JP2019011914A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an air conditioner which can detect refrigerant leakage occurring in a housing during operation of indoor equipment only with a sensor in the housing.SOLUTION: An air conditioner includes: a housing formed with an inlet port and an outlet port and formed with a main air channel leading from the inlet port to the outlet port; a heat exchanger which is provided at the main air channel and connected to a refrigerant pipeline enclosing a refrigerant which is heavier than air under the atmospheric pressure and in which the refrigerant circulates; a blower fan which is provided at the main air channel and generates airflow flowing from the inlet port to the outlet port in the main air channel; and a sensor which is provided at a sensor installation position within the housing and can detect the refrigerant. In the housing, a branch guide air channel which branches a part of the airflow generated by the blower fan at a branch position and guides the part of the airflow to the sensor installation position is formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

  In an air conditioner, a heat exchanger having a pipe through which a refrigerant having a specific gravity greater than that of air flows, a drain pan installed under the heat exchanger, and a sensor for detecting leakage of the refrigerant, The drain pan is formed at a predetermined position on the outer periphery of the drain pan, and has a guide portion that guides the leaked refrigerant in the drain pan to the outside of the drain pan, and the sensor is an indoor unit located on the side where the guide portion is formed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-074435

  However, in an air conditioner as disclosed in Patent Document 1, when an indoor unit fan is in operation and airflow is present in the air passage in the casing of the indoor unit, the air leaks above the drain pan in the casing. The refrigerant is discharged to the outside of the casing by the above-described airflow passing through the heat exchanger. For this reason, when leakage of the refrigerant occurs in the housing while the fan of the indoor unit is operating, the leaked refrigerant does not accumulate in the drain pan. Therefore, even if the sensor is arranged on the side where the guiding part for guiding the leaked refrigerant in the drain pan to the outside of the drain pan is formed, the leaked refrigerant does not reach the sensor, and it is difficult to detect the leakage of the refrigerant.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems. The purpose is to obtain an air conditioner that can detect refrigerant leakage generated in the housing during operation of the indoor unit only by the sensor in the housing without installing a separate sensor outside the housing of the indoor unit. It is in.

  An air conditioner according to the present invention is provided with a housing in which an air inlet and an air outlet are formed, an air passage leading from the air inlet to the air outlet is formed therein, and the air passage, A heat exchanger that is connected to a refrigerant pipe filled with a refrigerant heavier than air and that circulates the refrigerant, and an air flow that is provided in the air passage and generates an air flow in the air passage from the inlet to the outlet. A fan and a sensor provided at a sensor installation position in the housing and capable of detecting the refrigerant, wherein a part of the airflow generated by the blower fan is branched into the housing A branch induction air passage is formed to branch to the sensor installation position.

  According to the air conditioner of the present invention, it is possible to detect refrigerant leakage generated in the housing during operation of the indoor unit only by the sensor in the housing without installing a separate sensor outside the housing of the indoor unit. The effect that it is.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a side sectional view showing typically an internal configuration of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present 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 sectional side view which shows typically the internal structure of the indoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a sectional side view which shows typically the internal structure of the indoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a sectional side view which shows typically the internal structure of the indoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is side sectional drawing which shows typically the internal structure of the indoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a sectional side view which shows typically the internal structure of the indoor unit of the air conditioner concerning Embodiment 6 of this invention. It is a sectional side view which shows typically the internal structure of the indoor unit of the air conditioner concerning Embodiment 7 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 3 relate to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the air conditioner, and FIG. 2 is a side schematically showing the internal configuration of the indoor unit of the air conditioner. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the air conditioner.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner includes an indoor unit 10 and an outdoor unit 20. The indoor unit 10 is installed inside a room that is subject to air conditioning. The outdoor unit 20 is installed outside the room. 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. A 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 a higher average molecular weight than air. That is, the refrigerant has a higher density than air and is heavier than air at atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the refrigerant has the 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.

  Next, the configuration of the indoor unit 10 will be further described with reference to FIG. The indoor unit 10 includes a housing 30. The housing 30 is a case that forms the outer shell of the indoor unit 10. In the example described here, the indoor unit 10 is a so-called ceiling suspended type. That is, the indoor unit 10 is installed by being suspended from the ceiling of the room.

