US20170336092A1 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Air conditioner Download PDF

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Publication number
US20170336092A1
US20170336092A1 US15/523,041 US201515523041A US2017336092A1 US 20170336092 A1 US20170336092 A1 US 20170336092A1 US 201515523041 A US201515523041 A US 201515523041A US 2017336092 A1 US2017336092 A1 US 2017336092A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
refrigerant gas
gas sensor
air conditioner
refrigerant
detecting element
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US15/523,041
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English (en)
Inventor
Shinsuke IKAWA
Akio Tasaka
Hiroyuki Tada
Seiko KITAMURA
Shinji Nagaoka
Katsunori Murata
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Daikin Industries Ltd
Original Assignee
Daikin Industries Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Daikin Industries Ltd filed Critical Daikin Industries Ltd
Assigned to DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD. reassignment DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: NAGAOKA, SHINJI, IKAWA, Shinsuke, KITAMURA, Seiko, MURATA, KATSUNORI, TADA, HIROYUKI, TASAKA, AKIO
Publication of US20170336092A1 publication Critical patent/US20170336092A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • F24F11/02—
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/89—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
    • F24F11/30—Control or safety arrangements for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
    • F24F11/32—Responding to malfunctions or emergencies
    • F24F11/36—Responding to malfunctions or emergencies to leakage of heat-exchange fluid
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B1/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B49/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F25B49/02—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for compression type machines, plants or systems
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2110/00—Control inputs relating to air properties
    • F24F2110/50—Air quality properties
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2110/00—Control inputs relating to air properties
    • F24F2110/50—Air quality properties
    • F24F2110/65—Concentration of specific substances or contaminants
    • F24F2110/66—Volatile organic compounds [VOC]
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2400/00—General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
    • F25B2400/12—Inflammable refrigerants
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2500/00—Problems to be solved
    • F25B2500/22—Preventing, detecting or repairing leaks of refrigeration fluids
    • F25B2500/222—Detecting refrigerant leaks
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B30/00—Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
    • Y02B30/70—Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an air conditioner using flammable refrigerant.
  • Patent Literature 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-13348
  • the refrigerant gas sensor is typically attached so that an opening for introducing leaked refrigerant gas into the inside faces upward.
  • a small amount of a different gas such as propane and pesticide, which is sucked from the outside of the air conditioner, may be erroneously recognized as refrigerant gas.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner in which a different gas sucked from the outside of the air conditioner is not erroneously recognized as refrigerant gas.
  • an air conditioner uses flammable refrigerant and includes a refrigerant gas sensor inside the air conditioner, the refrigerant gas sensor including: a detecting element configured to detect leakage of refrigerant gas; and a casing member provided to surround the detecting element, the casing member having a first opening through which the refrigerant gas is introduced into an inside of the casing member, and the first opening being below the detecting element.
  • the refrigerant gas sensor detects gas introduced into the casing member from below the casing member, it is extremely unlikely that the refrigerant gas sensor detects gas when an amount of the gas is small as in cases where the gas is propane or pesticide sucked from the outside of the air conditioner. It is therefore possible to prevent a different gas sucked from the outside of the air conditioner from being erroneously recognized as refrigerant gas.
  • the air conditioner of the first aspect is arranged such that the refrigerant gas sensor includes a printed board having a lower surface to which the detecting element is fixed, and the casing member is a cylindrical member fixed to the lower surface of the printed board.
  • the casing member is provided to surround the detecting element and is a cylindrical member fixed to the lower surface of the printed board, it is possible to ensure the prevention of the erroneous recognition of the different gas sucked from the outside of the air conditioner as the refrigerant gas and the prevention of the attachment of water or dust onto the detecting element.
  • the air conditioner of the first or second aspect further includes a surrounding member surrounding circumferences of the printed board and the casing member, a second opening being formed in a bottom surface of the surrounding member.
  • the surrounding member is provided to cover the circumferences of the printed board and the casing member, it is possible to ensure the prevention of the erroneous recognition of the different gas sucked from the outside of the air conditioner as the refrigerant gas, the prevention of the attachment of water or dust onto the printed board, and the prevention of the attachment of water or dust onto the detecting element.
