AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INSTALLING THE SAME

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001]The present disclosure relates to an air-conditioning apparatus and a method for installing the same.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002]According to a given technique, when an air-conditioning apparatus operates in summer, an indoor heat exchanger installed indoors operates as either a condenser or an evaporator in order to perform dehumidification without significantly lowering indoor temperature (see, for example, Patent Literature 1). In Patent Literature 1, the indoor heat exchanger includes a cooling heat exchanger and a reheating heat exchanger. The cooling heat exchanger operates as an evaporator and cools sucked air. The reheating heat exchanger operates as a condenser and heats sucked air.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

[0004]Incidentally, in an air-conditioning apparatus, a pipe through which a heat medium such as refrigerant, water, antifreeze, or brine flows is connected to an indoor heat exchanger provided in a housing of an indoor unit. However, such an air-conditioning apparatus as proposed in Patent Literature 1 is not provided in consideration of the orientation of the indoor heat exchanger in the housing of the indoor unit or the position of a connection port through which the pipe is connected to the indoor heat exchanger. Therefore, in the case where the space for installation of the air-conditioning apparatus is limited and the orientation of the housing of the indoor unit cannot be selected; that is, it is fixed, the pipe may be extended or bent in order that the pipe be connected to the indoor heat exchanger. However, when if the pipe is extended or bent, the flow resistance of the heat medium increases and the performance of the air-conditioning apparatus lowers.

[0005]The present disclosure is applied to solve such a problem as described above, and relates to an air-conditioning apparatus in which a housing of an indoor unit is installed in such a manner as to reduce a decrease in the performance of the air-conditioning apparatus that is caused by the location of a pile, and also a method for installing the air-conditioning apparatus.

Solution to Problem

[0006]An air-conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a compressor provided in an outdoor-unit housing; an outdoor heat exchanger provided in the outdoor-unit housing; an indoor heat exchanger provided in an indoor-unit housing; an indoor air-sending device provided in the indoor-unit housing; and a heat medium pipe connected to the indoor heat exchanger, and allowing a heat medium to flow through the heat medium pipe, the heat medium being to exchange heat directly with indoor air. The indoor heat exchanger includes a first heat exchange module configured to heat the indoor air in a dehumidifying operation, and a second heat exchange module configured to cool the indoor air in the dehumidifying operation to condense water vapor in the indoor air. The indoor heat exchanger is set in the indoor-unit housing in either a first installation configuration or a second installation configuration. The first installation configuration and the second installation configuration are different from each other regarding a surface of the indoor heat exchanger that faces an air current generated by the indoor air-sending device. In both the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration, the second heat exchange module is provided below the first heat exchange module.

[0007]A method for installing the air-conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a method for installing the air-conditioning apparatus described above, and includes installing the indoor heat exchanger in one of the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration that is selected as an installation configuration in which a length of the heat medium pipe located between the outdoor-unit housing and the indoor heat exchanger is less than in the other of the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0008]According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the indoor heat exchanger includes the first heat exchange module configured to heat the indoor air in the dehumidifying operation and the second heat exchange module configured to cool the indoor air in the dehumidifying operation to condense water vapor in the indoor air. The indoor heat exchanger can be set in the indoor-unit housing in either the first installation configuration or the second installation configuration. The first installation configuration and the second installation configuration are different from each other regarding the surface of the indoor heat exchanger that faces the air current; however, the second heat exchange module is provided below the first heat exchange module regardless of whether the indoor heat exchanger is set in the first installation configuration or the second installation configuration. Thus, even in the case where the indoor-unit housing is installed in a space in which the orientation of the indoor-unit housing cannot be selected, by setting the indoor heat exchanger in the indoor-unit housing in either the first installation configuration or the second installation configuration, it is possible to reduce a decrease in the performance of the air-conditioning apparatus that is caused by the location of the heat medium pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1.

[0010]FIG. 2 is an explanatory view for a first installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1.

[0011]FIG. 3 is an explanatory view for a second installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1.

[0012]FIG. 4 is an explanatory view for a modification of an indoor-unit housing as illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0013]FIG. 5 is an explanatory view for a modification of the indoor-unit housing as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0014]FIG. 6 is an explanatory view for the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1.

[0015]FIG. 7 is an explanatory view for heat transfer tubes of the indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1.

[0016]FIG. 8 is an explanatory view for another example of the heat transfer tubes of the indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1.

[0017]FIG. 9 is an explanatory view for a configuration of a side plate and a fixing plate in the first installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1.

[0018]FIG. 10 is an explanatory view for a configuration of the side plate and the fixing plate in the second installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 1.

[0019]FIG. 11 is a schematic bottom perspective view of the indoor-unit housing for explanation of the side plate in the case where the indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1 is set in the first installation configuration.

[0020]FIG. 12 is a schematic bottom perspective view of the indoor-unit housing for explanation of the side plate in the case where the indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1 is set in the second installation configuration.

[0021]FIG. 13 is a schematic bottom perspective view of the indoor-unit housing 210 for explanation of another example of the side plate in the case where the indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1 is set in the second installation configuration.

[0022]FIG. 14 is a schematic bottom perspective view of the indoor-unit housing for explanation of an installation configuration of the side plate 230 according to Embodiment 1.

[0023]FIG. 15 is an explanatory view for an installation configuration of an indoor-unit housing of Comparative Example 1.

[0024]FIG. 16 is an explanatory view for an installation configuration of an indoor-unit housing of Comparative Example 2.

[0025]FIG. 17 is a schematic configuration diagram of a refrigerant circuit in an indoor-unit housing according to Embodiment 2.

[0026]FIG. 18 is an explanatory view for the flow of refrigerant between a first heat exchange module and a second heat exchange module of an indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 2.

[0027]FIG. 19 is an explanatory view for a first bifurcation according to Embodiment 2.

[0028]FIG. 20 is an explanatory view for a first installation configuration of an indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 3.

[0029]FIG. 21 is an explanatory view for a second installation configuration of an indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 3.

[0030]FIG. 22 schematically illustrates a wind speed distribution in the first installation configuration of an indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 4.

[0031]FIG. 23 schematically illustrates a wind speed distribution in the second installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 4.

[0032]FIG. 24 is an explanatory view for a first aspect of an indoor air-sending device according to Embodiment 5.

[0033]FIG. 25 is an explanatory view for a second aspect of the indoor air-sending device according to Embodiment 5.

[0034]FIG. 26 is an explanatory view for a first aspect of another example of the indoor air-sending device according to Embodiment 5.

[0035]FIG. 27 is an explanatory view for a second aspect of the above other example of the indoor air-sending device according to Embodiment 5.

[0036]FIG. 28 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 6.

[0037]FIG. 29 is an explanatory view for an indoor heat exchanger according to Embodiment 6.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0038]An air-conditioning apparatus according to each of embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments and modifications thereof, but various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. The present disclosure encompasses all combinations of combinable ones of configurations described with respect to the embodiments and modifications. Furthermore, in the following descriptions, terms expressing directions (such as “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “front”, and “back”) are used appropriate in order that the descriptions be easily understood, but they are not intended to limit the present disclosure. In each of figures in the drawings, components that are the same as or equivalent to those in a previous figure or previous figures are denoted by the same reference signs. The same is true of the entire text of the specification. It should be noted that in each of the figures, relationships in relative dimension between components, shapes of components, or other features of components may be different from actual ones. Furthermore, in the following descriptions, relationships in amplitude between temperatures, pressures, etc., are not particularly determined in relation to absolute values, for example, with respect to which of the temperatures is higher or lower, and which of the pressures is higher or lower; however, they are relatively determined depending on the state, operation, or other conditions of the air-conditioning apparatus.

Embodiment 1

Configuration of Air-Conditioning Apparatus

[0039]FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1. In FIG. 1, solid arrows indicate the flow direction of refrigerant in cooling operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100. Outlined arrows indicate the flow of air. Furthermore, in FIG. 1 and the subsequent figures, solid arrows indicate the flow of refrigerant, and outlined arrows indicate the flow of air.

[0040]As illustrated in FIG. 1, the air-conditioning apparatus 100 of Embodiment 1 includes an indoor unit 200, an outdoor unit 500, and a refrigerant pipe 400. The indoor unit 200 includes an indoor-unit housing 210. In the indoor-unit housing 210, an indoor heat exchanger 20, a first expansion device 104, and an indoor air-sending device 220 are provided. The outdoor unit 500 includes an outdoor-unit housing 510. In the outdoor-unit housing 510, a compressor 101, a flow switching device 102, an outdoor heat exchanger 50, a second expansion device 105, an outdoor air-sending device 520, and a controller 103 are provided. The compressor 101, the flow switching device 102, the outdoor heat exchanger 50, the second expansion device 105, the indoor heat exchanger 20, and the first expansion device 104 are connected by refrigerant pipe 400, whereby a refrigerant circuit is formed in which refrigerant serving as a heat medium circulates.

[0041]The indoor heat exchanger 20 includes a first heat exchange module 21 and a second heat exchange module 22. The refrigerant pipe 400 includes a first refrigerant pipe 401 provided between the outdoor-unit housing 510 and the first heat exchange module 21, a second refrigerant pipe 402 provided between the outdoor-unit housing 510 and the second heat exchange module 22, and a third refrigerant pipe 403 provided between the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22. The first refrigerant pipe 401 is connected to the first heat exchange module 21. The second refrigerant pipe 402 is connected to the second heat exchange module 22.

[0042]The third refrigerant pipe 403 is connected to the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22. The first expansion device 104 is provided at the third refrigerant pipe 403. The second expansion device 105 is provided at the refrigerant pipe 400 provided between the outdoor heat exchanger 50 and the first heat exchange module 21. The first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 will be described in detail later. In the following description, the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 are referred to simply as “indoor heat exchanger 20” as appropriate, if it is not necessary to distinguish between the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22. Furthermore, in the case where the term “indoor heat exchanger 20” is used, it encompasses the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22. Also, in the following description, the first refrigerant pipe 401, the second refrigerant pipe 402, and the third refrigerant pipe 403 are referred to simply as “refrigerant pipe 400” as appropriate, if it is not necessary to distinguish between the first refrigerant pipe 401, the second refrigerant pipe 402, and the third refrigerant pipe 403. Furthermore, in the case where the term “refrigerant pipe 400” is used, it encompasses at least any one of the first refrigerant pipe 401, the second refrigerant pipe 402, and the third refrigerant pipe 403.

[0043]The compressor 101 sucks the refrigerant, compresses the refrigerant into high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant, and discharges the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant obtained by the compression operation of the compressor 101 is discharged and flows into the flow switching device 102. The compressor 101 is, for example, a rotary compressor, a scroll compressor, a screw compressor, or a reciprocating compressor.

[0044]The flow switching device 102 switches the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit between multiple flow directions. The flow switching device 102 is, for example, a four-way valve. The flow switching device 102 switches the flow direction of the refrigerant between the flow direction of the refrigerant in the heating operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 and that in the cooling operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 and in the dehumidifying operation thereof. In the refrigerant circuit in the cooling operation and the dehumidifying operation, a discharge outlet of the compressor 101 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 50 by the flow switching device 102, and a suction inlet of the compressor 101 is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 20 by the flow switching device 102. In the refrigerant circuit in the heating operation, the discharge outlet of the compressor 101 is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 20 by the flow switching device 102, and the suction inlet of the compressor 101 and the outdoor heat exchanger 50 are connected to each other by the flow switching device 102. The first refrigerant pipe 401, which connects the outdoor-unit housing 510 and the first heat exchange module 21, is connected to a discharge side of the compressor 101 in the cooling operation and the dehumidifying operation. The second refrigerant pipe 402, which connects the outdoor-unit housing 510 with the second heat exchange module 22, is connected to a suction side of the compressor 101 in the cooling operation and the dehumidifying operation.

[0045]The outdoor heat exchanger 50 causes heat exchange to be performed between refrigerant flowing from the refrigerant pipe 400 into the outdoor heat exchanger 50 and a heat exchange fluid, such as air, which flows through the outdoor heat exchanger 50. The outdoor heat exchanger 50 is, for example, a fin and tube heat exchanger, a microchannel heat exchanger, a shell and tube heat exchanger, a heat pipe heat exchanger, a double pipe type heat exchanger, or a plate heat exchanger.

[0046]The outdoor heat exchanger 50 operates as an evaporator in the heating operation. In the outdoor heat exchanger 50 operating as an evaporator, the refrigerant flowing thereinto and the heat exchange fluid exchange heat with each other, whereby the refrigerant evaporates and gasifies.

[0047]The outdoor heat exchanger 50 operates as a condenser in the cooling operation and the dehumidifying operation. In the outdoor heat exchanger 50 operating as a condenser, the refrigerant flowing thereinto and the heat exchange fluid exchange heat with each other, whereby the refrigerant condenses and liquefies.

[0048]The outdoor air-sending device 520 supplies air as the heat exchange fluid to the outdoor heat exchanger 50. The outdoor air-sending device 520 is provided adjacent to the outdoor heat exchanger 50 to supply air to the outdoor heat exchanger 50. The supply of the air from the outdoor air-sending device 520 to the outdoor heat exchanger 50 increases the efficiency of heat exchange between the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 50 and outdoor air. As the outdoor air-sending device 520, a propeller fan, a line flow fan (registered trademark), or a multi-blade centrifugal fan is selected and employed, based on the flow rate, static pressure, or other operating conditions. Furthermore, the heat exchange fluid that is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 50 may be water, not air. In this case, a water pump or other devices may be provided in place of the outdoor air-sending device 520.

