Utilization unit and refrigerating device

Abstract

To facilitate replacement work for a refrigerant sensor.SOLUTION: A utilization unit (20) comprises a case (50), a partition plate (53), a fan (24), an electric component box (61), a heat exchanger (23), a refrigerant sensor (65), a first transmission line (62), and a relay connector (63). The partition plate (53) partitions the inside of the case (50) into a fan chamber (57) and a heat exchange chamber (58). The fan (24) and the electric component box (61) are arranged in the fan chamber (57). The heat exchanger (23) and the refrigerant sensor (65) are arranged in the heat exchange chamber (58). The refrigerant sensor (65) detects a leaked refrigerant. The first transmission line (62) extends to the heat exchange chamber (58) through a passage part (54) of the partition plate (53) from the electric component box (61). The relay connector (63) is arranged in the heat exchange chamber (58). The relay connector (63) connects the first transmission line (62) and the refrigerant sensor (65).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a utilization unit provided with a refrigerant sensor for detecting leaking refrigerant, and a refrigeration apparatus including the utilization unit. [Background technology]

[0002] The utilization unit disclosed in Patent Document 1 (JP 2019-011914 A) includes a housing and a refrigerant sensor. The refrigerant sensor detects refrigerant leaking into the housing. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] When a refrigerant sensor detects a refrigerant, the physical properties of the material used in the refrigerant sensor change. This change may cause a decrease in the performance of the refrigerant sensor and a shortened lifespan. Therefore, it is ideal to replace the refrigerant sensor with a new one every time the refrigerant sensor detects a refrigerant. Designing the utilization unit to make the refrigerant sensor replacement easy is important for the maintenance of the refrigeration equipment after installation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The utilization unit of the first aspect includes a housing, a partition plate, a fan and an electrical equipment box, a heat exchanger and a first sensor, a first transmission line, and a first connector. The partition plate divides the inside of the housing into a fan chamber and a heat exchange chamber. The fan and the electrical equipment box are disposed in the fan chamber. The heat exchanger and the first sensor are disposed in the heat exchange chamber. The first sensor detects leaked refrigerant. The first transmission line extends from the electrical equipment box through a passage portion of the partition plate to the heat exchange chamber. The first connector is disposed in the heat exchange chamber. The first connector connects the first transmission line and the first sensor.

[0005] According to this configuration, the first sensor can be disconnected from the electrical equipment box by the first connector. This facilitates the replacement of the first sensor. Specifically, when replacing the first sensor, it is not necessary to insert or remove the transmission line connecting the electrical equipment box and the first sensor from the partition plate. This prevents the transmission line from being damaged or the seal between the transmission line and the partition plate from being insufficient due to the insertion or removal.

[0006] The utilization unit of the second aspect is the utilization unit of the first aspect, wherein the housing has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface has an air outlet through which the conditioned air passes. The second surface has a maintenance opening that allows an operator to perform maintenance on the first sensor.

[0007] According to this configuration, the maintenance opening and the air outlet are provided on different surfaces of the housing, which makes it possible to ensure the area of ​​the maintenance opening and facilitates maintenance work.

[0008] The utilization unit of the third aspect is the utilization unit of the second aspect, further comprising a second transmission line extending from the first sensor to the first connector.

[0009] According to this configuration, the presence of the second transmission line allows the first sensor to be disposed away from the first connector, which increases the freedom in where the first sensor is disposed and makes maintenance easier.

[0010] A utilization unit according to a fourth aspect is the utilization unit according to the third aspect, further comprising a transmission line holding member. The transmission line holding member holds the first connector or holds both the first transmission line and the second transmission line.

[0011] According to this configuration, a part of the wiring connecting the first connector and the first sensor is restrained at the location of the transmission line holding member, and therefore the wiring is less likely to slip out of the hands of a worker, making maintenance work easier.

[0012] A utilization unit according to a fifth aspect is the utilization unit according to the fourth aspect, further comprising a maintenance lid. The maintenance lid closes the maintenance opening. At least one of the first sensor and the transmission line holding member is fixed to the maintenance lid.

[0013] According to this configuration, the first sensor or the transmission line holding member is fixed to the maintenance lid, so when an operator removes the maintenance lid, the first sensor or the transmission line holding member is pulled out to the outside of the housing, facilitating maintenance work.

