JP2023132864A - Refrigeration cycle device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a refrigeration cycle device capable of suppressing deterioration of refrigerant leakage detection accuracy during operation of a fan.SOLUTION: A refrigeration cycle device includes: an indoor heat exchanger 14 provided in an air course formed in a casing 10 and having a refrigerant flowing therein; and an infrared ray sensor 100 for detecting occurrence of leakage of the refrigerant in the casing 10. The infrared ray sensor 100 includes: a light emitting section 120 that emits infrared rays; a light receiving section 130 that receives the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting section 120; and a case member 110 in which the light emitting section 120 and the light receiving section 130 are accommodated and a gas intake port 111 is formed thereon. The refrigeration cycle device further includes a refrigerant leakage detection section 41 that detects occurrence of leakage of the refrigerant on the basis of an infrared ray receiving state of the light receiving section 130. An opening surface of the gas intake port 111 faces an upstream side of an air current in the air course and is disposed vertically to the air current.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present disclosure relates to a refrigeration cycle device.

A refrigeration cycle device includes an outdoor unit that delivers refrigerant, an indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit via refrigerant piping, a control unit that controls the refrigeration cycle formed by the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, and an outdoor unit. a refrigerant sensor installed in at least one of the casings of the indoor units; the refrigerant sensor has a light emitting part that emits infrared rays; a light receiving part that receives the infrared rays emitted by the light emitting part; It is known that the refrigerant is determined to have leaked when the output from the light receiving section decreases (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP2016-223640A

However, in a refrigeration cycle device as shown in Patent Document 1, since the light emitting part and the light receiving part are placed directly in the air path inside the housing, dew condensation occurs inside the housing and the light emitting part and the light receiving part are If there are water droplets on the optical path between the two or if the water droplets adhere to the light receiving section, the amount of light received at the light receiving section changes, which may lead to a decrease in refrigerant leakage detection accuracy. Furthermore, if refrigerant leaks while the fan of the indoor unit is operating, the leaked refrigerant is swept away by the airflow in the air path. Therefore, since the leaked refrigerant passes through a sensor for detecting refrigerant leakage at a relatively high speed, there is a possibility that the refrigerant leakage detection accuracy may be reduced.

The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration cycle device that can suppress a decrease in the accuracy of refrigerant leakage detection during fan operation using a sensor having a light emitting part and a light receiving part.

A refrigeration cycle device according to the present disclosure includes a heat exchanger that is provided in an air path formed in a housing and in which a refrigerant flows, and a sensor that detects occurrence of leakage of the refrigerant within the housing. The sensor section includes a light emitting section that emits infrared rays, a light receiving section that receives the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting section, the light emitting section and the light receiving section are housed inside, and the sensor section has a gas intake section. a case member in which an opening is formed, further comprising a detection unit that detects occurrence of leakage of the refrigerant based on a state of reception of infrared rays by the light receiving unit, and the opening surface of the gas intake port is It faces upstream of the airflow in the air path and is arranged perpendicular to the airflow.

According to the refrigeration cycle device according to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress a decrease in refrigerant leakage detection accuracy during fan operation using a sensor having a light emitting section and a light receiving section.

1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a refrigerant circuit included in an air conditioner that is a refrigeration cycle device according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an indoor unit of an air conditioner which is a refrigeration cycle device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of an infrared sensor included in the refrigeration cycle device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the refrigeration cycle device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a modification of the infrared sensor included in the refrigeration cycle device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a modified example of an infrared sensor included in the refrigeration cycle device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a modification of the infrared sensor included in the refrigeration cycle device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a modification of the infrared sensor included in the refrigeration cycle device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a modified example of an infrared sensor included in the refrigeration cycle device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a modification of the infrared sensor included in the refrigeration cycle device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of another example of an indoor unit of an air conditioner that is a refrigeration cycle device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an indoor unit of an air conditioner that is a refrigeration cycle device according to a second embodiment.

Embodiments for implementing a refrigeration cycle device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals, and overlapping explanations will be simplified or omitted as appropriate. In the following description, for convenience, the positional relationship of each structure may be expressed based on the illustrated state. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and any combination of embodiments, modification of any component of each embodiment, or modification of each embodiment may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Any component of the embodiment can be omitted.

Embodiment 1.
Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a refrigerant circuit included in an air conditioner, which is a refrigeration cycle device. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an indoor unit of an air conditioner, which is a refrigeration cycle device. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of an infrared sensor included in the refrigeration cycle device. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the refrigeration cycle device. FIG. 5 is a sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a modified example of an infrared sensor included in the refrigeration cycle device. FIGS. 6 and 9 are perspective views schematically showing configurations of modified examples of an infrared sensor included in a refrigeration cycle device. FIGS. 7, 8, and 10 are cross-sectional views schematically showing configurations of modified infrared sensors included in the refrigeration cycle apparatus. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of another example of an indoor unit of an air conditioner that is a refrigeration cycle device.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an air conditioner as an example of a refrigeration cycle device according to this disclosure. In addition, examples of refrigeration cycle devices to which the refrigerant leak detection device according to the present invention is applied include, in addition to air conditioners, water heaters, showcases, refrigerators, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner, which is a refrigeration cycle device according to this embodiment, includes an indoor unit 1 and an outdoor unit 2. The indoor unit 1 is installed inside a room to be air-conditioned, that is, indoors. The outdoor unit 2 is installed outside the room, that is, outdoors. The indoor unit 1 includes an indoor heat exchanger 14 and an indoor fan 5. The outdoor unit 2 includes an outdoor heat exchanger 4, an outdoor fan 6, a compressor 7, an expansion valve 8, and a four-way valve 9.

The indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 2 are connected by a refrigerant pipe 3. The refrigerant pipe 3 is provided cyclically between the indoor heat exchanger 14 of the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor heat exchanger 4 of the outdoor unit 2. A refrigerant is sealed inside the refrigerant pipe 3. It is desirable to use a refrigerant with a small global warming potential (GWP) as the refrigerant sealed in the refrigerant pipe 3. For example, a refrigerant having a larger average molecular weight than air is used. The refrigerant in this case has a higher density than air and is heavier than air at atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the refrigerant in this case has the property of sinking downward in the direction of gravity (vertical direction) in the air.

Specific examples of such refrigerants include tetrafluoropropene (CF3CF=CH2:HFO-1234yf), difluoromethane (CH2F2:R32), propane (R290), propylene (R1270), ethane (R170), and butane (R600). ), isobutane (R600a), 1.1.1.2-tetrafluoroethane (C2H2F4:R134a), pentafluoroethane (C2HF5:R125), 1.3.3.3-tetrafluoro-1-propene (CF3- A (mixed) refrigerant consisting of one or more refrigerants selected from CH=CHF:HFO-1234ze), carbon dioxide (CO2:R744), etc. can be used.

The refrigerant pipe 3 connects the indoor heat exchanger 14, the four-way valve 9, the compressor 7, the outdoor heat exchanger 4, and the expansion valve 8 in an annular manner. Therefore, a refrigerant circuit is formed in which refrigerant circulates between the indoor heat exchanger 14 and the outdoor heat exchanger 4.

The compressor 7 is a device that compresses the supplied refrigerant to increase the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant. As the compressor 7, for example, a rotary compressor, a scroll compressor, a reciprocating compressor, etc. can be used. The expansion valve 8 expands the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 4 and reduces the pressure of the refrigerant. In the configuration example described here, the expansion valve 8 is a linear electric expansion valve (LEV). Therefore, by closing the expansion valve 8, the flow of refrigerant can be prevented.

The indoor heat exchanger 14 exchanges heat between the refrigerant that has flowed into the indoor heat exchanger 14 and the air around the indoor heat exchanger 14 . The indoor fan 5 blows indoor air so that it passes around the indoor heat exchanger 14, promotes heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air in the indoor heat exchanger 14, and heats or The cooled air is then sent back into the room. The outdoor heat exchanger 4 exchanges heat between the refrigerant that has flowed into the outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the air around the outdoor heat exchanger 4 . The outdoor fan 6 blows outdoor air around the outdoor heat exchanger 4 to promote heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air in the outdoor heat exchanger 4.

The refrigerant circuit configured in this way exchanges heat between the refrigerant and air in each of the indoor heat exchanger 14 and the outdoor heat exchanger 4, thereby transferring heat between the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 2. It works as a heat pump to move. At this time, by switching the four-way valve 9, the circulation direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit can be reversed, and the air conditioner can be switched between cooling operation and heating operation.

What is shown in FIG. 2 is an example of the indoor unit 1 according to this embodiment. The indoor unit 1 shown in the figure is of a ceiling-embedded type (ceiling cassette type). That is, the indoor unit 1 is buried in the ceiling of the room. The indoor unit 1 includes a housing 10 and a panel 11. The housing 10 has a box shape with an open bottom surface. The panel 11 is attached to the lower surface of the housing 10. The housing 10 is embedded in the ceiling of the room. The panel 11 is exposed in the room at the ceiling. The lower surface of the housing 10 is a surface facing the space to be air conditioned.

A suction port 12 and a blowout port 13 are formed in the panel 11 . The suction port 12 is an opening for taking air into the housing 10 from the outside. The air outlet 13 is an opening for discharging air from the inside of the housing 10 to the outside. The panel 11 has a rectangular shape, for example. A suction port 12 is arranged in the center of the panel 11. Four air outlets 13 are arranged along each side of the rectangular shape of the panel 11.

Inside the housing 10, an indoor heat exchanger 14 and an indoor fan 5 are housed. The indoor fan 5 is a centrifugal fan. The indoor fan 5 is provided inside the housing 10 with the suction side facing downward. The rotation of the indoor fan 5 is driven by a fan motor (not shown). The fan motor is attached to the top side of the housing 10. A bell mouth (not shown) is provided below the indoor fan 5 and above the suction port 12. The bell mouth is for introducing air into the indoor fan.

