outdoor unit

Abstract

There is a problem in that refrigerant leaking into the machine room cannot be detected from anywhere in the machine room other than the gas vent valve. [Solution] The outdoor unit 90 includes a refrigerant circuit, a water circuit, a refrigerant sensor 70, a gas-liquid separator 40, and a gas vent valve 54. The refrigerant circuit connects a compressor 12 and a second heat exchanger 20 via piping. The second heat exchanger 20 exchanges heat between the refrigerant and water. The water circuit carries water that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 20. The refrigerant sensor 70 detects refrigerant leakage by detecting the refrigerant. The gas-liquid separator 40 is connected to the water circuit. The gas vent valve 54 is attached to the gas-liquid separator 40. The gas vent valve 54 vents gas from the gas-liquid separator 40. The compressor 12 and the second heat exchanger 20 are arranged in a machine room R2. A gas vent port 54a of the gas vent valve 54 and the refrigerant sensor 70 are arranged in the machine room R2.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Regarding the outdoor unit. [Background technology]

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1 (JP 2022-044867 A), there is a technique for detecting refrigerant leakage. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] In Patent Document 1, the gas vent port of a gas vent valve arranged in a heat medium circuit in a machine room is extended to the blower room by a pipe, and based on the degree of temperature drop detected by a temperature sensor installed in the pipe, refrigerant that has leaked from the refrigerant circuit where the refrigerant circulates to the heat medium circuit where the heat medium circulates due to a crack or the like occurring in a heat transfer partition that separates the refrigerant on the heat source side inside the user-side heat exchanger from the heat medium on the user side is detected. In this case, there is a problem in that it is not possible to detect refrigerant that has leaked into the machine room from places other than the gas vent valve (for example, brazed parts of the pipes). [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] An outdoor unit according to a first aspect is an outdoor unit for a heat pump cycle device. The outdoor unit includes a refrigerant circuit, a heat medium circuit, a sensor, a gas-liquid separator, a gas vent valve, and a fan. The refrigerant circuit connects a compressor, a first heat exchanger, and a second heat exchanger via piping. The compressor compresses the refrigerant. The first heat exchanger exchanges heat between the refrigerant and air. The second heat exchanger exchanges heat between the refrigerant and a heat medium. The heat medium circuit flows through the second heat exchanger, and the heat medium exchanges heat with the refrigerant. The sensor detects the refrigerant to detect refrigerant leakage. The gas-liquid separator is connected to the heat medium circuit. The gas vent valve is attached to the gas-liquid separator. The gas vent valve vents gas from the gas-liquid separator. The fan supplies air to the first heat exchanger. A blower chamber and a machine chamber are separated by a partition member. The fan is disposed in the blower room. The compressor and the second heat exchanger are disposed in the machine room. The gas vent port of the gas vent valve and the sensor are disposed in the machine room.

[0005] In the outdoor unit of the first aspect, the gas vent port of the gas vent valve and the sensor that detects the refrigerant are arranged inside the machinery room, so that the outdoor unit can also detect refrigerant that has leaked into the machinery room from locations other than the gas vent valve (for example, brazed portions of piping).

[0006] An outdoor unit according to a second aspect is the outdoor unit according to the first aspect, wherein the sensor is disposed in a space below the gas-liquid separator.

[0007] In the outdoor unit of the second aspect, the sensor is disposed in the space below the gas-liquid separator, where leaked refrigerant is likely to accumulate. As a result, the outdoor unit can accurately detect refrigerant leakage.

[0008] An outdoor unit according to a third aspect is the outdoor unit according to the first or second aspect, wherein the machine room is divided into a first area, a second area, a third area, and a fourth area in top view. A compressor is disposed in the first area. Pipes of a refrigerant circuit are disposed in the second area. A second heat exchanger is disposed in the third area. Pipes of a heat medium circuit, a gas-liquid separator, and a gas vent valve are disposed in the fourth area. A sensor is disposed in the fourth area.

[0009] An outdoor unit according to a fourth aspect is the outdoor unit according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, wherein the fan is driven when the sensor detects a refrigerant leak.

