Indoor unit and air conditioning device including same

Abstract

The indoor unit (20) includes a housing (50), a heat exchanger (23), a fan (24), an air guide member (70), a passing portion (75), and a refrigerant sensor (60). The housing (50) has a suction port (51). The fan (24) sucks indoor air from the suction inlet (51) and conveys the indoor air to the heat exchanger (23). The air guide member (70) guides indoor air sucked in by the fan (24). The air guide member (70) divides the internal space of the housing (50) into a first space (77) and a second space (78). The second space (78) is located on the downstream side of the air flow with respect to the first space (77). The passage section (75) is provided to the air guide member (70). The passage section (75) allows the refrigerant (R) to pass from the second space (78) to the first space (77). The refrigerant sensor (60) is disposed on the side of the passage section (75) that is closer to the first space (77). The refrigerant sensor (60) is configured so as to detect the refrigerant (R) that has passed through the passage section (75).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an air conditioning device, and more particularly to an indoor unit equipped with a refrigerant sensor for detecting refrigerant leakage from the refrigerant circuit. Background Technology

[0002] Patent document 1 (International Publication WO2019-234902) discloses an indoor unit embedded in the ceiling. This indoor unit has a refrigerant sensor for detecting leaked refrigerant. The refrigerant sensor is positioned near the intake of the indoor unit to detect the refrigerant components contained in the air drawn into the indoor unit. These refrigerant components are the components resulting from refrigerant leaking from the refrigerant circuit temporarily moving into the indoor space and being diluted by the indoor air. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0004] Detecting leaked refrigerant that has temporarily passed through an indoor space takes time.

[0005] Furthermore, in order to detect refrigerant leaks without passing through an indoor space, the refrigerant leaking from the refrigerant circuit located outside the flare needs to reach the refrigerant sensor located inside the flare. However, when using a refrigerant heavier than air, the refrigerant leaking from the refrigerant circuit needs to cross the height of the flare to reach the refrigerant sensor, so the detection still takes time.

[0006] Technical solutions adopted to solve technical problems

[0007] The first viewpoint's indoor unit is a ceiling-embedded type. The indoor unit includes a housing, a heat exchanger, a fan, an air guide member, a passage section, and a refrigerant sensor. The housing has an intake port. The fan draws in indoor air through the intake port and delivers it to the heat exchanger. The air guide member guides the indoor air drawn into the fan. The air guide member divides the internal space of the housing into a first space and a second space. The second space is located downstream of the first space relative to the airflow. A passage section is provided on the air guide member. The passage section allows refrigerant to pass from the second space to the first space. The refrigerant sensor is disposed in the passage section on the side closest to the first space. The refrigerant sensor is configured to detect the refrigerant after it has passed through the passage section.

[0008] According to this structure, refrigerant leaking near the heat exchanger passes through a conduit to reach the refrigerant sensor. Therefore, when detecting a leaking refrigerant, it is not necessary to pass over the top of the air guide member, thus enabling rapid detection of refrigerant leaks. The refrigerant sensor is positioned in an easily replaceable location, thus facilitating maintenance.

[0009] The second viewpoint's indoor unit is based on the first viewpoint's indoor unit, with the refrigerant sensor positioned below the passage section and facing upwards.

[0010] According to this structure, leaking refrigerant descends towards the upward-facing refrigerant sensor, thus enabling more rapid detection of refrigerant leaks.

[0011] The third-view indoor unit, based on the first or second-view indoor unit, also includes a drain pan. The drain pan is adjacent to the air guiding member. The drain pan is configured to face the lower end of the heat exchanger. The bottom of the drain pan is located lower than the upper end of the passage section.

[0012] According to this structure, the bottom of the drain pan is located lower than the passage section. Therefore, the likelihood of drain water leaking from near the bottom and reaching the passage section when a crack occurs in the drain pan is low, thus reducing the possibility of the refrigerant sensor being damaged by drain water.

[0013] The fourth viewpoint's indoor unit, based on the indoor unit of any of the first to third viewpoints, also includes a seal. The seal seals the gap between the passage and the refrigerant sensor.

[0014] According to this structure, the gap between the refrigerant sensor and the air intake is sealed. Therefore, air leakage after conditioning is completed is suppressed, thus maintaining the efficiency of the air conditioning system.

[0015] The fifth-view indoor unit is based on the indoor units of any of the first through fourth views, and also includes a filter. The filter is located at the intake.

[0016] According to this structure, dust in the indoor air drawn in through the intake port is less likely to enter the housing. Therefore, it prevents dust from accumulating on the refrigerant sensor.

