Indoor unit and air conditioner

Abstract

One embodiment of an indoor unit according to the present disclosure is a floor-mounted indoor unit of an air conditioner, and comprises: a housing in which a suction port and a blowout port are formed; a heat exchanger which is housed inside the housing; a blower which is housed inside the housing, and which generates an air flow that passes through the heat exchanger; a refrigerant sensor which is housed inside the housing, and which is capable of detecting a refrigerant; and a cover member. The heat exchanger includes a heat exchanger body, and a refrigerant pipe fixed to the heat exchanger body. The refrigerant pipe has a protruding portion which protrudes in a first direction beyond the heat exchanger body. The cover member has a lid wall portion which covers the protruding portion from one side in the first direction. The refrigerant sensor includes a first refrigerant sensor, and at least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor is exposed to a space provided between the lid wall portion and the heat exchanger body.

Description

Indoor units and air conditioners

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an indoor unit and an air conditioner.

[0002] BACKGROUND ART There is known an indoor unit of an air conditioner that is provided with a refrigerant leakage detection sensor for detecting leaking refrigerant (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent No. 6355734

[0004] The above-described refrigerant leak detection sensor is typically located in an air passage inside the indoor unit. However, in this case, the refrigerant may diffuse into the room due to the air flowing through the air passage, making it difficult for the refrigerant concentration to increase around the refrigerant leak detection sensor inside the indoor unit. In this case, it may take a long time for the refrigerant leak detection sensor to detect the leaked refrigerant. Floor-standing indoor units are installed lower in the room than wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted indoor units, so if a refrigerant leaks from the indoor unit, the leaked refrigerant tends to quickly accumulate in the lower part of the room. Therefore, there is a need for a floor-standing indoor unit that can detect a refrigerant leak more quickly than other types of indoor units.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, one of the objects of the present disclosure is to provide a floor-standing indoor unit having a structure that can shorten the time it takes to detect leaking refrigerant, and an air conditioner equipped with such an indoor unit.

[0006] One aspect of the indoor unit according to the present disclosure is an indoor unit for an air conditioner, and is a floor-standing indoor unit comprising: a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet formed therein; a heat exchanger housed inside the housing; a blower housed inside the housing and generating an airflow that passes through the heat exchanger; a refrigerant sensor housed inside the housing and capable of detecting refrigerant; and a cover member, wherein the heat exchanger has a heat exchanger body and a refrigerant piping fixed to the heat exchanger body, the refrigerant piping having a protruding portion that protrudes beyond the heat exchanger body in a first direction, the cover member having a lid wall portion that covers the protruding portion from one side in the first direction, and the refrigerant sensor includes a first refrigerant sensor, and at least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor is exposed in a space provided between the lid wall portion and the heat exchanger body.

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

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to shorten the time until a leaking refrigerant can be detected in a floor-standing indoor unit.

[0009] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a general configuration of an air conditioner in Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an indoor unit in Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the indoor unit in Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a part of the indoor unit in Embodiment 1, viewed from the front. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the indoor unit in Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the indoor unit in Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a cover member and a first refrigerant sensor in Embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a part of the cover member and a part of the heat exchanger in Embodiment 1. FIG. 8 is a view of the heat exchanger, cover member, and drain pan in Embodiment 1, viewed from the outside in the left-right direction. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the cover member and a first refrigerant sensor in Embodiment 1. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a part of the indoor unit in Embodiment 2, viewed from the front. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an indoor unit in Embodiment 3.

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

[0011] The drawings also show the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis as appropriate. The X-axis indicates one of the horizontal directions. The Y-axis indicates the other of the horizontal directions. The Z-axis indicates the vertical direction. In the following description, the horizontal direction along the X-axis is referred to as the "front-rear direction X," the horizontal direction along the Y-axis is referred to as the "left-right direction Y," and the vertical direction is referred to as the "vertical direction Z." The front-rear direction X, left-right direction Y, and vertical direction Z are perpendicular to one another. The side of the vertical direction Z toward which the Z-axis arrow points (+Z side) is the upper side, and the side of the vertical direction Z opposite to the side toward which the Z-axis arrow points (-Z side) is the lower side. In the following description, the side of the front-rear direction X toward which the X-axis arrow points (+X side) is referred to as the "front side," and the side of the front-rear direction X opposite to the side toward which the X-axis arrow points (-X side) is referred to as the "rear side." The side of the left-right direction Y toward which the arrow on the Y axis points (+Y side) is referred to as the "right side," and the side opposite to the side toward which the arrow on the Y axis points (-Y side) is referred to as the "left side." Furthermore, with respect to a certain object, the side closer to the center of the indoor unit in the left-right direction Y is referred to as the "inner side in the left-right direction," and the side farther from the center of the indoor unit in the left-right direction Y is referred to as the "outer side in the left-right direction." Note that in the following embodiments, the left-right direction Y corresponds to the "first direction," and the front-rear direction X corresponds to the "second direction" that is perpendicular to both the vertical direction Z and the first direction. In the following embodiments, the left-right direction Y, which is the first direction, is a direction that intersects with the vertical direction Z. More specifically, the left-right direction Y, which is the first direction, is a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction Z. In the following embodiments, the left side corresponds to the "first side in the first direction," the right side corresponds to the "second side in the first direction," and the outer side in the left-right direction corresponds to "one side in the first direction."

[0012] Embodiment 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of an air conditioner 100 in Embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the air conditioner 100 includes an outdoor unit 10, an indoor unit 20, and a refrigerant circuit section 18 that connects the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20. The outdoor unit 10 is disposed outdoors. The indoor unit 20 is disposed indoors. The outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 are connected to each other by the refrigerant circuit section 18, through which refrigerant 19 circulates.

[0013] The air conditioner 100 can adjust the temperature of the indoor air by exchanging heat between the refrigerant 19 flowing through the refrigerant circuit 18 and the air in the room where the indoor unit 20 is located. Examples of the refrigerant 19 include fluorine-based refrigerants or hydrocarbon-based refrigerants with low global warming potential (GWP). Examples of the refrigerant 19 include a single refrigerant selected from R1234yf, R1234ze, R32, and R290, a mixture of two or more of these refrigerants, or a mixture of any of these refrigerants with another refrigerant. Examples of the refrigerant 19 include a mixture of R1132(E) and R1123. Examples of refrigerant 19 include a mixed refrigerant of R516A, R445A, R444A, R454C, R444B, R454A, R455A, R457A, R459B, R452B, R454B, R447B, R447A, R446A, and R459A. The density of refrigerant 19 in gaseous form is greater than the density of air.

[0014] The outdoor unit 10 has a housing 11, a compressor 12, a heat exchanger 13, a flow rate adjustment valve 14, a blower 15, a four-way valve 16, and a control unit 17. The housing 11 houses the compressor 12, the heat exchanger 13, the flow rate adjustment valve 14, the blower 15, the four-way valve 16, and the control unit 17.

[0015] The compressor 12, the heat exchanger 13, the flow rate control valve 14, and the four-way valve 16 are provided in a portion of the refrigerant circuit unit 18 that is located inside the housing 11. The compressor 12, the heat exchanger 13, the flow rate control valve 14, and the four-way valve 16 are connected by a portion of the refrigerant circuit unit 18 that is located inside the housing 11.

[0016] The four-way valve 16 is provided in a portion of the refrigerant circuit unit 18 that is connected to the discharge side of the compressor 12. The four-way valve 16 switches some of the paths in the refrigerant circuit unit 18, thereby reversing the direction of the refrigerant 19 flowing through the refrigerant circuit unit 18. When the paths connected by the four-way valve 16 are the paths shown by solid lines on the four-way valve 16 in Fig. 1, the refrigerant 19 flows through the refrigerant circuit unit 18 in the direction shown by the solid arrows in Fig. 1. On the other hand, when the paths connected by the four-way valve 16 are the paths shown by dashed lines on the four-way valve 16 in Fig. 1, the refrigerant 19 flows through the refrigerant circuit unit 18 in the direction shown by the dashed arrows in Fig. 1.