[0010] With this configuration, the outdoor unit of the fourth aspect can agitate the stagnant refrigerant.

[0011] An outdoor unit according to a fifth aspect is the outdoor unit according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the equipment arranged in the machine room and serving as an ignition source, including the compressor, is explosion-proof.

[0012] With such a configuration, the outdoor unit of the fifth aspect can prevent equipment that could become an ignition source from exploding due to leaking refrigerant.

[0013] An outdoor unit according to a sixth aspect is the outdoor unit according to any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, wherein the refrigerant is a flammable refrigerant of ISO817 Class 2 or a highly flammable refrigerant of ISO817 Class 3.

[0014] The outdoor unit of a seventh aspect is the outdoor unit of any one of the first aspect to the sixth aspect, wherein the sensor is disposed in the vicinity of the second heat exchanger.

[0015] With this configuration, the outdoor unit of the seventh aspect can accurately detect refrigerant leaking from the second heat exchanger. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a heat pump cycle device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the outdoor unit with some of its components removed. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the outdoor unit with some of the components of the outdoor unit removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top view of the outdoor unit with some of the components of the outdoor unit removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] (1) Overall structure FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a heat pump cycle apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the heat pump cycle apparatus 100 is an apparatus that cools or heats a heat medium flowing through a heat medium circuit 30 using a refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant circuit 10, and performs air conditioning, hot water supply, floor heating, and the like using the heat medium cooled or heated by the refrigerant. In this embodiment, the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circuit 30 is water (hereinafter, the heat medium circuit 30 may be referred to as a water circuit 30). The water flowing through the water circuit 30 is not limited to pure water and may be, for example, brine. Examples of brine used here include a calcium chloride aqueous solution, an ethylene glycol aqueous solution, and a propylene glycol aqueous solution. In this embodiment, the following description will be given taking as an example a case in which the heat pump cycle apparatus 100 is an air conditioning apparatus that performs heating and cooling.

[0018] The heat pump cycle apparatus 100 mainly includes an outdoor unit 90 and a utilization side facility 34.

[0019] (2) Detailed configuration (2-1) Outdoor unit The outdoor unit 90 is installed outdoors, such as on the roof of a building or around a building. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the outdoor unit 90 with some of its components removed. FIG. 3 is a side view of the outdoor unit 90 with some of its components removed. FIG. 4 is a top view of the outdoor unit 90 with some of its components removed. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the outdoor unit 90 has a housing 91, a partition member 92, a bottom frame 93, and a plate-like member 94. The housing 91 forms the outer shell of the outdoor unit 90. The partition member 92 divides the interior of the housing 91 into a fan chamber R1 and a machine chamber R2. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, within the housing 91, the left side of the partition member 92 is the fan chamber R1, and the right side of the partition member 92 is the machine chamber R2. 4, the machine chamber R2 is divided into a first area A1, a second area A2, a third area A3, and a fourth area A4 when viewed from above. A bottom frame 93 forms the lower surface of the housing 91. A plate-like member 94 is disposed above the bottom frame 93 within the machine chamber R2, with a gap between it and the bottom frame 93. The plate-like member 94 is supported by the bottom frame 93 via an elastic member 95 made of rubber, plastic, or the like.

[0020] The outdoor unit 90 has, within a housing 91, mainly a refrigerant circuit 10, a part of the water circuit 30 (including a gas-liquid separator 40 connected to the water circuit 30), a fan 60, a refrigerant sensor 70, and a controller 80.

[0021] (2-1-1) Refrigerant circuit A vapor compression refrigeration cycle operates in the refrigerant circuit 10. In the vapor compression refrigeration cycle, the following steps are repeated: low-temperature, low-pressure gas refrigerant is compressed to a high-temperature, high-pressure state in the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant releases heat in a radiator (condenser), the refrigerant expands to a low-temperature, low-pressure state in an expansion mechanism, the refrigerant absorbs heat in an evaporator, and the low-temperature, low-pressure gas refrigerant that has absorbed heat in the evaporator is compressed again.