[0017] The air conditioning unit of the sixth viewpoint includes the indoor unit of any one of the first to fifth viewpoints.

[0018] This design allows for rapid detection of refrigerant leaks in air conditioning units. Furthermore, the refrigerant sensor is conveniently located for easy replacement, facilitating maintenance of the air conditioning system. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of air conditioning unit 100.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of indoor unit 20.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a 3D view of indoor unit 20.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a sectional view of indoor unit 20.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the refrigerant sensor 60.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing the refrigerant sensor 60 fixed to the air guiding member 70. Detailed Implementation

[0025] <Implementation Method>

[0026] (1) Overall structure

[0027] (1-1) Components constituting the refrigerant circuit

[0028] Figure 1 An air conditioning unit 100 according to one embodiment is shown. The air conditioning unit 100 consists of an outdoor unit 10, an indoor unit 20, and a refrigerant piping assembly 30 connecting the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20. The refrigerant R circulates in the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning unit 100.

[0029] The outdoor unit 10 includes a compressor 11, a four-way reversing valve 12, an outdoor heat exchanger 13, an outdoor expansion valve 15, a storage tank 16, a liquid shut-off valve 17, and a gas shut-off valve 18, which are components constituting the refrigerant circuit.

[0030] The indoor unit 20 has an indoor heat exchanger 23, which is a component constituting the refrigerant circuit.

[0031] The refrigerant piping assembly 30 has a liquid connection piping 31 and a gas connection piping 32, which are components constituting the refrigerant circuit.

[0032] (1-2) Refrigeration operation

[0033] Cooling operation is the operation by which the air conditioning unit 100 provides cold or hot air to the user.

[0034] Compressor 11 draws in low-pressure gaseous refrigerant through suction pipe 11a and compresses it to generate high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, which is then discharged through discharge pipe 11b. During refrigeration operation, four-way reversing valve 12 forms the connection shown by the solid line. Outdoor heat exchanger 13 condenses the high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, thereby generating high-pressure liquid refrigerant. Outdoor fan 14 promotes heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air in outdoor heat exchanger 13. Outdoor expansion valve 15 depressurizes the high-pressure liquid refrigerant, thereby generating low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. The low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant reaches indoor heat exchanger 23 via liquid shut-off valve 17 and liquid connecting pipe 31.

[0035] Indoor heat exchanger 23 causes the two-phase refrigerant to evaporate, generating a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant, and in the process, producing cooling or heating for the user. Indoor fan 24 facilitates heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air in indoor heat exchanger 23 and delivers the cooling or heating to the user as cool air. The low-pressure gaseous refrigerant reaches storage tank 16 via gas connection piping 32, gas shut-off valve 18, and four-way reversing valve 12.

[0036] Storage tank 16 separates and stores the liquid components mixed in the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant. After exiting storage tank 16, the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant is drawn into compressor 11 through suction pipe 11a.

[0037] (1-3) Heating Operation

[0038] Heating operation is the operation in which the air conditioning unit 100 provides warmth to the user.

[0039] Compressor 11 draws in low-pressure gaseous refrigerant through suction pipe 11a and compresses it to generate high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, which is then discharged through discharge pipe 11b. During heating operation, four-way reversing valve 12 forms the connection shown by the dashed line. High-pressure gaseous refrigerant reaches indoor heat exchanger 23 via four-way reversing valve 12, gas shut-off valve 18, and gas connecting pipe 32.

[0040] The indoor heat exchanger 23 condenses the high-pressure gaseous refrigerant to generate a high-pressure liquid refrigerant, producing heat in the process to be supplied to the user. The indoor fan 24 facilitates heat exchange between the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger 23 and the air, delivering the heat to the user as hot air. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant reaches the outdoor expansion valve 15 via the liquid connecting pipe 31 and the liquid shut-off valve 17.

[0041] Outdoor expansion valve 15 depressurizes the high-pressure liquid refrigerant, thereby generating a low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. Outdoor heat exchanger 13 evaporates the low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, thereby generating a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant. Outdoor fan 14 promotes heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air in outdoor heat exchanger 13. The low-pressure gaseous refrigerant reaches storage tank 16 via four-way reversing valve 12. Storage tank 16 separates and stores the liquid components mixed in with the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant. After exiting storage tank 16, the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant is drawn into compressor 11 through suction pipe 11a.

[0042] (2) Detailed structure of indoor unit 20

[0043] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the indoor unit 20. The indoor unit 20 is designed to be embedded in the ceiling. The indoor unit 20 includes a housing 50, an indoor heat exchanger 23, an indoor fan 24, an air guiding component 70, a refrigerant sensor 60, and a drain pan 73.

