Filling method

Abstract

To provide a technology that can fill a refrigerant circuit with an appropriate concentration of odorous components. [Solution] A filling method fills a refrigeration device with a refrigerant and odor components. The filling method includes a first step of providing a cylinder (51) containing a mixed liquid in which odor components are dissolved in a liquid-phase refrigerant, a second step of connecting the cylinder (51) to a refrigerant circuit (10) of the refrigeration device, and a third step of filling the refrigerant circuit (10) with the mixed liquid from the cylinder (51). In this way, the filling method makes the refrigerant and odor components into a mixed liquid state, thereby enabling a stable supply of odor components and filling the refrigerant circuit (10) with an appropriate concentration of odor components.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a filling method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, refrigeration systems have been known in which a highly flammable refrigerant with a low global warming potential (GWP) is sealed in the refrigerant circuit. In this type of refrigeration system, it is important to quickly detect any refrigerant leakage from the refrigerant circuit and prevent the refrigerant from combusting.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigeration cycle device in which, in addition to the refrigerant, an odorous component, a sulfur-based odorant, is sealed in the refrigerant circuit. When the refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant circuit, the odorous component also leaks, allowing people nearby to recognize the abnormality and take the necessary measures. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7162786 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Conventionally, when charging a refrigerant circuit during installation of an apparatus, the refrigerant is sometimes charged in a gaseous state. For example, when charging a refrigerant circuit, a refrigerant cylinder is connected via a hose to a shutoff valve of the refrigerant circuit, which has been previously evacuated. Then, an operator opens the shutoff valve, causing the refrigerant in the refrigerant cylinder to flow into the refrigerant circuit due to the pressure difference between the refrigerant cylinder and the refrigerant circuit. As the refrigerant circuit is charged with the refrigerant, the pressure of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit increases, gradually reducing the pressure difference and slowing down the refrigerant charging speed. Furthermore, when charging, the refrigerant may be supplied while the compressor is running. This increases the pressure difference with the refrigerant cylinder, thereby increasing the refrigerant charging speed.

[0006] However, when charging a refrigerant circuit with refrigerant and odorous components, problems may occur when charging in the gas phase. For example, the concentration of odorous components evaporated in the gas phase of the refrigerant is significantly lower than the concentration of odorous components dissolved in the liquid phase of the refrigerant. Furthermore, the dissolved odorous components do not evaporate in sync with the refrigerant that continuously evaporates from the liquid phase to the gas phase inside the cylinder during the charging process. Therefore, when charging a refrigerant and odorous components together, there is a possibility that the refrigerant circuit may not be sufficiently filled with odorous components. As a result, even if the odorous components in the refrigerant circuit leak together with the refrigerant, they may not perform as designed (guiding nearby people to evacuate).

[0007] The present disclosure provides a technology that can fill a refrigerant circuit with an odorous component at an appropriate concentration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a filling method for filling a refrigerant and odorous components into a refrigeration device includes a first step of providing a cylinder containing a mixed liquid in which the odorous components have been dissolved, a second step of connecting the cylinder to a refrigerant circuit of the refrigeration device, and a third step of filling the mixed liquid from the cylinder into the refrigerant circuit.

[0009] According to the above, the filling method fills the refrigerant circuit with a mixed liquid containing odor components, thereby filling the refrigerant circuit with an appropriate concentration of odor components. As a result, the refrigerant circuit is filled with the designed concentration of odor components, and the performance of the odor components can be stably exhibited. Furthermore, the mixed liquid filled in the refrigerant circuit becomes gaseous in the refrigerant circuit, and its volume expands. For this reason, filling the mixed liquid allows the appropriate amount of odor components to be filled in a short time compared to filling a gaseous refrigerant, etc., and also makes it possible to improve work efficiency.

[0010] The cylinder also has a supply port for supplying the mixed liquid and a cylindrical body that is connected to the supply port and in which the refrigerant is mainly sealed, and in the third step, the mixed liquid is filled from the cylinder into the refrigerant circuit by positioning the supply port vertically below the bottom of the cylindrical body.

[0011] As a result, in the filling method, the mixed liquid can be smoothly circulated from the cylinder to the refrigerant circuit, and the mixed liquid can be filled into the refrigerant circuit.

[0012] The cylinder contains the mixed liquid and the refrigerant in a gaseous state under high pressure, and has a siphon tube that can supply the mixed liquid by the pressure of the refrigerant in the gaseous state, and in the third step, the mixed liquid is filled into the refrigerant circuit from the siphon tube.

[0013] Even in this case, the refrigerant circuit can be filled with the mixed liquid by simply supplying the mixed liquid from a cylinder.

[0014] The refrigeration device also includes a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a heat source side heat exchanger, a pressure reducing device, and a user side heat exchanger are connected in this order, and a refrigerant charging section capable of charging the refrigerant into the refrigerant circuit is provided between the pressure reducing device and the user side heat exchanger, and in the second step, the cylinder is connected to the refrigerant charging section, and in the third step, the mixed liquid is charged from the cylinder into the refrigerant charging section.

[0015] As a result, the filling method can smoothly fill the liquid line of the refrigerant circuit with the mixed liquid via the refrigerant filling section between the pressure reducing device and the user-side heat exchanger.

[0016] Alternatively, the refrigeration device includes the refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a heat source side heat exchanger, a pressure reducing device, and a user side heat exchanger are connected in this order, a refrigerant charging section capable of charging the refrigerant into the refrigerant circuit is provided between the compressor and the user side heat exchanger, and a gas-liquid separator is provided between the compressor and the refrigerant charging section, and in the second step, the cylinder is connected to the refrigerant charging section, and in the third step, the mixed liquid is charged from the cylinder into the refrigerant charging section.

[0017] Even in this case, the filling method can fill the gas line of the refrigerant circuit with the mixed liquid via the refrigerant filling section between the compressor and the user-side heat exchanger.

[0018] In addition, in the third step, the compressor is driven to move the mixed liquid filled in the refrigerant filling section to the gas-liquid separator, and the gas separated in the gas-liquid separator is sucked into the compressor.

[0019] This allows the mixed liquid supplied to the gas line of the refrigerant circuit to be smoothly separated into gas and liquid in the gas-liquid separator, and the gas can be transferred to the compressor, making it possible to improve filling efficiency even when filling the mixed liquid from the gas line.

[0020] The refrigerant is a highly flammable refrigerant.

[0021] This allows the refrigeration system to fill the refrigerant circuit with a refrigerant with a low GWP value and perform good heat exchange with the refrigerant in the condenser and evaporator. Furthermore, the refrigerant can be filled in the form of a mixed liquid with dissolved odorous components, which prevents insufficient filling of odorous components and provides an appropriate amount of odor when the refrigerant leaks from the refrigeration system.

[0022] The refrigerant is propane.

[0023] Propane can be easily stored in a cylinder in a liquid phase, and the mixed liquid state can be well maintained within the cylinder.

[0024] The refrigerant contains mercury at a content of 0.1 mg / L or less.

[0025] This prevents leakage points from occurring due to a significant decrease in strength caused by amalgamation of mercury with metal materials in the refrigerant circuit, particularly aluminum, when the refrigerant is filled into the refrigerant circuit. In other words, by keeping the mercury content at 0.1 mg / L or less, the strength of the metal materials in the refrigerant circuit can be stably maintained, preventing refrigerant leakage and encouraging evacuation due to odorous components, providing a double safety measure.

[0026] The odorous components are substances with a boiling point higher than that of the refrigerant.

[0027] This allows the refrigerant and odorous components to be kept in a liquid phase and the liquid phase odorous components to be maintained in a good state while the refrigerant and odorous components are filled in the cylinder as a mixed liquid.

[0028] The odor component is a sulfur-based odorant.

[0029] As a result, the odorous components filling the refrigerant circuit can stably prompt evacuation behavior in response to a leak in the refrigerant circuit.

[0030] The odor component is selected from the group consisting of sulfides and thiophenes.

[0031] By applying odorous components having a boiling point higher than that of the refrigerant, the state of a mixed liquid of the liquid phase refrigerant and the liquid phase odorous components can be maintained well within the cylinder.