  The housing 30 is formed with a suction port 31 and an air outlet 32. The suction port 31 is disposed on, for example, the lower surface of the housing 30. The blower outlet 32 is arrange | positioned at the one side of the housing | casing 30, for example. A main air passage leading from the suction port 31 to the air outlet 32 is formed inside the housing 30.

  The indoor unit heat exchanger 11 is provided in the main air passage inside the housing 30. As described above, the refrigerant pipe 23 is connected to the indoor unit heat exchanger 11. And a refrigerant | coolant distribute | circulates the inside of the indoor unit heat exchanger 11 via the refrigerant | coolant piping 23. FIG.

  The indoor unit fan 12 is provided in the main air path inside the housing 30. The indoor unit fan 12 is a blower fan that generates an airflow from the inlet 31 to the outlet 32 in the main air passage. The indoor unit fan 12 uses a radial fan (for example, a turbo fan, a sirocco fan, etc.), an axial fan (for example, a propeller fan), a diagonal fan, a cross-flow fan (for example, a cross flow fan, a line flow fan, etc.), etc. Can do.

  A partition wall 33 is provided inside the housing 30. The partition wall 33 partitions the inside of the housing 30 into a machine chamber 34 and a heat exchange chamber 35. The interior of the machine chamber 34 communicates with the suction port 31. The inside of the heat exchange chamber 35 communicates with the air outlet 32. The indoor unit heat exchanger 11 is disposed inside the heat exchange chamber 35. The indoor unit fan 12 is disposed inside the machine room 34. A fan blower opening 36 is formed in the partition wall 33. The airflow from the indoor unit fan 12 installed in the machine room 34 passes through the fan blower port 36 and is sent to the heat exchange chamber 35. Therefore, the indoor unit fan 12 is arranged upstream of the indoor unit heat exchanger 11 in the main wind path.

  A drain pan 37 is provided inside the housing 30. The drain pan 37 is disposed inside the heat exchange chamber 35. The drain pan 37 is disposed below the indoor unit heat exchanger 11. The drain pan 37 is for receiving dew condensation water generated on the surface of the fin of the indoor unit heat exchanger 3.

  The drain pan 37 is provided with a drain water discharge portion 37a. The drain water discharge part 37a is for discharging the condensed water stored in the drain pan 37 to the outside. The condensed water in the drain pan 37 is discharged from the drain water discharge portion 37a to the outside through a drain pipe (not shown). The drain water discharge unit 37 a may include a drain pump that pumps the condensed water in the drain pan 37. The drain pan 37 is provided so as to be inclined such that one side where the drain water discharge portion 37a is provided is lower than the other side. The condensed water in the drain pan 37 flows to the one side where the drain water discharge part 37a is provided and is collected. The drain water discharge part 37a may be provided at a position having the lowest inclination.

  The operation of the air conditioner configured as described above during normal operation will be described 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. Due to the rotation of the indoor unit fan 12, an airflow is generated in the main air passage in the housing 30 from the inlet 31 to the outlet 32. When this airflow is generated, room air is sucked from the suction port 31 into the main air passage in the housing 30. The sucked air is cooled by passing through the indoor unit heat exchanger 11 on the airflow, and becomes a temperature lower than the air temperature at the time of suction. 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 air that has passed through the indoor unit heat exchanger 11 and has been cooled is discharged into the room through the outlet 32. Thus, the room temperature is lowered.

  A sensor 50 is installed inside the housing 30. A position where the sensor 50 is installed inside the housing 30 is referred to as a “sensor installation position”. The sensor 50 is a sensor capable of detecting at least the same kind of refrigerant as that enclosed in the refrigerant pipe 23. As the sensor 50, for example, sensors of various types such as a catalytic combustion type, a semiconductor type, a heat conduction type, a low potential electrolysis type, and an infrared type can be used.

