Refrigerant Sensor Placement for Fast Leak Detection in Air Conditioners
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning apparatuses using flammable refrigerants face challenges in rapidly detecting refrigerant leakage during operation due to dispersion by the blower airflow, which can delay detection and increase safety risks.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioning apparatus is designed with a refrigerant sensor positioned on the downwind side of the heat exchanger and upwind of the blower, enhancing airflow concentration and precision in detecting leaks, and includes a blower configuration to disperse leaked refrigerant externally when detected, preventing ignition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the refrigerant sensor is arranged on the outer surface of the lower section of the casing, then the leakage of flammable refrigerant can be detected, but the detection is delayed because the refrigerant is dispersed by the airflow from the blower during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant sensor is pre-positioned at the downwind side of the heat exchanger where leaked refrigerant naturally accumulates before being dispersed by the blower. This preliminary positioning ensures detection occurs at the optimal location before the harmful dispersion effect takes place, resolving the contradiction between detection precision and detection time.
2Measurement precision
If the refrigerant sensor is positioned near the heat exchanger, then it can detect leaked refrigerant, but the airflow concentration at the sensor position is reduced, lowering detection precision
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is positioned at a specific location with distinct local characteristics - the downwind side of the heat exchanger where refrigerant concentration is highest. This local positioning exploits the specific airflow pattern and refrigerant accumulation zone to achieve both high concentration exposure and accurate detection, resolving the contradiction between detection precision and airflow concentration.
3Productivity
If the blower operates during refrigerant leakage, then heat exchange continues, but the leaked refrigerant is dispersed and cannot be rapidly detected
Solution Approach 1:
The downwind positioning of the refrigerant sensor acts as an intermediary detection point that monitors refrigerant leakage without interfering with the blower's heat exchange function. The sensor detects accumulated refrigerant at its specific location, enabling safety monitoring while the blower continues its productivity function, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
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 configuration allows for rapid and precise detection of refrigerant leaks, reducing the risk of ignition by ensuring the refrigerant is dispersed outside the casing, thereby enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange is carried out between the flammable refrigerant and the intake air in the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
the blower is caused to rotate... an air is taken into the casing from the intake port... the heat-exchanged air is blown out from the blow-off port
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention makes it possible to rapidly detect a leakage of a flammable refrigerant during an operation in an air conditioning apparatus that uses the flammable refrigerant. An air conditioning apparatus (1) is provided with: a casing (71) having an intake port (73a, 74a, 76a), and a discharge port (72a) formed in a top surface section; and a heat exchanger (23) and a blower (36) housed in the casing (71). A first refrigerant sensor (37) for detecting the flammable refrigerant is provided on a downwind side of the heat exchanger (23) inside the casing (71).