An indoor heat exchanger 14 is provided on the outer circumferential side of the indoor fan 5 within the housing 10 . The indoor heat exchanger 14 is arranged to surround the indoor fan 5 in an annular manner. As mentioned above, the refrigerant pipe 3 is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 14. Therefore, a portion of the refrigerant pipe 3 is housed inside the casing 10. The indoor heat exchanger 14 includes heat transfer tubes and fins (not shown). The heat transfer tubes of the indoor heat exchanger 14 are connected to the refrigerant piping 3 through a piping connection portion 16 . A refrigerant flows through the refrigerant pipe 3 inside the heat exchanger tube. That is, refrigerant flows inside the indoor heat exchanger 14.

In the indoor heat exchanger 14, heat exchange is performed between the air in the room sucked in from the suction port 12 by the indoor fan 5 and the refrigerant to generate cold air or warm air. A drain pan 15 is provided below the indoor heat exchanger 14 in the housing 10 . The drain pan 15 is for receiving condensed water generated by condensation of moisture in the air as the air is cooled during the heat exchange process in the indoor heat exchanger 14 . Between the outer peripheries of the indoor heat exchanger 14 and the drain pan 15 in the casing 10 and the wall surface of the casing 10, an air outlet path leading to the air outlet 13 is formed.

In this way, an air path is formed in the casing 10 of the indoor unit 1 from the suction port 12 to the air outlet 13 through the indoor fan 5, the indoor heat exchanger 14, and the air outlet. Therefore, the indoor heat exchanger 14 is arranged in an air path formed within the housing 10.

In the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner configured as described above, when the indoor fan 5 is rotated by the fan motor, the air flow from the suction port 12 to the blowout port 13 flows into the air path inside the housing 10. Air is sucked in from the suction port 12 and air is blown out from the blowout port 13. Air sucked in from the suction port 12 passes through the bell mouth and flows into the suction side of the indoor fan 5. The air that has flowed into the indoor fan 5 is blown out to the outer circumferential side of the indoor fan 5. Air blown out from the indoor fan 5 passes through the indoor heat exchanger 14 from the inner circumferential side to the outer circumferential side. As the air passes through the indoor heat exchanger 14, it is heated or cooled. Whether the air is heated or cooled depends on whether the air conditioner is in cooling mode or heating mode. The air that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger 14 hits the wall surface of the housing 10 and changes its flow direction downward. Then, the air passes through the air outlet between the indoor heat exchanger 14 and the drain pan 15 and the wall of the housing 10 and is blown out from the air outlet 13 .

An infrared sensor 100 is installed in the indoor unit 1 according to this embodiment. The infrared sensor 100 is a sensor unit for detecting the occurrence of refrigerant leakage. In this embodiment, the infrared sensor 100 is placed in the above-mentioned air path inside the housing 10. Note that the number of infrared sensors 100 to be installed is not limited to one, and a plurality of infrared sensors 100 may be installed. Further, the infrared sensor 100 may be installed inside the casing of the outdoor unit 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the infrared sensor 100 includes a light emitting section 120, a light receiving section 130, and a case member 110. The light emitting unit 120 is a light emitting unit that emits infrared rays. The light emitting unit 120 includes, as a light source, an infrared lamp having a filament, a light emitting diode (LED), or the like, for example. The light receiving section 130 is a light receiving means that receives infrared rays emitted from the light emitting section 120. The light emitting unit 120 receives power and emits infrared rays. The light receiving unit 130 outputs a signal corresponding to the intensity of the received infrared rays.

In the configuration example shown in FIG. 3, the case member 110 has a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape. A light emitting section 120 and a light receiving section 130 are housed inside the case member 110. Inside the case member 110, the light emitting section 120 and the light receiving section 130 are arranged to face each other. The light receiving surface of the light receiving section 130 is arranged to be perpendicular to the optical axis of the light (infrared rays) emitted from the light emitting section 120.

The infrared rays emitted from the light emitting section 120 pass through the optical path 140 and reach the light receiving section 130 . The optical path 140 is a region through which infrared rays emitted from the light emitting section 120 pass before reaching the light receiving section 130. The optical path 140 is formed along the optical axis of infrared rays emitted from the light emitting section 120.

The case member 110 surrounds the light emitting section 120, the light receiving section 130, and the optical path 140 from all directions: front and back, top and bottom, and right and left. The shape of the case member 110 is not limited to the illustrated example, that is, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, as long as it surrounds the light emitting section 120, the light receiving section 130, and the optical path 140. It's okay. A gas intake port 111 is formed in the case member 110. This gas intake port 111 allows communication between the outside and the inside of the case member 110. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 3, the gas intake port 111 is formed on the upper surface of the case member 110.

In the configuration example shown in FIG. 3, the infrared sensor 100 further includes a substrate 150. The board 150 is a printed circuit board having a flat plate shape. The light emitting section 120 and the light receiving section 130 are connected to the substrate 150 by a lead wire 151. Case member 110 is fixed to substrate 150. In the illustrated example, the substrate 150 is fixed to the surface of the case member 110 opposite to the surface on which the gas intake port 111 is located. Note that the board 150 may be provided integrally with a control board of a control device 40 of the air conditioner, which will be described later.

