GB2577826A

GB2577826A - Indoor unit of air conditioning apparatus, air conditioning apparatus, and method for installing indoor unit of air conditioning apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2577826A
Application number: GB1918215.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ueda Shunji; Iwatsuki Shingo
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Priority date: 2017-08-07
Filing date: 2017-08-07
Publication date: 2020-04-08
Anticipated expiration: 2037-08-07
Also published as: JPWO2019030796A1; WO2019030796A1; GB201918215D0; GB2577826C; JP6800339B2; GB2577826B

Abstract

This indoor unit of an air conditioning apparatus has provided, in a housing thereof, an indoor heat exchanger, and an air blower, and is provided with a refrigerant detection part that can be removed from the housing, wherein the refrigerant detection part is disposed so as to be capable of selectively assuming either a state of being mounted inside the housing or a state of being mounted to the lower external side of the housing.

Description

DESCRIPTION Title of Invention INDOOR UNIT OF AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS, AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF INSTALLING INDOOR UNIT OF AIR-

CONDITIONING APPARATUS

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus including a refrigerant detector that detects leakage of slightly flammable refrigerant, the air-conditioning apparatus, and a method of installing the indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] When an air-conditioning apparatus that uses slightly flammable refrigerant causes a leakage of the slightly flammable refrigerant, the indoor refrigerant concentration often exceeds a specified concentration. Consequently, when a leakage of the slightly flammable refrigerant occurs, the leakage of the refrigerant needs to be detected (see, for example, Patent Literature 1).

Citation List Patent Literature [0003] Patent Literature 1: International Publication No. WO 2016/009667

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem [0004] To detect leakage of the slightly flammable refrigerant, the air-conditioning apparatus needs to include a refrigerant detector installed in a floor-standing indoor unit. However, in the case where the indoor unit is, for example, mounted on the wall at a high position, even when the refrigerant detector is installed in a lower portion of the indoor unit, the refrigerant detector is separated from the floor, on which the slightly flammable refrigerant, which is heavier than air, easily accumulates, and the refrigerant that has leaked cannot be detected.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus, the air-conditioning apparatus, and a method of installing the indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus, the indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus including a refrigerant detector that can detect refrigerant that has leaked even when the indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus is installed at a high position separated from the floor Solution to Problem [0006] An indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an indoor heat exchanger and an air sending device that are disposed in a housing of the indoor unit. The indoor unit also includes a refrigerant detector that is removable from the housing. The refrigerant detector is selectively disposed in such a manner that the refrigerant detector is attached inside the housing or in such a manner that the refrigerant detector is attached below and outside the housing.

[0007] An air-conditioning apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention includes the above-described indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus. [0008] A method of installing an indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention has a first form in which the indoor unit stands on a floor, in which a refrigerant detector is attached in a lower space of a housing of the indoor unit, in which a plurality of leg portions are attached to the housing to support the housing from below, and in which air below the housing is suctioned in through an inlet opening provided in a bottom surface of the housing; a second form in which the indoor unit stands on the floor, in which the refrigerant detector is attached in the lower space of the housing, in which the plurality of leg portions are removed from the housing, in which the inlet opening is on the floor, in which a lower side wall portion is removed from the housing, and in which air close to a lower and side portion of the housing is suctioned in; and a third form in which the indoor unit is mounted on a wall, in which the refrigerant detector is attached below and outside the housing by use of one of the plurality of leg portions, and in which air below the housing is suctioned in through the inlet opening. The indoor unit is selectively installed in the first form, the second form, or the third form. Advantageous Effects of Invention [0009] With the indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus, the air-conditioning apparatus, and the method of installing the indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus of embodiments of the present invention, the refrigerant detector is selectively disposed in such a manner that the refrigerant detector is attached inside the housing or in such a manner that the refrigerant detector is attached below and outside the housing. Consequently, even when the indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus is installed at a high position separated from the floor, the state of the refrigerant detector can be changed so that the refrigerant detector is attached below and outside the housing and can be disposed close to the floor where the concentration of the refrigerant that has leaked is possibly high. Consequently, even when the indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus is installed at a high position separated from the floor, the refrigerant detector can detect the refrigerant that has leaked.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0010] [Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of an indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in a first form.

