Indoor unit and air conditioning device comprising the same

Abstract

To quickly detect leakage of a refrigerant.SOLUTION: An indoor unit (20) comprises a housing (50), a heat exchanger (23), a fan (24), an air guide member (70), a passage part (75), and a refrigerant sensor (60). The housing (50) has a suction port (51). The fan (24) draws in indoor air from the suction port (51) and sends the indoor air to the heat exchanger (23). The air guide member (70) guides the indoor air drawn in by the fan (24). The air guide member (70) partitions the space inside the housing (50) into a first space (77) and a second space (78). The second space (78) is at the downstream side of the airflow relative to the first space (77). The passage part (75) is provided to the air guide member (70). The passage part (75) allows a refrigerant (R) to pass from the second space (78) to the first space (77). The refrigerant sensor (60) is disposed on the first space (77) side of the passage part (75). The refrigerant sensor (60) is configured to detect the refrigerant (R) that has passed through the passage part (75).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner, and in particular to an indoor unit provided with a refrigerant sensor for detecting refrigerant leaking from a refrigerant circuit. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 (International Publication WO2019-234902) discloses an indoor unit embedded in a ceiling. This indoor unit has a refrigerant sensor for detecting leaked refrigerant. The refrigerant sensor is disposed near the suction port of the indoor unit and detects refrigerant components contained in the air sucked in by the indoor unit. These refrigerant components are refrigerant that has leaked from the refrigerant circuit and moved into the indoor space, and then diluted by the indoor air. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] Once a leaking refrigerant has passed through the indoor space, it takes time to be detected.

[0004] Furthermore, in order for leaking refrigerant to be detected without passing through the indoor space, it is necessary for the refrigerant leaking from the refrigerant circuit on the outside of the bellmouth to reach the refrigerant sensor on the inside of the bellmouth. However, when a refrigerant that is heavier than air is used, the refrigerant leaking from the refrigerant circuit must overcome the height of the bellmouth to reach the refrigerant sensor, so detection still takes time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The indoor unit of the first aspect is a ceiling-embedded type. The indoor unit includes a housing, a heat exchanger, a fan, an air guide member, a passing portion, and a refrigerant sensor. The housing has an intake port. The fan draws indoor air from the intake port and sends it to the heat exchanger. The air guide member guides the indoor air drawn into the fan. The air guide member divides the space inside the housing into a first space and a second space. The second space is downstream of the air flow relative to the first space. The passing portion is provided in the air guide member. The passing portion passes the refrigerant from the second space to the first space. The refrigerant sensor is disposed on the passing portion on the side of the first space. The refrigerant sensor is configured to detect the refrigerant that has passed through the passing portion.

[0006] With this configuration, refrigerant leaking near the heat exchanger reaches the refrigerant sensor by passing through the passage. Therefore, when the leaking refrigerant is detected, it does not have to go over the upper end of the air guide member, so the refrigerant leakage is detected quickly. Since the refrigerant sensor is located in a position where it can be easily replaced, maintenance is also easy.

[0007] An indoor unit according to a second aspect is the indoor unit according to the first aspect, wherein the refrigerant sensor is disposed below the passing portion and facing upward.

[0008] According to this configuration, the leaking refrigerant falls toward the refrigerant sensor facing upward, so that the refrigerant leakage can be detected more quickly.

[0009] The indoor unit of a third aspect is the indoor unit of the first or second aspect, further comprising a drain pan. The drain pan is adjacent to the air guide member. The drain pan is disposed so as to face a lower end of the heat exchanger. The bottom of the drain pan is located lower than an upper end of the passage portion.

[0010] According to this configuration, the bottom of the drain pan is located lower than the passage portion, so that when the drain pan cracks, drain water leaking from near the bottom is unlikely to reach the passage portion, thereby suppressing the situation in which the refrigerant sensor is damaged by drain water.

[0011] An indoor unit according to a fourth aspect is the indoor unit according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, further comprising a sealant that seals a gap between the passing portion and the refrigerant sensor.

[0012] According to this configuration, the gap between the passage portion and the refrigerant sensor is sealed, thereby suppressing leakage of conditioned air and maintaining air conditioning efficiency.

[0013] An indoor unit according to a fifth aspect is the indoor unit according to any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, further comprising a filter. The filter is provided at the air inlet.

