Refrigeration cycle apparatus

Abstract

An air conditioner includes: a refrigeration cycle circuit that includes compressor (16), outdoor heat exchanger (15), an expander, and an indoor heat exchanger and in which a working medium containing 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene is sealed; and outdoor unit (12) including at least compressor (16) and outdoor heat exchanger (15). Outdoor unit (12) includes compressor housing space (123) housing compressor (16), and communicating part (129) communicating compressor housing space (123) with an exterior of outdoor unit (12).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigeration cycle apparatus that includes a working medium containing HFO1123.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Generally, in a refrigeration cycle apparatus such as an air conditioner, a refrigeration cycle circuit is formed by connecting, for example, a compressor, a radiator or a condenser, a decompressor such as a capillary tube or an expansion valve, and an evaporator through a pipe. Further, the refrigeration cycle circuit includes a four-way valve as necessary. Then, a working medium (refrigerant) is circulated in the refrigeration cycle circuit for cooling or heating.

[0003] As the working medium in the refrigeration cycle apparatus, methane or ethane-derived halogenated hydrocarbons called fluorocarbons (fluorocarbons are described as Roo or R∘∘∘ according to ASHRAE standard 34, USA. Here, ∘∘ and ∘∘∘ represent numbers. Hereinafter, described as Roo or Rooo) are known.

[0004] As such a working medium for the refrigeration cycle apparatus, R410A is often used. The refrigerant R410A, however, has a global warming potential (GWP) as large as 2090 and is not said to be preferable from a viewpoint of preventing global warming.

[0005] Therefore, from the viewpoint of preventing global warming, working media having a low GWP, such as HFO1123 (1,1,2-trifluoroethylene) and HFO1132 (1,2-difluoroethylene) are proposed (see, for example, PTL 1 or 2).

[0006] The HFO1123 (1,1,2-trifluoroethylene) and the HFO1132 (1,2-difluoroethylene), however, are lower in stability than conventional working media such as R410A. Further, when a radical is produced, the HFO1123 and the HFO1132 may possibly be changed into a different compound through a disproportional reaction.

[0007] Generation of the disproportional reaction raises pressure of the working medium accompanied by large heat release. The rise of the pressure may possibly lower reliability of the compressor or the refrigeration cycle apparatus. Accordingly, use of the HFO1123 or the HFO1132 as the working medium of the compressor or the refrigeration cycle apparatus requires suppression of the disproportional reaction. For example, PTL 3 describes a heat exchange unit capable of suppressing the occurrence of a disproportionation reaction of HFO-1123.

[0008] The disproportional reaction is generated with a starting point when the working medium is subjected to application of high energy in an excessively high-temperature and high-pressure atmosphere.

[0009] One example of such a situation is an excessive rise of discharge pressure (on a high-pressure side of a refrigeration cycle) caused by an unusual state of operation conditions, that is, stopping of a condenser-end blast fan, blocking of the refrigeration cycle circuit, or the like.

[0010] Under such a state, when abnormal locking of the compressor occurs and power supply to the compressor is continued even under the abnormal locking, power is excessively supplied to an electric motor of the compressor to make the electric motor abnormally generate heat. As a result of this situation, insulation of a stator winding constituting a stator of the electric motor is damaged by melt fracture to cause a phenomenon called a layer short circuit between wires of the stator winding. Then, this layer short circuit serving as a high energy source induces the disproportional reaction.

[0011] When the disproportional reaction is unexpectedly generated, the compressor may possibly be broken to exhaust soot that has been formed from the working medium.

[0012] An object of the present disclosure is to improve reliability of a refrigeration cycle apparatus that includes a working medium containing HFO1123.Citation ListPatent Literatures

[0013] PTL 1: International Publication No. 2012 / 157764 PTL 2: International Publication No. 2012 / 157765 PTL 3: International Publication No. 2017 / 145713 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention, as defined by appended claim 1, relates to a refrigeration cycle apparatus comprising: a refrigeration cycle circuit that includes a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expander, and an indoor heat exchanger and in which a working medium containing 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene is sealed; and an outdoor unit including at least the compressor and the outdoor heat exchanger. The outdoor unit includes a compressor housing space housing the compressor, and a communicating part communicating the compressor housing space with an exterior of the outdoor unit. The compressor housing space is defined by a partition plate partitioning a space between the compressor and the outdoor heat exchanger for preventing soot discharged from the compressor from being blown out to a space housing the outdoor heat exchanger.

