Indoor unit and air conditioner

Abstract

To provide an indoor unit that can quickly detect refrigerant leaks. [Solution] The indoor unit is a wall-mounted indoor unit of an air conditioning system. The indoor unit comprises a heat exchanger, a refrigerant detection sensor, a partition member, and auxiliary piping. The heat exchanger is located in the first space. The refrigerant detection sensor is located in the second space. The partition member separates the first space from the second space. The auxiliary piping is arranged to extend from the first space across the partition member to the second space. One end of the auxiliary piping is connected to the heat exchanger in the first space, and the other end is located in the second space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Relates to an indoor unit and an air conditioner.

Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-64524) describes an air conditioner using a flammable refrigerant.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] In recent years, among flammable refrigerants, highly flammable refrigerants that are particularly easy to burn may be used in air conditioners. In such cases, it is desirable to quickly detect refrigerant leakage from the refrigerant circuit of the refrigeration device to improve safety.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The indoor unit of the first aspect is a wall-mounted indoor unit of an air conditioner. The indoor unit includes a heat exchanger, a refrigerant detection sensor, a partition member, and an auxiliary pipe. The heat exchanger is disposed in a first space. The refrigerant detection sensor is disposed in a second space. The partition member partitions the first space and the second space. The auxiliary pipe is disposed so as to extend from the first space across the partition member to the second space. One end of the auxiliary pipe is connected to the heat exchanger in the first space, and the other end is located in the second space.

[0005] According to this indoor unit, refrigerant leakage can be quickly detected.

[0006] The indoor unit of the second aspect is the indoor unit of the first aspect, and the other end of the auxiliary pipe is connected to a communication pipe extending from an outdoor unit in the second space.

[0007] The indoor unit of the third aspect is the indoor unit of the first aspect or the second aspect, and further includes a fixing member. The fixing member fixes the auxiliary pipe in the second space.

[0008] The indoor unit in the fourth viewpoint is an indoor unit from either the first viewpoint or the third viewpoint, and the distance between the refrigerant detection sensor and the other end of the auxiliary piping is within 300 mm.

[0009] The indoor unit in the fifth viewpoint is an indoor unit from either the first viewpoint or the fourth viewpoint, and the other end of the auxiliary piping is located above the refrigerant detection sensor.

[0010] The indoor unit of the sixth perspective is an indoor unit of any of the first to fifth perspectives, further comprising a drain pan. The drain pan receives condensation water generated in the first space. The partition member has a wall surface on the first space side. The wall surface on the first space side is configured to guide the condensation water to the drain pan.

[0011] The indoor unit of the seventh perspective is an indoor unit of any of the first to sixth perspectives, further comprising a motor. The motor rotates a fan that generates airflow through a heat exchanger. The partition member supports the motor or the rotating shaft member of the motor.

[0012] The indoor unit in the eighth perspective is the indoor unit in the seventh perspective, and the motor is positioned on the opposite side of the heat exchanger from the second space.

[0013] The indoor unit of the ninth perspective is an indoor unit of either the first or eighth perspective, further comprising an electrical components box. The electrical components box is positioned on the opposite side of the heat exchanger from the second space.

[0014] The indoor unit of the tenth viewpoint is an indoor unit of any of the first to ninth viewpoints, further comprising a cover. The cover is integrally formed to cover the front and sides of the second space.

[0015] The indoor unit in the 11th perspective is an indoor unit from either the 1st perspective to the 10th perspective, in which a highly flammable refrigerant flows through the heat exchanger and auxiliary piping.

[0016] The air conditioning system of the 12th perspective comprises an indoor unit of any of the first to 11 perspectives and an outdoor unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system 10 having an indoor unit 30. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the indoor unit 30. [Figure 3] This is a front view of the indoor unit 30 with the front of the casing 33 removed. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the second space S2 of the indoor unit 30. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view of the indoor unit 30 cut along line AA in Figure 3. [Figure 6] This is a side view of the partition member 36 as seen from the left side. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. These embodiments are essentially preferred examples and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure, its applications, or its uses. Furthermore, each embodiment, modification, and other example described below can be combined or partially replaced to the extent that this disclosure is implementable. The directions up, down, left, right, front, and back, as referred to below, correspond to the directions indicated by arrows in each figure.

