Cover, outdoor unit and heat pump device

Abstract

A cover is provided that has a simple structure and can release gas separated from a gas separator in a desired direction. [Solution] A cover (44) is used in a gas separator equipped with a spray part that separates a refrigerant from water and sprays the refrigerant. The cover (44) has an upper cylindrical part (45b) that surrounds the spray part that sprays the refrigerant, and the upper cylindrical part (45b) has an opening (48) that releases the sprayed refrigerant in one direction. The upper cylindrical part (45b) of the cover (44) is provided with a shoulder part (50) that engages with the gas separator, and the shoulder part (50) forms a gap between the upper cylindrical part (45b) and the spray part that it surrounds.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cover used in a gas separator, an outdoor unit, and a heat pump device. [Background technology]

[0002] A heat pump device is known that includes an outdoor unit equipped with a water heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a refrigerant and water (heat medium) (see Patent Document 1). The water that has exchanged heat in the water heat exchanger is sent to the heat utilization destination via a water circuit. The water circuit is provided with a gas separator (gas-liquid separation device) that separates and discharges the refrigerant and air mixed in the water. This prevents the refrigerant mixed in the water from being led to the heat utilization destination (e.g., the indoor unit) via the water circuit.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a flow pipe is connected to a gas vent valve that releases gas separated in a gas-liquid separator, and the flow pipe is used to guide the separated gas to the air suction surface of a heat source side heat exchanger. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-51511 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Providing a flow path pipe as in Patent Document 1 increases the number of parts and makes installation more complicated.

[0006] On the other hand, if a configuration is used that does not use a flow path pipe as in Patent Document 1, the refrigerant sprayed out from the gas separator will be released into the outdoor unit. If a flammable refrigerant is used as the refrigerant, the outdoor unit contains functional components such as a control box that are potential ignition sources, so the refrigerant released into the outdoor unit may ignite depending on the direction.

[0007] Therefore, there is a demand for a configuration that can determine the direction of gas released into the outdoor unit even if it does not use a flow path pipe as in Patent Document 1.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a cover, outdoor unit, and heat pump device that have a simple configuration and can release gas separated from a gas separator in a desired direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A cover according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a cover used in a gas separator having a jetting part that separates gas from a liquid heat medium and jets the gas, the cover including a main body that surrounds the jetting part, and an opening that releases the jetted gas in one direction in the main body. Partially It is formed.

[0010] An outdoor unit according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a compressor that compresses a refrigerant, a refrigerant circuit through which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor circulates, a heat medium heat exchanger that is provided in the refrigerant circuit and that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and a liquid heat medium, a heat medium circuit that sends the heat medium that has been heat exchanged in the heat medium heat exchanger to a heat utilization destination, a gas separator that separates gas from the heat medium guided from the heat medium heat exchanger, and the above-mentioned cover.

[0011] A heat pump device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the outdoor unit described above and a heat utilization machine connected to the outdoor unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] With a simple configuration, the gas separated from the gas separator can be released in a desired direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outdoor unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the outdoor unit of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2, showing a state in which the cover is removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a gas separator. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of the gas separator of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2, showing a state in which a sound-absorbing material is attached. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. An outdoor unit 1 used in a heat pump device is shown in Fig. 1. The outdoor unit 1 in Fig. 1 is shown in a state where a panel of a machine room 7 has been removed.

[0015] The outdoor unit 1 is connected to an indoor unit (heat utilization unit) via a water circuit using water piping (heat medium piping), not shown. Water circulates between the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit via the water piping. As a result, hot or cold energy generated by the outdoor unit 1 is sent to the indoor unit via the water piping to provide hot or cold energy indoors.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the outdoor unit 1 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 3. The bottom of the housing 3 is a base 4 made of sheet metal. The base 4 has base legs 4a provided on both sides along the longitudinal direction, and a substantially flat plate portion 4b provided between the upper ends of the base legs 4a on both sides. The plate portion 4b extends substantially horizontally, and various devices are installed above it. The plate portion 4b has projections and depressions formed by press working.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 3 includes, above the base 4, a fan chamber 5 and a machine chamber 7 separated into left and right sections by a partition wall 9.