The refrigerant sealed in the refrigerant pipe 3 has the property of absorbing infrared rays of a specific wavelength. The infrared rays emitted by the light emitting section 120 include infrared rays of a specific wavelength that are absorbed by this refrigerant. The infrared sensor 100 may include a filter that allows the above-mentioned specific wavelength of infrared rays emitted by the light emitting unit 120 to pass. When there is no coolant between the light emitting section 120 and the light receiving section 130, the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting section 120 reach the light receiving section 130. When a coolant exists between the light emitting section 120 and the light receiving section 130, the above-mentioned specific wavelength of infrared rays emitted from the light emitting section 120 is absorbed by this coolant. Among the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting section 120, those having the aforementioned specific wavelengths are attenuated by the coolant. Whether or not a refrigerant exists between the light emitting section 120 and the light receiving section 130, or more precisely, depending on the concentration of the refrigerant between the light emitting section 120 and the light receiving section 130, the amount of infrared rays received by the light receiving section 130 is determined. The intensity changes.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of a control system of an air conditioner which is a refrigeration cycle device according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the air conditioner according to this embodiment includes a control device 40. The control device 40 processes signals related to operational control of the air conditioner and controls overall operation of the air conditioner. Specifically, the control device 40 controls the operations of the compressor 7, the indoor fan 5, and the outdoor fan 6.

The control device 40 includes hardware such as a computer including a processor and a memory. The processor is also referred to as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. Examples of the memory include nonvolatile or volatile semiconductor memories such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, and EEPROM, or magnetic disks, flexible disks, optical disks, compact disks, minidisks, and DVDs.

A program as software is stored in the memory of the control device 40. Then, the control device 40 executes preset processing by having the processor execute a program stored in the memory, and realizes the functions described below as a result of cooperation between hardware and software.

Note that the circuit of the control device 40 may be formed as dedicated hardware, for example. A part of the circuit of the control device 40 may be formed as dedicated hardware, and the circuit may be equipped with a processor and a memory. Circuits that are partially formed as dedicated hardware include, for example, single circuits, composite circuits, programmed processors, parallel programmed processors, ASICs, FPGAs, or combinations thereof.

The air conditioner, which is a refrigeration cycle device according to this embodiment, uses the detection result of the infrared sensor 100 to detect the occurrence of refrigerant leakage from the indoor heat exchanger 14. As described above, the infrared sensor 100 can detect the concentration of the refrigerant. Then, the infrared sensor 100 outputs a detection signal according to the detected concentration of the refrigerant. A detection signal output from the infrared sensor 100 is input to the control device 40.

The control device 40 includes a refrigerant leak detection section 41, a storage section 42, a notification section 43, and an operation control section 44. The refrigerant leak detection section 41 detects the occurrence of refrigerant leakage based on the detection result of the infrared sensor 100. That is, the refrigerant leak detection section 41 detects the occurrence of refrigerant leakage based on the state of reception of infrared rays by the light receiving section 130. The light receiving unit 130 outputs a signal corresponding to the received intensity of infrared rays of the above-mentioned specific wavelength. A signal output from the light receiving section 130 of the infrared sensor 100 is input to the refrigerant leak detection section 41 of the control device 40 . The signal output from the light receiving section 130 corresponds to the intensity of the infrared rays that have reached the light receiving section 130. As described above, this intensity changes depending on the refrigerant concentration between the light emitting section 120 and the light receiving section 130.

The refrigerant leak detection section 41 detects the occurrence of refrigerant leakage based on the signal output from the light receiving section 130. Specifically, the refrigerant leakage detection unit 41 detects that when the received light intensity of the light receiving unit 130 is below the leakage determination reference intensity, the refrigerant in the infrared sensor 100 is at a certain concentration or higher, that is, a refrigerant leak has occurred. Detect that. The leakage determination reference strength at this time is set in advance according to the refrigerant concentration at which it is to be detected that a refrigerant leak has occurred. The leakage determination reference strength thus set is stored in advance in the storage unit 42.

Note that the method of detecting the occurrence of refrigerant leakage based on the signal output from the light receiving section 130 by the refrigerant leakage detection section 41 is not limited to the method described above. For example, the following may be used. That is, the refrigerant leak detection section 41 first calculates the concentration of the refrigerant using the intensity of infrared light received by the light receiving section 130. Then, the refrigerant leakage detection unit 41 detects the occurrence of refrigerant leakage based on the calculated time-integrated value of the refrigerant concentration.

In this case, for example, the refrigerant leak detection unit 41 detects that a refrigerant leak has occurred when the calculated time integrated value of the refrigerant concentration becomes equal to or greater than the leakage determination reference integrated value. The leakage determination reference integrated value is set in advance to an amount of refrigerant at which the concentration of the leaked refrigerant leaking into the room is equal to or higher than a certain level, for example, depending on the volume of the room in which the indoor unit 1 is installed. By doing so, it is possible to more reliably prevent the concentration of the leaked refrigerant that has leaked into the room from exceeding a certain level. Further, when it is detected that a refrigerant leak has occurred, by interlocking with a ventilation device, etc., it is possible to more reliably prevent the concentration of the leaked refrigerant that has leaked into the room from exceeding a certain level.

When the refrigerant leak detection section 41 detects the occurrence of refrigerant leakage, the notification section 43 notifies users, workers, etc. of this fact. This notification section 43 includes a speaker for notifying by sound and an LED for notifying by light that the occurrence of refrigerant leakage has been detected.