[0017] The indoor unit 20 includes a housing 21, a heat exchanger 22, a blower 23, a control unit 24, a notification unit 25, and a first refrigerant sensor 30. The housing 21 houses the heat exchanger 22, the blower 23, the control unit 24, and the first refrigerant sensor 30. The indoor unit 20 is capable of cooling operation to cool the air in the room in which the indoor unit 20 is located, and heating operation to warm the air in the room in which the indoor unit 20 is located.

[0018] When the indoor unit 20 is in cooling operation, the refrigerant 19 flowing through the refrigerant circuit 18 flows in the direction shown by the solid arrow in Fig. 1. In other words, when the indoor unit 20 is in cooling operation, the refrigerant 19 flowing through the refrigerant circuit 18 circulates through the compressor 12, the heat exchanger 13 of the outdoor unit 10, the flow control valve 14, and the heat exchanger 22 of the indoor unit 20 in that order, before returning to the compressor 12. During cooling operation, the heat exchanger 13 in the outdoor unit 10 functions as a condenser, and the heat exchanger 22 in the indoor unit 20 functions as an evaporator.

[0019] On the other hand, when the indoor unit 20 is in heating operation, the refrigerant 19 flowing through the refrigerant circuit 18 flows in the direction shown by the dashed line in Fig. 1. In other words, when the indoor unit 20 is in heating operation, the refrigerant 19 flowing through the refrigerant circuit 18 circulates through the compressor 12, the heat exchanger 22 of the indoor unit 20, the flow control valve 14, and the heat exchanger 13 of the outdoor unit 10 in that order, before returning to the compressor 12. During heating operation, the heat exchanger 13 in the outdoor unit 10 functions as an evaporator, and the heat exchanger 22 in the indoor unit 20 functions as a condenser.

[0020] Next, the indoor unit 20 will be described in more detail. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the indoor unit 20. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the indoor unit 20. Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a part of the indoor unit 20 seen from the front side (+X side). Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a part of the indoor unit 20. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the indoor unit 20.

[0021] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the indoor unit 20 of the first embodiment is a floor-standing indoor unit. The indoor unit 20 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped with sides along the front-rear direction X, the left-right direction Y, and the vertical direction Z. The dimension of the indoor unit 20 in the left-right direction Y is greater than the dimension of the indoor unit 20 in the front-rear direction X. The dimension of the indoor unit 20 in the vertical direction Z is greater than the dimension of the indoor unit 20 in the front-rear direction X, but smaller than the dimension of the indoor unit 20 in the left-right direction Y.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , in the first embodiment, the blower 23 housed in the housing 21 of the indoor unit 20 is a crossflow fan. The blower 23 has an impeller 23a that rotates about a rotation axis R extending in the left-right direction Y. The rotation axis R is an imaginary axis. In the first embodiment, the rotation axis R is located above the center of the housing 21 in the vertical direction Z. The impeller 23a has a substantially circular shape when viewed in the left-right direction Y. In the first embodiment, the impeller 23a is disposed in a portion of the upper part of the interior of the housing 21 near the rear side (near the −X side). As the impeller 23a rotates about the rotation axis R, the blower 23 generates an airflow AF that passes through the heat exchanger 22.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3 , in the first embodiment, the heat exchanger 22 of the indoor unit 20 extends in the left-right direction Y. In the first embodiment, the heat exchanger 22 of the indoor unit 20 has a first heat exchange section 22a and a second heat exchange section 22b. The first heat exchange section 22a is located in front of the blower 23 (+X side). As shown in FIG. 2 , the first heat exchange section 22a extends in a direction that leads to a frontward position as it moves upward in the left-right direction Y. The second heat exchange section 22b is located in a rearward position (-X side) of the first heat exchange section 22a. The second heat exchange section 22b is located below the blower 23. The second heat exchange section 22b extends in a direction that leads to a rearward position as it moves upward in the left-right direction Y. In other words, the first heat exchange section 22a and the second heat exchange section 22b are disposed at a greater distance from each other in the front-rear direction X, which is perpendicular to both the vertical direction Z and the left-right direction Y, as they move upward.

[0024] The upper end of the first heat exchange section 22a is located higher than the upper end of the second heat exchange section 22b. In the first embodiment, the upper end of the first heat exchange section 22a is the upper end of the heat exchanger 22. The upper end of the heat exchanger 22 is the uppermost portion of the heat exchanger 22. The upper portion of the first heat exchange section 22a is arranged opposite the front side (+X side) of the impeller 23a of the blower 23. The lower end of the first heat exchange section 22a and the lower end of the second heat exchange section 22b are located below the impeller 23a of the blower 23 and are arranged adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction X. The lower end of the first heat exchange section 22a and the lower end of the second heat exchange section 22b are connected to each other. The first heat exchange section 22a and the second heat exchange section 22b are arranged along a V-shape that opens upward when viewed in the left-right direction Y.

[0025] The first heat exchange unit 22a and the second heat exchange unit 22b each include a heat exchanger body 22c and a refrigerant pipe 50 fixed to the heat exchanger body 22c. The heat exchanger body 22c of the first heat exchange unit 22a extends in a direction toward the front (+X side) as it moves upward in the left-right direction Y. The heat exchanger body 22c of the second heat exchange unit 22b extends in a direction toward the rear (-X side) as it moves upward in the left-right direction Y. Each heat exchanger body 22c is formed, for example, by a plurality of plate members (fins) arranged with gaps in between in the left-right direction Y.

[0026] Refrigerant 19 flows through the refrigerant pipes 50 from the outdoor unit 10 to the indoor unit 20. As shown in Fig. 4, each refrigerant pipe 50 has a plurality of extension pipe sections 51 extending in the left-right direction Y and a connecting pipe section (protruding portion) 52 connecting the ends of two extension pipe sections 51 in the left-right direction Y. The plurality of extension pipe sections 51 penetrate the heat exchanger body 22c in the left-right direction Y.

[0027] The connecting pipe portion 52 is a protruding portion that protrudes in the left-right direction Y beyond the heat exchanger body 22c. The connecting pipe portion 52 protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the heat exchanger body 22c. In the first embodiment, the connecting pipe portion 52 is a U-shaped pipe portion. In the first embodiment, the connecting pipe portion 52 is a pipe portion that is called a U-bend pipe or a hairpin pipe. As shown in FIG. 4 , the connecting pipe portion 52 includes a first connecting pipe portion (first protruding portion) 52A that protrudes to the left (−Y side) beyond the heat exchanger body 22c, and a second connecting pipe portion (second protruding portion) 52B that protrudes to the right (+Y side) beyond the heat exchanger body 22c. The first connecting pipe portion 52A corresponds to the “first protruding portion,” and the second connecting pipe portion 52B corresponds to the “second protruding portion.” A plurality of first connecting pipe portions 52A and a plurality of second connecting pipe portions 52B are provided for each of the first heat exchange portion 22a and the second heat exchange portion 22b.

[0028] The indoor unit 20 includes a drain pan 26 located below the heat exchanger 22. The drain pan 26 is a member that receives condensation water that forms on the outer surface of the heat exchanger 22 during cooling operation, etc. The condensation water received by the drain pan 26 accumulates inside the drain pan 26. The condensation water that accumulates in the drain pan 26 is discharged to the outside of the indoor unit 20 by a drain pump (not shown). The drain pan 26 extends in the left-right direction Y. As shown in FIG. 2 , the drain pan 26 is located below the blower 23 at a distance. In the first embodiment, the drain pan 26 is located below the lower end of the first heat exchange section 22a and the lower end of the second heat exchange section 22b.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 3 , in the first embodiment, the housing 21 of the indoor unit 20 is a substantially rectangular box shape having sides along the front-rear direction X, the left-right direction Y, and the vertical direction Z. The dimension of the housing 21 in the left-right direction Y is greater than the dimension of the housing 21 in the front-rear direction X. The dimension of the housing 21 in the vertical direction Z is greater than the dimension of the housing 21 in the front-rear direction X, but smaller than the dimension of the housing 21 in the left-right direction Y.

