Refrigerant filling method

Abstract

Provided is a technique that makes it possible to easily supply an odor component into a refrigerant circuit when installing a device. In this refrigerant filling method, a refrigeration device 1 having a refrigerant circuit 10 for circulating a refrigerant is filled with a refrigerant. The refrigerant filling method includes: an installation step for installing the refrigeration device 1 at a predetermined position; an odor component filling step for connecting a container 60 for accommodating the odor component OC to the refrigeration device 1, and filling the refrigeration device 1 with the odor component from the container 60; and, simultaneously with the odor component filling step or after the odor component filling step, a refrigerant filling step for connecting a refrigerant tank 54 for storing the refrigerant to the refrigeration device 1, and filling the refrigeration device 1 with the refrigerant from the refrigerant tank 54.

Description

Refrigerant filling method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerant charging method.

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

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

[0004] Patent No. 7162786

[0005] Incidentally, when odorous components are filled into a refrigerant circuit in a manufacturing factory that manufactures refrigeration devices, there is a risk that the working environment in the manufacturing factory will deteriorate if the odorous components leak from the refrigerant circuit into the manufacturing factory.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a technology that allows odorous components to be easily supplied into the refrigerant circuit when the device is installed.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a refrigerant filling method for filling a refrigeration device having a refrigerant circuit that circulates the refrigerant with the refrigeration device, the method comprising: an installation step for installing the refrigeration device at a predetermined position; an odor component filling step for connecting a container that stores odor components to the refrigeration device and filling the odor components from the container into the refrigeration device; and a refrigerant filling step for connecting a refrigerant tank that stores the refrigerant to the refrigeration device simultaneously with or after the odor component filling step, and filling the refrigerant from the refrigerant tank into the refrigeration device.

[0008] According to the above, the refrigerant charging method can easily supply odor components into the refrigerant circuit when installing the device by performing the refrigerant charging step simultaneously with or after the odor component charging step. That is, the refrigerant charging method can supply odor components when the pressure in the refrigerant circuit is not high, thereby suppressing leakage of odor components to the outside of the refrigerant circuit and allowing a target amount of odor components to be smoothly sealed in the refrigerant circuit.

[0009] The method also includes a vacuum pumping step, which is performed before the odor component filling step, by connecting a pressure measuring device to the refrigeration device and a vacuum pump to the pressure measuring device, and using the vacuum pump to evacuate the flow path between the refrigeration device and the vacuum pump.

[0010] As a result, the refrigerant charging method can prevent air and moisture from entering the refrigerant circuit, and can charge the refrigerant and odor components into the refrigerant circuit.

[0011] In the odor component filling step, the container is disposed between the refrigeration device and the pressure measuring device.

[0012] This allows the refrigerant charging method to perform evacuation and charging of the refrigerant while the container is connected, thereby reducing the time required to connect or replace equipment.

[0013] Furthermore, a first amount of the refrigerant is sealed in the refrigeration device before the installation step, and in the refrigerant filling step, a second amount of the refrigerant is filled into the refrigeration device from the refrigerant tank.

[0014] As a result, the refrigerant charging method charges the refrigerant into a refrigerant circuit that has already been sealed with the refrigerant, thereby shortening the time required for vacuuming and filling the refrigerant, and further improving work efficiency.

[0015] Furthermore, the refrigerant is not sealed in the refrigeration device before the installation step, and in the odor component filling step, the odor component is filled into the refrigerant circuit in which the refrigerant is not previously sealed.

[0016] This allows the refrigerant charging method to supply odorous components to the refrigerant circuit more smoothly.

[0017] In the refrigerant filling step, the refrigerant tank, the container, and the refrigeration device are connected in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the supply direction of the refrigerant.

[0018] This allows the refrigerant charging method to allow odorous components in the container to flow into the refrigerant circuit as the refrigerant is charged from the refrigerant tank.

[0019] The refrigerant is a highly flammable refrigerant.

[0020] This refrigerant filling method can seal odorous components together with the highly flammable refrigerant, so that if the highly flammable refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant circuit, the odorous components will also leak, allowing people nearby to quickly become aware of an abnormality.

[0021] The odor component contained in the container is in a liquid state.

[0022] As a result, the refrigerant charging method can smoothly perform vacuuming, refrigerant supply, etc. at the installation site of the refrigeration device while suppressing leakage of odorous components from the container.

[0023] The odor components include any one of tetrahydrothiophene, dimethyl sulfide, and ethyl methyl sulfide, or one or more of these as components.

[0024] As a result, the odorous components have superior odor quality and odor threshold compared to other sulfide-based components, and because they are chemically stabilized, the composition of the odorous components can be well maintained in the refrigerant circuit.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an air conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an installation state of a service port of an outdoor unit. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a first shut-off valve and a gas service port of a refrigerant circuit. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a charging system for a refrigeration apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 5(A) is a cross-sectional view showing a vertical configuration of a container containing odorous components. FIG. 5(B) is a cross-sectional view showing a horizontal configuration of a container containing odorous components. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the steps of a refrigerant charging method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the connection state of a charging system according to a modified example. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a charging system for a refrigeration apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the steps of a refrigerant charging method according to the second embodiment.

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations may be omitted. In each drawing, dimensions, ratios, or numbers may be exaggerated or simplified as necessary to facilitate understanding of the invention.

[0027] <Configuration of Refrigeration Device> As shown in Fig. 1 , a refrigeration device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an air conditioning device that adjusts the temperature of air in an indoor space. Hereinafter, the refrigeration device 1 will also be referred to as the air conditioning device 1. The air conditioning device 1 is used for cooling and heating operations of an indoor space by performing a vapor compression refrigeration cycle operation. In cooling operation, the air conditioning device 1 cools the air in the indoor space to adjust the temperature. In heating operation, the air conditioning device 1 heats the air in the indoor space to adjust the temperature.

[0028] The air conditioner 1 includes a refrigerant circuit 10 containing a refrigerant, an outdoor unit 20 which is a heat source unit installed in an outdoor space, and an indoor unit 30 which is a utilization unit installed in an indoor space. The refrigerant circuit 10 performs cooling operation and heating operation by circulating the refrigerant between the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 30. The air conditioner 1 according to the embodiment is a pair type in which one outdoor unit 20 and one indoor unit 30 are connected. However, the air conditioner 1 may also be configured in such a way that one outdoor unit 20 is connected to multiple indoor units 30, or in such a way that multiple outdoor units 20 are connected to one indoor unit 30.

[0029] The refrigerant circuit 10 includes a first communication pipe 11 and a second communication pipe 12 that connect the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 30. The first communication pipe 11 and the second communication pipe 12 are one or more tubes that connect the indoor space and the outdoor space and allow the refrigerant to flow. The first communication pipe 11 is a gas pipe that allows the refrigerant in a gaseous state to flow. The second communication pipe 12 is a liquid pipe that allows the refrigerant in a liquid state to flow.