  Further, an oxygen sensor can be used as the sensor 50. When an oxygen sensor is used, the oxygen concentration is calculated based on the sensor output, and the concentration of the inflowing gas, that is, the refrigerant is indirectly calculated by calculating the inflowing gas concentration by assuming that the decrease in oxygen concentration is due to the inflowing gas. Can be detected automatically. As the oxygen sensor, for example, a galvanic cell type, a polaro type, a zirconia type, or the like can be used.

  In the first embodiment, the sensor installation position 43 is disposed on the one side on the drain pan 37. Therefore, the sensor installation position 43 is inside the heat exchange chamber 35.

  A branch guide air passage 41 is formed inside the housing 30. The branch induction air passage 41 is an air passage that branches a part of the airflow generated by the indoor unit fan 12 and guides it to the sensor installation position 43. The position where the main air path and the branch guide air path 41 where the air flow generated by the indoor unit fan 12 heads toward the outlet 32 is referred to as “branch position”. In the first embodiment, the branch position 42 is arranged on the upstream side of the main air passage from the indoor unit heat exchanger 11 and on the downstream side of the main air passage from the indoor unit fan 12. Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the branch position 42 is at the position of the fan air outlet 36.

  A guide member 38 is provided inside the housing 30. The guide member 38 is a member that forms at least a part of the outer edge of the branch guide air passage 41. In the first embodiment, the induction member 38 is provided between the partition wall 33 inside the heat exchange chamber 35 and the indoor unit heat exchanger 11. Specifically, the guide member 38 extends along the wall surface of the partition wall 33 on the heat exchange chamber 35 side from the fan air outlet 36 where the branch position 42 is located to the one side on the drain pan 37 where the sensor installation position 43 is located. Is provided. The branch guide air passage 41 is formed as a region sandwiched between the guide member 38 and the partition wall 33.

  The air conditioner according to the present invention detects the occurrence of refrigerant leakage inside the housing 30 by using the detection result of the sensor 50 configured as described above. The structure of the control system of the air conditioner is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 includes a leakage detection unit 51, a storage unit 52, a notification device 53, a ventilation device 54, and a shut-off valve 55.

  The leak detection unit 51 detects the occurrence of refrigerant leakage in the housing 30 based on the detection result of the sensor 50. As described above, the sensor 50 can detect the refrigerant sealed in the refrigerant pipe 23 directly or indirectly. And the sensor 50 outputs the detection signal according to the density | concentration of the detected refrigerant | coolant.

  The detection signal output from the sensor 50 is input to the leak detection unit 51. The leak detection unit 51 detects that the refrigerant has leaked inside the housing 30 when the refrigerant concentration indicated by the detection signal from the sensor 50 is equal to or higher than the reference value. Specifically, for example, when the refrigerant is R32, 14.4 vol% is the lower combustion limit concentration. Therefore, considering the likelihood, 3.6 vol%, for example, a quarter of the lower combustion limit concentration, is set as the reference value. The reference value set in this way is stored in advance in the storage unit 52.

  When the leakage detector 51 detects the occurrence of refrigerant leakage in the housing 30, a refrigerant leakage detection signal is output from the leakage detector 51. This refrigerant leak detection signal is input to the notification device 53. When the leak detection unit 51 detects the occurrence of refrigerant leakage in the housing 30, the notification device 53 notifies the user or worker to that effect and encourages the implementation of ventilation and repair. The notification device 53 includes a speaker for notifying by sound that an occurrence of refrigerant leakage in the housing 30 has been detected, or an LED for notifying by light.

  In addition, the refrigerant leak detection signal output from the leak detector 51 is also input to the ventilation device 54. The ventilation device 54 is a device that ventilates the room in which the indoor unit 10 is installed. When the refrigerant leakage detection signal is input, the ventilation device 54 ventilates the room where the indoor unit 10 is installed. The ventilation device 54 is an example of a ventilation unit that ventilates a room in which the housing 30 is installed when the leakage detector 51 detects the occurrence of refrigerant leakage inside the housing 30.

