Cooling medium detection device

Abstract

To provide a cooling medium detection device enabling shortening of time required for detection of the leakage of cooling medium.SOLUTION: The cooling medium detection device in one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a casing mounted to the wall surface of an indoor space being an air conditioning-target space of an air conditioning system, and having a bottom surface opposed to the floor surface of the indoor space; and a cooling medium sensor housed in the casing and detecting the leakage of the cooling medium. The casing has a first opening part provided in the bottom surface and communicating the inside of the casing with the outside, and a second opening part provided in a surface different from the bottom surface and communicating the inside of the casing with the outside, the first opening part is provided at a position opposed to the cooling medium sensor in view from below in the vertical direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerant detection device.

Background Art

[0002] In order to detect refrigerant leakage in an air conditioner, it is known to provide a refrigerant sensor unit (refrigerant detection device). For example, Patent Document 1 describes a refrigerant sensor unit having a housing attached to a wall surface of an indoor space that is an air-conditioned space of an air conditioner and a refrigerant sensor housed inside the housing, and a structure in which an opening for communicating the inside and outside of the housing is provided on one side surface of the housing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, a slightly flammable refrigerant such as R32 is used in an air conditioner. When this slightly flammable refrigerant leaks from the air conditioner, it is necessary to shorten the time until the refrigerant leakage is detected so that the leakage amount of the refrigerant does not reach the lower flammability limit as much as possible.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerant detection device capable of shortening the time until refrigerant leakage is detected.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, a refrigerant detection device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a housing attached to a wall surface of an indoor space that is an air-conditioned space of an air conditioner and having a bottom surface facing the floor surface of the indoor space, and a refrigerant sensor housed inside the housing for detecting refrigerant leakage. The housing has a first opening provided on the bottom surface for communicating the inside and outside of the housing, and a second opening provided on a surface different from the bottom surface for communicating the inside and outside of the housing. The first opening is provided at a position facing the refrigerant sensor when viewed from below in the vertical direction.

[0007] According to the refrigerant detection device, the first opening of the housing is provided on the bottom surface and at a position facing the refrigerant sensor when viewed from the vertical direction, and the second opening of the housing is provided on a surface different from the bottom surface. That is, the refrigerant leaked from the first opening provided on the bottom surface is likely to flow into the housing, and since the first opening and the refrigerant sensor face each other when viewed from the vertical direction, the distance from the first opening to the refrigerant sensor is the shortest, and the time for the refrigerant to reach the refrigerant sensor can be shortened. Furthermore, since the second opening is provided, it is possible to discharge the air corresponding to the refrigerant flowing in from the first opening, and the refrigerant can be smoothly made to flow into the housing.

[0008] The second opening may be provided at a position where the height from the bottom surface is equal to or greater than the height of the refrigerant sensor from the bottom surface.

[0009] The second opening may be provided on a first side surface that is closer to the refrigerant sensor when viewed from the first direction among a pair of side surfaces that are erected from the bottom surface and face each other in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction in a direction parallel to the wall surface.

[0010] The second opening may be rectangular with a long side in the vertical direction when viewed from the horizontal direction.

[0011] The first opening may be rectangular with a long side in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction in a direction parallel to the wall surface.

[0012] Inside the casing, there is further provided a substrate that is provided along the wall surface parallel to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and supports the refrigerant sensor in the front-rear direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The refrigerant sensor has a cylindrical shape, and has one substrate-side end provided on the substrate side of one side in the front-rear direction and a tip-side end of the other side. The first opening may be located on the tip-side end side of the refrigerant sensor in the front-rear direction.

[0013] The second opening may be provided at a position facing the refrigerant sensor when viewed from the horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction among the directions parallel to the wall surface.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a refrigerant detection device capable of shortening the time until leakage of the refrigerant is detected.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

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[0016] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and may differ from the actual ones. Therefore, specific components should be determined with reference to the following description.

