Patent Description:
A refrigeration apparatus including a refrigerant circuit configured to execute vapor compression refrigeration cycle operation has been known to collectively include a plurality of refrigerant pipes allowing a refrigerant to flow therein, for reduction in size of the refrigerant circuit. For example, PATENT LITERATURE <NUM> discloses a substrate (refrigerant flow path unit) that includes two plates stacked together and is provided therein with a refrigerant flow path. The substrate has one of surfaces connected with a compressor, an accumulator, a four-way switching valve, and the like.

<CIT> discloses a refrigerant-path device for an air conditioner in which refrigerant flow paths are formed in the upright stacked plates, and the components such as the compressor, accumulator and the expansion valve are either directly connected to the pipes or by fitting connections to one surface of the refrigerant-path device. <CIT> also discloses a prior art air conditioner. <CIT> discloses, according to its abstract, a refrigerant channel switching unit that is disposed between a heat source unit and a utilization unit to switch flow of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant channel switching unit includes a first refrigerant pipe connected to a suction gas communicating pipe extending from the heat source unit, a second refrigerant pipe connected to a high-low pressure gas communicating pipe extending from the heat source unit, a third refrigerant pipe connected to a gas pipe extending to the utilization unit, a coupling portion, a first switch valve mounted to the first refrigerant pipe, and a second switch valve mounted to the second refrigerant pipe. The coupling portion is connected to the first, second and third refrigerant pipes. The First second and third are coupled through the coupling portion.

According to the technique described in PATENT LITERATURE <NUM>, only one of the surfaces of the substrate is connected with components constituting a refrigerant circuit, such as the compressor and the four-way switching valve. The substrate thus needs to have a large area, which leads to increase in size of the substrate.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigeration apparatus enabling reduction in size of a refrigerant flow path unit.

In the refrigeration apparatus thus configured, both the first surface and the second surface of the refrigerant flow path unit are connected with the first and second components, respectively. The refrigerant flow path unit can thus be reduced in area of the first surface and the second surface, for reduction in size of the refrigerant flow path unit.

Note that the "posture with the first surface and the second surface being upstanding" described above indicates a posture with the first surface and the second surface being slanted by within ±<NUM> degrees from a posture with the first surface and the second surface extending in a perpendicular direction. Furthermore, "connecting" indicates that each of the first and second components is connected indirectly via a refrigerant pipe or directly to the refrigerant flow path unit.

(<NUM>) Preferably, the first component is a functional component supported by the refrigerant flow path unit.

The "functional component" in this case corresponds to a component having a predetermined function, such as a valve or a sensor. Furthermore, "supporting" indicates supporting while receiving weight of the functional component, and includes directly supporting the functional component as well as indirectly supporting the functional component via a refrigerant pipe or the like.

(<NUM>) Preferably, the second component is a compressor supported by the casing.

The refrigerant flow path unit in this configuration blocks vibration of the compressor, so as to inhibit transmission of the vibration to the first component connected to the refrigerant flow path unit.

(<NUM>) Preferably, the compressor is disposed closer to the second surface than the first surface.

This configuration facilitates routing of a pipe provided between the compressor and the refrigerant flow path unit.

(<NUM>) According to the present invention,.

This configuration facilitates connecting a pipe linked to the second component to the joint tube.

(<NUM>) Preferably, the first component is a flow path switching valve.

(<NUM>) Preferably, the casing has a side surface provided with an opening for maintenance,.

In a state where the side plate is detached in this configuration, the first surface and the second surface of the refrigerant flow path unit are accessible via the opening for maintenance, to enable maintenance of the first and second components.

(<NUM>) Preferably, the first component includes a first functional component and a second functional component supported by the refrigerant flow path unit, and
the first functional component and the second functional component have maintenance target parts positioned not to be overlapped with each other when viewed from the opening.

The maintenance target parts of the first functional component and the second functional component can be maintained easily in this configuration.