[0019] (1) Overall structure An indoor unit 30 according to one embodiment of this disclosure is used in an air conditioning system 10.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the air conditioning unit 10 executes a vapor compression refrigeration cycle in the refrigerant circuit 11 to achieve cooling and heating operations, which are air conditioning operations. In cooling operation, the air conditioning unit 10 cools the air in the indoor space. In heating operation, the air conditioning unit 10 heats the air in the indoor space.

[0021] The air conditioner 10 includes an outdoor unit 20, an indoor unit 30, and a communication pipe 70. The indoor unit 30 and the outdoor unit 20 are connected by the communication pipe 70 to form a refrigerant circulation path. The refrigerant is a highly flammable refrigerant. Examples of highly flammable refrigerants include R290 (propane), R50 (methane), R170 (ethane), R600 (butane), and R1270 (propylene).

[0022] The communication pipe 70 has a liquid communication pipe 71 and a gas communication pipe 72. The liquid communication pipe 71 mainly allows the refrigerant in a liquid state or a gas-liquid two-phase state to pass through. The gas communication pipe 72 mainly allows the refrigerant in a high-pressure gas state or a low-pressure gas state to pass through.

[0023] (2) Detailed configuration (2-1) Indoor unit 30 The indoor unit 30 is installed in the air-conditioned space.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the indoor unit 30 is a wall-mounted indoor unit in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the horizontal direction (left-right direction) and is used by being attached to the wall surface WL of the air-conditioned space.

[0025] The indoor unit 30 includes a casing 33, a refrigerant pipe 90, a utilization heat exchanger 31, a partition member 36, an auxiliary pipe 50, a fixing member 38, a refrigerant detection sensor 40, a cover 41, a drain pan 42, a motor 32, and an electrical component box 43. In the utilization heat exchanger 31 and the auxiliary pipe 50, a highly flammable refrigerant flows.

[0026] (2-1-1) Casing 33 The casing 33 forms the outer shell of the indoor unit 30. An internal space for housing the utilization heat exchanger 31 is formed inside the casing 33.

[0027] The casing 33 is formed in a horizontally long box shape. The casing 33 has a front plate, a rear plate, an upper plate, and a lower plate.

[0028] The casing 33 has an intake port 33a and an outlet port 33b. The casing 33 is installed in the space to be air-conditioned so that its rear plate is in contact with the wall surface WL.

[0029] The intake port 33a is an opening formed at the top of the casing 33 and is the inlet for air to flow into the interior of the casing 33. The outlet port 33b is an opening formed at the bottom of the casing 33 and is the outlet for the airflow (conditioned air). The indoor unit 30 draws air from the space to be air-conditioned into the casing 33 through the intake port 33a and blows out conditioned air through the outlet port 33b.

[0030] The height of casing 33 is 240-310 mm, the depth is 180-400 mm, and the width is 700-900 mm.

[0031] (2-1-2) Refrigerant piping 90 As shown in Figure 1, the refrigerant piping 90 includes liquid refrigerant piping 91 and gaseous refrigerant piping 92. The liquid refrigerant piping 91 mainly carries refrigerant in a liquid state or a gas-liquid two-phase state. The liquid refrigerant piping 91 connects the liquid connecting piping 71 and the heat exchanger 31 via the liquid auxiliary piping 51. The gaseous refrigerant piping 92 mainly carries refrigerant in a high-pressure gas state or a low-pressure gas state. The gaseous refrigerant piping 92 connects the gas connecting piping 72 and the heat exchanger 31 via the gas auxiliary piping 52.

[0032] (2-1-3) Utilized heat exchanger 31 The heat exchanger 31 causes the refrigerant to exchange heat with the air in the space to be air-conditioned. The airflow generated by the fan 32a passes through the heat exchanger 31.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the heat exchanger 31 has a plurality of heat transfer tubes 31a, a plurality of heat transfer fins 31b, a plurality of U-shaped tubes 31c, and a tube sheet 31d. The heat exchanger 31 is a fin-and-tube type heat exchanger. The heat transfer tubes 31a, heat transfer fins 31b, U-shaped tubes 31c, and tube sheet 31d are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The heat exchanger 31 is an example of a heat exchanger. The plurality of heat transfer tubes 31a and U-shaped tubes 31c constitute a part of the refrigerant piping 90.

