U.S. patent application number 15/843104 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-03 for refrigeration cycle apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. Invention is credited to Takao KOMAI, Akira MAEDA, Yasuhiro SUZUKI, Takaaki TAKISHITA.
Application Number | 20180119998 15/843104 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52569445 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180119998 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SUZUKI; Yasuhiro ; et
al. |
May 3, 2018 |
REFRIGERATION CYCLE APPARATUS
Abstract
The inside of a casing constituting an indoor unit of an
air-conditioning apparatus is laterally divided by an air passage
partition so that an air passage chamber housing an indoor fan and
an indoor heat exchanger is defined close to a casing side panel. A
space in the casing close to the casing side panel is further
vertically divided by a partition having through holes and so that
a pipe connection chamber housing parts of the extension pipes,
flare joints, and indoor pipes is defined in an upper portion and a
pipe draw-out chamber in which the extension pipes are arranged is
defined in a lower portion. Gaps between outer peripheries of the
extension pipes and inner peripheries of the through holes are
filled with insulations.
Inventors: |
SUZUKI; Yasuhiro; (Tokyo,
JP) ; KOMAI; Takao; (Tokyo, JP) ; MAEDA;
Akira; (Tokyo, JP) ; TAKISHITA; Takaaki;
(Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
52569445 |
Appl. No.: |
15/843104 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14894760 |
Nov 30, 2015 |
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PCT/JP2014/070001 |
Jul 30, 2014 |
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15843104 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 2313/006 20130101;
F24F 11/36 20180101; F25B 13/00 20130101; F24F 11/30 20180101; G01M
3/002 20130101; Y02B 30/12 20130101; F24F 1/32 20130101; F24F
2110/00 20180101; F24F 13/20 20130101; G01M 3/18 20130101; F24H
9/165 20130101; F25B 2313/003 20130101; F24H 4/06 20130101; F25B
47/025 20130101; F25B 2400/121 20130101; F24D 15/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25B 13/00 20060101
F25B013/00; G01M 3/18 20060101 G01M003/18; F24F 1/32 20110101
F24F001/32; F24F 13/20 20060101 F24F013/20; F24H 9/16 20060101
F24H009/16; G01M 3/00 20060101 G01M003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 13, 2013 |
JP |
2013-190512 |
Claims
1-8. (canceled)
9. A refrigeration cycle apparatus using a flammable refrigerant,
the refrigeration cycle apparatus comprising: an outdoor unit
including at least a compressor and an outdoor pipe; an indoor unit
including at least an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor pipe; an
extension pipe connecting the outdoor pipe and the indoor pipe to
each other; a pipe connection chamber disposed in a casing
constituting the indoor unit and housing a connection portion
connecting the indoor pipe and the extension pipe; a pipe draw-out
chamber disposed in the casing constituting the indoor unit, the
extension pipe drawn out from the pipe connection chamber passing
through the pipe draw-out chamber; and a leakage detection sensor
detecting refrigerant leakage disposed in the pipe connection
chamber, the pipe connection chamber and the pipe draw-out chamber
being partitioned from each other by a partition having a through
hole, the extension pipe penetrating the through hole.
10. The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 9, wherein the pipe
draw-out chamber is divided into a plurality of chambers by one or
more additional partitions each having a through hole, the
extension pipe penetrating the through hole, and the extension pipe
serially and sequentially passes through the chambers of the pipe
draw-out chamber.
11. The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 9, wherein the
through hole in the pipe draw-out chamber is located in an upper
portion or a top panel of the casing, the extension pipe
penetrating the through hole in the pipe draw-out chamber.
12. The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 9, wherein the
indoor heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat radiation plates
spaced from one another, and a heat transmission pipe penetrating
the plurality of heat radiation plates in a serpentine manner, and
the pipe connection chamber houses a joint portion jointing the
heat transmission pipe and the indoor pipe.
13. The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 9, wherein the
indoor heat exchanger includes a refrigerant channel and a water
channel adjacent to each other, and a refrigerant connection
portion communicating with the refrigerant channel, and the pipe
connection chamber houses the refrigerant connection portion.
14. The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 9, wherein the
indoor pipe and the extension pipe are connected to each other by a
mechanical joint.
15. The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 9, wherein a gap
between an outer periphery of the extension pipe and an inner
periphery of the through hole is filled with a gap filler of a
closed cell foam material.
16. The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 9, wherein the
refrigerant is one of a single component HFC refrigerant of R32
(CH.sub.2F.sub.2: difluoromethane), HFO-1234yf
(CF.sub.3CF.dbd.CH.sub.2: tetrafluoropropene), or HFO-1234ze
(CF.sub.3--CH.dbd.CHF), or a mixed refrigerant of these single
component refrigerants.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigeration cycle
apparatus, particularly to a refrigeration cycle apparatus that
performs a refrigeration cycle using refrigerant having a low
global warming potential.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A "HFC refrigerant" such as nonflammable R410A has been
conventionally used as refrigerant for a refrigeration cycle
performed by an air-conditioning apparatus, which is one of
refrigeration cycle apparatuses. Unlike a conventional "HCFC
refrigerant" such as R22, this R410A has an ozone-depletion
potential (hereinafter referred to as an "ODP") of 0 (zero) and
does not deplete an ozone layer, but has a high global warming
potential (hereinafter referred to as a "GWP").
[0003] Thus, as a part of prevention of global warming, it has been
investigated to shift from a high-GWP HFC refrigerant such as R410A
to a low-GWP refrigerant.
[0004] Candidates of such a low-GWP refrigerant include an HC
refrigerant such as R290 (C.sub.3H.sub.8: propane) and R1270
(C.sub.3H.sub.6: propylene), which are natural refrigerants. Unlike
a nonflammable R410A, the candidate refrigerants are extremely
flammable, and thus, a caution is needed against refrigerant
leakage.
[0005] Candidates of such a low-GWP refrigerant also include R32
(CH.sub.2F.sub.2: difluoromethane) having a GWP lower than that of
R410A, as an HFC refrigerant having no double bonds of carbon in
its composition,
[0006] Candidates of similar refrigerants include halogenated
hydrocarbon, which is a type of an HFC refrigerant similar to R32
and has double bonds of carbon in its composition. Examples of
halogenated hydrocarbon include HFO-1234yf
(CF.sub.3CF.dbd.CH.sub.2: tetrafluoropropene) and HFO-1234ze
(CF.sub.3--CH.dbd.CHF). To distinguish from an HFC refrigerant such
as R32 having no double bonds of carbon in its composition, an HFC
refrigerant having double bonds of carbon is often referred to as
"HFO" using "O" that stands for olefin (unsaturated hydrocarbon
having double bonds of carbon is called olefin).
[0007] Such a low-GWP HFC refrigerant (including an HFO
refrigerant) is not as highly flammable as an HO refrigerant
exemplified by R290 (C.sub.3H.sub.8: propane), which is a natural
refrigerant, but unlike nonflammable R410A, has a flammability at a
slightly flammable level. Thus, similarly to R290, a caution is
needed against refrigerant leakage. Refrigerant having
flammability, including refrigerants at a slightly flammable level,
will be hereinafter referred to as "flammable refrigerant."
[0008] In a case where flammable refrigerant leaks into an indoor
living space (hereinafter referred to as a room or indoor), a
refrigerant concentration in the room increases and may reach a
flammable concentration. Specifically, refrigerant can leak through
a pinhole in a weld zone of pipes of a heat exchanger mounted in an
indoor unit or a joint portion of a pipe (hereinafter referred to
as an "extension pipe") connecting the indoor unit to an outdoor
unit so that fast leakage, such as the case of a break of the pipe
caused by an external force or the case of detachment of the joint
to the extension pipe, may reach a flammable concentration because
of a high leakage speed, although slow leakage, having a small
leakage speed, does not reach a flammable concentration.
[0009] In view of this, to prevent refrigerant leakage from an
indoor unit into a room, a split-type air-conditioning apparatus
(see, for example, Patent Literature 1) is disclosed as follows. In
this apparatus, the indoor unit is connected to an extension pipe
by welding (hereinafter referred to as an "extension pipe weld
zone") without using a joint and a weld zone (hereinafter referred
to as a "heat exchanger pipe weld zone") between the extension pipe
weld zone and a pipe of a heat exchanger is housed in a sealed
casing. This configuration is intended to keep leaked refrigerant
in the sealed casing even when refrigerant leaks in the extension
pipe weld zone or the heat exchanger pipe weld zone.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0010] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication No. 10-47751 (page 6, FIG. 5)
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0011] The split-type air-conditioning apparatus disclosed in
Patent Literature 1, however, has the following problems: [0012]
(a) Since the indoor unit and the extension pipe are connected not
by a joint but by welding, additional jobs such as preparation of a
welding machine, not a general tool such as a spanner, and masking
of peripheral portions for preventing spread of a fire are needed
in on-site installation work, and consequently, an efficiency of
on-site construction decreases. [0013] (b) Furthermore, since a
portion (hereinafter referred to as a hole) through which the
extension pipe is drawn out from a sealed casing in the indoor unit
needs to be highly hermetically sealed, a high dimensional accuracy
is required. Thus, in on-site installation, a high accuracy is
required for processing dimensions in arrangement (e.g., bending
and length adjustment) of extension pipes, and consequently, an
efficiency of on-site construction decreases. [0014] (c) A low
accuracy in processing dimensions in the arrangement of extension
pipes leads to insufficient sealing and, in the worst case, a
failure in passing the extension pipe through the hole.
