Cooling device and method for improving cooling capacity of cooling device

Abstract

This cooling device (100) comprises a compressor (1), a condenser (31), an expansion valve (41), and an evaporator (32). The cooling device (100) further comprises piping (10) that connects the compressor (1), the condenser (31), the expansion valve (41), and the evaporator (32). A refrigerant circulates through the piping (10) in the order of the compressor (1), the condenser (31), the expansion valve (41), and the evaporator (32). The cooling device (100) further comprises an attachment part (60) to which an electric pump for increasing the pressure of the refrigerant led out from the evaporator (32) is attached.

Description

Cooling device and method for improving the cooling capacity of a cooling device

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a cooling device and a method for increasing the cooling capacity of a cooling device.

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2021-162236 (Patent Document 1) discloses a refrigeration system having a first compressor and a second compressor disposed on the discharge side of the first compressor. The refrigeration system executes a first control that stops the first compressor and drives the second compressor, and a second control that drives the first compressor and the second compressor.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-162236

[0004] After a refrigeration unit is installed in a predetermined location, the refrigeration capacity of the refrigeration unit may be reduced below the expected capacity due to the following subsequent reasons (later reasons). Such reasons include, for example, deterioration of the refrigeration unit over time. Even if the refrigeration capacity of the refrigeration unit is reduced due to such subsequent reasons, the reduced refrigeration capacity cannot be improved.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and its purpose is to improve the reduced refrigeration capacity of a cooling device even when the cooling capacity of the cooling device is reduced due to subsequent reasons.

[0006] The cooling device of the present disclosure includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. The cooling device further includes piping connecting the compressor, the condenser, the expansion valve, and the evaporator. Refrigerant flows through the piping in the order of the compressor, the condenser, the expansion valve, and the evaporator. The cooling device further includes a mounting portion to which a pressure booster device is attached that increases the pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the evaporator.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, even if the cooling capacity of a cooling device is reduced due to a subsequent reason, the reduced refrigeration capacity can be improved.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a cooling device in an unattached state; FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a pressure boosting unit; FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a cooling device in an attached state; FIG. 4 is an example of a pH diagram in a cooling device; FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a control device; FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by an operator or the like in a cooling device in an unattached state; and FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by a cooling device in an attached state.

[0009] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0010] [Configuration of Cooling Device] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a cooling device 100. The configuration of the cooling device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The cooling device 100 is used as, for example, an air conditioner, a refrigeration device, a showcase, a unit cooler, etc.

[0011] 1 , the cooling device 100 includes an outdoor unit 101 and an indoor unit 102. The outdoor unit 101 and the indoor unit 102 are connected by a pipe 21 and a pipe 22.

[0012] The outdoor unit 101 includes a compressor 1, a condenser 31, an outdoor fan 70, and a control device 8. The indoor unit 102 includes an inlet valve 40, an expansion valve 41, an evaporator 32, an indoor fan 80, and a temperature sensor 45. The condenser 31 is also referred to as a "first heat exchanger" or an "outdoor heat exchanger." The evaporator 32 is also referred to as a "second heat exchanger" or an "indoor heat exchanger." The control device 8 is also referred to as a "control circuit" or "at least one processor." Note that the inlet valve 40 may be omitted.

[0013] The outdoor fan 70 and the indoor fan 80 can be attached and detached by an operator, etc. Although not shown in Fig. 1 , an outdoor fan separate from the outdoor fan 70 is fixed to the outdoor unit 101. Furthermore, an indoor fan separate from the indoor fan 80 is fixed to the indoor unit 102.

[0014] The outdoor fan 70 is also referred to as the "fan for the condenser 31." The indoor fan 80 is also referred to as the "fan for the evaporator 32." Driving the outdoor fan 70 improves the heat exchange efficiency of the condenser 31, thereby improving the cooling capacity of the cooling device 100. Driving the indoor fan 80 improves the heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator 32, thereby improving the cooling capacity of the cooling device 100.