  • the air conditioner of the first aspect is arranged such that the refrigerant gas sensor includes a printed board having a lower surface to which the detecting element is fixed, the casing member covering a circumference of the printed board.
  • the casing member is provided to cover the circumference of the printed board, it is possible to ensure the prevention of the erroneous recognition of the different gas sucked from the outside of the air conditioner as the refrigerant gas, and the prevention of the attachment of water or dust onto the printed board and the detecting element.
  • the present invention provides the following advantageous effects.
  • the refrigerant gas sensor detects gas introduced into the casing member from below the casing member, it is extremely unlikely that the refrigerant gas sensor detects gas when an amount of the gas is small as in cases where the gas is propane or pesticide sucked from the outside of the air conditioner. It is therefore possible to prevent a different gas sucked from the outside of the air conditioner from being erroneously recognized as refrigerant gas.
  • the casing member is provided to surround the detecting element and is a cylindrical member fixed to the lower surface of the printed board, it is possible to ensure the prevention of the erroneous recognition of the different gas sucked from the outside of the air conditioner as the refrigerant gas and the prevention of the attachment of water or dust onto the detecting element.
  • the surrounding member is provided to cover the circumferences of the printed board and the casing member, it is possible to ensure the prevention of the erroneous recognition of the different gas sucked from the outside of the air conditioner as the refrigerant gas, the prevention of the attachment of water or dust onto the printed board, and the prevention of the attachment of water or dust onto the detecting element.
  • the casing member is provided to cover the circumference of the printed board, it is possible to ensure the prevention of the erroneous recognition of the different gas sucked from the outside of the air conditioner as the refrigerant gas, and the prevention of the attachment of water or dust onto the printed board and the detecting element.
  • FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner of an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an indoor unit shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 3 is a front view of the indoor unit.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along the IV-IV line in FIG. 3 .
  • FIG. 5 is a cross section taken along the V-V line in FIG. 3 .
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the indoor unit from which a front grill and a front panel have been detached.
  • FIG. 7 is a front elevation of the indoor unit from which the front grill and the front panel have been detached.
  • FIG. 8A is a plan view of a drain pan shown in FIG. 6
  • FIG. 8B is a front elevation of the drain pan
  • FIG. 8C is a right profile of the drain pan.
  • FIG. 9 shows a control block of the indoor unit.
  • FIG. 10A is a perspective view showing a state that a lower housing is detached from a refrigerant gas sensor shown in FIG. 5
  • FIG. 10B is a cross section of the refrigerant gas sensor.
  • FIG. 11A is a front enlarged view of a part where the refrigerant gas sensor is provided
  • FIG. 11B is identical with FIG. 11A except that a communication pipe is not shown
  • FIG. 11C is identical with FIG. 11B except that the refrigerant gas sensor has been detached.
  • FIG. 12A is a cross section showing a state that the refrigerant gas sensor is attached to a sensor mounting portion, whereas FIG. 12B explains how the refrigerant gas sensor is detached.
  • FIG. 13 is a cross section of a refrigerant gas sensor of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a modification of the present invention.
  • FIG. 14A to FIG. 14C are drawings for illustrating the positional relationship between a detecting element and the casing opening.
  • FIG. 14A shows a case where the casing opening is horizontally provided below the detecting element.
  • FIG. 14B shows a case where the casing opening is tilted in a predetermined direction.
  • FIG. 14C shows a case where the casing opening is tilted in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction.
  • an air conditioner of the present embodiment includes a compressor 1 , a four-pass switching valve 2 having one end connected with the discharging side of the compressor 1 , an outdoor heat exchanger 3 having one end connected with the other end of the four-pass switching valve 2 , an electric expansion valve 4 having one end connected with the other end of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 , an indoor heat exchanger 5 having one end connected with the other end of the electric expansion valve 4 via a stop valve 12 and a communication pipe L 1 , and an accumulator 6 .
  • the accumulator 6 has one end connected with the other end of the indoor heat exchanger 5 via a stop valve 13 , a communication pipe L 2 , and the four-pass switching valve 2 and the other end connected with the sucking side of the compressor 1 .