[0030] The housing 21 has a first housing member 21a and a second housing member 21b. The housing 21 is configured by fixing the first housing member 21a and the second housing member 21b to each other in the front-to-rear direction X. The first housing member 21a has a substantially rectangular box shape that opens to the rear side (-X side). The second housing member 21b has a substantially rectangular box shape that opens to the front side (+X side). The first housing member 21a is located in front of the second housing member 21b.

[0031] An intake port 20a and an exhaust port 20b are formed in the housing 21. In the first embodiment, the intake port 20a and the exhaust port 20b are formed in the first housing member 21a. The intake port 20a is formed in a lower portion of the wall portion on the front side (+X side) of the housing 21. The intake port 20a opens in the horizontal direction. In the first embodiment, the intake port 20a opens to the front side in the front-rear direction X. The intake port 20a extends in the left-right direction Y. The exhaust port 20b is formed in a front portion at the upper end of the housing 21. The exhaust port 20b opens to the front side and upward. The exhaust port 20b extends in the left-right direction Y. The exhaust port 20b is located above the intake port 20a.

[0032] 2, the air outlet 20b is provided with a plurality of airflow direction adjustment units 28. The plurality of airflow direction adjustment units 28 allow the air blown out from the air outlet 20b to be branched into air blown out toward the front side and air blown out toward the upper side.

[0033] An air passage 27 through which airflow AF generated by blower 23 flows is formed in housing 21. Air passage 27 has first suction passage 27a and second suction passage 27b through which air sucked into impeller 23a of blower 23 flows, and outlet passage 27c through which air blown out from impeller 23a of blower 23 flows. First suction passage 27a, second suction passage 27b, and outlet passage 27c are provided inside housing 21.

[0034] One end of the first suction passage 27a and one end of the second suction passage 27b form the suction port 20a and are open to the front side (+X side). The other end of the first suction passage 27a and the other end of the second suction passage 27b are connected to the impeller 23a of the blower 23. The first suction passage 27a and the second suction passage 27b extend upward from the suction port 20a. A first heat exchanger 22a is disposed midway along the first suction passage 27a. A second heat exchanger 22b is disposed midway along the second suction passage 27b.

[0035] One end of the blow-out flow path 27c is connected to an upper portion of the impeller 23a of the blower 23. The other end of the blow-out flow path 27c is the outlet 20b, which opens to the front (+X side) and upward. The blow-out flow path 27c extends to the front and upward from the impeller 23a of the blower 23. The blow-out flow path 27c is located above the first suction flow path 27a and the second suction flow path 27b.

[0036] The indoor unit 20 includes a dust collection filter 29. The dust collection filter 29 is a filter that allows air to pass through. The dust collection filter 29 is capable of capturing at least a portion of the dust contained in the air that passes through the dust collection filter 29. The dust collection filter 29 is provided between the air inlet 20a and the heat exchanger 22.

[0037] When the blower 23 is driven and the impeller 23a rotates about the rotation axis R, indoor air is drawn into the housing 21 through the suction port 20a. The air drawn into the housing 21 through the suction port 20a is divided into the first suction passage 27a and the second suction passage 27b and flows upward. The air flowing through the first suction passage 27a passes through the dust collection filter 29 and the first heat exchanger 22a in this order before being drawn into the impeller 23a of the blower 23. The air flowing through the second suction passage 27b passes through the dust collection filter 29 and the second heat exchanger 22b in this order before being drawn into the impeller 23a of the blower 23. The air drawn into the impeller 23a from the first suction passage 27a and the second suction passage 27b is discharged from the impeller 23a into the outlet passage 27c. The air discharged into the air outlet passage 27c flows forward (toward the +X side) and upward within the air outlet passage 27c, and is blown into the room from the air outlet 20b. In this way, the air drawn into the housing 21 from the air inlet 20a of the indoor unit 20 passes through the heat exchanger 22, then passes through the blower 23, and is blown out from the air outlet 20b.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 21 includes a first storage section 21c and a second storage section 21d. The first storage section 21c and the second storage section 21d are arranged side by side in the left-right direction Y. The first storage section 21c is located to the left (-Y side) of the second storage section 21d. The dimension of the first storage section 21c in the left-right direction Y is larger than the dimension of the second storage section 21d in the left-right direction Y. As shown in FIG. 2, the first storage section 21c accommodates a blower 23 and a heat exchanger main body 22c. An air passage 27 is provided in the first storage section 21c. As shown in FIG. 4, the second storage section 21d is arranged adjacent to the first storage section 21c in the left-right direction Y, which intersects with the vertical direction Z. The second storage section 21d accommodates a control section 24 and a piping group 53. The control section 24 is located to the right of the heat exchanger 22.

[0039] The piping group 53 is connected to the refrigerant piping 50 of the heat exchanger 22. The piping group 53 is made up of a plurality of pipes. The piping group 53 has a connection pipe 53a to which the pipe 18a extending from the outdoor unit 10 is connected. The connection pipe 53a extends downward. The lower end of the connection pipe 53a is a connection portion 53b to which the pipe 18a is connected. A flare nut 53c is attached to the connection portion 53b. The connection portion 53b is a flared portion that has been flared. The connection portion 53b is located below the heat exchanger 22. The connection portion 53b is located below the upper end of the drain pan 26.

[0040] The second housing portion 21d accommodates the right end (+Y side) of the drain pan 26. The rest of the drain pan 26, excluding the right end, is accommodated in the first housing portion 21c.

[0041] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the indoor unit 20 includes a cover member 40 located on the left-right outer side of the heat exchanger 22. In the first embodiment, the cover member 40 covers the entire first heat exchange section 22a and the entire second heat exchange section 22b from the left-right outer side. As shown in Figure 4, in the first embodiment, the cover members 40 are provided on both sides of the heat exchanger 22 in the left-right direction Y. The cover members 40 include a cover member 40A located on the left side (-Y side) of the heat exchanger 22 and a cover member 40B located on the right side (+Y side) of the heat exchanger 22. The cover members 40A and 40B sandwich the heat exchanger 22 in the left-right direction Y.

[0042] A first refrigerant sensor 30 is attached to each of cover member 40A and cover member 40B. That is, in Embodiment 1, a first refrigerant sensor 30 is provided on each side of heat exchanger 22 in the left-right direction Y. The first refrigerant sensors 30 include a first refrigerant sensor 30A attached to cover member 40A and a first refrigerant sensor 30B attached to cover member 40B.

[0043] The cover members 40A and 40B are arranged symmetrically to each other in the left-right direction Y. The first refrigerant sensor 30A and the first refrigerant sensor 30B are arranged symmetrically to each other in the left-right direction Y. In the following description, the cover member 40A and the first refrigerant sensor 30A will be described as representative of the two cover members 40A, 40B and the two first refrigerant sensors 30A, 30B, and descriptions of the cover member 40B and the first refrigerant sensor 30B may be omitted. Note that when there is no need to distinguish between the two cover members 40A and 40B, they may be collectively referred to as cover members 40. When there is no need to distinguish between the two first refrigerant sensors 30A and 30B, they may be collectively referred to as first refrigerant sensors 30.

[0044] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the cover member 40A is attached to the first heat exchange unit 22a and the second heat exchange unit 22b. The cover member 40A maintains the first heat exchange unit 22a and the second heat exchange unit 22b in a V-shape when viewed in the left-right direction Y. In embodiment 1, the cover member 40A is a member that is elongated in the vertical direction Z. Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the cover member 40A and the first refrigerant sensor 30A. As shown in Figure 7, in embodiment 1, the cover member 40A has a first member 41 and a second member 42. The cover member 40A is configured such that the first member 41 and the second member 42 are fixed to each other in the left-right direction Y.

[0045] The first member 41 has a contact wall portion 41g and a first edge portion 41f. The contact wall portion 41g is plate-shaped with a plate surface perpendicular to the left-right direction Y. The contact wall portion 41g extends in the vertical direction Z. FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a portion of the cover member 40A and a portion of the heat exchanger 22. As shown in FIG. 8, the contact wall portion 41g contacts the heat exchanger body 22c. More specifically, the contact wall portion 41g contacts the outer surface of the heat exchanger body 22c in the left-right direction (-Y side). As shown in FIG. 7, the contact wall portion 41g has a first wall portion 41a, a second wall portion 41b, a third wall portion 41c, and a fourth wall portion 41d.

