Indoor unit for air conditioner

Abstract

To provide an indoor unit for an air conditioner that enables prompt detection of refrigerant leakage by using a sensor and enables easy replacement of the sensor.SOLUTION: An indoor unit for an air conditioner includes a casing, a partition plate and a sensor. The casing includes a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall and a fourth side wall. The first side wall and the second side wall are oppose to each other leaving a clearance in a first direction. The third side wall and the fourth side wall are oppose to each other leaving a clearance in a second direction vertical to the first direction. The partition plate extends from the third side wall side toward the fourth side wall in the second direction within the casing. A fan is disposed between the partition plate and the first side wall. Refrigerant piping connected to a heat exchanger is disposed between the partition plate and the second side wall. The sensor includes a detection port for detecting a refrigerant included in the air.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2016-84946 (Patent Document 1) describes an indoor unit of an air conditioner. The indoor unit of the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1 has a refrigerant leakage detection sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-84946 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the indoor unit of the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, the refrigerant leak detection sensor is disposed in an enclosed space, and the connection between the refrigerant piping of the heat exchanger and the liquid distributor and gas distributor is also disposed in the enclosed space. Therefore, the refrigerant leak detection sensor can quickly detect leaked refrigerant. Refrigerant leak detection sensors are required to be replaced at regular intervals. However, in the indoor unit of the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, it is not easy to replace the refrigerant leak detection sensor.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technology. More specifically, the present disclosure provides an indoor unit of an air conditioner that is capable of quickly detecting refrigerant leakage using a sensor and that allows the sensor to be easily replaced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The indoor unit of an air conditioner of the present disclosure includes a housing, a partition plate, and a sensor. The housing has a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall, and a fourth side wall. The first side wall and the second side wall face each other with a gap in a first direction. The third side wall and the fourth side wall face each other with a gap in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The partition plate extends within the housing along the second direction from the third side wall toward the fourth side wall. A fan is disposed between the partition plate and the first side wall. A refrigerant pipe connected to a heat exchanger is disposed between the partition plate and the second side wall. The sensor has a detection port that detects refrigerant contained in the air. The sensor is attached to the partition plate farther from the third side wall in the second direction than a position where the distance between the partition plate and the fan in the second direction is shortest, and the detection port is exposed to the space between the partition plate and the second side wall. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the air conditioner of the present disclosure, the sensor can quickly detect refrigerant leakage, and the sensor can be easily replaced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the indoor unit 100. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the indoor unit 100 with the top wall 15 not shown. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the indoor unit 100. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6A] FIG. 10 is a first schematic diagram illustrating the effects of the indoor unit 100. [Figure 6B] 10 is a second schematic diagram illustrating the effects of the indoor unit 100. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The details of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will not be repeated.

[0010] Embodiment 1 The following describes the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 is designated as indoor unit 100.

[0011] (Configuration of indoor unit 100) The configuration of the indoor unit 100 will be described below.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the indoor unit 100. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the indoor unit 100 with the top wall 15 not shown. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the indoor unit 100. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the indoor unit 100 has a housing 10, a partition plate 20, a sensor 30, a fan 40, and a heat exchanger 50.

[0013] The housing 10 has a side wall 11, a side wall 12, a side wall 13, and a side wall 14. The side wall 11 and the side wall 12 face each other with a gap in between in a first direction DR1. The side wall 11 and the side wall 12 extend along a second direction DR2. The second direction DR2 is a direction perpendicular to the first direction DR1. The side wall 13 and the side wall 14 face each other with a gap in between in the second direction DR2. The side wall 13 and the side wall 14 extend along the first direction DR1.

[0014] The housing 10 further has a top wall 15 and a bottom wall 16 (drain pan). The top wall 15 and the bottom wall 16 face each other with a gap in between in a third direction DR3. The third direction DR3 is a direction perpendicular to both the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. The top wall 15 is continuous with the upper ends (one end in the third direction DR3) of the side walls 11, 12, 13, and 14. The bottom wall 16 is continuous with the lower ends (the other end in the third direction DR3) of the side walls 11, 12, 13, and 14.