[0017] In addition, the embodiments shown below are examples of devices and methods for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the technical idea of the present invention does not specify the shape, structure, arrangement, etc. of the components as the following. The technical idea of the present invention can be variously modified within the technical scope defined by the claims described in the claims.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the arrangement state of the refrigerant detection device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of the refrigerant detection device 10, FIG. 3 is a view of the refrigerant detection device 10 as seen from the bottom surface 15 side, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the refrigerant detection device 10 as seen from the bottom surface 15 side, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the refrigerant detection device 10 as seen from the bottom surface 15 side. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the refrigerant detection device 10 as seen from the side surface 13 side. Hereinafter, the vertical direction orthogonal to the floor surface 102 of the indoor space 100, the front-rear direction orthogonal to the wall surface 101, and the horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and the front-rear direction will be described as the Z direction, Y direction, and X direction, respectively, which are orthogonal to each other. Of course, the setting of such directions is not limited thereto.

[0019] [Refrigerant Detection Device] The refrigerant detection device 10 is a detection device provided in the air conditioner 1, and includes a housing 10A, a refrigerant sensor 20, and a substrate 30.

[0020] The air conditioner 1 includes a refrigerant circuit formed by a heat exchanger housed in an indoor unit 5 which is an indoor machine, a pressure reducing device such as a compressor and an electronic expansion valve housed in an outdoor unit, and an outdoor heat exchanger provided in the outdoor machine. In the air conditioner 1, the refrigerant is circulated through this refrigerant circuit to air-condition the indoor space 100 which is the space to be air-conditioned. The indoor space 100 is a space used by people.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, an air outlet 6 of the indoor unit 5 is provided on the wall surface 101 of the indoor space 100, but of course, it is not limited to the case where the air outlet 6 of the indoor unit 5 is provided on the wall surface 101. Air conditioned by the air conditioner 1 is ejected from the air outlet 6.

[0022] The air conditioner 1 includes a control unit (not shown). The control unit includes a computer having a processor such as a CPU and a memory device such as a ROM and a RAM. The control unit is connected via signal lines to the outdoor unit, each part forming the refrigerant circuit such as the indoor unit 5, and the refrigerant detection device 10 and the like. The control unit receives various signals transmitted from each part of the air conditioner 1 via signal lines, and also transmits signals from the control unit to each part of the air conditioner 1. Thereby, the control unit controls the operation of each part of the air conditioner 1. Note that the control unit and each part of the air conditioner 1 may be connected not only by wire such as signal lines but also wirelessly via a communication unit.

[0023] An operation unit 7 composed of a remote control having operation buttons and the like is connected to the control unit via signal lines. The operation unit 7 of the present embodiment is attached to the wall surface 101 of the indoor space 100.

[0024] The operation unit 7 is provided with a display panel in addition to operation buttons. The display panel displays the operation state by the operation buttons of the operation unit 7 and the operation state of the air conditioner 1. The operation unit 7 can input temperature settings and the like. That is, the operation unit 7 functions as an input unit.

[0025] In the present embodiment, the refrigerant used in the air conditioner 1 including the indoor unit 5 is, for example, a slightly flammable or flammable refrigerant such as a mixed refrigerant containing R32 or the like. When a slightly flammable or flammable refrigerant leaks, it is required to shorten the time until the refrigerant leak is detected so that the refrigerant concentration in the indoor space 100 does not reach the lower flammability limit (LFL). In particular, it is desirable to shorten the time until the refrigerant leak from the indoor unit 5 installed in the indoor space 100 is detected. Further, the state of the refrigerant leaking from the air conditioner 1 into the indoor space 100 is a gas having a specific gravity greater than that of air.

[0026] A refrigerant detection device 10 is arranged near the indoor unit 5. The refrigerant detection device 10 detects the concentration of the refrigerant in the indoor space 100, emits a warning sound, and warns a person in the indoor space 100 of the refrigerant leak. Further, the refrigerant detection device 10 detects the concentration of the refrigerant in the indoor space 100 and transmits a detection signal to the control unit via a signal line. The refrigerant detection device 10 of the present embodiment is connected to the control unit via the operation unit 7. Here, the method of warning a person in the indoor space 100 of the refrigerant leak is not limited to the above-described warning sound, and for example, warning may be performed using light.

