EP4592607A1

EP4592607A1 - Refrigerant detection device

Info

Publication number: EP4592607A1
Application number: EP23874757.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hirofumi Ishizuka
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2022-10-03
Filing date: 2023-09-28
Publication date: 2025-07-30
Also published as: JP2024053401A; EP4592607A4; WO2024075630A1

Abstract

Provided is a refrigerant detection device that enables safe replacement of a refrigerant sensor. A refrigerant detection device comprises: a refrigerant sensor; a power supply unit that supplies power to the refrigerant sensor; a switching unit that switches the electrical connection state between the power supply unit and the refrigerant sensor; an operation unit for operating the switching unit; and a power supply unit protective cover that covers the power supply unit. The operation unit is disposed so as to be operable without removing the power supply unit protective cover.

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a refrigerant detection device. The present disclosure claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-159655, filed in Japan on October 3, 2022 , the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Background Art

A refrigerant sensor is used as a protection device for detecting leakage of a flammable refrigerant from an air conditioner. In order to appropriately maintain the detection performance of the refrigerant sensor, regular replacement is required by international standards and Japanese laws. In general, the refrigerant sensor operates with the same power supply as the air conditioner. Therefore, when the refrigerant sensor is replaced, it is necessary to turn off the power supply of the air conditioner for the safety of the worker. As a result, there is a case where the following inconveniences occur. (1) When one refrigerant sensor is to be replaced, it is necessary to stop the operation of all air conditioners sharing the power supply circuit breaker. (2) Since the installation location of the refrigerant sensor and the installation location of the power supply circuit breaker are often far apart from each other, the work of cutting off the power supply, replacing the refrigerant sensor, and restoring the power supply takes time and effort.
On the other hand, PTL 1 discloses an air conditioner in which a switch is provided between a power supply of the air conditioner and a refrigerant sensor provided in the air conditioner, and the supply of power to the refrigerant sensor can be cut off. In such an air conditioner, the refrigerant sensor can be replaced without cutting off the supply of power to the air conditioner by switching the switch to cut off the power supply to the refrigerant sensor. However, it may not always be possible to provide a switch for switching the energization to the refrigerant sensor in the air conditioner. The refrigerant sensor may be provided as a separate refrigerant detection device outside the air conditioner.

Citation List

Patent Literature

[PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2018-54142

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

There is a demand for a refrigerant detection device that can freely switch the energization to a refrigerant sensor.
The present disclosure provides a refrigerant detection device capable of solving the problem described above.

Solution to Problem

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerant detection device includes: a refrigerant sensor; a power supply unit that supplies power to the refrigerant sensor; a switching unit that switches an electrically connected state between the power supply unit and the refrigerant sensor; an operation unit for operating the switching unit; and a power supply unit protection cover that covers the power supply unit, in which the operation unit is provided to be operable without removing the power supply unit protection cover.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the refrigerant detection device described above, the refrigerant sensor can be safely replaced without turning off the power supply of the air conditioner.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner and a refrigerant detection device according to a first embodiment.
Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a protection cover of the refrigerant detection device according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an erroneous operation prevention cover of the refrigerant detection device according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the refrigerant detection device according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the protection cover of the refrigerant detection device according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the refrigerant detection device according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of switch control of the refrigerant detection device according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 8 is a first diagram showing an example of a refrigerant detection device according to a second embodiment.
Fig. 9 is a second diagram showing an example of a refrigerant detection device according to a second embodiment.

Description of Embodiments

Hereinafter, a refrigerant detection device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7.