[0032] The odor component is tetrahydrothiophene.

[0033] This allows the application of odorous components with a boiling point higher than the ambient temperature outside the cylinder, which can be easily filled into the refrigerant circuit at an appropriate concentration together with the refrigerant, allowing people to become aware of an abnormality in the event of a leak from the refrigerant circuit.

[0034] The odorous component is dimethyl sulfide.

[0035] Even in this case, the odorous component can be one with a boiling point higher than the ambient temperature outside the cylinder, and can be easily filled into the refrigerant circuit at an appropriate concentration together with the refrigerant, allowing people to become aware of an abnormality in the event of a leak from the refrigerant circuit.

[0036] The odorous component is ethyl methyl sulfide.

[0037] Even in this case, the odorous component can be one with a boiling point higher than the ambient temperature outside the cylinder, and can be easily filled into the refrigerant circuit at an appropriate concentration together with the refrigerant, allowing people to become aware of an abnormality in the event of a leak from the refrigerant circuit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an air conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the installation state of a service port of the outdoor unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a filling system for filling a refrigerant circuit with a refrigerant and an odor component. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 shows the pre-fill configuration of the filling system. [Figure 5] 3 is a flowchart showing a filling method according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a filling system according to a modified example. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a filling method according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations may be omitted. Furthermore, in each drawing, dimensions, ratios, or numbers may be exaggerated or simplified as necessary to facilitate understanding of the invention.

[0040] <Configuration of refrigeration equipment> As shown in FIG. 1 , a refrigeration device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an air conditioner that adjusts the temperature of air in a living space. Hereinafter, the refrigeration device 1 will also be referred to as the air conditioner 1. The air conditioner 1 is used for cooling and heating operations of a living space by performing a vapor compression refrigeration cycle operation. In cooling operation, the air conditioner 1 cools the air in the living space to adjust the temperature. In heating operation, the air conditioner 1 heats the air in the living space to adjust the temperature.

[0041] The air conditioner 1 includes a refrigerant circuit 10 containing a refrigerant, an outdoor unit 20 that is a heat source unit installed in an outdoor space, and an indoor unit 30 that is a utilization unit installed in a living space. The refrigerant circuit 10 performs cooling and heating operations by circulating the refrigerant between the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 30. The air conditioner 1 according to this embodiment is a pair type in which one outdoor unit 20 and one indoor unit 30 are connected. However, the air conditioner 1 may also be configured in such a way that one outdoor unit 20 is connected to multiple indoor units 30, or in such a way that multiple outdoor units 20 are connected to one indoor unit 30. Note that when charging the refrigerant, the refrigeration cycles of the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 30 may be separated. In this case, the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 30 can be connected after charging the refrigerant to enable the refrigeration cycle.

[0042] The refrigerant circuit 10 includes a first connection pipe 11 and a second connection pipe 12 that connect the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 30. The first connection pipe 11 and the second connection pipe 12 connect the living space and the outdoor space, allowing the refrigerant to circulate. The first connection pipe 11 is one or more gas pipes that allow the refrigerant to circulate in a gaseous state. The second connection pipe 12 is one or more liquid pipes that allow the refrigerant to circulate in a liquid state.

[0043] The refrigerant circuit 10 also has an outdoor path 13 connected to one end of the first connecting pipe 11 and one end of the second connecting pipe 12 inside the outdoor unit 20. The refrigerant circuit 10 also has an indoor path 14 connected to the other end of the first connecting pipe 11 and the other end of the second connecting pipe 12 inside the indoor unit 30. The refrigerant circuit 10 forms an endless circulation circuit by the first connecting pipe 11, the second connecting pipe 12, the outdoor path 13, and the indoor path 14.

[0044] <Outdoor unit> The outdoor unit 20 has an outdoor path 13 installed inside a housing 20a, and thereby constitutes a part of the refrigerant circuit 10. The outdoor unit 20 includes a compressor 21, an outdoor heat exchanger 22, an expansion mechanism 23, a four-way switching valve 24, an outdoor fan 25, and a gas-liquid separator 26. The compressor 21, the outdoor heat exchanger 22, the expansion mechanism 23, and the four-way switching valve 24 are connected to the outdoor path 13 of the outdoor unit 20.

[0045] During refrigeration cycle operation, the compressor 21 compresses low-pressure refrigerant drawn in through the suction connection end 21i to a high pressure, and discharges the high-pressure refrigerant from the discharge connection end 21o. For example, the compressor 21 may be a rotary device in which a sealed compression element is rotationally driven by a compressor motor 21m to pressurize the refrigerant. The suction connection end 21i and the discharge connection end 21o of the compressor 21 are connected to a four-way switching valve 24 through the outdoor path 13.

[0046] The outdoor heat exchanger 22 is a heat source-side heat exchanger (condenser) that dissipates heat from the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the refrigerant flowing therethrough and the outdoor air during refrigeration cycle operation in cooling operation. For example, a fin-and-tube mechanism can be used as this outdoor heat exchanger 22. A gas connection end 22G of the outdoor heat exchanger 22 is connected to the four-way switching valve 24 through the outdoor path 13. A liquid connection end 22L of the outdoor heat exchanger 22 is connected to the expansion mechanism 23 through the outdoor path 13.

[0047] The outdoor fan 25 blows outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger 22. As the outdoor fan 25, for example, a propeller fan having a motor and a propeller (not shown) can be used.

[0048] The expansion mechanism 23 is a pressure reducing device that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant that has flowed in through the outdoor path 13 to lower its temperature. The expansion mechanism 23 is equipped with an electronic expansion valve or a temperature sensing expansion valve that adjusts the opening of an internal flow path. The expansion mechanism 23 may also be provided in the indoor unit 30.

[0049] The four-way switching valve 24 reverses the flow of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 10 to selectively perform cooling operation or heating operation. The four-way switching valve 24 can be switched between a first state shown by the solid lines in Fig. 1 and a second state shown by the dashed lines in Fig. 1.

[0050] The four-way switching valve 24 has a first port 241, a second port 242, a third port 243, and a fourth port 244 to which multiple pipes constituting the refrigerant circuit 10 can be connected. The first port 241 of the four-way switching valve 24 is connected to the discharge connection end 21o of the compressor 21 via the piping of the outdoor path 13. The second port 242 of the four-way switching valve 24 is connected to the gas connection end 22G of the outdoor heat exchanger 22 via the piping of the outdoor path 13. The third port 243 of the four-way switching valve 24 is connected to the piping of the outdoor path 13, which is connected to the first connecting piping 11. The third port 243 is connected to the gas connection end 31G of the indoor heat exchanger 31 via the first connecting piping 11. The fourth port 244 of the four-way switching valve 24 is connected to the suction connection end 21i of the compressor 21 via the piping of the outdoor path 13.

[0051] 1 , the four-way selector valve 24 can establish a first state in which the first port 241 and the second port 242 are in communication with each other and the third port 243 and the fourth port 244 are in communication with each other. As a result, in the first state, the four-way selector valve 24 communicates the discharge connection end 21o of the compressor 21 with the gas connection end 22G of the outdoor heat exchanger 22, while also communicating the suction connection end 21i of the compressor 21 with the first connection pipe 11 outside the outdoor unit 20. In this first state, as the compressor 21 is driven, refrigerant flows from the first connection pipe 11 into the outdoor path 13 of the outdoor unit 20. The refrigerant is compressed to a high pressure by the compressor 21 and moves through the four-way selector valve 24 to the outdoor heat exchanger 22. The refrigerant dissipates heat in the outdoor heat exchanger 22, and is further reduced in pressure in the expansion mechanism 23 to become a low-pressure, low-temperature liquid, which then moves to the second connecting piping 12. In other words, the air conditioning apparatus 1 can perform cooling operation by drawing in high-temperature refrigerant via the first connecting piping 11 and sending out low-temperature refrigerant to the indoor unit 30 via the second connecting piping 12.