[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the internal structure of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention taken along a plane passing through a machine chamber in a front-back direction.

[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention taken along a plane passing through a heat exchanger chamber in the front-back direction.

[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention taken along a plane extending in a left-right direction.

[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of a refrigerant detector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the internal structure of the refrigerant detector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a front view illustrating the external appearance of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in a second form.

[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a front view illustrating the external appearance of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in a third form.

Description of Embodiments

[0011] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference signs. This note applies to the entire description in this specification. The forms of the elements described in this specification are merely examples, and the forms of the elements are not limited to the examples.

[0012] Embodiment 1 <Structure of Air-conditioning Apparatus 100> Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the air-conditioning apparatus 100 includes an outdoor unit 8 and an indoor unit 10 connected to each other with pipes.

[0013] The pipes that connect the outdoor unit 8 and the indoor unit 10 to each other are filled with refrigerant that receives and transfers heat. The refrigerant circulates between the outdoor unit 8 and the indoor unit 10 to cool or heat a room in which the indoor unit 10 is installed. The refrigerant may be, for example, slightly flammable refrigerant that is heavier than air.

[0014] The outdoor unit 8 includes a compressor 1, an outdoor heat exchanger 3, an expansion valve 4, a four-way valve 2, and an outdoor fan 6. The indoor unit 10 includes an indoor heat exchanger 5 and sirocco fans 7, which are each used as an indoor air sending device.

[0015] <Structure of Indoor Unit 10 of Air-conditioning Apparatus 100> Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in a first form. Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the internal structure of the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention taken along a plane passing through a machine chamber 20 in a front-back direction. Fig. 5 is a sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention taken along a plane passing through a heat exchanger chamber 24 in the front-back direction. Fig. 6 is a sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention taken along a plane extending in a left-right direction.

[0016] As illustrated in Figs. 2 to 6, the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is a floor-standing indoor unit that is installed on the floor of the room. As described later, the indoor unit 10 may be mounted on a wall instead of being installed to stand on the floor. In the following description, the states in which the indoor unit 10 may be installed are referred to as a first form, a second form, and a third form.

[0017] As illustrated in Fig. 2, the indoor unit 10 includes a cuboid-shaped housing 11 that extends in a lateral direction. A pair of leg portions 12a and 12b are provided on lower portions of the left and right side surfaces of the housing 11. The pair of leg portions 12a and 12b are removable from the housing 11. In Fig. 2, the indoor unit 10 stands on the floor, and the pair of leg portions 12a and 12b are fixed to the housing 11 with screws to support the housing 11 from below. The housing 11 is supported by the pair of leg portions 12a and 12b in such a manner that a gap is provided between the bottom surface of the housing 11 and the floor. The pair of leg portions 12a and 12b may instead be three or more leg portions.

[0018] The housing 11 illustrated in Fig. 2 includes side wall portions including a lower side wall portion 13 that is at the front of the housing 11. The lower side wall portion 13 covers a lower space 15 of the housing 11, and is removable from the housing 11. [0019] As illustrated in Figs. 3 to 6, the indoor heat exchanger 5 and the sirocco fans 7 of the indoor unit 10 are disposed in the housing 11. The indoor unit 10 has an upper space 14 in the housing 11 in which the indoor heat exchanger 5 is disposed. The indoor unit 10 also has the lower space 15 in the housing 11 in which the sirocco fans 7 are disposed. The upper space 14 and the lower space 15 are separated from each other by a fan plate 16.

[0020] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the indoor unit 10 has an outlet opening 17 in the top surface of the housing 11. The outlet opening 17 opens in an upper portion of the upper space 14 of the housing 11. The indoor unit 10 also has an inlet opening 18 in the bottom surface of the housing 11. The inlet opening 18 opens in a lower portion of the lower space 15 of the housing 11.

[0021] The indoor unit 10 includes wall mounting pieces 19 that support the indoor unit 10 when the indoor unit 10 is mounted on the wall. The wall mounting pieces 19 are fixed to the housing 11 with screws. The wall mounting pieces 19 may be removed when the indoor unit 10 stands on the floor as illustrated in Fig. 2.

