Refrigerant sensor unit

Abstract

To provide a refrigerant sensor unit that can suppress the decrease in the accuracy of refrigerant detection. [Solution] The refrigerant sensor unit comprises a housing that is mounted on a wall and a sensor board on which a refrigerant sensor is mounted and housed inside the housing. The housing is provided with a first refrigerant intake hole formed on the bottom surface of the housing and connecting the inside and outside of the housing, a partition wall that separates the space where the refrigerant sensor is placed from the internal space of the housing, and a first partition that separates the first communication space connecting the first refrigerant intake hole and the refrigerant sensor from the internal space. The partition wall is provided with a first communication section that connects the space where the refrigerant sensor is placed and the first communication section, and a second communication section that connects the space where the refrigerant sensor is placed and the internal space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerant sensor unit.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerant sensor unit capable of suppressing the occurrence of malfunction of a refrigerant sensor. This refrigerant sensor unit includes a housing attached to a wall surface of an indoor space which is an air-conditioned space of an air conditioner, and a refrigerant sensor housed inside the housing. A first opening for communicating the inside and outside of the housing is provided in a first side wall forming one side surface of the housing, and the first opening is provided at a position adjacent to and not facing the refrigerant sensor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides a refrigerant sensor unit capable of suppressing a decrease in the detection accuracy of a refrigerant.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The refrigerant sensor unit in the present disclosure includes a housing attached to a wall surface, and a refrigerant sensor housed inside the housing for detecting a refrigerant. The housing is provided with a first refrigerant intake hole formed in a bottom surface of the housing for communicating the inside and outside of the housing, a partition wall partitioning an arrangement space where the refrigerant sensor is arranged and an internal space of the housing, and a first partition portion partitioning a first communication space for communicating the first refrigerant intake hole and the refrigerant sensor from the internal space. The partition wall is provided with a first communication portion for communicating the arrangement space and the first communication space, and a second communication portion for communicating the arrangement space and the internal space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to this disclosure, refrigerants can be detected more reliably. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the arrangement of the refrigerant sensor unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Perspective view of the refrigerant sensor unit [Figure 3] Rear view of the refrigerant sensor unit [Figure 4] Perspective view of the first member [Figure 5] Perspective view of the first member [Figure 6] Rear view of the refrigerant sensor unit [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view in Plan VII of Figure 2 [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] (Knowledge and other information that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors conceived of this disclosure, there was a refrigerant sensor unit that made it possible to detect refrigerant leaking into a room using a refrigerant sensor. Some such refrigerant sensor units include a refrigerant sensor and a housing that encloses the refrigerant sensor. The housing is provided with an opening that connects the outside of the housing to the refrigerant sensor so that the refrigerant sensor can detect refrigerant leaking into the room. Furthermore, some refrigerant sensor units have a partitioned space inside the housing, and by placing the refrigerant sensor inside this space, it is possible to retain air flowing in from outside the housing in this space. As a result, when refrigerant flows into the housing of the refrigerant sensor unit, the refrigerant concentration around the refrigerant sensor tends to rise, allowing the refrigerant sensor to detect the refrigerant more reliably.

[0009] However, the inventors discovered a problem with such refrigerant sensor units: the air flowing into the space where the refrigerant sensor is located may remain stagnant, potentially reducing the accuracy of refrigerant detection. To solve this problem, the inventors have developed the subject matter of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure provides a refrigerant sensor unit that can detect refrigerants more reliably.

[0010] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding for those skilled in the art. The attached drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand this disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0011] (Embodiment) Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. In each figure, the symbol FR indicates the front of the refrigerant sensor unit 10 in its installed state, the symbol UP indicates the area above the refrigerant sensor unit 10 in its installed state, and the symbol LH indicates the area to the left of the refrigerant sensor unit in its installed state. In the following description, each direction is along the direction of these refrigerant sensor units 10.

[0012] [1-1. Structure] Figure 1 shows the arrangement of the refrigerant sensor unit 10 according to this embodiment. The refrigerant sensor unit 10 in this embodiment is a refrigerant leak detection unit provided in the air conditioning system 1. The air conditioner 1 of this embodiment includes a heat exchanger housed in an indoor unit 5 which is an indoor machine, a decompression device such as a compressor and an electronic expansion valve housed in an outdoor unit, and a refrigeration cycle formed by an outdoor heat exchanger etc. provided in the outdoor machine. In the air conditioner 1, by circulating a refrigerant through this refrigeration cycle, air conditioning of an indoor space 100 which is a conditioned space is performed. The indoor space 100 is a space used by people.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, an outlet 6 of the indoor unit 5 is provided on a wall surface 101 of the indoor space 100. From the outlet 6, air air-conditioned by the air conditioner 1 of the indoor space 100 is ejected.