(<NUM>) Preferably, the first functional component and the second functional component are flow path switching valves including driving units corresponding to the maintenance target parts.

(<NUM>) Preferably, the first component includes a third functional component and a fourth functional component of similar types, supported by the refrigerant flow path unit, and
the third functional component and the fourth functional component have maintenance target parts positioned not to be overlapped with each other when viewed from above.

The maintenance target parts of the third functional component and the fourth functional component can be maintained easily from above in this configuration.

(<NUM>) Preferably, each the third functional component and the fourth functional component is an electric valve or an electromagnetic valve including a driving unit corresponding to a maintenance target part.

(<NUM>) Preferably, the refrigeration apparatus further includes.

This configuration facilitates routing of a refrigerant pipe provided between the header and the refrigerant flow path unit.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram depicting a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration apparatus.

A refrigeration apparatus <NUM> includes a refrigerant circuit configured to execute vapor compression refrigeration cycle operation. The refrigeration apparatus <NUM> according to the present embodiment functions as an air conditioner. As depicted in <FIG>, the air conditioner <NUM> includes an outdoor unit <NUM>, a plurality of indoor units <NUM>, and a flow path switching device <NUM>. The outdoor unit <NUM> and the flow path switching device <NUM>, as well as the flow path switching device <NUM> and the indoor units <NUM>, are connected via connection pipes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The air conditioner <NUM> according to the present embodiment is of a so-called freely cooling and heating type configured to allow each of the indoor units <NUM> to individually execute cooling operation or heating operation. The refrigeration apparatus <NUM> is not limited to the air conditioner, but may alternatively function as a refrigerator, a freezer, a hot-water supplier, or the like.

The outdoor unit <NUM> includes a refrigerant circuit <NUM>. The refrigerant circuit <NUM> is connected to a refrigerant circuit in the flow path switching device <NUM> via a liquid connection pipe <NUM>, a sucked gas connection pipe <NUM>, and a high and low-pressure gas connection pipe <NUM>. The refrigerant circuit in the flow path switching device <NUM> is connected to a refrigerant circuit in each of the indoor units <NUM> via the connection pipes <NUM> and <NUM>.

The refrigerant circuit <NUM> includes a first shutoff valve 39a, a second shutoff valve 39b, a third shutoff valve 39c, a compressor <NUM>, an accumulator <NUM>, a plurality of flow path switching valves <NUM> (42a, 42b, and 42c), an outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>, a plurality of expansion valves <NUM> (44a, 44b, 44c, and 44d), a subcooler <NUM>, an oil separator <NUM>, and the like. These components are connected via refrigerant pipes to constitute the refrigerant circuit. The outdoor unit <NUM> is provided therein with a fan <NUM> (see <FIG>), a controller 61a (see <FIG>), and the like.

The first shutoff valve 39a has a first end connected to the sucked gas connection pipe <NUM>. The first shutoff valve 39a has a second end connected to a refrigerant pipe extending to reach the accumulator <NUM>.

The second shutoff valve 39b has a first end connected to the high and low-pressure gas connection pipe <NUM>. The second shutoff valve 39b has a second end connected to a refrigerant pipe extending to reach the flow path switching valve 42b.

The third shutoff valve 39c has a first end connected to the liquid connection pipe <NUM>. The third shutoff valve 39c has a second end connected to a refrigerant pipe extending to reach the subcooler <NUM>.

The compressor <NUM> 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 <NUM> compresses a low-pressure refrigerant sucked from a suction pipe <NUM> and then discharges the compressed refrigerant from a discharge pipe <NUM>. The compressor <NUM> contains refrigerating machine oil. This refrigerating machine oil occasionally circulates in the refrigerant circuit <NUM> along with a refrigerant. The compressor <NUM> is a kind of container.

The oil separator <NUM> is a container used to separate the refrigerating machine oil from the refrigerant discharged from the compressor <NUM>. The refrigerating machine oil thus separated is returned to the compressor <NUM> via an oil return tube 46a.

