EP4160120A1 - Air-conditioning device - Google Patents

Air-conditioning device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4160120A1
EP4160120A1 EP21813144.9A EP21813144A EP4160120A1 EP 4160120 A1 EP4160120 A1 EP 4160120A1 EP 21813144 A EP21813144 A EP 21813144A EP 4160120 A1 EP4160120 A1 EP 4160120A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
indoor unit
state
refrigerant
refrigerant leakage
indoor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP21813144.9A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP4160120A4 (en
Inventor
Ryuji KAWABATA
Akihiro Shigeta
Shunichi Hashimoto
Masanobu Hirota
Masaru Matsui
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd filed Critical Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Publication of EP4160120A1 publication Critical patent/EP4160120A1/en
Publication of EP4160120A4 publication Critical patent/EP4160120A4/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/30—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
    • F24F11/32—Responding to malfunctions or emergencies
    • F24F11/36—Responding to malfunctions or emergencies to leakage of heat-exchange fluid
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/30—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
    • F24F11/49—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring ensuring correct operation, e.g. by trial operation or configuration checks
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/62—Control or safety arrangements characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
    • 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
    • F25B13/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, with reversible cycle
    • 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
    • F25B41/00—Fluid-circulation arrangements
    • F25B41/20—Disposition of valves, e.g. of on-off valves or flow control valves
    • F25B41/24—Arrangement of shut-off valves for disconnecting a part of the refrigerant cycle, e.g. an outdoor part
    • 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
    • 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
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
    • F24F1/0003—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station characterised by a split arrangement, wherein parts of the air-conditioning system, e.g. evaporator and condenser, are in separately located units
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/50—Control or safety arrangements characterised by user interfaces or communication
    • F24F11/52—Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
    • 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
    • F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
    • F25B2313/023—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units
    • F25B2313/0233—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units in parallel arrangements
    • 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
    • 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
    • F25B2600/00—Control issues
    • F25B2600/25—Control of valves
    • F25B2600/2519—On-off valves

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an air-conditioning device.
  • an air-conditioning device that includes indoor units each provided with a refrigerant leakage sensor that detects refrigerant leakage and a display device that, when the refrigerant leakage sensor detects refrigerant leakage, makes a notification that the refrigerant leakage has occurred, and, when the refrigerant leakage sensor of any of the indoor units detects refrigerant leakage, notifies the plurality of display devices that the refrigerant leakage has occurred, thereby making it possible to effectively communicate to users that the refrigerant leakage has occurred and improve the safety of the users (e.g., refer to Patent Literature 1).
  • Patent Literature 1 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2016-223650
  • the present invention has been made in view of the points described above, and an object thereof is to provide an air-conditioning device that, among indoor units connected to the same refrigerant system, enables recognition of the state of another indoor unit and can prevent reduction of the comfort of users.
  • an air-conditioning device of the present invention includes: an outdoor unit including at least a compressor, and a heat source side heat exchanger; a plurality of indoor units each including at least a use side heat exchanger, and a fan; a liquid refrigerant pipe and a gas refrigerant pipe that connect the outdoor unit and the indoor units; an opening/closing device provided upstream of the indoor unit on the liquid refrigerant pipe and the gas refrigerant pipe, the opening/closing device being configured to shut off a flow of a refrigerant in the liquid refrigerant pipe and the gas refrigerant pipe; a refrigerant leakage sensor that detects leakage of the refrigerant from the indoor unit; and a control device that controls opening and closing of the opening/closing device based on a detection signal of the refrigerant leakage sensor, in which, when the refrigerant leakage sensor detects refrigerant leakage of the indoor unit, the control device controls the opening/clos
  • the shut-off valves on the liquid refrigerant pipe and the gas refrigerant pipe are closed to stop operation when refrigerant leakage occurs in the indoor unit
  • another indoor unit connected to the same liquid refrigerant pipe and gas refrigerant pipe is controlled to the limited operation state.
  • reduction in the comfort of a user of the other indoor unit can be prevented by causing the other indoor unit to perform the fan operation.
  • a first invention provides an air-conditioning device including: an outdoor unit including at least a compressor, and a heat source side heat exchanger; a plurality of indoor units each including at least a use side heat exchanger, and a fan; a liquid refrigerant pipe and a gas refrigerant pipe that connect the outdoor unit and the indoor units; an opening/closing device provided upstream of the indoor unit on the liquid refrigerant pipe and the gas refrigerant pipe, the opening/closing device being configured to shut off a flow of a refrigerant in the liquid refrigerant pipe and the gas refrigerant pipe; a refrigerant leakage sensor that detects leakage of the refrigerant from the indoor unit; and a control device that controls opening and closing of the opening/closing device based on a detection signal of the refrigerant leakage sensor, wherein when the refrigerant leakage sensor detects refrigerant leakage of the indoor unit, the control device controls the opening/closing device located upstream of the indoor
  • the control device controls the indoor unit to an operable state in which the indoor unit performs the cooling operation, the heating operation, or the fan operation.
  • control device includes a display unit for checking an operating state of the indoor unit, and the control device causes the display unit to display whether the indoor unit is in the refrigerant leakage state, the limited operation state, or the operable state.
  • the control device causing the display unit to display whether the indoor unit is in the refrigerant leakage state, the limited operation state, or the operable state
  • an administrator can recognize the indoor unit that cannot perform an air-conditioning operation, the indoor unit that cannot perform the air-conditioning operation, but can perform the fan operation, and the indoor unit that can perform the air-conditioning operation.
  • the indoor unit that cannot perform the air-conditioning operation but can perform the fan operation, and the indoor unit that can perform the air-conditioning operation.
  • each of the indoor units includes a display unit
  • the control device causes the display unit of the indoor unit in the refrigerant leakage state to display being in the refrigerant leakage state and presence of the indoor unit in the operable state, causes the display unit of the indoor unit in the limited operation state to display being in the limited operation state and presence of the indoor unit in the operable state, and causes the display unit of the indoor unit in the operable state to display being in the operable state and presence of the indoor unit in the refrigerant leakage state.