[0014] The air conditioner 1 includes a control unit. The control unit includes a computer having a processor such as a CPU or MPU, and a memory device such as a ROM or RAM. The control unit is connected via signal lines to an outdoor machine, each part forming a refrigeration cycle such as the indoor unit 5, and a refrigerant sensor unit 10 etc. The control unit receives various signals transmitted from each part of the air conditioner 1 via signal lines, and also transmits signals from the control unit to each part of the air conditioner 1. Thereby, the control unit controls the operation of each part of the air conditioner 1. Note that the control unit and each part of the air conditioner 1 may be connected not only by wire such as signal lines, but also wirelessly via a communication unit.

[0015] An operation unit 7 composed of a remote control, an operation panel etc. is connected to the control unit via signal lines. The operation unit 7 of this embodiment is attached to the wall surface 101 of the indoor space 100. The operation unit 7 is provided with a display panel. On the display panel, the operation state of the operation unit 7 and the operation state of the air conditioner 1 are displayed. The operation unit 7 can input temperature settings etc. That is, the operation unit 7 functions as an input unit.

[0016] In this embodiment, the refrigerant used in the air conditioner 1 including the indoor unit 5 is a refrigerant having slightly flammable or flammable properties, such as a mixed refrigerant containing R410A, R32, etc. Some of these refrigerants are slightly flammable or flammable. When a slightly flammable or flammable refrigerant leaks, it is required to suppress the leakage amount of the refrigerant so that the refrigerant concentration in the indoor space 100 does not reach the lower flammability limit (LFL). In particular, it is desirable to suppress the leakage amount of the refrigerant from the indoor unit 5 installed in the indoor space 100 or other spaces continuous with the indoor space 100. These refrigerants used in the air conditioner 1 are gases with a specific gravity greater than that of air.

[0017] In the indoor space 100, a refrigerant sensor unit 10 is arranged. When the refrigerant sensor unit 10 detects a refrigerant with a concentration above a predetermined value in the indoor space 100, it emits an alarm sound to notify people in the indoor space 100 of the refrigerant leakage.

[0018] In this embodiment, the refrigerant sensor unit 10 is communicably connected to the indoor unit 5 via a signal line. The refrigerant sensor unit 10, for example, detects the presence or absence of the refrigerant and the concentration of the refrigerant in the indoor space 100, and transmits the detection result as a detection signal to the control unit via the signal line.

[0019] Note that the refrigerant sensor unit 10 may be connected to the indoor unit 5 via the operation unit 7. Also, for example, the refrigerant sensor unit 10 may be formed to be capable of transmitting and receiving signals to and from the outside of the air conditioner 1, such as a management center, via a signal line. For example, the refrigerant sensor unit 10 may detect the concentration of the refrigerant in the indoor space 100 and transmit a detection signal to the management center via the signal line.

[0020] The refrigerant sensor unit 10 is attached to the wall surface 101. As described above, when the refrigerant used in the air conditioner 1 is a gas with a specific gravity greater than that of air, it is desirable to install the refrigerant sensor unit 10 at the lower part of the indoor space 100. The refrigerant sensor unit 10 in this implementation is installed at a location approximately 30 cm above the floor surface 102 in the indoor space 100.

[0021] In this embodiment, the refrigerant sensor unit 10 receives an excitation voltage from the indoor unit 5 via a signal line to excite the refrigerant sensor unit 10. In other words, the refrigerant sensor unit 10 is supplied with power for operation from the indoor unit 5 via a signal line.

[0022] The refrigerant sensor unit 10 may be powered from the commercial power supply via an outlet box 105 provided on the wall surface 101. In this case, the refrigerant sensor unit 10 may be mounted on the front of the outlet box 105 with its front panel removed, and electrically connected to the power supply line routed to the outlet box 105 for operation.

