozzle part 184 (i.e., the
spacing between the portion of the first flared part 183a of the
first branch nozzle part 183 nearest the second branch nozzle part
184 side and the portion of the second branch nozzle part 184
nearest the first flared part 183a of the first branch nozzle part
183) can consequently be reduced to less than or equal to 40 mm.
Thereby, the vicinity of the branch part 182 of the branching pipe
joint 181 of the present embodiment can be compacted more that the
conventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81 (refer to FIG. 2), the size of
the heat insulating material 185 can be reduced when affixing such
to the branching pipe joint 181, and the troublesome work when
performing the racking process at the outer circumference of the
heat insulating material 185 can be reduced.
[0068] The first branch pipe 186 is a pipe member wherein one end
part is connected to the tip part of the first branch nozzle part
183 during plumbing work. In the present embodiment, the first
branch pipe 186 is inserted during plumbing work by approaching the
first flared part 183a of the first branch nozzle part 183 from the
direction of the arrow B as depicted in FIG. 4, and is connected
thereto by brazing. Here, a spacing of at least 7 mm is secured
between the portion of the tip part of the first branch nozzle part
183 (specifically, the first flared part 183a) nearest the second
branch nozzle part 184 side and the portion of the second branch
nozzle part 184 nearest the first flared part 183a. Thereby, it is
possible to easily perform the work of connecting the first branch
pipe 186 to the first flared part 183a of the first branch nozzle
part 183 by brazing. Namely, with the branching pipe joint 181 of
the present embodiment, the spacing S between the first branch
nozzle part 183 and the second branch nozzle part 184 is set to a
dimensional range of greater than or equal to 7 mm and less than or
equal to 40 mm so that the vicinity of the branch part 182 can be
made compact while ensuring the efficiency of the work of
connecting the first branch pipe 186 to the first branch nozzle
part 183 by brazing.
[0069] In addition, a first reducer pipe connecting part 186a,
wherein the pipe diameter changes in steps, is formed at the other
end part of the first branch pipe 186. Furthermore, in the state
wherein the first branch pipe 186 is connected to the first branch
nozzle part 183, the other end part of the first branch pipe 186 is
bent so that it faces a direction that intersects the first
direction A (in the present embodiment, a direction substantially
orthogonal to the first direction A). Consequently, even in the
state wherein the first branch pipe 186 is connected to the first
branch nozzle part 183, a space is secured for performing the work
of cutting the first reducer pipe connecting part 186a of the first
branch pipe 186 using the pipe cutter; furthermore, a space is
secured for performing the work of cutting the second reducer pipe
connecting part 184a of the second branch nozzle part 184 using the
pipe cutter. Thereby, the work efficiency during plumbing is
improved.
[0070] Moreover, in a state wherein the first branch pipe 186 is
connected to the first branch nozzle part 183, the other end part
is bent so that it faces a direction that intersects the first
direction A. In the present embodiment, the first branch pipe 186
is bent in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first
direction A. Consequently, in a state wherein the branch part 182
maintains the horizontal branch arrangement during plumbing work as
depicted in FIG. 5 (view taken along the C arrow in FIG. 4), the
first reducer pipe connecting part 186a of the first branch pipe
186 can be connected to the first branch nozzle part 183 facing a
variety of directions (e.g., arrows D, E, F in FIG. 5), and the
problem with the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81 (refer to
FIG. 2), wherein there is an increase in the number of constraints
during plumbing work to support the horizontal branch arrangement,
tends not to occur.
[0071] As described above, the branching pipe joint 181 of the
present embodiment comprises a substantially Y-pipe shaped branch
part 182 the same as the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81
(refer to FIG. 2); however, unlike the conventional Y-shaped branch
pipe 81, it is structured so that the first branch pipe 186 can be
connected to the tip part (specifically, the first flared part
183a) of the first branch nozzle part 183 during plumbing work.
Consequently, the branching pipe joint 181 is constituted so that
the spacing S between the first branch nozzle part 183 and the
second branch nozzle part 184 can be reduced because a first
reducer pipe connecting part is not formed at the tip part of the
first branch nozzle part 183, unlike the conventional Y-shaped
branch pipe 81, and there is therefore no need to secure space for
performing the work of cutting the tip part of the first branch
nozzle part 183 using the pipe cutter. Thereby, with this branching
pipe joint 181, the vicinity of the branch part 182 can be made
more compact than the conventional Y-shaped branch pipe 81.
[0072] Moreover, with this branching pipe joint 181, in a state
wherein the first branch pipe 186 is connected to the first branch
nozzle part 183, the other end part of the first branch pipe 186 is
bent so that it faces a direction that intersects the first
direction A, and it is consequently possible for the branch part
182 to maintain the horizontal branch arrangement even if, for
example, the refrigerant piping connected to the first branch
nozzle part 183 is disposed so that it stands upward (refer to
arrows E, F in FIG. 5). Thereby, it is possible with this branching
pipe joint 181 to prevent drift of the refrigerant in the branch
part 182.
[0073] In other words, this branching pipe joint 181 is structured
so that the first branch pipe 186, which is bent so that it faces a
direction that intersects the first direction A, can be connected
to the tip part of the first branch nozzle part 183, and the
spacing S between the first branch nozzle part 183 and the second
branch nozzle part 184 can be reduced; consequently, it is possible
to achieve both a compaction of the vicinity of the branch part 182
and the prevention of drift therein.