[0046] The first wall portion 41a overlaps with the first heat exchange portion 22a when viewed in the left-right direction Y. The first wall portion 41a extends in a direction inclined obliquely in the front-rear direction X with respect to the vertical direction Z. The first wall portion 41a is positioned closer to the front (+X side) as it extends upward. A plurality of first through holes 41e are formed in the first wall portion 41a. The plurality of first through holes 41e formed in the first wall portion 41a are aligned in the direction in which the first wall portion 41a extends.

[0047] The second wall portion 41b is a portion that overlaps with the second heat exchange portion 22b when viewed in the left-right direction Y. The second wall portion 41b extends in a direction that is oblique in the front-rear direction X with respect to the vertical direction Z. The second wall portion 41b is positioned more rearward (-X side) as it extends upward. A plurality of first through holes 41e are formed in the second wall portion 41b. The plurality of first through holes 41e formed in the second wall portion 41b are aligned in the direction in which the second wall portion 41b extends. The upper end of the second wall portion 41b is positioned lower than the upper end of the first wall portion 41a.

[0048] The third wall portion 41c is located between a lower portion of the first wall portion 41a and the second wall portion 41b in the front-rear direction X. The third wall portion 41c connects the first wall portion 41a and the second wall portion 41b. When viewed in the left-right direction Y, the third wall portion 41c overlaps with the space between the first heat exchange portion 22a and the second heat exchange portion 22b in the front-rear direction X.

[0049] The fourth wall 41d is connected to the upper side of the third wall 41c. The fourth wall 41d is connected to the rear side (-X side) of the upper part of the first wall 41a. A semicircular recess 41h that is recessed toward the front side (+X side) is formed at the rear edge of the fourth wall 41d. The rotation axis R passes through the center of the semicircular recess 41h. When viewed in the left-right direction Y, the fourth wall 41d overlaps with a portion of the blower 23.

[0050] The first edge 41f protrudes outward in the left-right direction (toward the -Y side) from the outer edge of the contact wall 41g. The first edge 41f is provided over almost the entire outer edge of the contact wall 41g.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 8, first connecting pipes 52A are inserted through first through holes 41e formed in contact wall portion 41g. Fig. 9 is a view of heat exchanger 22, cover member 40A, and drain pan 26 as viewed from the outer side in the left-right direction (-Y side). As shown in Fig. 9, in the first embodiment, two first connecting pipes 52A are inserted through each first through hole 41e.

[0052] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a portion of the cover member 40A and the first refrigerant sensor 30A. As shown in FIG. 10, the second member 42 has a cover wall portion 42g and a second edge portion 42f. The cover wall portion 42g is plate-shaped with a plate surface perpendicular to the left-right direction Y. As shown in FIG. 8, the cover wall portion 42g covers the first connecting pipe portion 52A from the outside in the left-right direction (-Y side). In the first embodiment, the cover wall portion 42g covers the first connecting pipe portion 52A of the first heat exchanger 22a and the first connecting pipe portion 52A of the second heat exchanger 22b. The cover wall portion 42g faces the contact wall portion 41g with a gap in the left-right direction Y.

[0053] 7, the cover wall 42g has a first wall 42a, a second wall 42b, and a third wall 42c. The first wall 42a faces the first wall 41a of the contact wall 41g in the left-right direction Y. The second wall 42b faces the second wall 41b of the contact wall 41g in the left-right direction Y. The third wall 42c faces the third wall 41c of the contact wall 41g in the left-right direction Y.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 10 , a second through hole 42e is formed in the cover wall portion 42g. The second through hole 42e penetrates the cover wall portion 42g in the left-right direction Y. In the first embodiment, the second through hole 42e is formed in the third wall portion 42c. The second through hole 42e has a generally rectangular shape that is elongated in the vertical direction Z. A frame wall portion 42d that protrudes inward in the left-right direction is formed on the inner left-right (+Y side) surface of the cover wall portion 42g around the periphery of the second through hole 42e. The frame wall portion 42d has a generally rectangular frame shape that is elongated in the vertical direction Z.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 6, a hook 42h that protrudes toward the inside of the second through hole 42e is formed on the upper edge of the opening on the outer side (-Y side) in the left-right direction of the second through hole 42e. A sensor fixing portion 42k is formed on the outer side of the left-right direction of the cover wall portion 42g, around the periphery of the second through hole 42e. The sensor fixing portion 42k is a portion to which the first refrigerant sensor 30A is screwed. The sensor fixing portion 42k is formed on the lower part of the periphery of the second through hole 42e.

[0056] The second edge 42f protrudes inward in the left-right direction (+Y side) from the outer edge of the cover wall 42g. The second edge 42f is provided on a part of the outer edge of the cover wall 42g. The first edge 41f and the second edge 42f are overlapped and fixed to each other. A fixed portion 42i is formed on the second member 42. The fixed portion 42i is a portion that is fixed to the housing 21. The fixed portion 42i is fixed to a wall portion located on the rear side (-X side) of the housing 21 by, for example, a screw member. In this way, the cover member 40A is fixed to the housing 21. In the first embodiment, the fixed portion 42i is formed on the rear edge of the lower portion of the second member 42.

[0057] The cover member 40A defines a space S surrounded by the contact wall portion 41g, the lid wall portion 42g, the first edge portion 41f, and the second edge portion 42f. As shown in FIG. 8 , the space S is provided between the lid wall portion 42g and the heat exchanger body 22c. The space S is provided between the lid wall portion 42g and the contact wall portion 41g in the left-right direction Y. In the first embodiment, the space S is an internal space of the cover member 40A. The inner (+Y side) surface of the lid wall portion 42g in the left-right direction and the outer (+Y side) surface of the contact wall portion 41g in the left-right direction are part of the surface defining the space S and face the space S. The first through hole 41e and the second through hole 42e are connected to the space S. At least a portion of the first connecting pipe portion 52A is inserted into the space S through the first through hole 41e. In the first embodiment, the inner end (+Y side) of the first connecting pipe 52A in the left-right direction is located inside the first through hole 41 e. The entire first connecting pipe 52A except for the portion located inside the first through hole 41 e is located inside the space S.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 6 , in the first embodiment, the first refrigerant sensor 30A has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The first refrigerant sensor 30A includes a sensor case 31 and a sensor main body 32. The sensor case 31 is a component that houses the sensor main body 32. The sensor case 31 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape. The sensor case 31 has a plurality of holes 30s. As shown in FIG. 10 , in the first embodiment, the plurality of holes 30s includes a hole 30s that is a slit formed between the inner wall portion in the left-right direction (+Y side) and the front wall portion (+X side) of the lower portion of the sensor case 31, and a hole 30s that is a slit formed between the inner wall portion in the left-right direction and the rear wall portion (-X side) of the lower portion of the sensor case 31. These holes 30s are each formed in a plurality of rows aligned in the vertical direction Z. The interior and exterior of the sensor case 31 are connected to each other via the plurality of holes 30s.

[0059] A protrusion 31a is formed on the upper surface of the sensor case 31. The protrusion 31a is plate-shaped with its plate surface facing the left-right direction Y. The protrusion 31a is a rectangular plate that is long in the front-rear direction X. A fixed portion 31b that protrudes downward is formed on the front (+X side) edge of the lower end of the sensor case 31.