[0014] A utilization unit according to a sixth aspect is the utilization unit according to any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, further comprising a second sensor. The second sensor is disposed in the heat exchange chamber. The second sensor detects an event other than a refrigerant leak. A transmission line connecting the second sensor from the electrical component box is not connected to the connector.

[0015] According to this configuration, the transmission line of the first sensor is provided with the first connector, but the transmission line of the second sensor does not have a connector. Therefore, the first sensor that needs to be replaced can be easily replaced, while noise caused by the contact resistance of the connector can be prevented from being superimposed on the signal line of the second sensor that does not need to be replaced.

[0016] A utilization unit according to a seventh aspect is the utilization unit according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, further comprising a second connector. The second connector is capable of disconnecting the first transmission line from the electrical component box.

[0017] According to this configuration, the first transmission line is separated from the electrical component box by the presence of the second connector, which makes it easy to lay out the first transmission line during the manufacturing process of the utilization unit.

[0018] A utilization unit according to an eighth aspect is the utilization unit according to any one of the first aspect to the seventh aspect, further comprising a sealant. The sealant is provided in the passage portion. The sealant prevents airflow from passing through the passage portion.

[0019] According to this configuration, a sealant is provided at the passage portion of the partition plate, so that undesirable airflow can be prevented from passing between the fan chamber and the heat exchange chamber.

[0020] A refrigeration device according to a ninth aspect includes the utilization unit according to any one of the first aspect to the eighth aspect.

[0021] According to this configuration, the first sensor in the refrigeration apparatus can be easily replaced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a refrigeration device 100. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a utilization unit 20. [Diagram 3] 2 is a schematic diagram of the internal configuration of a utilization unit 20. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a perspective view of the utilization unit 20 as seen from a different direction from that of FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] 1 is a perspective view of the utilization unit 20 with the maintenance lid 71 removed. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the utilization unit 20. [Figure 7] 2 is a perspective view of a main part of a utilization unit 20. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a front view of the transmission line holding member 72. [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view of the transmission line holding member 72 and parts removed from the transmission line holding member 72. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] <Embodiment> (1) Overall structure (1-1) Components that make up the refrigerant circuit 1 shows a refrigeration system 100 according to one embodiment. The refrigeration system 100 can take any form, such as an air conditioner, a refrigerator, a freezer, a water heater, or a floor heating system, but the refrigeration system 100 according to this embodiment is an air conditioner. The refrigeration system 100 is composed of a heat source unit 10, a utilization unit 20, and a refrigerant piping group 30 that connects the heat source unit 10 and the utilization unit 20. Refrigerant R circulates in a refrigerant circuit of the refrigeration system 100.

[0024] The heat source unit 10 has a compressor 11, a four-way switching valve 12, a heat source heat exchanger 13, a heat source expansion valve 15, an accumulator 16, a liquid stop valve 17, and a gas stop valve 18 as components that constitute a refrigerant circuit.

[0025] The utilization unit 20 has a utilization heat exchanger 23 as a component that constitutes a refrigerant circuit.

[0026] The refrigerant pipe group 30 has a liquid connection pipe 31 and a gas connection pipe 32 as components that configure the refrigerant circuit.

[0027] (1-2)Cold heat utilization operation The cold energy utilization operation is an operation in which the refrigeration device 100 provides cold energy (cold) to a user.

[0028] The compressor 11 sucks in low-pressure gas refrigerant from the suction pipe 11a, compresses it, generates high-pressure gas refrigerant, and discharges it from the discharge pipe 11b. In cold heat utilization operation, the four-way switching valve 12 forms a connection shown by a solid line in FIG. 1. The heat source heat exchanger 13 condenses the high-pressure gas refrigerant to generate high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The heat source fan 14 promotes heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air in the heat source heat exchanger 13. The heat source expansion valve 15 reduces the pressure of the high-pressure liquid refrigerant to generate low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. The low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant reaches the utilization heat exchanger 23 via the liquid shutoff valve 17 and the liquid connection pipe 31.

[0029] The utilization heat exchanger 23 generates low-pressure gas refrigerant by evaporating the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and in the process generates cold heat to be provided to a user. The utilization fan 24 promotes heat exchange between the refrigerant and air in the utilization heat exchanger 23. The low-pressure gas refrigerant reaches the accumulator 16 via the gas connection pipe 32, the gas shutoff valve 18, and the four-way switching valve 12.

[0030] The accumulator 16 separates and stores the liquid component mixed in the low-pressure gas refrigerant. After leaving the accumulator 16, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sucked by the compressor 11 through the suction pipe 11a.