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

The flow path switching valves <NUM> are each configured as a four-way switching valve. Each of the flow path switching valves <NUM> switches a refrigerant flow in accordance with an operation condition of the air conditioner <NUM>. Each of the flow path switching valves <NUM> has a refrigerant inflow port connected with a refrigerant pipe extending from the oil separator <NUM>.

The flow path switching valves <NUM> are each configured to shut off a refrigerant flow in a refrigerant flow path during operation, and actually functions as a three-way valve. The plurality of flow path switching valves <NUM> will hereinafter also be 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.

Each of the expansion valves <NUM> is an electric valve having an adjustable opening degree. Each of the expansion valves <NUM> has an 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 <NUM> will hereinafter also be 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 <NUM> is of a cross-fin type or a microchannel type. The outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> 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 reach 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 reach the first expansion valve 44a.

The second heat exchange unit 43b has a gas side end connected to a refrigerant pipe extending to reach 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 reach 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 <NUM> 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 reach the third expansion valve 44c.

The subcooler <NUM> 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 reach 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 reach the third shutoff valve 39c. The second heat transfer tube 45b has a first end connected to a first branching tube <NUM> 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 <NUM> 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 <NUM>. The injection pipe <NUM> has a second end connected to an intermediate port of the compressor <NUM>.

The injection pipe <NUM> is connected with a first end of a second branching tube <NUM>. The second branching tube <NUM> has a second end (outlet end) connected to the suction pipe <NUM>. The second branching tube <NUM> is provided with a second on-off valve <NUM> and a check valve <NUM>. The second on-off valve <NUM> is an electromagnetic valve.

The subcooler <NUM> causes heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing from the compressor <NUM>, passing the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> and the expansion valves <NUM>, 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 the injection pipe <NUM> and is sucked into the intermediate port of the compressor <NUM>. When the second on-off valve <NUM> is opened, the refrigerant flowing in the injection pipe <NUM> branches into the second branching tube <NUM> to flow therein and passes the suction pipe <NUM> to be sucked into the compressor <NUM>.

Description is made below to the outdoor unit <NUM> in terms of its specific structure. <FIG> is a perspective view of the refrigeration apparatus. <FIG> is a plan view depicting the interior of the refrigeration apparatus.

The following description refers to a transverse direction, an anteroposterior direction, and a vertical direction according to arrows X, Y, and Z indicated in <FIG> and <FIG>. Specifically in the following description, the arrow X in <FIG> and <FIG> indicates a first direction corresponding to the transverse direction, the arrow Y indicates a second direction corresponding to the anteroposterior direction, and the arrow Z indicates a third direction corresponding to the vertical direction. Note that these directions are described exemplarily without limiting the present invention which is defined by the appended claims.

Alternatively, the first direction X may correspond to the anteroposterior direction and the second direction Y may correspond to the transverse direction.

As depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, the outdoor unit <NUM> includes a casing <NUM> accommodating components such as the compressor <NUM>, the accumulator <NUM>, the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>, and the oil separator <NUM> constituting the refrigerant circuit, an electric component unit <NUM>, the fan <NUM>, and the like. The fan <NUM> is provided at the top of the casing <NUM>.

The casing <NUM> has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The casing <NUM> has a bottom plate <NUM>, a support <NUM>, a top panel <NUM>, a front panel <NUM>, and the like. The bottom plate <NUM> has a quadrilateral shape in a top view. The support <NUM> is a long member having a substantially L sectional shape and elongating in the vertical direction, and is attached to each of four corners of the bottom plate <NUM>.

The top panel <NUM> has a quadrilateral shape substantially identically to the bottom plate <NUM>, is disposed above and spaced apart from the bottom plate <NUM>. The top panel <NUM> has four corners attached to upper ends of the supports <NUM>. The top panel <NUM> is provided with a vent hole having a substantially quadrilateral shape and provided with a grill 65a preventing entry of foreign matters.

