Refrigerant leak detection system
By introducing a secondary power supply unit and a circuit breaker into the refrigerant detection system, the problem of refrigerant detection being unavailable during power outages is solved, enabling refrigerant leak detection and blocking under power outage conditions, thus improving the system's reliability and flexibility.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510770887.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-06-18
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-10
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-19
AI Technical Summary
The existing refrigerant detection system cannot function during power outages, thus failing to detect refrigerant leaks.
A power adapter with a main power supply and a secondary power supply is used. The refrigerant detection sensor continues to work during a power outage by being powered by a battery. The refrigerant supply is cut off by a circuit breaker to stop the air conditioning system from operating and prevent leakage.
Even in the event of a power outage, it can detect refrigerant leaks and block the leak source with a shut-off device to prevent further leaks, thus improving the reliability and flexibility of the system.
Smart Images
Figure CN121163033A_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present embodiment relates to a refrigerant leakage detection system that detects leakage of refrigerant from an air conditioning system. BACKGROUND
[0002] For example, as disclosed in Patent Literature 1, a system is considered that is configured to detect leakage of refrigerant used in a refrigeration cycle of an air conditioning system to the inside of a room.
[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS
[0004] PATENT LITERATURE
[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 7466061 SUMMARY
[0006] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
[0007] In such a system, a refrigerant detection sensor that detects the leaked refrigerant is integrated with an alarm that gives an alarm when leakage is detected and is disposed outside the air conditioner or inside the air conditioner, but in either case, the refrigerant detection sensor operates by power supplied from a commercial power supply. However, in such a conventional configuration, the refrigerant detection sensor cannot operate in the event of a power outage.
[0008] The present embodiment relates to a refrigerant leakage detection system that detects leakage of refrigerant from an air conditioning system, and provides a technical solution that enables detection of leaked refrigerant even in the event of a power outage.
[0009] SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM
[0010] The refrigerant leakage detection system according to the present embodiment is a system that detects leakage of refrigerant from an air conditioning system, and includes: a detection alarm having a detection unit that detects leaked refrigerant and an alarm unit that gives an alarm in the event that the detection unit detects leakage of refrigerant; a power supply adapter having a main power supply unit that supplies power to the detection alarm; and a sub power supply unit that is connected to the power supply adapter and supplies power to the detection alarm from the sub power supply unit in the event that power cannot be supplied to the detection alarm from the main power supply unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] Figure 1 is a block diagram that schematically shows a configuration example of the refrigerant leakage detection system according to the present embodiment.
[0012] Figure 2 is a block diagram that schematically shows a configuration example in which the refrigerant leakage detection system according to the present embodiment is applied to an air conditioning system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment relating to a refrigerant leakage detection system will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 The illustrated refrigerant leakage detection system 100 is a system for detecting leakage of refrigerant from an air conditioning system 200, and includes a detection alarm 300 and a power supply adapter 400. The detection alarm 300 and the power supply adapter 400 are communicably connected to each other via a communication line L1. Note that the communication in the present disclosure includes not only transmission and reception of various signals, data, and the like, but also transmission and reception of electric power, i.e., the concept of power supply and power reception.
[0014] The detection alarm 300 includes a sensor substrate 302 and an alarm substrate 303 in a housing 301 that forms the outer shape thereof. The sensor substrate 302 and the alarm substrate 303 are communicably connected to each other via a communication line L2.
[0015] The sensor substrate 302 includes a refrigerant detection sensor 304 for detecting refrigerant that has leaked from the air conditioning system 200. The refrigerant detection sensor 304 is an example of a detection unit. The refrigerant detection sensor 304 is constituted by, for example, a refrigerant gas sensor or the like that can detect gas-like refrigerant that has leaked into the air.
[0016] The alarm substrate 303 includes a light alarm unit 305 and a sound alarm unit 306. The light alarm unit 305 and the sound alarm unit 306 are each an example of an alarm unit. The light alarm unit 305 is configured to include an element that can emit light, such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and can perform alarm by a visual method of outputting light. The sound alarm unit 306 is configured to include an element that can emit sound, such as a buzzer, and can perform alarm by an auditory method of outputting sound.
[0017] The detection alarm 300 includes a control circuit (not shown) that controls all operations of the detection alarm 300. The detection alarm 300 is configured in such a manner that, in the case where the refrigerant detection sensor 304 detects leakage of refrigerant, alarm is performed by at least either the light alarm unit 305 or the sound alarm unit 306.
