Air conditioner

摘要

An air conditioner includes an outdoor heat exchanger that is divided into a plurality of unit paths. at least two of the plurality of unit paths are connected in series or parallel to one another according to cooling/heating operation, so that it is possible to vary the number or length of paths through which a refrigerant passes. Since the number or length of paths is properly selected and used, it is possible to enhance efficiency.

主权项

1. An air conditioner comprising:
a heat exchanger including a refrigerant path divided into a plurality of unit paths; a path switch part that connects at least two of the plurality of unit paths in parallel to one another in heating operation or switches at least two of the plurality of unit paths to be connected in series to one another in cooling operation; a first parallel connection path that connects one sides of the at least two of the plurality of unit paths in parallel to one another so that a refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger flows into the at least two of the plurality of unit paths connected in parallel in the heating operation; and a second parallel connection path that connects other sides of the at least two of the plurality of unit paths in parallel to one another so that the refrigerant passing through the at least two of the plurality of unit paths connected in parallel is discharged to the second parallel connection path in the heating operation.