[0027] Furthermore, the refrigerant detection device 10 can transmit and receive signals to and from the outside of the air conditioner 1 such as a management center via a signal line. For example, the refrigerant detection device 10 can detect the concentration of the refrigerant in the indoor space 100 and transmit a detection signal to the management center via a signal line.

[0028] The refrigerant detection device 10 is attached to the wall surface 101. As described above, when the refrigerant used by the air conditioner 1 is a gas with a specific gravity greater than that of air, it is desirable that the refrigerant detection device 10 be installed below the indoor unit 5 and at the lower part of the indoor space 100. The top surface 16 of the refrigerant detection device 10 in this embodiment is attached at a position 30 cm or less from the floor surface 102 of the indoor space 100.

[0029] The refrigerant detection device 10 is powered by the indoor unit 5 which is an indoor machine, but of course it is not limited to this, and power may be supplied from a commercial power source via a switch box 105 provided on the wall surface 101.

[0030] (Housing) As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the housing 10A of the refrigerant detection device 10 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is attached to the wall surface 101 and has an internal space W. The housing 10A has a front surface 11, a rear surface 12, a plurality of side surfaces 13, 14, a bottom surface 15, and a top surface 16. In this embodiment, it is a rectangular parallelepiped having a long side in the X-axis direction, but of course it is not limited to this, and it may be a rectangular parallelepiped having a short side in the X-axis direction, or may be a regular hexahedron or the like. Also, it is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped, and for example, it may be a hexagonal prism shape. Also, in this embodiment, the floor surface 102, the bottom surface 15, and the top surface 16 are parallel to the XY plane and perpendicular to the Z-axis direction (vertical direction). Also, the wall surface 101 and the floor surface 102 are in a perpendicular positional relationship with each other.

[0031] The rear surface 12 is rectangular with a long side in the X-axis direction (horizontal direction) when viewed from the Y-axis direction (front-rear direction), and is attached so as to face the wall surface 101 in the Y-axis direction. Also, the front surface 11 is rectangular with a long side in the X-axis direction when viewed from the Y-axis direction, faces the rear surface 12 in the Y-axis direction, and is provided facing the indoor space 100. That is, the front surface 11 and the rear surface 12 stand upright from the bottom surface 15 described later and function as a pair of side surfaces facing each other in the direction (Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the wall surface 101. The front surface 11 is provided with a sound emission hole 111 which is a through hole penetrating the inside and outside (indoor space 100) of the housing 10A at approximately the center, and the notification sound emitted when the refrigerant is detected is emitted.

[0032] In addition, on the back surface 12, insertion holes (not shown) for inserting various wirings such as power supply lines and signal lines wired in the housing 10A are provided.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the plurality of side surfaces 13 and 14 are rectangular with long sides in the Z-axis direction when viewed from the X-axis direction, and are in contact with both ends in the X-axis direction of the front surface 11 and the back surface 12 and the bottom surface 15 and the top surface 16 described later, and each functions as a side surface of the housing 10A. That is, the plurality of side surfaces 13 and 14 stand upright from the bottom surface 15 and face each other in the direction (X-axis direction) orthogonal to the Z-axis direction among the directions parallel to the wall surface 101. Also, one of the plurality of side surfaces (the first side surface) 13 is provided on the side closer to the refrigerant sensor 20 described later when viewed from the Y-axis direction or the Z-axis direction. The other side surface (the second side surface) 14 of the plurality of side surfaces is provided at a position far from the refrigerant sensor 20 described later (compared to the first side surface 13) when viewed from the Y-axis direction or the Z-axis direction at both ends in the X-axis direction. In the present embodiment, the plurality of side surfaces 13 and 14 are provided along the Z-axis direction (perpendicularly) from the bottom surface 15, but of course, it is not limited to this, and the plurality of side surfaces 13 and 14 may be inclined with respect to the Z-axis direction. The first side surface 13 has a second opening 18 as described later.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, the bottom surface 15 is rectangular with a long side in the X-axis direction when viewed from the Z-axis direction, and is provided so as to face the floor surface 102 in the Z-axis direction. The bottom surface 15 functions as the bottom of the housing 10A. Also, the top surface 16 is rectangular with a long side in the X-axis direction when viewed from the Z-axis direction, and is provided so as to face the floor surface 102 and the bottom surface 15 in the Z-axis direction. The top surface 16 is located on the positive (upward) side of the bottom surface 15 in the Z-axis direction. In the present embodiment, the bottom surface 15 and the top surface 16 are provided parallel to the floor surface 102, but of course, it is not limited to this, and the bottom surface 15 and the top surface 16 may be inclined with respect to the XY plane. The bottom surface 15 has a first opening 17 as described later.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the housing 10A has an internal space W surrounded by the above-described front surface 11, rear surface 12, a plurality of side surfaces 13, 14, bottom surface 15, and top surface 16. The refrigerant detection device 10 includes, within the internal space W thereof, a refrigerant sensor 20 described later, a substrate 30 that is plate-shaped and parallel to the wall surface 101 (parallel to the XZ plane) and on which the refrigerant sensor 20 is mounted so as to be supported along the Y-axis direction, and a space (not shown) that emits a notification sound when the refrigerant is detected by the refrigerant sensor 20 or transmits a detection signal to the control unit via a signal line when the refrigerant is detected. The substrate 30 is provided on the front surface 11 side in the Y-axis direction and is electrically connected to the above-described control room. When the concentration of the refrigerant detected by the refrigerant sensor 20 becomes a predetermined value or more, the refrigerant detection device 10 emits a notification sound by the control room and also transmits a detection signal to the control unit via a signal line when the refrigerant is detected.