[0031] (1-3) Heat utilization operation The heat utilization operation is an operation in which the refrigeration device 100 provides heat to a user.

[0032] The compressor 11 draws in low-pressure gas refrigerant from the suction pipe 11a, compresses it, generates high-pressure gas refrigerant, and discharges it from the discharge pipe 11b. In the heat utilization operation, the four-way switching valve 12 forms the connection shown by the dashed lines in Fig. 1. The high-pressure gas refrigerant passes through the four-way switching valve 12, the gas stop valve 18, and the gas connection pipe 32 and reaches the utilization heat exchanger 23.

[0033] The utilization heat exchanger 23 generates high pressure liquid refrigerant by condensing the high pressure gas refrigerant, and in the process generates heat to be provided to the user. The utilization fan 24 promotes heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air in the utilization heat exchanger 23. The high pressure liquid refrigerant reaches the heat source expansion valve 15 via the liquid connection pipe 31 and the liquid shutoff valve 17.

[0034] The heat source expansion valve 15 reduces the pressure of the high pressure liquid refrigerant to generate a low pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. The heat source heat exchanger 13 evaporates the low pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant to generate a low pressure gas refrigerant. The heat source fan 14 promotes heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air in the heat source heat exchanger 13. The low pressure gas refrigerant reaches the accumulator 16 via the four-way switching valve 12. The accumulator 16 separates and stores the liquid component mixed in the low pressure gas refrigerant. After leaving the accumulator 16, the low pressure gas refrigerant is sucked into the suction pipe 11a by the compressor 11.

[0035] (2) Detailed configuration of utilization unit 20 2 shows the configuration of the utilization unit 20. The utilization unit 20 has a housing 50, a partition plate 53, a utilization heat exchanger 23, a utilization fan 24, an electrical component box 61, a refrigerant sensor 65, a thermistor 67, and a maintenance cover 71.

[0036] (2-1) Cabinet 50 The housing 50 houses the utilization heat exchanger 23, the utilization fan 24, and other components of the utilization unit 20. In FIG. 2, some members of the housing 50 are omitted so that the interior of the utilization unit 20 can be seen. The housing 50 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a first side 50a, a second side 50b, a third side 50c, a fourth side 50d, a top surface 50e, and a bottom surface 50f. The first side surface 50a is provided with an outlet 51 for blowing out conditioned air. In addition, the second side surface 50b adjacent to the first side surface 50a is provided with a maintenance opening 52. The maintenance opening 52 allows a maintenance worker to replace or perform other procedures on the refrigerant sensor 65. Furthermore, although not shown, the bottom surface 50f is provided with an intake port for taking in air.

[0037] A partition plate 53 is provided inside the housing 50. The partition plate 53 divides the internal space of the housing 50 into a fan chamber 57 and a heat exchange chamber 58. The partition plate 53 is provided with a passage 54 for passing wiring through. The passage 54 is, for example, a hole or a notch.

[0038] (2-2) Utilized heat exchanger 23 The utilization heat exchanger 23 exchanges heat between the refrigerant R and the air. The utilization heat exchanger 23 is disposed in the heat exchange chamber 58. The utilization heat exchanger 23 functions as an evaporator during cold heat utilization operation. The utilization heat exchanger 23 functions as a condenser during hot heat utilization operation.

[0039] (2-3) 24 fans in use The utilization fan 24 generates an air flow that passes through the utilization heat exchanger 23. The utilization fan 24 is disposed in a fan chamber 57. The air flow that has passed through the utilization heat exchanger 23 is blown out from the air outlet 51.

[0040] (2-4) Electrical equipment box 61 3 is a schematic diagram of the internal configuration of the utilization unit 20. The electrical component box 61 houses a power supply unit and electrical circuit components. The electrical component box 61 is disposed in the fan chamber 57.

[0041] The electrical component box 61 has an electrical component box connector 69. The electrical component box connector 69 connects or disconnects wiring to the electrical component box 61. A first transmission line 62 and a thermistor transmission line 66, which will be described later, are connected to a housing of the electrical component box connector 69.

[0042] (2-5) Refrigerant sensor 65 The refrigerant sensor 65 detects refrigerant leaking from the refrigerant circuit. As shown in FIG.

[0043] The refrigerant sensor 65 and the electrical component box 61 are connected by a first transmission line 62 and a second transmission line 64. In this specification, the term "transmission line" is used to include not only a signal line but also a power line or a ground line.