(Configuration)

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner and a refrigerant detection device according to a first embodiment. The air conditioner includes an indoor unit 10, an outdoor unit (not shown), a remote controller (not shown), and the like. The indoor unit 10 is connected to a commercial alternating current power supply 1. The indoor unit 10 includes a power supply conversion unit 11. The power supply conversion unit 11 converts the power supplied from the alternating current power supply 1 into direct current power having a predetermined voltage and supplies the converted direct current power to each device of the indoor unit 10. The indoor unit 10 and the refrigerant detection device 100 are connected by a power line L, and the direct current power is supplied from the power supply conversion unit 11 to the refrigerant detection device 100. The refrigerant detection device 100 is disposed in the vicinity of a floor in a room where the indoor unit 10 is installed, and detects refrigerant in the room. When the refrigerant leaks from the indoor unit 10, the refrigerant can be detected by the refrigerant detection device 100.
The refrigerant detection device 100 includes a control board 110 and a refrigerant sensor 120. The control board 110 and the refrigerant sensor 120 are housed in the housing 101 of the refrigerant detection device 100. The control board 110 and the refrigerant sensor 120 are electrically and communicably connected. For example, the control board 110 supplies power to the refrigerant sensor 120, and the refrigerant sensor 120 outputs the detected information to the control board 110.
The control board 110 includes a power supply unit 111, a processing unit 112, a switch 113, and an operation unit 114. Specifically, the power supply unit 111, the processing unit 112, and the switch 113 are mounted on the control board 110.
The power supply unit 111 receives power from the power supply conversion unit 11 and supplies power to each unit (for example, the refrigerant sensor 120) of the refrigerant detection device 100.
The processing unit 112 acquires the refrigerant detection signal output from the refrigerant sensor 120 and transmits the refrigerant detection signal to the indoor unit 10. In a case where the refrigerant detection signal cannot be acquired from the refrigerant sensor 120, the processing unit 112 determines that the refrigerant sensor 120 has failed, and notifies the indoor unit 10 of the failure or performs a failure display on a display unit (not shown). The processing unit 112 is a function realized by, for example, a processor such as a CPU.
A switch 113 for switching an electrically connected state between the power supply unit 111 and the refrigerant sensor 120 is provided in a circuit in which the power supply unit 111 supplies power to the refrigerant sensor 120. When the switch 113 is turned ON, the power supply unit 111 and the refrigerant sensor 120 are electrically connected to each other, and power is supplied from the power supply unit 111 to the refrigerant sensor 120. When the switch 113 is turned OFF, the power supply unit 111 and the refrigerant sensor 120 are electrically cut off, and power is not supplied to the refrigerant sensor 120.
The switch 113 is provided with an operation unit 114, and the ON and OFF of the switch 113 can be switched by operating the operation unit 114. For the safety of the worker, the surface of the operation unit 114 is covered with an insulator. The operation unit 114 is, for example, a toggle switch or a push button type switch. When the switch 113 is switched by the operation of the operation unit 114, the state (ON or OFF) of the switch 113 is notified to the processing unit 112.
The switch 113 may have an automatic return function. That is, when the operation unit 114 switches the switch 113 from ON to OFF, the OFF state is maintained for a predetermined time (for example, five minutes), and then the state automatically returns to ON. In this manner, it is possible to prevent forgetting to return to ON while switching to OFF.
The refrigerant sensor 120 is driven by supply of power from the control board 110 and detects the refrigerant in the room. The refrigerant sensor 120 includes a detection unit 121 that is an element that detects a refrigerant, and an electronic substrate 122. The detection unit 121 is installed so as to come into contact with air in the room so as to be able to detect the refrigerant in the room.
The control board 110 and the refrigerant sensor 120 shown in Fig. 1 are covered with a protection cover in order to ensure safety. In this manner, the electronic substrate 122 of the control board 110 and the refrigerant sensor 120 can be protected, and the worker who performs the replacement work of the refrigerant sensor 120 can be prevented from electric shock. Fig. 2 shows a state where the control board 110 is covered with a protection cover 210 and the refrigerant sensor 120 is covered with a protection cover 220.
The protection cover 210 is configured to cover the entire control board 110 using a member having insulating properties such as a resin. An opening portion 211 is provided in the protection cover 210 at a position and a range necessary for the operation of the operation unit 114 so that the operation unit 114 can be operated in a state of being covered with the protection cover 210.
The protection cover 220 is configured to cover the entire refrigerant sensor 120 using a member having insulating properties such as resin. The opening portion 221 is provided in the protection cover 220 so that the detection unit 121 can detect the refrigerant in the room (so as to come into contact with the air in the room) while being in a state where covered with the protection cover 220. The opening portion 221 may be a hole that matches the shape and size of the detection unit 121 as shown in the drawing, or may be a slit-shaped opening structure.
The protection covers 210 and 220 provide an electrically safe structure even when any part of the refrigerant detection device 100 is touched.
Further, in order to prevent an erroneous operation of the operation unit 114 by the user, the entire refrigerant detection device 100 may be covered with an erroneous operation prevention cover. Fig. 3 shows a state where the refrigerant detection device 100 (housing 101) is covered with the erroneous operation prevention cover 300. An opening portion 301 is provided in the erroneous operation prevention cover 300 so that the detection unit 121 can detect the refrigerant in the room (so as to come into contact with the air in the room) while being in a state where covered with the erroneous operation prevention cover 300. The opening portion 301 may be a hole that matches the shape and size of the detection unit 121, or may be a slit-shaped opening structure as shown in the drawing.
Fig. 4 shows another configuration example of the refrigerant detection device. In the refrigerant detection device 100A, the switching unit 113 and the operation unit 114 are provided outside the control board 110, instead of being provided on the control board 110. The switching unit 113 is connected to the power supply unit 111 and the refrigerant sensor 120, and is provided between the power supply unit 111 and the refrigerant sensor 120. With such a configuration, the operation unit 114 can be operated without providing an opening portion in the protection cover 210A of the control board 110 as shown in Fig. 5. In Fig. 5, a protection cover that covers the switching unit 113 may be provided. An opening for operating the operation unit 114 may be provided in this protection cover. Alternatively, the protection cover may also serve as an erroneous operation prevention cover configured to be easily attached and detached without providing an opening portion.