[0060] The sensor main body 32 is a sensor capable of detecting the refrigerant 19. The sensor main body 32 is, for example, an oxygen concentration type refrigerant sensor or a combustible gas detection type refrigerant sensor. The sensor main body 32 is, for example, a semiconductor type refrigerant sensor. The refrigerant 19 that flows into the sensor case 31 through the hole 30s comes into contact with the sensor main body 32, causing the sensor main body 32 to detect the refrigerant 19. This allows the first refrigerant sensor 30A to detect the refrigerant 19.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 5, the first refrigerant sensor 30A is inserted into the second through hole 42e from the outer side in the left-right direction (-Y side). At least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor 30A is inserted into the space S through the second through hole 42e. As a result, at least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor 30A is exposed to the space S. As shown in FIG. 8, in the first embodiment, only a portion of the first refrigerant sensor 30A is inserted into the space S. A portion of the first refrigerant sensor 30A protrudes further outward in the left-right direction (-Y side) than the second through hole 42e. The portion of the first refrigerant sensor 30A inserted into the space S includes a portion of the sensor case 31 on the inner side in the left-right direction (+Y side). The portion of the sensor case 31 where the hole 30s is formed is located within the space S and is exposed to the space S. The hole 30s opens into the space S.

[0062] 5, protrusion 31a formed on sensor case 31 is hooked from the inside in the left-right direction (+Y side) onto hook portion 42h formed on cover wall 42g. Fixed portion 31b formed on sensor case 31 is fixed with a screw member to sensor fixing portion 42k formed on cover wall 42g. In this way, sensor case 31 is fixed to cover wall 42g, and first refrigerant sensor 30A is fixed to cover member 40A.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 9 , in the first embodiment, the first refrigerant sensor 30A is located below the upper end of the heat exchanger 22 and above the lower end of the heat exchanger 22. In the first embodiment, the upper end of the heat exchanger 22 is the upper end of the first heat exchange section 22a. The first refrigerant sensor 30A is located below the upper end of the first heat exchange section 22a and above the lower end of the first heat exchange section 22a and the lower end of the second heat exchange section 22b. In the first embodiment, the center C2 in the vertical direction Z of the first refrigerant sensor 30A is located below the center C1 in the vertical direction Z of the heat exchanger 22. The center C1 in the vertical direction Z of the heat exchanger 22 is the center of the first heat exchange section 22a in the vertical direction Z. In the first embodiment, the upper end of the first refrigerant sensor 30A is located above the center C1 in the vertical direction Z of the heat exchanger 22. The upper end of the first refrigerant sensor 30A is the upper end of the sensor case 31. The upper end of the first refrigerant sensor 30A may be located below the center C1 of the heat exchanger 22 in the vertical direction Z.

[0064] As viewed in the left-right direction Y, the first refrigerant sensor 30A is located between the first heat exchange unit 22a and the second heat exchange unit 22b in the front-rear direction X. The center of the first refrigerant sensor 30A in the front-rear direction X may be located at the same position as the center of the heat exchanger 22 in the front-rear direction X, or may be located offset in the front-rear direction X from the center of the heat exchanger 22. The first refrigerant sensor 30A is located above the drain pan 26.

[0065] 8, at least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor 30A overlaps with the first connecting pipe 52A when viewed in the front-rear direction X. In Embodiment 1, a portion of the first refrigerant sensor 30A located within the space S overlaps with the first connecting pipe 52A when viewed in the front-rear direction X. The portion of the first refrigerant sensor 30A located within the space S is located between the first connecting pipe 52A of the first heat exchanger 22a and the second connecting pipe 52B of the second heat exchanger 22b in the front-rear direction X.

[0066] When first refrigerant sensor 30 detects refrigerant 19 via sensor body 32, first refrigerant sensor 30 sends a detection signal indicating that refrigerant 19 has been detected to control unit 24. When control unit 24 receives the detection signal from first refrigerant sensor 30, it executes a predetermined operation. In other words, when first refrigerant sensor 30 detects refrigerant 19, control unit 24 executes the predetermined operation.

[0067] In the first embodiment, the predetermined operations executed by the control unit 24 include issuing an alert that refrigerant 19 has leaked, driving the blower 23 at a predetermined output, sending an operation stop command to the outdoor unit 10, and closing the flow control valve 14. In the first embodiment, when the first refrigerant sensor 30 detects refrigerant 19, the control unit 24 drives the blower 23 at maximum output. In the first embodiment, when the first refrigerant sensor 30 detects refrigerant 19, the control unit 24 sends a signal to the notification unit 25, causing the notification unit 25 to notify the outside of the indoor unit 20 that refrigerant 19 has leaked. The notification unit 25 may, for example, notify the leak of refrigerant 19 by light, by sound such as an alarm sound, or by light and sound. The notification unit 25 may have a display unit and notify the leak of refrigerant 19 by displaying a warning message on the display unit. The notification unit 25 may be housed inside the housing 21 or attached to the outer surface of the housing 21 .

[0068] If the first refrigerant sensor 30 detects refrigerant 19 while the air conditioner 100 is operating, the control unit 24 issues a warning that refrigerant 19 has leaked, drives the blower 23 at a predetermined output, sends an operation stop command to the outdoor unit 10, and closes the flow rate adjustment valve 14. In this case, the control unit 24 changes the output of the blower 23, which had been rotating, to the predetermined output.

[0069] If the first refrigerant sensor 30 detects refrigerant 19 while the air conditioner 100 is stopped, the control unit 24 issues a warning that refrigerant 19 has leaked, drives the blower 23 at a predetermined output, and closes the flow rate adjustment valve 14. In this case, the control unit 24 drives the stopped blower 23 at the predetermined output.

[0070] According to the first embodiment, the indoor unit 20 includes a housing 21 having an air inlet 20a and an air outlet 20b, a heat exchanger 22 housed within the housing 21, a blower 23 housed within the housing 21 and generating an airflow AF passing through the heat exchanger 22, a first refrigerant sensor 30 housed within the housing 21 and capable of detecting refrigerant 19, and a cover member 40. The heat exchanger 22 includes a heat exchanger main body 22c and a refrigerant pipe 50 fixed to the heat exchanger main body 22c. The refrigerant pipe 50 has a protruding portion, i.e., a connecting pipe portion 52, that protrudes in the left-right direction Y beyond the heat exchanger main body 22c. The cover member 40 includes a lid wall portion 42g that covers the connecting pipe portion 52 from one side in the left-right direction Y, i.e., the outside in the left-right direction. At least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor 30 is exposed in a space S defined between the lid wall portion 42g and the heat exchanger main body 22c. Because the space S is located between the lid wall portion 42g covering the connecting pipe portion 52 and the heat exchanger body 22c, refrigerant 19 that leaks from the connecting pipe portion 52 and becomes gaseous can easily flow into the space S. Furthermore, the cover member 40 having the lid wall portion 42g can prevent the airflow AF generated by the blower 23 from flowing into the space S. This facilitates separating the space S from the air passage 27, making it difficult for the refrigerant 19 that has flowed into the space S to escape to the outside of the space S due to the airflow AF, regardless of the operating state of the blower 23. Therefore, if refrigerant 19 leaks from the connecting pipe portion 52, the rate at which the concentration of refrigerant 19 in the space S increases can be increased. This shortens the time until the first refrigerant sensor 30, at least a portion of which is exposed in the space S, detects the refrigerant 19 in the space S. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the time until leaked refrigerant 19 can be detected can be shortened in a floor-standing indoor unit 20.

[0071] Note that the refrigerant 19 is more likely to leak from the refrigerant pipe 50 in the portions where the pipe is bent significantly and the portions where the pipe is brazed, compared to other portions of the refrigerant pipe 50. The protruding portions protruding in the left-right direction Y from the heat exchanger body 22c are likely to become the connecting pipe portions 52 that connect the extension pipe portions 51 to each other, as in the first embodiment, and are likely to be bent in a large U-shape. Furthermore, such connecting pipe portions 52 may be formed by fastening another piping member by brazing. Therefore, the refrigerant 19 is more likely to leak from the protruding portions protruding in the left-right direction Y from the heat exchanger body 22c, i.e., the connecting pipe portions 52, compared to other portions of the refrigerant pipe 50. In contrast, according to the first embodiment, as described above, the time required to detect refrigerant 19 leaking from the connecting pipe portions 52 can be shortened. Therefore, the effect of shortening the time required to detect refrigerant 19 is more effectively achieved.

