Indoor units and air conditioners

Abstract

One aspect of an indoor unit according to the present disclosure comprises a housing, a heat exchanger, a blower, and a refrigerant sensor unit that has a refrigerant sensor and that is mounted to the housing. The housing has a blower chamber, a heat exchanger chamber that is disposed alongside the blower chamber in a first direction intersecting the vertical direction, a partitioning wall part that separates the inside of the blower chamber and the inside of the heat exchanger chamber, and an outlet that opens to the outside of the housing. The partitioning wall part has a through hole that passes through the partitioning wall part in the first direction. The blower sends air that is in the blower chamber into the heat exchanger chamber via the through hole. The heat exchanger chamber has a first space part, the inside of which connects to a discharge port, and a second space part, the inside of which connects to the outlet. The refrigerant sensor unit is mounted to a mounting wall part of the housing that is positioned to one side in a second direction which intersects the vertical direction and which is orthogonal to the first direction. The refrigerant sensor is disposed in the first space part and is disposed at a position so as to not to be opposite from the discharge port.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an indoor unit and an air conditioner. This application claims priority based on international application PCT / JP2022 / 001271 filed on January 17, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, an indoor unit of an air conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known that is equipped with a refrigerant leakage sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-84946 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the indoor unit described above, when miscellaneous gases such as insecticides contained in the air in the room are drawn into the indoor unit, the miscellaneous gases may cause the refrigerant leakage sensor to malfunction.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, one object of the present disclosure is to provide an indoor unit having a structure that can prevent the refrigerant sensor from malfunctioning, and an air conditioner equipped with such an indoor unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of an indoor unit according to the present disclosure is an indoor unit for an air conditioner, comprising: a housing; a heat exchanger housed inside the housing and through which a refrigerant flows; a blower housed inside the housing and sending air to the heat exchanger; a refrigerant sensor unit attached to the housing, the refrigerant sensor having a refrigerant sensor capable of detecting the refrigerant; a connecting pipe section that connects a refrigerant pipe extending from an outdoor unit to the heat exchanger;the housing has a fan chamber in which the fan is housed, a heat exchanger chamber arranged alongside the fan chamber in a first direction intersecting a vertical direction and in which the heat exchanger is housed, a partition wall portion separating an interior of the fan chamber from an interior of the heat exchanger chamber in the first direction, and an air outlet opening to the outside of the housing, the partition wall portion having a through hole penetrating the partition wall portion in the first direction, the fan having a discharge port opening toward the inside of the heat exchanger chamber and configured to be connected to a front end of the heat exchanger chamber via the through hole; the air in the blower chamber is sent into the heat exchanger chamber, the heat exchanger chamber having a first space portion whose interior is connected to the discharge port and a second space portion whose interior is connected to the air outlet, and the air discharged from the discharge port into the first space portion passes through the heat exchanger and flows into the second space portion, and is blown out of the housing from the air outlet, the refrigerant sensor unit is attached to a mounting wall portion of the housing that is located on one side in a second direction that intersects with the vertical direction and is perpendicular to the first direction, a part of the connection pipe portion is located in the first space portion, and a solenoid valve is provided in a part of the connection pipe portion located in the first space portion; The refrigerant sensor is disposed in the first space at a position not facing the discharge port. ,before The fan is disposed in a portion of the first space farther from the blower chamber in the first direction than the center of the first space. and is disposed at a position farther from the blower chamber than the solenoid valve in the first direction. .

[0007] One aspect of an air conditioner according to the present disclosure includes the above-described indoor unit and an outdoor unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent malfunction of a refrigerant sensor in an indoor unit of an air conditioner. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a general configuration of an air conditioner according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the indoor unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the indoor unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the indoor unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of the indoor unit according to the embodiment as viewed from above. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the indoor unit in the embodiment, taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing a part of the indoor unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a view of a part of the indoor unit according to the embodiment, seen from one side in the left-right direction. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a refrigerant sensor unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a refrigerant sensor unit according to an embodiment is attached to a housing. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments and can be modified as desired within the scope of the technical concept of the present disclosure. In addition, in the following drawings, the scale and number of each structure may differ from the scale and number of the actual structure in order to make each configuration easier to understand.

[0011] The drawings also show the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis as appropriate. The X-axis indicates one of the horizontal directions. The Y-axis indicates the other of the horizontal directions. The Z-axis indicates the vertical direction. In the following description, the horizontal direction along the X-axis is referred to as the "front-rear direction X," the horizontal direction along the Y-axis is referred to as the "left-right direction Y," and the vertical direction along the Z-axis is referred to as the "vertical direction Z." The front-rear direction X, left-right direction Y, and vertical direction Z are perpendicular to each other. In the following description, the side of the vertical direction Z toward which the arrow of the Z-axis points (+Z side) is referred to as the upper side, and the side of the vertical direction Z opposite to the side toward which the arrow of the Z-axis points (-Z side) is referred to as the lower side. Furthermore, the side of the front-rear direction X toward which the arrow of the X-axis points (+X side) is referred to as the front side, and the side of the front-rear direction X opposite to the side toward which the arrow of the X-axis points (-X side) is referred to as the rear side.

[0012] In the following description, the side of the left-right direction Y toward which the arrow on the Y axis points (+Y side) will be referred to as one side of the left-right direction Y, and the side of the left-right direction Y opposite to the side toward which the arrow on the Y axis points (-Y side) will be referred to as the other side of the left-right direction Y. In the following embodiments, the front-rear direction X corresponds to a "first direction" that intersects with the vertical direction Z, and the left-right direction Y corresponds to a "second direction" that intersects with the vertical direction Z and is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of an air conditioner 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the air conditioner 100 includes an outdoor unit 10, an indoor unit 20, and a circulation path section 60. The outdoor unit 10 is disposed outdoors. The indoor unit 20 is disposed indoors. The outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 are connected to each other by the circulation path section 60, through which a refrigerant 61 circulates.

[0014] The air conditioner 100 is capable of adjusting the temperature of the air in the room by exchanging heat between the refrigerant 61 flowing in the circulation path section 60 and the air in the room where the indoor unit 20 is located. Examples of the refrigerant 61 include fluorine-based refrigerants and hydrocarbon-based refrigerants with low global warming potential (GWP). The density of the refrigerant 61 in gaseous form is greater than the density of air. Here, an example of a fluorine-based refrigerant with a low global warming potential is HFC32, and an example of a hydrocarbon-based refrigerant is R290 (propane). Both the fluorine-based refrigerant and the hydrocarbon-based refrigerant are flammable refrigerants.

[0015] The outdoor unit 10 includes a housing 11, a compressor 12, a heat exchanger 13, a flow rate adjustment valve 14, a blower 15, a four-way valve 16, a control unit 17, and shut-off valves 18a and 18b. The housing 11 houses the compressor 12, the heat exchanger 13, the flow rate adjustment valve 14, the blower 15, the four-way valve 16, the control unit 17, and the shut-off valves 18a and 18b.

[0016] Compressor 12, heat exchanger 13, flow rate adjustment valve 14, four-way valve 16, and shut-off valves 18a, 18b are provided in a portion of circulation path 60 that is located inside housing 11. Compressor 12, heat exchanger 13, flow rate adjustment valve 14, four-way valve 16, and shut-off valves 18a, 18b are connected by a portion of circulation path 60 that is located inside housing 11.