[0014] With this configuration, dust in the indoor air drawn in through the suction port is less likely to enter the inside of the housing, thereby preventing dust from accumulating on the refrigerant sensor.

[0015] An air conditioner according to a sixth aspect includes an indoor unit according to any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect.

[0016] According to this configuration, refrigerant leakage can be quickly detected in the air conditioning apparatus. Because the refrigerant sensor is disposed in a position that makes it easy to replace, maintenance of the air conditioning apparatus is easy. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning device 100. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an indoor unit 20. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the indoor unit 20. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the indoor unit 20. [Diagram 5] 2 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerant sensor 60. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a perspective view showing a refrigerant sensor 60 fixed to an air guide member 70. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] <Embodiment> (1) Overall structure (1-1) Components that make up the refrigerant circuit 1 shows an air conditioner 100 according to one embodiment. The air conditioner 100 is composed of an outdoor unit 10, an indoor unit 20, and a refrigerant piping group 30 that connects the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20. Refrigerant R circulates in a refrigerant circuit that the air conditioner 100 has.

[0019] The outdoor unit 10 has a compressor 11, a four-way switching valve 12, an outdoor heat exchanger 13, an outdoor expansion valve 15, an accumulator 16, a liquid stop valve 17, and a gas stop valve 18 as components that constitute a refrigerant circuit.

[0020] The indoor unit 20 has an indoor heat exchanger 23 as a component that constitutes a refrigerant circuit.

[0021] The refrigerant pipe group 30 has a liquid connection pipe 31 and a gas connection pipe 32 as components that configure the refrigerant circuit.

[0022] (1-2) Cooling operation The cooling operation is an operation in which the air conditioning apparatus 100 provides cold to the user.

[0023] 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 cooling operation, the four-way switching valve 12 forms a connection shown by a solid line. The outdoor heat exchanger 13 generates high-pressure liquid refrigerant by condensing the high-pressure gas refrigerant. The outdoor fan 14 promotes heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air in the outdoor heat exchanger 13. The outdoor expansion valve 15 generates low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant by reducing the pressure of the high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant reaches the indoor heat exchanger 23 via the liquid shutoff valve 17 and the liquid connection pipe 31.

[0024] The indoor heat exchanger 23 generates low-pressure gas refrigerant by evaporating the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and in the process generates cold to be provided to the user. The indoor fan 24 promotes heat exchange between the refrigerant and air in the indoor heat exchanger 23, and delivers the cold to the user in the form of cold air. 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] (1-3) Heating operation The heating operation is an operation in which the air conditioning apparatus 100 provides heat to the user.

[0027] 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 heating operation, the four-way switching valve 12 forms a connection shown by a broken line. The high-pressure gas refrigerant passes through the four-way switching valve 12, the gas shutoff valve 18, and the gas connection pipe 32 and reaches the indoor heat exchanger 23.

[0028] The indoor heat exchanger 23 condenses the high-pressure gas refrigerant to generate high-pressure liquid refrigerant, and in the process generates heat to be provided to the user. The indoor fan 24 promotes heat exchange between the refrigerant and air in the indoor heat exchanger 23, and delivers the heat to the user in the form of warm air. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant reaches the outdoor expansion valve 15 via the liquid connection pipe 31 and the liquid shut-off valve 17.

[0029] The outdoor expansion valve 15 reduces the pressure of the high-pressure liquid refrigerant to generate a low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. The outdoor heat exchanger 13 evaporates the low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant to generate a low-pressure gas refrigerant. The outdoor fan 14 promotes heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air in the outdoor 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.

[0030] (2) Detailed configuration of indoor unit 20 2 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of the indoor unit 20. The indoor unit 20 is designed to be embedded in a ceiling. The indoor unit 20 has a housing 50, an indoor heat exchanger 23, an indoor fan 24, an air guide member 70, a refrigerant sensor 60, and a drain pan 73.

[0031] (2-1) Cabinet 50 3 is a perspective view of the indoor unit 20. The bottom surface of the indoor unit 20 is visible at the top of the drawing. The bottom surface of the drawing is the top surface of the indoor unit 20, which is the part that is embedded in the ceiling.

