Installation method of air conditioner

Abstract

The installation method of the air conditioner includes an outdoor unit 10, an indoor unit 20, a refrigerant pipe having connection pipes 40 and 41 for connecting the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20, and a shut-off valve unit 30 having shut-off valves 31 and 32 that are in a closed state when not energized and block the flow of refrigerant in the connection pipes. The installation method of the air conditioner includes a wiring energization step of energizing the shut-off valves 31 and 32 and de-energizing at least one of the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20, and a vacuum evacuation step ST4 of evacuating the air in the refrigerant pipe by vacuum evacuation after the wiring energization step.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for installing an air conditioner.

Background Art

[0002] In the installation work of an air conditioner, evacuation is performed to discharge the air in the refrigerant piping. Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioner provided with a control device that executes an installation mode in which when a specific operation including an operation of turning on a circuit breaker that supplies power to the air conditioner is performed, a shut-off valve is opened and an operation instruction to the compressor is invalidated. By executing the installation mode during evacuation in this way, it is possible to prevent the air conditioner from being started by a remote control or the like and to prevent air from entering the compressor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, as described above, when preventing the malfunction of the air conditioner during evacuation, a control device capable of executing the installation mode is required, and the manufacturing cost of the air conditioner increases. Therefore, there is a demand for a method of installing an air conditioner that can prevent malfunction during evacuation even in an air conditioner not provided with the above control device.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for installing an air conditioner that can prevent malfunction of the air conditioner during evacuation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The method for installing an air conditioner according to the present disclosure is An air conditioner installation method comprising an outdoor unit, an indoor unit, a refrigerant pipe having a connecting pipe connecting the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, and a shut-off valve unit having a shut-off valve that is in a closed state when not energized and shuts off the flow of refrigerant in the connecting pipe. A wiring energization step of energizing the shut-off valve and de-energizing at least one of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. A vacuum evacuation step of evacuating the air in the refrigerant pipe after the wiring energization step.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] (Air conditioner) An embodiment of the air conditioner of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 1. In each figure, the dimensional ratio in the drawing and the actual dimensional ratio do not necessarily match. Also, the dimensional ratios between the drawings do not necessarily match. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to an embodiment. The air conditioner is, for example, a room air conditioner, a package air conditioner, a multi-air conditioner for buildings, etc.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner includes an outdoor unit 10, an indoor unit 20, a refrigerant pipe having connection pipes 40 and 41, and a shut-off valve unit 30 having shut-off valves 31 and 32 provided in the connection pipes 40 and 41. The outdoor unit 10, the indoor unit 20, and the shut-off valves 31 and 32 are supplied with power from a commercial power source EP via a circuit breaker BK.

[0010] The outdoor unit 10 includes a compressor 1, a four-way valve 2, an outdoor heat exchanger 3, a fan 4, an expansion valve 5, and a gas pipe valve and a liquid pipe valve (not shown). The gas pipe valve and the liquid pipe valve are valves for opening and closing the connection pipes 40 and 41. The indoor unit 20 includes an indoor heat exchanger 21, a cross-flow fan 22, and a refrigerant leakage sensor 23.

[0011] The outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 are connected by connection pipes (a gas-side connection pipe 40 and a liquid-side connection pipe 41). Specifically, the gas pipe valve of the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor heat exchanger 21 of the indoor unit 20 are connected by the gas-side connection pipe 40, and the liquid pipe valve of the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor heat exchanger 21 of the indoor unit 20 are connected by the liquid-side connection pipe 41.

[0012] The shut-off valves 31 and 32 are valves for shutting off the flow of the refrigerant in the connection pipes 40 and 41 in the event of refrigerant leakage. The shut-off valves 31 and 32 are valves that are in a closed state (closed) when not energized and in an open state (open) when energized. The shut-off valves 31 and 32 are, for example, solenoid valves.

[0013] The shut-off valves 31 and 32 may be valves that shut off the flow of refrigerant in both directions, or may be valves that shut off only the flow of refrigerant in one direction. In FIG. 1, valves that shut off the flow of refrigerant in both directions are illustrated. Among the shut-off valves 31 and 32, the gas-side shut-off valve 31 is provided in the gas-side connection pipe 40, and the liquid-side shut-off valve 32 is provided in the liquid-side connection pipe 41.

