INDOOR UNIT AND AIR CONDITIONER

Abstract

An indoor unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is an indoor unit of an air conditioner and is a floor-mounted type indoor unit, the indoor unit comprising: a housing which has an inlet and an outlet formed thereon; a heat exchanger which is housed inside the housing; a blower which is housed inside the housing and generates an airflow that passes through the heat exchanger; a refrigerant sensor which is capable of detecting a refrigerant and which is housed inside the housing; and a cover member. The heat exchanger has a heat exchanger main body and a refrigerant pipe which is attached to the heat exchanger main body. The refrigerant pipe has a protruding portion which protrudes in a first direction from the heat exchanger main body.The cover member has a cover wall that covers one side of the protruding portion in the first direction. The refrigerant sensor includes a first refrigerant sensor. At least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor is exposed to a gap that is located between the cover wall and the heat exchanger main body. Abstract Figure:Figure 4.

Description

Title of the invention: INDOOR UNIT AND AIR CONDITIONER FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an indoor unit and an air conditioner. DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Indoor units of air conditioners are known which have a sensor for detecting refrigerant leaks (see, for example, Japanese patent No. 6355734). Summary of the invention

[0003] In the aforementioned refrigerant leak detection sensor, for example, the refrigerant leak detection sensor is disposed on an air path that is inside the indoor unit. However, in this case, depending on the air flow, a refrigerant leak may disperse into the room, and it would be difficult to increase the concentration of the refrigerant near the refrigerant leak detection sensor, outside the interior of the indoor unit. In this case, the refrigerant leak detection sensor may take time to detect a refrigerant leak.Since a floor-mounted type indoor unit is mounted at a lower height than a wall-mounted type indoor unit than a ceiling-mounted type indoor unit, there is a problem that refrigerant easily and immediately accumulates at low height in the room. Thus, for a floor-mounted type indoor unit, it is necessary to detect a refrigerant leak in a shorter period of time, compared to other forms of indoor units.

[0004] The present disclosure addresses the above-mentioned problem and aims to provide an indoor unit whose construction enables a refrigerant leak to be detected within a short period of time, as well as an air conditioner which comprises said indoor unit. WAYS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM

[0005] An indoor unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is an indoor unit of an air conditioner and is a floor-mounted type indoor unit, the indoor unit comprising: a housing which has an inlet and an outlet formed thereon; a heat exchanger which is housed inside the housing; a blower which is housed inside the housing and which generates an airflow which passes through the heat exchanger; a first refrigerant sensor and a second refrigerant sensor which are capable of detecting a refrigerant and which are housed inside the housing; a cover member which is disposed on a first side of a first direction, which is orthogonal to the vertical direction, relative to the heat exchanger, and a pipe group. The heat exchanger comprises a heat exchanger main body and a refrigerant pipe which is attached to the heat exchanger main body. The refrigerant pipe has a first protruding portion which protrudes toward the first side, more than the heat exchanger main body, and a second protruding portion which protrudes toward a second side in the first direction, more than the heat exchanger main body. The pipe group is connected to the refrigerant pipe of the heat exchanger. The cover member has a cover wall which covers the first protruding portion from the first side.The housing has a first housing that houses the blower and the heat exchanger main body therein and has an air path through which the airflow flows, and a second housing that is disposed next to the first housing in the first direction intersecting the vertical direction and houses the pipe group therein. The second housing is disposed adjacent next to the second side of the first housing. An interior of the first housing and an interior of the second housing are separated by means of a partition wall member. At least a portion of the second protruding portion is located inside the second housing. The second refrigerant sensor is housed inside the second housing. At least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor is exposed to a gap that is located between the cover wall and the heat exchanger main body.

[0006] The air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises the aforementioned indoor unit and an outdoor unit.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to shorten the detection time of a refrigerant leak in a floor-mounted type indoor unit. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig.l

[0008] [Fig.l] Schematic representation showing a general configuration of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2

[0009] [Fig.2] Sectional view showing an indoor unit according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3

[0010] [Fig.3] Exploded view showing the indoor unit according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4

[0011] [Fig.4] Sectional view of part of the indoor unit, as seen from the front according to the first embodiment. Fig. 5

[0012] [Fig.5] Perspective view showing part of the indoor unit according to the first embodiment. Fig. 6

[0013] [Fig.6] Exploded view showing part of the indoor unit according to the first embodiment. Fig. 7

[0014] [Fig.7] Exploded view showing a cover element and a first sensor of refrigerant according to the first embodiment. Fig. 8

[0015] [Fig.8] Sectional view showing part of the cover element and part of a heat exchanger according to the first embodiment. Fig. 9

[0016] [Fig.9] View of the heat exchanger, the cover element and a tank of drain, as seen from the outside in the left-right direction. Fig. 10

[0017] [Fig. 10] Exploded view showing part of the cover element and the first refrigerant sensor according to the first embodiment. Fig. 11

[0018] [Fig. 11] Sectional view of a portion of the indoor unit, as seen from the front according to a second embodiment. Fig. 12

[0019] [Fig. 12] Sectional view showing an indoor unit according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be explained below with reference to the drawings. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments and may be modified as long as the embodiments do not deviate from the technical scope of the present disclosure. In the following drawings, the scales and dimensions of the various configurations may differ from the scales and dimensions of the drawings below in order to facilitate understanding of the various embodiments.

[0021] The drawings indicate an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis where applicable. The X-axis indicates one side of the sides of a horizontal direction. The Y-axis indicates another side of the sides of the horizontal direction. The Z-axis indicates a direction vertical. In the explanation below, a horizontal direction along the X-axis is referred to as the "forward-backward X direction," and a horizontal direction along the Y-axis is referred to as the "left-right Y direction." A vertical direction along the Z-axis is referred to as the "vertical Z direction." The forward-backward X direction, the left-right Y direction, and the vertical Z direction are mutually orthogonal directions. A side among the sides of the vertical Z direction in which the Z-axis arrow points is an "upper side" (+Z side). The other side among the sides of the vertical Z direction, which faces a side opposite to the Z-axis arrow, is a "lower side" (-Z side). In the explanation below, a side among the sides of the forward-backward X direction in which the X-axis arrow points is a "front side" (+X side).The other side among the sides of the front-rear X direction, which faces a side opposite to the X-axis arrow, is a "rear side" (-X side). A side among the sides of the left-right Y direction in which the Y-axis arrow is oriented is a "right side" (+Y side). The other side among the sides of the left-right Y direction, which faces a side opposite to the Y-axis arrow, is a "left side" (-Y side). Furthermore, with respect to an object, a side closest to a center of the indoor unit in the left-right Y direction is referred to as "inside in the left-right direction" and the side farthest from the center of the indoor unit in the left-right Y direction is referred to as "outside in the left-right direction". In the embodiments hereinafter, the left-right Y direction corresponds to a "first direction".The front-back direction X corresponds to a "second direction," which is orthogonal to both the vertical direction Z and the first direction. In the embodiments below, the left-right direction Y, which is the first direction, is a direction that intersects the vertical direction Z. In particular, the left-right direction Y, which is the first direction, is a direction that is orthogonal to the vertical direction Z. In the embodiments below, a left side corresponds to a "first side of the first direction," a right side corresponds to a "second side of the second direction," and a left-right outward direction corresponds to "a side in the first direction."

[0022] First embodiment [Fig.l] is a schematic representation showing a general configuration of an air conditioner 100 according to a first embodiment. As shown in [Fig.l], the air conditioner 100 comprises an outdoor unit 10, an indoor unit 20, and a refrigerant circulation path 18 connecting the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20. The outdoor unit 10 is disposed outdoors. The indoor unit 20 is disposed indoors. The outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 are connected to each other by the refrigerant circulation path 18 through which a refrigerant 19 circulates.

[0023] By causing the refrigerant 19 flowing in the refrigerant circulation path 18 and the indoor unit 20 to exchange heat with the air in the room, the air conditioner 100 is able to adjust a temperature of the air in the room. For example, the refrigerant 19 may be a fluorine-based refrigerant having a low global warming potential (GWP), a hydrocarbon-based refrigerant, or the like. For example, the refrigerant 19 may be any single refrigerant among R1234yf, R1234ze, R32, and R290, a mixed refrigerant containing two or more of these refrigerants, or a mixed refrigerant containing an additional refrigerant mixed with these refrigerants. The refrigerant 19 may be, for example, a mixed refrigerant containing RI 132 (E) or a mixed refrigerant containing RI 123.The refrigerant 19 may be, for example, a refrigerant that is a combination of R516A, R445A, R444A, R454C, R444B, R454A, R455A, R457A, R459B, R452B, R454B, R447B, R447A, R446A, and R459A. Further, a density of the refrigerant 19 in the gaseous state is greater than the density of air.

[0024] The outdoor unit 10 comprises a body 11, a compressor 12, a heat exchanger 13, a flow control valve 14, a blower 15, a four-way valve 16 and a controller 17. The compressor 12, the heat exchanger 13, the flow control valve 14, the blower 15, the four-way valve 16 and the controller 17 are housed inside the body 11.