[0015] The piping 10 connects the compressor 1, the condenser 31, the introduction valve 40, the expansion valve 41, and the evaporator 32. The refrigerant is used in a refrigeration cycle that transports heat between the outdoor unit 101 and the indoor unit 102. The refrigerant is configured to circulate through the piping 10 in the following order: compressor 1, condenser 31, introduction valve 40, expansion valve 41, evaporator 32, and compressor 1.

[0016] The compressor 1 is typically an inverter compressor. The compressor 1 is configured to compress and discharge the refrigerant that it draws in. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 circulates through the condenser 31, the introduction valve 40, the expansion valve 41, the evaporator 32, and the compressor 1 in this order.

[0017] The condenser 31 exchanges heat between a first heat exchange target and the refrigerant. The first heat exchange target is, for example, "air in a first space." The "first space" is typically the "outdoor space" in which the outdoor unit 101 is installed. Specifically, the condenser 31 is configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant flowing inside the condenser 31 and the air flowing outside the condenser 31. Note that the "heat exchange target" in the present disclosure may be, for example, a liquid or a solid.

[0018] The inlet valve 40 is a valve that introduces the refrigerant discharged from the condenser 31 into the expansion valve 41. When the inlet valve 40 is open, the refrigerant discharged from the condenser 31 moves to the expansion valve 41. On the other hand, when the inlet valve 40 is closed, the refrigerant discharged from the condenser 31 does not move to the expansion valve 41.

[0019] The expansion valve 41 is configured to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 31 by expanding it. The expansion valve 41 is, for example, an electromagnetic expansion valve.

[0020] The evaporator 32 exchanges heat between the refrigerant and a second heat exchange object. The second heat exchange object is, for example, "air in a second space." The "second space" is typically the "indoor space" where the indoor unit 102 is installed. The evaporator 32 is configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant flowing inside the evaporator 32 and the air flowing outside the evaporator 32. The temperature sensor 45 measures the temperature of the second heat exchange object (for example, room temperature).

[0021] The outdoor fan 70 is configured to blow outdoor air to the condenser 31. In other words, the outdoor fan 70 is configured to supply air to the condenser 31 in the direction indicated by the arrow α.

[0022] The indoor fan 80 is configured to blow indoor air to the evaporator 32. That is, the indoor fan 80 is configured to supply air to the evaporator 32 in the direction indicated by the arrow β.

[0023] The control device 8 is configured to control each device of the cooling device 100. The control device 8 is electrically connected to the compressor 1, the expansion valve 41, the introduction valve 40, the outdoor fan 70, the indoor fan 80, and the like, and is configured to control the operation of these devices.

[0024] Furthermore, the control device 8 controls the compressor 1, the expansion valve 41, etc. so that the temperature of the second heat exchange target (e.g., room temperature) detected by the temperature sensor 45 becomes the set temperature. The control device 8 sets the set temperature based on the user's operation of a setting device (e.g., a remote control), etc.

[0025] Specifically, the control device 8 performs feedback control on the compressor 1 and the like so that the room temperature becomes the set temperature (so that the room temperature approaches the set temperature). Specifically, the control device 8 controls the operating parameters of the motor of the compressor 1. The operating parameters are, for example, the frequency or rotation speed of the motor. In this embodiment, the operating parameter is the operating frequency of the motor. Hereinafter, the operating frequency is also simply referred to as "frequency."

[0026] Furthermore, even if the operating frequency is at the lowest value, there may be cases where the room temperature is lower than the set temperature. In this case, the control device 8 can stop driving the compressor 1. In this way, the control device 8 can control the driving and stopping of the compressor 1 and the operating frequency of the compressor 1.

[0027] The control device 8 has, as its main components, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 86 and a memory 88. The CPU 86 executes various processes and calculations. The components are interconnected by a data bus. The memory 88 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The CPU 86 is also referred to as "at least one processor" or "control circuit."

[0028] The ROM stores programs executed by the CPU 86. The RAM temporarily stores data generated by the execution of the programs by the CPU 86. The RAM can function as a temporary data memory used as a working area.