The operation control unit 44 controls the operation of the air conditioner, which is a refrigeration cycle device, by controlling the operations of the compressor 7, the indoor fan 5, the outdoor fan 6, the expansion valve 8, and the like. When the refrigerant leakage detection section 41 detects the occurrence of refrigerant leakage, the operation control section 44 stops the operation of the air conditioner, which is a refrigeration cycle device.

In the refrigeration cycle device configured as described above, refrigerant leakage is detected using the detection result of the infrared sensor 100. The infrared sensor 100 includes a case member 110 that surrounds a light emitting section 120, a light receiving section 130, and an optical path 140. Then, the leaked refrigerant is introduced into the case member 110 through the gas intake port 111 formed in the case member 110. In this way, by surrounding the light emitting section 120, the light receiving section 130, and the optical path 140 with the case member 110 in which the gas intake port 111 is formed, foreign matter such as dust and dirt will adhere to the light emitting section 120 and the light receiving section 130. At the same time, it is possible to detect refrigerant leakage by introducing the leaked refrigerant into the optical path 140 within the case member 110.

Here, as described above, the infrared sensor 100 is installed in the air path within the housing 10 of the indoor unit 1. In this embodiment, the case member 110 of the infrared sensor 100 is positioned and oriented such that the opening surface of the gas intake port 111 faces upstream of the airflow in the air path and is perpendicular to the airflow. Placed.

An example of the arrangement of the case member 110 of the infrared sensor 100 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The position and orientation shown in A in the figure are for the case where the infrared sensor 100 is placed upstream of the air outlet 13 in the air path inside the housing 10. At this position A, the airflow in the air passage is downward. Therefore, in A of the same figure, the opening surface of the gas intake port 111 is arranged upward.

The position and orientation shown in B in the figure are for the case where the infrared sensor 100 is arranged downstream of the suction port 12 in the air path inside the housing 10. At this position B, the airflow in the air passage is upward. Therefore, in B of the same figure, the opening surface of the gas intake port 111 is arranged downward.

The position and orientation shown in C in the figure are for the case where the infrared sensor 100 is placed at a bend in the air path inside the housing 10. As described above, the air that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger 14 from the inner circumferential side to the outer circumferential side hits the wall surface of the housing 10 and changes its flow direction downward. Therefore, the location between the outer periphery of the indoor heat exchanger 14 and the wall surface of the housing 10 is a bent portion where the direction of the airflow changes from the outer periphery to the downward direction. In C of the same figure, the infrared sensor 100 is arranged at the bend of this air path. The opening surface of the gas intake port 111 is arranged toward the inner circumference so as to face the indoor heat exchanger 14 .

According to such a refrigeration cycle device (air conditioner), by covering the light emitting section 120, the light receiving section 130, and the optical path 140 with the case member 110 of the infrared sensor 100, the influence of dew condensation generated within the housing 10 can be prevented. It is possible to suppress a decrease in refrigerant leakage detection accuracy. Furthermore, in any of the above A, B, and C, the opening surface of the gas intake port 111 of the infrared sensor 100 is arranged so as to face the upstream side of the airflow in the air path and be perpendicular to the airflow. ing. Therefore, when a refrigerant leak occurs while the indoor fan 5 is operating, the leaked refrigerant flowing in the airflow is easily taken into the case member 110 from the gas intake port 111, and the leaked refrigerant is contained in the case member 110. By retaining the gas, it is possible to improve the accuracy of detecting refrigerant leakage that occurs while the indoor fan 5 is operating.

Further, the position shown in C in FIG. 2 is also below the piping connection part 16. If the refrigerant is heavier than air and a refrigerant leak occurs at the pipe connection 16, the leaked refrigerant mainly flows vertically below the pipe connection 16. Therefore, by arranging the infrared sensor 100 at the position shown in FIG.

Note that the position and orientation shown in D in FIG. 2 are above the drain pan 15. When a refrigerant leak occurs in the indoor heat exchanger 14, the refrigerant that is heavier than air tends to accumulate on the drain pan 15 located below the indoor heat exchanger 14. Therefore, by arranging the infrared sensor 100 at the position shown in D in FIG. 2, it is possible to easily detect refrigerant leakage occurring in the indoor heat exchanger 14. Furthermore, by oriented the opening surface of the gas intake port 111 downward at this time, it is possible to suppress foreign matter such as condensed water and dust from entering the case member 110 from the gas intake port 111.

Further, in the configuration example of the infrared sensor 100 shown in FIG. 3, the optical axis of the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting section 120 is parallel to the opening surface of the gas intake port 111. Therefore, the fact that the opening surface of the gas intake port 111 is perpendicular to the airflow in the airflow path means that the optical axis of the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting section 120 is arranged perpendicular to the airflow in the airflow path. That's true. By arranging the optical axis of the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting unit 120 and the optical path 140 perpendicular to the airflow in the air path, the leaked refrigerant taken into the case member 110 from the gas intake port 111 crosses the optical path 140. This makes it possible to further improve refrigerant leakage detection accuracy.