[0017] The four-way valve 16 is provided in a portion of the circulation path section 60 that is connected to the discharge side of the compressor 12. The four-way valve 16 can reverse the direction of the refrigerant 61 flowing through the circulation path section 60 by switching a portion of the path of the circulation path section 60. When the path connected by the four-way valve 16 is the path shown by the solid line on the four-way valve 16 in Fig. 1, the refrigerant 61 flows through the circulation path section 60 in the direction shown by the solid arrow in Fig. 1. On the other hand, when the path connected by the four-way valve 16 is the path shown by the dashed line on the four-way valve 16 in Fig. 1, the refrigerant 61 flows through the circulation path section 60 in the direction shown by the dashed arrow in Fig. 1.

[0018] The shutoff valve 18a is provided in a portion of the circulation path section 60 that connects the flow rate adjustment valve 14 and a heat exchanger 22 (described later) of the indoor unit 20. The shutoff valve 18b is provided in a portion of the circulation path section 60 that connects the four-way valve 16 and the heat exchanger 22. The shutoff valves 18a, 18b are valves that can close the portion of the circulation path section 60 where the shutoff valves 18a, 18b are provided, thereby shutting off the flow of the refrigerant 61. In the present embodiment, the shutoff valves 18a, 18b are housed in the housing 11 of the outdoor unit 10, but this is not limiting. The shutoff valves 18a, 18b may also be housed in a housing 30 (described later) of the indoor unit 20.

[0019] The indoor unit 20 includes a housing 30, a heat exchanger 22, a blower 23, and a control unit 24. The heat exchanger 22, the blower 23, and the control unit 24 are housed inside the housing 30. The indoor unit 20 is capable of cooling operation to cool the air in the room where the indoor unit 20 is located, and heating operation to warm the air in the room where the indoor unit 20 is located.

[0020] When the indoor unit 20 is in cooling operation, the refrigerant 61 flowing in the circulation path portion 60 flows in the direction shown by the solid arrow in Fig. 1. In other words, when the indoor unit 20 is in cooling operation, the refrigerant 61 flowing in the circulation path portion 60 circulates through the compressor 12, the heat exchanger 13 of the outdoor unit 10, the flow control valve 14, the shut-off valve 18a, the heat exchanger 22 of the indoor unit 20, and the shut-off valve 18b in that order, before returning to the compressor 12. During cooling operation, the heat exchanger 13 in the outdoor unit 10 functions as a condenser, and the heat exchanger 22 in the indoor unit 20 functions as an evaporator.

[0021] On the other hand, when the indoor unit 20 is in heating operation, the refrigerant 61 flowing in the circulation path portion 60 flows in the direction shown by the dashed line in Fig. 1. In other words, when the indoor unit 20 is in heating operation, the refrigerant 61 flowing in the circulation path portion 60 circulates through the compressor 12, shut-off valve 18b, heat exchanger 22 of the indoor unit 20, shut-off valve 18a, flow control valve 14, and heat exchanger 13 of the outdoor unit 10, in that order, before returning to the compressor 12. In heating operation, the heat exchanger 13 in the outdoor unit 10 functions as an evaporator, and the heat exchanger 22 in the indoor unit 20 functions as a condenser.

[0022] Next, the indoor unit 20 will be described in more detail. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the indoor unit 20. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the indoor unit 20. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the indoor unit 20 is a ceiling-suspended indoor unit that is attached to a ceiling. The indoor unit 20 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the left-right direction Y and flat in the vertical direction Z. A housing 30 of the indoor unit 20 has a lower wall portion 31, an upper wall portion 32, side walls 33 and 34, a front wall portion 35a, and a rear wall portion 35b.

[0023] The lower wall 31 is the lower wall among the walls that make up the housing 30. An air inlet 30a is formed in the rear portion of the lower wall 31, penetrating the lower wall 31 in the vertical direction Z. The air inlet 30a opens downward. The air inlet 30a has a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction Y. A grill 37 is attached to the air inlet 30a. The grill 37 has a plurality of ventilation holes that penetrate the grill 37 in the vertical direction Z.

[0024] The upper wall 32 is a wall portion located at the top of the walls that make up the housing 30. The upper wall 32 is located above and spaced apart from the lower wall 31. The side walls 33, 34 are wall portions that are located in the left-right direction Y of the walls that make up the housing 30. The side wall 33 is a wall portion that is located on one side (+Y side) of the walls that make up the housing 30 in the left-right direction Y. The side wall 34 is a wall portion that is located on the other side (-Y side) of the walls that make up the housing 30 in the left-right direction Y. The front wall 35a is a wall portion that is located in the front (+X side) of the walls that make up the housing 30. The rear wall 35b is a wall portion that is located in the rear (-X side) of the walls that make up the housing 30.

[0025] The housing 30 has an air outlet 30b that opens to the outside of the housing 30. The air outlet 30b opens forward. In this embodiment, the air outlet 30b is formed in the front wall portion 35a. The air outlet 30b extends in the left-right direction Y. The air outlet 30b opens in a direction that is slightly inclined downward relative to the front (+X direction). Indoor air that is sucked into the housing 30 through the air inlet 30a is blown out into the room from the air outlet 30b. An air direction adjustment unit 38 that can adjust the direction of the air blown out from the air outlet 30b is arranged in the air outlet 30b.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the side wall 33 has a mounting wall 33a and a cover 33b. The mounting wall 33a is a generally rectangular plate that is long in the front-rear direction X. The plate surface of the mounting wall 33a faces the left-right direction Y. The outer edge of the mounting wall 33a is attached to an end of the lower wall 31 on one side in the left-right direction Y (+Y side), an end of the upper wall 32 on one side in the left-right direction Y, an end of the front wall 35a on one side in the left-right direction Y, and an end of the rear wall 35b on one side in the left-right direction Y. In this embodiment, the mounting wall 33a is made of metal.

[0027] The mounting wall portion 33a has a hole portion 33f and a mounting hole 33g that penetrate the mounting wall portion 33a in the left-right direction Y. The hole portion 33f is formed in the rear portion of the mounting wall portion 33a. The hole portion 33f opens downward. The hole portion 33f is a substantially rectangular hole. The mounting hole 33g is formed in the front portion of the mounting wall portion 33a. The mounting hole 33g is a rectangular hole that is long in the front-rear direction X. The mounting hole 33g is located toward the upper side of the mounting wall portion 33a. In other words, the center of the mounting hole 33g in the vertical direction Z is located above the center of the mounting wall portion 33a in the vertical direction Z.

[0028] The cover 33b is a decorative panel. The cover 33b covers the mounting wall portion 33a from one side in the left-right direction Y (the +Y side). The cover 33b is detachably attached to the mounting wall portion 33a. Although not shown in the drawings, the cover 33b is fixed to the mounting wall portion 33a with one bolt. In this embodiment, the cover 33b is made of resin. The cover 33b has a cover main body portion 33h arranged opposite one side in the left-right direction Y of the mounting wall portion 33a, and a frame-shaped portion 33i protruding from the outer peripheral edge of the cover main body portion 33h to the other side in the left-right direction Y (the -Y side). A gap is provided between the cover main body portion 33h and the mounting wall portion 33a in the left-right direction Y. The mounting wall portion 33a is fitted inside the frame-shaped portion 33i.

[0029] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the indoor unit 20. Fig. 5 is a view of a part of the indoor unit 20 seen from above. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the indoor unit 20, taken along the line VI-VI in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing a part of the indoor unit 20. The upper wall portion 32 is not shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 7.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4 to 7, the housing 30 has a blower chamber 71 and a heat exchanger chamber 72 arranged alongside the blower chamber 71 in the front-rear direction X intersecting the vertical direction Z. The blower chamber 71 is formed in the rear part of the housing 30. The blower 23 is housed inside the blower chamber 71. The heat exchanger chamber 72 is formed in the front part of the housing 30. The heat exchanger chamber 72 is located in front of the blower chamber 71 (+X direction). The heat exchanger 22 is housed inside the heat exchanger chamber 72.

