WO2011141959A1

WO2011141959A1 - Switching apparatus and air conditioning apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2011141959A1
Application number: PCT/JP2010/003207
Authority: WO
Inventors: ▲高▼下博文; 川越智一; 東幸志
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2010-05-12
Filing date: 2010-05-12
Publication date: 2011-11-17
Also published as: EP2570740A4; CN102893095B; US20130014525A1; CN102893095A; JPWO2011141959A1; EP2570740A1; EP2570740B1

Abstract

Disclosed is a switching apparatus which can efficiently block refrigerant even in, for example, an air conditioning apparatus having a plurality of indoor units and which can be easily maintained, designed, and produced at a low cost. In a plurality of pipes (6, 7) for circulating refrigerant between a heat source machine (A) and a plurality of indoor units (C-E), a plurality of shutoff valves (10, 11) for stopping the flow of refrigerant are integrally formed and assembled into groups, and the groups of the shutoff valves (10c-10e, 11c-11e), the number of which corresponds to the number of the indoor units, are assembled.

Description

Switching device and air conditioner

The present invention relates to a switching device for switching between passage and interruption of refrigerant passing through a pipe and an air conditioner using a refrigeration cycle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a switching device that shuts off a refrigerant when a refrigerant leaks in an air conditioner.

In an air conditioner (refrigeration cycle apparatus), for example, a refrigerant circuit (a refrigerant circuit that circulates refrigerant by sequentially connecting a compressor, a four-way valve, an outdoor unit side heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an indoor unit side heat exchanger by refrigerant piping) A refrigeration cycle). Then, when the refrigerant evaporates and condenses, heat absorption and heat dissipation are performed on the air to be heat exchanged, and air conditioning operation and cooling operation are performed while changing the pressure of the refrigerant passing through the pipe. Yes.

Normally, in such an air conditioner, the refrigerant (container) constituting the refrigerant circuit and the refrigerant are circulated by confining the refrigerant in the pipe. However, the refrigerant leaks to the outside of the circuit for some reason such as poor connection or deterioration over time. Sometimes. If the refrigerant leaks, the desired air conditioning cannot be performed. Moreover, it may ignite and it is not hygienic. Therefore, a refrigerant leakage sensor for detecting refrigerant leakage from the indoor heat exchanger side to the outside and a refrigerant inflow / outflow side of the indoor heat exchanger on the refrigerant circuit for respectively blocking the refrigerant flow There is an air conditioner provided with a pair of solenoid valves. And if a refrigerant | coolant collection | recovery means detects the leak of a refrigerant | coolant by a refrigerant | coolant leak sensor, it will make a device perform a cooling operation. At that time, first, the on-off valve located on the side where the liquid refrigerant (liquid refrigerant) flows (which may be a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant) is closed. And after predetermined time progress, the process which closes the other on-off valve located in the side which gaseous refrigerant | coolant (gas refrigerant | coolant) flows (it may be a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant | coolant) is performed (for example, patent document 1). reference).

JP-A-6-180166

For example, in the air conditioning apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the on-off valves provided before and after the indoor unit-side heat exchanger are configured independently. For this reason, for example, in the case of a configuration in which a plurality of indoor units such as a multi-system are connected in parallel, if an on-off valve is provided for each indoor unit, the size of the indoor unit is dispersed and the size is increased. Will be inhibited. In particular, when refrigerant leakage is detected from the indoor unit, it takes time to restore the indoor unit early.

In addition, there is no means for airtightness confirmation, evacuation, refrigerant addition, etc. between each on-off valve and the indoor unit. For this reason, when connecting a plurality of indoor units such as a multi-system, for example, it is not possible to restore each indoor unit. Therefore, it is necessary to stop the entire system. During this time, the operation related to air conditioning becomes impossible.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems. For example, even in an air conditioner having a plurality of indoor units, it is possible to efficiently shut off a refrigerant, etc. An object is to obtain a switching device and the like that are easy to manufacture and low in cost.

