JP2020181616A - Support system - Google Patents

Abstract

To solve the problem in which, for a refrigerant cycle device in which a common shutoff unit is provided for a plurality of use-side units, the arrangement of the shutoff unit has not been studied.SOLUTION: A design support system 300 includes an information acquisition unit 312 and a useful information presentation unit 318. The information acquisition unit 312 acquires information on the arrangement of a relay unit as a refrigerant shutoff unit, information on each use-side unit of a first use-side unit group, and information on the length of a first communication piping group and the like. The useful information presentation unit 318 presents useful information at least based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 312. When the information acquisition unit 312 acquires two of first information, second information, and third information, the useful information presentation unit 318 calculates information which the information acquisition unit 318 did not acquire among the first information, the second information, and the third information, and presents it as useful information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

It relates to a support system for supporting the design and / or construction of a refrigerant cycle device.

Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-9267) discloses an air conditioning system including a refrigerant shutoff valve. The refrigerant shutoff valve is a component that is closed when a refrigerant leak is detected, and is provided in a refrigerant connecting pipe that connects the heat source side unit and the user side unit.

It is effective to provide a shutoff valve in a refrigerant cycle device such as an air conditioning system in case the refrigerant leaks from the user unit into a space where people are present.

However, until now, the idea of shutting off the refrigerant as close to the user-side unit as possible has been common sense, and detailed studies have not been made on the arrangement of the shutoff portion that shuts off the refrigerant. In particular, for a refrigerant cycle device in which a common shutoff portion is provided for a plurality of user-side units, the arrangement of the cutoff portion has not been studied.

The support system of the first aspect is a support system for supporting the design and / or construction of the refrigerant cycle device. The refrigerant cycle device includes a plurality of user-side units, a heat source-side unit, a connecting pipe group, and a refrigerant cutoff unit. Each of the plurality of user-side units has a first refrigerant circuit. The heat source side unit has a second refrigerant circuit. The connecting pipe group is a group of connecting pipes connecting the first refrigerant circuit and the second refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant cutoff unit is arranged between the first refrigerant circuit and the second refrigerant circuit, and cuts off the refrigerant flowing through the connecting pipe group. The plurality of user-side units include a first user-side unit group. The first user-side unit group is a group of N (N is an integer of 2 or more) number of user-side units. The refrigerant cutoff unit includes a first refrigerant cutoff unit. The first refrigerant blocking unit shuts off the refrigerant flow between the first refrigerant circuit and the second refrigerant circuit of the first utilization side unit group. The first refrigerant cutoff unit is common to the N user-side units constituting the first user-side unit group. The connecting pipe group includes the first connecting pipe group. The first connecting pipe group is a group of connecting pipes connecting the first refrigerant circuit of the first utilization side unit group and the first refrigerant blocking portion.

The support system of the first viewpoint includes an information acquisition unit and a presentation unit. The information acquisition unit acquires at least two pieces of information among the first information, the second information, and the third information. The first information is information regarding the arrangement of the first refrigerant blocking portion. The second information is information about each user unit of the first user unit group. The third information is information on the length of the first connecting pipe group and / or information on the internal volume of the first connecting pipe group. The presentation unit presents useful information at least based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit. When the information acquisition unit acquires two of the first information, the second information, and the third information, the presentation unit is the information acquisition unit of the first information, the second information, and the third information. Calculates the information that was not acquired by the company and presents it as useful information.

According to the support system of the first aspect, since the above-mentioned useful information is presented by the presenting unit, it becomes possible to design and / or construct the refrigerant cycle device using the useful information. In particular, according to the support system of the first aspect, the arrangement of the first refrigerant cutoff portion can be appropriately determined or easily determined.

The support system of the second viewpoint is the system of the first viewpoint, and the second information includes the installation space information and the refrigerant amount information. The installation space information is information about the space in which the user-side unit of the first user-side unit group is installed. The refrigerant amount information is information on the amount of refrigerant existing in the first refrigerant circuit of the first utilization side unit group. When the information acquisition unit acquires two pieces of information, the second information and the third information, the presentation unit calculates the arrangement of the first refrigerant cutoff unit as the first information. The presentation unit calculates the arrangement of the first refrigerant cutoff unit so that the amount of the first refrigerant is smaller than the allowable refrigerant leakage amount in the space where the user side unit of the first user side unit group is installed. The first refrigerant amount is the sum of the amount of the refrigerant existing in the first refrigerant circuit of the first utilization side unit group and the amount of the refrigerant existing in the first connecting pipe group.

According to the support system of the second aspect, the arrangement of the first refrigerant blocking portion can be obtained as useful information.

The support system of the third viewpoint is the system of the second viewpoint, and the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant circuit, the second refrigerant circuit, and the connecting pipe group is a combustible refrigerant. The permissible refrigerant leakage amount in the space where the user side unit of the first user side unit group is installed is the permissible refrigerant leakage amount in the first room. The first room is the room having the smallest space volume among one or more rooms in which the user-side units of the first user-side unit group are installed. The allowable refrigerant leakage amount in the first room is required so that the refrigerant concentration in the first room does not exceed the LFL (lower limit combustion concentration) / safety factor of the refrigerant.

The support system of the fourth viewpoint is any system from the first viewpoint to the third viewpoint, and the first information is information regarding the limitation of the arrangement of the first refrigerant blocking portion.

The support system of the fifth viewpoint is any system from the first viewpoint to the fourth viewpoint, and the presenting unit calculates the limitation of the arrangement of the first refrigerant blocking unit and presents the calculation result as useful information. ..

The support system of the sixth viewpoint is any system from the first viewpoint to the fifth viewpoint, and the presenting unit presents a list of other capacities that can be used as the utilization unit as useful information.

The support system of the 7th viewpoint is any of the systems from the 1st viewpoint to the 6th viewpoint, and the presentation unit provides information on the capacity of the 1st utilization unit group arranged on the downstream side of the 1st refrigerant cutoff unit. get.

The support system of the eighth viewpoint is any of the systems from the first viewpoint to the seventh viewpoint, and the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant circuit, the second refrigerant circuit, and the connecting piping group is a slightly flammable refrigerant and weak. It is a flammable refrigerant or a highly flammable refrigerant. The slightly flammable refrigerant is a refrigerant judged to be "2L class" according to the US ANSI / ASHRAE34-2013 standard. The weakly flammable refrigerant is a refrigerant that is judged to be "2 class" according to the US ANSI / ASHRAE34-2013 standard. The highly flammable refrigerant is a refrigerant that is judged to be "3 class" according to the US ANSI / ASHRAE34-2013 standard.

The figure which shows the schematic structure of the air conditioner as one Embodiment of a refrigerant cycle device. Control block diagram of the air conditioner. The figure which shows the control flow at the time of the refrigerant leakage. The figure which shows the example A of arrangement of a heat source side unit, a user side unit and a relay unit. The figure which shows the example B of arrangement of a heat source side unit, a user side unit and a relay unit. The figure which shows the example C of the arrangement of a heat source side unit, a user side unit and a relay unit. The figure which shows the example D of the arrangement of a heat source side unit, a user side unit and a relay unit. The figure which shows the example E of the arrangement of a heat source side unit, a user side unit and a relay unit. Schematic configuration diagram of a design support system that supports the design of air conditioners. A flow chart showing a design method using a design support system. The figure which shows the basic configuration example of the air conditioner which performs a design using a design support system. The figure which shows an example of the display screen of the computer program of a design support system. The figure which shows an example of the display screen of the computer program of a design support system. A partially enlarged view of FIG. 7B. The figure which shows an example of the display screen of the computer program of a design support system. The figure which shows an example of the display screen of the computer program of a design support system. The figure which shows an example of the display screen of the computer program of a design support system. The figure which shows an example of the display screen of the computer program of a design support system. FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of a control unit according to a modification 11 of the air conditioner.

(1) Configuration of Air Conditioning Device FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an air conditioning device 1 as an embodiment of a refrigerant cycle device. The air conditioner 1 is a device that cools and heats a room such as a building by a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The air conditioner 1 mainly includes a heat source side unit 2, a plurality of user side units 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, and relay units 4A, 4B connected to each user side unit 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d. It has refrigerant connecting pipes 5 and 6 and a control unit 19 (see FIG. 2A). The plurality of user-side units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d are connected to each other in parallel with respect to the heat source-side unit 2. The refrigerant connecting pipes 5 and 6 connect the heat source side unit 2 and the user side units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d via the relay units 4A and 4B. The control unit 19 controls the components of the heat source side unit 2, the user side units 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, and the relay units 4A, 4B. The vapor compression type refrigerant circuit 10 of the air conditioner 1 includes the heat source side refrigerant circuit 12 of the heat source side unit 2 and the user side refrigerant circuits 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d of the user side units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d. , The relay units 4A and 4B, and the refrigerant connecting pipes 5 and 6 are connected to each other.

The refrigerant circuit 10 is filled with R32 as a refrigerant. If R32 leaks from the refrigerant circuit 10 into the room (installation space of the user-side unit) and the concentration of the refrigerant in the room becomes high, a combustion accident may occur due to the flammability of the refrigerant. It is required to prevent this combustion accident.

Further, in the air conditioner 1, the switching mechanism 22 included in the heat source side unit 2 switches the user side units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d to the cooling operation or the heating operation.