  • a user of the indoor unit can recognize the indoor unit that cannot perform the air-conditioning operation and the indoor unit that can perform the air-conditioning operation. Also, since the state of the occurrence of refrigerant leakage in the same refrigerant pipe system and the other refrigerant pipe system can be recognized, the refrigerant leakage state can be notified to users of the plurality of indoor unit.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the embodiment of the air-conditioning device according to the present invention. Note that an air-conditioning device to which the present invention is applied is not limited thereto, and the present invention is applicable to various air-conditioning devices.
  • an air-conditioning device 1 includes an outdoor unit 10, and a plurality of indoor units 20.
  • a compressor 11 (refer to FIG. 2 ), an outdoor heat exchanger, and a four-way valve that switches a refrigerant channel are housed in the outdoor unit 10.
  • the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor units 20 include a liquid refrigerant pipe 30 and a gas refrigerant pipe 32 that connect the compressor of the outdoor unit and heat exchangers of the indoor units 20.
  • the present embodiment shows an example in which five rooms A to E are provided as rooms where the indoor units 20 are installed.
  • One indoor unit 20 is installed in each of the rooms A, B, C, and E. Also, two indoor units 20 are installed in the room D.
  • the liquid refrigerant pipe 30 branches midway into a first liquid refrigerant pipe 30a and a second liquid refrigerant pipe 30b.
  • the gas refrigerant pipe 32 branches midway into a first gas refrigerant pipe 32a and a second gas refrigerant pipe 32b.
  • the first liquid refrigerant pipe 30a and the first gas refrigerant pipe 32a are connected to the indoor unit 20 in the room A, the indoor unit 20 in the room B, and the indoor unit 20 in the room C.
  • the second liquid refrigerant pipe 30b and the second gas refrigerant pipe 32b are connected to the two indoor units 20 in the room D and the indoor unit 20 in the room E.
  • a first liquid shut-off valve 34a serving as the opening/closing device is provided in a middle part of the first liquid refrigerant pipe 30a.
  • a first gas shut-off valve 36a serving as the opening/closing device is provided in a middle part of the first gas refrigerant pipe 32a.
  • the first liquid shut-off valve 34a is provided upstream of the room A on the first liquid refrigerant pipe 30a, and the first gas shut-off valve 36a is provided upstream of the room A on the first gas refrigerant pipe 32a.
  • a second liquid shut-off valve 34b serving as the opening/closing device and a third liquid shut-off valve 34c serving as the opening/closing device are provided in middle parts of the second liquid refrigerant pipe 30b.
  • a second gas shut-off valve 36b serving as the opening/closing device and a third gas shut-off valve 36c serving as the opening/closing device are provided in middle parts of the second gas refrigerant pipe 32b.
  • the second liquid shut-off valve 34b is provided upstream of the room D on the second liquid refrigerant pipe 30b, and the second gas shut-off valve 36b is provided upstream of the room D on the second gas refrigerant pipe 32b.
  • the third liquid shut-off valve 34c is provided upstream of the room E and downstream of the room D on the second liquid refrigerant pipe 30b, and the third gas shut-off valve 36c is provided upstream of the room E and downstream of the room D on the second gas refrigerant pipe 32b.
  • each indoor unit 20 is provided with a refrigerant leakage sensor 40.
  • the refrigerant leakage sensor 40 detects a refrigerant leaking from each indoor unit 20 and is provided inside each indoor unit 20 in the present embodiment.
  • the refrigerant leakage sensor 40 may be provided outside the indoor unit 20, provided in a remote control (not shown) for operating the indoor unit 20 installed in the room, or provided at a predetermined location inside the room separately from the indoor unit 20.
  • Each indoor unit 20 includes a display unit 42 that performs predetermined display, and the display unit 42 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device.
  • the display unit 42 may be directly provided on the indoor unit 20 or provided, for example, on the remote control.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the present embodiment.
  • the air-conditioning device 1 includes a centralized controller 50 serving as the control device.
  • the centralized controller 50 includes a display unit 52 for displaying the state of each indoor unit 20, and the display unit 52 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device.
  • the centralized controller 50 includes, for example, a processor that executes a program, such as a CPU or an MPU, and a memory, such as a ROM or a RAM, and executes various processes through cooperation of hardware and software so that the processor reads a control program stored in the memory and executes processing.
  • a processor that executes a program, such as a CPU or an MPU
  • a memory such as a ROM or a RAM
  • the centralized controller 50 controls the compressor 11, the fan 12, and the expansion valve 13 of the outdoor unit 10, and the fan 21 and the expansion valve 22 of the indoor unit 20 based on the control program.
  • the centralized controller 50 controls the opening and closing of the first liquid shut-off valve 34a, the second liquid shut-off valve 34b, the third liquid shut-off valve 34c, the first gas shut-off valve 36a, the second gas shut-off valve 36b, and the third gas shut-off valve 36c based on a detection signal of the refrigerant leakage sensor 40 of each indoor unit 20.
  • the centralized controller 50 is configured to perform predetermined display on the display unit 42 of each indoor unit 20 and the display unit 52 of the centralized controller 50 when the centralized controller 50 controls the opening and closing of the first liquid shut-off valve 34a, the second liquid shut-off valve 34b, the third liquid shut-off valve 34c, the first gas shut-off valve 36a, the second gas shut-off valve 36b, and the third gas shut-off valve 36c based on a detection signal of the refrigerant leakage sensor 40.
  • the centralized controller 50 determines whether all of the liquid shut-off valves and the gas shut-off valves are "open” during an operation (ST1).
  • the centralized controller 50 determines that all of the shut-off valves are "open" (ST1: YES), the centralized controller 50 continues the cooling or heating operation.
  • the centralized controller 50 performs control to switch the liquid shut-off valve and the gas shut-off valve corresponding to the indoor unit 20 for which the refrigerant leakage sensor 40 detects the refrigerant leakage to "closed” based on a detection signal of the refrigerant leakage sensor 40 (ST3) .
  • the first liquid shut-off valve 34a and the gas shut-off valve on the first liquid refrigerant pipe 30a and the first gas refrigerant pipe 32a through which the refrigerant is passed to the indoor unit 20 in the room A are switched to "closed".