[0044] The first transmission line 62 extends from an electrical component box connector 69 in the fan chamber 57 through the passing portion 54 to a relay connector 63 arranged in the heat exchange chamber 58. The relay connector 63 has two housings that can be fitted together, one connected to the first transmission line 62 and the other connected to the second transmission line 64. The second transmission line 64 connects the relay connector 63 to a refrigerant sensor 65. A sealant 55 is provided in the passing portion 54. The sealant 55 closes the gap in the passing portion 54 to allow the first transmission line 62 to pass but prevent the airflow from passing through.

[0045] (2-6) Thermistor 67 The thermistor 67 detects the temperature of the refrigerant. The thermistor 67 is disposed in the heat exchange chamber 58. The refrigerant sensor 65 and the electrical component box 61 are connected by a thermistor transmission line 66. The thermistor transmission line 66 passes through the passing portion 54. The thermistor transmission line 66 is not connected to a relay connector.

[0046] (2-7) Maintenance cover 71 Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views showing the second side surface 50b of the utilization unit 20. Figure 6 is a plan view of the utilization unit 20. Some members of the housing 50 shown in these Figures 4 to 6 have been omitted so that the inside of the utilization unit 20 can be seen.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 4, a maintenance lid 71 is disposed on the second side surface 50b. The maintenance lid 71 closes the maintenance opening 52. In Fig. 5, the maintenance lid 71 has been removed from the maintenance opening 52. It can be seen from Fig. 6 that the refrigerant sensor 65 is located near the maintenance lid 71. By removing the maintenance lid 71, a maintenance worker can replace the refrigerant sensor 65, for example.

[0048] (3) Configuration around the maintenance opening 52 7 shows the configuration around the maintenance opening 52. The maintenance opening 52 is closed by a maintenance lid 71. To the maintenance lid 71, a transmission line holding member 72 is fixed.

[0049] 8 and 9, the transmission line holding member 72 holds both the first transmission line 62 and the second transmission line 64 at the clamp portion 72a. A relay connector protector 73 is fixed to the transmission line holding member 72. The relay connector protector 73 covers a part of the first transmission line 62, the relay connector 63, and a part of the second transmission line 64. In addition, a refrigerant sensor 65 is fixed to the transmission line holding member 72.

[0050] When the maintenance lid 71 is removed from the maintenance opening 52, the transmission line holding member 72, the relay connector protector 73, the first transmission line 62, the relay connector 63, the second transmission line 64, and the refrigerant sensor 65, which are directly or indirectly fixed to the maintenance lid 71, are taken out to the outside of the housing 50.

[0051] (4) Features (4-1) The relay connector 63 located near the maintenance opening 52 makes it possible to disconnect the refrigerant sensor 65 from the electrical component box 61. This facilitates the replacement of the refrigerant sensor 65. Specifically, when replacing the refrigerant sensor 65, it is not necessary to insert or remove the transmission line connecting the electrical component box 61 and the refrigerant sensor 65 through the partition plate 53. This prevents the transmission line from being damaged or the sealing between the transmission line and the partition plate 53 from becoming insufficient due to insertion or removal.

[0052] (4-2) In the housing 50, the maintenance opening 52 and the air outlet 51 are provided on different surfaces. Therefore, a sufficient area for the maintenance opening 52 can be ensured, making it easy to perform maintenance work.

[0053] (4-3) The presence of the second transmission line 64 allows the refrigerant sensor 65 to be disposed away from the relay connector 63. This increases the freedom in where the refrigerant sensor 65 can be disposed, and facilitates maintenance.

[0054] (4-4) A portion of the wiring connecting the relay connector 63 and the refrigerant sensor 65 is restrained by the clamp portion 72a of the transmission line holding member 72. Therefore, the wiring is less likely to slip out of the hands of a maintenance worker, facilitating maintenance work.

[0055] (4-5) The refrigerant sensor 65 and the transmission line holding member 72 are fixed to the maintenance lid 71. Therefore, when a maintenance worker removes the maintenance lid 71, the refrigerant sensor 65 and the transmission line holding member 72 are pulled out to the outside of the housing 50, making maintenance work easier.

[0056] (4-6) The transmission line of refrigerant sensor 65 is provided with relay connector 63, but no connector is provided on the transmission line of thermistor 67. This makes it easy to replace refrigerant sensors 65 that need to be replaced, while preventing noise caused by the contact resistance of the connector from being superimposed on the signal line of the thermistor that does not need to be replaced.