[0023] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the refrigerant sensor unit 10. As shown in Figure 2, the refrigerant sensor unit 10 comprises a housing 12. This housing 12 is formed in the shape of a flat rectangular parallelepiped with an internal space S1 (Figure 4) inside. When the refrigerant sensor unit 10 is installed in the indoor space 100, the housing 12 is installed so that the rear wall 20, which has the largest flat surface among the faces of the housing 12, faces the wall surface 101. In this case, the front wall 22, located on the opposite side of the rear wall 20, faces the indoor space 100. That is, the front wall 22 is located on the front of the housing 12.

[0024] The refrigerant sensor unit 10 is mounted on the wall surface 101 such that the fourth side wall 24, which forms the top surface of the housing 12, is aligned horizontally. Hereinafter, the refrigerant sensor unit 10 mounted in this manner will be referred to as the installed state.

[0025] When the refrigerant sensor unit 10 is installed, a pair of second side walls 26 rising from the front wall 22 are positioned as the sides, and a pair of third side walls 28 rising from the front wall 22 are positioned as the bottom surface of the housing 12. The third side walls 28 are positioned facing the floor surface 102.

[0026] A thin sheet member 18 is attached to approximately the center of the front wall 22 of the housing 12. The sheet member 18 in this embodiment is made of resin and has a thickness of about 0.2 mm.

[0027] The housing 12 is formed by connecting a first member 14 and a second member 16. Both the first member 14 and the second member 16 are made of resin material and are formed, for example, by injection molding. The first member 14 comprises a front wall 22, a pair of second side walls 26, a third side wall 28, and a fourth side wall 24. The pair of second side walls 26, the third side wall 28, and the fourth side wall 24 are formed to rise from the front wall 22.

[0028] Figure 3 is a rear view of the refrigerant sensor unit 10. As shown in Figure 3, the second member 16 comprises a rear wall 20 that forms the back of the housing 12 and a plurality of fitting ribs 30 that rise from the rear wall 20. Each of the fitting ribs 30 extends along each side of the rear wall 20 when viewed from the rear. The fitting ribs 30 rise from the rear wall 20 by a dimension shorter than the dimension to which they rise from the front wall 22. The fitting rib 30 extending along the upper edge of the back wall 20 is provided with two engagement holes 31, which are through holes that penetrate in the thickness direction of the plate. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the lower edge of the second member 16 is provided with a pair of second protrusions 32 that stand upright in the same direction as the fitting rib 30. The tips of the second protrusions 32 are provided with claw-shaped second engaging portions 34 that protrude upward.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, a wiring insertion hole 35 is provided in the approximate center of the rear wall 20 through which various wirings such as power supply lines and signal lines are inserted. Furthermore, the rear wall 20 is provided with multiple mounting holes 37. These mounting holes 37 are for attaching the housing 12 to the outlet box 105. The housing 12 is attached to the outlet box 105 by fastening fastening members such as screws, which are inserted through the mounting holes 37, to fastening parts of the outlet box 105 such as screw holes.

[0030] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the first member 14 as seen from the third side wall 28 side. As shown in Figure 4, the fourth side wall 24 is provided with a pair of engaging pieces 40 that protrude downward from the inner surface of the fourth side wall 24. The third side wall 28 is provided with a pair of grooves 41 that are recessed upward from the lower surface of the third side wall 28. The grooves 41 extend longitudinally along the front-rear direction, from the front wall 22 to the rear end of the third side wall 28. The front end of the grooves 41 is covered by the front wall 22 when viewed from the front. As a result, the grooves 41 are not visible when viewed from the front in the refrigerant sensor unit 10, thereby improving the aesthetic appearance. Furthermore, the front end of the groove 41 does not necessarily have to be covered by the front wall 22 when viewed from the front.

[0031] In the third side wall 28, a notch 43 is provided at a position that overlaps with the groove 41 when viewed from the rear, formed by cutting out from the rear end toward the rear end of the groove 41. When viewed from the lower side of the third side wall 28, the width dimension of the notch 43 in the left-right direction is longer than the width dimension of the groove 41 in the left-right direction.

[0032] The third side wall 28 is provided with a first projection 42 extending rearward from the rear end of the groove 41. The first projection 42 is located inside the notch 43. The tip of the first projection 42 is provided with a claw-shaped first engagement portion 44 that protrudes downward. In the first protruding portion 42, a flat pressing surface 45 is provided on the front side of the first engaging portion 44.

[0033] In the groove 41, inclined surfaces 47 are provided at both ends of the groove 41 in the left-right direction, extending substantially along the entire longitudinal direction of the groove 41. The inclined surfaces 47 are inclined upward from the front side to the rear side. The rear end of the inclined surface 47 is covered by the front wall 22, and the front end of the inclined surface 47 is continuous with the pressing surface 45.

