Refrigerant leakage detection system

Abstract

To provide a refrigerant leakage detection system for detecting leakage of a refrigerant from an air conditioning system, capable of detecting the leaked refrigerant even when a power failure occurs.SOLUTION: A refrigerant leakage detection system according to the present embodiment is a system that detects leakage of refrigerant from an air conditioning system, and includes a detector / alarm including a detection unit that detects leaked refrigerant and an alarm unit that issues an alarm when the detection unit detects leakage of refrigerant, a power supply adapter including a main power supply unit that supplies power to the detector / alarm, and a sub-power supply unit connected to the power supply adapter, wherein the power supply adapter supplies power from the sub-power supply unit to the detector / alarm when supply of power from the main power supply unit to the detector / alarm is disabled.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a refrigerant leak detection system that detects refrigerant leaks from an air conditioning system. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a system has been devised that is configured to be able to detect indoor leakage of a refrigerant used in a refrigeration cycle of an air conditioning system. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7466061 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In this type of system, the refrigerant detection sensor that detects leaking refrigerant is integrated with an alarm that issues an alarm when a leak is detected and is either located outside the air conditioner or inside the air conditioner. Regardless of the location, the refrigerant detection sensor operates using power supplied from a commercial power source. However, with this conventional configuration, the refrigerant detection sensor cannot be operated in the event of a power outage.

[0005] This embodiment relates to a refrigerant leak detection system that detects refrigerant leaks from an air conditioning system, and provides a technical solution that enables detection of leaked refrigerant even in the event of a power outage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The refrigerant leak detection system of this embodiment is a system that detects refrigerant leaks from an air conditioning system and comprises a detection alarm having a detection unit that detects leaked refrigerant and an alarm unit that issues an alarm when the detection unit detects a refrigerant leak, a power supply adapter having a main power supply unit that supplies power to the detection alarm, and a sub-power supply unit connected to the power supply adapter, and when it becomes impossible to supply power from the main power supply unit to the detection alarm, the power supply adapter supplies power to the detection alarm from the sub-power supply unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a refrigerant leak detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example in which the refrigerant leak detection system according to the present embodiment is applied to an air conditioning system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An embodiment of a refrigerant leak detection system will be described below with reference to the drawings. The refrigerant leak detection system 100 shown in Fig. 1 is a system for detecting refrigerant leaks from an air conditioning system 200, and includes a detection alarm 300 and a power supply adapter 400. The detection alarm 300 and the power supply adapter 400 are connected to each other via a communication line L1 so that they can communicate with each other. Note that communication in this disclosure is a concept that includes not only the transmission and reception of various signals and data, but also the transmission and reception of power, that is, power transmission and reception.

[0009] The detection alarm 300 comprises a housing 301 that forms the outer casing of the detection alarm device 300, and a sensor board 302 and an alarm board 303. The sensor board 302 and the alarm board 303 are connected to each other via a communication line L2 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0010] Sensor substrate 302 includes refrigerant detection sensor 304 for detecting refrigerant leaking from air conditioning system 200. Refrigerant detection sensor 304 is an example of a detection unit. Refrigerant detection sensor 304 is configured, for example, by a refrigerant gas sensor that can detect gaseous refrigerant leaking into the air.

[0011] The alarm board 303 includes a light alarm unit 305 and a sound alarm unit 306. The light alarm unit 305 and the sound alarm unit 306 are both examples of alarm units. The light alarm unit 305 is configured with a light-emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and can issue a visual alarm by outputting light. The sound alarm unit 306 is configured with a sound-emitting element such as a buzzer and can issue an auditory alarm by outputting sound.

[0012] The detection alarm 300 is equipped with a control circuit (not shown) that controls the overall operation of the detection alarm 300. The detection alarm 300 is configured to issue an alarm using at least either an optical alarm unit 305 or an audible alarm unit 306 when the refrigerant detection sensor 304 detects a refrigerant leak.

[0013] The power supply adapter 400 is provided with a power supply board 402 within a housing 401 that forms the outer casing of the power supply adapter 400. The power supply board 402 is provided with a commercial power supply unit 403 and a battery power supply unit 404 for supplying power to the detection alarm 300. The commercial power supply unit 403 is capable of supplying power obtained from, for example, a commercial power source 405 to the detection alarm 300. The commercial power source 405 is an example of a main power supply unit.