[0057] (4-7) Due to the presence of the electrical component box connector 69, the first transmission line 62 is separated from the electrical component box 61. Therefore, in the manufacturing process of the utilization unit 20, the work of routing the first transmission line 62 is easy.

[0058] (4-8) A sealant 55 is provided at the passage portion 54 of the partition plate 53. Therefore, undesirable airflow can be prevented from passing between the fan chamber 57 and the heat exchange chamber 58.

[0059] (5) Variations (5-1) In the above-described embodiment, the transmission line holding member 72 holds both the first transmission line 62 and the second transmission line 64. Alternatively, the transmission line holding member 72 may hold one of the housings of the relay connector 63. Alternatively, the transmission line holding member 72 may hold at least one of the first transmission line 62 and the second transmission line 64, in addition to one of the housings of the relay connector 63.

[0060] (5-2) In the above embodiment, the first transmission line 62 and the thermistor transmission line 66 pass through a common passing portion 54. Alternatively, the partition plate 53 may have a plurality of passing portions 54, and the first transmission line 62 and the thermistor transmission line 66 may pass through different passing portions 54.

[0061] (5-3) In the above-described embodiment, both the transmission line holding member 72 and the refrigerant sensor 65 are directly or indirectly fixed to the maintenance lid 71. Alternatively, only one of the transmission line holding member 72 and the refrigerant sensor 65 may be fixed to the maintenance lid 71.

[0062] (5-4) In the above-described embodiment, the refrigeration device 100 is an air conditioner. Alternatively, the refrigeration device 100 may be an embodiment other than an air conditioner, such as a refrigerator, a freezer, a water heater, or a floor heating device.

[0063] <Conclusion> Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 10: Heat source unit 20: Unit of use 23: Utilization heat exchanger (heat exchanger) 24: Fans in use (fans) 50: Housing 50a: First side (first surface) 50b: 2nd side (2nd side) 50c: 3rd side 50d: 4th side 50e:Top surface 50f: Bottom surface 51:Air outlet 52: Maintenance opening 53: Partition plate 54: Passing section 55: Sealing material 57: Fan room 58: Heat exchange room 61: Electrical equipment box 62: First transmission line 63: Relay connector (first connector) 64: Second transmission line 65: Refrigerant sensor (first sensor) 66: Thermistor transmission line 67: Thermistor (second sensor) 69: Electrical equipment box connector (second connector) 71: Maintenance cover 72: Transmission line holding member 72a: Clamp section 73: Relay connector protection equipment 100: Refrigeration equipment [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0065] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-011914 A

Claims

1. A housing (50); A partition plate (53) that divides the inside of the housing into a fan chamber (57) and a heat exchange chamber (58); A fan (24) and an electrical equipment box (61) disposed in the fan chamber; a first sensor (65) disposed in the heat exchange chamber for detecting a heat exchanger (23) and a leaking refrigerant; a first transmission line (62) extending from the electrical equipment box through the passage portion (54) of the partition plate to the heat exchange chamber; a first connector (63) disposed in the heat exchange chamber and connecting the first transmission line and the first sensor; A utilization unit (20).

2. The housing has a first surface (50a) and a second surface (50b), The first surface has an outlet (51) for passing conditioned air therethrough; The second surface has a maintenance opening (52) that allows an operator to perform maintenance on the first sensor. The utilization unit according to claim 1 .

3. a second transmission line (64) extending from the first sensor to the first connector; Further comprising: The utilization unit according to claim 2 .

4. a transmission line holding member (72) for holding the first connector or for holding both the first transmission line and the second transmission line; Further comprising: The utilization unit according to claim 3 .

5. A maintenance lid (71) for closing the maintenance opening; Further equipped with At least one of the first sensor and the transmission line holding member is fixed to the maintenance cover. The utilization unit according to claim 4.

6. a second sensor (67) disposed in the heat exchange chamber for detecting an event other than leakage of the refrigerant; Further equipped with a transmission line connecting the second sensor from the electrical equipment box is not connected to a connector; The utilization unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. a second connector (69) capable of disconnecting the first transmission line from the electrical equipment box; Further comprising: The utilization unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. A sealant (55) provided in the passage portion to suppress air flow from passing through the passage portion; Further comprising: The utilization unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. A utilization unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A refrigeration device (100).

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