[0022] 1, the refrigerant circuit 10 mainly includes a compressor 12, a flow path switching mechanism 14, a first heat exchanger 16, an expansion mechanism 18, and a second heat exchanger 20. The refrigerant circuit 10 connects the compressor 12, the flow path switching mechanism 14, the first heat exchanger 16, the expansion mechanism 18, and the second heat exchanger 20 via piping P. The piping P of the refrigerant circuit 10 is mainly arranged in the second area A2.

[0023] Note that the configuration of the refrigerant circuit 10 shown here is merely an example. For example, the refrigerant circuit 10 may further include a receiver for storing the refrigerant, a device for supercooling the refrigerant, etc. Also, since the heat pump cycle apparatus 100 is an air conditioner that performs heating and cooling, the heat pump cycle apparatus 100 includes a flow path switching mechanism 14. However, if the heat pump cycle apparatus 100 is an air conditioner that performs only cooling or only heating, the heat pump cycle apparatus 100 does not need to include the flow path switching mechanism 14.

[0024] In this embodiment, the refrigerant is a flammable refrigerant of ISO817 Class 2 or a highly flammable refrigerant of Class 3. For example, the refrigerant here is R290 (propane), which is highly flammable and has an LFL (lower flammability limit) of 3.5% or less. However, the type of refrigerant is not limited to these.

[0025] (2-1-1-1) Piping As shown in FIG. 1, the piping P of the refrigerant circuit 10 includes a suction pipe P1, a discharge pipe P2, a first gas pipe P3, a liquid pipe P4, and a second gas pipe P5.

[0026] The suction pipe P1 is a pipe that connects the suction port of the compressor 12 and the flow path switching mechanism 14. An accumulator (not shown) is provided in the suction pipe P1. The discharge pipe P2 is a pipe that connects the discharge port of the compressor 12 and the flow path switching mechanism 14. The first gas pipe P3 is a pipe that connects the flow path switching mechanism 14 and the gas side of the first heat exchanger 16. The liquid pipe P4 is a pipe that connects the liquid side of the first heat exchanger 16 and the second heat exchanger 20. An expansion mechanism 18 is disposed in the liquid pipe P4. The second gas pipe P5 is a pipe that connects the second heat exchanger 20 and the flow path switching mechanism 14.

[0027] (2-1-1-2) Compressor The compressor 12 draws in low-pressure refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle through a suction pipe P1, compresses the refrigerant using a compression mechanism (not shown), and discharges the compressed high-pressure refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle through a discharge pipe P2. The compressor 12 is, for example, a scroll compressor. However, the type of compressor 12 is not limited to the scroll type, and may be a screw type, rotary type, or other compressor. The compressor 12 is, for example, a variable capacity compressor, but may also be a fixed capacity compressor.

[0028] 2 to 4, the compressor 12 is disposed in the first area A1 of the machine room R2. The compressor 12 is placed on a plate-like member 94 and supported by the bottom frame 93 via a plate-like member 95.

[0029] (2-1-1-3) Flow path switching mechanism The flow path switching mechanism 14 is a mechanism that switches the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 10 depending on the operation mode of the heat pump cycle apparatus 100. The operation modes of the heat pump cycle apparatus 100 include a mode in which the refrigerant cools the water in the water circuit 30 (hereinafter referred to as a cooling mode) and a mode in which the refrigerant heats the water in the water circuit 30 (hereinafter referred to as a heating mode).

[0030] In this embodiment, the flow path switching mechanism 14 is a four-way switching valve. However, the flow path switching mechanism 14 is not limited to a four-way switching valve, and may be configured to switch the flow direction of the refrigerant as follows by combining a plurality of solenoid valves and piping.

[0031] In the cooling mode, the flow path switching mechanism 14 switches the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 10 so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12 is sent to the first heat exchanger 16. Specifically, in the cooling mode, the flow path switching mechanism 14 connects the suction pipe P1 to the second gas pipe P5 and connects the discharge pipe P2 to the first gas pipe P3 (see the solid lines within the flow path switching mechanism 14 in FIG. 1).