[0018] The fan chamber 5 is located on the left side in Fig. 1. An outdoor fan (not shown) and an outdoor heat exchanger 30 (see Fig. 2) are provided inside the fan chamber 5. The outdoor heat exchanger 30 is bent into an L shape so as to form the side and back of the fan chamber 5. Outside air taken in by the outdoor fan exchanges heat with a refrigerant circulating through the outdoor heat exchanger 30. After exchanging heat with the refrigerant, the outside air is discharged to the outside through the fan opening 11.

[0019] The machine room 7 is located on the right side in Fig. 1. A plate-shaped sub-base 13 is provided on the base 4 (specifically, the flat plate portion 4b) in the machine room 7. The sub-base 13 is rectangular in plan view and is large enough to cover almost the entire area below the machine room 7. However, a predetermined gap is formed around the four sides of the sub-base 13 between itself and the opposing side walls and partition wall 9 of the housing 3.

[0020] 2, a plurality of sub-base support members 15 equipped with vibration-isolating rubber are provided between the base 4 and the sub-base 13. The sub-base 13 is supported relative to the base 4 by each of the sub-base support members 15.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, in the machine room 7, above the sub-base 13, a compressor 17, a water heat exchanger 19, a gas separator 21, a control box (potential ignition source) 23, etc. are provided.

[0022] The compressor 17 is, for example, a scroll compressor, and compresses a flammable refrigerant such as R290. As shown in FIG. 2, compressor legs 17a equipped with vibration-isolating rubber are provided at the bottom of the compressor 17. The compressor legs 17a are attached to the sub-base 13. The compressor legs 17a equipped with vibration-isolating rubber reduce vibrations of the compressor 17 that are transmitted to the sub-base 13. The sub-base 13 does not have any unnecessary through-holes, except for holes for attaching equipment such as the sub-base support member 15 and the compressor legs 17a. Therefore, the sub-base 13 basically has no through-holes after the equipment is attached.

[0023] The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 17 is sent to the water heat exchanger 19 or the outdoor heat exchanger 30 via a four-way valve (not shown). The compressor 17, the four-way valve (not shown), the water heat exchanger 19, the outdoor heat exchanger 30, the expansion valve (not shown), and the refrigerant piping connecting these components form a refrigerant circuit in which the refrigerant circulates.

[0024] Water heat exchanger 19 exchanges heat between the refrigerant and water (heat medium). After the water has exchanged heat with the refrigerant, gas (air, refrigerant, etc.) is separated from the water in gas separator 21, and then the water is guided to the indoor unit through water forward piping 25. After exchanging heat with indoor air in the indoor unit, the water is returned to water heat exchanger 19 through water return piping 26. In this way, water circulates between water heat exchanger 19 and the indoor unit via the water circuit.

[0025] The control box 23 has an airtight structure and houses electrical devices such as capacitors and coils inside. Furthermore, a terminal block equipped with electrical terminals (electrical devices) for receiving power from an external source is provided inside the control box 23. As such, the control box 23 is considered a potential ignition source in which electrical energy is present.

[0026] As in Fig. 1, Fig. 2 also shows the compressor 17, water heat exchanger 19, and gas separator 21. An accumulator 28 is shown to the side of the compressor 17. Also shown on the right side of Fig. 2 is the outdoor heat exchanger 30. As described above, the outdoor heat exchanger 30 is installed in the fan chamber 5 (see Fig. 1).

[0027] Although not shown, the base 4 has a drain hole at a position corresponding to the fan chamber 5. The drain hole is, for example, circular and has a diameter of, for example, 20 mm. The drain hole is provided in the lower surface, which is the lowest position of the flat plate portion 4b of the base 4. The lower surface is provided continuously throughout the machine chamber 7. The lower surface is inclined so that the drain hole faces downward. This allows the drain water to be discharged to the outside through the drain hole along the lower surface when condensed water adheres to equipment such as the outdoor heat exchanger 30 inside the housing 3 and flows downward.

[0028] 2, the base 4 is provided with one refrigerant discharge hole 34 at a position corresponding to the machine chamber 7. The refrigerant released into the machine chamber 7 is discharged to the outside (atmosphere) through the refrigerant discharge hole 34.