  • the compressor 1 , the four-pass switching valve 2 , the outdoor heat exchanger 3 , the electric expansion valve 4 , the indoor heat exchanger 5 , and the accumulator 6 form a refrigerant circuit.
  • the air conditioner includes an outdoor fan 7 provided in the vicinity of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 , and an indoor fan 8 provided in the vicinity of the indoor heat exchanger 5 .
  • the compressor 1 , the four-pass switching valve 2 , the outdoor heat exchanger 3 , the electric expansion valve 4 , the accumulator 6 , and the outdoor fan 7 are provided in an outdoor unit 10
  • the indoor heat exchanger 5 and the indoor fan 8 are provided in an indoor unit 20 .
  • a refrigerating cycle is formed such that the refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit constituted by the compressor 1 , the indoor heat exchanger 5 , the electric expansion valve 4 , the outdoor heat exchanger 3 , and the accumulator 6 .
  • the room is warmed in such a way that room air is circulated by the indoor fan 8 through the indoor heat exchanger 5 .
  • a refrigerating cycle is formed such that the refrigerant circulates through the compressor 1 , the outdoor heat exchanger 3 , the electric expansion valve 4 , the indoor heat exchanger 5 , and the accumulator 6 in this order.
  • the room is cooled in such a way that room air is circulated by the indoor fan 8 through the indoor heat exchanger 5 .
  • This air conditioner uses flammable refrigerant.
  • the term “flammable refrigerant” encompasses not only flammable refrigerant but also mildly flammable refrigerant. While the air conditioner uses R32 which is mildly flammable refrigerant, the air conditioner may use R290, for example.
  • the air conditioner uses refrigerant having a higher specific gravity than air.
  • the indoor unit 20 is a floor-mounted indoor unit and includes a bottom frame 21 which is substantially rectangular in shape, the back surface side of the bottom frame 21 being attached to a wall of the room, a front grill 22 which is attached to the front surface side of the bottom frame 21 and has a substantially rectangular opening 22 c in the front surface, and a front panel 23 attached to cover the opening 22 c of the front grill 22 .
  • the bottom frame 21 , the front grill 22 , and the front panel 23 form a casing 20 a.
  • An upper outlet port 22 a is formed at an upper part of the front grill 22
  • a lower outlet port 22 b is formed at a lower part of the front grill 22 .
  • a vertical flap 24 is provided to change, in the up-down direction, the direction of the air flow blown out from the upper outlet port 22 a .
  • the vertical flap 24 is connected with a flap motor 24 a (see FIG. 9 ).
  • the vertical flap 24 is rotatable about the rotational axis along the horizontal direction, by the driving of the flap motor 24 a .
  • this vertical flap 24 rotates to a position where cool wind or warm wind is blown out forward and obliquely upward from the upper outlet port 22 a , and stops at this position.
  • the upper outlet port 22 a is closed as shown in FIG. 2 .
  • a shutter 30 configured to open and close the lower outlet port 22 b and a horizontal flap 31 configured to change, in the left-right direction, the direction of the air flow blown out from the lower outlet port 22 b are provided.
  • the shutter 30 is connected with a shutter motor 30 b .
  • the shutter 30 rotates about the axis 30 a extending along the horizontal direction, by the driving of the shutter motor 30 b .
  • This shutter 30 stops at a position A indicated by a one dot chain line to open the lower outlet port 22 b , and stops at a position B indicated by a one dot chain line to close the lower outlet port 22 b .
  • the direction of the horizontal flap 31 is manually adjusted.
  • An upper inlet port 23 a is formed at an upper part of the front panel 23
  • a lower inlet port 23 b is formed at a lower part of the front panel 23
  • side inlet ports 23 c are formed through side faces of the front panel 23 .
  • a fan motor 26 is fixed at a substantial center of the bottom frame 21 .
  • the indoor fan 8 connected with the axis of the fan motor 26 is disposed in the bottom frame 21 so that the axis of the fan extends along the front-back direction.
  • the indoor fan 8 is a turbofan which sucks air from the front surface side and blows the air radially outward with respect to the axis.
  • the bottom frame 21 includes a bell-mouth 27 formed on the front surface side of the indoor fan 8 .
