IP Library Granted Patent US 12663188
Granted Patent B2
US 12663188 · App. 18/427,989 · Granted Jun 23, 2026

Heat source unit and air conditioner

Inventors: Takaya Nakanishi (Osaka, JP); Yuta Fukuyama (Osaka, JP)
Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
F25B13/00F25B41/26F25B47/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12663188
App. No.
18/427,989
Granted
Jun 23, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A heat source unit includes a first switching valve configured to switch between a first state where the first switching valve brings a high and low pressure gas connection pipe and a discharge side of a compressor into communication with each other and a second state where the first switching valve brings the high and low pressure gas connection pipe and a suction side of the compressor into communication with each other; and a second switching valve configured to switch between a third state where while the second switching valve brings the discharge side of the compressor and a gas end of a first heat exchange section into communication with each other, the second switching valve brings the suction side of the compressor and a gas end of the second heat exchange section into communication with each other and a fourth state where while the second switching valve brings the discharge side of the compressor and the gas end of the second heat exchange section into communication with each other, the second switching valve brings the suction side of the compressor and the gas end of the first heat exchange section into communication with each other.

Claims (47)

1 . A heat source unit connected to a first flow path switching unit and a second flow path switching unit through a liquid connection pipe, a high and low pressure gas connection pipe, and a low pressure gas connection pipe provided in an air conditioner configured to perform a cooling operation, a heating operation, and a simultaneous cooling and heating operation, the air conditioner comprising, the first flow path switching unit connected to a first utilization unit, the second flow path switching unit connected to a second utilization unit, the heat source unit comprising:

a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant;

a first heat exchange section configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and air;

a second heat exchange section configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and the air;

a liquid line connected to a liquid end of the first heat exchange section and a liquid end of the second heat exchange section;

a first switching valve configured to switch between a first state where the first switching valve brings the high and low pressure gas connection pipe and a discharge side of the compressor into communication with each other and a second state where the first switching valve brings the high and low pressure gas connection pipe and a suction side of the compressor into communication with each other; and

a second switching valve configured to switch between a third state where while the second switching valve brings the discharge side of the compressor and a gas end of the first heat exchange section into communication with each other, the second switching valve brings the suction side of the compressor and a gas end of the second heat exchange section into communication with each other and a fourth state where while the second switching valve brings the discharge side of the compressor and the gas end of the second heat exchange section into communication with each other, the second switching valve brings the suction side of the compressor and the gas end of the first heat exchange section into communication with each other.

2 . The heat source unit of claim 1 , wherein

the first heat exchange section has a greater size than the second heat exchange section does.

3 . The heat source unit of claim 2 , wherein

a ratio S 2 /S 1 of a size S 2 of the second heat exchange section to a size S 1 of the first heat exchange section is higher than or equal to 1/10 and equal to or lower than ⅕.

4 . The heat source unit of claim 2 , wherein

the second heat exchange section is arranged below the first heat exchange section.

5 . The heat source unit of claim 4 , further comprising:

a fan arranged above the second heat exchange section and configured to transfer air that has passed through the first and second heat exchange sections and upward.

6 . The heat source unit of claim 2 , wherein

the second heat exchange section is arranged below the first heat exchange section, and

the heat source unit further includes a fan arranged above the first heat exchange section and configured to transfer air that has passed through the first and second heat exchange sections and upward.

7 . The heat source unit of claim 1 , wherein

a defrosting operation is performed in which the second switching valve is placed in the third state, the first heat exchange section functions as a radiator, and the second heat exchange section functions as an evaporator.

8 . The heat source unit of claim 3 , wherein

the second heat exchange section is arranged below the first heat exchange section.

9 . The heat source unit of claim 3 , wherein

the second heat exchange section is arranged below the first heat exchange section, and

the heat source unit further includes a fan arranged above the first heat exchange section and configured to transfer air that has passed through the first and second heat exchange sections and upward.

10 . The heat source unit of claim 2 , wherein

a defrosting operation is performed in which the second switching valve is placed in the third state, the first heat exchange section functions as a radiator, and the second heat exchange section functions as an evaporator.

11 . The heat source unit of claim 3 , wherein

a defrosting operation is performed in which the second switching valve is placed in the third state, the first heat exchange section functions as a radiator, and the second heat exchange section functions as an evaporator.

12 . The heat source unit of claim 4 , wherein

a defrosting operation is performed in which the second switching valve is placed in the third state, the first heat exchange section functions as a radiator, and the second heat exchange section functions as an evaporator.

13 . The heat source unit of claim 5 , wherein

a defrosting operation is performed in which the second switching valve is placed in the third state, the first heat exchange section functions as a radiator, and the second heat exchange section functions as an evaporator.

14 . The heat source unit of claim 6 , wherein

a defrosting operation is performed in which the second switching valve is placed in the third state, the first heat exchange section functions as a radiator, and the second heat exchange section functions as an evaporator.

15 . An air conditioner configured to perform a cooling operation, a heating operation, and a simultaneous cooling and heating operation,

wherein the air conditioner comprises

a heat source unit,

a first flow path switching unit and a second flow path switching unit connected to the heat source unit through a liquid connection pipe, a high and low pressure gas connection pipe, and a low pressure gas connection pipe,

the first flow path switching unit and the second flow path switching unit being connected to a first utilization unit and a second utilization unit, respectively,

wherein the heat source unit comprises:

a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant;

a first heat exchange section configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and air;

a second heat exchange section configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and the air;

a liquid line connected to a liquid end of the first heat exchange section and a liquid end of the second heat exchange section;

a first switching valve configured to switch between a first state where the first switching valve brings the high and low pressure gas connection pipe and a discharge side of the compressor into communication with each other and a second state where the first switching valve brings the high and low pressure gas connection pipe and a suction side of the compressor into communication with each other; and

a second switching valve configured to switch between a third state where while the second switching valve brings the discharge side of the compressor and a gas end of the first heat exchange section into communication with each other, the second switching valve brings the suction side of the compressor and a gas end of the second heat exchange section into communication with each other and a fourth state where while the second switching valve brings the discharge side of the compressor and the gas end of the second heat exchange section into communication with each other, the second switching valve brings the suction side of the compressor and the gas end of the first heat exchange section into communication with each other.