In the switching device according to the present invention, a plurality of shut-off valves for stopping the flow of the refrigerant are integrally formed in a plurality of pipes for circulating the refrigerant between the heat source unit and the plurality of indoor units. A set of shut-off valves corresponding to the number of indoor units is assembled.

According to the present invention, the shut-off valves corresponding to a plurality of pipes connecting the heat source unit and the indoor unit are integrated as a set, and a plurality of sets are integrated and integrally formed according to the number of indoor units, so a small switching A device can be obtained. Further, it is possible to obtain a switching device that is inexpensive to manufacture and can reduce the cost. Further, since they are integrally formed and assembled, it is easy to connect each indoor unit to each set of stop valves. Further, it is possible to improve maintainability (maintainability).

It is a figure which shows the switching apparatus B which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 3 is a diagram illustrating a cross section of a switching device B. It is a figure showing an air harmony device provided with switching device B. It is a figure which shows the flow of the refrigerant | coolant at the time of air_conditionaing | cooling operation. It is a figure which shows the flow of the refrigerant | coolant at the time of heating operation. It is a figure showing the cross section of the switching apparatus B which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure showing the structure of the refrigerant | coolant leakage monitoring system which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flowchart relating to refrigerant leakage monitoring in a fourth embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same or equivalent means are denoted by the same reference numerals, and when the explanation of the means in the figure is made in other figures, the explanation is appropriately described in the figure. Omitted or simplified. In addition, when there is no need to particularly distinguish or specify the means or the like, the suffix may be omitted.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a switching device B in which a plurality of shut-off valves according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention are integrated and assembled. 1A and 1B are views of the switching device B viewed from different directions. Here, in FIG. 1, it has shown in the state which removed the electromagnetic coil (not shown) used as the actuator which opens and closes the

closing valves

10 and 11 with an electromagnetic force.

As shown in FIG. 1, the switching device B is formed by integrally forming a closing valve 10 and a closing valve 11 as a set, and a plurality of sets are assembled. In FIG. 1, the structure is a combination of three sets of closing valves 10c to 10e and closing valves 11c to 11e. The shut-off valve 10 performs communication control of pipes between pipes through which gaseous (including gas-liquid two-phase, the same applies hereinafter) refrigerant flows, and passes or stops the refrigerant. Further, the shut-off valve 11 performs communication control of pipes between pipes through which a liquid (including gas-liquid two-phase, the same applies hereinafter) refrigerant flows, and passes or stops the refrigerant. The configuration of the closing valve 10 and the closing valve 11 will be described later.

The pipe 6B and the pipe 7B are pipes for connecting to a first connection pipe 6 and a second connection pipe 7 described later, respectively. The pipes 6c to 6e are pipes having one end connected to the shut-off valves 10c to 10e and the other end connected to indoor units C, D, and E described later. The pipes 7c to 7e are pipes having one end connected to the shut-off valves 11c to 11e and the other end connected to indoor units C, D, and E described later.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a ZZ1 cross section of the switching device B in FIG. FIG. 2 shows a state where the electric coil is not energized. Here, the structure of the closing valve 11e will be mainly described. The shut-off valve 11e can be communicated by energizing the electromagnetic coil between the pipe 7B connected to the first connection pipe 7 and the pipe 7e connected to the indoor unit E.

The stop valve 11e is provided with a main valve chamber 17b between the pipe 7B and the pipe 7e, in which a space in which the main valve 21b can move is formed. A valve seat 18b having a hole 22b is provided at the boundary between the main valve chamber 17b and the pipe 7e. Then, the lid 19b is screwed to the main body with a female threaded portion to block (partition) the space in the main valve chamber 17b from the external space.

