Refrigeration cycle apparatus

A refrigeration cycle apparatus comprising a refrigerant circuit including an outdoor heat exchanger configured to cause heat exchange between outdoor air and a refrigerant, and a controller configured to control an operating frequency of a compressor configured to discharge a compressed refrigerant, the refrigerant circuit configured to achieve a vapor compression refrigeration cycle while the outdoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser, wherein

• the outdoor heat exchanger includes
• an inlet port where a refrigerant flows into the outdoor heat exchanger when the outdoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser,
• an outlet port where a refrigerant flows out the outdoor heat exchanger when the outdoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser,
• a plurality of heat exchange paths including a plurality of heat transfer tubes configured to cause the refrigerant flowing in through the inlet port upon the heat exchange to be distributed and flow in parallel,
• a junction flow passage disposed between the plurality of heat exchange paths and the outlet port and configured to cause refrigerant flowing from the plurality of heat exchange paths to the outlet port to join and then flow therein, and
• a branching passage,
• the plurality of heat exchange paths includes a first path disposed in a lower portion of the outdoor heat exchanger, and a second path disposed above the first path,
• the junction flow passage is configured to cause refrigerant having passed at least the first path and the second path to join and then flow therein,
• the branching passage includes a capillary tube, and has a first end connected to the first path and a second end connected to the junction flow passage,
• the first end of the branching passage is connected to a portion on the outlet port side of the heat transfer tube in the first path,
• the plurality of heat transfer tubes of the plurality of heat exchange paths penetrates through a corresponding plurality of heat transfer fins, and
• the controller, in response to a decrease in load of the air conditioning apparatus, is configured to increase a flow rate ratio of the refrigerant flowing to the branching passage to volume of the refrigerant flowing to the first path at the outdoor heat exchanger, by using the capillary tube and by controlling the operating frequency of the compressor.