[0032] In the heating mode, the flow path switching mechanism 14 switches the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 10 so that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 12 is sent to the second heat exchanger 20. Specifically, in the heating mode, the flow path switching mechanism 14 connects the suction pipe P1 to the first gas pipe P3 and connects the discharge pipe P2 to the second gas pipe P5 (see the dashed lines within the flow path switching mechanism 14 in FIG. 1).

[0033] (2-1-1-4) 1st heat exchanger In the first heat exchanger 16, heat exchange occurs between the air around the outdoor unit 90 and the refrigerant flowing inside the first heat exchanger 16. In this embodiment, the first heat exchanger 16 is a cross-fin type fin-and-tube heat exchanger. However, the first heat exchanger 16 does not have to be a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between air and refrigerant, and may be a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing inside the first heat exchanger 16 and a fluid (e.g., coolant or hot water) sent to the first heat exchanger 16. In this case, the first heat exchanger 16 is, for example, a plate-type heat exchanger.

[0034] The first heat exchanger 16 functions as a refrigerant heat radiator (condenser) when the heat pump cycle apparatus 100 is in a cooling mode, and functions as a refrigerant heat absorber (evaporator) when the heat pump cycle apparatus 100 is in a heating mode.

[0035] (2-1-1-5) Expansion mechanism The expansion mechanism 18 is a mechanism for adjusting the pressure and flow rate of the refrigerant by expanding the refrigerant flowing through the liquid pipe P4. In this embodiment, the expansion mechanism 18 is an electronic expansion valve whose opening degree is adjustable.

[0036] The expansion mechanism 18 is not limited to an electronic expansion valve, but may be a thermostatic expansion valve having a temperature-sensitive bulb, or may be a capillary tube.

[0037] (2-1-1-6)Second heat exchanger In the second heat exchanger 20, heat exchange occurs between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 10 and the water flowing through the water circuit 30. In this embodiment, the second heat exchanger 20 is a plate-type heat exchanger. However, the type of the second heat exchanger 20 is not limited to a plate-type heat exchanger, and any type of heat exchanger that can be used for heat exchange between refrigerant and water may be appropriately selected. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the second heat exchanger 20 is disposed in the third area A3 of the machine room R2.

[0038] The second heat exchanger 20 is connected to the liquid pipe P4 and the second gas pipe P5 of the refrigerant circuit 10. The second heat exchanger 20 is connected to the first pipe W1 and the second pipe W2 of the water circuit 30.

[0039] When the heat pump cycle apparatus 100 is in the cooling mode, the refrigerant flows into the second heat exchanger 20 from the liquid pipe P4 and flows out to the second gas pipe P5. When the heat pump cycle apparatus 100 is in the heating mode, the refrigerant flows into the second heat exchanger 20 from the second gas pipe P5 and flows out to the liquid pipe P4.

[0040] Furthermore, water flows into the second heat exchanger 20 through the first pipe W1 and flows out through the second pipe W2, regardless of whether the heat pump cycle apparatus 100 is in the cooling mode or the heating mode. When the heat pump cycle apparatus 100 is in the cooling mode, the water flowing in through the first pipe W1 is cooled by the refrigerant flowing into the second heat exchanger 20 and flows out through the second pipe W2. When the heat pump cycle apparatus 100 is in the heating mode, the water flowing in through the first pipe W1 is heated by the refrigerant flowing into the second heat exchanger 20 and flows out through the second pipe W2.

[0041] (2-1-2) Water circuit Water flows through the water circuit 30 to exchange heat with the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 20. As shown in Fig. 1, the water circuit 30 mainly includes a pump 32, the second heat exchanger 20, a gas-liquid separator 40, and a utilization-side facility 34. The water circuit 30 connects the pump 32, the second heat exchanger 20, the gas-liquid separator 40, and the utilization-side facility 34 via piping W. The piping W of the water circuit 30 is mainly arranged in the fourth area A4.