[0030] The refrigerant circuit 10 also has an outdoor path 13 connected to one end of the first connection pipe 11 and one end of the second connection pipe 12 inside the outdoor unit 20. The refrigerant circuit 10 also has an indoor path 14 connected to the other end of the first connection pipe 11 and the other end of the second connection pipe 12 inside the indoor unit 30. The refrigerant circuit 10 forms an endless circulation circuit by the first connection pipe 11, the second connection pipe, the outdoor path 13, and the indoor path 14.

[0031] <Outdoor Unit> The outdoor unit 20 has an outdoor path 13 installed inside a housing 20a, and thereby constitutes part of the refrigerant circuit 10. The outdoor unit 20 includes a compressor 21, an outdoor heat exchanger 22, an expansion valve 23, a four-way switching valve 24, and an outdoor fan 25. The compressor 21, the outdoor heat exchanger 22, the expansion valve 23, and the four-way switching valve 24 are connected to the outdoor path 13 of the outdoor unit 20.

[0032] During refrigeration cycle operation, the compressor 21 compresses low-pressure refrigerant drawn in through the suction connection end 21i to a high pressure and discharges the high-pressure refrigerant from the discharge connection end 21o. For example, the compressor 21 may be a rotary device in which a sealed compression element is rotationally driven by a compressor motor 21m to pressurize the refrigerant. The suction connection end 21i and the discharge connection end 21o of the compressor 21 are connected to the four-way selector valve 24 through the outdoor path 13.

[0033] The outdoor heat exchanger 22 dissipates heat from the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the refrigerant flowing therethrough and the outdoor air during refrigeration cycle operation in cooling mode. A fin-and-tube mechanism, for example, can be used as the outdoor heat exchanger 22. A gas connection end 22G of the outdoor heat exchanger 22 is connected to the four-way switching valve 24 via the outdoor path 13. A liquid connection end 22L of the outdoor heat exchanger 22 is connected to the expansion valve 23 via the outdoor path 13.

[0034] The outdoor fan 25 blows outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger 22. As the outdoor fan 25, for example, a propeller fan having a motor and a propeller (not shown) can be used.

[0035] The expansion valve 23 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant that has flowed in through the outdoor path 13 to a low temperature. An electronic valve or a temperature-sensitive valve that adjusts the opening degree of an internal flow path is used as the expansion valve 23. The expansion valve 23 may also be provided in the indoor unit 30.

[0036] The four-way switching valve 24 reverses the flow of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 10 to selectively perform cooling operation or heating operation. The four-way switching valve 24 can be switched between a first state shown by the solid lines in Fig. 1 and a second state shown by the dashed lines in Fig. 1.

[0037] Specifically, in the first state, the four-way switching valve 24 communicates the discharge connection end 21o of the compressor 21 with the gas connection end 22G of the outdoor heat exchanger 22, while also communicating the suction connection end 21i of the compressor 21 with the first connection pipe 11 outside the outdoor unit 20. In this first state, the compressor 21 is driven, causing refrigerant to flow from the first connection pipe 11 into the outdoor path 13 of the outdoor unit 20. The refrigerant is compressed to high pressure by the compressor 21 and moves to the outdoor heat exchanger 22 through the four-way switching valve 24. The refrigerant releases heat in the outdoor heat exchanger 22 and is further decompressed in the expansion valve 23, becoming a low-pressure, low-temperature liquid, which then moves to the second connection pipe 12. In other words, the air conditioning apparatus 1 can perform cooling operation by drawing in high-temperature refrigerant through the first connection pipe 11 and sending low-temperature refrigerant to the indoor unit 30 through the second connection pipe 12.

[0038] In the second state, the four-way switching valve 24 connects the discharge connection end 21o of the compressor 21 to the first connecting pipe 11 outside the outdoor unit 20, and connects the suction connection end 21i of the compressor 21 to the gas connection end 22G of the outdoor heat exchanger 22. In this second state, the compressor 21 is driven, causing refrigerant to flow from the second connecting pipe 12 into the outdoor path 13 of the outdoor unit 20. The refrigerant moves through the expansion valve 23 to the outdoor heat exchanger 22, and then moves from the outdoor heat exchanger 22 to the compressor 21. The refrigerant is compressed in the compressor 21 into a high-pressure, high-temperature gas, and then moves through the four-way switching valve 24 to the first connecting pipe 11. In other words, the air conditioning apparatus 1 can perform heating operation by drawing in low-temperature refrigerant through the second connecting pipe 12 and sending high-temperature refrigerant to the indoor unit 30 through the first connecting pipe 11.

[0039] The outdoor path 13 of the outdoor unit 20 can be divided into a gas line 13G, which mainly circulates gaseous refrigerant, and a liquid line 13L, which mainly circulates liquid refrigerant. The gas line 13G in the outdoor path 13 is a pipe connecting the first connecting pipe 11 to the compressor 21 and the gas connection end 22G of the outdoor heat exchanger 22. The liquid line 13L in the outdoor path 13 is a pipe connecting the second connecting pipe 12 to the expansion valve 23 and the liquid connection end 22L of the outdoor heat exchanger 22. The gas line 13G and the liquid line 13L are provided with multiple valves. For example, the multiple valves include a first shut-off valve 41 and a second shut-off valve 42.

[0040] A first shut-off valve 41 is provided in the gas line 13G from the connection point of the first connecting pipe 11 to the compressor 21. Specifically, the first shut-off valve 41 is installed at the connection point of the gas line 13G and the first connecting pipe 11. The first shut-off valve 41 opens and closes the flow path of the gas line 13G based on the operation of an operator.

[0041] A second shut-off valve 42 is provided in the liquid line 13L between the connection point of the second communication pipe 12 and the expansion valve 23. Specifically, the second shut-off valve 42 is installed at the connection point of the liquid line 13L with the second communication pipe 12. The second shut-off valve 42 opens and closes the flow path of the liquid line 13L based on the operation of an operator.

[0042] Furthermore, the first shut-off valve 41 has a gas service port 44. The second shut-off valve 42 has a liquid service port 45. The gas service port 44 is larger than the liquid service port 45. The gas service port 44 and the liquid service port 45 are used when filling the refrigerant circuit 10 of the air conditioning apparatus 1 with refrigerant, when discharging refrigerant from the outdoor unit 20, when measuring the pressure of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 10, etc.

[0043] 2 , the housing 20a of the outdoor unit 20 has a shut-off valve arrangement space therein. The first shut-off valve 41 and the second shut-off valve 42 are provided in the shut-off valve arrangement space of the housing 20a. The first shut-off valve 41 is a connector that connects to the first connecting pipe 11. The second shut-off valve 42 is a connector that connects to the second connecting pipe 12.

[0044] The first shut-off valve 41 has a base 411 at its center, and has an outdoor connector 412, a communication pipe connector 413, a valve operating section 414, and a gas service port 44 that protrude from the base 411 in different directions.

[0045] The outdoor connector 412 is connected to the piping of the gas line 13G of the outdoor path 13 arranged inside the housing 20a. In addition, a fixing mechanism 412a that fixes the first shut-off valve 41 to the housing 20a of the outdoor unit 20 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outdoor connector 412. The first shut-off valve 41 is fixed to the housing 20a via the fixing mechanism 412a.

