JP2023150491A - air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an air conditioner capable of suppressing a leaked refrigerant staying in a room.SOLUTION: An air conditioner includes: an indoor heat exchanger (11); an indoor fan (12) capable of performing a blower operation for supplying air for performing heat exchange with a refrigerant flowing inside the indoor heat exchanger (11) with respect to the indoor heat exchanger (11); a ventilation duct (6) which is used at least for one of ventilation operations of exhausting the indoor air to outdoors and supplying the outdoor air to indoors; and an indoor refrigerant sensor (17) for detecting a refrigerant which has leaked indoors. The refrigerant is the refrigerant which has combustibility, and in the case where the indoor refrigerant sensor (17) has detected the leakage of the refrigerant, the blower operation and the ventilation operation can be performed simultaneously.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner.

In recent years, with increasing interest in the global environment, refrigerants with a low global warming potential (hereinafter referred to as GWP) that do not significantly affect ozone layer depletion or global warming are attracting attention. Some of these refrigerants are flammable refrigerants, and safety must be ensured to prevent them from igniting.

For example, according to Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-166680), in an indoor unit using a flammable refrigerant, when the refrigerant leaks, an indoor fan is driven to stir the refrigerant, and the concentration of the refrigerant is reduced. It has been proposed to perform control to reduce the

If refrigerant leaks from the indoor unit, the leaked refrigerant will continue to exist indoors even if the indoor fan is driven.

The air conditioner according to the first aspect includes an indoor heat exchanger, an indoor ventilation section, a ventilation flow path, and an indoor detection section. The indoor ventilation section is capable of blowing operation. In the air blowing operation, the indoor blower supplies air that exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing inside the indoor heat exchanger to the indoor heat exchanger. The ventilation channel is used for at least one of ventilation operations, such as exhausting indoor air to the outside or supplying outdoor air into the room. The indoor detection unit detects refrigerant leaking indoors. The refrigerant is a combustible refrigerant. When the indoor detection unit detects refrigerant leakage, it is possible to perform air blowing operation and ventilation operation at the same time.

This air conditioner can simultaneously suppress the refrigerant concentration from increasing locally and prevent the leaked refrigerant from remaining indoors by simultaneously performing the blowing operation and the ventilation operation in the event of a refrigerant leak.

The air conditioner according to the second aspect is the air conditioner according to the first aspect, and further includes an outdoor detection section. The outdoor detection unit detects refrigerant leaked outdoors.

This air conditioner can detect that a refrigerant leak has occurred outdoors.

The air conditioner according to the third aspect is the air conditioner according to the second aspect, and the air conditioner according to the second aspect differs between when the indoor detection section detects refrigerant leakage and when the outdoor detection section detects refrigerant leakage. The direction of air flow in the ventilation channel is switched.

This air conditioner can switch between supplying air from the outdoors into the room and exhausting air from the room to the outdoors depending on the location where the refrigerant leakage occurs.

The air conditioner according to the fourth aspect is the air conditioner according to the third aspect, in which when the outdoor detection unit detects refrigerant leakage, indoor air is transferred to the outside through the ventilation flow path during ventilation operation. Exhaust.

This air conditioner can prevent the leaked refrigerant from being sent indoors through the ventilation flow path when refrigerant leaks outdoors.

The air conditioner according to the fifth aspect is the air conditioner according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, and further includes a controller. The controller receives a stop operation to stop the blowing operation or the ventilation operation in a state where the indoor detection unit does not detect refrigerant leakage. The controller does not accept a stop operation while the blowing operation and ventilation operation are being performed due to detection of refrigerant leakage.

This air conditioner can forcibly continue blowing operation and ventilation operation in the event of a refrigerant leak.

The air conditioner according to the sixth aspect is the air conditioner according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, and the indoor detection unit detects refrigerant leakage while performing the ventilation operation.

This air conditioner improves the detection accuracy of refrigerant leakage in the indoor detection unit by forming an air flow around the indoor detection unit even if the refrigerant leak occurs at a location far from the indoor detection unit. can be increased.

The air conditioner according to the seventh aspect is the air conditioner according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, and is capable of performing ventilation operation in a state where the indoor detection unit does not detect refrigerant leakage. It is.

In this air conditioner, the ventilation flow path prepared for indoor ventilation in a situation where there is no refrigerant leakage can be used for ventilation operation in the event of a leakage.

The air conditioner according to the eighth aspect is the air conditioner according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, and further includes a compressor. The compressor is connected to an indoor heat exchanger via refrigerant piping. When the indoor detection unit detects refrigerant leakage, the compressor stops operating.

This air conditioner can suppress the degree of leakage by stopping the flow of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit when the refrigerant leaks.

An air conditioner according to a ninth aspect is the air conditioner according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, and further includes a notification section. The notification unit notifies the refrigerant leakage when the indoor detection unit detects the refrigerant leakage.

This air conditioner can let the user know that a refrigerant leak has occurred.

The air conditioner according to the tenth aspect is the air conditioner according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, in which the combustible refrigerant is selected from the group consisting of R290, R600, and R600a. One type or two or more types are included.

This air conditioner can reduce the risk of ignition even when using a refrigerant that easily burns.

FIG. 1 is an external view of an air conditioner according to an embodiment. It is a diagram in which an outline of air flow is added to a system diagram of a refrigerant circuit. FIG. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram of an air conditioner. It is a control flowchart at the time of refrigerant leakage. 7 is a control flowchart when a refrigerant leaks according to another embodiment A. FIG. 7 is a control flowchart when a refrigerant leaks according to another embodiment B. FIG.

(1) Overall Configuration FIG. 1 shows a schematic external view, and FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The air conditioner 1 performs a vapor compression refrigeration cycle to condition the air in the target space and to ventilate the target space.