Consequently, the extension pipes themselves need to be rearranged
in some cases.
[0015] That is, to obtain sufficient sealing in the hole of the
sealed casing, formation of the hole itself with high dimensional
accuracy can be achieved by a supplier (manufacturer) of an
air-conditioning apparatus, but on the other hand, a job of
arranging extension pipes with high accuracy corresponding to high
dimensional accuracy of the hole itself is not necessarily easy for
an on-site installation technician, and the efficiency of
construction decreases.
[0016] The present invention has been made to solve problems as
described above, and an object thereof is to provide a
refrigeration cycle apparatus that does not require high accuracy
in processing dimensions in arranging extension pipes for on-site
installation, when refrigerant leaks, can reduce the speed of
refrigerant leakage, and can enhance the efficiency in on-site
installation.
Solution to Problem
[0017] A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the present
invention uses a flammable refrigerant and includes an outdoor unit
including at least a compressor and an outdoor pipe, an indoor unit
including at least an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor pipe, an
extension pipe connecting the outdoor pipe and the indoor pipe to
each other, a pipe connection chamber disposed in a casing
constituting the indoor unit and housing a connection portion
connecting the indoor pipe and the extension pipe, and a pipe
draw-out chamber disposed in the casing constituting the indoor
unit. The extension pipe drawn out from the pipe connection chamber
passes through the pipe draw-out chamber. The pipe connection
chamber and the pipe draw-out chamber are partitioned from each
other by a partition having a through hole, and the extension pipe
penetrates the through hole. A part of the pipe draw-out chamber is
constituted by a part of the casing constituting the indoor unit,
and the extension pipe penetrates a through hole formed in the part
of the casing.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0018] According to the present invention, the pipe connection
chamber houses the connection portions connecting the indoor pipe
and the extension pipe, and the extension pipe is drawn into the
pipe draw-out chamber from the pipe connection chamber through the
through hole in the partition, and also drawn into the outside (a
room) of the indoor unit from the pipe draw-out chamber through the
through hole in the casing. Thus, in a case where refrigerant
leaks, the leaked refrigerant remains in the pipe connection
chamber. Even when the leaked refrigerant flows into the pipe
draw-out chamber through a gap formed in the through hole in the
partition, the refrigerant that has flowed into the pipe draw-out
chamber remains in the pipe draw-out chamber, and then flows into
the room through the gap in the through hole in the casing.
[0019] At this time, the pipe connection chamber and the pipe
draw-out chamber function as muffler containers, thereby reducing
the leakage speed of refrigerant into the room. Then, since the
amount of refrigerant diffused by an airflow in the room is larger
than the amount of refrigerant flowing into the room, a region
(space) having a high refrigerant concentration, especially a
region having a concentration exceeding a flammable concentration,
is not easily formed in the room. In addition, through holes formed
in the part of the partition constituting the pipe draw-out chamber
and in the part of the casing can be set at a size sufficient for
obtaining an efficiency of on-site construction. Thus, arrangement
(e.g., bending and length adjustment) of the extension pipe does
not need a high processing accuracy. Thus, the on-site construction
can be easily and promptly performed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of
a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration cycle apparatus according
to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating an appearance of an
indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus for describing the
refrigeration cycle apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 3A is a front view illustrating an inner configuration
of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus illustrated in
FIG. 2.
[0023] FIG. 3B is a side view illustrating the inner configuration
of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus illustrated in
FIG. 2,
[0024] FIG. 4 is a front view schematically illustrating a state in
which the indoor heat exchanger is joined to an indoor pipe in the
air-conditioning apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2 in a partially
enlarged manner.
[0025] FIG. 5A is a plan view of a 2-hole type configuration in
which the extension pipe of the air-conditioning apparatus
illustrated in FIG. 2 penetrates a through hole in the
partition.
[0026] FIG. 5B is a plan view of a single-hole type configuration
in which the extension pipe of the air-conditioning apparatus
illustrated in FIG. 2 penetrates a through hole in the
partition.
[0027] FIG. 5C is a plan view of a configuration in which the
extension pipe of the air-conditioning apparatus illustrated in
FIG. 2 penetrates a through hole in the partition.
[0028] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a phenomenon in refrigerant
leakage in the air-conditioning apparatus illustrated in FIG.
2.
[0029] FIG. 7A is a front view illustrating an inner configuration
of an indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus for describing a
refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the
present invention.
[0030] FIG. 7B is a side view illustrating the inner configuration
of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus for describing
the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the
present invention.
[0031] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a phenomenon in refrigerant
leakage in the air-conditioning apparatus illustrated in FIG.
7.
[0032] FIG. 9A is a top view illustrating an inner configuration of
an indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus for describing a
refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the
present invention.
[0033] FIG. 9B is a side view illustrating the inner configuration
of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus for describing
the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the
present invention.
[0034] FIG. 10A is a side view illustrating an inner configuration
of an indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus for describing a
refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the
present invention.
[0035] FIG. 10B is a bottom view illustrating the inner
configuration of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus
for describing the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to
Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram illustrating refrigerant and
water circuits of a heat pump cycle hot water supply system for
describing a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Embodiment
5 of the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 12 is a front view illustrating a hot water supply unit
of the heat pump cycle hot water supply system for describing the
refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the
present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Embodiment 1
[0038] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of
a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration cycle apparatus according
to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the
air-conditioning apparatus as an example of a refrigeration cycle
apparatus is described. However, the present invention is not
limited to the air-conditioning apparatus, and is applicable to
various types of equipment for performing a refrigeration cycle,
such as a hot water supply system (see Embodiment 5).
(Air-Conditioning Apparatus)
[0039] In FIG. 1, an air-conditioning apparatus 100 is of a
separate type including an indoor unit (i.e., a load side unit) 101
placed in a room, an outdoor unit (i.e., a heat source side unit)
102 placed outdoors (not shown), and pipes (hereinafter referred to
as "extension pipes") 10a and 10b coupling the indoor unit 101 and
the outdoor unit 102 together.
(Refrigerant Circuit of Outdoor Unit)
[0040] The outdoor unit 102 includes a compressor 3 that compresses
and discharges refrigerant, a refrigerant channel switching valve
(hereinafter referred to as a "four-way valve") 4 that changes the
flow direction of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit between a
cooling operation and a heating operation, an outdoor heat
exchanger 5 that is a heat source side heat exchanger for
exchanging heat between outdoor air and refrigerant, and a pressure
reducing device (hereinafter referred to as an expansion valve) 6
whose opening degree is changeable and which is an expansion unit
such as an electronically controlled expansion valve for reducing
the pressure of high-pressure refrigerant to low pressure. These
components are connected to one another by outdoor pipes (i.e.,
heat source side refrigerant pipes) 8.
[0041] An outdoor fan 5f for supplying (blowing) outdoor air to the
outdoor heat exchanger 5 faces the outdoor heat exchanger 5. An
airflow passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 5 is generated
by rotating the outdoor fan 5f. In the outdoor unit 102, a
propeller fan is used as the outdoor fan 5f and is disposed
downstream of the outdoor heat exchanger 5 (downstream of the
airflow generated by the outdoor fan 5f) to suck outdoor air
through the outdoor heat exchanger 5.
(Outdoor Pipe)
[0042] The outdoor pipes 8 include a refrigerant pipe 8a connecting
an extension pipe connecting valve 13a at a gas side (in a cooling
operation) to the four-way valve 4, a refrigerant pipe 8c
connecting a suction pipe 11, a discharge pipe 12, and the four-way
valve 4 to the outdoor heat exchanger 5, a refrigerant pipe 8d
connecting the outdoor heat exchanger 5 to the expansion valve 6,
and a refrigerant pipe 8b connecting the expansion valve 6 to an
extension pipe connecting valve 13b at a liquid side (in a cooling
operation). These pipes 8a to 8d will be collectively referred to
as the outdoor pipes 8.
(Extension Pipe Connecting Valve)
[0043] The gas-side extension pipe connecting valve 13a is disposed
in a portion of the outdoor pipes 8 connected to the gas-side
extension pipe 10a, whereas the liquid-side extension pipe
connecting valve 13b is disposed in a portion of the outdoor pipes
8 connected to the liquid-side extension pipe 10b.
[0044] The gas-side extension pipe connecting valve 13a is a
two-way valve that is switchable between open and close, and a
flare joint 16a is attached to an end of the extension pipe
connecting valve 13a.
[0045] The liquid-side extension pipe connecting valve 13b is a
three-way valve that is switchable between open and close, and a
service port 14b for use in evacuation (in preparation for
supplying refrigerant to the air-conditioning apparatus 100) and a
flare joint 16b are attached to the extension pipe connecting valve
13b.