(1-1) Refrigerant communication pipe The liquid-side refrigerant communication pipe 5 mainly includes a main pipe portion 5X extending from the heat source side unit 2, a branch pipe portion 5Y branched into a plurality of parts in front of the relay units 4A and 4B, and a relay unit 4A. , 4B and a downstream pipe portion connecting the user side units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d.

Further, the gas-side refrigerant connecting pipe 6 mainly includes a main pipe portion 6X extending from the heat source side unit 2, a branch pipe portion 6Y branched into a plurality of parts in front of the relay units 4A and 4B, and the relay units 4A and 4B and the user side unit. It has a downstream pipe portion that connects 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d.

As shown in FIG. 1, the downstream pipes of the liquid-side refrigerant connecting pipe 5 and the gas-side refrigerant connecting pipe 6 are the first connecting pipe groups 5ab, 5a connecting the relay unit 4A and the two utilization-side units 3a, 3b. , 5b, 6ab, 6a, 6b are included. The first connecting pipe groups 5ab, 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a, 6b are the common pipes 5ab, 6ab extending from the relay unit 4A to the user side units 3a, 3b, and the user side unit 3a branched from the common pipes 5ab, 6ab. The downstream pipes 5a and 6a extending to the utilization side refrigerant circuit 13a and the most downstream pipes 5b and 6b branching from the common pipes 5ab and 6ab and extending to the utilization side refrigerant circuit 13b of the utilization side unit 3b are included.

The liquid refrigerant flowing through the liquid-side refrigerant connecting pipe 5 is a refrigerant having a larger proportion of the liquid phase than the liquid phase or the gas phase. The gas refrigerant flowing through the gas-side refrigerant connecting pipe 6 is a refrigerant having a larger proportion of the gas phase than the gas phase or the liquid phase.

(1-2) User-side unit The user-side units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d are installed in a room such as a building. The user-side refrigerant circuits 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d of the user-side units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d pass through the liquid-side refrigerant communication pipe 5, the gas-side refrigerant communication pipe 6, and the relay units 4A, 4B as described above. It is connected to the heat source side unit 2 and constitutes a part of the refrigerant circuit 10.

Next, the configurations of the user-side units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d will be described. Since the user-side unit 3a and the user-side unit 3b, 3c, and 3d have the same configuration, only the configuration of the user-side unit 3a will be described here, and the configuration of the user-side unit 3b, 3c, and 3d will be described. Subscripts "b", "c" or "d" are added instead of the subscript "a" indicating each part of the user unit 3a, and the description of each part is omitted.

The user-side unit 3a mainly includes a user-side expansion valve 51a and a user-side heat exchanger 52a. Further, the user-side unit 3a exchanges heat with the user-side liquid refrigerant pipe 53a that connects the liquid-side end of the user-side heat exchanger 52a and the liquid-side refrigerant connecting pipe 5 (here, the most downstream pipe 5a). It has a utilization-side gas refrigerant pipe 54a for connecting the gas-side end of the vessel 52a and the gas-side refrigerant connecting pipe 6 (here, the most downstream pipe 6a).

The utilization-side expansion valve 51a is an electric expansion valve capable of adjusting the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the utilization-side heat exchanger 52a while reducing the pressure of the refrigerant, and is provided in the utilization-side liquid refrigerant pipe 53a.

The user-side heat exchanger 52a is a heat exchanger that functions as a refrigerant evaporator to cool the room air, or functions as a refrigerant radiator to heat the room air. Here, the user-side unit 3a has a user-side fan 55a. The user-side fan 55a supplies the user-side heat exchanger 52a with indoor air as a cooling source or a heating source for the refrigerant flowing through the user-side heat exchanger 52a. The user-side fan 55a is driven by the user-side fan motor 56a.

Various sensors are provided on the user side unit 3a. Specifically, the user-side unit 3a includes a user-side heat exchange liquid-side sensor 57a that detects the temperature of the refrigerant at the liquid-side end of the user-side heat exchanger 52a, and a gas-side end of the user-side heat exchanger 52a. A utilization-side heat exchange gas-side sensor 58a for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant and an indoor air sensor 59a for detecting the temperature of the indoor air sucked into the utilization-side unit 3a are provided. Further, the user-side unit 3a is provided with a refrigerant leak detection unit 79a that detects a refrigerant leak. As the refrigerant leakage detection unit 79a, for example, a semiconductor gas sensor or a detection unit that detects a sudden drop in the refrigerant pressure in the user-side unit 3a can be adopted. When a semiconductor gas sensor is used, it is connected to the user side control unit 93a (see FIG. 2A). When adopting a detection unit that detects a sudden drop in refrigerant pressure, a pressure sensor is installed in the refrigerant piping, and a detection algorithm that determines refrigerant leakage from changes in the sensor value is provided in the user-side control unit 93a. ..

Here, the refrigerant leakage detection unit 79a is provided in the user side unit 3a, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the remote controller for operating the user side unit 3a and the user side unit 3a perform air conditioning. It may be provided in an indoor space or the like.

(1-3) Heat source side unit The heat source side unit 2 is installed outdoors of a building such as a building, for example, on the rooftop or on the ground. As described above, the heat source side refrigerant circuit 12 of the heat source side unit 2 is connected to the user side units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d via the liquid side refrigerant connecting pipe 5, the gas side refrigerant connecting pipe 6, and the relay units 4A and 4B. It is connected and constitutes a part of the refrigerant circuit 10.

The heat source side unit 2 mainly includes a compressor 21 and a heat source side heat exchanger 23. Further, the heat source side unit 2 has a switching mechanism 22 as a cooling / heating switching mechanism. The switching mechanism 22 has a cooling operation state in which the heat source side heat exchanger 23 functions as a refrigerant radiator and the utilization side heat exchangers 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d function as a refrigerant evaporator, and a heat source side heat exchanger. It switches between a heating operation state in which 23 functions as a refrigerant evaporator and the use side heat exchangers 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d function as a refrigerant radiator. The switching mechanism 22 and the suction side of the compressor 21 are connected by a suction refrigerant pipe 31. The suction refrigerant pipe 31 is provided with an accumulator 29 that temporarily stores the refrigerant sucked into the compressor 21. The discharge side of the compressor 21 and the switching mechanism 22 are connected by a discharge refrigerant pipe 32. The switching mechanism 22 and the gas side end of the heat source side heat exchanger 23 are connected by a first heat source side gas refrigerant pipe 33. The liquid side end of the heat source side heat exchanger 23 and the liquid side refrigerant connecting pipe 5 are connected by a heat source side liquid refrigerant pipe 34. The switching mechanism 22 and the gas side refrigerant connecting pipe 6 are connected by a second heat source side gas refrigerant pipe 35.

The compressor 21 is a device for compressing the refrigerant. For example, compression of a closed structure in which a positive displacement compression element (not shown) such as a rotary type or a scroll type is rotationally driven by a compressor motor 21a. The machine is used.

The switching mechanism 22 is a device capable of switching the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 10, and includes, for example, a four-way switching valve. Switching when the heat source side heat exchanger 23 functions as a refrigerant radiator and the user side heat exchangers 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d function as a refrigerant evaporator (hereinafter referred to as "cooling operation state"). The mechanism 22 connects the discharge side of the compressor 21 and the gas side of the heat source side heat exchanger 23 (see the solid line of the switching mechanism 22 in FIG. 1). Further, when the heat source side heat exchanger 23 functions as a refrigerant evaporator and the user side heat exchangers 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d function as a refrigerant radiator (hereinafter referred to as "heating operation state"). The switching mechanism 22 connects the suction side of the compressor 21 and the gas side of the heat source side heat exchanger 23 (see the broken line of the first switching mechanism 22 in FIG. 1).

The heat source side heat exchanger 23 is a heat exchanger that functions as a radiator for the refrigerant or as an evaporator for the refrigerant. Here, the heat source side unit 2 has a heat source side fan 24. The heat source side fan 24 sucks outdoor air into the heat source side unit 2, exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the heat source side heat exchanger 23, and then discharges the outdoor air to the outside. The heat source side fan 24 is driven by a heat source side fan motor.

Then, in the air conditioner 1, in the cooling operation, the refrigerant is transferred from the heat source side heat exchanger 23 through the liquid side refrigerant connecting pipe 5 and the relay units 4A and 4B to the utilization side heat exchanger 52a which functions as a refrigerant evaporator. , 52b, 52c, 52d. Further, in the air conditioner 1, in the heating operation, the refrigerant is supplied from the compressor 21 through the gas side refrigerant connecting pipes 6 and the relay units 4A and 4B, and the heat exchangers 52a and 52b on the utilization side functioning as a radiator of the refrigerant. Refrigerant to 52c and 52d. During the cooling operation, the switching mechanism 22 is switched to the cooling operation state, the heat source side heat exchanger 23 functions as a refrigerant radiator, and the heat source side unit 2 side is passed through the liquid side refrigerant connecting pipe 5 and the relay units 4A and 4B. The refrigerant flows from the unit 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d on the user side. During the heating operation, the switching mechanism 22 is switched to the heating operation state, and the refrigerant flows from the user side units 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d side to the heat source side unit 2 side through the liquid side refrigerant communication pipe 5 and the relay units 4A, 4B. The flow causes the heat exchanger 23 on the heat source side to function as a refrigerant evaporator.