[0049]The second expansion device 105 expands and decompresses the refrigerant. That is, the second expansion device 105 operates as a pressure reducing valve or an expansion valve. The second expansion device 105 is, for example, an electronic expansion valve capable of adjusting the flow rate of the refrigerant. However, the second expansion device 105 is not limited to the electronic expansion valve but may be a mechanical expansion valve employing a diaphragm in a pressure-receiving portion thereof. Furthermore, the second expansion device 105 does not need to be provided in the outdoor-unit housing 510. The second expansion device 105 may be provided in the indoor-unit housing 210. Although it is not illustrated, in the case where a plurality of indoor units are provided, the second expansion device 105 may be provided in a flow divider unit configured to divide the refrigerant into refrigerant streams that flow into the plurality of indoor units.

[0050]The indoor heat exchanger 20 causes heat exchange to be performed between the refrigerant that flows from the refrigerant pipe 400 into the indoor heat exchanger 20 from the refrigerant pipe 400 and the heat exchange fluid that flows through the indoor heat exchanger 20. The indoor heat exchanger 20 is, for example, by a fin and tube heat exchanger, a microchannel heat exchanger, a shell and tube heat exchanger, a heat pipe heat exchanger, a double pipe type heat exchanger, or a plate heat exchanger.

[0051]In the indoor heat exchanger 20, in the heating operation, both the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 operate as condensers. In the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 operating as condensers, the refrigerant flowing thereinto and indoor air exchange heat with each other, whereby the refrigerant condenses and liquefies.

[0052]In the indoor heat exchanger 20, in the cooling operation, both the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 operate as evaporators. In the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 operating as evaporators, the refrigerant flowing thereinto and indoor air exchange heat with each other, whereby the refrigerant evaporates and gasifies.

[0053]In the indoor heat exchanger 20, in the dehumidifying operation, the first heat exchange module 21 operates as a condenser and the second heat exchange module 22 operates as an evaporator. In the first heat exchange module 21 operating as a condenser, the refrigerant flowing thereinto and indoor air exchange heat with each other, whereby the refrigerant condenses and liquefies. In the second heat exchange module 22 operating as an evaporator, the refrigerant flowing thereinto and the indoor air exchange heat with each other, whereby the refrigerant evaporates and gasifies.

[0054]The indoor air-sending device 220 supplies air as the heat exchange fluid to the indoor heat exchanger 20. The supply of the air from the indoor air-sending device 220 to the indoor heat exchanger 20 increases the efficiency of heat exchange between the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger 20 and the indoor air. As the indoor air-sending device 220, a propeller fan, a line flow fan (registered trademark), or a multi-blade fan is selected and employed based on the flow rate, static pressure, or other operating conditions.

[0055]The first expansion device 104 expands and decompresses the refrigerant. That is, the first expansion device 104 serves as a pressure reducing valve or an expansion valve. The first expansion device 104 is, for example, an electronic expansion valve capable of adjusting the flow rate of the refrigerant. However, the first expansion device 104 is not limited to the electronic expansion valve but may be a mechanical expansion valve employing a diaphragm in a pressure-receiving portion thereof.

[0056]The controller 103 controls the operation of the entire air-conditioning apparatus 100. The controller 103 is dedicated hardware or a central processing unit (CPU) that executes a program stored in a memory. It should be noted that the CPU is also referred to as a central processing apparatus, a processing apparatus, an arithmetic apparatus, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a processor. In the case where the controller 80 is the dedicated hardware, the controller 103 is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a combination of these circuits. Functional units that the controller 103 implements may be implemented by respective hardware, or the functional units may be implemented by single hardware.

[0057]In the case where the controller 103 is the CPU, functions that the controller 103 fulfills are fulfilled by software, firmware, or a combination of the software and the firmware. The software and the firmware are written as programs and stored in the memory. The CPU fulfills each of the functions of the controller 103 by reading out and runs an associated one of programs stored in the memory. It should be noted that the memory is, for example, a nonvolatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). It should be noted that some of the functions of the controller 103 may be fulfilled by the dedicated hardware, and some others thereof may be fulfilled by the software or the firmware. It should be noted that the controller 103 may be provided outside the outdoor-unit housing 510.

[0058]The controller 103 controls, in the heating operation, in the cooling operation, and in the dehumidifying operation, the compressor 101, the flow switching device 102, the outdoor air-sending device 520, the indoor air-sending device 220, the first expansion device 104, and the second expansion device 105. For example, the controller 103 controls the flow switching device 102 to switch the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit between multiple flow directions of the refrigerant. Furthermore, the controller 103 may also control the compressor 101 to adjust the discharge amount of the refrigerant compressed. In addition, the controller 103 may also adjust opening degrees of the first expansion device 104 and the second expansion device 105 to adjust the flow rate of the refrigerant that flows in the refrigerant circuit.

Operation of Air-Conditioning Apparatus

[0059]The operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 will be described. First of all, the operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 in the cooling operation will be described.

Cooling Operation

[0060]High-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant obtained by the compression operation of the compressor 101 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 50 operating as a condenser, through the flow switching device 102. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the outdoor heat exchanger 50 transfers heat to outdoor air supplied by the outdoor air-sending device 520, and is thus cooled and condenses to change into low-temperature refrigerant, and the low-temperature liquid refrigerant flows out from the outdoor heat exchanger 50. The liquid refrigerant that has flowed out from the outdoor heat exchanger 50 is decompressed by the second expansion device 105 to change into low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant, and the low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant then flows into the first heat exchange module 21 operating as an evaporator. In the cooling operation, both the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 operate as evaporators. The low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat exchange module 21 evaporates by receiving heat from indoor air that is supplied by the indoor air-sending device 220. After flowing out from the first heat exchange module 21, the refrigerant flows into the second heat exchange module 22 through the first expansion device 104 being in a fully open state, or bypasses the first expansion device 104 and flows into the second heat exchange module 22. The refrigerant that has flowed into the second heat exchange module 22 evaporates to change into low-pressure gas refrigerant, and the low-pressure gas refrigerant then flows out from the second heat exchange module 22. That is, the refrigerant that has changed into low-pressure gas refrigerant flows out from the indoor heat exchanger 20. The low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed out from the indoor heat exchanger 20 is sucked into the compressor 101 after passing through the flow switching device 102. The low-pressure gas refrigerant that has been sucked into the compressor 101 is re-compressed by the compressor 101 to change into high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant, and the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant is discharged from the compressor 101. In the cooling operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100, the above cycle is repeated.

Dehumidifying Operation

[0061]The dehumidifying operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 will be described. High-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant obtained by the compression operation of the compressor 101 flows through the flow switching device 102 into the outdoor heat exchanger 50 operating as a condenser. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the outdoor heat exchanger 50 transfers heat to outdoor air that is supplied to the outdoor air-sending device 520, and is thus cooled and condenses to change into two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant, and the two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant flows out from the outdoor heat exchanger 50. The two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant that has flowed out from the outdoor heat exchanger 50 flows into the first heat exchange module 21 through the second expansion device 105 being in a fully open state, or the two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant bypasses the second expansion device 105 and flows into the first heat exchange module 21. In the dehumidifying operation, the first heat exchange module 21 operates as a condenser, and the second heat exchange module 22 operates as an evaporator. The two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the first heat exchange module 21 condenses to change into low-temperature liquid refrigerant, while transferring heat to indoor air that is supplied by the indoor air-sending device 220. The low-temperature liquid refrigerant that has flowed out from the first heat exchange module 21 is decompressed by the first expansion device 104 until its temperature reaches a saturation temperature that is lower than or equal to the dew-point temperature of the indoor air, whereby the low-temperature liquid refrigerant changes into low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant. After flowing out from the first expansion device 104, the low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant flows into the second heat exchange module 22 operating as an evaporator. The low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the second heat exchange module 22 receives heat from indoor air that is supplied from the indoor air-sending device 220 to evaporate and change into low-pressure gas refrigerant. The low-pressure gas refrigerant flows out from the second heat exchange module 22. That is, the refrigerant changes into low-pressure gas refrigerant, and the low-pressure gas refrigerant flows out from the indoor heat exchanger 20. The low-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed out from the indoor heat exchanger 20 is sucked into the compressor 101 after passing through the flow switching device 102. The low-pressure gas refrigerant sucked into the compressor 101 is re-compressed by the compressor 101 into high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant, and the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant is discharged. In the dehumidifying operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100, the above cycle is repeated.

[0062]An air current in an indoor space in the dehumidifying operation will be described. Air in the indoor space contains plentiful moisture, and indoor air-sending device 220 supplies moist air sucked from the indoor space to the indoor heat exchanger 20. In a region located upstream of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the moist air divides into air streams, which then flows into the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22, respectively. The temperature of the air stream that has flowed into the first heat exchange module 21 operating as a condenser rises; and the temperature of the air stream that has flowed into the second heat exchange module 22 operating as an evaporator drops and the air stream is also dehumidified. The air stream whose temperature has risen in the first heat exchange module 21 and the air stream whose temperature has dropped and which has been dehumidified in the second heat exchange module 22 merge in a region located downstream of the indoor heat exchanger 20. Therefore, dehumidified air is supplied into the indoor space, while lowering of the temperature of the indoor space is being reduced.

Heating Operation

[0063]The heating operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 will be described. High-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant obtained by the compression operation of the compressor 101 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 20 operating as a condenser, through the flow switching device 102. In the heating operation, both the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 operate as condensers. After flowing into the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 in turn, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant transfers heat to indoor air that is supplied by the indoor air-sending device 220, and is thus cooled and condensed to change into low-temperature liquid refrigerant, and the low-temperature liquid refrigerant flows out from the first heat exchange module 21. That is, the refrigerant changes into low-temperature liquid refrigerant, and the low-temperature liquid refrigerant flows out from the indoor heat exchanger 20. The liquid refrigerant that has flowed out from the indoor heat exchanger 20 is decompressed by the second expansion device 105 to change into low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant, and the low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 50 operating as an evaporator. The low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the outdoor heat exchanger 50 receives heat from outdoor air that is supplied by the outdoor air-sending device 520. At this time, liquid refrigerant of the two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant is evaporated by the received heat to change into low-pressure gas refrigerant. The low-pressure gas refrigerant flows out from the outdoor heat exchanger 50 and is sucked into the compressor 101 after passing through the flow switching device 102. The low-pressure gas refrigerant that has been sucked into the compressor 101 is re-compressed by the compressor 101 to change into high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant, and the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant is then discharged. In the heating operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100, the above cycle is repeated. It should be noted that in the heating operation, the first expansion device 104 may be in a closed state, and the refrigerant may be caused to bypass the first expansion device 104.

Indoor Heat Exchanger

[0064]Next, the indoor heat exchanger 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view for a first installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view for a second installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view for a modification of the indoor-unit housing 210 as illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view for a modification of the indoor-unit housing 210 as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0065]It should be noted that directions that will be referred to in explanations regarding Embodiment 1 and subsequent embodiments will be defined. An air current direction X is a direction along the flow of air, and is denoted by reference sign X in the figures. An upstream side in the air current direction X will be referred as an air current-direction upstream side X1, and a downstream side in the air current direction X will be referred to as an air current-direction downstream side X2. A vertical direction Y is the direction of gravitational force, and is denoted by reference sign Y in the figures. In FIG. 2, which is depicted on a surface of paper, the vertical direction Y is a direction from a top edge of the surface of the paper to a bottom edge of the surface of the paper. A depth direction Z is a depth direction of the indoor-unit housing 210, and is denoted by reference sign Z in the figures. In Embodiment 1, the depth direction Z is a horizontal direction. Furthermore, the front side of the indoor-unit housing 210 will be referred to as an indoor-unit housing front side Z1, and the back side of the indoor-unit housing 210 will be referred to as an indoor-unit housing back side Z2.

[0066]As described above, the indoor heat exchanger 20 includes the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22. The first heat exchange module 21 has a first connection port 24 with which the first refrigerant pipe 401 is connected. The second heat exchange module 22 has a second connection port 25 with which the second refrigerant pipe 402 is connected. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second heat exchange module 22 is provided below the first heat exchange module 21 in the vertical direction Y. The first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 are installed in the indoor-unit housing 210 such that a section of the indoor heat exchanger 20 that is taken along the vertical direction Y and the air current direction X is Y-shaped in such a manner as to face laterally. A contact portion between an end portion of the first heat exchange module 21 and an end portion of the second heat exchange module 22 or a closest portion between the portion of the first heat exchange module 21 and the end portion of the second heat exchange module 22 forms a vertex that is Y-shaped in such a manner as to face laterally. The indoor heat exchanger 20 is provided opposite to the indoor air-sending device 220 so that an air current generated by the indoor air-sending device 220 passes through a region around heat transfer tubes of the indoor heat exchanger 20. In an example illustrated in FIG. 2, the indoor heat exchanger 20 is provided closer to the air current-direction downstream side X2 than the indoor air-sending device 220. Between the indoor heat exchanger 20 and the indoor air-sending device 220, a filter 106 for trapping grit and dust contained in the air current may be provided.