[0034] Multiple heat transfer tubes 31a are arranged inside the casing 33 such that their longitudinal direction aligns with the left-right direction and they are spaced apart from one another.

[0035] Multiple heat transfer fins 31b are arranged inside the casing 33 so as to be perpendicular to each other in the left-right direction and to be spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. Each heat transfer fin 31b has multiple holes formed through which the heat transfer tubes 31a pass. The multiple heat transfer fins 31b are arranged between two tube sheets 31d along the left-right direction.

[0036] The U-shaped pipe 31c connects the ends of two predetermined heat transfer tubes 31a. Some of the heat transfer tubes 31a have pipes connected to either the auxiliary pipes 51 or 52 at their ends. This allows the refrigerant flowing into the heat transfer tubes 31a from either the auxiliary pipes 51 or 52 to flow through multiple heat transfer tubes 31a while circling back through the U-shaped pipe 31c.

[0037] The tube sheet 31d supports the multiple heat transfer tubes 31a at their longitudinal ends. The tube sheet 31d is positioned inside the casing 33 perpendicular to the left-right direction. The tube sheet 31d is formed in substantially the same shape as the heat transfer fins 31b and has multiple holes through which the heat transfer tubes 31a pass.

[0038] (2-1-4) Partition member 36 As shown in Figures 3-5, the partition member 36 is positioned to the right of the heat exchanger 31. More specifically, the partition member 36 is positioned near the right end of the heat exchanger 31 such that its main surface is perpendicular to the left-right direction.

[0039] The partition member 36 is a plate-shaped member. The partition member 36 is made of resin. The partition member 36 may consist of one member or multiple members. The partition member 36 is formed as a separate member from the casing 33 and is attached to the casing 33.

[0040] The partition member 36 divides the space inside the indoor unit 30 into a first space S1 and a second space S2. The heat exchanger 31 is located in the first space S1. The pipe connection section 80, which connects the auxiliary pipe 50 and the connecting pipe 70, is located in the second space S2. The refrigerant detection sensor 40 is also located in the second space S2.

[0041] There is a gap between the upper edge of the partition member 36 and the upper plate of the casing 33. Through this gap, the auxiliary pipe 50 crosses over the partition member 36 and goes from the first space S1 to the second space S2. When the auxiliary pipe 50 crosses over the partition member 36, this also includes cases where the auxiliary pipe 50 and the partition member 36 come into contact at the portion where the auxiliary pipe 50 crosses over the partition member 36.

[0042] As shown in Figure 6, the partition member 36 has a guide portion 36a on the surface facing the first space S1. The guide portion 36a protrudes toward the first space S1 from the surface of the partition member 36 facing the first space S1. The guide portion 36a includes a tapered portion. The tapered portion is a tapered surface whose bottom surface is inclined toward the drain pan 42 located below it.

[0043] The guide section 36a guides condensed water adhering to the side of the partition member 36 facing the heat exchanger 31 to the drain pan 42. The guide section 36a functions as a water conduit.

[0044] The guide portion 36a may be arranged by connecting a separate wall member 36y to the main body portion 36x via the guide portion 36a. In this case, the wall member 36y is arranged in the first space S1. The wall member 36y supports the guide portion 36a. An arc-shaped portion along the outer diameter of the utilization fan 32a may be formed on the utilization heat exchanger 31 side of the wall member 36y.

[0045] (2-1-5) Auxiliary piping 50 As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the auxiliary piping 50 is arranged to extend from the first space S1 across the partition member 36 to the second space S2. The auxiliary piping 50 is the portion from the pipe connection point 80 between the auxiliary piping 50 and the connecting pipe 70 in the second space S2, across the partition member 36 to the first space S1, and where it begins to branch into a plurality of heat transfer tubes 31a. If the partition member 36 has a wall member 36y, the auxiliary piping 50 is the portion from the pipe connection point 80 between the auxiliary piping 50 and the connecting pipe 70 in the second space S2, across the main body portion 36x of the partition member 36 to the first space S1, and where it begins to branch into a plurality of heat transfer tubes 31a.