  • the centralized controller 50 controls the indoor units 20 in the room B and the room C to perform a fan only operation or stop operation.
  • the centralized controller 50 turns ON the fan 21 of the indoor unit 20 installed in the room where the refrigerant leakage has occurred (ST4). Accordingly, air can be agitated in the room where the refrigerant leakage has occurred.
  • the centralized controller 50 displays, on the display unit 52 of the centralized controller 50, that the relevant indoor unit 20 having the refrigerant leakage (the indoor unit 20 in the room A) is in a "refrigerant leakage state" (ST5). Further, the centralized controller 50 displays, on the display unit 42 of the relevant indoor unit 20 having the refrigerant leakage (the indoor unit 20 in the room A), "refrigerant leakage state” and “indoor units in operable state are present” (ST6).
  • the centralized controller 50 performs control to stop operation of the indoor unit 20 in the room A (ST7).
  • the centralized controller 50 determines whether all of the liquid shut-off valves and the gas shut-off valves are "open” (ST1). In the present embodiment, since the first liquid shut-off valve 34a and the first gas shut-off valve 36a are controlled to be “closed” by the operation described above, it is determined that not all of the liquid shut-off valves and the gas shut-off valves are "open” (ST1: NO) .
  • the centralized controller 50 determines whether the relevant liquid shut-off valve and gas shut-off valve (in this example, the first liquid shut-off valve 34a and the first gas shut-off valve 36a) are "closed” (ST8). When it is determined that these valves are "closed” (ST8: YES), the centralized controller 50 displays, on the display unit 52 of the centralized controller 50, that the relevant indoor units 20 (the indoor units 20 in the room B and the room C) are in a "limited operation state" (ST9).
  • the relevant liquid shut-off valve and gas shut-off valve in this example, the first liquid shut-off valve 34a and the first gas shut-off valve 36a
  • the centralized controller 50 displays, on the display units 42 of the indoor units 20 (in this example, the indoor units 20 in the room B and the room C) for which the liquid shut-off valve and the gas shut-off valve are "closed” due to the refrigerant leakage, "limited operation state” and “indoor units in operable state are present” (ST10).
  • the centralized controller 50 Since the refrigerant is not delivered to the indoor units 20 in the room B and the room C, the centralized controller 50 performs control to switch the operation of the indoor units 20 in the room B and the room C to a fan only operation or stop the operation (ST11).
  • the centralized controller 50 displays, on the display unit 52 of the centralized controller 50, that the relevant indoor unit 20 is in an "operable state" (ST12).
  • the centralized controller 50 displays, on the display unit 52 of the centralized controller 50, that the indoor units 20 in the room D and the room E, the indoor units 20 being connected to the second liquid refrigerant pipe 30b and the second gas refrigerant pipe 32b, are in an "operable state".
  • the centralized controller 50 displays, on the display units 42 of the relevant indoor units 20 (in this example, the indoor units 20 in the room D and the room E), "operable state” and “indoor unit in refrigerant leakage state is present” (ST13).
  • the indoor units 20 in the room D and the room E continue the operation such as a cooling operation or a heating operation as is (ST14).
  • the display of "refrigerant leakage state" and “indoor units 20 in operable state are present” on the display unit 42 of the indoor unit 20 in the room A enables a user of the indoor unit 20 in the room A to recognize the refrigerant leakage state and that the indoor units 20 in an operable state (the indoor units 20 in the room D and the room E) are present among the other indoor units 20.
  • the display of "limited operation state” and “indoor units in an operable state (the indoor units 20 in the room D and the room E) are present" on the display units 42 of the indoor units 20 in the room B and the room C enables users of the indoor units 20 in the room B and the room C to recognize that the indoor units 20 in the room B and the room C are in a limited operation state in which a fan only operation can be performed or the operation is stopped due to the refrigerant leakage in another indoor unit 20 and that the indoor units in an operable state (the indoor units 20 in the room D and the room E) are present among the other indoor units 20.
  • the display of "operable state” and “indoor units in refrigerant leakage state are present" on the display units 42 of the indoor units 20 in the room D and the room E enables users of the indoor units 20 in the room D and the room E to recognize that a cooling operation, a heating operation, or a fan operation can be performed and that the indoor unit 20 in the refrigerant leakage state (the indoor unit 20 in the room A) is present.
  • the air-conditioning device 1 includes: the shut-off valves 34, 36 (opening/closing device) provided upstream of the indoor unit 20 on the liquid refrigerant pipe 30a, 30b and the gas refrigerant pipe 32a, 32b, the shut-off valves 34, 36 being configured to shut off the flow of a refrigerant in the liquid refrigerant pipe 30a, 30b and the gas refrigerant pipe 32a, 32b; the refrigerant leakage sensor 40 that detects leakage of the refrigerant from the indoor unit 20; and the centralized controller 50 (control device) that controls the opening and closing of the shut-off valves 34, 36 based on a detection signal of the refrigerant leakage sensor 40, in which when the refrigerant leakage sensor 40 detects refrigerant leakage of the indoor unit 20, the centralized controller 50 controls the opening/closing device located upstream of the indoor unit 20 to be closed, when the opening/closing device located upstream of the
  • the centralized controller 50 controls the indoor unit 20 to an operable state in which the indoor unit performs the cooling operation, the heating operation, or the fan operation.
  • the centralized controller 50 includes the display unit 52 for checking an operating state of the indoor unit 20, and the centralized controller 50 causes the display unit 52 to display whether the indoor unit 20 is in the refrigerant leakage state, the limited operation state, or the operable state.
  • the centralized controller 50 causing the display unit 52 to display whether the indoor unit 20 is in the refrigerant leakage state, the limited operation state, or the operable state
  • an administrator can recognize the indoor unit 20 that cannot perform an air-conditioning operation, the indoor unit 20 that cannot perform the air-conditioning operation, but can perform the fan operation, and the indoor unit 20 that can perform the air-conditioning operation.