The main valve 21b slides along the wall of the main valve chamber 17b due to a change in pressure in the main valve chamber 17b, and opens and closes the hole 22b of the valve seat 18b. The lid 19b has a sub valve chamber 24b that communicates with the main valve chamber 17b via the first communication port 23. The sub valve chamber 24b forms a space in which the sub valve 28b that opens and closes the pilot hole 27b of the lid port 26b can be slid and moved.

The second communication port 29b that communicates the sub valve chamber 24b and the pipe 7e includes a main body port 30b and a lid port 26b that is formed in the lid body 19b and communicates with the main body port 30b. Here, by fixing the lid body 19b to the main body with a screw, a cylindrical space 31b is formed between the main body and the lid body 19b, so the lid body port 26b is positioned at any position in the circumferential direction. It doesn't matter.

Further, the lid body 19b includes a case 33b in which the sub valve 28b and the spring 32b are built in by brazing the opening of the sub valve chamber 24, and an O-ring 34b for sealing the main valve chamber 17b. (See FIG. 2).

Here, the electromagnetic coil for attracting the sub-valve 28b is separated and independent from the main body and is attached to the case 33b. The O-ring 34b is attached to block the space 35b between the main valve 21b and the lid 19b and the space 31b. The first communication port 23b is formed in parallel with the main valve 21b. A clearance (gap) necessary for sliding is provided between the main valve chamber 17b and the main valve 21b.

The shut-off valve 10e is communicated by energizing the solenoid valve coil with a pipe 6B having one end connected to the first connection pipe 6 and the other end 6e connected to the indoor unit E. The structure of the shut-off valve 10e, the function of the constituent means, etc. are basically the same as those of the shut-off valve 11e, and the suffix a is attached to the corresponding means instead of the suffix b.

Next, the operation of the closing

valves

10 and 11 will be described. Here, the closing valve 11e will be described as a representative with reference to FIG. First, when the electromagnetic coil is not energized, as shown in FIG. 2, the pilot hole 27b of the lid port 26b is closed by the spring 32b. Here, the pressures in the space 36b of the pipe 7B, the space 35b in the main valve chamber 17b, and the space 37b of the pipe 7e are P1, P2, and P3, respectively. The pressure relationship at this time is P1≈P2> P3. The main valve 21b closes the hole 22b of the valve seat 18b, and blocks the flow path connecting the pipe 7B and the pipe 7e.

On the other hand, when the electromagnetic coil is energized, the electromagnetic coil generates electromagnetic force. By this electromagnetic force, the sub valve 28b moves to the upper part of the case 33b, and the pilot hole 27b of the lid port 26b is opened. Thereby, the space 35b near the first communication port 23b of the main valve chamber 17b is connected to the space 37b of the pipe 7e via the first communication port 23b, the sub valve chamber 24b, the lid body port 26b, the space 31b, and the main body port 30b. Communicate. The pressure relationship at this time is P1> P2≈P3, and the main valve 21b is closed by the lid body 19 due to a pressure difference generated between the pressure P1 of the space 36b in the pipe 7B and the pressure P2 of the space 35b near the first communication port 23b. Move to the side. For this reason, the hole 22b of the valve seat 18b opens, and the pipe 7B and the pipe 7e communicate with each other. Therefore, a specific flow path can be formed by energizing the electromagnetic valve coil as necessary, and the flow can be controlled.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner having a switching device B. As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, a case will be described in which a refrigeration cycle apparatus is used as an air conditioner and switching device B is provided. In FIG. 3, the air conditioner of the present embodiment configures a refrigerant circuit by connecting a heat source unit A and indoor units C, D, and E by piping. Here, a switching device B shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is connected between the heat source unit A and the indoor units C, D, and E.

Then, the heat connection device A and the switching device B are connected by the first connection pipe 6 and the second connection pipe 7. A gaseous refrigerant flows through the first connection pipe 6, and a liquid refrigerant flows through the second connection pipe 7. In order to reduce the flow resistance, the first connection pipe 6 has a larger diameter than the second connection pipe 7. In addition, the switching device B and the indoor units C, D, and E are connected by indoor first connection pipes 6c to 6e and second indoor connection pipes 7c to 7e, respectively.