[0067]As installation configurations in each of which the indoor heat exchanger 20 is installed in the indoor-unit housing 210, a first installation configuration and a second installation configuration are present. The first installation configuration and the second installation configuration are different from each other regarding a surface of the indoor heat exchanger 20 that faces an air current generated by the indoor air-sending device 220. In the first installation configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the indoor heat exchanger 20 is installed such that a V-shaped inner peripheral surface thereof laterally faces the air current generated by the indoor air-sending device 220. In the second installation configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the indoor heat exchanger 20 is installed such that a V-shaped outer peripheral surface thereof laterally faces the air current generated by the indoor air-sending device 220. In both the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration, the second heat exchange module 22 is provided below the first heat exchange module 21.

[0068]As illustrated in FIG. 2, in the first installation configuration, the first refrigerant pipe 401 is inserted in the indoor-unit housing 210 through a first opening 211a provided in a first wall surface 211 of the indoor-unit housing 210; and the second refrigerant pipe 402 is inserted in the indoor-unit housing 210 through a second opening 211b provided in the first wall surface 211 of the indoor-unit housing 210. That is, the refrigerant pipe 400 is inserted in the indoor-unit housing 210 from the indoor-unit housing front side Z1. The second opening 211b is provided below the first opening 211a in the vertical direction Y. Furthermore, the first refrigerant pipe 401, which is inserted through the first opening 211a of the indoor-unit housing 210, is connected with the first connection port 24 of the first heat exchange module 21. The second refrigerant pipe 402, which is inserted through the second opening 211b of the indoor-unit housing 210, is connected with the second connection port 25 of the second heat exchange module 22.

[0069]As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the second installation configuration, the first refrigerant pipe 401 is inserted in the indoor-unit housing 210 through a third opening 212a provided in a second wall surface 212 of the indoor-unit housing 210; and the second refrigerant pipe 402 is inserted in the indoor-unit housing 210 through a fourth opening 212b provided in the second wall surface 212 of the indoor-unit housing 210. That is, the refrigerant pipe 400 is inserted in the indoor-unit housing 210 from the indoor-unit housing back side Z2. The fourth opening 212b is provided below the third opening 212a in the vertical direction Y. Furthermore, the first refrigerant pipe 401, which is inserted through the third opening 212a of the indoor-unit housing 210, is connected with the first connection port 24 of the first heat exchange module 21. The second refrigerant pipe 402, which is inserted through the fourth opening 212b of the indoor-unit housing 210, is connected with the second connection port 25 of the second heat exchange module 22. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first wall surface 211 and the second wall surface 212 of the indoor-unit housing 210 are located opposite to each other. The first opening 211a, the second opening 211b, the third opening 212a, and the fourth opening 212b will be hereinafter referred to simply as “opening” if it is not necessary to distinguish between the first opening 211a, the second opening 211b, the third opening 212a, and the fourth opening 212b.

[0070]Furthermore, the first refrigerant pipe 401 and the second refrigerant pipe 402 of Embodiment 1 are not limited to those of the example as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 in which the first refrigerant pipe 401 and the second refrigerant pipe 402 are inserted in the same wall surface of the indoor-unit housing 210, but may be inserted in different wall surfaces of the indoor-unit housing 210. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first refrigerant pipe 401 is inserted in the indoor-unit housing 210 in the depth direction Z, and the second refrigerant pipe 402 may be inserted in the indoor-unit housing 210 in the vertical direction. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the first installation configuration, the first refrigerant pipe 401 is inserted in the first opening 211a provided in the first wall surface 211 of the indoor-unit housing 210; and the second refrigerant pipe 402 is inserted in the opposite direction to the vertical direction Y into a second opening 213b-1 provided in a bottom surface 213 of the indoor-unit housing 210. In the second installation configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the first refrigerant pipe 401 is inserted in the third opening 212a provided in the second wall surface 212 of the indoor-unit housing 210; and the second refrigerant pipe 402 is inserted in the opposite direction to the vertical direction Y into a fourth opening 213b-2 provided in the bottom surface 213 of the indoor-unit housing 210. In such a manner, in each of the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration, the first refrigerant pipe 401 and the second refrigerant pipe 402 are inserted in different wall surfaces of the indoor-unit housing 210 that are adjacent to each other. The second refrigerant pipe 402 in the first installation configuration and that in the second installation configuration are inserted in the same bottom surface 213, but are inserted at different positions.

[0071]Furthermore, instead of the first opening 211a and the third opening 212a as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the indoor-unit housing 210 may include a first opening 214a-1 and a third opening 214a-2 as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. That is, the indoor-unit housing 210 may include the second opening 211b and the fourth opening 212b as Illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and the first opening 214a-1 and the third opening 214a-2 as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Although it is not illustrated, the first refrigerant pipe 401 may be inserted in the indoor-unit housing 210 in the vertical direction Y, and the second refrigerant pipe 402 may be inserted in the indoor-unit housing 210 in the depth direction Z. In this case, in the first installation configuration, the first refrigerant pipe 401 is inserted in the vertical direction Y into the first opening 214a-1 provided in a top surface 214 of the indoor-unit housing 210. The second refrigerant pipe 402 is inserted in the second opening 211b provided in the first wall surface 211. In this case, in the second installation configuration, the first refrigerant pipe 401 is inserted in the vertical direction Y into the third opening 214a-2 provided in the top surface 214 of the indoor-unit housing 210; and the second refrigerant pipe 402 is inserted in the fourth opening 212b provided in the second wall surface 212. In such a manner, in each of the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration, the first refrigerant pipe 401 and the second refrigerant pipe 402 are inserted in different wall surfaces of the indoor-unit housing 210 that are adjacent to each other. It should be noted that the first refrigerant pipe 401 in the first installation configuration and that in the second installation configuration are inserted in the same top surface 214, but are inserted at different positions.

[0072]Next, the installation configurations of the indoor heat exchanger 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view for the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a schematic view obtained by projecting the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the first installation configuration and the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the second installation configuration onto the first wall surface 211 of the indoor-unit housing 210 from the indoor-unit housing back side Z2 toward the indoor-unit housing front side Z1. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an overlap of a first projection view obtained by projecting the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the first installation configuration onto the first wall surface 211 in the horizontal direction and a second projection view obtained by projecting the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the second installation configuration onto the first wall surface 211 in the horizontal direction. The indoor heat exchanger 20, the first heat exchange module 21, the second heat exchange module 22, the first connection port 24, and the second connection port 25 in the first installation configuration will be hereinafter sometimes referred to as “indoor heat exchanger 20a”, “first heat exchange module 21a”, “second heat exchange module 22a”, “first connection port 24a”, and “second connection port 25a”, respectively. Furthermore, the indoor heat exchanger 20, the first heat exchange module 21, the second heat exchange module 22, the first connection port 24, and the second connection port 25 in the second installation configuration will be hereinafter sometimes referred to as “indoor heat exchanger 20b”, “first heat exchange module 21b”, “second heat exchange module 22b”, “first connection port 24b”, and “second connection port 25b”, respectively.

[0073]A first virtual point VP1a is a point in the first projection view obtained by projecting an arbitrary point on the first heat exchange module 21 in the first installation configuration, and a second virtual point VP1b is a point in the second projection view obtained by projecting the arbitrary point in the second installation configuration. A straight line connecting the first virtual point VP1a and the second virtual point VP1b is a first virtual line VL1. A third virtual point VP2a is a point in the first projection view obtained by projecting an arbitrary point on the second heat exchange module 22 in the first installation configuration, and a fourth virtual point VP2b is a point in the second projection view obtained by projecting the arbitrary point in the second installation configuration. A straight line connecting the third virtual point VP2a and the fourth virtual point VP2b is a second virtual line VL2. A fifth virtual point VP3a is a point in the first projection view obtained by projecting the center of the first connection port 24 in the first installation configuration, and a sixth virtual point VP3b is a point in the second projection view obtained by projecting the center in the second installation configuration. A straight line connecting the fifth virtual point VP3a and the sixth virtual point VP3b is a third virtual line VL3. A seventh virtual point VP4a is a point in the first projection view obtained by projecting the center of the second connection port 25 in the first installation configuration, and an eighth virtual point VP4b is a point in the second projection view obtained by projecting the center in the second installation configuration. A straight line connecting the seventh virtual point VP4a and the eighth virtual point VP4b is a fourth virtual line VL4. The first virtual line VL1, the second virtual line VL2, the third virtual line VL3, and the fourth virtual line VL4 are parallel to each other.

[0074]FIG. 7 is an explanatory view for the heat transfer tubes of the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view for another example of the heat transfer tubes of the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 1. The heat transfer tubes of the indoor heat exchanger 20 may be circular tubes 30 as illustrated in FIG. 7 or may be flat tubes 31 as illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0075]As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, in both the case in which the heat transfer tubes of the indoor heat exchanger 20 are the circular tubes 30 and the case in which the heat transfer tubes of the indoor heat exchanger 20 are the flat tubes 31, the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 each include a flow dividing header 28 and a confluence header 29. The flow dividing header 28 of the first heat exchange module 21 has the first connection port 24, and the confluence header 29 of the second heat exchange module 22 has the second connection port 25. The first refrigerant pipe 401 is connected with the first connection port 24 of the flow dividing header 28. The second refrigerant pipe 402 is connected with the second connection port 25 of the confluence header 29. The confluence header 29 of the first heat exchange module 21 and the flow dividing header 28 of the second heat exchange module 22 are connected to each other by the third refrigerant pipe 403. At the third refrigerant pipe 403, the first expansion device 104 is provided.

Side Plate and Fixing Plate

[0076]A side plate 230 and a fixing plate 240 that are attached to the indoor heat exchanger 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view for a configuration of the side plate 230 and the fixing plate 240 in the first installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view for a configuration of the side plate 230 and the fixing plate 240 in the second installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 1.

[0077]As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 of the indoor heat exchanger 20 are fixed and combined with each other by the fixing plate 240. The fixing plate 240 is a triangular plate-shaped member. The fixing plate 240 is attached to the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 such that surfaces of the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 that face each other are connected to each other. As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration are different from each other in the position of the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the indoor-unit housing 210. Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 each have protruding portions for screwing the fixing plate 240. However, the way of attaching the fixing plate 240 to the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 is not limited to a specific way. The fixing plate 240 may be attached to the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 by, for example, an adhesive.

[0078]When being rotated through 180 degrees around a virtual rotation axis AX extending upward in the vertical direction, the indoor heat exchanger 20 that is in the first installation configuration illustrated in FIG. 9 is set in the second installation configuration illustrated in FIG. 10. Similarly, when being rotated 180 degrees around the virtual rotation axis AX, the indoor heat exchanger 20 that is in the second installation configuration illustrated in FIG. 10 is set in the first installation configuration illustrated in FIG. 9. As illustrated in FIG. 9, in the first installation configuration, the fixing plate 240 is located on the indoor-unit housing front side Z1. In the second installation configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the fixing plate 240 is located on the indoor-unit housing back side Z2.

[0079]Although it is not illustrated, an opening may be provided in the indoor-unit housing 210 to allow the indoor heat exchanger 20 whose components are combined by the fixing plate 240 to be removed from the indoor-unit housing 210. Furthermore, at least one of the first wall surface 211 and the second wall surface 212 of the indoor-unit housing 210 may be made detachable from the indoor-unit housing 210 to allow the indoor heat exchanger 20 whose components are combined by the fixing plate 240 to be removed from the indoor-unit housing 210.

[0080]As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the side plate 230 is attached to the second heat exchange module 22. The side plate 230 is a member for fixing the indoor heat exchanger 20 to the indoor-unit housing 210. The side plate 230 is a triangular plate-shaped member. Portions of the side plate 230 that are connected to the bottom surface 213 of the indoor-unit housing 210 will be referred to as “side-plate fixing portions 231”. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the side-plate fixing portions 231 may project from the plate-shaped member corresponding to the side plate 230 in a direction that intersects a flat plate surface of the plate-shaped member. When the side-plate fixing portions 231, which are in surface contact with the bottom surface 213 of the indoor-unit housing 210, are fixed to the indoor-unit housing 210, the second heat exchange module 22 is fixed to the indoor-unit housing 210. The position at which the side plate 230 is fixed to the indoor-unit housing 210 varies depending on whether the indoor heat exchanger 20 is set in the first installation configuration or in the second installation configuration.

[0081]The position at which the side plate 230 is fixed will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14. FIG. 11 is a schematic bottom perspective view of the indoor-unit housing 210 for explanation of the side plate 230 in the case where the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 1 is set in the first installation configuration. FIG. 12 is a schematic bottom perspective view of the indoor-unit housing 210 for explanation of the side plate 230 in the case where the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 1 is set in the second installation configuration. FIG. 13 is a schematic bottom perspective view of the indoor-unit housing 210 for explanation of another example of the side plate 230 in the case where the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 1 is set in the second installation configuration. FIG. 14 is a schematic bottom perspective view of the indoor-unit housing 210 for explanation the installation configuration of the side plate 230 according to Embodiment 1. In the following description, the side plate 230 and the side-plate fixing portions 231 in the first installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20 are sometimes referred to as “side plate 230a” and “side-plate fixing portions 231a”, respectively. Furthermore, the side plate 230 and the side-plate fixing portions 231 in the second installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20 are sometimes referred to as “side plate 230b” and “side-plate fixing portions 231b”, respectively. In addition, the “side plate 230” may include the side-plate fixing portions 231 in the case where it is not necessary to distinguish between the side plate 230 and the side-plate fixing portions 231. FIGS. 11 to 13 illustrate the side plate 230 and the second heat exchange module 22 as seen from the bottom surface 213 of the indoor-unit housing 210 along the rotation axis AX illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 11 illustrates the side plate 230a, and FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the side plate 230b.