[0046] External threads are formed on portions of the flare joints
16a and 16b attached to the extension pipe connecting valves 13a
and 13b (including the service port 14b) at the side of the outdoor
pipes 8. Flare nuts (not shown) provided with internal threads to
be engaged with the external threads are attached in shipment
(including shipment of the air-conditioning apparatus 100) of the
outdoor unit 102.
(Service Port)
[0047] For convenience of description, a portion of the outdoor
pipes 8 located in a discharge side of the compressor 3 and
connecting from the compressor 3 to an inlet of the four-way valve
4 will be referred to as a discharge pipe 12, and a portion of the
outdoor pipes 8 located in a suction side of the compressor 3 and
connecting from the four-way valve 4 to the compressor 3 will be
hereinafter referred to as a suction pipe 11.
[0048] Then, in any of a cooling operation (an operation in which
low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant is supplied to an indoor
heat exchanger 7) or a heating operation (an operation in which
high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant is supplied to the
indoor heat exchanger 7), high-temperature high-pressure gas
refrigerant compressed in the compressor 3 always flows in the
discharge pipe 12, and low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant
subjected to evaporation flows in the suction pipe 11.
[0049] In the present invention, the levels of temperature and
pressure, such as "low temperature," "intermediate temperature,"
"high temperature," "low pressure," and "high pressure," are not
determined based on specific absolute values, and indicate relative
relationships in the state of, for example, a system or an
apparatus, for convenience of description.
[0050] Low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant flowing in the
suction pipe 11 can be gas refrigerant or in a two-phase state. The
suction pipe 11 includes a service port 14a provided with a flare
joint at a low-pressure side, and the discharge pipe 12 includes a
service port 14c provided with a flare joint at a high-pressure
side. These pipes 11 and 12 are used to connect a pressure gauge in
installation or test run for repair to measure an operating
pressure.
[0051] External threads are formed on flare joints (not shown) of
the service ports 14a and 14c, and flare nuts (not shown) are
attached to the external threads in shipment (including shipment of
the air-conditioning apparatus 100) of the outdoor unit 102.
(Refrigerant Circuit of Indoor Unit)
[0052] The indoor unit 101 includes the indoor heat exchanger 7
that is a use side heat exchanger for exchanging heat between
indoor air and refrigerant. The indoor heat exchanger 7 is
connected to indoor pipes (i.e., use side refrigerant pipes) 9a and
9b.
[0053] A flare joint 15a is provided in a portion of the indoor
pipe 9a connected to the gas-side extension pipe 10a to connect the
gas-side extension pipe 10a thereto, whereas a flare joint 15b is
provided in a portion of the indoor pipe 9b connected to the
liquid-side extension pipe 10b to connect the liquid-side extension
pipe 10b thereto.
[0054] External threads are formed on the flare joints 15a and 15b,
and flare nuts (not shown) provided with internal threads to be
engaged with the external threads are attached in shipment
(including shipment of the air-conditioning apparatus 100) of the
indoor unit 101.
[0055] Thus, the use of the mechanical joint for connecting the
extension pipes 10a and 10b to the indoor unit 101 enables on-site
construction to be performed with a general tool such as a spanner
without preparing a welding machine.
[0056] In addition, an indoor fan 7f faces the indoor heat
exchanger 7, and an airflow is generated by rotating the indoor fan
7f to pass through the indoor heat exchanger 7. The indoor fan 7f
may be of various types such as a cross-flow fan or a turbo fan,
depending on the configuration of the indoor unit 101. The indoor
fan 7f may be disposed downstream or upstream of the indoor heat
exchanger 7 in the airflow generated by the indoor fan 7f.
(Refrigerant Circuit of Air-conditioning Apparatus)
[0057] Both ends of the gas-side extension pipe 10a are detachably
connected to the flare joint 16a attached to the gas-side extension
pipe connecting valve 13a of the outdoor unit 102 and the flare
joint 15a attached to the indoor pipe 9a of the indoor unit 101.
Both ends of the liquid-side extension pipe 10b are detachably
connected to the flare joint 16b attached to the liquid-side
extension pipe connecting valve 13b of the outdoor unit 102 and the
flare joint 15b attached to the indoor pipe 9b of the indoor unit
101.
[0058] That is, the outdoor pipes 8 and the indoor pipes 9a and 9b
are connected by the extension pipes 10a and 10b, thereby forming a
refrigerant circuit that constitutes a compression heat pump cycle
in which refrigerant compressed by the compressor 3 circulates.
(Refrigerant Flow in Cooling Operation)
[0059] In FIG. 1, solid arrows represent the flow direction of
refrigerant in a cooling operation. In the cooling operation, the
four-way valve 4 is switched to a refrigerant circuit as indicated
by solid lines so that high-temperature high-pressure gas
refrigerant discharged from the compressor s flows into the outdoor
heat exchanger 5 through the four-way valve 4.
[0060] The outdoor heat exchanger 5 serves as a condenser. That is,
while an airflow generated by rotating the outdoor fan 5f is
passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 5, outdoor air passing
through the outdoor heat exchanger 5 and refrigerant flowing in the
outdoor heat exchanger 5 exchange heat so that heat of condensation
of the refrigerant is given to the outdoor air. In this manner,
refrigerant is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 5 and
becomes high-pressure intermediate-temperature liquid
refrigerant.
[0061] Next, the high-pressure intermediate-temperature liquid
refrigerant flows into the expansion valve 6 and adiabatically
expands in the expansion valve 6 to be low-pressure low-temperature
two-phase refrigerant.
[0062] Thereafter, the low-pressure low-temperature two-phase
refrigerant is supplied to the indoor unit 101 by way of the
liquid-side extension pipe 10b and flows into the indoor heat
exchanger 7. The indoor heat exchanger 7 serves as an evaporator.
Specifically, while a flow of indoor air generated by rotating the
indoor fan 7f is passing through the indoor heat exchanger 7, the
indoor air passing through the indoor heat exchanger 7 and
refrigerant flowing in the indoor heat exchanger 7 exchange heat so
that the refrigerant takes heat of vaporization (heating energy)
from the indoor air and evaporates to be in the state of
low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant or two-phase
refrigerant. On the other hand, the indoor air passing through the
indoor heat exchanger 7 takes cooling energy from the refrigerant
to be cooled, thereby cooling the room.
[0063] Further, the refrigerant that has evaporated in the indoor
heat exchanger 7 and become the low-temperature low-pressure gas
refrigerant or the two-phase refrigerant is supplied to the outdoor
unit 102 by way of the gas-side extension pipe 10a and is sucked
into the compressor 3 through the four-way valve 4. This
refrigerant is compressed in the compressor 3 to be
high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant again. This cycle is
repeated in the cooling operation.
(Refrigerant Flow in Heating Operation)
[0064] In FIG. 1, dotted arrows represent the flow direction of
refrigerant in a heating operation. When the four-way valve 4 is
switched to a refrigerant circuit as indicated by dotted lines,
refrigerant flows in the direction opposite to that in the cooling
operation and first flows into the indoor heat exchanger 7. The
indoor heat exchanger 7 serves as a condenser and the outdoor heat
exchanger 5 serves as an evaporator so that heat of condensation
(heating energy) is given to indoor air passing through the indoor
heat exchanger 7 and heats the indoor air. In this manner, a
heating operation is performed.
(Refrigerant)
[0065] In the air-conditioning apparatus 100, refrigerant flowing
in the refrigerant circuit is R32 (CH.sub.2F.sub.2:
difluoromethane), which is a slightly flammable HFC refrigerant,
having a GWP smaller than an HFC refrigerant R410A currently widely
used in air-conditioning apparatuses and having a relatively small
influence on global warming. In shipment, a certain amount of
refrigerant is sealed in the outdoor unit 102 in advance. In
installation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100, when shortage
occurs because of the lengths of the extension pipes 10a and 10b,
refrigerant is additionally supplied in an on-site job.
[0066] The refrigerant is not limited to R32 described above, and
may be the above-described HFO refrigerant that is slightly
flammable similarly to R32 is of a type of an HFC refrigerant, is
halogenated hydrocarbon having double bonds of carbon in its
composition, and is, for example, HFO-1234yf
(CF.sub.3CF.dbd.CH.sub.2: tetrafluoropropene) or HFO-1234ze
(CF.sub.3--CH.dbd.CHF) having a GWP smaller than that of R32
refrigerant.
[0067] The refrigerant may be an HO refrigerant such as highly
flammable R290 (C.sub.3H.sub.8: propane) or R1270 (C.sub.3H.sub.6:
propylene). The refrigerant may be a mixed refrigerant as a mixture
of two or more types of these refrigerants.
(Configuration of Indoor Unit)
[0068] FIGS. 2 to 3B illustrate the refrigeration cycle apparatus
according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a
front view illustrating an appearance of an indoor unit of the
air-conditioning apparatus. FIG. 3A is a front view illustrating an
inner configuration of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning
apparatus. FIG. 3B is a side view illustrating the inner
configuration of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus.
These drawings are schematic views in which some members are shown
transparent, and the present invention is not limited to the
illustrated configuration.
