US 12,467,643 B2
Refrigerant distribution device
Yuta Suzuki, Tokyo (JP)
Assigned to Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
Appl. No. 18/548,638
Filed by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
PCT Filed Jul. 1, 2021, PCT No. PCT/JP2021/024906
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Sep. 1, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2023/276099, PCT Pub. Date Jan. 5, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0142118 A1, May 2, 2024
Int. Cl. F24F 1/32 (2011.01); F25B 41/20 (2021.01); F25B 41/42 (2021.01)
CPC F24F 1/32 (2013.01) [F25B 41/20 (2021.01); F25B 41/42 (2021.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A refrigerant distribution device that is provided in an air conditioner and distributes a refrigerant to a plurality of indoor units from an outdoor unit, the refrigerant distribution device comprising:
first refrigerant pipes that are connected to refrigerant pipes that extend from the outdoor unit;
a plurality of second refrigerant pipes that are connected to the first refrigerant pipes and are connected to each of the refrigerant pipes that extends from the plurality of indoor units;
a plurality of solenoid valves that are provided on at least two or more of the second refrigerant pipes out of the plurality of second refrigerant pipes;
a controller having a first terminal portion to which a plurality of wires that extend from the plurality of solenoid valves, and a second terminal portion to which wires that extend from the outdoor unit are connected to; and
a case that houses at least a portion of the first refrigerant pipe, at least a portion of the plurality of second refrigerant pipes, the plurality of solenoid valves, and the controller therein,
wherein
the first refrigerant pipes have:
a first connection portion located on a first side of the case and that is connectable to the refrigerant pipes that extend from the outdoor unit, and
a second connection portion located on a second side of the case opposite the first side in a first direction and that is connectable to the refrigerant pipes that extend from the outdoor unit;
the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion are mutually disposed in differing locations in the first direction; and
the controller is:
attached so as to be detachable with respect to the case, and
is attachable to the case in a state where the controller is rotated 180 degrees around an axis that extends in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.