[0014] The air conditioner preferably includes a changeover switch 33 for switching the opening and closing of the shutoff valves 31 and 32. The changeover switch 33 is a manual switch provided between the shutoff valves 31 and 32 and the circuit breaker. This facilitates the switching of the opening and closing of the shutoff valves 31 and 32 and improves the installation workability of the air conditioner.

[0015] When the changeover switch 33 is on, the shutoff valves 31 and 32 are forced to be in the open state (open), and when it is off, the shutoff valves 31 and 32 are in the closed state (closed). When the changeover switch 33 is on, it is possible to open the shutoff valves 31 and 32 even without a signal for an opening command from the indoor unit 20 to the shutoff valves 31 and 32. When the changeover switch 33 is off, it is also possible to open the shutoff valves 31 and 32 by energizing the shutoff valves 31 and 32 and a signal for an opening command from the indoor unit 20 to the shutoff valves 31 and 32.

[0016] The changeover switch 33 is, for example, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a rocker switch, or the like. Note that the air conditioner may be configured not to include the changeover switch 33. The changeover switch 33 may be provided for each shutoff valve 31 and 32, or may be provided for the shutoff valve unit 30 described later.

[0017] The shutoff valve unit 30 is separate from the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 10, and is installed, for example, in the ceiling space of the room where the indoor unit 20 is installed or outdoors (outside the outdoor unit 10). A refrigerant leakage sensor may be provided inside the shutoff valve unit 30. Note that the air conditioner may be configured to include only the shutoff valves 31 and 32 without the shutoff valve unit 30.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the shutoff valve unit 30. In FIG. 2, the shutoff valves 31 and 32 are omitted. As shown in FIG. 2, the shutoff valve unit 30 includes a housing 301 that houses the shutoff valves 31 and 32 (see FIG. 1) and the changeover switch 33, and a lid 302 that can be attached to the housing 301. The lid 302 is attached to the housing 301 with, for example, screws.

[0019] The lid 302 preferably includes a contact portion 303 that contacts the switch portion 331 of the changeover switch 33 when the switch portion 331 of the changeover switch 33 is at the on position P1 (thin line) that forces the shutoff valves 31 and 32 into the forced open state (energized state). Thus, when the contact portion 303 contacts the changeover switch 33, the operator can recognize that the shutoff valves 31 and 32 are in the forced open state, and it is possible to prevent the operator from forgetting to turn off the forced open state of the shutoff valves 31 and 32 after evacuation. That is, it is possible to prevent forgetting to return the changeover switch 33 from the on position P1 to the off position P2.

[0020] The contact portion 303 is, for example, a protrusion provided on the lid 302 and is non-contact with the switch portion 331 when the switch portion 331 is at the off position P2. The contact portion 303 is preferably configured such that when it contacts the changeover switch 33, the lid 302 cannot be attached to the housing 301 (for example, the screw holes do not match). Thereby, it becomes easier for the operator to recognize that the shutoff valves 31 and 32 are in the open state, and it is possible to further prevent the operator from forgetting to turn off the forced open state of the shutoff valves 31 and 32 after evacuation.

[0021] The air conditioner includes a control device (not shown) that controls the entire air conditioner. The control device is provided in the outdoor unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 and is composed of, for example, a microprocessor unit or the like. The control device controls the compressor 1, the four-way valve 2, the fan 4, and the shutoff valves 31 and 32, and performs heating operation and cooling operation by switching the four-way valve 2.

[0022] The control device controls the shutoff valves 31 and 32 based on a leakage signal from a refrigerant leakage sensor 23 (or a refrigerant leakage sensor provided in the shutoff valve unit 30). The air conditioner is configured such that when the switch portion 331 of the changeover switch 33 is at the off position P2, the control device can control the opening and closing of the shutoff valves 31 and 32.

[0023] During normal operation, the power circuit breaker BK is on and the power supply of the air conditioner is on. The gas pipe valve, liquid pipe valve, gas-side shut-off valve 31, and liquid-side shut-off valve 32 are all in the open state.

[0024] The operation during heating operation will be described. The control device switches the four-way valve 2 to the solid line side in FIG. 1 during heating operation.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 21 through the four-way valve 2, gas pipe valve, and gas-side shut-off valve 31. The flowing-in refrigerant liquefies by releasing heat to the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 21. The liquefied refrigerant passes through the liquid-side shut-off valve 32 and liquid pipe valve and is then depressurized by the expansion valve 5 controlled to an appropriate opening degree to become a gas-liquid two-phase state and flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 3. The flowing-in refrigerant exchanges heat with the outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger 3 and gasifies by absorbing heat, and then returns to the compressor 1. As described above, heating operation is performed by the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant circuit.