[0069] In FIG. 2, the indoor unit 101 is a casing 110 including a
casing front panel 111, a casing top panel 114, a casing back panel
115 (see FIG. 3B), a casing bottom panel 116, and casing side
panels 117 and 118 and includes a suction port 112 formed in a
lower portion of the casing front panel 111 of the casing 110 and
an air outlet 113 formed in an upper portion of the casing front
panel 111. Indoor air sucked through the suction port 112 changes
to air (hereinafter referred to as "conditioned air") conditioned
by the indoor heat exchanger 7 (see FIG. 1) and is blown into the
room through the air outlet 113, thereby performing cooling or
heating.
[0070] In FIGS. 3A and (B), the inside of the casing 110 is divided
(partitioned) laterally to a large degree by a vertical air passage
partition 20. An air passage chamber 21 housing the indoor fan 7f
and the indoor heat exchanger 7 is defined between the casing side
panel 117 at one side and the air passage partition 20.
[0071] The air passage partition 20 includes an opening 20a
slightly smaller than a side plate 74 constituting the indoor heat
exchanger 7. Heat transmission pipes constituting the indoor heat
exchanger 7 penetrate the opening 20a, and a portion close to the
outer periphery of the side plate 74 is hermetically in contact
with (or adhered to) the air passage partition 20 along the inner
periphery of the opening 20a.
(Air Passage Chamber)
[0072] The air passage chamber 21 includes an air passage primary
chamber 21a located upstream of the indoor heat exchanger 7 and
housing the indoor fan 7f and an air passage secondary chamber 21b
located downstream of the indoor heat exchanger 7.
[0073] The air passage primary chamber 21a faces the suction port
112, and a temperature sensor (hereinafter referred to as a "sucked
air temperature sensor") S1 for measuring the temperature of sucked
air is provided between the suction port 112 and the indoor fan 7f.
The indoor fan 7f is driven by a motor that is not a brush type
(e.g., an induction motor or a brushless DC motor), and thus,
sparking, which may cause ignition in operation, does not
occur.
[0074] The air passage secondary chamber 21b faces the air outlet
113, and a temperature sensor (hereinafter referred to as a
"two-phase pipe temperature sensor") S3 for measuring the
temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 7.
[0075] Thus, indoor air sucked into the air passage primary chamber
21a through the suction port 112 by the indoor fan 7f is changed to
conditioned air by the indoor heat exchanger 7, and the conditioned
air is blown into a room (not shown) through the air outlet 113 by
way of the air passage secondary chamber 21b.
(Pipe Connection Chamber, Pipe Draw-out Chamber)
[0076] The space between the casing side panel 118 at the other
side and the air passage partition 20 is vertically divided
(partitioned) by the horizontal partition 30 so that a pipe
connection chamber 22 is defined above the partition 30 and a pipe
draw-out chamber 23 is defined below the partition 30.
[0077] The pipe connection chamber 22 houses parts of the extension
pipes 10a and 10b, the flare joints 15a and 15b, the indoor pipes
9a and 9b, a header main pipe 91a, a connection portion connecting
the header main pipe 91a and the indoor pipe 9a, connection
portions connecting the header main pipe 91a and header branch
pipes 92a, joint portions jointing the header branch pipes 92a and
one end 71a of each heat transmission pipe 71 constituting the
indoor heat exchanger 7, connection portions connecting the indoor
pipe 9b and indoor refrigerant branch pipes 92b, and joint portions
jointing the indoor refrigerant branch pipes 92b and the other end
71b of each of the heat transmission pipes 71 constituting the
indoor heat exchanger 7 (see FIG. 4). The header main pipe 91a, the
header branch pipes 92a, the indoor refrigerant branch pipes 92b,
and the heat transmission pipes 71 will be specifically described
later.
[0078] On the other hand, in the pipe draw-out chamber 23, the
extension pipes 10a and 10b are arranged (i.e., L-shaped bent
portions of the extension pipes 10a and 10b are located).
[0079] In the pipe connection chamber 22, a temperature sensor
(hereinafter referred to as a "liquid pipe temperature sensor") S2
for measuring the temperature of the indoor pipe 9b and a
temperature sensor (hereinafter referred to as a "leakage detection
sensor") S4 for measuring an ambient air temperature close to the
partition 30 are disposed.
[0080] That is, in a case where refrigerant leaks (which will be
specifically described later), since refrigerant has a specific
gravity larger than that of air, leaked refrigerant flows downward,
Thus, the leakage detection sensor S4 is configured to surely
detect of a temperature drop in the atmosphere due to heat of
vaporization of the leaked refrigerant.
[0081] The extension pipes 10a and 10b connected to the indoor
pipes 9a and 9b by the flare joints 15a and 15b are drawn to the
pipe draw-out chamber 23 and arranged therein through the through
holes 31a and 31b formed in the partition 30, and pass through the
through holes 119a and 119b formed in the casing side panel 118 to
be drawn to the outside (into the room) of the indoor unit 101.
(Joint between Indoor Heat Exchanger and Indoor Pipe)
[0082] FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating the refrigeration cycle
apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and
schematically illustrating a state in which the indoor heat
exchanger is joined to the indoor pipe in the air-conditioning
apparatus in a partially enlarged manner. FIG. 4 shows the
schematic view, and the present invention is not limited to the
illustrated configuration.
[0083] In FIG. 4, the indoor heat exchanger 7 includes a plurality
of heat radiation plates (i.e., fins) 70 that are evenly spaced
from one another, a plurality of heat transmission pipes 71
penetrating the heat radiation plates 70, and a side plate 74 at
the outside of the heat radiation plates 70 and facing the
outermost heat radiation plate 70.
[0084] The heat transmission pipes 71 are composed of a plurality
of U-shaped pipes (hereinafter referred to as "hair pins") 72
having long straight pipe portions, and arc-shaped U-bends 73
having short straight pipe portions that allow the hair pins 72 to
communicate with one another. The hair pins 72 are connected to the
U-bends 73 at joint portions (hereinafter referred to as "welded
portions W" and indicated by black circuits in the drawing). The
number of the heat transmission pipes 71 is not specifically
limited, and may be one or two or more. The number of the hair pins
72 constituting the heat transmission pipes 71 is not specifically
limited, either.
[0085] The gas-side indoor pipe 9a is connected to the cylindrical
header main pipe 91a. The header main pipe 91a is connected to the
header branch pipes 92a. Each of the header branch pipes 92a is
connected to one end 71a of the corresponding heat transmission
pipe 71 (i.e., the corresponding hair pin 72).
[0086] The liquid-side indoor pipe 9b is connected to the indoor
refrigerant branch pipes 92b, and is branched to a plurality of
parts. Each of the header branch pipes 92a is connected to the
other end 71b of the corresponding heat transmission pipe 71 (i.e.,
the corresponding hair pin 72).
[0087] At this time, the connection between the header main pipe
91a and the header branch pipes 92a, the connection between the
header branch pipes 92a and the end 71a, the connection between the
indoor pipe 9b and the indoor refrigerant branch pipes 92b, and the
connection between the indoor refrigerant branch pipes 92b and the
end 71b are provided in the welded portions W. In the foregoing
description, the joint portions are the welded portions W. However,
the present invention is not limited to this example, and any joint
unit may be employed.
(Penetration Patten of Extension Pipe)
[0088] FIGS. 5A to 5C are plan views illustrating the refrigeration
cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention,
and shows various patterns in which the extension pipes of the
air-conditioning apparatus penetrate the through holes in the
partition. FIG. 5A shows a 2-hole type, FIG. 5B shows a single-hole
type, and FIG. 50 shows a notch type. FIGS. 5A to 5C are the
schematic views, and the present invention is not limited to the
illustrated patterns.
[0089] In FIG. 5A, heat insulators 18a and 18b of, for example, a
urethane foam material are wound around the outer periphery of the
extension pipes 10a and 10b. On the other hand, the inner diameters
of the through holes 31a and 31b are substantially equal to or
slightly larger than the outer diameters of the surfaces of the
heat insulators 18a and 18b wound around the extension pipes 10a
and 10b. Thus, processing dimensions in on-site arrangement (e.g.,
bending and length adjustment) of the extension pipes 10a and 10b
only need to be at a generally allowable level similar to levels
employed in conventional techniques. That is, the efficiency of
on-site construction can be enhanced.
[0090] Insulations (e.g., gap fillers) 19a and 19b each of which is
a closed cell foam material are buried in gaps between the inner
peripheries of the through holes 31a and 31b formed in the
partition 30 and the surfaces of the heat insulators 18a and 18b.
Thus, the gaps between the through holes 31a and 31b and the heat
insulators 18a and 18b are substantially hermetically sealed, and a
flow of fluid (leakage) in the gaps are at a minimum level. That
is, the pipe connection chamber 22 is a substantially hermetic
space.
[0091] Similarly, insulations each of which is a closed cell foam
material are buried in gas between the inner peripheries of the
through holes 119a and 119b formed in the casing side panel 118 and
the surfaces of the heat insulators 18a and 18b, and thus, the pipe
draw-out chamber 23 is a substantially hermetic space (see FIG.
3).