[0022] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the machine chamber 20 is provided in the right portion of the upper space 14 in the housing 11 of the indoor unit 10. The machine chamber 20 accommodates pipes through which the refrigerant is circulated between the indoor heat exchanger 5 and the outdoor unit 8. The machine chamber 20 is separated from a portion of the upper space 14 in which the indoor heat exchanger 5 is disposed by two partitioning plates 21a and 21 b. The machine chamber 20 is provided with a drain pan 22 that is disposed above the fan plate 16 and that receives droplets of drain water, such as condensed water, that fall on the drain pan 22.

[0023] A controller 23 is provided in the right portion of the lower space 15 in the housing 11 of the indoor unit 10. The controller 23 is surrounded by a control box containing various electrical components, and controls, for example, the rotation frequency of the sirocco fans 7.

[0024] A refrigerant detector 30 is provided below the controller 23 in the lower space 15 and in the right portion of the housing 11 of the indoor unit 10. The refrigerant detector 30 is removable from the housing 11 and other components.

[0025] As illustrated in Fig. 5, the heat exchanger chamber 24, which accommodates the indoor heat exchanger 5, is provided in the upper space 14. The heat exchanger chamber 24 extends from the center to the left side of the housing 11 of the indoor unit 10. The heat exchanger chamber 24 accommodates the indoor heat exchanger 5 and a drain pan 25. The indoor heat exchanger 5 is inclined in such a manner that a lower portion of the indoor heat exchanger 5 is shifted toward the front of the indoor unit 10 and an upper portion of the indoor heat exchanger 5 is shifted toward the back of the indoor unit 10. The lower portion of the indoor heat exchanger 5 is fixed to the drain pan 25, and the upper portion of the indoor heat exchanger 5 is engaged with an engagement part 26.

[0026] The sirocco fans 7 are disposed in a region of the lower space 15 that is below the region where the heat exchanger chamber 24 is provided in the upper space 14 of the indoor unit 10. The sirocco fans 7 are each arranged in such a manner that an air outlet 7a of the sirocco fan 7 projects from an opening in the fan plate 16. The sirocco fans 7 suction in air from the lower space 15 and blow the air into the upper space 14.

[0027] As illustrated in Fig. 6, four sirocco fans 7 are arranged in the left-right direction in the housing 11. The drain pan 25 of the heat exchanger chamber 24 is disposed above the drain pan 22 of the machine chamber 20. The drain water accumulated in the drain pan 25 of the heat exchanger chamber 24 flows to the drain pan 22 of the machine chamber 20, and is discharged from a drainage portion (not shown) provided to the drain pan 22 of the machine chamber 20. In this example, the number of sirocco fans 7 is four. However, the number of sirocco fans 7 is not limited. For example, the number of sirocco fans 7 may instead be two or three.

[0028] <Structure of Refrigerant Detector 30> Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of the refrigerant detector 30 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the internal structure of the refrigerant detector 30 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0029] As illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, the refrigerant detector 30 includes a sensor 31, a relay board 32, a sensor cover 33, a relay board cover 34, and an attachment part 35.

[0030] The sensor 31 detects refrigerant that has leaked into the room. The relay board 32 is disposed above and close to the sensor 31 and transmits the detection information obtained by the sensor 31 to the controller 23 of the indoor unit 10. The sensor cover 33 has a plurality of slits 36, which are openings, in front and bottom surfaces of the sensor cover 33, and covers the sensor 31. The refrigerant that has leaked passes through the slits 36 and reaches the sensor 31. A portion of the relay board cover 34 that is disposed above and close to the sensor cover 33 is larger than the sensor cover 33. The relay board cover 34 has no openings in surfaces of the relay board cover 34, and covers the relay board 32 so that the relay board 32 is completely sealed. The relay board cover 34 is larger than the sensor cover 33 in plan view. Consequently, droplets of condensed water, for example, that fall onto the refrigerant detector 30 do not pass through the slits 36 but are received by the relay board cover 34. The attachment part 35 retains the sensor 31, the relay board 32, the sensor cover 33, and the relay board cover 34. The attachment part 35 is fixed either in a state in such a manner that the refrigerant detector 30 is attached to the housing 11 with screws or in a state in such a manner that the refrigerant detector 30 is attached to one leg portion 12a with screws.