[0046] The communication pipe connector 413 is connected to the first communication pipe 11 installed outside the outdoor unit 20. As shown in Fig. 3 , the communication pipe connector 413 has a screw thread 413a on its outer circumferential surface, and the first shut-off valve 41 and the first communication pipe 11 are connected by screwing a nut (not shown) at one end of the first communication pipe 11 onto the screw thread 413a.

[0047] The valve operating unit 414 is a mechanical part that allows an operator to manually open and close the flow path 41 a of the first shut-off valve 41. The valve operating unit 414 includes a protruding tubular portion 414 a that is integrally molded with the base 411, a valve stem 414 b that is provided within the protruding tubular portion 414 a, and a cap 414 c that is detachable from the protruding tubular portion 414 a. The valve operating unit 414 covers the valve stem 414 b by screwing the cap 414 c onto the protruding tubular portion 414 a when not performing opening or closing operations.

[0048] The valve stem 414b has an operating hole extending from the head along the axial direction. An operator inserts an operating tool such as a wrench into this operating hole to rotate the valve stem 414b, moving the valve stem 414b back and forth within the base 411. By advancing the valve stem 414b into the base 411, the operator can close the flow path 41a of the first shut-off valve 41. Conversely, by retracting the valve stem 414b from within the base 411, the operator can open the flow path 41a of the first shut-off valve 41.

[0049] On the other hand, the gas service port 44 is a connector to which a control valve 51 (described later and shown in FIG. 4 ) can be connected. The gas service port 44 is in a shutoff state when the control valve 51 is not connected. The control valve 51 is connected to the gas service port 44 by an operator. The operator switches communication between the flow path 41a of the first shutoff valve 41 and the control valve 51 by opening and closing the control valve 51. Specifically, the gas service port 44 includes a protruding tubular portion 44a integrally molded with the base 411, a valve core 44b housed inside the protruding tubular portion 44a, and a cap 44c detachable from the protruding tubular portion 44a. When the gas service port 44 is not connected to an external device, the cap 44c is screwed onto the protruding tubular portion 44a, thereby covering the valve core 44b.

[0050] The valve core 44b has a pin 44bp that is pressed by the control valve 51 when an external device is attached to the protruding cylindrical portion 44a, and a cylindrical body 44bt that opens and closes in accordance with the displacement of the pin 44bp. When the control valve 51 presses the pin 44bp, the cylindrical body 44bt opens, connecting the flow path of the control valve 51 to the flow path 41a of the first shut-off valve 41. When the control valve 51 releases the pin 44bp, the pin 44bp is returned to its original position by a spring (not shown), and the cylindrical body 44bt closes the flow path 41a, thereby isolating the flow path of the control valve 51 from the flow path 41a of the first shut-off valve 41.

[0051] 2, the second shut-off valve 42 also includes a base 421, an outdoor connector 422, a connecting pipe connector 423, a valve operating section 424, and a liquid service port 45. The configuration of the second shut-off valve 42 is substantially the same as that of the first shut-off valve 41, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0052] <Indoor Unit> Returning to Fig. 1 , the indoor unit 30 has an indoor path 14 installed inside a housing 30a, and thereby constitutes part of the refrigerant circuit 10. The indoor unit 30 includes an indoor heat exchanger 31 and an indoor fan 32. The indoor path 14 of the indoor unit 30 is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 31.

[0053] During refrigeration cycle operation, the indoor heat exchanger 31 exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing therethrough and the indoor air. As a result, the indoor heat exchanger 31 can absorb heat from the indoor air to cool it when the refrigerant is at a lower temperature than the indoor air, and can release heat into the indoor air to warm it when the refrigerant is at a higher temperature than the indoor air. For example, a fin-and-tube mechanism can be used for this indoor heat exchanger 31. The gas connection end 31G of the indoor heat exchanger 31 is connected to the first connecting pipe 11 via the indoor path 14. The liquid connection end 31L of the indoor heat exchanger 31 is connected to the second connecting pipe 12 via the indoor path 14.

[0054] The indoor fan 32 blows indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger 31. For example, a cross-flow fan having a motor and a cylindrical impeller (not shown) is used as the indoor fan 32. The indoor air transported by the indoor fan 32 passes through the indoor heat exchanger 31 and is blown from the indoor heat exchanger 31 into the indoor space.

[0055] The indoor unit 30 also has a power supply circuit connected to a commercial power source. The air conditioning apparatus 1 operates the indoor unit 30 based on the supply of power from the commercial power source, and also operates the outdoor unit 20 via a power line (not shown).

[0056] <Controller of Air Conditioner> The air conditioner 1 has a controller 90 that controls the operation of each component. The controller 90 is made up of a first control device 91, a second control device 92, and a remote controller 93. The remote controller 93 is a device with which the user operates to issue various instructions to the air conditioner 1, and may be a dedicated controller or a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet.

[0057] Each of the first control device 91, the second control device 92, and the remote controller 93 is a computer (more specifically, an MCU: Micro Control Unit) having a processor, memory, an input / output interface, and a communication interface. The processor is one or a combination of a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a circuit made up of multiple discrete semiconductors, etc. The memory includes non-volatile memory and volatile memory. The memory stores programs that control various processes, and the processor controls various operations by reading and executing the programs stored in the memory.

[0058] The first control device 91 is provided in the outdoor unit 20 and controls each component of the outdoor unit 20. The second control device 92 is provided in the indoor unit 30 and controls each component of the indoor unit 30. The first control device 91 and the second control device 92 can transmit and receive information to and from each other via wired or wireless communication. The second control device 92 and the remote controller 93 can transmit and receive information to and from each other via wired or wireless communication. The control unit 90 selectively performs cooling operation or heating operation in response to an operation command from the remote controller 93 by the user.

[0059] <Refrigerant> The refrigerant filled in the refrigerant circuit 10 should preferably have as small a GWP value as possible and have a low environmental impact. Examples of this type of refrigerant material include those primarily composed of hydrocarbons with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, such as R-290 (propane), R-1270 (propylene), and R-600a (isobutane). These refrigerant materials are highly flammable refrigerants that have higher flammability than hydrofluorocarbons. In this embodiment, a case where propane is used as the refrigerant will be described. Note that the refrigerant may also be methane (R50), ethane (R170), butane (R600), ammonia (R717), or the like.

[0060] <Odor Components> As described above, the air conditioning apparatus 1 seals odor components together with the refrigerant to alert humans to leaks of highly flammable refrigerant from the refrigerant circuit 10. Examples of these odor components include sulfur-based odorants, which are sulfur-based compounds. Examples of sulfur-based odorants include sulfide-based odorants such as tetrahydrothiophene (THT), dimethyl sulfide (DMS), and ethyl methyl sulfide, as well as mixtures of sulfide-based odorants with thiols, thioethers, or the like. In this embodiment, a case where tetrahydrothiophene is used as the odor component will be described. Hereinafter, tetrahydrothiophene may also be referred to as THT.