[0026] The operation during cooling operation will be described. The control device switches the four-way valve 2 to the broken line side in FIG. 1 during cooling operation.

[0027] The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 3 through the four-way valve 2. The flowing-in refrigerant exchanges heat with the outdoor air in the outdoor heat exchanger 3 and liquefies by releasing heat. The liquefied refrigerant is depressurized by the expansion valve 5 adjusted to an appropriate opening degree to become a gas-liquid two-phase state, passes through the liquid pipe valve and liquid-side shut-off valve 32, and then flows into the indoor heat exchanger 21. The flowing-in refrigerant gasifies by absorbing heat from the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 21. The gasified refrigerant passes through the gas-side shut-off valve 31 and gas pipe valve and then returns to the compressor 1. As described above, cooling operation is performed by the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant circuit.

[0028] When refrigerant leakage occurs, a refrigerant leakage sensor 23 provided in the indoor unit 20 (or a refrigerant leakage sensor provided in the shutoff valve unit 30) detects the leakage, and a refrigerant leakage signal is sent to the control device of the outdoor unit 10. When receiving the refrigerant leakage signal, the control device stops the compressor 1 and simultaneously closes the shutoff valves 31 and 32. As a result, the refrigerant is sealed within the outdoor unit 10, preventing the refrigerant from flowing out to the indoor unit 20 side and making it possible to reduce the amount of refrigerant leakage into the living space.

[0029] The control device can also perform forced operation stop control for forcibly stopping each operation and forced opening control for opening the shutoff valves 31 and 32 according to a signal from the outdoor unit 10. Then, the control device performs control to release the forced opening control by releasing the forced operation stop control.

[0030] (Installation method of air conditioner) Next, an installation method of an air conditioner according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the installation method of an air conditioner according to an embodiment.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, first, the indoor unit 20, the outdoor unit 10, and the shutoff valve unit 30 are installed at predetermined positions, and each refrigerant pipe (connection pipes 40 and 41) is connected (installation step ST1). Then, at least the power breaker BK and the shutoff valve unit 30 (the shutoff valves 31 and 32 thereof) are connected by wiring such as an F cable (first wiring step ST2). In the first wiring step ST2, the power breaker BK is not connected to the outdoor unit 10 and / or the indoor unit 20. In FIG. 1, an example is shown in which the power breaker BK is connected to the shutoff valve unit 30 and the outdoor unit 10 in a connected state as indicated by a solid line, and the power breaker BK is not connected to the indoor unit 20 in a non-connected state as indicated by a broken line.

[0032] Next, turn on the circuit breaker BK, set the shut-off valves 31 and 32 to the energized state (open state), and set at least one of the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 to the non-energized state (energization step ST3). "Setting to the non-energized state" means switching from the energized state to the non-energized state, maintaining the non-energized state, or maintaining the non-energized state. In FIG. 1, an example is shown in which the shut-off valve unit 30 and the outdoor unit 10 are in the energized state and the indoor unit 20 is in the non-energized state.

[0033] The first wiring step ST2 and the energization step ST3 are collectively referred to as the wiring and energization step. When the air conditioner is equipped with the changeover switch 33, the installation method of the air conditioner includes, after the wiring and energization step (the first wiring step ST2 + the energization step ST3) and before the evacuation step ST4 described later, operating the changeover switch 33 to set the shut-off valves 31 and 32 to the open state.

[0034] Next, connect a vacuum pump to the charging port of the liquid pipe valve or the charging port of the gas pipe valve to perform evacuation to discharge the air in the refrigerant pipe (evacuation step ST4). According to such a method, by performing evacuation with at least one of the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 in the non-energized state, it is possible to prevent the compressor 1 from operating during evacuation. When the outdoor unit 10 is in the non-energized state, the compressor 1 does not operate. When the indoor unit 20 is in the non-energized state, it cannot receive an operation command from the remote control and the compressor 1 does not operate. Thus, even when an operation command is erroneously transmitted from the remote control, it is possible to prevent the air conditioner from operating erroneously during evacuation. Also, appropriate evacuation can be performed, preventing air from entering the compressor 1 and causing damage. Furthermore, it is possible to perform the wiring installation work of the air conditioner simultaneously with the evacuation, and it is possible to shorten the installation work time.