[0031] The refrigerant detector 30 is removable from the housing 11. Consequently, when the indoor unit 10 is mounted on the wall, the refrigerant detector 30 may be fixed to one leg portion 12a with screws and disposed below and outside the housing 11 of the indoor unit 10.

[0032] The refrigerant detector 30 may be installed on the wall surface of the room separately from the indoor unit 10. The refrigerant detector 30 and the indoor unit 10 may be separated from each other by such a distance that the refrigerant detector 30 and the indoor unit 10 can be connected to each other by a relay wire (not shown).

[0033] In Embodiment 1, the refrigerant detector 30 is fixed to a side wall portion that is next to the sirocco fans 7 in the lower space 15 of the housing 11. However, the position at which the refrigerant detector 30 is disposed in the housing 11 is not limited to this position, and the refrigerant detector 30 may be fixed to various positions.

[0034] The structure of the refrigerant detector 30 is not limited to that in Embodiment 1, and may be various structures.

[0035] The refrigerant detector 30 may be disposed at a position separated from the indoor unit 10 and connected to the indoor unit 10 wirelessly or with a wire.

[0036] The refrigerant detector 30 is attached to one leg portion 12a. However, the refrigerant detector 30 is not limited to be attached to the leg portion 12a, and may instead be attached below and outside the indoor unit 10 by use of a part similar to the leg portion 12a that is capable of fixing the refrigerant detector 30.

[0037] <First Form> The first form will be described below. The indoor unit 10 illustrated in Fig. 2 is in the first form. The first form is one of the forms in which the indoor unit 10 stands on the floor. In the first form, the refrigerant detector 30 is attached in the lower space 15 of the housing 11 of the indoor unit 10. In the first form, the pair of leg portions 12a and 12b are attached to the housing 11 and support the housing 11 from below. In the first form, air below the housing 11 is suctioned in through the inlet opening 18 in the bottom surface of the housing 11.

[0038] When the indoor unit 10 stands on the floor, the pair of leg portions 12a and 12b are attached to the housing 11 and support the housing 11 from below. The wall mounting pieces 19 are removed from the housing 11. The lower side wall portion 13 covers the lower space 15 of the housing 11.

[0039] <Operation in First Form> In the first form, air below the housing 11 in the gap between the floor and the bottom surface of the housing 11 is suctioned into the lower space 15 through the inlet opening 18 in the bottom surface of the housing 11, as shown by arrows A in Fig. 2. The air suctioned into the lower space 15 is blown into the upper space 14 by the sirocco fans 7. The air blown into the upper space 14 passes through the indoor heat exchanger 5. The air that passes through the indoor heat exchanger 5 exchanges heat with the refrigerant that circulates through the indoor heat exchanger 5, thereby changing into conditioned air for a cooling or heating operation. The conditioned air in the upper space 14 is blown into the room through the outlet opening 17 in the top surface of the housing 11, as shown by arrows B in Fig. 2. [0040] <Second Form> The second form will be described below. Fig. 9 is a front view illustrating the external appearance of the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in the second form.

[0041] The indoor unit 10 illustrated in Fig. 9 is in the second form. The second form is one of the forms in which the indoor unit 10 stands on the floor. In the second form, the refrigerant detector 30 is attached in the lower space 15 of the housing 11. In the second form, the pair of leg portions 12a and 12b are removed from the housing 11. In the second form, the inlet opening 18 is on the floor. In the second form, the lower side wall portion 13 is removed from the housing 11. A front opening 27 from which the lower side wall portion 13 is removed is used as an air inlet through which air close to a lower and side portion of the housing 11 is suctioned in.

[0042] The wall mounting pieces 19 may be removed from the housing 11.