[0082]As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 11, in the first installation configuration, the side plate 230 is located on the indoor-unit housing front side Z1. The side-plate fixing portions 231 project toward the indoor-unit housing front side Z1. In the second installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the side plate 230b can be fixed to the indoor-unit housing front side Z1 and also fixed to the indoor-unit housing back side Z2. FIG. 12 illustrates a state in which the side plate 230 removed from the second heat exchange module 22a as illustrated in FIG. 11 is rotated through 180 degrees with reference to a vertical direction and attached to a lower surface of the second heat exchange module 22b. In the second installation configuration illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 12, the side plate 230b is fixed to the indoor-unit housing front side Z1, with the side-plate fixing portions 231b projecting toward the indoor-unit housing back side Z2. Furthermore, FIG. 13 illustrates a state in which the second heat exchange module 22a and the side plate 230 as illustrated in FIG. 11 are rotated as a single body through 180 degrees with reference to the vertical direction. In the second installation configuration illustrated in FIG. 13, the side plate 230b is fixed to the indoor-unit housing back side Z2, with the side-plate fixing portions 231b projecting toward the indoor-unit housing back side Z2.

[0083]A relationship between the state illustrated in FIG. 11 and that illustrated in FIG. 13 will be described with reference to FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is a bottom projection view of the indoor-unit housing 210 along the rotation axis AX (see FIG. 9) and illustrates the side plate 230a and the side plate 230b. In FIG. 14, three arbitrary points on the side plate 230a in the first installation configuration are illustrated as a first point PPT1a, a second point PPT2a, and a third point PPT3a. Furthermore, three arbitrary points on the side plate 230b in the second installation configuration are illustrated as a first point PPT1b, a second point PPT2b, and a third point PPT3b. A virtual straight line connecting the first point PPT1a and the first point PPT1b will be referred to as a first virtual straight line SL1. A virtual straight line connecting the second point PPT2a and the second point PPT2b will be referred to as a second virtual straight line SL2. A virtual straight line connecting the third point PPT3a and the third point PPT3b will be referred to as a third virtual straight line SL3. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the first virtual straight line SL1, the second virtual straight line SL2, and the third virtual straight line SL3 intersect at a virtual intersection point VO as seen in an axial direction of the rotation axis AX. Thus, in each of the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration, the indoor heat exchanger 20 is provided such that the first virtual straight line SL1, the second virtual straight line SL2, and the third virtual straight line SL3 intersect at the virtual intersection point VO. It should be noted that the position of the virtual intersection point VO is the same as the position of the virtual rotation axis AX.

Advantages of Air-Conditioning Apparatus

[0084]Advantages of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 15 is an explanatory view for an installation configuration of an indoor-unit housing of Comparative Example 1. FIG. 16 is an explanatory view for an installation configuration of an indoor-unit housing of Comparative Example 2.

[0085]Comparative Example 1 as illustrated in FIG. 15 will be described. In an indoor-unit housing 2100 of Comparative Example 1, an indoor heat exchanger 2000, an indoor air-sending device 2200, and a filter 2006 are provided. The indoor heat exchanger 2000 includes a first heat exchange module 2010 and a second heat exchange module 2020. A first refrigerant pipe 4010 is connected with a first connection port 2400 of the first heat exchange module 2010, and a second refrigerant pipe 4020 is connected with the second heat exchange module 2020. The first refrigerant pipe 4010 and the second refrigerant pipe 4020 are connected to an outdoor unit (not illustrated) installed outdoors through wall holes 6001 provided in a wall 6000.

[0086]In Comparative Example 1, the flow direction of an air current in a space in which the indoor-unit housing 2100 is installed is fixed. Also, the orientation of the indoor heat exchanger 2000 relative to the flow direction of the air current in the indoor-unit housing 2100 is fixed, and the direction in which the indoor-unit housing 2100 is installed is restricted. Thus, the indoor-unit housing 2100 cannot be installed such that the first connection port 2400 and a second connection port 2500 face the first refrigerant pipe 4010 and the second refrigerant pipe 4020, which extend through the wall holes 6001. Therefore, in order to connect the first refrigerant pipe 4010 and the second refrigerant pipe 4020 with the first connection port 2400 and the second connection port 2500, it is necessary to add a process of extending the first refrigerant pipe 4010 and the second refrigerant pipe 4020 and a bending processing of bending the first refrigerant pipe 4010 and the second refrigerant pipe 4020. However, in the case of adding the bending processing of bending the first refrigerant pipe 4010 and the second refrigerant pipe 4020 after the process of extending the first refrigerant pipe 4010 and the second refrigerant pipe 4020, the flow resistance of a refrigerant pipe from the indoor heat exchanger 2000 to a compressor (not illustrated) increases, a suction refrigerant pressure of the compressor lowers, and a suction refrigerant density lowers. Consequently, a circulation flow rate of the refrigerant in the air-conditioning apparatus lowers, and the air-conditioning performance lowers.

[0087]In view of the above, in order to avoid the processes of extending and bending the first refrigerant pipe 4010 and the second refrigerant pipe 4020 in Comparative Example 1, it is conceivable that the location of the indoor heat exchanger 2000 is changed such that the first connection port 2400 and the second connection port 2500 face the first refrigerant pipe 4010 and the second refrigerant pipe 4020. That is, referring to FIG. 15, it suffices that the indoor heat exchanger 2000 is installed such that the first connection port 2400 and the second connection port 2500 are located on the indoor-unit housing back side Z2. However, in Comparative Example 1, in order that the first connection port 2400 and the second connection port 2500 be located on the indoor-unit housing back side Z2 without changing the location of the indoor air-sending device 2200 and the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 2000 that faces the air current, the second heat exchange module 2020 is required to be provided above the first heat exchange module 2010. However, in the case where the second heat exchange module 2020 operates as an evaporator in the dehumidifying operation, dew condensation water flows into the first heat exchange module 2010, which is provided below the second heat exchange module 2020. Since the first heat exchange module 2010 operates as a condenser in the dehumidifying operation, inflow of dew condensation water causes a decrease in the efficiency of heat exchange in the first heat exchange module 2010, thereby causing lowering of the temperature of air that is sent from the first heat exchange module 2010. As a result, the indoor temperature in the dehumidifying operation lowers, thus causing a decrease in the dehumidifying performance of the air-conditioning apparatus.

[0088]Furthermore, in order to avoid the processes of extending and bending the first refrigerant pipe 4010 and the second refrigerant pipe 4020 in Comparative Example 1, it is also conceivable that the orientation of the indoor-unit housing 2100 is changed such that the first connection port 2400 and the second connection port 2500 are located on the indoor-unit housing back side Z2. That is, it suffices that the indoor-unit housing 2100 is provided such that the indoor air-sending device 2200 is located on the left side of a surface of paper on which FIG. 15 is depicted, and the indoor heat exchanger 2000 is located on the right side of the surface of the paper. However, in this case, since the flow direction of an air current generated by the indoor air-sending device 2200 is reversed, a requirement for an air-sending passage in a space in which the air-conditioning apparatus is installed may not be satisfied. For example, in a space in which an another heat source such as a boiler is provided upstream of the indoor-unit housing 2100 in the air current and a space in which air-sending openings through which air is sent to another indoor space are provided downstream of the indoor-unit housing 2100 in the air current, the flow direction of an air current generated by the indoor air-sending device 2200 cannot be changed, since the change results in occurrence of a defect in thermal integration design and release of dust and dirt into indoor spaces. In other words, since requirements for installing the indoor air-sending device 2200 in the air-sending passage are not satisfied, the orientation of the indoor-unit housing 2100 cannot be changed.

[0089]In Comparative Example 2 as illustrated in FIG. 16, an air-sending duct 7000 is provided to reduce restrictions that are imposed by the air-sending passage on the orientation of the indoor-unit housing 2100. Although the positions of the wall holes 6001 as illustrated in FIG. 16 are different from those in FIG. 13, the configuration of the indoor-unit housing 2100 as illustrated in FIG. 16 is the same as that in FIG. 15. In Comparative Example 2 as illustrated in FIG. 16, the flow direction of the air current generated by the indoor air-sending device 2200 is changed because of provision of the air-sending duct 7000. To be more specific, it is possible to prevent the flow direction of the air current generated by the indoor air-sending device 2200 from being reversed, because of provision of the air-sending duct 7000. It is therefore possible to change the orientation of the indoor-unit housing 2100 without adding the processes of extending and bending the first refrigerant pipe 4010 and the second refrigerant pipe 4020. However, in the case where the air-sending duct 7000 is provided as in Comparative Example 2, it is necessary to provide a space for installation of the air-sending duct 7000. Furthermore, in the case where the air-conditioning apparatus includes the air-sending duct 7000, the size of the air-conditioning apparatus increases. In addition, since a flow passage through which the air current supplied from the indoor air-sending device 2200 flows is elongated, the amount of air to be sent is reduced by the flow resistance of the air current, thereby causing lowering of the air-conditioning performance.

[0090]By contrast, in the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1, the indoor heat exchanger 20 can be set in the indoor-unit housing 210 in a selected one of the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration. Thus, in the case where the indoor-unit housing 210 is installed in the space illustrated in FIG. 15, it suffices that the indoor heat exchanger 20 is set in the indoor-unit housing 210 in the second installation configuration (see FIG. 3). Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, in both the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the second heat exchange module 22 is provided below the first heat exchange module 21. Thus, even if dew condensation occurs in the second heat exchange module 22 operating as an evaporator in the dehumidifying operation, it does not flow into the first heat exchange module 21 operating as a condenser. More specifically, in the dehumidifying operation, dew condensation occurs in a region located outside the heat transfer tubes, as refrigerant whose temperature is lower than or equal to the dew-point temperature of indoor air exchanges with indoor air in the second heat exchange module 22. However, dew condensation adhering to the heat transfer tubes in the second heat exchange module 22 is driven by gravity to flow along the refrigerant pipe 400 into a flow passage (not illustrated) provided below, and flows out of the indoor-unit housing 210.

[0091]As described above, in the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1, unlike Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20 can be selected from the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration. Thus, even in the case where the space in which the indoor-unit housing 210 is installed is limited, the refrigerant pipe 400 can be connected to the indoor heat exchanger 20 even without both or one of the process of extending the refrigerant pipe 400 and the processing of bending the refrigerant pipe 400. Furthermore, since the second heat exchange module 22 is provided below the first heat exchange module 21 regardless of whether the indoor heat exchanger 20 is set in the first installation configuration or the second installation configuration, it does not cause lowering of the air-conditioning performance in the dehumidifying operation. That is, the indoor-unit housing 210 according to Embodiment 1 can be installed in such a manner as to reduce the decrease in the performance of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 that is caused by the location of the refrigerant pipe 400, without receiving a limitation to the space in which the indoor-unit housing 210 is provided.

[0092]As described above, the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 includes the compressor 101 provided in the outdoor-unit housing 510, the outdoor heat exchanger 50 provided in the outdoor-unit housing 510, the indoor heat exchanger 20 provided in the indoor-unit housing 210, the indoor air-sending device 220 provided in the indoor-unit housing 210, and the refrigerant pipe 400 that serves as a heat medium pipe, that is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 20, and through which refrigerant serving as a heat medium that exchanges heat directly with indoor air flows. In other words, the heat medium pipe is part of the refrigerant pipe 400. The indoor heat exchanger 20 includes the first heat exchange module 21 that heats the indoor air in the dehumidifying operation and the second heat exchange module 22 that cools the indoor air in the dehumidifying operation to condense water vapor in the indoor air. The indoor heat exchanger 20 is set in the indoor-unit housing 210 in either the first installation configuration or the second installation configuration. The first installation configuration and the second installation configuration are different from each other regarding the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 20 that faces an air current generated by the indoor air-sending device 220. In both the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration, the second heat exchange module 22 is provided below the first heat exchange module 21. Furthermore, the refrigerant pipe 400, through which the refrigerant flows as the heat medium, connects the compressor 101, the outdoor heat exchanger 50, the indoor heat exchanger 20, and the first expansion device 104 provided in the indoor-unit housing 210. The first heat exchange module 21 of the indoor heat exchanger 20 operates as a condenser in the dehumidifying operation, and the second heat exchange module 22 of the indoor heat exchanger 20 operates as an evaporator in the dehumidifying operation.

[0093]In the above configuration, the indoor heat exchanger 20, which includes the first heat exchange module 21 operating as a condenser in the dehumidifying operation and the second heat exchange module 22 operating as an evaporator in the dehumidifying operation, can be set in the indoor-unit housing 210 in either the first installation configuration or the second installation configuration. Moreover, the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 20 that faces the air current varies depending on whether the indoor heat exchanger 20 is set in either the first installation configuration or the second installation configuration, and the second heat exchange module 22 is provided below the first heat exchange module 21 regardless of whether the indoor heat exchanger 20 is set in either the first installation configuration or the second installation configuration. Thus, it is possible to select, from the installation configurations, an installation configuration in which at least one of the process of extending the refrigerant pipe 400 and the process of bending the refrigerant pipe 400 is not added, and set the indoor heat exchanger 20 can be set in the indoor-unit housing 210 in the selected installation configuration. Accordingly, in the case where the indoor-unit housing 210 is set in a space in which the orientation of the indoor-unit housing 210 cannot be selected, by installing the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the indoor-unit housing 210 in either the first installation configuration or the second installation configuration, it is possible to install the indoor-unit housing 210 in such a manner as to reduce the decrease in the performance of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 that is caused by the location of the refrigerant pipe 400.