As depicted in <FIG>, the casing <NUM> has a front surface provided with an opening 60a for maintenance. The opening 60a is closed by the front panel (front side plate) <NUM>. Detaching the front panel <NUM> from the casing <NUM> enables maintenance, replacement, and the like of the components in the casing <NUM> via the opening 60a.

The bottom plate <NUM> of the casing <NUM> is provided thereon with the components such as the compressor <NUM>, the accumulator <NUM>, the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>, and the oil separator <NUM>. The bottom plate <NUM> is provided thereon with a refrigerant flow path unit <NUM>.

The outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> is disposed to oppose (face) three side surfaces of the casing <NUM>. Specifically, the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> 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 <NUM>. The outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> has a first end part provided with a gas header 43e, and a second end part provided with a liquid header 43f. The left side surface, the right side surface, and the rear side surface of the casing <NUM> are each provided with an intake port 60b for intake of outdoor air.

The outdoor unit <NUM> is configured to, when the fan <NUM> is driven, import air via the intake port 60b of the casing <NUM>, cause heat exchange of the air in the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>, and then send out air upward from the top of the casing <NUM>.

The compressor <NUM> is disposed at a substantially center in the transverse direction X in the vicinity of the front surface of the casing <NUM>. The electric component unit <NUM> is disposed in the vicinity of the front surface of the casing <NUM> and adjacent to a right side of the compressor <NUM>. The compressor <NUM> is provided therebehind with the accumulator <NUM>. The accumulator <NUM> has a left side provided with the oil separator <NUM>. The electric component unit <NUM> includes the controller 61a configured to control behavior of the compressor <NUM>, the valves <NUM> and <NUM>, the fan <NUM>, and the like.

The refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> includes, collectively as a single unit, refrigerant pipes connecting components such as the compressor <NUM>, the accumulator <NUM>, the flow path switching valves <NUM>, the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>, the expansion valves <NUM>, and the oil separator <NUM>. Specifically, the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> according to the present embodiment constitutes refrigerant flow paths disposed inside a frame F1 and outside frames F2 each indicated by a two-dot chain line in <FIG>.

As depicted in <FIG>, the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> is disposed between the compressor <NUM> and the accumulator <NUM> in the anteroposterior direction and on the left side of the compressor <NUM> and the accumulator <NUM>. The refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> is disposed ahead of the oil separator <NUM>. The refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> is fixed onto the bottom plate <NUM> of the casing <NUM> with a supporting stand <NUM> interposed therebetween.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a first surface of the refrigerant flow path unit. <FIG> is a perspective view of a second surface of the refrigerant flow path unit.

The refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> according to the present embodiment is fixed to the bottom plate <NUM> of the casing <NUM> for the outdoor unit <NUM> in an upstanding posture with the supporting stand <NUM> interposed therebetween. The refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> in the "upstanding posture" has surfaces 10A and 10B on both sides extending substantially in a perpendicular direction. Note that the "upstanding posture" according to the present disclosure also includes a posture with the surfaces 10A and 10B on the both sides being slanted by within ±<NUM> degrees from the posture with the surfaces extending in the perpendicular direction.

As depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> is connected with the components of the refrigerant circuit, such as the flow path switching valves <NUM>, the expansion valves (electric valves) <NUM>, the on-off valves (electromagnetic valves) <NUM> and <NUM>, the compressor <NUM>, the accumulator <NUM>, and the oil separator <NUM>.

For example, the surface (first surface) 10A of the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> is connected, via refrigerant pipes, with functional components exerting predetermined functions, such as the flow path switching valves <NUM>, the expansion valves <NUM>, and the on-off valves <NUM> and <NUM> as depicted in <FIG>. The surface (second surface) 10B of the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> is connected, via refrigerant pipes, with containers such as the compressor <NUM>, the accumulator <NUM>, and the oil separator <NUM>. In the present invention, a component connected to the first surface 10A of the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> is called a first component, and a component connected to the second surface 10B is called a second component.