[0014] A battery kit 406 is detachably connected to the battery power supply unit 404. The battery kit 406 is an example of a sub-power supply unit. The battery kit 406 is configured with, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery, or a capacitor, and is capable of storing and discharging electricity. The battery kit 406 may be disposed outside the housing 401 or inside the housing 401.

[0015] The power supply adapter 400 is equipped with a control circuit (not shown) that controls the overall operation of the power supply adapter 400. If, for example, a power outage prevents the commercial power supply unit 403 from supplying power from a commercial power source 405 to the detection alarm 300, the power supply adapter 400 is configured so that the battery power supply unit 404 supplies power from a battery kit 406 to the detection alarm 300.

[0016] 2, the air conditioning system 200 is configured to include multiple indoor units 202[A], 202[B] for one outdoor unit 201. The air conditioning system 200 includes a refrigeration cycle including an outdoor heat exchanger (not shown) included in the outdoor unit 201, indoor heat exchangers (not shown) included in each of the multiple indoor units 202[A], 202[B], refrigerant piping (not shown) for circulating the refrigerant, a compressor (not shown) for compressing the refrigerant, and an expansion valve (not shown) for expanding the refrigerant.

[0017] The air conditioning system 200 also includes a circuit breaker 203[A] that cuts off the supply of refrigerant to the indoor unit 202[A] and a circuit breaker 203[C] that cuts off the supply of refrigerant to the indoor unit 202[B]. The circuit breaker 203[A] and the circuit breaker 203[C] are interposed in the refrigerant piping that constitutes the refrigeration cycle (not shown) between the outdoor unit 201 and the indoor units 202[A] and 202[B].

[0018] In the configuration example shown in Fig. 2, the indoor unit 202[A] and the circuit breaker 203[A] are arranged in the room R[A]. The indoor unit 202[B] is arranged in the room R[B]. The circuit breaker 203[C] is arranged in the room R[C].

[0019] A plurality of refrigerant leak detection systems 100[B], 100[C] are connected to the air conditioning system 200. The refrigerant leak detection systems 100[B], 100[C] are both connected to an indoor unit 202[B]. However, the detection alarm 300[B] of the refrigerant leak detection system 100[B] is placed in room R[B]. On the other hand, the detection alarm 300[C] of the refrigerant leak detection system 100[C] is placed in room R[C].

[0020] The refrigerant leak detection system 100[B] in which the detection alarm 300[B] is placed in room R[B] is associated in a predetermined manner, that is, is linked in a predetermined manner to the indoor unit 202[B]. On the other hand, the refrigerant leak detection system 100[C] in which the detection alarm 300[C] is placed in room R[C] is not linked in a predetermined manner to the indoor unit 202[B].

[0021] The predetermined linking can be performed, for example, by operating a link setting switch (not shown) provided on the power supply adapter 400[B] of the refrigerant leak detection system 100[B]. That is, in this embodiment, the link setting switch (not shown) provided on the power supply adapter 400[B] of the refrigerant leak detection system 100[B] is operated, but the link setting switch (not shown) provided on the power supply adapter 400[C] of the refrigerant leak detection system 100[C] is not operated. Therefore, the refrigerant leak detection system 100[B] is linked to the indoor unit 202[B], but the refrigerant leak detection system 100[C] is not linked to the indoor unit 202[B].

[0022] When the refrigerant leak detection system 100[B], which is linked to the indoor unit 202[B] in a predetermined manner, detects a refrigerant leak from the linked indoor unit 202[B] by the detection alarm 300[B], it closes the circuit breaker 203[C] that cuts off the supply of refrigerant to the indoor unit 202[B]. This stops the supply of refrigerant to the indoor unit 202[B], making it possible to suppress refrigerant leakage in the room R[B]. The detection alarm 300[B] also issues a light or sound alarm to notify that a refrigerant leak has occurred in the room R[B].

[0023] A refrigerant leak detection system 100[C] that is not linked to the indoor unit 202[B] in a predetermined manner will stop operation of the entire air conditioning system 200 if the detection alarm 300[C] detects a refrigerant leak from a component other than the indoor unit 202[B] that is linked to the refrigerant leak detection system 100[B], in this case, the circuit breaker 203[C]. This stops the circulation of refrigerant in the air conditioning system 200, making it possible to suppress refrigerant leakage in room R[C]. The detection alarm 300[C] also issues a light or sound alarm to notify that a refrigerant leak has occurred in room R[C].

