JP2001208392A - Heat pump device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve safety of a heat pump device using a combustible HC refrigerant. SOLUTION: This heat pump device comprises a refrigerant circuit 6, having a compressor 1, outdoor heat exchanger 3, pressure reducing means 4 and refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger 5, water circulating circuit 10 having an indoor heat exchanger 7, circulating pump 8 and water heat exchanger 9, air supply means 11 of the exchanger 3, leak detecting means 12 for detecting leakage of the refrigerant, control means 13 for receiving leak detection signal of the detecting means to operate the means 11 to stop the operation of the compressor 1, and outdoor unit 14 for containing the refrigerant circuit component, the leakage detecting means and the supply means. When the combustible HC refrigerant leaks from the circuit in an outdoor unit 14, the leakage is detected, the means 11 is actuated, and the refrigerant is diffused into the atmosphere. At the same time, the compressor is stopped. Accordingly, since the refrigerant in the unit 14 will not reach combustible concentration, safety is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner of a compressor type heat pump device using a combustible HC refrigerant.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of air conditioner is disclosed in
There is one shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 00294. Hereinafter, a conventional technique will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a heat pump air conditioner using a combustible HC refrigerant. The compressor 1, the condenser 3, the expansion device 4, and the indoor evaporator 30 are connected to circulate the refrigerant, and the outdoor condenser is circulated. The heat is radiated at 3 and is cooled by the indoor evaporator 30. Then, when the HC refrigerant in the cycle leaks indoors, the sensor 31 detects the leakage and ventilates to drive the safety device.

[0003]

However, in the conventional heat pump system, the HC sealed in the cycle is not used.
If the amount of the refrigerant is large or the amount of leakage per time is large, the concentration may increase. In addition, there is a risk that the damper leaks when the room has a negative pressure, releases the damper, and the outside air is sucked from the outside of the room and diffuses into the room.

[0004] The present invention is to solve the above problems,
It is intended to provide safety when the combustible HC refrigerant leaks.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, a pressure reducing means, a refrigerant / water heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, and a circulation pump. A water circulation circuit provided with a water heat exchanger that maintains a heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant water heat exchanger, an outdoor heat exchanger that collects atmospheric heat, or a blowing unit that radiates heat to atmospheric heat, Leak detecting means for detecting a leak, control means for operating the blowing means in response to the leak detecting signal of the leak detecting means to stop the operation of the compressor, and outdoor for storing the refrigerant circuit parts, the leak detecting means, and the blowing means If the refrigerant has a unit and the ozone depletion potential and the global warming potential are both zero, but the refrigerant having a fear of flammability leaks from the refrigerant circuit in the outdoor unit, the leakage is detected and the blowing means is operated to operate the refrigerant. Diffuse into the atmosphere Then, the operation of the compressor is stopped at the same time. Therefore, since the refrigerant in the outdoor unit does not reach the flammable region, safety is improved.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention can be embodied in the forms described in the claims to achieve the above object. That is, as in the first aspect of the present invention, a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, a decompression unit, and a refrigerant / water heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, a circulation pump, a refrigerant / water heat exchanger, A water circulation circuit having a water heat exchanger that retains an exchange relationship, air blowing means for collecting atmospheric heat in the outdoor heat exchanger, or radiating heat to atmospheric heat, and leak detecting means for detecting leakage of refrigerant. Control means for stopping the operation of the compressor by operating the blowing means in response to a leak detection signal of the leak detecting means, and an outdoor unit for housing the refrigerant circuit parts and the leak detecting means, the blowing means, the ozone destruction coefficient and When the refrigerant having a fear of flammability leaks from the refrigerant circuit in the outdoor unit even though the global warming potentials are both zero, the leakage is detected and the blowing means is operated to diffuse the refrigerant to the atmosphere. Then, the operation of the compressor is stopped at the same time. Therefore, since the refrigerant in the outdoor unit does not reach the flammable region concentration, safety is improved.

Further, in addition to the above configuration, a leak detecting means is provided in the air blowing circuit of the air blowing means in order to accommodate a compressor, a refrigerant flow switching means and the like during operation. The leaked refrigerant is reliably and instantaneously detected and diffused into the atmosphere by using one leak detecting means.