[0025] The compressor 12, the heat exchanger 13, the flow control valve 14 and the four-way valve 16 are located on a part which is located inside the body 11, outside the refrigerant circulation path 18. The compressor 12, the heat exchanger 13, the flow control valve 14 and the four-way valve 16 are connected by the part which is located inside the body 11, outside the refrigerant circulation path 18.

[0026] The four-way valve 16 is located on a portion which is connected to a discharge side of the compressor 12, out of the refrigerant circulation path 18. By exchanging a portion of the refrigerant circulation path 18, the four-way valve 16 is able to reverse a flow direction of the refrigerant 19 in the refrigerant circulation path 18. When the path connected by the four-way valve 16 is the path of the four-way valve 16 which is illustrated by solid lines in [Fig.l], the refrigerant 19 in the refrigerant circulation path 18 flows in the direction indicated by the arrow of the solid line in [Fig.l]. On the other hand, when the path connected by the four-way valve 16 is the path of the four-way valve 16 which is illustrated by broken lines in [Fig.l], the refrigerant 19 flows in the path of circulation of refrigerant 18 in the direction indicated by the arrow of the broken line in [Fig.l].

[0027] The indoor unit 20 comprises a housing 21, a heat exchanger 22, a blower 23, a controller 24, an alarm portion 25, and a first refrigerant sensor 30. The housing 21 houses the heat exchanger 22, the blower 23, the controller 24, and the first refrigerant sensor 30 therein. It is possible for the indoor unit 20 to perform a cooling operation where the air inside the room where the indoor unit 20 is disposed is cooled, and to perform a heating operation where the air inside the room where the indoor unit 20 is disposed is heated.

[0028] When the indoor unit 20 performs the cooling operation, the refrigerant 19 flowing in the refrigerant circulation path 18 flows in the direction shown by the solid lines in [Fig.l]. In other words, when the indoor unit 20 performs the cooling operation, the refrigerant 19 flowing in the refrigerant circulation path 18 circulates so as to return to the compressor 12 after passing through the compressor 12, the heat exchanger 13 of the outdoor unit 10, the flow control valve 14, and the heat exchanger 22 of the indoor unit 20 in that order. During the cooling operation, the heat exchanger 13 inside the outdoor unit 10 functions as a condenser and the heat exchanger 22 inside the indoor unit 20 functions as an evaporator.

[0029] On the other hand, when the indoor unit 20 performs the heating operation, the refrigerant 19 flowing in the refrigerant circulation path 18 flows in the direction shown by the broken lines in [Fig.l]. In other words, when the indoor unit 20 performs the heating operation, the refrigerant 19 flowing in the refrigerant circulation path 18 circulates so as to return to the compressor 12 after passing through the compressor 12, the heat exchanger 22 of the indoor unit 20, the flow control valve 14 and the heat exchanger 13 of the outdoor unit 10 in that order. During the heating operation, the heat exchanger 13 inside the outdoor unit 10 functions as the evaporator and the heat exchanger 22 inside the indoor unit 20 functions as the condenser.

[0030] The indoor unit 20 will now be explained in more detail. [Fig. 2] is a sectional view showing the indoor unit 20. [Fig. 3] is an exploded view showing the indoor unit 20. [Fig. 4] is a sectional view of a portion of the indoor unit 20, as seen from the front side (+X side). [Fig. 5] is a perspective view showing a portion of the indoor unit 20. [Fig. 6] is an exploded view showing a portion of the indoor unit 20.

[0031] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the indoor unit 20 of the first embodiment is a floor-mounted type indoor unit. The indoor unit 20 has a semi-rectangular shape with sides along the front-rear direction X, the left-right direction Y, and the vertical direction Z. A dimension of the indoor unit 20 in the left-right direction Y is larger than a dimension of the indoor unit 20 in the front-rear direction X. A dimension of the indoor unit 20 in the vertical direction Z is larger than the dimension of the indoor unit 20 in the front-rear direction X and is smaller than the dimension of the indoor unit 20 in the left-right direction Y.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, in the first embodiment, the blower 23, which is housed inside the housing 21 of the indoor unit 20, is a tangential fan. The blower 23 has an impeller 23a which rotates about an axis of rotation R, which extends in the left-right direction Y. The axis of rotation R is an imaginary axis. In the first embodiment, the rotation axis R is located above, rather than in the center of the housing 21 in the vertical direction Z. The impeller 23a has a semicircular shape as seen in the left-right direction Y. In the first embodiment, the impeller 23a is arranged on a portion toward the rear side (-X side) in an upper side portion inside the housing 21. By rotating the impeller 23a about the rotation axis R, the blower 23 generates an airflow AF that passes through the heat exchanger 22.

[0033] As shown in [Fig. 3], in the first embodiment, the heat exchanger 22 of the indoor unit 20 extends in the left-right direction Y. In the first embodiment, the heat exchanger 22 of the indoor unit 20 has a first heat exchanger 22a and a second heat exchanger 22b. The first heat exchanger 22a is located on the front side (+X side) of the blower 23. As shown in [Fig. 2], the first heat exchanger 22a extends in a direction that is located on the front side when approaching the upper side, as viewed in the left-right direction Y. The second heat exchanger 22b is located on the rear side (-X side) of the first heat exchanger 22a. The second heat exchanger 22b is located on the lower side of the blower 23.The second heat exchanger 22b extends in a direction that is located on the rear side when approaching the upper side, as viewed in the left-right direction Y. In other words, the first heat exchanger 22a and the second heat exchanger 22b are arranged far apart from each other in the front-rear direction X, which is orthogonal to the vertical direction Z and the left-right direction Y, as the upper side is approached.

[0034] An upper end of the first heat exchanger 22a is located higher than an upper end of the second heat exchanger 22b. In the first embodiment, the upper end of the first heat exchanger 22a is an upper end of the heat exchanger 22. The upper end of the heat exchanger 22 is the portion that is located uppermost of the heat exchanger 22. An upper portion of the first heat exchanger 22a is located on the front side (+X side) relative to the wheel 23a of the blower 23. A lower end of the first heat exchanger 22a and a lower end of the second heat exchanger 22b are located below the wheel 23a of the blower 23 and are arranged adjacent to each other in the front-rear X direction. The lower end of the first heat exchanger 22a and the lower end of the second heat exchanger 22b are connected to each other. The first heat exchanger 22a and the second heat exchanger 22b are arranged in a V shape that opens upward, as viewed in the left-right Y direction.

[0035] The first heat exchanger 22a and the second heat exchanger 22b each have a heat exchanger main body 22c and a refrigerant pipe 50 which is attached to a heat exchanger main body 22c. The heat exchanger main body 22c of the first heat exchanger 22a extends in a direction that is located on the front side (+X side) when approaching from the upper side, as viewed in the left-right Y direction. The heat exchanger main body 22c of the second heat exchanger 22b extends in a direction that is located on the rear side (-X side) when approaching from the upper side, as viewed in the left-right Y direction. Each heat exchanger main body 22c, for example, is configured from a plurality of plate shapes (fins) that are aligned next to each other, with gaps therebetween in the left-right Y direction.

[0036] The refrigerant 19 flowing to the indoor unit 20 from the outdoor unit 10 flows to an interior of the refrigerant pipe 50. As shown in [Fig. 4], each refrigerant pipe 50 has a plurality of extension pipes 51 extending in the left-right direction Y and two extension pipes 51 whose ends are connected by connecting pipes 52 (projecting portions) in the left-right direction Y. The plurality of extension pipes 51 penetrate into the heat exchanger main body 22c in the left-right direction Y.

[0037] Each of the connecting pipes 52 protrudes toward the left-right direction Y, more than the heat exchanger main body 22c. The connecting pipes 52 protrude outward in the left-right direction Y, relative to the heat exchanger main body 22c. In the first embodiment, each of the connecting pipes 52 is a U-shaped pipe portion. In the first embodiment, each of the connecting pipes 52 is a pipe portion referred to as a U-bend or hairpin pipe. As shown in [Fig. 4], each of the connecting pipes 52 includes a first connecting pipe 52A (first protruding portion) that protrudes toward the right side (-Y side) more than the heat exchanger main body 22c and a second connecting pipe 52B (second protruding portion) that protrudes toward the right side (+Y side) more than the heat exchanger main body 22c. The first connecting pipe 52A corresponds to the "first protrusion" and the second connecting pipe 52B corresponds to the "second protrusion". A plurality of first connecting pipes 52A and second connecting pipes 52B are provided for the first heat exchanger 22a and the second heat exchanger 22b.

[0038] The indoor unit 20 includes a drain pan 26 located on the lower side of the heat exchanger 22. The drain pan 26 is a member that collects condensation water that accumulates on an outer surface of the heat exchanger 22 during cooling operation or the like. The condensation water that is collected by the drain pan 26 accumulates inside the drain pan 26. The condensation water that accumulates inside the drain pan 26 is discharged outside the indoor unit 20 by a drain pump that is not shown in the drawings. The drain pan 26 extends in the left-right direction Y. As shown in [Fig. 2], the drain pan 26 is located apart on the lower side of the blower 23.In the first embodiment, the recovery tank 26 is located on the lower end of the first heat exchanger 22a and on the lower side of the lower end of the second heat exchanger 22b.

