Branch Unit and Air Conditioning Apparatus

Abstract

A branch unit includes a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, a first pump, a second pump, a plurality of first ports, a plurality of second ports, a flow path switching unit, a plurality of forward path side heaters, and a plurality of first temperature sensors. The plurality of forward path side heaters are respectively provided for a plurality of forward path side pipes through which a second heat medium is sent to the plurality of first ports. The plurality of first temperature sensors are respectively arranged, at the plurality of forward path side pipes, downstream of the plurality of forward path side heaters.

1 . A branch unit arranged between a heat source unit using a first heat medium and a plurality of indoor units using a second heat medium, the branch unit comprising:
 a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger each configured to exchange heat between the first heat medium and the second heat medium;   a first pump configured to send the second heat medium so as to circulate the second heat medium through the first heat exchanger;   a second pump configured to send the second heat medium so as to circulate the second heat medium through the second heat exchanger;   a plurality of first ports via each of which the second heat medium is able to be sent to one corresponding indoor unit of the plurality of indoor units;   a plurality of second ports via each of which the second heat medium returning from one corresponding indoor unit of the plurality of indoor units is able to be received;   a flow path switching unit configured to connect each of the plurality of first ports and the plurality of second ports to one of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger;   a plurality of outflow pipe heaters respectively provided for a plurality of outflow pipes through which the second heat medium is able to be sent to the plurality of first ports; and   a plurality of first temperature sensors respectively arranged, at the plurality of outflow pipes, downstream of the plurality of outflow pipe heaters.   
     
     
         2 . The branch unit according to  claim 1 , wherein
 each of the plurality of outflow pipes includes
 a first pipe, and 
 a second pipe having a flow path cross sectional area smaller than that of the first pipe, and configured to be branched from the first pipe and thereafter join the first pipe again, and 
   each of the plurality of first temperature sensors and each of the plurality of outflow pipe heaters are arranged at the second pipe corresponding thereto.   
     
     
         3 . The branch unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of return path side heaters respectively provided for a plurality of return path side pipes through which the second heat medium flowing into the plurality of second ports passes; and   a plurality of second temperature sensors respectively arranged, at the plurality of return path side pipes, downstream of the plurality of return path side heaters.   
     
     
         4 . The branch unit according to  claim 3 , wherein
 each of the plurality of return path side pipes includes
 a third pipe, and 
 a fourth pipe having a flow path cross sectional area smaller than that of the third pipe, and configured to be branched from the third pipe and thereafter join the third pipe again, and 
   each of the plurality of second temperature sensors and each of the plurality of return path side heaters are arranged at the fourth pipe corresponding thereto.   
     
     
         5 . The branch unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to control the first pump, the second pump, the flow path switching unit, and the plurality of outflow pipe heaters, wherein
 the controller is configured to repeat a measurement mode and a measurement off mode when at least one of the plurality of indoor units is in operation, the measurement mode being a mode in which at least one of the plurality of outflow pipe heaters is turned on to measure a flow rate, the measurement off mode being a mode in which all of the plurality of outflow pipe heaters are turned off.   
     
     
         6 . The branch unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the second heat medium is water or an anti-freezing solution. 
     
     
         7 . An air conditioning apparatus comprising:
 the branch unit according to  claim 1 ;   the heat source unit; and   the plurality of indoor units.