Next, a modification of the infrared sensor 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10. What is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is a modification in which an exhaust port 112, which is another opening in addition to the gas intake port 111, is formed in the case member 110 of the infrared sensor 100. In the modification shown in FIG. 5, a gas intake port 111 is formed on the upper surface of the case member 110, and an exhaust port 112 is formed on the lower surface of the case member 110. That is, the exhaust port 112 is formed on a surface of the case member 110 that faces the surface on which the gas intake port 111 is formed. In the modification shown in the figure, the opening surface of the exhaust port 112 is oriented in the opposite direction to the opening surface of the gas intake port 111. Further, in a projection plane parallel to the opening surface of the gas intake port 111, the gas intake port 111 and the exhaust port 112 are arranged so as not to overlap. According to such a modification, it is possible to prevent the pressure inside the case member 110 from increasing and making it difficult to take gas into the gas intake port 111, and it is possible to make it easier for the airflow to pass through the optical path 140. Further, by arranging the gas intake port 111 and the exhaust port 112 as shown in FIG. 5, the leaked refrigerant taken into the case member 110 can easily stay there. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the refrigerant leakage detection accuracy.

In the modification shown in FIG. 6, a gas intake port 111 is formed on the upper surface of the case member 110, and an exhaust port 112 is formed on one side surface of the case member 110. That is, the exhaust port 112 is formed on a surface of the case member 110 that does not face the surface on which the gas intake port 111 is formed. In the modification shown in the figure, the direction of the opening surface of the exhaust port 112 is different from the direction of the opening surface of the gas intake port 111 by 90 degrees. Such a modification also makes it easier for the leaked refrigerant taken into the case member 110 to stay there. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the refrigerant leakage detection accuracy.

What is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is a modification example in which a narrowed portion 114 having a narrower width is provided in the intermediate portion between the light emitting portion 120 and the light receiving portion 130 in the case member 110. In this modification, a gas intake port 111 is formed on one side of the case member 110, for example, on the side where the light emitting section 120 is disposed. An exhaust port 112 is formed on the other side of the case member 110, for example, on the side where the light receiving section 130 is arranged. The exhaust port 112 is formed on a surface of the case member 110 that faces the surface on which the gas intake port 111 is formed. A partition member 113 is provided inside the case member 110. The partition member 113 is provided in the case member 110 at an intermediate portion between the light emitting section 120 and the light receiving section 130. The partition member 113 protrudes from the inner wall surface of the case member 110. FIG. 7 shows a configuration example in which the partition member 113 is a flat member. Further, FIG. 8 shows a configuration example in which the partition member 113 is a member having a V-shaped inclined surface.

By providing such a partition member 113, the case member 110 has a narrowed portion 114. The narrowed portion 114 is a portion between the light emitting portion 120 and the light receiving portion 130 where the width in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis described above is narrowed. In this modification, the gas intake port 111 is formed on the surface of the case member 110 on the side where the light emitting section 120 or the light receiving section 130 is arranged. Since the opening surface of the gas intake port 111 is arranged perpendicular to the airflow in the airflow path, the optical axis of the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting section 120 is arranged parallel to the airflow in the airflow path. will be done.

According to the modification shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 as described above, the optical axis and optical path 140 of the infrared sensor 100 are arranged parallel to the airflow in the air path. Thereby, the cross-sectional area of the case member 110 that occupies the air path can be reduced, and pressure loss can be reduced. Further, by providing the narrow portion 114 in the case member 110, the refrigerant taken into the case member 110 can easily pass through the optical path 140, and it is possible to improve the refrigerant leakage detection accuracy.

FIG. 9 shows a modification in which the substrate 150 is arranged parallel to the airflow in the air path. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 3, the substrate 150 is fixed to the surface of the case member 110 opposite to the surface where the gas intake port 111 is located. In contrast, in the modification shown in FIG. 9, the substrate 150 is fixed to a surface of the case member 110 adjacent to the surface on which the gas intake port 111 is located. That is, the substrate 150 is arranged perpendicular to the opening surface of the gas intake port 111. Therefore, the substrate 150 is placed parallel to the airflow in the air path. By doing so, the pressure loss of the airflow in the air path due to the substrate 150 of the infrared sensor 100 can be reduced.

At this time, it is preferable to arrange the substrate 150 vertically above the gas intake port 111. By doing so, the upper part of the gas intake port 111 can be covered by the substrate 150 like an eaves, and the condensed water dripping from the indoor heat exchanger 14 etc. can be prevented from entering the case member 110 from the gas intake port 111. can be prevented from invading. Furthermore, by placing the component mounting surface of the substrate 150 on the lower side, it is possible to suppress dripping condensed water from adhering to electronic components and the like mounted on the substrate 150.

What is shown in FIG. 10 is a modification in which the case member 110 of the infrared sensor 100 is provided with an introduction part 116. The introduction section 116 is for guiding the gas that has passed through the gas intake port 111 to the optical path 140 . In the illustrated example, the case member 110 includes a rectangular parallelepiped case body 115 and an introduction section 116. An inlet 117 is formed on one surface of the case body 115. One end of the introduction section 116 is connected to the inlet 117. A gas intake port 111 is formed at the other end of the introduction section 116 . In the illustrated example, the introduction portion 116 has an L-shape with a bent midway. The opening surface of the gas intake port 111 of the introduction part 116 is arranged to face the upstream side of the airflow in the air path and to be perpendicular to the airflow. The gas that has passed through the gas intake port 111 passes through the introduction section 116, enters the case body 115 from the inflow port 117, and is guided to the optical path 140. By providing such an introduction part 116, the degree of freedom in arranging the case body 115 can be improved, and more gas containing the leaked refrigerant can be taken into the optical path 140 of the infrared sensor 100, so that refrigerant leakage can be detected quickly.