[0052] 1 , the four-way switching valve 24 can establish a second state in which the first port 241 and the third port 243 are communicated with each other and the second port 242 and the fourth port 244 are communicated with each other. As a result, in the second state, the four-way switching valve 24 communicates the discharge connection end 21o of the compressor 21 with the first connecting pipe 11 outside the outdoor unit 20, and also communicates the suction connection end 21i of the compressor 21 with the gas connection end 22G of the outdoor heat exchanger 22. In this second state, refrigerant flows from the second connecting pipe 12 into the outdoor path 13 of the outdoor unit 20 based on the operation of the compressor 21. The refrigerant moves through the expansion mechanism 23 to the outdoor heat exchanger 22 and further moves from the outdoor heat exchanger 22 to the compressor 21. The refrigerant is compressed in the compressor 21 to become a high-pressure, high-temperature gas, and moves to the first connecting pipe 11 through the four-way switching valve 24. In other words, the air conditioner 1 can perform heating operation by drawing in low-temperature refrigerant via the second connecting pipe 12 and sending high-temperature refrigerant to the indoor unit 30 via the first connecting pipe 11.

[0053] The outdoor path 13 of the outdoor unit 20 can be divided into a gas line 13G that mainly circulates gaseous refrigerant and a liquid line 13L that mainly circulates liquid refrigerant. The gas line 13G refers to a path that connects the connection point with the first connecting pipe 11 to the compressor 21 and the gas connection end 22G of the outdoor heat exchanger 22. The liquid line 13L refers to a path that connects the connection point with the second connecting pipe 12 to the expansion mechanism 23 and the liquid connection end 22L of the outdoor heat exchanger 22.

[0054] A first shut-off valve 41 is provided at the connection point between the gas line 13G and the first connecting pipe 11. The first shut-off valve 41 opens and closes the flow path of the gas line 13G based on the operation of an operator. A second shut-off valve 42 is provided at the connection point between the liquid line 13L and the second connecting pipe 12. The second shut-off valve 42 opens and closes the flow path of the liquid line 13L based on the operation of an operator.

[0055] Furthermore, the first shut-off valve 41 has a gas service port 44. The second shut-off valve 42 has a liquid service port 45. The first shut-off valve 41 is larger than the second shut-off valve 42. The gas service port 44 and the liquid service port 45 are used as a refrigerant filling section for filling the refrigerant circuit 10 of the air conditioner 1 with refrigerant. Furthermore, the gas service port 44 and the liquid service port 45 are also used when discharging refrigerant from the outdoor unit 20, when vacuuming the refrigerant circuit 10, when measuring the refrigerant pressure, etc.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 2, the housing 20a of the outdoor unit 20 has a shut-off valve arrangement space therein. A first shut-off valve 41 and a second shut-off valve 42 are provided in the shut-off valve arrangement space of the housing 20a. A first connecting pipe 11 is connected to the first shut-off valve 41 exposed from the housing 20a. A second connecting pipe 12 is connected to the second shut-off valve 42 exposed from the housing 20a.

[0057] The first shutoff valve 41 has a base 411 at its center, and has an outdoor connector 412, a communication pipe connector 413, a valve operating section 414, and a gas service port 44 that protrude from the base 411 in different directions.

[0058] The outdoor connector 412 is connected to the piping of the gas line 13G of the outdoor path 13 arranged inside the housing 20a. In addition, a fixing mechanism 412a that fixes the first shut-off valve 41 to the housing 20a of the outdoor unit 20 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the outdoor connector 412.

[0059] Like the first shut-off valve 41, the second shut-off valve 42 also has a base 421 at its center, and has an outdoor connector 422, a connecting pipe connector 423, a valve operating section 424, and a liquid service port 45 (refrigerant filling section) that protrude in different directions from the base 421.

[0060] The outdoor connector 422 is connected to the piping of the liquid line 13L of the outdoor path 13 arranged in the housing 20a. In addition, a fixing mechanism 422a that fixes the second shut-off valve 42 to the housing 20a of the outdoor unit 20 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the outdoor connector 422.

[0061] Returning to FIG. 1 , the gas-liquid separator 26 is an accumulator that is provided between the compressor 21 and the first shut-off valve 41 (gas service port 44) and separates gas from liquid. The gas-liquid separator 26 prevents liquid from flowing into the compressor 21 by separating liquid from the gas in the gas line 13G. The installation position of the gas-liquid separator 26 is not particularly limited as long as it is between the compressor 21 and the gas service port 44. For example, the gas-liquid separator 26 may be provided adjacent to the compressor 21. Furthermore, a plurality of gas-liquid separators 26 may be provided, such as one adjacent to the compressor 21 and another location on the gas line 13G.

[0062] <Indoor unit> The indoor unit 30 is installed in a living space. The indoor unit 30 has an indoor path 14 inside a housing 30a, and thereby constitutes a part of the refrigerant circuit 10. The indoor unit 30 has an indoor heat exchanger 31 and an indoor fan 32. The indoor path 14 of the indoor unit 30 is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 31.

[0063] The indoor heat exchanger 31 is a user-side heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant circulating therein and the indoor air during operation of the air conditioner 1. As a result, the indoor heat exchanger 31 can absorb heat from the indoor air to cool it when the refrigerant is at a lower temperature than the indoor air, and can release heat to the indoor air to warm it when the refrigerant is at a higher temperature than the indoor air. For example, a fin-and-tube mechanism can be applied to this indoor heat exchanger 31. A gas connection end 31G of the indoor heat exchanger 31 is connected to the first connecting pipe 11 through the indoor path 14. A liquid connection end 31L of the indoor heat exchanger 31 is connected to the second connecting pipe 12 through the indoor path 14.

[0064] The indoor fan 32 blows indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger 31. For example, a cross-flow fan having a motor and a cylindrical impeller (not shown) is used as the indoor fan 32. The indoor air transported by the indoor fan 32 passes through the indoor heat exchanger 31 and is blown from the indoor heat exchanger 31 into the living space.

[0065] The indoor unit 30 also has a power supply circuit connected to a commercial power source. The air conditioning apparatus 1 operates the indoor unit 30 based on the supply of power from the commercial power source, and also operates the outdoor unit 20 via a power line (not shown).

[0066] <Air conditioner control unit> The air conditioning apparatus 1 has a control unit 90 that controls the operation of each component. The control unit 90 is made up of a first control device 91, a second control device 92, and a remote controller 93. The remote controller 93 is a device that allows a person (user) to operate various instructions to the air conditioning apparatus 1, and may be a dedicated controller or a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet.

[0067] Each of the first control device 91, the second control device 92, and the remote controller 93 is a computer (more specifically, an MCU: Micro Control Unit) having a processor, a memory, an input / output interface, and a communication interface. The processor is one or a combination of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), a circuit made up of a plurality of discrete semiconductors, etc. The memory includes non-volatile memory and volatile memory. The memory stores programs that control various processes, and the processor controls various operations by reading and executing the programs stored in the memory.

[0068] The first control device 91 is provided in the outdoor unit 20 and controls each component of the outdoor unit 20. The second control device 92 is provided in the indoor unit 30 and controls each component of the indoor unit 30. The first control device 91 and the second control device 92 can send and receive information to and from each other via wired communication or wireless communication. The second control device 92 and the remote controller 93 can send and receive information to and from each other via wired communication or wireless communication. The control unit 90 selectively performs cooling operation or heating operation in response to an operation command from the remote controller 93 by a person (user).

[0069] <Refrigerant> The refrigerant filled in the refrigerant circuit 10 should preferably have a GWP value as small as possible and have a low environmental impact. Examples of this type of refrigerant material include refrigerants whose main component is a hydrocarbon having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, such as R290 (propane), R1270 (propylene), and R600a (isobutane). These refrigerant materials are highly flammable refrigerants that are more flammable than hydrofluorocarbons. In this embodiment, a case where propane is used as the refrigerant will be described. The refrigerant may also be methane (R50), ethane (R170), butane (R600), ammonia (R717), or the like.

[0070] The refrigerant filled in the refrigerant circuit 10 is adjusted to have a mercury content of 0.1 mg / L or less. This mercury is contained in the refrigerant in the cylinder 51, remaining as a component derived from raw materials during the refrigerant (propane) production process. The mercury is charged together with the refrigerant, for example, when the cylinder 51 is filled with a liquid refrigerant. When mercury mixed in the refrigerant is charged into the refrigerant circuit 10, the mercury forms an alloy (amalgam) with the metal materials in the refrigerant circuit, particularly aluminum, resulting in a significant decrease in strength and the occurrence of leaks. Therefore, in this embodiment, the mercury content is set to 0.1 mg / L or less to suppress the effects of mercury. This allows the metal materials of the refrigerant circuit 10 to stably maintain their strength and suppress refrigerant leakage. Mercury mixed in the refrigerant can be removed, for example, by adding an adsorbent to the cylinder 51 or by using an adsorbent on the refrigerant before charging it into the cylinder 51.

[0071] <Odor components> As described above, the air conditioner 1 seals odorous components together with the refrigerant to alert people to the leakage of a highly flammable refrigerant from the refrigerant circuit 10. Examples of odorous components include sulfur-based odorants, which are sulfur-based compounds. The sulfur-based odorants are preferably selected from the group consisting of sulfide-based and thiophene-based odorants. For example, examples of odorous components include thiophene-based odorants such as tetrahydrothiophene (THT), sulfide-based odorants such as dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and ethyl methyl sulfide, and sulfide-based odorants mixed with thiol, thioether, or the like.

[0072] The amount of sulfur-based odorous components filled into the refrigerant circuit 10 is preferably designed to be, for example, 50 ppm by weight to 2000 ppm by weight relative to the amount of refrigerant filled. This allows people in the vicinity to be made aware of an abnormality by the odorous components if the refrigerant and odorous components leak from the refrigerant circuit 10. Furthermore, if the amount of odorous components filled is up to 2000 ppm by weight, the viscosity reduction of the refrigerating machine oil and the reduction in cooling / heating capacity are within an acceptable range.

[0073] Furthermore, it is preferable that the odorous components be substances with a boiling point higher than that of the refrigerant, so that the refrigerant and odorous components can be well maintained in a liquid phase while being filled in a cylinder 51 described below as a mixed liquid.

[0074] <Refrigerating machine oil> Furthermore, the air conditioner 1 has refrigerating machine oil sealed in the refrigerant circuit 10 together with the refrigerant and odorous components. The refrigerating machine oil is stored mainly at the bottom of the compressor 21 in the refrigerant circuit 10, and can be circulated to the compression elements in the compressor 21 to maintain the lubrication of the sliding parts. A portion of the refrigerating machine oil circulates within the refrigerant circuit 10 together with the refrigerant and odorous components. In other words, the refrigerating machine oil is mixed with the refrigerant and odorous components and used as a working fluid for the refrigeration system. The proportion of the refrigerating machine oil sealed in the total amount of working fluid for the refrigeration system is preferably 10% by weight or more and 70% by weight or less, and more preferably 20% by weight or more and 60% by weight or less.

[0075] Examples of refrigerating machine oils include oxygen-containing synthetic oils (ester-based refrigerating machine oils, ether-based refrigerating machine oils, polyalkylene glycol oils, etc.), hydrocarbon-based refrigerating machine oils, etc. Among these, polyalkylene glycol oils (PAG oils) are preferred for hydrocarbon refrigerants from the viewpoint of compatibility. One type of refrigerating machine oil may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination.

[0076] <Regarding the filling of odorous components> The air conditioner 1 configured as described above performs cooling or heating operation by circulating the refrigerant and odor components in the refrigerant circuit 10. The amount of refrigerant charged into the refrigerant circuit 10 affects the cooling or heating capacity of the air conditioner 1. For this reason, an appropriate amount of refrigerant is charged according to the configuration (length, volume, etc.) of the formed refrigerant circuit 10 when the device is installed after shipping from the manufacturing factory.

[0077] Odor components can also be charged into the refrigerant circuit 10 together with the refrigerant. However, as described above, if the refrigerant circuit 10 is charged with the refrigerant and odor components in a gaseous state, there is a possibility that the refrigerant and odor components will be charged into the refrigerant circuit 10 in a composition ratio different from the design due to differences in their respective vapor pressure characteristics. Furthermore, the concentration of odor components mixed throughout the cylinder increases with each charging of the refrigerant circuit, and most of the odor components will remain in the cylinder when the cylinder is nearly empty. Furthermore, because some of the odor components dissolve in the refrigerant oil in the refrigerant circuit 10, the concentration of the odor components circulating within the refrigerant circuit 10 tends to be low. In other words, the concentration of the odor components may be lower than designed, potentially preventing the performance of the odor components from being fully realized. Therefore, the air conditioner 1 according to this embodiment is configured to charge the refrigerant circuit 10 with the refrigerant and odor components in a liquid state. Here, the reason for charging the refrigerant circuit 10 with the refrigerant and odor components in a liquid state will be explained. The odorous components filled into the cylinder together with the refrigerant are distributed between the liquid and gas phases of the refrigerant, but if the boiling point of the odorous substance is lower than the ambient temperature outside the cylinder (room temperature or outside air temperature) due to high pressure, the mixed concentration due to evaporation of the odorous components into the gas phase is one order of magnitude smaller than the dissolved concentration due to condensation into the liquid phase. In other words, it can be said that the odorous components in the cylinder are mostly in the liquid phase. For this reason, it can be said that it is the liquid phase that can fill the refrigerant circuit 10 with odorous components at an appropriate concentration.

[0078] Specifically, when installing the device, an operator forms a filling system 50 as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The filling system 50 is formed as a system that fills the refrigerant circuit 10 with a mixed liquid L, which is a mixture of a liquid refrigerant and a liquid odor component, through the liquid service port 45 of the outdoor unit 20. For ease of understanding, in Figures 3 and 4, the second shut-off valve 42 having the liquid service port 45 is shown in an exaggerated form, protruding from the housing 20a of the outdoor unit 20.

[0079] The outdoor connector 422 of the second shutoff valve 42 is pre-connected to the piping of the liquid line 13L (see FIG. 2) of the outdoor path 13. The second connecting piping 12 is connected to the connecting piping connector 423 of the second shutoff valve 42 by an operator during installation of the device. Although not shown, the outdoor connector 412 of the first shutoff valve 41 is pre-connected to the piping of the gas line 13G of the outdoor path 13. The first connecting piping 11 is connected to the connecting piping connector 413 of the second shutoff valve 42 by an operator during installation of the device. This results in the air conditioner 1 being in a state where the refrigerant circuit 10 is formed. Note that when charging the refrigerant, the first connecting piping 11 and the second connecting piping 12 may not be connected, and only the outdoor unit 20 may be connected. After charging the refrigerant, the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 30 may be connected to enable the refrigeration cycle.

[0080] The filling system 50 has a cylinder 51 containing the mixed liquid L, a cart 52, and one or more hoses 53 (see FIG. 3). The filling system 50 is also formed into a pre-filling form before filling with the mixed liquid L (see FIG. 4). The filling system 50 in the pre-filling form has a vacuum pump 58 for creating a vacuum inside the refrigerant circuit 10, and one or more hoses 59. After creating a vacuum inside the refrigerant circuit 10 in the pre-filling form, the worker places the cylinder 51 and the cart 52 in a position near the outdoor unit 20 and connects the liquid service port 45 of the second shut-off valve 42 and the cylinder 51 with the hose 53. This puts the filling system 50 into a state where it can fill the refrigerant circuit 10 with the mixed liquid L.