[0015] When a disproportional reaction unexpectedly occurs in the compressor to break the compressor and make soot, which has been formed from the working medium, discharged and diffused in the compressor housing space, such a configuration makes the soot exhausted from the communicating part disposed on the outdoor unit to the exterior of the outdoor unit. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid soot billowing out from a gap between a main housing and a top panel or a front panel of the outdoor unit. Further, an exhaust location of soot is fixed at the communicating part, so that it is possible to suppress an influence of soot to a minimum. Accordingly, it is possible to limit an influence of soot on surrounding components.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a schematic configuration of an air conditioner as a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a sectional configuration of a compressor of the air conditioner according to the same first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating an outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to the same first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to the same first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to the same first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a schematic sectional configuration of an outdoor unit in an air conditioner according to a second exemplary embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of the outdoor unit in the air conditioner according to the same second exemplary embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a pressure relief part disposed in a compressor of the air conditioner according to the same second exemplary embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0017] A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the present invention as defined by appended claim 1 includes: a refrigeration cycle circuit that includes a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expander, and an indoor heat exchanger and in which a working medium containing 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene is sealed; and an outdoor unit including at least the compressor and the outdoor heat exchanger. The outdoor unit further includes a compressor housing space housing the compressor, and a communicating part communicating the compressor housing space with an exterior of the outdoor unit. The compressor housing space is defined by a partition plate partitioning a space between the compressor and the outdoor heat exchanger for preventing soot discharged from the compressor from being blown out to a space housing the outdoor heat exchanger.

[0018] When a disproportional reaction unexpectedly occurs in the compressor to break the compressor and make soot, which has been formed from the working medium, discharged and diffused in the compressor housing space, such a configuration makes the soot exhausted from the communicating part disposed on the outdoor unit to the exterior of the outdoor unit. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid soot billowing out from a gap between a main housing and a top panel or a front panel of the outdoor unit. Further, an exhaust location of soot is fixed at the communicating part, so that it is possible to suppress an influence of soot to a minimum. Accordingly, it is possible to limit an influence of soot on surrounding components.

[0019] As mentioned above, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the present invention, the compressor housing space is defined by a partition plate partitioning a space between the compressor and the outdoor heat exchanger.

[0020] Such a configuration is capable of preventing soot discharged from the compressor from being blown out to a space housing the outdoor heat exchanger and contaminating the outdoor heat exchanger. Accordingly, even when soot is generated, it is possible to reuse the outdoor heat exchanger.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the communicating part is constituted by one or more exhaust holes having a communicating area larger than a total area of gaps formed by members defining the compressor housing space and facing each other.

[0022] Such a configuration allows soot discharged from the compressor to the compressor housing space to be blown out from the communicating part to the exterior of the outdoor unit. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent soot from billowing out from the gaps formed by the members constituting the compressor housing space and facing each other, that is, the gaps, for example, between the main housing and the top panel of the outdoor unit and between the main housing and the front panel of the outdoor unit. This mechanism is capable of suppressing an influence of soot.

[0023] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the communicating part is disposed above a lowermost part of the compressor.

[0024] Such a configuration is capable of preventing a situation in which the communicating part is blocked by drained water or the like collected on a bottom surface of the outdoor unit. Accordingly, it is possible to more securely exhaust soot from the communicating part.

[0025] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the communicating part is disposed on a part of a housing of the outdoor unit, the part being on a back side of the outdoor unit.

[0026] Such a configuration fixes an exhaust location of soot at a backward part of the outdoor unit. In many cases, the outdoor unit is placed such that a back side of the outdoor unit is along a wall surface of a house. Therefore, exhaustion of soot from a backward side of the outdoor unit enables suppression of an influence of soot on surroundings of the outdoor unit, that is, a front and sides of the outdoor unit.

[0027] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the compressor includes a pressure relief part that lowers pressure in the compressor by letting the working medium in the compressor go to an exterior of the compressor.