[0094]Furthermore, the second heat exchange module 22 is provided below the first heat exchange module 21, regardless whether the indoor heat exchanger 20 is set in the first installation configuration or the second installation configuration. Therefore, dew condensation water generated at the second heat exchange module 22 operating as an evaporator in the dehumidifying operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 does not enter the first heat exchange module 21. Thus, the air-conditioning performance of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 in the dehumidifying operation does not vary between the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20.

[0095]Furthermore, in the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1, the refrigerant pipe 400 includes the first refrigerant pipe 401 provided between the outdoor-unit housing 510 and the first heat exchange module 21 and the second refrigerant pipe 402 provided between the outdoor-unit housing 510 and the second heat exchange module 22. The indoor-unit housing 210 has: the first wall surface 211 having the first opening 211a through which the first refrigerant pipe 401 passes in the first installation configuration and the second opening 211b through which the second refrigerant pipe 402 passes in the first installation configuration; and the second wall surface 212 having the third opening 212a through which the first refrigerant pipe 401 passes in the second installation configuration and the fourth opening 212b through which the second refrigerant pipe 402 passes in the second installation configuration. The first wall surface 211 and the second wall surface 212 face each other.

[0096]With the above configuration, the refrigerant pipe 400 is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 20 through one of the first wall surface 211 and the second wall surface 212 of the indoor-unit housing 210, which face each other. That is, in the first installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the first refrigerant pipe 401 is connected to the first connection port 24 of the first heat exchange module 21 through the first opening 211a of the first wall surface 211, and the second refrigerant pipe 402 is connected to the second connection port 25 of the second heat exchange module 22 through the second opening 211b of the first wall surface 211. In the second installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the first refrigerant pipe 401 is connected to the first connection port 24 of the first heat exchange module 21 through the third opening 212a of the second wall surface 212, and the second refrigerant pipe 402 is connected to the second connection port 25 of the second heat exchange module 22 through the fourth opening 212b of the second wall surface 212.

[0097]Therefore, it suffices to determine whether to set the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the first installation configuration or the second installation configuration, depending on whether a wall surface of the indoor-unit housing 210 that faces ends portions of the first refrigerant pipe 401 and the second refrigerant pipe 402 extending from the outdoor-unit housing 510 is the first wall surface 211 or the second wall surface 212. That is, without changing the orientation of the indoor-unit housing 210 and without the process of extending or bending the first refrigerant pipe 401 and the second refrigerant pipe 402, the refrigerant pipe 400 can be connected to the indoor heat exchanger 20 from one of the first wall surface 211 and the second wall surface 212 of the indoor-unit housing 210, which face each other. Therefore, in the space in which the orientation of the indoor-unit housing 210 cannot be selected, the indoor-unit housing 210 can be installed in such a manner as to reduce the decrease in the performance of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 that is caused by the location of the refrigerant pipe 400.

[0098]Furthermore, in the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1, the refrigerant pipe 400 includes the first refrigerant pipe 401 provided between the outdoor-unit housing 510 and the first heat exchange module 21 and the second refrigerant pipe 402 provided between the outdoor-unit housing 510 and the second heat exchange module 22. The indoor-unit housing 210 includes the first wall surface 211 having a first wall surface opening through which one of the first refrigerant pipe 401 and the second refrigerant pipe 402 passes in the first installation configuration, the second wall surface 212 having a second wall surface opening through which the above one of the first refrigerant pipe 401 and the second refrigerant pipe 402 passes in the second installation configuration, and a third wall surface having a third wall surface opening and a fourth wall surface opening through which the other of the first refrigerant pipe 401 and the second refrigerant pipe 402 passes. The first wall surface 211 and the second wall surface 212 face each other and are connected to each other by the third wall surface. It should be noted that the first wall surface opening is either the first opening 211a through which the first refrigerant pipe 401 passes or the second opening 211b through which the second refrigerant pipe 402 passes; the second wall surface opening is either the third opening 212a through which the first refrigerant pipe 401 passes or the fourth opening 212b through which the second refrigerant pipe 402 passes; the third wall surface opening is either the first opening 214a-1 through which the first refrigerant pipe 401 passes or the second opening 213b-1 through which the second refrigerant pipe 402 passes; and the fourth wall surface opening is either the third opening 214a-2 through which the first refrigerant pipe 401 passes or the fourth opening 213b-2 through which the second refrigerant pipe 402 passes.

[0099]Therefore, it suffices that the first installation configuration or the second installation configuration is determined as the installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20, depending on the wall surface of the indoor-unit housing 210 that faces the first refrigerant pipe 401 and the second refrigerant pipe 402 that extend from the outdoor-unit housing 510. That is, without changing the orientation of the indoor-unit housing 210 and without extending or bending the first refrigerant pipe 401, the first refrigerant pipe 401, which is inserted from the first wall surface 211, the second wall surface 212, or the top surface 214 of the indoor-unit housing 210, can be connected to the first heat exchange module 21. Furthermore, without changing the orientation of the indoor-unit housing 210 and without extending or bending the second refrigerant pipe 402, the second refrigerant pipe 402, which is inserted from the first wall surface 211, the second wall surface 212, or the bottom surface 213 of the indoor-unit housing 210, can be connected to the second heat exchange module 22. Therefore, in the space in which the orientation of the indoor-unit housing 210 cannot be selected, the indoor-unit housing 210 can be installed in such a manner as to reduce the decrease in the performance of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 that is caused by the location of the refrigerant pipe 400.

[0100]Furthermore, in the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1, the first heat exchange module 21 has the first connection port 24 with which the first refrigerant pipe 401 is connected, and the second heat exchange module 22 has the second connection port 25 with which the second refrigerant pipe 402 is connected. The first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 are installed in the indoor-unit housing 210 such that a section of the indoor heat exchanger 20 that is taken along a vertical direction Y is V-shaped in such a manner as to face laterally. In the first installation configuration, the indoor heat exchanger 20 is provided such that the V-shaped inner peripheral surface thereof faces the air current, and in the second installation configuration, the indoor heat exchanger 20 is provided such that the V-shaped outer peripheral surface thereof faces the air current. In the case where the indoor heat exchanger 20 is projected as an image onto the first wall surface 211 of the indoor-unit housing 210 in the horizontal direction, a first virtual line VL1 is a straight line that connects a first virtual point VP1a obtained by projecting an arbitrary point on the first heat exchange module 21 in the first installation configuration and a second virtual point VP1b obtained by projecting the arbitrary point in the second installation configuration. A second virtual line VL2 is a straight line that connects a third virtual point VP2a obtained by projecting an arbitrary point on the second heat exchange module 22 in the first installation configuration and a fourth virtual point VP2b obtained by projecting the arbitrary point in the second installation configuration. A third virtual line VL3 is a straight line that connects a fifth virtual point VP3a obtained by projecting the center of the first connection port 24 in the first installation configuration and a sixth virtual point VP3b obtained by projecting the center in the second installation configuration. A fourth virtual line VL4 is a straight line that connects a seventh virtual point VP4a obtained by projecting the center of the second connection port 25 in the first installation configuration and an eighth virtual point VP4b obtained by projecting the center in the second installation configuration. The first virtual line VL1, the second virtual line VL2, the third virtual line VL3, and the fourth virtual line VL4 are parallel to each other.

[0101]It should be noted that as such an installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20 as to cause a change in the orientation of the indoor heat exchanger 20 relative to the air current generated by the indoor air-sending device, the following is conceivable: in the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration, the indoor heat exchanger 20 can be set such that either the first virtual line VL1 or the second virtual line VL2, the third virtual line VL3, and the fourth virtual line VL4 intersect each other at one point. In this case, however, the second heat exchange module 22 is located above the first heat exchange module 21, although the positions of the first connection port 24 and the second connection port 25 in the first installation configuration can be made different from the positions of the first connection port 24 and the second connection port 25 in the second installation configuration. By contrast, in Embodiment 1, the positions of the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration are determined such that the first virtual line VL1, the second virtual line VL2, the third virtual line VL3, and the fourth virtual line VL4 are parallel to each other. Thus, in both the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration, the indoor heat exchanger 20 can be set in the indoor-unit housing 210 such that (i) the second heat exchange module 22 is kept located below the first heat exchange module 21, (ii) the first refrigerant pipe 401 is connected with the first connection port 24 of the first heat exchange module 21 without being inclined relative to the horizontal direction regardless of whether the first refrigerant pipe 401 is inserted from the first wall surface 211 or the second wall surface 212, and (ill) the second refrigerant pipe 402 is connected with the second connection port 25 of the second heat exchange module 22 without being inclined relative to the horizontal direction, ¥ regardless of whether the second refrigerant pipe 402 is inserted from the first wall surface 211 or the second wall surface 212.

[0102]Furthermore, the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 further includes the fixing plate 240 that fixes the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 to each other, thereby combining the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 into a single body. The indoor-unit housing 210 includes an openable and closable opening that allows the single body into which the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 are combined to be removed from the indoor-unit housing 210.

[0103]With the above configuration, at end portions of the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22, the fixing plate 240 connects surfaces of the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 that face each other, thereby ensuring the heat transfer area of the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22. In addition, in both the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration, the heat transfer areas can be ensured. Furthermore, since the fixing plate 240 is provided between the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated space for setting of the fixing plate 240, in the indoor-unit housing 210. It is therefore possible to prevent the indoor-unit housing 210 from being made larger for setting of the fixing plate 240. In addition, since the indoor-unit housing 210 is provided with the openable and closable opening, the installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20 whose components are combined by the fixing plate 240 can be easily switched between the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration. It is therefore possible for a worker to easily change the installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20 at an installation location of the indoor-unit housing 210.

[0104]Moreover, the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 further includes the side plate 230 that fixes the second heat exchange module 22 to the bottom surface 213 of the indoor-unit housing 210, and the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration are different from each other in the position at which the side plate 230 is fixed to the bottom surface 213. With this configuration, in both the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the second heat exchange module 22 can be fixed to the bottom surface 213 of the indoor-unit housing 210 by the side plate 230.

[0105]Furthermore, in the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1, the indoor heat exchanger 20 is rotated through 180 degrees around a virtual rotation axis AX extending in the vertical direction Y, whereby the installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20 is switched between the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration. Where three arbitrary points on the side plate 230 are a first point PPT1, a second point PPT2, and a third point PPT3, with respect to the first point PPT1 of the side plate 230, the first virtual straight line SL1 is a line that connects the point PPT1a in the first installation configuration and the point PPT1b of the first point PPT1 in the second installation configuration; with respect to the second point PPT2 of the side plate 230, the second virtual straight line SL2 is a line that connects the point PPT2a in the first installation configuration and the point PPT2b in the second installation configuration; and with respect to the third point PPT3 of the side plate 230, the third virtual straight line SL3 is a line that connects the point PPT3a in the first installation configuration and the point PPT3b in the second installation configuration. As seen in an axial direction of the virtual rotation axis AX, the first virtual straight line SL1, the second virtual straight line SL2, and the third virtual straight line SL3 intersect each other at one point VO.

[0106]In the above configuration, in both the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the second heat exchange module 22 is fixed to the indoor-unit housing 210 such that the first virtual straight line SL1, the second virtual straight line SL2, and the third virtual straight line SL3 intersect each other at the point VO. Therefore, in both the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration, the indoor heat exchanger 20 can be set in the indoor-unit housing 210 such that (i) the second heat exchange module 22 is kept located below the first heat exchange module 21 and (ii) the first connection port 24 of the first heat exchange module 21 and the second connection port 25 of the second heat exchange module 22 face any of the openings provided in the first wall surface 211 or the second wall surface 212 of the indoor-unit housing 210.

[0107]Furthermore, a method for installing the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 includes installing the indoor heat exchanger 20 in one of the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration that is selected as an installation configuration in which the length of the refrigerant pipe 400 serving as the heat medium pipe located between the outdoor-unit housing 510 and the indoor heat exchanger 20 is less than in the other of the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration. Thus, even in the case where the space in which the indoor-unit housing 210 is installed is limited and the orientation of the indoor-unit housing 210 cannot be selected, the refrigerant pipe 400 between the outdoor-unit housing 510 and the indoor heat exchanger 20 can be further shortened. Accordingly, in the space in which the orientation of the indoor-unit housing 210 cannot be selected, the indoor-unit housing 210 can be installed in such a manner to reduce the decrease in the performance of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 that is caused by the location of the refrigerant pipe 400.

Embodiment 2

[0108]The following description regarding Embodiment 2 is made by referring mainly to the differences between Embodiments 1 and 2. Embodiment 2 is different from Embodiment 1 in the configuration of the refrigerant circuit in the indoor-unit housing 210. The other configurations of Embodiment 2 are the same as those of Embodiment 1, and their descriptions will thus be omitted.

[0109]FIG. 17 is a schematic configuration diagram of the refrigerant circuit in an indoor-unit housing 210 according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 18 is an explanatory view for the flow of refrigerant between a first heat exchange module 21 and a second heat exchange module 22 of an indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 2. As illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, the first refrigerant pipe 401 is provided with a first bifurcation 411; the second refrigerant pipe 402 is provided with a second bifurcation 412; and the third refrigerant pipe 403 is provided with a third bifurcation 413 and a fourth bifurcation 414. The first expansion device 104 is provided between the third bifurcation 413 and the fourth bifurcation 414. The following description regarding the configuration of the refrigerant circuit according to Embodiment 2 is made by referring to by way of example the case where the air-conditioning apparatus 100 performs the cooling operation or the dehumidifying operation.