(2) Branch Structure of a Connecting Piping for Distributing
Refrigerant to a Plurality of Outdoor Units
[0074] The following explains an example of using the branching
pipe joint 181 of the present embodiment in a branch structure of
connecting piping 4 for distributing the refrigerant to a plurality
of outdoor units 2 in an air conditioner 1 depicted in FIG. 1.
[0075] FIG. 6 depicts the branch structure for the case wherein the
connecting piping 4 and connection ports 21, 22 of the outdoor
units 2 are positioned at the same height. In this case, the first
branch pipe 186 of each branching pipe joint 181 is connected by
brazing to the corresponding first branch nozzle part 183 so that
the first reducer pipe connecting part 186a thereof faces toward
the corresponding outdoor unit 2 in the horizontal direction (i.e.,
in the arrow D direction in FIG. 5). Furthermore, each first
reducer pipe connecting part 186a is cut using a pipe cutter so
that it conforms to the pipe diameter of the corresponding unit
branch piping 54, which extends in the horizontal direction and is
connected to the connection ports 21, 22 of the plurality of
outdoor units 2, and is then connected to the unit branch piping 54
by brazing. However, each second branch nozzle part 184 is cut
using the pipe cutter so that it conforms to the pipe diameter of
the corresponding branch connecting piping 53, unit branch piping
54, and the like, and is then connected thereto by brazing. The
horizontal branch arrangement of the branching pipe joints 181 is
maintained in the branch structure of the connecting piping 4.
[0076] In addition, if the connecting piping 4 and the connection
ports 21, 22 of the outdoor units 2 are positioned at different
heights (e.g., if the connecting piping 4 is positioned lower than
the connection ports 21, 22 of the outdoor units 2 by a height H)
as depicted in FIG. 7, then it is possible to constitute, as
follows, the branch structure of the connecting piping 4 for
distributing the refrigerant to the plurality of outdoor units 2.
In this case, the first branch pipe 186 of the branching pipe joint
181 is connected to the first branch nozzle part 183 by brazing so
that the first reducer pipe connecting part 186a thereof faces
toward the outdoor unit 2 in the vertically upward direction (i.e.,
in the arrow E direction in FIG. 5). Furthermore, the first reducer
pipe connecting part 186a is cut using the pipe cutter so that it
conforms to the pipe diameter of the unit branch piping 54, which
is connected to the connection ports 21, 22 of the outdoor unit 2
and extends in the horizontal direction and then in the vertically
downward direction, and then connected to the unit branch piping 54
by brazing. On the other hand, the second branch nozzle part 184 is
cut using the pipe cutter so that it conforms to the pipe diameter
of the branch connecting piping 53, the unit branch piping 54, and
the like, and is then connected thereto by brazing. The horizontal
branch arrangement of the branching pipe joint 181 is maintained
even in the branch structure of this connecting piping 4.
[0077] Thus, by using the branching pipe joint 181 of the present
embodiment in the branch structure of the connecting piping 4 for
distributing the refrigerant to the plurality of outdoor units 2 in
an air conditioner 1, it is possible to achieve both a compaction
of the vicinity of the branch part 182 and the prevention of drift
therein. Thereby, compared with the conventional Y-shaped branch
pipe 81, it is possible to reduce the troublesome work when
performing the racking process after affixing the heat insulating
material 185 to the connecting piping 4.
(3) Modified Example
[0078] The branching pipe joint 181 discussed above may be
structured as depicted in FIG. 8 so that the tip part of the second
branch nozzle part 184 is formed as a second flared part 184b, the
same as the first flared part 183a of the first branch nozzle part
183, and so that it has a second branch pipe 187, wherein one end
part is connected to this second flared part 184b by brazing (refer
to the arrow G in FIG. 8). The second branch pipe 187 is a pipe
member that extends along the first direction A in a state
connected to the second branch nozzle part 184, and at the other
end part thereof is formed a second reducer pipe connecting part
187a wherein the pipe diameter changes in steps. In addition,
because the second flared part 184b of the second branch nozzle
part 184 protrudes further than the end part of the first flared
part 183a of the first branch nozzle part 183 toward the first
direction A side, it is possible to ensure good work efficiency
when connecting the second branch pipe 187 to the circumference of
the second flared part 184b by brazing.
[0079] Thus, with the branching pipe joint 181 of the present
modified example, it is possible to reduce the size of the branch
part 182 in the first direction A because it is structured so that
the second branch pipe 187, which extends along the first direction
A, can be connected to the tip part of the second branch nozzle
part 184.
(4) Other Embodiments
[0080] The above explained an embodiment of the present invention
based on the drawings, but the specific constitution is not limited
to these embodiments, and it is understood that variations and
modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention.
[0081] For example, the branching pipe joint according to the
present invention was used in the above embodiments to branch the
union connecting piping of the connecting piping to the connection
ports of the plurality of outdoor units, but it may be used to
branch the union connecting piping of the connecting piping to
other units so that, for example, it branches from the union
connecting piping of the connecting piping to the connection ports
of a plurality of indoor units.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0082] By using the present invention, it is possible to achieve
both a compaction of the vicinity of the branch part and the
prevention of drift therein of a branching pipe joint, for
distributing the refrigerant flowing within a main pipe to two
flows, and an air conditioner provided therewith.
* * * * *