  • the indoor unit 20 that cannot perform the air-conditioning operation but can perform the fan operation
  • the indoor unit 20 that can perform the air-conditioning operation As a result, after the operation is stopped, it is possible to promptly communicate the operating state to a user in a space where each indoor unit 20 is present.
  • each of the indoor units 20 includes the display unit 42
  • the centralized controller 50 causes the display unit 42 of the indoor unit 20 in the refrigerant leakage state to display being in the refrigerant leakage state and presence of the indoor unit 20 in the operable state, causes the display unit 42 of the indoor unit 20 in the limited operation state to display being in the limited operation state and presence of the indoor unit 20 in the operable state, and causes the display unit 42 of the indoor unit 20 in the operable state to display being in the operable state and presence of the indoor unit 20 in the refrigerant leakage state.
  • a user of the indoor unit 20 can recognize the indoor unit 20 that cannot perform the air-conditioning operation and the indoor unit 20 that can perform the air-conditioning operation. Also, since the state of the occurrence of refrigerant leakage in the same refrigerant pipe system and the other refrigerant pipe system can be recognized, the refrigerant leakage state can be notified to users of the plurality of indoor units 20.
  • the air-conditioning device is suitably useful as an air-conditioning device that includes a plurality of indoor units connected to an outdoor unit and can recognize, when any of the indoor units detects refrigerant leakage, a refrigerant leakage state, an operating state, and the like in the other indoor unit.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Fuzzy Systems (AREA)
  • Mathematical Physics (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Air Conditioning Control Device (AREA)

Abstract

To provide an air-conditioning device that, among indoor units connected to the same refrigerant system, enables recognition of the state of another indoor unit and can prevent reduction of the comfort of users.When a refrigerant leakage sensor 40 detects refrigerant leakage of an indoor unit 20, a centralized controller 50 controls an opening/closing device located upstream of the indoor unit 20 to be closed. When the opening/closing device located upstream of the indoor unit 20 is in a closed state and the refrigerant leakage sensor 40 of the indoor unit 20 detects a refrigerant, the centralized controller 50 controls the indoor unit 20 to a refrigerant leakage state in which a cooling operation or a heating operation is stopped. When the opening/closing device located upstream of the indoor unit 20 is in a closed state and the refrigerant leakage sensor 40 of the indoor unit 20 detects no refrigerant, the centralized controller 50 controls the indoor unit 20 to a limited operation state in which the indoor unit 20 performs a fan operation or stops operation.

Description

    [Technical Field]
  • The present invention relates to an air-conditioning device.
    • [Background Art]
  • There has been conventionally proposed an air-conditioning device that includes indoor units each provided with a refrigerant leakage sensor that detects refrigerant leakage and a display device that, when the refrigerant leakage sensor detects refrigerant leakage, makes a notification that the refrigerant leakage has occurred, and, when the refrigerant leakage sensor of any of the indoor units detects refrigerant leakage, notifies the plurality of display devices that the refrigerant leakage has occurred, thereby making it possible to effectively communicate to users that the refrigerant leakage has occurred and improve the safety of the users (e.g., refer to Patent Literature 1).
    • [Citation List] [Patent Literature]
  • [Patent Literature 1]
    Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2016-223650
    • [Summary of Invention] [Technical Problem]
  • However, in the conventional technique described above, when indoor units are installed in a plurality of rooms, although a user of the indoor unit having refrigerant leakage can recognize the refrigerant leakage, the refrigerant leakage state cannot be recognized in another indoor unit connected to the same refrigerant system. Thus, there is a problem in that, when refrigerant supply to the other indoor unit is stopped or operation of the other indoor unit is disabled due to the refrigerant leakage, a user of the other indoor unit cannot recognize an operating state in the same refrigerant system.
  • Also, since, when refrigerant leakage has occurred, the operation of another indoor unit connected to the same refrigerant system as the indoor unit having the refrigerant leakage is stopped, there is a problem in that, although a user can recognize the presence or absence of refrigerant leakage, reduction in the comfort of the user thereafter cannot be avoided.
  • The present invention has been made in view of the points described above, and an object thereof is to provide an air-conditioning device that, among indoor units connected to the same refrigerant system, enables recognition of the state of another indoor unit and can prevent reduction of the comfort of users.
    • [Solution to Problem]
  • In order to achieve the above object, an air-conditioning device of the present invention includes: an outdoor unit including at least a compressor, and a heat source side heat exchanger; a plurality of indoor units each including at least a use side heat exchanger, and a fan; a liquid refrigerant pipe and a gas refrigerant pipe that connect the outdoor unit and the indoor units; an opening/closing device provided upstream of the indoor unit on the liquid refrigerant pipe and the gas refrigerant pipe, the opening/closing device being configured to shut off a flow of a refrigerant in the liquid refrigerant pipe and the gas refrigerant pipe; a refrigerant leakage sensor that detects leakage of the refrigerant from the indoor unit; and a control device that controls opening and closing of the opening/closing device based on a detection signal of the refrigerant leakage sensor, in which, when the refrigerant leakage sensor detects refrigerant leakage of the indoor unit, the control device controls the opening/closing device located upstream of the indoor unit to be closed, when the opening/closing device located upstream of the indoor unit is in a closed state and the refrigerant leakage sensor of the indoor unit detects the refrigerant, the control device controls the indoor unit to a refrigerant leakage state in which a cooling operation or a heating operation is stopped, and when the opening/closing device located upstream of the indoor unit is in a closed state and the refrigerant leakage sensor of the indoor unit detects no refrigerant, the control device controls the indoor unit to a limited operation state in which the indoor unit performs a fan operation or stops operation.
  • Note that the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-092271 filed May 27, 2020 are incorporated in this specification.
    • [Advantageous Effects of Invention]
  • According to the present invention, when the shut-off valves on the liquid refrigerant pipe and the gas refrigerant pipe are closed to stop operation when refrigerant leakage occurs in the indoor unit, another indoor unit connected to the same liquid refrigerant pipe and gas refrigerant pipe is controlled to the limited operation state. Thus, reduction in the comfort of a user of the other indoor unit can be prevented by causing the other indoor unit to perform the fan operation.