  Further, for example, the outdoor unit 20 is provided with a shut-off valve 55 that can block the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe 23. And when the refrigerant | coolant leak detection signal is output from the leak detection part 51, you may close the closing valve 55 and may interrupt | block the distribution | circulation of the refrigerant | coolant in the refrigerant | coolant piping 23. FIG.

  In the indoor unit 10 configured as described above, a case where the refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant pipe 23, the indoor unit heat exchanger 11 and the like inside the housing 30 of the indoor unit 10 is considered. When a refrigerant having a density higher than that of air is used, when the indoor unit fan 12 is stopped and there is no airflow in the main wind path, the leaked refrigerant descends inside the housing 30 due to gravity. . However, when the indoor unit fan 12 is operating and there is an air flow in the main air passage, the leaked refrigerant is discharged from the blower outlet 32 into the room outside the housing 30 along the air flow.

  Here, when the leakage point of the refrigerant is on the upstream side of the main air passage with respect to the branch position described above, a part of the airflow in the main air passage that branches off at the branch position 42 and enters the branch guide air passage 41 is also included. , Leaked refrigerant is included. Therefore, the leaked refrigerant is guided to the branch guide air passage 41 and reaches the sensor installation position 43, and the sensor 50 detects the leaked refrigerant.

  Further, when the refrigerant leakage point is downstream of the above-described branch position in the main wind path, the leaked refrigerant flows in the airflow and is once discharged from the blower outlet 32 into the room outside the housing 30. Diffused. However, the indoor air is again taken into the main air path inside the housing 30 from the suction port 31. Leaked refrigerant is contained in the air taken into the main air passage inside the housing 30 from the suction port 31. The refrigerant concentration in the air is considered to be the same as the refrigerant concentration in the room air. The air containing the leaked refrigerant taken in from the suction port 31 then enters the branch guide air passage 41 from the branch position 42. The air containing the leaked refrigerant is guided to the branch guide air passage 41 and reaches the sensor installation position 43. Therefore, the refrigerant concentration at the sensor installation position 43 is equal to the refrigerant concentration of the indoor air. Then, the sensor 50 detects the leaked refrigerant.

  Thus, according to the indoor unit 10 for an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, even if the indoor unit fan 12 is in operation and airflow exists in the main wind path, The refrigerant leaking in the housing 30 of the indoor unit 10 can be detected by the sensor 50 installed in the housing 30 of the device 10. Therefore, it is possible to detect refrigerant leakage that occurs during operation of the indoor unit 10 without separately installing a sensor in the room outside the housing 30 of the indoor unit 10.

  Specifically, consider the case where the reference value is set to 3.6 vol% as in the example described above. For example, if 3.0 kg of R32 refrigerant leaks into a 16 m 2 × 2.2 m (= 35.2 m 3) room, the density of R 32 is 2.16 kg / m 3, so the refrigerant concentration in the room is (3 0.0 / 2.16) /35.2×100=4.0 vol%. Since the indoor refrigerant concentration is larger than the reference value of 3.6 vol%, if the sensor 50 detects the refrigerant concentration, the leak detector 51 can detect the refrigerant leakage. As described above, by guiding the air having the refrigerant concentration in the room to the sensor 50 in the housing 30, an increase in the refrigerant concentration in the room can be minimized, and refrigerant leakage can be detected at an early stage.

  On the other hand, when the indoor unit fan 12 is stopped and there is no airflow in the main wind path, the leaked refrigerant descends as it is inside the housing 30 due to gravity. Therefore, if the refrigerant leakage location is particularly above the drain pan 37 in the heat exchange chamber 35, the leaked refrigerant accumulates on the drain pan 37. Here, as described above, the drain pan 37 is provided so as to be inclined such that one side where the drain water discharge portion 37a is provided is lower than the other side. The leaked refrigerant on the drain pan 37 flows toward the lower side where the drain water discharge portion 37a is located.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the sensor installation position 43 is the one side on the drain pan 37. Therefore, the leaked refrigerant reaches the sensor installation position 43, and the sensor 50 detects the leaked refrigerant. As described above, according to the indoor unit 10 for an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the indoor unit fan 12 is installed in the casing 30 of the indoor unit 10 in both cases where the indoor unit fan 12 is operating and stopped. The same leaked sensor 50 can detect the refrigerant leaking in the housing 30 of the indoor unit 10.