(Procedure for Replacing Refrigerant Sensor)

Next, the procedure for replacement work of the refrigerant sensor 120 will be described on the premise of the configurations of Figs. 2 to 5. (Procedure 1) First, the worker operates the operation unit 114 to switch the switch 113 from ON to OFF. In this way, the energization to the refrigerant sensor 120 is cut off. (Procedure 2) Next, the worker removes the protection cover 220. (Procedure 3) Next, the worker removes the refrigerant sensor 120 and attaches a new refrigerant sensor 120. (Procedure 4) Next, the worker attaches the protection cover 220. (Procedure 5) Next, the worker operates the operation unit 114 to switch the switch 113 from OFF to ON. In a case where the switch 113 has an automatic return function, the switch 113 returns to ON after a predetermined time even when the switching operation from OFF to ON is forgotten. In this manner, the refrigerant sensor 120 can be easily replaced just by operating the operation unit 114 at hand without turning off the power supply of another air conditioner that shares the target air conditioner or power supply circuit breaker. Since the worker does not touch the board on which power is supplied during the replacement work, the worker can safely replace the refrigerant sensor 120. The protection cover 210 is not removed when the refrigerant sensor 120 is replaced.
In a case where the refrigerant sensor 120 is replaced in accordance with international standards and laws, in order to ensure safety, the refrigerant sensor 120 must be replaced in a state where the supply of power to the refrigerant sensor 120 is cut off. In a general refrigerant detection device, since the switch 113 and the operation unit 114 are not provided, the supply of power to the air conditioner must be cut off to replace the refrigerant sensor. In contrast, according to the refrigerant detection devices 100, 100A of the present embodiment, the supply of power to the refrigerant sensor 120 can be cut off by operating the operation unit 114 to switch the switch 113 to OFF. Therefore, the refrigerant sensor 120 can be replaced without stopping the operation of the air conditioner. The control board 110 (110A) is covered with the protection cover 210 (210A), and the supply of power can be cut off by only touching the operation unit 114. Therefore, the refrigerant sensor 120 can be safely and easily replaced. The control board 110 (110A) and the refrigerant sensor 120 are protected by the protection cover 210 (210A) and the protection cover 220, respectively, so that the failure of the electronic substrate can be prevented. In Fig. 2, the protection covers 210, 220 are separately provided. However, the protection cover may be configured to cover both the control board 110 and the refrigerant sensor 120. The configuration may be adopted in which the erroneous operation prevention cover 300 is omitted.