The functional components such as the flow path switching valves <NUM>, the expansion valves <NUM>, and the on-off valves <NUM> and <NUM> are attached to the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> via refrigerant pipes, and are supported by the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM>. In other words, the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> supports the functional components while receiving weights of the functional components via the refrigerant pipes. The functional components may alternatively be connected directly to the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> via no refrigerant pipes.

The flow path switching valves <NUM>, the expansion valves <NUM>, and the on-off valves <NUM> and <NUM> are electric components including driving units <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> such as motors or solenoids. These valves are thus connected with electric cables. The plurality of electric components connected to the identical surface 10A of the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> facilitates wiring management such as bundling the electric cables and routing the electric cables to the electric component unit.

As depicted in <FIG>, the first surface 10A and the second surface 10B of the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> are directed to cross the front panel <NUM> of the casing <NUM> in a top view. Accordingly, detaching the front panel <NUM> from the casing <NUM> to expose the interior of the casing <NUM> via the opening 60a facilitates access to the components connected to both the first surface 10A and the second surface 10B, for easy maintenance and replacement of the components. According to the present embodiment, the first surface 10A and the second surface 10B of the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> are disposed perpendicularly to the front panel <NUM>, but may alternatively be disposed obliquely thereto.

The second surface 10B of the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> is directed to a side (right side) provided with the compressor <NUM> and the accumulator <NUM>. In other words, the compressor <NUM> and the accumulator <NUM> are disposed closer to the second surface 10B than the first surface 10A. The compressor <NUM> and the accumulator <NUM> are connected to the second surface 10B via refrigerant pipes, to facilitate routing of the refrigerant pipes.

The refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> is provided, on the left side, with the gas header 43e of the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>. The gas header 43e is thus disposed closer to the first surface 10A than the second surface 10B of the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM>. The gas header 43e is connected, via a refrigerant pipe <NUM>, to the first surface 10A of the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> or the flow path switching valve <NUM> connected to the first surface 10A. The gas header 43e is connected directly or indirectly to the first surface 10A disposed closer in this manner, to facilitate routing of the refrigerant pipe <NUM>.

The compressor <NUM> is connected to the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> via a refrigerant pipe. The refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> thus blocks vibration of the compressor <NUM>, so that the vibration is unlikely to be transmitted to other components such as the flow path switching valves <NUM> and the expansion valves <NUM> connected to the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM>. This facilitates vibration control measures for the refrigerant pipes and the like connecting the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> and the other components, and also facilitates routing and the like of the refrigerant pipes.

<FIG> is a partial sectional view of the refrigerant flow path unit.

As depicted in <FIG>, the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> includes a unit body <NUM>, a first j oint tube <NUM>, and a second joint tube <NUM>.

The unit body <NUM> includes a plurality of plates <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The plurality of plates <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is stacked and joined together. The plates <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> according to the present embodiment are made of stainless steel. The unit body <NUM> is provided therein with a refrigerant flow path <NUM>. The first surface 10A and the second surface 10B of the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> according to the present embodiment each correspond to a surface (outer surface) of the plate <NUM> disposed on the outermost side in a stacking direction among the plurality of plates <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> according to the present embodiment is disposed such that the stacking direction (normal direction) of the plurality of plates <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> matches the transverse direction X of the outdoor unit <NUM>.

The plurality of plates <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> includes a first plate <NUM>, a second plate <NUM> stacked on the first plate <NUM>, and a third plate <NUM> stacked on the second plate <NUM>. The plates <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> adjacent to each other are joined by brazing.