[0015] The bottom wall 16 is formed with an opening 16a and an opening 16b. The opening 16a and the opening 16b penetrate the bottom wall 16 along the third direction DR3. In a plan view (when viewed along the third direction DR3), the opening 16a is located at the center of the bottom wall 16 in the second direction DR2. In the first direction DR1, the opening 16a is located closer to the side wall 11 than a partition plate 20 (described later) is. A bell mouth 17 is attached to the opening 16a. In a plan view, a plurality of openings 16b are arranged in a row along the first direction DR1 at both ends of the bottom wall 16 in the second direction DR2. A filter 18 and a service panel 19 are arranged facing the outer wall surface of the bottom wall 16. The filter 18 and the service panel 19 are indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 3.

[0016] The partition plate 20 extends in the housing 10 along the second direction DR2, from the side wall 13 side toward the side wall 14 side. The partition plate 20 is disposed closer to the side wall 12 than to the side wall 11 in the first direction DR1. The surface of the partition plate 20 facing the side wall 11 with a gap therebetween is referred to as the first surface 20a, and the surface of the partition plate 20 facing the side wall 12 with a gap therebetween is referred to as the second surface 20b. The internal space of the housing 10 located between the side wall 11 and the partition plate 20 in the first direction DR1 is referred to as the first space. The internal space of the housing 10 located between the side wall 12 and the partition plate 20 in the first direction DR1 is referred to as the second space.

[0017] The partition plate 20 has a first member 21 and a second member 22. The first member 21 extends from the side wall 13 toward the side wall 14 along the second direction DR2. An opening 21a is formed in the first member 21. The opening 21a penetrates the first member 21 along the first direction DR1. The second member 22 extends along the second direction DR2 and is attached to the first member 21 so as to close the opening 21a.

[0018] The second member 22 has an end 22a and an end 22b in the second direction DR2. The end 22a is located closer to the side wall 13 than the end 22b. The end 22a is engaged with a claw 21b formed on the edge of the opening 21a. A through hole 22c is formed in the end 22b. The first member 21 has a through hole 21c formed in a position overlapping with the through hole 22c when viewed along the first direction DR1. The second member 22 is attached to the first member 21 by inserting a screw 23a into the through hole 22c and the through hole 21c from the first space side and screwing it into a weld nut 23b fixed to the first member 21 on the second space side.

[0019] The second member 22 may be composed of a plate member 22d and a plate member 22e. The plate member 22d and the plate member 22e are overlapped with each other so that the plate member 22d is disposed on the first space side and the plate member 22e is disposed on the second space side. The plate member 22d is formed of, for example, a heat insulating material, and the plate member 22e is formed of, for example, a metal material. An opening 22f is formed in the second member 22. The opening 22f penetrates the second member 22 along the first direction DR1.

[0020] The sensor 30 has a first surface 30a and a second surface 30b in the first direction DR1. The second surface 30b is the surface opposite to the first surface 30a. A detection port 31 is provided in the second surface 30b. The sensor 30 detects the refrigerant in the air through the detection port 31. The sensor 30 is attached to the second member 22 so that the second surface 30b is exposed to the second space through the opening 22f.

[0021] More specifically, a through hole 22g is formed in the second member 22. A through hole 32a is formed in the mounting bracket 32 ​​at a position that overlaps with the through hole 22g when viewed along the first direction DR1. The mounting bracket 32 ​​is attached to the second member 22 by inserting a screw 32b into the through hole 32a and the through hole 22g from the first space side and threading it into a weld nut 22h that is fixed to the second member 22 on the second space side. The sensor 30 is attached to the second member 22 by being held by the mounting bracket 32 ​​with the second surface 30b exposed to the second space from the opening 22f.

[0022] A convex portion 22i is formed on the edge of the opening 22f. A concave portion 30c is formed on the second surface 30b. When the sensor 30 is attached to the second member 22, the convex portion 22i and the concave portion 30c engage with each other. From another perspective, if the convex portion 22i is not engaged with the concave portion 30c, the sensor 30 cannot be attached to the second member 22. An umbrella portion 30d is formed above the detection port 31 on the second surface 20b.