The heat source machine A of the present embodiment includes a compressor 1, a four-way valve 2, a heat source side heat exchanger (outdoor heat exchanger) 3, and an accumulator 4. The compressor 1 compresses and discharges the sucked refrigerant. Here, although not particularly limited, the compressor 1 can change the capacity of the compressor 1 (the amount of refrigerant sent out per unit time) by arbitrarily changing the operation frequency, for example, by an inverter circuit or the like. You may be able to. The four-way valve 2 is a valve for switching the flow of the refrigerant, for example, between the cooling operation and the heating operation. The heat source side heat exchanger 3 performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and air (outdoor air). For example, during the heating operation, it functions as an evaporator, performs heat exchange between the low-pressure refrigerant flowing from the second connection pipe 7 side and air, evaporates and vaporizes the refrigerant. Moreover, it functions as a condenser during the cooling operation, and performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and air compressed in the compressor 1 flowing in from the four-way valve 2 side, thereby condensing and liquefying the refrigerant. The accumulator 4 is means for storing, for example, liquid surplus refrigerant.

The indoor units C, D, and E each have a flow rate regulator 9 (9c to 9e) and a use side heat exchanger (indoor heat exchanger) 5 (5c to 5e). In the indoor units C, D, and E, the flow rate regulator 9 and the use side heat exchanger 5 are connected by the connection pipe 8 (8c to 8e). The flow controller 9 adjusts the pressure of the refrigerant in the use side heat exchanger 5 by changing the opening degree. Moreover, the use side heat exchanger 5 performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air. For example, during cooling operation, it functions as an evaporator, and performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and air that has been brought to a low pressure state by the flow rate regulator 9. On the other hand, during the heating operation, it functions as a condenser, and performs heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing in from the first connection pipe 6 side and the air.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of the refrigerant in the air conditioner in the cooling operation. Next, the operation of the air conditioner configured as shown in FIG. 3 will be described based on the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit. Here, it is assumed that each of the indoor units C, D, and E is performing cooling. Further, it is assumed that the

shutoff valves

10 and 11 are open. First, the case of the cooling operation will be described with reference to FIG. The flow of the refrigerant in the cooling operation is indicated by solid line arrows in FIG.

The high-temperature, high-pressure gas (gas) refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 1 passes through the heat source side heat exchanger 3 from the four-way valve 2 and is condensed and liquefied by exchanging heat with air, water and the like. For example, the gas-liquid two-phase high temperature and high pressure flow out of the heat source unit A.

Thereafter, it passes through the second connection pipe 7, the shutoff valves 11c to 11e of the switching device B, and the indoor unit second connection pipes 7c to 7e, and flows into the indoor units C, D, and E. Then, after the pressure is reduced to a low pressure by the flow regulators 9c to 9e, it passes through the use side heat exchangers 5c to 5e. During the passage, the refrigerant evaporates and vaporizes (gasifies), and cools the air in the room to be heat exchanged, for example. Here, for example, in a control device (not shown) for controlling each indoor unit, the opening degree of the flow rate regulators 9c to 9e is controlled based on the degree of superheat of the refrigerant at the outlets of the use side heat exchangers 5c to 5e. .

The refrigerant that has evaporated through the use-side heat exchangers 5c to 5e passes through the indoor first connection pipes 6c to 6e, the electromagnetic valves 10c to 10e of the switching device B, and the first connection pipe 6 to the heat source unit A. Inflow. Thereafter, the refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 1 through the four-way valve 2 and the accumulator 4, and circulated by being compressed and discharged as described above.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the air conditioner in heating operation. Here, it is assumed that the indoor units C, D, and E are respectively heating. The flow of the refrigerant in the heating operation is indicated by solid line arrows in FIG.