[0061] <Refrigerating Machine Oil> In the air conditioner 1, refrigerating machine oil is sealed in the refrigerant circuit 10 along with the refrigerant and odorous components. The refrigerating machine oil is stored mainly at the bottom of the compressor 21 in the refrigerant circuit 10, and can be circulated to the compression elements in the compressor 21 to maintain the lubrication of the sliding parts. A portion of the refrigerating machine oil circulates within the refrigerant circuit 10 together with the refrigerant and odorous components. In other words, the refrigerating machine oil is mixed with the refrigerant and odorous components and used as a working fluid for the refrigeration system. The proportion of the refrigerating machine oil sealed in the total amount of the working fluid for the refrigeration system is preferably 5% by mass or more and 60% by mass or less, and more preferably 10% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less.

[0062] Examples of refrigerating machine oils include oxygen-containing synthetic oils (ester-based refrigerating machine oils, ether-based refrigerating machine oils, etc.), hydrocarbon-based refrigerating machine oils, etc. Among these, ester-based refrigerating machine oils and ether-based refrigerating machine oils are preferred from the viewpoint of compatibility with the refrigerant. For example, the refrigerating machine oil is polyalkylene glycol oil (PAG oil). One type of refrigerating machine oil may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination.

[0063] <Regarding Charging of Odor Components> The air conditioner 1 configured as described above performs cooling or heating operation by sealing a refrigerant and odor components in the refrigerant circuit 10. However, the amount of refrigerant charged affects the cooling or heating capacity of the air conditioner 1. For this reason, after the refrigerant circuit 10 is formed during installation of the device, the refrigerant is charged according to the refrigerant circuit 10. On the other hand, it is also possible to seal odor components in advance in the outdoor path 13 of the refrigerant circuit 10 at a manufacturing factory or the like. However, if odor components were to leak into the manufacturing factory, the working environment at the manufacturing factory would deteriorate.

[0064] Therefore, when installing the air conditioning apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure after shipping from a manufacturing factory, an operator fills the refrigerant circuit 10 with odor components along with the refrigerant. That is, the operator forms a filling system for filling the odor components along with the refrigerant. When the air conditioning apparatus 1 is shipped from a manufacturing factory, the refrigerant circuit 10 may be pre-filled with refrigerant, or the refrigerant circuit 10 may not be pre-filled with refrigerant. Hereinafter, a state in which the refrigerant circuit 10 is pre-filled with refrigerant will be referred to as "pre-charged," and a state in which the refrigerant circuit 10 is not pre-filled with refrigerant will be referred to as "non-pre-charged." In the first embodiment, a filling system 50A and a refrigerant filling method for filling a refrigerant circuit 10 with pre-charge will be described. In the second embodiment, a filling system 50B and a refrigerant filling method for filling a refrigerant circuit 10 without pre-charge will be described.

[0065] <First embodiment> As shown in Fig. 4, a filling system 50A according to the first embodiment is a system that fills a refrigerant circuit 10 with a refrigerant through a gas service port 44 of an outdoor unit 20 installed at an appropriate installation site. Note that in Fig. 4, for ease of understanding, the first shut-off valve 41 is shown in an exaggerated manner, protruding from the housing 20a of the outdoor unit 20.

[0066] The gas line 13G (see FIG. 2 ) of the outdoor path 13 is pre-connected to the outdoor connector 412 of the first shutoff valve 41. The first interconnection pipe 11 is connected to the interconnection pipe connector 413 of the first shutoff valve 41 by an operator during installation of the apparatus. Although not shown, the liquid line 13L of the outdoor path 13 is pre-connected to the outdoor connector 422 of the second shutoff valve 42. The second interconnection pipe 12 is connected to the interconnection pipe connector 423 of the second shutoff valve 42 by an operator during installation of the apparatus.

[0067] Filling system 50A includes control valve 51, manifold 52, vacuum pump 53, refrigerant tank 54, and multiple hoses 55 connecting the respective components. In addition to these components, filling system 50A uses container 60 containing odor components to fill the odor components simultaneously with the refrigerant. Each hose 55 includes first hose 56 connecting control valve 51 and container 60, second hose 57 connecting container 60 and manifold 52, third hose 58 connecting manifold 52 and vacuum pump 53, and fourth hose 59 connecting manifold 52 and refrigerant tank 54.

[0068] The control valve 51 is connected to the gas service port 44, and is a component to which the first hose 56 of the filling system 50A can be attached and detached while maintaining the airtightness of the refrigerant circuit 10. For example, the control valve 51 is formed in a T-shape and has a hose connection part 511 connected to the hose 55, a port connection part 512 connected to the gas service port 44, and a valve operation part 513 that can operate the opening and closing of the valve of the control valve 51.

[0069] When the disc-shaped head of the valve operating unit 513 is rotated by an operator, a plunger member (not shown) provided therein advances or retreats relative to the gas service port 44, thereby moving the valve core 44b within the gas service port 44. For example, an operator can operate the valve operating unit 513 to an open position to retract the plunger member and thereby close the valve core 44b. Conversely, an operator can operate the valve operating unit 513 to a closed position to advance the plunger member and thereby press the valve core 44b, thereby opening the valve core 44b. The control valve 51 may also be configured to gradually open or close the internal flow path depending on the rotational position of the valve operating unit 513. This allows the control valve 51 to adjust the flow rate of refrigerant flowing through the internal flow path.

[0070] The compound pressure gauge 52 is installed between the control valve 51 and the vacuum pump 53 or the refrigerant tank 54 via a hose 55 and configured as a pressure measuring instrument capable of measuring pressure. The compound pressure gauge 52 includes a manifold portion 521 to which each hose 55 can be connected, one or more opening / closing valves 522 of the compound pressure gauge 52 provided in the manifold portion 521, and a pressure gauge 523 that measures the pressure of the flow path connected by each hose 55 and in the portion where the opening / closing valve 522 of the compound pressure gauge 52 is open. The compound pressure gauge 52 shown in Fig. 4 includes three opening / closing valves 522 of the compound pressure gauge 52, and opens and closes the flow path between the control valve 51 and the vacuum pump 53, or the flow path between the control valve 51 and the refrigerant tank 54, etc.

[0071] The vacuum pump 53 generates suction pressure in the connected third hose 58 to discharge air and moisture present in the flow path of the filling system 50A and prevent air and moisture from mixing with the refrigerant filling the refrigerant circuit 10. There are no particular limitations on the type of vacuum pump 53, and either an electric or manual type can be used. For example, the electric vacuum pump 53 applies a target suction pressure to the flow path of the filling system 50A based on the rotation of a drive motor (not shown).

