JP2018091550A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner such that a person other than a person who noticed alarming of refrigerant leakage detection first can know there is the first noticing person and measurements are thereby prevented from being taken repeatedly.SOLUTION: An air conditioner comprises: an indoor unit 10 which has a housing and has refrigerant piping, in which a refrigerant is charged, housed in the housing; a sensor 41 which detects refrigerant leakage; an alarming device 42 which can generate an alarm in a first alarming mode and also generate the alarm in a second alarming mode different from the first alarming mode; and an operation part 31 which can input a first operation and a second operation. The alarming device 42 generates the alarm in the first alarming mode when the sensor 41 detects the refrigerant leakage, generates the alarm in the second alarming mode when the first operation is input to the operation part 31 during the alarm generation in the first alarming mode, and stops the alarm generation when the second operation is input to the operation part 31 during the alarm generation in the second alarming mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

  In an air conditioner, based on a manual operation, a sensor for detecting leakage of a flammable refrigerant, a reporting device for reporting the leakage of a flammable refrigerant, a control device for controlling the operation of the reporting device, and And an operation device for inputting a stop command for the alarm device to the control device, and the control device activates the alarm device when the sensor detects leakage of the flammable refrigerant, and the alarm device by the operation device Is known that permits a stop command (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-094515

  However, in the air conditioner as shown in Patent Document 1, once the leakage of the refrigerant is detected by the sensor and the alarm is issued by the alarm device, once the user stops the alarm device, Thereafter, other users may not be aware that the leakage of the refrigerant has been detected by the sensor. Therefore, if the person who first noticed the alarm and stopped the alarm device did not respond appropriately, such as contacting the air conditioner administrator or maintenance personnel, there was an opportunity to respond afterwards. There is a risk of being lost.

  On the other hand, if the notification is not stopped even after the notification is noticed and the correspondence is taken, the correspondence such as the contact may be repeated a plurality of times. Furthermore, since the reporting is continued for a long time, it also leads to the occurrence of noise damage due to the reporting sound.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems. The purpose is to prevent other users from knowing that there is a person who has already noticed the detection of the refrigerant leakage detection, and to prevent repeated correspondence. It is to obtain an air conditioner that is possible.

  An air conditioner according to the present invention has a casing, an indoor unit in which a refrigerant pipe filled with a refrigerant is accommodated in the casing, a sensor for detecting refrigerant leakage, and a first alarm form And a reporting device capable of reporting in a second reporting mode different from the first reporting mode, and an operation unit capable of inputting the first operation and the second operation And when the sensor detects refrigerant leakage, the notification device issues a notification in the first notification form and during the notification in the first notification form, the operation unit When the first operation is input to the operation unit, the second operation is issued, and the second operation is input to the operation unit while the second operation is in progress. If it happens, the alarm will stop.

  Alternatively, the air conditioner according to the present invention includes a plurality of indoor units that share at least a part of a refrigerant circuit having a refrigerant pipe in which a refrigerant is sealed, a plurality of sensors that detect refrigerant leakage, and a first alarm. A plurality of reporting devices capable of reporting in a form and capable of reporting in a second reporting format different from the first reporting format, and associated with each of the plurality of sensors; An operation unit that is associated with each of the plurality of sensors and capable of inputting a first operation, and a part of the refrigerant pipe is accommodated in each of the housings of the plurality of indoor units, When at least one of the plurality of sensors detects refrigerant leakage, all of the plurality of reporting devices issue a report in the first notification form, and all of the plurality of reporting devices have the first notification format. The sensor that has detected a refrigerant leak while reporting in the mode of 1 When the first operation is input to the corresponding operation unit, the alarm device corresponding to the sensor that has detected the refrigerant leak reports the refrigerant leak in the second alarm form. The reporting device corresponding to the sensor that is not detected stops reporting.

  In the air conditioner according to the present invention, the fact that there is a person who has previously noticed the detection of the refrigerant leakage detection can be recognized by other users thereafter, and correspondence such as communication is repeated. There is an effect that it can be prevented in advance.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the room | chamber interior and outdoor where the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention was installed. It is a figure which shows typically the structure mainly related to a refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of the refrigerant | coolant leak detection of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the room | chamber interior and the outdoor in which the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention was installed. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of the refrigerant | coolant leak detection of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the room | chamber interior and outdoor where the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention was installed. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of the refrigerant | coolant leak detection of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are simplified or omitted as appropriate. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIGS. 1 to 4 relate to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an indoor and outdoor room where an air conditioner is installed, and FIG. 2 is a refrigerant circuit mainly for the air conditioner. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the air conditioner, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing at the time of refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes an indoor unit 10 and an outdoor unit 20. The indoor unit 10 is installed in a room 100 that is subject to air conditioning. The indoor unit 10 can suck the air in the room 100. The indoor unit 10 can blow out the adjusted air into the room 100. The outdoor unit 20 is installed outside the room 100. The indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 20 are connected by a refrigerant pipe 23. A refrigerant is sealed in the refrigerant pipe 23. The refrigerant pipe 23 is circulated between the indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 20. And the refrigerant | coolant piping 23 comprises a part of refrigerant circuit with which an air conditioner is provided.

  Next, the structure regarding the refrigerant circuit with which the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is provided is demonstrated, referring FIG. As shown in the figure, the indoor unit 10 includes an indoor unit heat exchanger 11 and an indoor unit fan 12. The outdoor unit 20 includes an outdoor unit heat exchanger 21 and an outdoor unit fan 22. The indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 20 are connected by a refrigerant pipe 23. The refrigerant pipe 23 is circulated between the indoor unit heat exchanger 11 and the outdoor unit heat exchanger 21.

  As described above, the refrigerant is sealed in the refrigerant pipe 23. From the viewpoint of protecting the global environment, it is desirable to use a refrigerant with a small global warming potential (GWP) as the refrigerant sealed in the refrigerant pipe 23. Moreover, the refrigerant | coolant enclosed in the refrigerant | coolant piping 23 is combustible. This refrigerant has an average molecular weight larger than that of air (that is, a density higher than that of air), and has a property of sinking downward in the direction of gravity in the air.

  Specific examples of such a refrigerant include tetrafluoropropene (CF3CF = CH2: HFO-1234yf), difluoromethane (CH2F2: R32), propane (R290), propylene (R1270), ethane (R170), and butane (R600). ), Isobutane (R600a), 1.1.1.2-tetrafluoroethane (C2H2F4: R134a), pentafluoroethane (C2HF5: R125), 1.3.3.3-tetrafluoro-1-propene (CF3- (CH = CHF: HFO-1234ze) etc. (mixed) refrigerant | coolant which consists of 1 or more refrigerant | coolants chosen from etc. can be used.