[0028] Such a configuration is capable of preventing the compressor itself from being severely broken even when a disproportional reaction is unexpectedly generated. Accordingly, it is possible to increase safety of the refrigeration cycle apparatus.

[0029] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the pressure relief part is configured to work when the pressure in the compressor becomes an excessive pressure due to occurrence of a disproportional reaction of the working medium.

[0030] Such a configuration lowers the internal pressure of the compressor by the pressure relief part when the pressure in the compressor becomes an excessive pressure due to occurrence of a disproportional reaction. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid large breaking of the compressor. Further, such a configuration is capable of suppressing rapid progression of the disproportional reaction to suppress an amount of generated soot, that is, an exhaust amount of soot exhausted from the communicating part to the exterior of the outdoor unit.

[0031] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the working medium contains a disproportionation inhibitor.

[0032] Such a configuration is capable of suppressing generation of a disproportional reaction to prevent the compressor itself from being broken and thus further increase safety. Further, because it is possible to prevent rapid progression of the disproportional reaction, it is possible to reduce an amount of generated soot, that is, an exhaust amount of soot exhausted from the communicating part to the exterior of the outdoor unit.

[0033] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to drawings. The present disclosure is not to be limited by these exemplary embodiments.(First exemplary embodiment)[1-1. Entire configuration]

[0034] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a schematic configuration of an air conditioner as a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] In the present exemplary embodiment, air conditioner 10 is described as one example of the refrigeration cycle apparatus.

[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 1, air conditioner 10 includes indoor unit 11 and outdoor unit 12. Air conditioner 10 also includes pipe 13 connecting indoor unit 11 to outdoor unit 12. Indoor unit 11 includes indoor heat exchanger 14 used as an evaporator or a condenser. Outdoor unit 12 includes outdoor heat exchanger 15 used as a condenser or an evaporator, compressor 16, and expander 17. Outdoor unit 12 includes controller 18 that controls compressor 16 and the like.

[0037] Indoor heat exchanger 14 of indoor unit 11 is connected to outdoor heat exchanger 15 of outdoor unit 12 through pipe 13 to thus constitute refrigeration cycle circuit 30. More specifically, indoor heat exchanger 14 of indoor unit 11, compressor 16, outdoor heat exchanger 15 of outdoor unit 12, and expander 17 are circularly connected through pipe 13 in this order.

[0038] Pipe 13 connecting indoor heat exchanger 14, compressor 16, and outdoor heat exchanger 15 includes four-way valve 19. Switching four-way valve 19 switches between cooling and heating.

[0039] Indoor unit 11 includes a blast fan, a temperature sensor, an operation unit, and the like that are not illustrated in the drawing. Outdoor unit 12 includes an air blower, an accumulator, and the like that are not illustrated in the drawing. Pipe 13 also includes various valve devices other than four-way valve 19, a strainer, and the like that are not illustrated in the drawing.

[0040] In indoor heat exchanger 14, heat exchange is performed between indoor air sucked into indoor unit 11 by the blast fan and a working medium flowing in indoor heat exchanger 14. Indoor unit 11 blows air warmed through the heat exchange into a room during heating and blows air cooled through the heat exchange into a room during cooling.

[0041] In outdoor heat exchanger 15, heat exchange is performed between external air sucked into outdoor unit 12 by the air blower and the working medium flowing in outdoor heat exchanger 15.[1-2. Compressor]

[0042] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a sectional configuration of the compressor of the air conditioner according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0043] FIG. 2 illustrates compressor 16 included in refrigeration cycle circuit 30. In the present exemplary embodiment, use of a hermetic rotary compressor as compressor 16 is described as illustrated in FIG. 2. An outline of compressor 16 consists of hermetic container 161. Electric motor unit 162 and compression mechanism unit 163 are housed in hermetic container 161. An inside of hermetic container 161 is filled with a high-temperature and high-pressure working medium and a lubricant. A bottom of hermetic container 161 is oil storage part 164 storing the lubricant.

[0044] In the present exemplary embodiment, a so-called brushless motor is used as electric motor unit 162. Electric motor unit 162 includes rotor 166 connected to crankshaft 165 of compression mechanism unit 163, and stator 167 disposed around rotor 166.