Further, here, the heat source side expansion valve 25 is provided in the heat source side liquid refrigerant pipe 34. The heat source side expansion valve 25 is an electric expansion valve that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant during the heating operation, and is provided in a portion of the heat source side liquid refrigerant pipe 34 near the liquid side end of the heat source side heat exchanger 23.

Various sensors are provided on the heat source side unit 2. Specifically, the heat source side unit 2 receives a discharge pressure sensor 36 that detects the pressure (discharge pressure) of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 and the temperature (discharge temperature) of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21. A discharge temperature sensor 37 for detecting and a suction pressure sensor 39 for detecting the pressure (suction pressure) of the refrigerant sucked into the compressor 21 are provided. Further, the heat source side unit 2 is provided with a heat source side heat exchange liquid side sensor 38 that detects the temperature of the refrigerant (heat source side heat exchange outlet temperature) at the liquid side end of the heat source side heat exchanger 23.

(1-4) Relay Units The relay units 4A and 4B are installed inside a building such as a building, for example, in a space behind the ceiling of a room or a corridor. The relay units 4A and 4B, together with the liquid-side refrigerant connecting pipe 5 and the gas-side refrigerant connecting pipe 6, are interposed between the user-side units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d and the heat source-side unit 2, and are interposed in the refrigerant circuit 10. It constitutes a part. The relay units 4A and 4B function as a refrigerant blocking unit that blocks the refrigerant flow between the utilization side units 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d and the heat source side unit 2. The relay units 4A and 4B may be arranged near the user-side units 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d, but may be arranged apart from the user-side units 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d, or the relay unit. In some cases, 4A and 4B are arranged together in one place.

Next, the configurations of the relay units 4A and 4B will be described. Since the relay unit 4A and the relay unit 4B have the same configuration, only the configuration of the relay unit 4A will be described here, and the configuration of the relay unit 4B is described by the subscript "A" indicating each part of the relay unit 4A. , A subscript of "B" is added instead of "", and the description of each part is omitted.

The relay unit 4A mainly has a liquid connection pipe 61A and a gas connection pipe 62A.

One end of the liquid connecting pipe 61A is connected to the branch pipe portion 5Y of the liquid side refrigerant connecting pipe 5, and the other end is connected to the common pipe 5ab of the liquid side refrigerant connecting pipe 5. The liquid connection pipe 61A is provided with a liquid relay shutoff valve 41A. The liquid relay shutoff valve 41A is an electric expansion valve.

One end of the gas connection pipe 62A is connected to the branch pipe portion 6Y of the gas side refrigerant connecting pipe 6, and the other end is connected to the common pipe 6ab of the gas side refrigerant connecting pipe 6. The gas connection pipe 62A is provided with a gas relay shutoff valve 42A. The gas relay shutoff valve 42A is an electric expansion valve.

When the cooling operation or the heating operation is performed, the liquid relay shutoff valve 41A and the gas relay shutoff valve 42A are fully opened.

(1-5) Control unit As shown in FIG. 2A, the heat source side control unit 92, the relay side control units 94A and 94B, and the user side control units 93a, 93b, 93c and 93d transmit the control unit 19. It is configured by being connected via wires 95 and 96. The heat source side control unit 92 controls the constituent devices of the heat source side unit 2. The relay side control units 94A and 94B control the components of the relay units 4A and 4B. The user-side control units 93a, 93b, 93c, and 93d control the constituent devices of the user-side units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d. The heat source side control unit 92 provided in the heat source side unit 2, the relay side control units 94A and 94B provided in the relay units 4A and 4B, and the user side control provided in the user side units 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d. Information such as control signals can be exchanged with units 93a, 93b, 93c, and 93d via transmission lines 95 and 96.

The heat source side control unit 92 includes a control board on which electrical components such as a microcomputer and a memory are mounted, and includes various constituent devices 21, 22, 24, 25 and various sensors 36, 37, 38 of the heat source side unit 2. 39 is connected. The relay side control units 94A and 94B include a control board on which electrical components such as a microcomputer and a memory are mounted, and the gas relay shutoff valves 42A and 42B and the liquid relay shutoff valves 41A and 41B of the relay units 4A and 4B are included. It is connected. The relay side control units 94A and 94B and the heat source side control unit 92 are connected to each other via the first transmission line 95. The user-side control units 93a, 93b, 93c, 93d include a control board on which electrical components such as a microcomputer and a memory are mounted, and various constituent devices 51a to 51d of the user-side units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d. 55a to 55d and various sensors 57a to 57d, 58a to 58d, 59a to 59d, 79a to 79d are connected. The user side control units 93a, 93b, 93c, 93d and the relay side control units 94A, 94B are connected to each other via the second transmission line 96.

In this way, the control unit 19 controls the operation of the entire air conditioner 1. Specifically, the air conditioner 1 (here, heat source) is based on the detection signals of various sensors 36, 37, 38, 39, 57a to 57d, 58a to 58d, 59a to 59d, 79a to 79d and the like as described above. Control of various constituent devices 21, 22, 24, 25, 51a to 51d, 55a to 55d, 41A, 41B, 42A, 42B of the side unit 2, the user side units 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and the relay units 4A, 4B). Is performed by the control unit 19.

(2) Basic operation of the air conditioner Next, the basic operation of the air conditioner 1 will be described. As described above, the basic operations of the air conditioner 1 include a cooling operation and a heating operation. The basic operation of the air conditioner 1 described below is a control unit that controls the components of the air conditioner 1 (heat source side unit 2, user side units 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and relay units 4A, 4B). Performed by 19.

(2-1) Cooling operation During the cooling operation, for example, all of the user-side units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d are in the cooling operation (all of the user-side heat exchangers 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d are used as refrigerant evaporators. When the heat source side heat exchanger 23 functions as a radiator of the refrigerant), the switching mechanism 22 is put into the cooling operation state (the state shown by the solid line of the switching mechanism 22 in FIG. 1). The compressor 21, the heat source side fan 24, and the user side fans 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d are switched to be driven. Further, the liquid relay shutoff valves 41A and 41B and the gas relay shutoff valves 42A and 42B of the relay units 4A and 4B are fully opened.

During the cooling operation, the high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 is sent to the heat source side heat exchanger 23 through the switching mechanism 22. The refrigerant sent to the heat source side heat exchanger 23 is condensed by being cooled by exchanging heat with the outdoor air supplied by the heat source side fan 24 in the heat source side heat exchanger 23 that functions as a radiator of the refrigerant. To do. This refrigerant flows out from the heat source side unit 2 through the heat source side expansion valve 25.

The refrigerant flowing out from the heat source side unit 2 is branched and sent to the relay units 4A and 4B through the liquid side refrigerant connecting pipe 5 (main pipe portion 5X and branch pipe portion 5Y). The refrigerant sent to the relay units 4A and 4B flows out from the relay units 4A and 4B through the liquid relay shutoff valves 41A and 41B.

The refrigerant flowing out from the relay units 4A and 4B is sent to the user-side units 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d through the common pipes 5ab and 5cd and the most downstream pipes 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d. The refrigerant sent to the user-side units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d is decompressed by the user-side expansion valves 51a, 51b, 51c, and 51d, and then sent to the user-side heat exchangers 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d. The refrigerant sent to the user-side heat exchangers 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d is used in the user-side heat exchangers 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, which function as a refrigerant evaporator, in the user-side fans 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d. Evaporates by being heated by exchanging heat with the indoor air supplied from the room. The evaporated refrigerant flows out from the utilization side units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d. On the other hand, the indoor air cooled by the user-side heat exchangers 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d is sent into the room, whereby the room is cooled.

The refrigerant flowing out from the user-side units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d is sent to the relay units 4A and 4B through the most downstream pipes 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d and the common pipes 6ab, 6cd of the gas-side refrigerant communication pipe 6. The refrigerant sent to the relay units 4A and 4B flows out from the relay units 4A and 4B through the gas relay shutoff valves 42A and 42B.

The refrigerant flowing out from the relay units 4A and 4B is sent to the heat source side unit 2 in a merged state through the gas side refrigerant connecting pipe 6 (main pipe portion 6X and branch pipe portion 6Y). The refrigerant sent to the heat source side unit 2 is sucked into the compressor 21 through the switching mechanism 22 and the accumulator 29.

(2-2) Heating operation During the heating operation, for example, when all of the user-side units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d perform the heating operation, the switching mechanism 22 is in the heating operation state (the switching mechanism 22 in FIG. 1). The state indicated by the broken line) is switched to drive the compressor 21, the heat source side fan 24, and the user side fans 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d. Further, the liquid relay shutoff valves 41A and 41B and the gas relay shutoff valves 42A and 42B of the relay units 4A and 4B are fully opened.

The high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 flows out from the heat source side unit 2 through the switching mechanism 22.

The refrigerant flowing out from the heat source side unit 2 is sent to the relay units 4A and 4B through the gas side refrigerant connecting pipe 6 (main pipe portion 6X and branch pipe portion 6Y). The refrigerant sent to the relay units 4A and 4B flows out from the relay units 4A and 4B through the gas relay shutoff valves 42A and 42B.