[0034] The third side wall 28 is provided with a first refrigerant intake hole 49, which is a through-hole that penetrates in the thickness direction of the plate. A second refrigerant intake hole 51 is provided in one of the pair of second side walls 26, penetrating in the thickness direction of the plate. The second refrigerant intake hole 51 is located on the lower side of the second side wall 26. In this embodiment, the second refrigerant intake hole 51 is provided in the second side wall 26 located on the left side.

[0035] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the first member 14 from the rear. In Figure 4, for the sake of explanation, the main unit 70 and the detection unit 90 are shown by dashed lines. As shown in Figure 5, a plate-shaped main unit partition wall 50 is provided on the rear surface of the front wall 22, rising towards the rear. The main unit partition wall 50 is arranged in a roughly rectangular frame shape when viewed from the rear. At predetermined locations on the main unit partition wall 50, a plurality of fixing holes 59 are provided along the front-to-back direction, through which screw members 99 (Figure 6), which are fixing members, can be inserted. The main unit partition wall 50 is positioned so that it is closer to the upper side than to the lower side of the front wall 22.

[0036] In the front wall 22, the area enclosed by the main unit partition wall 50 is provided with sound-emitting holes 53, which are through-holes that penetrate in the thickness direction of the plate, and a plurality of light-emitting holes 55.

[0037] A plate-shaped detection unit partition wall 60 is provided on the rear surface of the front wall 22, rising towards the rear. When viewed from the rear, the detection unit partition wall 60 is arranged in a roughly rectangular frame shape. The detection unit partition wall 60 is positioned on the front wall 22 such that it is closer to the lower side than the upper side and closer to the left end than the right end.

[0038] The detection unit partition wall 60 is provided adjacent to the main unit partition wall 50. This makes it possible to miniaturize the housing 12 of the refrigerant sensor unit 10.

[0039] In the detection unit partition wall 60, a first communication portion 61 is provided at a position opposite the first refrigerant intake hole 49, which is formed by cutting out a section from the rear end toward the front. In the detection unit partition wall 60, a second communication section 63 is provided at a position opposite the first refrigerant intake hole 49, with the first communication section 61 in between, by cutting out from the rear end toward the front. The second communication section 63 is formed to be smaller than the first communication section 61 in a plan view.

[0040] An engaging piece 62 is provided inside the first connecting portion 61 and the second connecting portion 63. The engaging piece 62 protrudes from the rear surface of the front wall 22, and its tip is formed in the shape of a claw.

[0041] A plate-shaped first partition 64 is provided on the rear surface of the front wall 22, extending upward toward the rear. The first partition section 64 is provided in pairs between the detection unit partition wall 60 and the third side wall 28, with a gap between them in the left-right direction. Each of the first partition sections 64 extends vertically when viewed from the rear, with its upper end connected to the detection unit partition wall 60 and its lower end connected to the third side wall 28. One of the first partition sections 64 is positioned to the left of the first communication section 61 and the first refrigerant intake hole 49 when viewed from the rear, and the other of the first partition sections 64 is positioned to the right of the first communication section 61 and the first refrigerant intake hole 49 when viewed from the rear. In the following explanation, the space enclosed by the pair of first partitions 64 in the internal space S1 is referred to as the first communication space S2.

[0042] In the detection unit partition wall 60, a third communication section 65 is provided at a position opposite the second refrigerant intake hole 51, which is formed by the interruption of the detection unit partition wall 60. In the detection unit partition wall 60, a fourth communication section 67 is provided, which is formed by cutting out a section from the rear end toward the front, at a position opposite the second refrigerant intake hole 51, with the third communication section 65 in between. The fourth communication section 67 is formed to be smaller than the third communication section 65 when viewed from the left or right direction.

[0043] A plate-shaped second partition 66 is provided on the rear surface of the front wall 22, extending upward toward the rear. The second partition section 66 is provided in pairs, spaced apart vertically, between the detection unit partition wall 60 and the second side wall 26 located to the left. Each of the second partition sections 66 extends horizontally when viewed from the rear, with its right end connected to the detection unit partition wall 60 and its left end connected to the second side wall 26 located to the left. One of the second partition sections 66 is positioned above the third connecting section 65 and the second refrigerant intake hole 51 when viewed from the rear, while the other of the second partition sections 66 is positioned below the third connecting section 65 and the second refrigerant intake hole 51 when viewed from the rear. In the following explanation, the space enclosed by the pair of first partitions 64 in the internal space S1 is referred to as the second communication space S3.