[0110]At the first bifurcation 411, a fourth refrigerant pipe 404 branches off from the first refrigerant pipe 401. The fourth refrigerant pipe 404 connects the first bifurcation 411 and the fourth bifurcation 414. That is, at the fourth bifurcation 414, the third refrigerant pipe 403 and the refrigerant pipe 404 join each other. At the fourth refrigerant pipe 404, a first on-off valve 421 is provided. The first on-off valve 421 is a valve configured to open and close a flow passage of the fourth refrigerant pipe 404 and is controlled by the controller 103.

[0111]When the first on-off valve 421 enters an open state, refrigerant that flows from the outdoor-unit housing 510 (see FIG. 1) into the indoor-unit housing 210 through the first refrigerant pipe 401 branches, at the first bifurcation 411, into refrigerant that flows through the first refrigerant pipe 401 and refrigerant that flows through the fourth refrigerant pipe 404. The refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant pipe 401 flows into the first heat exchange module 21. The refrigerant flowing through the fourth refrigerant pipe 404 flows into the third refrigerant pipe 403 at the fourth bifurcation 414 and flows into the second heat exchange module 22.

[0112]At the third bifurcation 413, a fifth refrigerant pipe 405 branches off from the third refrigerant pipe 403. The fifth refrigerant pipe 405 connects the third bifurcation 413 and the second bifurcation 412. That is, at the second bifurcation 412, the second refrigerant pipe 402 and the fifth refrigerant pipe 405 join each other. At the fifth refrigerant pipe 405, a second on-off valve 422 is provided. The second on-off valve 422 is a valve configured to open and close a flow passage of the fifth refrigerant pipe 405, and is controlled by the controller 103.

[0113]When the second on-off valve 422 enters an open state, refrigerant that flows out from the first heat exchange module 21 and flows through the third refrigerant pipe 403 branches, at the third bifurcation 413, into refrigerant that flows through the third refrigerant pipe 403 and refrigerant that flows through the fifth refrigerant pipe 405. The refrigerant flowing through the third refrigerant pipe 403 flows into the second heat exchange module 22 through the first expansion device 104 and the fourth bifurcation 414. The refrigerant flowing through the fifth refrigerant pipe 405 flows into the second refrigerant pipe 402 at the second bifurcation 412, and flows out from the indoor-unit housing 210.

[0114]The air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 2 may include a temperature measuring device 250 configured to measure the temperature of the refrigerant and a saturation temperature measuring device 260 configured to measure the saturation temperature of the refrigerant. The temperature measuring device 250 and the saturation temperature measuring device 260 are provided at the refrigerant pipe 400. FIG. 17 illustrates an example in which the temperature measuring device 250 and the saturation temperature measuring device 260 are provided at the refrigerant pipe 400 installed in the indoor-unit housing 210.

[0115]The temperature measuring device 250 is provided at the refrigerant pipe 400 connecting the second heat exchange module 22 and one of sides of the compressor 101 that is the suction side thereof in the cooling operation and the dehumidifying operation. The temperature measuring device 250 may be provided at the second refrigerant pipe 402. The saturation temperature measuring device 260 is provided at the refrigerant pipe 400 connecting the fourth bifurcation 414 and the suction side of the compressor 101 in the cooling operation and the dehumidifying operation. The saturation temperature measuring device 260 may be provided at the second refrigerant pipe 402 or may be provided at the refrigerant pipe 400 extending through the second heat exchange module 22. For example, the saturation temperature measuring device 260 may include a pressure sensor configured to measure the pressure of the refrigerant and may measure the saturation temperature based on a correspondence relationship between the pressure of the refrigerant and the saturation temperature, or may measure the saturation temperature by measuring the two-phase temperature of the refrigerant in the second heat exchange module 22. In this case, the saturation temperature measuring device 260 is a temperature measuring device provided to measure the two-phase temperature of the refrigerant in the second heat exchange module 22.

Cooling Operation

[0116]In Embodiment 2, as in Embodiment 1, in the cooling operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100, the outdoor heat exchanger 50 operates as a condenser, and the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 operate as evaporators. In the cooling operation, the controller 103 causes the first on-off valve 421 and the second on-off valve 422 to be in the open state. Furthermore, the controller 103 causes the first expansion device 104 to be in the closed state. As a result, the refrigerant that flows into the indoor-unit housing 210 through the first refrigerant pipe 401 branches, at the first bifurcation 411, into refrigerant that flows through the first refrigerant pipe 401 and refrigerant that flows through the fourth refrigerant pipe 404.

[0117]The refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant pipe 401 flows into the first heat exchange module 21. At this time, since the first expansion device 104 is in the closed state and the second on-off valve 422 is in the open state, the refrigerant that flows out from the first heat exchange module 21 flows into the fifth refrigerant pipe 405 without flowing into the third refrigerant pipe 403. That is, in the cooling operation, the refrigerant does not flow from the first heat exchange module 21 to the second heat exchange module 22. At the second bifurcation 412, the refrigerant that has flowed into the fifth refrigerant pipe 405 flows out from the second heat exchange module 22 and joins the refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant pipe 402.

[0118]The refrigerant that branches off at the first bifurcation 411 and flows through the fourth refrigerant pipe 404 flows into the third refrigerant pipe 403 at the fourth bifurcation 414. However, since the first expansion device 104 is in the closed state, the refrigerant flowing into the third refrigerant pipe 403 at the fourth bifurcation 414 flows into the second heat exchange module 22, not into the first heat exchange module 21. Since the first expansion device 104 is in the closed state, the refrigerant does not flow from the first heat exchange module 21 into the third refrigerant pipe 403. The refrigerant that has flowed into the second heat exchange module 22 flows out to the second refrigerant pipe 402. At the second bifurcation 412, the refrigerant flowing out from the second heat exchange module 22 joins the refrigerant flowing from the fifth refrigerant pipe 405, and flows out from the indoor-unit housing 210 through the second refrigerant pipe 402.

[0119]As described above, in Embodiment 2, in the cooling operation, the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 are arranged in parallel in the refrigerant circuit. Thus, in the cooling operation, the pressure loss of the refrigerant is reduced and the air-conditioning performance of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is improved.

Dehumidifying Operation

[0120]In Embodiment 2, as in Embodiment 1, in the dehumidifying operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100, the outdoor heat exchanger 50 and the first heat exchange module 21 operate as condensers, and the second heat exchange module 22 operates as an evaporator. In the dehumidifying operation, the controller 103 causes the first on-off valve 421 and the second on-off valve 422 to be in the closed state and causes the first expansion device 104 and the second expansion device 105 (see FIG. 1) to be in the open state.

[0121]Since the first on-off valve 421 is in the closed state, the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant pipe 401 flows into the first heat exchange module 21, without branching off at the fourth bifurcation 414 and flowing into the fourth refrigerant pipe 404. Since the first expansion device 104 is in the open state and the second on-off valve 422 is in the closed state, the refrigerant flowing into the first heat exchange module 21 flows into the third refrigerant pipe 403, without branching off at the third bifurcation 413 and flowing into the fifth refrigerant pipe 405. The refrigerant that has flowed lowing into the third refrigerant pipe 403 flows into the second heat exchange module 22 through the first expansion device 104 and the fourth bifurcation 414. The refrigerant that has flowed into the second heat exchange module 202 flows out from the indoor-unit housing 210 through the second refrigerant pipe 402. That is, in the dehumidifying operation, the refrigerant flows in series from the first heat exchange module 21 to the second heat exchange module 22 and flows out from the indoor-unit housing 210.

[0122]In the dehumidifying operation, the controller 103 adjusts the opening degree of the first expansion device 104 so that the refrigerant flowing out from the second heat exchange module 22 changes into superheated steam. The controller 103 receives data acquired by the temperature measuring device 250 and the saturation temperature measuring device 260. Based on the received data, the controller 103 derives such an opening degree of the first expansion device 104 as to cause the refrigerant flowing out from the second heat exchange module 22 to change into superheated steam. The controller 103 controls the first expansion device 104 to cause the first expansion device 104 to be in the open state, with the opening degree thereof set to the derived opening degree. For example, the controller 103 may send, to the first expansion device 104, a control signal for control of the opening degree of the first expansion device 104.

[0123]As described above, in Embodiment 2, in the dehumidifying operation, the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 are arranged in series in the refrigerant circuit. Thus, indoor air whose temperature is raised in the first heat exchange module 21 and indoor air whose temperature is lowered in the second heat exchange module 22 and dehumidified are supplied from the indoor heat exchanger 20 into the indoor space, whereby it is possible to dehumidify the indoor space while reducing a decrease in indoor temperature. Furthermore, the opening degree of the first expansion device 104 is controlled by the controller 103 to cause the refrigerant flowing out from the second heat exchange module 22 to change into superheated steam. Thus, the flow rate of refrigerant that flows through the refrigerant circuit is adjusted. Accordingly, the air-conditioning performance of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 in the dehumidifying operation is improved.

First Bifurcation

[0124]Next, the first bifurcation 411 will be described with reference to FIG. 19. FIG. 19 is an explanatory view for the first bifurcation 411 according to Embodiment 2. In FIG. 19, FI is an inflow direction in which the refrigerant flows into the first bifurcation 411 in the cooling operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100, FO1 is a first outflow direction in which the refrigerant flows out from the first bifurcation 411 to the first refrigerant pipe 401 in the cooling operation, and FO2 is a second outflow direction in which the refrigerant flows out from the first bifurcation 411 to the fourth refrigerant pipe 404 in the cooling operation.

[0125]If the inner product of a vector in the inflow direction FI and a vector in the direction of gravitational force in the cooling operation is positive, the inertial force of inflowing refrigerant does not work against gravity at the first bifurcation 411. Thus, the degree of unevenness of distribution of the liquid refrigerant in the two-phase refrigerant at the first bifurcation 411 due to gravity increases. However, the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 2 is configured such that in both the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration, the second heat exchange module 22 is provided below the first heat exchange module 21. That is, a gravitational relationship between the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 does not vary depending on the installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20. Therefore, regarding the distribution of the two-phase refrigerant at the first bifurcation 411, the indoor heat exchanger 20 can be designed to reduce unevenness of the distribution due to gravity. Accordingly, the air-conditioning performance of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 in the cooling operation does not lower regardless of whether the indoor heat exchanger 20 is in the first installation configuration or the second installation configuration.

[0126]In the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 2, the first bifurcation 411 is set to cause the inner product of a vector in the inflow direction FI and a vector in the direction of gravitational force, that is, the vertical direction Y, in the cooling operation to be negative. Since the inertial force of the refrigerant flowing into the first bifurcation 411 acts in such a direction as to cancel out gravity, an uneven distribution of the liquid refrigerant due to gravity is reduced. Thus, in the cooling operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100, it is possible to cause the refrigerant to branch off without lowering the air-conditioning performance. In other words, in the cooling operation, the refrigerant is caused to branch, at the first bifurcation 411, into refrigerant that flows through the first heat exchange module 21 and refrigerant that flows through the second heat exchange module 22 without lowering the air-conditioning performance. Therefore, the air-conditioning performance of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is improved.

[0127]The first bifurcation 411 as illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19 is T-shaped. However, the shape of the first bifurcation 411 is not limited to a specific one as long as the inner product of a vector in the inflow direction FI and a vector in the vertical direction Y is negative. The first bifurcation 411 may be Y-shaped or F-shaped. Furthermore, the first bifurcation 411 may be a collision-type distributor. In addition, vectors in the first outflow direction FO1 and the second outflow direction FO2 of the first bifurcation 411 are determined based on the space for installation of the refrigerant pipe.

Embodiment 3

[0128]The following description concerning Embodiment 3 is made by referring mainly to the differences between Embodiment 3 and Embodiments 1 and 2. In Embodiment 3, the indoor heat exchanger 20 includes a third heat exchange module 23. In this regard, Embodiment 3 is different from Embodiments 1 and 2. Regarding Embodiment 3, descriptions concerning configurations that are the same as those in Embodiments 1 and 2 will be omitted or simplified.

[0129]FIG. 20 is an explanatory view for a first installation configuration of an indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 21 is an explanatory view for a second installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 3. As illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21, the indoor heat exchanger 20 further includes the third heat exchange module 23. The third heat exchange module 23 is provided at the first refrigerant pipe 401 provided between the outdoor-unit housing 510 (see FIG. 1) and the first heat exchange module 21. Thus, the first refrigerant pipe 401 inserted in the indoor-unit housing 210 through either the first opening 211a or the third opening 212a of the indoor-unit housing 210 is connected with the first connection port 24 of the first heat exchange module 21 through the third heat exchange module 23. Furthermore, in Embodiment 3, the second expansion device 105 (see FIG. 1) is located upstream of the third heat exchange module 23 in the flow direction of the refrigerant in the cooling operation and the dehumidifying operation.

[0130]As illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21, the first refrigerant pipe 401 inserted in the indoor-unit housing 210 through either the first opening 211a or the third opening 212a is connected with a third connection port 26 of the third heat exchange module 23. Furthermore, a fourth connection port 27 of the third heat exchange module 23 and the first connection port 24 of the first heat exchange module 21 are connected with each other by the first refrigerant pipe 401.