[0081] The cylinder 51 of the filling system 50 is a high-pressure container that stores a liquid refrigerant and liquid odor components by applying cooling and pressure to the refrigerant and odor components. For example, when propane (R290) is used as the refrigerant, the propane is sealed in the cylinder 51 at a saturation pressure of approximately 0.8 MPa at room temperature. This maintains the propane in a mostly liquid state within the cylinder 51. However, some of the propane is also sealed in a gaseous state. For example, when tetrahydrothiophene (THT) is used as the odor component, its boiling point (121°C) is sufficiently higher than that of propane (-42°C). The boiling points of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and ethyl methyl sulfide are 37°C and 66°C, respectively, and are sufficiently higher than that of propane. Note that the boiling points listed above are those at atmospheric pressure; the boiling points increase under high pressure conditions, such as those in a cylinder. Generally, high-pressure gas containers are required by law to be kept at 40°C or below, and even dimethyl sulfide, which has the lowest boiling point of all the odorous components, boils at 40°C or above. For this reason, many odorous components dissolve in the liquid refrigerant inside the cylinder 51.

[0082] The cylinder 51 stores a mixed liquid L in which liquid-phase odor components are dissolved in a refrigerant that is generally in a liquid phase. The filling system 50 fills the refrigerant circuit 10 with the mixed liquid L, thereby making it possible to fill the refrigerant circuit 10 with the refrigerant and odor components without reducing the concentration of the odor components relative to the designed refrigerant. The concentration of the odor components to be filled into the refrigerant circuit 10 can be designed based on the ratio of the refrigerant to the odor components in the mixed liquid L in the cylinder 51. For example, by determining in advance the concentration of the gas-phase odor components relative to the amount of gas-phase refrigerant filled, and converting this concentration into the amount of liquid-phase refrigerant stored in the cylinder 51 and the amount of liquid-phase odor components stored, the refrigerant and odor components can be stored at a designed mixing ratio.

[0083] The cylinder 51 includes a cylindrical body 511 capable of accommodating the mixed liquid L, and a supply port 512 provided at one end of the cylindrical body 511 and capable of supplying the mixed liquid L. The cylinder 51 integrally connects the cylindrical body 511 and the supply port 512, and has an appropriate pressure resistance capable of sealing the mixed liquid L. The cylinder 511 includes a cylindrical side periphery and a bottom portion connected to the other end of the side periphery, and an internal space 51s capable of storing the mixed liquid L is formed inside the side periphery and the bottom. The size, volume, etc. of the cylinder 51 are appropriately selected depending on the amount of refrigerant to be filled into the refrigerant circuit 10. There are no particular restrictions on the size of the cylinder 51, and it may also be called a tank.

[0084] The supply port 512 is formed in a connector to which the hose 53 can be connected. The supply port 512 has a passage (not shown) that communicates with the internal space 51s of the cylindrical body 511, and a supply opening 512o that is provided at the protruding end and communicates with the passage. The supply port 512 supplies the mixed liquid L from the supply opening 512o that communicates with the internal space 51s.

[0085] The supply port 512 is provided with an on-off valve 55 that opens and closes the passage of the supply port 512. The on-off valve 55 is operated by an operator to open the passage, thereby allowing the supply of the mixed liquid L from the supply port 512o. In addition, the on-off valve 55 is operated by an operator to open the passage, thereby blocking the supply of the mixed liquid L from the supply port 512o.

[0086] The cart 52 has a support 56 that supports the cylinder 51, a base body 521 on which an electronic scale 54 is mounted, a pusher 522 that stands up from one side of the base body 521, and a plurality of wheels 523 that are provided to be able to roll on the bottom of the base body 521. The support 56 is fixed to the top surface of the base body 521. The operator can check whether the specified amount of refrigerant has been supplied based on the detection result by the electronic scale 54.

[0087] The support body 56 carries the cylinder 51 with the supply port 512 of the cylinder 51 positioned vertically below. As a result, the supply port 512o of the cylinder 51 is pre-positioned vertically below the bottom of the cylindrical body 511. An electronic scale 54 for measuring the weight of the loaded cylinder 51 is installed below the support body 56. Note that the filling system 50 is not limited to a form in which the cylinder 51 is provided with the cart 52 and the support body 56 supported and fixed in advance, and the cylinder 51 may be loaded onto the support body 56 by a worker at the installation site where the device is installed. Also, the cart 52 may not be required.

[0088] The hose 53 of the filling system 50 is flexible and has a connector at each end that corresponds to the supply port 512 of the cylinder 51 and a connector at each end that corresponds to the control valve 57 that is connected to the liquid service port 45 of the outdoor unit 20. The connectors at each end of the hose 53 may be of a common standard, or may be formed in a dedicated shape so that they can be connected to individual connection targets. Also, the hose 53 is an example and does not need to be flexible.

[0089] The control valve 57 is connected to the liquid service port 45 and is a component that allows the hose 53 to be attached and detached while maintaining the airtightness of the refrigerant circuit 10. For example, the control valve 57 is formed in a T-shape, and a screw-rotating shaft (not shown) that is integrally provided inside a valve operating section that is rotated by an operator moves forward and backward relative to the liquid service port 45, thereby pushing in and out a valve core (not shown) of the liquid service port 45. In other words, the operator can open and close the flow path inside the second shut-off valve 42 that has the liquid service port 45 by moving the valve core in response to operation of the valve operating section.

[0090] The filling system 50 may include a valve, at a midpoint or the like of the hose 53, that opens and closes the flow path in the hose 53. The filling system 50 may also include a flow regulator that adjusts the flow rate of the mixed liquid L flowing through the flow path in the hose 53 (in other words, the filling amount of the mixed liquid L in the refrigerant circuit 10). Furthermore, the filling system 50 may also include a flow integrator, at a midpoint or the like of the hose 53, that detects the cumulative filling amount of the mixed liquid L that has flowed through the flow path.

[0091] Meanwhile, the pre-filling configuration of the filling system 50 is formed by connecting a vacuum pump 58 to the liquid service port 45 via a hose 59, as shown in FIG. 4 . The vacuum pump 58 generates suction pressure in the connected hose 59 to suck in air and water present in the refrigerant circuit 10, thereby preventing air and water from mixing with the refrigerant and odor components being filled. The type of vacuum pump 58 is not particularly limited, and an electric or manual type can be used. For example, when an electric vacuum pump 58 is used, a target suction pressure is applied to the flow path of the filling system 50 by rotating a drive motor (not shown).

[0092] <Filling method according to the first embodiment> The filling system 50 according to the embodiment is basically configured as described above, and its operation (the filling method according to the first embodiment) will be described below with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 5. In the filling method, an operator fills the refrigerant and odor components together into the refrigerant circuit 10 by, for example, sequentially performing steps S101 to S109 shown in Fig. 5.

[0093] Specifically, an operator first installs the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 30 of the air conditioner 1 at the installation site, and connects the first connecting pipe 11 and the second connecting pipe 12 to the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 30 to form the refrigerant circuit 10 (step S101). Note that in step S101, the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 30 may be separated and not connected. In this case, the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 30 may be connected after charging with refrigerant to enable the refrigeration cycle.

[0094] Next, in the filling method, equipment such as the cylinder 51, cart 52, hoses 53 and 59, and vacuum pump 58 of the filling system 50 is provided to the site of the air conditioning apparatus 1 (step S102: first process). For example, the various equipment of the filling system 50 is prepared by an operator bringing it to the site. Note that the site where the filling method is performed may include a manufacturing factory. In other words, the filling method according to the embodiment may be performed in a manufacturing factory.

[0095] Furthermore, the worker connects the control valve 57 to the liquid service port 45 of the outdoor unit 20 (step S103). This makes it possible to fill the refrigerant circuit 10 with the mixed liquid L via the control valve 57. However, when connected, the control valve 57 closes the valve core in the liquid service port 45, blocking the outflow of gas from the liquid service port 45.

[0096] In the filling method, before filling the refrigerant and odor components, the vacuum pump 58 is connected to the refrigerant circuit 10, and a pre-filling configuration for evacuating the inside of the refrigerant circuit 10 shown in Fig. 4 is formed (step S104). Specifically, by connecting the hose 59 connected to the vacuum pump 58 to the control valve 57, the pre-filling configuration is formed in which the liquid service port 45, the control valve 57, the hose 59, and the vacuum pump 58 are connected in sequence.