[0029] The refrigerant discharge hole 34 is, for example, circular, with a diameter of 30 mm or more, preferably about 60 mm. That is, the area of ​​the refrigerant discharge hole 34 is larger than the area of ​​the drain hole.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the coolant discharge hole 34 is provided with a mesh 40 such as a wire netting to prevent small animals such as insects from entering the inside of the housing 3 from the outside.

[0031] A refrigerant detection sensor 42 is provided below the machine chamber 7. The refrigerant detection sensor 42 detects refrigerant that has leaked into the machine chamber 7. The detection output of the refrigerant detection sensor 42 is sent to a control unit (not shown). The control unit determines that a refrigerant leak has occurred when the refrigerant concentration detected by the refrigerant detection sensor 42 exceeds a predetermined value. The refrigerant detection sensor 42 is installed below the gas separator 21.

[0032] The control unit is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and computer-readable storage media. A series of processes for realizing various functions is stored in, for example, a storage medium in the form of a program. The CPU reads this program into RAM and executes information processing and arithmetic operations to realize various functions. The program may be pre-installed in a ROM or other storage medium, provided in a state stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or distributed via wired or wireless communication means. Examples of computer-readable storage media include magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and semiconductor memories.

[0033] The upper part of the gas separator 21 is covered with a cover 44. The cover 44 is made of an elastomer such as rubber, taking into consideration ease of attachment and detachment.

[0034] 3 shows the entire gas separator body 21a with the cover 44 removed. A water connection pipe 46 that guides water from the water heat exchanger 19 is connected to the side of the gas separator body 21a.

[0035] 4 and 5, the gas separator body 21a is cylindrical and includes, from bottom to top, a lower stage portion 22a, a middle stage portion 22b, and an upper stage portion 22c, the diameters of which decrease in the order of the lower stage portion 22a, the middle stage portion 22b, and the upper stage portion 22c. A water outlet portion 22a1 (see FIG. 5) to which a water supply pipe 25 is connected is provided on the underside of the lower portion 22a.

[0036] A water inlet 22b1 to which a water connection pipe 46 (see FIG. 3) is connected is provided on a side surface of the middle section 22b. Water flowing in from the water inlet 22b1 is separated into gas and liquid in the gas separator body 21a, and the treated water is discharged from the water outlet 22a1.

[0037] An ejection portion 22c2 that ejects the separated gas (refrigerant, air, etc.) is provided on an upper surface 22c1 of the upper portion 22c so as to protrude upward. An ejection portion 22c2 is provided with a check valve that opens when the pressure of the separated gas reaches a predetermined level, causing the gas to be ejected to the outside. The gas is ejected horizontally, as indicated by arrow A1. However, the ejection direction changes depending on the fixed position of the screw portion 22c3 of the ejection portion 22c2 in the rotational direction. In other words, the angular position of the ejection portion 22c2 when viewed from above changes depending on the fixed state of the screw portion 22c3.

[0038] A water relief outlet 22c4 is provided on the side surface of the upper stage 22c. The water relief outlet 22c4 is equipped with a pressure relief valve that opens when the pressure of the water flowing in from the water inlet 22b1 reaches or exceeds a predetermined value. A water discharge pipe (not shown) that guides water to the outside of the outdoor unit 1 is connected to the water relief outlet 22c4.

[0039] 6 shows the cover 44. The cover 44 is formed to cover the upper portion 22c (see FIGS. 4 and 5) of the gas separator main body 21a. The cover 44 is substantially cylindrical, with an open lower end 44a and a closed upper end 44b. The cover 44 includes a lower cylindrical portion 45a and an upper cylindrical portion (main body portion) 45b having a smaller diameter than the lower cylindrical portion 45a.

[0040] An opening 48 is formed on the side surface of the cover 44, extending from the upper cylinder portion 45b to the lower cylinder portion 45a. The opening 48 is formed continuously in the vertical direction from a midpoint on the side surface of the upper cylinder portion 45b to the lower end of the lower cylinder portion 45a. No other openings are formed in other positions on the cover 44.