[0046] The auxiliary piping 50 connects the heat exchanger 31 and the connecting piping 70.

[0047] In detail, the first end 50a of the auxiliary pipe 50 is connected to the utilization heat exchanger 31 in the first space S1. This first end 50a of the auxiliary pipe 50 converges the multiple heat transfer tubes 31a of the utilization heat exchanger 31.

[0048] The other end of the auxiliary pipe 50, the second end 50b, is located in the second space S2. The second end 50b of the auxiliary pipe 50 is connected to the connecting pipe 70 extending from the outdoor unit 20 in the second space S2. The second end 50b of the auxiliary pipe 50 faces downwards. Therefore, even when the indoor unit is mounted on the wall, the connection work between the auxiliary pipe 50 and the connecting pipe 70 can be performed smoothly.

[0049] The pipe connection point 80 between the auxiliary pipe 50 and the connecting pipe 70 is located on the front side of the indoor unit 30 when viewed from above.

[0050] The auxiliary piping 50 includes a liquid auxiliary piping 51 and a gas auxiliary piping 52. The liquid auxiliary piping 51 mainly passes refrigerant in a liquid state or a gas-liquid two-phase state. The liquid auxiliary piping 51 is connected to the liquid refrigerant circuit 91. The liquid auxiliary piping 51 is connected to the liquid connecting piping 71. The gas auxiliary piping 52 mainly passes refrigerant in a high-pressure gas state or a low-pressure gas state. The gas auxiliary piping 52 is connected to the gas refrigerant circuit 92. The gas auxiliary piping 52 is connected to the gas connecting piping 72.

[0051] The gas auxiliary pipe 52 is positioned behind the liquid auxiliary pipe 51. The gas auxiliary pipe 52 is thicker than the liquid auxiliary pipe 51. Similarly, the connecting pipe 70 from the outdoor unit 20 also has a gas connecting pipe 72 that carries gas and a liquid connecting pipe 71 that carries liquid. By positioning the gas auxiliary pipe 52 behind the liquid auxiliary pipe 51, when attaching the connecting pipe 70 to the auxiliary pipe 50, the bend in the gas connecting pipe 72 can be made smaller than the bend in the liquid connecting pipe 71. As a result, springback when the connecting pipe 70 is bent is suppressed, making it easier to attach the connecting pipe 70.

[0052] (2-1-6) Fixing member 38 The fixing member 38 is positioned to protrude from the rear plate of the casing 33. The fixing member 38 may be formed integrally with the casing 33 or as a separate component. If formed as a separate component, the fixing member 38 is made of resin.

[0053] The fixing member 38 fixes the auxiliary pipe 50 in the second space. More specifically, the fixing member 38 fixes the auxiliary pipe 50 in the upper part of the second space. The fixing member 38 fixes the auxiliary pipe 50 by sandwiching it from the left and right directions.

[0054] The fixing member 38 may fix multiple auxiliary pipes 50 together, or it may fix multiple auxiliary pipes 50 separately. The fixing member 38 may fix all of the multiple auxiliary pipes 50, or it may fix some of the auxiliary pipes 50.

[0055] The fixing member 38 may not fix the auxiliary pipe 50 so that it does not move at all, but rather restrict the horizontal movement of the auxiliary pipe 50 to within a predetermined range.

[0056] (2-1-7) Refrigerant detection sensor 40 The refrigerant detection sensor 40 is located in the second space S2. The refrigerant sensor is mounted on the lower part of the rear plate of the casing 33. The refrigerant sensor is positioned so that the gas-sensing part faces downwards.

[0057] The distance between the refrigerant detection sensor 40 and the second end 50b of the auxiliary pipe 50 is 300 mm or less. Preferably, the distance between the refrigerant detection sensor 40 and the second end 50b of the auxiliary pipe 50 is 200 mm or less, more preferably 100 mm or less.

[0058] The second end 50b of the auxiliary pipe 50 is located above the refrigerant detection sensor 40.