  The refrigerant pipe 23 on one side of the refrigerant circulation path between the indoor unit heat exchanger 11 and the outdoor unit heat exchanger 21 is provided with a compressor 25 via a four-way valve 24. The compressor 25 is a device that compresses the supplied refrigerant to increase the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant. As the compressor 25, for example, a rotary compressor or a scroll compressor can be used. An expansion valve 26 is provided in the refrigerant pipe 23 on the other side of the circulation path. The expansion valve 26 expands the flowing refrigerant and reduces the pressure of the refrigerant. The four-way valve 24, the compressor 25, and the expansion valve 26 are provided in the outdoor unit 20.

  The refrigerant pipe 23 on the indoor unit 10 side and the refrigerant pipe 23 on the outdoor unit 20 side are connected via a metal connection part such as a joint. Specifically, the indoor metal connection portion 13 is provided in the refrigerant pipe 23 of the indoor unit 10. An outdoor metal connection 27 is provided in the refrigerant pipe 23 of the outdoor unit 20. The refrigerant pipe 23 on the indoor unit 10 side and the refrigerant pipe 23 on the outdoor unit 20 side are connected via a refrigerant pipe 23 between the indoor metal connection part 13 and the outdoor metal connection part 27 to form a refrigerant circulation path. Is done.

  And the circulation path of the refrigerant | coolant formed with the refrigerant | coolant piping 23, and the indoor unit heat exchanger 11, the outdoor unit heat exchanger 21, the four-way valve 24, the compressor 25, which were connected to the said circulation path by the refrigerant | coolant piping 23, and The expansion valve 26 forms a refrigeration cycle (refrigerant circuit).

  The refrigeration cycle configured as described above performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and air in each of the indoor unit heat exchanger 11 and the outdoor unit heat exchanger 21, so that the space between the indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 20 is changed. It works as a heat pump that transfers heat. At this time, by switching the four-way valve 24, it is possible to reverse the refrigerant circulation direction in the refrigeration cycle to switch between the cooling operation and the heating operation.

  Each of the indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 20 has a housing. Inside the casing of the indoor unit 10, an indoor unit heat exchanger 11, an indoor unit fan 12, and an indoor metal connection unit 13 are accommodated, including a refrigerant pipe 23 in which a refrigerant is sealed. In addition, inside the casing of the outdoor unit 20, a refrigerant pipe 23 in which a refrigerant is also sealed, an outdoor unit heat exchanger 21, an outdoor unit fan 22, a four-way valve 24, a compressor 25, an expansion valve 26, The outdoor metal connection part 27 is accommodated.

  The operation during normal operation of the air conditioner configured as described above will be described by taking the cooling operation as an example. During normal operation, the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant pipe 23, and the indoor unit fan 12 and the outdoor unit fan 22 rotate. The refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe 23 flows through the indoor unit heat exchanger 11 in a liquid state having a temperature lower than the room temperature. The indoor unit fan 12 rotates to suck in indoor air. The sucked room air is cooled by passing through the indoor unit heat exchanger 11, and becomes a temperature lower than the air temperature at the time of sucking. On the contrary, the refrigerant in the indoor unit heat exchanger 11 is warmed to become a gas and moves from the refrigerant pipe 23 to the outdoor unit 20. The cooled air passing through the indoor unit heat exchanger 11 is discharged into the room. Thus, the room temperature is lowered.

  The description will be continued with reference to FIG. 1 again. As shown in the figure, the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes a remote controller 30 and a leak detection device 40. The remote controller 30 is for the user of the air conditioner to operate the operation of the air conditioner. In the example described here, the indoor unit 10 is installed on the ceiling of the room 100. The remote controller 30 is installed on the wall surface portion of the room 100, which is vertically below the indoor unit 10. The user can start and stop the operation of the air conditioner, change the set temperature, and the like by operating the remote controller 30.

  The leak detection device 40 is mainly for detecting a refrigerant leak from the indoor unit 10. In the example described here, the leak detection device 40 is provided at a position vertically below the remote controller 30 on the wall surface of the room 100.

  Next, the configuration of the control system of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The operation unit 31 shown in the figure is for operation by any person related to the air conditioner, such as a user, administrator, installation worker, maintenance staff, or serviceman of the air conditioner. The operation unit 31 includes the remote controller 30 described above. However, the operation unit 31 is not limited to the remote controller 30 alone. For example, a button or the like provided on the housing of the indoor unit 10 can be included in the operation unit 31. A specific example of the operation unit 31 other than the remote controller 30 will be described later.

  The sensor 41, the alerting device 42, and the control device 43 shown in FIG. 3 are provided in the above-described leak detection device 40, for example. As described above, the leak detection device 40 is provided vertically below the remote controller 30. Therefore, in this example, the sensor 41 is vertically below the remote controller 30.

  The sensor 41 is for detecting refrigerant leakage. As the sensor 41, for example, a contact combustion type, a semiconductor type, a heat conduction type, a low potential electrolysis type, an infrared type, or the like can be used. Further, an oxygen sensor can be used as the sensor 41. When an oxygen sensor is used, for example, the refrigerant concentration can be detected as follows. That is, first, the oxygen concentration is obtained based on the output from the oxygen sensor. Next, the concentration of the inflowing gas is obtained assuming that the decrease in oxygen concentration is due to the inflowing gas. And since this inflow gas is a refrigerant | coolant, the density | concentration of inflow gas, ie, a refrigerant | coolant, can be obtained. As this oxygen sensor, for example, galvanic cell type, polaro type, zirconia type and the like can be used.

  As described above, when the refrigerant is heavier than air, the leaked refrigerant flows downward from the indoor unit 10. For this reason, the refrigerant that has leaked to the lower side of the room 100 stays, and it is easy to form a high concentration region. Therefore, by providing the sensor 41 below the room 100, for example, vertically below the remote controller 30 that is usually installed at a position that is easy for the user to operate, the sensor 41 can easily detect the leaked refrigerant. can do.

  The reporting device 42 issues a report, that is, an alarm. The reporting device 42 reports at least when the sensor 41 detects refrigerant leakage. The reporting device 42 may also report when an abnormality other than refrigerant leakage occurs, such as a failure of the indoor unit 10. The reporting device 42 can report in the preset first reporting form. Further, the notification device 42 can also issue a preset second notification form. The second reporting form is a reporting form different from the first reporting form. Specific examples of these notification forms will be described later.

  The operation unit 31 can be input with a sound volume reduction operation, a sound generation stop operation, and a driving operation. The alert volume reduction operation is hereinafter also referred to as “first operation”. The alarm sound stop operation is hereinafter also referred to as “second operation”. Therefore, the first operation and the second operation can be input to the operation unit 31. Specific examples of the first operation and the second operation will be described later. The driving operation is an operation for instructing a normal driving operation of the air conditioner.