[0029] After the cooling device 100 is installed in a predetermined position, the cooling capacity of the cooling device 100 may be reduced due to the following subsequent reasons. In this embodiment, the subsequent reasons include at least one of the following first to fourth reasons.

[0030] The first reason is that the cooling capacity of the cooling device 100 (particularly the indoor unit 102) decreases due to aging. The second reason is that the cooling load of the second heat exchange target or the like increases or the amount of frost on the condenser 31 increases.

[0031] The third reason is that the length of the pipe 10 is longer than expected or the number of bends in the pipe 10 is greater than expected due to the installation work of the cooling device 100. If the pipe 10 is excessively long or the number of bends in the pipe 10 is excessively large, the loss of pressure of the refrigerant increases, and the refrigerant capacity decreases.

[0032] The fourth reason is a change in the temperature of the second heat exchange target (e.g., room temperature) due to a change in the environment in which the cooling device 100 is installed. For example, the range of maximum and minimum room temperatures may expand due to environmental changes. In this case, the actual room temperature may be higher than the room temperature assumed during the manufacturing stage of the cooling device 100. This also reduces the cooling capacity of the cooling device 100.

[0033] In the conventional cooling device, when the cooling capacity is reduced due to the above-mentioned subsequent reasons, there may be a problem that the reduced cooling capacity cannot be improved.

[0034] In contrast, even if the cooling capacity is reduced due to a subsequent reason, the cooling device 100 of this embodiment has a mounting portion 60 to which the pressure boosting unit 150 is attached later. As will be described later, the pressure boosting unit 150 is a unit for improving the cooling capacity. The pressure boosting unit 150 is attached to the mounting portion 60 by a worker or a robot, for example.

[0035] In the example of Fig. 1, the pressure boosting unit 150 is not attached to the attachment portion 60, and this state is referred to as the "non-attached state." In this embodiment, the attachment portion 60 is a part of the piping 10, and this part of the piping 10 is removable. The pressure boosting unit 150 is then attached to the removed part. In Fig. 1, the attachment portion 60 is indicated by a thick line.

[0036] [Pressure Boost Unit] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of the pressure boost unit 150. The pressure boost unit 150 includes a pressure sensor 152, an electric pump 154, a switching valve 156, and a pipe 160. In the pressure boost unit 150, the pipe 160 has one end 161 and the other end 162. The electric pump 154 ​​increases the pressure of the refrigerant. In this embodiment, the electric pump 154 ​​is a turbo electric pump. Furthermore, the electric pump 154 ​​is an oil-less electric pump. The electric pump 154 ​​corresponds to the "pressure boost device" of the present disclosure.

[0037] The pressure sensor 152 is disposed to detect the pressure of the refrigerant on the suction side of the electric pump 154. The pressure sensor 152 corresponds to the "sensor" in the present disclosure. The electric pump 154 ​​and the switching valve 156 are disposed in parallel between one end 161 and the other end 162.

[0038] When the switching valve 156 is closed, the refrigerant introduced into the pressure-boosting unit 150 is sucked into the electric pump 154. On the other hand, when the switching valve 156 is open, the refrigerant introduced into the pressure-boosting unit 150 moves to the switching valve 156 and does not move to the electric pump 154.

[0039] To attach pressure-up unit 150, for example, an operator removes the pipe (indicated by the thick line in FIG. 1 ) that corresponds to attachment portion 60. With this pipe removed, end portions 61 and 62 of pipe 10 are formed. Then, the operator attaches pressure-up unit 150 to cooling device 100 so that end portion 61 coincides with one end 161 and end portion 62 coincides with the other end 162.

[0040] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the cooling device 100 in which the pressure-boosting unit 150 is attached to the cooling device 100. The state in which the pressure-boosting unit 150 is attached to the cooling device 100 is referred to as the "attached state."

[0041] 3 , the electric pump 154 ​​increases the pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 32. That is, the refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 32 is compressed by the electric pump 154. The electric pump 154 ​​may be any other device as long as it increases the pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 32.