Further, in addition to the above-described configuration, as in the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a blower control means for switching the blower means to the maximum blower amount based on a leak detection signal of the leak detector means, regardless of operating conditions during operation. Even if the refrigerant leaks from anywhere in the refrigerant circuit, the leak is reliably and instantly detected by one detecting means and diffused into the atmosphere. By providing the refrigerant pressure detecting means on the high pressure side of the refrigerant circuit, it is possible to prevent a malfunction in detecting a low pressure during the operation in winter, and the detection is facilitated during operation and during operation stop.

Further, in addition to the above-mentioned structure, a refrigerant pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit is provided as a leak detecting means, so that the refrigerant leaks during operation or during operation stop. In this case, when the pressure in the refrigerant circuit falls below a predetermined pressure, the blowing means is operated to diffuse the refrigerant into the atmosphere. Then, the operation of the compressor is stopped at the same time.
Therefore, even if refrigerant leaks from anywhere in the refrigerant circuit,
One detector reliably and instantaneously detects the leak and diffuses it to the atmosphere. The same operation and effect can be obtained when the refrigerant leaks. By providing the refrigerant pressure detecting means on the high pressure side of the refrigerant circuit, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of detecting a low pressure during operation in winter, and detection is facilitated during operation and during operation stop.

[0010] In addition to the above-mentioned structure, the present invention according to claim 5 further comprises a water pressure detecting means provided in the water circulation circuit, and an on-off valve A and an on-off valve B provided on the outgoing pipe and the return pipe of the water heat exchanger. And an operation control means for closing the on-off valve A and the on-off valve B and stopping the operation of the circulating pump and the compressor when the pressure detection signal of the water pressure detection means transmits a high pressure signal higher than a predetermined value, and comprising a refrigerant water heat exchanger. When the refrigerant leaks from the water to the water heat exchanger, the leaked refrigerant is prevented from flowing into the indoor heat exchanger. And the destruction of the indoor heat exchanger and the connecting pipe is prevented.

[0011] In addition to the above-described configuration, an on-off valve provided in the middle of a water circulation circuit that circulates from the water heat exchanger to the indoor heat exchanger, A circulating pump provided in the middle of the water circulation circuit circulating to the exchanger, a drainage means provided in the middle of the discharge side of the circulation pump and the on-off valve to drain the water of the water circulation circuit out of the water circulation circuit, and a pressure of the water pressure detection means. When the detection signal transmits a high-pressure signal higher than a predetermined value, the on-off valve is closed, the compressor is stopped, the circulating pump is operated, and a drainage control unit that performs an operation of draining from the drainage unit is provided. When the refrigerant leaks from the water to the water heat exchanger, the water mixed with the refrigerant in the water circulation circuit is surely drained using the circulation pump. Then, although the pressures of the refrigerant circuit and the water circulation circuit are balanced, water may enter the refrigerant / water heat exchanger from the water heat exchanger, but this is prevented and the reliability of the refrigerant circuit is maintained.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that, in the conventional example and each embodiment, components having the same configuration and the same operation are denoted by the same reference numerals,
Some description is omitted.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a heat pump apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is a compressor, 2 is a refrigerant flow switching means, 3 is an outdoor heat exchanger, which exchanges heat between the refrigerant and atmospheric heat or solar heat. 4 is a decompression means,
5 is a refrigerant water heat exchanger, 6 is a refrigerant circuit, and the compressor 1,
Refrigerant flow switching means 2, outdoor heat exchanger 3, decompression means 4,
The refrigerant water heat exchanger 5 is connected. 7 is an indoor heat exchanger,
8 is a circulation pump, 9 is a water heat exchanger, which has a heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant water heat exchanger 5. 10 is a water circulation circuit,
The indoor heat exchanger 6, the circulation pump 8, and the water heat exchanger 9 are connected. Numeral 11 denotes a blowing means for discharging the air that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 3 to the atmosphere. That is, the outdoor heat exchanger 3
It is installed in the lee of. 12 is a leak detection means,
Detect refrigerant leakage. Reference numeral 13 denotes a control unit, which receives the leak detection signal from the leak detection unit 12 to operate the blowing unit 11 to stop the operation of the compressor 1. Reference numeral 14 denotes an outdoor unit, which houses the components of the refrigerant circuit 6, the leak detecting means 12, and the blowing means 11.