[0041] The upper part 48a of the opening 48 serves as a discharge part that discharges the gas ejected from the ejection part 22c2 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) to the outside of the cover 44. The lower part 48b of the opening 48 serves as a part through which the gas passes through the water relief outlet 22c4 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) of the gas separator body 21a when the cover 44 is attached.

[0042] A shoulder 50 is formed at the step connecting the lower cylindrical portion 45a and the upper cylindrical portion 45b. The shoulder 50 is annular and continues in the circumferential direction, forming a horizontal surface. However, a portion of the shoulder 50 is cut out to form an opening 48.

[0043] When the cover 44 is attached to the gas separator body 21a, the shoulder portion 50 is engaged with the upper surface 22c1 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) of the upper stage portion 22c of the gas separator body 21a. As a result, the upper cylindrical portion 45b of the cover 44 surrounds the upper surface 22c1 of the upper stage portion 22c of the gas separator body 21a from above.

[0044] The distance L1 from the shoulder 50 to the upper end 44b (see FIG. 6) is made larger than the distance L2 from the upper surface 22c1 of the upper part 22c of the gas separator body 21a to the upper end 22c5 of the ejection part 22c2 (see FIG. 5) (L1 < L2). Thereby, when the cover 44 is attached to the gas separator body 21a and the shoulder 50 is brought into contact with the upper surface 22c1 and used as a locking part, a gap is ensured without the upper end 22c5 of the ejection part 22c2 and the upper end 44b of the cover 44 coming into contact with each other.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 7, in a state where the cover 44 is attached to the gas separator body 21a, the opening 48 formed in the cover 44 is directed toward the side wall constituting the housing 3. More specifically, the position of the opening 48 is determined so as to face the sound-absorbing material 52 attached to the side wall of the machine room 7. Thereby, the gas ejected from the gas separator body 21a is discharged in a direction away from the control box 23 as shown by the arrow A1. As can be seen from FIG. 7, the refrigerant detection sensor 42 is located below the position where gas is ejected from the cover 44 and collides with the sound-absorbing material 52.

[0046] The cover 44 is fixed to the gas separator body 21a by winding a belt 54 around the outer periphery of the cover 44.

[0047] According to the outdoor unit 1 having the above configuration, the gas separator 21 operates as follows. The gas separator 21 separates gases, such as refrigerant and air, contained in the water guided from the water heat exchanger 19. If a large amount of gas gets mixed into the water due to some kind of malfunction, the pressure of the gas separated by the gas separator 21 increases, and the gas is ejected from the ejection portion 22c2. The ejected gas is ejected into the cover 44 and then discharged to the outside of the cover 44 through an opening 48 formed in the cover 44. The discharged gas collides with the sound-absorbing material 52 attached to the side wall of the housing 3, as indicated by arrow A1 in FIG. 7. The refrigerant contained in the gas has a higher specific gravity than air, so it flows downward due to its own weight, passes by the side of the sub-base 13, reaches the base 4, and is discharged to the outside through a refrigerant discharge hole 34 formed in the base 4.

[0048] The above-described embodiment has the following advantages. An opening 48 for discharging gas ejected from the gas separator body 21a in one direction is formed in the upper cylindrical portion 45b of the cover 44. This makes it possible to uniquely determine the direction of the gas emitted from the cover 44 even when gas is ejected in any direction from the ejection portion 22c2.

[0049] The upper cylindrical portion 45b of the cover 44 is provided with a shoulder portion 50 that engages with the upper surface 22c1 of the upper stage portion 22c of the gas separator body 21a, and the shoulder portion 50 forms a gap between the upper cylindrical portion 45b and the ejection portion 22c2 that is surrounded by the upper cylindrical portion 45b. This prevents the cover 44 from coming into contact with the ejection portion 22c2 and interfering with the ejection of gas from the ejection portion 22c2.

[0050] If a flammable refrigerant approaches the control box 23, which is a potential ignition source, there is a risk of it catching fire. Therefore, the opening 48 of the cover 44 is oriented in a direction away from the control box 23. This prevents the flammable refrigerant from approaching the control box 23 even if the refrigerant separated by the gas separator 21 is sprayed into the outdoor unit 1.