The air conditioner 1 mainly includes an outdoor unit 3, an indoor unit 2, a gas side refrigerant communication pipe 4 that connects the outdoor unit 3 and the indoor unit 2, a liquid side refrigerant communication pipe 5, a drain hose 8, and a ventilation duct 6. , a remote control 61 serving as an input device and an output device, and a controller 7 that controls the operation of the air conditioner 1.

The indoor unit 2 is placed indoors. The outdoor unit 3 is placed outdoors. The outdoor unit 3 includes an outdoor air conditioning unit 3a and a ventilation unit 3b. The gas side refrigerant communication pipe 4 and the liquid side refrigerant communication pipe 5 connect the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor air conditioning unit 3a of the outdoor unit 3.

The air conditioner 1 includes a refrigerant circuit 10 that performs a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant circuit 10 is configured by connecting an indoor unit 2 and an outdoor unit 3 via a gas side refrigerant communication pipe 4 and a liquid side refrigerant communication pipe 5. This refrigerant circuit 10 is filled with a combustible refrigerant. Examples of the refrigerant include highly flammable refrigerants of classes A3 and B3, flammable refrigerants of classes A2 and B2, and slightly flammable refrigerants of classes A2L and B2L in the ASHRAE Safety Group. More specifically, the refrigerant may be one or more selected from the group consisting of R290, R600, and R600a. Note that in this embodiment, the refrigerant circuit 10 is filled with a refrigerant having a higher specific gravity than air.

The ventilation duct 6 connects the indoor unit 2 and the ventilation unit 3b of the outdoor unit 3. The ventilation unit 3b performs a ventilation operation including an air supply operation for supplying outdoor air into the room and an exhaust operation for discharging indoor air to the outside.

The controller 7 controls the components of the air conditioner 1.

(2) Indoor unit The indoor unit 2 of this embodiment is, for example, a wall-mounted type.

The indoor unit 2 includes an indoor heat exchanger 11 , an indoor fan 12 , an indoor casing 20 , a drain hose 8 , and an indoor control section 13 .

The indoor heat exchanger 11 includes a heat transfer tube that is folded back multiple times at both ends in the length direction, and a plurality of fins through which the heat transfer tube is inserted, and performs heat exchange with the air in contact with the heat transfer tube.

Indoor fan 12 is, for example, a cross flow fan. The indoor fan 12 has a cylindrical shape, has a large number of blades on its circumferential surface, and generates an airflow in a direction intersecting the rotation axis. This indoor fan 12 has a fan motor 12a. When the fan motor 12a is driven, the indoor fan 12 creates an air flow that sucks indoor air into the indoor unit 2, exchanges heat with the indoor heat exchanger 11, and blows out the air indoors. let

The drain hose 8 constitutes a flow path for draining condensed water dripping from the indoor heat exchanger 11 in the indoor unit 2 to the outdoors. Specifically, the drain hose 8 extends from the lower surface of the indoor casing 20 and extends to an outdoor drainage location.

The indoor casing 20 accommodates an indoor heat exchanger 11, an indoor fan 12, and an indoor control unit 13 therein, and has an inlet 18, an outlet 19, and a communication opening 14 formed therein. The suction port 18 sucks indoor air during exhaust operation. Further, the suction port 18 sucks indoor air during air conditioning operation. The air outlet 19 blows indoor air and outdoor air indoors.

The suction port 18 is provided upstream of the indoor heat exchanger 11. A part of the indoor air introduced from the suction port 18 during the exhaust operation is discharged outside through the communication opening 14 and the ventilation duct 6 without passing through the indoor heat exchanger 11. The remainder of the indoor air introduced from the suction port 18 during the exhaust operation exchanges heat with the indoor heat exchanger 11 when passing through the indoor heat exchanger 11, and after being cooled, dehumidified, or heated, the air is sent to the air outlet. 19 into the room.

Further, indoor air introduced from the suction port 18 during the air supply operation passes through the indoor heat exchanger 11 and is cooled, dehumidified, or heated, and then is supplied indoors from the air outlet 19.

The communication opening 14 is an air supply port through which outdoor air is introduced during air supply operation, and an exhaust port through which indoor air is discharged during exhaust operation. In the air supply operation, outdoor air is supplied into the room through the communication opening 14, and in the exhaust operation, the indoor air is discharged to the outside through the communication opening 14. The communication opening 14 is a flow path through which outdoor air passes during air supply operation, and a flow path through which indoor air passes during exhaust operation.

The indoor casing 20 is installed on a wall so that the communication opening 14 faces an opening formed in an indoor wall (not shown). The communication opening 14 and an opening formed in the wall of the room are connected by an air supply/exhaust port member.

The communication opening 14 is provided upstream of the indoor heat exchanger 11 in the air flow direction formed by the indoor fan 12 . Outdoor air introduced through the communication opening 14 during air supply operation passes through the indoor heat exchanger 11. Therefore, during the cooling operation or the dehumidification operation, the outdoor air is cooled or dehumidified by the indoor heat exchanger 11 and then supplied into the room from the air outlet 19. In addition, unhumidified outdoor air when air supply operation is performed during heating operation, and humidified outdoor air when humidified operation is performed during heating operation, are heated by the indoor heat exchanger 11 and then heated through the air outlet. 19 into the room.

Various sensors are arranged in the indoor unit 2. Here, an indoor temperature sensor 15, an indoor humidity sensor 16, and an indoor refrigerant sensor 17 are arranged in the indoor unit 2.

The indoor temperature sensor 15 detects the indoor temperature. The indoor humidity sensor 16 detects indoor humidity. The indoor temperature sensor 15 and the indoor humidity sensor 16 may be indoor temperature and humidity sensors that detect indoor temperature and indoor humidity.

The indoor refrigerant sensor 17 detects refrigerant leaking from the refrigerant circuit 10 . Specifically, the indoor refrigerant sensor 17 is a sensor that can detect refrigerant when the concentration of the leaked refrigerant exceeds a predetermined value. In this embodiment, since the refrigerant circuit 10 is filled with a refrigerant having a specific gravity higher than that of air, the indoor refrigerant sensor 17 is located below the indoor heat exchanger 11 or on the leeward side of the indoor heat exchanger 11, for example. It is preferable to arrange it on a drain pan (not shown) arranged below the indoor heat exchanger 11.