[0036] Further, the refrigerant detection device 10 detects the concentration of the refrigerant in the indoor space 100 and transmits a detection signal to the control unit via a signal line. When receiving the detection signal, the control unit may, for example, cause a predetermined display on the display panel of the operation unit 7 or cause the indoor unit 5 to perform a blowing operation. Thereby, the air conditioner 1 can suppress an increase in the refrigerant concentration in the indoor space 100.

[0037] Note that the control unit may receive the detection signal from the refrigerant detection device 10 and determine whether or not refrigerant leakage has occurred in the indoor space 100. Further, the refrigerant detection device 10 may determine whether or not refrigerant leakage has occurred in the indoor space 100. Furthermore, the refrigerant detection device 10 may cause a predetermined display on the display panel of the operation unit 7 or cause the indoor unit 5 to perform a blowing operation or the like.

[0038] (Refrigerant Sensor) As shown in FIG. 5, the refrigerant sensor 20 is a sensor component that detects the concentration of the refrigerant flowing into the internal space W. This refrigerant sensor 20 has a cylindrical shape. Further, the refrigerant sensor 20 is mounted on the substrate 30, and when the mounted substrate 30 is incorporated into the housing 10A and the housing 10A is attached to the wall surface 101, it is arranged so as to extend in the Y-axis direction. In the present embodiment, the radial direction of the refrigerant sensor 20 is shorter than the height direction of the refrigerant sensor 20, but of course, it is not limited to this.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, the refrigerant sensor 20 has a substrate-side end portion 20B provided on the substrate 30 side in the Y-axis direction and electrically connected to the substrate 30, and a tip-side end portion 20A on the front surface 11 side, which is the other side. In the present embodiment, the substrate 30 is provided on the front surface 11 side, but of course, it is not limited to this, and the substrate 30 may be provided on the back surface 12 side.

[0040] In the present embodiment, the refrigerant sensor 20 is a semiconductor type gas sensor, but of course, it is not limited to this, and it may be an NDIR (Non Dispersive InfraRed) method or an electrochemical method. Further, in the present embodiment, the refrigerant sensor 20 detects the refrigerant when the refrigerant flows into the refrigerant sensor 20 from the tip-side end portion 20A.