[0039] As shown in [Fig. 3], the housing 21 of the indoor unit 20 according to the first embodiment has a semi-rectangular shape with sides extending in the front-rear direction X, the left-right direction Y and the vertical direction Z. A dimension of the housing 21 in the left-right direction Y is larger than a dimension of the housing 21 in the front-rear direction X. A dimension of the housing 21 in the vertical direction Z is larger than a dimension of the housing 21 in the front-rear direction X and is smaller than a dimension of the housing 21 in the left-right direction Y.

[0040] The housing 21 has a first housing member 21a and a second housing member 21b. The housing 21 is configured such that the first housing member 21a and the second housing member 21b are fixed to each other in the front-rear direction X. The first housing member 21a has a semi-rectangular box shape that opens toward the rear side (-X side). The second housing member 21b has a semi-rectangular box shape that opens toward the front side (+X side). The first housing member 21a is located on the front side of the second housing member 21b.

[0041] An inlet 20a and an outlet 20b are formed on the housing 21. In the first embodiment, the inlet 20a and the outlet 20b are formed on the first housing member 21a. The inlet 20a is formed on a lower side portion, on a wall portion of the front side (+X side) of the housing 21. The inlet 20a opens in the horizontal direction. In the first embodiment, the inlet 20a opens toward the front side in the front-rear X direction. The inlet 20a extends in the left-right Y direction. The outlet 20b is formed on a front side portion and one end of the upper side of the housing 21. The outlet 20b opens toward the front side and the upper side. The exhaust 20b extends in the left-right Y direction. The exhaust 20b is located on the upper side more than the inlet 20a.

[0042] As shown in [Fig. 2], a plurality of air adjustments 28 are provided on the outlet 20b. It is possible to divide the air blown from the outlet 20b into air blown to the front side and air blown to the upper side, by means of the plurality of air adjustments 28.

[0043] An air path 27, through which the air flow AF generated by the blower 23 flows, is formed in the housing 21. The air path 27 has a first intake path 27a and a second intake path 27b, through which the air drawn into the wheel 23a of the blower 23 flows, and an exhaust path 27c, from which the air from the wheel 23a of the blower 23 is blown. The first intake path 27a, the second intake path 27b, and the exhaust path 27c are located inside the housing 21.

[0044] One end of the first intake path 27a and one end of the second intake path 27b constitute the intake 20a and open toward the front side (+X side). The other end of the first intake path 27a and the other end of the second intake path 27b are connected to the wheel 23a of the blower 23. The first intake path 27a and the second intake path 27b extend above the intake 20a. The first heat exchanger 22a is disposed midway of the first intake path 27a. The second heat exchanger 22b is disposed midway of the second intake path 27b.

[0045] One end of the discharge path 27c is connected to an upper side portion of the wheel 23a of the blower 23. The other end of the discharge path 27c is the discharge 20b and opens toward the front side (+X side) and toward the upper side. The discharge path 27c extends toward the upper side and the front side from the wheel 23a of the blower 23. The discharge path 27c is located further toward the upper side than the first inlet path 27a and the second inlet path 27b.

[0046] The indoor unit 20 includes a dust collection filter 29. The dust collection filter 29 is a filter that allows air to pass through it. The dust collection filter dust collection 29 captures at least a portion of the dust included in the air passing through the dust collection filter 29. The dust collection filter 29 is located between the inlet 20a and the heat exchanger 22.

[0047] When the wheel 23a of the blower 23 rotates about the axis of rotation R, air is drawn into the housing 21 from the inlet 20a. The air that is drawn into the housing 21 from the inlet 20a flows above and is distributed to the first inlet path 27a and the second inlet path 27b. The air flowing through the first intake path 27a passes through the dust collection filter 29 and the first heat exchanger 22a in that order, and is sucked in by the impeller 23a of the blower 23. The air flowing through the second intake path 27b passes through the dust collection filter 29 and the second heat exchanger 22b in that order, and is sucked in by the impeller 23a of the blower 23. The air sucked in by the impeller 23a from the first intake path 27a and the second intake path 27b is discharged to the inside of the discharge path 27c by the impeller 23a.The air that is discharged to the inside of the discharge path 27c flows to the front side (+X side) and the upper side inside the discharge path 27, and is discharged into the room through the discharge 20b. Thus, the air of the indoor unit 20 that is sucked in through the inlet 20a of the housing 21 passes through the blower 23 after passing through the heat exchanger 22, and is discharged through the discharge 20b.

[0048] As shown in [Fig. 3], the housing 21 has a first housing 21c and a second housing 21d. The first housing 21c and the second housing 21d are arranged so as to align with each other in the left-right Y direction. The first housing 21c is located on the right side (Y side) of the second housing 21d. A dimension of the first housing 21c in the left-right Y direction is larger than a dimension of the second housing 21d in the left-right Y direction. As shown in [Fig. 2], the blower 23 and the heat exchanger main body 22c are housed inside the first housing 21c. The air passage 27 is located in the first housing 21c. As shown in [Fig.4], the second housing 21d is arranged next to the first housing 21c in the left-right direction Y, which intersects the vertical direction Z. The control device 24 and a group of pipes 53 are housed inside the second housing 21d.The control device 24 is arranged on the right side of the heat exchanger 22.

[0049] The pipe group 53 is connected to the refrigerant pipe 50 of the heat exchanger 22. The pipe group 53 is composed of a plurality of pipes. The pipe group 53 has a connecting pipe 53a, to which a pipe 18a that extends from the outdoor unit 10 is connected. The connecting pipe 53a extends toward the lower side. A lower end of the connecting pipe 53a is a connecting portion 53b to which the pipe 18a is connected. A connection conical 53c is attached to the connecting portion 53b. The connecting portion 53b is a conical portion on which a cone is machined. The connecting portion 53b is located below, more than the heat exchanger 22. The connecting portion 53b is located below, more than an upper end of the drain pan 26.

[0050] One end of a right side (+Y side) of the drain pan 26 is housed inside the second housing 21d. The parts other than the end of the right side of the drain pan 26 are housed inside the first housing 21c.

[0051] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the indoor unit 20 comprises a cover member 40 which is located outside the heat exchanger 22 in the left-right direction. In the first embodiment, the cover member 40 covers from the outside the entire first heat exchanger 22a and the entire second heat exchanger 22b. As shown in [Fig. 4], in the first embodiment, the cover member 40 is located on both sides in the left-right Y direction of the heat exchanger 22. The cover member 40 comprises a cover member 40A which is located on the right side (-Y side) of the heat exchanger 22 and a cover member 40B which is located on the right side (+Y side) of the heat exchanger 22. The heat exchanger 22 is interposed between the cover member 40A and the cover member 40B in the left-right Y direction.

[0052] A first refrigerant sensor 30 is attached to each of the cover members 40A and 40B. In other words, in the first embodiment, the first refrigerant sensor 30 is located on both sides of the heat exchanger 22 in the left-right direction Y. The first refrigerant sensor 30 includes a first refrigerant sensor 30A that is attached to the cover member 40A and a first refrigerant sensor 30B that is attached to the cover member 40B.

[0053] The cover member 40A and the cover member 40B are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other in the left-right direction Y. The first refrigerant sensor 30A and the first refrigerant sensor 30B are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other in the left-right direction Y. Hereinafter, the explanations of the first cover member 40A and the first refrigerant sensor 30A are carried out in some cases, while the explanations of the first cover member 40B and the first refrigerant sensor 30B are sometimes omitted in other cases, as opposed to the explanations of both the cover members 40A and 40B as well as the first refrigerant sensors 30A and 30B. Further, when the two cover elements 40A and 40B are not differentiated, both are simply referred to as "cover element 40".When the first two refrigerant sensors 30A and 30B . are not differentiated, both are simply referred to as “first refrigerant sensor 30”.

[0054] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the cover member 40A is attached to the first heat exchanger 22a and the second heat exchanger 22b. The first heat exchanger 22a and the second heat exchanger 22b are held along the shape of a V, as seen in the left-right direction Y, by the cover member 40A. In the first embodiment, the cover member 40A is a long member in the vertical direction Z. [Fig. 7] is an exploded view showing the cover member 40A and the first refrigerant sensor 30A. As shown in [Fig.7], the cover member 40A according to the first embodiment comprises a first member 41 and a second member 42. The cover member 40A is configured by the first member 41 and the second member 42 being fixed to each other in the left-right direction Y.

[0055] The first member 41 has a contact wall 41g and a first edge 41f. The contact wall 41g has a plate shape that has a plate surface that is orthogonal to the left-right direction Y. The contact wall 41g extends in the vertical direction Z. [Fig. 8] is a sectional view showing a portion of the cover member 40A and a portion of a heat exchanger 22 according to the first embodiment. As shown in [Fig. 8], the contact wall 41g is in contact with the heat exchanger main body 22c. More particularly, the contact wall 41g is in contact with a surface of the heat exchanger main body 22c on the outside (-Y side), in the left-right direction. As shown in [Fig.7], the contact wall 41g comprises a first wall 41a, a second wall 41b, a third wall 41c and a fourth wall 41d.