[0035] Next, set the liquid pipe valve and the gas pipe valve to the open state and fill the entire refrigerant pipe with refrigerant (refrigerant filling step ST5). In the refrigerant filling step ST5, it is preferable to confirm the leakage of the refrigerant gas.

[0036] Next, turn off the circuit breaker BK, de-energize the shut-off valves 31 and 32 (closed state), and de-energize the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 (de-energization step ST6). When the air conditioner is equipped with a changeover switch 33, the de-energization step ST6 includes the step of operating the changeover switch 33 (returning from the on position P1 (see FIG. 2) to the off position P2) and switching the shut-off valves 31 and 32 to the closed state.

[0037] The installation method of the air conditioner preferably includes a lid closing step ST7 of closing the lid 302 (see FIG. 2) of the housing 301 in which the changeover switch 33 is housed after the de-energization step ST6. Thereby, when the contact portion 303 comes into contact with the changeover switch 33, the operator can be made aware that the shut-off valves 31 and 32 are in the open state, and it is possible to prevent the operator from forgetting to turn off the forced open state of the shut-off valves 31 and 32 after evacuation.

[0038] Next, connect the outdoor unit 10 and / or the indoor unit 20 that were in an unconnected state in the first wiring step ST2 to the circuit breaker BK with wiring such as an F cable (second wiring step ST8). Then, after turning on the circuit breaker BK to make the air conditioner operable, a test operation is performed (test operation step ST9).

[0039] (Modification example) (A) In FIG. 1, an example is shown in which the shut-off valves 31 and 32 are valves that block the bidirectional refrigerant flow, but it is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the shut-off valves 31 and 32 may be valves that block only the unidirectional refrigerant flow. The air conditioner shown in FIG. 4 is a multi-air conditioner for buildings, and a plurality of indoor units 20a and 20b are connected to one outdoor unit 10.

[0040] The air conditioner illustrated in FIG. 4 is provided with two gas-side shut-off valves 31a and 31b and two liquid-side shut-off valves 32a and 32b for one indoor unit 20. The shut-off valves 31a to 32b and the check valves 34a to 34d described later are respectively housed in the shut-off valve units 30a and 30b.

[0041] The gas-side shut-off valves 31a and 31b are respectively provided in parallel to the gas-side connection pipe 40. On the outdoor unit 10 side of the gas-side shut-off valve 31a, a check valve 34a for preventing the flow of refrigerant to the indoor unit 20 side is provided, and on the indoor unit 20 side of the gas-side shut-off valve 31b, a check valve 34b for preventing the flow of refrigerant to the outdoor unit 10 side is provided. During heating operation, refrigerant flows through the gas-side shut-off valve 31b, and during cooling operation, refrigerant flows through the gas-side shut-off valve 31a.

[0042] The liquid-side shut-off valves 32a and 32b are respectively provided in parallel to the liquid-side connection pipe 41. On the outdoor unit 10 side of the liquid-side shut-off valve 32a, a check valve 34c for preventing the flow of refrigerant to the indoor unit 20 side is provided, and on the indoor unit 20 side of the liquid-side shut-off valve 32b, a check valve 34d for preventing the flow of refrigerant to the outdoor unit 10 side is provided. During heating operation, refrigerant flows through the liquid-side shut-off valve 32a, and during cooling operation, refrigerant flows through the liquid-side shut-off valve 32b.

[0043] In the installation method of the air conditioner in such an example, in the first wiring step ST2, the power breaker and the shut-off valves 31a to 32b are in a connected state, and the power breaker and the outdoor unit 10 and / or the indoor units 20a and 20b are in a non-connected state. Then, at least the shut-off valves 31a to 32b are energized (opened), and the evacuation step ST4 is performed. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the shut-off valves 31a to 32b are energized, and the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor units 20a and 20b are de-energized.

[0044] (B) In FIG. 1, the power breaker BK, the shut-off valve unit 30, and the outdoor unit 10 are in a connected state (energized state), and the power breaker BK and the indoor unit 20 are in a non-connected state (de-energized state), but it is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the power breaker BK, the shut-off valve unit 30, and the indoor unit 20 may be in a connected state (energized state: solid line), and the power breaker BK and the outdoor unit 10 may be in a non-connected state (de-energized state: dashed line).