[0018] The power supply adapter 400 includes a power supply substrate 402 in a housing 401 that forms the outer shape thereof. The power supply substrate 402 includes a commercial power supply unit 403 and a battery power supply unit 404 for supplying electric power to the detection alarm 300. The commercial power supply unit 403 can supply electric power obtained from a commercial power supply 405 to the detection alarm 300, for example. The commercial power supply 405 is an example of a main power supply unit.
[0019] A battery pack 406 is detachably connected to the battery power supply section 404. The battery pack 406 is an example of a secondary power supply section. The battery pack 406 is configured by, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery or a nickel-hydrogen battery, or a capacitor, and can perform power storage and discharge. The battery pack 406 can be disposed outside the housing 401, or can be disposed inside the housing 401.
[0020] The power supply adapter 400 is provided with a control circuit (not shown) that controls all operations of the power supply adapter 400. The power supply adapter 400 is configured in such a manner that, in a case where, for example, due to a power outage or the like, the commercial power supply section 403 cannot supply power from the commercial power supply 405 to the detection alarm 300, the battery power supply section 404 supplies power from the battery pack 406 to the detection alarm 300.
[0021] As Figure 2 illustrated, the air conditioning system 200 is configured with a plurality of indoor units 202[A], 202[B] with respect to one outdoor unit 201. The air conditioning system 200 is provided with a refrigeration cycle including an outdoor heat exchanger (not shown) provided in the outdoor unit 201, a plurality of indoor heat exchangers (not shown) provided in the indoor units 202[A], 202[B], respectively, a refrigerant pipe (not shown) that circulates refrigerant, a compressor (not shown) that compresses the refrigerant, an expansion valve (not shown) that expands the refrigerant, and the like.
[0022] Further, the air conditioning system 200 is provided with a block 203[A] that blocks the supply of refrigerant to the indoor unit 202[A] and a block 203[C] that blocks the supply of refrigerant to the indoor unit 202[B]. The blocks 203[A] and 203[C] are interposed in portions of the refrigerant pipe that constitute the refrigeration cycle (not shown) between the outdoor unit 201 and the indoor units 202[A], 202[B].
[0023] In addition, in Figure 2 the illustrated configuration example, the indoor unit 202[A] and the block 203[A] are disposed in the room R[A]. The indoor unit 202[B] is disposed in the room R[B]. The block 203[C] is disposed in the room R[C].
[0024] The air conditioning system 200 is connected to a plurality of refrigerant leakage detection systems 100[B], 100[C]. The refrigerant leakage detection systems 100[B], 100[C] are each connected to the indoor unit 202[B]. However, the detection alarm 300[B] of the refrigerant leakage detection system 100[B] is disposed in the room R[B]. On the other hand, the detection alarm 300[C] of the refrigerant leakage detection system 100[C] is disposed in the room R[C].
[0025] The detection alarm 300[B] provided to the refrigerant leakage detection system 100[B] of the room R[B] establishes a prescribed association, that is, a prescribed link, with the indoor unit 202[B]. On the other hand, the detection alarm 300[C] provided to the refrigerant leakage detection system 100[C] of the room R[C] does not establish a prescribed link with the indoor unit 202[B].
[0026] The establishment of the prescribed link can be performed, for example, by operating a not-shown link setting switch of the power supply adapter 400[B] provided to the refrigerant leakage detection system 100[B]. That is, in the present embodiment, the not-shown link setting switch of the power supply adapter 400[B] provided to the refrigerant leakage detection system 100[B] is operated, but the not-shown link setting switch of the power supply adapter 400[C] provided to the refrigerant leakage detection system 100[C] is not operated. Thus, the refrigerant leakage detection system 100[B] establishes a link with the indoor unit 202[B], but the refrigerant leakage detection system 100[C] becomes in a state where no link is established with the indoor unit 202[B].
[0027] In a case where a leakage of refrigerant from the indoor unit 202[B] with which a link is established is detected by the detection alarm 300[B], the refrigerant leakage detection system 100[B] with which a prescribed link is established with the indoor unit 202[B] closes the block 203[C] that blocks the supply of refrigerant to the indoor unit 202[B]. Thus, the supply of refrigerant to the indoor unit 202[B] is stopped, and a leakage of refrigerant in the room R[B] can be suppressed. Further, the detection alarm 300[B] alarms by light or sound, and reports that a leakage of refrigerant has occurred in the room R[B].
[0028] In a case where a leakage of refrigerant from a component other than the indoor unit 202[B] with which a link is established with the refrigerant leakage detection system 100[B], in this case, from the block 203[C], is detected by the detection alarm 300[C], the refrigerant leakage detection system 100[C] with which a prescribed link is not established with the indoor unit 202[B] stops the operation of the entire air conditioning system 200. Thus, the circulation of refrigerant in the air conditioning system 200 is stopped, and a leakage of refrigerant in the room R[C] can be suppressed. Further, the detection alarm 300[C] alarms by light or sound, and reports that a leakage of refrigerant has occurred in the room R[C].