[0056] The first wall 41a is a portion that overlaps the first heat exchanger 22a in the left-right direction Y. The first wall 41a extends in a direction that slopes diagonally in the front-rear direction X, relative to the vertical direction Z. The first wall 41a is located on the front side (+X side) as the first wall 41a approaches the upper side. A plurality of first through holes 41e are formed on the first wall 41a. The plurality of first through holes 41e that are formed on the first wall 41a are formed in the direction in which the first wall 41a extends.

[0057] The second wall 41b is a portion that overlaps the second heat exchanger 22b, as viewed in the left-right direction Y. The second wall 41b extends in a direction that slopes diagonally in the front-rear direction X, relative to the vertical direction Z. The second wall 41b is located on the rear side (-X side) as the second wall 41b approaches the upper side. The plurality of first through holes 41e are formed on the second wall 41b. The plurality of first through holes 41e that are formed on the second wall 41b are formed in the direction in which the second wall 41b extends. One end of the upper side of the second wall 41b is located below, more than one end of the upper side of the first wall 41a.

[0058] The third wall 41c is located between the first wall 41a and the second wall 41b, in the front-rear direction X. The third wall 41c connects the first wall 41a and the second wall 41b. The third wall 41c is a portion that overlaps a space between the first heat exchanger 22a and the second heat exchanger 22b in the front-rear direction X.

[0059] The fourth wall 41d is connected to an upper side of the third wall 41c. The fourth wall 41d is connected to a rear side (-X side) of an upper side portion of the first wall 41a. A semicircular-shaped recess 41h, which sinks toward the front side (+X side), is formed on an edge portion on the rear side of the fourth wall 41d. A center of the semicircular recess 41h passes through the rotation axis R. The fourth wall 41d overlaps a portion of the fan 23, as viewed in the left-right direction Y.

[0060] The first edge 41f projects outwardly (-Y side) in the left-right direction from an outer edge of the contact wall 41g. The first edge 41f is located substantially along the entire outer edge of the contact wall 41g.

[0061] As shown in [Fig. 8], the first connecting pipe 52A passes through a first through hole 41e which is formed on the contact wall 41g. [Fig. 9] is a view of the heat exchanger 22, the cover member 40A and the drain pan 26, as seen from the outside (-Y side) in the left-right direction. As shown in [Fig. 9], in the first embodiment, two first connecting pipes 52A each pass through a first through hole 41e.

[0062] [Fig. 10] is an exploded view showing a portion of the cover member 40A and the first refrigerant sensor 30A. As shown in [Fig. 10], the second member 42 has a cover wall 42g and a second edge 42f. The cover wall 42g has a plate shape that has a plate surface that is orthogonal to the left-right direction Y. As shown in [Fig. 8], the cover wall 42g covers the first connecting pipe 52A from the outside (-Y side) in the left-right direction. In the first embodiment, the cover wall 42g covers the first connecting pipe 52A in the first heat exchanger 22a and the first connecting pipe 52A in the second heat exchanger 22b. The 42g cover wall faces the 41g contact wall with a gap between the two.

[0063] As shown in [Fig.7], the cover wall 42g comprises a first wall 42a, a second wall 42b and a third wall 42c. The first wall 42a is a portion that faces the first wall 41a of the contact wall 41g in the left-right direction Y. The second wall 42b is a portion that faces the second wall 41b of the contact wall 41g in the left-right direction Y. The third wall 42c is a portion that faces the third wall 41c of the contact wall 41g in the left-right direction Y.

[0064] As shown in [Fig. 10], a second through hole 42e is formed on the cover wall 42g. The second through hole 42e penetrates the cover wall 42g in the left-right direction Y. In the first embodiment, the second through hole 42e is formed on the third wall 42c. The second through hole 42e has an elongated semi-rectangular shape that extends in the vertical direction Z. A wall frame 42d is formed on a circumferential edge of the second through hole 42e, on surfaces located inside (+Y side) in the left-right direction of the cover wall 42g. The wall frame 42d has an elongated semi-rectangular shape that extends in the vertical direction Z.

[0065] As shown in [Fig.6], a hooking portion 42h which protrudes inward of the second through hole 42e is formed on an upper side edge, on an opening from the outside (-Y side) in the left-right direction of the second through hole 42e. A sensor fixing portion 42k is formed on the circumferential edge of the second through hole 42e, on surfaces located outside in the left-right direction of the cover wall 42g. The sensor fixing portion 42k is a portion on which the first refrigerant sensor 30A is threadedly fixed. The sensor fixing portion 42k is formed on a lower side portion, out of the circumferential edge of the second through hole 42e.

[0066] The second edge 42f protrudes inward (-Y side) in the left-right direction from an outer edge of the cover wall 42g. The second edge 42f is located on a portion of the outer edge of the cover wall 42g. The first edge 41f and the second edge 42f are fixed by overlapping each other. A fixing portion 42i is formed on the second member 42. The fixing portion 42i is a portion that is fixed to the housing 21. The fixing portion 42i is for example fixed by means of a threaded member to a wall that is located on the rear side (-X side), out of the housing 21. Therefore, the cover member 40A is fixed to the housing 21. In the first embodiment, the fixing portion 42i is formed on an edge of the rear side, on a lower side portion of the second member 42.

[0067] A gap S, which is surrounded by the contact wall 41g, the cover wall 42g, the first edge 41f and the second edge 42f, is formed on the cover member 40A. As shown in [Fig.8], the gap S is located between the cover wall 42g and the heat exchanger main body 22c. The gap S is located between the cover wall 42g and the contact wall 41g, in the left-right direction Y. In the first embodiment, the space S is a space located inside the cover member 40A. A surface inside (+Y side) of the cover wall 42g in the left-right direction and a surface outside (+Y side) of the contact wall 41g in the left-right direction are parts of surfaces that define the space S and are surfaces that face the space S. The first through hole 41e and the second through hole 42e are connected to the space S. At least a part of the first connecting pipe 52A is inserted through the first through hole 41e, passing through the space S. An edge of the first connecting pipe 52A inside (+Y side) in the left-right direction of the first connecting pipe 52A in the first embodiment is located inside the first through hole 41e.Among the parts of the first connecting pipe 52A, besides the part which is located inside the first through hole 41e, the whole of it is located inside the space S. .

[0068] As shown in [Fig. 6], the first refrigerant sensor 30A according to the first embodiment is semi-rectangular in shape. The first refrigerant sensor 30A comprises a sensor housing 31 and a sensor main body 32. The sensor housing 31 is a member that is housed inside the sensor main body 32. The sensor housing 31 has a half-box shape. A hole 30s is formed on the sensor housing 31. As shown in [Fig. 10], in the first embodiment, a plurality of holes 30s are formed.The plurality of holes 30s include holes 30s that are slots formed so as to overlap a front side (+X side) of a wall of the inside (+Y side) in the left-right direction of a lower side portion of the sensor housing 31, and holes 30s that are slots formed so as to overlap a rear side (-X side) of the wall of the inside in the left-right direction of the lower side portion of the sensor housing 31. The aforementioned holes 30s are each formed in pluralities that align in the vertical direction Z. The inside of the sensor housing 31 and an outside of the sensor housing 31 are connected to each other via the plurality of holes 30s.

[0069] A projection 31a is formed on an upper surface of the sensor housing 31. The projection 31a has a plate shape that has a plate surface that is inclined in the left-right direction Y. The projection 31a is a rectangular plate elongated in the front-rear direction X. A fixing portion 31b that projects toward the lower side is formed on an edge of the front side (+X side), on one end of a lower side of the sensor housing 31.

[0070] The sensor main body 32 is a sensor that is capable of detecting the refrigerant 19. The sensor main body 32 is, for example, an oxygen concentration type refrigerant sensor or a refrigerant sensor of combustible gas detector type. The sensor main body 32 is, for example, a semiconductor type refrigerant sensor. When the refrigerant 19 flowing inside the sensor housing 31 via the holes 30s comes into contact with the sensor main body 32, the sensor main body 32 detects the refrigerant 19. Therefore, the first refrigerant sensor 30A is able to detect the refrigerant 19.

[0071] As shown in [Fig. 5], the first refrigerant sensor 30A is inserted into the second through hole 42e from the outside (-Y side) in the left-right direction. At least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor 30A is inserted inside the space S through the second through hole 42e. Therefore, at least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor 30A is exposed to the space S. As shown in [Fig. 8], only a portion of the first refrigerant sensor 30A according to the first embodiment is inserted into the space S. Said portion of the first refrigerant sensor 30A protrudes to the outside (-Y side) in the left-right direction, more than the second through hole 42e. The portion of the first refrigerant sensor 30A that is inserted inside the space S includes the portion located inside (+Y side) in the left-right direction of the sensor housing 31.The portion of the sensor housing 31 in which the holes 30s are formed is located inside the space S and is exposed to the space S. The holes 30s open toward the inside of the space S.