[0042] The refrigerant compressed by the electric pump 154 ​​is sucked into the compressor 1 and further compressed by the compressor 1. Therefore, the cooling capacity when the electric pump 154 ​​is installed is higher than the cooling capacity when the electric pump 154 ​​is not installed. Furthermore, the pressure sensor 152 detects the pressure on the suction side of the electric pump 154. The pressure detected by the pressure sensor 152 is also referred to as the "detected pressure P."

[0043] The worker can remove the pressure-increasing unit 150 (electric pump 154) attached to the cooling device 100. That is, the pressure-increasing unit 150 (electric pump 154) is detachable from the cooling device 100. Note that when the pressure-increasing unit 150 is removed from the cooling device 100 in the attached state shown in FIG. 3, the cooling device 100 returns to the unattached state shown in FIG. 1.

[0044] [Ph Diagram] Fig. 4 is an example of a pH diagram (pressure-enthalpy chart) of the refrigerant of the cooling device 100 of this embodiment. The vertical axis of Fig. 4 represents the pressure of the refrigerant, and the horizontal axis represents the specific enthalpy of the refrigerant.

[0045] 4 shows points A to D. Between A and B, the state of the refrigerant changes in the compressor 1. Between B and C, the state of the refrigerant changes in the condenser 31. Between C and D, the state of the refrigerant changes in the expansion valve 41. Between D and A, the state of the refrigerant changes in the evaporator 32.

[0046] 4 also shows a pressure P, which is a detected pressure P detected by the pressure sensor 152. Furthermore, a threshold value Th is shown in FIG.

[0047] Now, suppose that due to the aforementioned subsequent reason, the booster unit 150 is attached to the cooling device 100 to improve the cooling capacity. However, there is a case where the cooling capacity of the cooling device 100 to which the booster unit 150 is attached becomes excessively high. This case occurs when the pressure of the refrigerant delivered from the evaporator 32 (i.e., the detected pressure P) is lower than the threshold value Th. In this case, a problem such as excessive cooling of the second heat exchange target may occur.

[0048] Therefore, when the detected pressure P is lower than the threshold value Th, the control device 8 stops driving the electric pump 154. When the detected pressure P is higher than the threshold value Th, the control device 8 drives the electric pump 154. When the detected pressure P becomes equal to the threshold value Th, the control device 8 may either stop driving the electric pump 154 ​​or drive the electric pump 154.

[0049] The threshold value Th may be a first value that is the refrigerant pressure when the compressor is stopped in the non-attached state, or a second value that is smaller than the first value.

[0050] [Functional Block Diagram of Control Device] Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram of the control device 8. This functional block diagram is a diagram showing the cooling device 100 in an installed state. The control device 8 has a receiving unit 103, a determining unit 104, a control unit 106, and a storage unit 108. As shown in Fig. 5, the control device 8 controls the electric pump 154, the compressor 1, the outdoor fan 70, the indoor fan 80, the switching valve 156, and the introduction valve 40. This control is realized by the control device 8 transmitting control signals to the target devices.

[0051] The receiving unit 103 acquires the detected pressure P from the pressure sensor 152. The determining unit 104 determines whether the detected pressure P is smaller than the threshold value Th. The determination result is output to the control unit 106. If the detected pressure P is larger than the threshold value Th, the control unit 106 executes the following processes: driving the electric pump 154, driving the compressor 1, driving the outdoor fan 70, driving the indoor fan 80, closing the switching valve 156, and opening the introduction valve 40 (step S58 in FIG. 7 , which will be described later).

[0052] On the other hand, if the detected pressure P is smaller than the threshold value Th, the control unit 106 executes the following processes: stopping the operation of the electric pump 154, stopping the operation of the compressor 1, stopping the operation of the outdoor fan 70, stopping the operation of the indoor fan 80, opening the switching valve 156, and closing the introduction valve 40 (step S56 in FIG. 7 described below).