  • the indoor heat exchanger 5 is provided on the front surface side of the bell-mouth 27 , and the front grill 22 is attached to the front surface side of the indoor heat exchanger 5 .
  • the front panel 23 is attached to the front surface side of the front grill 22 .
  • a filter 25 is attached to the opening 22 c of the front grill 22 .
  • the fan motor 26 is driven so that the indoor fan 8 rotates.
  • the indoor fan 8 rotates, room air is sucked into the indoor unit 20 through the upper inlet port 23 a , the lower inlet port 23 b , and the side inlet ports 23 c .
  • the room air sucked into the indoor unit 20 is subjected to the heat exchange by the indoor heat exchanger 5 , and is then blown out to the room through the upper outlet port 22 a and the lower outlet port 22 b .
  • the lower outlet port 22 b is closed by the shutter 30 , the room air sucked into the indoor unit 20 is blown out only through the upper outlet port 22 a.
  • a drain pan 28 is provided below the indoor heat exchanger 5 to receive and drain the condensed water from the air, which is generated on the indoor heat exchanger 5 .
  • This drain pan 28 is surrounded by a heat insulating material 40 .
  • an electronic component box 50 is provided to the right of (outside in the longitudinal direction) and above the indoor heat exchanger 5 .
  • a sensor mounting portion 70 (see FIG. 11C ) is provided below the electronic component box 50 .
  • a refrigerant gas sensor 9 is detachably attached. This refrigerant gas sensor 9 is provided to the right of (outside in the longitudinal direction) the indoor heat exchanger 5 and the drain pan 28 . As shown in FIG.
  • the electronic component box 50 includes a harness connection portion 52 with which a harness 68 extending from the refrigerant gas sensor 9 is connected.
  • the harness 68 is provided on the outer side of the indoor heat exchanger 5 as compared to refrigerant pipes 5 a and 5 b which extend from the indoor heat exchanger 5 and which are connected with communication pipes L 1 and L 2 .
  • the drain pan 28 includes a bottom portion 41 and a peripheral wall portion 42 extending upward from the entire outline of the bottom portion 41 .
  • This drain pan 28 has a discharge hole 43 at around the right end 28 R in the longitudinal direction (i.e., an end portion on the refrigerant gas sensor side) to discharge condensed water.
  • the discharge hole 43 is connected with a drain hose 44 .
  • This drain hose 44 extends to reach the outside of the room together with the communication pipes L 1 and L 2 .
  • the bottom portion 41 of the drain pan 28 is tilted downward in the direction from the left end 28 L to the right end 28 R (i.e., tilted downward toward the refrigerant gas sensor in the longitudinal direction).
  • the inclination of the bottom portion 41 of the drain pan 28 is exaggerated for easy understanding.
  • a notch 45 is formed in the peripheral wall portion 42 of the drain pan 28 on the refrigerant gas sensor 9 side. To be more specific, the notch 45 is formed in a side face on the right end 28 R side of the drain pan 28 (i.e., the right side face of the peripheral wall portion 42 ).
  • the peripheral wall portion on the refrigerant gas sensor side indicates a part of the peripheral wall portion 42 , which is on the refrigerant gas sensor 9 side of the center in the longitudinal direction of the indoor heat exchanger 5 .
  • the notch is therefore not always required to be formed in the right side face of the peripheral wall portion 42 , and may be formed in any part of the peripheral wall portion 42 , on condition that the part is on the refrigerant gas sensor 9 side.
  • the refrigerant gas having the higher specific gravity than air flows downward and reaches the drain pan 28 .
  • the refrigerant gas having reached the drain pan 28 flows from the left end 28 L side toward the right end 28 R side along the inclination of the drain pan 28 .
  • the refrigerant gas having reached the drain pan 28 tends to overflow the drain pan 28 on the refrigerant gas sensor 9 side in the longitudinal direction.
  • the refrigerant gas tends to overflow through the notch 45 formed in the peripheral wall portion 42 .
  • the overflow refrigerant gas stagnates at the bottom of the indoor unit 20 , and leaks out of the indoor unit 20 .