    • [Brief Description of Drawings]
    • [FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an air-conditioning device according to the present invention.
    • [FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the embodiment.
    • [FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing operation of the embodiment.
    [Description of Embodiment]
  • A first invention provides an air-conditioning device including: an outdoor unit including at least a compressor, and a heat source side heat exchanger; a plurality of indoor units each including at least a use side heat exchanger, and a fan; a liquid refrigerant pipe and a gas refrigerant pipe that connect the outdoor unit and the indoor units; an opening/closing device provided upstream of the indoor unit on the liquid refrigerant pipe and the gas refrigerant pipe, the opening/closing device being configured to shut off a flow of a refrigerant in the liquid refrigerant pipe and the gas refrigerant pipe; a refrigerant leakage sensor that detects leakage of the refrigerant from the indoor unit; and a control device that controls opening and closing of the opening/closing device based on a detection signal of the refrigerant leakage sensor, wherein when the refrigerant leakage sensor detects refrigerant leakage of the indoor unit, the control device controls the opening/closing device located upstream of the indoor unit to be closed, when the opening/closing device located upstream of the indoor unit is in a closed state and the refrigerant leakage sensor of the indoor unit detects the refrigerant, the control device controls the indoor unit to a refrigerant leakage state in which a cooling operation or a heating operation is stopped, and when the opening/closing device located upstream of the indoor unit is in a closed state and the refrigerant leakage sensor of the indoor unit detects no refrigerant, the control device controls the indoor unit to a limited operation state in which the indoor unit performs a fan operation or stops operation.
  • Accordingly, when the opening/closing device on the liquid refrigerant pipe and the gas refrigerant pipe is closed to stop operation when refrigerant leakage occurs in the indoor unit, another indoor unit connected to the same liquid refrigerant pipe and gas refrigerant pipe is controlled to the limited operation state. Thus, reduction in the comfort of a user of the other indoor unit can be prevented by causing the other indoor unit to perform the fan operation.
  • In a second invention, when the opening/closing device located upstream of the indoor unit is in an open state, the control device controls the indoor unit to an operable state in which the indoor unit performs the cooling operation, the heating operation, or the fan operation.
  • Accordingly, even when refrigerant leakage occurs in the indoor unit, in another indoor unit connected to the other liquid refrigerant pipe and gas refrigerant pipe that are not closed by the opening/closing device, the flow of the refrigerant is not shut off, and any of the cooling operation, the heating operation, and the fan operation can be performed. Thus, reduction of the comfort of a user can be prevented.
  • In a third invention, the control device includes a display unit for checking an operating state of the indoor unit, and the control device causes the display unit to display whether the indoor unit is in the refrigerant leakage state, the limited operation state, or the operable state.
  • Accordingly, by the control device causing the display unit to display whether the indoor unit is in the refrigerant leakage state, the limited operation state, or the operable state, an administrator can recognize the indoor unit that cannot perform an air-conditioning operation, the indoor unit that cannot perform the air-conditioning operation, but can perform the fan operation, and the indoor unit that can perform the air-conditioning operation. As a result, after the operation is stopped, it is possible to promptly communicate the operating state to a user in a space where each indoor unit is present.
  • In a fourth invention, each of the indoor units includes a display unit, and the control device causes the display unit of the indoor unit in the refrigerant leakage state to display being in the refrigerant leakage state and presence of the indoor unit in the operable state, causes the display unit of the indoor unit in the limited operation state to display being in the limited operation state and presence of the indoor unit in the operable state, and causes the display unit of the indoor unit in the operable state to display being in the operable state and presence of the indoor unit in the refrigerant leakage state.
  • Accordingly, a user of the indoor unit can recognize the indoor unit that cannot perform the air-conditioning operation and the indoor unit that can perform the air-conditioning operation. Also, since the state of the occurrence of refrigerant leakage in the same refrigerant pipe system and the other refrigerant pipe system can be recognized, the refrigerant leakage state can be notified to users of the plurality of indoor unit.
  • Hereinbelow, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the embodiment of the air-conditioning device according to the present invention. Note that an air-conditioning device to which the present invention is applied is not limited thereto, and the present invention is applicable to various air-conditioning devices.
  • As shown in FIG. 1, an air-conditioning device 1 includes an outdoor unit 10, and a plurality of indoor units 20. For example, a compressor 11 (refer to FIG. 2), an outdoor heat exchanger, and a four-way valve that switches a refrigerant channel are housed in the outdoor unit 10.
  • The outdoor unit 10 and the indoor units 20 include a liquid refrigerant pipe 30 and a gas refrigerant pipe 32 that connect the compressor of the outdoor unit and heat exchangers of the indoor units 20.
  • The present embodiment shows an example in which five rooms A to E are provided as rooms where the indoor units 20 are installed.
  • One indoor unit 20 is installed in each of the rooms A, B, C, and E. Also, two indoor units 20 are installed in the room D.
  • The liquid refrigerant pipe 30 branches midway into a first liquid refrigerant pipe 30a and a second liquid refrigerant pipe 30b. The gas refrigerant pipe 32 branches midway into a first gas refrigerant pipe 32a and a second gas refrigerant pipe 32b.
  • The first liquid refrigerant pipe 30a and the first gas refrigerant pipe 32a are connected to the indoor unit 20 in the room A, the indoor unit 20 in the room B, and the indoor unit 20 in the room C.
  • The second liquid refrigerant pipe 30b and the second gas refrigerant pipe 32b are connected to the two indoor units 20 in the room D and the indoor unit 20 in the room E.
  • A first liquid shut-off valve 34a serving as the opening/closing device is provided in a middle part of the first liquid refrigerant pipe 30a. A first gas shut-off valve 36a serving as the opening/closing device is provided in a middle part of the first gas refrigerant pipe 32a.
  • The first liquid shut-off valve 34a is provided upstream of the room A on the first liquid refrigerant pipe 30a, and the first gas shut-off valve 36a is provided upstream of the room A on the first gas refrigerant pipe 32a.