The refrigerant flowing out from the relay units 4A and 4B is sent to the user side units 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d through the common pipes 6ab and 6cd and the most downstream pipes 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d. The refrigerant sent to the user-side units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d is sent to the user-side heat exchangers 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d. The high-pressure refrigerant sent to the user-side heat exchangers 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d is used in the user-side heat exchangers 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, which function as a refrigerant radiator, with the user-side fans 55a, 55b, 55c. , 55d exchanges heat with the indoor air supplied from the room to cool the air, thereby condensing. The condensed refrigerant is depressurized by the utilization-side expansion valves 51a, 51b, 51c, and 51d, and then flows out from the utilization-side units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d. On the other hand, the indoor air heated by the user side heat exchangers 52a, 52b, 52c and 52d is sent into the room, thereby heating the room.

The refrigerant flowing out from the user-side units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d is sent to the relay units 4A and 4B through the most downstream pipes 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d and the common pipes 5ab, 5cd. The refrigerant sent to the relay units 4A and 4B flows out from the relay units 4A and 4B through the liquid relay shutoff valves 41A and 41B.

The refrigerant flowing out from the relay units 4A and 4B is sent to the heat source side unit 2 in a merged state through the liquid side refrigerant connecting pipe 5 (main pipe portion 5X and branch pipe portion 5Y). The refrigerant sent to the heat source side unit 2 is sent to the heat source side expansion valve 25. The refrigerant sent to the heat source side expansion valve 25 is decompressed by the heat source side expansion valve 25 and then sent to the heat source side heat exchanger 23. The refrigerant sent to the heat source side heat exchanger 23 evaporates by being heated by exchanging heat with the outdoor air supplied by the heat source side fan 24. The evaporated refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 21 through the switching mechanism 22 and the accumulator 29.

(3) Operation of Air Conditioning Device at the Time of Refrigerant Leakage Next, the operation of the air conditioner 1 at the time of refrigerant leakage will be described with reference to FIG. 2B. The operation of the air conditioner 1 at the time of refrigerant leakage described below is performed by the control unit 19 that controls the constituent devices of the air conditioner 1 in the same manner as the above-mentioned basic operation.

Since the same control is performed regardless of which of the user-side units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d has a refrigerant leak, here, an example is taken when a refrigerant leak into the room where the user-side unit 3a is installed is detected. Give an explanation.

In step S1 of FIG. 2B, it is determined whether or not any of the refrigerant leakage detection units 79a, 79b, 79c, 79d of the user-side units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d has detected the refrigerant leakage. Here, when the refrigerant leakage detection unit 79a of the user-side unit 3a detects the leakage of the refrigerant into the installation space (indoor) of the user-side unit 3a, the process proceeds to the next step S2.

In step S2, in the user-side unit 3a where the refrigerant leaked, a person who is in the installation space of the user-side unit 3a by using an alarm (not shown) that issues a warning sound such as a buzzer and turns on the light. To issue an alarm.

Next, in step S3, the liquid relay shutoff valve 41A and the gas relay shutoff valve 42A of the relay unit 4A corresponding to the utilization side unit 3a where the refrigerant leaked are closed. As a result, the upstream side and the downstream side (utilization side units 3a, 3b side) of the relay unit 4A are separated, and the refrigerant does not flow through the relay unit 4A. As a result, the inflow of the refrigerant from the heat source side unit 2 and other user side units 3c and 3d to the user side units 3a and 3b is eliminated.

(4) Arrangement of the relay unit that functions as a refrigerant cutoff unit (4-1) Importance of the arrangement of the relay unit As described above, for example, when there is a refrigerant leak from the user side refrigerant circuit 13a of the user side unit 3a. Since the liquid relay shutoff valve 41A and the gas relay shutoff valve 42A of the corresponding relay unit 4A are closed, the maximum value of the amount of refrigerant leaking into the installation space of the use side unit 3a is the maximum value of the use side unit 3a downstream of the relay unit 4A. It is the total value of the amount of refrigerant existing inside the user-side refrigerant circuit 13a, the user-side refrigerant circuit 13b of the user-side unit 3b, the common pipes 5ab, 6ab, and the most downstream pipes 5a, 6a, 5b, 6b. As described in (1-1) above, here, the liquid side refrigerant connecting pipe 5 and the gas side refrigerant connecting pipe 6 located on the user side units 3a and 3b side of the relay unit 4A are connected to the first connecting pipe group 5ab. , 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a, 6b.

In other words, the amount of refrigerant existing inside the first connecting pipe group 5ab, 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a, 6b, the user-side refrigerant circuit 13a of the user-side unit 3a, and the user-side refrigerant circuit 13b of the user-side unit 3b. The sum with the amount of the refrigerant existing inside is the maximum value of the amount of the refrigerant leaking into the installation space of the utilization side unit 3a where the refrigerant leaks. Here, the maximum amount of refrigerant leakage is defined as the amount of refrigerant Q.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3A, the user-side unit 3a is installed on the ceiling of the narrow hot water supply room, the user-side unit 3b is installed on the ceiling of the wide boardroom, and the user-side units 3c and 3d are the first intermediate sizes. , It is assumed that it is installed on the ceiling of the second reception room. The heat source side unit 2 is installed at a place slightly away from those four rooms. Then, it is assumed that there is a site request that the relay units 4A and 4B are installed behind the ceiling of the corridor adjacent to the four rooms and are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other as shown in FIG. 3A in consideration of maintainability.

However, when the capacity of the user-side units 3a and 3b is large and the total value of the pipe lengths of the first connecting pipe groups 5ab, 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a and 6b is large, the narrow hot water supply in which the user-side unit 3a is installed is installed. Depending on the space volume of the room, if the entire amount of refrigerant Q leaks into the hot water supply room, the refrigerant concentration of the refrigerant R32 near the floor of the hot water supply room may increase and exceed the LFL / safety rate (for example, safety rate 4). is there. LFL (Lower Flammable Limit) is the minimum concentration of refrigerant that can propagate a flame in a state where the refrigerant and air are uniformly mixed, as defined by ISO817.

Therefore, if the hot water supply chamber is narrow and the refrigerant concentration exceeds the LFL / safety factor when the refrigerant amount Q leaks into the hot water supply chamber, the relay unit 4A is arranged as shown in FIG. 3B in order to reduce the refrigerant amount Q. It may be necessary to change it. If it is not possible to adopt the arrangement shown in FIG. 3B, as shown in FIG. 3C, one relay unit 4D is provided only for the user side unit 3a, and the other three user side units 3b, It is also conceivable that one relay unit 4C must be deployed for 3c and 3d. On the contrary, the four rooms in which the user-side units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d are installed are all large, and the refrigerant inside the user-side units 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d, and the first connecting pipe group 5ab, 5a. , 5b, 6ab, 6a, 6b, and the total amount of refrigerant inside the second connecting pipe group connecting the relay unit 4B and the user side units 3c, 3d are all in one room (four rooms). If the refrigerant concentration in the room is lower than the LFL / safety rate even if it leaks to the room with the smallest space volume), it can be used as a refrigerant blocking unit as shown in FIGS. 3D and 3E. It is also possible to reduce the cost by installing only one functioning relay unit 4E. As described above, the arrangement of the relay unit is very important.

The configurations of the relay units 4C, 4D, and 4E shown in FIGS. 3C to 3E are the same as those of the relay unit 4A described above.

(4-2) Design method of air conditioner including determination of arrangement of relay units As described above, especially when one common relay unit is associated with a plurality of user-side units and deployed, the refrigerant cutoff unit How to decide the arrangement of the relay unit that functions as a function is very important in terms of both safety and cost. However, conventionally, a veteran designer who is familiar with various refrigerant characteristics and laws and regulations spends a lot of time calculating and deciding the arrangement of the refrigerant cutoff portion for each case.

On the other hand, the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment is designed by using the design support system 300 (see FIG. 4). The design support system 300 can be designed while trying various design variations such as the diameter and length of the refrigerant connecting pipe related to the arrangement of the relay unit and the change of the user side unit belonging to each relay unit. It is a system to make.

(4-2-1) Configuration of Design Support System As shown in FIG. 4, the design support system 300 can access the Web server 310 mainly via a computer Web server 310 and a communication line 301 such as the Internet. It has a user terminal 330 and a database server 320 connected to the Web server 310.

(4-2-1-1) Web server The Web server 310 includes a control arithmetic unit and a storage device. A processor such as a CPU or GPU can be used as the control arithmetic unit. The control arithmetic unit reads out a design support program stored in the storage device, and performs predetermined image processing and arithmetic processing according to this program. Further, the control arithmetic unit can write the arithmetic result to the storage device and read the information stored in the storage device according to the program. FIG. 4 shows various functional blocks realized by the control arithmetic unit.

As shown in FIG. 4, the Web server 310 has an information acquisition unit 312 and a useful information presentation unit 318 as an aggregate of functional blocks. Further, the Web server 310 accepts input and setting of information from the user terminal 330 when the user terminal 330 accesses as a client, and provides the user terminal 330 with a screen including useful information and the like.

(4-2-1-1-1) Information acquisition unit The information acquisition unit 312 has, as a functional block, the size information acquisition unit 313 of the installation space, the information acquisition unit 314 of the first user side unit group, and the first communication piping group. It has an information acquisition unit 315, a thermal environment information acquisition unit 316, and the like.

The size information acquisition unit 313 of the installation space acquires information such as the installation height of the air conditioner in the room which is the installation space, the floor area and the space volume of the room, and the like.

