EP3306237B1 - Refrigeration cycle device and method for detecting coolant leakage - Google Patents
Refrigeration cycle device and method for detecting coolant leakage Download PDFInfo
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- EP3306237B1 EP3306237B1 EP16863952.4A EP16863952A EP3306237B1 EP 3306237 B1 EP3306237 B1 EP 3306237B1 EP 16863952 A EP16863952 A EP 16863952A EP 3306237 B1 EP3306237 B1 EP 3306237B1
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- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- refrigerant
- heat insulating
- temperature
- indoor
- temperature sensor
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B49/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
- F25B49/02—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for compression type machines, plants or systems
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B49/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
- F25B49/005—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices of safety devices
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2500/00—Problems to be solved
- F25B2500/22—Preventing, detecting or repairing leaks of refrigeration fluids
- F25B2500/222—Detecting refrigerant leaks
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Air Conditioning Control Device (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to a refrigeration cycle apparatus and a refrigerant leakage detection method.
- In
Patent Literature 1, there is described an air-conditioning apparatus. The air-conditioning apparatus includes a gas sensor provided on an outer surface of an indoor unit to detect refrigerant, and a controller configured to perform control to rotate an indoor fan when the gas sensor detects refrigerant. In the air-conditioning apparatus, when refrigerant has leaked from an extension pipe, which is connected to the indoor unit, to the indoor space, or when refrigerant that has leaked inside the indoor unit flows to the outside of the indoor unit through a gap of a casing of the indoor unit, the leaking refrigerant can be detected by the gas sensor. Further, when a leakage of refrigerant is detected, by rotating the indoor fan, the indoor air is sucked from an air inlet formed in the casing of the indoor unit, and the air is blown off from an air outlet to the indoor space. Therefore, the leaking refrigerant can be diffused. - In
Patent Literature 2, there is described a refrigeration apparatus. The refrigeration apparatus includes a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of liquid refrigerant, and a refrigerant leakage determination unit configured to determine that refrigerant has leaked when a refrigerant temperature, which is detected by the temperature sensor when a compressor is stopped, drops at a rate exceeding a predetermined rate. The temperature sensor is arranged at a position where liquid refrigerant may be accumulated in a refrigerant circuit. Specifically, the temperature sensor is arranged below a header of an indoor heat exchanger. InPatent Literature 2, it is described that a rapid leakage of refrigerant can be detected reliably by detecting a rapid drop of the temperature of the liquid refrigerant. - Document
JP 2015 042930 A claim 1. Thispatent Literature 3 concerns an air conditioning device and a first leaked refrigerant storing part that stores a certain amount of refrigerant leaked from brazed portions and has a temperature sensor disposed therein to detect a reduction in temperature due to the vaporization heat of the leaked refrigerant. A second leaked refrigerant receiver receives and stores refrigerant leaked from flare joints and a second temperature sensor is used to detect refrigerant leakage.
Patent Literature 4 describes another refrigerant leakage detection system comprising a temperature sensor. -
- Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No.
4599699 - Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent No.
3610812 - Patent Literature 3: Japanese Patent Application No.
2015 04 29 30 - Patent Literature 4: United States Patent Application
2005 086952 A1 - In the air-conditioning apparatus described in
Patent Literature 1, a gas sensor is used as a refrigerant detection unit. However, the detection characteristic of a gas sensor is liable to be aged, and hence there is a problem in that the air-conditioning apparatus disclosed inPatent Literature 1 may not be capable of detecting a leakage of refrigerant reliably for a long period of time. - Meanwhile, in the refrigeration apparatus described in
Patent Literature 2, instead of a gas sensor, a temperature sensor having long-term reliability is used as a refrigerant detection unit. However, when the compressor is stopped, refrigerant distribution in the refrigerant circuit is not always controllable. Accordingly, variation arises in the amount of liquid refrigerant accumulated in a portion in which a temperature sensor is arranged, and hence variation also arises in the degree of drop of a refrigerant temperature due to the heat of vaporization when refrigerant leaks. Further, a leakage of refrigerant does not always occur at a place where liquid refrigerant is accumulated. When refrigerant leaks at a place other than the place where liquid refrigerant is accumulated, gas refrigerant is mainly leaked first. Accordingly, it takes time until liquid refrigerant is gasified at a place where the liquid refrigerant is accumulated and the refrigerant temperature drops. Therefore, in the refrigeration apparatus described inPatent Literature 2, there is a problem in that a leakage of refrigerant may not be detected with high responsiveness. - The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigeration cycle apparatus and a refrigerant leakage detection method, which are capable of detecting a leakage of refrigerant reliably with high responsiveness for a long period of time.
- A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a refrigerant circuit in which refrigerant circulates; a temperature sensor provided at a position on the refrigerant circuit, the position being adjacent to a brazed portion or the position being adjacent to a joint portion in which refrigerant pipes are joined to each other; and a controller configured to determine whether or not the refrigerant has leaked based on a detected temperature detected by the temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is covered with a heat insulating material together with the brazed portion or the joint portion.
- Further, a refrigerant leakage detection method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: detecting a temperature of a position on a refrigerant circuit in which refrigerant circulates, the position being adjacent to a brazed portion and being covered with a heat insulating material together with the brazed portion, or the position being adjacent to a joint portion in which refrigerant pipes are joined and being covered with a heat insulating material together with the joint portion; and determining whether or not the refrigerant has leaked based on the temperature.
- According to one embodiment of the present invention, a leakage of refrigerant can be detected reliably with high responsiveness for a long period of time.
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Fig. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram for illustrating a schematic configuration of an air-conditioning apparatus according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention. -
Fig. 2 is a front view for illustrating an external appearance configuration of anindoor unit 1 of the air-conditioning apparatus according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention. -
Fig. 3 is a front view for schematically illustrating an internal structure of theindoor unit 1 of the air-conditioning apparatus according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention. -
Fig. 4 is a side view for schematically illustrating the internal structure of theindoor unit 1 of the air-conditioning apparatus according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention. -
Fig. 5 is a front view for schematically illustrating a configuration of a load-side heat exchanger 7 and the peripheral components thereof of the air-conditioning apparatus according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention. -
Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram for illustrating a modification example of a configuration of aheat insulating material 82d illustrated inFig. 5 . -
Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram for illustrating another modification example of the configuration of theheat insulating material 82d illustrated inFig. 5 . -
Fig. 8 is a graph for showing exemplary temporal changes of the temperature detected by atemperature sensor 94a when refrigerant is caused to leak from ajoint 15b in theindoor unit 1 of the air-conditioning apparatus according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention. -
Fig. 9 is a flowchart for illustrating an example of refrigerant leakage detection processing to be performed by acontroller 30 of the air-conditioning apparatus according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention. -
Fig. 10 is a flowchart for illustrating another example of refrigerant leakage detection processing to be performed by thecontroller 30 of the air-conditioning apparatus according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention. - A refrigeration cycle apparatus and a refrigerant leakage detection method according to
