Utilization unit and refrigeration device

Abstract

A utilization unit (20) comprises a housing (50), a partition plate (53), a fan (24), an electrical component box (61), a heat exchanger (23), a refrigerant sensor (65), a first transmission line (62), and a relay connector (63). The partition plate (53) divides the interior of the housing (50) into a fan chamber (57) and a heat exchange chamber (58). The fan (24) and the electrical component box (61) are disposed in the fan chamber (57). The heat exchanger (23) and the refrigerant sensor (65) are disposed in the heat exchange chamber (58). The refrigerant sensor (65) detects leaked refrigerant. The first transmission line (62) extends from the electrical component box (61) through a passage section (54) of the partition plate (53) to the heat exchange chamber (58). The relay connector (63) is disposed in the heat exchange chamber (58) and connects the first transmission line (62) and the refrigerant sensor (65).

Description

Utilization unit and refrigeration device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a utilization unit provided with a refrigerant sensor for detecting leaked refrigerant, and a refrigeration apparatus including the same.

[0002] The utilization unit disclosed in Patent Document 1 (JP 2019-011914 A) includes a housing and a refrigerant sensor. The refrigerant sensor detects refrigerant leaking into the housing.

[0003] When a refrigerant sensor detects a refrigerant, the physical properties of the material used in the refrigerant sensor change. This change can lead to a deterioration in the sensor's performance and shorten its lifespan. Therefore, it is ideal to replace the refrigerant sensor with a new one every time it detects a refrigerant. Designing the utilization unit to facilitate refrigerant sensor replacement is important for maintenance of the refrigeration equipment after installation.

[0004] A first aspect of the utilization unit includes a housing, a partition plate, a fan and electrical equipment box, a heat exchanger and a first sensor, a first transmission line, and a first connector. The partition plate divides the interior of the housing into a fan chamber and a heat exchange chamber. The fan and electrical equipment box are disposed in the fan chamber. The heat exchanger and first sensor are disposed in the heat exchange chamber. The first sensor detects leaked refrigerant. The first transmission line extends from the electrical equipment box through a passage in the partition plate to the heat exchange chamber. The first connector is disposed in the heat exchange chamber. The first connector connects the first transmission line and the first sensor.

[0005] This configuration allows the first sensor to be disconnected from the electrical component box using the first connector. This facilitates the replacement of the first sensor. Specifically, when replacing the first sensor, it is not necessary to disconnect or reconnect the transmission line connecting the electrical component box and the first sensor through the partition plate. This prevents damage to the transmission line or insufficient sealing between the transmission line and the partition plate due to the need to disconnect or reconnect the transmission line.

[0006] The second aspect of the utilization unit is the utilization unit of the first aspect, wherein the housing has a first surface and a second surface, the first surface has an air outlet for passing conditioned air, and the second surface has a maintenance opening that allows an operator to perform maintenance on the first sensor.

[0007] According to this configuration, the maintenance opening and the air outlet are provided on different surfaces of the housing, which ensures a sufficient area for the maintenance opening, making maintenance work easier.

[0008] The utilization unit of the third aspect is the utilization unit of the second aspect, further comprising a second transmission line extending from the first sensor to the first connector.

[0009] According to this configuration, the presence of the second transmission line allows the first sensor to be disposed at a distance from the first connector, which increases the degree of freedom in the location of the first sensor and makes maintenance easier.

[0010] A utilization unit according to a fourth aspect is the utilization unit according to the third aspect, further comprising a transmission line holding member. The transmission line holding member holds the first connector or holds both the first transmission line and the second transmission line.

[0011] With this configuration, a portion of the wiring connecting the first connector and the first sensor is restrained in place by the transmission line holding member, which makes it difficult for the wiring to slip out of the worker's hands, facilitating maintenance work.

[0012] A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to the utilization unit of the fourth aspect, and further includes a maintenance cover that closes the maintenance opening. At least one of the first sensor and the transmission line holding member is fixed to the maintenance cover.

[0013] With this configuration, the first sensor or the transmission line holding member is fixed to the maintenance cover, so when an operator removes the maintenance cover, the first sensor or the transmission line holding member is pulled out of the housing, facilitating maintenance work.

[0014] A sixth aspect of the present invention relates to the utilization unit of any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising a second sensor. The second sensor is disposed in the heat exchange chamber. The second sensor detects an event other than a refrigerant leak. A transmission line connecting the electrical component box to the second sensor is not connected to the connector.