Note that the indoor temperature sensor 15, the indoor humidity sensor 16, and the indoor refrigerant sensor 17 may be placed somewhere in the room instead of in the indoor unit 2.

The indoor control section 13 controls the operation of each section constituting the indoor unit 2. The indoor control unit 13 includes a microcomputer including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and memories such as ROM and RAM. The indoor control section 13 is connected to the outdoor control section 31 via a communication line, and transmits and receives control signals and the like. The indoor control unit 13 is electrically connected to an indoor temperature sensor 15, an indoor humidity sensor 16, and an indoor refrigerant sensor 17, and receives detection information from each sensor.

(3) Outdoor unit The outdoor unit 3 includes an outdoor air conditioning unit 3a, a ventilation unit 3b, and an outdoor control section 31.

The ventilation unit 3b is provided so as to be stacked above the outdoor air conditioning unit 3a.

The outdoor control section 31 controls the operation of each part that constitutes the outdoor unit 3. The outdoor control unit 31 includes a microcomputer including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and memories such as ROM and RAM. The outdoor control section 31 is connected to the indoor control section 13 via a communication line, and sends and receives control signals and the like. The outdoor control unit 31 is electrically connected to an outdoor temperature sensor 33 and an outdoor humidity sensor 34, which will be described later, and receives detection information from each sensor.

(3-1) Outdoor air conditioning unit The outdoor air conditioning unit 3a includes a compressor 21, a four-way switching valve 22, an accumulator 23, an outdoor heat exchanger 24, an expansion valve 25, a filter 26, and a liquid closing valve 27. , a gas shutoff valve 28 , and an outdoor fan 29 .

The compressor 21 is a mechanism that compresses low-pressure refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle to high pressure. The four-way switching valve 22 is connected to the discharge side of the compressor 21. Accumulator 23 is connected to the suction side of compressor 21. Outdoor heat exchanger 24 is connected to four-way switching valve 22 . Expansion valve 25 is connected to outdoor heat exchanger 24 . The expansion valve 25 is connected to the liquid side refrigerant communication pipe 5 via a filter 26 and a liquid shutoff valve 27. The four-way switching valve 22 is connected to the gas side refrigerant communication pipe 4 via a gas shutoff valve 28. The gas side refrigerant communication pipe 4 and the liquid side refrigerant communication pipe 5 together with the ventilation duct 6 and the drain hose 8 form a collective communication pipe 9 that is a group of pipes.

The outdoor fan 29 exhausts outdoor air after heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger 24 to the outside. The outdoor fan 29 is, for example, a propeller fan. The outdoor fan 29 generates an air flow that passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 24 by being driven by a fan motor 29a.

Various sensors such as an outdoor temperature sensor 33, an outdoor humidity sensor 34, and an outdoor refrigerant sensor 35 are arranged in the outdoor unit 3. The outdoor temperature sensor 33 detects the outdoor temperature. The outdoor humidity sensor 34 detects outdoor humidity. The outdoor refrigerant sensor 35 detects refrigerant leaking from the refrigerant circuit 10. Specifically, the outdoor refrigerant sensor 35 is a sensor that can detect refrigerant when the concentration of the leaked refrigerant exceeds a predetermined value. In this embodiment, since the refrigerant circuit 10 is filled with a refrigerant having a higher specific gravity than air, the outdoor refrigerant sensor 35 is preferably disposed below the outdoor heat exchanger 24, for example.

(3-2) Ventilation unit The ventilation unit 3b is connected to the ventilation duct 6 extending from the indoor unit 2, and is integrated with the outdoor air conditioning unit 3a by being stacked on top of the outdoor air conditioning unit 3a. There is.

The ventilation unit 3b performs an air supply operation that supplies outdoor air indoors, an exhaust operation that exhausts indoor air to the outdoors, and a humidification operation that supplies humidified air indoors. Air supply operation and humidification operation are the same in that they supply outdoor air indoors, but air supply operation is a humidification operation that humidifies outdoor air, in that air supply operation supplies outdoor air indoors without humidifying it. Different from driving.

The ventilation unit 3b includes a ventilation casing 40, a humidifying rotor 41, a heater 42, a humidifying duct 45, an adsorption duct 47, a radial fan assembly 43, and an adsorption fan 46. .

The ventilation casing 40 covers the front, rear, both sides, and top of the ventilation unit 3b. The ventilation casing 40 is provided with an adsorption air inlet 40b, an adsorption air outlet 40a, and an air supply/exhaust port 40c. The adsorption air suction port 40b is an opening through which air is taken in from outside in order to cause the adsorption/humidification rotor 41 to adsorb moisture. The adsorption air outlet 40a is an opening through which air after passing through the adsorption/humidification rotor 41 is discharged to the outside. The air supply/exhaust port 40c is an opening through which air is taken in to be sent to the indoor unit 2, or through which air is taken in from the indoor unit 2 and exhausted to the outside. Inside the ventilation casing 40, a humidifying rotor 41, a heater 42, a radial fan assembly 43, a suction fan 46, and the like are arranged.

The humidifying rotor 41 is a ceramic rotor with a honeycomb structure having a disk shape in plan view, and has a structure through which air can easily pass. The humidifying rotor 41 has a honeycomb-shaped cross section taken along a horizontal plane. A large number of cylindrical portions of the humidification/absorption rotor 41, each having a polygonal cross section, extend in the vertical direction, and air passes through them. The main portion of the humidifying rotor 41 is baked from an adsorbent such as zeolite, silica gel, or alumina. This adsorbent has the property of adsorbing moisture in the air it comes into contact with and releasing moisture when heated. The humidification/absorption rotor 41 is rotatably supported within the ventilation casing 40 by a rotating shaft 41a extending in the vertical direction. The humidification absorption rotor 41 has a rotationally driven power section (not shown), and the power section is controlled by the controller 7 to rotate around the rotating shaft 41a.

