Heat Exchanger Including Refrigerant Branch Distribution Device, and Refrigeration Cycle Apparatus

Abstract

A refrigeration cycle apparatus is provided with a branch distribution portion configured to divide refrigerant in a two-phase state of liquid refrigerant and gas refrigerant into refrigerants having different liquid ratios. The branch distribution portion includes a pipe including a bent pipe, a branch pipe, a pipe, and a pipe. The refrigerant flowing through the pipe flows through the bent pipe and the branch pipe, thereby being divided into refrigerant having a high liquid ratio and refrigerant having a low liquid ratio. The refrigerant having a high liquid ratio is fed through a pipe to a heat exchanger having a large volume of air. The refrigerant having a low liquid ratio is fed through a pipe to a heat exchanger having a small volume of air.

1 . A heat exchanger comprising a refrigerant branch distribution device,
 the refrigerant branch distribution device comprising:   a first flow path, a second flow path and a third flow path;   a branch portion connected to the first flow path and connected to the second flow path and the third flow path, the branch portion being configured to divide refrigerant so as to flow into the second flow path and the third flow path, the refrigerant including liquid refrigerant and gas refrigerant and flowing from the first flow path,   when a ratio of the liquid refrigerant in a weight ratio between the liquid refrigerant and the gas refrigerant is defined as a liquid ratio, a first liquid ratio of first refrigerant flowing into the second flow path being higher than a second liquid ratio of second refrigerant flowing into the third flow path;   a first distribution device provided in the second flow path and configured to further divide the first refrigerant flowing into the second flow path;   a second distribution device provided in the third flow path and configured to further divide the second refrigerant flowing into the third flow path;   a first heat exchanger connected to the second flow path and configured to perform heat exchange between the first refrigerant divided by the first distribution device and a first fluid; and   a second heat exchanger connected to the third flow path and configured to perform heat exchange between the second refrigerant divided by the second distribution device and a second fluid,   an amount of the first fluid being larger than an amount of the second fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first flow path comprises a curved first bent portion,   the second flow path is connected to a first position of the branch portion corresponding to an outer circumferential side of the first bent portion, and   the third flow path is connected to a second position of the branch portion corresponding to an inner circumferential side of the first bent portion.   
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the first flow path comprises a straight portion between the first bent portion and the branch portion, and   a length L of the straight portion is set at L<10×D, where D represents an inner diameter of the first flow path.   
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the branch portion comprises:   a first extending portion extending from a portion of the branch portion to which the first flow path is connected, in a first direction in which the first flow path extends; and   a second extending portion branching off and extending from the first extending portion in a second direction intersecting with the first direction,   the second flow path is connected to the first extending portion, and   the third flow path is connected to the second extending portion.   
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the second flow path comprises a second bent portion.   
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 4 , wherein
 an orifice is arranged in the first flow path.   
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the branch portion comprises at least:   a third extending portion branching off and extending from a portion of the branch portion to which the first flow path is connected, in a third direction intersecting with a first direction in which the first flow path extends; and   a fourth extending portion branching off and extending from the portion of the branch portion to which the first flow path is connected, in a fourth direction intersecting with the first direction and the third direction,   the branch portion is arranged, with the third extending portion located on an upper side and the fourth extending portion located on a lower side,   the second flow path is connected to the fourth extending portion, and   the third flow path is connected to the third extending portion.   
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 7 , wherein
 the second flow path comprises a third bent portion.   
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 7 , wherein
 an orifice is arranged in the first flow path.   
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the branch portion comprises at least:   a third extending portion branching off and extending from a portion of the branch portion to which the first flow path is connected, in a third direction intersecting with a first direction in which the first flow path extends; and   a fourth extending portion branching off and extending from the portion of the branch portion to which the first flow path is connected, in a fourth direction opposite to the third direction,   the second flow path is connected to the third extending portion, and   the third flow path is connected to the fourth extending portion.   
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 10 , wherein
 the second flow path comprises a fourth bent portion.   
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 10 , wherein
 an orifice is arranged in the first flow path.   
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the branch portion comprises a tubular body,   the tubular body comprises an upper surface portion, a lower surface portion and a side surface portion,   the first flow path is connected to the side surface portion,   the second flow path is connected to the lower surface portion, and   the third flow path is connected to the upper surface portion.   
     
     
         14 . The heat exchanger according to  claim 13 , wherein
 the second flow path comprises a fifth bent portion.   
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A refrigeration cycle apparatus comprising the heat exchanger as recited in  claim 1 .