[0044] (2-1) Shell 50

[0045] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of interior unit 20. In this diagram, the lower surface of interior unit 20 can be seen from the top. The lower part of this diagram shows the upper surface of interior unit 20, which is the portion embedded in the ceiling.

[0046] The housing 50 houses the indoor heat exchanger 23, the indoor fan 24, and other components of the indoor unit 20. The housing 50 is provided with an intake 51 for drawing in indoor air and four outlets 52 for supplying conditioned air into the room. Figure 2 As shown, the intake 51 is equipped with a filter 53 for removing dust or dirt from the intake air. The filter 53... Figure 3 The middle part is omitted.

[0047] (2-2) Indoor heat exchanger 23

[0048] Figure 2 The indoor heat exchanger 23 shown functions as an evaporator for refrigerant R during cooling operation and as a condenser for refrigerant R during heating operation. The indoor heat exchanger 23, for example, has multiple heat transfer tubes and fins. Airflow passing through the indoor heat exchanger 23 exchanges heat with the refrigerant R.

[0049] (2-3) Indoor fan 24

[0050] Indoor air is drawn in through the intake 51 by the operation of the indoor fan 24, passing through the filter 53 in the process. The air then flows through the indoor heat exchanger 23, where it is regulated through heat exchange with the refrigerant R. The regulated air is then blown out of the indoor heat exchanger 23 towards the outlet 52 and into the room.

[0051] (2-4) Air guiding component 70

[0052] Figure 2 The air guiding member 70 shown guides indoor air drawn into the indoor fan 24. The air guiding member 70 includes a flare 71 and a plate 72. The flare 71 is a cylindrical member provided to direct the airflow towards the indoor fan 24. The plate 72 is a flat or mortar-shaped plate provided to protect the components of the indoor unit 20 located in an area exposed through the air outlet 52. The plate 72 is positioned adjacent to and connected to the flare 71.

[0053] The air guiding member 70 divides the internal space of the housing 50 into a first space 77 and a second space 78. The first space 77 is located upstream of the airflow and occupies the area from the intake 51 to the indoor fan 24. The second space 78 is located downstream of the airflow and occupies the area from the indoor fan 24 to the outlet 52.

[0054] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the indoor unit 20. This view shows the connection between the beveled portion of the flared opening 71 and the horizontal portion of the plate 72. An air guide member 70 is provided with a passage 75 that connects the first space 77 and the second space 78. The actual form of the passage 75 can be a hole or cutout in the flared opening 71 or the plate 72. The passage 75 allows refrigerant R leaking from the refrigerant circuit of the indoor heat exchanger 23, etc., to pass from the second space 78 to the first space 77. Figure 4 The upper end 75a of the passage section 75 shown is the surface of the second space 78 side of the air guiding member 70.

[0055] (2-5) Refrigerant sensor 60

[0056] Figure 4 The refrigerant sensor 60 shown detects refrigerant R leaking from the refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant sensor 60 is disposed on one side of the first space 77 in the passage section 75. The refrigerant sensor 60 is configured to face upwards from below the passage section 75. The refrigerant sensor 60 detects the refrigerant R after it has passed through the passage section 75.

[0057] The upper end of the air guiding member 70 is approximately at the same height as the upper end of the indoor heat exchanger 23. Furthermore, the lower end of the air guiding member 70 is approximately at the same height as the lower end of the indoor heat exchanger 23. Therefore, the air guiding member 70 may act as a barrier to allow refrigerant R leaking from the indoor heat exchanger 23 to reach the refrigerant sensor 60. The passage portion 75 provided in the air guiding member 70 allows the refrigerant R to quickly reach the refrigerant sensor 60.

[0058] The indoor heat exchanger 23 and its connected piping, forming the refrigerant circuit, are mainly located in the second space 78. Therefore, refrigerant R leaking from the refrigerant circuit first floats in the second space 78. Refrigerant R is heavier than air, for example, R32. Therefore, the refrigerant R floating in the second space 78 then passes through the passage 75 by gravity and reaches the refrigerant sensor 60. A sealing element 76 is provided to seal the gap between the air guide member 70 and the refrigerant sensor 60 near the passage 75.

[0059] Figure 5The structure of a refrigerant sensor 60 is shown. The refrigerant sensor 60 has an upper housing 61, a lower housing 62, a circuit board 63, a refrigerant detection element 64, a connector 65, and wiring 66. A detection window 61a is formed in the upper housing 61. The detection window 61a allows leaked refrigerant from outside the upper housing 61 to reach the refrigerant detection element 64. A threaded fastening through hole 62a is formed in the lower housing 62. The refrigerant detection element 64 and the connector 65 are mounted on the circuit board 63. Wiring 66 extends from the connector 65 to an electrical mounting box (not shown).