  The control device 43 controls the operations of the indoor unit fan 12 and the alarm device 42 based on the detection result of the sensor 41 and the operation content input to the operation unit 31. Based on the output signal of the sensor 41, the control device 43 determines whether or not the refrigerant concentration detected by the sensor 41 is equal to or higher than a preset reference concentration. The control device 43 determines that the refrigerant leakage is detected by the sensor 41 when the refrigerant concentration equal to or higher than the reference concentration is detected by the sensor 41. Note that detection of a refrigerant concentration equal to or higher than the reference concentration by the sensor 41 is also referred to as “the sensor 41 has detected refrigerant leakage”.

  When the sensor 41 detects refrigerant leakage, the control device 43 causes the notification device 42 to issue a report in the first notification form. Therefore, when the sensor 41 detects a refrigerant leak, the alarm device 42 issues an alarm in the first alarm mode.

  Further, when the first operation is input to the operation unit 31 while the reporting device 42 is reporting in the first reporting mode, the control device 43 changes the reporting mode of the reporting device 42 to the first reporting mode. The notification form is changed to the second notification form. Accordingly, when the first operation is input to the operation unit 31 while the first notification form is being issued, the notification device 42 issues the second notification form.

  When the second operation is input to the operation unit 31 while the reporting device 42 is reporting in the second reporting mode, the control device 43 stops reporting by the reporting device 42. Therefore, the reporting device 42 stops reporting when a second operation is input to the operation unit 31 during reporting in the second reporting mode.

  When the sensor 41 detects refrigerant leakage and the indoor unit 10 is in operation, the control device 43 stops the compressor 25 and stops the air conditioning operation of the air conditioner. When the sensor 41 detects refrigerant leakage, the operation mode of the indoor unit 10 shifts from the normal mode to the error mode. In the error mode, a normal driving operation on the remote controller 30 of the operation unit 31 is invalid. Therefore, the operation of the indoor unit 10 cannot be resumed from the remote controller 30.

  Then, for example, after an appropriate return process is performed by a service person or the like, the operation mode of the indoor unit 10 is returned from the error mode to the normal mode. When returning to the normal mode, the normal driving operation with respect to the remote controller 30 of the operation unit 31 becomes effective. If the remote controller 30 has a display function, the remote controller 30 may display an error mode. At this time, the remote controller 30 may be displayed for prompting ventilation or a service call.

  Next, a specific example of the alerting form of the alerting device 42 will be described. First, the first example of the alerting form is as follows. That is, in the first example of the alerting form, the first alerting form is a form of sounding from the speaker at the preset first volume. And a 2nd alerting | reporting form is a form which sounds a sound from a speaker by the 2nd volume set beforehand. The second volume is set to a volume smaller than the first volume. Specifically, for example, the first volume is set to 60 dB. The second volume is set to 40 dB, for example.

  In the first example of this alerting form, the alerting device 42 includes a speaker for making a sound. In these notification forms, the sound emitted from the speaker of the notification device 42 may be, for example, a buzzer sound, a voice message, or a combination thereof. Note that the tone color, pitch, length, and message content of the sound emitted from the speaker may be changed between the first and second notification modes.

  Next, the second example of the alerting form is as follows. That is, in the second example of the alerting form, the first alerting form is a form of sounding from the speaker. And the 2nd alerting | reporting form is a form which lights a lamp | ramp. In the second example of this alerting form, the alerting device 42 includes a speaker for making a sound. Furthermore, the alarm device 42 also includes a lamp for emitting light. For example, an LED (light emitting diode) may be used for this lamp.

  And the 3rd example of the alerting | reporting form is as follows. That is, in the third example of the alerting form, both the first alerting form and the second alerting form are sounds that are intermittently emitted from the speaker. However, at least one of the sound generation continuation time and the sound generation stop time of the sound played intermittently is different between the first report form and the second report form. That is, the second notification form has a shorter sound generation duration time or a longer sound generation stop time than the first report form, or both.

  Next, a specific configuration example of the operation unit 31 and specific examples of the first operation and the second operation will be described. As described above, the operation unit 31 includes the remote controller 30 operated by the user. The remote controller 30 includes, for example, a push button type switch. First, it is assumed that the first operation is an operation on a push button of the remote controller 30. That is, the first operation is an operation on the remote controller 30. In this case, the button to be subjected to the first operation may be a button used for the above-described driving operation, for example, a driving button, a temperature adjusting button, or the like. Alternatively, the remote control 30 may be provided with a notification volume reduction button dedicated to the first operation as a button to be subjected to the first operation, separately from the button used for the driving operation.

  Next, examples of the second operation include the following specific examples. First, it is assumed that the first example of the second operation is an operation on a push button of the remote controller 30 as in the first operation. However, it is assumed that the second operation is an operation of simultaneously pressing a plurality of buttons on the remote controller 30.

  In this case, it is desirable that the plurality of buttons to be subjected to the second operation are a plurality of buttons that are not operated at the same time in the normal driving operation of the user. Specifically, for example, when two buttons, a button for raising the set temperature and a button for lowering the set temperature, are provided as the temperature adjustment buttons, these two buttons are used in a normal driving operation. It can be said that it is extremely rare to be pushed at the same time. Therefore, for example, an operation of simultaneously pressing two of the set temperature increase button and the set temperature decrease button is a second operation.

  In the second example of the second operation, a notification stop button dedicated to the second operation is provided as the operation unit 31, and an operation of pressing this notification stop button is a second operation. The notification stop button is provided, for example, on the remote controller 30 or the housing of the indoor unit 10. The notification stop button is covered with a cover or the like in normal times. And in the state covered with the cover etc., the alert stop button cannot be operated.

  A cover or the like covering the alert stop button is fixed to the remote controller 30 or the housing of the indoor unit 10 with screws or the like, for example. And it is comprised so that removal or opening / closing of a cover etc. is possible by removing a screw etc. using a tool. By providing such a cover or the like, the alarm stop button is in an inoperable state during normal times, and is configured to be operable by using a tool. And operation which pushes the alert stop button which can be operated for the first time by using a tool is made into 2nd operation.

  In the air conditioner configured as described above, when the sensor 41 detects refrigerant leakage, the alarm device 42 first issues an alarm in the first alarm mode. After that, when the first operation is input to the operation unit 31, the reporting device 42 issues a report in a second report form different from the first report form. For this reason, when a person who has noticed the report first performs the first operation, the other user can thereafter know that there is a person who has noticed the report first. Then, it is possible to prevent other users from repeatedly performing correspondence such as contact with the administrator or maintenance personnel a plurality of times.

  Further, even after the person who has noticed the notification first performs the first operation, the notification is not completely stopped, but the notification in the second notification form is continued. For this reason, even if the person who performed the first operation did not respond to the contact or the like, suspicious that the notification in the second notification form continues for a long time, etc. Thus, it is possible to notice the possibility that another person did not respond such as contact.