[0023] One end of a wire 33 is connected to the sensor 30. The other end of the wire 33 is connected to a control box 34 housed in the bottom wall 16. The wire 33 is held by a wire strap 35 attached to the second member 22.

[0024] The fan 40 is disposed in the first space. The fan 40 is disposed so as to face the opening 16a. In the illustrated example, there are two fans 40. The two fans 40 are designated as fan 40A and fan 40B. The fans 40A and 40B are aligned along the first direction DR1. The fan 40A is disposed closer to the partition plate 20 in the first direction DR1 than the fan 40B. The position on the partition plate 20 where the distance between the fan 40A and the partition plate 20 in the first direction DR1 is shortest is designated as position P. The sensor 30 is attached to the partition plate 20 at a position farther away from position P in the second direction DR2. A fan motor 41 is connected to the fan 40, rotating the fan 40 around a rotation axis along the third direction DR3.

[0025] The heat exchanger 50 is mainly disposed within the first space. In a plan view, the heat exchanger 50 has a U-shape that surrounds the fans 40A and 40B. The heat exchanger 50 has a plurality of heat transfer tubes 51. The heat transfer tubes 51 have end portions 51a and 51b and a folded-back portion 51c. In a plan view, the heat transfer tubes 51 extend in a U-shape from the end portion 51a to the folded-back portion 51c so as to surround the fans 40A and 40B, are folded back at the folded-back portion 51c, and then extend in a U-shape from the folded-back portion 51c to the end portion 51b so as to surround the fans 40A and 40B in a plan view.

[0026] The end 51a, the end 51b, and the folded portion 51c are located within the second space. The folded portion 51c is farther from the side wall 13 than the end 51a and the end 51b in the second direction DR2. From another perspective, the sensor 30 is closer to the folded portion 51c than the end 51a and the end 51b in the third direction DR3. The refrigerant pipe 52 is disposed within the second space and connected to the end 51a and the end 51b. The refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant pipe 52 is supplied from the end 51a into the heat transfer tube 51. The refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer tube 51 returns to the refrigerant pipe 52 from the end 51b. The refrigerant is, for example, a mildly flammable refrigerant. A specific example of a mildly flammable refrigerant is R32 refrigerant (CH2F2).

[0027] When the fan motor 41 rotates the fan 40 around the rotation axis along the third direction DR3, air is drawn into the internal space of the housing 10 through the opening 16a and the bell mouth 17. The air drawn into the internal space of the housing 10 exchanges heat in the heat exchanger 50 with the refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer tubes 51. The air that has exchanged heat in the heat exchanger 50 is discharged to the outside of the indoor unit 100 through the opening 16b.

[0028] The sensor 30 is removed in the following manner. First, the service panel 19, filter 18, and bell mouth 17 are removed from the indoor unit 100. Second, a tool such as a screwdriver is inserted into the internal space of the housing 10 through the opening 16a, and the screw 32b is removed using the tool. Third, the wire 33 is removed from the control box 34, and the sensor 30 is then removed from the housing 10 through the opening 16a. Instead of removing the screw 32b with the above tool, the screw 23a may also be removed. In this case, the sensor 30 is removed from the housing 10 together with the second member 22. The replaced sensor 30 is reattached to the indoor unit 100 by performing the reverse operation of the above removal.

[0029] (Effects of indoor unit 100) The effects of the indoor unit 100 will be explained below.

[0030] FIG. 6A is a first schematic diagram illustrating the effects of the indoor unit 100. When a mildly flammable refrigerant is used, refrigerant leakage must be detected promptly. In this regard, the connection between the refrigerant pipe 52 and the heat transfer tube 51 and the folded-back portion 51c of the heat transfer tube 51 are likely to be refrigerant leakage sources. As shown in FIG. 6A, in the indoor unit 100, the sensor 30 is attached so that the detection port 31 is exposed in the second space where the refrigerant pipe 52 and the folded-back portion 51c are located. Furthermore, in the indoor unit 100, leaked refrigerant accumulates in the closed space of the second space. However, since the fan 40 is located in the first space, even when the fan 40 is operating, the airflow generated by the fan 40 makes it difficult for the leaked refrigerant accumulated in the second space to dissipate. Therefore, in the indoor unit 100, even if a refrigerant leakage occurs, the sensor 30 can quickly detect the refrigerant leakage.