[0045] (C) In the above-described embodiment, the outdoor unit 10, the indoor unit 20, and the shut-off valves 31 and 32 are each connected to the same power breaker BK, but this is not limiting. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the shut-off valves 31 and 32 may be connected to a power breaker BK2 different from the power breaker BK1 to which the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 are connected. In such an example, power is supplied to the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 from a commercial power source EP1 via the power breaker BK1, and power is supplied to the shut-off valves 31 and 32 from a commercial power source EP2 via the power breaker BK2.

[0046] In such an example, in the first wiring step ST2, the power breaker BK1 and the shut-off valves 31 and 32 are brought into a connected state, and the power breaker BK2 and the outdoor unit 10 and / or the indoor unit 20 are brought into a non-connected state. Then, at least the shut-off valves 31 and 32 are energized (opened), and the evacuation step ST4 is performed. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the shut-off valves 31a to 32b are energized, and the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor units 20a and 20b are de-energized.

[0047] (D) In the above-described embodiment, the shut-off valves 31 and 32 and the changeover switch 33 are provided in the shut-off valve unit 30, but this is not limiting. For example, the shut-off valves 31 and 32 and the changeover switch 33 may be provided in the outdoor unit 10 or the indoor unit 20.

[0048] In such an example, in the first wiring step ST2, the power breaker BK and the unit in which the shut-off valves 31 and 32 are provided are brought into a connected state, and the power breaker and the unit in which no shut-off valve is provided are brought into a non-connected state. Then, one of the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 is energized, and the evacuation step ST4 is performed.

[0049] (E) In the above embodiment, the contact portion 303 is configured such that when it comes into contact with the changeover switch 33, the lid 302 cannot be attached to the housing 301, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the contact portion 303 may be configured to switch the switch portion 331 from the on position P1 to the off position P2 when it comes into contact with the switch portion 331. For example, the contact portion 303 may be provided with an inclined portion, and the inclination may slide the switch portion 331 when it comes into contact with the switch portion 331, or the changeover switch 33 may be a rocker switch.

[0050] (F) The air conditioner according to the above embodiment may be configured to include a notification unit that notifies that the changeover switch 33 is in the on position P1 when the shutoff valves 31, 32 are in the open state by the changeover switch 33 and there is an operation command for the air conditioner. The control device performs control to notify by the notification unit and not start the operation of the air conditioner. According to such a configuration, it is possible to notify the operator of the omission of switching the changeover switch 33 to the off position P2 after evacuation. The notification unit notifies, for example, by lighting or blinking a lamp such as an LED, sounding a sound from a speaker, or displaying on a remote control screen.

[0051] [1] As described above, the installation method of the air conditioner includes an outdoor unit 10, an indoor unit 20, a refrigerant pipe having connection pipes 40, 41 connecting the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20, and a shutoff valve unit 30 having shutoff valves 31, 32 that are in a closed state when not energized and block the flow of refrigerant in the connection pipes 40, 41. The installation method of the air conditioner includes a wiring energization step of energizing the shutoff valves 31, 32 and de-energizing at least one of the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20, and a vacuum evacuation step ST4 of evacuating the air in the refrigerant pipe by vacuum evacuation after the wiring energization step.

[0052] According to such a method, by evacuating at least one of the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 in a non-powered state, it is possible to prevent the compressor 1 from operating during evacuation. Thereby, even when an operation command is erroneously transmitted from a remote controller or the like, malfunction of the air conditioner during evacuation can be prevented.

[0053] [2] In the installation method of the air conditioner described in the above [1], in the wiring energization process, it is preferable that the shut-off valve unit 30 is connected to the power breaker BK via the indoor unit 20 or the outdoor unit 10.

[0054] [3] Further, the installation method of the air conditioner described in the above [1] preferably includes a step of operating a changeover switch 33 for switching the opening and closing of the shut-off valves 31, 32 after the wiring energization process and before the evacuation process ST4 to make the shut-off valves 31, 32 in an open state.

[0055] According to such a method, the opening and closing switching of the shut-off valves 31, 32 becomes easy, and the installation workability of the air conditioner is improved.