  • A second liquid shut-off valve 34b serving as the opening/closing device and a third liquid shut-off valve 34c serving as the opening/closing device are provided in middle parts of the second liquid refrigerant pipe 30b. A second gas shut-off valve 36b serving as the opening/closing device and a third gas shut-off valve 36c serving as the opening/closing device are provided in middle parts of the second gas refrigerant pipe 32b.
  • The second liquid shut-off valve 34b is provided upstream of the room D on the second liquid refrigerant pipe 30b, and the second gas shut-off valve 36b is provided upstream of the room D on the second gas refrigerant pipe 32b.
  • The third liquid shut-off valve 34c is provided upstream of the room E and downstream of the room D on the second liquid refrigerant pipe 30b, and the third gas shut-off valve 36c is provided upstream of the room E and downstream of the room D on the second gas refrigerant pipe 32b.
  • Also, each indoor unit 20 is provided with a refrigerant leakage sensor 40. The refrigerant leakage sensor 40 detects a refrigerant leaking from each indoor unit 20 and is provided inside each indoor unit 20 in the present embodiment.
  • Note that the refrigerant leakage sensor 40 may be provided outside the indoor unit 20, provided in a remote control (not shown) for operating the indoor unit 20 installed in the room, or provided at a predetermined location inside the room separately from the indoor unit 20.
  • Each indoor unit 20 includes a display unit 42 that performs predetermined display, and the display unit 42 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device. The display unit 42 may be directly provided on the indoor unit 20 or provided, for example, on the remote control.
  • Next, a control configuration of the present embodiment will be described.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the present embodiment.
  • As shown in FIG. 2, the air-conditioning device 1 includes a centralized controller 50 serving as the control device. The centralized controller 50 includes a display unit 52 for displaying the state of each indoor unit 20, and the display unit 52 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device.
  • The centralized controller 50 includes, for example, a processor that executes a program, such as a CPU or an MPU, and a memory, such as a ROM or a RAM, and executes various processes through cooperation of hardware and software so that the processor reads a control program stored in the memory and executes processing.
  • The centralized controller 50 controls the compressor 11, the fan 12, and the expansion valve 13 of the outdoor unit 10, and the fan 21 and the expansion valve 22 of the indoor unit 20 based on the control program.
  • The centralized controller 50 controls the opening and closing of the first liquid shut-off valve 34a, the second liquid shut-off valve 34b, the third liquid shut-off valve 34c, the first gas shut-off valve 36a, the second gas shut-off valve 36b, and the third gas shut-off valve 36c based on a detection signal of the refrigerant leakage sensor 40 of each indoor unit 20.
  • Also, the centralized controller 50 is configured to perform predetermined display on the display unit 42 of each indoor unit 20 and the display unit 52 of the centralized controller 50 when the centralized controller 50 controls the opening and closing of the first liquid shut-off valve 34a, the second liquid shut-off valve 34b, the third liquid shut-off valve 34c, the first gas shut-off valve 36a, the second gas shut-off valve 36b, and the third gas shut-off valve 36c based on a detection signal of the refrigerant leakage sensor 40.
  • Next, the action of the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 3.
  • In the present embodiment, the centralized controller 50 determines whether all of the liquid shut-off valves and the gas shut-off valves are "open" during an operation (ST1).
  • When the centralized controller 50 determines that all of the shut-off valves are "open" (ST1: YES), the centralized controller 50 continues the cooling or heating operation.
  • Then, when the refrigerant leakage sensor 40 detects refrigerant leakage (ST2: YES), the centralized controller 50 performs control to switch the liquid shut-off valve and the gas shut-off valve corresponding to the indoor unit 20 for which the refrigerant leakage sensor 40 detects the refrigerant leakage to "closed" based on a detection signal of the refrigerant leakage sensor 40 (ST3) .
  • For example, when the refrigerant leakage sensor 40 of the indoor unit 20 in the room A detects refrigerant leakage, the first liquid shut-off valve 34a and the gas shut-off valve on the first liquid refrigerant pipe 30a and the first gas refrigerant pipe 32a through which the refrigerant is passed to the indoor unit 20 in the room A are switched to "closed".
  • Accordingly, the refrigerant is not delivered to the indoor units 20 in the room B and the room C. Thus, the centralized controller 50 controls the indoor units 20 in the room B and the room C to perform a fan only operation or stop operation.
  • The centralized controller 50 turns ON the fan 21 of the indoor unit 20 installed in the room where the refrigerant leakage has occurred (ST4). Accordingly, air can be agitated in the room where the refrigerant leakage has occurred.
  • Then, the centralized controller 50 displays, on the display unit 52 of the centralized controller 50, that the relevant indoor unit 20 having the refrigerant leakage (the indoor unit 20 in the room A) is in a "refrigerant leakage state" (ST5). Further, the centralized controller 50 displays, on the display unit 42 of the relevant indoor unit 20 having the refrigerant leakage (the indoor unit 20 in the room A), "refrigerant leakage state" and "indoor units in operable state are present" (ST6).
  • Then, the centralized controller 50 performs control to stop operation of the indoor unit 20 in the room A (ST7).
  • When the refrigerant leakage sensor 40 detects no refrigerant leakage (ST2: NO), the centralized controller 50 determines whether all of the liquid shut-off valves and the gas shut-off valves are "open" (ST1). In the present embodiment, since the first liquid shut-off valve 34a and the first gas shut-off valve 36a are controlled to be "closed" by the operation described above, it is determined that not all of the liquid shut-off valves and the gas shut-off valves are "open" (ST1: NO) .
  • Then, the centralized controller 50 determines whether the relevant liquid shut-off valve and gas shut-off valve (in this example, the first liquid shut-off valve 34a and the first gas shut-off valve 36a) are "closed" (ST8). When it is determined that these valves are "closed" (ST8: YES), the centralized controller 50 displays, on the display unit 52 of the centralized controller 50, that the relevant indoor units 20 (the indoor units 20 in the room B and the room C) are in a "limited operation state" (ST9).
  • Further, the centralized controller 50 displays, on the display units 42 of the indoor units 20 (in this example, the indoor units 20 in the room B and the room C) for which the liquid shut-off valve and the gas shut-off valve are "closed" due to the refrigerant leakage, "limited operation state" and "indoor units in operable state are present" (ST10).