  • the electronic component box 50 houses a controlling unit 51 therein for controlling components required for operations such as the cooling and warming operations of the air conditioner. As shown in FIG. 9 , this controlling unit 51 is connected with the fan motor 26 , the refrigerant gas sensor 9 , the flap motor 24 a , and the shutter motor 30 b , controls the indoor fan 8 , the vertical flap 24 , and the shutter 30 , and determines whether refrigerant leakage occurs based on a result of detection of the refrigerant gas by the refrigerant gas sensor 9 .
  • the refrigerant gas sensor 9 is a sensor configured to detect leaked refrigerant gas, and is provided to be flush with or lower than the drain pan 28 as shown in FIG. 5 .
  • the refrigerant gas sensor 9 is provided to the right of (outside in the longitudinal direction of) the drain pan 28 and to be rearward of (i.e., behind) the drain pan 28 and the indoor heat exchanger 5 .
  • this refrigerant gas sensor 9 includes a detecting element 61 configured to detect refrigerant gas, a hollow (e.g., cylindrical) casing member 62 provided to surround the detecting element 61 , a printed board 63 having a lower surface to which the detecting element 61 and the casing member 62 are fixed, and a housing (surrounding member) 64 surrounding the circumference of the printed board 63 .
  • This casing member 62 is provided in the vicinity of the circumference of the detecting element 61 . The distance between the detecting element 61 and the inner circumferential surface of the casing member 62 is very short.
  • the casing member 62 has, at its lower end, a casing opening (first opening) 62 a which is provided to introduce leaked refrigerant gas into the casing member 62 .
  • a casing opening (first opening) 62 a which is provided to introduce leaked refrigerant gas into the casing member 62 .
  • a meshed filter is attached to the casing opening 62 a .
  • the casing opening 62 a is formed to be along the horizontal plane, and the entirety of the casing opening 62 a is provided below the detecting element 61 .
  • the upper end of the casing member 62 is closed by the printed board 63 to prevent refrigerant gas from being introduced into the casing member 62 through an opening other than the casing opening 62 a .
  • the housing (surrounding member) 64 includes a first housing 65 covering the circumference and the top of the printed board 63 and a second housing 66 covering the circumference and the bottom of the printed board 63 and the circumference of the casing member 62 .
  • a second housing 66 covering the circumference and the bottom of the printed board 63 and the circumference of the casing member 62 .
  • slits (second openings) 66 a are formed in the bottom surface of the second housing 66 .
  • refrigerant gas sensor 9 refrigerant gas is taken into the housing 64 only through the slits 66 a .
  • a hole 67 is formed to receive a later-described screw (fixing member) S.
  • the refrigerant gas sensor is provided to be flush with the drain pan” indicates that, as shown in FIG. 11B , the casing opening 62 a of the refrigerant gas sensor 9 is provided between the upper end 28 Ra and the lower end 28 Rb of the right end 28 R of the drain pan 28 .
  • the sensor mounting portion 70 has: a screw hole (sensor fixing portion) 71 for attaching the refrigerant gas sensor 9 ; and a housing portion 72 in which a rear end portion of the refrigerant gas sensor 9 is housed.
  • a screw hole (sensor fixing portion) 71 for attaching the refrigerant gas sensor 9
  • a housing portion 72 in which a rear end portion of the refrigerant gas sensor 9 is housed.
  • FIG. 12A when the refrigerant gas sensor 9 is attached to the sensor mounting portion 70 , the rear end portion of the refrigerant gas sensor 9 is housed in the housing portion 72 and the screw (fixing member) S inserted into the hole 67 of the refrigerant gas sensor 9 is screwed into the screw hole (sensor fixing portion) 71 .
  • the screw (fixing member) S is taken out from the screw hole (sensor fixing portion) 71 in the forward direction (the direction in which the fixing member is taken out (see FIG. 12A ), and then the refrigerant gas sensor 9 is slid in the forward direction (the detaching direction of the refrigerant gas sensor (see FIG. 12A ) relative to the sensor mounting portion 70 , for a predetermined distance (predetermined sliding range). In this way, the refrigerant gas sensor 9 is detached.
  • the communication pipes L 1 and L 2 do not allow the refrigerant gas sensor 9 to be easily detached, when he/she erroneously tries to detach the refrigerant gas sensor 9 .