The operation and operation of the above configuration will be described. Although the ozone depletion potential and the global warming potential are both zero, the refrigerant circuit 6 in which the refrigerant having the risk of flammability is charged is in the cooling operation, the heating operation, or the operation is stopped in the refrigerant circuit 6. When the refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant circuit 6 in the unit 14, the leak detecting means 12 detects the leak, and the control means 13 operates the blowing means 11 to diffuse the refrigerant to the atmosphere. At the same time, the operation of the compressor 1 is stopped. Therefore, since the refrigerant does not stay in the outdoor unit and reaches the flammable region,
Safety is improved. The same effect can be obtained for an air conditioner in which a refrigerant circuit and a combustion means are provided in the outdoor unit and heating is performed using combustion heat during heating.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a heat pump apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 15 denotes a leak detecting unit, and the air passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 3, that is, the air passing through the outdoor unit 14
It is provided in a blower circuit that blows out from.

The operation and operation of the above configuration will be described. During the cooling operation or the heating operation, when the refrigerant leaks from the space in which the compressor 1, the refrigerant flow switching means 2 and the like in the outdoor unit 14 are installed, the air blow means 11 is operated and the The refrigerant is sucked into the blowing circuit of the blowing means 11. Then, the leak detecting means 12 detects the leaking refrigerant, and the control means 13 continues operating the blowing means 11 to diffuse the refrigerant into the atmosphere. Then, at the same time, the operation of the compressor 1 is stopped. Usually, a part of the cooling of the refrigerant components such as the compressor 1 and the refrigerant flow switching means 2 and the electrical components is normally performed by the blowing means 11. Therefore, in the case of the cooling operation or the heating operation, the leakage near the outdoor heat exchanger naturally occurs. In particular, the leakage refrigerant in the space accommodating the compressor 1, the refrigerant flow switching means 2 and the like is detected by one leakage detection means. , And can be reliably and instantaneously detected and diffused into the atmosphere.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a heat pump apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 16 denotes an air blowing control unit, which switches the air blowing unit 11 to the maximum air blowing amount based on a leak detection signal of the leak detecting unit 12.

The operation and operation of the above configuration will be described. During operation or during operation stoppage, the leakage detection unit 12 detects leakage of the refrigerant, and the ventilation control unit 16 switches the ventilation unit 11 to the maximum ventilation amount. Therefore,
If leakage occurs during operation of the device that varies the amount of air blown by the blowing means, or during operation under conditions in which outside air blows against the outdoor unit in the reverse direction, leakage of refrigerant is detected and the maximum air flow is detected. By switching to the air volume, the leaked refrigerant can be surely diffused into the atmosphere in a short time.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a heat pump apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 17 denotes a refrigerant pressure detecting means for detecting the refrigerant pressure in the middle of the high pressure pipe of the compressor 1 and the refrigerant flow switching means 2. Reference numeral 18 denotes a control unit, and when the pressure detection signal of the refrigerant pressure detection unit 17 becomes lower than a predetermined pressure signal, the blowing unit 11 is operated to stop the operation of the compressor 1.

The operation and operation of the above configuration will be described. When the refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant circuit 6 during the stop of the operation, the pressure in the refrigerant circuit 6 rapidly decreases. When the pressure detection signal of the refrigerant pressure detecting means 17 falls below the predetermined pressure signal, the control means 18 controls the blowing means 1
1 is operated to release the leaked refrigerant to the atmosphere. Therefore, even if the refrigerant leaks from any part of the refrigerant circuit, the leakage can be reliably and instantly detected by one detecting means and diffused into the atmosphere.
The same operation and effect can be obtained when the refrigerant leaks. By providing the refrigerant pressure detecting means 17 on the high pressure side of the refrigerant circuit 6, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of detecting a low pressure during operation in winter, thereby facilitating detection during operation and during operation stop.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a heat pump apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 19 denotes a water pressure detecting means for detecting the water pressure of the water circulation circuit 10. Reference numerals 20 and 21 denote on-off valves A and on-off valves B, which are provided on the outgoing pipe and the return pipe connecting the water heat exchanger 9 and the indoor heat exchanger 7. An operation control unit 22 closes the on-off valve A20 and the on-off valve B21 and stops the operation of the circulating pump 8 and the compressor 1 when the pressure detection signal of the water pressure detection unit 19 transmits a signal higher than a predetermined value.