[0043] <Operation in Second Form> In the second form, air in front of the housing 11 is suctioned into the lower space 15 through the front opening 27 from which the lower side wall portion 13 is removed, as shown by arrows A in Fig. 9. The air suctioned into the lower space 15 is blown into the upper space 14 by the sirocco fans 7. The air blown into the upper space 14 passes through the indoor heat exchanger 5. The air that passes through the indoor heat exchanger 5 exchanges heat with the refrigerant that circulates through the indoor heat exchanger 5, thereby changing into conditioned air for a cooling or heating operation. The conditioned air in the upper space 14 is blown into the room through the outlet opening 17 in the top surface of the housing 11, as shown by arrows B in Fig. 9.

[0044] Thus, the indoor unit 10 is switched from a bottom suction state to a front suction state by replacing the lower side wall portion 13 with a filter. In this case, the refrigerant detector 30 may be installed in the lower space 15 of the housing 11 at a position close to the floor where a refrigerant leakage can be easily detected.

[0045] <Third Form> The third form will be described below. Fig. 10 is a front view illustrating the external appearance of the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in the third form.

[0046] The indoor unit 10 illustrated in Fig. 10 is in the third form. The third form is a form in which the indoor unit 10 is mounted on the wall. In the third form, the refrigerant detector 30 is attached below and outside the housing 11 by use of the leg portion 12a, which is one of the pair of leg portions 12a and 12b. In the third form, air below the housing 11 is suctioned in through the inlet opening 18.

[0047] When the indoor unit 10 is in the third form and mounted on the wall, the leg portion 12a, which is one of the pair of leg portions 12a and 12b, is used to attach the refrigerant detector 30 below and outside the housing 11, and the other leg portion 12b is removed from the housing 11. The wall mounting pieces 19 support the indoor unit 10 that is mounted on the wall.

[0048] <Operation in Third Form> In the third form, air below the housing 11 is suctioned into the lower space 15 through the inlet opening 18 in the bottom surface of the housing 11, as shown by arrows A in Fig. 10. The air suctioned into the lower space 15 is blown into the upper space 14 by the sirocco fans 7. The air blown into the upper space 14 passes through the indoor heat exchanger 5. The air that passes through the indoor heat exchanger 5 exchanges heat with the refrigerant that circulates through the indoor heat exchanger 5, thereby changing into conditioned air for a cooling or heating operation. The conditioned air in the upper space 14 is blown into the room through the outlet opening 17 in the top surface of the housing 11, as shown by arrows B in Fig. 10.

[0049] As described above, the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 may be selectively installed in the first form, the second form, or the third form. Even when the form of the indoor unit 10 is changed, as the refrigerant detector 30 is removable, the refrigerant detector 30 may be attached below and outside the housing 11. Consequently, the refrigerant detector 30 can be placed close to the floor, and the ability of the refrigerant detector 30 to detect the refrigerant that has leaked can be improved.

[0050] <Effects of Embodiment 1> According to Embodiment 1, the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus includes the indoor heat exchanger 5 and the sirocco fans 7, which are each used as an air sending device, in the housing 11. The indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 also includes the refrigerant detector 30 that is removable. The refrigerant detector 30 is selectively disposed in such a manner that the refrigerant detector 30 is attached inside the housing 11 or in such a manner that the refrigerant detector 30 is attached below and outside the housing 11.

[0051] With this configuration, even when the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is installed at a high position separated from the floor, the state of the refrigerant detector 30 can be changed so that the refrigerant detector 30 is attached below and outside the housing 11 and can be disposed close to the floor where the refrigerant concentration is possibly high. Consequently, even when the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is installed at a high position separated from the floor, the refrigerant detector 30 can detect the refrigerant that has leaked.

[0052] According to Embodiment 1, the indoor unit 10 has the upper space 14 in the housing 11 in which the indoor heat exchanger 5 is disposed and the lower space 15 in the housing 11 in which the sirocco fans 7, which are each used as an air sending device, are disposed. The indoor unit 10 is selectively disposed in such a manner that the indoor unit 10 stands on the floor or in such a manner that the indoor unit 10 is mounted on the wall. The refrigerant detector 30 is selectively disposed in such a manner that the refrigerant detector 30 is attached in the lower space 15 of the housing 11 when the indoor unit 10 stands on the floor or in such a manner that the refrigerant detector 30 is attached below and outside the housing 11 when the indoor unit 10 is mounted on the wall.