[0045] Rotor 166 is formed by mounting a permanent magnet on a rotor core and integrating the permanent magnet with the rotor core. Stator 167 consists of stator winding 170 and a stator core around which stator winding 170 is formed as concentrated winding, with insulating paper 169 interposed between the concentrated winding and the stator core. Lead wire 171 is extended from stator winding 170, and the other end of lead wire 171 is connected to power supply terminal 172. Power supply terminal 172 includes three terminals, which are each connected to inverter controller 18 (see FIG. 1). Alternatively, stator winding 170 may consist of distributed winding.

[0046] Controller 18 controls a switching element to flow a current through stator winding 170 so that a rotating magnetic field is generated in rotor 166. This process supplies power supplied from external power source 20 (see FIG. 1) to electric motor unit 162. A rotation speed or the like of the rotating magnetic field can be changed by an inverter. Compressor 16 can be operated at a high speed, for example, immediately after a start of operation of compressor 16 and at a low speed, for example, during stable operation.

[0047] Compression mechanism unit 163 includes cylinder 174 constituting compression chamber 173, and rolling piston 175 placed in compression chamber 173 within cylinder 174. Rolling piston 175 rotationally moves in compression chamber 173 while being in contact with a vane (not illustrated), along with rotation of crankshaft 165, to suction the working medium from suction pipe 179 and compress the working medium.

[0048] The working medium compressed in compression chamber 173 is discharged from discharge muffler 176 to discharged working medium space 177 in hermetic container 161. Thereafter, the working medium is discharged from discharge pipe 178 to an exterior of compression mechanism unit 163. In order to prevent liquid compression in compression chamber 173, suction pipe 179 is provided with accumulator 180.[1-3. Outdoor unit]

[0049] FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 are respectively a front view, an exploded perspective view, and a plan view illustrating the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates a housing whose top panel 125 has been removed.

[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the housing constituting an outline of outdoor unit 12 includes main housing 121, top panel 125 placed on an upper portion of main housing 121, and front panel 126.

[0051] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, outdoor unit 12 includes compressor housing space 123. Compressor housing space 123 is defined by partition plate 122 partitioning a space between compressor 16 and outdoor heat exchanger 15. Specifically, in the present exemplary embodiment, compressor housing space 123 is a space defined by main housing 121, partition plate 122, front panel 126, and top panel 125. Compressor 16 is placed in compressor housing space 123.

[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 4, an upper portion of compressor housing space 123 includes housing chamber 124 housing controller 18. An upper region of housing chamber 124 is covered with top panel 125.

[0053] Further, outdoor heat exchanger 15 and air blower 21 are placed next to compressor housing space 123. Front sides of outdoor heat exchanger 15 and air blower 21 as well as a front side of compressor housing space 123 is covered with front panel 126.

[0054] Further, side wall cover 127 is mounted on a side surface of main housing 121 forming compressor housing space 123 in a detachable manner from main housing 121.[1-4. Working medium]

[0055] A working medium (refrigerant) is sealed in refrigeration cycle circuit 30 of air conditioner 10.

[0056] The working medium of the present exemplary embodiment contains at least 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene (HFO1123) as a refrigerant component. The 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene has a structure represented by a following formula (1). That is, the 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene has a structure obtained by substituting two hydrogen atoms (H) bonded to a carbon atom (C) at 1-position of ethylene with fluorine (F) and substituting one of two hydrogen atoms (H) bonded to a carbon atom (C) at 2-position with fluorine (F).

[0057] The 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene contains a carbon-carbon double bond. Ozone in air produces a hydroxyl radical (OH radical) by a photochemical reaction. The carbon-carbon double bond is easily broken by this hydroxyl radical. Therefore, the 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene has less influence on ozone depletion and global warming.

[0058] The 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene, however, causes, as described above, a rapid disproportional reaction due to this excellent degradability when subjected to application of high energy such as a layer short circuit under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions. This disproportional reaction is generation of a self-degradation reaction in which a molecule of the 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene is degraded, and generation of a polymerization reaction or the like that follows this self-degradation reaction and in which carbon generated by the degradation is polymerized to form soot.