[0042] The piping W of the water circuit 30 has a first pipe W1 and a second pipe W2. The first pipe W1 is a pipe that connects the utilization side equipment 34 and the second heat exchanger 20, and is a pipe through which water flows from the utilization side equipment 34 toward the second heat exchanger 20. The second pipe W2 is a pipe that connects the utilization side equipment 34 and the second heat exchanger 20, and is a pipe through which water flows from the second heat exchanger 20 toward the utilization side equipment 34.

[0043] A pump 32 is connected to the first pipe W1. The pump 32 is, for example, a constant-speed centrifugal pump, but may also be a variable-flow pump. However, the pump 32 is not limited to a centrifugal pump, and the type of pump 32 may be selected as appropriate. In this embodiment, the pump 32 is disposed in the first pipe W1 upstream of the second heat exchanger 20 in the water flow direction, but this is not limitative, and the pump 32 may also be disposed downstream of the second heat exchanger 20 in the water flow direction, in other words, in the second pipe W2.

[0044] A gas-liquid separator 40 is connected to the second pipe W2. However, the installation position of the gas-liquid separator 40 is not limited to the second pipe W2, and the gas-liquid separator 40 may be installed in the first pipe W1. However, from the viewpoint of suppressing the refrigerant from being sent to the utilization side equipment 34, it is preferable that the gas-liquid separator 40 be connected to the second pipe W2.

[0045] (2-1-2-1) Gas-liquid separator The gas-liquid separator 40 is a device that separates gas from the water that has flowed in and discharges the separated gas to the outside. The gas-liquid separator 40 is disposed in the fourth area A4.

[0046] Normally, water flows through the water circuit 30, but gas does not. However, for example, when the heat pump cycle apparatus 100 is installed, air is present in the piping W, and air may become mixed into the water flowing through the piping W. Even after the heat pump cycle apparatus 100 is installed, air may enter the water circuit 30, or some of the water may evaporate, generating steam within the water circuit 30. Therefore, it is preferable that the water circuit 30 be provided with a mechanism for discharging such gas from the water circuit 30. However, the time when a relatively large amount of air is present in the piping W is usually only when the heat pump cycle apparatus 100 is installed. After the heat pump cycle apparatus 100 is installed, the amount of air entering the water circuit 30 and the amount of steam generated within the water circuit 30 are not very large. Therefore, simply providing a gas vent valve in the piping W can address this issue. However, in the event that the partition wall separating the refrigerant flow path and the water flow path in the second heat exchanger 20 is damaged due to freezing or other reasons, and the refrigerant flows from the refrigerant circuit 10 into the water circuit 30 (if the refrigerant leaks), a large amount of gas (refrigerant gas) may flow into the water at once. Therefore, in the heat pump cycle apparatus 100, in preparation for the case where a relatively large amount of gas flows into the water circuit 30, a gas-liquid separator 40 is provided to make it easier to trap the refrigerant.

[0047] 3, the gas-liquid separator 40 is attached near the outlet of the water that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 20. The gas-liquid separator 40 is formed with an inlet 42 through which water flows in from the water circuit 30, and an outlet 44 through which water flows out to the water circuit 30. The inlet 42 is formed in a side wall of the gas-liquid separator 40, near the top of the gas-liquid separator 40. The outlet 44 is formed in a side wall of the gas-liquid separator 40, near the bottom of the gas-liquid separator 40.

[0048] A gas vent valve 54 is attached to the gas-liquid separator 40 to vent gas flowing into the gas-liquid separator 40 from the gas-liquid separator 40. The gas vent valve 54 is located in the fourth area A4. The gas vent valve 54 has a gas vent port 54a through which gas vented from the gas-liquid separator 40 flows out. In this embodiment, the gas vent valve 54 is attached to the top of the gas-liquid separator 40, and the gas vent port 54a of the gas vent valve 54 is located in the machine chamber R2. The gas vent valve 54 is not limited in structure, but may primarily include, for example, a main body and a float-shaped valve element housed within the main body. When the main body is filled with liquid, the valve body is pushed up by the liquid and blocks the gas vent port 54a located at the top of the main body, preventing liquid from flowing out through the gas vent port 54a. On the other hand, when gas flows into the valve body and the liquid level drops, the valve body drops, the gas vent port 54a becomes open, and the gas flows out from the gas vent port 54a. In other words, if refrigerant leaks in the second heat exchanger 20, most of the leaking refrigerant flows out from the gas vent port 54a of the gas vent valve 54.