[0015] According to this configuration, the transmission line of the first sensor is provided with a first connector, but the transmission line of the second sensor does not have a connector, which makes it easy to replace the first sensor that needs to be replaced, while preventing noise caused by the contact resistance of the connector from being superimposed on the signal line of the second sensor that does not need to be replaced.

[0016] A utilization unit according to a seventh aspect is the utilization unit according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, further comprising a second connector. The second connector is capable of disconnecting the first transmission line from the electrical component box.

[0017] According to this configuration, the first transmission line is disconnected from the electrical component box due to the presence of the second connector, which makes it easy to lay out the first transmission line during the manufacturing process of the utilization unit.

[0018] The utilization unit according to an eighth aspect is the utilization unit according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, further including a sealant. The sealant is provided in the passage portion. The sealant prevents airflow from passing through the passage portion.

[0019] According to this configuration, a seal is provided at the passage portion of the partition plate, thereby making it possible to prevent undesirable airflow from passing between the fan chamber and the heat exchange chamber.

[0020] A refrigeration device according to a ninth aspect includes any one of the utilization units according to the first to eighth aspects.

[0021] According to this configuration, the first sensor in the refrigeration apparatus can be easily replaced.

[0022] 1 is a schematic diagram of a refrigeration device 100. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a utilization unit 20. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the internal configuration of the utilization unit 20. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the utilization unit 20 as viewed from a direction different from that of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the utilization unit 20 with a maintenance lid 71 removed. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the utilization unit 20. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part of the utilization unit 20. FIG. 8 is a front view of a transmission line holding member 72. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the transmission line holding member 72 and parts removed from the transmission line holding member 72.

[0023] <Embodiment> (1) Overall Configuration (1-1) Components Constituting the Refrigerant Circuit Fig. 1 shows a refrigeration device 100 according to one embodiment. The refrigeration device 100 can take any form, such as an air conditioner, refrigerator, freezer, water heater, or floor heating device, but the refrigeration device 100 according to this embodiment is an air conditioner. The refrigeration device 100 is composed of a heat source unit 10, utilization units 20, and a group of refrigerant pipes 30 connecting the heat source unit 10 and the utilization units 20. Refrigerant R circulates in the refrigerant circuit of the refrigeration device 100.

[0024] The heat source unit 10 has a compressor 11, a four-way switching valve 12, a heat source heat exchanger 13, a heat source expansion valve 15, an accumulator 16, a liquid shut-off valve 17, and a gas shut-off valve 18 as components that make up the refrigerant circuit.

[0025] The utilization unit 20 has a utilization heat exchanger 23 as a component that constitutes the refrigerant circuit.

[0026] The refrigerant pipe group 30 has a liquid connection pipe 31 and a gas connection pipe 32 as components that constitute the refrigerant circuit.

[0027] (1-2) Cold Energy Utilization Operation Cold energy utilization operation is an operation in which the refrigeration device 100 provides cold energy to the user.

[0028] The compressor 11 draws in low-pressure gas refrigerant through the suction pipe 11a, compresses it, generates high-pressure gas refrigerant, and discharges it from the discharge pipe 11b. In cold energy utilization operation, the four-way switching valve 12 forms the connection shown by the solid lines in FIG. 1. The heat source heat exchanger 13 condenses the high-pressure gas refrigerant to generate high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The heat source fan 14 promotes heat exchange between the refrigerant and air in the heat source heat exchanger 13. The heat source expansion valve 15 reduces the pressure of the high-pressure liquid refrigerant to generate low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. The low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant reaches the utilization heat exchanger 23 via the liquid shut-off valve 17 and the liquid connection pipe 31.

[0029] The utilization heat exchanger 23 generates low-pressure gas refrigerant by evaporating the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and in the process generates cold to be provided to users. The utilization fan 24 promotes heat exchange between the refrigerant and air in the utilization heat exchanger 23. The low-pressure gas refrigerant passes through the gas connection pipe 32, the gas shut-off valve 18, and the four-way selector valve 12 and reaches the accumulator 16.

[0030] The accumulator 16 separates and stores the liquid component that is mixed in the low-pressure gas refrigerant. After leaving the accumulator 16, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 11 through the suction pipe 11a.

[0031] (1-3) Hot-heat Utilization Operation Hot-heat utilization operation is an operation in which the refrigeration device 100 provides heat to the user.