[0092] In FIG. 5B, the partition 30 has a through hole 31c through
which the extension pipes 10a and 10b around which the heat
insulators 18a and 18b are wound can penetrate, instead of the
through holes 31a and 31b in FIG. 5A. An insulation (i.e., a gap
filler) 19c of a closed cell foam material is buried in gaps
between the inner periphery of the through hole 31c and the
surfaces of the heat insulators 18a and 18b. Thus, the gaps between
the inner periphery of the through hole 31c and the surfaces of the
heat insulators 18a and 18b are substantially hermetically sealed,
and the pipe connection chamber 22 is a substantially hermetic
space. Since the single through hole 31c is formed, a processing
man-hour is reduced to a half.
[0093] Similarly, the casing side panel 118 has a single hole
through which the extension pipes 10a and 10b around which the heat
insulators 18a and 18b are wound penetrate, and the pipe draw-out
chamber 23 is a substantially hermetic space (see FIG. 3).
[0094] In FIG. 5C, a notch-like through hole 31d extending to a
side edge of the partition 30 is formed, and an insulation (i.e., a
gap filler) 19d of a closed cell foam material is buried in the
gaps between the inner periphery of the through hole 31d and the
surfaces of the heat insulators 18a and 18b. Thus, the gaps between
the inner periphery of the through hole 31d and the surfaces of the
heat insulators 18a and 18b are substantially hermetically sealed,
and the pipe connection chamber 22 is a substantially hermetic
space (see FIG. 3).
[0095] Since the through hole 31d is in the shape of a notch
extending to the side edge, the extension pipes 10a and 10b do not
need to penetrate the through hole 31d in the axial direction.
Thus, the extension pipes 10a and 10b can be disposed in the
through hole 31d only by pushing the extension pipes 10a and 10b
horizontally from the side thereof, thereby enhancing an efficiency
of on-site construction.
(Phenomenon in Refrigerant Leakage)
[0096] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the refrigeration cycle
apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention and
schematically illustrating a phenomenon in refrigerant leakage in
the air-conditioning apparatus.
[0097] When the air-conditioning apparatus 100 changes with age or
is subjected to an excessive external force, refrigerant leakage
may occur in the welded portions W (see FIG. 4) that tend to have a
lower joint strength or a lower contact strength than the other
portions or in the flare joints 15a and 15b. That is, refrigerant
leakage is more likely to occur in the pipe connection chamber 22
than in the other portions.
[0098] When refrigerant leakage occurs in the pipe connection
chamber 22, refrigerant heavier than the air descends and remains
on the partition 30. Then, heat of vaporization of the leaked
refrigerant reduces the ambient temperature on the partition 30,
thereby ensuring that this temperature decrease can be detected by
the leakage detection sensor S4.
[0099] Since the pipe connection chamber 22 has a substantially
hermetic structure, it is possible to minimize the possibility that
the leaked refrigerant flows into the pipe draw-out chamber 23
through the through holes 31a and 31b (filled with the insulation
19a and 19b) in the partition 30.
[0100] Since the pipe draw-out chamber 23 also has a substantially
hermetic structure, even when refrigerant leaks into the pipe
draw-out chamber 23, it is possible to minimize the possibility
that this leaked refrigerant flows to the outside of the indoor
unit 101 (into a room) through the through holes 119a and 119b
(filled with the insulation) in the casing side panel 118.
[0101] At this time, since gaps in the through holes 30a and 30b
and the through holes 119a and 119b are filled with, for example,
the insulation 19a and 19b, these gaps are minimized.
[0102] That is, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the pipe connection
chamber 22 and the pipe draw-out chamber 23 function as "muffler
chambers" and the through holes 30a and 30b in the partition 30 and
the through holes 119a and 119b in the casing side panel 118
correspond to "expansion parts." Thus, refrigerant that has leaked
into the pipe connection chamber 22 has its pressure gradually
reduced while passing through a leakage pathway and partially
remains between the pipe connection chamber 22 and the pipe
draw-out chamber 23. Accordingly, the speed (and the amount) of
refrigerant that finally leaks into the room is significantly
reduced.
[0103] In the case of refrigerant heavier than the air, the amount
of leaked refrigerant can be reduced by forming the through holes
119a and 119b in the casing side panel 118 in a higher portion
(closer to the partition 30) of the pipe draw-out chamber 23.
(Control Unit)
[0104] The control unit 1 controls the components and determines
whether refrigerant leaks or not, as described later. The control
unit 1 may be placed in the outdoor unit 102.
[0105] The control unit 1 receives temperature information detected
by the sucked air temperature sensor S1, the liquid pipe sensor S2,
and the two-phase pipe sensor S3, and controls operation of, for
example, the compressor 3 to obtain operating conditions (e.g., the
temperature of conditioned air, the airflow rate, the direction of
an airflow) determined by, for example, an unillustrated remote
controller.
[0106] In addition, when the leakage detection sensor S4 detects a
decrease in the ambient air temperature, and if the amount of
change of the detected temperature decreases by a predetermined
threshold value or more (e.g., the difference between the previous
detection value and the current detection value is 5 degrees C.),
or if the degree of change of the detected temperature decreases by
a value exceeding a predetermined threshold value (e.g., 5 degrees
C./min.), the control unit 1 determines that refrigerant leaks, and
then instructs the following operation. [0107] (a) Drive the indoor
fan 7f to stir an airflow in the room and diffuse refrigerant not
to form a region (space) having a concentration exceeding a
flammable concentration. [0108] (b) Determine that the system of
the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is "abnormal" and stop
operations of components except the indoor fan 7f (continues
stopping). [0109] (c) Display an abnormality sign on a display unit
of, for example, an unillustrated remote controller to notify a
user of the abnormality. [0110] (d) Cause a display unit or an
utterance unit of, for example, the unillustrated remote controller
to display or utter an instruction such as "Gas leakage occurs.
Open the window" to notify the user of the instruction.
(Advantageous Effects)
[0111] In the air-conditioning apparatus 100 according to the
present invention, a leakage pathway of leaked refrigerant in the
indoor unit 101 is formed by serially connecting the expansion
parts and the muffler chambers as described above, and thus, the
following advantageous effects are obtained. [0112] (a) Since the
leakage speed of leaked refrigerant can be controlled (reduced),
even when refrigerant leaks to the outside of the indoor unit 101
(into a room), a range having a high concentration of leaked
refrigerant is not easily formed. Thus, formation of a region
having a flammable concentration can be controlled. [0113] (b)
Since the configuration is relatively easily formed, the
fabrication cost of the indoor unit can be reduced. [0114] (c)
Since the through holes through which the extension pipes penetrate
have inner diameters sufficiently larger than the outer diameters
of the surfaces of the heat insulators wound around the extension
pipes, high accuracy is not needed for processing accuracy in
on-site arrangement of the extension pipes, and a job can be easily
performed at a generally allowable level similar to levels in
conventional techniques. [0115] (d) Since the extension pipes are
connected to the indoor pipes by flare connection (connection using
a mechanical joint), on-site construction can be performed with a
general tool such as a spanner, and preparation of a welding
machine and masking of peripheral portions are unnecessary. Thus,
on-site construction can be easily and quickly performed.
Embodiment 2
[0116] FIGS. 7A to 8 illustrate a refrigeration cycle apparatus
according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 7A is a
front view illustrating an inner configuration of an indoor unit of
an air-conditioning apparatus. FIG. 7B is a side view illustrating
the inner configuration of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning
apparatus. FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a phenomenon in
refrigerant leakage of the air-conditioning apparatus. Same
reference signs refer to the same or equivalent components to those
of Embodiment 1, and description thereof is partially omitted. FIG.
7 show schematic views in which some members are shown transparent,
and the present invention is not limited to the illustrated
configuration.
(Configuration of Indoor Unit)
[0117] In FIGS. 7A and 7B, an air-conditioning apparatus 200
includes an outdoor unit (not shown) and an indoor unit 201 that
are connected to each other by extension pipes 10a and 10b, and the
configuration of a refrigerant circuit is the same as that of the
air-conditioning apparatus 100 (Embodiment 1) (see FIG. 1).
[0118] In the indoor unit 201, a pipe draw-out chamber 23 in an
indoor unit 101 is vertically partitioned by an additional
partition 32 so that an upper pipe draw-out primary chamber 23a and
a lower pipe draw-out secondary chamber 23b are defined.
[0119] In a manner similar to the through holes 31a and 31b formed
in the partition 30, through holes 33a and 33b are formed in the
additional partition 32. In a manner similar to the penetration in
the through holes 31a and 31b, insulations (i.e., gap fillers, not
shown) of an closed cell foam material are buried in gaps between
the inner peripheries of the through holes 33a and 33b and a heat
insulator (not shown) of, for example, an urethane foam material
wound around the outer peripheries of the extension pipes 10a and
10b.
[0120] That is, each of the pipe draw-out primary chamber 23a and
the pipe draw-out secondary chamber 23b is a substantially hermetic
space.
[0121] In FIG. 8, in addition to the pipe connection chamber 22,
the pipe draw-out primary chamber 23a and the pipe draw-out
secondary chamber 23b function as two series of "muffler chambers."
The through holes 31a and 31b in the partition 30, the through
holes 33a and 33b in the additional partition 32, and through holes
119a and 119b in the casing side panel 118 correspond to "expansion
parts."