  • the communication pipes L 1 and L 2 are communication pipes (refrigerant pipes) connected with refrigerant pipes 5 a and 5 b extending from the indoor heat exchanger 5 .
  • the communication pipes L 1 and L 2 are provided below the indoor unit 20 , behind the indoor unit 20 , and on the outdoor unit 10 side.
  • the two communication pipes L 1 and L 2 are covered with, for example, a single heat insulating material H. As such, the two communication pipes L 1 and L 2 are covered with the heat insulating material H.
  • a hand or a screwdriver is less likely to make contact with the refrigerant gas sensor 9 and the screw S . It is therefore further difficult to detach the refrigerant gas sensor 9 .
  • the same effect is obtained when the two communication pipes are covered with different heat insulating materials, respectively.
  • connecting portions L 1 a and L 2 a of the communication pipes L 1 and L 2 which are connected with the refrigerant pipes 5 a and 5 b , are provided above the refrigerant gas sensor 9 .
  • a service technician, a user, or the like is allowed to detach the refrigerant gas sensor 9 only after the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit is removed and the communication pipes L 1 and L 2 are detached from the refrigerant pipes 5 a and 5 b.
  • the detaching direction of the refrigerant gas sensor indicates the direction in which the fixing member is detached, in cases where the refrigerant gas sensor is fixed to the sensor fixing portion via the fixing member.
  • the detaching direction of the refrigerant gas sensor indicates the direction in which the fixing member is detached, even if the refrigerant gas sensor drops down when the fixing member fixed to the sensor fixing portion is detached.
  • the phrase “the detaching direction of the refrigerant gas sensor (the direction in which the refrigerant gas sensor is detached)” indicates the sliding direction.
  • the phrase “the detaching direction of the refrigerant gas sensor (the direction in which the refrigerant gas sensor is detached)” indicates the direction in which the fixing member is taken out and the sliding direction of the refrigerant gas sensor.
  • the detaching direction of the refrigerant gas sensor (the direction in which the refrigerant gas sensor is detached) is the forward direction because the direction in which fixing member is taken out and the sliding direction of the refrigerant gas sensor are both the forward direction.
  • these two directions are “the detaching directions of the refrigerant gas sensor (the direction in which the refrigerant gas sensor is detached)”.
  • the regulating member is configured to regulate the detachment of the refrigerant gas sensor
  • the regulating member is required to be provided at a position where the regulation of the detachment of the refrigerant gas sensor is possible.
  • the communication pipes L 1 and L 2 which are the regulating members overlap the refrigerant gas sensor 9 in a front view and are in the sliding range of the refrigerant gas sensor 9 (see FIG. 12B ) when the refrigerant gas sensor 9 is attached to the sensor mounting portion 70 .
  • the communication pipes L 1 and L 2 are positioned to obstruct the screw S from being taken out by a screwdriver, i.e., are provided at around positions overlapping the screw S in a front view, and the distance between the screw S and each of the communication pipes L 1 and L 2 is arranged to be equal to or shorter than the length of the screwdriver.
  • the air conditioner of the present embodiment has the following characteristics.
  • the refrigerant gas sensor 9 detects gas introduced into the casing member 62 from below the casing member 62 , it is extremely unlikely that the refrigerant gas sensor 9 detects gas when an amount of the gas is small as in cases where the gas is propane or pesticide sucked from the outside (e.g., the air-conditioned space) of the air conditioner. It is therefore possible to prevent a different gas sucked from the outside of the air conditioner from being erroneously recognized as refrigerant gas.
  • the casing opening 62 a faces downward, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the detection accuracy of the refrigerant gas sensor 9 due to dust attached to the casing opening 62 a . Furthermore, in this air conditioner, when water is splashed onto the refrigerant gas sensor 9 , e.g., when a user or the like erroneously puts water into the indoor unit 20 or when condensed water spills over or is splashed from the drain pan 28 , because the casing opening 62 a faces downward, the water is less likely to attach to the detecting element 61 , and hence malfunction of the refrigerant gas sensor 9 is avoided.
  • the casing member 62 is provided to surround the detecting element 61 and is a cylindrical member fixed to the lower surface of the printed board 63 , it is possible to ensure the prevention of the erroneous recognition of the different gas sucked from the outside of the air conditioner as the refrigerant gas and the prevention of the attachment of water or dust onto the detecting element 61 .