(Operation)

Next, the operation of the refrigerant detection device 100 during ON or OFF of the switch will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the refrigerant detection device. As a premise, at a normal time (switch 113 is ON), the refrigerant sensor 120 detects the refrigerant in the indoor air in a predetermined control cycle and outputs the detection result as a refrigerant detection signal. The refrigerant detection signal includes, for example, information indicating the amount of the refrigerant detected from the indoor air or whether or not the refrigerant is detected. The processing unit 112 can determine whether the switch 113 is ON or OFF. The processing unit 112 repeatedly executes the following process at a predetermined control cycle during the operation of the refrigerant detection device 100.
First, the processing unit 112 determines whether or not the switch 113 is ON (step S1). In a case where the switch 113 is ON (step S1; Yes), the processing unit 112 determines whether or not the refrigerant detection signal can be acquired from the refrigerant sensor 120 (step S2). In a case where the refrigerant detection signal can be acquired (step S2; Yes), the processing unit 112 outputs the acquired refrigerant detection signal (step S3). For example, the processing unit 112 displays the content of the refrigerant detection signal on a display unit (not shown) included in the refrigerant detection device 100. For example, an alarm is displayed when the refrigerant is detected. For example, the processing unit 112 transmits the acquired refrigerant detection signal to the indoor unit 10. In a case where the indoor unit 10 acquires a refrigerant detection signal indicating that the refrigerant has been detected indoors, the indoor unit 10 performs various controls necessary at the time of the refrigerant leakage. For example, the indoor unit 10 executes protection control such as promoting ventilation in the room or instructs a remote controller (not shown) to issue an alarm.
In a case where the refrigerant detection signal cannot be acquired (step S2; No), the processing unit 112 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the refrigerant sensor 120, and outputs an error signal (step S4). For example, the processing unit 112 displays the failure of the refrigerant sensor on a display unit (not shown) included in the refrigerant detection device 100. For example, the processing unit 112 transmits the error signal to the indoor unit 10. When the indoor unit 10 receives the error signal, the indoor unit 10 instructs the remote controller to notify the user of the failure of the refrigerant sensor 120. Accordingly, the refrigerant sensor 120 can be quickly replaced even when the refrigerant sensor 120 fails.
On the other hand, when the switch 113 is OFF (step S1; No), the processing unit 112 outputs a refrigerant detection stop signal indicating that the switch 113 is OFF (step S5). For example, the processing unit 112 displays on a display unit (not shown) of the refrigerant detection device 100 that the refrigerant sensor is being replaced. For example, the processing unit 112 transmits the refrigerant detection stop signal to the indoor unit 10. In a case where the switch 113 is OFF, the refrigerant detection signal output from the refrigerant sensor 120 is interrupted. However, the refrigerant detection stop signal is output instead of the error signal, which is different from a case where the switch 113 is ON. In this manner, it is possible to prevent the error signal from being output and the user from being notified of the failure of the refrigerant sensor 120 even though the refrigerant sensor 120 is not failed.
Next, the control in a case where the switch 113 has an automatic return function will be described with reference to Fig. 7. For example, the switch 113 includes a timer relay circuit, and the following control is performed by the circuit.
The switch 113 detects that the circuit is switched to OFF by the operation of the operation unit 114 (step S11). The switch 113 measures the time elapsed since the circuit is turned OFF and waits until a predetermined time elapses (step S12). The predetermined time is a time required for replacement of the refrigerant sensor 120 (for example, five minutes). When the predetermined time elapses (step S12; Yes), the switch 113 switches the circuit from OFF to ON (step S13). According to the process of Fig. 7, even when the switch 113 is forgotten to be returned to ON after the refrigerant sensor 120 is replaced, the switch 113 can be automatically switched from OFF to ON after the predetermined time elapses, and thus the detection of the refrigerant leakage in the room can be continued. The processing in Fig. 7 may be executed by the processing unit 112.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the board (control board 110, refrigerant sensor 120) of the refrigerant detection device 100 is covered with the protection cover, and the supply of power to the refrigerant sensor 120 can be switched between ON and OFF by the operation of the operation unit 114. Therefore, the refrigerant sensor 120 can be replaced in an electrically safe manner and with good workability. The present invention overcomes problems in the related art such as (1) all of the operations of the air conditioners sharing the power supply circuit breaker are stopped, and (2) the time and effort required for the replacement are increased due to round trip between the installation location of the refrigerant sensor and the installation location of the power supply circuit breaker, which occur when the refrigerant sensor is replaced.