[0131]In both the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the third heat exchange module 23 is provided closer to the air current-direction downstream side X2 in the air current direction X than the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22. The third heat exchange module 23 is located upstream of the first heat exchange module 21 in the flow direction of the refrigerant in the cooling operation and the dehumidifying operation, and operates as a condenser in the dehumidifying operation.

[0132]Furthermore, when the installation configuration of the third heat exchange module 23 is switched between the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration, a surface of the third heat exchange module 23 that faces the air current is switched between one of surfaces thereof that faces the air current in the first installation configuration and the other surface thereof that faces the air current in the second installation configuration. Therefore in FIG. 19, which illustrates the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the first installation configuration, the third connection port 26 of the third heat exchange module 23 is located on the upper side of a surface of paper on which the figure is depicted and the fourth connection port 27 is located on the lower side of the surface of the paper; and in FIG. 20, which illustrates the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the second installation configuration, the third connection port 26 of the third heat exchange module 23 is located on the lower side of a surface of paper on which the figure is depicted and the fourth connection port 27 is located on the upper side of the surface of the paper.

[0133]As described above, the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 3 further includes a third heat exchange module 23 that is provided upstream of the first heat exchange module 21 in the flow direction of the refrigerant in the dehumidifying operation. In both the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration, the third heat exchange module 23 is provided closer to the air current-direction downstream side X2 than the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22. The first installation configuration and the second installation configuration are different from each other in the surface of the third heat exchange module 23 that faces the air current.

[0134]With this configuration, even in the case where the temperature of dehumidified air generated by the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 that operate as a condenser and an evaporator, respectively, in the dehumidifying operation, is low, the temperature of the dehumidified air can be further raised by the third heat exchange module 23 that is provided on the air current-direction downstream side X2 and operates as a condenser. That is, since lowering of the temperature of outflow air that is sent out from the indoor heat exchanger 20 is reduced, lowering of the temperature of the indoor space in the dehumidifying operation can be reduced. Therefore, the air-conditioning performance of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 in the dehumidifying operation is improved.

[0135]Furthermore, by the heat exchange at the first heat exchange module 21 operating as a condenser, the temperature of air that passes through the first heat exchange module 21 is raised. By contrast, by the heat exchange at the second heat exchange module 22 operating as an evaporator, the temperature of air that passes through the second heat exchange module 22 is lowered to the dew-point temperature or lower. On the air current-direction downstream side X2 of the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22, dew condensation occurs, as air passing through the first heat exchange module 21 is cooled by air passing through the second heat exchange module 22. However, since the third heat exchange module 23 further raises the temperature of the dehumidified air generated by the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22, occurrence of dew condensation is reduced on the air current-direction downstream side X2 of the third heat exchange module 23. That is, generation of dew on the air-sending duct and flying of dew into the indoor space are reduced. Thus, the air-conditioning performance of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 in the dehumidifying operation is improved.

[0136]Furthermore, the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20 are different from each other in the surface of the third heat exchange module 23 that faces the air current generated by the indoor air-sending device 220. Therefore, the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration are not greatly different from each other regarding the length of the first refrigerant pipe 401 provided between the fourth connection port 27 of the third heat exchange module 23 and the first connection port 24 of the first heat exchange module 21. In other words, it is possible to reduce extension of the first refrigerant pipe 401 that is caused by the difference between the installation configurations of the indoor heat exchanger 20. Accordingly, in the space in which the orientation of the indoor-unit housing 210 cannot be selected, the indoor-unit housing 210 can be installed in such a manner as to reduce the decrease in the performance of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 that is caused by the location of the refrigerant pipe 400.

Embodiment 4

[0137]The following description concerning Embodiment 4 is made by referring mainly to the differences between Embodiment 4 and Embodiments 1 to 3. Embodiment 4 is different from Embodiments 1 to 3 in the angle of installation of each of the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 of the indoor heat exchanger 20. Regarding Embodiment 4, descriptions concerning configurations that are the same as those of Embodiments 1 to 3 will be omitted or simplified.

[0138]FIG. 22 schematically illustrates a wind speed distribution in the first installation configuration of an indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 4. FIG. 23 schematically illustrates a wind speed distribution in the second installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 4. As illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 23, the angle between a virtual line perpendicular to the first heat exchange module 21 and a virtual line perpendicular to the second heat exchange module 22, relative to a V-shaped inner peripheral surface of the indoor heat exchanger 20 that faces laterally, will be referred to as “angle θ”. The angle θ is greater than or equal to 90 degrees and less than or equal to 150 degrees. That is, in both the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 are provided such that the angle θ is greater than or equal to 90 degrees and less than or equal to 150 degrees.

[0139]Regardless of whether the indoor heat exchanger 20 is set in the first installation configuration or the second installation configuration, it is possible to reduce the decrease in the air-conditioning performance in the cooling operation and the dehumidifying operation that is caused by the uneven distribution of wind speed, by providing the first heat exchange module 21 and the second heat exchange module 22 such that the angle θ is greater than or equal to 90 degrees and less than or equal to 150 degrees. Furthermore, in the case where the indoor heat exchanger 20 is set in the first installation configuration (see FIG. 22), when the angle θ increases, the wind speed at a region close to the vertex of the laterally facing V-shaped portion increases and the wind speed at a region located far from the vertex of the laterally facing V-shaped portion decreases. In other words, the wind speed toward the upper side and lower side of a surface of paper on which FIG. 22 is depicted decreases. By contrast, in the case where the indoor heat exchanger 20 is set in the second installation configuration (see FIG. 23), a more even wind speed distribution is obtained than in the first installation configuration. This is because an effect of a U-shaped wind speed distribution as seen in the air current direction X of an air current generated by a static pressure difference between the air current that has not yet passed through the indoor heat exchanger 20 and the air current that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger 20 is canceled out by an effect of a U-shaped wind speed distribution obtained by a shear stress between the wall surfaces of the indoor-unit housing 210. In this case, when θ decreases, the heat transfer area decreases, thereby causing lowering of the heat exchanging performance of the indoor heat exchanger 20. In Embodiment 4, by setting the angle θ to a value that is greater than or equal to 90 degrees and less than or equal to 150 degrees, the heat exchanging performance of the indoor heat exchanger 20 is maintained in each of both the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration. Therefore, the air-conditioning performance of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 in the dehumidifying operation does not vary depending on whether the indoor heat exchanger 20 is set in the first installation configuration or the second installation configuration.

Embodiment 5

[0140]The following description concerning Embodiment 5 is made by referring mainly to the differences between Embodiment 5 and Embodiments 1 to 4. Embodiment 5 is different from Embodiments 1 to 4 in the configuration of the indoor air-sending device 220. Regarding Embodiment 5, descriptions concerning configurations that are the same as those of Embodiments 1 to 4 will be omitted or simplified.

[0141]FIG. 24 is an explanatory view for a first aspect of an indoor air-sending device 220 according to Embodiment 5. FIG. 25 is an explanatory view for a second aspect of the indoor air-sending device 220 according to Embodiment 5. FIG. 26 is an explanatory view for a first aspect of another example of the indoor air-sending device 220 according to Embodiment 5. FIG. 27 is an explanatory view for a second aspect of the above other example of the indoor air-sending device 220 according to Embodiment 5.

[0142]In Embodiment 5, the indoor air-sending device 220 is a centrifugal air-sending device. For example, the indoor air-sending device 220 as illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25 incorporates a multi-blade air-sending device. Alternatively, the indoor air-sending device 220 may be a turbo air-sending device. In the case of using the turbo air-sending device, by changing the orientation of the turbo air-sending device as illustrated in FIGS. 26 and 27 to change a direction in which air is sent out from the turbo air-sending device, it is possible to obtain the same advantages as in the case of using the multi-blade air-sending device.

[0143]The indoor air-sending device 220 can be set in the indoor-unit housing 210 in a selected one of a first configuration in which an air current is generated to flow toward the indoor heat exchanger 20 and a second configuration in which an air current is generated to flow in the opposite direction to a direction in which the indoor heat exchanger 20 is located. To be more specific, as illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 26, in the case where the indoor air-sending device 220 is provided in the indoor-unit housing 210 in the first configuration, the indoor air-sending device 220 is provided closer to the air current-direction upstream side X1 than the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the air current direction X. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIGS. 25 and 27, in the case where the indoor air-sending device 220 is provided in the indoor-unit housing 210 in the second configuration, the indoor air-sending device 220 is provided closer to the air current-direction downstream side X2 than the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the air current direction X.

[0144]In the indoor-unit housing 210 according to Embodiment 5, the installation configuration of the indoor air-sending device 220 can be selected from the first configuration and the second configuration. Thus, in the case where the indoor-unit housing 210 is installed in a space in which the direction of an air current is determined but the orientation of the indoor-unit housing 210 cannot be changed, it suffices that the indoor air-sending device 220 is set in the indoor-unit housing 210 in an installation configuration that conforms to the direction of the air current. By doing so, it is possible to avoid addition of the air-sending duct 7000, which is provided in Comparative Example 2 as illustrated in FIG. 16. Since the direction of the air current that the indoor air-sending device 220 generates can be changed by selecting the above installation configuration of the indoor air-sending device 220, the extension of an airflow path can be reduced.

[0145]Although the indoor heat exchanger 20 can be set in the indoor-unit housing 210 in either the first installation configuration or the second installation configuration, the second heat exchange module 22 is provided below the first heat exchange module 21 regardless of whether the indoor heat exchanger 20 is set in the first installation configuration or the second installation configuration. Therefore, the installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20 is not limited by the installation configuration of the indoor air-sending device 220. That is, in the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 5, in the space where the indoor-unit housing 210 is set, in the case where the direction of connection of the refrigerant pipe 400 and the direction of the air current that the indoor air-sending device 220 generates are limited, the installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20 and the installation configuration of the indoor air-sending device 220 can be changed. Since the indoor heat exchanger 20 and the indoor air-sending device 220 can be set in the indoor-unit housing 210, based on the space where the indoor-unit housing 210 is set, the indoor-unit housing 210 can be set in such a manner as to reduce the decrease in the performance of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 that is caused by the location of the refrigerant pipe 400 and the air current direction X.

Embodiment 6

[0146]FIG. 28 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 6. FIG. 29 is an explanatory view for an indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 6. In Embodiment 6, the air-conditioning apparatus 100 includes a relay unit 700. In this regard, Embodiment 6 is different form Embodiments 1 to 5. Regarding Embodiment 6, descriptions concerning configurations that are the same as those of Embodiments 1 to 5 will be omitted or simplified.

[0147]As illustrated in FIG. 28, the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 6 includes an indoor unit 200, an outdoor unit 500, a refrigerant pipe 400 serving as a heat medium pipe, a relay unit 700, and a water pipe 800 serving as a heat medium pipe. The relay unit 700 includes a relay unit housing 710. In the relay unit housing 710, an intermediate heat exchanger 70, a first expansion device 104, and a water pump 720 are provided. The intermediate heat exchanger 70 causes heat exchange to be performed between refrigerant that serves as a heat medium and flows through the refrigerant pipe 400 and water that serves as a heat medium and flows flowing through the water pipe 800. It should be noted that an additive such as antifreeze or brine may be added to the water that serves as the heat medium and flows through the water pipe 800. The intermediate heat exchanger 70 includes a first intermediate heat exchanger 71 and a second intermediate heat exchanger 72. In the following description, in the case where it is not necessary to distinguish between the first intermediate heat exchanger 71 and the second intermediate heat exchanger 72, they are each referred to simply as “intermediate heat exchanger 70”.

[0148]The water pipe 800 includes a first water pipe 801 connecting the first intermediate heat exchanger 71 and the first heat exchange module 21 of the indoor heat exchanger 20 and a second water pipe 802 connecting the second intermediate heat exchanger 72 and the second heat exchange module 22 of the indoor heat exchanger 20. The water pump 720 includes a first water pump 721 provided to the first water pipe 801 and configured to send out water serving as the heat medium to the first heat exchange module 21. Furthermore, the water pump 720 includes a second water pump 722 provided in the second water pipe 802 and configured to send out water serving as the heat medium to the second heat exchange module 22. The intermediate heat exchanger 70, the water pump 720, and the indoor heat exchanger 20 are connected to each other by the water pipe 800, whereby a water circuit is formed in which water serving as the heat medium circulates. More specifically, the first intermediate heat exchanger 71, the first heat exchange module 21, and the first water pump 721 are connected to each other by the first water pipe 801, whereby a single water circuit is formed in which water serving as the heat medium circulates. Furthermore, the second intermediate heat exchanger 72, the second heat exchange module 22, and the second water pump 722 are connected to each other by the second water pipe 802, whereby a single water circuit is formed in which water serving as the heat medium circulates.

[0149]Although referring to FIG. 28, the water pump 720 is provided in the relay unit housing 710, the set position of the water pump 720 is not limited to that in an example illustrated in the figure. The water pump 720 may be provided, for example, in the indoor-unit housing 210. Furthermore, the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 6 may be configured such that it is possible to adjust the amount of heat exchange at the intermediate heat exchanger 70 or the indoor heat exchanger 20 by adjusting the rotation speed of the water pump 720.