[0072] As shown in [Fig.5], the projection 31a formed on the sensor housing 31 hooks from the inside (+Y side) in the left-right direction, to the hooking portion 42h formed on the cover wall 42g. The fixing portion 31b formed on the sensor housing 31 is fixed by means of a threaded member to the sensor fixing portion 42k formed on the cover wall 42g. Therefore, the sensor housing 31 is fixed to the cover wall 42g, and the first refrigerant sensor 30A is fixed to the cover member 40A.

[0073] As shown in [Fig.9], the first refrigerant sensor 30A according to the first embodiment is located more toward the lower side than one end of the upper side of the heat exchanger 22, and more toward the upper side than one end of the lower side of the heat exchanger 22. In the first embodiment, the end of the upper side of the heat exchanger 22 is one end of an upper side of the first heat exchanger 22a. The first refrigerant sensor 30A is located separately on the lower side, more than the end of the upper side of the first heat exchanger 22a, and is located separately on the upper side, more than one end of a lower side of the first heat exchanger 22a and one end of a lower side of the second heat exchanger 22b. In the first embodiment, a center C2 of the first sensor of refrigerant 30A in the vertical direction Z is located on the lower side, more than a center Cl of the heat exchanger 22 in the vertical direction Z. The center Cl of the heat exchanger 22 in the vertical direction Z is a center of the first heat exchanger 22a in the vertical direction Z. In the first embodiment, the end on the upper side of the first refrigerant sensor 30A is located on the upper side, more than the center Cl of the heat exchanger 22 in the vertical direction Z. The end on the upper side of the first refrigerant sensor 30A is the end on the upper side of the sensor housing 31. The end on the upper side of the first refrigerant sensor 30A may be located on the lower side, more than the center Cl of the heat exchanger 22 in the vertical direction Z.

[0074] As seen in the left-right direction Y, the first refrigerant sensor 30A is located between the first heat exchanger 22a and the second heat exchanger 22b in the front-rear direction X. A center of the first refrigerant sensor 30A in the front-rear direction X may be located at the same location as a center of the heat exchanger 22 in the front-rear direction X and may be located away from where the center of the heat exchanger 22 is located in the front-rear direction X. The first refrigerant sensor 30A is located on the upper side, more than the drain pan 26.

[0075] As shown in [Fig.8], at least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor 30A overlaps the first connecting pipe 52A, as viewed in the front-rear direction X. In the first embodiment, a portion of the first refrigerant sensor 30A that is located inside the space S overlaps the first connecting pipe 52A, as viewed in the front-rear direction X. The portion of the first refrigerant sensor 30A that is located inside the space S is located between the first connecting pipe 52A of the first heat exchanger 22a and the second connecting pipe 52B of the second heat exchanger 22b.

[0076] When the refrigerant 19 is detected by the sensor main body 32, the first refrigerant sensor 30 sends a detection signal which shows that the refrigerant 19 has been detected, from the first refrigerant sensor 30 to the controller 24. The controller 24 executes predetermined operations, after receiving the detection signal from the first refrigerant sensor 30. In other words, the controller 24 executes predetermined operations when the first refrigerant sensor 30 detects the refrigerant 19.

[0077] The predetermined operations to be performed by the control device 24 in the first embodiment consist of notifying that the fluid refrigerant 19 has leaked, causing the blower 23 to be driven at a predetermined output power, sending operation stop instructions to the outdoor unit 10 and closing the flow control valve 14. In the first embodiment, the controller 24 drives the blower 23 at a maximum output power, in a case where the first refrigerant sensor 30 detects the refrigerant 19. In the first embodiment, the controller 24 sends a signal to the alarm part 25 and notifies that the refrigerant 19 has leaked to the outside of the indoor unit 20, by means of the alarm part 25, in a case where the first refrigerant sensor 30 detects the refrigerant 19.The alarm portion 25 may, for example, notify that the refrigerant 19 is leaking by means of a light, notify that the refrigerant 19 is leaking by means of a warning sound or the like, or notify that the refrigerant 19 is leaking by means of a light and a sound. The alarm portion 25 may have a display portion and may use said display portion to show a warning that serves to notify that the refrigerant 19 is leaking. The alarm portion 25 may be housed inside the housing 21 and may be installed on an exterior surface of the housing 21.

[0078] When the air conditioner 100 is in operation, in a case where the first refrigerant sensor 30 detects the refrigerant 19, the controller 24 performs the operations of notifying that the refrigerant 19 has leaked, causing the blower 23 to drive at a predetermined output power, sending operation stop instructions to the outdoor unit 10, and closing the flow rate adjustment valve 14. In this case, the controller 24 changes the output power of the fan 23 to a predetermined output power.

[0079] When the air conditioner 100 stops operating, in a case where the first refrigerant sensor 30 detects the refrigerant 19, the controller 24 performs the operations of notifying that the refrigerant 19 has leaked, causing the blower 23 to drive at a predetermined output power, and closing the flow rate adjustment valve 14. In this case, the controller 24 causes the blower 23, which is not operating, to drive at a predetermined output power.

[0080] According to the first embodiment, the indoor unit 20 comprises the housing 21 on which the inlet 20a and the outlet 20b are formed, the heat exchanger 22 housed inside the housing 21, the blower 23 which is housed inside the housing 21 and which generates the air flow AF passing through the heat exchanger 22, the first refrigerant sensor 30 which is capable of detecting the refrigerant 19 and which is housed inside the housing 21, as well as the cover member 40. The heat exchanger 22 comprises the heat exchanger main body 22c and the fluid pipe refrigerant 50 which is fixed to the heat exchanger main body 22c. The refrigerant pipe 50 has a protrusion which protrudes more than the heat exchanger main body 22c in the left-right direction Y, namely the connecting pipe 52. The cover 40 has the cover wall 42g which covers a part of the connecting pipe 52 in the left-right direction Y, i.e., from the outside in the left-right direction Y. At least a part of the first refrigerant sensor 30 is exposed to the space S located between the cover wall 42g and the heat exchanger main body 22c. Since the space S is located between the cover wall 42g, which covers the connecting pipe 52, and the heat exchanger main body 22c, the refrigerant 19 which has leaked from the connecting pipe 52 and has become a gaseous refrigerant, can easily flow into the interior of the space S.The cover member 40, which has the cover wall 42g, is able to prevent the airflow AF that is generated by the blower 23 from flowing into the interior of the space S. Therefore, regardless of the operating state of the blower 23, it is possible to easily separate the space S from the air path 27, making it difficult for the refrigerant 19 that flows into the interior of the space S to be discharged to the outside. Therefore, even if the refrigerant 19 leaks from the connecting pipe 52, it is easy to increase the speed at which the concentration of the refrigerant 19 increases inside the space S. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time required for detecting the refrigerant 19 inside the space S by means of the first refrigerant sensor 30, at least part of which is exposed inside space S.Therefore, according to the first embodiment, in the floor-mounted type indoor unit 20, it is possible to shorten the detection time of a leak of the refrigerant 19. .

[0081] Compared with other parts of the refrigerant pipes 50, the refrigerant 19 easily leaks from parts of the refrigerant pipes 50 that are strongly bent and / or brazed. In the first embodiment, the protruding part that protrudes toward the left-right direction Y more than the heat exchanger main body 22c can easily become the connecting pipe 52 that connects the extension pipes 51 to each other. The protruding part can also easily become the large U-shaped bent part. In some cases, said connecting pipe 52 is formed by attaching another pipe member by brazing. Therefore, compared with other parts of the refrigerant pipe 50, the refrigerant 19 may easily leak from the part that protrudes in the left-right direction Y more than the heat exchanger main body 22c, namely the connecting pipe 52.In this regard, as mentioned above in the first embodiment, it is possible to shorten the refrigerant detection time. 19 which has leaked from the connecting pipe 52. Therefore, an advantageous effect of being able to shorten the detection time of the leaking refrigerant 19 can be achieved.

[0082] According to the first embodiment, the cover member 40 comprises the contact wall 41g, which is connected to the heat exchanger main body 22c. The cover wall 42g faces the contact wall 41g in the left-right direction Y, with a gap therebetween. The gap S is a gap inside the cover member 40 and is the gap between the cover wall 42g and the contact wall 41g in the left-right direction Y. The first through hole 41e which is connected to the gap S is formed on the contact wall 41g. At least a part of the connecting pipe 52 is inserted inside the gap S through the first through hole 41e. Thus, the refrigerant 19 leaked from the connecting pipe 52 can easily flow into the space S. Since the space S is a space inside the cover member 40, the space S can easily be properly separated from the air passage 27.Therefore, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant 19 inside the space S from flowing outside the space S via the air flow AF. Therefore, in case of leakage of the refrigerant 19 from the connecting pipe 52, it is easy to increase the speed at which the concentration of the refrigerant 19 increases inside the space S. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the detection time of the refrigerant 19 leaked from the connecting pipe 52.