Hereinafter, a refrigerant detection device 100B according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 9. In the first embodiment, the refrigerant detection devices 100, 100A are provided as separate devices outside the indoor unit 10. In the second embodiment, a configuration in which the refrigerant detection devices 100B and 100C are provided inside the indoor unit 10 will be described.

(Configuration)

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a refrigerant detection device 100B according to the second embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the refrigerant detection device 100B is provided in the indoor unit 10. Unlike the refrigerant detection devices 100 and 100A of the first embodiment, the control board 110 and the refrigerant sensor 120 are provided at a position separated from each other. For example, the refrigerant sensor 120 is provided in the vicinity of an indoor air intake port 12 or an indoor heat exchanger 13. The control board 110 is provided at a predetermined position, for example, in the vicinity of the power supply conversion unit 11 or a controller (not shown) of the indoor unit 10. The configurations of the control board 110 and the refrigerant sensor 120 are the same as those in the first embodiment. That is, the control board 110 includes a power supply unit 111, a processing unit 112, a switch 113, and an operation unit 114. The refrigerant sensor 120 includes a detection unit 121 and an electronic substrate 122. The control board 110 and the refrigerant sensor 120 are electrically and communicably connected. The control board 110 is covered with the protection cover 210 and has an electrically safe structure regardless of where the control board 110 is touched. The opening portion 211 is provided in the protection cover 210 so that the operation unit 114 can be operated while being covered with the protection cover 210. The refrigerant sensor 120 is covered with the protection cover 220, and has an electrically safe structure regardless of where the refrigerant sensor 120 is touched. The opening portion 221 is provided in the protection cover 220 so that the detection unit 121 can detect the refrigerant in the air sucked into the indoor unit 10 or the refrigerant leaking from the indoor heat exchanger 13 while being covered with the protection cover 220. The protection cover 220 of the refrigerant sensor 120 can be omitted (Fig. 9).
Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a refrigerant detection device 100C according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 9, the switch 113 and the operation unit 114 can be provided outside the control board 110. With such a configuration, it is not necessary to provide an opening portion in the protection cover 210A. The switch 113 and the operation unit 114 can be disposed at a position where the convenience of performing the replacement work of the refrigerant sensor 120 is high. In the refrigerant detection device 100C shown in Fig. 9, a protection cover that covers the switching unit 113 or a protection cover that covers the refrigerant sensor 120 may be provided.
Even in a case of the configuration shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the refrigerant sensor 120 can be replaced by the above-described procedures 1 to 5. That is, the worker can replace the refrigerant sensor 120 without the risk of electric shock only by operating the operation unit 114.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, even in a configuration in which the refrigerant detection devices 100B, 100C are provided inside the indoor unit 10, the refrigerant sensor 120 can be replaced in an electrically safe manner and with good workability. In the refrigerant detection devices 100B, 100C, a cover may be further provided outside the protection covers 210, 220.
In addition, it is possible to appropriately replace the constituent elements in the embodiment described above with well-known constituent elements within a scope that does not depart from the gist of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and the present invention can include various changes without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The refrigerant detection device described in each embodiment is understood as follows, for example.

