U.S. patent application number 16/082988 was filed with the patent office on 2019-03-07 for refrigeration cycle apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. Invention is credited to Masahiro KAMIJO, Yasuhiro SUZUKI, Masahiko TAKAGI, Kenyu TANAKA, Kazuki WATANABE.
Application Number | 20190072291 16/082988 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58666494 |
Filed Date | 2019-03-07 |
![](/patent/app/20190072291/US20190072291A1-20190307-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20190072291/US20190072291A1-20190307-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20190072291/US20190072291A1-20190307-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20190072291/US20190072291A1-20190307-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20190072291/US20190072291A1-20190307-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20190072291/US20190072291A1-20190307-D00005.png)
![](/patent/app/20190072291/US20190072291A1-20190307-D00006.png)
![](/patent/app/20190072291/US20190072291A1-20190307-D00007.png)
![](/patent/app/20190072291/US20190072291A1-20190307-D00008.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20190072291 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KAMIJO; Masahiro ; et
al. |
March 7, 2019 |
REFRIGERATION CYCLE APPARATUS
Abstract
Provided is a refrigeration cycle apparatus, in which, when
refrigerant is detected by a refrigerant detector, an informing
unit informs of occurrence of leakage of the refrigerant and
countermeasure information for enabling determination of a
procedure of coping with the refrigerant leakage.
Inventors: |
KAMIJO; Masahiro; (Tokyo,
JP) ; SUZUKI; Yasuhiro; (Tokyo, JP) ; TAKAGI;
Masahiko; (Tokyo, JP) ; TANAKA; Kenyu; (Tokyo,
JP) ; WATANABE; Kazuki; (Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
58666494 |
Appl. No.: |
16/082988 |
Filed: |
May 10, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
May 10, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2017/017661 |
371 Date: |
September 7, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 2313/0315 20130101;
F25B 49/005 20130101; F24F 11/36 20180101; F25B 13/00 20130101;
F24F 11/89 20180101; F25B 2600/25 20130101; F24F 11/61 20180101;
F25B 2313/0314 20130101; F25B 2313/02741 20130101; F25B 49/02
20130101; F24F 11/52 20180101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 11/36 20060101
F24F011/36; F25B 49/02 20060101 F25B049/02; F24F 11/89 20060101
F24F011/89; F25B 49/00 20060101 F25B049/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 17, 2016 |
JP |
PCT/JP2016/064629 |
Claims
1. A refrigeration cycle apparatus, comprising: an indoor unit
including: a load-side heat exchanger forming a refrigeration
cycle, through which refrigerant is circulated; a refrigerant
detector configured to detect the refrigerant; and an air-sending
fan, the indoor unit being installed indoors; a controller
configured to control the indoor unit; an informing unit configured
to present information about the refrigerant; and a timer
configured to measure time, wherein the controller is configured
to, when the refrigerant is detected by the refrigerant detector,
control the informing unit to present, as countermeasure
information for enabling determination of a procedure of coping
with refrigerant leakage, information about the elapsed time
measured by the timer, or a remaining time to a preset
predetermined time.
2. The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
controller is configured to, when the refrigerant is detected by
the refrigerant detector, first bring the air-sending fan into an
operation state and then start the timer.
3. The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
controller is configured to, when the refrigerant is detected by
the refrigerant detector, first start the timer and then bring the
air-sending fan into an operation state.
4. The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
controller is configured to control the informing unit to present
information representing occurrence of the refrigerant leakage.
5. The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
controller is configured to, when the refrigerant is detected by
the refrigerant detector, bring the air-sending fan into an
operation state.
6. The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
informing unit is provided on a design surface of a casing of the
indoor unit.
7. The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
informing unit includes a display device to be additionally
connected to the indoor unit.
8. The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indoor
unit includes a battery.
9. The refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
controller is configured to, when a preset time elapses after the
refrigerant is detected by the refrigerant detector, stop the
air-sending fan.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigeration cycle
apparatus having a refrigerant detection function.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In Patent Literature 1, there is described an
air-conditioning apparatus using a flammable refrigerant, which
includes a gas sensor provided on an outer surface of an indoor
unit and configured to detect a flammable refrigerant gas. The
indoor unit is of a floor type, and the gas sensor is provided to a
lower part of the indoor unit. When a sensor detection voltage of
the gas sensor is equal to or larger than a reference value, a
controller of the air-conditioning apparatus determines that the
flammable refrigerant has leaked. Thus, an alert is immediately
issued by an alarm, and a fan provided inside the indoor unit is
rotated, In this manner, a user is informed of the leakage of the
flammable refrigerant, and can take measures of, for example,
ventilating an indoor space and calling a serviceperson for
repair.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 4599699
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0004] An action to be first taken by the serviceperson, who has
been informed of the refrigerant leakage and has arrived at a work
site, differs depending on presence or absence of the refrigerant
in a refrigerant circuit. When the refrigerant remains in
refrigerant pipes, the serviceperson is required to deal with the
refrigerant leakage by, for example, closing extension pipe
connection valves of an outdoor unit so as to prevent further
leakage of the refrigerant from a portion of the indoor unit at
which the leakage occurs. Meanwhile, when no refrigerant remains in
the refrigerant pipes, the serviceperson can start a series of
steps of work, specifically, immediately checking the portion at
which the leakage occurs and repairing the thus found portion at
which the leakage occurs.