The high-temperature, high-pressure gas (gas) refrigerant compressed and discharged by the compressor 1 passes through the four-way valve 2 and flows out of the heat source unit A. Then, it passes through the first connection pipe 6, the closing valves 10c to 10e of the switching device B, and the indoor unit first connection pipes 6c to 6e and flows into the indoor units C, D, and E.

The refrigerant flowing into the indoor units C, D, E passes through the use side heat exchangers 5c to 5e. During the passage, the refrigerant condenses and liquefies, and heats the air in the room to be heat exchanged, for example. Here, for example, in the control device that controls each indoor unit, the opening degree of the flow rate adjusters 9c to 9e is controlled based on the degree of supercooling of the refrigerant at the outlets of the use side heat exchangers 5c to 5e. Then, the pressure is reduced to a low pressure by the flow regulators 9c to 9e, and the indoor units C, D, and E flow out.

Thereafter, it passes through the second connection pipe 7, the shutoff valves 11c to 11e of the switching device B, and the indoor unit second connection pipes 7c to 7e and flows into the heat source unit A. The refrigerant flowing into the heat source machine A evaporates and vaporizes by exchanging heat with air, water, and the like. Thereafter, the refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 1 through the four-way valve 2 and the accumulator 4, and circulated by being compressed and discharged as described above.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the shutoff valve 10 that blocks the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit configured by connecting the heat source unit A and the indoor units C, D, and E by the

pipes

6 and 7, 11 is formed as a set, and is assembled according to the number of indoor units to incorporate the switching device B. Therefore, it is possible to suppress refrigerant leakage into the living room with a small and easy configuration, and inexpensively. Products can be provided. By providing the number of sets of the shut-off

valves

10 and 11 corresponding to the indoor units, only the indoor unit related to the refrigerant leakage can be separated from the refrigerant circuit, so that it is not necessary to stop all the operations. Further, by integrating the shut-off

valves

10 and 11 as the switching device B, the service and maintenance are excellent, disassembly and the like can be easily performed, and the work time can be shortened because the work can be performed smoothly. The stop time of the indoor unit related to refrigerant leakage can be shortened and recovered early. For this reason, the lifetime can be extended. Moreover, manufacturing (production) efficiency can be improved by collecting and forming a set in which the

shutoff valves

10 and 11 are integrally formed.

Here, in the first embodiment, the switching device B having three sets of the shut-off

valves

10 and 11 has been described, but it is not necessary to limit the number to three sets, and the same effect can be obtained with any number of sets. Further, the same effect can be obtained even if a plurality of heat source device side heat exchangers 3 are installed. Even if an ice heat storage tank or a water heat storage tank (including hot water) is installed in series or in parallel with the heat source device side heat exchanger 3, the same effect can be obtained.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a switching device B according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The switching device B of the present embodiment includes connection portions Fa corresponding to the pipes 6c to 6e, respectively. Further, connection portions Fb respectively corresponding to the pipes 7c to 7e are provided. In FIG. 6, the connection portion Fa communicates with the pipe 6 e, and fluid (gas, liquid) can flow in and out from the outside of the refrigerant circuit. Further, the connecting portion Fb also communicates with the pipe 7e so that fluid can flow in and out from the outside of the refrigerant circuit.

In the present embodiment, the connection portions Fa and Fb are provided in the pipes 6c to 6e and 7c to 7e corresponding to the indoor units C to E of the switching device B so that fluid can flow in and out of the refrigerant circuit. . In addition, it is possible to perform airtightness confirmation, evacuation, refrigerant addition, etc., for example, while maintaining the air conditioning operation of other indoor units, maintenance of an indoor unit that has detected refrigerant leakage is easy in a short time. An air conditioner that can be used is obtained.