(1) A refrigerant detection device 100 to 100C of a first aspect includes: a refrigerant sensor 120; a power supply unit 111 that supplies power to the refrigerant sensor 120; a switching unit (switch 113) that switches an electrical connection state between the power supply unit 111 and the refrigerant sensor 120; an operation unit 114 for operating the switching unit; and a power supply unit protection cover 210 made of an insulation member that covers the power supply unit 111, in which the operation unit 114 is provided to be operable without removing the power supply unit protection cover 210.
In this manner, the refrigerant sensor 120 can be replaced with good workability while being electrically safe. The present invention overcomes problems in the related art such as (1) all of the operations of the air conditioners sharing the power supply circuit breaker are stopped, and (2) the replacement takes time due to round trip between the installation location of the refrigerant sensor and the installation location of the power supply circuit breaker, which occur when the refrigerant sensor is replaced.
(2) The refrigerant detection device 100 to 100C according to a second aspect is the refrigerant detection device of (1), further includes: a sensor unit protection cover 220 made of an insulation member that covers the refrigerant sensor 120, in which the opening portion 221 is provided in the sensor unit protection cover 220.
In this manner, the refrigerant sensor 120 is protected, and the detection unit 121 of the refrigerant sensor 120 comes into contact with air, so that the refrigerant in the room can be detected.
(3) The refrigerant detection device 100 to 100C according to a third aspect is the refrigerant detection device of (1) to (2), in which the switching unit 113 automatically returns the power supply unit 111 and the refrigerant sensor 120 to a state where the power supply unit 111 and the refrigerant sensor 120 are electrically connected to each other after a predetermined time elapses from a state where the power supply unit 111 and the refrigerant sensor 120 are switched from a state where the power supply unit 111 and the refrigerant sensor 120 are electrically connected to each other to a state where the power supply unit 111 and the refrigerant sensor 120 are not electrically connected to each other.
Even in a case where the switch 113 is forgotten to be switched to ON after the refrigerant sensor 120 is replaced, the switch 113 can be automatically switched to ON. In this manner, the refrigerant detection can be reliably executed.
(4) The refrigerant detection device 100 to 100C according to a fourth aspect is the refrigerant detection device of (1) to (3), further includes: a failure detection unit (processing unit 112) that determines a failure of the refrigerant sensor based on presence or absence of a detection signal output by the refrigerant sensor 120; and a notification unit (processing unit 112) that notifies a determination result of the failure detection unit, in which when the power supply unit 111 and the refrigerant sensor 120 are in a state of being not electrically connected to each other by the switching unit 113, the failure detection unit does not determine that the refrigerant sensor has failed.
In this manner, it is possible to prevent the determination from being erroneously made as a failure of the refrigerant sensor when the refrigerant sensor 120 is replaced.
(5) The refrigerant detection device 100 to 100A according to a fifth aspect is the refrigerant detection device of (1) to (4), further includes: a housing; and the refrigerant sensor, the power supply unit, the switching unit, and the operation unit installed in the housing, in which the power supply unit 111 receives power supplied from an air conditioner (power supply conversion unit 11 of the indoor unit 10), and the housing is provided outside the air conditioner.
The configuration of the refrigerant detection device of the first aspect can be applied to the refrigerant detection device separate from the air conditioner.
(6) The refrigerant detection devices 100B and 100C according to a sixth aspect are the refrigerant detection devices of (1) to (5), in which the refrigerant sensor, the power supply unit, the switching unit, the operation unit, and the power supply unit protection cover are provided in an air conditioner, and the power supply unit receives power supply from the air conditioner.
In a case where the refrigerant detection device is provided in the air conditioner, a configuration as in the refrigerant detection device of the first aspect can be applied.
(7) The refrigerant detection device 100, 100A according to a seventh aspect is the refrigerant detection device of (1) to (6), in which the power supply unit 111 and the switching unit 113 are provided on one board, the power supply unit protection cover covers the one board, and an opening portion is provided at a position corresponding to the switching unit of the power supply unit protection cover.
The configuration can be made such that the switch 113 is mounted on the control board 110.
(8) The refrigerant detection devices 100A and 100C according to an eighth aspect are the refrigerant detection devices of (1) to (7), in which the power supply unit and the switching unit are provided on different boards, and the switching unit is provided outside the power supply unit protection cover.

