Indoor unit and air conditioner

Abstract

To provide an indoor unit and an air conditioner capable of improving efficiency of replacement work while securing detection performance of refrigerant leakage.SOLUTION: An indoor unit 1 includes: a casing 10 in which a heat exchanger 2 having a refrigerant flowing therein is accommodated; a control box 20 mounted to the casing 10 and having a control board 21 accommodated therein; and a refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30 connected to the control board 21 in an attachable / detachable manner. The casing 10 includes a side plate 11 having an opening 11a. The control box 20 includes a base 22 mounted to the side plate 11 and a cover 23 constituted to be attachable to / detachable from the base 22. The refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30 includes a refrigerant detection port 31, and is configured so that the detection port 31 is located on the inner side of the casing 10 in the state of passing through the opening 11a and projecting from the outer side to the inner side of the casing 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Refrigerant leaks must be detected using a refrigerant leak detection sensor. The detection accuracy of refrigerant leak detection sensors decreases over time, so they must be replaced periodically.

[0003] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2021-14962 (Patent Document 1) describes an indoor unit of a refrigeration system in which a gas sensor (refrigerant leak detection sensor) arranged inside a casing (housing) is replaceable. The gas sensor (refrigerant leak detection sensor) is installed in a position that allows it to be attached and detached through an opening formed in a side plate of the casing (housing). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-14962 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the indoor unit of the refrigeration device described in the above publication, the gas sensor (refrigerant leak detection sensor) is located inside the casing (housing), which ensures detection of refrigerant leaks, but makes it difficult to replace the gas sensor (refrigerant leak detection sensor).

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an indoor unit and an air conditioner that can improve replacement workability while ensuring detectability for refrigerant leaks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The indoor unit of the present disclosure includes a housing that houses a heat exchanger through which a refrigerant flows, a control box that is attached to the housing and houses a control board, and a refrigerant leak detection sensor that is detachably connected to the control board. The housing that houses the heat exchanger includes a side plate with an opening. The control box includes a base to which the side plate is attached and a cover that is detachably attached to the base. The control board is installed on the base. The cover is configured to cover the refrigerant leak detection sensor. The refrigerant leak detection sensor includes a refrigerant detection port, and is configured so that the detection port is located inside the housing while protruding from the outside to the inside of the housing through the opening. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the indoor unit of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the ease of replacement work while ensuring the ability to detect refrigerant leakage. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an indoor unit according to Embodiment 1. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a partially exploded perspective view showing the schematic configuration of an indoor unit according to Embodiment 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of an indoor unit according to Embodiment 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is an end view schematically showing a state in which a refrigerant leakage detection sensor of an indoor unit according to Embodiment 1 is attached to a side plate. [Figure 5] 3 is an end view schematically showing a state in which the refrigerant leakage detection sensor of the indoor unit according to Embodiment 1 has been removed from a side plate. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the same or corresponding parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions will not be repeated.

[0011] Embodiment 1 The configuration of an indoor unit 1 according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The indoor unit 1 according to embodiment 1 is installed in, for example, an attic space.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the indoor unit 1 according to embodiment 1 includes a heat exchanger 2, a blower 3, a housing 10, a control box 20, a refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30, a fixing member 40, a heat insulating material 50, a signal line 60, and a drain pan 70.

[0013] A heat exchanger 2 and a blower 3 are housed in a housing 10. The heat exchanger 2 is configured to allow a refrigerant to flow through it. The blower 3 is configured to send air to the heat exchanger 2. The housing 10 has a heat exchanger chamber 10a in which the heat exchanger 2 is disposed, and a blower chamber 10b in which the blower 3 is disposed. A wall 10c is disposed between the heat exchanger chamber 10a and the blower chamber 10b. A through-hole 10d is provided in the wall 10c. Air sent from the blower 3 flows to the heat exchanger 2 through the through-hole 10d.

[0014] The housing 10 has a side plate 11 and a top plate 12. The side plate 11 is arranged on the outer edge of the top plate 12. The top plate 12 is arranged at the upper end of the housing 10. An opening 11a is provided in the side plate 11. The opening 11a penetrates the side plate 11. The internal space of the housing 10 and the internal space of the control box 20 are in communication with each other through the opening 11a.

[0015] The control box 20 is attached to the housing 10. A control board 21 is housed in the control box 20. The control board 21 is configured to control the indoor unit 1. Electronic components are mounted on the control board 21. The control board 21 is arranged adjacent to the refrigerant leak detection sensor 30.

[0016] The control box 20 has a base 22 and a cover 23. The base 22 is attached to the side panel 11 of the housing 10. A control board 21 is installed on the base 22. The cover 23 is configured to be detachable from the base 22. The cover 23 is configured to be detachable from the base 22 from the outside of the housing 10. The cover 23 is configured to cover the refrigerant leak detection sensor 30. The cover 23 is also configured to cover the control board 21 and signal line 60. The cover 23 is detachably fixed to the base 22 with screws 24.