[0072] The refrigerant tank 54 is a high-pressure cylinder capable of storing the refrigerant in a compressed state to be filled into the refrigerant circuit 10. The refrigerant tank 54 has an opening / closing valve 541 for the refrigerant tank 54 at a port to which the fourth hose 59 is connected, and the refrigerant is pressure-fed to the fourth hose 59 when the opening / closing valve 541 of the refrigerant tank 54 is opened. The refrigerant tank 54 may also have an electronic scale 542. An operator can confirm whether a specified amount of refrigerant has been supplied based on the weight of the refrigerant tank 54 measured by the electronic scale 542.

[0073] Each hose 55 is flexible and has connectors at both ends that correspond to the device to which it is to be connected. The connectors of each hose 55 may be of a common standard, or may be formed in a special shape so that they can be connected to the individual device.

[0074] In the above-described filling system 50A, an operator connects a container 60 between the control valve 51 and the compound pressure meter 52. As shown in Fig. 5(A) , the container 60 stores odor components OC that are liquid at room temperature. Specifically, the container 60 includes a container body 61 that stores the odor components OC, a first opening / closing valve 62 provided at one end of the container body 61, a second opening / closing valve 63 provided at the other end of the container body 61, and a port 64 that is integral with the second opening / closing valve 63.

[0075] The container body 61 is formed, for example, in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and has an internal space 61s capable of storing odor components OC. One end of the container body 61 is provided with a second opening 612 that communicates with the flow path in the first opening / closing valve 62. The other end of the container body 61 is provided with a first opening 611 that communicates with the flow paths in the second opening / closing valve 63 and the port 64.

[0076] The internal space 61s of the container body 61 is preferably configured to have a volume sufficiently larger than the volume of the odor components OC filled in the refrigerant circuit 10. For example, the amount of odor components OC stored is preferably less than half the volume of the internal space 61s. As will be described later, the container body 61 can be switched between a vertical configuration (see FIG. 5A) in which the longitudinal direction is approximately vertical and the refrigerant and odor components OC are filled, and a horizontal configuration (see FIG. 5B) in which the longitudinal direction is approximately horizontal and the vacuum is drawn. In the horizontal configuration, the liquid level of the odor components OC is located below the first opening 611 and the second opening 612, thereby preventing the odor components OC from moving toward the vacuum pump 53 during vacuum drawing.

[0077] The first on-off valve 62 and the second on-off valve 63 form ports in the container 60 through which fluids such as refrigerant, air, moisture, and odor components can flow, and have valve mechanisms that can open and close internal flow paths based on operator operation. The first on-off valve 62 and the second on-off valve 63 are installed at approximately the center of each end face of the container body 61. For example, the first on-off valve 62 and the second on-off valve 63 are opened by the operator when vacuuming or filling the container with refrigerant, but are closed by the operator under other circumstances to prevent odor components OC from leaking from the container body 61 to the outside.

[0078] The port 64 is used when injecting odor components OC into the internal space 61s of the container body 61. For example, a check valve (not shown) may be provided inside the port 64. The check valve opens when an external device is attached to allow the injection of odor components OC, and closes when the device is removed to prevent the outflow of odor components from the internal space 61s.

[0079] The container 60 containing the odor components OC is not limited to the above configuration, and various other configurations may be applied. For example, the shape of the container body 61 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped, and may be another three-dimensional shape such as a cylindrical shape. Furthermore, the installation positions of the first on-off valve 62 and the second on-off valve 63 relative to the container body 61 may also be designed arbitrarily. Alternatively, the container 60 may be one in which a storage section capable of containing the odor components OC and a hose are integrated together, in other words, one in which the odor components OC are contained in a hose.

[0080] The filling system 50A according to the first embodiment is basically configured as described above, and a refrigerant filling method, which is a method of using the system, will be described below with reference to Fig. 6. The refrigerant filling method according to the first embodiment is a method of filling a refrigerant and odor components OC into a pre-charged air conditioner 1 in which the refrigerant circuit 10 is filled with refrigerant in advance, using the filling system 50A. For example, in this refrigerant filling method, an operator fills the refrigerant and odor components OC into the refrigerant circuit 10 by sequentially performing steps S101 to S110 shown in Fig. 6.

[0081] In the refrigerant charging method, an operator first installs the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 30 of the air conditioning apparatus 1 at the installation site, and connects the first connecting pipe 11 and the second connecting pipe 12 to the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 30 to form the refrigerant circuit 10 (step S101). That is, the operator performs an installation step of installing the air conditioning apparatus 1 at the installation site. A first amount of refrigerant is sealed in the refrigerant circuit 10 of the installed air conditioning apparatus 1. For example, the refrigerant to be precharged is sealed in the outdoor path 13 of the outdoor unit 20, the indoor path 14 of the indoor unit 30, etc.

[0082] Next, in the refrigerant charging method, various devices of the charging system 50A, including the container 60 containing the odor components OC, are provided to the installation site of the air conditioning apparatus 1 (step S102). For example, the various devices of the charging system 50A are provided by being brought to the installation site by an operator. In providing the container 60 containing the odor components OC, the operator may bring the container 60 into which the odor components OC have been previously injected, or may connect an injection device (not shown) to the port 64 at the installation site to inject the odor components OC into the container 60.

[0083] The worker connects the control valve 51 to the gas service port 44 of the outdoor unit 20 (step S103). This makes it possible to charge the refrigerant circuit 10 with refrigerant via the control valve 51. However, when connected, the control valve 51 closes the valve core 44b of the gas service port 44, blocking the discharge of gas from the gas service port 44.

[0084] Next, the operator connects the container 60, the compound pressure gauge 52, and the vacuum pump 53 in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the discharge direction of the fluid from the control valve 51 (step S104: evacuation step). The operator connects the control valve 51 and the container 60 with a first hose 56, connects the container 60 and the compound pressure gauge 52 with a second hose 57, and connects the compound pressure gauge 52 and the vacuum pump 53 with a third hose 58.

[0085] The operator then operates the vacuum pump 53 to perform evacuation (step S105). At this time, the operator leaves the valve operating unit 513 of the control valve 51 open and closes the valve core 44b of the gas service port 44. During evacuation, the operator positions the container 60 horizontally as shown in FIG. 5B. The operator then opens the on-off valve 522 on the vacuum pump 53 side of the compound pressure gauge 52 and the first and second on-off valves 62 and 63 of the container 60, and performs evacuation using the vacuum pump 53. This allows the vacuum pump 53 to suck air and moisture from the control valve 51, the container 60, the compound pressure gauge 52, and other components, as well as from the hoses 55, thereby evacuating the flow path up to the control valve 51.

[0086] 5(B), in the container 60, the odor components OC, which are liquid, accumulate in the lower part of the container body 61, allowing air and moisture to circulate through the upper part of the internal space 61s. The odor components OC also receive suction pressure from the first opening 611 side, but not much of them are discharged from the container 60 to the second hose 57 side during a short time of vacuuming by the vacuum pump 53.

[0087] 6, when the evacuation is completed, the operator closes the on-off valve 522 on the vacuum pump 53 side of the compound pressure meter 52, removes the vacuum pump 53, and connects the refrigerant tank 54 (step S106, see also FIG. 4). As a result, the filling system 50A is in a state in which the refrigerant tank 54, compound pressure meter 52, container 60, control valve 51, and air conditioning device 1 are connected in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the refrigerant supply direction.