  In addition, according to the specific examples of the first and second notification forms as described above, the volume of the notification after the person who has noticed the notification first performs the first operation. Becomes smaller, or the sound is stopped and only the light is generated. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of noise damage due to the alarm sound.

  Further, as described above, when the second operation is input to the operation unit 31 during the reporting in the second reporting mode, the reporting device 42 stops reporting. As in the two examples of the second operation described above, an operation that is considered difficult to be performed by a normal user is set as the second operation. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation where the user suddenly performs the second operation and the alarm is stopped.

  The configuration of the operation unit 31 and the contents of the first operation and the second operation are not limited to the example described here. In addition, for example, the leak detection device 40 may be provided with buttons for the first operation and the second operation.

  Note that, as described above, when the sensor 41 detects refrigerant leakage, the operation of the compressor 25 is stopped. However, the operation of the indoor unit fan 12 may be continued or started to perform only air blowing. That is, the control device 43 may operate the indoor unit fan 12 when the sensor 41 detects refrigerant leakage. By doing in this way, the wind generated by the indoor unit fan 12 is sent into the room 100 to stir the air in the room 100, and the refrigerant stays and a region having a high refrigerant concentration is formed in the room 100. Can be suppressed.

  At this time, if the first operation is performed after the operation of the indoor unit fan 12, the operation of the indoor unit fan 12 may be continued until a predetermined time has elapsed after the first operation. In this case, the operation of the indoor unit fan 12 is stopped after a lapse of a certain time from the first operation.

  The fixed time at this time is determined as follows, for example. That is, once the leaked refrigerant is diffused, it does not gather again to form a region having a high refrigerant concentration. Therefore, the indoor unit fan 12 may be operated until at least all of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit has been leaked. For example, if the refrigerant amount in the refrigerant circuit is 10 kg and the refrigerant leakage speed due to breakage of the refrigerant pipe 23 is 10 kg / h, all the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit leaks at 10 kg ÷ 10 kg / h = 1 h. Therefore, in this case, the fixed time for operating the indoor unit fan 12 is determined to be 1h.

  When determining the fixed time for operating the indoor unit fan 12, it is set to a longer value with a further allowance added to the value obtained from the assumed refrigerant leakage speed and the volume of the room 100. May be. In addition, even before the fixed time determined in this way has elapsed, when the second operation is input, the operation of the indoor unit fan 12 may be stopped.

  In addition, when a predetermined time has elapsed without the second operation being performed after the transition to the second notification mode, the control device 43 issues a notification even if the second operation is not performed. You may make it stop. In other words, as long as the second operation is not performed, it is preferable to continue the notification in the second notification form for at least a fixed time. In addition, what is necessary is just to make the fixed time at this time the same as the fixed time when the indoor unit fan 12 is operated when the sensor 41 detects refrigerant leakage.

  In the above description, the case where the sensor 41 is provided in the leak detection device 40 has been described. However, the installation location of the sensor 41 is not limited to the leak detection device 40. In addition, for example, the sensor 41 may be provided inside the housing of the indoor unit 10. The leakage of the refrigerant is highly likely to occur at the connection portion between the indoor unit heat exchanger 11 and the refrigerant pipe 23 in the casing of the indoor unit 10, the indoor metal connection portion 13, and the like. By providing the sensor 41 in the casing of the indoor unit 10, when the refrigerant leaks in the casing of the indoor unit 10, the refrigerant leak can be detected earlier by the sensor 41.

  Next, in the air conditioner configured as described above, the flow of the operation related to the refrigerant leak detection and the notification at the time of refrigerant leak detection will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In addition, the example demonstrated here is a case where the 1st example mentioned above is employ | adopted about the alerting | reporting form from the alerting device 42. FIG.

  First, in step S <b> 1, the control device 43 confirms whether or not refrigerant leakage is detected by the sensor 41 based on an output signal from the sensor 41. When the refrigerant leakage is not detected by the sensor 41, the process of step S1 is repeated until the refrigerant leakage is detected. And when refrigerant | coolant leakage is detected by the sensor 41, a process progresses to step S2.

  In step S2, the control device 43 causes the reporting device 42 to start reporting. And the alerting | reporting apparatus 42 starts the alerting | reporting with a 1st alerting | reporting form. Further, the control device 43 starts the operation of the indoor unit fan 12. After step S2, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S <b> 3, the control device 43 confirms whether or not the alarm volume reduction operation, that is, the first operation is input to the operation unit 31. When the first operation is input to the operation unit 31, the process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, when the first operation is not input to the operation unit 31, the process skips step S4 and proceeds to step S5.

  In step S <b> 4, the control device 43 reduces the alert volume from the alert device 42. That is, the control device 43 changes the reporting form of the reporting apparatus 42 from the first reporting form to the second reporting form. After step S4, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, the control device 43 checks whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the alarm volume was reduced in step S4. If the certain time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed, the process skips step S6 and proceeds to step S7.

  In step S <b> 6, the control device 43 confirms whether a notification stop operation, that is, a second operation is input to the operation unit 31. When the second operation is input to the operation unit 31, the process proceeds to step S7. On the other hand, when the second operation is not input to the operation unit 31, the process returns to step S3.

  In step S <b> 7, the control device 43 stops the reporting device 42 from reporting. Further, the control device 43 stops the operation of the indoor unit fan 12. When step S7 is completed, the process returns to step S1.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIGS. 5 and 6 relate to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the room and the outdoor where the air conditioner is installed, and FIG. 6 is a refrigerant leak detection time of the air conditioner. It is a flowchart which shows the process of.

  The second embodiment described here is configured so that the indoor unit fan is not operated when refrigerant leakage is detected by a sensor in the configuration of the first embodiment described above. Hereinafter, the air conditioner according to the second embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

  In the air conditioner according to the second embodiment, a plurality of indoor units 10 are connected to one outdoor unit 20. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, two indoor units 10, that is, a first indoor unit 10 a and a second indoor unit 10 b are connected to one outdoor unit 20. The first indoor unit 10a is installed in the first room 100a. The second indoor unit 10b is installed in the second room 100b.

  The first indoor unit 10a, the second indoor unit 10b, and the outdoor unit 20 are connected by a refrigerant pipe 23. The first indoor unit 10a and the second indoor unit 10b share at least a part of the refrigerant circuit. And some refrigerant | coolant piping 23 is accommodated in the inside of the housing | casing of these some indoor units 10, respectively.