Embodiment 1 of the present invention are described. InEmbodiment 1, an air-conditioning apparatus is described as an example of a refrigeration cycle apparatus.Fig. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram for illustrating a schematic configuration of the air-conditioning apparatus according toEmbodiment 1. In the drawings described below includingFig. 1 , the dimensional relationships and the shapes of the respective constituent members may be different from actual ones. - As illustrated in
Fig. 1 , the air-conditioning apparatus includes arefrigerant circuit 40 in which refrigerant circulates. Therefrigerant circuit 40 has a configuration in which acompressor 3, a refrigerant flow path switching device 4, a heat source-side heat exchanger 5 (for example, outdoor heat exchanger), adecompression device 6, and a load-side heat exchanger 7 (for example, indoor heat exchanger) are sequentially connected via refrigerant pipes to form a ring. The air-conditioning apparatus also includes as a heat source unit anoutdoor unit 2, which is installed outside the indoor space, for example. Further, the air-conditioning apparatus also includes as a load unit anindoor unit 1, which is installed in the indoor space, for example. Theindoor unit 1 and theoutdoor unit 2 are connected to each other viaextension pipes - As refrigerant circulating in the
refrigerant circuit 40, slightly flammable refrigerant such as HFO-1234yf or HFO-1234ze, or highly flammable refrigerant such as R290 or R1270 may be used, for example. Such refrigerant may be used as single refrigerant, or as mixed refrigerant in which two or more types of refrigerant are mixed. Refrigerant having a slightly flammable level or higher (for example, 2 L or higher in the classification of ASHRAE34) may be hereinafter referred to as "flammable refrigerant". Further, as refrigerant circulating in therefrigerant circuit 40, it is also possible to use nonflammable refrigerant such as R22 or R410A having no flammability (for example, 1 in the classification of ASHRAE34). Those types of refrigerant have density larger than that of air under the atmospheric pressure, for example. - The
compressor 3 is fluid machinery configured to compress sucked low-pressure refrigerant and discharge the resultant refrigerant as high-pressure refrigerant. The refrigerant flow path switching device 4 is configured to switch a flow direction of the refrigerant in therefrigerant circuit 40 between the cooling operation and the heating operation. As the refrigerant flow path switching device 4, a four-way valve is used, for example. The heat source-side heat exchanger 5 is a heat exchanger that functions as a radiator (for example, condenser) at the time of cooling operation, and functions as an evaporator at the time of heating operation. In the heat source-side heat exchanger 5, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant flowing inside and the outdoor air supplied by an outdoor fan 5f described later. Thedecompression device 6 is configured to decompress high-pressure refrigerant into low-pressure refrigerant. As thedecompression device 6, an electronic expansion valve, in which the opening degree is adjustable, or similar valve may be used, for example. The load-side heat exchanger 7 is a heat exchanger that functions as an evaporator at the time of cooling operation, and functions as a radiator (for example, condenser) at the time of heating operation. In the load-side heat exchanger 7, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant flowing inside and the air supplied by anindoor fan 7f described later. The cooling operation refers to an operation of supplying low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant to the load-side heat exchanger 7, and the heating operation refers to an operation of supplying high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant to the load-side heat exchanger 7. - In the
outdoor unit 2, thecompressor 3, the refrigerant flow path switching device 4, the heat source-side heat exchanger 5, and thedecompression device 6 are accommodated. The outdoor fan 5f configured to supply outdoor air to the heat source-side heat exchanger 5 is also accommodated in theoutdoor unit 2. The outdoor fan 5f is arranged to face the heat source-side heat exchanger 5. When the outdoor fan 5f is rotated, an air flow passing through the heat source-side heat exchanger 5 is generated. As the outdoor fan 5f, a propeller fan is used, for example. The outdoor fan 5f is arranged downstream of the heat source-side heat exchanger 5, for example, in the air flow generated by the outdoor fan 5f. - In the
outdoor unit 2, as refrigerant pipes, there are arranged a refrigerant pipe connecting an extension pipe connection valve 13a that is on the gas side at the time of cooling operation and the refrigerant flow path switching device 4, asuction pipe 11 connected to the suction side of thecompressor 3, adischarge pipe 12 connected to the discharge side of thecompressor 3, a refrigerant pipe connecting the refrigerant flow path switching device 4 and the heat source-side heat exchanger 5, a refrigerant pipe connecting the heat source-side heat exchanger 5 and thedecompression device 6, and a refrigerant pipe connecting an extension pipe connection valve 13b that is on the liquid side at the time of cooling operation and thedecompression device 6. The extension pipe connection valve 13a is a two-way valve that can be switched to be opened or closed, and one end thereof has a joint 16a (for example, flare joint) mounted thereto. Further, the extension pipe connection valve 13b is constructed of a three-way valve that can be switched to be opened or closed. One end of the extension pipe connection valve 13b has mounted thereto a service port 14a to be used for vacuum drawing that is a prior work of filling therefrigerant circuit 40 with refrigerant, and the other end thereof has a joint 16b (for example, flare joint) mounted thereto. - In the
discharge pipe 12, high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed by thecompressor 3 flows both at the time of cooling operation and at the time of heating operation. In thesuction pipe 11, low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant after evaporation or two phase refrigerant flows both at the time of cooling operation and at the time of heating operation. Thesuction pipe 11 is connected to a service port 14b with a flare joint of the low-pressure side, and thedischarge pipe 12 is connected to a service port 14c with a flare joint of the high-pressure side. The service ports 14b and 14c are used for measuring the operation pressure with a pressure gauge connected thereto, when a trial operation is performed at the time of installing or repairing the air-conditioning apparatus. - The
indoor unit 1 accommodates the load-side heat exchanger 7. Theindoor unit 1 also accommodates theindoor fan 7f configured to supply air to the load-side heat exchanger 7. When theindoor fan 7f is rotated, an air flow passing through the load-side heat exchanger 7 is generated. As theindoor fan 7f, a centrifugal fan (for example, sirocco fan or turbo fan), a cross flow fan, a mixed flow fan, an axial fan (for example, propeller fan), or other fan may be used depending on the form of theindoor unit 1. While theindoor fan 7f ofEmbodiment 1 is arranged upstream of the load-side heat exchanger 7 in the air flow generated by theindoor fan 7f, theindoor fan 7f may be arranged downstream of the load-side heat exchanger 7. - In an
indoor pipe 9a on the gas side among the refrigerant pipes of theindoor unit 1, a connecting portion to theextension pipe 10a of the gas side has mounted thereto a joint 15a (for example, flare joint) for connecting theextension pipe 10a to the connecting portion. Further, in anindoor pipe 9b on the liquid side of the refrigerant pipes of theindoor unit 1, a connecting portion to theextension pipe 10b on the liquid side has mounted thereto a joint 15b (for example, flare joint) for connecting theextension pipe 10b to the connecting portion. - The
indoor unit 1 also includes an intakeair temperature sensor 91 configured to detect a temperature of the indoor air sucked from the indoor space, a heat exchanger liquidpipe temperature sensor 92 configured to detect a temperature of liquid refrigerant at an inlet port at the time of cooling operation (outlet port at the time of heating operation) of the load-side heat exchanger 7, a heat exchanger two-phasepipe temperature sensor 93 configured to detect a temperature of the two-phase refrigerant (evaporating temperature or condensing temperature) of the load-side heat exchanger 7, and other sensors. Theindoor unit 1 also includestemperature sensors Fig. 1 ) for detecting a refrigerant leakage described below. Thosetemperature sensors controller 30 configured to control theindoor unit 1 or the entire air-conditioning apparatus. - The
controller 30 includes a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an I/O port, a timer, and other components. Thecontroller 30 is configured to perform data communication to/from an operation unit 26 (seeFig. 2 ). Theoperation unit 26 receives an operation by a user and output an operation signal, which is based on the operation, to thecontroller 30. Thecontroller 30 ofEmbodiment 1 controls an operation of theindoor unit 1 or the entire air-conditioning apparatus including an operation of theindoor fan 7f based on the operation signal from theoperation unit 26, detection signals from the sensors, and other signals. Thecontroller 30 may be provided in the casing of theindoor unit 1 or in the casing of theoutdoor unit 2. Further, thecontroller 30 may be constructed of an outdoor unit control unit provided in theoutdoor unit 2, and an indoor unit control unit provided in theindoor unit 1 and capable of performing data communication to/from the outdoor unit control unit. - Next, an operation of the