[0059] The refrigerant detection sensor 40 detects refrigerant leakage.

[0060] (2-1-8) Cover 41 As shown in Figure 2, the cover 41 is integrally formed to cover the entire surface and sides of the second space S2. The cover 41 is formed as a separate component from the casing 33.

[0061] (2-1-9) Drain pan 42 As shown in Figure 4, the drain pan 42 is positioned below the heat exchanger 31.

[0062] The drain pan 42 has a front side and a rear side. The drain pan 42 receives condensation water generated in the first space S1.

[0063] The drain pan 42 is formed in a box shape with an open top.

[0064] The front portion is formed in the area located below the front heat exchange section and the front auxiliary heat exchange section.

[0065] The rear section is formed in the portion located below the rear heat exchange section and the rear auxiliary heat exchange section.

[0066] The drain water that flows into the drain pan 42 travels along the bottom surface of the drain pan 42 and is discharged from the outlet into the drain hose.

[0067] (2-1-10) Motor 32 As shown in Figure 2, the motor 32 is positioned near the upper left end of the indoor unit 30. The motor 32 is positioned on the opposite side of the second space S2 from the heat exchanger 31.

[0068] The motor 32 is connected to the control device 39. The rotational speed of the motor 32 is controlled by the control device 39.

[0069] Motor 32 rotates the fan 32a. More specifically, motor 32 is an actuator that rotates the body of the fan 32a.

[0070] The utilization fan 32a generates an airflow that flows into the casing 33 from the intake port 33a, passes through the air filter 34 and the utilization heat exchanger 31, and is blown out from the outlet 33b. The utilization fan 32a is a cross-flow fan.

[0071] The utilization fan 32a is positioned so that its axis of rotation is aligned in the left-right direction and it is located downstream of the utilization heat exchanger 31 and surrounded by the utilization heat exchanger 31.

[0072] (2-1-11) Electrical component box 43 The electrical component box 43 is generally formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0073] The electrical component box 43 is located near the upper left end of the indoor unit 30. The electrical component box 43 is located on the opposite side of the second space S2 from the heat exchanger 31. More specifically, the electrical component box 43 is located to the left of the motor 32. The top surface of the electrical component box 43 is located near the top plate of the casing 33.

[0074] The electrical component box 43 houses the specified printed circuit board and control device 39.

[0075] The control device 39 is located to the left of the motor 32 (see Figure 4). The control device 39 is electrically connected to the motor 32 via wiring.

[0076] The control device 39 controls each actuator (motor 32 of the fan 32a and the motor of the flap). The control device 39 is implemented by a computer. The control device 39 comprises a control arithmetic unit and a memory device. A processor such as a CPU or GPU can be used for the control arithmetic unit. The control arithmetic unit reads a program stored in the memory device and performs predetermined arithmetic processing according to this program. Furthermore, the control arithmetic unit can write the calculation results to the memory device or read information stored in the memory device according to the program.

[0077] The control device 39 determines whether or not there is a refrigerant leak based on the detection result of the refrigerant gas detected by the refrigerant detection sensor 40.

[0078] (2-2) Outdoor unit 20 The outdoor unit 20 is installed outside the space to be air-conditioned.

[0079] As shown in Figure 1, the outdoor unit 20 includes a compressor 21, a four-way valve 22, a heat source heat exchanger 23, an expansion valve 24, an accumulator 25, and a heat source fan 28. The refrigerant circuit 11 connects the compressor 21, the four-way valve 22, the heat source heat exchanger 23, the expansion valve 24, the accumulator 25, and the utilization heat exchanger 31 with piping. The inside of the refrigerant circuit 11 is filled with refrigerant.

[0080] In cooling operation mode, the four-way valve 22 switches to the connection state shown by the solid line, connecting the compressor 21 to the heat source heat exchanger 23, and the utilization heat exchanger 31 to the accumulator 25. In heating operation mode, the four-way valve 22 switches to the connection state shown by the dashed line, connecting the compressor 21 to the utilization heat exchanger 31, and the heat source heat exchanger 23 to the accumulator 25.

[0081] (3) Overall operation The basic operation of the air conditioning system 10 will be described below. The air conditioning system 10 performs cooling and heating operations.