The first plate <NUM> is disposed at each end part of the unit body <NUM> in the stacking direction of the plurality of plates <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> (hereinafter, also simply called the "stacking direction X"). The first plate <NUM> is made thinner than the remaining second and third plates <NUM> and <NUM>. The first plate <NUM> is provided with a connecting sleeve 21b protruding outward from the unit body <NUM> in the stacking direction X. The connecting sleeve 21b has a cylindrical shape. The connecting sleeve 21b has a sleeve axis extending in the stacking direction X. The connecting sleeve 21b has a sleeve interior constituting a first opening 21a. The first opening 21a is a circular hole penetrating the first plate <NUM>. The connecting sleeve 21b and the first opening 21a are formed by burring the first plate <NUM>.

The second plate <NUM> is positioned as a second one from each end in the stacking direction X. The second plate <NUM> is made thicker than the first plate <NUM>. The second plate <NUM> is provided with a second opening 22a. The second opening 22a is a circular hole penetrating the second plate <NUM>. The second opening 22a communicates with the first opening 21a in the first plate <NUM>. The first opening 21a and the second opening 22a are identical in inner diameter.

The third plate <NUM> is disposed between the two second plates <NUM> spaced apart from each other in the stacking direction X. The two second plates <NUM> according to the present embodiment interpose three third plates <NUM> stacked together. The third plates <NUM> are identical in thickness to the second plates <NUM>. The second plates <NUM> and the third plates <NUM> can thus be formed by processing an identical material.

The third plates <NUM> are each provided with a third opening 23a constituting the refrigerant flow path <NUM>. The third opening 23a is a hole penetrating each of the third plates <NUM> or a slit extending perpendicularly to the stacking direction X. <FIG> exemplifies a case where the third opening 23a is formed to range between two second openings 22a in the second plate <NUM> on a side (left side in <FIG>) in the stacking direction X. The third opening 23a communicates with the second openings 22a in the second plate <NUM>.

The first, second, and third plates <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may alternatively be made of a material other than stainless steel, such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or iron.

In the example shown in <FIG>,the first joint tube <NUM> is attached to the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> disposed close to the first surface 10A of the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM>. The first joint tube <NUM> is inserted to the first opening 21a and the second opening 22a. The first joint tube <NUM> has an outer circumferential surface joined by brazing with use of a brazing filler material B3 to an inner circumferential surface of the first opening 21a and an inner circumferential surface of the second opening 22a.

The inner circumferential surface of the first opening 21a indicates a surface constituting the first opening 21a in the first plate <NUM>. Similarly, the inner circumferential surface of the second opening 22a indicates a surface constituting the second opening 22a in the second plate <NUM>. The first joint tube <NUM> may alternatively be brazed only to the first plate <NUM>.

The first joint tube <NUM> is connected with a different refrigerant pipe <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG> and the like, the refrigerant pipe <NUM> extends from the flow path switching valve <NUM>, the expansion valve <NUM>, or the on-off valve <NUM> or <NUM>. The refrigerant pipe <NUM> of this type is typically made of copper or a material chiefly containing copper, such as a copper alloy. The refrigerant pipe <NUM> has a first end part inserted to the first joint tube <NUM>, and an outer circumferential surface of the refrigerant pipe <NUM> and an inner circumferential surface of the first joint tube <NUM> are joined by brazing with use of a brazing filler material B2.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the second joint tube <NUM> is attached to the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> disposed close to the second surface 10B of the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM>. The second joint tube <NUM> is connected with a different refrigerant pipe <NUM> linked to a container such as the compressor <NUM> or the accumulator <NUM>. The second joint tube <NUM> has a first end part 13a inserted to the first opening 21a and the second opening 22a. The second joint tube <NUM> has an outer circumferential surface joined by brazing with use of the brazing filler material B3 to the inner circumferential surface of the first opening 21a and the inner circumferential surface of the second opening 22a. The second joint tube <NUM> may alternatively be brazed only to the first plate <NUM>.