[0053] [Flowchart when in non-attached state] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a process executed by an operator, a robot, or the like when the cooling device 100 is in the non-attached state (see Fig. 1). The following describes that the operator executes the process of Fig. 6. The process of Fig. 6 is executed, for example, at any timing determined by the operator. The process of Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a method for improving the cooling capacity of the cooling device 100.

[0054] First, in step S2, the worker inspects the cooling capacity of the cooling device 100 in an unattached state. For this inspection, for example, the worker sets a set temperature and operates the cooling device 100 at the set temperature. Then, the worker determines whether the duration (e.g., 1 hour) during which the temperature of the second heat exchange target (e.g., room temperature) remains at or above a specified temperature due to operation of the cooling device 100 reaches a predetermined time. The specified temperature is the set temperature plus a predetermined temperature (e.g., 2 to 3 degrees).

[0055] Next, in step S4, the operator determines whether the cooling capacity satisfies the normal standard. The normal standard corresponds to the "predetermined standard" in the present disclosure. For example, if the room temperature falls below a specified temperature without the duration reaching a predetermined time, the cooling capacity is determined to satisfy the normal standard. On the other hand, if the duration reaches a predetermined time, the cooling capacity is determined not to satisfy the normal standard. The cooling capacity does not satisfy the normal standard when, for example, the aforementioned subsequent reason occurs.

[0056] If the cooling capacity satisfies the normal standard (YES in step S4), the process in Fig. 6 ends. On the other hand, if the cooling capacity does not satisfy the normal standard (NO in step S4), the operator installs the electric pump 154 ​​in step S6. As a result, the cooling capacity that was determined not to satisfy the normal standard is improved so that it satisfies the normal standard.

[0057] 7 is a flowchart showing the process executed by the control device 8 of the cooling device 100 in the attached state (see FIG. 3). The process in FIG. 7 is executed periodically (for example, every minute).

[0058] In step S52, the control device 8 acquires the detected pressure P from the pressure sensor 152. Next, in step S54, the control device 8 determines whether the detected pressure P is smaller than the threshold value Th. If the detected pressure P is larger than the threshold value Th (NO in step S54), the control device 8 executes the following processes in step S58: driving the electric pump 154, driving the compressor 1, driving the outdoor fan 70, driving the indoor fan 80, closing the switching valve 156, and opening the introduction valve 40.

[0059] On the other hand, if the detected pressure P is smaller than the threshold value Th (YES in step S54), in step S56, the control unit 106 executes the following processes: stopping the operation of the electric pump 154, stopping the operation of the compressor 1, stopping the operation of the outdoor fan 70, stopping the operation of the indoor fan 80, opening the switching valve 156, and closing the introduction valve 40. When the processes of step S56 and step S58 are completed, the process of FIG. 7 ends.

[0060] [Summary] (1) As shown in Fig. 1 , the cooling device 100 has a mounting portion 60. The mounting portion 60 is a portion to which an electric pump 154 ​​is attached, which increases the pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 32. Therefore, even if the cooling capacity of the cooling device 100 is reduced due to the subsequent reasons described above, for example, the reduced cooling capacity can be improved by mounting the electric pump 154 ​​to the mounting portion 60 and driving the electric pump 154.

[0061] (2) As shown in FIG. 3 , in the installed state, the cooling device 100 has a pressure sensor 152. Then, as shown in step S54 of FIG. 7 , it is determined whether the detected pressure P detected by the pressure sensor 152 is smaller than the threshold value Th. Then, if the detected pressure P is larger than the threshold value Th (NO in step S54), the cooling device 100 drives the electric pump 154 ​​in step S58. On the other hand, if the detected pressure P is smaller than the threshold value Th (YES in step S54), the cooling device 100 stops driving the electric pump 154.

[0062] With this configuration, the cooling device 100 stops driving the electric pump 154 ​​when the pressure (detected pressure P) on the suction side of the electric pump 154 ​​is lower than the threshold value Th, that is, when the cooling capacity is excessively high. Therefore, the cooling device 100 can reduce excessively high cooling capacity. Furthermore, when the pressure on the suction side of the electric pump 154 ​​is higher than the threshold value, that is, when the cooling capacity is decreasing, the cooling capacity can be improved by driving the electric pump 154.