refrigerant circuit 40 of the air-conditioning apparatus is described. First, an operation at the time of cooling operation is described. InFig. 1 , the arrow of the solid line indicates a flow direction of refrigerant at the time of cooling operation. In the cooling operation, the refrigerant flow path is switched to that indicated by the solid line by the refrigerant flow path switching device 4, and therefrigerant circuit 40 is configured such that low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant flows to the load-side heat exchanger 7. - The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the
compressor 3 first flows into the heat source-side heat exchanger 5 via the refrigerant flow path switching device 4. In the cooling operation, the heat source-side heat exchanger 5 functions as a condenser. Specifically, in the heat source-side heat exchanger 5, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant flowing inside and the outdoor air supplied by the outdoor fan 5f, and the heat of condensation of the refrigerant is radiated to the outdoor air. In this way, the refrigerant flowing into the heat source-side heat exchanger 5 is condensed to be high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flows into thedecompression device 6, and is decompressed to be low-pressure two-phase refrigerant. The low-pressure two-phase refrigerant flows into the load-side heat exchanger 7 of theindoor unit 1 via theextension pipe 10b. In the cooling operation, the load-side heat exchanger 7 functions as an evaporator. Specifically, in the load-side heat exchanger 7, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant flowing inside and the air supplied by theindoor fan 7f (for example, indoor air), and the heat of evaporation of the refrigerant is removed from the air. In this way, the refrigerant flowing into the load-side heat exchanger 7 evaporates to be low-pressure gas refrigerant or two-phase refrigerant. Further, the air supplied by theindoor fan 7f is cooled by heat removal action of the refrigerant. The low-pressure gas refrigerant or the two-phase refrigerant evaporated in the load-side heat exchanger 7 is sucked by thecompressor 3 via theextension pipe 10a and the refrigerant flow path switching device 4. The refrigerant sucked by thecompressor 3 is compressed to be high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant. In the cooling operation, the cycle described above is repeated. - Next, an operation at the time of heating operation is described. In
Fig. 1 , the arrow of the dotted line indicates a flow direction of refrigerant at the time of heating operation. In the heating operation, a refrigerant flow path is switched to that indicated by the dotted line by the refrigerant flow path switching device 4, and therefrigerant circuit 40 is configured such that high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flows to the load-side heat exchanger 7. In the heating operation, the refrigerant flows in a direction opposite to that in the cooling operation, and the load-side heat exchanger 7 functions as a condenser. Specifically, in the load-side heat exchanger 7, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant flowing inside and the air supplied by theindoor fan 7f, and the heat of condensation of the refrigerant is radiated to the air. In this way, the air supplied by theindoor fan 7f is heated by the heat radiation action of the refrigerant. -
Fig. 2 is a front view for illustrating an external appearance configuration of theindoor unit 1 of the air-conditioning apparatus according toEmbodiment 1.Fig. 3 is a front view for schematically illustrating an internal structure of theindoor unit 1.Fig 4 is a side view for schematically illustrating the internal structure of theindoor unit 1. The left side ofFig. 4 is a front side (indoor space side) of theindoor unit 1. InEmbodiment 1, as theindoor unit 1, theindoor unit 1 of the floor type, which is to be installed on the floor of an indoor space that is an air-conditioned space, is illustrated exemplarily. The positional relation (for example, up and down relation) between the respective constituent members in the following description is that when theindoor unit 1 is installed in a usable state, in principle. - As illustrated in
Fig. 2 to Fig. 4 , theindoor unit 1 includes acasing 111 having a vertically long rectangular parallelepiped shape. A lower portion of the front surface of thecasing 111 has formed therein anair inlet 112 for sucking the air of the indoor space. Theair inlet 112 ofEmbodiment 1 is provided at a position below a center portion in the vertical direction of thecasing 111 and in the vicinity of the floor. An upper portion of the front surface of thecasing 111, that is, a position higher than the height of the air inlet 112 (for example, above the center portion in the vertical direction of the casing 111), has formed therein anair outlet 113 for blowing off the air sucked from theair inlet 112 to the indoor space. On the front surface of thecasing 111, theoperation unit 26 is provided above theair inlet 112 and below theair outlet 113. Theoperation unit 26 is connected to thecontroller 30 via a communication line, and is capable of performing data communication to/from thecontroller 30. In theoperation unit 26, a start operation and a stop operation of the air-conditioning apparatus, switching of operation mode, setting of set temperature and set air flow amount, and other operations are performed by a user's operation. In theoperation unit 26, a display unit, a sound output unit, and other units are provided as informing units configured to inform the user of information. - The
casing 111 is a hollow box. The front surface of thecasing 111 has formed therein a front open part. Thecasing 111 includes a firstfront panel 114a, a secondfront panel 114b, and a thirdfront panel 114c that are mounted attachably/detachably to the front open part. Each of the firstfront panel 114a, the secondfront panel 114b, and the thirdfront panel 114c has a substantially rectangular flat plate outer shape. The firstfront panel 114a is mounted attachably/detachably to the lower portion of the front open part of thecasing 111. In the firstfront panel 114a, theair inlet 112 is formed. The secondfront panel 114b is arranged adjacently above the firstfront panel 114a, and is mounted attachably/detachably to the center portion in the vertical direction of the front open part of thecasing 111. On the secondfront panel 114b, theoperation unit 26 is provided. The thirdfront panel 114c is arranged adjacently above the secondfront panel 114b, and is mounted attachably/detachably with respect to the upper portion of the front open part of thecasing 111. In the thirdfront panel 114c, theair outlet 113 is formed. - The internal space of the
casing 111 is roughly divided into alower space 115a serving as an air sending unit, and anupper space 115b located above thelower space 115a and serving as a heat exchange unit. Thelower space 115a and theupper space 115b are partitioned by apartition 20. Thepartition 20 has a flat plate shape, for example, and is arranged almost horizontally. Thepartition 20 at least includes an airpassage opening port 20a serving as an air passage between thelower space 115a and theupper space 115b. Thelower space 115a is exposed to the front surface side when the firstfront panel 114a is removed from thecasing 111. Theupper space 115b is exposed to the front surface side when the secondfront panel 114b and the thirdfront panel 114c are removed from thecasing 111. That is, the height where thepartition 20 is arranged almost matches the height of the top end of the firstfront panel 114a or the bottom end of the secondfront panel 114b. Thepartition 20 may be integrally formed with afan casing 108 described later, may be integrally formed with a drain pan described later, or may be formed separately of thefan casing 108 and the drain pan. - In the
lower space 115a, theindoor fan 7f is arranged. Theindoor fan 7f generates an air flow from theair inlet 112 to theair outlet 113 in anair passage 81 in thecasing 111. Theindoor fan 7f ofEmbodiment 1 is a sirocco fan including a motor (not shown), and animpeller 107 that is connected to the output shaft of the motor and in which a plurality of vanes are circumferentially arranged with equal intervals, for example. The rotating shaft of theimpeller 107 is arranged to be in almost parallel with the depth direction of thecasing 111. As the motor of theindoor fan 7f, a non-brush type motor (for example, induction motor or DC brushless motor) is used. Accordingly, no sparking is caused when theindoor fan 7f rotates. - The