[0032] The compressor 11 draws in low-pressure gas refrigerant through the suction pipe 11a, compresses it, generates high-pressure gas refrigerant, and discharges it from the discharge pipe 11b. During the hot heat utilization operation, the four-way switching valve 12 forms the connection shown by the dashed lines in Figure 1. The high-pressure gas refrigerant passes through the four-way switching valve 12, the gas shut-off valve 18, and the gas connection pipe 32 and reaches the utilization heat exchanger 23.

[0033] The utilization heat exchanger 23 condenses the high-pressure gas refrigerant to produce high-pressure liquid refrigerant, generating heat to be provided to the user in the process. The utilization fan 24 promotes heat exchange between the refrigerant and air in the utilization heat exchanger 23. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant passes through the liquid connection pipe 31 and the liquid shut-off valve 17 and reaches the heat source expansion valve 15.

[0034] The heat source expansion valve 15 reduces the pressure of the high-pressure liquid refrigerant to produce a low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. The heat source heat exchanger 13 evaporates the low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant to produce a low-pressure gas refrigerant. The heat source fan 14 promotes heat exchange between the refrigerant and air in the heat source heat exchanger 13. The low-pressure gas refrigerant reaches the accumulator 16 via the four-way switching valve 12. The accumulator 16 separates and stores the liquid component mixed in the low-pressure gas refrigerant. After leaving the accumulator 16, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sucked into the suction pipe 11a by the compressor 11.

[0035] (2) Detailed Configuration of the Usage Unit 20 Fig. 2 shows the configuration of the usage unit 20. The usage unit 20 has a housing 50, a partition plate 53, a usage heat exchanger 23, a usage fan 24, an electrical component box 61, a refrigerant sensor 65, a thermistor 67, and a maintenance cover 71.

[0036] (2-1) Housing 50 The housing 50 houses the utilization heat exchanger 23, utilization fan 24, and other components of the utilization unit 20. In FIG. 2, some components of the housing 50 are omitted to allow the interior of the utilization unit 20 to be viewed. The housing 50 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a first side 50a, a second side 50b, a third side 50c, a fourth side 50d, a top side 50e, and a bottom side 50f. The first side 50a is provided with an outlet 51 for blowing out conditioned air. Furthermore, the second side 50b adjacent to the first side 50a is provided with a maintenance opening 52. The maintenance opening 52 allows a maintenance worker to replace or perform other procedures on the refrigerant sensor 65. Furthermore, although not shown, the bottom side 50f is provided with an intake port for air intake.

[0037] A partition plate 53 is provided inside the housing 50. The partition plate 53 divides the internal space of the housing 50 into a fan chamber 57 and a heat exchange chamber 58. The partition plate 53 is provided with a passage 54 for passing wiring through. The passage 54 is, for example, a hole or a notch.

[0038] (2-2) Utilization Heat Exchanger 23 The utilization heat exchanger 23 exchanges heat between the refrigerant R and the air. The utilization heat exchanger 23 is disposed in the heat exchange chamber 58. The utilization heat exchanger 23 functions as an evaporator during cold heat utilization operation. The utilization heat exchanger 23 functions as a condenser during hot heat utilization operation.

[0039] (2-3) Usage Fan 24 The usage fan 24 generates an air flow that passes through the usage heat exchanger 23. The usage fan 24 is disposed in a fan chamber 57. The air flow that has passed through the usage heat exchanger 23 is blown out from the air outlet 51.

[0040] (2-4) Electrical Component Box 61 Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the internal configuration of the utilization unit 20. The electrical component box 61 houses a power supply unit and electrical circuit components. The electrical component box 61 is disposed in the fan chamber 57.

[0041] The electrical component box 61 has an electrical component box connector 69. The electrical component box connector 69 connects or disconnects wiring to the electrical component box 61. A first transmission line 62 and a thermistor transmission line 66, which will be described later, are connected to the housing of the electrical component box connector 69.

[0042] (2-5) Refrigerant Sensor 65 The refrigerant sensor 65 detects refrigerant leaking from the refrigerant circuit. As shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerant sensor 65 is disposed in the heat exchange chamber 58.

[0043] The refrigerant sensor 65 and the electrical component box 61 are connected by a first transmission line 62 and a second transmission line 64. In this specification, the term "transmission line" is used to include not only a signal line but also a power line or a ground line.