[0024] A central alarm device 500 is also connected to the air conditioning system 200. The central alarm device 500 is placed in a central control room R[D] that is different from the rooms R[A], R[B], R[C]. Similar to the detection alarm device 300, the central alarm device 500 is equipped with an optical alarm unit that can issue a visual alarm and an audible alarm unit that can issue an auditory alarm. The central alarm device 500 is connected to the outdoor unit 201 of the air conditioning system 200 via an adapter 501.

[0025] When the refrigerant leak detection system 100[B] detects a refrigerant leak using the detection alarm 300[B], it transmits a leak occurrence signal indicating that a refrigerant leak has occurred in the room R[B] to the central alarm device 500 via the indoor unit 202[B], the indoor unit 202[A], and the outdoor unit 201. This enables the central alarm device 500 to notify that a refrigerant leak has occurred in the room R[B].

[0026] When the refrigerant leak detection system 100[C] detects a refrigerant leak using the detection alarm 300[C], it transmits a leak occurrence signal indicating that a refrigerant leak has occurred in room R[C] to the central alarm device 500 via the indoor unit 202[B], indoor unit 202[A], and outdoor unit 201. This enables the central alarm device 500 to notify that a refrigerant leak has occurred in room R[C].

[0027] According to the refrigerant leak detection system 100 illustrated above, if it becomes impossible to supply power from the commercial power supply 405 to the detection alarm 300, the power supply adapter 400 will supply power to the detection alarm 300 from the battery kit 406 via the battery power supply unit 404. According to this configuration example, even if a power outage occurs and it becomes impossible to supply power from the commercial power supply 405 to the detection alarm 300, it is possible to operate the refrigerant detection sensor 304 using power supplied from the battery kit 406, and it is possible to maintain a state in which it is possible to detect refrigerant leaking from the air conditioning system 200.

[0028] Furthermore, according to the refrigerant leak detection system 100, when the detection alarm 300 detects a refrigerant leak from an indoor unit 202 that is linked in a predetermined manner, it closes the circuit breaker 203 that cuts off the supply of refrigerant to that indoor unit 202. According to this configuration example, it is possible to cut off the supply of refrigerant to an indoor unit 202 that is likely to be leaking refrigerant, that is, it is possible to pinpoint and cut off the supply of refrigerant to an indoor unit 202 that is likely to be the source of a refrigerant leak.

[0029] Furthermore, according to the refrigerant leakage detection system 100, if the detection alarm 300 detects a refrigerant leak from any unit other than the indoor unit 202 that is linked in a predetermined manner, in this case, the circuit breaker 203, the operation of the entire air conditioning system 200 is stopped.

[0030] Here, even if it were possible to detect a refrigerant leak from circuit breaker 203, it would be difficult to determine whether the leak is occurring upstream or downstream of circuit breaker 203. Furthermore, if a refrigerant leak is occurring upstream of circuit breaker 203, the refrigerant leak cannot be stopped even if circuit breaker 203 is closed. Therefore, if the detection alarm device 300 detects a refrigerant leak from an indoor unit other than an indoor unit 202 with which a predetermined link is established, by stopping the operation of the entire air conditioning system 200, further refrigerant leakage can be suppressed regardless of the location of the refrigerant leak.

[0031] If the indoor unit 202[B] and the circuit breaker 203[C] are located relatively close to each other, a single refrigerant leakage detection system 100 may be used to detect refrigerant leakage from the indoor unit 202[B] and the circuit breaker 203[C].

[0032] Furthermore, the refrigerant leak detection system 100 includes the detection alarm 300 and the power supply adapter 400 as separate, independent components, which allows for greater flexibility in the installation of the detection alarm 300 and the power supply adapter 400. This also allows for greater flexibility in the design of the detection alarm 300 and the power supply adapter 400, making it possible to reduce the size and weight of each. Note that the refrigerant leak detection system 100 may also be configured such that the detection alarm 300 and the power supply adapter 400 are provided in the same housing.

[0033] Furthermore, since the refrigerant leak detection system 100 is provided with a dedicated power supply adapter 400, it can be operated by a power supply system separate from the power supply system of the air conditioning system 200. Therefore, even if an abnormality occurs in the power supply system of the air conditioning system 200, it is possible to continue supplying power to the refrigerant leak detection system 100, and it is possible to maintain a state in which refrigerant leak detection and alarms can be detected.