  The guide member 38 is configured using, for example, a plastic plate. Moreover, you may make the guidance member 38 into a hollow cylinder shape. Further, the sensor 50 may be installed in the sensor installation position 43 after being accommodated in a sensor case in which a hole for taking in ambient air is formed. At this time, the guide member 38 may be provided integrally with a sensor case that houses the sensor 50.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a side sectional view schematically showing the internal configuration of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  The second embodiment described here is configured such that in the configuration of the first embodiment described above, the sensor capable of detecting the refrigerant is arranged on the side of the drain pan instead of on the drain pan. 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 Embodiment 2 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, the sensor installation position 43 is disposed on the one side of the drain pan 37. That is, the sensor 50 is disposed not on the drain pan 37 but on the side of the drain pan 37. The sensor installation position 43 is the lower side of the inclined drain pan 37. Such a sensor installation position 43 is arranged between the drain pan 37 and the partition wall 33 in the configuration example shown in FIG. 4.
In addition, about another structure and operation | movement at the time of leaked refrigerant | coolant detection, etc., it is the same as that of Embodiment 1, The description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  Even in the air conditioner configured as described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, since the sensor 50 is disposed outside the drain pan 37, the sensor 50 can be extended in life without being corroded by the condensed water.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 5 relates to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and is a side sectional view schematically showing an internal configuration of an indoor unit of an air conditioner.

  In Embodiment 3 described here, through holes are formed in the partition wall that partitions the machine room and the heat exchange chamber in the configuration of Embodiment 2 described above. Hereinafter, the air conditioner according to the third embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the second embodiment.

  In the air conditioner according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, a through hole 39 is formed in the partition wall 33 as shown in FIG. The through hole 39 passes through the machine chamber 34 and the heat exchange chamber 35. The through-hole 39 is disposed at the same position as or above the sensor installation position 43. In the configuration example of the third embodiment, the sensor installation position is arranged between the drain pan 37 and the partition wall 33 as in the configuration example of the second embodiment described above. The branch guide air passage 41 is a region sandwiched between the guide member 38 and the partition wall 33. For this reason, in the configuration example of the third embodiment, the through hole 39 communicates with the branch guide air passage 41.

In the air conditioner configured as described above, when the refrigerant leakage point is in the machine room 34, even when the indoor unit fan 12 is stopped and there is no airflow in the main wind path, The leaked refrigerant passes through the through hole 39 of the partition wall 33 and enters the branch induction air passage 41 on the heat exchange chamber 35 side. The leaked refrigerant reaches the sensor installation position 43, and the sensor 50 detects the leaked refrigerant.
In addition, about another structure and operation | movement at the time of leaked refrigerant | coolant detection, etc., it is the same as that of Embodiment 1, The description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  Even in the air conditioner configured as described above, the same effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, it is possible to detect refrigerant leakage that has occurred in the machine room 34 when the indoor unit fan 12 is stopped and there is no airflow in the main air passage.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 6 is a side sectional view schematically showing the internal configuration of the indoor unit of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

  In Embodiment 4 described here, in the configuration of Embodiment 2 described above, the sensor capable of detecting the refrigerant is arranged inside the machine chamber instead of inside the heat exchange chamber. Hereinafter, the air conditioner according to the fourth embodiment will be described based on the case of the configuration of the second embodiment as an example, focusing on differences from the second embodiment.

  In the air conditioner according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6, the sensor installation position 43 is arranged in the lower part of the machine room 34. A guide member 38 is provided inside the housing 30. In the fourth embodiment, the guide member 38 is provided between the partition wall 33 inside the machine room 34 and the indoor unit fan 12. Specifically, the guide member 38 is provided along the wall surface of the partition wall 33 on the heat exchange chamber 35 side from the branch position 42 to the lower part in the machine room 34 where the sensor installation position 43 is located. The branch guide air passage 41 is formed as a region sandwiched between the guide member 38 and the partition wall 33. That is, the branch guide air passage 41 is provided inside the machine room 34.