[0044] The first transmission line 62 extends from an electrical component box connector 69 in the fan chamber 57 through the passing portion 54 to a relay connector 63 arranged in the heat exchange chamber 58. The relay connector 63 has two housings that can be fitted together, one connected to the first transmission line 62 and the other connected to the second transmission line 64. The second transmission line 64 connects the relay connector 63 to a refrigerant sensor 65. A sealant 55 is provided in the passing portion 54. The sealant 55 closes the gap in the passing portion 54 to allow the first transmission line 62 to pass through while preventing airflow from passing through.

[0045] (2-6) Thermistor 67 The thermistor 67 detects the temperature of the refrigerant. The thermistor 67 is disposed in the heat exchange chamber 58. The refrigerant sensor 65 is connected to the electrical component box 61 by a thermistor transmission line 66. The thermistor transmission line 66 passes through the passage portion 54. The thermistor transmission line 66 is not connected to a relay connector.

[0046] (2-7) Maintenance Lid 71 Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views showing the second side surface 50b of the usage unit 20. Figure 6 is a plan view of the usage unit 20. Some components of the housing 50 shown in Figures 4 to 6 have been omitted to allow the interior of the usage unit 20 to be seen.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 4, a maintenance lid 71 is disposed on the second side surface 50b. The maintenance lid 71 closes the maintenance opening 52. In Fig. 5, the maintenance lid 71 has been removed from the maintenance opening 52. It can be seen from Fig. 6 that the refrigerant sensor 65 is located near the maintenance lid 71. By removing the maintenance lid 71, a maintenance worker can replace the refrigerant sensor 65, for example.

[0048] (3) Configuration of the Surrounding Area of ​​the Maintenance Opening 52 Fig. 7 shows the configuration of the surrounding area of ​​the maintenance opening 52. The maintenance opening 52 is closed by a maintenance lid 71. A transmission line holding member 72 is fixed to the maintenance lid 71.

[0049] 8 and 9 , the transmission line holding member 72 holds both the first transmission line 62 and the second transmission line 64 at the clamp portion 72a. A relay connector protector 73 is fixed to the transmission line holding member 72. The relay connector protector 73 covers a portion of the first transmission line 62, the relay connector 63, and a portion of the second transmission line 64. Furthermore, a refrigerant sensor 65 is fixed to the transmission line holding member 72.

[0050] When the maintenance lid 71 is removed from the maintenance opening 52, the transmission line holding member 72, relay connector protector 73, first transmission line 62, relay connector 63, second transmission line 64, and refrigerant sensor 65, which are fixed directly or indirectly to the maintenance lid 71, are taken out to the outside of the housing 50.

[0051] (4) Features (4-1) The relay connector 63 located near the maintenance opening 52 allows the refrigerant sensor 65 to be disconnected from the electrical component box 61. This facilitates the replacement of the refrigerant sensor 65. Specifically, when replacing the refrigerant sensor 65, it is not necessary to disconnect or insert the transmission line connecting the electrical component box 61 and the refrigerant sensor 65 through the partition plate 53. This prevents damage to the transmission line due to the disconnection or an insufficient seal between the transmission line and the partition plate 53.

[0052] (4-2) The maintenance opening 52 and the air outlet 51 are provided on different surfaces of the housing 50. This ensures a sufficient area for the maintenance opening 52, making maintenance work easier.

[0053] (4-3) The second transmission line 64 allows the refrigerant sensor 65 to be located away from the relay connector 63. This increases the flexibility in the location of the refrigerant sensor 65, making maintenance easier.

[0054] (4-4) A portion of the wiring connecting the relay connector 63 and the refrigerant sensor 65 is restrained by the clamp portion 72a of the transmission line holding member 72. This makes it difficult for the wiring to slip out of the hands of a maintenance worker, facilitating maintenance work.

[0055] (4-5) The refrigerant sensor 65 and transmission line holding member 72 are fixed to the maintenance cover 71. Therefore, when a maintenance worker removes the maintenance cover 71, the refrigerant sensor 65 and transmission line holding member 72 are pulled out of the housing 50, making maintenance work easier.

[0056] (4-6) The transmission line of the refrigerant sensor 65 is provided with a relay connector 63, but the transmission line of the thermistor 67 does not have a connector. This makes it easy to replace the refrigerant sensor 65 that needs to be replaced, while preventing noise caused by the contact resistance of the connector from being superimposed on the signal line of the thermistor that does not need to be replaced.