[0051] The opening 48 of the cover 44 is formed so as to collide with the sound-absorbing material 52 provided on the inner surface of the side wall portion that constitutes the housing 3. By colliding with the sound-absorbing material 52, the gas flow velocity is reduced and the gas can flow along the sound-absorbing material 52. This makes it possible to prevent the flammable refrigerant from approaching the control box 23.

[0052] Since combustible refrigerant has a higher specific gravity than air, it flows downward due to its own weight. Therefore, the refrigerant detection sensor 42 is installed below the position where the gas collides with the sound-absorbing material 52, thereby ensuring reliable detection of the refrigerant.

[0053] A drain hole for discharging drain water is provided in the base 4 that forms the bottom of the housing 3. In addition, a refrigerant discharge hole 34 for discharging the refrigerant separated by the gas separator 21 is provided. This allows the refrigerant to be discharged preferentially over the drain water.

[0054] The cover, the outdoor unit, and the heat pump device described in each of the above-described embodiments can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0055] The cover (44) according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is a cover used for a gas separator (21) having an ejection part (22c2) that separates gas from a liquid heat medium and ejects the gas, and has a main body part (45b) that surrounds the ejection part, and an opening (48) that releases the ejected gas in one direction is formed in the main body part.

[0056] An opening is formed in the main body of the cover to release the gas ejected from the gas separator in one direction, which makes it possible to uniquely determine the direction of the gas released from the cover even when the gas is ejected in any direction from the ejection part. As the material for the cover, it is preferable to use an elastomer such as rubber, taking into consideration ease of attachment and detachment. The heat transfer medium is typically water, and the gas may be, for example, a refrigerant or air.

[0057] In the cover according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect described above, the main body portion is provided with a locking portion (50) that locks to the gas separator, and the locking portion forms a gap between the main body portion and the ejection portion that is surrounded by the main body portion.

[0058] The cover body is provided with a locking portion that locks onto the gas separator, and a gap is formed between the cover and the surrounding ejection portion, preventing the cover from coming into contact with the ejection portion and interfering with the ejection of gas from the ejection portion.

[0059] The outdoor unit according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a compressor (17) that compresses a refrigerant, a refrigerant circuit in which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor circulates, a heat medium heat exchanger (19) that is provided in the refrigerant circuit and exchanges heat between the refrigerant and a liquid heat medium, a heat medium circuit that sends the heat medium that has been heat exchanged in the heat medium heat exchanger to a heat utilization destination, a gas separator (21) that separates gas from the heat medium guided from the heat medium heat exchanger, and the cover (44) described in the first or second aspect.

[0060] The gases mixed in the heat medium introduced from the heat medium heat exchanger are separated by a gas separator, and the heat medium from which the gases have been separated is then supplied to the heat utilization destination.

[0061] The outdoor unit according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is the outdoor unit of the first aspect, further comprising a potential ignition source (23), wherein the refrigerant is a flammable refrigerant, and the opening of the cover is oriented in a direction such that the gas ejected from the gas separator is released away from the potential ignition source.

[0062] Flammable refrigerant may ignite if it comes close to a potential ignition source. Therefore, the cover opening is designed to face away from potential ignition sources. This prevents flammable refrigerant from coming close to potential ignition sources even if the refrigerant separated by the gas separator is ejected. Potential ignition sources include, for example, functional components in which electrical energy is present, such as a control box. Flammable refrigerants include slightly flammable refrigerants, weakly flammable refrigerants, and highly flammable refrigerants. This is particularly effective when using highly flammable refrigerants such as R290, which uses propane.

[0063] The outdoor unit according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is the outdoor unit of the first or second aspect, which includes a wall portion constituting a housing and a sound-absorbing material (52) provided on the inner surface of the wall portion, and the opening of the cover is oriented in a direction in which the gas ejected from the gas separator collides with the sound-absorbing material.

[0064] The opening in the cover is designed to collide with the sound-absorbing material on the inner surface of the wall that makes up the housing. Colliding with the sound-absorbing material reduces the gas flow velocity and allows the gas to flow along the sound-absorbing material or the wall. This prevents flammable refrigerant from approaching potential ignition sources.