[0059] Accordingly, an active radical is generated due to, for example, occurrence of a layer short circuit caused by abnormal heat generation or a dielectric breakdown of stator winding 170 when a stop of the condenser-end blast fan, blocking of refrigeration cycle circuit 30, or the like forms a high-temperature and high-pressure state in compressor 16 to make compressor 16 locked and electrification of stator winding 170 is continued. Then, a reaction of this active radical with the 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene generates the disproportional reaction.

[0060] The disproportional reaction is accompanied by heat generation, so that this heat generation generates the active radical, which further induces the disproportional reaction. Thus, the generation of the active radical and the generation of the disproportional reaction are chained to rapidly progress the disproportional reaction and thus rapidly raise the pressure in compressor 16 at about 0.2 sec. Then, the rise of the pressure in compressor 16 may possibly break compressor 16.

[0061] Then, when compressor 16 is unexpectedly broken, the working medium that has caused the disproportional reaction in compressor 16 becomes soot and is discharged and diffused in compressor housing space 123 housing compressor 16. Then, as described above, the diffused soot is blown out from the gaps between members constituting compressor housing space 123 (for example, between main housing 121 and top panel 125 and between top panel 125 and front panel 126) and released in all directions around outdoor unit 12. As a result of this process, structures around outdoor unit 12 is probably widely begrimed with the soot. Further, the soot is attached to a part of each of main housing 121, top panel 125, and front panel 126 from which the soot has been blown out and to a part in vicinity to the part from which the soot has been blown out. Therefore, replacement of the entire housing having main housing 121, top panel 125, and front panel 126 is probably required in maintenance such as replacement of compressor 16.[1-5. Communicating part]

[0062] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, air conditioner 10 of the present exemplary embodiment includes communicating part 129 communicating compressor housing space 123 of outdoor unit 12 with the exterior of outdoor unit 12. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4, exhaust hole 129a is disposed on side wall 128 of main housing 121 constituting compressor housing space 123, and exhaust hole 129b is disposed on side wall cover 127. Exhaust holes 129a and 129b constitute communicating part 129 for exhaustion of soot.

[0063] When a disproportional reaction occurs in compressor 16 to make the working medium in compressor 16 soot and the soot is unexpectedly discharged and diffused in compressor housing space 123, such a configuration allows this soot to be, as illustrated by an arrow in FIG. 5, exhausted through communicating part 129 in a prescribed direction from compressor housing space 123 to the exterior of outdoor unit 12. That is, the soot is exhausted from exhaust holes 129a, 129b (see FIG. 4), which constitute communicating part 129 on a side portion of main housing 121 of the outdoor unit and are disposed on side wall 128 and side wall cover 127, to the exterior of outdoor unit 12, that is, into air. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent soot from billowing out from the gaps between main housing 121 and top panel 125 of outdoor unit 12 and between main housing 121 and front panel 126 of outdoor unit 12. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress an influence of soot on surrounding components to a minimum.

[0064] A caution saying, for example, "soot can be released from here at time of abnormality" may be put near exhaust hole 129b. Even when soot is unexpectedly exhausted from communicating part 129, this caution is capable of alleviating a user's anxiety and enables a user to avoid being influenced by the soot exhausted.

[0065] Further, because it is possible to avoid soot blowing out from the gap between main housing 121 and top panel 125 and the gap between main housing 121 and front panel 126, it is possible to prevent generation of sooty dirt near these gaps. Accordingly, replacement of the entire housing having main housing 121, top panel 125, and front panel 126 is not required in maintenance such as replacement of compressor 16 to enable reduction of costs for replacement of components.

[0066] Communicating part 129 preferably has, as described later, a communicating area larger than a total area of the gaps formed by the members constituting compressor housing space 123 and facing each other. In the present exemplary embodiment, specifically, exhaust holes 129a, 129b are each preferably configured to have a hole area larger than the total area of the gaps formed respectively between main housing 121 and top panel 125 covering compressor housing space 123 and between main housing 121 and front panel 126. That is to say, exhaust holes 129a, 129b each preferably have a hole area larger than the total area of a peripheral space of compressor 16, that is, the gaps formed by the members (main housing 121, top panel 125, front panel 126, and the like) bordering compressor housing space 123 and facing each other.