[0097] The operator then opens the valve core in the liquid service port 45 and operates the connected vacuum pump 58 to evacuate the refrigerant circuit 10, thereby adjusting the pressure inside the refrigerant circuit 10 to a target pressure (step S105). During this evacuation, the vacuum pump 58 sucks air and moisture from the refrigerant circuit 10 through the liquid service port 45 and hose 59, creating a vacuum in the refrigerant circuit 10. After creating the vacuum, the operator operates the control valve 57 to close the valve core in the liquid service port 45, and then removes the hose 59 from the control valve 57 to release the pre-filling state.

[0098] Next, the worker places the cylinder 51 on the support 56 with the supply port 512 of the cylinder 51 positioned vertically downward, connects the other end of the hose 53 to the control valve 57, and connects the cylinder 51 to one end of the hose 53, thereby connecting the cylinder 51 to the refrigerant circuit 10 (step S106: second step, also see FIG. 3). The control valve 57 has a valve core in a closed state, so that the airtightness of the liquid service port 45 can be maintained even when the hose 53 and hose 59 are interchanged. Then, before connecting the hose 53, the flow path within the hose 53 is purged with air to prevent air from entering the refrigerant circuit 10. This makes it possible to prevent air and water from entering the refrigerant circuit 10 when filling the mixed liquid L.

[0099] The cylinder 51 connected to the refrigerant circuit 10 is supported by the support body 56, and as described above, the supply port 512o is located vertically below the bottom of the cylindrical body 511. As a result, within the cylinder 51, the mixed liquid L is located vertically below the cylindrical body 511, and only the mixed liquid L is present near the supply port 512o.

[0100] Thereafter, the operator opens the valve core in the liquid service port 45 and the on-off valve 55 to allow the mixed liquid L to flow out from the supply port 512o of the cylinder 51 and fill the refrigerant circuit 10 with the mixed liquid L via the hose 53 (step S107: third step). At this time, the gas-phase refrigerant in the cylinder 51 presses the mixed liquid L, thereby pressure-feeding the mixed liquid L toward the supply port 512o. The mixed liquid L in the cylinder 51 flows from the cylinder 51 through the hose 53 into the refrigerant circuit 10 in accordance with the pressure difference between the inside of the cylinder 51 and the inside of the refrigerant circuit 10, which is in a vacuum state. The mixed liquid L filled in the refrigerant circuit 10 easily vaporizes into a gas-phase state, increasing the pressure of the refrigerant circuit 10. Note that the operator may drive the compressor 21 when filling the refrigerant circuit 10 with the mixed liquid L. This causes the mixed liquid L to flow toward the compressor 21, where it is decompressed in the expansion mechanism 23, thereby promoting evaporation.

[0101] The mixed liquid L is filled into the refrigerant circuit 10 by the operator based on the detection result of the electronic scale 54 until the target amount to be filled is reached. When filling the refrigerant circuit 10 with the mixed liquid L from the cylinder 51, the operator monitors the weight measured by the electronic scale 54 to monitor whether or not the filling of the mixed liquid L has been completed (step S108). If the filling of the mixed liquid L has not been completed (step S108: NO), the operator continues filling the mixed liquid L from the cylinder 51. On the other hand, if the filling of the mixed liquid L has been completed (step S108: YES), the operator proceeds to step S109, as this means that the target filling amounts of refrigerant and odor components have been filled into the refrigerant circuit 10. The completion of filling of the mixed liquid L may also be determined by, for example, monitoring the cumulative filling amount of the mixed liquid L using a flow integrator.

[0102] In step S109 after the refrigerant has been charged, the worker closes the on-off valve 55 of the charging system 50 and operates the control valve 57 to block the valve core in the liquid service port 45, and then removes the charging system 50.

[0103] Furthermore, for example, during removal work, the worker first removes the control valve 57, to which the hose 53 is connected, from the liquid service port 45. As a result, in the second shut-off valve 42, the valve core inside the liquid service port 45 is already closed, so that the vaporized refrigerant and odorous components, or the liquid refrigerant and liquid odorous components, are reliably prevented from leaking from the refrigerant circuit 10 after filling. The worker then separates the control valve 57, hose 53, cylinder 51, etc. As a result, the air conditioner 1 is well formed with the refrigerant and odorous components sealed in the refrigerant circuit 10.

[0104] As described above, in the filling method, the mixed liquid L, which is a mixture of a liquid refrigerant and liquid odor components, is filled into the refrigerant circuit 10. As a result, the concentration of the odor components in the refrigerant circuit 10 becomes sufficiently close to or coincides with a pre-designed concentration. If the odor components leak from the refrigerant circuit 10, they can fully demonstrate their performance (encouraging people in the vicinity to take refuge).

[0105] The filling method according to the present disclosure is not limited to the first embodiment described above, and various modifications are possible. For example, the filling method has been described in a form in which the connection state between the vacuum pump 58 and the cylinder 51 is switched between a pre-filling state and a state during filling with the mixed liquid L. However, the filling system 50 may be configured to connect both the vacuum pump 58 and the cylinder 51 using a compound pressure gauge or a three-way switching valve (not shown). In this case, the filling method may first connect the vacuum pump 58 to the compound pressure gauge or the three-way switching valve to perform vacuuming, and then connect the cylinder 51 to the compound pressure gauge or the three-way switching valve to fill the refrigerant circuit 10 with the mixed liquid L from the cylinder 51. In the above description, the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 30 are connected, and the shut-off valves (first shut-off valve 41 and second shut-off valve 42) are opened to fill the mixed liquid L into the refrigeration cycle. However, the mixed liquid L may be filled in a state where the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 30 are not connected, or where the shut-off valves (the first shut-off valve 41 and the second shut-off valve 42) are closed to separate the refrigeration cycle. Therefore, the outdoor unit 20 may be filled with the mixed liquid L in advance in a factory or the like.

[0106] <Modification> 6 differs from the cylinder 51 according to the above embodiment in that a cylinder 51A that stores the mixed liquid L is provided with a siphon tube 513 inside a cylindrical body 511. In the following description, components having the same functions as those of the air conditioning device 1 and filling system 50 according to the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0107] Cylinder 51A stores mixed liquid L in internal space 51s, and as described above, a portion of the refrigerant evaporates and becomes gaseous within internal space 51s before being sealed therein. This creates a high-pressure state within internal space 51s. One end of siphon tube 513 is connected to supply port 512, extends linearly from supply port 512 along the central axis of cylindrical body 511, and has the other end located near the bottom. A flow path within siphon tube 513 communicates with internal space 51s and also communicates with supply port 512o.

[0108] In cylinder 51A configured in this manner, the pressure of the gas-phase refrigerant presses mixed liquid L in internal space 51s. Therefore, when supply port 512o is positioned vertically above the bottom of cylindrical body 511 and open-close valve 55 of supply port 512o is opened, mixed liquid L pressed by the gas-phase refrigerant automatically rises up the flow path in siphon tube 513. As a result, cylinder 51A can supply mixed liquid from supply port 512o via siphon tube 513.

[0109] Therefore, in the filling method, the operator can position the supply port 512o of the cylinder 51A vertically upward without tilting or turning the cylinder 51 upside down. The operator connects one end of the hose 53 to the supply port 512 of the cylinder 51A and the other end of the hose 53 to the liquid service port 45 (control valve 57), thereby forming the filling system 50. Then, in the step of filling the refrigerant circuit 10 with the mixed liquid L (step S107 in FIG. 5 ), the operator opens the on-off valve 55, thereby automatically circulating the mixed liquid L through the siphon tube 513, the supply port 512, and the hose 53 in this order. This allows the refrigerant circuit 10 to be filled with the mixed liquid L from the cylinder 51A.

[0110] <Filling method according to the second embodiment> Next, a filling method according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 7. The filling method according to the second embodiment differs from the filling method according to the first embodiment in that a cylinder 51 is connected to the gas service port 44 and the mixed liquid L is filled into the refrigerant circuit 10. In this filling method, an operator fills the refrigerant and odor components together into the refrigerant circuit 10 by, for example, sequentially performing steps S201 to S209 shown in Fig. 7.