[0122] Thus, refrigerant that has leaked into the pipe connection
chamber 22 has its pressure gradually reduced while passing through
a leakage pathway and partially remains among the pipe connection
chamber 22, the pipe draw-out primary chamber 23a, and the pipe
draw-out secondary chamber 23b. Accordingly, the speed (and the
amount) of refrigerant that finally leaks into the room is
significantly reduced (further reduced as compared to Embodiment
1).
[0123] The present invention is not limited to the case where the
number of partitions is two, and the number of partitions may be
three or more. As the number of pipe draw-out chambers increases,
the leakage speed of refrigerant finally leaking into the room
decreases.
[0124] In the case of refrigerant heavier than the air, the amount
of leaked refrigerant can be reduced by forming the through holes
119a and 119b in the casing side panel 118 in a higher portion
(closer to the additional partition 32) of the pipe draw-out
secondary chamber 23b.
Embodiment 3
[0125] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a refrigeration cycle apparatus
according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 9A is a
top view illustrating an inner configuration of an indoor unit of
an air-conditioning apparatus. FIG. 9B is a side view illustrating
the inner configuration of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning
apparatus. Same reference signs refer to the same or equivalent
components to those of Embodiment 1, and description thereof is
partially omitted. FIG. 9 show schematic views in which some
members are shown transparent, and the present invention is not
limited to the illustrated configuration.
[0126] In FIGS. 9A and 9B, an air-conditioning apparatus 300
includes an outdoor unit (not shown) and an indoor unit 301 that
are connected to each other by extension pipes 10a and 10b. The
configuration of a refrigerant circuit is the same as that of the
air-conditioning apparatus 100 (Embodiment 1) (see FIG. 1).
[0127] The indoor unit 301 is of a ceiling suspended type that is
suspended from the ceiling (not shown) of a room, and includes a
casing 310 housing an indoor heat exchanger 7 and indoor fans 7f
therein.
[0128] An air inlet (not shown) is formed in a portion of a casing
bottom panel 316 close to a casing back panel 315 in the casing
310, and an air outlet 313 is formed in the casing front panel
311.
[0129] The indoor fans 7f are disposed close to the casing back
panel 315, and the indoor heat exchanger 7 is tilted toward the
corner between the casing front panel 311 and a casing top panel
314.
[0130] Indoor pipes 9a and 9b are connected to the indoor heat
exchanger 7 at locations close to a casing side panel 318, and the
indoor pipes 9a and 9b are connected to the extension pipes 10a and
10b by flare joints 15a and 15b. The configuration having such a
connection is the same as that in Embodiment 1 (welded portions W,
see FIG. 4), and thus, description thereof is not repeated.
Although the three indoor fans 7f are rotated by one fan motor 7m,
alternatively, the fan motors 7m are individually connected to the
indoor fans 7f so that the indoor fans 7f rotate independently of
each other.
[0131] In the casing 310, an air passage chamber 21 is defined
between a casing side panel 317 at one side and an air passage
partition 20, and a pipe connection chamber 22 and a pipe draw-out
chamber 23 separated by a partition 30 are defined between a casing
side panel 318 at the other end and the air passage partition
20.
[0132] The partition 30 is oriented in parallel with the casing
back panel 315. The extension pipes 10a and 10b penetrate through
holes 31a and 31b formed in the partition 30 and through holes 319a
and 319b formed in the casing back panel 315. The way of such
penetration is the same as that in Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 5).
[0133] That is, in a manner similar to the air-conditioning
apparatus 100 (Embodiment 1), a leakage pathway of leaked
refrigerant in the indoor unit 301 of the air-conditioning
apparatus 300 is formed by serially connecting expansion parts and
muffler chambers. Thus, the air-conditioning apparatus 300 has
advantageous effects similar to those of the air-conditioning
apparatus 100 (see FIG. 6). An additional partition 32 may be
further additionally provided.
Embodiment 4
[0134] FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a refrigeration cycle apparatus
according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 10A is a
side view illustrating an inner configuration of an indoor unit of
an air-conditioning apparatus. FIG. 10B is a bottom view
illustrating the inner configuration of the indoor unit of the
air-conditioning apparatus. Same reference signs refer to the same
or equivalent components to those of Embodiment 1, and description
thereof is partially omitted. FIG. 10 show schematic views in which
some members are shown transparent, and the present invention is
not limited to the illustrated configuration.
[0135] In FIGS. 10A and 10B, an air-conditioning apparatus 400
includes an outdoor unit (not shown) and an indoor unit 401 that
are connected to each other by extension pipes 10a and 10b. The
configuration of a refrigerant circuit is the same as that of the
air-conditioning apparatus 100 (Embodiment 1) (see FIG. 1).
[0136] The indoor unit 401 of the air-conditioning apparatus 400 is
of a ceiling cassette type that is embedded in the ceiling (not
shown) of a room in installation, and includes a casing 410 housing
an indoor heat exchanger 7 and an indoor fan 7f therein.
[0137] The casing 410 is a square box whose corners are chamfered
in cross section, and a decorative grille (not shown) is detachably
provided to a casing bottom panel 416 having an opening. The
decorative grille has an air inlet in a center portion thereof, and
air outlets are formed at four locations around the air inlet. The
indoor fan 7f is provided at a center of a casing top panel 414,
and the square ring-shaped indoor heat exchanger 7 is disposed to
surround the indoor fan 7f. Thus, indoor air sucked through the air
inlet by the indoor fan 7f is subjected to heat exchange in the
indoor heat exchanger 7 and is brown into a room (not shown) from
the outside of the indoor heat exchanger 7 through the air
outlet.
[0138] Flare joints 15a and 15b are disposed at the corner between
a casing side panel 417a and a casing side panel 417d among casing
side panels 417a, 417b, 417c, and 417d constituting the casing 410.
At this corner, indoor pipes 9a and 9b are connected to the
extension pipes 10a and 10b, and the indoor heat exchanger 7 is
connected to the indoor pipes 9a and 9b. The configuration of such
connection is the same as that in Embodiment 1 (welded portions W,
see FIG. 4), and thus, description thereof is not repeated.
[0139] An air passage partition 20 is disposed close to the corner
in which the flare joints 15a and 15b are disposed. A part of the
casing side panel 417a, the casing side panel 417b, the casing side
panel 417c, a part of the casing side panel 417d, and the air
passage partition 20 define an air passage chamber 21.
[0140] A region surrounded by a part of the casing side panel 417a,
a part of the casing side panel 417d, and the air passage partition
20 is partitioned into a pipe connection chamber 22 and a pipe
draw-out chamber 23 by a partition 30. The partition 30 is in
parallel with the casing side panel 417d. The extension pipes 10a
and 10b penetrate through holes 31a and 31b formed in the partition
30 and through holes 419a and 19b formed in the casing side panel
417d. The way of such penetration is the same as that in Embodiment
1 (see FIG. 5).
[0141] That is, in a manner similar to the air-conditioning
apparatus 100 (Embodiment 1), a leakage pathway of leaked
refrigerant in the indoor unit 401 of the air-conditioning
apparatus 400 is formed by serially connecting expansion parts and
muffler chambers. Thus, the air-conditioning apparatus 400 has
advantageous effects similar to those of the air-conditioning
apparatus 100 (see FIG. 6). An additional partition 32 may be
further additionally provided.
Embodiment 5
[0142] FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a refrigeration cycle apparatus
according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a
circuit diagram illustrating refrigerant and water circuits of a
heat pump cycle hot water supply system. FIG. 12 is a front view in
which a hot water supply unit of the heat pump cycle hot water
supply system is partially shown transparent. Components that are
the same or equivalent to those of Embodiment 1 are denoted by
reference signs that are the same in the last two digits as those
used in Embodiment 1, and description thereof is partially omitted.
FIG. 12 is a schematic view, and the present invention is not
limited to the illustrated configuration.
(Hot Water Supply System)
[0143] In FIG. 11, a hot water supply system 600 includes a heat
pump heat source unit (corresponding to an outdoor unit,
hereinafter referred to as a "heat source unit") 602, and a hot
water supply unit (corresponding to an indoor unit) 601 that
receives heating energy or cooling energy from the heat source unit
602.
[0144] A refrigerant pipe 607 included in the heat source unit 602
is connected to indoor pipes 9a and 9b connected to a water heat
exchanger 2 included in the hot water supply unit 601 through pipes
(hereinafter referred to as "extension pipes") 10a and 10b, thereby
forming a refrigerant circuit 608. The refrigerant pipe 607 is
connected to extension pipes 10a and 10b by flare joints 16a and
16b. The indoor pipes 9a and 9b are connected to the extension
pipes 10a and 10b by flare joints 15a and 15b.
[0145] The hot water supply unit 601 includes a water circuit 609.
The refrigerant circuit 608 is thermally connected to the water
circuit 609 in the water heat exchanger 2 (more accurately,
refrigerant and water passing through the water heat exchanger 2
exchange heat).
[0146] When the heat source unit 602 performs a heating hot water
supply operation (hereinafter referred to as a "normal operation")
for heating water flowing in the hot water supply unit 601,
refrigerant flows in the direction indicated by solid arrows so
that refrigerant transfers heating energy to water.