[0067] The total area of the gaps formed by the members constituting compressor housing space 123 and facing each other is, in other words, an opening area of an opening, but a part except for communicating part 129, communicating compressor housing space 123 with an exterior of compressor housing space 123.

[0068] Even when soot is unexpectedly diffused in compressor housing space 123, this configuration makes the soot smoothly exhausted from communicating part 129 having a large opening area (communicating area) to the exterior of outdoor unit 12. Accordingly, it is possible to more securely prevent soot from blowing out from the gap between main housing 121 and top panel 125 and the gap between main housing 121 and front panel 126. This mechanism is capable of preventing sooty dirt on the housing.

[0069] Communicating part 129 is preferably provided with a net or preferably consists of a group of many small holes. This configuration is capable of preventing a bug or the like from entering into outdoor unit 12 through communicating part 129.

[0070] In the present exemplary embodiment, communicating part 129 has been described as being disposed on the side portion of outdoor unit 12. Communicating part 129, however, may be disposed on a back portion of outdoor unit 12. In this case, communicating part 129 may be disposed on a back of main housing 121. This configuration is capable of fixing an exhaust location of soot at a backward part of the outdoor unit. Accordingly, even when a user or the like is present around a front surface or a side surface of outdoor unit 12, this configuration enables the user or the like to avoid being influenced by soot. That is to say, communicating part 129 can be disposed on the backward (a house's wall-surface-end) part of outdoor unit 12 where a user or the like is highly unlikely to be present, to minimize an influence of soot.

[0071] Communicating part 129 is preferably disposed above a lowermost part of compressor 16. Disposition of the communicating part below the lowermost part of compressor 16, for example, on a bottom surface of outdoor unit 12 may possibly swamp communicating part 129 in drained water or the like collected on the bottom surface of outdoor unit 12 to, for example, block communicating part 129. A configuration of disposing communicating part 129 above the lowermost part of compressor 16, however, is capable of avoiding blocking of communicating part 129. Accordingly, it is possible to securely exhaust generated soot from communicating part 129.(Second exemplary embodiment)

[0072] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a schematic sectional configuration of an outdoor unit in an air conditioner of a second exemplary embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of the outdoor unit in the same air conditioner. FIG. 7 illustrates main housing 121 whose upper surface has been removed.

[0073] FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a pressure relief part disposed in a compressor of the outdoor unit in the same air conditioner. An upper right enlarged view of FIG. 8 illustrates power supply terminal 172 whose connector cover has been removed.

[0074] In the present exemplary embodiment, compressor 16 includes, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, pressure relief part 181 that lowers pressure in compressor 16. Other configurations are similar to the configurations in the first exemplary embodiment and are therefore not described.

[0075] Pressure relief part 181 is configured to lower the pressure in compressor 16 by letting the working medium in compressor 16 go to the exterior of compressor 16. Pressure relief part 181 works when the pressure in compressor 16 becomes an excessively high pressure due to a disproportional reaction of the working medium.

[0076] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, pressure relief part 181 is formed by reducing strength of welded portion 182 of power supply terminal 172 in compressor 16. When the working medium in compressor 16 causes a disproportional reaction to rapidly raise the pressure in compressor 16, this configuration is capable of letting the pressure go.

[0077] When the pressure in compressor 16 is raised and a disproportional reaction occurs, the pressure in compressor 16 is rapidly raised to become an excessively high pressure. That is, the pressure in compressor 16 is rapidly raised to a pressure considerably higher than a pressure raised due to unusual operation conditions of compressor 16. At this time, a welded location of power supply terminal 172 that constitutes pressure relief part 181 comes off due to the rapidly raised pressure in the present exemplary embodiment. Then, the pressure in compressor 16 is released from the part where the weld of power supply terminal 172 has come off. That is, a part of the working medium in compressor 16 is exhausted to the exterior of compressor 16.

[0078] This mechanism instantaneously lowers the pressure of the working medium in compressor 16. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the hermetic container itself of compressor 16 from being severely broken and thus increase safety. Further, because it is possible to lower the pressure in compressor 16, it is possible to suppress rapid progression of a disproportional reaction. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce an amount of soot generated by a disproportional reaction and thus reduce an exhaust amount of soot exhausted from communicating part 129.