Next, another example of the indoor unit 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 11. The indoor unit 1 shown in the figure is of a ceiling hanging type. That is, the indoor unit 1 is installed suspended from the ceiling of the room. The indoor unit 1 includes a housing 10. The housing 10 has an inlet 12 and an outlet 13 formed therein. The suction port 12 is an opening for taking air into the housing 10 from the outside. The air outlet 13 is an opening for discharging air from the inside of the housing 10 to the outside. In the illustrated example, the suction port 12 is arranged near one side of the lower surface of the housing 10. Further, an air outlet 13 is arranged on one side of the housing 10.

Inside the housing 10, an indoor heat exchanger 14 and an indoor fan 5 are housed. The indoor fan 5 is a radial fan (for example, a turbo fan, a sirocco fan, etc.), an axial fan (for example, a propeller fan), a mixed flow fan, a cross-flow fan, or the like. The indoor fan 5 is provided above the suction port 12 inside the housing 10 . The rotation of the indoor fan 5 is driven by a fan motor (not shown).

An indoor heat exchanger 14 is provided between the indoor fan 5 and the air outlet 13 within the housing 10 . As mentioned above, the refrigerant pipe 3 is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 14. Therefore, a portion of the refrigerant pipe 3 is housed inside the casing 10. The indoor heat exchanger 14 includes heat transfer tubes and fins (not shown). The heat transfer tubes of the indoor heat exchanger 14 are connected to the refrigerant piping 3 through a piping connection portion 16 . A refrigerant flows through the refrigerant pipe 3 inside the heat exchanger tube. That is, refrigerant flows inside the indoor heat exchanger 14.

In the indoor heat exchanger 14, heat exchange is performed between the air in the room sucked in from the suction port 12 by the indoor fan 5 and the refrigerant to generate cold air or warm air. A drain pan 15 is provided below the indoor heat exchanger 14 in the housing 10 . The drain pan 15 is for receiving condensed water generated by condensation of moisture in the air as the air is cooled during the heat exchange process in the indoor heat exchanger 14 .

A drain pump 17 is provided in the drain pan 15. The drain pump 17 is for pumping up the condensed water in the drain pan 15 and discharging it to the outside. The condensed water in the drain pan 15 is pumped up by the drain pump 17 and discharged to the outside through a drain pipe (not shown). The drain pan 15 is provided so as to be inclined such that one side where the drain pump 17 is provided is lower than the other side. The condensed water in the drain pan 15 flows to the aforementioned one side where the drain pump 17 is provided and is collected. The drain pump 17 is preferably provided at the lowest point of this slope.

In the casing 10 of the indoor unit 1, an air path is formed that extends from the suction port 12, passes through the indoor fan 5 and the indoor heat exchanger 14, and reaches the air outlet 13. Therefore, the indoor heat exchanger 14 is arranged in an air path formed within the housing 10.

In the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner configured as described above, when the indoor fan 5 is rotated by the fan motor, the air flow from the suction port 12 to the blowout port 13 flows into the air path inside the housing 10. Air is sucked in from the suction port 12 and air is blown out from the blowout port 13. Air sucked in from the suction port 12 passes through the indoor fan 5. Air blown out from the indoor fan 5 passes through the indoor heat exchanger 14. As the air passes through the indoor heat exchanger 14, it is heated or cooled. Whether the air is heated or cooled depends on whether the air conditioner is in cooling mode or heating mode. The air that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger 14 is blown out from the outlet 13.

Next, an example of the arrangement of the case member 110 of the infrared sensor 100 in another example of this indoor unit 1 will be described. The position and orientation shown in E in the figure are for the case where the infrared sensor 100 is placed upstream of the air outlet 13 in the air path inside the housing 10 and downstream of the indoor heat exchanger 14. . In the position and orientation indicated by F in the figure, the infrared sensor 100 is placed downstream of the indoor heat exchanger 14 in the air path inside the housing 10 and above the drain pan.

In both E and F above, the opening surface of the gas intake port 111 of the infrared sensor 100 is arranged to face upstream of the airflow in the air path and to be perpendicular to the airflow. With such a refrigeration cycle device (air conditioner), even if refrigerant leaks while the indoor fan 5 is operating, the leaked refrigerant that has been carried away by the airflow can be easily taken into the case member 110 from the gas intake port 111. Become. By retaining the gas containing the leaked refrigerant in the case member 110, it is possible to improve the accuracy of detecting refrigerant leaks that occur while the indoor fan 5 is operating.

Embodiment 2.
Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an indoor unit of an air conditioner that is a refrigeration cycle device.

The refrigeration cycle device according to the second embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. The configuration whose description is omitted is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. In the following description, structures similar to or corresponding to those of the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals used in the description of the first embodiment.

The indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner, which is a refrigeration cycle device according to this embodiment, is of a ceiling-embedded type (ceiling cassette type), as shown in FIG. The basic configuration of the indoor unit 1 according to this embodiment is the same as that of the indoor unit 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, redundant explanation will be omitted here.

The indoor unit 1 according to this embodiment is provided with an infrared sensor 100. The configuration of infrared sensor 100 is similar to infrared sensor 100 according to Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, redundant explanation will be omitted here.

In the indoor unit 1 according to this embodiment, the gas intake port 111 formed in the case member 110 of the infrared sensor 100 is connected to the wall surface defining the boundary of the air path at the bent part of the air path in the housing 10. It is located. As described in the first embodiment, the air that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger 14 from the inner circumferential side to the outer circumferential side hits the wall surface of the housing 10 and changes its flow direction downward. Therefore, the location between the outer periphery of the indoor heat exchanger 14 and the wall surface of the housing 10 is a bent portion where the direction of the airflow changes from the outer periphery to the downward direction. In this embodiment, the surface of the case member 110 on which the gas intake port 111 is formed is arranged on the wall surface of the casing 10 at the bend of the air path. Further, the case member 110 is arranged in such a position and orientation that the opening surface of the gas intake port 111 faces upstream of the airflow in the air path and is perpendicular to the airflow.

Also in the refrigeration cycle device configured as above, the opening surface of the gas intake port 111 of the infrared sensor 100 faces the upstream side of the airflow in the air path and is arranged perpendicular to the airflow. Similar to the first embodiment, when refrigerant leaks while the indoor fan 5 is in operation, the leaked refrigerant that has been carried away by the airflow can be easily taken into the case member 110 from the gas intake port 111. By retaining the gas containing the leaked refrigerant in the case member 110, it is possible to improve the accuracy of detecting refrigerant leaks that occur while the indoor fan 5 is operating.

Furthermore, although the surface of the case member 110 of the infrared sensor 100 on which the gas intake port 111 is provided is exposed to the air path, the entire case member 110 is disposed outside the air path. Therefore, the pressure loss of the airflow in the air path can be reduced compared to the case where the case member 110 of the infrared sensor 100 is placed in the air path.

1 Indoor unit 2 Outdoor unit 3 Refrigerant piping 4 Outdoor heat exchanger 5 Indoor fan 6 Outdoor fan 7 Compressor 8 Expansion valve 9 Four-way valve 10 Housing 11 Panel 12 Suction port 13 Air outlet 14 Indoor heat exchanger 15 Drain pan 16 Piping connection Part 17 Drain pump 40 Control device 41 Refrigerant leak detection section 42 Storage section 43 Notification section 44 Operation control section 100 Infrared sensor 110 Case member 111 Gas intake port 112 Exhaust port 113 Partition member 114 Constriction section 115 Case body 116 Introduction section 117 Flow Entrance 120 Light emitting section 130 Light receiving section 140 Optical path 150 Substrate 151 Lead wire

Claims (11)

a heat exchanger that is installed in an air path formed in the housing and in which a refrigerant flows;
a sensor unit for detecting occurrence of leakage of the refrigerant within the housing,
The sensor section is
A light emitting part that emits infrared rays,
a light receiving section that receives the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting section;
a case member in which the light emitting section and the light receiving section are housed and a gas intake port is formed;
further comprising a detection unit that detects occurrence of leakage of the refrigerant based on a state of reception of infrared rays by the light reception unit,
In the refrigeration cycle device, the opening surface of the gas intake port faces upstream of the airflow in the air path and is arranged perpendicular to the airflow. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 1, wherein the case member is arranged in the air path. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 1, wherein the case member is arranged outside the air path. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 1, wherein the gas intake port is arranged on a wall surface defining a boundary of the air passage at a bent portion of the air passage. The refrigeration cycle device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the optical axis of the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting section is arranged perpendicular to the airflow. The optical axis of the infrared rays emitted from the light emitting part is arranged parallel to the airflow,
The refrigeration cycle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the case member has a narrowed part between the light emitting part and the light receiving part, the width of which is narrow in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. Device. An exhaust port is formed in the case member,
The refrigeration cycle device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the direction of the opening surface of the exhaust port is different from the direction of the opening surface of the gas intake port. An exhaust port is formed in the case member,
The direction of the opening surface of the exhaust port is opposite to the direction of the opening surface of the gas intake port,
The refrigeration cycle device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the gas intake port and the exhaust port do not overlap in a projection plane parallel to an opening surface of the gas intake port. further comprising a flat board fixed to the case member,
The refrigeration cycle device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the substrate is arranged parallel to the airflow. The case member includes an introduction part that guides the gas that has passed through the gas intake port to an optical path through which infrared rays emitted from the light emitting part passes before reaching the light receiving part. 9. The refrigeration cycle device according to any one of 9. The detection unit includes:
Calculating the concentration of the refrigerant using the intensity of infrared light received by the light receiving unit,
The refrigeration cycle device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein occurrence of leakage of the refrigerant is detected based on the calculated time-integrated value of the concentration of the refrigerant.

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