[0041] (Positional relationship between the first opening, the second opening, and the refrigerant sensor) As shown in FIG. 5, the first opening 17 is a through hole that connects the inside and outside of the housing 10A in the Z-axis direction, and has a rectangular shape with a long side in the X-axis direction when the bottom surface 15 is viewed in the Z-axis direction from below the housing 10A (vertically downward). The first opening 17 is provided at a position facing the refrigerant sensor 20 when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, the first opening 17 is located on the tip end side end 20A side of the refrigerant sensor 20 when viewed from the Z-axis direction. In particular, in the present embodiment, the first opening 17 is provided at a position facing the tip end side end 20A when viewed from the Z-axis direction. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be provided so as to face the refrigerant sensor 20 on the substrate side end 20B side.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 6, the second opening 18 is a through hole that connects the inside and outside of the housing 10A in the X-axis direction, and has a rectangular shape with a long side in the Z-axis direction when viewed from the X-axis direction. In the present embodiment, the second opening 18 is provided at a position where the height in the Z-axis direction from the bottom surface 15 is equal to or higher than the height from the bottom surface 15 of the refrigerant sensor 20. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the second opening 18 may be provided at a position facing the refrigerant sensor 20 when viewed from the X-axis direction.

[0044] (Operation) The operation of the refrigerant detection device 10 configured as described above will be described. In the air conditioner 1, the refrigerant may leak into the indoor space 100 via the indoor unit 5. In the present embodiment, since the refrigerant used in the air conditioner 1 is a gas having a specific gravity greater than that of air, the refrigerant leaked into the indoor space 100 stays in the indoor space 100 so as to accumulate on the floor surface 102. When the refrigerant continues to leak into the indoor space 100, the refrigerant staying on the floor surface 102 will eventually flow into the refrigerant detection device 10 through the first opening 17 and the second opening 18.

[0045] The refrigerant sensor 20 detects the concentration of the refrigerant flowing into the housing 10A. When the concentration of the refrigerant detected by the refrigerant sensor 20 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the refrigerant detection device 10 emits a notification sound. Thereby, the refrigerant detection device 10 notifies a person in the indoor space 100 of the refrigerant leakage. In the present embodiment, the notification sound has been described as an example of a method for notifying a person in the indoor space 100 of the refrigerant leakage. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and notification may be made using light or the like.

[0046] As described above, the refrigerant detection device 10 detects that the concentration of the refrigerant is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and notifies a person in the indoor space 100 of the refrigerant leakage. Here, the flow of the leaked refrigerant will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the refrigerant detection device 10 and the position where the refrigerant R leaks, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the flow of the refrigerant R. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the refrigerant detection device 10 and the refrigerant R, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the refrigerant R flowing in the refrigerant detection device 10. (A) is provided with a second opening 18 having a long side in the Z-axis direction, and (B) is provided with a second opening 18' having a short side in the Z-axis direction. Further, FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of the refrigerant detection device 10.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 7, the refrigerant detection device 10 is provided in the indoor space 100. Further, the refrigerant (R32) R is ejected from the ceiling 103. The refrigerant R is ejected toward the floor surface 102.

[0048] FIG. 8 shows the flow of the refrigerant R when the refrigerant (R32) R is ejected from the ceiling 103 into the same indoor space 100 as in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 8, the refrigerant R flows along the wall surface 101 from the ceiling 103 toward the floor surface 102 on the negative side of the Z-axis. Next, the refrigerant R that has reached the floor surface 102 flows along the floor surface 102 toward the wall surface 101 on the negative side of the Y-axis. Next, the refrigerant R that has collided with the wall surface 101 flows along the wall surface 101 toward the ceiling 103 on the positive side of the Z-axis. Since the refrigerant R that has risen toward the ceiling 103 is a gas having a specific gravity greater than that of air, it stalls and goes toward the floor surface 102 as shown in FIG. 8. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the refrigerant R gradually accumulates from the floor surface 102.