impeller 107 of theindoor fan 7f is covered with the spiral shapedfan casing 108. Thefan casing 108 is formed separately of thecasing 111, for example. Near the center of the spiral of thefan casing 108, asuction opening port 108b for sucking the indoor air into thefan casing 108 via theair inlet 112 is formed. Thesuction opening port 108b is arranged to face theair inlet 112. Further, in the tangential direction of the spiral of thefan casing 108, an airoutlet opening port 108a from which sending air is blown off is formed. The airoutlet opening port 108a is arranged to face upward and is connected to theupper space 115b via the airpassage opening port 20a of thepartition 20. In other words, the airoutlet opening port 108a communicates to theupper space 115b via the airpassage opening port 20a. An opening end of the airoutlet opening port 108a and an opening end of the airpassage opening port 20a may be connected directly to each other, or may be connected indirectly to each other via a duct member, for example. - Further, the
lower space 115a has anelectrical component box 25 in which a microcomputer constructing thecontroller 30, various electrical components, a substrate, and other components are stored, for example. - The
upper space 115b is located downstream of thelower space 115a in the flow of air caused by theindoor fan 7f. On theair passage 81 in theupper space 115b, the load-side heat exchanger 7 is arranged. Below the load-side heat exchanger 7, a drain pan (not shown) for receiving condensed water condensed on the surface of the load-side heat exchanger 7 is provided. The drain pan may be formed as a part of thepartition 20, or may be formed separately of thepartition 20 and arranged on thepartition 20. - When the
indoor fan 7f is driven, the indoor air is sucked from theair inlet 112. The sucked indoor air passes through the load-side heat exchanger 7 to be conditioned air, and is blown off from theair outlet 113 to the indoor space. -
Fig. 5 is a front view for schematically illustrating the configuration of the load-side heat exchanger 7 and the peripheral components thereof of the air-conditioning apparatus according toEmbodiment 1. As illustrated inFig. 5 , the load-side heat exchanger 7 ofEmbodiment 1 is a plate fin tube type heat exchanger including a plurality offins 70 arranged in parallel with predetermined intervals, and a plurality ofheat transfer tubes 71 penetrating the plurality offins 70 and allowing the refrigerant to flow through the inside thereof. Theheat transfer tube 71 is constructed of a plurality of hair-pin pipes 72 having long straight pipes penetrating the plurality offins 70 and a plurality of U bentpipes 73 allowing the adjacent hair-pin pipes 72 to communicate to each other. The hair-pin pipe 72 and the U bentpipe 73 are joined by a brazed portion W. InFig. 5 , the brazed portion W is indicated by a black dot. The number ofheat transfer tubes 71 may be one or plural. Further, the number of hair-pin pipes 72 constructing oneheat transfer tube 71 may be one or plural. The heat exchanger two-phasepipe temperature sensor 93 is provided on the U bentpipe 73 located in the middle of the refrigerant channel in theheat transfer tube 71. - The
indoor pipe 9a of the gas side is connected to a cylindrical headermain pipe 61. To the headermain pipe 61, a plurality ofheader branch pipes 62 are connected in a branched manner. Each of theheader branch pipes 62 is connected to oneend portion 71a of theheat transfer tube 71. To theindoor pipe 9b of the liquid side, a plurality of indoorrefrigerant branch pipes 63 are connected in a branched manner. Each of the indoorrefrigerant branch pipes 63 is connected to another end portion 71b of theheat transfer tube 71. The heat exchanger liquidpipe temperature sensor 92 is provided on theindoor pipe 9b. - The
indoor pipe 9a and the headermain pipe 61, the headermain pipe 61 and theheader branch pipe 62, theheader branch pipe 62 and theheat transfer tube 71, theindoor pipe 9b and the indoorrefrigerant branch pipe 63, and the indoorrefrigerant branch pipe 63 and theheat transfer tube 71 are each joined by the brazed portions W. - In
Embodiment 1, the brazed portions W of the load-side heat exchanger 7 (inEmbodiment 1, including the brazed portions W of the peripheral components of theindoor pipe 9a, the headermain pipe 61, theheader branch pipe 62, the indoorrefrigerant branch pipe 63, theindoor pipe 9b, and other pipes) are arranged in theupper space 115b. Theindoor pipes partition 20 and are drawn downward from theupper space 115b to thelower space 115a. The joint 15a connecting theindoor pipe 9a and theextension pipe 10a and the joint 15b connecting theindoor pipe 9b and theextension pipe 10b are arranged in thelower space 115a. - To the
indoor pipes upper space 115b, thetemperature sensors pipe temperature sensor 92 and the heat exchanger two-phasepipe temperature sensor 93, which are used for operation control of therefrigerant circuit 40. Thetemperature sensor 94c is provided at a position adjacent to the brazed portion W of the load-side heat exchanger 7 of theindoor pipe 9a to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of theindoor pipe 9a. Thetemperature sensor 94c is provided below the lowermost brazed portion W and in the vicinity of the same brazed portion W, for example. Thetemperature sensor 94d is provided at a position adjacent to the brazed portion W of the load-side heat exchanger 7 of theindoor pipe 9b to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of theindoor pipe 9b. Thetemperature sensor 94d is provided below the lowermost brazed portion W among at least the brazed portions W of theindoor pipe 9b in the vicinity of the same brazed portion W. - Below the
indoor pipe 9a, the headermain pipe 61, theheader branch pipe 62, the indoorrefrigerant branch pipe 63, and theindoor pipe 9b, thepartition 20, that is, a drain pan, is provided. Accordingly, in theupper space 115b, there is originally no particular need to provide a heat insulating material around theindoor pipe 9a, the headermain pipe 61, theheader branch pipe 62, the indoorrefrigerant branch pipe 63, and theindoor pipe 9b. However, inEmbodiment 1, theindoor pipe 9a, the headermain pipe 61, theheader branch pipe 62, the indoorrefrigerant branch pipe 63, and theindoor pipe 9b (at least the brazed portions W where those pipes are joined) located above (for example, immediately above) the drain pan are integrally covered with a unit ofheat insulating material 82d (for example, one heat insulating member or a pair of insulating members closely attached to each other via mating surfaces). As described later with use ofFig. 6 andFig. 7 , theheat insulating material 82d may be constructed of a plurality of heat insulating members connected integrally. Theheat insulating material 82d is closely attached to the refrigerant pipes, and hence only a minute gap is formed between the outer peripheral surface of each refrigerant pipe and theheat insulating material 82d. Theheat insulating material 82d is mounted in the manufacturing step of theindoor unit 1 by an air-conditioning apparatus manufacturer. - The
temperature sensors heat insulating material 82d, together with the brazed portions W of the load-side heat exchanger 7, theindoor pipes temperature sensor 94c is provided on the internal side of theheat insulating material 82d, and detects a temperature of the portion covered with theheat insulating material 82d in theindoor pipe 9a. Thetemperature sensor 94d is provided on the internal side of theheat insulating material 82d, and detects a temperature of the portion covered with theheat insulating material 82d in theindoor pipe 9b. Further, inEmbodiment 1, the heat exchanger liquidpipe temperature sensor 92 and the heat exchanger two-phasepipe temperature sensor 93 are also covered with theheat insulating material 82d. - The
indoor pipes lower space 115a are covered with aheat insulating material 82b for preventing dew condensation, except for the portions near thejoints Embodiment 1, twoindoor pipes heat insulating material 82b. However, theindoor pipes heat insulating material 82b is mounted in the manufacturing step of theindoor unit 1 by the air-conditioning apparatus manufacturer. - In the
lower space 115a, thetemperature sensors air temperature sensor 91. Thetemperature sensor 94a is provided at a position adjacent to the joint 15a of theextension pipe 10a to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of theextension pipe 10a. Thetemperature sensor 94a is provided below the joint 15a in the vicinity of the joint 15a, for example. Thetemperature sensor 94b is provided at a position adjacent to the joint 15b of theextension pipe 10b to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of theextension pipe 10b. Thetemperature sensor 94b is provided below the joint 15b in the vicinity of the joint 15b, for example. InEmbodiment 1, while thetemperature sensors joints extension pipes indoor pipes temperature sensors extension pipe 10a and theindoor pipe 9a, or theextension pipe 10b and theindoor pipe 9b, and other pipes) are joined to each other by brazing, welding, or the like, instead of the positions adjacent to thejoints - The
extension pipes heat insulating material 82c for preventing dew condensation except for the vicinity of thejoints Embodiment 1, including the positions where thetemperature sensors Embodiment 1, the twoextension pipes heat insulating material 82c. However, theextension pipes extension pipes heat insulating material 82c may be mounted before theextension pipes extension pipes heat insulating material 82c separately, and mount the insulatingmaterial 82c on theextension pipes Embodiment 1, thetemperature sensors extension pipes - The vicinity of the