The second joint tube <NUM> has the first end part 13a connected to the first and second plates <NUM> and <NUM>, a curved part 13b curved by <NUM> degrees from the first end part 13a, and a linear part 13c extending in the vertical direction Z from the curved part 13b. As depicted in <FIG>, the refrigerant pipe <NUM> has a second end part 13d disposed upward or laterally in the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> in the upstanding posture. This facilitates connecting, by burner brazing or the like, the different refrigerant pipe <NUM> extending from a container such as the compressor <NUM> to the second end part 13d of the second joint tube <NUM>. The refrigerant pipe <NUM> has a first end part inserted to the second end part 13d of the second joint tube <NUM>, and an outer circumferential surface of the refrigerant pipe <NUM> and an inner circumferential surface of the second end part 13d are joined by brazing with use of the brazing filler material B2.

The first joint tube <NUM> and the second joint tube <NUM> according to the present embodiment are each made of copper or a material chiefly containing copper, such as a copper alloy. The first joint tube <NUM> may alternatively be made of a material other than the above, such as stainless steel, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or iron.

The refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> may alternatively be constituted by the unit body <NUM>, without including the first joint tube <NUM> and the second joint tube <NUM>. In this case, the different refrigerant pipes <NUM> and <NUM> are directly connected to the first surface 10A and the second surface 10B of the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM>. Still alternatively, the second joint tube <NUM> may be replaced with the first joint tube <NUM>. In this case, a pipe curved into an L shape serving as the different refrigerant pipe <NUM> may be connected to the second joint tube <NUM>.

<FIG> is a front view of the refrigerant flow path unit.

In <FIG> and <FIG>, the plurality of (three) flow path switching valves <NUM> is disposed at levels different from one another. Two of the three flow path switching valves <NUM> are disposed at levels higher than the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM>. The flow path switching valve <NUM> at the highest level is positioned to be overlapped with an upper portion of the unit body <NUM> in the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM>. The flow path switching valve <NUM> at a vertically intermediate level and the flow path switching valve <NUM> at the lowest level are disposed closer to the first surface 10A than the unit body <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the flow path switching valve <NUM> at the highest level and the flow path switching valve <NUM> at the vertically intermediate level correspond to the first and third flow path switching valves 42a and 42c in <FIG>, and the flow path switching valve <NUM> at the lowest level corresponds to the second flow path switching valve 42b.

Each of the flow path switching valves <NUM> is provided, on a side surface in the transverse direction X, with the driving unit <NUM> constituted by a solenoid. The driving unit <NUM> corresponds to a maintenance target part as a target of maintenance such as adjustment or replacement. The plurality of flow path switching valves <NUM> is disposed at the levels different from one another, and the driving units <NUM> are thus positioned not to be overlapped with one another when viewed from ahead. As depicted in <FIG>, when the front panel <NUM> of the casing <NUM> is detached to reveal the opening 60a for maintenance, the driving units <NUM> can be accessed via the opening 60a for easier maintenance of the driving units <NUM>.

As depicted in <FIG>, the plurality of (two) on-off valves <NUM> and <NUM> includes driving units <NUM> constituted by solenoids, respectively. The driving units <NUM> each correspond to a maintenance target part as a target of maintenance such as adjustment or replacement. The driving units <NUM> are disposed at substantially equal levels, but are displaced from each other in the transverse direction. The driving units <NUM> of the plurality of on-off valves <NUM> and <NUM> are thus positioned not to be overlapped with each other when viewed from ahead. As depicted in <FIG>, when the front panel <NUM> of the casing <NUM> is detached to reveal the opening 60a for maintenance, the driving units <NUM> can be accessed via the opening 60a for easier maintenance of the driving units <NUM>.

The driving units <NUM> of the plurality of flow path switching valves <NUM> and the driving units <NUM> of the plurality of on-off valves <NUM> and <NUM> are positioned not to be overlapped with one another when viewed from ahead. This facilitates access to the driving units <NUM> and <NUM> via the opening 60a for maintenance.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the plurality of expansion valves attached to the first surface of the refrigerant flow path unit.

As depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, each of the expansion valves <NUM> has an upper end provided with the driving unit <NUM> such as a motor. The driving unit <NUM> also corresponds to a maintenance target part as a target of maintenance such as adjustment or replacement. The first surface 10A of the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> according to the present embodiment is provided with the plurality of (four) expansion valves <NUM> aligned in the anteroposterior direction. The driving units <NUM> of the plurality of expansion valves <NUM> are positioned to be overlapped with one another when viewed from ahead.

<FIG> is a plan view of the plurality of expansion valves attached to the first surface of the refrigerant flow path unit.

The driving units <NUM> of the plurality of expansion valves <NUM> are positioned not to be overlapped with one another in a top view. As depicted in <FIG>, no other components attached to the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> are disposed right above the driving units <NUM> of the plurality of expansion valves <NUM>. For example, the flow path switching valve 42c at the vertically intermediate level is positioned closer to the first surface 10A in the transverse direction X than the driving units <NUM> of the expansion valves <NUM>, so as not to be overlapped with the driving units <NUM>. There is thus no obstacle in a space above each of the driving units <NUM>, for easy maintenance of the driving units <NUM> from above.

As depicted in <FIG>, the plurality of on-off valves <NUM> and <NUM> is displaced from each other in the transverse direction X. The driving units <NUM> of the on-off valves <NUM> and <NUM> are thus positioned not to be overlapped with each other when viewed from above. This facilitates maintenance from above, of the driving units <NUM> of the on-off valves <NUM> and <NUM>.

The flow path switching valve 42a at the highest level and the flow path switching valve 42c at the vertically intermediate level are positioned to be higher than the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM>. This leads to easy avoidance of interference with the different components connected to the first surface 10A of the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, any component attached to the first surface 10A of the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> can be reduced in protruding length W from the first surface 10A. This achieves reduction in footprint of the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> on the bottom plate <NUM> of the casing <NUM>, for more flexible disposition of the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM>.

The flow path switching valve 42a at the highest level is positioned to be overlapped with the upper portion of the unit body <NUM> in the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM>. This achieves effective use of a space above the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> and easy avoidance of interference between the flow path switching valve 42a and the different components (the remaining flow path switching valves 42b and 42c, the refrigerant pipes, and the like).

The present invention should not be limited to the above exemplification, the scope of the present invention is solely defined by the appended claims.

For example, the number of the plates constituting the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> should not be limited to the number according to the above embodiment. Furthermore, the unit body <NUM> of the refrigerant flow path unit <NUM> is not limited to a plate shape, but may have any form such as a block shape.

Claim 1:
A refrigeration apparatus comprising:
a refrigerant flow path unit (<NUM>) that includes a plurality of plates (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) stacked together and is provided therein with a refrigerant flow path (<NUM>);
a first component (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and a second component (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) constituting a refrigerant circuit (<NUM>);
a casing (<NUM>) accommodating the refrigerant flow path unit (<NUM>) and the first and second components, and
a pipe (<NUM>) linked to the second component (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein
the refrigerant flow path unit (<NUM>) has a first surface (10A) and a second surface (10B) on both sides in a normal direction of the plates (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and is disposed in the casing (<NUM>) in a posture with the first surface (10A) and the second surface (10B) being upstanding,
the first component (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is connected to the first surface (10A), and
the second component (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is connected to the second surface (10B), and wherein
the refrigerant flow path unit (<NUM>) includes a joint tube (<NUM>) that connects the pipe (<NUM>),
the joint tube (<NUM>) has a first end part connected to the second surface (10B), and
the joint tube (<NUM>) has a second end part (<NUM>) directed upward, wherein the pipe (<NUM>) has a first end part inserted to the second end part (13d) of the joint tube (<NUM>), and an outer circumferential surface of the pipe (<NUM>) and an inner circumferential surface of the second end part (13d) are joined by brazing with use of a brazing filler material (B2).