[0065] The outdoor unit according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the outdoor unit of the third aspect, further comprising a refrigerant detection sensor (42) that detects a refrigerant, and the refrigerant detection sensor is provided below a position where gas released from the opening of the cover collides with the sound-absorbing material.

[0066] Since flammable refrigerant has a higher specific gravity than air, it flows downward due to its own weight. Therefore, the refrigerant detection sensor is installed below the position where the gas collides, ensuring reliable detection of the refrigerant.

[0067] The outdoor unit according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is an outdoor unit according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, which includes a base (4) that forms the bottom of the housing, and the base is provided with a drain hole for discharging drain water and a refrigerant discharge hole (34) for discharging refrigerant.

[0068] The base that forms the bottom of the housing is provided with a drain hole for discharging drain water. In addition, a refrigerant discharge hole is provided for discharging the refrigerant separated by the gas separator. This allows the refrigerant to be discharged preferentially over the drain water. For example, the area of ​​the refrigerant discharge hole is made larger than that of the drain hole.

[0069] A heat pump device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes any one of the outdoor units described above, and a heat utilization machine connected to the outdoor unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1 Outdoor unit 3. Housing 4. Bass 4a Base legs 4b Flat plate part 5 Fan Room 7 Machine room 9 Partition Wall 11 Fan opening 13 Sub-Bass 15 Sub-base support member 17 Compressor 17a Compressor legs 19 Water heat exchanger 21 Gas separator 21a Gas separator body 22a Lower section 22a1 Water outlet 22b Middle part 22b1 Water inlet 22c upper section 22c1 top surface 22c2 Spout part 22c3 screw part 22c4 Water Relief Outlet 22c5 top end 23 Control box (potential ignition source) 25 Water supply pipe 26 Water return pipe 28 Accumulator 30 Outdoor heat exchanger 34 Refrigerant discharge hole 40 mesh 42 Refrigerant detection sensor 44 Cover 44a bottom end 44b Top 45a Lower cylinder part 45b Upper cylinder part (main body part) 46 Water connection pipe 48 Aperture 48a upper part 48b lower part 50 Shoulder (locking part) 52 Sound-absorbing material 54 Belt

Claims

1. A cover used in a gas separator having an ejection part that separates gas from a liquid heat medium and ejects the gas, a main body portion surrounding the jetting portion, The cover has an opening partially formed in the main body portion for releasing the ejected gas in one direction.

2. the main body portion is provided with a locking portion that is locked to the gas separator, The cover according to claim 1 , wherein the engaging portion forms a gap between the main body portion and the surrounding jetting portion.

3. a compressor that compresses a refrigerant; a refrigerant circuit through which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor circulates; a heat medium heat exchanger provided in the refrigerant circuit for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and a liquid heat medium; a heat medium circuit that sends the heat medium that has been heat exchanged in the heat medium heat exchanger to a heat utilization destination; a gas separator that separates gas from the heat medium guided from the heat medium heat exchanger; A cover according to claim 1 or 2; An outdoor unit equipped with:

4. with potential ignition sources, The refrigerant is a flammable refrigerant, 4. The outdoor unit according to claim 3, wherein the opening of the cover is oriented in a direction such that gas ejected from the gas separator is released in a direction away from the potential ignition source.

5. a wall portion constituting a housing; a sound-absorbing material provided on the inner surface of the wall portion; Equipped with The outdoor unit according to claim 4, wherein the opening of the cover is oriented in a direction in which gas ejected from the gas separator collides with the sound-absorbing material.

6. A refrigerant detection sensor is provided to detect the refrigerant. The outdoor unit according to claim 5, wherein the refrigerant detection sensor is provided below a position where gas released from the opening of the cover collides with the sound absorbing material.

7. a base that forms a bottom portion of the housing; The outdoor unit according to claim 5, wherein the base is provided with a drain hole for discharging drain water and a refrigerant discharge hole for discharging refrigerant.

8. The outdoor unit according to claim 3; a heat utilization machine connected to the outdoor unit; A heat pump device comprising:

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