[0029] Further, a central alarm 500 is connected to the air conditioning system 200. The central alarm 500 is disposed in a central management room R[D] different from the rooms R[A], R[B], R[C]. The central alarm 500 has a light alarm section that alarms by a visual method or a sound alarm section that alarms by an audible method, like the detection alarm 300. The central alarm 500 is connected to the outdoor unit 201 of the air conditioning system 200 via an adapter 501.
[0030] In a case where the leakage of the refrigerant is detected by the detection alarm 300[B], the refrigerant leakage detection system 100[B] transmits a leakage occurrence signal indicating that the leakage of the refrigerant has occurred in the room R[B] to the central alarm 500 via the indoor unit 202[B], the indoor unit 202[A], and the outdoor unit 201. Thereby, the central alarm 500 can report that the leakage of the refrigerant has occurred in the room R[B].
[0031] In a case where the leakage of the refrigerant is detected by the detection alarm 300[C], the refrigerant leakage detection system 100[C] transmits a leakage occurrence signal indicating that the leakage of the refrigerant has occurred in the room R[C] to the central alarm 500 via the indoor unit 202[B], the indoor unit 202[A], and the outdoor unit 201. Thereby, the central alarm 500 can report that the leakage of the refrigerant has occurred in the room R[C].
[0032] According to the above-described refrigerant leakage detection system 100, in a case where the power supply from the commercial power supply 405 to the detection alarm 300 is not possible, the power supply adapter 400 supplies the power from the battery kit 406 to the detection alarm 300 by the battery power supply section 404. According to this configuration example, for example, even if the power supply from the commercial power supply 405 to the detection alarm 300 is not possible due to a power failure or the like, the refrigerant detection sensor 304 can be operated by the power supplied from the battery kit 406, and the state in which the refrigerant leaked from the air conditioning system 200 can be detected can be maintained.
[0033] Further, according to the refrigerant leakage detection system 100, in a case where the leakage of the refrigerant from the indoor unit 202 with which the prescribed link is established is detected by the detection alarm 300, the blocker 203 that blocks the supply of the refrigerant to the indoor unit 202 is closed. According to this configuration example, the supply of the refrigerant to the indoor unit 202 in which the possibility of the leakage of the refrigerant is high can be blocked, that is, the supply of the refrigerant to the indoor unit 202 in which the possibility of the occurrence of the leakage of the refrigerant is high as a source can be accurately blocked.
[0034] Further, according to the refrigerant leakage detection system 100, in a case where a leakage of refrigerant from the indoor unit 202 other than the indoor unit 202 for which the prescribed link is established, in this case, from the block 203 is detected by the detection alarm 300, the operation of the entire air conditioning system 200 is stopped.
[0035] Here, even if a leakage of refrigerant from the block 203 can be detected, it is difficult to determine whether the leakage occurs on the upstream side of the block 203 or on the downstream side. Further, in a case where it is assumed that a leakage of refrigerant occurs on the upstream side of the block 203, the leakage of refrigerant cannot be stopped even if the block 203 is closed. Therefore, in a case where a leakage of refrigerant from the indoor unit 202 other than the indoor unit 202 for which the prescribed link is established is detected by the detection alarm 300, by stopping the operation of the entire air conditioning system 200, the further leakage of refrigerant can be suppressed regardless of the position where the leakage of refrigerant occurs.
[0036] Further, in a case where the indoor unit 202[B] and the block 203[C] are arranged in a relatively close position, a leakage of refrigerant from these indoor unit 202[B] and block 203[C] can also be detected by one refrigerant leakage detection system 100.
[0037] Further, according to the refrigerant leakage detection system 100, the detection alarm 300 and the power supply adapter 400 are provided as separate and independent constituent elements, and thus the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the detection alarm 300 and the power supply adapter 400 can be improved. Further, the degree of freedom in the design of the detection alarm 300 and the power supply adapter 400 can be improved, and each of them can be made small in size or light in weight. Further, the refrigerant leakage detection system 100 can be configured such that the detection alarm 300 and the power supply adapter 400 are arranged in the same housing.
[0038] Further, according to the refrigerant leakage detection system 100, the dedicated power supply adapter 400 is provided, and thus the refrigerant leakage detection system 100 can operate by a power supply system different from that of the air conditioning system 200. Thus, even if the power supply system of the air conditioning system 200 is abnormal, the power supply to the refrigerant leakage detection system 100 can be continued, and a state in which the leakage of refrigerant can be detected and an alarm can be given can be maintained.
