Refrigeration device

Abstract

A refrigeration device includes a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism, an indoor heat exchanger, and a storage tank. The compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion mechanism and the indoor heat exchanger are connected to each other. During a cooling operation, a refrigerant flows sequentially through the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion mechanism, and the indoor heat exchanger. During a heating operation, the refrigerant flows sequentially through the compressor, the indoor heat exchanger, the expansion mechanism, and the outdoor heat. The storage tank is configured to store the refrigerant and is provided between the outdoor heat exchanger and the expansion mechanism. The refrigeration device uses R32 as the refrigerant. A capacity of the outdoor heat exchanger is less than or equal to a capacity of the indoor heat exchanger.

1 . A refrigeration device comprising:
 a compressor;   an outdoor heat exchanger;   an expansion mechanism;   an indoor heat exchanger, the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion mechanism and the indoor heat exchanger being connected to each other such that
 during a cooling operation, a refrigerant flows sequentially through the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion mechanism, and the indoor heat exchanger, and 
 during a heating operation, the refrigerant flows sequentially through the compressor, the indoor heat exchanger, the expansion mechanism, and the outdoor heat; and 
   a storage tank configured to store the refrigerant, the storage tank being provided between the outdoor heat exchanger and the expansion mechanism,   the refrigeration device using R32 as the refrigerant, and   a capacity of the outdoor heat exchanger being less than or equal to a capacity of the indoor heat exchanger.   
     
     
         2 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the refrigerant storage tank is configured to store refrigerant at a high pressure in a refrigeration cycle during the cooling operation, and   the refrigerant storage tank is configured to store refrigerant at a low pressure in a refrigeration cycle during the heating operation.   
     
     
         3 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the outdoor heat exchanger includes at least one flat tube as a heat transfer tube.   
     
     
         4 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the outdoor heat exchanger includes a plurality of flat tubes disposed at intervals in a plurality of stacking arrangements, and fins sandwiched by adjacent flat tubes.   
     
     
         5 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the outdoor heat exchanger includes a plurality of flat tubes disposed at intervals in a plurality of stacking arrangements, and fins configured with notches to accommodate insertion of the flat tubes.   
     
     
         6 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger are a cross-fin type heat exchangers, and   an outdoor heat transfer tube diameter in the outdoor heat exchanger is smaller than an indoor heat transfer tube diameter in the indoor heat exchanger.   
     
     
         7 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a bypass pipe arranged and configured to guide gas components in the refrigerant, which is stored in the refrigerant storage tank, into the compressor or a refrigerant pipe on an intake side of the compressor.   
     
     
         8 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 7 , wherein
 the bypass pipe has a flow rate regulating mechanism.   
     
     
         9 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the refrigerant storage tank is a gas-liquid separator.   
     
     
         10 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the outdoor heat exchanger includes at least one flat tube as a heat transfer tube.   
     
     
         11 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger are a cross-fin type heat exchangers, and   an outdoor heat transfer tube diameter in the outdoor heat exchanger is smaller than an indoor heat transfer tube diameter in the indoor heat exchanger.   
     
     
         12 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 2 , further comprising
 a bypass pipe arranged and configured to guide gas components in the refrigerant, which is stored in the refrigerant storage tank, into the compressor or a refrigerant pipe on an intake side of the compressor.   
     
     
         13 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the refrigerant storage tank is a gas-liquid separator.   
     
     
         14 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 3 , further comprising
 a bypass pipe arranged and configured to guide gas components in the refrigerant, which is stored in the refrigerant storage tank, into the compressor or a refrigerant pipe on an intake side of the compressor.   
     
     
         15 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the refrigerant storage tank is a gas-liquid separator.   
     
     
         16 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 6 , further comprising
 a bypass pipe arranged and configured to guide gas components in the refrigerant, which is stored in the refrigerant storage tank, into the compressor or a refrigerant pipe on an intake side of the compressor.   
     
     
         17 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the refrigerant storage tank is a gas-liquid separator.   
     
     
         18 . A refrigeration device according to  claim 7 , wherein
 the refrigerant storage tank is a gas-liquid separator.