[0063] (3) When the detected pressure P is smaller than the threshold value Th, if the electric pump 154 ​​is stopped but the compressor 1 is operating, the refrigerant compression process may be incomplete, resulting in a waste of the electricity required for the compression process.

[0064] Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7 , the cooling device 100 drives the compressor 1 when the detected pressure P is greater than the threshold value Th. Furthermore, the cooling device 100 stops driving the compressor 1 when the detected pressure P is less than the threshold value Th. Therefore, the cooling device 100 can synchronize the driving of the electric pump 154 ​​with the driving of the compressor 1, and can also synchronize the stopping of the driving of the electric pump 154 ​​with the stopping of the driving of the compressor 1. Therefore, the cooling device 100 can prevent the refrigerant compression process from being incomplete, and can reduce waste of power required for the compression process.

[0065] (4) When the detected pressure P is smaller than the threshold value Th, if the outdoor fan 70 and the indoor fan 80 are stopped but the compressor 1 is operating, the refrigerant compression process may be incomplete, resulting in a waste of the electricity required for the compression process.

[0066] Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7 , the cooling device 100 drives the compressor 1 when the detected pressure P is greater than the threshold value Th. Furthermore, the cooling device 100 stops driving the compressor 1 when the detected pressure P is less than the threshold value Th. Therefore, the cooling device 100 can synchronize the driving of the outdoor fan 70 and the indoor fan 80 with the driving of the compressor 1, and can synchronize the stopping of the driving of the outdoor fan 70 and the indoor fan 80 with the stopping of the driving of the compressor 1. Therefore, the cooling device 100 can prevent the refrigerant compression process from being incomplete, and can reduce waste of power required for the compression process.

[0067] (5) The outdoor fan 70 and the indoor fan 80 shown in Fig. 1 are detachable. With this configuration, for example, when the cooling capacity of the cooling device 100 is restored after the aforementioned subsequent cause has disappeared, the outdoor fan 70 and the indoor fan 80 can be removed, allowing the cooling device 100 to be used at the restored cooling capacity.

[0068] (6) As shown in Fig. 1 , the mounting portion 60 is provided on the pipe 21 between the evaporator 32 and the compressor 1. With this configuration, a worker can relatively easily mount the electric pump 154 ​​(pressure-boosting unit 150) on the cooling device 100 compared to, for example, mounting the electric pump 154 ​​(pressure-boosting unit 150) on the outdoor unit 101.

[0069] (7) When the electric pump 154 ​​(pressure boosting unit 150) is attached to the attachment portion 60 (see FIG. 3 ), the electric pump 154 ​​can be removed from the attachment portion 60. With this configuration, for example, when the cooling capacity of the cooling device 100 is restored after the aforementioned subsequent cause has disappeared, the electric pump 154 ​​can be removed, and the cooling device 100 can be used with the restored cooling capacity.

[0070] (8) The electric pump 154 ​​in FIG. 2 is a turbo electric pump. Generally, the size of the electric pump 154 ​​is smaller than that of a non-turbo electric pump. Therefore, an operator can more easily install the electric pump 154 ​​in the cooling device 100 compared to installing a non-turbo electric pump in the cooling device 100.

[0071] (9) If an electric pump that uses oil were used, a problem could arise in which foreign matter such as the oil would be mixed into the piping 10. In contrast, the electric pump 154 ​​of this embodiment is oil-less and does not use oil, so the occurrence of such a problem can be suppressed.

[0072] 6 , when the cooling capacity of the cooling device 100 in the unattached state does not satisfy the normal standard (predetermined standard) (NO in step S4), the electric pump 154 ​​(pressure boosting unit 150) is attached to the attachment portion 60. Therefore, even if the cooling capacity of the cooling device 100 decreases due to a subsequent reason, the reduced cooling capacity can be improved by attaching the electric pump 154 ​​to the attachment portion 60.