[0072] According to the first embodiment, the cover member 40 has a contact wall portion 41g that contacts the heat exchanger body 22c. The lid wall portion 42g faces the contact wall portion 41g with a gap in the left-right direction Y. The space S is an internal space of the cover member 40 and is provided between the lid wall portion 42g and the contact wall portion 41g in the left-right direction Y. The contact wall portion 41g has a first through hole 41e that communicates with the space S. At least a portion of the connecting pipe portion 52 is inserted into the space S through the first through hole 41e. This makes it easier for refrigerant 19 leaking from the connecting pipe portion 52 to flow into the space S. Furthermore, because the space S is an internal space of the cover member 40, it is easier to more effectively separate the space S from the air passage 27. This more effectively prevents the refrigerant 19 in the space S from escaping to the outside of the space S due to the airflow AF. Therefore, if refrigerant 19 leaks from the connecting pipe portion 52, the rate at which the concentration of refrigerant 19 in the space S increases is more likely to increase. Therefore, the time required to detect refrigerant 19 leaking from connecting pipe portion 52 can be shortened.

[0073] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the cover wall 42g is formed with a second through hole 42e that communicates with the space S. At least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor 30 is inserted into the space S through the second through hole 42e. This makes it easy to expose at least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor 30 to the space S. Furthermore, when the second through hole 42e is formed, gaseous refrigerant 19 that leaks into the space S tends to flow toward the second through hole 42e, which serves as the outlet of the space S. This makes it easy for the first refrigerant sensor 30 disposed in the second through hole 42e to more quickly detect refrigerant 19 that has leaked into the space S. Furthermore, because the first refrigerant sensor 30 can be disposed in the space S from outside the space S through the second through hole 42e, installation of the first refrigerant sensor 30 is easy. Furthermore, the first refrigerant sensor 30 can be easily removed from outside the space S without removing the cover member 40, making it easy to replace the first refrigerant sensor 30.

[0074] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the first refrigerant sensor 30 is positioned vertically below the upper end of the heat exchanger 22 and vertically above the lower end of the heat exchanger 22. The leaked gaseous refrigerant 19 has a higher density than air and therefore tends to flow downward. Therefore, the refrigerant 19 tends to accumulate in the space S from the lower side. Therefore, by positioning the first refrigerant sensor 30 below the upper end of the heat exchanger 22, the refrigerant 19 accumulating in the space S can be brought into contact with the first refrigerant sensor 30 more quickly. This shortens the time required to detect refrigerant 19 leaking from the connecting pipe 52. Meanwhile, there is a possibility that the leaked refrigerant 19 may come into contact with the first refrigerant sensor 30 while flowing downward within the space S. In this case, if the first refrigerant sensor 30 is positioned too low, if refrigerant 19 leaks from the upper end of the heat exchanger 22, it may take a long time for the leaked refrigerant 19 to come into contact with the first refrigerant sensor 30. In contrast, by positioning the first refrigerant sensor 30 above the lower end of the heat exchanger 22, it is possible to prevent the time it takes for the first refrigerant sensor 30 to detect refrigerant 19 from being long, even if refrigerant 19 leaks from the upper end of the heat exchanger 22. Furthermore, by positioning the first refrigerant sensor 30 not too low, it is possible to prevent water that has accumulated in the drain pan 26, which is positioned below the heat exchanger 22, from getting on the first refrigerant sensor 30.

[0075] According to the first embodiment, the center C2 in the vertical direction Z of the first refrigerant sensor 30 is located vertically lower than the center C1 in the vertical direction Z of the heat exchanger 22. This allows the first refrigerant sensor 30 to be positioned closer to the lower side, making it easier for the first refrigerant sensor 30 to more quickly detect leaked refrigerant 19, which has a density greater than that of air.

[0076] According to the first embodiment, the heat exchanger 22 includes a first heat exchange unit 22a and a second heat exchange unit 22b. The first heat exchange unit 22a and the second heat exchange unit 22b each include a heat exchanger body 22c and a refrigerant pipe 50, and are spaced apart from each other in the front-to-rear direction X, which is perpendicular to both the vertical direction Z and the left-to-right direction Y, as they extend vertically upward. The cover wall 42g covers the connecting pipes 52 of the first heat exchange unit 22a and the second heat exchange unit 22b. Therefore, the single first refrigerant sensor 30 can detect refrigerant 19 leaking from the connecting pipes 52 of the first heat exchange unit 22a and the second heat exchange unit 22b.

[0077] According to the first embodiment, the first refrigerant sensor 30 is located between the first heat exchanger 22a and the second heat exchanger 22b in the front-rear direction X as viewed in the left-right direction Y. At least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor 30 overlaps the connecting pipe 52 as viewed in the front-rear direction X. Therefore, at least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor 30 can be disposed between the connecting pipe 52 of the first heat exchanger 22a and the connecting pipe 52 of the second heat exchanger 22b in the front-rear direction X. This reduces the protrusion of the first refrigerant sensor 30 in the left-right direction Y compared to when the first refrigerant sensor 30 is disposed in a position overlapping the connecting pipe 52 in the left-right direction Y. This prevents the indoor unit 20 from increasing in size in the left-right direction Y, allowing for a more compact indoor unit 20. Floor-standing indoor units 20 are located on the floor of a room, and therefore require greater miniaturization than wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted indoor units. Therefore, the effect of being able to reduce the size of the indoor unit 20 is more effectively obtained in a floor-standing indoor unit 20.

[0078] According to the first embodiment, the refrigerant piping 50 includes a first connecting pipe 52A that protrudes to the left (−Y side) in the left-right direction Y from the heat exchanger body 22c, and a second connecting pipe 52B that protrudes to the right (+Y side) in the left-right direction Y from the heat exchanger body 22c. The cover member 40 and the first refrigerant sensor 30 are provided on both sides of the heat exchanger 22 in the left-right direction Y. Therefore, the two first refrigerant sensors 30A, 30B can quickly detect refrigerant 19 leaking from the first connecting pipe 52A and refrigerant 19 leaking from the second connecting pipe 52B, respectively, as described above. Therefore, regardless of whether refrigerant 19 leaks from the first connecting pipe 52A or the second connecting pipe 52B, the time until the leaked refrigerant 19 can be detected can be shortened.

[0079] According to the first embodiment, the air inlet 20a opens horizontally. The air outlet 20b is located vertically above the air inlet 20a. Therefore, air flowing into the housing 21 through the air inlet 20a flows upward through the housing 21 and is then blown out into the room through the air outlet 20b. In this case, the air flows in the housing 21 in the opposite direction to the flow of the refrigerant 19, which has a higher density than air. As a result, in conventional floor-standing indoor units with such an air inlet 20a and an air outlet 20b, it has been difficult to position a refrigerant sensor in a position that can quickly detect the refrigerant 19, compared to wall-mounted indoor units and ceiling-mounted indoor units. In contrast, according to the first embodiment, by exposing at least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor 30 to the space S formed by the cover member 40 as described above, the refrigerant 19 can be quickly detected while being less susceptible to the influence of the airflow AF within the housing 21. Therefore, the effect of shortening the time until the refrigerant 19 can be detected is more effectively obtained in a floor-standing indoor unit 20 in which the air outlet 20b is located above the air inlet 20a.

[0080] According to the first embodiment, the indoor unit 20 includes a control unit 24. The control unit 24 executes a predetermined operation when the first refrigerant sensor 30 detects the refrigerant 19. The predetermined operation performed by the control unit 24 includes notifying the user that the refrigerant 19 has leaked. This allows the user to be notified promptly and appropriately of the refrigerant 19 leak. The predetermined operation performed by the control unit 24 also includes driving the blower 23 at a predetermined output. This allows the air blown into the room by the blower 23 to diffuse the leaked refrigerant 19 in the indoor space, even if the refrigerant 19 leaks into the room. This prevents the refrigerant 19 from accumulating in the room. In the first embodiment, the control unit 24 drives the blower 23 at maximum output when the first refrigerant sensor 30 detects the refrigerant 19, thereby more effectively preventing the refrigerant 19 from accumulating in the room. Furthermore, the predetermined operation performed by the control unit 24 includes sending an operation stop command to the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 100. Therefore, the outdoor unit 10 is stopped, and it is possible to prevent the refrigerant 19 from being sent from the outdoor unit 10 to the indoor unit 20. This makes it possible to further prevent the refrigerant 19 from leaking from the indoor unit 20. Furthermore, the predetermined operation performed by the control unit 24 includes closing the flow control valve 14, which is a valve provided in the refrigerant circuit unit 18 that connects the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively prevent the refrigerant 19 from being sent from the outdoor unit 10 to the indoor unit 20. This makes it possible to more effectively prevent the refrigerant 19 from leaking from the indoor unit 20.