[0083] According to the first embodiment, the second through hole 42e which is connected to the space S is formed on the cover wall 42g. At least a part of the first refrigerant sensor 30 is inserted into the space S through the second through hole 42e. Therefore, it is easy to expose at least a part of the first refrigerant sensor 30 inside the space S. In a case where the second through hole 42e is formed, the gaseous refrigerant 19 which leaks into the space S can easily flow to the second through hole 42e, which becomes an outlet of the space S. Therefore, it is easy to detect more quickly the refrigerant 19 which has leaked into the space S, by means of the first refrigerant sensor 30 which is disposed in the second through hole 42e.Since it is possible to arrange the first refrigerant sensor 30 inside the space S, via the second through hole 42e from outside the space S, it is easy to fix the first refrigerant sensor 30. It is possible to remove the first refrigerant sensor 30 from outside the space S without removing the cover member 40, and it is possible to replace the first refrigerant sensor 30.

[0084] According to the first embodiment, the first refrigerant sensor 30 is located on the lower side in the vertical direction more than the end on the upper side of the heat exchanger 22 in the vertical direction, and is located on the upper side in the vertical direction more than the end on the lower side of the heat exchanger 22 in the vertical direction. In a case where the refrigerant 19 has leaked and turned into gas, the refrigerant, which has a density greater than that of air, can easily flow to the lower side. Thus, within the space S, the refrigerant 19 can easily accumulate from the lower side of the space S.Therefore, by arranging the first refrigerant sensor 30 on the lower side, more than the end on the upper side of the heat exchanger 22, the refrigerant 19 that has accumulated inside the space S can easily come into contact with the first refrigerant sensor 30. Therefore, it is easy to shorten the detection time of the refrigerant 19 that has leaked from the connecting pipe 52. On the other hand, there are cases where the leaked refrigerant 19 comes into contact with the first refrigerant sensor 30 when the refrigerant 19 flows downward inside the space S.In this case, if the first refrigerant sensor 30 is located too low on the lower side, the time required for the refrigerant 19 to contact the first refrigerant sensor 30 may be longer, in case of leakage of the refrigerant 19 from the upper end of the heat exchanger 22. In this regard, by placing the first refrigerant sensor 30 on the upper side more than the end on the lower side of the heat exchanger 22, even if the refrigerant 19 leaks from the upper end of the heat exchanger 22, it is possible to prevent the detection time of the refrigerant 19 by means of the first refrigerant sensor 30 from becoming longer.By arranging the first refrigerant sensor 30 at a location that is not too low on the lower side, it is possible to prevent water that accumulates in the drain pan 26, which is arranged on the lower side of the heat exchanger 22, from coming onto the first refrigerant sensor 30.

[0085] According to the first embodiment, the center C2 of the first refrigerant sensor 30 in the vertical direction Z is located on the lower side in the vertical direction, more than the center C1 of the heat exchanger 22 in the vertical direction. Thus, it is possible to arrange the first refrigerant sensor 30 downwards so that the leaked refrigerant 19, the density of which is greater than that of air, is quickly detected by the first refrigerant sensor 30.

[0086] According to the first embodiment, the heat exchanger 22 comprises the first heat exchanger 22a and the second heat exchanger 22b. The first exchanger The first heat exchanger 22a and the second heat exchanger 22c each comprise the heat exchanger main body 22c and the refrigerant pipes 50 and are arranged far apart from each other in the front-rear direction X, which is orthogonal to the vertical direction Z and the left-right direction Y, as one approaches the upper side in the vertical direction. The cover wall 42g covers the connecting pipes 52 in the first heat exchanger 22a and the connecting pipes 52 in the second heat exchanger 22b. Thus, it is possible to detect the refrigerant 19 leaked from the connecting pipes 52 of the first heat exchanger 22a and it is possible to detect the refrigerant 19 leaked from the connecting pipes 52 of the second heat exchanger 22b, by means of one of the first refrigerant sensors 30.

[0087] According to the first embodiment, as viewed in the left-right direction Y, the first refrigerant sensor 30 is located between the first heat exchanger 22a and the second heat exchanger 22b. As viewed in the front-rear direction X, at least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor 30 overlaps the connecting pipe 52. Thus, it is possible to dispose at least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor 30 between the connecting pipes 52 of the first heat exchanger 22a and between the connecting pipes 52 of the second heat exchanger 22b in the front-rear direction X. Therefore, compared to a case where the first refrigerant sensor 30 overlaps the connecting pipes 52 in the left-right direction Y, it is possible to prevent the first refrigerant sensor 30 from protruding in the left-right direction Y.Therefore, it is possible to prevent the size of the indoor unit 20 in the left-right direction Y from becoming too large, and it is possible to reduce the size of the indoor unit 20. In the case of the floor-mounted type indoor unit 20, since the indoor unit 20 is mounted on the floor, compared with a wall-mounted type indoor unit or a ceiling-mounted type indoor unit, the need for reducing the size is great. Therefore, with the indoor unit 20, it is possible to achieve an advantageous effect of reducing the size of the indoor unit 20 in the floor-mounted type air conditioner.

[0088] According to the first embodiment, each refrigerant pipe 50 comprises the first connecting pipe 52A, which is a protruding portion that protrudes toward the left side (-Y side) in the left-right Y direction more than the heat exchanger main body 22c, and the second connecting pipe 52B, which is a protruding portion that protrudes toward the right side (+Y side) in the left-right Y direction more than the heat exchanger main body 22c. The cover member 40 and the first refrigerant sensor 30 are each located on both sides of the heat exchanger 22 in the left-right Y direction. Thus, it is possible to quickly detect the refrigerant 19 leaked from the first connecting pipe 52A and the refrigerant 19 leaked from the second connecting pipe 52B, by means of the first two refrigerant sensors 30A and 30B. Therefore, even in a case where the refrigerant 19 has leaked from the first connecting pipe 52A or the second connecting pipe 52B, it is possible to shorten the detection time of the leaked refrigerant 19.

[0089] According to the first embodiment, the inlet 20a opens in the horizontal direction. The outlet 20b is located on the upper side in the vertical direction, more than the inlet 20a. Thus, the air flowing inside the housing 21 from the inlet 20a flows from bottom to top inside the housing 21 and is discharged into the room through the outlet 20b. In this case, a flow direction of the air inside the housing 21 opposes a flow direction of the refrigerant 19, the density of which is greater than that of air. Thus, in a conventional floor-mounted type indoor unit having an inlet 20a and an outlet 20b, there is a problem that it is difficult to arrange a refrigerant sensor at a location where the refrigerant 19 can be quickly detected, compared to a wall-mounted indoor unit or a ceiling-mounted indoor unit.Unlike the above, according to the aforementioned first embodiment, by exposing at least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor 30 in the space S which is formed by means of the cover member 40, it is possible to make the first refrigerant sensor 30 less sensitive to the effects of the air flow AF inside the housing 21 and it is possible to quickly detect the refrigerant 19. Therefore, it is possible to achieve the aforementioned advantageous effect of being able to shorten the detection time of the refrigerant 19 in the floor-mounted type indoor unit 20, the discharge 20b of which is located on the upper side, more than the inlet 20a.

[0090] According to the first embodiment, the indoor unit 20 comprises the control device 24. The control device 24 performs predetermined operations in a case where the first refrigerant sensor 30 detects the refrigerant 19. The predetermined operations that the control device 24 performs are to notify that the refrigerant 19 has leaked. Therefore, it is possible to promptly and appropriately notify a user or the like that the refrigerant 19 has leaked. The predetermined operations that the control device 24 performs also are to cause the blower 23 to drive at a predetermined output power. Thus, even if the refrigerant 19 leaks inside the housing 21, it is possible to diffuse the leaked refrigerant 19 to the indoor space, using the air that is discharged into the room by the blower 23. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the accumulation of the refrigerant 19 in the room. In the first embodiment, in a case where the first refrigerant sensor 30 detects the refrigerant 19, since the controller 24 causes the blower 23 to drive at maximum output power, it is possible to appropriately prevent an accumulation of the refrigerant 19 in the room. The predetermined operations that the controller 24 performs also include sending operation stop instructions to the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 100. The operation of the outdoor unit 10 is stopped, and the refrigerant 19 is no longer sent to the indoor unit 20 from the outdoor unit 10. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant 19 from leaking into the indoor unit 20.The predetermined operations that the controller 24 performs are to close the flow rate adjustment valve 14, which is located on the refrigerant circulation path 18 that connects the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20. Therefore, it is possible to further appropriately prevent the refrigerant 19 from being sent to the indoor unit 20 from the outdoor unit 10. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant 19 from leaking into the outdoor unit 20.

[0091] Second embodiment [Fig. 1 1] is a sectional view of a portion of an indoor unit 220 as viewed from the front side (+X side) in a second embodiment. Hereinafter, explanations of configurations similar to the configurations of the above embodiments are accompanied by the same reference numerals, with their explanations omitted.