[0082] (3-1) Refrigerant circulation during cooling operation In cooling operation, the gaseous refrigerant compressed by the compressor 21 is sent to the heat source heat exchanger 23 through the four-way valve 22. In the heat source heat exchanger 23, the refrigerant exchanges heat with the air outside the air-conditioned space (heat source) blown by the heat source fan 28 and condenses. The refrigerant that has exchanged heat in the heat source heat exchanger 23 expands and is depressurized in the expansion valve 24 and sent to the utilization heat exchanger 31 of the indoor unit 30 through the liquid connecting pipe 72, liquid auxiliary pipe 52, and liquid refrigerant pipe 92. The low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant sent from the expansion valve 24 to the utilization heat exchanger 31 of the indoor unit 30 exchanges heat with the air in the air-conditioned space blown by the utilization fan 32a and evaporates. At this time, the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant is cooled. The gaseous refrigerant or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has undergone heat exchange in the utilization heat exchanger 31 is drawn into the compressor 21 through the gas refrigerant piping 91, gas auxiliary piping 51, gas connecting piping 71, four-way valve 22, and accumulator 25. The conditioned air cooled in the utilization heat exchanger 31 is blown out from the indoor unit 30 into the space to be air-conditioned, thereby providing cooling to the room.

[0083] (3-2) Refrigerant circulation during heating operation In heating operation, the gaseous refrigerant compressed by the compressor 21 is sent to the utilization heat exchanger 31 through the four-way valve 22, gas connecting pipe 71, gas auxiliary pipe 51, and gaseous refrigerant pipe 91. In the utilization heat exchanger 31, the refrigerant exchanges heat with the air in the air-conditioned space blown by the utilization fan 32a and condenses. At this time, the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant is heated. The refrigerant that has exchanged heat in the utilization heat exchanger 31 is sent to the expansion valve 24 through the liquid refrigerant pipe 92, liquid auxiliary pipe 52, and liquid connecting pipe 71. The low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant that has expanded and reduced pressure in the expansion valve 24 is sent to the heat source heat exchanger 23, where it exchanges heat with the air outside the air-conditioned space blown by the heat source fan 28 and evaporates. The gaseous refrigerant or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has exchanged heat in the heat source heat exchanger 23 is drawn into the compressor 21 through the four-way valve 22 and accumulator 25. The conditioned air heated by the heat exchanger 31 is blown from the indoor unit 30 into the space to be air-conditioned, thereby providing heating to the room.

[0084] (4) Features (4-1) The indoor unit 30 is a wall-mounted indoor unit 30 of the air conditioning system 100, and comprises a heat exchanger, a refrigerant detection sensor 40, a partition member 36, and auxiliary piping 50. The heat exchanger is located in the first space S1. The refrigerant detection sensor 40 is located in the second space S2. The partition member 36 separates the first space S1 and the second space S2. The auxiliary piping 50 is arranged to extend from the first space S1 across the partition member 36 to the second space S2. The first end 50a of the auxiliary piping 50 is connected to the heat exchanger 31 in the first space S1, and the second end 50b is located in the second space S2.

[0085] In the first space S1 where the heat exchanger 31 is located, the system is susceptible to the effects of the airflow passing through the heat exchanger 31. According to this indoor unit 30, the second space S2 where the refrigerant detection sensor 40 is located is separated from the first space S1 by a partition member 36. Therefore, the effects of the airflow passing through the heat exchanger 31 can be reduced, and refrigerant leakage can be detected quickly.

[0086] Furthermore, the second end 50b of the auxiliary piping 50 is a point where refrigerant leakage may occur. In conventional wall-mounted indoor unit air conditioning systems 100, the auxiliary piping and the connecting piping that connects to the outdoor unit are connected outside the indoor unit. In this case, a separate refrigerant detection sensor needs to be placed outside the indoor unit. In this indoor unit 30, the second end 50b of the auxiliary piping 50 is placed in the second space S2 of the indoor unit 30. This allows the refrigerant detection sensor 40 placed in the indoor unit 30 to quickly detect refrigerant leakage if it occurs.