[0034] Note that this embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and extensions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, communication between the refrigerant leak detection system 100 and the air conditioning system 200 and communication between the refrigerant leak detection system 100 and the circuit breaker 203 may be wired communication or wireless communication.

[0035] In addition, the link setting switch that links the refrigerant leak detection system 100 and the indoor unit 202 may be provided in the detection alarm device 300, in the power supply adapter 400, or in the indoor unit 202 instead of in the refrigerant leak detection system 100.

[0036] The method of linking the refrigerant leak detection system 100 and the indoor unit 202 may be, for example, a method of setting the link by operating a remote control or the like that is provided to enable remote operation of the refrigerant leak detection system 100. The method of linking the refrigerant leak detection system 100 and the indoor unit 202 may be, for example, a method of setting the link by assigning the same address number or associated address numbers to the refrigerant leak detection system 100 and the indoor unit 202.

[0037] Furthermore, the method of linking the refrigerant leak detection system 100 and the indoor unit 202 may be, for example, a method of differentiating the wiring mode when linking and when not linking. More specifically, for example, a method can be considered in which the refrigerant leak detection system 100 and the indoor unit 202 are linked in a wiring mode in which they are directly connected without any other components, and the refrigerant leak detection system 100 and the indoor unit 202 are not linked in a wiring mode in which they are indirectly connected via other components.

[0038] Furthermore, the refrigerant leak detection system 100 does not necessarily have to be linked to the indoor unit 202. Furthermore, for an indoor unit 202 that is not linked to the refrigerant leak detection system 100, for example, a safety device separate from the refrigerant leak detection system 100 may be installed.

[0039] Furthermore, the detection alarm 300 may also be configured to issue an alarm using the optical alarm unit 305 or the sound alarm unit 306 if an abnormality occurs in the communication between the air conditioning system 200 and the power supply adapter 400. According to this configuration example, if an abnormality occurs in the operation of the air conditioning system 200 for some reason, for example, if a power outage or the like makes it impossible to supply power to the air conditioning system 200, or if the communication line connecting the air conditioning system 200 and the power supply adapter 400 is broken, it is possible for the detection alarm 300 to notify that an abnormality has occurred in the operation of the air conditioning system 200.

[0040] Furthermore, the detection alarm 300 may also be configured to issue an alarm using the optical alarm unit 305 or the audio alarm unit 306 when the supply of power from the commercial power supply 405 becomes impossible due to, for example, a power outage. That is, according to the refrigerant leak detection system 100 of the present disclosure, when the supply of power from the commercial power supply 405 becomes impossible, the detection alarm 300 can be operated by power supplied from the battery kit 406. Therefore, for example, if an abnormality occurs in the power supply system from the commercial power supply 405 for some reason, it is possible for the detection alarm 300 to notify this.

[0041] Furthermore, the detection alarm device 300 may also be configured to issue an alarm using the optical alarm unit 305 or the sound alarm unit 306 if an abnormality occurs in communication with the refrigerant detection sensor 304. According to this configuration example, if an abnormality occurs in the refrigerant detection sensor 304 for some reason, for example, if the refrigerant detection sensor 304 breaks down or the communication line L2 is disconnected, the detection alarm device 300 can notify that an abnormality has occurred in the refrigerant detection sensor 304.

[0042] Furthermore, the detection alarm 300 may also be configured to issue an alarm using the optical alarm unit 305 or the sound alarm unit 306 when a failure signal is received as a predetermined signal from the refrigerant detection sensor 304. According to this configuration example, if a failure occurs in the refrigerant detection sensor 304 for some reason, for example, it is possible for the detection alarm 300 to notify this.

[0043] Furthermore, the refrigerant leak detection system 100 may be further configured to be able to perform a lifespan determination that determines whether the refrigerant detection sensor 304 is normal or not based on the total time that power has been applied to the refrigerant detection sensor 304. According to this configuration example, it is possible to indicate when to inspect or replace the refrigerant detection sensor 304 based on the number of years of use and the deterioration state of the refrigerant detection sensor 304, and to prevent a refrigerant detection sensor 304 that is not operating normally from being continued to be used.