  Each of the plurality of indoor units 10 is provided with a remote controller 30 and a leak detection device 40. The first indoor unit 10a is provided with a first remote controller 30a and a first leak detection device 40a. The first remote controller 30a and the first leak detection device 40a are installed on the wall surface of the first room 100a. The second indoor unit 10b is provided with a second remote controller 30b and a second leak detection device 40b. The second remote controller 30b and the second leak detection device 40b are installed on the wall surface of the second room 100b.

  The configurations of the first remote controller 30a and the second remote controller 30b, and the first leak detection device 40a and the second leak detection device 40b are the same as those of the remote control 30 and the leak detection device 40 described in the first embodiment. The configuration is basically the same. That is, the first leak detection device 40a and the second leak detection device 40b are each provided with a sensor 41, a notification device 42, and a control device 43 as shown in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment. .

  However, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the control device 43 stops the operation of the indoor unit fan 12 when the sensor 41 detects refrigerant leakage. As described above, in the air conditioner according to the second embodiment, a plurality of indoor units 10 are connected to one outdoor unit 20, and the plurality of indoor units 10 includes at least a part of the refrigerant circuit. Sharing. Therefore, the amount of refrigerant sealed in the refrigerant pipe 23 is also increased compared to the case where there is only one indoor unit 10.

  When refrigerant leakage occurs in one indoor unit 10, all of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit shared with other indoor units 10 leaks from this one indoor unit 10. For this reason, the amount of refrigerant leakage also increases compared to the case where there is only one indoor unit 10. When a large amount of refrigerant leaks into the interior of one room 100, even if the refrigerant is diffused throughout the interior of the one room 100, a standard in which the refrigerant concentration is constant throughout the interior of the one room 100. It will only be in a higher state. In addition, operating the indoor unit fan 12 facilitates the refrigerant concentration to be higher than the reference in the entire area of one room 100 as compared to the case where the indoor unit fan 12 is not operated.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, when the sensor 41 detects refrigerant leakage, the control device 43 stops the operation of the compressor 25. At this time, the control device 43 also stops the operation of the indoor unit fan 12. Further, when the indoor unit fan 12 is stopped when the sensor 41 detects refrigerant leakage, the control device 43 continues the state in which the indoor unit fan 12 is stopped. By doing in this way, in the installation situation where the amount of refrigerant leaking increases, it is possible to suppress the formation of a region having a high refrigerant concentration in the entire room 100 without stirring the air in the room 100. Can do.

  Here, for example, the case where R32 is used as the refrigerant will be described with specific numerical examples. First, a case where one indoor unit 10 is installed for one outdoor unit 20 will be described. The room 100 in which the indoor unit 10 is installed has a floor area of 6 m 2 and a height of 2.2 m (volume 13.2 m 3). The refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner is assumed to be filled with 1.0 kg of R32 as a refrigerant.

  In such a case, it is assumed that when the sensor 41 detects refrigerant leakage, the indoor unit fan 12 is operated to diffuse the leaked refrigerant so that the concentration of R32 in one room 100 is made uniform. In this case, the concentration of R32 in the room 100 is 0.076 kg / m ^ 3. This is smaller than 0.307 kg / m ^ 3 which is the lower limit combustion concentration (LFL) of R32.

  On the other hand, when a plurality of indoor units 10 are connected to one outdoor unit 20, the amount of refrigerant to be filled increases as described above. For example, consider a case where six indoor units 10 are connected to one outdoor unit 20 and 4.5 kg of R32 is filled in a refrigerant circuit common to these indoor units 10. If one indoor unit 10 is installed in each room 100 to be air conditioned, the six rooms 100 can be air conditioned.

  If the refrigerant leaks due to breakage or the like of the refrigerant pipe 23 of any one of these indoor units 10, all 4.5 kg of refrigerant charged in the common refrigerant circuit leaks into the room 100 of one room. Assuming that the room 100 in which the refrigerant leakage occurs has the same volume of 13.2 m ^ 3 as the above-described example, the concentration of R32 in the room 100 when the leaked refrigerant is uniformly diffused in the room 100 is 0.341 kg / m ^ 3. This is larger than 0.307 kg / m ^ 3 which is the lower limit combustion concentration (LFL) of R32.

  Therefore, in this case, when the indoor unit fan 12 is operated when the refrigerant leak is detected by the sensor 41 and the air in the room 100 in which the refrigerant leak is detected is stirred, the concentration of R32 is reduced to the lower limit in the entire area inside the room 100. It becomes higher than the concentration. Moreover, by operating the indoor unit fan 12, it is promoted that the concentration of R32 is higher than the lower limit combustion concentration in the entire area of one room 100 as compared with the case where the indoor unit fan 12 is not operated. End up.

  Therefore, in the air conditioner according to the second embodiment, when the sensor 41 detects refrigerant leakage, the control device 43 stops the operation of the indoor unit fan 12. Therefore, the refrigerant leaked from the indoor unit 10 flows vertically downward because it is heavier than air and stays on the floor surface. Even if all the refrigerant filled in the air conditioner having a refrigerant amount that can make the whole interior of one room 100 higher than the lower limit combustion concentration leaks, the concentration of R32 becomes higher than the lower limit combustion concentration. Only the part close to the surface.

  Therefore, it can be avoided that the concentration of R32 is higher than the lower limit combustion concentration in the entire interior of one room 100. Also, there are usually many gaps under the indoor door. For this reason, it is possible to make it easy to discharge to the outside of the room 100 from the gap under the door by making the refrigerant concentration higher as it is closer to the floor surface.

  In addition, since furniture, people, etc. exist in the inside of the room 100, the substantial volume of the room 100 may become narrower. Therefore, when determining whether or not to operate the indoor unit fan 12 at the time of refrigerant leakage detection, 1/2 or 1/4 of the lower limit combustion concentration of the refrigerant may be used as a guide.

Further, in the room 100 in which the air conditioner according to the second embodiment is installed, even if the leaked refrigerant is completely diffused, the state in which the refrigerant concentration in the room 100 is high is maintained. For this reason, until the second operation is performed on the operation unit 31 even if a fixed time elapses after the notification from the notification device 42 is shifted from the first notification form to the second report form. It is desirable to continue without stopping the alert.
Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted here.

  Next, in the air conditioner configured as described above, the flow of the operation related to the refrigerant leak detection and the notification at the time of refrigerant leak detection will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In addition, the example demonstrated here is a case where the 1st example mentioned above is employ | adopted about the alerting | reporting form from the alerting device 42. FIG.

  First, in step S <b> 11, the control device 43 confirms whether or not refrigerant leakage has been detected by the sensor 41 based on the output signal from the sensor 41. When the refrigerant leakage is not detected by the sensor 41, the process of step S11 is repeated until the refrigerant leakage is detected. And when refrigerant | coolant leakage is detected by the sensor 41, a process progresses to step S12.