The configuration can be made such that the switch 113 is mounted outside the control board 110.

Industrial Applicability

Reference Signs List

1: Alternating current power supply
10: Indoor unit
11: Power supply conversion unit
100, 100A, 100B, 100C: Refrigerant detection device
101: Housing
110: Control board
111: Power supply unit
112: Processing unit
113: Switch
114: Operation unit
120: Refrigerant sensor
121: Detection unit
210, 220, 210A: Protection cover
211, 221: Opening portion
300: Erroneous operation prevention cover
301: Opening portion

Claims

A refrigerant detection device comprising:
a refrigerant sensor;

a power supply unit that supplies power to the refrigerant sensor;

a switching unit that switches an electrical connection state between the power supply unit and the refrigerant sensor;

an operation unit for operating the switching unit; and

a power supply unit protection cover that covers the power supply unit,

wherein the operation unit is provided to be operable without removing the power supply unit protection cover.
The refrigerant detection device according to Claim 1, further comprising:
a sensor unit protection cover that covers the refrigerant sensor,

wherein an opening portion is provided in the sensor unit protection cover.
The refrigerant detection device according to Claim 1 or 2,
wherein the switching unit automatically returns the power supply unit and the refrigerant sensor to a state where the power supply unit and the refrigerant sensor are electrically connected to each other after a predetermined time elapses from a state where the power supply unit and the refrigerant sensor are switched from a state where the power supply unit and the refrigerant sensor are electrically connected to each other to a state where the power supply unit and the refrigerant sensor are not electrically connected to each other.
The refrigerant detection device according to Claim 1 or 2, further comprising:
a failure detection unit that determines a failure of the refrigerant sensor based on presence or absence of a detection signal output by the refrigerant sensor; and

a notification unit that notifies a determination result of the failure detection unit,

wherein when the power supply unit and the refrigerant sensor are in a state of being not electrically connected to each other by the switching unit, the failure detection unit does not determine that the refrigerant sensor has failed.
The refrigerant detection device according to Claim 1 or 2, further comprising:
a housing; and

the refrigerant sensor, the power supply unit, the switching unit, the operation unit, and the power supply unit protection cover installed in the housing,

wherein the power supply unit receives power supplied from an air conditioner, and the housing is provided outside the air conditioner.
The refrigerant detection device according to Claim 1 or 2,
wherein the refrigerant sensor, the power supply unit, the switching unit, the operation unit, and the power supply unit protection cover are provided in an air conditioner, and the power supply unit receives power supply from the air conditioner.
The refrigerant detection device according to Claim 1 or 2,
wherein the power supply unit and the switching unit are provided on one board, the power supply unit protection cover covers the one board, and an opening portion is provided at a position corresponding to the switching unit of the power supply unit protection cover.
The refrigerant detection device according to Claim 1 or 2,
wherein the power supply unit and the switching unit are provided on different boards, and the switching unit is provided outside the power supply unit protection cover.