[0044] Figure 6 is a rear view of the refrigerant sensor unit 10. Figure 6 shows the refrigerant sensor unit 10 with the second component 16 removed. As shown in Figure 6, the main unit 70 is housed inside the enclosure 12. The main unit 70 comprises a flat main circuit board 72 and various electronic components mounted on the main circuit board 72. The main board 72 is positioned inside the main unit partition wall 50 with its flat surface facing the rear wall 20 and the front wall 22.

[0045] On the main board 72, a buzzer device 74, which is an electronic component that emits a notification sound, and a plurality of light-emitting elements 76 are mounted on the mounting surface facing the front wall 22. The buzzer device 74 is mounted in a position that overlaps with the sound emission hole 53 when viewed from the front, and each of the light-emitting elements 76 is mounted in a position that overlaps with the light emission hole 55 when viewed from the front.

[0046] On the main board 72, a terminal block 78 to which various wiring such as signal lines and power supply lines are connected, and a switch 80 are provided on the mounting surface facing the rear wall 20. The switch 80 is a DIP switch that, when operated by, for example, a worker installing the refrigerant sensor unit 10 in the indoor space 100, switches the connections of the electronic circuits mounted on the main board 72. The main board 72 may be equipped with a processor such as a CPU or GPU, as well as memory and other components.

[0047] The main circuit board 72 is covered from the rear by a cover member 82. The cover member 82 is made of a resin material and is fixed to the first member 14 by a screw member 99. The cover member 82 is provided with a plurality of exposed holes 83, which are through holes that penetrate in the thickness direction of the plate. The terminal block 78 and the switch 80 are exposed from the cover member 82 through the exposed holes 83.

[0048] As a result, when maintenance work is performed on the refrigerant sensor unit 10, the main board 72 is prevented from being touched by the worker and discharged to the main board 72, and wiring work to the terminal block 78 and operation of the switch 80 can be easily performed. The cover member 82 is provided with a plurality of wiring holding portions 84 capable of holding various wiring connected to the main circuit board 72. The wiring holding portions 84 are formed, for example, in an arch shape that protrudes to the rear.

[0049] A detection unit 90 is housed inside the enclosure 12. The detection unit 90 comprises a refrigerant sensor 92 and a sensor board 94 on which the refrigerant sensor 92 is mounted.

[0050] The refrigerant sensor 92 is a sensor component that detects refrigerant. This refrigerant sensor 92 has a cylindrical shape and is mounted on the flat sensor substrate 94 such that its longitudinal direction is upright from the mounting surface of the sensor substrate 94.

[0051] The sensor board 94 is positioned so as to overlap the detection unit partition wall 60, with the mounting surface on which the refrigerant sensor 92 is mounted facing the front wall 22. The sensor substrate 94 is held inside the housing 12 with the rear end of the detection unit partition wall 60 in contact with the mounting surface of the sensor substrate 94 on which the refrigerant sensor 92 is mounted, by engaging pieces 62 with the upper and lower edges of the sensor substrate 94. The refrigerant sensor 92 is surrounded by the detection unit partition wall 60. As a result, the refrigerant sensor 92 is positioned in the placement space S4 inside the housing 12, which is the space enclosed by the sensor board 94, the detection unit partition wall 60, and the front wall 22.

[0052] The main board 72 and the sensor board 94 are connected by various wirings such as signal lines and power lines. In this embodiment, these wirings are inserted into the fourth communication section 67.

[0053] [1-2. Operation] The operation of the refrigerant sensor unit 10, configured as described above, will be explained below.

[0054] [1-2-1. Opening and closing the enclosure 12] Figure 7 is a view of the cross-section in Plane VII of Figure 2, seen from the right. As shown in Figure 7, the first member 14 and the second member 16 are connected by the engagement of each of the first engaging portion 44 and the second engaging portion 34 with each of the engaging pieces 40 inserted through each of the two engaging holes 31. In this case, the second engaging portion 34 is positioned with a gap between it and the pressing surface 45. In this case, the fitting rib 30 is positioned inside the pair of second side walls 26, the third side wall 28, and the fourth side wall 24.