joints indoor pipes joints extension pipes joints heat insulating material 82a that is different from theheat insulating materials heat insulating material 82a is mounted by an installation provider at the time of installing the air-conditioning apparatus after theextension pipes indoor pipes temperature sensors extension pipes heat insulating material 82a is often packed together with theindoor unit 1 in a shipping state. Theheat insulating material 82a has a cylindrical shape divided by a plane containing a cylinder axis, for example. Theheat insulating material 82a is wound to cover respective end portions of theheat insulating materials band 83. Theheat insulating material 82a is closely attached to the refrigerant pipes, and hence only a minute gap is formed between the outer peripheral surface of each refrigerant pipe and the inner peripheral surface of theheat insulating material 82a. - In the
indoor unit 1, portions having the possibility of a refrigerant leakage are the brazed portions W of the load-side heat exchanger 7 and joint portions in which refrigerant pipes are joined to each other (inEmbodiment 1,joints refrigerant circuit 40 under the atmospheric pressure is adiabatically expanded to be gasified, and is diffused to the air. When the refrigerant is adiabatically expanded and gasified, the refrigerant removes heat from the surrounding air and the like. - Meanwhile, in
Embodiment 1, the brazed portions W and thejoints heat insulating materials heat insulating materials heat insulating materials heat insulating materials - Further, the adiabatically expanded and gasified refrigerant is hardly diffused to the air outside the
heat insulating materials heat insulating materials - At this time, in the
temperature sensors - It is desirable that the
heat insulating materials -
Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram for illustrating a modification example of a configuration of theheat insulating material 82d illustrated inFig. 5 . InFig. 6 , as the brazed portions W, there are illustrated a brazed portion W1 between theindoor pipe 9a and the headermain pipe 61, a brazed portion W2 between the headermain pipe 61 and a header branch pipe 62-1, a brazed portion W3 between the headermain pipe 61 and a header branch pipe 62-2, a brazed portion W4 between the headermain pipe 61 and a header branch pipe 62-3, a brazed portion W5 between theindoor pipe 9b and an indoor refrigerant branch pipe 63-1, and a brazed portion W6 between theindoor pipe 9b and an indoor refrigerant branch pipe 63-2. Further, inFig. 6 , among the brazed portions W illustrated inFig. 5 , the brazed portion W between theheader branch pipe 62 and theheat transfer tube 71, the brazed portion W between the indoorrefrigerant branch pipe 63 and theheat transfer tube 71, and the brazed portion W between the hair-pin pipe 72 and the U bentpipe 73 are not shown. - As illustrated in
Fig. 6 , theheat insulating material 82d is constructed of at least four heat insulating members 82d1, 82d2, 82d3, and 82d4 that are linked integrally. That is, substantially a unit ofheat insulating material 82d is formed of the plurality of heat insulating members 82d1, 82d2, 82d3, and 82d4. Each of the heat insulating members 82d1, 82d2, 82d3, and 82d4 may be a pair of heat insulating members closely attached to each other via mating surfaces. In this case, when it is assumed that a pair of heat insulating members forms a set, theheat insulating material 82d is constructed of at least four sets of heat insulating members 82d1, 82d2, 82d3, and 82d4. - Among the heat insulating members 82d1, 82d2, 82d3, and 82d4, two adjacent heat insulating members are arranged such that end portions thereof (for example, an end portion 82d1a of the heat insulating member 82d1 and an end portion 82d2a of the heat insulating member 82d2) are closely attached to each other over the entire circumference. In this way, the heat insulating members 82d1, 82d2, 82d3, and 82d4 are integrated with no gap as the unit of
heat insulating material 82d. - For example, the
temperature sensor 94c is covered with the heat insulating member 82d1. On the other hand, the brazed portions W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, and W6 are covered with any of the heat insulating members 82d2, 82d3, and 82d4 rather than the heat insulating member 82d1. However, the heat insulating members 82d1, 82d2, 82d3, and 82d4 are integrated as the unit ofheat insulating material 82d, and hence, when refrigerant leaks at any of the brazed portions W1, W2, W3, and W4, the temperature of extremely-low temperature liquid refrigerant flowing downward in the minute gap along the refrigerant pipe or the temperature of the refrigerant pipe that is lowered to extremely-low temperature is detected by thetemperature sensor 94c. Further, when refrigerant leaks in any one of the brazed portions W5 and W6, the leaking refrigerant moves within the range of the unit ofheat insulating material 82d along the minute gap between the mating surfaces of the respective heat insulating members 82d1, 82d2, 82d3, and 82d4 or a minute gap between two adjacent heat insulating members among the heat insulating members 82d1, 82d2, 82d3, and 82d4. Accordingly, even in the case where refrigerant leaks in any one of the brazed portions W5 and W6, the temperature of the extremely-low temperature liquid refrigerant flowing downward in the minute gap or the temperature of the refrigerant pipe in which the temperature is decreased to extremely-low temperature is detected by thetemperature sensor 94c. - That is, in the example illustrated in
Fig. 6 , thetemperature sensor 94c and the brazed portions W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, and W6 are integrally covered with the unit ofheat insulating material 82d constructed of the heat insulating members 82d1, 82d2, 82d3, and 82d4. Accordingly, extremely-low temperature caused by a leakage of refrigerant in any of the brazed portions W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, and W6 can be detected by thetemperature sensor 94c. - Similarly, in the example illustrated in
Fig. 6 , thetemperature sensor 94d and the brazed portions W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, and W6 are integrally covered with the unit ofheat insulating material 82d constructed of the heat insulating members 82d1, 82d2, 82d3, and 82d4. Accordingly, extremely-low temperature caused by a leakage of refrigerant in any of the brazed portions W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, and W6 can also be detected by thetemperature sensor 94d. -
Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram for illustrating another modification example of the configuration of theheat insulating material 82d illustrated inFig. 5 . In the example illustrated inFig. 7 , among the heat insulating members 82d1, 82d2, 82d3, and 82d4, two adjacent heat insulating members are arranged such that end surfaces thereof (for example, an end surface 82d1b of the heat insulating member 82d1 and an end surface 82d2b of the heat insulating member 82d2) are closely attached to each other over the entire circumference. Even with the configuration illustrated inFig. 7 , extremely-low temperature caused by a leakage of refrigerant in any of the brazed portions W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, and W6 can be detected by thetemperature sensors - As illustrated in
Fig. 6 andFig. 7 , theheat insulating material 82d is not necessarily constructed of one heat insulating member or a pair of heat insulating members but may be constructed of a plurality of heat insulating members or a plurality of sets of heat insulating members that are linked integrally. With such a configuration, the size of each of the heat insulating members 82d1, 82d2, 82d3, and 82d4 can be decreased to an easily mountable level, and hence the workability of manufacturing theindoor unit 1 can be improved. Further, heat insulating members having the same shape can be used as the heat insulating members 82d1, 82d2, 82d3, and 82d4. Therefore, the heat insulating members can be standardized, that is, manufacturing cost can be reduced. -
Fig. 8 is a graph for showing exemplary temporal changes of the temperature detected by thetemperature sensor 94b when refrigerant is caused to leak from the joint 15b in theindoor unit 1 of the air-conditioning apparatus according toEmbodiment 1. In the graph, the horizontal axis represents the elapsed time (seconds) from the start of leakage, and the vertical axis represents the temperature (degrees C). InFig. 8 , a temporal change of the temperature when the leakage speed is 1 kg/h and a temporal change of the temperature when the leakage speed is 10 kg/h are shown together. As refrigerant, HFO-1234yf is used. - As shown in
Fig. 8 , when the leaking refrigerant is adiabatically expanded and gasified, the detected temperature detected by thetemperature sensor 94b begins to decrease immediately after the start of leakage. When liquifaction due to recondensation of refrigerant begins after several seconds to over ten seconds elapsed from the start of leakage, the detected temperature detected by thetemperature sensor 94b suddenly drops to about -29 degrees C, which is the boiling point of HFO-1234yf. Then, the detected temperature detected by thetemperature sensor 94b is maintained at about -29 degrees C. - As described above, because the refrigerant leakage portion is covered with a heat insulating material, it is possible to detect a temperature drop due to a refrigerant leakage without time delay. Further, because a refrigerant leakage portion is covered with a heat insulating material, even in the case where the leakage speed is 1 kg/h, which is relatively low, it is possible to detect a temperature drop due to a refrigerant leakage with high responsiveness.