[0079] As illustrated in FIG. 6, guide (first guide) 183 may also be disposed that extends from a vicinity of pressure relief part 181 of compressor 16 toward communicating part 129. This guide is capable of guiding soot discharged from pressure relief part 181 of compressor 16 to communicating part 129 to smoothly exhaust the soot to the exterior of outdoor unit 12. Accordingly, it is possible to more securely prevent soot from blowing out from the gap between main housing 121 and top panel 125 and the gap between main housing 121 and front panel 126.

[0080] As illustrated by a dotted line in FIG. 6, guide (second guide) 184 for exhausting soot may also be disposed at a position on an outside of the housing of outdoor unit 12, the position being on an outside of communicating part 129. As illustrated in FIG. 6, guide 184 has, for example, an L-shaped section and guides soot downward. That is, guide 184 includes, in the sectional shape, a first portion extended from a periphery of an opening of communicating part 129 toward the outside of the housing, and a second portion downwardly extended from a tip of the first portion. The disposition of guide 184 enables an exhaust direction of soot to be fixed, so that it is possible to suppress an influence of exhausted soot to a minimum.

[0081] The configuration of pressure relief part 181 is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, pressure relief part 181 can be formed by reducing strength of a part constituting compressor 16, such as a welded part of discharge pipe 178. Alternatively, pressure relief part 181 may be formed, for example, by separately disposing an adjusting valve in compressor 16.(Third exemplary embodiment)

[0082] In the present exemplary embodiment, a disproportionation inhibitor that suppresses a disproportional reaction of 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene (HFO1123) is added to the working medium that is sealed in refrigeration cycle circuit 30 and contains the 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene (HFO1123).

[0083] For example, the disproportionation inhibitor is a haloethane having a structure represented by a following formula (2) (except a case in which Xs consist of only F).         C 2 H m X n ···     (2)

[0084] X in the formula (2) is a halogen atom selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, and I. Here, in the formula (2), m is an integer of more than or equal to 0, and n is an integer of more than or equal to 1. A sum of m and n is 6, and when n is more than or equal to 2, Xs are an identical halogen atom or different halogen atoms.

[0085] The addition of the disproportionation inhibitor to the refrigerant component containing the 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene allows the haloethane represented by the formula (2) to excellently capture a radical, such as a fluorine radical, a fluoromethyl radical, or a fluoromethylene radical, which causes a chain branching reaction of the disproportional reaction.

[0086] Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the disproportional reaction of the 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene or reduce rapid progression of the disproportional reaction.

[0087] Accordingly, it is possible to prevent breaking of compressor 16 itself and thus further increase safety and to improve reliability of the refrigeration cycle apparatus. Further, because it is possible to suppress rapid progression of the disproportional reaction, it is possible to suppress an amount of generated soot. Accordingly, it is possible to significantly suppress an exhaust amount of soot exhausted from communicating part 129.

[0088] The disproportionation inhibitor that suppresses the disproportional reaction of the 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene (HFO1123) may be as follows besides the one described above.

[0089] That is, the disproportionation inhibitor may be formed of a saturated hydrocarbon having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, and a haloalkane having 1 or 2 carbon atoms except for a haloalkane whose halogen atoms are all fluorine.

[0090] The addition of such a disproportionation inhibitor allows the saturated hydrocarbon and the haloalkane to excellently capture a radical, such as a fluorine radical, a fluoromethyl radical, or a fluoromethylene radical, which is generated by the disproportional reaction of the 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the disproportional reaction of the 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene or reduce rapid progression of the disproportional reaction. Further, the suppression of the disproportional reaction or the reduction of progression of the disproportional reaction can be attained by an addition amount smaller than an addition amount when the saturated hydrocarbon or the haloalkane is singly used as the disproportionation inhibitor. As a result of this attainment, it is possible to improve reliability of the working medium and the refrigeration cycle apparatus including the working medium.(Fourth exemplary embodiment)

[0091] In the present exemplary embodiment, the refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a detector that detects a discharge of soot from compressor 16.