Also in the fourth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the branch position 42 is upstream of the main air passage from the indoor unit heat exchanger 11 and downstream of the main air passage from the indoor unit fan 12. Placed in. However, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the branch position 42 is closer to the machine room 34 than the fan blower port 36.
In addition, about another structure and operation | movement at the time of leaked refrigerant | coolant detection, etc., it is the same as that of Embodiment 1, The description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  According to the indoor unit 10 for an air conditioner according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, as in the configuration example of Embodiment 1, the indoor unit 10 is in both cases where the indoor unit fan 12 is operating and stopped. The refrigerant leaked in the housing 30 of the indoor unit 10 can be detected by the same sensor 50 installed in the housing 30 of the indoor unit 10. In particular, when the indoor unit fan 12 is stopped and there is no airflow in the main air passage, if the refrigerant leakage location is in the machine chamber 34, the leaked refrigerant accumulates in the lower portion of the machine chamber 34. . Therefore, the leaked refrigerant reaches the lower sensor installation position 43 in the machine chamber 34, and the leaked refrigerant can be detected by the sensor 50.

Embodiment 5. FIG.
FIG. 7 relates to Embodiment 5 of the present invention, and is a side sectional view schematically showing the internal configuration of the indoor unit of an air conditioner.

  In the fifth embodiment described here, in the configuration of the fourth embodiment described above, a through-hole is formed in the partition wall that partitions the machine room and the heat exchange chamber. Hereinafter, the air conditioner according to the fifth embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the fourth embodiment.

  In the air conditioner according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention, a through hole 39 is formed in the partition wall 33 as shown in FIG. The through hole 39 passes through the machine chamber 34 and the heat exchange chamber 35. The through-hole 39 is disposed at the same position as or above the sensor installation position 43. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 7, the auxiliary plate 40 is provided along the lower edge of the through hole 39 from the machine chamber 34 side to the heat exchange chamber 35 side. The sensor 50 is installed on the auxiliary plate 40 on the machine room 34 side. Therefore, the through hole 39 is at a height position equivalent to the sensor installation position 43.

  In the air conditioner configured as described above, when the refrigerant leakage point is in the heat exchange chamber 35, even when the indoor unit fan 12 is stopped and there is no airflow in the main air passage. The leaked refrigerant enters the machine chamber 34 side through the through hole 39 of the partition wall 33. The leaked refrigerant reaches the sensor installation position 43, and the sensor 50 detects the leaked refrigerant.

The heat exchange chamber 35 side of the auxiliary plate 40 extends to the side of the upper edge of the drain pan 37. For this reason, the refrigerant accumulated on the drain pan 37 can be quickly guided to the sensor installation position 43 by the auxiliary plate 40.
Other configurations and operations at the time of detecting a leaked refrigerant are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted here.

  Even in the air conditioner configured as described above, the same effects as those of the fourth embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, it is possible to detect refrigerant leakage that occurs in the heat exchange chamber 35 when the indoor unit fan 12 is stopped and there is no airflow in the main air passage.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
FIG. 8 relates to Embodiment 6 of the present invention, and is a side sectional view schematically showing an internal configuration of an indoor unit of an air conditioner.

  In Embodiment 6 described here, in the configuration of Embodiment 1 described above, the branch position from the main air passage to the branch induction air passage is arranged not on the upstream side of the heat exchanger but on the downstream side. . Hereinafter, the air conditioner according to the sixth embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

  In the air conditioner according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention, the induction member 38 is disposed between the indoor unit heat exchanger 11 and the drain pan 37, as shown in FIG. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 8, the upper end of the induction member 38 is in contact with the indoor unit heat exchanger 11. Further, the lower end of the guide member 38 is in contact with the drain pan 37. A branch guide air passage 41 is formed on the partition wall 33 side of the guide member 38.