-
Fig. 9 is a flowchart for illustrating an example of refrigerant leakage detection processing to be performed by thecontroller 30 of the air-conditioning apparatus ofEmbodiment 1. The refrigerant leakage detection processing is performed repeatedly with predetermined time intervals only when power is supplied to the air-conditioning apparatus (that is, a breaker for supplying power to the air-conditioning apparatus is on) and theindoor fan 7f is stopped, for example. During an operation of theindoor fan 7f, the air in the indoor space is stirred. Thus, even if refrigerant has leaked, the refrigerant concentration does not become high locally. Accordingly, inEmbodiment 1, the refrigerant leakage detection processing is performed only when theindoor fan 7f is stopped. InEmbodiment 1, the temperature sensor for detecting a refrigerant leakage is accommodated in thecasing 111 of theindoor unit 1 along with theindoor fan 7f, but even in the case where the temperature sensor for detecting a refrigerant leakage is not accommodated in thecasing 111 of theindoor unit 1, the refrigerant leakage detection processing may be performed only when theindoor fan 7f is stopped. In this way, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant concentration in the indoor space from becoming high locally more reliably. In the case where a battery or an uninterruptible power source device capable of supplying power to theindoor unit 1 is mounted, the refrigerant leakage detection processing may be performed even when the breaker is off. - In
Embodiment 1, the refrigerant leakage detection processing procedures using therespective temperature sensors temperature sensor 94b is described as an example. - In Step S1 of
Fig. 9 , thecontroller 30 acquires information of a detected temperature detected by thetemperature sensor 94b. - Next, in Step S2, it is determined whether or not the detected temperature detected by the
temperature sensor 94b is lower than a preset threshold temperature (for example, -10 degrees C). The threshold temperature may be set to a lower limit (for example, 3 degrees C; the detail is described later) of the evaporating temperature of the load-side heat exchanger 7 at the time of cooling operation, for example. When it is determined that the detected temperature is lower than the threshold temperature, the processing proceeds to Step S3. When it is determined that the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the threshold temperature, the processing ends. - In Step S3, it is determined that refrigerant has leaked. When determining that refrigerant has leaked, the
controller 30 may operate theindoor fan 7f. In this way, the air in the indoor space is stirred, and the leaking refrigerant can be diffused. Thus, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant concentration from becoming high locally. Accordingly, even in the case where flammable refrigerant is used as refrigerant, it is possible to prevent a region in which a refrigerant concentration is at a flammable level from being formed. - Further, when determining that refrigerant has leaked, the
controller 30 may set the system state of the air-conditioning apparatus to "abnormal" to not allow operations of those components other than theindoor fan 7f. - Further, when determining that refrigerant has leaked, the
controller 30 may inform the user of abnormality by using an informing unit (display unit or sound output unit) provided on theoperation unit 26. For example, thecontroller 30 displays, on the display unit provided on theoperation unit 26, an instruction such as "gas leakage occurs, open the window". In this way, it is possible to immediately allow the user to recognize that refrigerant has leaked and that an action such as ventilation is required to be taken. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant concentration from becoming high locally more reliably. -
Fig. 10 is a flowchart for illustrating another example of the refrigerant leakage detection processing to be performed by thecontroller 30 of the air-conditioning apparatus according toEmbodiment 1. In Step S11 ofFig. 10 , thecontroller 30 acquires information of a detected temperature detected by thetemperature sensor 94b. - In Step S12, the
controller 30 calculates a temporal change of the detected temperature detected by thetemperature sensor 94b. For example, in the case where the detected temperature detected by thetemperature sensor 94b is acquired every one minute, a value obtained by subtracting the detected temperature that was acquired one minute before from the currently acquired detected temperature may be used as a temporal change of the detected temperature. When the detected temperature is decreasing, the temporal change of the detected temperature takes a negative value. Accordingly, when the detected temperature is decreasing, the temporal change of the detected temperature decreases as the detected temperature changes more drastically. - In Step S13, it is determined whether or not the detected temperature detected by the
temperature sensor 94b is lower than a threshold value (for example, -20 degrees C/minute). When it is determined that the temporal change of the detected temperature is lower than the threshold value, the processing proceeds to Step S14. When it is determined that the temporal change of the detected temperature is equal to or larger than the threshold value, the processing ends. - In Step S14, it is determined that refrigerant has leaked, and the same processing as that of Step S3 of
Fig. 9 is performed. - Next, still another example of the refrigerant leakage detection processing is described. As each temperature sensor, a thermistor in which electric resistance is changed in accordance with a change of the temperature is used. The electric resistance of a thermistor decreases when the temperature increases, while the electric resistance increases when the temperature decreases. On the substrate, a fixed resistor connected in series to the thermistor is mounted. The thermistor and the fixed resistor are applied with a voltage of DC 5 V, for example. The electric resistance of the thermistor is changed in accordance with the temperature, and hence the voltage (divided voltage) applied to the thermistor is changed in accordance with the temperature. The
controller 30 converts a value of the voltage applied to the thermistor into the temperature, to thereby acquire the detected temperature detected by each temperature sensor. - The range of resistance values of a thermistor is set based on the range of temperature that is to be detected. When the voltage applied to the thermistor is out of the voltage range corresponding to the detected temperature range, an error indicating that the temperature is out of the detected temperature range may be detected by the
controller 30 in some cases. - Meanwhile, in the configuration illustrated in
Fig. 3 to Fig. 5 and other figures, temperature sensors configured to detect a refrigerant temperature of the load-side heat exchanger 7 (for example, the heat exchanger liquidpipe temperature sensor 92 and the heat exchanger two-phase pipe temperature sensor 93) and thetemperature sensors pipe temperature sensor 92 may also serve as thetemperature sensor 94d for detecting a refrigerant leakage. The heat exchanger liquidpipe temperature sensor 92 is covered with theheat insulating material 82d, which is the same as theheat insulating material 82d covering the brazed portion W, and is provided at a position thermally connected to the brazed portion W via a refrigerant pipe. Accordingly, it is possible to detect an extremely-low temperature phenomenon near the brazed portion W. - The detected temperature range of the temperature sensor configured to detect a refrigerant temperature of the load-
side heat exchanger 7 is set based on the temperature range of the load-side heat exchanger 7 at the time of normal operation. For example, therefrigerant circuit 40 is controlled such that the evaporating temperature at the time of cooling operation does not decrease to 3 degrees C or lower, by cryoprotection of the load-side heat exchanger 7. Further, therefrigerant circuit 40 is controlled such that the condensing temperature at the time of heating operation does not increase to 60 degrees C or higher, by condensing temperature (condensing pressure) excessive rise prevention protection for preventing failure of thecompressor 3, for example. In this case, the temperature range of the load-side heat exchanger 7 at the time of normal operation is from 3 degrees C to 60 degrees C. - As described above, when a refrigerant leakage occurs in
Embodiment 1, the temperature sensor near the leakage portion detects an extremely-low temperature that is greatly different from the temperature range of the load-side heat exchanger 7. In this case, when an error indicating that the temperature is out of the detected temperature range of the temperature sensor is detected, thecontroller 30 may determine that an extremely-low temperature is detected by the temperature sensor to determine that refrigerant has leaked. - With this configuration, similar to the configuration illustrated in
Fig. 3 to Fig. 5 and other figures, a leakage of refrigerant can be detected reliably with high responsiveness for a long period of time. Further, with this configuration, the number of temperature sensors can be reduced, and thus the manufacturing cost of the air-conditioning apparatus can be reduced. - Next, a modification example of the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to
Embodiment 1 is described. In the configuration illustrated inFig. 3 to Fig. 5 and other figures, while thetemperature sensors temperature sensors temperature sensors joints indoor pipes lower space 115a illustrated inFig. 5 , and where thetemperature sensors heat insulating material 82b (for example, positions where thetemperature sensors heat insulating material 82a). With this configuration, thetemperature sensors indoor pipe temperature sensors - The gaps between the outer peripheral surfaces of the