[0049] That is, as shown in FIG. 9, by providing the first opening 17 in the bottom surface 15 of the refrigerant detection device 10 provided on the wall surface 101 as in the present embodiment, the refrigerant R gradually accumulating from the floor surface 102 can easily flow into the housing 10A, and the refrigerant sensor 20 can detect the leakage of the refrigerant R in a shorter time. Further, when air convection occurs in the air-conditioning space due to the operation of the fan of the indoor unit or the movement of a person in the air-conditioning space, a flow of air (refrigerant R) is generated in the housing 10A as shown in FIG. 10, and the refrigerant sensor 20 can detect it earlier. At this time, by providing the first opening 17 at a position facing the refrigerant sensor 20 when viewed from the Z-axis direction, the shortest distance is achieved between the refrigerant sensor 20 and the first opening 17, enabling earlier detection.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 5, the first opening 17 has a rectangular shape with the X-axis direction being the longitudinal direction when viewed from the Z-axis direction. Thereby, the width through which the refrigerant R passes (in the X-axis direction) becomes larger, and the refrigerant R easily comes into contact with the refrigerant sensor 20. Thereby, the time until the leakage of the refrigerant R is detected can be shortened. Further, in the present embodiment, the first opening 17 is provided on the tip side end portion 20A side of the refrigerant sensor 20, particularly at a position facing the tip side end portion 20A. Thereby, the refrigerant R easily comes into contact with the refrigerant sensor 20, and the time until the leakage of the refrigerant R is detected can be made shorter.

[0051] Furthermore, since the first opening 17 is provided in the bottom surface 15, it is possible to suppress dust, dirt, etc. from entering the internal space W (inside the housing 10A).

[0052] In this embodiment, the second opening 18 is provided at a position where the height in the Z-axis direction from the bottom surface 15 is equal to or greater than the height from the bottom surface 15 of the refrigerant sensor 20. This makes it easier for the refrigerant sensor 20 to detect the refrigerant R. That is, when the height in the Z-axis direction from the bottom surface 15 of the second opening 18 is lower than that of the refrigerant sensor 20, the refrigerant R flowing in from the first opening 17 may escape from the second opening 18, which is lower than the refrigerant sensor 20, before reaching the height of the refrigerant sensor 20. However, when the height in the Z-axis direction from the bottom surface 15 of the second opening 18 is equal to or greater than that of the refrigerant sensor 20 as in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the refrigerant R flowing in from the first opening 17 passes through the refrigerant sensor 20 and escapes to the second opening 18. As a result, the refrigerant R surely contacts the refrigerant sensor 20, making it easier for the refrigerant sensor 20 to detect the refrigerant R.

[0053] The second opening 18 is provided in the first side surface 13. This makes it less likely for dust G to accumulate compared to the case where an opening is provided in the top surface 16, suppresses the second opening 18 from being blocked by dust G, and allows the refrigerant R to smoothly flow into the housing 10A. Also, since the second opening 18 is provided in the first side surface 13 instead of the front surface 11, it is less visible to people in the indoor space 100, improving the design.

[0054] Also, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the second opening 18 has a rectangular shape with a long side in the Z-axis direction when viewed from the X-axis direction. This suppresses the entire second opening 18 from being blocked by dust G even if dust G accumulates in the second opening 18, compared to a rectangular shape with a short side in the Z-axis direction when viewed from the X-axis direction. That is, the refrigerant R flowing into the housing 10A from the first opening 17 can be smoothly discharged from the second opening 18. Regarding this, as shown in FIG. 11, dust G accumulates below the second opening 18. When the shape of the second opening 18 is a rectangular shape with a long side in the Z-axis direction as in this embodiment, the area of the portion where dust G has not accumulated is wider than that of a rectangular shape with a short side in the Z-axis direction, and the area of the substantial opening through which the refrigerant R flows into the housing 10A becomes wider.

[0055] Also, since the second opening 18 has a rectangular shape with a long side in the Z-axis direction when viewed from the X-axis direction, as shown in FIGS. 10(A) and 10(B), the width of the flow path through which the refrigerant R passes is wider than that of a rectangular shape with a short side in the Z-axis direction. Thus, it becomes easier for the refrigerant R to come into contact with the refrigerant sensor 20. That is, as shown in FIG. 10(B), when the refrigerant R flowing in from the first opening 17 passes through (flows out through) the second opening 18, if the width of the second opening 18 in the Z-axis direction is narrow (is the short side), the width of the flow path through which the refrigerant R passes becomes narrow, and it becomes difficult for the refrigerant R to come into contact with the refrigerant sensor 20. However, when the second opening 18 has a rectangular shape with the Z-axis direction as the longitudinal direction when viewed from the X-axis direction as in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10(A), the width of the flow path through which the refrigerant R passes is wider than that of a rectangular shape with a short side in the Z-axis direction, and it becomes easier for the refrigerant R to come into contact with the refrigerant sensor 20. Thereby, it becomes easier for the refrigerant sensor 20 to detect the refrigerant R.