[0031] A refrigerant 61 flows inside the heat exchanger 22. The heat exchanger 22 extends in the left-right direction Y. An end of the heat exchanger 22 on one side in the left-right direction Y (+Y side) is disposed away from the mounting wall portion 33a of the side wall portion 33 on the other side in the left-right direction Y (-Y side). As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the heat exchanger 22 extends upward toward the front (+X direction) when viewed in the left-right direction Y.

[0032] A drain pan 25 is provided below the heat exchanger 22. The drain pan 25 covers the heat exchanger 22 from below. The drain pan 25 is disposed on the upper surface of the lower wall portion 31. The drain pan 25 can receive condensation water generated in the heat exchanger 22 from below. The condensation water received by the drain pan 25 is discharged to the outdoors via a drain hose (not shown).

[0033] As shown in FIG. 6, the heat exchanger chamber 72 has a first space 72a and a second space 72b. The interior of the first space 72a is connected to a discharge port 23e of the blower 23, which will be described later. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the first space 72a has an opposing space 72c and a side space 72d. The opposing space 72c is a portion of the first space 72a that faces the heat exchanger 22 in a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction Y. In this embodiment, the opposing space 72c faces the heat exchanger 22 in a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction Y and intersects both the vertical direction Z and the front-rear direction X. The opposing space 72c faces the heat exchanger 22 in a direction that extends upward and toward the rear (-X direction). The opposing space 72c overlaps with the heat exchanger 22 when viewed in the vertical direction Z. The opposing space 72c extends in the left-right direction Y. The opposing space 72c is located above and behind the heat exchanger 22.

[0034] The side space 72d is a portion of the first space 72a that is connected to one side (+Y side) of the opposing space 72c in the left-right direction Y. The side space 72d is located on one side of the heat exchanger 22 in the left-right direction Y. The side space 72d is located at a position that does not overlap with the heat exchanger 22 when viewed in the vertical direction Z. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the side space 72d includes a space 72e that is located adjacent to one side of the opposing space 72c in the left-right direction Y, and a space 72f that is located on one side of the heat exchanger 22 in the left-right direction Y. The space 72e is connected above and rearward (in the -X direction) of the space 72f. The space 72f is a space located between the mounting wall 33a and the heat exchanger 22 in the left-right direction Y.

[0035] The second space 72b is disposed adjacent to the first space 72a with the heat exchanger 22 sandwiched therebetween. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the second space 72b is disposed between the opposing space 72c of the first space 72a and the second space 72b, sandwiching the heat exchanger 22 in a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction Y. In this embodiment, the second space 72b and the opposing space 72c sandwich the heat exchanger 22 in a direction that extends upward and rearward (toward the -X direction). The interior of the second space 72b is connected to the air outlet 30b. In this embodiment, the second space 72b is located diagonally downward and forward of the first space 72a. Air discharged from the outlet 23e of the blower 23 into the first space 72a passes through the heat exchanger 22 and flows into the second space 72b. The air that flows into the second space 72b is blown out of the housing 30 from the air outlet 30b.

[0036] The first space 72a and the second space 72b are separated by the heat exchanger 22 and a partition member 39. The partition member 39 seals the gap between the end of the heat exchanger 22 facing the second space 72b and the mounting wall 33a. The partition member 39 is fixed to the mounting wall 33a and the heat exchanger 22. The partition member 39 extends along the heat exchanger 22 in a direction inclined toward the vertical direction Z with respect to the front-rear direction X. The partition member 39 is positioned upward as it moves forward (+X direction). The partition member 39 has a substantially rectangular plate-shaped partition main body 39a that seals the gap between the mounting wall 33a and the heat exchanger 22, and a plurality of ribs 39b provided on the upper surface of the partition main body 39a. The upper surface of the partition main body 39a faces upward and rearward (-X direction). The rib portions 39b extend upward toward the front. The rib portions 39b are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction Y.

[0037] The housing 30 has a partition wall portion 36 that separates the interior of the fan chamber 71 and the interior of the heat exchanger chamber 72 in the front-to-rear direction X. As shown in FIG. 4 , the partition wall portion 36 extends in the left-to-right direction Y. In this embodiment, the partition wall portion 36 has a generally rectangular plate shape that is long in the left-to-right direction Y. The plate surface of the partition wall portion 36 faces the front-to-rear direction X. The partition wall portion 36 has through holes 36a that penetrate the partition wall portion 36 in the front-to-rear direction X. In this embodiment, the through holes 36a are rectangular holes that are long in the left-to-right direction Y. In this embodiment, the through holes 36a are arranged side by side at intervals in the left-to-right direction Y. Four through holes 36a are provided.

[0038] The blower 23 sends air to the heat exchanger 22. As shown in FIG. 7, the blower 23 has a blower case 23c and a fan 23f. The fan 23f is rotatable around a rotation axis R extending in the left-right direction Y. In this embodiment, the fan 23f is a sirocco fan. The blower case 23c has a case main body 23g that houses the fan 23f, and a protrusion 23h that protrudes forward (in the +X direction) from the upper end of the case main body 23g.

[0039] The case main body 23g is located within the blower chamber 71. The case main body 23g has an intake port 23d that opens to one side (+Y side) in the left-right direction Y. The intake port 23d has a circular shape centered on the rotation axis R of the fan 23f. A grill having multiple ventilation holes is arranged in the intake port 23d. In this embodiment, the protrusion 23h passes through the through hole 36a of the partition wall 36 in the front-rear direction X. The front end of the protrusion 23h is located within the first space 72a of the heat exchanger chamber 72. More specifically, the front end of the protrusion 23h is located within the opposing space 72c of the first space 72a. The interior of the protrusion 23h is connected to the interior of the case main body 23g. The front end of the protrusion 23h is an exhaust port 23e that opens toward the heat exchanger chamber 72. The discharge port 23e is disposed behind (in the −X direction) the heat exchanger 22 with a gap therebetween.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in this embodiment, a plurality of fans 23 are provided lined up in the left-right direction Y. The plurality of fans 23 includes at least one first fan 23a and a plurality of second fans 23b, the number of which is greater than the number of first fans 23a. In this embodiment, a total of four fans 23 are provided: one first fan 23a and three second fans 23b. The structure of the first fan 23a and the structure of each second fan 23b are the same. The rotation axis R of the first fan 23a and the rotation axis R of the second fan 23b are arranged on the same straight line.

[0041] The one first fan 23a is arranged inside the fan chamber 71 near one side in the left-right direction Y (towards +Y). The three second fans 23b are arranged side by side in the left-right direction Y. In this embodiment, the three second fans 23b are arranged at equal intervals in the left-right direction Y. The one second fan 23b is arranged in the center of the inside of the fan chamber 71 in the left-right direction Y. The remaining two second fans 23b are arranged inside the fan chamber 71 near the other side in the left-right direction Y (towards -Y). The distance in the left-right direction Y between the first fan 23a and the second fan 23b adjacent to each other in the left-right direction Y is larger than the distance between the second fans 23b adjacent to each other in the left-right direction Y. The first fan 23a is arranged on one side in the left-right direction Y (towards +Y) of the three second fans 23b. That is, the first fan 23a is disposed at a position closer to the mounting wall portion 33a in the left-right direction Y than the second fans 23b.