  In step S12, the control device 43 causes the reporting device 42 to start reporting. And the alerting | reporting apparatus 42 starts the alerting | reporting with a 1st alerting | reporting form. Further, the control device 43 stops the operation of the indoor unit fan 12. After step S12, the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S <b> 13, the control device 43 confirms whether or not the alarm volume reduction operation, that is, the first operation is input to the operation unit 31. When the first operation is input to the operation unit 31, the process proceeds to step S14. On the other hand, when the first operation is not input to the operation unit 31, the process skips step S14 and proceeds to step S15.

  In step S <b> 14, the control device 43 reduces the alert volume from the alert device 42. That is, the control device 43 changes the reporting form of the reporting apparatus 42 from the first reporting form to the second reporting form. After step S14, the process proceeds to step S15.

  In step S <b> 15, the control device 43 confirms whether or not a notification stop operation, that is, a second operation is input to the operation unit 31. When the second operation is input to the operation unit 31, the process proceeds to step S16. On the other hand, when the second operation is not input to the operation unit 31, the process returns to step S13.

  In step S <b> 16, the control device 43 stops the reporting device 42 from reporting. Then, when step S16 is completed, the process returns to step S11.

  The air conditioner configured as described above can also achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment. In addition to this, in an installation situation where the refrigerant circuit is shared by the plurality of indoor units 10 and the amount of refrigerant increases when leaked, the formation of a region having a high refrigerant concentration in the entire room 100 is suppressed. Is possible.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIGS. 7 and 8 relate to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the indoor and outdoor configurations in which the air conditioner is installed, and FIG. 8 is at the time of refrigerant leakage detection of the air conditioner. It is a flowchart which shows the process of.

  Embodiment 3 described here is a sensor 41 that detects refrigerant leakage when a plurality of indoor units 10 that share a refrigerant circuit are installed in the configuration of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 described above. Are provided. Further, the alarm device 42 and the operation unit 31 are provided in association with each of the plurality of sensors 41. When any one of the sensors 41 detects refrigerant leakage, the alarm is issued from all the alarm devices 42. Subsequent notification control is performed according to whether or not the operation unit 31 corresponding to the sensor 41 that has detected refrigerant leakage has been operated. Hereinafter, the air conditioner according to the third embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the second embodiment, taking as an example a case based on the configuration of the second embodiment.

  In the air conditioner according to the third embodiment, a plurality of indoor units 10 are connected to one outdoor unit 20 as in the second embodiment. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, three indoor units 10, that is, a first indoor unit 10 a, a second indoor unit 10 b, and a third indoor unit 10 c are connected to one outdoor unit 20. The first indoor unit 10a is installed in the first room 100a. The second indoor unit 10b is installed in the second room 100b. The third indoor unit 10c is installed in the third room 100c.

  The first indoor unit 10 a, the second indoor unit 10 b, the third indoor unit 10 c, and the outdoor unit 20 are connected by a refrigerant pipe 23. The first indoor unit 10a, the second indoor unit 10b, and the third indoor unit 10c share at least a part of the refrigerant circuit. And some refrigerant | coolant piping 23 is accommodated in the inside of the housing | casing of these some indoor units 10, respectively.

  Each of the plurality of indoor units 10 is provided with a remote controller 30 and a leak detection device 40. The first indoor unit 10a is provided with a first remote controller 30a and a first leak detection device 40a. The first remote controller 30a and the first leak detection device 40a are installed on the wall surface of the first room 100a. The second indoor unit 10b is provided with a second remote controller 30b and a second leak detection device 40b. The second remote controller 30b and the second leak detection device 40b are installed on the wall surface of the second room 100b. The third indoor unit 10c is provided with a third remote controller 30c and a third leak detection device 40c. The third remote controller 30c and the third leakage detection device 40c are installed on the wall surface of the third room 100c.

  The configurations of the first remote controller 30a, the second remote controller 30b, and the third remote controller 30c, and the first leak detection device 40a, the second leak detection device 40b, and the third leak detection device 40c are implemented. The configurations of the remote controller 30 and the leakage detection device 40 described in Embodiments 1 and 2 are basically the same as each other.

  That is, the first leak detection device 40a, the second leak detection device 40b, and the third leak detection device 40c include a sensor 41, a notification device 42, and a control device as shown in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment. 43 are provided respectively. Therefore, the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 3 includes a plurality of sensors 41 that detect refrigerant leakage.

  A plurality of alarm devices 42 are also provided. The plurality of reporting devices 42 are associated with each of the plurality of sensors 41. That is, the reporting device 42 of the first leak detection device 40a is associated with the sensor 41 of the first leak detection device 40a. The reporting device 42 of the second leak detection device 40b is associated with the sensor 41 of the second leak detection device 40b. The reporting device 42 of the third leak detection device 40c is associated with the sensor 41 of the third leak detection device 40c.

  A plurality of remote controllers 30 serving as the operation unit 31 are also provided. The plurality of operation units 31 are also associated with each of the plurality of sensors 41. That is, the operation unit 31 including the first remote controller 30a is associated with the sensor 41 of the first leak detection device 40a. The operation unit 31 including the second remote controller 30b is associated with the sensor 41 of the second leak detection device 40b. The operation unit 31 including the third remote controller 30c is associated with the sensor 41 of the third leak detection device 40c.

  Thus, in the third embodiment, the remote controller 30 in the same room 100, the sensor 41 of the leak detection device 40, and the alarm device 42 are associated with each other.

  The control devices 43 of the first leak detection device 40a, the second leak detection device 40b, and the third leak detection device 40c are connected to be communicable with each other. The communication method at this time may be wired or wireless. The control devices 43 of the first leak detection device 40a, the second leak detection device 40b, and the third leak detection device 40c can control the alarm device 42 and the indoor unit fan 12 in cooperation with each other. It is configured as follows. The control of the alarm device 42 by the control device 43 when the refrigerant leak is detected by the sensor 41 and thereafter will be described below.

  First, the case where the sensor 41 detects refrigerant leakage will be described. The control device 43 sets the first notification device 42 to the first notification device 42 not only when the sensor 41 corresponding to the notification device 42 but also the sensor 41 not corresponding to the notification device 42 detects refrigerant leakage. Let the report form. Therefore, when at least one of the plurality of sensors 41 detects refrigerant leakage, all of the plurality of reporting devices 42 report in the first reporting mode.

  Next, a case where the first operation is input to any one of the operation units 31 while all of the plurality of notification devices 42 are in the first notification form will be described. In this case, depending on whether the operation unit 31 to which the first operation has been input corresponds to the sensor 41 that has detected the refrigerant leak or the sensor 41 that has not detected the refrigerant leak, Come different.