A part of the airflow in the main air passage hits the induction member 38 immediately after passing through the indoor unit heat exchanger 11 and enters the branch induction air passage 41. Therefore, the branch position from the main air passage to the branch induction air passage 41 is on the downstream side of the indoor unit heat exchanger 11. Also in the sixth embodiment, the sensor installation position 43 is arranged on the one side on the drain pan 37 as in the first embodiment.
In addition, about another structure and operation | movement at the time of leaked refrigerant | coolant detection, etc., it is the same as that of Embodiment 1, The description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  According to the air conditioner configured as described above, even if the branch position from the main wind path to the branch induction wind path is arranged on the downstream side of the heat exchanger, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. Can do.

Embodiment 7 FIG.
FIG. 9 relates to Embodiment 7 of the present invention and is a side sectional view schematically showing the internal configuration of the indoor unit of the air conditioner.

  In the first to sixth embodiments described above, the indoor unit fan 12 that is a blower fan is disposed upstream of the indoor unit heat exchanger 11 in the air path. On the other hand, Embodiment 7 demonstrated here is a form by which the indoor unit fan 12 which is a ventilation fan is arrange | positioned rather than the indoor unit heat exchanger 11 in the downstream of an air path. Hereinafter, the air conditioner according to the seventh embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

  In the example described here, the indoor unit 10 is a so-called floor-standing type. That is, the indoor unit 10 is placed on the indoor floor. The housing 30 is formed with a suction port 31 and an air outlet 32. The suction port 31 is disposed, for example, in the upper part of the front surface of the housing 30. The blower outlet 32 is arrange | positioned at the front lower part of the housing | casing 30, for example. A main air passage leading from the suction port 31 to the air outlet 32 is formed inside the housing 30.

  The drain pan 37 is disposed below the indoor unit heat exchanger 11. An indoor unit fan 12 is disposed further below the drain pan 37. The indoor unit fan 12 is disposed on the downstream side of the main air path from the indoor unit heat exchanger 11.

  The induction member 38 is disposed between the indoor unit heat exchanger 11 and the suction port 31 and above the drain pan 37. A branch guide air passage 41 is formed on the suction member 31 side of the guide member 38.

A part of the airflow in the main air passage enters the branching induction air passage 41 by directly hitting the guide member 38 immediately after being sucked into the housing 30 from the air inlet 31. Therefore, the branch position from the main air passage to the branch induction air passage 41 is on the upstream side of the indoor unit heat exchanger 11. The sensor 50 is disposed on the drain pan 37 and closer to the suction port 31 than the guide member 38.
In addition, about another structure and operation | movement at the time of leaked refrigerant | coolant detection, etc., it is the same as that of Embodiment 1, The description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  According to the air conditioner configured as described above, even if the indoor unit fan 12 is disposed downstream of the indoor unit heat exchanger 11 in the main air path, the same effect as in the first embodiment is achieved. be able to.

  That is, in the indoor unit 10 configured as described above, since the branch position described above is immediately after the suction port 31, the leakage point of the refrigerant generated inside the housing 30 is basically more than the branch position. It is downstream of the main wind path. Therefore, the leaked refrigerant is discharged into the room outside the housing 30 through the air outlet 32 and diffused in the airflow.

  However, the indoor air is again taken into the main air path inside the housing 30 from the suction port 31. Leaked refrigerant is contained in the air taken into the main air passage inside the housing 30 from the suction port 31. The air containing the leaked refrigerant taken in from the suction port 31 enters the branch guide air passage 41 from the branch position immediately after passing through the suction port 31. The air containing the leaked refrigerant is guided to the branch guide air passage 41 and reaches the sensor installation position 43. Then, the sensor 50 detects the leaked refrigerant.

  Thus, according to the indoor unit 10 for an air conditioner according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention, even if the indoor unit fan 12 is operating and airflow exists in the main wind path, The refrigerant leaking in the housing 30 of the indoor unit 10 can be detected by the sensor 50 installed in the housing 30 of the device 10. Therefore, it is possible to detect refrigerant leakage that occurs during operation of the indoor unit 10 without separately installing a sensor in the room outside the housing 30 of the indoor unit 10.