[0042] The first fan 23a is the fan 23 arranged closest to the mounting wall 33a among the multiple fans 23. The second fan 23b adjacent to the first fan 23a in the left-right direction Y is the fan 23 located closest to one side (+Y side) in the left-right direction Y among the three second fans 23b, and is the fan 23 closest to the mounting wall 33a among the three second fans 23b.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5 , a motor 26 is provided between the first fan 23a and the second fan 23b adjacent to each other in the left-right direction Y. The motor 26 rotates the fan 23f of each fan 23 about the rotation axis R. In this embodiment, the motor 26 simultaneously rotates the fans 23f of the multiple fans 23. When the motor 26 rotates the fan 23f, air in the fan chamber 71 is drawn into the case main body 23g through the intake port 23d. The air drawn into the case main body 23g passes through the protrusion 23h and is discharged from the outlet port 23e into the first space 72a of the heat exchanger chamber 72. This generates an airflow AF in the heat exchanger chamber 72, flowing from the outlet port 23e through the heat exchanger 22 to the air outlet 30b. In this embodiment, protrusion 23h passes through through-hole 36a, and air passing through protrusion 23h passes through through-hole 36a and is discharged into first space 72a. In this manner, blower 23 sends air from blower chamber 71 to heat exchanger chamber 72 via through-hole 36a. When fan 23f rotates and air from blower chamber 71 is drawn into intake port 23d, air is drawn into blower chamber 71 through intake port 30a of housing 30.

[0044] The indoor unit 20 includes a connection pipe 62 that connects refrigerant pipes 60a and 60b extending from the outdoor unit 10 to the heat exchanger 22. The refrigerant pipe 60a is, for example, a liquid pipe. The refrigerant pipe 60b is, for example, a gas pipe. The connection pipe 62 is composed of multiple pipes. The connection pipe 62 is disposed within a first space 72a of the heat exchanger chamber 72, except for a connection portion 62a to which the refrigerant pipe 60a is connected and a connection portion 62b to which the refrigerant pipe 60b is connected. The connection portions 62a and 62b penetrate the partition wall 36 in the front-rear direction X and protrude into the blower chamber 71. As shown in FIG. 7 , at least a portion of the connection pipe 62 is located between the mounting wall 33a and the heat exchanger 22 in the left-right direction Y, i.e., within a space 72f of the side space 72d. In this embodiment, more than half of the connection pipe portion 62 is located within the space 72f between the mounting wall portion 33a and the heat exchanger 22 in the left-right direction Y. The connection pipe portion 62 is provided with a solenoid valve 63. The connection pipe portion 62 is located above the partition member 39. In this embodiment, the connection portion between the heat exchanger 22 and the connection pipe portion 62 is located within the space 72f of the side space portion 72d.

[0045] FIG. 8 is a view of part of the indoor unit 20 as seen from one side in the left-right direction Y (the +Y side). FIG. 8 shows the indoor unit 20 with the cover 33b removed. As shown in FIG. 8, the indoor unit 20 is equipped with a refrigerant sensor unit 40 attached to the housing 30. The refrigerant sensor unit 40 is attached to a mounting wall 33a located on one side in the left-right direction Y (the +Y side) of the housing 30. More specifically, the refrigerant sensor unit 40 is detachably attached to a mounting surface 33j of the mounting wall 33a. The mounting surface 33j is the surface facing the outside of the housing 30, i.e., the surface of the mounting wall 33a on one side in the left-right direction Y (the +Y side).

[0046] Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the refrigerant sensor unit 40. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the refrigerant sensor unit 40 attached to the housing 30. In Fig. 10, the upper wall portion 32 is not shown.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 9, the refrigerant sensor unit 40 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the front-to-rear direction X. As shown in Fig. 10, the refrigerant sensor unit 40 has a sensor case 41 and a refrigerant sensor 43. The refrigerant sensor unit 40 also has a circuit board (not shown). The circuit board (not shown) is housed inside a sensor housing portion 41b (described later). The circuit board is electrically connected to the control unit 24 of the indoor unit 20 via electrical wiring 44 (described later).

[0048] Sensor case 41 houses a circuit board (not shown) and refrigerant sensor 43. As shown in Fig. 10, sensor case 41 has a base portion 41a, a sensor housing portion 41b, a fixed portion 41c, and an engaging portion 41i.

[0049] The base 41a has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the front-rear direction X and flattened in the left-right direction Y. When viewed in the left-right direction Y, the outer edge of the base 41a is located outside the mounting hole 33g of the mounting wall 33a and surrounds the mounting hole 33g. The base 41a is in contact with the peripheral edge of the mounting hole 33g on the mounting surface 33j of the mounting wall 33a. The base 41a is located outside the heat exchanger chamber 72. In this embodiment, the base 41a is detachably attached to the mounting wall 33a outside the heat exchanger chamber 72 via the fixed portion 41c and the engaging portion 41i.

[0050] The sensor accommodating portion 41b protrudes from the base portion 41a to the other side (-Y side) in the left-right direction Y and passes through the mounting hole 33g. The sensor accommodating portion 41b protrudes into the first space portion 72a. More specifically, the sensor accommodating portion 41b protrudes into a side space portion 72d of the first space portion 72a. The sensor accommodating portion 41b is disposed in a portion of the first space portion 72a closer to the front (closer to the +X side). The sensor accommodating portion 41b is exposed to a space 72f of the first space portion 72a that is located between the heat exchanger 22 and the mounting wall portion 33a in the left-right direction Y. As shown in FIG. 6, the sensor accommodating portion 41b is disposed at a position overlapping with the heat exchanger 22 as viewed in the left-right direction Y. In the present embodiment, the sensor accommodating portion 41b overlaps with an upper portion of the heat exchanger 22 as viewed in the left-right direction Y.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 7, the sensor accommodating section 41b is located forward (toward the +X direction) of the first fan 23a. The sensor accommodating section 41b is located closer to the mounting wall 33a than the first fan 23a. The sensor accommodating section 41b is located further away from the first fan 23a on one side in the left-right direction Y (the +Y side). The sensor accommodating section 41b is located so as not to face the discharge port 23e of the fan 23. In other words, when viewed in the direction in which the discharge port 23e opens, that is, in the front-rear direction X in this embodiment, the sensor accommodating section 41b is located so as not to overlap with the discharge port 23e. The sensor accommodating section 41b is located outside the air passage from the discharge port 23e to the heat exchanger 22. The sensor accommodating section 41b is located above the drain pan 25.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 10, sensor containing portion 41b contains refrigerant sensor 43. Sensor containing portion 41b has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The portion of the top surface of sensor containing portion 41b on the other side in the left-right direction Y (-Y side) is inclined surface 41k. Inclined surface 41k is positioned downward as it approaches the other side in the left-right direction Y.

[0053] Sensor accommodating portion 41b has opening 41h that opens into first space 72a. Opening 41h is provided at the rear end of the lower end of sensor accommodating portion 41b. Opening 41h connects the interior of sensor accommodating portion 41b to the interior of first space 72a.

[0054] The fixed portion 41c protrudes rearward (in the -X direction) from the base portion 41a. As shown in FIG. 9, the fixed portion 41c has a bolt hole 41d penetrating the fixed portion 41c in the left-right direction Y. A bolt 41m is inserted into the bolt hole 41d from one side in the left-right direction Y (the +Y side). As shown in FIG. 10, the bolt 41m is fastened to a nut 33d fixed to the mounting wall portion 33a. This fixes the fixed portion 41c to the mounting wall portion 33a. The nut 33d is fixed to a surface of the mounting wall portion 33a on the other side in the left-right direction Y (the -Y side), i.e., a surface facing the inside of the first space portion 72a. The nut 33d is fixed to a surface of a side space portion 72d in the first space portion 72a that faces the space 72f.