  That is, first, when the first operation is input to the operation unit 31 corresponding to the sensor 41 that has detected the refrigerant leakage, the control device 43 issues the alarm device 42 corresponding to the sensor 41 that has detected the refrigerant leakage. The report form is changed from the first report form to the second report form. At the same time, the control device 43 stops the reporting device 42 corresponding to the sensor that does not detect refrigerant leakage. Therefore, when all of the plurality of reporting devices 42 are reporting in the first reporting mode and the first operation is input to the operation unit 31 corresponding to the sensor 41 that has detected the coolant leakage, the coolant leakage The alarming device 42 corresponding to the sensor 41 that has detected the alarm issues in the second alerting mode, and the alarming device 42 corresponding to the sensor 41 that does not detect refrigerant leakage stops the alarming.

  On the other hand, when the first operation is input to the operation unit 31 corresponding to the sensor 41 that does not detect refrigerant leakage, the control device 43 stops the reporting device 42 corresponding to the sensor that does not detect refrigerant leakage. Let At the same time, the control device 43 does not change the reporting mode of the reporting device 42 corresponding to the sensor 41 that has detected the refrigerant leakage, and continues the reporting in the first reporting mode as it is. Therefore, when the first operation is input to the operation unit 31 corresponding to the sensor 41 that does not detect the refrigerant leakage while all of the plurality of reporting devices 42 are in the first notification mode, the refrigerant leakage is detected. The reporting device 42 corresponding to the detected sensor 41 continues reporting in the first reporting mode, and the reporting device 42 corresponding to the sensor 41 that does not detect refrigerant leakage stops reporting.

  Next, a description will be given of the control while the alarm device 42 corresponding to the sensor 41 that has detected refrigerant leakage is in the second alarm mode. In this case, when the second operation is input to the operation unit 31 corresponding to the sensor 41 that has detected the refrigerant leak, the control device 43 issues the alarm device 42 that corresponds to the sensor 41 that has detected the refrigerant leak. Stop reporting. Therefore, the second operation is input to the operation unit 31 corresponding to the sensor 41 that has detected the refrigerant leak while the alarm device 42 corresponding to the sensor 41 that has detected the refrigerant leak is reporting in the second alarm form. In the case, the alarm device 42 corresponding to the sensor 41 that has detected the refrigerant leakage stops the alarm.

In this case, the first operation has already been input to the operation unit 31 corresponding to the sensor 41 that has detected refrigerant leakage. Therefore, it may be considered that the alarm device 42 corresponding to the sensor 41 that does not detect refrigerant leakage stops the alarm. For this reason, it is unlikely that the second operation is input to the operation unit 31 corresponding to the sensor 41 that does not detect refrigerant leakage.
Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted here.

  Next, in the air conditioner configured as described above, the flow of operations related to the detection of refrigerant leakage and the notification at the time of refrigerant leakage detection will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In addition, the example demonstrated here is a case where the 1st example mentioned above is employ | adopted about the alerting | reporting form from the alerting device 42. FIG.

  First, in step S <b> 21, the control device 43 confirms whether or not refrigerant leakage has been detected by any of the plurality of sensors 41 based on output signals from the plurality of sensors 41. If no refrigerant leak is detected by any of the sensors 41, the process of step S21 is repeated until any of the sensors 41 detects the refrigerant leak. If any one of the sensors 41 detects a refrigerant leak, the process proceeds to step S22.

  In step S <b> 22, the control device 43 starts reporting of all the reporting devices 42. All the reporting devices 42 start reporting in the first reporting mode. Further, the control device 43 stops the operation of all the indoor unit fans 12. After step S22, the process proceeds to step S23.

  In step S <b> 23, the control device 43 confirms whether or not the alarm volume reduction operation, that is, the first operation is input to any one of the operation units 31. When the first operation is input to any of the operation units 31, the process proceeds to step S24. On the other hand, when the first operation is not input to any operation unit 31, the process proceeds to step S27.

  In step S24, the control device 43 confirms whether or not the operation unit 31 to which the first operation is input in step S23 corresponds to the sensor 41 that has detected the refrigerant leakage in step S21. Here, as described above, each remote controller 30 of the operation unit 31 and each sensor 41 are associated with those provided in the same room 100. Therefore, the operation unit 31 to which the first operation is input has the same room 100 as the room 100 provided with the sensor 41 that detects the refrigerant leakage (this is also referred to as “corresponding room”. Note that the refrigerant leakage was detected. In other words, it is confirmed whether or not the room 100 that is not the same as the room 100 in which the sensor 41 is provided is also provided in a “non-applicable room”. If the operation unit 31 to which the first operation is input is in the corresponding room, the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S25, the control device 43 reduces the alert volume from the alert device 42 in the corresponding room. That is, the control device 43 changes the notification form of the notification apparatus 42 in the corresponding room from the first notification form to the second notification form. Moreover, the control apparatus 43 stops the alerting | reporting from the alerting apparatus 42 in all the non-corresponding rooms. After step S25, the process proceeds to step S27.

  On the other hand, when the operation unit 31 to which the first operation is input is in a non-corresponding room in step S24, the process proceeds to step S26. In step S <b> 26, the control device 43 stops the reporting from the reporting devices 42 in all the non-corresponding rooms. The reporting device 42 in the corresponding room continues reporting in the first reporting mode. After step S26, the process proceeds to step S27.

  In step S <b> 27, the control device 43 confirms whether or not the alarm stop operation, that is, the second operation is input to the operation unit 31 in the corresponding room. When the second operation is input to the operation unit 31 in the corresponding room, the process proceeds to step S28. On the other hand, when the second operation is not input to the operation unit 31 in the corresponding room, the process returns to step S23.

  In step S28, the control device 43 stops the reporting of all the reporting devices 42 in the corresponding room and the non-corresponding room. Then, when step S28 is completed, the process returns to step S21.

  Also in the air conditioner according to Embodiment 3 configured as described above, the same effects as those of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 described above can be achieved. In addition, in the air conditioner according to Embodiment 3, when a plurality of indoor units 10 that share the refrigerant circuit are installed, a plurality of sensors 41 that detect refrigerant leakage are provided. Further, the alarm device 42 and the operation unit 31 are provided in association with each of the plurality of sensors 41. When any one of the sensors 41 detects refrigerant leakage, the alarm is issued from all the alarm devices 42.

  When a refrigerant circuit is shared by a plurality of indoor units 10, if any one of the indoor units 10 has a refrigerant leak, the other indoor units 10 cannot use the air conditioning function. Thus, by issuing a report from all the reporting devices 42, it is possible to notify the refrigerant leak to a person who is in a place other than the room 100 of the indoor unit 10 where the refrigerant leak has occurred. Therefore, it is possible to encourage many people to respond to the administrator. The user can also know that the air conditioning function can no longer be used.