[0092] As shown in [Fig.l 1], unlike the first embodiment, the cover member 40B is not located on the right side (+Y side) in the indoor unit 220 of the second embodiment. The indoor unit 220 includes a partition wall member 260. The partition wall member 260 is housed inside the housing 21. The interior of the first housing 21c and the interior of the second housing 21d are separated by means of the partition wall member 260. The partition wall member 260 has a plurality of through holes 260a, through which the second connecting pipes 52B formed therein are inserted. One of the second connecting pipes 52B can be inserted through each of the through holes 260a. A plurality of second connecting pipes 52B can be inserted through each of the through holes 260a.In the second embodiment, at least a portion of the second connecting pipes 52B are inserted inside the second housing 21d through the through holes 260a. Therefore, at least a portion of the second connecting pipes 52B are located inside the second housing 21d. In the second embodiment, each of the second connecting pipes 52B is almost entirely located within the second housing 21d.

[0093] The entire second connecting pipe 52B may be located inside the second housing 21d or only a portion thereof may be located inside the second housing 21d. The expression "at least a portion of the second connecting pipe 52B is located inside the second housing 21d" means that, in a case where the second connecting pipes 52B are provided, if at least one portion or more of the second connecting pipe 52B is located inside the second housing 21d, the remainder of the second connecting pipe 52B may be arranged in any manner.

[0094] In the second embodiment, the indoor unit 220 comprises a plurality of refrigerant sensors. Said plurality of refrigerant sensors comprises a first refrigerant sensor 30A and a second refrigerant sensor 230. In the second embodiment, the first refrigerant sensor 30B, which is provided in the first embodiment, is not provided.

[0095] The second refrigerant sensor 230 is housed inside the second housing 21d. As long as the refrigerant 19 is detectable, the second refrigerant sensor 230 can have any configuration. The second refrigerant sensor 230 can, for example, have the same configuration as the first refrigerant sensor 30A. In the second embodiment, the second refrigerant sensor 230 is located on a lower side portion inside the second housing 21d. The second refrigerant sensor 230 is located on the lower side, more than the drain pan 26. The second refrigerant sensor 230 is located on the lower side, more than the control device 24 and the pipe group 53. The second refrigerant sensor 230 is located on the lower side, more than the connection part 53b.

[0096] The controller 24 according to the second embodiment performs the same operations when the second refrigerant sensor 230 detects the refrigerant 19 as the operations performed by the controller 24 in the first embodiment when the first refrigerant sensor 30 detects the refrigerant 19. The other configurations of the indoor unit 220 are the same as the other configurations of the indoor unit 20 of the first embodiment.

[0097] According to the second embodiment, the interior of the first housing 21c and the interior of the second housing 21d are separated by the partition wall element 260. The covering element 40A covers the first connecting pipe 52A, which is the first protruding portion, from the left side (-Y side). At least a portion of the second connecting pipe 52B, which is the second protruding portion, is located inside the second housing 21d. The plurality of refrigerant sensors include the second refrigerant sensor 230 which is housed inside the second housing 21d. Thus, it is possible to quickly notify that the refrigerant 19 has leaked from the first connecting pipe 52A, which is covered by the cover member 40A, by means of the first refrigerant sensor 30 as mentioned in the first embodiment, and it is possible to notify that the refrigerant 19 has leaked from the second connecting pipe 52B, by means of the second refrigerant sensor 230 which is housed inside the second housing 21d.Since the interior of the second housing 21d is separated from the first housing 21c by means of the partition wall member 260, the airflow AF that is generated by the blower 23 that is housed inside the first housing 21c is unable to flow to the interior of the second housing 21d. In other words, the interior of the second housing 21d is separated from the air path 27. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant 19 that has leaked from the second connection pipe 52B inside the second housing 21d from flowing due to the airflow AF to the outside of the second housing 21d. Therefore, it is easy to increase the rate at which the concentration of the refrigerant 19 flowing inside the second housing 21d increases, and it is possible to reduce the detection time of the refrigerant 19 leaked inside the second housing 21d, by means of the second refrigerant sensor 230.The pipe group 53 is housed inside the second housing 21d. Therefore, it is also possible to detect the refrigerant 19 that has leaked from the pipe group 53, by means of the second refrigerant sensor 230. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a sensor for detecting the refrigerant 19 that has leaked from the second connecting pipe 52B, nor a separate refrigerant sensor for detecting the refrigerant 19 that has leaked from the pipe group 53, thereby reducing the number of sensors.

[0098] According to the second embodiment, the indoor unit 220 comprises the drain pan 26 which is located on the lower side of the heat exchanger 22 in the vertical direction. The first refrigerant sensor 30A is located on the upper side in the vertical direction, more than the drain pan 26. Therefore, as mentioned in the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent the water inside the drain pan 26 from arriving on the first refrigerant sensor 30A, and it is possible to quickly detect the refrigerant 19 which has leaked from the first connection pipe 52A, by means of the first refrigerant sensor 30A. The second refrigerant sensor 230 is arranged on the lower side in the vertical direction, more than the drain pan 26. Thus, the refrigerant 19 which leaked from the pipe group 53, which is easily located on the part located on the lower side more than the drain pan 26, is easily detected by the second refrigerant sensor 230 inside the second housing 21d. Similarly, it is easy to detect the refrigerant 19 which has leaked from the drain pan 26 and which flows to the lower side inside the second housing 21d, by means of the second refrigerant sensor 230.

[0099] According to the second embodiment, the pipe group 53 comprises the connecting portion 53b to which the refrigerant circulation path 18 is connected, and which extends from the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner. The connecting portion 53b is located on the lower side in the vertical direction, more than the heat exchanger 22.

[0100] The second refrigerant sensor 230 is located on the lower side in the vertical direction, more than the pipe group 53. Thus, it is easy to detect the refrigerant 19 that has leaked from the pipe group 53, by means of the second refrigerant sensor 230. As for the first connecting pipe 52A and the second connecting pipe 52B, the connecting portion 53b to which the refrigerant circulation path 18 is connected is a portion from which the refrigerant 19 easily leaks. Thus, in the second embodiment, it is possible to quickly detect the refrigerant 19 that has leaked from the second connecting pipe 52B and the connecting pipe 53b, from which the refrigerant 19 can easily leak, by means of the second refrigerant sensor 230.

[0101] For example, in a case where the first refrigerant sensor 30A is not provided and only the second refrigerant sensor 230 is provided, even if the refrigerant 19 leaks from the first connecting pipe 52A, the leaked refrigerant 19 flows into the second housing 21d via the drain pan 26. Thus, it is also possible to detect the refrigerant 19 leaked from the first connecting pipe 52A, by means of the second refrigerant sensor 230. However, in this case, since the leaked refrigerant 19 would then take time to flow to the second housing 21d via the drain pan 26, the detection time of the refrigerant 19 can easily become longer.Unlike the above, in the second embodiment, by locating a cover member 40A relative to the first connecting pipe 52A on the left side as in the first embodiment, it is possible to shorten the detection time of the refrigerant 19 which has leaked from the first connecting pipe 52A.

[0102] Third embodiment [Fig. 12] is a sectional view showing an indoor unit 320 according to a third embodiment. Hereinafter, explanations of similar configurations are given. to the configurations of the above embodiments are accompanied by the same reference numbers, their explanations being omitted.

[0103] As shown in [Fig. 12], a heat exchanger 322 of the indoor unit 320 differs from the first embodiment by having a dummy element 370, as opposed to the second heat exchanger 22b. An outer shape of the dummy element 370 is identical to an outer shape of the heat exchanger main body 22c in the second heat exchanger 22b of the first embodiment. The dummy element 370 is, for example, a plate-shaped element formed integrally. The dummy element 370 may be formed by a plurality of elements combined with each other. The dummy element 370 may be made of resin or may be made of metal. The dummy element 370 differs from the second heat exchanger 22b in that it does not allow air to pass therethrough.Therefore, an air path 327 of the third embodiment differs from the air path 27 of the first embodiment in that the air path 327 does not have a second inlet path 27b. In other words, the location that corresponds to the second inlet path 27b in the first embodiment is blocked by the dummy element 370. No heat exchange takes place between the air and the refrigerant 19 in the dummy element 370.

[0104] The indoor unit 320 is an indoor unit having a lower air conditioning capacity than the indoor unit 20 of the first embodiment. Thus, a heat exchange capacity of the heat exchanger 322 is lower than the heat exchange capacity of the heat exchanger 22 of the first embodiment. By providing the dummy element 370 instead of the second heat exchanger 22b, it is possible to adapt the heat exchange capacity in the heat exchanger 322 to the air conditioning capacity of the indoor unit 320 by reducing the former, while maintaining the same structural integrity of the heat exchanger 322 and the shape of the housing 21 or the like, so that they are identical to those of the indoor unit 20 of the first embodiment.Therefore, apart from the aspects of the second heat exchanger 22b and the dummy element 370, it is possible for the indoor unit 20 with a high air conditioning capacity and the indoor unit 320 with a low air conditioning capacity to share the same structure. Thus, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing costs of two types of the indoor units 20 and 320, which have two types of air conditioning capacity different from each other. The other configurations of the indoor unit 320 are the same as the other configurations of the indoor unit 20 of the first embodiment.

[0105] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure are explained above, the configurations of the present disclosure are not particularly limited thereto and it is possible to adopt the configurations and methods mentioned below.