[0055] The engaging portion 41i protrudes forward (in the +X direction) from the base portion 41a. The engaging portion 41i is passed from the outside of the heat exchanger chamber 72 through an engaging hole 33c provided in the mounting wall portion 33a and protrudes into the first space portion 72a. More specifically, the engaging portion 41i protrudes into the space 72f of the side space portion 72d of the first space portion 72a. The engaging portion 41i is hooked from inside the first space portion 72a onto a portion of the periphery of the engaging hole 33c in the mounting wall portion 33a that is located forward.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 9, the sensor case 41 has a protruding plate portion 41e that protrudes rearward (in the -X direction) from the base portion 41a, and a fitted portion 41f that protrudes from the protruding plate portion 41e toward the other side in the left-right direction Y (the -Y side). The protruding plate portion 41e and the fitted portion 41f are located below the fixed portion 41c. The protruding plate portion 41e has a substantially square plate shape. The plate surface of the protruding plate portion 41e faces the left-right direction Y. The fitted portion 41f has a cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 10, the fitted portion 41f is fitted into a fitting hole 33e provided in the mounting wall portion 33a from outside the heat exchanger chamber 72. The fitting hole 33e is a circular hole that penetrates the mounting wall portion 33a in the left-right direction Y.

[0057] In this embodiment, the refrigerant sensor unit 40 is positioned relative to the mounting wall 33a by engaging the engaging portion 41i with the mounting wall 33a and fitting the fitted portion 41f into the fitting hole 33e. With the refrigerant sensor unit 40 positioned by the engaging portion 41i and the fitted portion 41f, the fixed portion 41c is fixed to the mounting wall 33a with bolts 41m, thereby detachably mounting the refrigerant sensor unit 40 to the mounting wall 33a. When the engaging portion 41i is engaged with the mounting wall 33a and the fitted portion 41f is fitted into the fitting hole 33e, the refrigerant sensor unit 40 is temporarily held to the mounting wall 33a even when the fixed portion 41c is not fixed. This prevents the refrigerant sensor unit 40 from falling when the refrigerant sensor unit 40 is attached to or detached from the mounting wall 33a.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 9, in this embodiment, the sensor case 41 is configured by connecting a first case member 41r and a second case member 41s in the left-right direction Y. The first case member 41r has a rectangular frame portion 41j that is long in the front-rear direction X, a protruding plate portion 41e, and a fitted portion 41f. As shown in Fig. 10, the first case member 41r has a sensor accommodating portion 41b that protrudes to the other side in the left-right direction Y (-Y side). In this embodiment, the sensor accommodating portion 41b protrudes from the inner edge of the frame portion 41j to the other side in the left-right direction Y.

[0059] 9, the second case member 41s is attached to one side (+Y side) of the first case member 41r in the left-right direction Y. The second case member 41s has a lid portion 41t that covers the frame portion 41j and the sensor accommodating portion 41b from one side in the left-right direction Y, a fixed portion 41c, and an engaging portion 41i. In the present embodiment, the frame portion 41j and the lid portion 41t form a base portion 41a.

[0060] The refrigerant sensor 43 is a sensor capable of detecting the refrigerant 61. The refrigerant sensor 43 is attached to a circuit board (not shown). The refrigerant sensor 43 has a detection unit that detects the refrigerant 61. When the refrigerant 61 comes into contact with the detection unit, the refrigerant sensor 43 outputs a signal indicating that the refrigerant 61 has been detected. The signal output from the refrigerant sensor 43 is input to the control unit 24 of the indoor unit 20 via electrical wiring 44 (described later). In this embodiment, the refrigerant 61 that leaks from the circulation path unit 60 and flows into the first space 72a flows into the sensor case 41 through the opening 41h of the sensor accommodating unit 41b, allowing the leaked refrigerant 61 to come into contact with the detection unit of the refrigerant sensor 43. The refrigerant 61 that leaks from the circulation path unit 60 is in a gaseous state.

[0061] 7 and 10, the refrigerant sensor 43 is housed in the sensor housing 41b and disposed in the first space 72a. The refrigerant sensor 43 is disposed in a portion of the first space 72a closer to the front (+X side). In other words, the refrigerant sensor 43 is disposed in a portion of the first space 72a farther from the blower chamber 71 in the front-rear direction X (+X side). Note that the "portion of the first space 72a farther from the blower chamber 71 in the front-rear direction X" refers to a portion of the first space 72a that is farther from the blower chamber 71 in the front-rear direction X than the center of the first space 72a in the front-rear direction X. In this embodiment, this refers to a portion located forward (toward the +X side) of the center of the first space 72a in the front-rear direction X.

[0062] In this embodiment, the refrigerant sensor 43 is disposed within the side space 72d. The refrigerant sensor 43 is located forward (toward the +X side) of the center of the side space 72d in the front-rear direction X. The refrigerant sensor 43 is located in a portion of the side space 72d between the heat exchanger 22 and the mounting wall 33a in the left-right direction Y, i.e., in the space 72f. In other words, the refrigerant sensor 43 is located in a front portion of the interior of the side space 72d, i.e., on the side (+X side) farther from the blower chamber 71 in the front-rear direction X. The refrigerant sensor 43 is located above the partition member 39. The refrigerant sensor 43 is located forward (toward the +X side) of the solenoid valve 63. As shown in FIG. 6 , the refrigerant sensor 43 is disposed in a position overlapping with the heat exchanger 22 in the left-right direction Y. In this embodiment, the refrigerant sensor 43 overlaps with an upper portion of the heat exchanger 22 in the left-right direction Y.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 7, the refrigerant sensor 43 is located forward (toward the +X direction) of the first fan 23a. The refrigerant sensor 43 is located closer to the mounting wall 33a than the first fan 23a. The refrigerant sensor 43 is located further to one side in the left-right direction Y (the +Y side) than the first fan 23a. The refrigerant sensor 43 is located so as not to face the discharge port 23e of the fan 23. In other words, the refrigerant sensor 43 is located so as not to overlap with the discharge port 23e when viewed in the direction in which the discharge port 23e opens, that is, in the front-rear direction X in this embodiment. The refrigerant sensor 43 is located outside the air passage from the discharge port 23e to the heat exchanger 22. The refrigerant sensor 43 is located above the drain pan 25.

[0064] The refrigerant sensor unit 40 is attached to the mounting wall 33a so that it can be attached and detached from the outside of the heat exchanger chamber 72. To remove the refrigerant sensor unit 40, an operator first removes the cover 33b from the mounting wall 33a. This places the indoor unit 20 in the state shown in FIG. 8, with the refrigerant sensor unit 40 exposed to the outside of the indoor unit 20. The operator then removes the bolts 41m that secure the fixed parts 41c, and removes the refrigerant sensor unit 40 from the mounting wall 33a.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 8, the indoor unit 20 includes an electrical wiring 44 that electrically connects the refrigerant sensor unit 40 and the control unit 24. The electrical wiring 44 is electrically connected to a circuit board (not shown) in the refrigerant sensor unit 40 and a control board (not shown) in the control unit 24. The electrical wiring 44 is pulled downward from the front end of the lower end of the refrigerant sensor unit 40, then extends rearward and enters the fan chamber 71 through the hole 33f, and is connected to the control unit 24 located inside the fan chamber 71. As shown in FIG. 7, the electrical wiring 44 extends from the refrigerant sensor unit 40, passing between the mounting wall 33a and the cover 33b in the left-right direction Y, to the hole 33f. That is, a portion of the electrical wiring 44 is located between the mounting wall 33a and the cover 33b.