  After that, when the user inputs the first operation to the operation unit 31, if the operation unit 31 corresponds to the sensor 41 that does not detect the refrigerant leakage, the alarm device 42 issues a call. The news stops. For this reason, the user can know that the refrigerant leakage is detected in another room 100, for example, the operation unit 31 operated by the user does not correspond to the sensor 41 that has detected the refrigerant leakage.

  In addition, since the reporting from the reporting device 42 corresponding to the sensor 41 that does not detect refrigerant leakage is immediately stopped, unnecessary reporting can be suppressed and the occurrence of noise damage can be suppressed. At this time, since the notification from the alarm device 42 corresponding to the sensor 41 that has detected the refrigerant leakage is continued in the first notification form, the initial response to the indoor unit 10 in which the refrigerant leakage is detected can be quickly performed. Can continue to inform you that it is necessary.

  On the other hand, when the operation unit 31 to which the user inputs the first operation corresponds to the sensor 41 that has detected the refrigerant leakage, the alarm unit 42 that corresponds to the sensor 41 that has detected the refrigerant leakage The notification shifts to the second notification form. For this reason, the user can know that the refrigerant leakage has been detected by the sensor 41 corresponding to the operation unit 31 operated by the user. At this time, reporting from the reporting device 42 that does not correspond to the sensor 41 that has detected refrigerant leakage stops. Therefore, it is possible to suppress unnecessary notifications and suppress the occurrence of noise damage.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the air conditioner may further include a central controller 50. The central controller 50 can control the operations of the plurality of indoor units 10 in a centralized manner. The central control device 50 is communicably connected to the control devices 43 of the plurality of first leak detection devices 40a, second leak detection devices 40b, and third leak detection devices 40c. The communication method at this time may be wired or wireless.

  The central controller 50 is installed, for example, in a management room of a building where an air conditioner is installed. The administrator in the management room can stop the reporting for all of the plurality of reporting devices 42 by operating the central control device 50. An administrator can operate the central controller 50. If it is an administrator, it can be expected that appropriate measures such as discharging the leaked refrigerant into the room 100 and contacting the maintenance staff are surely performed on the indoor unit 10 in which the refrigerant leakage has occurred. Therefore, by making it possible to stop all the reporting devices 42 from the central control device 50, it is possible to shorten the duration of the reporting.

  In the above description, the case of the air conditioner has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to an air conditioner as long as it is a refrigeration cycle apparatus including a casing that accommodates a refrigerant pipe filled with a refrigerant gas. Specifically, for example, the present invention is used for refrigeration cycle apparatuses such as water heaters, showcases, and refrigerators in addition to indoor units and outdoor units of air conditioners such as floor-standing types, ceiling-mounted types, and wall-mounted types. be able to.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Indoor unit 10a 1st indoor unit 10b 2nd indoor unit 10c 3rd indoor unit 11 Indoor unit heat exchanger 12 Indoor unit fan 13 Indoor metal connection part 20 Outdoor unit 21 Outdoor unit heat exchanger 22 Outdoor unit fan 23 Refrigerant piping 24 Four-way valve 25 Compressor 26 Expansion valve 27 Outdoor metal connection part 30 Remote control 30a First remote control 30b Second remote control 30c Third remote control 31 Operation part 40 Leakage detection device 40a First leak detection device 40b Second Leakage Detection Device 40c Third Leakage Detection Device 41 Sensor 42 Alarm Device 43 Control Device 50 Central Control Device 100 Room 100a First Room 100b Second Room 100c Third Room

Claims (13)

An indoor unit having a housing and a refrigerant pipe in which a refrigerant is sealed is housed inside the housing;
A sensor for detecting refrigerant leakage;
A reporting device capable of reporting in a first reporting mode and capable of reporting in a second reporting mode different from the first reporting mode;
An operation unit capable of inputting a first operation and a second operation,
The alarm device is:
When the sensor detects a refrigerant leak, the first notification mode is issued,
When the first operation is input to the operation unit during the notification in the first notification form, the second notification form is used for notification.
An air conditioner that stops reporting when the second operation is input to the operation unit during reporting in the second reporting mode. A plurality of indoor units sharing at least a part of a refrigerant circuit having a refrigerant pipe filled with refrigerant;
A plurality of sensors for detecting refrigerant leakage;
It is possible to issue in the first issue form and can be issued in a second form different from the first form, and a plurality of sensors associated with each of the plurality of sensors. An alarm device;
An operation unit associated with each of the plurality of sensors and capable of inputting a first operation,
Inside the casings of the plurality of indoor units, a part of the refrigerant pipe is accommodated,
When at least one of the plurality of sensors detects a refrigerant leak, all of the plurality of reporting devices report in the first reporting form,
When the first operation is input to the operation unit corresponding to the sensor that has detected the refrigerant leakage while all of the plurality of the reporting devices are reporting in the first notification mode, the refrigerant leakage The alarming device corresponding to the sensor that has detected an alarm issues in the second alarming mode, and the alarming device corresponding to the sensor that does not detect refrigerant leakage stops air conditioning. Machine.   When the first operation is input to the operation unit corresponding to the sensor that does not detect refrigerant leakage while all of the plurality of the reporting devices are reporting in the first notification mode, refrigerant leakage The alarm device corresponding to the sensor that has detected the continuation of the alarm in the first alarm mode, and the alarm device corresponding to the sensor that does not detect refrigerant leakage stops the alarm. The air conditioner according to claim 2. The operation unit can further input a second operation,
The second operation is input to the operation unit corresponding to the sensor that has detected the refrigerant leak while the alarm device corresponding to the sensor that has detected the refrigerant leak is reporting in the second alarm mode. The air conditioner according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the alarm device corresponding to the sensor that has detected a refrigerant leak stops the alarm. A fan provided in each of the housings of the plurality of indoor units;
The plurality of sensors are associated with each of the plurality of indoor units,
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the fan stops its operation when the sensor corresponding to the indoor unit provided with the fan detects refrigerant leakage. A central control device capable of centrally controlling the operations of the plurality of indoor units;
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein all of the plurality of reporting devices can stop reporting by an operation to the central control device. The first notification form is a form of sounding from a speaker at a first preset volume.
The said 2nd alerting | reporting form is a form which sounds a sound from a speaker with the 2nd volume preset to the volume smaller than the said 1st volume. Air conditioner. The first notification form is a form of sounding from a speaker,
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second notification form is a form in which a lamp is turned on. The operation unit includes a remote control operated by a user,
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first operation is an operation on the remote controller. The operation unit includes a remote control operated by a user,
The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the second operation is an operation of simultaneously pressing a plurality of buttons of the remote controller. The operation unit is provided with a remote control operated by a user or the casing, and includes a notification stop button that can be operated by using a tool,
The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the second operation is an operation of pressing the notification stop button.   The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the sensor is provided inside the housing. The refrigerant is heavier than air,
The air conditioner according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the sensor is provided vertically below the remote controller.

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