The operation and operation of the above configuration will be described. During the operation of the heat pump device, when the refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant water heat exchanger 5 to the water heat exchanger 9, the water pressure in the water circulation circuit 10 increases. When the water pressure reaches the predetermined pressure from the water pressure detecting means 19, the operation control means 22 closes the on-off valves A20 and B21 and stops the operations of the circulation pump 8 and the compressor 1. Next, when the refrigerant leaks while the operation of the heat pump device is stopped, similarly, the fact that the water pressure has reached the predetermined pressure is received from the water pressure detecting means 19 and the on-off valves A20 and B21 are received.
Close. In this case, although the operation of the circulation pump 8 and the compressor 1 is stopped, a stop signal of the circulation pump 8 and the compressor 1 is forcibly transmitted. Therefore, the refrigerant leaked to the water circulation circuit does not flow into the indoor heat exchanger. And the destruction of the indoor heat exchanger and the connecting pipe is prevented.

(Embodiment 6) FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a heat pump apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the solid arrows indicate the flow direction of water in the water circulation circuit. Reference numeral 23 denotes an on-off valve, which is provided in the water circulation circuit 10 that circulates from the water heat exchanger 9 to the indoor heat exchanger 7. Reference numeral 24 denotes a circulation pump, which is provided in the water circulation circuit 10 that circulates from the indoor heat exchanger 7 to the water heat exchanger 9. Reference numeral 25 denotes a drainage means, which is provided in the connection pipe between the discharge side of the circulation pump 24 and the on-off valve 23, and drains water in the water circulation circuit 10 out of the water circulation circuit. Reference numeral 26 denotes a drainage control unit, which closes the on-off valve 23 when the pressure detection signal of the water pressure detection unit 19 transmits a high pressure signal higher than a predetermined value to stop the operation of the compressor 1 and the operation of the circulation pump 24. An operation of draining water from the water circulation circuit 10 from 26 is performed.

The operation and operation of the above configuration will be described. During the operation of the heat pump device, when the refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant water heat exchanger 5 to the water heat exchanger 9, the water pressure in the water circulation circuit 10 increases. Then, upon receiving from the water pressure detecting means 19 that the water pressure has reached the predetermined pressure, the drain control means 26 closes the on-off valve 23 and continues the operation of the circulation pump 24, and the on-off valve 23, the indoor heat exchanger 7, The water in the water circulation circuit 10 of the means 26 is drained out of the water circulation circuit 10 through the drainage means 26. next,
Similarly, when the refrigerant leaks while the operation of the heat pump device is stopped, the water pressure detecting means 1 detects that the water pressure has reached a predetermined pressure.
9, the on-off valve 23 is closed, the operation of the circulation pump 24 is started, and the water in the on-off valve 23, the indoor heat exchanger 7, and the water in the water circulation circuit 10 of the drainage unit 26 is drained through the water circulation circuit 10. Drain out of. In this case, although the operation of the compressor 1 is stopped, a stop signal of the compressor 1 is forcibly transmitted. Therefore, when the refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant water heat exchanger to the water heat exchanger, the water mixed with the refrigerant in the water circulation circuit is reliably drained. Then, although the pressures of the refrigerant circuit and the water circulation circuit are balanced, water may enter the refrigerant / water heat exchanger from the water heat exchanger, but this is prevented and the reliability of the refrigerant circuit is maintained.