  • the housing (surrounding member) 64 is provided to cover the circumferences of the printed board 63 and the casing member 62 , it is possible to ensure the prevention of the erroneous recognition of the different gas sucked from the outside of the air conditioner as the refrigerant gas, the prevention of the attachment of water or dust onto the printed board 63 , and the prevention of the attachment of water or dust onto the detecting element 61 .
  • the “casing member” of the present invention is a cylindrical member (casing member 62 ) fixed to the lower surface of the printed board 63 , and the housing (surrounding member) 64 is provided to surround the circumferences of the printed board 63 and the casing member 62 . As shown in FIG.
  • the indoor unit of the air conditioner of the modification is identical with the air conditioner of the embodiment above except that a cylindrical member fixed to the lower surface of the printed board 63 is not included, and a housing 64 a covering the circumference of the printed board 63 is the “casing member” of the present invention.
  • the same reference symbols are used for members identical with those of the embodiment above.
  • the housing 64 a (the “casing member” of the present invention) is provided to cover the circumference of the printed board 63 , it is possible to ensure the prevention of the erroneous recognition of the different gas sucked from the outside of the air conditioner (e.g., the air-conditioned space) as the refrigerant gas, and the prevention of the attachment of water or dust onto the printed board 63 and the detecting element 61 .
  • the casing opening (first opening) 62 a for introducing refrigerant gas into the inside is horizontally provided below the detecting element 61 , i.e., as shown in FIG. 14A , the casing opening 62 a faces vertically downward.
  • the casing opening 62 a may face obliquely downward on condition that the entirety of the casing opening 62 a is below the detecting element 61 .
  • housing (surrounding member) 64 is provided to surround the circumferences of the printed board 63 and the casing member 62 and the slits (second openings) 66 a are formed in the bottom surface of the housing (surrounding member) 64
  • a second opening may be formed in a part different from the bottom portion of the surrounding member.
  • the surrounding member may not be provided.
  • the refrigerant gas sensor 9 includes the printed board 63 , the refrigerant gas sensor may be differently arranged.
  • the indoor unit is a floor-mounted indoor unit
  • the indoor unit may not be floor-mounted, and may be wall-mounted.
  • the refrigerant gas sensor 9 is provided inside the indoor unit 20
  • the refrigerant gas sensor may be provided, for example, inside the outdoor unit.
  • the present invention makes it possible to prevent a different gas sucked from the outside of the air conditioner from being erroneously recognized as refrigerant gas.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Air Conditioning Control Device (AREA)
  • Air Filters, Heat-Exchange Apparatuses, And Housings Of Air-Conditioning Units (AREA)
US15/523,041 2014-10-31 2015-09-29 Air conditioner Abandoned US20170336092A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2014223394A JP6248898B2 (ja) 2014-10-31 2014-10-31 空気調和機
JP2014-223394 2014-10-31
PCT/JP2015/077567 WO2016067817A1 (ja) 2014-10-31 2015-09-29 空気調和機

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20170336092A1 true US20170336092A1 (en) 2017-11-23

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US15/523,041 Abandoned US20170336092A1 (en) 2014-10-31 2015-09-29 Air conditioner

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US (1) US20170336092A1 (ja)
EP (1) EP3214383B1 (ja)
JP (1) JP6248898B2 (ja)
CN (1) CN107110540B (ja)
AU (1) AU2015338332B2 (ja)
ES (1) ES2782085T3 (ja)
WO (1) WO2016067817A1 (ja)

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AU2015338332B2 (en) 2018-11-15
EP3214383B1 (en) 2020-01-15
AU2015338332A1 (en) 2017-05-25
ES2782085T3 (es) 2020-09-10
CN107110540B (zh) 2020-07-28
CN107110540A (zh) 2017-08-29
JP6248898B2 (ja) 2017-12-20
EP3214383A1 (en) 2017-09-06
EP3214383A4 (en) 2018-07-04
WO2016067817A1 (ja) 2016-05-06
JP2016090108A (ja) 2016-05-23

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