[0057] (4-7) The electrical component box connector 69 allows the first transmission line 62 to be disconnected from the electrical component box 61. Therefore, in the manufacturing process of the utilization unit 20, the work of routing the first transmission line 62 is easy.

[0058] (4-8) A sealant 55 is provided in the passage portion 54 of the partition plate 53. Therefore, it is possible to prevent undesirable airflow from passing between the fan chamber 57 and the heat exchange chamber 58.

[0059] (5) Modifications (5-1) In the above-described embodiment, the transmission line holding member 72 holds both the first transmission line 62 and the second transmission line 64. Alternatively, the transmission line holding member 72 may hold one housing of the relay connector 63. Alternatively, the transmission line holding member 72 may hold at least one of the first transmission line 62 and the second transmission line 64 in addition to one housing of the relay connector 63.

[0060] (5-2) In the above embodiment, the first transmission line 62 and the thermistor transmission line 66 pass through a common passing portion 54. Alternatively, the partition plate 53 may have a plurality of passing portions 54, and the first transmission line 62 and the thermistor transmission line 66 may pass through different passing portions 54.

[0061] (5-3) In the above embodiment, both the transmission line holding member 72 and the refrigerant sensor 65 are fixed directly or indirectly to the maintenance cover 71. Alternatively, only one of the transmission line holding member 72 and the refrigerant sensor 65 may be fixed to the maintenance cover 71.

[0062] (5-4) In the above-described embodiment, the refrigeration device 100 is an air conditioner. Alternatively, the refrigeration device 100 may be a device other than an air conditioner, such as a refrigerator, a freezer, a water heater, or a floor heating device.

[0063] <Conclusion> Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined in the claims.

[0064] 10: Heat source unit 20: Usage unit 23: Usage heat exchanger (heat exchanger) 24: Usage fan (fan) 50: Housing 50a: First side surface (first surface) 50b: Second side surface (second surface) 50c: Third side surface 50d: Fourth side surface 50e: Top surface 50f: Bottom surface 51: Air outlet 52: Maintenance opening 53: Partition plate 54: Passage portion 55: Sealing material 57: Fan chamber 58: Heat exchange chamber 61: Electrical component box 62: First transmission line 63: Relay connector (first connector) 64: Second transmission line 65: Refrigerant sensor (first sensor) 66: Thermistor transmission line 67: Thermistor (second sensor) 69 : Electrical component box connector (second connector) 71 : Maintenance cover 72 : Transmission line holding member 72a : Clamp portion 73 : Relay connector protector 100 : Refrigeration device

[0065] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-011914

Claims

1. A utilization unit (20) comprising: a housing (50); a partition plate (53) dividing the interior of the housing into a fan chamber (57) and a heat exchange chamber (58); a fan (24) and an electrical equipment box (61) disposed in the fan chamber; a heat exchanger (23) and a first sensor (65) for detecting leaked refrigerant disposed in the heat exchange chamber; a first transmission line (62) extending from the electrical equipment box through a passage portion (54) of the partition plate to the heat exchange chamber; and a first connector (63) disposed in the heat exchange chamber and connecting the first transmission line and the first sensor.

2. The utilization unit according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a first surface (50a) and a second surface (50b), the first surface has an air outlet (51) for passing conditioned air, and the second surface has a maintenance opening (52) that enables an operator to perform maintenance on the first sensor.

3. The utilization unit according to claim 2, further comprising: a second transmission line (64) extending from said first sensor to said first connector.

4. The utilization unit according to claim 3, further comprising: a transmission line holding member (72) that holds the first connector or that holds both the first transmission line and the second transmission line.

5. The utilization unit according to claim 4, further comprising a maintenance lid (71) for closing the maintenance opening, wherein at least one of the first sensor and the transmission line holding member is fixed to the maintenance lid.

6. A utilization unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a second sensor (67) disposed in the heat exchange chamber for detecting an event other than leakage of the refrigerant, wherein a transmission line connecting the second sensor from the electrical equipment box is not connected to a connector.

7. The utilization unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: a second connector (69) capable of disconnecting the first transmission line from the electrical equipment box.

8. The utilization unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a seal material (55) provided in the passage portion to suppress air flow from passing through the passage portion.

9. A refrigeration system (100) comprising a utilization unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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