The information acquisition unit 314 of the first user side unit group is a plurality of user sides arranged on the downstream side (opposite side of the heat source side unit 2) of one relay unit including the shutoff valve (such as the relay unit 4A described above). Acquire information about the first user unit group which is a unit. In the air conditioner shown in FIGS. 3A and 6 (described later), the utilization side units 3a and 3b arranged on the downstream side of one relay unit 4A are referred to as a first utilization side unit group 81 here. The information acquisition unit 314 of the first utilization side unit group acquires the volume, capacity (capacity), model information, and the like of the refrigerant circuit of the first utilization side unit group 81.

The information acquisition unit 315 of the first communication pipe group acquires information on a plurality of user-side units arranged on the downstream side of one relay unit and a communication pipe group connecting the relay units. As described above, the communication pipe group connecting the relay unit 4A and the two user side units 3a, 3b (first user side unit group 81) includes the first communication pipe group 5ab, 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a, 6b. The information acquisition unit 315 of the first connecting pipe group acquires information on the pipe length and the pipe size (inner diameter, etc.) of the first connecting pipe group.

The thermal environment information acquisition unit 316 acquires the thermal environment of the place where the air conditioner is installed. The thermal environment information acquisition unit 316 acquires different thermal environment information depending on whether the air conditioner is installed in a cold region or in a hot region such as a country near the equator.

(4-2-1-1-2) Useful Information Presentation Unit The useful information presentation unit 318 is based on various information acquired by the information acquisition unit 312 and various information stored in advance in the database server 320. Calculate and present useful information to the user who is the designer of the harmonizer. As a functional block, the useful information presentation unit 318 includes an appropriateness determination unit 318a for acquired information, a restriction determination unit 318b for arranging relay units, a refrigerant amount calculation unit 318c for the first user unit group, and a refrigerant amount for the first communication pipe group. It has a calculation unit 318d, and the like.

The suitability determination unit 318a of the acquired information is in the room where the air conditioner is installed based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 314 of the first user unit group and the information acquisition unit 315 of the first communication piping group described above. From the viewpoint of the allowable refrigerant leakage amount, it is determined whether the acquired information is suitable information or inappropriate information for the design of the air conditioner.

An air conditioner is installed in the restriction determination unit 318b of the arrangement of the relay unit based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 314 of the first user side unit group and the information acquisition unit 315 of the first communication piping group described above. From the viewpoint of the allowable amount of refrigerant leakage in the room, the limitation regarding the arrangement of the relay unit that shuts off the refrigerant is determined.

The refrigerant amount calculation unit 318c of the first user side unit group is each of the first user side unit group based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 314 and the thermal environment information acquisition unit 316 of the first user side unit group described above. Calculate the total amount of refrigerant in the user-side refrigerant circuit of the user-side unit. Specifically, the refrigerant amount calculation unit 318c of the first utilization side unit group has the largest amount of refrigerant in the utilization side refrigerant circuit of each utilization side unit of the first utilization side unit group according to the thermal environment. The total amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit on the user side under the severe conditions is calculated.

The refrigerant amount calculation unit 318d of the first communication pipe group is the refrigerant in the first communication pipe group based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 315 and the thermal environment information acquisition unit 316 of the first communication pipe group described above. Calculate the total amount. Specifically, the refrigerant amount calculation unit 318d of the first connecting pipe group assumes a state in which the largest amount of refrigerant exists in the first connecting pipe group according to the thermal environment, and the first under severe conditions. Calculate the total amount of refrigerant in the connecting piping group.

(4-2-1-2) Database server The database server 320 has communication pipe size information 321 which is information on various communication pipe sizes (inner diameter, etc.), and the user side of the user unit for each capacity and type. User-side unit internal volume information 322, which is information on the internal volume of the refrigerant circuit, refrigerant information 323, which is LFL (combustion lower limit concentration) information determined for each refrigerant, and the like are stored. When a new user unit or refrigerant is added, the information of the database server 320 is updated.

(4-2-1-3) User terminal The user terminal 330 is a terminal such as a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone that the user uses in a design room or a place where an air conditioner is installed. The user accesses the above-mentioned Web server 310 by using a program or applet installed on the user terminal 330, or a browser, and uses a program for design support of the Web server 310. On the screen of the user terminal 330, various information calculated and presented by the design support program of the Web server 310 is displayed.

(4-2-2) Example of design using the design support system The following is an example of design by the user of the design support system 300 using the program for design support of the Web server 310, with reference to FIG. explain.

In the above description of the air conditioner 1 (1) to (4-1), two user-side units 3a and 3b (first user-side unit group 81) on the downstream side of the relay unit 4A as shown in FIG. 3A. Is arranged, and the air conditioner 1 in which the user side units 3c and 3d are arranged on the downstream side of the relay unit 4B is described. However, in the following example of design by the user of the design support system 300, it is assumed that the air conditioner shown in FIG. 6 is designed, and how to use the design support system at the design stage will be described. The initial design policy of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 6 is to arrange two user-side units 3a and 3b (first user-side unit group 81) on the downstream side of the relay unit 4A and 3 on the downstream side of the relay unit 4B. It is assumed that the design policy is to arrange one user-side unit 3c, 3d, 3e, and further arrange one user-side unit 3f on the downstream side of the relay unit 4F. The configuration of the relay unit 4F is the same as that of the relay units 4A and 4B described above. The configurations of the user-side units 3e and 3f are the same as those of the user-side units 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d described above. The user units 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, and 3f are installed on the ceilings of the hot water supply room, the officer's room, the second reception room, the first reception room, the third reception room, and the fourth reception room, respectively.

(4-2-2-1) User operation and processing in the Web server FIG. 5 shows a schematic flow of an example of a design using the design support system 300.

First, the user inputs the system symbol of the air conditioner in the input area A11 on the screen of FIG. 7A displayed on the display of the user terminal 330. FIG. 7A shows a data input / setting window W1 provided by a program for design support of the Web server 310. The heat source side unit 2 and the utilization side units 3a to 3f shown in FIG. 6 are air conditioners forming one refrigerant system, and the air conditioner shown in FIG. 6 is one system. In view of this, in the input area A11, a system symbol for specifying the air conditioner is input.

Further, in the input area A12 on the screen of FIG. 7A, the model number of the outdoor unit as the heat source side unit 2 of the air conditioner is selectively input. The model number of the outdoor unit is selected and input from the model number stored in the database server 320 by a pull-down method.

In the input area A13 on the screen of FIG. 7A, the model number of the indoor unit as the user-side unit of the air conditioner is input. The input model number is acquired by the information acquisition unit 314 of the first user side unit group of the Web server 310. The information acquisition unit 314 of the first user-side unit group of the Web server 310 extracts information corresponding to the model number of the indoor unit as the user-side unit from the user-side unit internal volume information 322 of the database server 320.

Next, when the relay unit group setting is selected from a window (not shown) different from the data input / setting window W1, the data input / setting window W1 has an input / setting area related to the relay unit as shown in FIG. 7B. A16 and the setting button B16 are displayed. Here, for example, when it is desired to make settings related to the relay unit 4B, input related to the relay unit group 4B is performed. In the input area A16a on the screen of FIG. 7C (partially enlarged view of FIG. 7B), when the user side unit (indoor unit) to be arranged on the downstream side of the relay unit 4B is selected, the relay unit 4B and the user side unit are selected. Is linked with, and a relay unit group is generated. For example, when three user-side units are selected and the setting button B16 is pressed, the relay unit 4B and the three user-side units are registered as one group.

The above input / setting is step S21 shown in FIG.

Next, for each user-side unit (indoor unit), the name of the room that is the installation space is input. The room name is input in the input area A14 on the screen shown in FIG. 7D. For example, the room name "second reception room" is input in the field A14b of the input area A14.

Next, enter the floor area of each room and the installation height of the user unit (indoor unit). When the on-screen column A14b shown in FIG. 7D is selected, the floor area and the installation height options of the user-side unit are displayed in the on-screen input area A15 shown in FIG. 7D. Here, input can be performed by selecting one of the options. The input information on the floor area of each room and the installation height of the user-side unit is acquired by the size information acquisition unit 313 of the installation space of the Web server 310.

For the installation height of the user-side unit, enter the height from the floor to the ceiling when the user-side unit is installed on the ceiling. However, if you want to enter the dimensions in more detail, you need to enter the height dimensions from the floor surface to the assumed refrigerant leakage location.

The above input / setting is step S22 shown in FIG.

Next, when the button B17 is pressed in the data input / setting window W1 of FIG. 7B, the data input and setting are completed, and the design support program of the Web server 310 is displayed on the display of the user terminal 330 with the drawing shown in FIG. 7E. Display window W2. Here, an image diagram of the heat source side unit 2, the relay units 4A, 4B, 4F, the user side units 3a to 3f, and the refrigerant connecting pipe that has already been input is displayed. When the button B18 of the drawing window W2 is pressed, an input window W3 for a new connecting pipe length (length of the refrigerant connecting pipe) is launched as shown in FIG. 7F. In this input window W3, the length of each gas side refrigerant connecting pipe and each liquid side refrigerant connecting pipe is input. In the design support program of the Web server 310, the pipe diameter (pipe size) of the refrigerant connecting pipe is automatically determined according to the capacity of the heat source side unit 2 and the user side unit.