[0088] The operator opens the on-off valve 522 of the compound pressure gauge 52 and the on-off valve 541 of the refrigerant tank 54 to pressure-feed the refrigerant from the refrigerant tank 54, and combines it with the odor components OC in the container 60 to fill the refrigerant and odor components OC into the refrigerant circuit 10 (step S107). At this time, the operator closes the valve operating unit 513 of the control valve 51 to open the valve core 44b of the gas service port 44. This allows the refrigerant and odor components OC to be supplied from the control valve 51 into the refrigerant circuit 10.

[0089] When charging the refrigerant, the operator places the container 60 in a vertical position as shown in FIG. 5A and opens the first and second on-off valves 62 and 63. This increases the pressure inside the container 60, allowing the refrigerant pressured into the container 60 from the refrigerant tank 54 to push out the odor components OC from the container 60. The odor components OC in the container 60 flow out from the second opening 612 and into the refrigerant circuit 10 via the first on-off valve 62 and the first hose 56. In other words, in the refrigerant charging method, the odor components OC first flow out of the container 60 and into the refrigerant circuit 10, and then the refrigerant and the odor components OC are mixed and flow into the refrigerant circuit 10. Some of the odor components OC may evaporate depending on the momentum of the refrigerant charging. In other words, in step 107, an odor component charging step of charging the container 60 with the odor components OC from the container 60 and a refrigerant charging step of charging the refrigerant from the refrigerant tank 54 are simultaneously performed.

[0090] As the refrigerant continues to flow into the container 60, all of the odor components OC previously injected into the internal space 61s flows out into the refrigerant circuit 10. That is, when refrigerant is charged from the refrigerant tank 54, the odor components OC in the container 60 are consumed first. In the refrigerant charging method, even after the odor components OC are consumed, the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant tank 54 continues, and the refrigerant is charged into the refrigerant circuit 10 via the container 60 (step S108). That is, in the refrigerant charging method, even after the odor component charging step is completed, only the refrigerant charging step continues.

[0091] During refrigerant charging, the operator monitors the weight of the refrigerant tank 54 measured by the electronic scale 542 of the refrigerant tank 54, the pressure measured by the pressure gauge 523 of the compound pressure gauge 52, and the like to monitor whether refrigerant charging has been completed (step S109). If refrigerant charging has not been completed (step S109: NO), the operator continues charging refrigerant from the refrigerant tank 54. On the other hand, if refrigerant charging has been completed (step S109: YES), the operator proceeds to step S110, which means that the second amount of refrigerant has been charged into the refrigerant circuit 10. The amount of refrigerant charged into the refrigerant circuit 10 is the sum of the pre-charged first amount of refrigerant and the charged second amount of refrigerant.

[0092] In step S110 after the refrigerant has been charged, the worker closes each valve of the charging system 50A and then removes the charging system 50A. During the removal, for example, the worker opens the valve operating unit 513 of the control valve 51 to close the valve core 44b of the gas service port 44. This prevents the charged refrigerant and odor component OC from leaking from the refrigerant circuit 10.

[0093] The worker then detaches the first hose 56 from the control valve 51, and further separates the interconnected manometer 52, refrigerant tank 54, hoses 55, and container 60 of the filling system 50A. The worker then removes the control valve 51 from the gas service port 44. This ensures that the air conditioning device 1 is in a state where the refrigerant and odorous component OC are properly sealed in the refrigerant circuit 10.

[0094] As described above, the refrigerant charging method according to the first embodiment can efficiently charge the refrigerant and odor components OC into the refrigerant circuit 10. In particular, by continuing the refrigerant charging step even after the odor component charging step, the refrigerant charging method can stably charge a specified amount of odor components OC into the refrigerant circuit 10 without leaving any odor components OC in the container 60. Furthermore, the refrigerant circuit 10 with pre-charging can shorten the evacuation work by the vacuum pump 53, and as a result, the work efficiency of the refrigerant charging method as a whole can be improved.

[0095] The refrigerant charging method of the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment and may take various forms. For example, the location where the container 60 is connected is not limited to between the control valve 51 and the compound pressure gauge 52, but may be between the compound pressure gauge 52 and the vacuum pump 53 or between the compound pressure gauge 52 and the refrigerant tank 54.

[0096] Furthermore, the refrigerant filling method is not limited to a configuration in which the odor component filling step and the refrigerant filling step are performed simultaneously, and the refrigerant filling step may be performed after the odor component filling step. For example, the filling system 50A may include a pump (not shown) in the container 60, and the pump may be driven after the evacuation step to first fill the odor components OC into the refrigerant circuit 10. The refrigerant can also be filled together with the odor components OC remaining in the container 60 by performing a refrigerant filling step in which the refrigerant is filled from the refrigerant tank 54 after this odor component filling step.

[0097] In the above-described filling system 50A, the vacuum pump 53 is first connected to the compound pressure meter 52 to perform vacuuming, and then the refrigerant tank 54 is connected instead of the vacuum pump 53 to supply refrigerant from the refrigerant tank 54. However, as shown in a modified example in FIG. 7 , the filling system 50A may also have the container 60, the vacuum pump 53, and the refrigerant tank 54 connected to the compound pressure meter 52. In this case, for example, an operator performs vacuuming while opening the on-off valve 522 on the vacuum pump 53 side of the compound pressure meter 52, the on-off valve 522 on the refrigerant tank side of the compound pressure meter 52, the control valve 51, and the first and second on-off valves 62 and 63 of the container 60. Then, the operator closes the on-off valve 522 on the vacuum pump 53 side of the compound pressure meter 52 and stops the vacuum pump 53. Next, the operator fills the refrigerant from the refrigerant tank 54 while closing the control valve 51. By opening and closing the appropriate on-off valve 522 of the compound pressure gauge 52, the operator can switch between drawing a vacuum with the vacuum pump 53 and filling the refrigerant from the refrigerant tank 54, and perform these operations continuously. That is, in this modified example, by first connecting the vacuum pump 53 and the refrigerant tank 54, there is no need to change the connection state thereafter, and filling of the refrigerant and odor component OC can be performed more smoothly.

[0098] Second Embodiment Next, a filling system 50B according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. As described above, the filling system 50B differs from the filling system 50A according to the first embodiment in that the filling system 50B is a system that fills a refrigerant and odor component OC into a refrigerant circuit 10 that is not pre-charged and has not been filled with refrigerant in advance. In the description of the filling system 50B, the same components as those in the filling system 50A are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0099] Without pre-charging, the refrigerant circuit 10 has foreign matter such as moisture remaining in the flow paths within the refrigerant circuit 10. In this case, before filling the refrigerant circuit 10 with refrigerant, it is necessary to remove air and moisture from the refrigerant circuit 10 by evacuation. Therefore, without pre-charging, the evacuation period is longer than with pre-charging. Therefore, the filling system 50B is configured so that the container 60 can be omitted for an appropriate period of time when evacuation is performed.