indoor pipes heat insulating materials joints temperature sensors joints - Further, the heat exchanger two-phase
pipe temperature sensor 93 may also serve as thetemperature sensor 94d for detecting a refrigerant leakage, for example. - For example, when a refrigerant leakage occurs at one brazed portion W, extremely-low temperature refrigerant, which is liquified by recondensation, moves within the range of the
heat insulating material 82d along a minute gap between theheat insulating material 82d and the refrigerant pipe or a minute gap between the mating surfaces of theheat insulating material 82d, by the capillary phenomenon. The heat exchanger two-phasepipe temperature sensor 93 is integrally covered with theheat insulating material 82d, which is the same as the heat insulating material covering the brazed portions W of the U bentpipe 73 to which the heat exchanger two-phasepipe temperature sensor 93 is provided, other U bentpipes 73, theindoor pipes main pipe 61, and other pipes. Accordingly, the heat exchanger two-phasepipe temperature sensor 93 is capable of detecting a temperature of the extremely-low temperature refrigerant that has leaked at each brazed portion W covered with theheat insulating material 82d. - As described above, the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to
Embodiment 1 includes: therefrigerant circuit 40 in which refrigerant circulates, thetemperature sensors refrigerant circuit 40, the positions being adjacent to brazed portions (for example, the brazed portions W of the load-side heat exchanger 7) or the position being adjacent to joint portions (for example, thejoints controller 30 configured to determine whether or not the refrigerant has leaked based on a detected temperature detected by thetemperature sensors temperature sensors heat insulating materials - With this configuration, the
temperature sensors temperature sensors heat insulating materials - Further, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to
Embodiment 1, thecontroller 30 may be configured to determine that the refrigerant has leaked when the detected temperature is lower than the threshold temperature. - Further, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to
Embodiment 1, thecontroller 30 may be configured to determine that the refrigerant has leaked when a temporal change of the detected temperature is lower than the threshold value. - Further, the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to
Embodiment 1 may further include the fan (for example,indoor fan 7f), and thecontroller 30 may be configured to determine whether or not the refrigerant has leaked only when the fan is stopped. - Further, the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to
Embodiment 1 may further include the fan (for example, theindoor fan 7f) and the casing (for example, the casing 111) configured to accommodate the fan. The temperature sensors (for example,temperature sensors controller 30 may be configured to determine whether or not the refrigerant has leaked only when the fan is stopped. - Further, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to
Embodiment 1, thetemperature sensors - Further, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to
Embodiment 1, thetemperature sensors - Further, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to
Embodiment 1, thetemperature sensors heat insulating materials heat insulating materials - Further, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to
Embodiment 1, theheat insulating material 82d may be constructed of the plurality of heat insulating members 82d1, 82d2, 82d3, and 82d4. - Further, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to
Embodiment 1, two adjacent heat insulating members among the plurality of heat insulating members 82d1, 82d2, 82d3, and 82d4 may be arranged such that end portions thereof (for example, the end portion 82d1a of the heat insulating member 82d1 and the end portion 82d2a of the heat insulating member 82d2) overlap with each other. - Further, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to
Embodiment 1, two adjacent heat insulating members among the plurality of heat insulating members 82d1, 82d2, 82d3, and 82d4 may be arranged such that end surfaces thereof (for example, the end surface 82d1b of the heat insulating member 82d1 and the end surface 82d2b of the heat insulating member 82d2) are in contact with each other. - Further, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to
Embodiment 1, the brazed portions or the joint portions may be covered with first heat insulating members 82d2, 82d3, and 82d4 among the plurality of heat insulating members 82d1, 82d2, 82d3, and 82d4, and thetemperature sensor 94c may be covered with a second heat insulating member 82d1 among the plurality of heat insulating members 82d1, 82d2, 82d3, and 82d4. - Further, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to
Embodiment 1, the temperature sensors configured to detect the refrigerant temperature (for example, liquid pipe temperature or two-phase pipe temperature) of the heat exchanger may also serve as thetemperature sensors - Further, a refrigerant leakage detection method according to
Embodiment 1 includes: detecting a temperature of a position on therefrigerant circuit 40 in which refrigerant circulates, the position being adjacent to brazed portions (for example, the brazed portions W of load-side heat exchanger 7) and being covered with theheat insulating material 82d together with the brazed portions, or the position being adjacent to joint portions in which refrigerant pipes are joined to each other (for example, thejoints heat insulating materials - The present invention can be modified in various manners without being limited to
Embodiment 1. - For example, while a floor type indoor unit is exemplarily described as the
indoor unit 1 inEmbodiment 1, the present invention is applicable to indoor units of other types such as a ceiling cassette type, a ceiling concealed type, a ceiling suspended type, and a wall type. - Further, while
Embodiment 1 exemplarily describes a configuration in which a temperature sensor for detecting a refrigerant leakage is provided in theindoor unit 1, a temperature sensor for detecting a refrigerant leakage may be provided in the outdoor unit 2 (for example, in the casing of the outdoor unit 2). In this case, the temperature sensor for detecting a refrigerant leakage is provided at a position adjacent to a brazed portion of the heat source-side heat exchanger 5, for example, and is covered with a heat insulating material together with the brazed portion. Alternatively, the temperature sensor for detecting a refrigerant leakage is provided at a position in theoutdoor unit 2, which is adjacent to a joint portion in which refrigerant pipes are joined to each other, and is covered with a heat insulating material together with the joint portion. Thecontroller 30 determines whether or not the refrigerant has leaked based on the detected temperature detected by the temperature sensor for detecting a refrigerant leakage. With this configuration, it is possible to detect a leakage of refrigerant in theoutdoor unit 2 reliably with high responsiveness for a long period of time. During an operation of the outdoor fan 5f, the air around theoutdoor unit 2 is stirred. Accordingly, even if refrigerant has leaked in theoutdoor unit 2, the refrigerant concentration does not increase locally around theoutdoor unit 2. Therefore, in the case where the outdoor fan 5f and the temperature sensor are accommodated in the casing of theoutdoor unit 2, for example, determination of whether or not the refrigerant has leaked with use of the temperature sensor may be performed only when the outdoor fan 5f is stopped. - As brazed portions of the
refrigerant circuit 40, whileEmbodiment 1 mainly describes the brazed portions W in the load-side heat exchanger 7 and brazed portions in the heat source-side heat exchanger 5 as examples, the present invention is not limited thereto. The brazed portions of therefrigerant circuit 40 exist at other positions such as between theindoor pipes joints indoor unit 1, between thesuction pipe 11 and thecompressor 3 in theoutdoor unit 2, and between thedischarge pipe 12 and thecompressor 3 in theoutdoor unit 2, besides those in the load-side heat exchanger 7 and the heat source-side heat exchanger 5. Accordingly, a temperature sensor for detecting a refrigerant leakage may be provided at a position on therefrigerant circuit 40, which is adjacent to a brazed portion other than those in the load-side heat exchanger 7 and the heat source-side heat exchanger 5, and may be covered with a heat insulating material together with the brazed portion. Even with this configuration, a leakage of refrigerant in therefrigerant circuit 40 can be detected reliably with high responsiveness for a long period of time. - Further, while
Embodiment 1 mainly describes thejoints indoor unit 1 as examples of joint portions of therefrigerant circuit 40, the present invention is not limited thereto. The joint portions of therefrigerant circuit 40 also include the joints 16a and 16b and other joints of theoutdoor unit 2. Accordingly, the temperature sensor for detecting a refrigerant leakage may be provided adjacent to a joint portion other than thejoints refrigerant circuit 40, and may be covered with a heat insulating material together with the joint portion. Even with this configuration, a leakage of refrigerant in therefrigerant circuit 40 can be detected reliably with high responsiveness for a long period of time. - Further, while
Embodiment 1 describes an air-conditioning apparatus as an example of a refrigeration cycle apparatus, the present invention is applicable to other refrigeration cycle apparatus s such as a heat pump water heater, a chiller, and a showcase. - Further, the above-mentioned embodiments and modification examples can be carried out in combination with each other.