[0044] The refrigerant leak detection system 100 may further include a monitoring function for monitoring the communication status with the air conditioning system 200, and may be configured to be able to switch this monitoring function between an enabled state and a disabled state. A refrigerant leak detection system 100 with the monitoring function switched to an enabled state can issue a warning if an abnormality occurs in the operation of the air conditioning system 200 for some reason. On the other hand, a refrigerant leak detection system 100 with the monitoring function switched to a disabled state does not incur the processing load of monitoring the communication status with the air conditioning system 200, and therefore resources can be concentrated on refrigerant leak detection and alarm processing. In other words, the refrigerant leak detection system 100 can be operated in a so-called "standalone" mode, making it possible to realize a system specialized for refrigerant leak detection and alarm processing.

[0045] The method of switching the monitoring function between an enabled state and a disabled state may be, for example, by operating a dip switch provided on the detection alarm device 300 or the power supply adapter 400, or may be some other method.

[0046] Furthermore, the detection alarm device 300 may be configured so that its voltage state changes between an alarm being issued and an alarm not being issued, and this voltage state is transmitted to the air conditioning system 200 or central alarm device 500 via an output line (not shown). According to this configuration example, even when the refrigerant leak detection system 100 is operated in a so-called "standalone" form, it can notify the air conditioning system 200 or central alarm device 500 whether an alarm is being issued or not, in other words, whether a refrigerant leak has occurred or not.

[0047] Furthermore, the refrigerant leak detection system 100 may be configured to include a backup power supply system instead of the battery kit 406 or in addition to the battery kit 406.

[0048] Furthermore, one circuit breaker 203 may be provided for one indoor unit 202, or one circuit breaker 203 may be provided for multiple indoor units 202. In a configuration in which one circuit breaker 203 is provided for multiple indoor units 202, it is preferable that the circuit breaker 203 be closed when refrigerant leakage from any one of the multiple indoor units 202 is detected.

[0049] The air conditioning system 200 may be configured such that the outdoor unit 201 and the indoor unit 202 are connected by three pipes and heat is recovered and reused, a configuration known as a "heat recovery system," or may be configured such that the outdoor unit 201 and the indoor unit 202 are connected by two pipes, a configuration known as a "heat pump system."

[0050] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented merely as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, etc. can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The present embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] In the drawing, 100 indicates a refrigerant leakage detection system, 200 indicates an air conditioning system, 202 indicates an indoor unit, 203 indicates a circuit breaker, 300 indicates a detection alarm, 304 indicates a refrigerant detection sensor (detection unit), 305 indicates a light alarm unit (alarm unit), 306 indicates a sound alarm unit (alarm unit), 400 indicates a power supply adapter, 405 indicates a commercial power source (main power supply unit), and 406 indicates a battery kit (sub-power supply unit).

Claims

1. A system for detecting refrigerant leakage from an air conditioning system, comprising: a detection alarm having a detection unit that detects leaked refrigerant and an alarm unit that issues an alarm when the detection unit detects a leak of refrigerant; a power supply adapter having a main power supply section for supplying power to the detection alarm; a sub-power supply unit connected to the power supply adapter; Equipped with The power supply adapter supplies power to the detection alarm from the sub-power supply unit when the supply of power from the main power supply unit to the detection alarm becomes impossible.

2. an indoor unit constituting the air conditioning system; a circuit breaker that cuts off the supply of refrigerant to the indoor unit; Equipped with When the detection unit detects a refrigerant leak from the indoor unit with which a predetermined association is made, the circuit breaker that cuts off the supply of refrigerant to the indoor unit is closed; The refrigerant leakage detection system according to claim 1 , wherein the air conditioning system is stopped when the detection unit detects a refrigerant leak from an indoor unit other than the indoor unit with which a predetermined association is established.

3. The refrigerant leakage detection system according to claim 1 , wherein the detection alarm issues an alarm via the alarm unit when an abnormality occurs in communication between the air conditioning system and the power supply adapter.

4. 2. The refrigerant leakage detection system according to claim 1, wherein the detection alarm issues an alarm using the alarm unit when the supply of power from the main power supply unit becomes impossible.

5. The refrigerant leakage detection system according to claim 1 , wherein the detection alarm issues an alarm via the alarm unit when an abnormality occurs in communication with the detection unit.

6. 2. The refrigerant leakage detection system according to claim 1, wherein the detection alarm issues an alarm via the alarm section when a predetermined signal is received from the detection section.

7. 2. The refrigerant leakage detection system according to claim 1, wherein whether or not the detection unit is normal is determined based on the time that the detection unit is energized.

8. The refrigerant leak detection system according to claim 1 , wherein a function for monitoring the state of communication with the air conditioning system can be switched between an enabled state and an disabled state.

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