[0100] In other words, filling system 50B allows container 60 containing odor component OC to be detachably attached between control valve 51 and compound pressure meter 52. Specifically, first hose 56 includes control valve hose 56a connected to control valve 51, compound pressure meter hose 56b connected to second hose 57 or compound pressure meter 52 without passing through container 60, and container hose 56c connected to container 60.

[0101] In the filling system 50B, the control valve hose 56a, the compound pressure meter hose 56b, and the second hose 57 are connected in a continuous manner during the first period of evacuation, thereby eliminating the container 60. The first period is set to, for example, a time interval that allows sufficient discharge of air and moisture from the refrigerant circuit 10. This allows the refrigerant circuit 10 to be evacuated smoothly.

[0102] On the other hand, during the second period of evacuation and when charging the refrigerant, the charging system 50B connects the control valve hose 56a, the container hose 56c, the container 60, and the second hose 57. The second period is set, for example, to a time interval that allows air and moisture downstream of the control valve 51 in the gas discharge direction to be discharged. This second period is shorter than the first period. This allows the charging system 50B to successfully perform evacuation via the container 60 and the subsequent charging of the refrigerant.

[0103] The filling system 50B according to the second embodiment is basically configured as described above, and a refrigerant filling method, which is a method of using the system, will be described below with reference to Figure 9. The refrigerant filling method according to the second embodiment is a method of using the filling system 50B to fill a refrigerant and odor components OC into an air conditioner 1 without pre-charging, in which the refrigerant circuit 10 is not filled with refrigerant in advance. In this refrigerant filling method, an operator fills the refrigerant and odor components OC into the refrigerant circuit 10 by sequentially performing steps S201 to S213 shown in Figure 9.

[0104] In the refrigerant filling method according to the second embodiment, the worker first installs the outdoor unit 20 and indoor unit 30 of the air conditioning unit 1 at the installation site, and then connects the first connecting pipe 11 and the second connecting pipe 12 to the outdoor unit 20 and the indoor unit 30 to form the refrigerant circuit 10 (step S201: installation step).

[0105] Next, the worker connects the control valve 51 to the gas service port 44 of the outdoor unit 20 (step S202). Furthermore, the worker connects the compound pressure gauge 52 and the vacuum pump 53 in this order from the control valve 51 toward the downstream side in the fluid discharge direction (step S203). At this time, the worker connects the control valve hose 56a and the compound pressure gauge hose 56b of the first hose 56, thereby enabling evacuation without the container 60.

[0106] Then, the operator operates the vacuum pump 53 to evacuate the refrigerant circuit 10 using the vacuum pump 53 (step S204: evacuation step). This allows the filling system 50B to discharge air and moisture from the refrigerant circuit 10. At this time, the operator performs evacuation over a first period while checking the pressure of the compound pressure meter 52, thereby reducing the pressure inside the refrigerant circuit 10 to a target pressure. In step S204, since the container 60 is not present between the control valve 51 and the compound pressure meter 52, evacuation can be performed continuously without considering the suction of the odor component OC from the container 60.

[0107] After the air and moisture have been discharged from the refrigerant circuit 10, the operator closes each valve to temporarily suspend the evacuation (step S205).

[0108] Next, the container 60 containing the odor components OC is provided to the installation site (step S206). For example, the worker prepares the container 60 containing the odor components OC by pouring the odor components OC into an empty container 60. Alternatively, the worker may bring in a container 60 that is already filled with the odor components OC.

[0109] The operator removes the compound pressure gauge hose 56b between the control valve hose 56a and the second hose 57, and connects the container hose 56c and the container 60 instead (step S207). As a result, the filling system 50B is in a state in which the container 60, the compound pressure gauge 52, and the vacuum pump 53 are connected in this order from the control valve 51 downstream in the discharge direction of the fluid, similar to the filling system 50A according to the first embodiment.

[0110] Next, the operator opens each valve and operates the vacuum pump 53 again to perform vacuuming with the vacuum pump 53 (step S208: vacuuming step). At this time, the operator opens the valve operating unit 513 of the control valve 51 to close the valve core 44b of the gas service port 44. The operator also turns the container 60 to a horizontal position as shown in FIG. 5(B). This allows the vacuum pump 53 to suck air and moisture from each device, such as the control valve 51, the container 60, and the compound pressure gauge 52, and from each hose 55, thereby vacuuming the flow path up to the control valve 51.

[0111] When evacuation is completed, the operator closes on-off valve 522 on the vacuum pump 53 side of compound pressure meter 52, removes vacuum pump 53, and connects refrigerant tank 54 (step S209). As a result, filling system 50B is in a state in which refrigerant tank 54, compound pressure meter 52, container 60, and control valve 51 are connected in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the refrigerant supply direction.

[0112] In this state, the operator opens each valve to supply refrigerant from the refrigerant tank 54, combine the refrigerant with the odor components OC in the container 60, and fill the refrigerant circuit 10 with the refrigerant and odor components OC (step S210). At this time, the operator turns the container 60 upright, closes the valve operation unit 513 of the control valve 51, and opens the valve core 44b of the gas service port 44. This enables the filling system 50B to supply the refrigerant and odor components OC from the control valve 51 into the refrigerant circuit 10. That is, in the refrigerant filling method according to the second embodiment, in step 210, the odor component filling step of filling the odor components OC from the container 60 and the refrigerant filling step of filling the refrigerant from the refrigerant tank 54 are simultaneously performed.

[0113] In the refrigerant charging method according to the second embodiment, the odorous components OC in the container 60 are also depleted first during refrigerant charging. Therefore, in the refrigerant charging method, even after the odorous components OC are depleted, the supply of refrigerant from the refrigerant tank 54 continues, and the refrigerant is charged into the refrigerant circuit 10 via the container 60 (step S211).

[0114] During refrigerant charging, the operator monitors the weight of refrigerant tank 54 measured by electronic scale 542 of refrigerant tank 54, the pressure measured by pressure gauge 523 of compound pressure gauge 52, and the like to monitor whether refrigerant charging has been completed (step S212). If refrigerant charging has not been completed (step S212: NO), the operator continues charging refrigerant from refrigerant tank 54. On the other hand, if refrigerant charging has been completed (step S212: YES), the process proceeds to step S213.

[0115] In step S213 after the refrigerant has been charged, the worker closes each valve of charging system 50B and then removes charging system 50B.

[0116] As described above, the refrigerant charging method according to the second embodiment also makes it possible to efficiently charge the refrigerant and the odor components OC into the refrigerant circuit 10. In particular, the refrigerant charging method allows the odor components OC to be smoothly and reliably sealed into the refrigerant circuit 10 even in a refrigerant circuit 10 that is not precharged, by simultaneously charging the odor components OC together with the refrigerant.