[0106] As long as a cover member has a cover wall that covers one side of a first direction of a protruding portion of a refrigerant pipe, the cover member may have any configuration. The cover member need not have a contact wall. The cover wall need not have a second through-hole through which a formed first refrigerant sensor passes. In this case, the first refrigerant sensor may be located between the cover wall and a heat exchanger main body, where it is fully housed therein.

[0107] As long as a refrigerant sensor comprises one or more first refrigerant sensors, their number is not particularly limited. As long as the refrigerant sensor is capable of detecting a refrigerant, the refrigerant sensor may be any type of sensor. Three refrigerant sensors may be provided. The first direction, in which the protruding portion of the refrigerant pipe protrudes, may be any direction. The first direction may be a direction that intersects the vertical direction, without being orthogonal to the vertical direction. If at least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor is exposed to the space that is located between the cover wall and the heat exchanger main body, the portion may be located at any location.The fact that at least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor is exposed in said space may mean that at least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor faces said space. In other words, if at least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor is exposed to said space, then all of it may be located outside of said space.

[0108] A controller of the indoor unit performs predetermined operations in a case where the refrigerant sensor detects the refrigerant and may include at least one operation of notifying that the refrigerant has leaked, causing a blower to drive at a predetermined output power, sending operation stop instructions to the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, and closing a flow control valve that is located on a refrigerant circulation path that connects the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. It is not necessary for the controller of the indoor unit to perform predetermined operations.For example, in a case where the refrigerant sensor detects the refrigerant, a signal is sent to another control device which is located outside the indoor unit, and the other control device can perform the aforementioned predetermined operations. The other control device may, for example, be the control device of the outdoor unit or the like.

[0109] The different configurations and methods explained above can be combined as needed, as long as there is no conflict in their technical scope of application. LIST OF REFERENCES

[0110] 10 Outdoor unit 18 Refrigerant circulation path 18a Pipe 19 Refrigerant 20, 220, 320 Indoor unit 20a Admission 20b Evacuation 21 Case 21c First accommodation 21d Second accommodation 22, 322 Heat exchanger 22a First heat exchanger 22b Second heat exchanger 22c Main body of heat exchanger 23 Blower 24 Control device 26 Drain pan 27, 327 Airway 30, 30A, 30B First refrigerant sensor 40, 40A, 40B Covering element 41st First through hole 41g Contact wall 42nd Second through hole 42g Lid 50 Refrigerant pipe 52 Connecting pipe (protruding part) 52A First connecting pipe (first protruding part) 52B Second connecting pipe (second protruding part) 53 Pipe Group 53b Connecting part 100 Air Conditioner 230 Second refrigerant sensor 260 Partition wall element AF Airflow S Space X Forward-backward direction (second direction) Y Left-right direction (first direction) Z Vertical direction.

Claims

1. Claims An indoor unit (20, 220, 320), which is an indoor unit (20) of an air conditioner (100) and which is a floor-mounted type indoor unit (20), the indoor unit (20) comprising: a housing (21) having an inlet (20a) and an outlet (20b) formed thereon; a heat exchanger (22, 22a, 22b, 322) which is housed inside the housing (21); a blower (23), which is housed inside the housing (21) and which generates an air flow (AF) which passes through the heat exchanger (22, 22a, 22b, 322); a first refrigerant sensor (30, 30A, 30B) and a second refrigerant sensor (230) which are capable of detecting a refrigerant (19) and which are housed inside the housing (21); a cover member (40, 40A, 40B) which is disposed on a first side of a first direction (Y), which is orthogonal to a vertical direction (Z), with respect to the heat exchanger (22, 22a, 22b, 322); and a group of pipes (53), the heat exchanger (22, 22a, 22b, 322) comprising: a main heat exchanger body (22c), and a refrigerant pipe (50) which is attached to the heat exchanger main body (22c), the refrigerant pipe (50) comprising: a first protruding portion (52A) which protrudes toward the first side, more than the heat exchanger main body (22c), and a second protruding portion (52B) which protrudes toward a second side in the first direction (Y), more than the heat exchanger main body (22c), the pipe group (53) being connected to the refrigerant pipe (50) of the heat exchanger (22, 22a, 22b), the cover element (40, 40A, 40B) comprising a cover wall (42g) which covers the first projecting part (52, 52A) from the first side, the housing (21) comprising: a first housing (21c) which houses the blower (23) and the main heat exchanger body (22c) therein and which has an air path (27) through which the air flow (AF) flows, and a second housing (21d) which is disposed next to the first housing (21c) in the first direction (Y) intersecting the vertical direction (Z) and which houses the pipe group (53) therein, the second housing (21d) being disposed adjacent next to the second side of the first housing (21c), an interior of the first housing (21c) and an interior of the second housing (21d) being separated by means of a partition wall member (260), at least a part of the second protruding part (52B) being located inside the second housing (21d), the second refrigerant sensor (230) being housed inside the second housing (21d), and at least a part of the first refrigerant sensor (30A, 30B) being exposed to a gap (S) which is located between the cover wall (42g) and the main heat exchanger body (22c).

2. The indoor unit (20, 220, 320) according to claim 1, the cover member (40, 40A, 40B) having a contact wall (41g) in contact with the inside of the heat exchanger main body (22c), the cover wall (42g) facing the contact wall (41g) in the first direction (Y), with a gap therebetween, the gap (S) being a gap (S) inside the cover member (40, 40A, 40B) and being located between the cover wall (42g) and the contact wall (41g) in the first direction (Y), a first through hole (41e) which is connected to the gap (S) being formed on the contact wall (41g), and at least a part of the first protruding part (52, 52A) being inserted into the gap (S) by the first through hole (41st).

3. An indoor unit (20, 220, 320) according to claim 1 or 2, a second through hole (42e) which is connected to the space (S) being formed on the cover wall (42g), and at least a part of the first refrigerant sensor (30, 30A, 30B) being inserted through the second through hole (42e).

4. An indoor unit (20, 220, 320) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the first refrigerant sensor (30, 30A, 30B) being located on a lower side in the vertical direction (Z) more than one end on an upper side of the heat exchanger (22, 22a, 22b, 322) and being located on the upper side in the vertical direction (Z) more than one end on the lower side of the heat exchanger (22, 22a, 22b, 322).

5. An indoor unit (20, 220, 320) according to claim 4, a center (C2) of the first refrigerant sensor (30, 30A, 30B) in the vertical direction (Z) being located on the lower side, more than a center (Cl) of the heat exchanger (22, 22a, 22b, 322) in the vertical direction (Z).

6. An indoor unit (20, 220) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the first direction (Y) being a direction that intersects the vertical direction (Z), the heat exchanger (22, 22a, 22b) comprising: a first heat exchanger (22a), and a second heat exchanger (22b), the first heat exchanger (22a) and the second heat exchanger (22c) each comprising the heat exchanger main body (22c) and the refrigerant pipe (50) and being arranged apart from each other in a second direction (X), which is orthogonal to the vertical direction (Z) and the first direction (Y), as one approaches the upper side in the vertical direction (Z), and the cover wall (42g) covering the first protruding portion (52A) in the first heat exchanger (22a) and the first projecting part (52A) in the second heat exchanger (22b).

7. The indoor unit (20, 220) of claim 6, as viewed in the first direction (Y), the first refrigerant sensor (30A) being located between the first heat exchanger (22a) and the second heat exchanger (22b) in the second direction (X), and at least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor (30A) overlapping the first protruding portion (52A), as viewed in the second direction (X).

8. An indoor unit (20, 220, 320) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: a drain pan (26) which is located on the lower side of the heat exchanger (22, 22a, 22b) in the vertical direction (Z), the first refrigerant sensor (30, 30A, 30B) being located on the upper side in the vertical direction (Z), more than the drain pan (26), and the second refrigerant sensor (230) being located on the lower side in the vertical direction (Z), more than the drain pan (26).

9. An indoor unit (20, 220, 320) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the pipe group (53) having a connecting portion (53b), to which a pipe (18a) extending from an outdoor unit (10) of the air conditioner (100) is connected, the connecting portion (53b) being located on the lower side in the vertical direction (Z), more than the heat exchanger (22, 22a, 22b), and the second refrigerant sensor (230) being located on the lower side in the vertical direction (Z), more than the connecting portion (53b).

10. An indoor unit (20, 220, 320) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the inlet (20a) opening in the horizontal direction, and the outlet (20b) being located on the upper side in the vertical direction (Z), more than the inlet (20a).

11. The indoor unit (20, 220, 320) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising: a controller (24), the controller (24) executing predetermined operations, in a case where the refrigerant (19) is detected by the first refrigerant sensor (30, 30A, 30B) and / or the refrigerant (19) is detected by the second refrigerant sensor (230), the operations comprising at least one of the following operations: notifying that the refrigerant (19) has leaked, causing the blower (23) to drive at a predetermined output power, sending operation stop instructions to the outdoor unit (10) of the air conditioner (100), and

12. closing a flow control valve (14) which is located on a refrigerant circulation path (18) which connects the outdoor unit (10) and the indoor unit (20, 220, 320). Air conditioner (100) including: the indoor unit (20, 220, 320) according to any one of the claims 1 to 11, and an outdoor unit (10).

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