[0111] In the filling method according to the second embodiment, steps S201 and S202 are the same as steps S101 and S102 described above. In step S203, the operator connects the control valve 57 to the gas service port 44 of the outdoor unit 20. This makes it possible to fill the refrigerant circuit 10 with the mixed liquid L via the control valve 57.

[0112] Furthermore, step S204 of the filling method is the same as step S104 described above. In step S205, the operator opens the valve core in the gas service port 44 and operates the connected vacuum pump 58 to evacuate the refrigerant circuit 10, thereby adjusting the pressure inside the refrigerant circuit 10 to a target pressure. During this evacuation, the vacuum pump 58 sucks air and moisture from the refrigerant circuit 10 through the gas service port 44 and the hose 59, creating a vacuum in the refrigerant circuit 10. After creating the vacuum, the operator operates the control valve 57 to close the valve core in the gas service port 44, and then removes the hose 59 from the control valve 57 to release the pre-filling state.

[0113] Next, with supply port 512 of cylinder 51 positioned vertically downward, the operator connects the other end of hose 53 to control valve 57 and connects cylinder 51 to one end of hose 53, thereby connecting cylinder 51 to refrigerant circuit 10 (step 206: second process, also see FIG. 3). Note that the cylinder connected to gas service port 44 may be cylinder 51A having a siphon tube 513 according to a modified example.

[0114] The cylinder 51 connected to the refrigerant circuit 10 has a supply port 512o located vertically below the bottom of the cylindrical body 511, and only the mixed liquid L is present near the supply port 512o of the cylinder 51. The operator opens the valve core in the gas service port 44 and the on-off valve 55 to cause the mixed liquid L to flow out from the supply port 512o of the cylinder 51 and fill the refrigerant circuit 10 with the mixed liquid L via the gas service port 44 (step 2107: third process). At this time, the gas-phase refrigerant in the cylinder 51 presses the mixed liquid L, thereby pressure-feeding the mixed liquid L toward the supply port 512o. The mixed liquid L in the cylinder 51 flows from the cylinder 51 through the hose 53 into the refrigerant circuit 10 in accordance with the pressure difference between the inside of the cylinder 51 and the inside of the refrigerant circuit 10, which is in a vacuum state.

[0115] The mixed liquid L supplied to the refrigerant circuit 10 from the gas service port 44 flows into the gas-liquid separator 26 through the gas line 13G. The gas-liquid separator 26 separates the mixed liquid into gas (gas phase) and liquid (liquid phase) and transfers only the gas to the compressor 21. The filling speed at which the mixed liquid is filled from the cylinder 51 via the gas service port 44 is preferably set to a speed slower than the filling speed at which the mixed liquid is filled via the liquid service port 45. This allows the mixed liquid to be stably separated into gas and liquid in the gas-liquid separator 26. Furthermore, when filling the mixed liquid L, the operator preferably drives the compressor 21. By driving the compressor 21, the mixed liquid L filled from the gas service port 44 moves smoothly to the gas-liquid separator 26 and is separated into gas and liquid in the gas-liquid separator 26, allowing the separated gas to easily flow into the compressor 21. As a result, the pressure difference between the cylinder 51 and the gas line 13G increases, making it possible to prevent breakdowns due to liquid compression.

[0116] The mixed liquid L is filled into the refrigerant circuit 10 by the operator based on the detection result of the electronic scale 54 until the target amount to be filled is reached. When filling the refrigerant circuit 10 with the mixed liquid L from the cylinder 51, the operator monitors the weight measured by the electronic scale 54 to monitor whether filling of the mixed liquid L has been completed (step S208). If filling of the mixed liquid L has not been completed (step S208: NO), the operator continues filling of the mixed liquid L from the cylinder 51. On the other hand, if filling of the mixed liquid L has been completed (step S208: YES), the operator proceeds to step S209, as this means that the target filling amounts of refrigerant and odor components have been filled into the refrigerant circuit 10. Note that the completion of filling of the mixed liquid L may be determined by, for example, monitoring the cumulative filling amount of the mixed liquid L using a flow integrator.

[0117] In step S209 after the refrigerant filling is complete, the worker closes the on-off valve 55 of the filling system 50 and operates the control valve 57 to block the valve core in the gas service port 44, thereby removing the filling system 50. For example, during the removal process, the worker first removes the control valve 57, to which the hose 53 is connected, from the gas service port 44. This ensures that the valve core in the gas service port 44 is already blocked in the first shut-off valve 41, reliably preventing leakage of vaporized refrigerant and odorous components, or liquid refrigerant and liquid odorous components, from the refrigerant circuit 10 after filling. The worker then separates the control valve 57, hose 53, cylinder 51, etc. This ensures that the air conditioner 1 is in a state where the refrigerant and odorous components are properly sealed in the refrigerant circuit 10.

[0118] As described above, in the filling method according to the second embodiment, the mixed liquid L, which is a mixture of a liquid refrigerant and liquid odor components, can be filled into the refrigerant circuit 10 together via the gas service port 44. In the refrigerant circuit 10, the concentration of the odor components becomes sufficiently close to or coincides with a pre-designed concentration, and the odor components can fully exhibit their performance even if they leak from the refrigerant circuit 10.

[0119] <Aspects and Effects of the Present Disclosure> The above-disclosed embodiment has, for example, the following aspects and effects.

[0120] [Appendix 1] A method for filling a refrigerant and an odor component into a refrigeration device, comprising: A first step of providing a cylinder containing a mixed liquid in which the odorous components are dissolved; a second step of connecting the cylinder to a refrigerant circuit of the refrigeration device; and a third step of filling the refrigerant circuit with the mixed liquid from the cylinder. Filling method.

[0121] [Effects of Appendix 1] According to the above, the filling method fills the refrigerant circuit with a mixed liquid containing odor components, thereby filling the refrigerant circuit with an appropriate concentration of odor components. As a result, the refrigerant circuit is filled with the designed concentration of odor components, and the performance of the odor components can be stably exhibited. Furthermore, the mixed liquid filled in the refrigerant circuit becomes gaseous in the refrigerant circuit, and its volume expands. For this reason, filling the mixed liquid allows the appropriate amount of odor components to be filled in a short time compared to filling a gaseous refrigerant, etc., and also makes it possible to improve work efficiency.

[0122] [Appendix 2] The cylinder has a supply port for supplying the mixed liquid; a cylindrical body that communicates with the supply port and in which the refrigerant is mainly sealed, In the third step, the supply port is positioned vertically below a bottom of the cylindrical body, and the mixed liquid is filled from the cylinder into the refrigerant circuit. The filling method described in Appendix 1.

[0123] [Effects of Appendix 2] As a result, in the filling method, the mixed liquid can be smoothly circulated from the cylinder to the refrigerant circuit, and the mixed liquid can be filled into the refrigerant circuit.

[0124] [Appendix 3] the cylinder contains the mixed liquid and the refrigerant in a gaseous state under high pressure, and has a siphon tube that can supply the mixed liquid by the pressure of the refrigerant in the gaseous state; In the third step, the mixed liquid is filled into the refrigerant circuit through the siphon tube. The filling method described in Appendix 1.

[0125] [Effects of Appendix 3] Even in this case, the filling method allows the mixed liquid to be simply supplied from the cylinder, and the mixed liquid can be filled into the refrigerant circuit.

[0126] [Appendix 4] the refrigeration device includes a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a heat source side heat exchanger, a pressure reducing device, and a user side heat exchanger are connected in this order; a refrigerant charging section capable of charging the refrigerant into the refrigerant circuit is provided between the pressure reducing device and the user-side heat exchanger, In the second step, the cylinder is connected to the refrigerant charging portion, and in the third step, the mixed liquid is charged from the cylinder into the refrigerant charging portion. A filling method according to any one of appendices 1 to 3.

[0127] [Effects of Appendix 4] As a result, the filling method can smoothly fill the liquid line of the refrigerant circuit with the mixed liquid via the refrigerant filling section between the pressure reducing device and the user-side heat exchanger.