The heater 42 heats air taken in from the outside and sent to the humidification rotor 41 . The heater 42 is attached above the humidification rotor 41, and covers a part of the humidification rotor 41 when viewed from above.

The humidification duct 45 sends the air taken into the ventilation unit 3b through the air supply/exhaust port 40c to the radial fan assembly 43 via the heater 42 and the humidification rotor 41, or through the ventilation duct 6. A flow path is configured to allow the air sent to the radial fan assembly 43 to pass through the humidification rotor 41 and the heater 42 and then be discharged to the outside of the ventilation unit 3b via the air supply/exhaust port 40c.

The suction side duct 47 allows outdoor air taken into the ventilation unit 3b from the suction air suction port 40b to pass through a portion of the suction/humidification rotor 41 where the heater 42 is not located, and then passes through the suction fan 46. It constitutes a flow path for discharging air from the adsorption air outlet 40a to the outside of the ventilation unit 3b. The air flow within the suction side duct 47 is formed by driving the fan motor 46a of the suction fan 46. Thereby, the moisture contained in the outdoor air can be adsorbed onto the humidifying rotor 41. The dry air after moisture has been adsorbed by the humidifying rotor 41 can be discharged to the outside of the ventilation unit 3b.

The radial fan assembly 43 includes an intake/exhaust fan 43a and a flow path switching damper 44. The suction/exhaust fan 43a forms an air flow passing through the suction/humidification duct 45 and the ventilation duct 6 by being driven by the fan motor 43b. Here, the direction of the air flow passing through the humidification absorption duct 45 and the ventilation duct 6 is switched by switching the flow path of the flow path switching damper 44.

When performing an exhaust operation in which air from the indoor unit 2 via the ventilation duct 6 is passed through the absorption and humidification duct 45 and discharged to the outside of the outdoor unit 3 from the air supply and exhaust port 40c via the absorption and humidification rotor 41, ventilation is performed. The state of the flow path switching damper 44 is switched so that the flow path through which the air that has passed through the duct 6 flows is connected to the suction side of the intake/exhaust fan 43a, and the outlet side of the intake/exhaust fan 43a is connected to the suction/humidification duct 45. It will be done. In this state, the flow path switching damper 44 blocks the flow path so that the suction side of the intake/exhaust fan 43a does not communicate with the suction/humidification duct 45, and the outlet side of the intake/exhaust fan 43a does not communicate with the ventilation duct 6. .

When performing an air supply operation in which air is taken into the ventilation unit 3b from the supply/exhaust port 40c and passed through the suction/humidification rotor 41 to the indoor unit 2 via the ventilation duct 6, the air is taken into the ventilation unit 3b through the suction/humidification duct 45 and the suction/humidification duct 45. The state of the flow path switching damper 44 is switched so that the suction side of the fan 43a is connected and the outlet side of the suction/exhaust fan 43a is connected to the ventilation duct 6. In this state, the flow path switching damper 44 blocks the flow path so that the suction side of the intake/exhaust fan 43a does not communicate with the ventilation duct 6, and the outlet side of the intake/exhaust fan 43a does not communicate with the suction/humidification duct 45. .

(4) Remote control The remote control 61 is provided indoors. The remote control 61 may be connected to the controller 7 by wire via a transmission line, communication line, etc., or may be connected wirelessly.

The remote controller 61 has buttons for selecting heating operation, cooling operation and dehumidification operation as air conditioning operation, air supply operation, exhaust operation and humidification operation as ventilation operation, settings for air conditioning operation, etc. Various driving instructions are received from the user. Further, the remote control 61 has a display section 61a such as a liquid crystal display on which the selected operation, set temperature, humidity, messages, etc. are displayed.

(5) Controller The controller 7 includes the indoor control section 13, the outdoor control section 31, and a wired or wireless connection for connecting these, and also includes a computer. A computer includes a microcomputer including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and memory such as ROM and RAM. The processor of the controller 7 performs processing such as predetermined operation control by reading and executing a program stored in the memory.

After a refrigerant leak is detected, while the blower operation and ventilation operation are being performed, the controller 7 receives an instruction from the remote controller 61 to stop the blower operation, stop the ventilation operation, or stop the operation of the air conditioner 1. Even if the refrigerant is leaking, the display section 61a of the remote controller 61 displays and outputs information that the blowing operation and ventilation operation cannot be stopped because the refrigerant is leaking.

(6) Operational operation Next, the operational operation of the air conditioner 1 will be explained. The air conditioner 1 of this embodiment performs heating operation, cooling operation, and dehumidification operation as air conditioning operation, and performs air supply operation, exhaust operation, and humidification operation as ventilation operation. Various operations are performed by the controller 7, which receives commands from the user via the remote controller 61, and controls each component device.

(6-1) Cooling operation When performing the cooling operation, the controller 7 sets the outdoor heat exchanger 24 to a state in which it functions as a refrigerant radiator and the indoor heat exchanger 11 to function as a refrigerant evaporator. The road switching valve 22 is switched.

In the refrigerant circuit in such a state, the low-pressure refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle is sucked into the compressor 21, compressed to the high pressure in the refrigeration cycle, and then discharged. The high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 24 through the four-way switching valve 22. The high-pressure refrigerant sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 24 exchanges heat with outdoor air supplied by the outdoor fan 29 in the outdoor heat exchanger 24, and radiates heat. The high-pressure refrigerant that has radiated heat in the outdoor heat exchanger 24 is sent to the expansion valve 25 and is reduced in pressure to a low pressure in the refrigeration cycle. The low-pressure refrigerant whose pressure has been reduced in the expansion valve 25 is sent to the indoor heat exchanger 11 through the filter 26, the liquid shutoff valve 27, and the liquid side refrigerant communication pipe 5. The low-pressure refrigerant sent to the indoor heat exchanger 11 exchanges heat with indoor air supplied by the indoor fan 12 in the indoor heat exchanger 11 and evaporates. As a result, the indoor air is cooled and blown into the room. The low-pressure refrigerant evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger 11 is sucked into the compressor 21 again through the gas side refrigerant communication pipe 4, the gas shutoff valve 28, the four-way switching valve 22, and the accumulator 23.