[0066] As shown in Fig. 5, the control unit 24 is disposed at the rear end inside the fan chamber 71. In this embodiment, a remote controller 50 disposed outside the indoor unit 20 is connected to the control unit 24 by wire. The control unit 24 controls the indoor unit 20 based on signals from the remote controller 50. Specifically, the control unit 24 controls the fan 23 and the airflow direction adjustment unit 38. The control unit 24 controls the motor 26 to control the fan 23.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 24 is located above the rear end of the air inlet 30a. The control unit 24 has a control unit case 24a that houses a control board (not shown). The control unit case 24a has a case main body 24b and a lid 24c attached to the front (+X side) of the case main body 24b. The lid 24c has a first lid 24d that covers the case main body 24b from below and a second lid 24e that covers the case main body 24b from the front. The second lid 24e extends upward from the front end of the first lid 24d. The lid 24c is L-shaped when viewed in the left-right direction Y. The first lid 24d is fixed to the case main body 24b with bolts, so that the lid 24c is detachably fixed to the case main body 24b. With grill 37 removed from air inlet 30a, an operator can remove the bolts that secure first lid 24d to case body 24b through air inlet 30a, and remove lid 24c from case body 24b. This allows the operator to attach and detach electrical wiring 44 to and from a control board (not shown) housed in control unit case 24a.

[0068] When the refrigerant sensor 43 outputs a signal indicating that it has detected refrigerant 61, the signal is input to the control unit 24 via the circuit board and electrical wiring 44 of the refrigerant sensor unit 40. When the signal is input, the control unit 24 sends a signal indicating that refrigerant 61 has been detected by the refrigerant sensor 43 to the control unit 17 of the outdoor unit 10. When the control unit 17 of the outdoor unit 10 receives the signal, it controls the shut-off valves 18a, 18b to recover the refrigerant 61 in the portion of the circulation path 60 located inside the indoor unit 20 into the outdoor unit 10 and stop the flow of refrigerant 61 from the outdoor unit 10 to the indoor unit 20. This prevents further leakage of the refrigerant 61 into the indoor unit 20. The control unit 17 of the outdoor unit 10 also issues an alert that refrigerant 61 is leaking.

[0069] Even when the refrigerant sensor 43 is not detecting the refrigerant 61, the refrigerant sensor 43 outputs a signal to the control unit 24 indicating that the refrigerant sensor 43 is operating normally. When the control unit 24 receives this signal, it determines that the refrigerant sensor 43 is operating normally. On the other hand, if the control unit 24 is no longer able to receive this signal, it determines that the refrigerant sensor 43 has failed and sends a signal to the control unit 17 of the outdoor unit 10 indicating that the refrigerant sensor 43 has failed. When the control unit 17 of the outdoor unit 10 receives this signal, it notifies the control unit 17 that the refrigerant sensor 43 has failed.

[0070] According to this embodiment, the blower 23 has a discharge port 23e that opens toward the heat exchanger chamber 72, and sends air from the blower chamber 71 into the heat exchanger chamber 72 through the through-hole 36a. The heat exchanger chamber 72 has a first space 72a whose interior is connected to the discharge port 23e and a second space 72b whose interior is connected to the air outlet 30b. The indoor unit 20 is configured so that air discharged from the discharge port 23e into the first space 72a passes through the heat exchanger 22, flows into the second space 72b, and is then blown out of the housing 30 through the air outlet 30b. The refrigerant sensor unit 40 is attached to a mounting wall 33a of the housing 30, located on one side (+Y side) in the left-right direction Y that intersects with the vertical direction Z and is perpendicular to the front-rear direction X. The refrigerant sensor 43 is disposed within the first space 72a and is positioned so as not to face the discharge port 23e. This prevents the air discharged from outlet 23e of blower 23 from directly hitting refrigerant sensor 43. As a result, even if miscellaneous gases such as insecticides are mixed in the air drawn into indoor unit 20 by blower 23, the miscellaneous gases can be prevented from coming into contact with refrigerant sensor 43. This prevents refrigerant sensor 43 from malfunctioning due to the miscellaneous gases. Examples of miscellaneous gases that may be mixed into indoor air include L gas contained in insecticides and siloxane contained in hairspray.

[0071] Furthermore, even if foreign matter such as dust is mixed in the air drawn into the indoor unit 20 by the blower 23, the foreign matter can be prevented from adhering to the refrigerant sensor 43. This prevents the foreign matter from reducing the detection accuracy of the refrigerant sensor 43. It also prevents the foreign matter from shortening the life of the refrigerant sensor 43.

[0072] Furthermore, a location where the refrigerant 61 in the circulation path 60 is likely to leak into the indoor unit 20 is the connection between the heat exchanger 22 and the connection piping 62. This connection is provided in the first space 72a of the heat exchanger chamber 72, and therefore, by providing the refrigerant sensor 43 in the first space 72a, if the refrigerant 61 leaks from this connection, the leaked refrigerant 61 can be easily detected by the refrigerant sensor 43. Another location where the refrigerant 61 in the circulation path 60 is likely to leak into the indoor unit 20 is the connection 62a, 62b between the refrigerant piping 60a, 60b from the outdoor unit 10 and the connection piping 62. The connection 62a, 62b are located in the blower chamber 71, and the interior of the blower chamber 71 is connected to the interior of the first space 72a of the heat exchanger chamber 72 via the interior of the blower 23. Therefore, refrigerant 61 leaking from connections 62a, 62b can pass through the inside of blower 23 and flow into first space 72a. Therefore, refrigerant 61 leaking from connections 62a, 62b can also be detected by refrigerant sensor 43 arranged in first space 72a. By arranging refrigerant sensor 43 in first space 72a in this way, refrigerant sensor 43 can suitably detect refrigerant 61 leaking from a location in circulation path 60 where refrigerant 61 is likely to leak into indoor unit 20. As described above, according to the present embodiment, refrigerant sensor 43 can suitably detect refrigerant 61 leaking into indoor unit 20 while suppressing malfunction of refrigerant sensor 43.

[0073] Furthermore, by arranging the refrigerant sensor 43 inside the first space 72a, the time it takes for the leaked refrigerant 61 to come into contact with the refrigerant sensor 43 can be shortened compared to when the refrigerant sensor 43 is arranged in a portion of the sensor case 41 that is located outside the first space 72a. This makes it easier for the refrigerant sensor 43 to quickly detect the refrigerant 61.

[0074] Because refrigerant sensor 43 is disposed at a position that does not face discharge port 23e, when blower 23 is discharging air from discharge port 23e, refrigerant 61 leaking from connections 62a, 62b passes through heat exchanger 22 and is blown into the room together with airflow AF generated by blower 23. In this case, refrigerant 61 leaking from connections 62a, 62b is unlikely to come into contact with refrigerant sensor 43. However, in this case, refrigerant 61 leaking from connections 62a, 62b is diffused into the room, thereby preventing refrigerant 61 from accumulating in the room.

[0075] Furthermore, when the indoor unit 20 is in cooling operation, condensed water adheres to the surface of the heat exchanger 22. Therefore, when airflow AF passes through the heat exchanger 22, the condensed water may be blown into the second space 72b by the airflow AF. Therefore, if the refrigerant sensor 43 were located in the second space 72b, the condensed water blown by the airflow AF would adhere to the refrigerant sensor 43, potentially reducing the detection accuracy of the refrigerant sensor 43. There is also a risk that the condensed water may damage the refrigerant sensor 43.