  • Since the refrigerant is not delivered to the indoor units 20 in the room B and the room C, the centralized controller 50 performs control to switch the operation of the indoor units 20 in the room B and the room C to a fan only operation or stop the operation (ST11).
  • When it is determined that the relevant liquid shut-off valve and gas shut-off valve are not "closed" (ST8: NO), the centralized controller 50 displays, on the display unit 52 of the centralized controller 50, that the relevant indoor unit 20 is in an "operable state" (ST12).
  • That is, in this example, while the first liquid shut-off valve 34a and the first gas shut-off valve 36a are in a closed state, the second liquid shut-off valve 34b, the second gas shut-off valve 36b, the third liquid shut-off valve 34c, and the third gas shut-off valve 36c provided on the second liquid refrigerant pipe 30b and the second gas refrigerant pipe 32b are "open". Thus, the centralized controller 50 displays, on the display unit 52 of the centralized controller 50, that the indoor units 20 in the room D and the room E, the indoor units 20 being connected to the second liquid refrigerant pipe 30b and the second gas refrigerant pipe 32b, are in an "operable state".
  • The centralized controller 50 displays, on the display units 42 of the relevant indoor units 20 (in this example, the indoor units 20 in the room D and the room E), "operable state" and "indoor unit in refrigerant leakage state is present" (ST13).
  • The indoor units 20 in the room D and the room E continue the operation such as a cooling operation or a heating operation as is (ST14).
  • By performing such control, when refrigerant leakage occurs in the indoor unit 20 in the room A, the display of "refrigerant leakage state" and "indoor units 20 in operable state are present" on the display unit 42 of the indoor unit 20 in the room A enables a user of the indoor unit 20 in the room A to recognize the refrigerant leakage state and that the indoor units 20 in an operable state (the indoor units 20 in the room D and the room E) are present among the other indoor units 20.
  • Also, the display of "limited operation state" and "indoor units in an operable state (the indoor units 20 in the room D and the room E) are present" on the display units 42 of the indoor units 20 in the room B and the room C enables users of the indoor units 20 in the room B and the room C to recognize that the indoor units 20 in the room B and the room C are in a limited operation state in which a fan only operation can be performed or the operation is stopped due to the refrigerant leakage in another indoor unit 20 and that the indoor units in an operable state (the indoor units 20 in the room D and the room E) are present among the other indoor units 20.
  • Further, the display of "operable state" and "indoor units in refrigerant leakage state are present" on the display units 42 of the indoor units 20 in the room D and the room E enables users of the indoor units 20 in the room D and the room E to recognize that a cooling operation, a heating operation, or a fan operation can be performed and that the indoor unit 20 in the refrigerant leakage state (the indoor unit 20 in the room A) is present.
  • As described above, according to the present embodiment, the air-conditioning device 1 includes: the shut-off valves 34, 36 (opening/closing device) provided upstream of the indoor unit 20 on the liquid refrigerant pipe 30a, 30b and the gas refrigerant pipe 32a, 32b, the shut-off valves 34, 36 being configured to shut off the flow of a refrigerant in the liquid refrigerant pipe 30a, 30b and the gas refrigerant pipe 32a, 32b; the refrigerant leakage sensor 40 that detects leakage of the refrigerant from the indoor unit 20; and the centralized controller 50 (control device) that controls the opening and closing of the shut-off valves 34, 36 based on a detection signal of the refrigerant leakage sensor 40, in which when the refrigerant leakage sensor 40 detects refrigerant leakage of the indoor unit 20, the centralized controller 50 controls the opening/closing device located upstream of the indoor unit 20 to be closed, when the opening/closing device located upstream of the indoor unit 20 is in a closed state and the refrigerant leakage sensor 40 of the indoor unit 20 detects the refrigerant, the centralized controller 50 controls the indoor unit 20 to a refrigerant leakage state in which a cooling operation or a heating operation is stopped, and when the shut-off valves 34, 36 located upstream of the indoor unit 20 are in a closed state and the refrigerant leakage sensor 40 of the indoor unit 20 detects no refrigerant, the centralized controller 50 controls the indoor unit 20 to a limited operation state in which the indoor unit 20 performs a fan operation or stops operation.
  • Accordingly, when the shut-off valves 34, 36 on the liquid refrigerant pipe 30a, 30b and the gas refrigerant pipe 32a, 32b are closed to stop operation when refrigerant leakage occurs in the indoor unit 20, another indoor unit 20 connected to the same liquid refrigerant pipe 30a, 30b and gas refrigerant pipe 32a, 32b is controlled to the limited operation state. Thus, reduction in the comfort of a user of the other indoor unit 20 can be prevented by causing the other indoor unit 20 to perform the fan operation.
  • Also, according to the present embodiment, when the shut-off valves 34, 36 located upstream of the indoor unit 20 are in an open state, the centralized controller 50 controls the indoor unit 20 to an operable state in which the indoor unit performs the cooling operation, the heating operation, or the fan operation.
  • Accordingly, even when refrigerant leakage occurs in the indoor unit 20, in another indoor unit 20 connected to the other liquid refrigerant pipe 30a, 30b and gas refrigerant pipe 32a, 32b that are not closed by the shut-off valves 34, 36, the flow of the refrigerant is not shut off, and any of the cooling operation, the heating operation, and the fan operation can be performed. Thus, reduction of the comfort of a user can be prevented.
  • Also, according to the present embodiment, the centralized controller 50 includes the display unit 52 for checking an operating state of the indoor unit 20, and the centralized controller 50 causes the display unit 52 to display whether the indoor unit 20 is in the refrigerant leakage state, the limited operation state, or the operable state.
  • Accordingly, by the centralized controller 50 causing the display unit 52 to display whether the indoor unit 20 is in the refrigerant leakage state, the limited operation state, or the operable state, an administrator can recognize the indoor unit 20 that cannot perform an air-conditioning operation, the indoor unit 20 that cannot perform the air-conditioning operation, but can perform the fan operation, and the indoor unit 20 that can perform the air-conditioning operation. As a result, after the operation is stopped, it is possible to promptly communicate the operating state to a user in a space where each indoor unit 20 is present.