[0073] [Note] (Item 1) The cooling device of the present disclosure includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. The cooling device also includes piping connecting the compressor, the condenser, the expansion valve, and the evaporator. Refrigerant flows through the piping in the order of the compressor, the condenser, the expansion valve, and the evaporator. The cooling device further includes a mounting portion to which a pressure booster device that increases the pressure of the refrigerant delivered from the evaporator is attached.

[0074] (2) The cooling device according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor for detecting a pressure on the suction side of the booster device when the booster device is attached to the attachment portion, and a control device. The control device drives the booster device when the pressure is greater than a threshold value. The control device stops driving the booster device when the pressure is less than the threshold value.

[0075] (Item 3) In the cooling device according to item 2, the control device drives the compressor when the pressure is greater than a threshold value, and stops driving the compressor when the pressure is less than the threshold value.

[0076] (4) The cooling device according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a fan that blows air to at least one of the condenser and the evaporator. The control device drives the fan when the pressure is greater than a threshold, and stops driving the fan when the pressure is less than the threshold.

[0077] (5) The cooling device according to claim 4, wherein the fan is detachable. (6) The cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the attachment portion is provided on a pipe between the evaporator and the compressor.

[0078] (7) In the cooling device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the booster device can be removed from the mounting portion when the booster device is attached to the mounting portion.

[0079] (Item 8) In the cooling device according to any one of items 1 to 7, the booster device is a turbo electric pump.

[0080] (Item 9) In the cooling device according to any one of items 1 to 8, the booster device is an oil-less electric pump.

[0081] (Clause 10) A method for improving the cooling capacity of a cooling device of the present disclosure includes inspecting the cooling capacity of the cooling device described in clause 1. The method also includes attaching a booster device to the attachment portion if the cooling capacity does not satisfy a predetermined standard.

[0082] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0083] 1 Compressor, 8 Control device, 10, 21, 22, 160 Piping, 31 Condenser, 32 Evaporator, 40 Inlet valve, 41 Expansion valve, 45 Temperature sensor, 60 Mounting portion, 61, 62 End portion, 70 Outdoor fan, 80 Indoor fan, 88 Memory, 100 Cooling device, 101 Outdoor unit, 102 Indoor unit, 103 Receiving unit, 104 Determination unit, 106 Control unit, 108 Memory unit, 150 Pressure boost unit, 152 Pressure sensor, 154 Electric pump, 156 Switching valve.

Claims

1. A cooling device comprising: a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator; and piping connecting the compressor, the condenser, the expansion valve, and the evaporator, wherein a refrigerant circulates through the piping in the order of the compressor, the condenser, the expansion valve, and the evaporator, and the cooling device further comprises a mounting portion to which a pressure booster device that increases the pressure of the refrigerant delivered from the evaporator is attached.

2. The cooling device according to claim 1, further comprising: a sensor that detects the pressure on the suction side of the booster device when the booster device is attached to the attachment portion; and a control device, wherein the control device drives the booster device when the pressure is greater than a threshold value, and stops driving the booster device when the pressure is less than the threshold value.

3. The cooling device according to claim 2, wherein the control device drives the compressor when the pressure is greater than the threshold value, and stops driving the compressor when the pressure is less than the threshold value.

4. The cooling device according to claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising a fan that blows air to at least one of the condenser and the evaporator, and the control device drives the fan when the pressure is greater than the threshold value, and stops driving the fan when the pressure is less than the threshold value.

5. The cooling device of claim 4, wherein the fan is detachable.

6. A cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the mounting portion is provided on a pipe between the evaporator and the compressor.

7. A cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the booster device is removable from the mounting portion when the booster device is attached to the mounting portion.

8. A cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the booster device is a turbo-type electric pump.

9. A cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the booster device is an oil-less electric pump.

10. A method for improving the cooling capacity of a cooling device, comprising: inspecting the cooling capacity of the cooling device according to claim 1; and if the cooling capacity does not meet a predetermined standard, attaching the booster device to the attachment portion.

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