[0076] In contrast, in this embodiment, refrigerant sensor 43 is disposed in first space 72a through which airflow AF passes before passing through heat exchanger 22. This prevents condensation from adhering to refrigerant sensor 43. This prevents a decrease in the detection accuracy of refrigerant sensor 43 and prevents failure of refrigerant sensor 43. This therefore extends the life of refrigerant sensor 43 while maintaining the detection accuracy of refrigerant sensor 43.

[0077] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the first space 72a has an opposing space 72c that faces the heat exchanger 22 in a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction Y, and a side space 72d that includes a space 72f located on one side (+Y side) of the heat exchanger 22 in the left-right direction Y and that is connected to one side of the opposing space 72c in the left-right direction Y. The refrigerant sensor 43 is disposed in the side space 72d. Here, the connection portion between the heat exchanger 22 and the connection pipe 62 is likely to be disposed in the side space 72d as in the present embodiment. Therefore, by providing the refrigerant sensor 43 in the side space 72d, if the refrigerant 61 leaks from the connection portion, the refrigerant sensor 43 can more easily detect the leaked refrigerant 61.

[0078] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the refrigerant sensor 43 is disposed at a position overlapping the heat exchanger 22 in the left-right direction Y. This more effectively prevents the air discharged from the discharge port 23e of the blower 23 from directly hitting the refrigerant sensor 43. This more effectively prevents the refrigerant sensor 43 from malfunctioning even when the air discharged from the discharge port 23e contains miscellaneous gases. This more effectively prevents the detection accuracy of the refrigerant sensor 43 from decreasing even when the air discharged from the discharge port 23e contains foreign matter. In addition, the connection between the heat exchanger 22 and the connection pipe 62 is likely to be disposed in the space 72f between the mounting wall 33a and the heat exchanger 22 in the left-right direction Y in the side space 72d as in this embodiment. Therefore, by disposing the refrigerant sensor 43 at a position overlapping the heat exchanger 22 in the left-right direction Y and disposing the refrigerant sensor 43 in the space 72f, if the refrigerant 61 leaks from the connection, the refrigerant sensor 43 can more effectively detect the leaked refrigerant 61.

[0079] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, at least a portion of the connection pipe 62 is located between the mounting wall 33a and the heat exchanger 22 in the left-right direction Y, i.e., in the space 72f. Therefore, the refrigerant sensor 43 can be located close to the connection pipe 62. This makes it easier for the refrigerant sensor 43 to detect refrigerant 61 leaking from the connection portion between the connection pipe 62 and the heat exchanger 22. Furthermore, as described above, by locating the refrigerant sensor 43 at a position overlapping with the heat exchanger 22 in the left-right direction Y, the refrigerant sensor 43 can be located closer to the connection pipe 62. This makes it easier for the refrigerant sensor 43 to detect refrigerant 61 leaking from the connection portion between the connection pipe 62 and the heat exchanger 22.

[0080] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the connection portions 62a, 62b of the connection pipe portion 62, to which the refrigerant pipes 60a, 60b are connected, penetrate the partition wall portion 36 in the front-rear direction X and protrude into the blower chamber 71. Even if a portion of the connection pipe portion 62 is located inside the blower chamber 71 in this manner, as described above, the refrigerant 61 leaking from the connection portions 62a, 62b can pass through the inside of the blower 23 and flow into the first space 72a. Therefore, the refrigerant 61 leaking from the connection portions 62a, 62b can also be detected by the refrigerant sensor 43 arranged in the first space 72a.

[0081] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the housing 30 has a cover 33b that covers the mounting wall 33a from one side (+Y side) in the left-right direction Y. A portion of the electrical wiring 44 that electrically connects the refrigerant sensor unit 40 and the control unit 24 is disposed between the mounting wall 33a and the cover 33b. This prevents the electrical wiring 44 from being exposed to the outside of the indoor unit 20. This prevents the electrical wiring 44 from being damaged.

[0082] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the refrigerant sensor unit 40 is attached to the mounting wall 33a so that it can be attached and detached from outside the heat exchanger chamber 72. Therefore, if a malfunction occurs in the refrigerant sensor unit 40, an operator can easily replace the refrigerant sensor unit 40 from outside the heat exchanger chamber 72. In this embodiment, the refrigerant sensor unit 40 can be exposed to the outside of the indoor unit 20 simply by removing the cover 33b. Therefore, the refrigerant sensor unit 40 can be easily removed without removing the heat exchanger 22, drain pan 25, etc., with the indoor unit 20 left installed on the ceiling.

[0083] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the mounting wall 33a has a mounting hole 33g penetrating the mounting wall 33a in the left-right direction Y. The refrigerant sensor unit 40 has a sensor case 41 that houses the refrigerant sensor 43. The sensor case 41 has a base 41a that is detachably attached to the mounting wall 33a outside the heat exchanger chamber 72, and a sensor housing 41b that houses the refrigerant sensor 43. The sensor housing 41b protrudes from the base 41a in the left-right direction Y, passes through the mounting hole 33g, and protrudes into the first space 72a. Therefore, the refrigerant sensor 43 can be easily disposed in the first space 72a while the refrigerant sensor unit 40 is detachably attached to the mounting wall 33a from outside the heat exchanger chamber 72.

[0084] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the plurality of fans 23 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction Y. The plurality of fans 23 includes one first fan 23a and a plurality of second fans 23b, more of which are provided than the first fans 23a and arranged side by side in the left-right direction Y. Each first fan 23a is arranged closer to the mounting wall 33a in the left-right direction Y than the plurality of second fans 23b. The distance in the left-right direction Y between the first fans 23a and the second fans 23b adjacent to each other in the left-right direction Y is larger than the distance between the second fans 23b adjacent to each other in the left-right direction Y. Therefore, the second fans 23b, which are more numerous than the first fans 23a, can be arranged relatively far away from the mounting wall 33a in the left-right direction Y. This allows a relatively large number of the multiple fans 23 to be positioned relatively far in the left-right direction Y from the refrigerant sensor 43 attached to the mounting wall 33a. Therefore, even if miscellaneous gases are mixed in the air discharged from the multiple fans 23, the miscellaneous gases can be more effectively prevented from coming into contact with the refrigerant sensor 43. This more effectively prevents the refrigerant sensor 43 from malfunctioning. Furthermore, even if foreign matter is contained in the air discharged from the multiple fans 23, the foreign matter can be more effectively prevented from coming into contact with the refrigerant sensor 43. This more effectively prevents a decrease in the detection accuracy of the refrigerant sensor 43.

[0085] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the indoor unit 20 includes a drain pan 25 located below the heat exchanger 22 in the vertical direction Z. The refrigerant sensor 43 is located higher in the vertical direction Z than the drain pan 25. Therefore, the leaked refrigerant 61 is received by the drain pan 25 within the heat exchanger chamber 72 and prevented from flowing downward. This prevents the leaked refrigerant 61 from leaking outside the indoor unit 20 before being detected by the refrigerant sensor 43. When a certain amount of the leaked refrigerant 61 accumulates on the drain pan 25, the leaked refrigerant 61 comes into contact with the refrigerant sensor 43, which is located above the drain pan 25, and the refrigerant sensor 43 can detect the refrigerant 61. By locating the drain pan 25 in this way, even if the refrigerant sensor 43 is located somewhat higher, the refrigerant sensor 43 can easily detect the leaked refrigerant 61 before it leaks into the room. This allows refrigerant sensor 43 to be attached to the upper portion of mounting wall 33a to avoid interference with connecting pipe 62 and the like, while still allowing refrigerant sensor 43 to suitably detect leaking refrigerant 61.