[0147] On the other hand, when heat source unit 602 performs a
"defrosting operation (cooling operation)" in which refrigerant
flows in a reverse cycle, the opposite direction (indicated by
dotted arrows) to the normal operation, refrigerant takes heating
energy from water and cools water flowing in the hot water supply
unit 601.
[0148] In the hot water supply unit 601, in any of the normal
operation and the defrosting operation, water in the water circuit
609 is caused to circulate by a pump 53 in a direction indicated by
an arrow 83. These will be described specifically.
(Configurations of Heat Source Unit and Refrigerant Circuit)
[0149] In FIG. 11, the heat source unit 602 includes a compressor
3, a four-way valve 4, an expansion valve 6, an outdoor heat
exchanger (i.e., air heat exchanger) 5 that are connected to one
another by refrigerant pipes 607, and further connected to the
water heat exchanger 2 (e.g., an indoor heat exchanger) provided in
the hot water supply unit 601 and the extension pipes 10a and 10b,
thereby constituting a refrigerant circuit 608. The heat source
unit 602 also includes a controller 604 for controlling driving of
actuators of the compressor 3, the four-way valve 4, and the
expansion valve 6.
[0150] The compressor 3 compresses sucked refrigerant and
discharges the compressed refrigerant. The compressor 3 includes an
inverter, for example, and changes a driving frequency as intended
to minutely change the capacity (the amount of refrigerant fed in a
unit time) of the compressor 3. However, the present invention is
not limited to this example.
[0151] The four-way valve 4 switches the circulation direction of
refrigerant in the normal operation and the defrosting operation.
In the pipe connection relationship in the refrigerant circuit 608,
a suction side and a discharge side of the compressor 3 can be
replaced with each other.
[0152] The water heat exchanger 2 exchanges heat between water
flowing in the water circuit 609 and refrigerant flowing in the
refrigerant circuit 608. The water heat exchanger 2 is a plate heat
exchanger, and includes a refrigerant channel and a water channel
partitioned from each other by a partition. Refrigerant flowing in
the refrigerant channel and water flowing in the water channel
exchange heat through the partition (both not shown). A refrigerant
connection portion communicating with the refrigerant channel and a
water connection portion communicating with the water channel are
provided. The refrigerant connection portion is connected to the
indoor pipes 9a and 9b, and the water connection portion is
connected to the water circuit 609.
[0153] The water heat exchanger 2 serves as a radiator (condenser)
in a normal operation and heats water flowing in the water circuit
609 (cools refrigerant). On the other hand, the water heat
exchanger 2 serves as a heat absorber (evaporator) that takes heat
from water in the water circuit 609 in a defrosting operation, and
cools water (heats refrigerant).
[0154] In the present invention, the water heat exchanger 2 is not
limited to the plate heat exchanger.
[0155] The expansion valve 6 adjusts the flow rate of refrigerant,
and makes pressure adjustment (pressure reduction) of refrigerant
flowing in the water heat exchanger 2. The expansion valve 6 is an
electronic expansion valve that can change the opening degree based
on an instruction from the controller 604.
[0156] The outdoor heat exchanger 5 exchanges heat between
refrigerant and air (outdoor air) outside a room from the outdoor
fan 5f. The outdoor heat exchanger 5 serves as a heat absorber
(evaporator) (heats refrigerant) in the normal operation, and
serves as a radiator (condenser) (cools refrigerant) in the
defrosting operation.
(Refrigerant)
[0157] As refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit 608
constituted by the heat source unit 602, the following single
component refrigerant or a mixed refrigerant including the
following single component refrigerant is used. These refrigerants
have a low environment load, such as a low global warming
potential, but is flammable. [0158] (1) "R32 (difluoromethane)",
which is a hydrofluorocarbon-based single component refrigerant
[0159] (2) Hydrofluoroolefin-based refrigerants "HFO-1234yf" and
"HFO-1234ze" (these refrigerants will be hereinafter referred to as
"HFO") [0160] (3) Hydrocarbon-based "R290 (propane)" or "R1270
(propylene)"
(Controller of Heat Source Unit)
[0161] The controller 604 of the heat source unit 602 can
communicate with a controller 605 (which will be described later)
of the hot water supply unit 601 and a remote controller (which
will be described later) 603 through control lines 606a and 606b.
However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and
these components may wirelessly communicate with each other.
[0162] The controller 604 receives signals including data on
physical quantities related to detection by a temperature sensor
(not shown) and a pressure sensor (not shown), data on an
instruction based on the type of operation input by a user of the
hot water supply system 600, and data on, for example, the type of
operation from the controller 605 of the hot water supply unit 601,
for example, and controls driving of the compressor 3, channel
switching of the four-way valve 4, the rotation speed (the amount
of fan blast to the outdoor heat exchanger 5) of the outdoor fan
5f, and the opening degree of the expansion valve 6, for
example.
(Operation of Heat Source Unit)
[0163] Then, operational behavior of the heat source unit 602 will
be described based on a flow of refrigerant in the refrigerant
circuit 608. As described above, the actuators of, for example, the
four-way valve 4 are controlled by the controller 604. The levels
of, for example, temperature and pressure are not determined based
on specific absolute values, and are determined relative to the
states, operation, and other factors in, for example, a system or a
device.
(Operation in Normal Operation)
[0164] In a normal operation, the controller 604 switches the
four-way valve 4 to the channel indicated by solid lines in FIG. 1.
Thus, in the normal operation, refrigerant circulates in the
compressor 3, the four-way valve 4, the water heat exchanger 2, the
expansion valve 6, the outdoor heat exchanger 5, the four-way valve
4, and the compressor 3 in this order, and thus, these components
function as follows. [0165] (1) High-temperature high-pressure
gaseous refrigerant (gas refrigerant) discharged from the
compressor 3 flows into the water heat exchanger 2 through the
four-way valve 4. Then, the gas refrigerant that has flowed into
the water heat exchanger 2 is subjected to condensation
liquefaction while transferring heat in the water heat exchanger 2
functioning as a condenser, and becomes high-pressure
low-temperature liquefied refrigerant (liquid refrigerant). [0166]
(2) On the other hand, load-side water passing through the water
heat exchanger 2 (water flowing in the water circuit 609) is heated
by heat transferred from refrigerant passing through the water heat
exchanger 2. [0167] (3) The high-pressure low-temperature liquid
refrigerant that has flowed out of the water heat exchanger 2 has
its pressure reduced in the expansion valve 6, and reaches a
two-phase gas-liquid state. [0168] (4) Then, the refrigerant flows
into the outdoor heat exchanger 5 functioning as an evaporator,
absorbs heat from air in the outdoor heat exchanger 5 to be
evaporated and gasified. [0169] (5) The gasified refrigerant passes
through the outdoor heat exchanger 5 and then the four-way valve 4,
and is sucked into the compressor 3.
(Operation in Defrosting Operation)
[0170] In a defrosting operation, the controller 604 switches the
four-way valve 4 to the channel indicated by dotted lines in FIG.
11. At this time, refrigerant in the defrosting operation flows in
a reverse cycle (cooling operation) as described above, the
components function as follows. [0171] (1) High-temperature
high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3
flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 5 through the four-way valve
4. At this time, the refrigerant exchanges heat with frost on the
outdoor heat exchanger 5 so that frost melts and refrigerant flows
out of the outdoor heat exchanger 5 in the state of liquid
refrigerant. The refrigerant reaches a two-phase gas-liquid state
through the expansion valve 6 and flows into the water heat
exchanger 2 (evaporator). [0172] (2) The refrigerant that has
flowed into the water heat exchanger 2 absorbs heat from water
passing through the water heat exchanger 2 and flowing in the water
circuit 609 to be evaporated and become gas refrigerant in the
water heat exchanger 2. At this time, the temperature of the
outdoor heat exchanger 5 itself increases, and thus, frost on the
outdoor heat exchanger 5 melts and drops (defrosted). [0173] (3)
Gas refrigerant that has flowed out of the water heat exchanger 2
returns to the compressor 3 again through the four-way valve 4.
(Configuration of Hot Water Supply Unit)
[0174] The hot water supply unit 601 includes a tank 51, the water
heat exchanger 2, a pump 53, a booster heater 54, a three-way valve
55 (an example of a branching device), a strainer 56, a flow switch
57, an expansion tank 52, a pressure release valve 58, and an air
purge valve 59. These components are connected to one another by
pipes, and constitute a water circuit 609.
[0175] A drain port 62 for draining water in the water circuit 609
is provided in the pipes constituting the water circuit 609. The
hot water supply unit 601 includes a controller 605 for controlling
driving of actuators of the pump 53, the booster heater 54, and the
three-way valve 55. These components will be specifically
described.
[0176] The tank 51 is a device in which water (actually heated
water (hot water)) is stored. The tank 51 incorporate a coiled pipe
part (hereinafter referred to as a "coil") 61 constituting a part
of the water circuit 609. The coil 61 exchanges heat between water
(hot water) circulating in the water circuit 609 and water
remaining in the tank 51 to heat the water remaining in the tank
51. The tank 51 incorporates an immersion heater 60. The immersion
heater 60 is a heating unit for further heating water remaining in
the tank 51, in a case where the heat source unit 602 has an
insufficient heating capacity, for example.