[0056] <Modification Example> In the above embodiment, the height of the second opening 18 in the Z-axis direction from the bottom surface 15 was equal to or greater than the height of the refrigerant sensor 20 in the Z-axis direction from the bottom surface 15. However, of course, it is not limited to this, and the second opening 18 may be provided at a position facing the refrigerant sensor 20 when viewed from the X-axis direction. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a refrigerant detection device 10' according to a modification example of the present invention.

[0057] The height of the housing 10A' of the refrigerant detection device 10' in the Z-axis direction is lower than that of the above-described refrigerant detection device 10. This is because the height of the second opening 18 in the Z-axis direction from the bottom surface 15 is equal to the height of the refrigerant sensor 20 in the Z-axis direction from the bottom surface 15, so that the space above that height can be omitted. Thereby, since the size of the refrigerant detection device 10' can be reduced, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0058] <Other Modification Examples> In the above-described embodiment, the second opening 18 is provided on the first side surface 13. However, of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be provided on the front surface 11 which is a surface different from the bottom surface 15, or may be provided on the top surface 16. Even in this case, the refrigerant sensor 20 described above can easily detect the refrigerant R. When the second opening 18 is provided on the top surface 16, the second opening 18 is preferably provided at a position facing the refrigerant sensor 20 when viewed from the Z-axis direction. As a result, the refrigerant R flows from the first opening 17 to the second opening 18 along the Z-axis direction, and since the refrigerant sensor 20 exists on the flow path, the refrigerant sensor 20 can easily detect the refrigerant R.

Explanation of Signs

[0059] 1... Air conditioner 10... Refrigerant detection device 10A... Housing 11... Front surface 13... First side surface 14... Second side surface 15... Bottom surface 17... First opening 18... Second opening 20... Refrigerant sensor 30... Substrate 100... Indoor space 101... Wall surface 102... Floor surface R... Refrigerant W... Internal space

Claims

1. A housing having a bottom surface attached to a wall surface of an indoor space, which is an air-conditioned space of an air conditioner, and facing the floor surface of the indoor space, and a refrigerant sensor housed inside the housing for detecting a refrigerant leak comprising The housing has a first opening provided in the bottom surface for communicating the inside and the outside of the housing, and a second opening provided in a surface different from the bottom surface for communicating the inside and the outside of the housing The first opening is provided at a position facing the refrigerant sensor when viewed from below in the vertical direction Refrigerant detection device

2. The refrigerant detection device according to claim 1, wherein The second opening is provided at a position where the height from the bottom surface is equal to or higher than the height of the refrigerant sensor from the bottom surface Refrigerant detection device

3. The refrigerant detection device according to claim 1, wherein The second opening is provided on a first side surface closer to the refrigerant sensor when viewed from the vertical direction among a pair of side surfaces facing each other in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction in a direction standing from the bottom surface and parallel to the wall surface Refrigerant detection device

4. The refrigerant detection device according to claim 3, wherein The second opening has a rectangular shape having a long side in the vertical direction when viewed from the horizontal direction Refrigerant detection device

5. The refrigerant detection device according to claim 1, wherein The first opening has a rectangular shape having a long side in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction among the directions parallel to the wall surface Refrigerant detection device

6. The refrigerant detection device according to claim 5, further comprising a substrate provided inside the housing along the wall surface parallel to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction for supporting the refrigerant sensor in a front-rear direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction ; The refrigerant sensor has a cylindrical shape and has one substrate-side end provided on the substrate side in the front-rear direction and the other tip-side end ; The first opening is located on the tip-side end side of the refrigerant sensor in the front-rear direction Refrigerant detection device

7. The refrigerant detection device according to claim 3, wherein The second opening is provided at a position facing the refrigerant sensor when viewed from the horizontal direction Refrigerant detection device

Images