In this manner, in the cooling operation, the controller 7 causes the refrigerant sealed in the refrigerant circuit 10 to circulate in the order of the compressor 21, the outdoor heat exchanger 24, the expansion valve 25, and the indoor heat exchanger 11. .

(6-2) Dehumidifying operation When performing the dehumidifying operation, the controller 7 controls the outdoor heat exchanger 24 to function as a refrigerant radiator and the indoor heat exchanger 11 to function as a refrigerant evaporator, as in the cooling operation. The four-way switching valve 22 is switched so that it is in a functional state. In the dehumidifying operation, similarly to the cooling operation, the controller 7 causes the refrigerant sealed in the refrigerant circuit 10 to circulate in the order of the compressor 21, the outdoor heat exchanger 24, the expansion valve 25, and the indoor heat exchanger 11. will be done.

(6-3) Heating operation When performing the heating operation, the controller 7 sets the outdoor heat exchanger 24 to a state in which it functions as a refrigerant evaporator and the indoor heat exchanger 11 to function as a refrigerant radiator. The road switching valve 22 is switched.

In the refrigerant circuit 10 in such a state, the low pressure refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle is sucked into the compressor 21, compressed to the high pressure in the refrigeration cycle, and then discharged. The high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 is sent to the indoor heat exchanger 11 through the four-way switching valve 22, the gas shutoff valve 28, and the gas side refrigerant communication pipe 4. The high-pressure refrigerant sent to the indoor heat exchanger 11 exchanges heat with indoor air supplied by the indoor fan 12 in the indoor heat exchanger 11, and radiates heat. As a result, indoor air is heated and blown into the room. The high-pressure refrigerant that has radiated heat in the indoor heat exchanger 11 is sent to the expansion valve 25 through the liquid-side refrigerant communication pipe 5, the liquid shutoff valve 27, and the filter 26, and is reduced in pressure to a low pressure in the refrigeration cycle. The low-pressure refrigerant whose pressure has been reduced in the expansion valve 25 is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 24 . The low-pressure refrigerant sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 24 exchanges heat with outdoor air supplied by the outdoor fan 29 in the outdoor heat exchanger 24 and evaporates. The low-pressure refrigerant evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger 24 is sucked into the compressor 21 again through the four-way switching valve 22 and the accumulator 23.

Thus, in the heating operation, the controller 7 causes the refrigerant sealed in the refrigerant circuit to circulate through the compressor 21, the indoor heat exchanger 11, the expansion valve 25, and the outdoor heat exchanger 24 in this order.

(6-4) Air supply operation When performing air supply operation, the controller 7 connects the suction humidification duct 45 and the suction side of the suction/exhaust fan 43a, and connects the outlet side of the suction/exhaust fan 43a to the ventilation duct 6. Thus, the state of the flow path switching damper 44 is switched.

When an air flow is formed by driving the intake/exhaust fan 43a in this state, outdoor air is taken into the ventilation casing 40 from the intake/exhaust port 40c, and when the outdoor air flows through the intake/humidification duct 45, it absorbs and humidifies. It passes through approximately the right half of the rotor 41 and is introduced into the heater 42 . Then, the outdoor air that has entered the heater 42 passes through approximately the right half of the humidification absorption rotor 41 and reaches the radial fan assembly 43. The radial fan assembly 43 sends the outdoor air that has passed through the humidification duct 45 and the humidification rotor 41 as described above to the indoor unit 2 from the communication opening 14 via the ventilation duct 6. The outdoor air supplied to the indoor unit 2 passes through the indoor heat exchanger 11 and is blown out from the air outlet 19 into the room.

In this way, the outdoor air taken in from outside is guided indoors by the flow path connecting the air supply/exhaust port 40c, the humidification absorption rotor 41, the heater 42, the radial fan assembly 43, and the ventilation duct 6.

(6-5) Exhaust operation When performing the exhaust operation, the controller 7 connects the flow path through which the air that has passed through the ventilation duct 6 flows and the suction side of the intake/exhaust fan 43a, and the outlet side of the intake/exhaust fan 43a absorbs humidification. The state of the flow path switching damper 44 is switched so that it is connected to the duct 45.

When an air flow is formed by driving the intake/exhaust fan 43a in this state, the indoor air taken in from the intake port 18 of the indoor unit 2 passes through the communication opening 14, the ventilation duct 6, and the radial fan assembly. It reaches 43.

The indoor air that has reached the radial fan assembly 43 passes through approximately the right half of the humidification rotor 41 when flowing through the humidification duct 45 and is introduced into the heater 42 . Then, the indoor air that has entered the heater 42 passes through approximately the right half of the humidifying rotor 41 and is discharged to the outside from the air supply/exhaust port 40c.

In this way, the indoor air taken in from the indoor unit 2 passes in the opposite direction to the flow path during the air supply operation, and is discharged from the ventilation unit 3b to the outside.

(6-6) Humidification operation The humidification operation is basically the same as the flow path through which outdoor air is supplied to indoor air during the air supply operation, but differs in that the outdoor air is humidified.

Specifically, the ventilation unit 3b takes air from outside into the ventilation casing 40 through the suction air suction port 40b by rotating the suction fan 46. The air that has entered the ventilation casing 40 passes through approximately half of the left side of the adsorption/humidification rotor 41, further passes through the adsorption side duct 47 and the adsorption fan 46, and then passes through the adsorption air outlet 40a. It is discharged to the outside of the ventilation unit 3b. When the air taken into the ventilation casing 40 from outside passes through approximately the left half of the humidifying rotor 41, the rotor 41 adsorbs moisture contained in the air.

Approximately the left half of the moisture absorbing rotor 41 that has absorbed moisture in this adsorption process becomes approximately the right half of the moisture absorbing and humidifying rotor 41 as the moisture absorbing rotor 41 rotates. Then, the moisture that has moved to the right half of the humidifying rotor 41 is released into the airflow generated by the intake/exhaust fan 43a due to the heat from the heater 42. Thereby, the air sent toward the indoor unit 2 becomes humidified air.

(6-7) Air supply operation during cooling operation or dehumidification operation The controller 7 performs the cooling operation or dehumidification operation, and also controls the ventilation unit 3b to perform the above-mentioned air supply operation.

Specifically, according to the air supply operation described above, the ventilation unit 3b supplies outdoor air to the communication opening 14 of the indoor unit 2 via the ventilation duct 6. This outdoor air passes through the indoor heat exchanger 11, is cooled or dehumidified, and is supplied indoors. Therefore, the supplied outdoor air is supplied into the room together with the cooled or dehumidified indoor air by the outdoor air conditioning unit 3a.

(6-8) Exhaust operation during cooling operation or dehumidification operation The controller 7 performs the cooling operation or dehumidification operation, and also controls the ventilation unit 3b to perform the above-mentioned exhaust operation.

Specifically, according to the above-described exhaust operation, the ventilation unit 3b transfers the indoor air taken in from the suction port 18 of the indoor unit 2 from the communication opening 14 of the indoor unit 2 through the ventilation duct 6 to the ventilation unit 3b. 3b. The air supplied to the ventilation unit 3b is exhausted from the ventilation unit 3b to the outside. Therefore, part of the indoor air taken in from the suction port 18 of the indoor unit 2 is discharged outdoors by the ventilation unit 3b, and the other part of the indoor air taken in from the suction port 18 of the indoor unit 2 is exhausted. A part of the air is cooled or dehumidified through the indoor heat exchanger 11 and then supplied indoors.

(6-9) Air supply operation or humidification operation during heating operation The controller 7 performs the heating operation and also controls the ventilation unit 3b to perform the above-mentioned air supply operation or humidification operation.

Specifically, the ventilation unit 3b supplies the outdoor air that has not been humidified according to the above air supply operation or the outdoor air that has been humidified according to the above humidification operation to the communication opening of the indoor unit 2 via the ventilation duct 6. 14. This outdoor air passes through the indoor heat exchanger 11, is heated, and is supplied to the indoor space. Therefore, the outdoor air introduced by the ventilation unit 3b is supplied indoors together with the heated indoor air.

(6-10) Exhaust operation during heating operation The controller 7 performs the heating operation and also controls the ventilation unit 3b to perform the above exhaust operation.

Specifically, according to the above exhaust operation, the ventilation unit 3b supplies indoor air from the communication opening 14 of the indoor unit 2 through the ventilation duct 6 to the ventilation unit 3b. This indoor air is discharged outdoors from the ventilation unit 3b. Therefore, part of the indoor air is discharged outdoors by the ventilation unit 3b, and the other part of the indoor air is heated by the outdoor air conditioning unit 3a through the indoor heat exchanger 11 and then supplied indoors. be done.

(6-11) Ventilation Operation When refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant circuit 10, the controller 7 performs a ventilation operation in which the indoor fan 12 continues to be driven while stopping the compressor 21. Specifically, when refrigerant leakage is detected at the indoor refrigerant sensor 17 or the outdoor refrigerant sensor 35, the controller 7 stops the compressor 21 and detects that the refrigerant is detected at the indoor refrigerant sensor 17 or the outdoor refrigerant sensor 35. The indoor fan 12 is continued to be driven until it is no longer detected.

(7) Control in the event of leakage When refrigerant leakage is detected by the indoor refrigerant sensor 17 or the outdoor refrigerant sensor 35, the controller 7 performs control in the event of leakage, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Note that normal operation including air conditioning operation such as cooling operation, dehumidification operation, heating operation, ventilation operation such as air supply operation, exhaust operation, humidification operation, and a combination thereof is performed here. The process from the current state will be explained as an example.

In step S11, the controller 7 determines whether the indoor refrigerant sensor 17 has detected leaked refrigerant. Here, if the indoor fan 12 is being driven, it is maintained in that driving state, and if the indoor fan 12 is not being driven, the indoor fan 12 is driven to generate a predetermined air volume. Later, the indoor refrigerant sensor 17 performs detection. Thereby, even if the refrigerant leaks outside the vicinity of the indoor refrigerant sensor 17, the indoor refrigerant sensor 17 can detect it due to the air flow generated. Note that the air volume of the indoor fan 12 here may be half or less of the predetermined maximum air volume, and may be one-fourth or less. If the indoor refrigerant sensor 17 detects leaking refrigerant, the process moves to step S19 to start various processes for when refrigerant leaks indoors. If no leaked refrigerant is detected by the indoor refrigerant sensor 17, the process moves to step S12.

In step S12, the controller 7 determines whether the outdoor refrigerant sensor 35 has detected leaked refrigerant. If leaked refrigerant is detected by the outdoor refrigerant sensor 35, the process moves to step S13 in order to start various processes for when refrigerant leaks outdoors. If no leaked refrigerant is detected by the outdoor refrigerant sensor 35, the process returns to step S11.

In step S13, the controller 7 stops the compressor 21 if it is being driven, and maintains the stopped state if the compressor 21 is in a stopped state. Thereby, the circulation of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 10 is interrupted, so that further refrigerant leakage from the leakage point can be suppressed.

In step S14, the controller 7 notifies that a refrigerant leak has occurred outdoors. Here, the controller 7 outputs a display on the display section 61a of the remote controller 61 indicating that a refrigerant leak has occurred outdoors and that the drive of the compressor 21 has been stopped for this reason. Note that if the remote control 61 is equipped with a speaker or the like and is configured to be able to output audio, the notification may be further provided by audio output.

In step S15, the controller 7 maintains the outdoor fan 29 in a driving state. Specifically, here, the controller 7 controls the air volume of the outdoor fan 29 to be maintained at a predetermined maximum air volume. Even if the user instructs the outdoor fan 29 to stop blowing air by operating the remote controller, the controller 7 does not accept the instruction and causes the outdoor fan 29 to continue blowing air.

In step S16, the controller 7 sets the flow path switching damper 44 to the exhaust operation state and controls the intake/exhaust fan 43a to maintain a predetermined maximum air volume. As a result, an exhaust operation is performed in which air that has passed through the ventilation duct 6, radial fan assembly 43, and humidification duct 45 from the indoor unit 2 is discharged to the outside of the outdoor unit 3 from the air supply/exhaust port 40c. Further, even if the user issues an instruction to stop the exhaust operation by operating the remote controller, the controller 7 does not accept the instruction and causes the intake/exhaust fan 43a to maintain the exhaust operation state.

In step S17, the controller 7 determines whether leaked refrigerant is detected by the outdoor refrigerant sensor 35, similarly to step S12. If leakage refrigerant is detected by the outdoor refrigerant sensor 35, the process returns to step S15 and continues the processing of steps S15 and S16. If the leaked refrigerant is no longer detected by the outdoor refrigerant sensor 35, the process moves to step S18.

In step S18, the controller 7 stops the air blowing operation of the outdoor fan 29, and stops the exhaust operation of the intake/exhaust fan 43a.

In step S19, the controller 7 stops the compressor 21 if it is being driven, and maintains the stopped state if the compressor 21 is in a stopped state. Thereby, the circulation of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 10 is interrupted, so that further refrigerant leakage from the leakage point can be suppressed.

In step S20, the controller 7 notifies that a refrigerant leak has occurred indoors. Here, the controller 7 outputs a display on the display section 61a of the remote controller 61 indicating that a refrigerant leak has occurred indoors and that the drive of the compressor 21 has been stopped because of this. Note that if the remote control 61 is equipped with a speaker or the like and is configured to be able to output audio, the notification may be further provided by audio output.

In step S21, the controller 7 maintains the indoor fan 12 in a driving state. Specifically, here, the controller 7 controls the air volume of the indoor fan 12 to be maintained at a predetermined maximum air volume. Even if the user instructs the indoor fan 12 to stop blowing air by operating the remote controller, the controller 7 does not accept the instruction and causes the indoor fan 12 to continue blowing air.

In step S22, the controller 7 performs one of the ventilation operations, air supply operation and exhaust operation, which is the ventilation operation that was being executed when step S11 was performed, or the ventilation operation that was executed last. Select and execute. The controller 7 then controls the intake/exhaust fan 43a to maintain a predetermined maximum air volume. Thereby, when exhaust operation is performed, air from the indoor unit 2 that has passed through the ventilation duct 6, the radial fan assembly 43, and the humidification duct 45 is discharged to the outside of the outdoor unit 3 from the air supply/exhaust port 40c. Further, when air supply operation is performed, outdoor air taken into the outdoor unit 3 from the supply/exhaust port 40c passes through the humidification duct 45, the radial fan assembly 43, the ventilation duct 6, and the communication opening 14. It is supplied indoors from the indoor unit 2. Further, even if the user issues an instruction to stop air supply operation or exhaust operation, which is a ventilation operation, by operating the remote control, the controller 7 does not accept the instruction and changes the state of the ventilation operation by the intake/exhaust fan 43a. maintain it.

In step S23, the controller 7 determines whether the indoor refrigerant sensor 17 has detected leaked refrigerant, as in step S11. If leaking refrigerant is detected by the indoor refrigerant sensor 17, the process returns to step S21 and continues the processing of steps S21 and S22. If the leaked refrigerant is no longer detected by the indoor refrigerant sensor 17, the process moves to step S24.

In step S24, the controller 7 stops the ventilation operation of the indoor fan 12, and stops the ventilation operation of the intake/exhaust fan 43a.

(8) Features In the air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment, when leakage refrigerant is detected by the indoor refrigerant sensor 17, the indoor fan 12 maintains the ventilation operation. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the refrigerant concentration from increasing around the indoor leakage point. Further, when leakage refrigerant is detected by the indoor refrigerant sensor 17, a ventilation operation, which is an air supply operation or an exhaust operation, is performed by the intake/exhaust fan 43a at the same time as the ventilation operation by the indoor fan 12. As a result, when air supply operation is performed as ventilation operation, by continuing to supply outdoor air to the room where the leak has occurred, the refrigerant is prevented from remaining indoors and the refrigerant is removed. Concentrations can be kept low. In addition, when exhaust operation is performed as a ventilation operation, the leaking indoor air is discharged outdoors to prevent refrigerant from remaining indoors and to maintain a low concentration of refrigerant. be able to.

Furthermore, the air conditioner 1 of this embodiment includes an outdoor refrigerant sensor 35, and can detect refrigerant leakage outdoors. If refrigerant leaks outdoors, exhaust operation is performed. This prevents refrigerant leaking outdoors from being introduced indoors.

Further, in the ventilation operation when a refrigerant leaks, the ventilation flow path such as the ventilation duct 6 used in the ventilation operation during normal operation when there is no leakage can be used.

Further, when a refrigerant leaks, the indoor fan 12 and the outdoor fan 29 are kept in a blowing operation, and the intake/exhaust fan 43a is kept in an air supply operation or an exhaust operation, which is a ventilation operation. Specifically, even if the user instructs to stop the blower operation or ventilation operation by operating the remote control, the instruction is not accepted and the blower operation by the indoor fan 12 and the outdoor fan 29 and the intake/exhaust fan are stopped. The air supply operation or exhaust operation which is the ventilation operation by 43a is maintained. As a user, even though the operation of the compressor 21 has stopped due to a refrigerant leak, the indoor fan 12, outdoor fan 29, and intake/exhaust fan 43a continue to be driven, so there is a risk of trying to stop them. be. However, by reliably continuing the blowing operation and ventilation operation without receiving instructions from the user, the occurrence of areas where the refrigerant concentration is high can be reliably suppressed.