When the user's input in the input window W3 of the communication pipe length of FIG. 7F is completed and the user presses the button B19, the input information is acquired by the information acquisition unit 315 of the first communication pipe group of the Web server 310. Then, on the display of the user terminal 330, the warning window W4 shown in FIG. 7G is set up instead of the input window W3 of the connecting pipe length. The warning window W4 is a window indicating that the allowable level of refrigerant leakage in a predetermined room (“hot water supply room” in FIG. 7G), which is the installation space of the user-side unit of the air conditioner, is not satisfied. The user sees this warning window W4 and determines that the number of the user-side units arranged on the downstream side of the relay unit 4A is too large, or the refrigerant communication pipe (first refrigerant communication) located on the downstream side of the relay unit 4A. It may be judged that the total length of the piping group) is too long. Then, returning to the screens of FIGS. 7C and 7F, the number of user-side units arranged on the downstream side of the relay unit 4A can be changed, or the length of the refrigerant connecting pipe located on the downstream side of the relay unit 4A can be changed. To do. A change in the length of the refrigerant connecting pipe located on the downstream side of the relay unit 4A means a change in the arrangement of the relay unit 4A.

It should be noted that the warning window W4 shown in FIG. 7G does not start up as a matter of course when the allowable level of refrigerant leakage is satisfied in all the rooms which are the installation spaces of the unit on the user side of the air conditioner.

(4-2-2-2) Judgment of allowable level at the time of refrigerant leakage by the design support program The generation and display of the warning window W4 (FIG. 7G) by the design support program of the Web server 310 is performed by the Web server 310. Each functional block performs the following operations. Here, this calculation will be described with reference to FIG. 6 by taking as an example the first utilization side unit group 81 (utilization side units 3a and 3b) located on the downstream side of the relay unit 4A.

First, the suitability determination unit 318a of the acquired information of the Web server 310 is the "hot water supply room" which is the room with the smallest floor area among the rooms in which the first user side unit group 81 (user side units 3a and 3b) is arranged. Is selected as a room that requires safety measures. In the present embodiment, the room having the smallest floor area is the room having the smallest space volume. Then, the volume V (m ³ ) of the internal space of the "hot water supply room" is calculated. The volume V (m ³ ) can be calculated by multiplying the floor area of the hot water supply room by the ceiling height of the hot water supply room. Here, the volume V (m ³ ) of the internal space of the “hot water supply chamber” is calculated using the value input in the input area A15 on the screen shown in FIG. 7D.

Next, the allowable refrigerant leakage amount A (kg / m ³ ) per unit volume of the room is calculated. One of the calculation conditions used here is the type of refrigerant. The above LFL changes depending on the type of refrigerant (R32, R1234yf, etc.). The safety factor, which is one of the calculation conditions, is set to 4, for example. If ventilation is performed in each room, ventilation volume may be included as one of the calculation conditions.

By multiplying the volume V (m ³ ) of the "hot water supply room" and the allowable refrigerant leakage amount A (kg / m ³ ) per unit volume, the allowable refrigerant leakage amount A x V (kg) in the "hot water supply room" can be obtained. It is calculated.

The above is step S23 shown in FIG.

Next, the total value M1 (kg) of the amount of refrigerant existing in the utilization-side refrigerant circuits 13a and 13b of the two utilization-side units 3a and 3b of the first utilization-side unit group 81 shown in FIG. 6 is calculated. Here, the calculation is performed using the internal volumes of the user-side refrigerant circuits 13a and 13b of the two user-side units 3a and 3b stored in the database server 320. The refrigerant amount calculation unit 318c of the first utilization side unit group of the Web server 310 assumes that the refrigerant exists in the utilization side refrigerant circuits 13a and 13b of the utilization side units 3a and 3b in a predetermined state, and assumes that the refrigerant exists in a predetermined state. The total value M1 (kg) of the amount of the refrigerant existing in the circuits 13a and 13b is calculated. In this calculation, as described above, the thermal environment of the area where the air conditioner is installed is taken into consideration. For example, an environment such as whether it is installed in a hot country near the equator or in a cold region where the outside temperature in winter is below -10 ° C is a thermal environment. There is a difference in air-conditioning operation between the case of the area near the equator and the case of the cold area, such as a difference in the target refrigerant temperature in the user-side heat exchanger of the user-side unit. Then, the amount of the refrigerant existing in the user-side refrigerant circuits 13a and 13b of the user-side units 3a and 3b and the amount of the refrigerant existing in the first connecting pipe group 5ab, 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a and 6b change. In view of this, the calculation based on the thermal environment of the area where the air conditioner is installed (calculation of the amount of refrigerant existing in the refrigerant circuits 13a and 13b on the user side) is performed. Information on the thermal environment in the area where the air conditioner is installed is acquired in advance by the thermal environment information acquisition unit 316 of the Web server 310. For example, on the upper display screen of the data input / setting window W1 shown in FIG. 7A, the user inputs information on the thermal environment together with information on the address and name of the building in which the air conditioner is installed.

Calculation conditions for calculating the total value M1 (kg) of the total amount of refrigerant existing in the user-side refrigerant circuits 13a and 13b include, for example, a condition of heating operation and a condition that the condensation temperature of the user-side heat exchanger during heating is 46 ° C. , The condition that the target degree of supercooling in the heating operation is 5 ° C., the condition of the density of the refrigerant in the liquid side refrigerant connecting pipe 5, the condition of the density of the refrigerant in the gas side refrigerant connecting pipe 6, and the like. The condition of heating operation means an operation in which the amount of refrigerant existing in the user-side refrigerant circuits 13a and 13b increases, although it depends on the area. These conditions for each thermal environment are incorporated in the design support program of the Web server 310.

The above is step S24 shown in FIG.

The refrigerant amount calculation unit 318d of the first communication pipe group of the Web server 310 connects the relay unit 4A and the first user side unit group 81 (user side units 3a, 3b) to the first communication pipe group 5ab, 5a, 5b. , 6ab, 6a, 6b, the amount of refrigerant M2 (kg) present in 6b is further calculated. This calculation is performed by conversion from the pipe diameters and pipe lengths of the first connecting pipe groups 5ab, 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a, and 6b, respectively. The calculation of the amount of refrigerant M2 (kg) present in the first connecting pipe group 5ab, 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a, 6b also considers the thermal environment of the area where the air conditioner is installed.

The above is step S25 shown in FIG.

Then, the suitability determination unit 318a of the acquired information of the Web server 310 has a total value M1 of the amount of refrigerant existing in the first user side unit group 81 with respect to the allowable amount of refrigerant leakage A × V (kg) in the “hot water supply room”. It is determined whether the sum of (kg) and the amount of refrigerant M2 (kg) existing in the first connecting pipe group 5ab, 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a, 6b is large or small. In other words,
(Equation 1): M1 + M2 ≤ A × V
The suitability determination unit 318a of the acquired information of the Web server 310 determines whether or not the conditions are satisfied.

If M1 + M2 (kg) does not satisfy (Equation 1) and exceeds the allowable refrigerant leakage amount A × V (kg), it is determined that the allowable level is exceeded. When (Equation 1) is satisfied, the suitability determination unit 318a of the acquired information of the Web server 310 determines that it is within the allowable level. If it is determined that the allowable level is exceeded, the above-mentioned warning window W4 (FIG. 7G) is generated and displayed on the display of the user terminal 330.

The above is step S26 and step S27 shown in FIG.

(5) Features (5-1)
As described above, the design support system 300 is a system for supporting the design of the air conditioner as the refrigerant cycle device.

As shown in FIG. 6, for example, the air conditioner includes a plurality of user-side units 3a to 3f, a heat source-side unit 2, a refrigerant connecting pipes 5 and 6, and relay units 4A, 4B, and 4F as a refrigerant blocking unit. ,have. The plurality of user-side units 3a to 3f include a first user-side unit group 81. The first user-side unit group 81 is a group of two user-side units 3a and 3b. The relay unit 4A blocks the refrigerant flow between the utilization side refrigerant circuits 13a and 13b of the first utilization side unit group 81 and the heat source side refrigerant circuit 12 of the heat source side unit 2. The refrigerant connecting pipes 5 and 6 include the first connecting pipe group 5ab, 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a, 6b. The first connecting pipe group 5ab, 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a, 6b is a group of connecting pipes connecting the utilization side refrigerant circuits 13a, 13b of the first utilization side unit group 81 and the relay unit 4A.

The design support system 300 includes an information acquisition unit 312 and a useful information presentation unit 318. The information acquisition unit 314 of the first user side unit group of the information acquisition unit 312 acquires information about each user side unit 3a and 3b of the first user side unit group 81. The information acquisition unit 315 of the first communication pipe group of the information acquisition unit 312 acquires information on the pipe length and the pipe size of the first communication pipe group 5ab, 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a, 6b. The suitability determination unit 318a of the acquired information of the useful information presentation unit 318 is the design information (utilization) input by the user from the viewpoint of allowable refrigerant leakage in the space where the user side units 3a and 3b of the first user side unit group 81 are installed. The suitability of the side units 3a and 3b, the information on the first connecting pipe group 5ab, 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a, 6b, and the size information of the installation space) is judged, and the result of the judgment is presented as useful information (Fig.). See 7G).