[0032] The housing 50 houses the indoor heat exchanger 23, the indoor fan 24, and other components of the indoor unit 20. The housing 50 is provided with one intake port 51 for taking in air from the room, and four exhaust ports 52 for supplying conditioned air to the room. As shown in Fig. 2, the intake port 51 is provided with a filter 53 for removing dust or dirt from the taken-in air. The filter 53 is omitted in Fig. 3.

[0033] (2-2) Indoor heat exchanger 23 2 functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant R during cooling operation, and functions as a condenser of the refrigerant R during heating operation. The indoor heat exchanger 23 has, for example, a plurality of heat transfer tubes and fins. The air flow passing through the indoor heat exchanger 23 exchanges heat with the refrigerant R.

[0034] (2-3) Indoor fan 24 By the action of the indoor fan 24, indoor air is sucked in through the air inlet 51, passing through the filter 53 in the process. The air flow then passes through the indoor heat exchanger 23 and is conditioned by heat exchange with the refrigerant R. The conditioned air travels from the indoor heat exchanger 23 to the air outlet 52, and is blown out into the room.

[0035] (2-4) Air guide member 70 The air guide member 70 shown in Fig. 2 guides indoor air that is drawn into the indoor fan 24. The air guide member 70 includes a bellmouth 71 and a plate 72. The bellmouth 71 is a cylindrical member provided for concentrating the air flow path to the indoor fan 24. The plate 72 is a flat or cone-shaped plate material provided for protecting the components of the indoor unit 20 that are arranged in an area that may be exposed through the air outlet 52. The plate 72 is disposed adjacent to the bellmouth 71 and is connected to the bellmouth 71.

[0036] The air guide member 70 divides the internal space of the housing 50 into a first space 77 and a second space 78. The first space 77 is located on the upstream side of the air flow, and occupies the area from the air inlet 51 to the indoor fan 24. The second space 78 is located on the downstream side of the air flow, and occupies the area from the indoor fan 24 to the air outlet 52.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the indoor unit 20. From this figure, it can be seen that the inclined surface of the bell mouth 71 and the horizontal surface of the plate 72 are connected. The air guide member 70 is provided with a passage 75 that communicates the first space 77 and the second space 78. The actual form of the passage 75 may be a hole or a notch provided in the bell mouth 71 or the plate 72. The passage 75 allows the refrigerant R leaking from the refrigerant circuit such as the indoor heat exchanger 23 to pass from the second space 78 to the first space 77. The upper end 75a of the passage 75 shown in FIG. 4 is the surface of the air guide member 70 on the side of the second space 78.

[0038] (2-5) Refrigerant sensor 60 4 detects refrigerant R that has leaked from the refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant sensor 60 is disposed on the side of the first space 77 in the passing portion 75. The refrigerant sensor 60 is disposed below the passing portion 75 so as to face upward. The refrigerant sensor 60 detects the refrigerant R that has passed through the passing portion 75.

[0039] The height of the upper end of the air guide member 70 is approximately close to the height of the upper end of the indoor heat exchanger 23. Moreover, the height of the lower end of the air guide member 70 is approximately close to the height of the lower end of the indoor heat exchanger 23. Therefore, the air guide member 70 can act as a barrier for the refrigerant R leaking from the indoor heat exchanger 23 to reach the refrigerant sensor 60. The passage portion 75 provided in the air guide member 70 enables the refrigerant R to quickly reach the refrigerant sensor 60.

[0040] The components constituting the refrigerant circuit, such as the indoor heat exchanger 23 and the piping connected thereto, are mainly disposed in the second space 78. Therefore, refrigerant R leaking from the refrigerant circuit first drifts in the second space 78. Refrigerant R has a specific gravity heavier than air, and is, for example, R32. Therefore, the refrigerant R drifting in the second space 78 then passes through the passing portion 75 due to the action of gravity or the like, and reaches the refrigerant sensor 60. A sealant 76 is disposed in the air guide member 70 to seal the gap between the refrigerant sensor 60 and the vicinity of the passing portion 75.

[0041] 5 shows the structure of the refrigerant sensor 60. The refrigerant sensor 60 has an upper case 61, a lower case 62, a circuit board 63, a refrigerant detection element 64, a connector 65, and wiring 66. A detection window 61a is formed in the upper case 61. The detection window 61a allows refrigerant leaking outside the upper case 61 to reach the refrigerant detection element 64. A through hole 62a for screw fastening is formed in the lower case 62. The refrigerant detection element 64 and the connector 65 are mounted on the circuit board 63. Wiring 66 extending from the connector 65 extends to an electrical equipment box (not shown).