[0031] FIG. 6B is a second schematic diagram illustrating the effects of the indoor unit 100. Sensors that detect refrigerant leakage are required to be replaced at regular intervals. In the indoor unit 100, as shown in FIG. 6B, the sensor 30 is attached to the partition plate 20 (second member 22) from the first space side. Therefore, by removing the service panel 19, filter 18, and bell mouth 17, the sensor 30 can be easily accessed through the opening 16a and removed. Furthermore, in the indoor unit 100, the sensor 30 is attached at a position farther from the sidewall 13 than position P in the second direction DR2. Therefore, when removing the screw 32b to replace the sensor 30, the tool used to remove the screw 32b is less likely to be interfered with by the fan 40A. Thus, the indoor unit 100 enables the sensor 30 to quickly detect refrigerant leakage and facilitates replacement of the sensor 30.

[0032] In the indoor unit 100, the folded portion 51c is farther from the side wall 13 in the second direction DR2 than the ends 51a and 51b. That is, the sensor 30 is closer to the folded portion 51c than the ends 51a and 51b. This makes it less likely that replacement of the sensor 30 will interfere with the refrigerant piping 52 connected to the ends 51a and 51b.

[0033] In the indoor unit 100, the screw 23a is located farther from the side wall 13 in the second direction DR2 than the position P, and therefore the screw 23a can be removed without interference from the fan 40A. Also, the second member 22 is only engaged with the claw portion 21b at the end portion 22a, and therefore can be separated from the first member 21 by removing the screw 23a. Therefore, in the indoor unit 100, in addition to being able to replace the sensor 30 alone as described above, it is also possible to remove the sensor 30 together with the second member 22 and perform the replacement work, making replacement of the sensor 30 even easier.

[0034] In the indoor unit 100, the umbrella portion 30d is formed on the second surface 20b above the detection port 31. In the indoor unit 100, the sensor 30 cannot be attached to the partition plate 20 unless the convex portion 22i is engaged with the concave portion 30c, which prevents the sensor 30 from being attached upside down and the umbrella portion 30d from being positioned below the detection port 31. Therefore, the indoor unit 100 can prevent foreign matter (for example, condensed water) from entering the detection port 31.

[0035] In the indoor unit 100, the wire 33 is held by the wire strap 35, which prevents the wire 33 from coming into contact with the fan 40A.

[0036] (Addendum) Aspects of the present disclosure are summarized in the appendix.

[0037] <Appendix 1> The housing and A partition board and a sensor; the housing has a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall, and a fourth side wall; the first side wall and the second side wall face each other with a gap in between in a first direction, the third side wall and the fourth side wall face each other with a gap therebetween in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the partition plate extends in the housing from the third side wall side toward the fourth side wall side along the second direction, a fan is disposed between the partition plate and the first side wall; a refrigerant pipe connected to a heat exchanger is disposed between the partition plate and the second side wall; the sensor has a detection port for detecting the refrigerant contained in the air, An indoor unit of an air conditioner, wherein the sensor is attached to the partition plate so that it is farther from the third side wall in the second direction than the position where the distance between the partition plate and the fan in the second direction is smallest, and the detection port is exposed to the space between the partition plate and the second side wall.

[0038] <Appendix 2> a heat transfer tube of the heat exchanger having a first end connected to the refrigerant pipe, a second end connected to the refrigerant pipe and opposite the first end, and a folding portion folding back the heat transfer tube between the first end and the second end; The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the folded portion is farther from the third side wall in the second direction than the first end and the second end.

[0039] <Appendix 3> The partition plate has a first member and a second member, the first member extends in the housing along the second direction from the third side wall side toward the fourth side wall side, a first opening penetrating the first member along the first direction is formed in the first member; the second member is attached to the first member so as to close the first opening, The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor is attached to the second member.