  • Also, according to the present embodiment, each of the indoor units 20 includes the display unit 42, and the centralized controller 50 causes the display unit 42 of the indoor unit 20 in the refrigerant leakage state to display being in the refrigerant leakage state and presence of the indoor unit 20 in the operable state, causes the display unit 42 of the indoor unit 20 in the limited operation state to display being in the limited operation state and presence of the indoor unit 20 in the operable state, and causes the display unit 42 of the indoor unit 20 in the operable state to display being in the operable state and presence of the indoor unit 20 in the refrigerant leakage state.
  • Accordingly, a user of the indoor unit 20 can recognize the indoor unit 20 that cannot perform the air-conditioning operation and the indoor unit 20 that can perform the air-conditioning operation. Also, since the state of the occurrence of refrigerant leakage in the same refrigerant pipe system and the other refrigerant pipe system can be recognized, the refrigerant leakage state can be notified to users of the plurality of indoor units 20.
  • Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.
    • [Industrial Applicability]
  • As described above, the air-conditioning device according to the present invention is suitably useful as an air-conditioning device that includes a plurality of indoor units connected to an outdoor unit and can recognize, when any of the indoor units detects refrigerant leakage, a refrigerant leakage state, an operating state, and the like in the other indoor unit.
    • [Reference Signs List]
    • 1
    air-conditioning device
    10
    outdoor unit
    11
    compressor
    12
    fan
    13
    expansion valve
    20
    indoor unit
    21
    fan
    22
    expansion valve
    30
    liquid refrigerant pipe
    30a
    first liquid refrigerant pipe
    30b
    second liquid refrigerant pipe
    32
    gas refrigerant pipe
    32a
    first gas refrigerant pipe
    32b
    second gas refrigerant pipe
    34, 36
    shut-off valve
    34a
    first liquid shut-off valve
    34b
    second liquid shut-off valve
    34c
    third liquid shut-off valve
    36a
    first gas shut-off valve
    36b
    second gas shut-off valve
    36c
    third gas shut-off valve
    40
    refrigerant leakage sensor
    42
    display unit
    50
    centralized controller
    52
    display unit

Claims (4)

  1. An air-conditioning device (1) comprising:
    an outdoor unit (10) including at least a compressor (11), and a heat source side heat exchanger;
    a plurality of indoor units (20) each including at least a use side heat exchanger, and a fan (21); and
    a liquid refrigerant pipe (30) and a gas refrigerant pipe (32) that connect the outdoor unit and the indoor units; characterized by comprising:
    an opening/closing device (34, 36) provided upstream of the indoor unit on the liquid refrigerant pipe and the gas refrigerant pipe, the opening/closing device being configured to shut off a flow of a refrigerant in the liquid refrigerant pipe and the gas refrigerant pipe;
    a refrigerant leakage sensor (40) that detects leakage of the refrigerant from the indoor unit; and
    a control device (50) configured to control opening and closing of the opening/closing device based on a detection signal of the refrigerant leakage sensor, wherein
    when the refrigerant leakage sensor detects refrigerant leakage of the indoor unit, the control device controls the opening/closing device located upstream of the indoor unit to be closed,
    when the opening/closing device located upstream of the indoor unit is in a closed state and the refrigerant leakage sensor of the indoor unit detects the refrigerant, the control device controls the indoor unit to a refrigerant leakage state in which a cooling operation or a heating operation is stopped, and
    when the opening/closing device located upstream of the indoor unit is in a closed state and the refrigerant leakage sensor of the indoor unit detects no refrigerant, the control device controls the indoor unit to a limited operation state in which the indoor unit performs a fan operation or stops operation.
  2. The air-conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein, when the opening/closing device located upstream of the indoor unit is in an open state, the control device controls the indoor unit to an operable state in which the indoor unit performs the cooling operation, the heating operation, or the fan operation.
  3. The air-conditioning device according to claim 2, wherein
    the control device includes a display unit (52) for checking an operating state of the indoor unit, and
    the control device causes the display unit to display whether the indoor unit is in the refrigerant leakage state, the limited operation state, or the operable state.
  4. The air-conditioning device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein
    each of the indoor units includes a display unit (42), and
    the control device causes the display unit of the indoor unit in the refrigerant leakage state to display being in the refrigerant leakage state and presence of the indoor unit in the operable state, causes the display unit of the indoor unit in the limited operation state to display being in the limited operation state and presence of the indoor unit in the operable state, and causes the display unit of the indoor unit in the operable state to display being in the operable state and presence of the indoor unit in the refrigerant leakage state.
EP21813144.9A 2020-05-27 2021-05-14 Air-conditioning device Pending EP4160120A4 (en)

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JPH0544978A (en) * 1991-08-20 1993-02-23 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Heat pump type air conditioner
JP2005128823A (en) * 2003-10-24 2005-05-19 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Vending machine
JP5465338B2 (en) * 2010-12-03 2014-04-09 三菱電機株式会社 Air conditioner
US9397302B2 (en) 2014-10-08 2016-07-19 Universal Display Corporation Organic electroluminescent materials and devices
JP6300954B2 (en) * 2014-12-01 2018-03-28 三菱電機株式会社 Air conditioner
JP6640473B2 (en) 2015-05-28 2020-02-05 日立ジョンソンコントロールズ空調株式会社 Air conditioner and display control method of air conditioner
JP6645044B2 (en) * 2015-06-26 2020-02-12 ダイキン工業株式会社 Air conditioning system
JP6604051B2 (en) * 2015-06-26 2019-11-13 ダイキン工業株式会社 Air conditioning system
CN110736183B (en) * 2018-07-18 2021-04-27 奥克斯空调股份有限公司 Air conditioner refrigerant leakage detection method and device
WO2020021593A1 (en) * 2018-07-23 2020-01-30 三菱電機株式会社 Air-conditioning apparatus

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JP7478996B2 (en) 2024-05-08
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JP2024086868A (en) 2024-06-28

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