[0055] To release the connection between the first member 14 and the second member 16, the worker inserts a flat-tipped rod-shaped tool, such as a flathead screwdriver, into the groove 41 from the front side of the housing 12. After this, the worker, with the tip of the tool in contact with the inclined surface 47, slides the tip of the tool backward along the inclined surface 47. This causes the tip of the tool to reach the pressing surface 45. After this, the worker presses the pressing surface 45 upward with the tip of the tool, causing the first engaging portion 44 to elastically deform and move upward, releasing the engagement between the first engaging portion 44 and the second engaging portion 34. This releases the connection between the first member 14 and the second member 16.

[0056] Thus, in the refrigerant sensor unit 10, when the connection between the first member 14 and the second member 16 is released, a rod-shaped tool can be pressed against the pressing surface 45 from a direction intersecting the front surface of the housing 12. Therefore, in the refrigerant sensor unit 10, the operator can easily access the internal space S1 of the housing 12 without being obstructed by the wall surface 101 to which the refrigerant sensor unit 10 is mounted.

[0057] [1-2-2. Detection of refrigerant leaks] In the air conditioning system 1, refrigerant may leak into the indoor space 100 via the indoor unit 5. In this embodiment, since the refrigerant used in the air conditioning system 1 is a gas with a higher specific gravity than air, the refrigerant that leaks into the indoor space 100 accumulates in the indoor space 100, accumulating on the floor surface 102. If refrigerant continues to leak into the indoor space 100, the refrigerant accumulated on the floor surface 102 will eventually flow into the interior of the housing 12 through the first refrigerant intake hole 49 and the second refrigerant intake hole 51. The refrigerant that flows into the interior of the enclosure 12 flows through the first communication space S2 and the second communication space S3, and then flows into the placement space S4.

[0058] The refrigerant sensor 92 detects the concentration of refrigerant flowing into the installation space S4. When the concentration of refrigerant detected by the refrigerant sensor 92 exceeds a predetermined value, the refrigerant sensor unit 10 activates the buzzer device 56 and the light-emitting element 76. When the buzzer device 56 is activated, an alarm sound is emitted, which causes the refrigerant sensor unit 10 to notify people in the indoor space 100 of the refrigerant leak.

[0059] Furthermore, the refrigerant sensor unit 10 detects the concentration of refrigerant in the indoor space 100 and transmits a detection signal to the control unit via a signal line. Upon receiving the detection signal, the control unit causes various parts of the air conditioning system 1 to perform operations related to refrigerant leakage prevention, such as displaying a predetermined information on the display panel of the operation unit 7 or having the indoor unit 5 perform a fan operation. In this way, the air conditioning system 1 aims to suppress the rise in refrigerant concentration in the indoor space 100.

[0060] The control unit may also receive a detection signal from the refrigerant sensor unit 10 and determine whether or not a refrigerant leak is occurring in the indoor space 100. Furthermore, the control unit may control the buzzer device 56. Furthermore, the refrigerant sensor unit 10 may determine whether or not a refrigerant leak is occurring in the indoor space 100. In addition, the refrigerant sensor unit 10 may be capable of displaying a predetermined information on the display panel of the operation unit 7, or causing the indoor unit 5 to perform a fan operation or the like.

[0061] As described above, a second communication section 63 is provided at a position opposite the first communication section 61 across the arrangement space S4, and a fourth communication section 67 is provided at a position opposite the third communication section 65 across the arrangement space S4. The refrigerant that flows into the installation space S4 flows out of the installation space S4 via the second communication section 63 and the fourth communication section 67, and flows out to the outside of the housing 12 through various through holes that connect the inside and outside of the housing 12, and through the gap between the first member 14 and the second member 16. This prevents the same air or refrigerant from remaining stagnant in the installation space S4 of the refrigerant sensor unit 10. As a result, the refrigerant sensor unit 10 can improve the accuracy of refrigerant detection in the event of a refrigerant leak.

[0062] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the refrigerant sensor unit 10 comprises a housing 12 attached to the wall surface 101, and a refrigerant sensor 92 housed inside the housing 12 for detecting refrigerant. The housing 12 is provided with a first refrigerant intake hole 49 formed on the bottom surface of the housing 12 and connecting the inside and outside of the housing 12, a detection unit partition wall 60 that separates the arrangement space S4 where the refrigerant sensor 92 is located from the internal space S1 of the housing 12, and a first partition 64 that separates the first communication space S2, which connects the first refrigerant intake hole 49 and the refrigerant sensor 92, from the internal space S1. The detection unit partition wall 60 is provided with a first communication section 61 that connects the arrangement space S4 and the first communication space S2, and a second communication section 63 that connects the arrangement space S4 and the internal space S1.