[0087] Furthermore, the partition member 36 suppresses the generation of condensation water in the second space S2, thereby also suppressing the deterioration of the refrigerant leak sensor 40.

[0088] (4-2) The second end 50b of the auxiliary piping 50 is connected in the second space S2 to a connecting pipe extending from the outdoor unit.

[0089] The pipe connection point 80 between the auxiliary pipe 50 and the connecting pipe is a point where connection work is performed at the installation site, and therefore has a higher possibility of refrigerant leakage compared to other points. In this indoor unit 30, the pipe connection point 80, which is the connection point between the auxiliary pipe 50 and the connecting pipe 70, is located in the second space S2 of the indoor unit 30. This allows the refrigerant detection sensor 40 to be placed near the pipe connection point 80. Therefore, even if refrigerant leakage occurs at the pipe connection point 80, it can be detected quickly.

[0090] (4-3) The indoor unit 30 further includes a fixing member 38. The fixing member 38 fixes the auxiliary piping 50 in the second space S2.

[0091] In this configuration, the fixing member 38 fixes the auxiliary pipe 50 in the second space S2 and restricts the movement of the auxiliary pipe 50. Therefore, the auxiliary pipe 50 can be stabilized during the connection work between the connecting pipe and the auxiliary pipe 50, and the connection work can be performed smoothly.

[0092] (4-4) The distance between the refrigerant detection sensor 40 and the second end 50b of the auxiliary pipe 50 is within 300 mm.

[0093] In this configuration, the distance between the refrigerant detection sensor 40 and the second end 50b of the auxiliary pipe 50 is sufficiently close, allowing for rapid detection of refrigerant leakage.

[0094] (4-5) The second end 50b of the auxiliary pipe 50 is located above the refrigerant detection sensor 40.

[0095] Highly flammable refrigerants like R290 are denser than air and tend to accumulate at the bottom of the indoor unit 30 if they leak. In this configuration, the second end 50b of the auxiliary piping 50 is located above the refrigerant detection sensor 40, so leaked refrigerant can be reliably detected.

[0096] (4-6) The indoor unit 30 is further equipped with a drain pan 42. The drain pan 42 receives condensation water generated in the first space S1. The partition member 36 has a guide portion 36a on the first space S1 side. The guide portion 36a on the first space S1 side is configured to guide the condensation water to the drain pan 42.

[0097] In this configuration, condensation water is generated in the first space S1 and guided to the drain pan 42, thereby suppressing the generation of condensation water in the second space S2. As a result, the adverse effects of condensation water on the refrigerant leak sensor are reduced, and the deterioration of the cold material leak sensor can be suppressed.

[0098] (4-7) The motor 32 is positioned on the opposite side of the heat exchanger from the second space S2.

[0099] In this configuration, even if refrigerant leakage occurs at the pipe connection section 80, which is the connection point between the auxiliary pipe 50 and the connecting pipe 70, the risk of ignition can be suppressed. In addition, space can be secured for connection work at the second end 50b of the auxiliary pipe 50 in the second space S2.

[0100] (4-8) The indoor unit 30 further includes an electrical components box 43. The electrical components box 43 is positioned on the opposite side of the heat exchanger from the second space S2.

[0101] In this configuration, even if refrigerant leakage occurs at the pipe connection section 80, which is the connection point between the auxiliary pipe 50 and the connecting pipe 70, the risk of ignition can be suppressed. In addition, space can be secured for connection work at the second end 50b of the auxiliary pipe 50 in the second space S2.

[0102] (4-9) The indoor unit 30 further includes a cover 41. The cover 41 is integrally formed to cover the front and sides of the second space S2.

[0103] In this configuration, by removing the cover 41, the connection work at the second end 50b of the auxiliary piping 50 can be performed smoothly.

[0104] (4-10) A highly flammable refrigerant flows through the heat exchanger 31 and the auxiliary piping 50.

[0105] In this configuration, even when using highly flammable refrigerants, leak detection can be performed quickly before a large amount of leakage occurs.

[0106] (4-11) The air conditioning system 100 according to the twelfth perspective comprises an indoor unit 30 according to any of the first to eleventh perspectives and an outdoor unit 20.