[0025]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the refrigerant having both the ozone depletion potential and the global warming potential of zero and having the fear of flammability is placed in the outdoor unit. When the refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant circuit, the inside of the outdoor unit is prevented from reaching the flammable region concentration, thereby improving safety.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the leaked refrigerant in the space accommodating the compressor, the refrigerant flow switching means, etc. is reliably and instantaneously leaked by using one leak detecting means during operation. Is detected and diffused into the atmosphere.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the refrigerant leaks to the atmosphere in a short time regardless of the air blowing operation conditions during operation.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, even if the refrigerant leaks from any part of the refrigerant circuit during operation or during operation stop, the leakage can be reliably and instantaneously detected by one detecting means to the atmosphere. Spread. Then, erroneous detection of the detecting means is prevented.

According to the invention, when the refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant water heat exchanger to the water heat exchanger, the leaked refrigerant is prevented from flowing into the indoor heat exchanger. And the destruction of the indoor heat exchanger and the connecting pipe is prevented.

According to the invention, when the refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant water heat exchanger to the water heat exchanger, the water mixed with the refrigerant in the water circulation circuit is reliably drained. Then, it is possible to prevent water from entering the refrigerant / water heat exchanger from the water heat exchanger and maintain the reliability of the refrigerant circuit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a heat pump device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a heat pump device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a heat pump device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a heat pump device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a plate heat exchanger used in a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a heat pump device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a conventional heat pump device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Compressor 2 Refrigerant flow path switching means 3 Outdoor heat exchanger 4 Decompression means 5 Refrigerant water heat exchanger 6 Refrigerant circuit 7 Indoor heat exchanger 8 Circulation pump 9 Water heat exchanger 10 Water circulation circuit 11 Blowing means 12 Leakage detecting means 13 Control means 14 Outdoor unit 15 Leakage detection means 16 Ventilation control means 17 Refrigerant pressure detection means 18 Control means 19 Water pressure detection means 20 On-off valve A 21 On-off valve B 22 Operation control means 23 On-off valve 24 Circulation pump 25 Drainage means 26 Drainage control means

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yoshitsugu Nishiyama 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 3L060 AA01 AA02 CC15 CC16 DD01 EE02 EE34

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A refrigerant circuit having a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, a pressure reducing means, and a refrigerant / water heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, a circulation pump, and water maintaining a heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant / water heat exchanger. A water circulation circuit provided with a heat exchanger, air blowing means for collecting atmospheric heat in the outdoor heat exchanger or dissipating heat to atmospheric heat, leak detecting means for detecting leakage of refrigerant, and the leak detecting means A heat pump device comprising: a control unit that receives the leak detection signal to operate the blowing unit to stop the operation of the compressor; and an outdoor unit that houses the refrigerant circuit component, the leakage detecting unit, and the blowing unit. 2. The heat pump device according to claim 1, further comprising a leak detecting means in the air blowing circuit of the air blowing means. 3. The heat pump device according to claim 1, further comprising an air blowing control means for switching the air blowing means to a maximum air blowing amount based on a leak detection signal of the leak detecting means. 4. The heat pump device according to claim 1, further comprising a refrigerant pressure detecting means for detecting a refrigerant pressure in the refrigerant circuit as the leak detecting means. 5. A water pressure detecting means provided in a water circulation circuit, an on-off valve A and an on-off valve B provided on an outgoing pipe and a return pipe of a water heat exchanger, and a pressure detection signal of said water pressure detecting means is higher than a predetermined value. The heat pump device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising operation control means for closing the on-off valve A and the on-off valve B when a signal is transmitted and stopping the operation of the circulation pump and the compressor. 6. An on-off valve provided in a water circulation circuit circulating from the water heat exchanger to the indoor heat exchanger, and a circulation pump provided in a water circulation circuit circulating from the indoor heat exchanger to the water heat exchanger. Provided at the discharge side of the circulating pump and in the middle of the on-off valve, for draining the water of the water circulating circuit to the outside of the water circulating circuit, and when the pressure detection signal of the water pressure detecting means transmits a high pressure signal higher than a predetermined value. The heat pump device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a drain control unit that closes the on-off valve, stops the operation of the compressor, operates the circulation pump, and performs a drain operation from the drain unit. .