[0039] Further, the present embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications, extensions, and the like can be made without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the communication between the refrigerant leakage detection system 100 and the air conditioning system 200 and the communication between the refrigerant leakage detection system 100 and the block 203 can be wired communication or wireless communication.
[0040] Further, the link setting switch that links the refrigerant leakage detection system 100 with the indoor unit 202 can be provided to the detection alarm 300, can be provided to the power supply adapter 400, or can not be provided to the refrigerant leakage detection system 100 but to the indoor unit 202.
[0041] Further, the method of linking the refrigerant leakage detection system 100 with the indoor unit 202 can be, for example, a method of setting by an operation of a remote controller or the like provided to be remotely operable with the refrigerant leakage detection system 100. Further, the method of linking the refrigerant leakage detection system 100 with the indoor unit 202 can be, for example, a method of setting by imparting the same address number or the associated address number to the refrigerant leakage detection system 100 and the indoor unit 202.
[0042] Further, the method of linking the refrigerant leakage detection system 100 with the indoor unit 202 can be, for example, a method of making the wiring manner in the case of linking different from the wiring manner in the case of not linking. To be more specific, for example, consider a method of setting such that the refrigerant leakage detection system 100 and the indoor unit 202 are linked in the wiring manner in which the two are directly connected without passing through other constituent elements, and are not linked in the wiring manner in which the two are indirectly connected via other constituent elements.
[0043] Further, the refrigerant leakage detection system 100 can not necessarily be linked with the indoor unit 202. Further, with respect to the indoor unit 202 that is not linked with the refrigerant leakage detection system 100, a safety device different from the refrigerant leakage detection system 100 can be provided, for example.
[0044] Further, the detection alarm 300 can further be configured to also alarm by the light alarm section 305 or the sound alarm section 306 in the case where the communication between the air conditioning system 200 and the power supply adapter 400 is abnormal. According to this configuration example, in the case where the operation of the air conditioning system 200 is abnormal due to some reason, for example, in the case where the power supply to the air conditioning system 200 is impossible due to a power failure or the like or the communication line connecting the air conditioning system 200 and the power supply adapter 400 is broken, or the like, the detection alarm 300 can report that the operation of the air conditioning system 200 is abnormal.
[0045] Further, the detection alarm 300 can be further configured to also perform an alarm by the light alarm section 305 or the sound alarm section 306 in a case where the electric power cannot be supplied from the commercial power supply 405 due to a power failure or the like. That is, according to the refrigerant leakage detection system 100 of the present disclosure, in a case where the electric power cannot be supplied from the commercial power supply 405, the detection alarm 300 can be caused to operate by the supply of electric power from the battery pack 406. Thus, for example, in a case where the electric power supply system from the commercial power supply 405 is abnormal due to some reason, the situation can be reported by the detection alarm 300.
[0046] Further, the detection alarm 300 can be further configured to also perform an alarm by the light alarm section 305 or the sound alarm section 306 in a case where the communication between the refrigerant detection sensor 304 is abnormal. According to this configuration example, in a case where the refrigerant detection sensor 304 is abnormal due to some reason, for example, in a case where the refrigerant detection sensor 304 is malfunctioning or the communication line L2 is broken, or the like, the fact that the refrigerant detection sensor 304 is abnormal can be reported by the detection alarm 300.
[0047] Further, the detection alarm 300 can be further configured to also perform an alarm by the light alarm section 305 or the sound alarm section 306 in a case where a malfunction signal is received as a prescribed signal from the refrigerant detection sensor 304. According to this configuration example, for example, in a case where the refrigerant detection sensor 304 is malfunctioning due to some reason, the situation can be reported by the detection alarm 300.
[0048] Further, the refrigerant leakage detection system 100 can be further configured to perform a life determination that determines whether the refrigerant detection sensor 304 is normal based on the total power-on time to the refrigerant detection sensor 304. According to this configuration example, the inspection period, replacement period, or the like of the refrigerant detection sensor 304 can be indicated in accordance with the number of years of use, the deterioration condition of the refrigerant detection sensor 304, and the like, and the continued use of a refrigerant detection sensor 304 that is not operating normally can be avoided.