(9) Other embodiments (9-1) Other embodiments A
In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which, when a refrigerant leak occurs indoors, the ventilation operation that was performed immediately before in step S22 is continued.

In contrast, for example, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, step S22a is used instead of step S22 in the above embodiment to perform air supply operation, and step S22a is used instead of step S24 in the above embodiment to end the air supply operation. It is also possible to perform step S24a.

In this case, the flow direction of the ventilation air flowing through the ventilation duct 6 may be reversed depending on whether a refrigerant leak is detected at the outdoor refrigerant sensor 35 or when a refrigerant leak is detected at the indoor refrigerant sensor 17. become. In this case as well, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant leaked indoors from continuing to stay indoors while suppressing the refrigerant leaked outdoors from being led indoors.

(9-2) Other embodiment B
In the above embodiment, when a refrigerant leak occurs indoors, the ventilation operation that was performed immediately before in step S22 is continued, and when a refrigerant leak occurs outdoors, the ventilation operation by the outdoor fan 29 and the intake/exhaust fan The explanation has been given by taking as an example a case in which the exhaust operation by 43a is maintained.

On the other hand, for example, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, step S22b is used to perform the exhaust operation instead of step S22 of the above embodiment, and step S24b is used to end the exhaust operation instead of step S24 of the above embodiment. You can also use it as

Furthermore, if a refrigerant leak is detected by the outdoor refrigerant sensor 35, natural ventilation is performed outdoors, so the outdoor fan 29 may not be operated to blow air, and the exhaust operation from the room may not be performed. .

(9-3) Other embodiment C
The above embodiment has been described using an example of processing when refrigerant leakage is detected either indoors or outdoors.

On the other hand, if refrigerant leakage is detected simultaneously by the indoor refrigerant sensor 17 and the outdoor refrigerant sensor 35, the ventilation operation by the indoor fan 12 and the exhaust operation by the intake/exhaust fan 43a are performed at the same time. It's okay. In addition, in this case, the ventilation operation by the outdoor fan 29 may or may not be performed.

(Additional note)
Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as described in the claims. .

1 Air conditioner 2 Indoor unit 3 Outdoor unit 3a Outdoor air conditioning unit 3b Ventilation unit 4 Gas side refrigerant connection piping 5 Liquid side refrigerant connection piping 6 Ventilation duct (ventilation flow path)
7 Controller 8 Drain hose 9 Collective communication pipe 10 Refrigerant circuit 11 Indoor heat exchanger 12 Indoor fan (indoor ventilation section)
13 Indoor control unit 14 Communication opening 15 Indoor temperature sensor 16 Indoor humidity sensor 17 Indoor refrigerant sensor (indoor detection unit)
18 Suction port 19 Air outlet 20 Indoor casing 21 Compressor 22 Four-way switching valve 24 Outdoor heat exchanger 25 Expansion valve 29 Outdoor fan 31 Outdoor control section 33 Outdoor temperature sensor 34 Outdoor humidity sensor 35 Outdoor refrigerant sensor (outdoor detection section)
40 Ventilation casing 40a Adsorption air outlet 40b Adsorption air inlet 40c Supply/exhaust port 41 Adsorption/humidification rotor 42 Heater 43 Radial fan assembly 43a Intake/exhaust fan 44 Flow path switching damper 45 Adsorption/humidification duct (ventilation flow path)
46 Suction fan 47 Suction side duct 61 Remote control (controller)
61a Display section (notification section)

JP2016-166680A

Claims (10)

an indoor heat exchanger (11);
an indoor blower unit (12) capable of blowing air to the indoor heat exchanger to supply air for heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing inside the indoor heat exchanger;
a ventilation channel (6, 45) used for at least one of the ventilation operations that exhausts indoor air to the outdoors or supplies the outdoor air into the indoor room;
an indoor detection unit (17) that detects the refrigerant leaked into the room;
Equipped with
The refrigerant is a combustible refrigerant,
When the indoor detection unit detects leakage of the refrigerant, it is possible to simultaneously perform the blowing operation and the ventilation operation.
Air conditioner (1). further comprising an outdoor detection unit (35) that detects the refrigerant leaked outdoors;
The air conditioner according to claim 1. The direction of air flow in the ventilation channel during the ventilation operation is switched depending on whether the indoor detection unit detects a leak of the refrigerant or the outdoor detection unit detects a leak of the refrigerant.
The air conditioner according to claim 2. If the outdoor detection unit detects leakage of the refrigerant, in the ventilation operation, exhaust the indoor air to the outdoor through the ventilation flow path.
The air conditioner according to claim 3. further comprising a controller (61, 7) that accepts a stop operation to stop the blowing operation or the ventilation operation in a state where the indoor detection unit does not detect leakage of the refrigerant;
The controller does not accept the stop operation while the blowing operation and the ventilation operation are being performed due to the detection of leakage of the refrigerant.
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The indoor detection unit detects leakage of the refrigerant while performing the ventilation operation,
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 5. It is possible to perform the ventilation operation in a state where the indoor detection unit does not detect leakage of the refrigerant.
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6. further comprising a compressor (21) connected to the indoor heat exchanger via refrigerant piping,
When the indoor detection unit detects leakage of the refrigerant, operation of the compressor is stopped;
An air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 7. further comprising a notification unit (61a) that notifies the leakage of the refrigerant when the indoor detection unit detects the leakage of the refrigerant;
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The combustible refrigerant includes one or more selected from the group consisting of R290, R600, and R600a.
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 9.