[0017] Because cover 23 covers refrigerant leak detection sensor 30, refrigerant leak detection sensor 30 is less susceptible to the effects of dust. Furthermore, when replacing refrigerant leak detection sensor 30, control box 20 is removed with a tool, which reduces contact between hands and the electronic components on control board 21.

[0018] The refrigerant leak detection sensor 30 is detachably connected to the control board 21. The refrigerant leak detection sensor 30 is electrically connected to the control board 21 by a signal line 60. The refrigerant leak detection sensor 30 is configured to detect refrigerant leaks. The refrigerant leak detection sensor 30 has a refrigerant detection port 31. The refrigerant leak detection sensor 30 also has a main body 32 that detects refrigerant taken in through the refrigerant detection port 31. The refrigerant leak detection sensor 30 is configured so that the detection port 31 is located inside the housing 10, protruding from the outside to the inside of the housing 10 through the opening 11a. When the refrigerant leak detection sensor 30 is attached to the housing 10, the detection port 31 is located in the internal space of the housing 10, and the main body 32 is located in the external space of the housing 10. The detection port 31 is configured to be located inside the heat exchanger chamber 10a. The main body 32 is located in the internal space of the control box 20.

[0019] The fixing member 40 is configured to detachably fix the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30 to the side plate 11 of the housing 10. The fixing member 40 has a fixing metal plate 41 and a screw 42. The fixing metal plate 41 is configured to support the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30 by sandwiching it between itself and the side plate 11. The screw 42 is configured to fasten the fixing metal plate 41 to the side plate 11.

[0020] The heat insulating material 50 is disposed between the side plate 11 of the housing 10 and the refrigerant leak detection sensor 30. The heat insulating material 50 is sandwiched between the side plate 11 and the refrigerant leak detection sensor 30. The heat insulating material 50 is configured to surround the opening 11a. It is preferable that the heat insulating material 50 is configured to surround the periphery of the opening 11a without any gaps.

[0021] The signal line 60 is configured to be able to connect the control board 21 and the refrigerant leak detection sensor 30. The signal line 60 electrically connects the control board 21 and the refrigerant leak detection sensor 30. The signal line 60 is configured to transmit a detection signal from the refrigerant leak detection sensor 30 to the control board 21. The signal line 60 is configured to be detachable from the refrigerant leak detection sensor 30. The signal line 60 is configured to be detachable from the control board 21.

[0022] The drain pan 70 is for collecting drainage generated in the heat exchanger 2. The drain pan 70 is disposed below the heat exchanger chamber 10a in which the heat exchanger 2 is disposed.

[0023] 4 and 5, the manner in which the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30 is attached to and detached from the side plate 11 of the housing 10 will be described.

[0024] 4, with the refrigerant leak detection sensor 30 sandwiched between the fixing metal plate 41 and the side plate 11, screws 42 are passed through through holes 41a in the fixing metal plate 41 and through holes 50a in the heat insulating material 50 and fastened into screw holes 11b in the side plate 11. In this way, the refrigerant leak detection sensor 30 is attached to the side plate 11 of the housing 10. With the refrigerant leak detection sensor 30 attached to the side plate 11 of the housing 10, the detection port 31 of the refrigerant leak detection sensor 30 passes through an opening 11a provided in the side plate 11 of the housing 10 and is positioned inside the heat exchanger chamber 10a of the housing 10. The main body 32 of the housing 10 protrudes outward beyond the detection port 31 and is therefore engaged around the periphery of the opening 11a.

[0025] 5, the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30 is removed from the side plate 11 of the housing 10 by removing the screw 42 from the screw hole 11b of the side plate 11. The fixing metal plate 41 and the heat insulating material 50 are also removed from the side plate 11 of the housing 10.

[0026] The effects of the indoor unit 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. According to the indoor unit 1 pertaining to embodiment 1, the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30 is configured so that the detection port 31 is located inside the housing 10 while protruding from the outside to the inside of the housing 10 through the opening 11a. This ensures the ability to detect refrigerant leakage using the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30. Furthermore, the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30 can be replaced without having to reach inside the housing 10, improving the ease of replacement. This means that the ease of replacement can be improved while ensuring the ability to detect refrigerant leakage.

[0027] According to the indoor unit 1 pertaining to embodiment 1, the detection port 31 of the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30 is configured to be located inside the heat exchanger chamber 10a. Because refrigerant leaks from the heat exchanger 2 in the heat exchanger chamber 10a, the detection port 31 of the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30 can be arranged in the same space as the refrigerant leakage detection location. This allows the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30 to quickly and reliably detect refrigerant leakage from the heat exchanger 2 inside the heat exchanger chamber 10a. This improves the detectability of refrigerant leakage.

[0028] According to the indoor unit 1 pertaining to embodiment 1, the fixing member 40 is configured to detachably fix the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30 to the side plate 11 of the housing 10. Therefore, the fixing member 40 allows the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30 to be attached to and detached from the side plate 11 of the housing 10.