As a result, the user tries various design variations when deciding the arrangement of the relay unit 4A and the type and number of the user-side units to be arranged on the downstream side of the relay unit 4A in the design of the air conditioner. You can design while doing it. For example, a user who uses the design support system 300 and sees the warning window W4 on the screen shown in FIG. 7G changes the arrangement of the relay unit 4A and changes the arrangement of the first communication piping group 5ab, 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a, The length of 6b will be changed, or the design will be changed so that the user-side unit 3b, which has been arranged downstream of the relay unit 4A, is arranged downstream of another relay unit. Then, by pressing the check button again, the total amount of refrigerant (kg) of the first utilization side unit group and the first connecting pipe group downstream of the changed relay unit 4A is the allowable refrigerant leakage amount in the "hot water supply room". It is possible to obtain a check result as to whether or not the value is less than A × V (kg).

(5-2)
The program for design support of the Web server 310 of the design support system 300 includes the total value M1 (kg) of the amount of refrigerant existing in the user-side refrigerant circuits 13a and 13b and the first connecting pipe group 5ab, 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a. When determining the amount of refrigerant M2 (kg) present in 6b, the calculation is performed based on the thermal environment of the area where the air conditioner is installed. In this calculation, for example, the condition of heating operation, the condition that the condensation temperature of the heat exchanger on the user side during heating is 46 ° C., the condition that the target degree of supercooling in heating operation is 5 ° C., and the condition that the refrigerant in the liquid side refrigerant connecting pipe 5 is The condition of the density of the refrigerant, the condition of the density of the refrigerant in the gas side refrigerant connecting pipe 6, and the like are taken into consideration. Of these, for example, the condition of the condensation temperature of the heat exchanger on the user side during heating differs depending on whether the thermal environment is a cold region or a hot region.

Therefore, in the design support system 300 that performs calculations based on the thermal environment information acquired by the thermal environment information acquisition unit 316 of the Web server 310, the refrigerant amounts M1 and M2 are uniformly calculated based on the excessive thermal environment conditions. Compared with the case, it is possible to obtain an appropriate calculation result of the amount of refrigerant according to the installation location of the air conditioner.

(6) Modification example (6-1) Modification example 1
In the above embodiment, the suitability determination unit 318a of the acquired information of the design support system 300 determines the design information input by the user (information about the user side units 3a and 3b, the first communication piping group 5ab, 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a). , 6b information, installation space size information) is judged, and the result of the judgment is presented to the user as useful information in the form of a warning window W4 as shown in FIG. 7G.

Alternatively or additionally, the design support system 300 may calculate the limitation of the arrangement of the relay unit 4A as the refrigerant blocking unit and present the calculation result to the user.

The useful information presentation unit 318 of the Web server 310 of FIG. 4 includes a restriction determination unit 318b for arranging the relay unit as a functional block. The program for design support of the Web server 310 of the design support system 300 is made to present useful information by the restriction determination unit 318b of the arrangement of the relay unit instead of the presentation of useful information by the suitability determination unit 318a of the acquired information. Is also possible.

After the steps S21 to S24 of FIG. 5 described above, the restriction determination unit 318b of the arrangement of the relay unit is determined to use the refrigerants of the user units 3a and 3b from the allowable refrigerant leakage amount A × V (kg) in the “hot water supply chamber”. By subtracting the total value M1 (kg) of the amount of refrigerant existing in the circuits 13a and 13b, the maximum value of the amount of refrigerant that may exist in the first connecting pipe group 5ab, 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a, 6b is calculated. To do. The maximum value of the amount of refrigerant in the first connecting pipe group 5ab, 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a, 6b means the limitation of the arrangement of the relay unit 4A. This is because the arrangement of the relay unit 4A and the lengths of the first connecting pipe groups 5ab, 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a, 6b are strongly related to each other. The user who is presented with the maximum value of the refrigerant amount of the first connecting pipe group 5ab, 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a, 6b by the restriction determination unit 318b of the arrangement of the relay unit is the first connecting pipe group 5ab, 5a, 5b. , 6ab, 6a, 6b will be searched for the arrangement of the relay unit 4A within the range of the length limitation.

Further, the design support system 300 may automatically draw a suitable arrangement of the relay unit 4A as the refrigerant blocking unit and present it to the user. In this case, for example, the design support system 300 gives priority to the maintainability of the plurality of relay units 4A, 4B, 4F, and first communicates so that these relay units 4A, 4B, 4F are arranged close to each other. The arrangement of the relay unit 4A is determined within the range of the length limitation of the piping groups 5ab, 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a, 6b.

(6-2) Modification 2
In the above embodiment, the suitability determination unit 318a of the acquired information of the design support system 300 determines the design information input by the user (information about the user side units 3a and 3b, the first communication piping group 5ab, 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a). , 6b information, installation space size information) is judged, and the result of the judgment is presented to the user as useful information in the form of a warning window W4 as shown in FIG. 7G.

Instead, the useful information presentation unit 318 of the Web server 310 of the design support system 300 may simply present the refrigerant amounts M1 and M2 calculated in steps S24 and S25 described above as useful information to the user. Further, the total value of the refrigerant amounts M1 and M2 (first refrigerant amount) may be presented to the user as useful information.

Looking at the numerical values of these refrigerant amounts M1 and M2, in the case of a somewhat skilled designer, there is a problem in the case of refrigerant leakage in view of the size of the room in which the user side units 3a and 3b are installed. It is possible to judge whether or not.

(6-3) Modification 3
In the above modification 1, the design support system 300 calculates the limitation of the arrangement of the relay unit 4A as the refrigerant blocking unit, and presents the calculation result to the user as the first information.

Instead, the design support system 300 calculates the limitation of the internal volume of the first connecting pipe group 5ab, 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a, 6b, and presents the calculation result to the user as the third information. May be good. The user who sees this presentation can choose to change the length and the pipe diameter of the first connecting pipe group 5ab, 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a, 6b.

Further, the design support system 300 can be used as the user side units 3a and 3b based on the limitation of the internal volume of the user side refrigerant circuits 13a and 13b of the user side units 3a and 3b, not the limitation of the arrangement of the relay unit 4A. A list of devices of different capacities may be presented as useful information (second information). The user who sees the presentation of this useful information, for example, considers the margin allowance from the viewpoint of the air conditioning capacity of the current capacity of the user side unit 3a installed in the "hot water supply room", and whether or not the user side unit 3a can be downsized. Can be examined.

(6-4) Modification 4
In the above embodiment, the design support program of the Web server 310 of the design support system 300 displays the input / setting area A16 and the setting button B16 related to the relay unit in the data input / setting window W1 as shown in FIG. 7B. I'm letting you. Then, in the input area A16a, when the user-side unit (indoor unit) to be arranged on the downstream side of the relay unit 4B is selected, the relay unit 4B and the user-side unit are linked, and the relay unit group is generated. Will be done.

In addition to this, it is preferable that the room, which is the installation space of each user-side unit (indoor unit), can be grouped. This is because when the partitions of two or more rooms allow air to pass through such as partial walls and blinds, the allowable refrigerant leakage amount at the time of refrigerant leakage should be calculated by adding up the space volumes of those rooms. Room grouping is also useful when a plurality of user-side units (indoor units) are installed in one room.

(6-5) Modification 5
In the above embodiment, the warning window W4 shown in FIG. 7G is started up after the button B19 is pressed in the input window W3 of the connecting pipe length shown in FIG. 7F. Instead, the allowable level of refrigerant leakage is increased. When it is determined that the above conditions are not satisfied, the value being input is immediately highlighted in red and a warning message is issued even when the user is inputting the value in the input window W3 of the connecting pipe length shown in FIG. 7F. You may.

(6-6) Modification 6
In the above embodiment, the design support system 300 has been described with the designer of the air conditioner as a user, but the design support system 300 is used as a refrigerant at the site when the air conditioner is installed at the site (building). It can also be used by the builder who decides the route of the connecting pipes 5 and 6 and decides the arrangement of the relay units 4A, 4B and 4F. When used by a user who is a builder of an air conditioner, the design support system 300 is a system that supports not only design but also construction.

(6-7) Modification 7
In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7E and the like, the design support program of the Web server 310 of the design support system 300 displays the two-dimensional drawing window W2. Instead of this, the program for design support of the Web server 310 of the design support system 300 may display a three-dimensional drawing screen.

(6-8) Modification 8
In the above embodiment, the program for design support of the Web server 310 of the design support system 300 presents the warning window W4 shown in FIG. 7G to the user as useful information, but instead of this, the refrigerant amount M1 , M2 and the permissible refrigerant leakage amount A × V (kg) in the “hot water supply room”, input values for the lengths of the first connecting pipe groups 5ab, 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a, 6b, etc. It may be output collectively in a table or a figure. For example, if such information can be obtained in the form of a list, the user can consider the arrangement of the relay unit 4A while looking at the printed matter.

(6-9) Modification 9
The database server 320 of the above embodiment may further store design information and past calculation results regarding air conditioners in various places. In this case, the user can divert information such as calculation results regarding the air conditioner already installed in another building having a similar structure to the design of the air conditioner designed by himself / herself.