[0086] For example, refrigerant 61 leaking from connections 62a, 62b and flowing into heat exchanger chamber 72 from discharge port 23e of blower 23 flows forward (in the +X direction) from discharge port 23e. If refrigerant sensor 43 is located close to discharge port 23e of blower 23 in the front-rear direction X, refrigerant 61 flowing forward from discharge port 23e may pass by refrigerant sensor 43 in the front-rear direction X without coming into contact with refrigerant sensor 43, which is positioned not opposite discharge port 23e. As a result, it may take some time for refrigerant 61 to reach refrigerant sensor 43.

[0087] In contrast, according to this embodiment, the refrigerant sensor 43 is disposed inside the first space 72a on the side (+X side) farther from the blower chamber 71 in the front-rear direction X. This allows the refrigerant sensor 43 to be disposed relatively far from the discharge port 23e of the blower 23 in the front-rear direction X. This allows the refrigerant 61 flowing forward (+X side) from the discharge port 23e to easily spread in the left-right direction Y while flowing to the position of the refrigerant sensor 43 in the front-rear direction X, making it easier for the refrigerant 61 to come into contact with the refrigerant sensor 43, which is disposed at a position not facing the discharge port 23e. This reduces the time it takes for the refrigerant 61 flowing from the discharge port 23e into the heat exchanger chamber 72 to reach the refrigerant sensor 43, making it easier for the refrigerant sensor 43 to quickly detect the refrigerant 61.

[0088] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, and the following configurations and methods may also be adopted.

[0089] The refrigerant sensor may be any type of sensor capable of detecting refrigerant. The refrigerant sensor may be disposed in any location within the first space and not facing the discharge port. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the refrigerant sensor 43 may be disposed in the opposing space 72c or in the space 72e of the side space 72d. The refrigerant sensor unit may be attached to the mounting wall so as not to be detachable from the outside of the heat exchanger chamber. The electrical wiring electrically connecting the refrigerant sensor unit to the control unit of the indoor unit may be entirely located between the mounting wall and the cover.

[0090] The blower may have an outlet located in any position as long as it can send air from the blower chamber into the heat exchanger chamber through the through-holes in the partition wall. The outlet of the blower may be located in a position facing the through-holes in the partition wall within the blower chamber. Note that "the blower sends air from the blower chamber into the heat exchanger chamber through the through-holes in the partition wall" means that the blower can send air so that the air drawn into the blower's intake port passes through the through-holes in the partition wall before reaching the heat exchanger chamber. The number of blowers is not particularly limited as long as it is one or more. The number of first blowers may be two or more as long as it is less than the number of second blowers. The spacing between multiple blowers is not particularly limited.

[0091] The configurations and methods described in this specification can be combined as appropriate within the scope of not contradicting each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 10...outdoor unit, 20...indoor unit, 22...heat exchanger, 23...blower, 23a...first blower, 23b...second blower, 23e...discharge port, 24...control unit, 25...drain pan, 30...casing, 30b...air outlet, 33a...mounting wall portion, 33b...cover, 33g...mounting hole, 36...partition wall portion, 36a...through hole, 40...refrigerant sensor unit, 41...sensor case, 41a...base, 41b... Sensor housing, 43...refrigerant sensor, 44...electrical wiring, 60a, 60b...refrigerant piping, 61...refrigerant, 62...connection piping section, 62a, 62b...connection section, 71...fan chamber, 72...heat exchanger chamber, 72a...first space section, 72b...second space section, 72c...opposing space section, 72d...side space section, 100...air conditioner, X...front-rear direction (first direction), Y...left-right direction (second direction), Z...vertical direction

Claims

1. An indoor unit of an air conditioner, The housing and a heat exchanger housed inside the housing and through which a refrigerant flows; a blower housed inside the housing and configured to send air to the heat exchanger; a refrigerant sensor unit attached to the housing, the refrigerant sensor having a refrigerant sensor capable of detecting the refrigerant; a connecting pipe section that connects a refrigerant pipe extending from an outdoor unit to the heat exchanger; Equipped with The housing includes: a blower chamber in which the blower is housed; a heat exchanger chamber arranged alongside the fan chamber in a first direction intersecting a vertical direction and housing the heat exchanger therein; a partition wall portion that separates the interior of the fan chamber and the interior of the heat exchanger chamber in the first direction; an air outlet that opens to the outside of the housing; and the partition wall portion has a through hole penetrating the partition wall portion in the first direction, the blower has a discharge port that opens toward the heat exchanger chamber, and sends air from the blower chamber into the heat exchanger chamber through the through hole; The heat exchanger chamber comprises: a first space portion whose interior is connected to the discharge port; a second space portion whose interior is connected to the air outlet; and The air discharged from the outlet into the first space passes through the heat exchanger, flows into the second space, and is blown out of the housing through the air outlet. the refrigerant sensor unit is attached to a mounting wall portion of the housing that is located on one side in a second direction that intersects with the vertical direction and is orthogonal to the first direction, a portion of the connection pipe portion is located in the first space portion, a solenoid valve is provided in a portion of the connection pipe portion located within the first space portion; The refrigerant sensor is arranged in a position within the first space that does not face the discharge port, is arranged in a portion of the first space that is farther from the blower chamber in the first direction than the center of the first space in the first direction, and is arranged in a position farther from the blower chamber in the first direction than the solenoid valve.

2. The first space portion is an opposing space portion opposing the heat exchanger in a direction perpendicular to the second direction; a side space portion including a space located on one side of the heat exchanger in the second direction and connected to the one side of the opposing space portion in the second direction; and The indoor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the refrigerant sensor is disposed in the side space.

3. The indoor unit according to claim 2 , wherein the refrigerant sensor is disposed at a position overlapping with the heat exchanger when viewed in the second direction.

4. An indoor unit as described in Claim 1, wherein the connection portion to which the refrigerant piping is connected in the connecting piping section penetrates the partition wall section in the first direction and protrudes into the blower chamber.

5. A control unit; an electrical wiring that electrically connects the refrigerant sensor unit and the control unit; Equipped with the housing has a cover that covers the mounting wall portion from one side in the second direction, The indoor unit according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the electrical wiring is arranged between the mounting wall portion and the cover.

6. The indoor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the refrigerant sensor unit is attached to the mounting wall portion so as to be detachable from outside the heat exchanger chamber.

7. the mounting wall portion has a mounting hole penetrating the mounting wall portion in the second direction, the refrigerant sensor unit has a sensor case that houses the refrigerant sensor therein, The sensor case includes: a base portion detachably attached to the mounting wall portion outside the heat exchanger chamber; a sensor housing portion that houses the refrigerant sensor therein; and The indoor unit according to claim 6 , wherein the sensor housing protrudes in the second direction from the base, passes through the mounting hole, and protrudes into the first space.

8. The plurality of blowers are arranged side by side in the second direction, The plurality of fans include: at least one first fan; a plurality of second fans provided in greater numbers than the first fans and arranged side by side in the second direction; Including, the at least one first fan is disposed at a position closer to the mounting wall portion than the plurality of second fans in the second direction; The indoor unit according to claim 1 , wherein a distance in the second direction between the first fan and the second fan adjacent to each other in the second direction is larger than a distance between the second fans adjacent to each other in the second direction.

9. a drain pan located vertically below the heat exchanger, The indoor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the refrigerant sensor is located vertically above the drain pan.

10. An indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9; The outdoor unit and An air conditioner comprising:

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