[0029] In the indoor unit 1 according to the first embodiment, the fixing metal plate 41 that sandwiches the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30 between itself and the side plate 11 is fastened with screws 42. Therefore, the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30 can be attached to the side plate 11 by the fixing metal plate 41 and the screws 42. The refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30 can also be removed by removing the screws 42 and removing the fixing metal plate 41.

[0030] Furthermore, the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30 can be placed in a position where it can be replaced simply by removing the cover 23 and the fixing member 40 of the control box 20. Therefore, the workability of replacing the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30 can be improved.

[0031] According to the indoor unit 1 according to the first embodiment, the heat insulating material 50 is disposed between the side plate 11 of the housing 10 and the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30. Therefore, the heat insulating material 50 can prevent condensation water from adhering to the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30.

[0032] According to the indoor unit 1 of embodiment 1, the signal line 60 is configured to be able to connect the control board 21 and the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30, and is configured to be detachable from the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30 or the control board 21. Therefore, by attaching and detaching the signal line 60 to and from the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30 or the control board 21, the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30 can be replaced.

[0033] Furthermore, since the control board 21 is disposed adjacent to the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30, the length of the signal line 60 connecting the control board 21 and the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 30 can be shortened.

[0034] Embodiment 2 The configuration of the air conditioner 100 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the air conditioner 100 according to the second embodiment.

[0035] The air conditioner 100 according to the second embodiment comprises the above-described indoor unit 1 and outdoor unit 200. The outdoor unit 200 is connected to the indoor unit 1. The indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 200 are connected by refrigerant piping. This forms a refrigerant circuit in which the refrigerant circulates. Of the refrigerant piping, piping through which gas refrigerant (gas refrigerant) flows forms gas piping 300, and piping through which liquid refrigerant (liquid refrigerant or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant) flows forms liquid piping 400.

[0036] The outdoor unit 200 includes a compressor 201, a four-way valve 202, an outdoor heat exchanger 203, an outdoor blower 204, and an expansion valve 205. The compressor 201 is configured to compress and discharge the refrigerant it draws in. The four-way valve 202 is configured to switch the flow of refrigerant by switching the valve depending on whether the operation is cooling or heating. The outdoor heat exchanger 203 is configured to function as a condenser during cooling operation and as an evaporator during heating operation. The outdoor blower 204 is configured to send air to the outdoor heat exchanger 203 and condition the air outside the outdoor heat exchanger 203. The expansion valve 205 is configured to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant by expanding the refrigerant.

[0037] The indoor unit 1 includes a heat exchanger 2 and a blower 3. The heat exchanger 2 is configured to function as an evaporator during cooling operation and as a condenser during heating operation. The blower 3 is configured to send air to the heat exchanger 2 and condition the air outside the heat exchanger 2.

[0038] The air conditioning apparatus 100 according to embodiment 2 is equipped with the indoor unit 1 according to embodiment 1. Therefore, the air conditioning apparatus 100 according to embodiment 2 can realize an air conditioning apparatus 100 that exhibits the effects of the indoor unit 1 according to embodiment 1. Therefore, it is possible to provide an air conditioning apparatus 100 equipped with an indoor unit 1 that can improve replacement workability while ensuring detectability for refrigerant leakage.

[0039] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1 indoor unit, 2 heat exchanger, 3 blower, 10 housing, 10a heat exchanger chamber, 10b blower chamber, 11 side panel, 11a opening, 20 control box, 21 control board, 22 base, 23 cover, 30 refrigerant leak detection sensor, 31 detection port, 40 fixing member, 41 fixing sheet metal, 42 screw, 50 heat insulating material, 60 signal line, 100 air conditioning device.

Claims

1. a housing containing a heat exchanger through which a refrigerant flows; a control box attached to the housing and accommodating a control board; a refrigerant leakage detection sensor detachably connected to the control board, the housing containing the heat exchanger includes a side plate having an opening; the control box includes a base attached to the side panel and a cover configured to be detachable from the base, The control board is installed on the base, The cover is configured to cover the refrigerant leak detection sensor, The refrigerant leak detection sensor includes a detection port for the refrigerant, and is configured so that the detection port is located inside the housing while protruding from the outside to the inside of the housing through the opening.

2. a blower housed in the housing and configured to blow air to the heat exchanger; the housing includes a heat exchanger chamber in which the heat exchanger is disposed and a fan chamber in which the fan is disposed, The indoor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the detection port is configured to be located inside the heat exchanger chamber.

3. Further provided with a fixing member, The indoor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the fixing member is configured to detachably fix the refrigerant leakage detection sensor to the side plate of the housing.

4. Further equipped with thermal insulation, The indoor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the heat insulating material is disposed between the side plate of the housing and the refrigerant leakage detection sensor.

5. Further comprising a signal line, 2. The indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the signal line is configured to be connectable between the control board and the refrigerant leakage detection sensor, is configured to be detachable from the refrigerant leakage detection sensor, and is configured to be detachable from the control board.

6. The indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5; an outdoor unit connected to the indoor unit.

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