[0056] [4] Further, in the installation method of the air conditioner described in the above [3], it includes a lid closing step ST7 of closing the lid 302 of the housing 301 in which the changeover switch 33 is housed after the evacuation process ST4. The lid 302 is preferably provided with a contact portion 303 that contacts the switch portion 331 when the switch portion 331 of the changeover switch 33 is in a position where the shut-off valves 31, 32 are in an open state.

[0057] According to such a method, when the contact portion 303 contacts the changeover switch 33, the operator can recognize that the shut-off valves 31, 32 are in an open state, and it is possible to suppress the operator from forgetting to turn off the forced open state of the shut-off valves 31, 32 after evacuation.

[0058] [5] Further, the installation method of the air conditioner described in the above [3] or [4] may be a method including a step of notifying when the shut-off valves 31 and 32 are in an open state by the changeover switch 33 and when there is an operation command for the air conditioner.

[0059] According to such a method, it is possible to notify the operator of forgetting to switch the changeover switch 33 to the off position P2 after evacuation.

[0060] [6] The installation method of the air conditioner includes an outdoor unit 10, an indoor unit 20, a refrigerant pipe having connection pipes 40 and 41 connecting the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20, and shut-off valves 31 and 32 that are in a closed state when not energized and block the flow of refrigerant in the connection pipes 40 and 41, and is an installation method of an air conditioner, including a wiring energization step of energizing the shut-off valves 31 and 32 and de-energizing at least one of the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20, and a vacuum evacuation step ST4 of evacuating the air in the refrigerant pipe by vacuum evacuation after the wiring energization step.

[0061] The air conditioner and the installation method of the air conditioner are not limited to the configurations and methods of the above-described embodiments, nor are they limited to the above-described effects. Also, it goes without saying that the air conditioner and the installation method of the air conditioner can be variously modified within a range not departing from the gist of the present disclosure. For example, it goes without saying that one or more of the configurations and methods according to the above-described modification examples may be arbitrarily selected and adopted in the configurations and methods according to the embodiments.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0062] 10…Outdoor unit, 1…Compressor, 2…Four-way valve, 3…Outdoor heat exchanger, 4…Fan, 5…Expansion valve, 20, 20a, 20b…Indoor unit, 21…Indoor heat exchanger, 22…Cross-flow fan, 23…Refrigerant leakage sensor, 30, 30a, 30b…Shut-off valve unit, 301…Housing, 302…Cover, 303…Contact part, 31, 31a, 31b…Gas-side shut-off valve, 32, 32a, 32b…Liquid-side shut-off valve, 33…Changeover switch, 331…Switch part, 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d…Check valve, 40…Gas-side connecting pipe, 41…Liquid-side connecting pipe, BK, BK1, BK2…Main switch, EP, EP1, EP2…Commercial power supply, P1…On position, P2…Off position

Claims

1. An installation method for an air conditioner, comprising: an outdoor unit, an indoor unit, a refrigerant pipe having a connection pipe connecting the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, and a shutoff valve unit having a shutoff valve that is in a closed state when not energized and shuts off the flow of refrigerant in the connection pipe, a wiring energization step of energizing the shutoff valve and de-energizing at least one of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit; a vacuum evacuation step of evacuating air in the refrigerant pipe by vacuum after the wiring energization step; a step of operating a changeover switch that switches the opening and closing of the shutoff valve to open the shutoff valve after the wiring energization step and before the vacuum evacuation step.

2. The installation method for an air conditioner according to Claim 1, wherein in the wiring energization step, the shutoff valve unit is connected to a power breaker via the indoor unit or the outdoor unit.

3. including a lid closing step of closing a lid of a housing in which the changeover switch is housed after the vacuum evacuation step, wherein the lid includes a contact portion that contacts the switch portion when the switch portion of the changeover switch is in a position to open the shutoff valve.

4. The installation method for an air conditioner according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, including a step of notifying when the shutoff valve is in an open state by the changeover switch and an operation command is given to the air conditioner.

5. An installation method for an air conditioner, comprising: an outdoor unit, an indoor unit, a refrigerant pipe having a connection pipe connecting the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, and a shutoff valve that is in a closed state when not energized and shuts off the flow of refrigerant in the connection pipe, a wiring energization step of energizing the shutoff valve and de-energizing at least one of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit; a vacuum evacuation step of evacuating air in the refrigerant pipe by vacuum after the wiring energization step; a step of operating a changeover switch that switches the opening and closing of the shutoff valve to open the shutoff valve after the wiring energization step and before the vacuum evacuation step.

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