[0150]In Embodiment 6, the compressor 101, the flow switching device 102, the outdoor heat exchanger 50, the second expansion device 105, the first intermediate heat exchanger 71, the first expansion device 104, and the second intermediate heat exchanger 72 are connected to each other by the refrigerant pipe 400, whereby a refrigerant circuit is formed in which the refrigerant serving as the heat medium circulates. The configuration of the refrigerant circuit according to Embodiment 6 is the same as the configuration of the refrigerant circuit according to each of Embodiments 1 to 5 except that the intermediate heat exchanger 70 is provided in place of the indoor heat exchanger 20. FIG. 28 illustrates, as an example of the refrigerant circuit of Embodiment 6, a refrigerant circuit that has the same configuration as the refrigerant circuit described regarding Embodiment 2. Descriptions concerning configurations in Embodiment 6 that are the same as those in Embodiment 2 will be omitted.

[0151]In Embodiment 6, in the refrigerant circuit, the first intermediate heat exchanger 71 operates in the same manner as the first heat exchange module 21 of each of Embodiments 1 to 5 and the second intermediate heat exchanger 72 operates in the same manner as the second heat exchange module 22 of each of Embodiments 1 to 5. The intermediate heat exchanger 70 of Embodiment 6 causes heat exchange to be performed between the refrigerant and water that serves as heat media, whereas the indoor heat exchanger 20 of Embodiments 1 to 5 causes heat exchange to be performed between water serving as a heat medium and indoor air serving as a heat exchange fluid. In this regard, the intermediate heat exchanger 70 of Embodiment 6 is different from the indoor heat exchanger 20 of each of Embodiments 1 to 5. Moreover, in the indoor heat exchanger 20 in Embodiment 6, the indoor air and the water serving as the heat medium exchange heat with each other. That is, the indoor air exchanges heat indirectly with the refrigerant via the water.

[0152]In the intermediate heat exchanger 70, in the heating operation, the first intermediate heat exchanger 71 and the second intermediate heat exchanger 72 operate as condensers and heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant and water, thereby heating the water. The water heated in the first intermediate heat exchanger 71 flows into the first heat exchange module 21 through the first water pipe 801. The water that has flowed into the first heat exchange module 21 transfers heat to indoor air that is supplied from the indoor air-sending device 220. The indoor air is thus heated. The water that has transferred heat to the indoor air in the first heat exchange module 21 flows into the first intermediate heat exchanger 71 through the first water pipe 801 and the first water pump 721. Furthermore, the water heated in the second intermediate heat exchanger 72 flows into the second heat exchange module 22 through the second water pipe 802. The water that has flowed into the second heat exchange module 22 transfers heat to the indoor air that is supplied from the indoor air-sending device 220. The indoor air is thus heated. The water that has transferred heat to the indoor air in the second heat exchange module 22 flows into the second intermediate heat exchanger 72. In the heating operation, the above cycle is repeated in the water circuit.

[0153]Furthermore, in the cooling operation, both the first intermediate heat exchanger 71 and the second intermediate heat exchanger 72 operate as evaporators and heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant and the water, whereby the water is cooled. The water cooled in the first intermediate heat exchanger 71 flows into the first heat exchange module 21 through the first water pipe 801. The water that has flowed into the first heat exchange module 21 receives heat from the indoor air that is supplied from the indoor air-sending device 220. The indoor air is thus cooled. The water that has received heat from the indoor air in the first heat exchange module 21 flows into the first intermediate heat exchanger 71 through the first water pipe 801 and the first water pump 721. Furthermore, the water cooled in the second intermediate heat exchanger 72 flows into the second heat exchange module 22 through the second water pipe 802. The water that has flowed into the second heat exchange module 22 receives heat from the indoor air that is supplied from the indoor air-sending device 220. The indoor air is thus cooled. The water that has received heat from the indoor air in the second heat exchange module 22 flows into the second intermediate heat exchanger 72 through the second water pipe 802 and the second water pump 722. In the cooling operation, the above cycle is repeated in the water circuit.

[0154]Furthermore, in the intermediate heat exchanger 70, in the dehumidifying operation, the first intermediate heat exchanger 71 operates as a condenser and the second intermediate heat exchanger 72 operates as an evaporator in the dehumidifying operation. In the first intermediate heat exchanger 71 operating as a condenser, the refrigerant and the water exchange heat with each other, thereby heating the water. The water heated in the first intermediate heat exchanger 71 flows into the first heat exchange module 21 through the first water pipe 801. The water that has flowed into the first heat exchange module 21 transfers heat to the indoor air that is supplied from the indoor air-sending device 220. The indoor air is thus be heated. The water that has transferred heat to the indoor air in the first heat exchange module 21 flows into the first intermediate heat exchanger 71 through the first water pipe 801 and the first water pump 721. Furthermore, in the second intermediate heat exchanger 72 operating as an evaporator, the refrigerant and the water exchange heat with each other, thereby cooling the water. In addition, the water cooled in the second intermediate heat exchanger 72 flows into the second heat exchange module 22 through the second water pipe 802. The water that has flowed into the second heat exchange module 22 receives heat from the indoor air that is supplied from the indoor air-sending device 220. Thus, the indoor air is cooled and water vapor in the indoor air is condensed. The water that has received heat from the indoor air in the second heat exchange module 22 flows into the second intermediate heat exchanger 72 through the second water pipe 802 and the second water pump 722. In the dehumidifying operation, the above cycle is repeated in the water circuit.

[0155]Next, the indoor heat exchanger 20 and the indoor-unit housing 210 according to Embodiment 6 will be described with reference to FIG. 29. FIG. 29 illustrates the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the first installation configuration. The indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiment 6 and the indoor heat exchanger 20 according to Embodiments 1 to 5 are different from each other regarding the water pipe 800, the first connection port 24, and the second connection port 25. Furthermore, the indoor-unit housing 210 according to Embodiment 6 and the indoor-unit housing 210 according to Embodiments 1 to 5 are different from each other regarding the first opening 211a, the second opening 211b, the third opening 212a, and the fourth opening 212b.

[0156]The first heat exchange module 21 includes a first connection port 24 to which the first water pipe 801 is connected and through which the water flowing into the first heat exchange module 21 flows and a first connection port 24 to which the first water pipe 801 is connected and through which the water flowing out from the first heat exchange module 21 flows. That is, in Embodiment 6, the first heat exchange module 21 is provided with two first connection ports 24. The second heat exchange module 22 includes a second connection port 25 with which the second water pipe 802 is connected and through which the water flowing into the second heat exchange module 22 flows and a second connection port 25 with which the second water pipe 802 is connected and through which the water flowing out from the second heat exchange module 22 flows. That is, in Embodiment 6, the second heat exchange module 22 is provided with two second connection ports 25.

[0157]Furthermore, the first wall surface 211 of the indoor-unit housing 210 is provided with a first opening 211a into which the first water pipe 801 that allows the flow of the water flowing into the first heat exchange module 21 is inserted and a first opening 211a into which the first water pipe 801 that allows the flow of the water flowing out from the first heat exchange module 21 is inserted. That is, in Embodiment 6, the indoor-unit housing 210 is provided with two first openings 211a. Furthermore, the first wall surface 211 of the indoor-unit housing 210 is provided with a second opening 211b into which the second water pipe 802 that allows the flow of the water flowing into the second heat exchange module 22 is inserted and a second opening 211b into which the second water pipe 802 that allows the flow of the water flowing out from the second heat exchange module 22 is inserted. That is, in Embodiment 6, the indoor-unit housing 210 is provided with two second openings 211b. Accordingly, in the first installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the first water pipe 801 and the second water pipe 802 are inserted into the indoor-unit housing 210 from the indoor-unit housing front side Z1, as well as the first refrigerant pipe 401 and the second refrigerant pipe 402 of Embodiments 1 to 5.

[0158]Furthermore, the second wall surface 212 of the indoor-unit housing 210 is provided with a third opening 212a into which the first water pipe 801 that allows the flow of the water flowing into the first heat exchange module 21 is inserted and a third opening 212a into which the first water pipe 801 that allows the flow of the water flowing out from the first heat exchange module 21 is inserted. That is, in Embodiment 6, the indoor-unit housing 210 is provided with two third openings 212a. Furthermore, the second wall surface 212 of the indoor-unit housing 210 is provided with a fourth opening 212b into which the second water pipe 802 that allows the flow of the water flowing into the second heat exchange module 22 is inserted and a fourth opening 212b into which the second water pipe 802 that allows the flow of the water flowing out from the second heat exchange module 22 is inserted. That is, in Embodiment 6, the indoor-unit housing 210 is provided with two fourth openings 212b. Accordingly, in the second installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the first water pipe 801 and the second water pipe 802 are inserted into the indoor-unit housing 210 from the indoor-unit housing back side Z2, as well as the first refrigerant pipe 401 and the second refrigerant pipe 402 of Embodiments 1 to 5.

[0159]As described above, an air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 6 includes a compressor 101 provided in an outdoor-unit housing 510, an outdoor heat exchanger 50 provided in the outdoor-unit housing 510, an indoor heat exchanger 20 provided in an indoor-unit housing 210, an indoor air-sending device 220 provided in the indoor-unit housing 210, and a water pipe 800 serving as a heat medium pipe, which is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 20, and through which water serving as a heat medium that exchanges heat directly with indoor air flow. Furthermore, the indoor heat exchanger 20 includes a first heat exchange module 21 configured to heat the indoor air in the dehumidifying operation and a second heat exchange module 22 configured to cool the indoor air in the dehumidifying operation to condense water vapor in the indoor air. The indoor heat exchanger 20 is provided in the indoor-unit housing 210 in either the first installation configuration or the second installation configuration. The first installation configuration and the second installation configuration are different from each other in a surface of the indoor heat exchanger 20 that faces an air current generated by the indoor air-sending device 220. In both the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration, the second heat exchange module 22 is provided below the first heat exchange module 21. Furthermore, the water pipe 800 serving as the heat medium pipe includes a first water pipe 801 connected to the first heat exchange module 21 and a second water pipe 802 connected to the second heat exchange module 22. In addition, the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 6 further includes: a first intermediate heat exchanger 701 that is connected to the compressor 101 and the outdoor heat exchanger 50 by a refrigerant pipe 400 and configured to cause heat exchange to be performed between refrigerant serving as a heat medium that flows through the refrigerant pipe 400 and water serving as a heat medium that flows through the first water pipe 801; a second intermediate heat exchanger 702 that is connected to the compressor 101 and the outdoor heat exchanger 50 by the refrigerant pipe 400 and configured to cause heat exchange to be performed between the refrigerant serving as the heat medium flowing through the refrigerant pipe 400 and the water serving as the heat medium flowing through the second water pipe 802; a first water pump 721 configured to cause the water serving as the heat medium to circulate through the first water pipe 801, and a second water pump 722 configured to cause the water serving as the heat medium to circulate through the second water pipe 802.

[0160]With this configuration, in the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 6, the installation configuration of the indoor heat exchanger 20 can be selected from among the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration as in the air-conditioning apparatuses 100 according to Embodiments 1 to 5. Therefore, even in the case where the space in which the indoor-unit housing 210 is installed is limited, the water pipe 800 can be connected to the indoor heat exchanger 20 even without both or one of the process of extending the water pipe 800 and the process of bending the water pipe 800. Accordingly, in the case where the indoor-unit housing 210 is installed in a space in which the orientation of the indoor-unit housing 210 cannot be selected, by installing the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the indoor-unit housing 210 in either the first installation configuration or the second installation configuration, it is possible to install the indoor-unit housing 210 in such a manner as to reduce the decrease in the performance of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 that is caused by the location of the water pipe 800.

[0161]Furthermore, a method for installing the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 6 includes setting the indoor heat exchanger 20 in one of the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration that is an installation configuration in which the water pipe 800 serving as the heat medium pipe located between the relay unit housing 710 and the indoor heat exchanger 20 is shorter than that in the other of the first installation configuration and the second installation configuration. That is, the method includes setting the indoor heat exchanger 20 in an installation configuration in which the length of the heat medium pipe located between the outdoor-unit housing 510 and the indoor heat exchanger 20 is shortened. Therefore, even in the case where the space in which the indoor-unit housing 210 is installed is limited and the orientation direction of the indoor-unit housing 210 cannot be selected, the length of the water pipe 800 between the relay unit housing 710 and the indoor heat exchanger 20 can be further shortened. Accordingly, in the space in which the orientation direction of the indoor-unit housing 210 cannot be selected, the indoor-unit housing 210 can be installed in such a manner as to reduce the decrease in the performance of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 that is caused by the location of the water pipe 800.

[0162]Although Embodiments 1 to 6 are described above, each of the air-conditioning apparatuses as described above in the present disclosure is not limited to any of the embodiments but can be variously modified. For example, although regarding each of the above embodiments, the air-conditioning apparatus 100 including one indoor unit 200 and one outdoor unit 500 is described above, the air-conditioning apparatus may include a plurality of indoor units or a plurality of outdoor units. Furthermore, in the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to each of the embodiments in the present disclosure, the kind of refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit is not limited to a specific one, and various kinds of refrigerant can be used. For example, in refrigerant including R32 refrigerant, R410A, or refrigerant having a lower gas density than R32 refrigerant, such as at least olefin-based refrigerant, propane, or DME (dimethyl ether), it is possible to reduce the decrease in refrigerant circulation amount that is caused by lowering of the pressure of refrigerant sucked into the compressor 101. Thus, by using refrigerant that can reduce the decrease in the refrigerant circulation amount, it is possible to further reduce the decrease of the performance of the air-conditioning apparatus 100.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST