JPH1137619A - Air conditioner employing natural coolant - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent formation of combustible region due to a leaked coolant by imparting a stirring function to a leaked coolant upon detection thereof thereby diffusing the leaked coolant. SOLUTION: When a coolant is leaked on the outdoor unit 1 side or the indoor unit 2 side, it is detected by an outdoor coolant sensor 32 or an indoor coolant sensor 33. An outdoor fan 12 or an indoor fan 22 is then operated based on a detection signal to impart the function for stirring the leaked coolant thus diffusing the leaked coolant. Furthermore, first and second closing valves 5, 6 are closed in response thereto and the outdoor unit 1 side is isolated from the indoor unit 2 thus suppressing the leakage from the outdoor unit 1 side or the indoor unit 2 side to substantially one half of the total quantity of coolant present in the entire coolant circulation system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner using a natural refrigerant as a working refrigerant.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, C has been used as a working refrigerant for air conditioners.
FC-based, HCFC-based, and HFC-based refrigerants have been adopted. However, such conventional refrigerants have the drawback of destruction of the earth's ozone layer and the promotion of global warming. As a substitute for CFC-based, HCFC-based, and HFC-based refrigerants, natural refrigerants having no such drawbacks have attracted attention and have been put to practical use.

[0003]

However, for example, HC
When a hydrocarbon-based natural refrigerant is used as an alternative refrigerant to FC-22, the problem of destruction of the ozone layer and the like as in the past can be solved, but the flammability caused by the characteristic property of the hydrocarbon-based natural refrigerant is eliminated. Sex matters.

[0004] That is, in an air conditioner employing a natural refrigerant as a working refrigerant, if refrigerant leaks from the air conditioner for any reason, for example, an indoor unit or an outdoor unit in a separation type air conditioner, the refrigerant is rejected. Leakage does not stop in the indoor unit or the outdoor unit, for example, when refrigerant leakage occurs on the indoor unit side, the leaked refrigerant leaks further from the indoor unit to the indoor side, and refrigerant leakage on the outdoor unit side If it occurs, it will leak further from the outdoor unit to its vicinity.

In this case, the natural refrigerant has a property that its specific gravity is greater than that of air. Therefore, when the refrigerant leaks from the indoor unit and leaks to the indoor side, the leaked refrigerant flows to the floor side of the room. The refrigerant stays and gradually accumulates to form a flammable area on the floor side due to the leaked refrigerant. Also,
Even when the refrigerant leaks from the outdoor unit, the leaked refrigerant leaks from the outdoor unit to the vicinity thereof, stays on the ground side, and gradually forms a flammable region by the leaked refrigerant on the ground side.

[0006] The formation of the flammable region by the leaking refrigerant is as follows.
This is a state that cannot be overlooked in terms of ensuring the safety of the air conditioner, and therefore it is necessary to reliably prevent this.

However, in a conventional air conditioner using a natural refrigerant, measures for preventing the formation of a flammable region due to the leaked refrigerant cannot be said to be sufficient, and therefore, the safety of the air conditioner is further improved. There is room for improvement in terms of improvement.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to prevent the formation of a flammable region due to the leaked refrigerant even if the refrigerant leaks, thereby further improving the safety of the air conditioner. is there.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems In the present invention, the following configuration is adopted as specific means for solving such problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in an air conditioner provided with an air conditioner (P) using a natural refrigerant as a working refrigerant, a refrigerant leak detecting means Q for detecting and outputting a leak of the natural refrigerant is provided. When the leakage of the refrigerant is detected by the refrigerant leakage detection means Q, a refrigerant diffusing means R is provided which imparts a stirring action to the leaked refrigerant and diffuses it.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner using a natural refrigerant according to the first aspect, the air conditioner P includes an outdoor heat exchanger 11, an outdoor fan 12, and a compressor 14. An outdoor unit 1 disposed on the outdoor side, and an indoor unit 2 disposed on the indoor side including an indoor heat exchanger 21 and an indoor fan 22 are provided, and the refrigerant leak detection means Q is provided to the indoor unit 2. Provided indoor side refrigerant sensor 3
3, wherein the refrigerant diffusion means R is an indoor fan 22 provided in the indoor unit 2, and the indoor fan 22 is operated when leakage of refrigerant is detected by the indoor refrigerant sensor 33. And

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner using a natural refrigerant according to the second aspect, a refrigerant liquid pipe 3 and a refrigerant gas pipe 4 for connecting the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 are provided. And a first closing valve 5 and a second closing valve 6 which are normally opened during normal operation and controlled to close corresponding refrigerant passages as needed, respectively. When the leakage of the refrigerant is detected by the sensor 33, the first closing valve 5 and the second closing valve 6 are both closed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner using a natural refrigerant according to the second aspect, a refrigerant liquid pipe 3 and a refrigerant gas pipe 4 for connecting the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 are provided. The first closing valve 5 and the second closing valve 6 are normally opened during normal operation, and are operated and controlled to close the corresponding refrigerant passages as needed.
When the leakage of the refrigerant is detected by the indoor refrigerant sensor 33, the first closing valve 5 on the refrigerant liquid pipe 3 side is closed, and the operation of the outdoor fan 12 and the compressor 14 is continued for a predetermined period. A control means 31 is provided for stopping the operation of the outdoor fan 12 and the compressor 14 after the lapse of the predetermined period and closing the second closing valve 6 on the refrigerant gas pipe 4 side.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner using a natural refrigerant according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the circulation path of the refrigerant includes a cooling operation position corresponding to a cooling operation and a heating operation position corresponding to a heating operation. And the control means 31 is connected to the indoor refrigerant sensor 33.
When the leakage of the refrigerant is detected, the valve position is maintained when the four-way valve 7 is set to the cooling operation position, and the valve position is heated when the four-way valve 7 is set to the heating operation position. The operation of the four-way valve 7 is controlled so as to switch from the operating position to the cooling operation position.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner using a natural refrigerant according to the first aspect, the air conditioner P includes an outdoor heat exchanger 11, an outdoor fan 12, and a compressor 14. An outdoor unit 1 disposed on the outdoor side and an indoor unit 2 disposed on the indoor side including an indoor heat exchanger 21 and an indoor fan 22 are provided, and the refrigerant leak detection means Q is provided to the outdoor unit 1. Outdoor refrigerant sensor 3 provided
2, wherein the refrigerant diffusion means R is an outdoor fan 12 provided in the outdoor unit 1, and the outdoor fan 12 is operated when leakage of refrigerant is detected by the outdoor refrigerant sensor 32. And

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner using a natural refrigerant according to the sixth aspect, a refrigerant liquid pipe 3 and a refrigerant gas pipe 4 for connecting the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 are provided. And a first closing valve 5 and a second closing valve 6 which are normally opened during normal operation, and are controlled to close corresponding refrigerant passages as necessary, respectively. When the leakage of the refrigerant is detected by the sensor 32, the first closing valve 5 and the second closing valve 6 are both closed.

[0017]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained by adopting such a configuration.

According to the air conditioner using the natural refrigerant according to the first invention of the present application, in the air conditioner including the air conditioner P using the natural refrigerant as the working refrigerant,
Refrigerant leakage detecting means Q for detecting and outputting the leakage of the natural refrigerant
And a refrigerant diffusion means R for imparting a stirring action to the leaked refrigerant when the refrigerant leak detection means Q detects the leakage of the refrigerant and diffusing the refrigerant, so that the air conditioner P part should be used. Even if the refrigerant leaks, the refrigerant leak is detected by the refrigerant leak detecting means Q, and the refrigerant diffusing means R is operated to impart a stirring action to the leaked refrigerant, which is diffused. Therefore, the formation of the flammable region as soon as the leaked refrigerant stays is reliably prevented, and the safety of the air conditioner is improved accordingly.

This effect is the same in the integrated type air conditioner and the separated type air conditioner.

According to the air conditioner using a natural refrigerant according to the second invention of the present application, the air conditioner P includes the outdoor heat exchanger 11, the outdoor fan 12, and the compressor 14, and is disposed outside the room. And an indoor unit 2 provided with an indoor heat exchanger 21 and an indoor fan 22 and disposed on the indoor side, and the refrigerant leakage detecting means Q is provided on the indoor side provided on the indoor unit 2. The indoor fan 22 provided in the indoor unit 2 includes the refrigerant sensor 33 as the refrigerant sensor 33.
When the leakage of the refrigerant is detected by the indoor-side refrigerant sensor 33, the indoor fan 22 is operated. Therefore, even if the refrigerant leaks on the indoor unit 2 side, this refrigerant Is detected by the indoor-side refrigerant sensor 33, based on which the indoor fan 22 is operated, and the blowing operation of the indoor fan 22 imparts a stirring effect to the leaked refrigerant to diffuse it. Therefore, it is reliably prevented that the refrigerant leaking from the indoor unit 2 leaks and stays on the floor side of the room, and that a flammable region is gradually formed on the floor side. High security against the accident is ensured.

According to the air conditioner using the natural refrigerant according to the third invention of the present application, in the air conditioner using the natural refrigerant according to the second invention, the outdoor unit 1
Refrigerant pipe 3 and refrigerant gas pipe 4 for communicating between
And a first closing valve 5 and a second closing valve 6 which are normally opened during normal operation and controlled to close corresponding refrigerant passages as needed, respectively. When the leakage of the refrigerant is detected by the sensor 33, both the first closing valve 5 and the second closing valve 6 are closed, so that the leakage of the refrigerant may occur on the indoor unit 2 side. Even if the leakage of the refrigerant is detected by the indoor-side refrigerant sensor 33, the indoor fan 22 is operated based on the leakage, and the blowing operation of the indoor fan 22 imparts a stirring effect to the leaked refrigerant to diffuse the refrigerant. Let it. In addition, when the leakage of the refrigerant is detected by the indoor refrigerant sensor 33, the first shut-off valve 5 and the second shut-off valve 6 are both closed in response thereto, and the refrigerant liquid pipe 3 and the refrigerant gas pipe are closed. 4 are closed in the middle of the path, that is, at an intermediate position between the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2, the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 are separated from each other, and the refrigerant from the indoor unit 2 is Is suppressed to about half of the total refrigerant amount existing in the entire refrigerant circulation system.

Therefore, according to the air conditioner using the natural refrigerant of the present invention, the leaked refrigerant is diffused by the air blown from the indoor fan 22, and the amount of the leaked refrigerant itself is small. The formation of the flammable region due to the leaking refrigerant on the floor side in the room is more reliably prevented, and the safety for the occupants of the room when the refrigerant leaks is further improved.

An air conditioner using a natural refrigerant according to a fourth invention of the present application is the air conditioner using a natural refrigerant according to the second invention, wherein the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 communicate with each other. A first closing valve 5 and a second closing valve 5, which are provided in the refrigerant liquid pipe 3 and the refrigerant gas pipe 4, respectively, and are normally opened during normal operation, while being controlled to close corresponding refrigerant passages as necessary. When the leakage of the refrigerant is detected by the 2 close valve 6 and the indoor refrigerant sensor 33, the first close valve 5 on the refrigerant liquid pipe 3 side is closed, and the operation of the outdoor fan 12 and the compressor 14 are performed. For a predetermined period, and after the predetermined period has elapsed, the operation of the outdoor fan 12 and the compressor 14 is stopped, and the refrigerant gas pipe 4
Control means 31 for closing the second closing valve 6 on the side.

Therefore, according to the air conditioner using the natural refrigerant of the present invention, even if the refrigerant leaks on the indoor unit 2 side, the refrigerant leak is detected by the indoor refrigerant sensor 33. The detected refrigerant is actuated on the basis of the detection, the indoor fan 22 is operated, and the leaking refrigerant is diffused by the stirring action given to the leaked refrigerant by the blowing action of the indoor fan 22.

Further, in this case, when the leakage of the refrigerant is detected by the indoor refrigerant sensor 33, in response to this,
First, the first closing valve 5 on the refrigerant liquid pipe 3 side is closed, and in this state, the operation of the outdoor fan 12 and the compressor 14 is continued for a predetermined period. Most of the refrigerant present in the refrigerant circulation path of the unit 2 is drawn by the compressor 14 and accumulates in the outdoor unit 1, and the residual refrigerant amount in the indoor unit 2 is reduced as much as possible. Can be After the elapse of the predetermined period, the outdoor fan 1
When the operation of the compressor 2 and the compressor 14 are stopped and the second closing valve 6 on the refrigerant gas pipe 4 side is closed, the refrigerant accumulated in the outdoor unit 1 is sealed in the outdoor unit 1 side. Will be.

As described above, even if the refrigerant leaks on the indoor unit 2 side, there is a synergistic effect that the leaked refrigerant is diffused by the indoor fan 22 and the amount of the leaked refrigerant itself is extremely small. In addition, the formation of the flammable region due to the leaked refrigerant on the floor side of the room is more reliably prevented, and the safety for the occupants of the room when the refrigerant leaks is further improved.

According to the air conditioner using the natural refrigerant according to the fifth invention of the present application, in the air conditioner using the natural refrigerant according to the fourth invention, the circulation path of the refrigerant corresponds to the cooling operation. A four-way valve 7 for switching between a cooling operation position and a heating operation position corresponding to the heating operation;
When the indoor-side refrigerant sensor 33 detects leakage of the refrigerant, the control means 31 holds the four-way valve 7 if the four-way valve 7 is set to the cooling operation position, and sets the four-way valve 7 to the heating operation position. When set, the operation control of the four-way valve 7 is performed so that the valve position is switched from the heating operation position to the cooling operation position, so during the cooling operation and during the stop from the cooling operation state. Needless to say, even during the heating operation and during the stop from the heating operation state, the four-way valve 7 is switched from the heating operation position to the cooling operation position together with the refrigerant leakage detection, so that whenever the refrigerant leakage is detected, The indoor heat exchanger 21 functions as an evaporator. Therefore, the refrigerant in the indoor unit 2 is efficiently stored in the outdoor unit 1 irrespective of the operating state of the air conditioner at the time of refrigerant leakage, and the amount of refrigerant leaked from the indoor unit 2 is reduced. As much as possible, combined with the diffusing action of the leaked refrigerant by the indoor fan 22, the formation of a flammable region due to the leaked refrigerant on the floor side of the room is more reliably prevented, and the indoor living at the time of refrigerant leakage The safety for persons is further improved.

According to the air conditioner using the natural refrigerant according to the sixth invention of the present application, in the air conditioner using the natural refrigerant according to the first invention, the air conditioner P is connected to an outdoor heat exchanger. An outdoor unit 1 provided with a heat exchanger 11, an outdoor fan 12 and a compressor 14 and disposed on the outdoor side, and an indoor unit 2 provided with an indoor heat exchanger 21 and an indoor fan 22 and disposed on the indoor side, Refrigerant leak detection means Q
Is the outdoor refrigerant sensor 32 provided in the outdoor unit 1, the refrigerant diffusion means R is the outdoor fan 12 provided in the outdoor unit 1, and when the leakage of the refrigerant is detected by the outdoor refrigerant sensor 32 Since the outdoor fan 12 is operated, even if a refrigerant leak occurs on the outdoor unit 1 side, the refrigerant leak is detected by the outdoor refrigerant sensor 32, and based on the detected leakage, When the outdoor fan 12 operates and the agitating action is given to the leaked refrigerant by the blowing action of the outdoor fan 12, the refrigerant is diffused. Therefore, the refrigerant leaking from the outdoor unit 1 is reliably prevented from leaking and staying in the vicinity of the outdoor unit 1 to form a flammable region therein, thereby ensuring high safety of the air conditioner. Is secured.

According to the air conditioner using the natural refrigerant according to the seventh invention of the present application, in the air conditioner using the natural refrigerant according to the sixth invention, the outdoor unit 1
Refrigerant pipe 3 and refrigerant gas pipe 4 for communicating between
And a first closing valve 5 and a second closing valve 6 which are normally opened during normal operation, and are controlled to close corresponding refrigerant passages as necessary, respectively. When the leakage of the refrigerant is detected by the sensor 32, the first and second closing valves 5 and 6 are both closed, so that leakage of the refrigerant may occur on the outdoor unit 1 side. Even if the leakage of the refrigerant is detected by the outdoor refrigerant sensor 32, the outdoor fan 12 is operated based on the leakage and the agitating action is given to the leaked refrigerant by the blowing action of the outdoor fan 12 so that the leakage is performed. Diffusion is achieved. In addition, when the leakage of the refrigerant is detected by the outdoor refrigerant sensor 32, the first and second closing valves 5 and 6 are both closed in response to the leakage, and the refrigerant liquid pipe 3 and the refrigerant gas pipe are closed. 4 are closed in the middle of the passage, that is, at the intermediate position between the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2, the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 are separated from each other, and the refrigerant from the outdoor unit 1 is Is suppressed to about half of the total refrigerant amount existing in the entire refrigerant circulation system.

Therefore, according to the air conditioner using the natural refrigerant of the present invention, the leakage of the refrigerant by the ventilation of the outdoor fan 12 and the small amount of the refrigerant itself are synergistic effects. The formation of a flammable region due to the leaked refrigerant in the vicinity of the outdoor unit 1 is more reliably prevented, and the safety of the air conditioner at the time of refrigerant leakage is further improved.

[0031]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An air conditioner using a natural refrigerant according to the present invention will be specifically described below based on a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a separate type air conditioner Z as a preferred embodiment of an air conditioner using a natural refrigerant according to the present invention. The air conditioner Z includes an outdoor unit 1 installed in an outdoor 42 and an indoor unit 2 installed in an indoor 41 as an air conditioner constituting the air conditioner Z. The space is connected by two connecting pipes of the refrigerant liquid pipe 3 and the refrigerant gas pipe 4 arranged through the building wall 43 to form a refrigerant circulation system as described below.

FIG. 2 shows a refrigerant circulation system of the air conditioner Z. The outdoor unit 1 includes an indoor heat exchanger 21, an indoor fan 22, and an expansion valve 23. The indoor unit 2 includes an outdoor heat exchanger 11 and an outdoor fan 1.
2 and an expansion valve 13 and a compressor 14. And the said outdoor heat exchanger 11 and the indoor heat exchanger 21
The refrigerant liquid pipe 3 and the refrigerant gas pipe 4 are connected to each other. In the middle of the refrigerant gas pipe 4, the compressor 1
4 and a four-way valve 7 are interposed respectively. With such a configuration, the refrigerant is supplied from the outdoor heat exchanger 11 to the indoor heat exchanger 2 via the refrigerant liquid pipe 3 during the cooling operation.
In addition to circulating toward the first side, the refrigerant circulates from the indoor heat exchanger 21 side to the outdoor heat exchanger 11 side via the refrigerant gas pipe 4. During the heating operation, the refrigerant circulates from the indoor heat exchanger 21 side to the outdoor heat exchanger 11 side via the refrigerant liquid pipe 3 and the refrigerant gas pipe 4
And circulates from the outdoor heat exchanger 11 side to the indoor heat exchanger 21 side.

Further, in this embodiment, a first shut-off valve 5 is interposed in the refrigerant liquid pipe 3, and a second shut-off valve 6 is interposed in the refrigerant gas pipe 4, respectively. The closing valves 5 and 6 are controlled to open and close in response to a control signal from the control unit 31 described below, and are normally opened when the air conditioner is operating. When the operation is stopped, the valve is appropriately closed as described later.

In this embodiment, when the refrigerant leaks from the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2, the outdoor refrigerant sensor 33 and the outdoor refrigerant sensor 32 serve as refrigerant leakage detecting means Q for detecting the leakage. It has. Each of the refrigerant sensors 32 and 33 is continuously energized even while the operation of the air conditioner Z is stopped, monitors the refrigerant leakage, and when the refrigerant leakage is detected, outputs a signal indicating the refrigerant leakage to the control unit described below. 31.

The control unit 31 corresponds to "control means" in the claims. The control unit 31 receives a refrigerant leakage signal from each of the refrigerant sensors 32 and 33 and controls the formation of a flammable region by the leakage refrigerant as described later. And the operation signal from the operation switch 34 and the temperature sensor 35
(Here, for convenience, an outdoor temperature sensor and an indoor temperature sensor are shown.) The cooling operation control or the heating operation control is performed in response to a temperature signal from the outdoor unit 1. The operation of the fan 12, the compressor 14, the four-way valve 7, the indoor fan 22 on the indoor unit 2 side, and each of the shutoff valves 5, 6 is controlled based on a control signal from the control unit 31.

In the air conditioner Z, the present invention is applied to take safety measures against refrigerant leakage from the outdoor unit 1 or the indoor unit 2 during operation and stoppage of the operation of the air conditioner. ing. Hereinafter, the control according to this safety measure will be described as first and second control examples, respectively.

First Control Example (See FIGS. 2 and 3) A first control example is one to which the inventions according to claims 1 to 3, 6 and 7 are applied. Regardless of whether the operation is being performed or the operation is stopped, when refrigerant leaks on the outdoor unit 1 side or the indoor unit 2 side, the diffusion of the leaked refrigerant and the reduction of the leaked refrigerant amount cause the outdoor unit 1 to prevent the formation of a flammable region due to the leaked refrigerant in the vicinity of the floor 1 or on the floor side of the room 41. This control will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

That is, the presence or absence of leakage of the refrigerant is continuously monitored by the outdoor refrigerant sensor 32 and the indoor refrigerant sensor 33 throughout the operation and stoppage of the air conditioner Z. Then, for example, when the indoor-side refrigerant sensor 33 detects that the refrigerant leaks on the indoor unit 2 side (step S1), the indoor fan 22 is operated in response to this (step S3).

Further, in response to the operation of the indoor fan 22, the first closing valve 5 provided on the refrigerant liquid pipe 3 and the second closing valve 6 provided on the refrigerant gas pipe 4 are both connected. The valve is closed (step S5).

When the air conditioner Z is in operation, the indoor fan 22 detects the leakage of the refrigerant by the indoor refrigerant sensor 33 and simultaneously operates the indoor fan 22 except for the indoor fan 22. Equipment, ie, outdoor fan 12,
This is achieved by stopping the operation of devices such as the compressor 14 and continuing only the operation of the indoor fan 22. When the operation of the air conditioner Z is stopped, the indoor refrigerant sensor 33 This is achieved by operating only the indoor fan 22 at the same time that the leakage of the refrigerant is detected.

On the other hand, when the outdoor refrigerant sensor 32 detects that refrigerant has leaked on the outdoor unit 1 side (step S2), the outdoor fan 12 is operated in response to this (step S4). . Further, in response to the operation of the outdoor fan 12, the first closing valve 5 provided on the refrigerant liquid pipe 3 and the second closing valve 6 provided on the refrigerant gas pipe 4 are both closed. (Step S
5).

When the air conditioner Z is in operation, the leakage of the refrigerant is detected by the outdoor refrigerant sensor 32, and at the same time, other devices except the outdoor fan 12
That is, the operation of devices such as the indoor fan 22 and the compressor 14 is stopped, and only the operation of the outdoor fan 12 is continued.
When the operation of the air conditioner Z is stopped, the outdoor refrigerant sensor 32 detects the leakage of the refrigerant, and at the same time, operates only the outdoor fan 12.

In the event that refrigerant leaks from the outdoor unit 1 or the indoor unit 2 due to the execution of this control, the leakage of the refrigerant from the outdoor unit 1 or the indoor unit 2 is detected by the outdoor refrigerant sensor. 32 or the indoor refrigerant sensor 33, the outdoor fan 12 or the indoor fan 22 is operated based on the detection signal, and the leaking refrigerant is agitated by the blowing action of the outdoor fan 12 or the indoor fan 22. This spreads out. Further, in response to this, the first shut-off valve 5 and the second
The closing valve 6 is closed together, and the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2 are closed.
With the side and the side separated, the amount of refrigerant leakage from the outdoor unit 1 or the indoor unit 2 side is suppressed to about half of the total refrigerant amount existing in the entire refrigerant circulation system.

As described above, the leaked refrigerant is supplied to the outdoor fan 1
As a synergistic effect of the diffusion of the refrigerant by the indoor fan 2 or the indoor fan 22 and the reduction of the amount of the leaked refrigerant itself, when refrigerant leaks on the outdoor unit 1 side, the refrigerant near the outdoor unit 1 When the refrigerant leaks on the indoor unit 2 side, the formation of the flammable region by the leaked refrigerant on the floor side of the room 41 is reliably prevented, and as a result, Thus, high safety at the time of leakage of the refrigerant is ensured.

Second Control Example (see FIGS. 2 and 4) In the second control example, the amount of refrigerant leakage in the event of refrigerant leakage is determined by a control one step further than in the first control example. The control is minimized as much as possible, thereby ensuring higher safety than in the case of the first control example.

That is, the second example of control is based on claim 1
The invention described in 2, 4 to 7 is applied, and the contents will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

That is, the presence or absence of leakage of the refrigerant is continuously monitored by the outdoor refrigerant sensor 32 and the indoor refrigerant sensor 33 throughout the operation and stoppage of the air conditioner Z. Then, for example, when the indoor-side refrigerant sensor 33 detects that the refrigerant leaks on the indoor unit 2 side (Step S1), the flow proceeds to Step S1
At 5, the current valve position of the four-way valve 7 is determined. When the four-way valve 7 is set to the cooling operation position (that is, at the time of the cooling operation or at the time of stopping the operation from the cooling operation state), the four-way valve 7 is left as it is. When the road valve 7 is set to the heating operation position (that is, during the heating operation or when the operation from the heating operation state is stopped), the four-way valve 7 is set to the cooling operation position. After the setting (step S6), the indoor fan 22 is operated (step S7).

When the indoor fan 22 is in operation, the leakage of the refrigerant is detected by the indoor refrigerant sensor 33 while the air conditioner Z is in operation. Equipment, ie, outdoor fan 12,
This is achieved by stopping the operation of devices such as the compressor 14 and continuing only the operation of the indoor fan 22. When the operation of the air conditioner Z is stopped, the indoor refrigerant sensor 33 This is achieved by operating only the indoor fan 22 at the same time that the leakage of the refrigerant is detected.

Further, when the operation of the indoor fan 22 is started, in step S8, the outdoor fan 12
And the compressor 14 are operated together, and the first closing valve 5 is closed. In step S9, a timer “T” is set, and the operating state of the outdoor fan 12 and the compressor 14 and the closed state of the first closing valve 5 are continued for the set time “T”. (Step S10). After the lapse of the set time “T”, the outdoor fan 1
2 and the operation of the compressor 14 are stopped.
The closing valve 6 is closed (step S11).

The operation of the outdoor fan 12 and the compressor 14 in step S8 is achieved by continuing the operation of the air conditioner Z while the air conditioner Z is in operation. When the operation is stopped, this is achieved by starting the operation of the outdoor fan 12 and the compressor 14 while detecting the leakage of the refrigerant.

When such control is executed when refrigerant leaks on the indoor unit 2 side, if refrigerant leaks on the indoor unit 2 side, the refrigerant leak is detected by the indoor refrigerant sensor 33, Based on that, the indoor fan 2
2 is operated, and the blowing action of the indoor fan 22 imparts an agitating action to the leaked refrigerant to diffuse it. Moreover, in this case, when the leakage of the refrigerant is detected by the indoor refrigerant sensor 33, the first shut-off valve 5 on the refrigerant liquid pipe 3 side is first closed in response to the detection, and in this state, the outdoor fan 1
2 and the operation of the compressor 14 are continued for the set time “T”, so that most of the refrigerant present in the refrigerant circuit on the indoor unit 2 side than the first shut-off valve 5 is supplied to the compressor. 14
The refrigerant is drawn to the side and accumulates on the outdoor unit 1 side, and the residual refrigerant amount on the indoor unit 2 side is reduced as much as possible. After the lapse of the set time “T”, the operation of the outdoor fan 12 and the compressor 14 is stopped and the second closing valve 6 is closed, so that the refrigerant accumulated in the outdoor unit 1 side Is sealed in the outdoor unit 1 side.

As described above, when the refrigerant leaks on the indoor unit 2 side, the leaked refrigerant is transferred to the indoor fan 2.
As a synergistic effect of the diffusion of the refrigerant by 2 and the extremely reduction of the amount of the leaked refrigerant itself, the formation of a flammable region by the leaked refrigerant on the floor side of the room 41 is more reliably prevented, and the indoor living at the time of refrigerant leakage Safety for the elderly can be further enhanced.

Further, as described above, the valve position of the four-way valve 7 is set to the cooling operation position before the start of the operation of the indoor fan 22 due to the leakage of the refrigerant, whereby the operation of the indoor fan 22 is performed. Sometimes, the indoor heat exchanger 21 is always in a state of functioning as an evaporator.
The refrigerant in the indoor unit 2 is efficiently stored in the outdoor unit 1 irrespective of the operating condition of the air conditioner at the time of refrigerant leakage, and the amount of refrigerant leaked from the indoor unit 2 is reduced as much as possible. As a result, the safety at the time of refrigerant leakage as described above is further improved.

On the other hand, the case where the leakage of the refrigerant occurs on the outdoor unit 1 side (step S2), in which case the same control as the control in the first control example is performed. That is, when it is detected by the outdoor refrigerant sensor 32 that the refrigerant leaks on the outdoor unit 1 side (step S2), the outdoor fan 12 is operated in response to the detection (step S3), and the outdoor fan 12 is operated (step S3). The first closing valve 5 provided on the refrigerant liquid pipe 3 and the second closing valve 6 provided on the refrigerant gas pipe 4 are both closed (step S4).

When refrigerant leaks from the outdoor unit 1 due to the execution of the above control, the refrigerant leaking from the outdoor unit 1 is efficiently diffused by the blowing action of the outdoor fan 12 and the first closed state. Valve 5 and second closing valve 6
Are closed, and the leakage amount of the refrigerant from the outdoor unit 1 is suppressed to about half of the total refrigerant amount existing in the entire refrigerant circulation system. As a result, formation of a flammable region due to the leaked refrigerant in the vicinity of the outdoor unit 1 is reliably prevented, and high safety is ensured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an installation state diagram of an air conditioner using a natural refrigerant according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the air conditioner shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a control flowchart showing a first control example of the air-conditioning apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a control flowchart illustrating a second control example of the air-conditioning apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is an outdoor unit, 2 is an indoor unit, 3 is a refrigerant liquid pipe, 4 is a refrigerant gas pipe, 5 is a first shut-off valve, 6 is a second shut-off valve, 7 is a four-way valve, 1
1 is an outdoor heat exchanger, 12 is an outdoor fan, 13 is an expansion valve,
14 is a compressor, 21 is an indoor heat exchanger, 22 is an indoor fan, 23 is an expansion valve, 31 is a control unit, 32
Is an outdoor refrigerant sensor, 33 is an indoor refrigerant sensor, 34 is an operation switch, 35 is a temperature sensor, P is an air conditioner, Q is refrigerant leak detection means, R is refrigerant diffusion means, and Z is an air conditioner. .

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An air conditioner provided with an air conditioner (P) using a natural refrigerant as a working refrigerant, comprising: refrigerant leak detection means (Q) for detecting and outputting leakage of the natural refrigerant; An air conditioner using a natural refrigerant, comprising: a refrigerant diffusing means (R) for imparting a stirring action to the leaked refrigerant when the leakage of the refrigerant is detected by the detection means (Q) and diffusing the refrigerant. 2. The outdoor unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner (P) includes an outdoor heat exchanger (11), an outdoor fan (12), and a compressor (14) and is disposed outside the room. ), An indoor unit (2) including an indoor heat exchanger (21) and an indoor fan (22) and arranged on the indoor side.
And the refrigerant leak detection means (Q) is an indoor refrigerant sensor (33) provided in the indoor unit (2), and the refrigerant diffusion means (R) is the indoor unit (2) An indoor fan (22) provided in the indoor refrigerant sensor, wherein the indoor fan (22) is operated when leakage of the refrigerant is detected by the indoor refrigerant sensor (33). The air conditioner used. 3. The refrigerant liquid pipe (3) and the refrigerant gas pipe (4) connecting the outdoor unit (1) and the indoor unit (2) are normally open during normal operation. On the other hand, a first shut-off valve (5) and a second shut-off valve (6), each of which is controlled so as to close a corresponding refrigerant passage as required, are provided, respectively, and are provided by the indoor-side refrigerant sensor (33). When the leakage of the refrigerant is detected, the first closing valve (5) and the second closing valve (6)
And an air conditioner using a natural refrigerant. 4. A refrigerant liquid pipe (3) and a refrigerant gas pipe (4), which connect the outdoor unit (1) and the indoor unit (2), respectively, and are always in normal operation. The first is controlled to close the corresponding refrigerant passage as needed while being opened.
When the leakage of the refrigerant is detected by the indoor-side refrigerant sensor (33), the first closing valve (5) on the refrigerant liquid pipe (3) side is closed by a closing valve (5), a second closing valve (6). Close the outdoor fan (12)
The operation of the outdoor fan (12) and the compressor (14) is stopped after the predetermined period, and the second closing of the refrigerant gas pipe (4) is performed. An air conditioner using a natural refrigerant, comprising a control means (31) for closing a valve (6). 5. The control means (4) according to claim 4, further comprising a four-way valve (7) for switching a refrigerant circulation path between a cooling operation position corresponding to cooling operation and a heating operation position corresponding to heating operation. 31) is the indoor-side refrigerant sensor (3)
When the leakage of the refrigerant is detected by 3), when the four-way valve (7) is set to the cooling operation position, the valve position is maintained, and when the four-way valve (7) is set to the heating operation position, the valve position is maintained. An air conditioner using a natural refrigerant, wherein operation control of the four-way valve (7) is performed so that a valve position is switched from a heating operation position to a cooling operation position. 6. The outdoor unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner (P) includes an outdoor heat exchanger (11), an outdoor fan (12), and a compressor (14) and is disposed outside the room. ), An indoor unit (2) including an indoor heat exchanger (21) and an indoor fan (22) and arranged on the indoor side.
And the refrigerant leakage detection means (Q) is an outdoor refrigerant sensor (32) provided in the outdoor unit (1), and the refrigerant diffusion means (R) is the outdoor unit (1) An outdoor fan (12) provided in the outdoor refrigerant sensor (32), wherein the outdoor fan (12) is operated when leakage of the refrigerant is detected by the outdoor refrigerant sensor (32). The air conditioner used. 7. The refrigerant liquid pipe (3) and the refrigerant gas pipe (4) connecting the outdoor unit (1) and the indoor unit (2) are normally open during normal operation. On the other hand, a first shut-off valve (5) and a second shut-off valve (6), each of which is controlled so as to close the corresponding refrigerant passage as required, are provided, respectively, and are provided by the outdoor refrigerant sensor (32). When the leakage of the refrigerant is detected, the first closing valve (5) and the second closing valve (6)
And an air conditioner using a natural refrigerant.