[0053] With this configuration, even when the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is mounted on the wall at a high position separated from the floor, the state of the refrigerant detector 30 can be changed so that the refrigerant detector 30 is attached below and outside the housing 11 and can be disposed close to the floor where the refrigerant concentration is possibly high. Consequently, even when the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is mounted on the wall at a high position separated from the floor, the refrigerant detector 30 can detect the refrigerant that has leaked.

[0054] According to Embodiment 1, the indoor unit 10 includes the wall mounting pieces 19 that support the indoor unit 10 in such a manner that the indoor unit 10 is mounted on the wall.

[0055] With this configuration, even when the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is of the floor-standing indoor unit, the indoor unit 10 can be mounted on the wall by use of the wall mounting pieces 19.

[0056] According to Embodiment 1, the pair of leg portions 12a and 12b are removable from the housing 11. The pair of leg portions 12a and 12b are selectively disposed in such a manner that the leg portions 12a and 12b are attached to the housing 11 to support the housing 11 from below when the indoor unit 10 stands on the floor or in such a manner that the refrigerant detector 30 is attached below and outside the housing 11 when the indoor unit 10 is mounted on the wall.

[0057] With this configuration, even when the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is mounted on the wall at a high position separated from the floor, the state of the refrigerant detector 30 can be changed so that the refrigerant detector 30 is attached below and outside the housing 11 by use of either one of the leg portions 12a and 12b, and can be disposed close to the floor where the refrigerant concentration is possibly high. Consequently, even when the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is mounted on the wall at a high position separated from the floor, the refrigerant detector 30 can detect the refrigerant that has leaked. [0058] In addition, with this configuration, when the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is installed to stand on the floor, the pair of leg portions 12a and 12b are used to provide a gap that enables air to be suctioned in from below through the inlet opening 18 provided in the bottom surface of the housing 11. When the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is mounted on the wall, the refrigerant detector 30 is attached to either one of the pair of leg portions 12a and 12b, and the state of the refrigerant detector 30 is changed so that the refrigerant detector 30 is attached below and outside the housing 11 by use of either one of the pair of leg portions 12a and 12b. Thus, the pair of leg portions 12a and 12b are effectively used both when the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 stands on the floor and when the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is mounted on the wall.

[0059] According to Embodiment 1, the housing 11 has the outlet opening 17 that opens in the upper portion of the upper space 14. The housing 11 also has the inlet opening 18 that opens in the lower portion of the lower space 15. The housing 11 includes the lower side wall portion 13 that covers the lower space 15 of the housing 11 and that is removable from the housing 11. The indoor unit 10 has the first form in which the indoor unit 10 stands on the floor, in which the refrigerant detector 30 is attached in the lower space 15 of the housing 11, in which the pair of leg portions 12a and 12b are attached to the housing 11 to support the housing 11 from below, and in which air below the housing 11 is suctioned in through the inlet opening 18. The indoor unit 10 also has the second form in which the indoor unit 10 stands on the floor, in which the refrigerant detector 30 is attached in the lower space 15 of the housing 11, in which the pair of leg portions 12a and 12b are removed from the housing 11, in which the inlet opening 18 is on the floor, in which the lower side wall portion 13 is removed from the housing 11, and in which air close to the lower and side portion of the housing 11 is suctioned in. The indoor unit 10 also has the third form in which the indoor unit 10 is mounted on the wall, in which the refrigerant detector 30 is attached below and outside the housing 11 by use of the leg portion 12a, which is one of the pair of leg portions 12a and 12b, and in which air below the housing 11 is suctioned in through the inlet opening 18. The indoor unit 10 is selectively installed in the first form, the second form, or the third form.

[0060] With this configuration, the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 may be installed in the third form and mounted on the wall at a high position separated from the floor instead of standing on the floor in the first form or the second form. In the third form, the state of the refrigerant detector 30 can be changed so that the refrigerant detector 30 is attached below and outside the housing 11 by use of one leg portion 12a, and can be disposed close to the floor where the refrigerant concentration is possibly high. Consequently, even when the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is mounted on the wall at a high position separated from the floor, the refrigerant detector 30 can detect the refrigerant that has leaked. [0061] According to Embodiment 1, the refrigerant detector 30 includes the sensor 31 that detects the refrigerant. The refrigerant detector 30 also includes the relay board 32 that is disposed above and close to the sensor 31 and that transmits the detection information obtained by the sensor 31 to the controller 23 of the indoor unit 10. The refrigerant detector 30 also includes the sensor cover 33 that has the slits 36, which are openings, in the surfaces of the sensor cover 33 and that covers the sensor 31.