[0177] In addition, the tank 51 is covered with a heat insulator
(not shown) to prevent water remaining therein from being cooled by
outside air. The heat insulator is, for example, a felt, Thinsulate
(registered trademark), vacuum insulation panel (VIP).
[0178] Water in the tank 51 flows out into a sanitary circuit side
pipe 81b connected to, for example, a shower (not shown). A part or
all of water that has flowed out can return from the sanitary
circuit side pipe 81a into the tank 51. The sanitary circuit side
pipe 81a also has a drain port 63.
[0179] The pump 53 is a device that applies a pressure to water in
the water circuit 609 so that water circulates in the water circuit
609.
[0180] The three-way valve 55 is a device for branching water in
the water circuit 609. For example, the three-way valve 55 switches
the direction of flow of water in the water circuit 609 toward the
tank 51 so that water circulates by way of the tank 51, or switches
to the direction to a heating circuit side pipe 82b connected to an
outside radiator, a heating machine (not shown) such as a floor
heating so that water circulates through the heating machine (not
shown) and the heating circuit side pipe 82a (not through the tank
51 at this time).
[0181] The strainer 56 is a device for removing a scale (deposit)
in the water circuit 609. The flow switch 57 is a device for
detecting whether the flow rate of water circulating in the water
circuit 609 is a predetermined level or more.
[0182] The expansion tank 52 is a device for controlling a pressure
that changes with a change in the volume of water in the water
circuit 609 caused by, for example, heating, within a predetermined
range.
[0183] The pressure release valve 58 is a protection device. When
the pressure in the water circuit 609 increases above the pressure
control range of the expansion tank 52, the pressure release valve
58 releases water in the water circuit 609 to the outside.
[0184] The air purge valve 59 releases water, for example,
generated in the water circuit 609 to the outside to prevent the
pump 53 from idling (air entrainment in the pump 53).
[0185] A manual air purge valve 64 is a manual valve for removing
air from the water circuit 609. For example, the manual air purge
valve 64 is used for removing air mixed in the water circuit 609 in
filling water in installation.
(Controller of Hot Water Supply Unit)
[0186] The controller 605 of the hot water supply unit 601 receives
a detection signal of a sensor (not shown) that detects the amount
and temperature of water in the tank 51 and a detection signal of a
pressure sensor (not shown) placed in the sanitary circuit side
pipe 81b or the heating circuit side pipe 82b, transmits a data
signal on, for example, the type of operation to the controller 604
of the heat source unit 602, and controls operation of the pump
53.
[0187] The controller 605 of the hot water supply unit 601 can
communicate with the remote controller 603 through a control line
606b. However, the present invention is not limited to this
example, and these components may wirelessly communicate with each
other. The controller 604 and the controller 605 are separated from
each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this
example, and the controller 604 and the controller 605 may be
united so that this unit is disposed in one of the hot water supply
unit 601 or the heat source unit 602.
(Configuration of Hot Water Supply Unit)
[0188] In FIG. 12, the hot water supply unit 601 is a casing 610
including at least a casing top panel 614, a casing bottom panel
616, and casing side panels 617 and 618. Extension pipes 10a and
10b are drawn to the outside of the casing 610 through through
holes 619a and 919b formed in the casing top panel 614.
[0189] A partition 620 extends vertically in the casing 610, and a
tank chamber 621 housing the tank 51 is defined between casing side
panel 617 at one side and the partition 620.
[0190] Partitions 630 and 632 extend horizontally between the
casing side panel 618 at the other side and the partition 620. In
this manner, a pipe connection chamber 622 housing the water heat
exchanger 2 and flare joints 15a and 15b are defined between the
casing bottom panel 616 and the partition 630, a pipe draw-out
primary chamber 623a through which the extension pipes 10a and 10b
pass is defined between the partition 630 and the partition 632,
and a pipe draw-out secondary chamber 623b through which the
extension pipes 10a and 10b pass is defined between the partition
632 and the casing top panel 614.
[0191] At this time, the configuration in which the extension pipes
10a and 10b pass through the through holes 631a and 631b formed in
the partition 630, the configuration in which the extension pipes
10a and 10b passes through through holes 633a and 693b formed in
the partition 632, and the configuration in which the extension
pipes 10a and 10b pass through the through holes 619a and 619b
formed in the casing top panel 614 are the same as those in the
air-conditioning apparatus 200 (see FIG. 7) described in Embodiment
2.
[0192] Thus, each of the pipe connection chamber 622, the pipe
draw-out primary chamber 623a, and pipe draw-out secondary chamber
623b is a substantially hermetic space. That is, in addition to the
pipe connection chamber 622, the pipe draw-out primary chamber 623a
and the pipe draw-out secondary chamber 623b function as two series
of "muffler chambers" and the through holes 631a and 631b in the
partition 630, the through holes 633a and 633b in the partition
632, and the through holes 619a and 619b in the casing top panel
614 correspond to "expansion parts" (see FIG. 8).
[0193] Thus, refrigerant that has leaked into the pipe connection
chamber 622 has its pressure gradually reduced while passing
through a leakage pathway, and leaked refrigerant partially remains
among the pipe connection chamber 622, the pipe draw-out primary
chamber 623a, and the pipe draw-out secondary chamber 623b. Thus,
the leakage speed (and the leakage amount) of refrigerant that
finally leaks into a room significantly decreases.
[0194] The number of partitions is not limited to two in the
present invention, and may be one or three or more. As the number
of pipe draw-out chambers increases, advantageous effects thereof
are enhanced.
[0195] Although the air-conditioning apparatuses 100 to 400 have
been described in Embodiments 1 to 4 and the hot water supply
system 600 has been described in Embodiment 5, the present
invention is not limited to those examples. Any refrigeration cycle
apparatus may be employed as long as a refrigeration cycle can be
performed.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0196] 1 control unit 2 water heat exchanger 3 compressor 4
four-way valve 5 outdoor heat exchanger 5f outdoor fan 6 expansion
valve 7 indoor heat exchanger 7f indoor fan 7m fan motor 8 outdoor
pipe 9a indoor pipe 9b indoor pipe 10a extension pipe 10b extension
pipe 11 suction pipe 12 discharge pipe 13a extension pipe
connecting valve 13b extension pipe connecting valve 14a service
port 14b service port 14c service port 15a flare joint 15b flare
joint 16a flare joint 16b flare joint
[0197] 18a heat insulator 18b heat insulator 19a insulation 19b
insulation 20 air passage partition 20a opening 21 air passage
chamber
[0198] 21a air passage primary chamber 21b air passage secondary
chamber 22 pipe connection chamber 23 pipe draw-out chamber 23a
pipe draw-out primary chamber 23b pipe draw-out secondary chamber
30 partition 30a through hole 31a through hole 31b through hole 31c
through hole 31d through hole 32 additional partition 33a through
hole 33b through hole 51 tank 52 expansion tank 53 pump 54 booster
heater 55 three-way valve 56 strainer 57 flow switch 58 pressure
release valve 59 air purge valve
[0199] 60 immersion heater 61 coil 62 drain port 63 drain port 64
manual air purge valve 70 heat radiation plate 71 heat transmission
pipe
[0200] 71a end 71b end 72 hair pin 73 U-bend 74 side plate 81a
sanitary circuit side pipe 81b sanitary circuit side pipe 82a
heating circuit side pipe 82b heating circuit side pipe 83 arrow
91a header main pipe 92a header branch pipe 92b indoor refrigerant
branch pipe 100 air-conditioning apparatus (Embodiment 1) 101
indoor unit 102 outdoor unit 110 casing
[0201] 111 casing front panel 112 suction port 113 air outlet 114
casing top panel 115 casing back panel 116 casing bottom panel 117
casing side panel 118 casing side panel 119a through hole 200
air-conditioning apparatus (Embodiment 2) 201 indoor unit 300
air-conditioning apparatus (Embodiment 3) 301 indoor unit 310
casing 311 casing front panel 313 air outlet 314 casing top panel
315 casing back panel 316 casing bottom panel
[0202] 317 casing side panel 318 casing side panel 319a through
hole
[0203] 319b through hole 400 air-conditioning apparatus (Embodiment
4)
[0204] 401 indoor unit 410 casing 414 casing top panel 416 casing
bottom panel 417a casing side panel 417b casing side panel 417c
casing side panel
[0205] 417d casing side panel 419a through hole 419b through
hole
[0206] 600 hot water supply system (Embodiment 5) 601 hot water
supply unit
[0207] 602 heat source unit 603 remote controller 604 controller
605 controller 606a control line 606b control line 607 refrigerant
pipe 608 refrigerant circuit 609 water circuit 610 casing 614
casing top panel 616 casing bottom panel 617 casing side panel 619a
through hole 620 partition 621 tank chamber 622 pipe connection
chamber 623a pipe draw-out primary chamber 623b pipe draw-out
secondary chamber 630 partition 631a through hole 631b through hole
632 partition
[0208] 633a through hole 633b through hole S1 sucked air
temperature sensor S2 liquid pipe temperature sensor S3 two-phase
pipe temperature sensor S4 leakage detection sensor
* * * * *