[0081] Embodiment 2. Figure 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a part of the indoor unit 220 in embodiment 2, seen from the front side (+X side). Note that in the following description, the same components as those in the above-described embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals as appropriate, and description thereof may be omitted.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 11 , unlike in the first embodiment, the indoor unit 220 of the second embodiment does not have a right-side (+Y side) cover member 40B. The indoor unit 220 includes a partition member 260. The partition member 260 is housed inside the housing 21. The interior of the first housing portion 21c and the interior of the second housing portion 21d are separated by the partition member 260. The partition member 260 has a plurality of through holes 260a formed therein through which the second connecting pipe portions 52B, which are the second protruding portions, are passed. One or more second connecting pipe portions 52B may be passed through each through hole 260a. In the second embodiment, at least a portion of the second connecting pipe portion 52B is inserted into the second housing portion 21d via the through hole 260a. As a result, at least a portion of the second connecting pipe portion 52B is located inside the second housing portion 21d. In the second embodiment, almost the entire second connecting pipe portion 52B is located inside the second accommodating portion 21d.

[0083] The second connecting pipe portion 52B may be entirely or partially located inside the second housing portion 21 d. Furthermore, "at least a portion of the second connecting pipe portion 52B is located inside the second housing portion 21 d" means that when a plurality of second connecting pipe portions 52B are provided, the other second connecting pipe portions 52B may be arranged in any manner as long as at least a portion of at least one second connecting pipe portion 52B is located inside the second housing portion 21 d.

[0084] In the second embodiment, the indoor unit 220 is equipped with a plurality of refrigerant sensors. The plurality of refrigerant sensors includes one first refrigerant sensor 30A and one second refrigerant sensor 230. In the second embodiment, the first refrigerant sensor 30B in the first embodiment is not provided.

[0085] The second refrigerant sensor 230 is housed inside the second storage portion 21d. The second refrigerant sensor 230 may have any structure as long as it is capable of detecting the refrigerant 19. For example, the second refrigerant sensor 230 may have a structure similar to that of the first refrigerant sensor 30A. In the second embodiment, the second refrigerant sensor 230 is located in a lower portion inside the second storage portion 21d. The second refrigerant sensor 230 is located below the drain pan 26. The second refrigerant sensor 230 is located below the control portion 24 and the piping group 53. The second refrigerant sensor 230 is located below the connection portion 53b.

[0086] In the second embodiment, when the second refrigerant sensor 230 detects the refrigerant 19, the control unit 24 performs the same operation as the operation performed by the control unit 24 when the first refrigerant sensor 30 detects the refrigerant 19 in the first embodiment. The other configurations of the indoor unit 220 are the same as the other configurations of the indoor unit 20 in the first embodiment.

[0087] According to the second embodiment, the interior of the first storage portion 21c and the interior of the second storage portion 21d are separated by a partition member 260. The cover member 40A covers the first connecting pipe portion 52A, which is the first protruding portion, from the left side (-Y side). At least a portion of the second connecting pipe portion 52B, which is the second protruding portion, is located inside the second storage portion 21d. The multiple refrigerant sensors include a second refrigerant sensor 230 housed inside the second storage portion 21d. Therefore, as described in the first embodiment, refrigerant 19 leaking from the first connecting pipe portion 52A covered by the cover member 40A can be quickly detected by the first refrigerant sensor 30A, and refrigerant 19 leaking from the second connecting pipe portion 52B can be detected by the second refrigerant sensor 230 housed in the second storage portion 21d. Because the interior of the second storage portion 21d is separated from the interior of the first storage portion 21c by the partition member 260, the airflow AF generated by the blower 23 housed in the first storage portion 21c is prevented from flowing into the second storage portion 21d. In other words, the interior of the second storage portion 21d is separated from the air passage 27. This prevents refrigerant 19 leaking from the second connecting pipe 52B in the second storage portion 21d from flowing outside the second storage portion 21d due to the airflow AF. This increases the rate at which the concentration of the leaked refrigerant 19 increases in the second storage portion 21d, shortening the time it takes for the second refrigerant sensor 230 to detect the leaked refrigerant 19 in the second storage portion 21d. Furthermore, the pipe group 53 is also housed in the second storage portion 21d. Therefore, the second refrigerant sensor 230 can also detect the refrigerant 19 leaking from the pipe group 53. This eliminates the need to install separate refrigerant sensors for detecting refrigerant 19 leaking from the second connecting pipe portion 52B and for detecting refrigerant 19 leaking from the pipe group 53, thereby reducing the number of refrigerant sensors.

[0088] According to the second embodiment, the indoor unit 220 includes a drain pan 26 located vertically below the heat exchanger 22. The first refrigerant sensor 30A is located vertically above the drain pan 26. Therefore, as described in the first embodiment, the first refrigerant sensor 30A can quickly detect refrigerant 19 leaking from the first connecting pipe 52A while preventing water from the drain pan 26 from splashing on the first refrigerant sensor 30A. The second refrigerant sensor 230 is located vertically below the drain pan 26. Therefore, the second refrigerant sensor 230 can easily detect refrigerant 19 leaking from the pipe group 53, which is likely to have a portion located below the drain pan 26, within the second storage portion 21d. The second refrigerant sensor 230 can also easily detect leaked refrigerant 19 that overflows from the drain pan 26 and flows downward within the second storage portion 21d.

[0089] According to the second embodiment, the pipe group 53 has a connection portion 53b to which a pipe 18a extending from the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner is connected. The connection portion 53b is located vertically below the heat exchanger 22. The second refrigerant sensor 230 is located vertically below the connection portion 53b. Therefore, the second refrigerant sensor 230 can easily detect refrigerant 19 leaking from the connection portion 53b. The connection portion 53b connected to the pipe 18a is a portion from which refrigerant 19 is likely to leak, similar to the first connecting pipe portion 52A and the second connecting pipe portion 52B. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the second refrigerant sensor 230 can quickly detect refrigerant 19 leaking from the second connecting pipe portion 52B and the connection portion 53b, which are prone to refrigerant 19 leakage.

[0090] For example, if the first refrigerant sensor 30A is not provided and only the second refrigerant sensor 230 is provided, even if refrigerant 19 leaks from the first connecting pipe 52A, the leaked refrigerant 19 flows into the second storage portion 21d via the drain pan 26. Therefore, it is possible for the second refrigerant sensor 230 to detect the refrigerant 19 leaking from the first connecting pipe 52A. However, in this case, it takes time for the leaked refrigerant 19 to flow through the drain pan 26 into the second storage portion 21d, which can increase the time it takes to detect the leaked refrigerant 19. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the cover member 40A is provided on the left first connecting pipe 52A in the same manner as in the first embodiment, thereby shortening the time it takes to detect the refrigerant 19 leaking from the first connecting pipe 52A.

[0091] Embodiment 3. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view showing an indoor unit 320 in embodiment 3. In the following description, the same components as those in the above-described embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals as appropriate, and the description may be omitted.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 12 , unlike the first embodiment, the heat exchanger 322 of the indoor unit 320 has a dummy member 370 instead of the second heat exchange section 22b. The external shape of the dummy member 370 is the same as the external shape of the heat exchanger body 22c in the second heat exchange section 22b in the first embodiment. The dummy member 370 is, for example, an integrally molded plate-like member. Note that the dummy member 370 may be formed by combining multiple members. The dummy member 370 may be made of resin or metal. Unlike the second heat exchange section 22b, the dummy member 370 is formed to prevent air from passing through. Therefore, unlike the air passage 27 in the first embodiment, the air passage 327 in the third embodiment does not have the second suction passage 27b. In other words, the portion corresponding to the second suction passage 27b in the first embodiment is blocked by the dummy member 370. Heat exchange between the air and the refrigerant 19 does not occur in the dummy member 370.