- 1 indoor unit 2 outdoor unit 3 compressor 4 refrigerant flow path switching device 5 heat source-side heat exchanger 5f outdoor fan 6 decompression device 7 load-side heat exchanger 7f indoor fan 9a, 9b indoor pipe 10a, 10b extension pipe 11 suction pipe 12 discharge pipe 13a, 13b extension pipe connection valve 14a, 14b, 14c service port 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b joint20 partition 20a air passage opening port 25 electrical component box 26 operation unit 30 controller 40 refrigerant circuit 61 header main pipe 62, 62-1, 62-2, 62-3 header branch pipe 63, 63-1, 63-2 indoor refrigerant branch pipe 70 fin 71 heat transfer tube 71a, 71b end portion 72 hair-pin pipe 73 U bent pipe 81 air passage 82a, 82b, 82c, 82d heat insulating material 82d1, 82d2, 82d3, 82d4 heat insulating member 82d1a, 82d2a end portion 82d1b, 82d2b end surface 83 band 91 intake air temperature sensor 92 heat exchanger liquid pipe temperature sensor 93 heat exchanger two-phase pipe temperature sensor 94a, 94b, 94c, 94d temperature sensor 107 impeller 108 fan casing 108a air outlet opening port108b suction opening port 111 casing 112 air inlet 113 air outlet 114a first front panel 114b second front panel 114c third front panel 115a lower space115b upper space W, W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, W6 brazed portion
Claims (13)
- A refrigeration cycle apparatus, comprising:a refrigerant circuit (40) in which refrigerant circulates;a temperature sensor (94a, 94b, 94c, 94d) provided at a position on the refrigerant circuit (40), the position being adjacent to a brazed portion (W) or the position being adjacent to a joint portion (15a, 15b) in which refrigerant pipes are joined to each other; anda controller (30) configured to determine whether or not the refrigerant has leaked based on a detected temperature detected by the temperature sensor (94a, 94b, 94c, 94d),characterized in that the temperature sensor (94a, 94b, 94c, 94d) is covered with a heat insulating material (82a, 82b, 82d) together with the brazed portion (W) or the joint portion (15a, 15b).
- The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine that the refrigerant has leaked when the detected temperature is lower than a threshold temperature.
- The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine that the refrigerant has leaked when a temporal change of the detected temperature is lower than a threshold value.
- The refrigeration cycle apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a fan (7f),
wherein the controller is configured to determine whether or not the refrigerant has leaked only when the fan (7f) is stopped. - The refrigeration cycle apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the temperature sensor is provided below the brazed portion or the joint portion.
- The refrigeration cycle apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the temperature sensor is provided above or beside the brazed portion (W) or the joint portion.
- The refrigeration cycle apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the temperature sensor is covered with a heat insulating material (82a, 82b, 82d) that is same as the heat insulating material covering the brazed portion or the joint portion.
- The refrigeration cycle apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the heat insulating material comprises a plurality of heat insulating members (82d1, 82d2, 82d3, 82d4).
- The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 8, wherein, among the plurality of the heat insulating members, two heat insulating members that are adjacent to each other are arranged such that end portions (82d1a, 82d2a) of the two heat insulating members overlap with each other.
- The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 8, wherein, among the plurality of the heat insulating members, two heat insulating members that are adjacent to each other are arranged such that end surfaces (82d1b, 82d2b) of the two heat insulating members are in contact with each other.
- The refrigeration cycle apparatus of any one of claims 8 to 10,
wherein the brazed portion or the joint portion is covered with a first heat insulating member (82d2, 82d3, 82d4) among the plurality of the heat insulating members (82d1, 82d2, 82d3, 82d4), and
wherein the temperature sensor is covered with a second heat insulating member (82d1) among the plurality of the heat insulating members (82d1, 82d2, 82d3, 82d4). - The refrigeration cycle apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the temperature sensor also serves as a temperature sensor configured to detect a refrigerant temperature of a heat exchanger (7).
- A refrigerant leakage detection method, comprising:detecting a temperature of a position on a refrigerant circuit (40) in which refrigerant circulates, the position being adjacent to a brazed portion (W), or the position being adjacent to a joint portion (15a, 15b) in which refrigerant pipes are joined to each other; anddetermining whether or not the refrigerant has leaked based on the temperaturecharacterized by using, for detecting the temperature, a temperature sensor (94a, 94b, 94c, 94d) covered with a heat insulating material (82a, 82b, 82d) together with the brazed portion (W) or the joint portion (15a, 15b).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/JP2015/081514 WO2017081735A1 (en) | 2015-11-09 | 2015-11-09 | Refrigeration cycle device and refrigerant leak detection method |
PCT/JP2016/080641 WO2017081988A1 (en) | 2015-11-09 | 2016-10-17 | Refrigeration cycle device and method for detecting coolant leakage |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP3306237A1 EP3306237A1 (en) | 2018-04-11 |
EP3306237A4 EP3306237A4 (en) | 2018-06-06 |
EP3306237B1 true EP3306237B1 (en) | 2019-06-19 |
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EP16863952.4A Active EP3306237B1 (en) | 2015-11-09 | 2016-10-17 | Refrigeration cycle device and method for detecting coolant leakage |
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US (1) | US20180292118A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3306237B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP6157789B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN108351139B (en) |
WO (2) | WO2017081735A1 (en) |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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EP3396277B1 (en) * | 2015-12-21 | 2019-11-27 | Mitsubishi Electric Corporation | Refrigeration cycle device |
JP6656406B2 (en) * | 2016-11-16 | 2020-03-04 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Air conditioner and refrigerant leak detection method |
CN111189250B (en) * | 2018-11-15 | 2021-05-25 | 青岛海尔空调器有限总公司 | Refrigerating equipment |
JP6614389B1 (en) | 2019-07-12 | 2019-12-04 | ダイキン工業株式会社 | Refrigeration equipment indoor unit |
WO2021050699A1 (en) * | 2019-09-12 | 2021-03-18 | Carrier Corporation | Initial power up or power outage refrigerant purge |
US11248849B2 (en) * | 2019-10-15 | 2022-02-15 | Lennox Industries Inc. | Detecting loss of charge in HVAC systems |
WO2022244158A1 (en) * | 2021-05-19 | 2022-11-24 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Refrigerant leakage detection device and refrigerant leakage detection method |
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JPH10122711A (en) * | 1996-10-18 | 1998-05-15 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Refrigerating cycle control device |
JP2000146375A (en) * | 1998-11-05 | 2000-05-26 | Hitachi Ltd | Refrigerator |
JP2000230761A (en) * | 1999-02-09 | 2000-08-22 | Zexel Corp | Mounting structure of refrigerant leakage detecting means |
WO2003027587A1 (en) * | 2001-09-19 | 2003-04-03 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Refrigerator-freezer, controller of refrigerator-freezer, and method for determination of leakage of refrigerant |
JP2007078203A (en) * | 2005-09-12 | 2007-03-29 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Piping temperature sensor fixture |
JP2009068772A (en) * | 2007-09-13 | 2009-04-02 | Nissan Motor Co Ltd | Air conditioning device, sealing state detecting method, and refrigerant leakage detector |
JP5881435B2 (en) * | 2012-01-27 | 2016-03-09 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Heat exchanger and air conditioner equipped with the same |
CN204100499U (en) * | 2013-08-26 | 2015-01-14 | 三菱电机株式会社 | Aircondition |
JP5818849B2 (en) * | 2013-08-26 | 2015-11-18 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Air conditioner and refrigerant leakage detection method |
JP5665937B1 (en) * | 2013-09-13 | 2015-02-04 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Refrigeration cycle equipment |
JP2016125694A (en) * | 2014-12-26 | 2016-07-11 | ダイキン工業株式会社 | Air conditioner indoor unit |
-
2015
- 2015-11-09 WO PCT/JP2015/081514 patent/WO2017081735A1/en active Application Filing
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2016
- 2016-10-17 JP JP2017516522A patent/JP6157789B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2016-10-17 CN CN201680063014.5A patent/CN108351139B/en active Active
- 2016-10-17 EP EP16863952.4A patent/EP3306237B1/en active Active
- 2016-10-17 WO PCT/JP2016/080641 patent/WO2017081988A1/en active Application Filing
- 2016-10-17 US US15/766,411 patent/US20180292118A1/en not_active Abandoned
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EP3306237A4 (en) | 2018-06-06 |
WO2017081988A1 (en) | 2017-05-18 |
JPWO2017081988A1 (en) | 2017-11-09 |
EP3306237A1 (en) | 2018-04-11 |
WO2017081735A1 (en) | 2017-05-18 |
CN108351139B (en) | 2020-10-20 |
JP6157789B1 (en) | 2017-07-05 |
US20180292118A1 (en) | 2018-10-11 |
CN108351139A (en) | 2018-07-31 |
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