[0040] <Appendix 4> the second member has a third end and a fourth end opposite to the third end in the second direction, the second member is attached to the first member by being engaged with the first member at the third end and being screwed to the first member at the fourth end, The air conditioner indoor unit according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the fourth end is farther from the third side wall in the second direction than the third end.

[0041] <Appendix 5> a second opening penetrating the second member along the first direction is formed in the second member; a protrusion is formed on one of the second opening and the sensor, a recess is formed in the other of the second opening and the sensor, The indoor unit of an air conditioner described in Appendix 3 or Appendix 4, wherein the sensor is attached to the second member so that the second opening is blocked by engagement of the convex portion and the concave portion.

[0042] <Appendix 6> Further comprising a wire; the partition plate has a wire strap attached to the second member; The air conditioner indoor unit according to any one of Supplementary Note 3 to Supplementary Note 5, wherein the wire is connected to the sensor while being held by the wire strap.

[0043] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of this application is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 100 indoor unit, 10 housing, 11, 12, 13, 14 side wall, 15 upper wall, 16 bottom wall, 16a, 16b opening, 17 bell mouth, 18 filter, 19 service panel, 20 partition plate, 20a first surface, 20b second surface, 21 first member, 21a opening, 21b claw portion, 21c through hole, 22 second member, 22a, 22b end, 22c through hole, 22d plate member, 22e plate member, 22f opening, 22g through hole, 22h weld nut, 22i convex portion, 23a screw, 23b weld nut, 30 sensor, 30a first surface, 30b second surface, 30c recess, 30d umbrella portion, 31 detection port, 32 mounting bracket, 32a through hole, 32b Screw, 33 wire, 34 control box, 35 wire strap, 40, 40A, 40B fan, 41 fan motor, 50 heat exchanger, 51 heat transfer tube, 51a, 51b end, 51c folded portion, 52 refrigerant piping, DR1 first direction, DR2 second direction, DR3 third direction, P position.

Claims

1. The housing and A partition board and a sensor; the housing has a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall, and a fourth side wall; the first side wall and the second side wall face each other with a gap in between in a first direction, the third side wall and the fourth side wall face each other with a gap therebetween in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the partition plate extends in the housing from the third side wall side toward the fourth side wall side along the second direction, a fan is disposed between the partition plate and the first side wall; a refrigerant pipe connected to a heat exchanger is disposed between the partition plate and the second side wall; the sensor has a detection port for detecting the refrigerant contained in the air, An indoor unit of an air conditioner, wherein the sensor is attached to the partition plate so that it is farther from the third side wall in the second direction than the position where the distance between the partition plate and the fan in the second direction is smallest, and the detection port is exposed to the space between the partition plate and the second side wall.

2. a heat transfer tube of the heat exchanger having a first end connected to the refrigerant pipe, a second end connected to the refrigerant pipe and opposite the first end, and a folding back portion folding back the heat transfer tube between the first end and the second end, The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 1 , wherein the folded portion is farther from the third side wall in the second direction than the first end and the second end.

3. The partition plate has a first member and a second member, the first member extends in the housing along the second direction from the third side wall side toward the fourth side wall side, a first opening penetrating the first member along the first direction is formed in the first member; the second member is attached to the first member so as to close the first opening, The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is attached to the second member.

4. the second member has a third end and a fourth end opposite to the third end in the second direction, the second member is attached to the first member by being engaged with the first member at the third end and being screwed to the first member at the fourth end, The air conditioner indoor unit according to claim 3 , wherein the fourth end is farther from the third side wall in the second direction than the third end.

5. a second opening penetrating the second member along the first direction is formed in the second member; a protrusion is formed on one of the second opening and the sensor, a recess is formed in the other of the second opening and the sensor, The air conditioner indoor unit according to claim 3 , wherein the sensor is attached to the second member such that the second opening is blocked by engagement of the protrusion and the recess.

6. Further comprising a wire; the partition plate has a wire strap attached to the second member; The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 3 , wherein the wire is connected to the sensor while being held by the wire strap.

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