[0042] 6 shows the refrigerant sensor 60 fixed to the air guide member 70. The refrigerant sensor 60 is fixed to the air guide member 70 by a screw 67 attached to the screw through hole 62a.

[0043] (2-6) Drain pan 73 The drain pan 73 shown in FIG. 4 is a container for collecting condensation water generated on the surface of the indoor heat exchanger 23. The collected condensation water is discharged to the outside through a drainage path (not shown). The drain pan 73 is adjacent to the air guide member 70. The drain pan 73 is disposed so as to face the lower end of the indoor heat exchanger 23. The drain pan 73 has a recessed shape that is open upward, and surrounds the lower end of the indoor heat exchanger 23. The bottom 73a of the drain pan 73 is located lower than the upper end 75a of the passage portion 75.

[0044] (3) Features (3-1) Refrigerant R that leaks into second space 78 reaches refrigerant sensor 60 by passing through passage 75. Therefore, when leaking refrigerant R is detected, it does not have to go over the upper end of air guide member 70, so refrigerant leakage is detected quickly. In addition, refrigerant sensor 60 is located on the underside of housing 50, a position that is easy to replace, and maintenance is easy.

[0045] (3-2) The refrigerant R leaking from the refrigerant circuit falls toward the refrigerant sensor 60 facing upward, so that the refrigerant leakage can be detected more quickly.

[0046] (3-3) Bottom 73a of drain pan 73 is located lower than upper end 75a of passing portion 75. Therefore, when drain pan 73 cracks, there is little risk that drain water leaking from near bottom 73a will reach passing portion 75, thereby suppressing a situation in which refrigerant sensor 60 is damaged by drain water.

[0047] (3-4) The gap between the passage portion 75 and the refrigerant sensor 60 is sealed. This prevents the conditioned air from leaking out, thereby maintaining the efficiency of air conditioning.

[0048] (3-5) The presence of filter 53 makes it difficult for dust or dirt in the indoor air sucked in through suction port 51 to enter the inside of housing 50. Therefore, accumulation of dust or dirt on refrigerant sensor 60 is suppressed.

[0049] (4) Variations The indoor unit 20 in the above-described embodiment is designed to be embedded in a ceiling. Alternatively, the indoor unit 20 may be designed to be suspended from a ceiling. Alternatively, the indoor unit 20 may be a wall-mounted or floor-standing type.

[0050] <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]

[0051] 10: Outdoor unit 20: Indoor unit 23: Indoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger) 24: Indoor fan (fan) 50: Housing 51: Inlet 52:Air outlet 53: Filter 60: Refrigerant sensor 70: Air guide member 71: Bellmouth 72: Plate 73: Drain pan 73a: Bottom 75: Passing section 75a: Upper end 76: Sealing material 77: 1st space 78:Second space 100: Air conditioning equipment R: Refrigerant [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0052] [Patent Document 1] International Publication WO2019-234902

Claims

1. A housing (50) having an intake port (51); A heat exchanger (23); A fan (24) that draws indoor air from the suction port and sends it to the heat exchanger; an air guide member (70) for guiding the indoor air drawn into the fan and dividing the space inside the housing into a first space (77) and a second space (78) located downstream of the air flow relative to the first space; a passage portion (75) provided in the air guide member for passing a refrigerant (R) from the second space to the first space; a refrigerant sensor (60) disposed on the side of the first space in the passing portion and configured to detect the refrigerant that has passed through the passing portion; Equipped with A ceiling-mounted indoor unit (20).

2. The refrigerant sensor is disposed below the passage portion so as to face upward. The indoor unit according to claim 1.

3. a drain pan (73) disposed adjacent to the air guide member and facing the lower end of the heat exchanger; Further equipped with The bottom (73a) of the drain pan is located lower than the upper end (75a) of the passage portion. The indoor unit according to claim 2.

4. a sealant (76) for sealing a gap between the passage portion and the refrigerant sensor; Further comprising: The indoor unit according to claim 2.

5. A filter (53) provided at the suction port; Further comprising: An indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. An indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, An air conditioning device (100).

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