[0049] Further, the refrigerant leakage detection system 100 can further include a monitoring function that monitors the communication state with the air conditioning system 200, and the monitoring function can be switched to an active state and an inactive state. According to the refrigerant leakage detection system 100 in which the monitoring function is switched to the active state, in the case where the operation of the air conditioning system 200 is abnormal due to some reason, the situation can be reported. On the other hand, according to the refrigerant leakage detection system 100 in which the monitoring function is switched to the inactive state, there is no processing load of monitoring the communication state with the air conditioning system 200, and thus resources can be concentrated on the processing of the refrigerant leakage detection and the alarm. That is, the refrigerant leakage detection system 100 can operate in a so-called "stand-alone" manner, and a system dedicated to the processing of the refrigerant leakage detection and the alarm can be realized.
[0050] Further, the method of switching the monitoring function to the active state and the inactive state can be a method of switching by the operation of a dual in-line switch or the like provided in the detection alarm 300, the power supply adapter 400, or the like, or can be another method.
[0051] Further, the detection alarm 300 can be configured such that a voltage state changes between a state in which the alarm is performed and a state in which the alarm is not performed, and the voltage state is transmitted to the air conditioning system 200 or the central alarm 500 via an output line not shown. According to this configuration example, even in the case where the refrigerant leakage detection system 100 operates in a so-called "stand-alone" manner, it is possible to notify the air conditioning system 200 or the central alarm 500 of whether the alarm is performed, in other words, whether the leakage of the refrigerant occurs.
[0052] Further, the refrigerant leakage detection system 100 can be configured to include a backup power supply system instead of the battery kit 406, or can be configured to include the backup power supply system in addition to the battery kit 406.
[0053] Further, one block 203 can be provided for one indoor unit 202, or one block 203 can be provided for a plurality of indoor units 202. In the configuration in which one block 203 is provided for a plurality of indoor units 202, the block 203 can be closed in the case where the leakage of the refrigerant from any one of the plurality of indoor units 202 is detected.
[0054] The air conditioning system 200 can be a configuration in which the outdoor unit 201 and the indoor unit 202 are connected by three pipes, heat is recovered and reused, that is, a so-called configuration referred to as a "heat recovery type" or the like, or can be a configuration in which the outdoor unit 201 and the indoor unit 202 are connected by two pipes, that is, a so-called configuration referred to as a "heat pump type" or the like.
[0055] The above describes the embodiments of the present application, but these are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the application. These new embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the application. The present embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and spirit of the application, and are included in the scope of the application as recited in the claims and equivalents thereof.
[0056] Legend of reference symbols
[0057] 100 refrigerant leak detection system
[0058] 200 air conditioning system
[0059] 202 indoor unit
[0060] 203 block
[0061] 300 detection alarm
[0062] 304 refrigerant detection sensor (detection portion)
[0063] 305 light alarm portion (alarm portion)
[0064] 306 sound alarm portion (alarm portion)
[0065] 400 power supply adapter
[0066] 405 commercial power source (main power supply portion)
[0067] 406 battery kit (auxiliary power supply portion)
Claims
1. A refrigerant leak detection system, characterized in that, it is a system for detecting refrigerant leaks from an air conditioning system. have: A detection alarm has a detection unit for detecting refrigerant leakage and an alarm unit for issuing an alarm when the detection unit detects a refrigerant leak; The power adapter has a main power supply unit that supplies power to the detection alarm; The auxiliary power supply unit is connected to the power adapter. In the event that power cannot be supplied to the detection alarm from the main power supply unit, the power adapter supplies power to the detection alarm from the auxiliary power supply unit.
2. The refrigerant leak detection system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, have: The indoor unit constitutes the air conditioning system; An interruptor that blocks the supply of refrigerant to the indoor unit. If a refrigerant leak is detected by the detection unit from the indoor unit with which a predetermined association has been established, the shut-off device that blocks the supply of refrigerant to the indoor unit will be closed. If a leak of refrigerant from outside the indoor unit, which has a pre-defined association, is detected by the detection unit, the air conditioning system shall be stopped.
3. The refrigerant leak detection system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In the event of an abnormality in communication between the air conditioning system and the power adapter, the detection alarm will sound an alarm through the alarm unit.
4. The refrigerant leak detection system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In the event that power cannot be supplied from the main power supply unit, the detection alarm will sound an alarm through the alarm unit.
5. The refrigerant leak detection system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In the event of an anomaly in communication with the detection unit, the detection alarm will sound an alarm through the alarm unit.
6. The refrigerant leak detection system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Upon receiving a specified signal from the detection unit, the detection alarm will sound an alarm through the alarm unit.
7. The refrigerant leak detection system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Whether the detection unit is functioning properly is determined based on the duration of power supply to the detection unit.
8. The refrigerant leak detection system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The function of monitoring the communication status between the air conditioning system and the system can be switched to an active or inactive state.