  Further, when the indoor unit fan 12 is stopped and there is no airflow in the main air passage, the leaked refrigerant descends as it is inside the housing 30 due to gravity. Therefore, if the refrigerant leakage location is particularly above the drain pan 37, the leaked refrigerant accumulates on the drain pan 37. The leaked refrigerant reaches the sensor installation position 43 on the drain pan 37 and is detected by the sensor 50.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 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 Housing Body 31 Suction port 32 Air outlet 33 Partition wall 34 Machine room 35 Heat exchange chamber 36 Fan blower port 37 Drain pan 37a Drain water discharge part 38 Guidance member 39 Through hole 40 Auxiliary plate 41 Branching guide air passage 42 Branching position 43 Sensor installation position 50 Sensor 51 Leakage detection unit 52 Storage unit 53 Notification device 54 Ventilation device 55 Shut-off valve

Claims (14)

A housing in which an air inlet and an air outlet are formed, and an air passage leading from the air inlet to the air outlet is formed therein,
A heat exchanger provided in the air passage, connected to a refrigerant pipe filled with a refrigerant heavier than air under atmospheric pressure, and through which the refrigerant flows;
A blower fan that is provided in the air passage and generates an air flow in the air passage from the inlet to the outlet;
A sensor provided at a sensor installation position inside the housing, and capable of detecting the refrigerant,
An air conditioner in which a branch induction air passage is formed inside the housing to branch a part of the airflow generated by the blower fan at a branch position and guide the air to the sensor installation position. The blower fan is disposed on the downstream side of the air path from the heat exchanger,
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the branch position is disposed upstream of the heat exchanger with respect to the air path. The blower fan is disposed on the upstream side of the air path from the heat exchanger,
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the branch position is disposed downstream of the air passage with respect to the heat exchanger. The blower fan is disposed on the upstream side of the air path from the heat exchanger,
2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the branching position is arranged upstream of the air passage from the heat exchanger and downstream of the air passage from the blower fan. A partition wall that is provided inside the housing and partitions the interior of the housing into a machine room and a heat exchange chamber;
The blower fan is disposed inside the machine room,
The heat exchanger is disposed inside the heat exchange chamber,
The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the sensor installation position is inside the heat exchange chamber. A partition wall that is provided inside the housing and partitions the interior of the housing into a machine room and a heat exchange chamber;
The blower fan is disposed inside the machine room,
The heat exchanger is disposed inside the heat exchange chamber,
The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the sensor installation position is inside the machine room.   The air according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the partition wall is formed with a through-hole penetrating the machine room and the heat exchange chamber and disposed at the same position as or above the sensor installation position. Harmony machine. A drain pan provided below the heat exchanger in the housing;
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sensor installation position is on the drain pan. The drain pan is provided so as to be inclined such that one side provided with the drain water discharge portion is lower than the other side,
The air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein the sensor installation position is disposed on the one side on the drain pan. Under the heat exchanger in the inside of the housing, provided with a drain pan provided to be inclined so that one side provided with a drain water discharge portion is lower than the other side,
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sensor installation position is disposed on a side of the one side of the drain pan. A guide member that forms an outer edge of at least a part of the branch guide air passage;
The guide member is
The air conditioner as described in any one of Claims 1-10 provided integrally with the sensor case which accommodates the said sensor. Based on the detection result of the refrigerant by the sensor, a leak detection unit that detects that the refrigerant has leaked inside the housing;
12. The notification unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a notification unit configured to notify when the occurrence of leakage of the refrigerant inside the housing is detected by the leakage detection unit. Air conditioner. Based on the detection result of the refrigerant by the sensor, a leak detection unit that detects that the refrigerant has leaked inside the housing;
The ventilation means which ventilates the room in which the said housing | casing was installed when generation | occurrence | production of the leakage of the said refrigerant | coolant inside the said housing | casing is detected by the said leakage detection part. Item 12. The air conditioner according to any one of Items 11. Based on the detection result of the refrigerant by the sensor, a leak detection unit that detects that the refrigerant has leaked inside the housing;
The valve according to claim 1, further comprising: a valve that shuts off the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe when the leakage detection unit detects the occurrence of leakage of the refrigerant inside the housing. The air conditioner according to any one of 11.

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