[0063] As a result, the refrigerant sensor unit 10 prevents the same air or refrigerant from remaining stagnant in the installation space S4. Therefore, the refrigerant sensor unit 10 can improve the accuracy of refrigerant detection in the event of a refrigerant leak.

[0064] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the first communication portion 61 and the second communication portion 63 may be arranged in positions facing each other. This shortens the flow path length of the refrigerant and air within the installation space S4. As a result, the refrigerant sensor unit 10 can replace the air and refrigerant inside the installation space S4 more quickly.

[0065] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the housing 12 may be provided with a second refrigerant intake hole 51 that connects the inside and outside of the housing 12, and a second partition 66 that separates the second communication space S3, which connects the second refrigerant intake hole 51 and the refrigerant sensor 92, from the internal space. As a result, the refrigerant sensor unit 10 can detect refrigerant even if the first refrigerant intake port 49 is blocked.

[0066] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the detection unit partition wall 60 may be provided with a third communication section 65 that connects the arrangement space S4 and the second communication space S3, and a fourth communication section 67 that connects the arrangement space S4 and the internal space S1, both positioned opposite each other. This shortens the flow path length of the refrigerant and air within the installation space S4. As a result, the refrigerant sensor unit 10 can replace the air and refrigerant inside the installation space S4 more quickly.

[0067] (Other embodiments) As described above, Embodiment 1 has been explained as an example of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to this and can be applied to embodiments that have been modified, replaced, added, or omitted. Furthermore, it is possible to create new embodiments by combining the components described in Embodiment 1 above.

[0068] Since the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes of the technology described herein, various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc., can be made within the claims or their equivalents.

[0069] (Note) Based on the above description of embodiments, the following technologies are disclosed.

[0070] (Technology 1) A refrigerant sensor unit comprising a housing that is mounted on a wall, and a refrigerant sensor housed inside the housing for detecting a refrigerant, wherein the housing is provided with a first refrigerant intake hole formed on the bottom surface of the housing and connecting the inside and outside of the housing, a partition wall that separates the arrangement space where the refrigerant sensor is arranged from the internal space of the housing, and a first partition that separates the first communication space connecting the first refrigerant intake hole and the refrigerant sensor from the internal space, wherein the partition wall is provided with a first communication section that connects the arrangement space and the first communication space, and a second communication section that connects the arrangement space and the internal space. According to this, the refrigerant sensor unit prevents the same air or refrigerant from remaining stagnant in the space in which it is installed. Therefore, the refrigerant sensor unit can improve the accuracy of refrigerant detection in the event of a refrigerant leak.

[0071] (Technical 2) The refrigerant sensor unit according to Technical 1, wherein the first communication portion and the second communication portion are arranged in positions facing each other. This shortens the flow path length of the refrigerant and air within the installation space. As a result, the refrigerant sensor unit can replace the air and refrigerant within the installation space more quickly.

[0072] (Technology 3) The refrigerant sensor unit according to Technology 1 or Technology 2, wherein the housing is provided with a second refrigerant intake hole formed on a surface different from the bottom surface of the housing and connecting the inside and outside of the housing, and a second partition portion that separates the second communication space connecting the second refrigerant intake hole and the refrigerant sensor from the internal space. According to this, the refrigerant sensor unit can detect refrigerant even if the first refrigerant intake port is blocked.

[0073] (Technical 4) The refrigerant sensor unit according to Technical 3, wherein the partition wall is provided with a third communication section that connects the arrangement space and the second communication space, and a fourth communication section that connects the arrangement space and the internal space, both at positions facing each other. This shortens the flow path length of the refrigerant and air within the installation space. As a result, the refrigerant sensor unit can replace the air and refrigerant within the installation space more quickly.