[0049] The gas-liquid separator 40 is also fitted with a pressure relief valve 56 for releasing water from the gas-liquid separator 40 to the outside when the pressure in the water circuit 30 exceeds a predetermined pressure value. In this embodiment, the pressure relief valve 56 is fitted to the top of the gas-liquid separator 40.

[0050] (2-1-3) Fans The fan 60 supplies air that exchanges heat with the refrigerant to the first heat exchanger 16. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the fan 60 is disposed in the blower chamber R1. In this embodiment, the outdoor fan 26 is a propeller fan.

[0051] (2-1-4) Refrigerant sensor Refrigerant sensor 70 detects refrigerant leakage by detecting the refrigerant. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, refrigerant sensor 70 is disposed in fourth area A4 in machine room R2 on plate-shaped member 94. Plate-shaped member 94 supports refrigerant sensor 70. This makes refrigerant sensor 70 less susceptible to water exposure. Furthermore, because fourth area A4 is separated from blower room R1 in which fan 60 is disposed, refrigerant that leaks in second heat exchanger 20 and flows from gas-liquid separator 40 into fourth area A4 is relatively less likely to be agitated by fan 60. Therefore, refrigerant sensor 70 disposed in fourth area A4 can accurately detect refrigerant that leaks in machine room R2 and flows into the fourth area.

[0052] Furthermore, the refrigerant sensor 70 is disposed in the space below the gas-liquid separator 40. This allows the refrigerant sensor 70 to accurately detect refrigerant that has leaked in the second heat exchanger 20 and flowed out of the gas-liquid separator 40.

[0053] Furthermore, the refrigerant sensor 70 is disposed near the first heat exchanger 16. This allows the refrigerant sensor 70 to detect refrigerant leaking from the first heat exchanger 16, i.e., refrigerant leaking from a brazed portion of the refrigerant piping in the first heat exchanger 16, for example.

[0054] Furthermore, the refrigerant sensor 70 is disposed near the second heat exchanger 20 in the machine room R2. In Figures 2 to 4, the refrigerant sensor 70 is disposed near the rear of the second heat exchanger 20. This allows the refrigerant sensor 70 to accurately detect refrigerant that has leaked in the second heat exchanger 20 (including refrigerant that has leaked from the second heat exchanger 20 without passing through the gas-liquid separator 40).

[0055] Furthermore, the height position of the upper surface of plate-like member 94 or the height position of the refrigerant detection portion of refrigerant sensor 70 is within a height range of 300 mm from the height position of the upper surface of bottom frame 93. This allows refrigerant sensor 70 to accurately detect refrigerant leakage.

[0056] (2-1-5) Controller The controller 80 includes a CPU, memories such as a ROM and a RAM, and various electric and electronic components, all of which are not shown.

[0057] 1, the controller 80 is electrically connected to the compressor 12, the flow path switching mechanism 14, the expansion mechanism 18, the pump 32, and the refrigerant sensor 70. The controller 80 controls the operation of various components of the heat pump cycle apparatus 100, such as the compressor 12, the flow path switching mechanism 14, the expansion mechanism 18, the pump 32, and the refrigerant sensor 70, by causing the CPU to execute a program stored in the memory, so that the heat pump cycle apparatus 100 performs the desired operation.

[0058] For example, when the refrigerant sensor 70 detects a refrigerant leak, the controller 80 drives the fan 60. This agitates the stagnant refrigerant.