[0128] [Appendix 5] the refrigeration device includes a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a heat source side heat exchanger, a pressure reducing device, and a user side heat exchanger are connected in this order; a refrigerant charging section capable of charging the refrigerant into the refrigerant circuit is provided between the compressor and the user-side heat exchanger; a gas-liquid separator is provided between the compressor and the refrigerant charging section, In the second step, the cylinder is connected to the refrigerant charging portion, In the third step, the mixed liquid is filled into the refrigerant filling section from the cylinder. A filling method according to any one of appendices 1 to 4.

[0129] [Effects of Appendix 5] Even in this case, the filling method can fill the gas line of the refrigerant circuit with the mixed liquid via the refrigerant filling section between the compressor and the user-side heat exchanger.

[0130] [Appendix 6] In the third step, the compressor (21) is driven to move the mixed liquid filled in the refrigerant filling section (44) to the gas-liquid separator (26), and the gas separated in the gas-liquid separator (26) is sucked into the compressor (21). The filling method described in Appendix 5.

[0131] [Effects of Appendix 6] This allows the mixed liquid supplied to the gas line of the refrigerant circuit to be smoothly separated into gas and liquid in the gas-liquid separator, and the gas can be transferred to the compressor, making it possible to improve filling efficiency even when filling the mixed liquid from the gas line.

[0132] [Appendix 7] The refrigerant is a highly flammable refrigerant. A filling method according to any one of appendices 1 to 6.

[0133] [Effects of Appendix 7] This allows the refrigeration system to fill the refrigerant circuit with a refrigerant with a low GWP value and perform good heat exchange with the refrigerant in the condenser and evaporator. Furthermore, the refrigerant can be filled in the form of a mixed liquid with dissolved odorous components, which prevents insufficient filling of odorous components and provides an appropriate amount of odor when the refrigerant leaks from the refrigeration system.

[0134] [Appendix 8] The refrigerant is propane. 8. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 7.

[0135] [Effects of Appendix 8] Propane can be easily stored in a cylinder in a liquid phase, and the mixed liquid state can be well maintained within the cylinder.

[0136] [Appendix 9] The refrigerant has a mercury content of 0.1 mg / L or less. 9. A refrigeration device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

[0137] [Effects of Appendix 9] This prevents leakage points from occurring due to a significant decrease in strength caused by amalgamation of mercury with metal materials in the refrigerant circuit, particularly aluminum, when the refrigerant is filled into the refrigerant circuit. In other words, by keeping the mercury content at 0.1 mg / L or less, the strength of the metal materials in the refrigerant circuit can be stably maintained, preventing refrigerant leakage and encouraging evacuation due to odorous components, providing a double safety measure.

[0138] [Appendix 10] The odorous component is a substance having a boiling point higher than that of the refrigerant. A filling method according to any one of appendices 1 to 9.

[0139] [Effects of Appendix 10] This allows the refrigerant and odorous components to be kept in a liquid phase and the liquid phase odorous components to be maintained in a good state while the refrigerant and odorous components are filled in the cylinder as a mixed liquid.

[0140] [Appendix 11] The odor component is a sulfur-based odorant. 11. A refrigeration device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

[0141] [Effects of Appendix 11] As a result, the odorous components filling the refrigerant circuit can be stably released along with the leakage of the refrigerant circuit, thereby encouraging evacuation behavior.

[0142] [Appendix 12] The odor component is selected from the group consisting of sulfide-based and thiophene-based odor components. 12. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 11.

[0143] [Effects of Appendix 12] This allows the application of odorous components having a boiling point higher than that of the refrigerant, and the state of a mixed liquid of the liquid phase refrigerant and the liquid phase odorous components can be maintained in a good condition within the cylinder.

[0144] [Appendix 13] The odor component is tetrahydrothiophene. 13. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 12.

[0145] [Effects of Appendix 13] This allows the application of odorous components with a boiling point higher than the ambient temperature outside the cylinder, which can be easily filled into the refrigerant circuit at an appropriate concentration together with the refrigerant, allowing people to become aware of an abnormality in the event of a leak from the refrigerant circuit.

[0146] [Appendix 14] The odor component is dimethyl sulfide. 13. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 12.

[0147] [Effects of Appendix 14] Even in this case, the odorous component can be one with a boiling point higher than the ambient temperature outside the cylinder, and can be easily filled into the refrigerant circuit at an appropriate concentration together with the refrigerant, allowing people to become aware of an abnormality in the event of a leak from the refrigerant circuit.

[0148] [Appendix 15] The odor component is a sulfur-based odorant, and the sulfur-based odorant is ethyl methyl sulfide. 13. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 12.

[0149] [Effects of Appendix 15] Even in this case, the odorous component can be one with a boiling point higher than the ambient temperature outside the cylinder, and can be easily filled into the refrigerant circuit at an appropriate concentration together with the refrigerant, allowing people to become aware of an abnormality in the event of a leak from the refrigerant circuit.

[0150] The filling method according to the presently disclosed embodiment is illustrative in all respects and is not limiting. The embodiments can be modified and improved in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The features described in the above embodiments can be configured in other ways as long as they are not inconsistent, and can be combined as long as they are not inconsistent. [Explanation of symbols]

[0151] 1. Air conditioning equipment (refrigeration equipment) 10 Refrigerant circuit 51 Cylinder 511 Cylinder 512o supply port 513 Siphon Pipe L Mixed liquid

Claims

1. A method for filling a refrigeration device (1) with propane as a refrigerant and tetrahydrothiophene as an odor component, comprising the steps of: the loading amount of the tetrahydrothiophene relative to the loading amount of the propane is in the range of 50 ppm by weight to 2000 ppm by weight; a first step of providing a cylinder (51, 51A) containing a mixed liquid (L) obtained by dissolving the tetrahydrothiophene in the propane; a second step of connecting the cylinder (51, 51A) to the refrigerant circuit (10) of the refrigeration device (1); and a third step of filling the refrigerant circuit (10) with the mixed liquid from the cylinder (51, 51A). Filling method.

2. The cylinder (51) has a supply port (512o) for supplying the mixed liquid; a cylindrical body (511) that communicates with the supply port (512o) and in which the propane is mainly sealed, In the third step, the supply port (512o) is positioned vertically below the bottom of the cylindrical body (511), thereby filling the refrigerant circuit (10) with the mixed liquid from the cylinder (51). The method of claim 1.

3. The cylinder (51A) contains the mixed liquid and the propane in a gaseous state sealed in a high-pressure state, and has a siphon tube (513) capable of supplying the mixed liquid by the pressure of the propane in the gaseous state, In the third step, the mixed liquid is filled into the refrigerant circuit (10) through the siphon tube (513). The method of claim 1.

4. The refrigeration system (1) includes the refrigerant circuit (10) in which a compressor (21), a heat source side heat exchanger (22), a pressure reducing device (23), and a utilization side heat exchanger (31) are connected in this order, a refrigerant charging section (45) capable of charging the refrigerant circuit (10) with the propane is provided between the pressure reducing device (23) and the utilization side heat exchanger (31); In the second step, the cylinder (51, 51A) is connected to the refrigerant charging section (45), In the third step, the mixed liquid is filled from the cylinder (51, 51A) into the refrigerant filling section (45). The method of filling according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The refrigeration system (1) includes the refrigerant circuit (10) in which a compressor (21), a heat source side heat exchanger (22), a pressure reducing device (23), and a utilization side heat exchanger (31) are connected in this order, A refrigerant charging section (44) capable of charging the refrigerant circuit (10) with the propane is provided between the compressor (21) and the user-side heat exchanger (31), and a gas-liquid separator (26) is provided between the compressor (21) and the refrigerant charging section (44); In the second step, the cylinder (51, 51A) is connected to the refrigerant charging section (44), In the third step, the mixed liquid is filled from the cylinder (51, 51A) into the refrigerant filling section (44). The method of filling according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. In the third step, the compressor (21) is driven to move the mixed liquid filled in the refrigerant filling section (44) to the gas-liquid separator (26), and the gas separated in the gas-liquid separator (26) is sucked into the compressor (21). The method of claim 5.

7. The propane has a mercury content of 0.1 mg / L or less. The method of filling according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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