[0074] (Technical 5) A refrigerant sensor unit comprising a housing mounted on a wall and housing a refrigerant sensor for detecting refrigerant, wherein the housing comprises a first member having a front portion that forms the front surface of the housing and a bottom portion that forms the bottom surface of the housing, and a second member having a rear portion that forms the rear surface of the housing and is positioned opposite the wall when mounted on the wall, wherein the rear portion is provided with a second projection that protrudes upright from the rear surface, and the tip of the second projection is provided with a second engaging portion that protrudes upward and has a second upright surface positioned opposite the rear surface, the bottom portion is provided with a first projection that protrudes toward the opposite side of the front portion, and the tip of the first projection is provided with a first engaging portion that protrudes downward, the engagement between the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion is released when the pressing surface of the first projection is pressed upward, and the pressing surface is positioned so as to be pressable from the front side of the housing. According to this, in the refrigerant sensor unit, when disconnecting the first member and the second member, a rod-shaped instrument can be pressed against the pressing surface from a direction intersecting the front of the housing. Therefore, in the refrigerant sensor unit, the operator can easily access the internal space of the housing without being obstructed by the wall surface to which the refrigerant sensor unit is mounted.

[0075] (Technical 6) The refrigerant sensor unit according to Technical 5, wherein the bottom surface is provided with a groove that is recessed upward, and the first protrusion is provided inside the groove. This prevents the first protrusion from extending beyond the bottom surface of the housing. As a result, the refrigerant sensor unit can be made more aesthetically pleasing and smaller.

[0076] (Technical 7) The refrigerant sensor unit according to Technical 6, wherein the groove portion is provided with an inclined surface that is continuous with the pressing surface and slopes upward from the front portion towards the pressing surface. According to this, the refrigerant sensor unit allows the operator to easily disengage the first engaging part and the second engaging part. [Industrial applicability]

[0077] This disclosure is applicable to refrigerant sensor units installed in the air-conditioned space of an air conditioning system. Specifically, this disclosure is applicable to refrigerant sensor units, etc., that are installed outside the indoor unit of an air conditioning system and attached to the indoor space that the air conditioning system air-conditions. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 1. Air conditioning system 5 Indoor Unit 6. Air outlet 7 Control section 10 Refrigerant Sensor Unit 12 cabinets 14. First Member 16. Second Member 18 Sheet material 20 Back wall 22 Front wall 24. Fourth side wall 26. Second side wall 28 Third side wall 30 interlocking ribs 31 Engagement hole 32 Second protrusion 34 Second engagement part 35 Wiring insertion holes 37 mounting holes 40 Engaging pieces 41 Groove 42 1st protrusion 43 Notch 44 First engagement part 45 Pressing surface 47 Slope 49. First refrigerant intake port 50 Main unit partition wall 51 Second refrigerant intake port 53 Sound emission hole 55 Light exit hole 56 Buzzer device 59 Fixing hole 60 Detection unit partition wall 61 1st communication part 63 2nd communication part 64. First partition section 65 3rd communication part 66 Second partition section 67 4th communication part 70 Main Unit 72 Main board 74 Buzzer device 76 Light-emitting elements 78 Terminal block 80 switches 82 Cover component 83 Exposure hole 84 Wiring holding part 90 detection units 92 Refrigerant Sensor 94 Sensor board 99 Screw components 100 Indoor space 101 Wall surface 102 Floor surface 105 Outlet Box S1 interior space S2 1st communication space S3 2nd communication space S4 placement space

Claims

1. A housing that can be mounted on a wall, A refrigerant sensor, which is housed inside the aforementioned enclosure and detects the refrigerant, Equipped with, The aforementioned housing includes, A first refrigerant intake hole is formed on the bottom surface of the housing and connects the inside and outside of the housing, A partition wall separates the space in which the refrigerant sensor is placed from the internal space of the housing, A first partition separates the first communication space, which connects the first refrigerant intake port and the refrigerant sensor, from the internal space, A system was established, The partition wall has, A first communication section that connects the aforementioned arrangement space and the first communication space, A second communication section that connects the aforementioned arrangement space and the aforementioned internal space, A will be established. Refrigerant sensor unit.

2. The first and second connecting sections are positioned opposite each other on the partition wall. The refrigerant sensor unit according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned housing includes, A second refrigerant intake hole is formed on a surface different from the bottom surface of the housing, and connects the inside and outside of the housing. A second partition separates the second communication space, which connects the second refrigerant intake port and the refrigerant sensor, from the internal space, A will be established. A refrigerant sensor unit according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The partition wall has, A third communication section that connects the aforementioned arrangement space and the aforementioned second communication space, A fourth communication section that connects the aforementioned arrangement space and the aforementioned internal space, They are positioned opposite each other. The refrigerant sensor unit according to claim 3.

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