As shown in FIG. 6, the connecting portion Fb is composed of a pipe 12b, a joint 13b, a cap 14b, a valve 15b, and a convex member 16b. As shown in FIG. 6, the pipe 12b is connected to the pipe 7e by brazing. The pipe 12b is in communication. The joint 13b has a valve 15b having a convex member 16b inserted therein. One end of the joint 13b is connected to the pipe 12b by brazing, and the cap 14b is screwed with a male screw portion so that the other end does not come into contact with the convex member 16b. For example, normally, the convex-shaped member 16b becomes a plug and is shut off from the outside. By pressing the convex member 16b from the outside through a hole (not shown) provided in the cap 14b, the connecting portion Fb is opened, and fluid can flow in and out from the outside.

The connecting portion Fa has a pipe 12a connected to the pipe 7e by brazing. The configuration of the connection portion Fa, the function of the constituent means, and the like are basically the same as those of the connection portion Fb, and the suffix a is attached.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a description will be given of a procedure using the connection portions Fa and Fb when the refrigerant leaks in a specific indoor unit (indoor unit E in FIG. 6). For example, if it is determined that the refrigerant has leaked in the indoor unit E, the shutoff valves 10e and 11e are closed to disconnect the indoor unit E from the refrigerant flow path (circulation cycle). Thereafter, it is confirmed where in the indoor unit E the refrigerant is leaking. At this time, in this embodiment, an inert gas such as nitrogen is sealed from the outside through the connection portion Fa and / or Fb. In this way, the location where the refrigerant is leaking can be identified. After identifying the location where the refrigerant has leaked, the inert gas is sucked and collected through the connection portion Fa or Fb or both.

Then, after performing maintenance of the leaked portion, the connection portions Fa and Fb and the vacuum pump can be connected to perform evacuation. Furthermore, a predetermined amount of refrigerant can be sealed by connecting to a refrigerant cylinder using a refrigerant hose. The above measures can be performed not only when the refrigerant leaks but also when checking.

As described above, according to the switching device B of the second embodiment, the connection portions Fa and Fb are provided corresponding to the shut-off

valves

10 and 11 so that the fluid can flow in and out from the outside. For example, an inert gas is allowed to flow into the indoor unit separated from the refrigerant circuit by the

shutoff valves

10 and 11 to check the presence or absence of the refrigerant leakage, the leakage location, and the other indoor units can perform air conditioning. . Further, evacuation by suction, addition of a refrigerant, and the like can be performed via the connection portions Fa and Fb. For this reason, it is rich in service and maintainability, the user in the living room will not feel uncomfortable, and the indoor unit can be restored early.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the present embodiment, the operation of switching device B when refrigerant leakage occurs in a specific indoor unit will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a case where a refrigerant leak occurs in the room where the indoor unit E is attached will be described.

First, the operation during cooling operation will be described. During the cooling operation, since the liquid refrigerant flows into the indoor unit E, the shutoff valve 11e is closed to stop the flow of the refrigerant that is about to flow into the indoor unit E. Then, the closing valve 10e is closed after a predetermined time has elapsed. By shifting the closing time between the closing valve 10e and the closing valve 11e, the decrease in the refrigerant amount in the refrigerant circuit is suppressed, the influence on the operation of the refrigerant leakage is reduced, and the refrigerant leakage into the living room is further reduced. Can do. Here, although the predetermined time varies depending on the size of the indoor unit E (the distance through which the refrigerant flows, etc.), it is assumed that the predetermined time is sufficient for the refrigerant to flow out.