[0107] (5) Variant (5-1) Variation A In the above embodiment, the partition member 36 is formed as a separate component from the casing 33, but the invention is not limited to this. The partition member 36 may be formed integrally with the casing 33.

[0108] (5-2) Variation B In the above embodiment, the motor 32 is positioned near the upper left end of the indoor unit 30, but is not limited to this. For example, the motor 32 may be positioned on the second space S2 side relative to the heat exchanger 31.

[0109] In this modified example B, the motor 32 is supported by the partition member 36. In this configuration, the partition member 36 can also be used as a support for the motor 32 or the rotating shaft member of the motor 32. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced.

[0110] Furthermore, the motor 32 has a rotating shaft member. The rotating shaft member may be supported by the partition member 36.

[0111] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, it will be understood that various modifications to the form and details are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure as described in the claims. Furthermore, these embodiments and modifications may be combined or substituted as appropriate, as long as they do not impair the function of the subject matter of this disclosure. The terms “First,” “Second,” etc., described above are used to distinguish the phrases to which these terms are attached, and do not limit the number or order of such phrases. [Industrial applicability]

[0112] As explained above, this disclosure is useful for indoor units and air conditioning systems. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0113] 10: Air conditioning system 11: Refrigerant Circuit 20:Outdoor unit 30: Indoor unit 31: Heat exchanger used (an example of a heat exchanger) 31a: Heat transfer tube 31b: Heat transfer fins 31c: U-shaped tube 31d:Tube plate 32: Motor 32a: Fan 33: Casing 36: Partition Member 36a: Guide section (an example of the wall surface on the first space side) 38: Fixing member 40: Refrigerant detection sensor 41: Cover 42: Drain pan 43: Electrical component box 50: Auxiliary piping 50a: First end (an example of one end of auxiliary piping) 50b: Second end (an example of the other end of auxiliary piping) 51: Liquid auxiliary piping 52: Gas auxiliary piping 70: Connecting piping 71: Liquid communication piping 72: Gas connection piping 80: Pipe connection 90: Refrigerant piping 91: Liquid refrigerant piping 92: Gas refrigerant piping 100: Air conditioning system S1: 1st space S2:Second space [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0114] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-64524

Claims

1. A wall-mounted indoor unit (30) of an air conditioning system (100), A heat exchanger (31) is placed in the first space (S1), A refrigerant detection sensor (40) is located in the second space (S2), A partition member (36) that separates the first space and the second space, An auxiliary pipe (50) is arranged to extend from the first space across the partition member to the second space, with one end (50a) connected to the heat exchanger in the first space and the other end (50b) located in the second space, An indoor unit equipped with the following features.

2. The other end of the auxiliary piping is connected in the second space to a connecting pipe (70) extending from the outdoor unit (20). The indoor unit according to claim 1.

3. The second space further includes a fixing member (38) for fixing the auxiliary piping. The indoor unit according to claim 1.

4. The distance between the refrigerant detection sensor and the other end of the auxiliary piping is within 300 mm. The indoor unit according to claim 1.

5. The other end of the auxiliary piping is located above the refrigerant detection sensor. The indoor unit according to claim 1.

6. The system further includes a drain pan (42) for receiving condensation water generated in the first space, The partition member has a wall surface (36a) on the first space side that is configured to guide the condensed water to the drain pan. The indoor unit according to claim 1.

7. The heat exchanger is further equipped with a motor (32) that rotates a fan (32a) that generates an airflow passing through the heat exchanger. The partition member supports the motor or the rotating shaft member of the motor. The indoor unit according to claim 1.

8. The motor is positioned on the opposite side of the heat exchanger from the second space. The indoor unit according to claim 7.

9. Further equipped with an electrical components box (43), The electrical component box is positioned on the opposite side of the heat exchanger from the second space. The indoor unit according to claim 1.

10. The second space further comprises a cover (41) integrally formed to cover the front and sides of the second space. The indoor unit according to claim 1.

11. In the heat exchanger and the auxiliary piping, a highly flammable refrigerant flows through it. The indoor unit according to claim 1.

12. An air conditioning system comprising an indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and an outdoor unit.

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