[0060] Figure 6 A refrigerant sensor 60 is shown fixed to an air guide member 70. A screw 67, which is mounted to a threaded through hole 62a, secures the refrigerant sensor 60 to the air guide member 70.

[0061] (2-6) Drainage tray 73

[0062] Figure 4 The drain tray 73 shown is a container for collecting condensation water generated on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 23. The collected condensation water is discharged outdoors via a drainage path (not shown). The drain tray 73 is adjacent to the air guiding member 70. The drain tray 73 is configured to face the lower end of the indoor heat exchanger 23. The drain tray 73 has an upwardly opening recessed shape and surrounds the lower end of the indoor heat exchanger 23. The bottom 73a of the drain tray 73 is located lower than the upper end 75a of the passage portion 75.

[0063] (3) Characteristics

[0064] (3-1)

[0065] The refrigerant R that leaks into the second space 78 passes through the passage 75 and reaches the refrigerant sensor 60. Therefore, when a leaking refrigerant R is detected, it is not necessary to pass over the upper end of the air guiding member 70, thus enabling rapid detection of refrigerant leaks. Furthermore, since the refrigerant sensor 60 is located in an easily replaceable position on the lower surface of the housing 50, maintenance is convenient.

[0066] (3-2)

[0067] The refrigerant R leaking from the refrigerant circuit descends towards the upward-facing refrigerant sensor 60, thus enabling more rapid detection of refrigerant leaks.

[0068] (3-3)

[0069] The bottom 73a of the drain pan 73 is located lower than the upper end 75a of the passage portion 75. Therefore, the likelihood of drain water leaking from near the bottom 73a reaching the passage portion 75 when a crack occurs in the drain pan 73 is low, thus suppressing the possibility of the refrigerant sensor 60 being damaged by drain water.

[0070] (3-4)

[0071] The gap between the refrigerant sensor 60 and the refrigerant sensor 75 is sealed. Therefore, air leakage after regulation is suppressed, thus maintaining the efficiency of the air conditioning system.

[0072] (3-5)

[0073] Because of the presence of filter 53, dust or dirt from the indoor air drawn in through intake 51 is difficult to enter the interior of housing 50. Therefore, the accumulation of dust or dirt on refrigerant sensor 60 is prevented.

[0074] (4) Variations

[0075] The indoor unit 20 in the above embodiment is designed to be embedded in the ceiling. Alternatively, the indoor unit 20 can also be designed to be suspended from the ceiling. Or, the indoor unit 20 can also be wall-mounted or floor-standing.

[0076] <Conclusion>

[0077] The embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, but it should be understood that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure as set forth in the claims.

[0078] Symbol Explanation

[0079] 10 Outdoor Units; 20 indoor units; 23 Indoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger); 24. Indoor fan (fan); 50. Housing; 51 suction port; 52. Blowout; 53 Filters; 60. Refrigerant sensor; 70 Air guiding components; 71. Trumpet mouth; 72 boards; 73. Drainage tray; 73a Bottom; 75. Passing through the department; 75a Upper end; 76. Seals; 77 First Space; 78 Second Space; 100 Air conditioning unit; R is the refrigerant.

[0080] Existing technical documents

[0081] Patent documents

[0082] Patent Document 1: International Publication WO2019-234902

Claims

1. An indoor unit (20), said indoor unit being ceiling-embedded, characterized in that, include: Housing (50), the housing having an intake port (51); Heat exchanger (23); Fan (24), which draws in indoor air from the intake and delivers the indoor air to the heat exchanger; An air guiding member (70) guides the indoor air drawn in by the fan and divides the interior space of the housing into a first space (77) and a second space (78) located downstream of the first space from the airflow. The passing section (75) is provided on the air guiding member and allows the refrigerant (R) to pass from the second space to the first space; as well as A refrigerant sensor (60) is disposed on the side of the passage portion near the first space and configured to detect the refrigerant after passing through the passage portion.

2. The indoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The refrigerant sensor is configured to face upwards from below the passage section.

3. The indoor unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, It also includes a drain tray (73) configured adjacent to the air guiding member and opposite the lower end of the heat exchanger. The bottom (73a) of the drainage tray is located lower than the upper end (75a) of the passage section.

4. The indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, It also includes a seal (76) that seals the gap between the passage and the refrigerant sensor.

5. The indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, It also includes a filter (53) disposed at the inlet.

6. An air conditioning unit (100), characterized in that, The indoor unit includes any one of claims 1 to 5.

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