[0059] (2-2) User equipment The utilization-side equipment 34 is equipment that utilizes the water cooled / heated in the second heat exchanger 20. In this embodiment, the utilization-side equipment 34 is an air handling unit or a fan coil unit that performs air conditioning by exchanging heat between the water cooled / heated in the second heat exchanger 20 and air. However, the type of utilization-side equipment in the heat pump cycle apparatus is not limited to an air handling unit or a fan coil unit and may be selected appropriately depending on the application. For example, if the heat pump cycle apparatus is used in a factory or the like, the utilization-side equipment 34 may be a manufacturing facility that uses the water cooled / heated in the second heat exchanger 20 to cool / heat manufacturing equipment or products. Furthermore, if the heat pump cycle apparatus is a water heater, the utilization-side equipment 34 may be a tank that stores the water cooled / heated in the second heat exchanger 20. The water stored in the utilization-side equipment 34 is delivered to a device that uses the water by a pump (not shown), for example.

[0060] 1 illustrates only one use-side facility 34, the heat pump cycle apparatus 100 may have multiple use-side facilities. In this case, the water cooled / heated in the second heat exchanger 20 is sent to the multiple use-side facilities. When the heat pump cycle apparatus 100 has multiple use-side facilities, the use-side facilities may all be the same type of facility, or may include different types of facilities.

[0061] (3) Features (3-1) Conventional techniques for detecting refrigerant leaks include extending the gas vent port of a gas vent valve installed in a heat medium circuit in a machine room to the blower room via a pipe, and detecting the degree of temperature drop detected by a temperature sensor installed in the pipe when a crack or the like occurs in a heat transfer partition wall separating the refrigerant on the heat source side from the heat medium on the user side inside a user-side heat exchanger, causing refrigerant to leak from the refrigerant circuit where the refrigerant circulates to the heat medium circuit where the heat medium circulates. However, this technique has the drawback of being unable to detect refrigerant leaking into the machine room from locations other than the gas vent valve (for example, brazed portions of the pipes).

[0062] The outdoor unit 90 of this embodiment is an outdoor unit 90 of a heat pump cycle apparatus 100. The outdoor unit 90 includes a refrigerant circuit 10, a water circuit 30, a refrigerant sensor 70, a gas-liquid separator 40, a gas vent valve 54, and a fan 60. The refrigerant circuit 10 connects a compressor 12, a first heat exchanger 16, and a second heat exchanger 20 via piping P. The compressor 12 compresses the refrigerant. The first heat exchanger 16 exchanges heat between the refrigerant and air. The second heat exchanger 20 exchanges heat between the refrigerant and water. The water circuit 30 carries water that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 20. The refrigerant sensor 70 detects refrigerant leakage by detecting the refrigerant. The gas-liquid separator 40 is connected to the water circuit 30. The gas vent valve 54 is attached to the gas-liquid separator 40. The gas vent valve 54 vents gas from the gas-liquid separator 40. The fan 60 supplies air to the first heat exchanger 16. The blower chamber R1 and the machinery chamber R2 are separated by a partition member 92. The fan 60 is disposed in the blower chamber R1. The compressor 12 and the second heat exchanger 20 are disposed in the machinery chamber R2. The gas vent port 54a of the gas vent valve 54 and the refrigerant sensor 70 are disposed in the machinery chamber R2.

[0063] In the outdoor unit 90 of this embodiment, the gas vent port 54a of the gas vent valve 54 and the refrigerant sensor 70 that detects the refrigerant are disposed inside the machinery chamber R2. As a result, the outdoor unit 90 can also detect refrigerant that has leaked into the machinery chamber R2 from a location other than the gas vent valve 54 in the machinery chamber R2 (for example, a brazed portion of a pipe).

[0064] (3-2) In the outdoor unit 90 of this embodiment, the refrigerant sensor 70 is disposed in the space below the gas-liquid separator 40.

[0065] In the outdoor unit 90 of this embodiment, the refrigerant sensor 70 is disposed in the space below the gas-liquid separator 40, where leaked refrigerant is likely to accumulate. As a result, the outdoor unit 90 can accurately detect refrigerant leakage.