Next, the operation during heating operation will be described. During the heating operation, since the gaseous refrigerant flows into the indoor unit E, the shutoff valve 10e is closed to stop the flow of the refrigerant that is about to flow into the indoor unit E. And the stop valve 11e is closed after progress for predetermined time. It is possible to suppress a decrease in the amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit, reduce the influence of refrigerant leakage on the operation, and further reduce refrigerant leakage into the living room. Here, the predetermined time may be a time different from the time during the cooling operation described above.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the

shutoff valves

10 and 11 for blocking the flow of the refrigerant are connected to the refrigerant circuit configured by connecting the heat source unit A and the indoor units C to E through the

pipes

6 and 7. Are integrally formed in accordance with the number of indoor units, and the switching device B is incorporated so that leakage of the refrigerant into the room can be suppressed with a small and easy configuration. For this reason, it is possible to provide an inexpensive product while improving safety by suppressing the decrease in oxygen concentration in the living room. Here, in the present embodiment, the refrigerant leakage related to one indoor unit has been described. However, for example, the same effect can be achieved even when a plurality of indoor units are leaking refrigerant.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a leakage monitoring system in the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In FIG. 7, refrigerant leakage sensors 39c to 39e are installed in the living room to which the indoor units C to E are attached, respectively, and detect the refrigerant state in the living room. And if it judges that the density | concentration of a refrigerant | coolant became more than predetermined value, for example, the leak signal which shows that it is a refrigerant | coolant leak state will be transmitted as what detected the refrigerant | coolant leak.

The heat source device control device 41 controls each means constituting the heat source device A. In the present embodiment, in particular, it is assumed that a communication means for communicating with other devices of the air conditioner is provided, and various signals can be communicated. In addition, it has a recording means (memory) and records data relating to refrigerant leakage. The indoor unit control devices 42c to 42e control the respective units constituting the indoor units C to E, respectively. In the present embodiment, various signals can be communicated with the heat source machine control device 41. Also, a process for displaying the operation state on the display means of the remote controllers 43c to 43e is performed.

In addition, the interface device 40 transmits a signal (hereinafter referred to as a “close signal”) relating to the closing (refrigerant shutoff) transmitted from the heat source device communication device 41 to the switching device B via the control line, thereby closing the device. The electromagnetic coils of the

valves

10 and 11 are energized. Here, the interface device 40 is connected to a communication line connecting the heat source device communication device 41 and the indoor unit communication devices 42c to 42e, and can perform communication using the same communication system. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the possibility that only communication related to refrigerant leakage results in communication failure.

The remote controllers 43c to 43e are input means for the user to input instructions to the indoor units C to E. Further, it has a display means, and displays the operation state and the like based on signals from the indoor units C to E. In the present embodiment, display of refrigerant leakage is performed based on the signal.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart relating to leakage monitoring according to the fourth embodiment. In the present embodiment, a case where the refrigerant leakage sensor 39c detects refrigerant leakage will be described. For example, when the refrigerant leak sensor 39c provided in the living room detects a refrigerant having a concentration equal to or higher than a predetermined value (step S1), the refrigerant leak sensor 39c transmits a leak signal to the indoor unit control device 42c of the indoor unit C. .

The indoor unit control device 42c receives the leakage signal of the refrigerant leakage sensor 39c. Then, the indoor unit control device 42c causes the display means of the remote controller 43c, for example, to display a leak (step S2). In addition, a refrigerant leakage information signal based on the received leakage signal is transmitted to the heat source apparatus control device 41. Here, for example, when sound can be generated, notification can be performed.

When receiving the refrigerant leakage information signal, the heat source device control device 41 records the data relating to the leakage in the recording means in the heat source device control device 41 (step S3). Here, the data is stored in the storage unit, but for example, a signal may be transmitted to a higher-level device (for example, a centralized controller). Furthermore, the heat source device control device 41 transmits a closing signal for closing the closing valves 10 c and 11 c related to the indoor unit C to the interface device 40.

The interface device 40 transmits a closing signal to the switching device B. In the switching device B, the electromagnetic coils related to the corresponding closing valves 10c and 11c are energized to close the closing valves 10c and 11c (step S4). Here, the operation of the switching device B based on the closing signal and the operation of the closing

valves

10 and 11 for performing treatment are the same as those described in the first and third embodiments.