[0093] The indoor unit 320 is an indoor unit of a model with lower air conditioning capacity than the indoor unit 20 of Embodiment 1. Therefore, the heat exchange capacity of the heat exchanger 322 may be lower than that of the heat exchanger 22 of Embodiment 1. By providing a dummy member 370 instead of the second heat exchange section 22b, the heat exchange capacity of the heat exchanger 322 can be lowered to match the air conditioning capacity of the indoor unit 320, while maintaining the strength of the heat exchanger 322 and the shape of the housing 21 similar to those of the indoor unit 20 of Embodiment 1. Therefore, except for the portion where the second heat exchange section 22b or the dummy member 370 is provided, the structure of the indoor unit 20 of a model with a relatively high air conditioning capacity and the structure of the indoor unit 320 of a model with a relatively low air conditioning capacity can be made common. This reduces the cost of manufacturing two types of indoor units 20, 320 with different air conditioning capacities. The other configuration of the indoor unit 320 is similar to that of the indoor unit 20 of Embodiment 1.

[0094] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, and the following configurations and methods may also be adopted.

[0095] The cover member may have any configuration as long as it has a lid wall portion that covers the protruding portion of the refrigerant pipe from one side in the first direction. The cover member does not have to have a contact wall portion. The lid wall portion of the cover member does not have to have a second through hole through which the first refrigerant sensor passes. In this case, the first refrigerant sensor may be entirely housed in a space provided between the lid wall portion and the heat exchanger body.

[0096] The number of refrigerant sensors is not particularly limited as long as it includes one or more first refrigerant sensors. The refrigerant sensors may be of any type as long as they are capable of detecting refrigerant. Three or more refrigerant sensors may be provided. The first direction in which the protruding portion of the refrigerant pipe protrudes may be any direction. The first direction may be a direction that intersects the vertical direction but is not perpendicular to the vertical direction. The first refrigerant sensor may be provided in any position as long as at least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor is exposed to the space provided between the cover wall portion and the heat exchanger body. "At least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor being exposed to the space" means that at least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor faces the space. In other words, the first refrigerant sensor may be entirely located outside the space as long as at least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor is exposed to the space.

[0097] The predetermined action to be taken by the indoor unit's control unit when the refrigerant sensor detects a refrigerant may include at least one of the following: reporting a refrigerant leak, operating the blower at a predetermined output, sending a stop command to the air conditioner's outdoor unit, and closing a valve provided in the refrigerant circuit connecting the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. The indoor unit's control unit does not have to perform the predetermined action. For example, when the refrigerant sensor detects a refrigerant, a signal may be sent to another control unit provided outside the indoor unit, and the other control unit may perform the predetermined action described above. The other control unit may be, for example, the outdoor unit's control unit.

[0098] The configurations and methods described in this specification can be combined as appropriate within the scope of not contradicting each other.

[0099] 10...outdoor unit, 18...refrigerant circuit section, 18a...piping, 19...refrigerant, 20, 220, 320...indoor unit, 20a...intake port, 20b...outlet, 21...housing, 21c...first storage section, 21d...second storage section, 22, 322...heat exchanger, 22a...first heat exchange section, 22b...second heat exchange section, 22c...heat exchanger body, 23...blower, 24...control section, 26...drain pan, 27, 327...air path, 30, 30A, 30B...first refrigerant sensor, 40, 40A, 40B ...Cover member, 41e...first through hole, 41g...contact wall portion, 42e...second through hole, 42g...lid wall portion, 50...refrigerant piping, 52...connecting pipe portion (protruding portion), 52A...first connecting pipe portion (first protruding portion), 52B...second connecting pipe portion (second protruding portion), 53...piping group, 53b...connecting portion, 100...air conditioner, 230...second refrigerant sensor, 260...partition member, AF...air flow, S...space, X...front-rear direction (second direction), Y...left-right direction (first direction), Z...vertical direction

Claims

1. It is an indoor unit for an air conditioner, and is a floor-standing indoor unit. A housing having an intake port and an outlet port formed therein, A heat exchanger housed inside the aforementioned enclosure, A blower housed inside the aforementioned enclosure generates an airflow that passes through the heat exchanger, A first refrigerant sensor and a second refrigerant sensor, housed inside the aforementioned housing and capable of detecting refrigerant, A cover member is positioned on the first side in a first direction intersecting the vertical direction with respect to the heat exchanger, Piping systems and Equipped with, The heat exchanger is, The heat exchanger body and The refrigerant piping fixed to the heat exchanger body, It has, The aforementioned refrigerant piping is A first protruding portion that protrudes to the first side from the heat exchanger body, A second protruding portion that protrudes from the heat exchanger body toward the second side in the first direction, It has, The aforementioned group of pipes is connected to the refrigerant piping of the heat exchanger, The cover member has a lid wall portion that covers the first protruding portion from the first side, The aforementioned enclosure is The first housing section, which houses the blower and the heat exchanger body and is provided with an air passage through which the airflow flows, A second housing is arranged adjacent to the first housing in the first direction, and the group of pipes is housed inside, It has, The second housing section is arranged adjacent to the second side of the first housing section, The interior of the first housing section and the interior of the second housing section are separated by a partition wall member. At least a portion of the second protruding portion is located inside the second housing, The second refrigerant sensor is housed inside the second housing, An indoor unit in which at least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor is exposed in the space provided between the lid wall and the heat exchanger body.

2. The cover member has a contact wall portion that contacts the heat exchanger body, The lid wall portion faces the contact wall portion with a gap between them in the first direction, The space is the internal space of the cover member, and is provided between the lid wall and the contact wall in the first direction. A first through-hole connecting to the space is formed in the contact wall portion. The indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first protruding portion is inserted into the space through the first through hole.

3. A second through-hole connecting to the space is formed in the lid wall portion. The indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor is inserted into the space through the second through-hole.

4. The indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the first refrigerant sensor is located vertically below the vertically upper end of the heat exchanger and vertically above the vertically lower end of the heat exchanger.

5. The indoor unit according to claim 4, wherein the vertical center of the first refrigerant sensor is located vertically below the vertical center of the heat exchanger.

6. The first direction is a direction that intersects the vertical direction, The heat exchanger is, The first heat exchange section and The second heat exchange section, It has, The first heat exchange section and the second heat exchange section each have the heat exchanger body and the refrigerant piping, and are arranged apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the first direction as they extend upward in the vertical direction. The indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the cover wall portion covers the first protruding portion in the first heat exchange portion and the first protruding portion in the second heat exchange portion.

7. Viewed in the first direction, the first refrigerant sensor is located between the first heat exchange section and the second heat exchange section in the second direction. The indoor unit according to claim 6, wherein, when viewed in the second direction, at least a portion of the first refrigerant sensor overlaps with the first protruding portion.

8. The heat exchanger is equipped with a drain pan located vertically below it, The first refrigerant sensor is located vertically above the drain pan. The indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the second refrigerant sensor is located vertically below the drain pan.

9. The aforementioned group of pipes has a connection point to which pipes extending from the outdoor unit of the air conditioner are connected. The aforementioned connection portion is located vertically below the heat exchanger. The indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the second refrigerant sensor is located vertically below the connection portion.

10. The aforementioned suction port opens horizontally, The indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the air outlet is located vertically above the air intake.

11. Equipped with a control unit, The control unit performs a predetermined operation when the first refrigerant sensor detects refrigerant and when the second refrigerant sensor detects refrigerant. The aforementioned operation is, To notify that the aforementioned refrigerant has leaked, The aforementioned blower is driven at a predetermined output, Sending a stop command to the outdoor unit of the aforementioned air conditioner, Closing a valve provided in the refrigerant circuit section connecting the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, The indoor unit according to claim 1, comprising at least one of the following.

12. An indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11, Outdoor unit and An air conditioner equipped with [a specific feature].