The refrigerant detector 30 also includes the relay board cover 34 including a portion that is above and close to the sensor cover 33 and that is larger than the sensor cover 33 in plan view. The relay board cover 34 has no opening in the surfaces of the relay board cover 34 and covers the relay board 32.

[0062] With this configuration, the sensor 31 of the refrigerant detector 30 can detect the refrigerant that has leaked through the slits 36 provided in the sensor cover 33. In addition, the relay board cover 34 including the portion that is above and close to the sensor cover 33 and that is larger than the sensor cover 33 in plan view prevents liquid, such as condensed water, from passing through the slits 36 that open in the sensor cover 33 from above. Consequently, liquid does not enter the sensor 31 of the refrigerant detector 30 from above the refrigerant detector 30, so that the sensor 31 can be protected from failure due to liquid that wets the sensor 31.

[0063] According to Embodiment 1, the air-conditioning apparatus 100 includes the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100.

[0064] With this configuration, even when the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is installed at a high position separated from the floor, the state of the refrigerant detector 30 can be changed so that the refrigerant detector 30 is attached below and outside the housing 11 and can be disposed close to the floor where the refrigerant concentration is possibly high. Consequently, even when the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is installed at a high position separated from the floor, the refrigerant detector 30 can detect the refrigerant that has leaked.

[0065] According to Embodiment 1, a method of installing the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 has the first form in which the indoor unit 10 stands on the floor, in which the refrigerant detector 30 is attached in the lower space 15 of the housing 11, in which the pair of leg portions 12a and 12b are attached to the housing 11 to support the housing 11 from below, and in which air below the housing 11 is suctioned in through the inlet opening 18 in the bottom surface of the housing 11. The method of installing the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 also has the second form in which the indoor unit 10 stands on the floor, in which the refrigerant detector 30 is attached in the lower space 15 of the housing 11, in which the pair of leg portions 12a and 12b are removed from the housing 11, in which the inlet opening 18 is on the floor, in which the lower side wall portion 13 is removed from the housing 11, and in which air close to the lower and side portion of the housing 11 is suctioned in. The method of installing the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 also has the third form in which the indoor unit 10 is mounted on the wall, in which the refrigerant detector 30 is attached below and outside the housing 11 by use of the leg portion 12a, which is one of the pair of leg portions 12a and 12b, and in which air below the housing 11 is suctioned in through the inlet opening 18. With the method of installing the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100, the indoor unit 10 is selectively installed in the first form, the second form, or the third form.

[0066] With this configuration, the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 may be installed in the third form and mounted on the wall at a high position separated from the floor instead of standing on the floor in the first form or the second form. In the third form, the state of the refrigerant detector 30 can be changed so that the refrigerant detector 30 is attached below and outside the housing 11 by use of one leg portion 12a, and can be disposed close to the floor where the refrigerant concentration is possibly high. Consequently, even when the indoor unit 10 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is mounted on the wall at a high position separated from the floor, the refrigerant detector 30 can detect the refrigerant that has leaked.

Reference Signs List [0067] 1 compressor 2 four-way valve 3 outdoor heat exchanger 4 expansion valve 5 indoor heat exchanger 6 outdoor fan 7 sirocco fan 7a air outlet 8 outdoor unit 10 indoor unit 11 housing 12a leg portion 12b leg portion 13 lower side wall portion 14 upper space 15 lower space 16 fan plate 17 outlet opening 18 inlet opening 19 wall mounting piece 20 machine chamber 21a partitioning plate 21b partitioning plate 22 drain pan 23 controller 24 heat exchanger chamber 25 drain pan 26 engagement part 27 front opening 30 refrigerant detector 31 sensor 32 relay board 33 sensor cover 34 relay board cover 35 attachment part 36 slit 100 air-conditioning apparatus