[0117] The refrigerant charging method according to the second embodiment can also be modified in various ways. For example, in the refrigerant charging method according to the second embodiment, the vacuum pump 53 and the refrigerant tank 54 may be connected to the manifold 52 in advance to perform vacuuming and refrigerant supply (see also FIG. 7 ). Furthermore, even in a refrigerant circuit 10 with pre-charging, the operator may perform the refrigerant charging method according to the second embodiment depending on the amount of refrigerant charged, the lengths of the first connecting pipe 11 and the second connecting pipe 12, and the like. This allows air and moisture to be stably discharged from the refrigerant circuit 10.

[0118] Aspects and Effects of the Present Disclosure The above-disclosed embodiment has, for example, the following aspects and effects.

[0119] One aspect of the present disclosure is a refrigerant filling method for filling a refrigeration device 1 having a refrigerant circuit 10 that circulates refrigerant with refrigerant, the method comprising: an installation step of installing the refrigeration device 1 in a predetermined position; an odor component filling step of connecting a container 60 that stores odor components OC to the refrigeration device 1 and filling the odor components from the container 60 into the refrigeration device 1; and a refrigerant filling step of connecting a refrigerant tank 54 that stores refrigerant to the refrigeration device 1 simultaneously with or after the odor component filling step, and filling the refrigeration device 1 with refrigerant from the refrigerant tank 54.

[0120] According to the above, by performing the refrigerant charging step simultaneously with or after the odor component charging step, the refrigerant charging method can easily supply the odor components OC into the refrigerant circuit 10 when installing the device. That is, the refrigerant charging method can supply the odor components OC when the pressure in the refrigerant circuit 10 is not high, and can prevent the odor components OC from leaking outside the refrigerant circuit 10, allowing the target amount of odor components OC to be smoothly sealed in the refrigerant circuit 10.

[0121] In addition, the refrigerant filling method includes a vacuum pumping step, prior to the odor component filling step, in which a pressure measuring device (compound pressure gauge 52) is connected to the refrigeration device 1 and a vacuum pump 53 is connected to the pressure measuring device, and the flow path between the refrigeration device 1 and the vacuum pump 53 is vacuumed by the vacuum pump 53.

[0122] As a result, the refrigerant charging method can prevent air and moisture from entering the refrigerant circuit 10, and can charge the refrigerant and odor component OC into the refrigerant circuit 10.

[0123] Furthermore, in the odor component filling step, the container 60 is placed between the refrigeration device 1 and the pressure measuring device (compound pressure gauge 52).

[0124] This allows the refrigerant charging method to perform evacuation and charging of the refrigerant while the container 60 is connected, thereby reducing the time required to connect or replace equipment.

[0125] Furthermore, a first amount of refrigerant is sealed in the refrigeration device 1 before the installation step, and in the refrigerant charging step, the refrigeration device 1 is charged with a second amount of refrigerant from the refrigerant tank 54 .

[0126] As a result, the refrigerant charging method charges the refrigerant into the refrigerant circuit 10 that has already been sealed with the refrigerant, thereby shortening the time required for vacuuming and filling the refrigerant, and further improving work efficiency.

[0127] Alternatively, the refrigeration device 1 is not charged with a refrigerant before the installation step, and in the odor component charging step, the odor component OC is charged into the refrigerant circuit 10 that has not been charged with a refrigerant beforehand.

[0128] This allows the refrigerant charging method to supply the odorous component OC to the refrigerant circuit 10 more smoothly.

[0129] In the refrigerant filling step, the refrigerant tank 54, the container 60, and the refrigeration device 1 are connected in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the refrigerant supply direction.

[0130] As a result, the refrigerant charging method allows the odorous components OC in the container 60 to flow into the refrigerant circuit 10 as the refrigerant is charged from the refrigerant tank 54 .

[0131] The refrigerant is a highly flammable refrigerant.

[0132] As a result, the refrigerant charging method can seal the odorous component OC together with the highly flammable refrigerant, so that when the highly flammable refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant circuit 10, the odorous component OC also leaks, allowing people around to quickly recognize the abnormality.

[0133] The odor component OC contained in the container 60 is in a liquid state.

[0134] As a result, the refrigerant charging method can smoothly perform vacuuming, refrigerant supply, etc. at the installation site of the refrigeration device 1 while suppressing leakage of odorous components OC from the container 60.

[0135] The odor component OC contains one or more of tetrahydrothiophene, dimethyl sulfide, and ethyl methyl sulfide.

[0136] As a result, the odorous components have superior odor quality and odor threshold compared to other sulfide-based components, and are chemically stabilized, so that the composition of the odorous components can be well maintained in the refrigerant circuit 10.

[0137] The refrigerant charging method according to the presently disclosed embodiment is illustrative in all respects and is not limiting. The embodiments can be modified and improved in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The features described in the above embodiments can be configured in other ways and can be combined together without contradiction.

[0138] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-057726, filed on March 29, 2024, with the Japan Patent Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0139] REFRIGERATION SYSTEM (AIR CONDITIONER) 10 REFRIGERATOR CIRCUIT 52 COMPONENT METER 53 VACUUM PUMP 54 REFRIGERATOR TANK 60 CONTAINER OC ODOR COMPONENT

Claims

1. A refrigerant charging method for charging a refrigeration device (1) having a refrigerant circuit (10) that circulates the refrigerant, the refrigeration device (1) having an installation step of installing the refrigeration device (1) in a predetermined position; an odor component charging step of connecting a container (60) containing odor components to the refrigeration device (1) and charging the odor components from the container (60) into the refrigeration device (1); and a refrigerant charging step of connecting a refrigerant tank (54) that stores the refrigerant to the refrigeration device (1) simultaneously with or after the odor component charging step, and charging the refrigerant from the refrigerant tank (54) into the refrigeration device (1).

2. The refrigerant charging method according to claim 1, further comprising, prior to the odor component charging step, a vacuuming step of connecting a pressure measuring device (52) to the refrigeration device (1) and connecting a vacuum pump (53) to the pressure measuring device (52), and using the vacuum pump (53) to evacuate a flow path between the refrigeration device (1) and the vacuum pump (53).

3. The refrigerant charging method according to claim 2, wherein in the odor component charging step, the container (60) is disposed between the refrigeration device (1) and the pressure measuring device (52).

4. The refrigerant charging method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a first amount of the refrigerant is sealed in the refrigeration device (1) before the installation step, and in the refrigerant charging step, a second amount of the refrigerant is charged into the refrigeration device from the refrigerant tank (54).

5. A refrigerant charging method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the refrigeration device (1) is not filled with the refrigerant before the installation step, and the odor component charging step involves charging the odor component into the refrigerant circuit (10) in which the refrigerant has not been charged beforehand.

6. The refrigerant charging method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein in the refrigerant charging step, the refrigerant tank (54), the container (60), and the refrigeration device (1) are connected in this order from upstream to downstream in the supply direction of the refrigerant.

7. A refrigerant charging method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the refrigerant is a highly flammable refrigerant.

8. A refrigerant charging method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the odorous component contained in the container (60) is in a liquid state.

9. A refrigerant charging method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the odorous components include one or more of tetrahydrothiophene, dimethyl sulfide, and ethyl methyl sulfide.

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