As described above, according to the system of the fourth embodiment, for example, the interface device 40 that normally transmits the instruction signal to the switching device B to the communication control line for communication connection between the heat source device A and the indoor units C to E. Are connected and communicated by the same communication system, so that communication failure can be prevented. For this reason, it becomes a stable operation | movement and it can suppress the refrigerant | coolant leakage into a living room. Here, in the present embodiment, the heat source apparatus A instructs the interface device 40, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the instruction signal may be transmitted directly from the indoor units C to E to the interface device 40. In FIG. 7, the interface device 40 and the heat source device A are separated, but the interface device 40 may be mounted on the heat source device A, for example.

In the embodiment described above, the case where the switching device B is provided in the air conditioner has been described. The present invention is not limited to these apparatuses, and can be applied to other refrigeration cycle apparatuses that constitute a refrigerant circuit in which a refrigerant circulates in a pipe, such as a refrigeration apparatus and a heat pump apparatus.

A heat source machine, B switching device, CE indoor unit, Fa, Fb connection, 1 compressor, 2 way valve, 3 heat source side heat exchanger, 4 accumulator, 5c usage side heat exchanger of indoor unit C, 5d Usage side heat exchanger for indoor unit D, 5e Usage side heat exchanger for indoor unit E, 6 First connection piping, 6c, 6d, 6e Indoor first connection piping, 7 Second connection piping, 7c, 7d, 7e indoor side second connection pipe, 8c, 8d, 8e connection pipe, 9 flow regulator, 10, 10c, 10d, 10e, 11, 11c, 11d, 11e closing valve, 12a, 12b pipe, 13a, 13b joint , 14a, 14b cap, 15a, 15b valve, 16a, 16b convex shaped member, 17a, 17b main valve chamber, 18a, 18b valve seat, 19, 19b lid, 20a, 20b main body 21a, 21b main valve, 22a, 22b hole, 23a, 23b case, 24a, 24b sub valve chamber, 26a, 26b lid port, 27a, 27b pilot hole, 28a, 28b sub valve, 29a, 29b second communication Port, 30a, 30b Main body port, 31a, 31b, 35a, 35b, 36a, 36b space, 32a, 32b spring, 33a, 33b case, 34a, 34b O-ring, 39c-39e refrigerant leak sensor, 40 interface device, 41 heat source Unit controller, 42c to 42e Indoor unit controller, 43c to 43e Remote controller.

Claims

A plurality of pipes for connecting the heat source unit and the indoor unit to circulate the refrigerant, and a plurality of shut-off valves for blocking the refrigerant flow based on the instructions are formed as a set. And
Further, the switching device is configured by collecting a set of the closing valves corresponding to the number of the indoor units.
2. The switching device according to claim 1, further comprising a connection part that allows fluid to flow into and out of the pipe from the outside at a connection part between each set of stop valves and the pipe on the indoor unit side.
To connect a heat source unit having a compressor, a four-way valve and a heat source side heat exchanger, and an indoor unit having a flow rate regulator and a use side heat exchanger, and to perform cooling and heating by switching the refrigerant circulation path by the four-way valve In the air conditioner constituting the refrigerant circuit of
The air conditioner characterized by connecting the switching apparatus of Claim 1 or 2 to piping between the said heat-source equipment and several indoor units.
Refrigerant leakage detection means for transmitting a leakage signal when refrigerant leakage is detected from the indoor unit in the air conditioning target space;
The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an interface device that transmits an open / close signal for closing a corresponding stop valve to the switching device based on the leakage signal.
5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein a signal related to the refrigerant leakage is communicated through the same communication system as a communication system performed between the heat source unit and the indoor unit.
The indoor unit further includes a controller having display means for displaying the status of the indoor unit,
6. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein when a leakage signal is received from the refrigerant leakage detection unit, the effect of leakage is displayed on the display unit of the controller.
The air conditioning apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the heat source device includes a recording unit that records a leakage when receiving a leakage signal from the refrigerant leakage detection unit.