[0092] For example, the detector that detects a discharge of soot caused by the working medium is disposed in compressor housing space 123. The detector may be, for example, a temperature sensor. When temperature in compressor housing space 123 is more than or equal to a prescribed temperature, the temperature sensor makes the indoor unit display the rise of the temperature.

[0093] When air conditioner 10 is stopped due to an abnormal state, such a configuration is capable of notifying a user that a cause of the abnormal stop is due to a disproportional reaction. Accordingly, the cause of the abnormal stop is clearly indicated to enable the user to take an appropriate measure.

[0094] The refrigeration cycle apparatus of the present disclosure has been heretofore described using air conditioner 10 as an example. The refrigeration cycle apparatus, however, is not limited to this example. Any refrigeration cycle apparatus is acceptable as long as the refrigeration cycle apparatus is configured to include constituent elements, such as a compressor, a condenser, an expanding means, and an evaporator, which are connected through a pipe and include an outdoor unit. The present disclosure is not particularly limited to a specific application example, and may be, for example, a heat pump water heater.

[0095] In the present exemplary embodiments, compressor 16 has been described using a rotary compressor as an example. The configuration of compressor 16 is not limited to this example, and compressor 16 may be any type of displacement compressor such as a scroll compressor or a reciprocating compressor, or centrifugal compressor.INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0096] Even when a disproportional reaction is unexpectedly generated, the present disclosure is capable of suppressing an influence of generated soot to a minimum and is thus capable of improving reliability of a refrigeration cycle apparatus that includes a working medium containing HFO1123. Accordingly, the present disclosure is broadly applicable to various air conditioners, heat pump water heaters, and the like for home or industrial use.REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS

[0097] 10air conditioner (refrigeration cycle apparatus) 11indoor unit 12outdoor unit 13pipe 14indoor heat exchanger 15outdoor heat exchanger 16compressor 17expander 18controller 19four-way valve 20external power source 21air blower 30refrigeration cycle circuit 121main housing 122partition plate 123compressor housing space 124housing chamber 125top panel 126front panel 127side wall cover 128side wall 129communicating part 129a, 129bexhaust hole 161hermetic container 162electric motor unit 163compression mechanism unit 164oil storage part 165crankshaft 166rotor 167stator 169insulating paper 170stator winding 171lead wire 172power supply terminal 173compression chamber 174cylinder 175rolling piston 176discharge muffler 177discharged working medium space 178discharge pipe 179suction pipe 180accumulator 181pressure relief part 182welded portion 183guide (first guide) 184guide (second guide)

Claims

1. A refrigeration cycle apparatus (10) comprising: a refrigeration cycle circuit that includes a compressor (16), an outdoor heat exchanger (15), an expander (17), and an indoor heat exchanger (14) and in which a working medium containing 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene is sealed; and an outdoor unit (12) including at least the compressor (16) and the outdoor heat exchanger (15), the outdoor unit (12) further including: a compressor housing space (123) housing the compressor (16); and characterized by a communicating part (129) communicating the compressor housing space (123) with an exterior of the outdoor unit (12), the compressor housing space (123) being defined by a partition plate (122) partitioning a space between the compressor (16) and the outdoor heat exchanger (15) for preventing soot discharged from the compressor (16) from being blown out to a space housing the outdoor heat exchanger (15).

2. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communicating part (129) is constituted by one or more exhaust holes (129a, 129b) having a communicating area larger than a total area of gaps formed by members defining the compressor housing space (123) and facing each other.

3. The refrigeration cycle apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the communicating part (129) is disposed above a lowermost part of the compressor (16).

4. The refrigeration cycle apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communicating part (129) is disposed on a part of a housing of the outdoor unit (12), the part being on a back side of the outdoor unit (12).

5. The refrigeration cycle apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the compressor (16) includes a pressure relief part (181) that lowers pressure in the compressor (16) by letting the working medium in the compressor (16) go to an exterior of the compressor (16).

6. The refrigeration cycle apparatus (10) according to claim 5, wherein the pressure relief part (181) works when the pressure in the compressor (16) is an excessive pressure due to occurrence of a disproportional reaction of the working medium.

7. The refrigeration cycle apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the working medium contains a disproportionation inhibitor.

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