(6-10) Modification 10
In the above embodiment, the program for design support of the Web server 310 of the design support system 300 inputs the length of each gas side refrigerant communication pipe and each liquid side refrigerant communication pipe in the input window W3 shown in FIG. 7F. I'm letting you. Then, in the design support program of the Web server 310, the pipe size is determined in advance by default according to the capacities of the heat source side unit and the user side unit.

Instead of this, in the input window W3 shown in FIG. 7F, the user may be made to further input the pipe size (pipe diameter).

(6-11) Modification 11
In the control unit 19 of the air conditioner 1 according to the above embodiment, the heat source side control unit 92, the relay side control units 94A and 94B, and the user side control units 93a, 93b, 93c and 93d are composed of the transmission line 95. It is configured to be connected as shown in FIG. 2A via 96.

However, instead of the configuration in which the heat source side control unit 92 and the user side control units 93a, 93b, 93c, 93d shown in FIG. 2A are connected via the relay side control units 94A, 94B, as shown in FIG. In addition, the heat source side control unit 92 and the relay side control units 94A and 94B may be connected via the user side control units 93a, 93b, 93c and 93d.

(6-12) Modification 12
In the air conditioner 1 according to the above embodiment, the liquid relay shutoff valves 41A and 41B and the gas relay shutoff valves 42A and 42B are electric expansion valves, but an electromagnetic valve that switches between the open state and the closed state is adopted. May be good.

(6-13) Modification 13
In the air conditioner 1 according to the above embodiment, the relay units 4A and 4B in which the liquid side configuration and the gas side configuration are integrated are adopted, but the liquid side configuration and the gas side configuration are separated. The relay unit may be configured separately.

(6-14) Modification 14
In the air conditioner 1 according to the above embodiment, the refrigerant circuit 10 is filled with R32 as a refrigerant. However, the above technique for arranging the relay unit is also effective when the refrigerant circuit 10 is filled with another combustible refrigerant. The above technique for arranging the relay unit is also effective when a single refrigerant of R32, R1234yf, R1234ze or R744, which is a so-called slightly flammable refrigerant, or a mixed refrigerant containing the refrigerant is filled. R32 is difluoromethane (HFC-32), R1234yf is 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propene (HFO-1234yf), and R1234ze is 1,3,3,3-tetra. It is fluoro-1-propene (HFO-1234ze) and R744 is carbon dioxide.

Further, as the refrigerant filled in the refrigerant circuit 10 and flowing through the refrigerant circuit 10, in addition to a slightly flammable refrigerant, a weakly flammable refrigerant or a strongly flammable refrigerant is also assumed. The slightly flammable refrigerant is a refrigerant judged to be "2L class" according to the US ANSI / ASHRAE34-2013 standard. The weakly flammable refrigerant is a refrigerant that is judged to be "2 class" according to the US ANSI / ASHRAE34-2013 standard. The highly flammable refrigerant is a refrigerant that is judged to be "3 class" according to the US ANSI / ASHRAE34-2013 standard.

Here, the US ANSI / ASHRAE34-2013 standard is a US standard for evaluation criteria for flammable gases. Chemical substances are regulated in various countries around the world, and one of the regulated contents is the flammability of chemical substances. Standards are set in each country, and based on each evaluation standard, gas is classified as flammable or not. In Japan's High Pressure Gas Safety Act, the explosive limit value is used as a criterion for determining flammable gas. The evaluation criteria for flammable gas include ASHRAE34 and DOT in the US standard, EN378-1, CLP regulation in the European standard, and GHS and ISO10156 in the international standard. A European standard equivalent to the American ANSI / ASHRAE34-2013 standard is, for example, DIN EN378-1 (2008). Here, too, the same "Class3: strong flame", "Class2: weak flame", and "Class2L: slight flame" are specified as in the US ANSI / ASHRAE34-2013 standard. In addition, ISO / FDIS (Final Draft International Standard) 817 (2013) also stipulates similar "Class3: strong flame", "Class2: weak flame", and "Subclass2L: slight flame".

(6-15) Modification 15
In the air conditioner 1 according to the above embodiment, the refrigerant circuit 10 is filled with a slightly flammable R32 as a refrigerant. However, the above technique for arranging the relay unit is also effective when adopting a toxic refrigerant or a refrigerant that causes an oxygen concentration deficiency when a large amount of leakage occurs. For example, this technology can also be used when carbon dioxide is used as the refrigerant.

(6-16) Modification 16
Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it will be understood that various modifications of the forms and details are possible without departing from the purpose and scope of the present disclosure described in the claims. ..

2 Heat source side unit 3a User side unit (user side unit of the first user side unit group)
3b User-side unit (User-side unit of the first user-side unit group)
3c User side unit 3d User side unit 3e User side unit 3f User side unit 4A Relay unit (refrigerant cutoff unit; first refrigerant cutoff part)
4B relay unit (refrigerant cutoff part)
4F relay unit (refrigerant cutoff part)
5 Liquid side refrigerant communication pipe (communication pipe group)
5a Most downstream piping (1st connecting piping group)
5ab common piping (first connecting piping group)
5b Most downstream piping (1st connecting piping group)
6 Gas side refrigerant communication pipe (communication pipe group)
6a Most downstream piping (1st connecting piping group)
6ab common piping (first connecting piping group)
6b Downstream piping (1st connecting piping group)
12 Heat source side refrigerant circuit (second refrigerant circuit)
13a User-side refrigerant circuit (first refrigerant circuit)
13b User side refrigerant circuit (first refrigerant circuit)
81 1st user unit group 300 Design support system (support system)
312 Information acquisition unit 318 Useful information presentation unit (presentation unit)

JP-A-2017-9267

Claims (8)

A plurality of utilization side units (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d), each having a first refrigerant circuit (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d), and
A heat source side unit (2) having a second refrigerant circuit (12),
Connecting pipe groups (5, 6) connecting the first refrigerant circuit and the second refrigerant circuit, and
Refrigerant cutoff portions (4A, 4B) arranged between the first refrigerant circuit and the second refrigerant circuit and shut off the refrigerant flowing through the connecting pipe group.
Have,
The plurality of user-side units include a first user-side unit group (81), which is a group of N (N is an integer of 2 or more) of the user-side units (3a, 3b).
The refrigerant blocking unit is a first refrigerant blocking unit that blocks the refrigerant flow between the first refrigerant circuit (13a, 13b) of the first utilization side unit group (81) and the second refrigerant circuit (12). (4A), including
The first refrigerant blocking unit is common to the N user-side units constituting the first user-side unit group.
The connecting pipe group is a first connecting pipe group (5ab, 5a, 5b, 6ab, 6a, 6b) that connects the first refrigerant circuit of the first utilization side unit group and the first refrigerant blocking portion. including,
A support system for supporting the design and / or construction of the refrigerant cycle device (1).
The first information regarding the arrangement of the first refrigerant cutoff portion, the second information regarding each user side unit of the first user side unit group, and the length and / or the first communication pipe group of the first communication pipe group. The information acquisition unit (312) that acquires at least two pieces of the third information regarding the internal volume of the
A presentation unit (318) that presents useful information based on at least the information acquired by the information acquisition unit.
With
In the presentation unit, when the information acquisition unit acquires two of the first information, the second information, and the third information, the first information, the second information, and the third information are described. Of the third information, the information that the information acquisition unit did not acquire is calculated and presented as the useful information.
Support system (300). The second information includes installation space information regarding the space in which the utilization side unit of the first utilization side unit group is installed, and the amount of refrigerant regarding the amount of refrigerant existing in the first refrigerant circuit of the first utilization side unit group. Contains information and
The presentation unit
When the information acquisition unit acquires two pieces of information, the second information and the third information,
The amount of the first refrigerant, which is the sum of the amount of the refrigerant existing in the first refrigerant circuit of the first utilization side unit group and the amount of the refrigerant existing in the first communication pipe group, is the first utilization side unit group. The arrangement of the first refrigerant blocking portion is calculated as the first information so as to be smaller than the allowable refrigerant leakage amount in the space where the user-side unit is installed.
The support system according to claim 1. The refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant circuit, the second refrigerant circuit, and the connecting pipe group is a combustible refrigerant.
The allowable refrigerant leakage amount in the space where the utilization side unit of the first utilization side unit group is installed is
The refrigerant concentration of the first room having the smallest space volume among the one or more rooms in which the user-side unit of the first user-side unit group is installed exceeds the LFL (lower limit combustion concentration) / safety factor of the refrigerant. Allowable refrigerant leakage in the first room, which is required not to occur,
Is,
The support system according to claim 2. The first information is information regarding limitation of arrangement of the first refrigerant blocking portion.
The support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The presenting unit calculates the limitation of the arrangement of the first refrigerant blocking unit and presents the calculation result as useful information.
The support system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The presenting unit presents as useful information a list of other capacities that can be used as the utilization unit.
The support system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The presenting unit acquires information on the capacity of the first utilization unit group arranged on the downstream side of the first refrigerant blocking unit.
The support system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant circuit, the second refrigerant circuit, and the connecting pipe group is
A slightly flammable refrigerant that is judged to be "2L class" according to the US ANSI / ASHRAE34-2013 standard.
A weak-flame refrigerant that is judged to be "2 class" according to the US ANSI / ASHRAE34-2013 standard.
Alternatively, it is a highly flammable refrigerant that is judged to be "3 class" according to the US ANSI / ASHRAE34-2013 standard.
The support system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.