[0066] (3-3) In the outdoor unit 90 of this embodiment, the machine room R2 is divided into a first area A1, a second area A2, a third area A3, and a fourth area A4 in top view. The compressor 12 is disposed in the first area A1. The piping P of the refrigerant circuit 10 is disposed in the second area A2. The second heat exchanger 20 is disposed in the third area A3. The piping W of the water circuit 30, the gas-liquid separator 40, and the gas vent valve 54 are disposed in the fourth area A4. The refrigerant sensor 70 is disposed in the fourth area A4.

[0067] (3-4) In the outdoor unit 90 of this embodiment, when the refrigerant sensor 70 detects a refrigerant leak, the outdoor unit 90 drives the fan 60. As a result, the outdoor unit 90 can agitate the stagnant refrigerant.

[0068] (3-5) In the outdoor unit 90 of this embodiment, the refrigerant is a flammable refrigerant of ISO817 Class 2 or a highly flammable refrigerant of Class 3.

[0069] (3-6) In the outdoor unit 90 of the present embodiment, the refrigerant sensor 70 is disposed near the second heat exchanger 20. As a result, the outdoor unit 90 can accurately detect refrigerant leaking in the second heat exchanger 20.

[0070] (4) Variations (4-1) Variation 1A In this embodiment, the gas vent valve 54 is attached to the top of the gas-liquid separator 40. However, the gas vent valve 54 may also be attached to, for example, a side wall of the gas-liquid separator 40. Furthermore, multiple gas vent valves may be attached to the gas-liquid separator 40. For example, one gas vent valve may be attached to the top and one to the side wall of the gas-liquid separator 40.

[0071] (4-2) Variation 1B The equipment that is arranged in the machine room R2 and that can be an ignition source, including the compressor 12, may be explosion-proof. As a result, the outdoor unit 90 can prevent the equipment that can be an ignition source from exploding due to leaking refrigerant.

[0072] (4-3) Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10 Refrigerant circuit 12 Compressor 16 1st heat exchanger 20 Second heat exchanger 30 Water circuit (heat medium circuit) 40 Gas-liquid separator 54 Gas release valve 54a Gas vent 60 fans 70 Refrigerant sensor (sensor) 90 Outdoor unit 92 Partition material 100 Heat pump cycle device A1 Area 1 A2 Area 2 A3 Third Area A4 4th Area P piping R1 Blower room R2 Machine room W piping [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0074] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-044867

Claims

1. An outdoor unit (90) of a heat pump cycle device (100), a refrigerant circuit (10) that connects, via piping (P), a compressor (12) that compresses a refrigerant, a first heat exchanger (16) that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and air, and a second heat exchanger (20) that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and a heat medium; a heat medium circuit (30) through which the heat medium flows, the heat medium exchanging heat with the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger; a sensor (70) for detecting leakage of the refrigerant by detecting the refrigerant; a gas-liquid separator (40) connected to the heat medium circuit; a gas vent valve (54) attached to the gas-liquid separator for venting gas from the gas-liquid separator; a fan (60) for supplying air to the first heat exchanger; Equipped with a blower room (R1) in which the fan is disposed and a machine room (R2) in which the compressor and the second heat exchanger are disposed are separated by a partition member (92); The gas vent port (54a) of the gas vent valve and the sensor are disposed in the machine room. Outdoor unit (90).

2. The sensor is disposed in a space below the gas-liquid separator. The outdoor unit (90) of claim 1.

3. the machine room is divided, in top view, into a first area (A1) in which the compressor is disposed, a second area (A2) in which the piping of the refrigerant circuit is disposed, a third area (A3) in which the second heat exchanger is disposed, and a fourth area (A4) in which the piping (W) of the heat medium circuit, the gas-liquid separator, and the gas vent valve are disposed, The sensor is disposed in the fourth area. The outdoor unit (90) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When the sensor detects a leak of the refrigerant, the fan is driven. The outdoor unit (90) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The equipment that is to be an ignition source, including the compressor, that is placed in the machine room is explosion-proof. The outdoor unit (90) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The refrigerant is a flammable refrigerant of ISO 817 Class 2 or a highly flammable refrigerant of ISO 817 Class 3, The outdoor unit (90) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The sensor is disposed near the second heat exchanger. The outdoor unit (90) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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