Refrigerant Leak Detection Control with Fan-Based Sensor Power Cutoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor gas sensors used in refrigerant detection systems can experience changes in detection characteristics when exposed to gases for extended periods, leading to potential overlooking of refrigerant leaks or false detections, which can result in increased indoor refrigerant concentrations.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration cycle apparatus and system that includes a controller which operates an air-sending fan to diffuse refrigerant leaks and stops the electric supply to the refrigerant detection unit when the fan's rotation speed exceeds a threshold, reducing the detection unit's exposure time and maintaining detection accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electric refrigerant detection unit is continuously supplied with electricity to maintain detection capability, then the detection reliability is improved, but the detection characteristics change due to long-term exposure to gases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by stopping electric supply to the refrigerant detection unit during periods when detection is not required (such as when the air-sending fan is operating at high speed and diffusing refrigerant). The controller intermittently activates the detection unit only when necessary, thereby maintaining detection reliability while preventing characteristic degradation from continuous exposure to gases.
2Reliability
If the air-sending fan operates at high rotation speed to diffuse leaked refrigerant, then the safety is improved, but the electric refrigerant detection unit experiences accelerated characteristic change due to continuous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements periodic action by monitoring the rotation speed of the air-sending fan and stopping electric supply to the refrigerant detection unit when the fan speed reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold. This intermittent operation reduces the cumulative exposure time of the detection unit to gases while maintaining safety through high-speed fan operation for refrigerant diffusion.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the electric supply to the refrigerant detection unit is stopped to reduce characteristic change, then the detection unit longevity is improved, but the detection capability is lost during non-operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback control by continuously monitoring the rotation speed of the air-sending fan and using this information to control the electric supply to the refrigerant detection unit. When fan speed indicates active refrigerant diffusion (reaching threshold), the detection unit is powered down to extend service life. When fan speed drops below the threshold, the detection unit is automatically reactivated to maintain detection capability, thus balancing longevity and reliability through feedback-driven dynamic control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces the change in detection characteristics of the refrigerant detection unit, ensuring reliable leak detection and preventing local increases in indoor refrigerant concentrations.
Implementation Method 1
the indoor air-sending fan is rotated when the leakage of the refrigerant is detected so that indoor air is sucked through an air inlet formed in the casing of the indoor unit and air is blown off to the indoor space through an air outlet. In this manner, the leaked refrigerant can be diffused.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a refrigeration cycle apparatus including a refrigerant circuit configured to circulate refrigerant, a heat exchanger unit accommodating a heat exchanger of the refrigerant circuit, and a controller configured to control the heat exchanger unit, in which the heat exchanger unit includes an air-sending fan, and an electric refrigerant detection unit, the controller is configured to operate the air-sending fan when the controller detects leakage of the refrigerant on the basis of a detection signal from the electric refrigerant detection unit, and the controller is configured to stop electric supply to the electric refrigerant detection unit when a rotation speed of the air-sending fan becomes equal to or larger than a first threshold value under a state in which the electric refrigerant detection unit is supplied with electricity.