[0005] However, the controller of the air-conditioning apparatus
disclosed in Patent Literature 1 informs of only the occurrence of
leakage of the flammable refrigerant. Therefore, the serviceperson,
who starts maintenance of the indoor unit, cannot immediately
determine in which of the above-mentioned steps the work is to be
started. As a result, there is a problem in that the serviceperson,
who has been informed of the leakage of the refrigerant, cannot
quickly take an appropriate countermeasure.
[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the problem
described above, and has an object to provide a refrigeration cycle
apparatus that enables an action be quickly taken after refrigerant
leakage has occurred.
Solution to Problem
[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there
is provided a refrigeration cycle apparatus, including: an indoor
unit including; a load-side heat exchanger forming a refrigeration
cycle, through which refrigerant is circulated: a refrigerant
detector configured to detect the refrigerant; and an air-sending
fan, the indoor unit being installed indoors; a controller
configured to control the indoor unit; an informing unit configured
to present information about the refrigerant; and a timer
configured to measure time, wherein, when the refrigerant is
detected by the refrigerant detector, the controller controls the
informing unit to present countermeasure information for enabling
determination of a procedure of coping with refrigerant leakage and
information about the time measured by the timer.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0008] According to the refrigeration cycle apparatus of one
embodiment of the present invention, when the refrigerant is
detected by the refrigerant detector, the countermeasure
information for enabling determination of the procedure of coping
with the refrigerant leakage is informed of. Therefore, a
serviceperson, who copes with the refrigerant leakage, can quickly
take an appropriate initial action.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
[0009] FIG. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram for illustrating a
schematic configuration of an air-conditioning apparatus in an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front view for illustrating an external
appearance of an indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus in
the embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a front view for schematically illustrating an
internal structure of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning
apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side view for schematically illustrating the
internal structure of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning
apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a front view of a remote controller for the indoor
unit of the air-conditioning apparatus in the embodiment of the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of the indoor unit of the
air-conditioning apparatus in the embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for illustrating an example of
refrigerant leakage detection processing to be executed by the
controller of the air-conditioning apparatus in the embodiment of
the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a front view for illustrating the external
appearance of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus in
the embodiment of the present invention together with a schematic
view of a display device, which is additionally connected to the
indoor unit.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0017] A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to an embodiment
of the present invention is described in detail below with
reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to
the embodiment described below.
Embodiment
[0018] An air-conditioning apparatus in an embodiment of the
present invention is described. FIG. 1 is a refrigerant circuit
diagram for illustrating a schematic configuration of the
air-conditioning apparatus in the embodiment of the present
invention. In FIG. 1 and the subsequent drawings, a dimensional
relationship and a shape of components may be different from actual
ones.
[0019] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the air-conditioning apparatus 100
includes a refrigerant circuit 40 configured to circulate
refrigerant. The refrigerant circuit 40 includes a compressor 3, a
refrigerant flow switching device 4, a heat source-side heat
exchanger 5 (for example, outdoor heat exchanger), a pressure
reducing device 6, and a load-side heat exchanger 7 (for example,
indoor heat exchanger), which are annularly connected through
refrigerant pipes in the stated order. Further, the
air-conditioning apparatus 100 includes, for example, an outdoor
unit 2, which is installed outdoors as a heat source unit. Further,
the air-conditioning apparatus 100 includes, for example, an indoor
unit 1, which is installed indoors as a load unit. The indoor unit
1 and the outdoor unit 2 are connected to each other through
extension pipes 10a and 10b forming parts of the refrigerant
pipes.
[0020] Examples of refrigerant to be used as the refrigerant to be
circulated in the refrigerant circuit 40 include a slightly
flammable refrigerant, for example, HFO-1234yf or HFO-1234ze and a
strongly flammable refrigerant, for example, R290 or R1270. Those
refrigerants may be each used as a single refrigerant, or may be
used as a mixed refrigerant obtained by mixing two or more kinds of
the refrigerants with each other. In the following description, the
refrigerant having a flammability equal to or higher than a
slightly flammable level (for example, 2L or higher in category of
ASHRAE34) is sometimes referred to as "flammable refrigerant".
Further, as the refrigerant to be circulated in the refrigerant
circuit 40, a nonflammable refrigerant, for example, R22 or R410A,
having nonflammability (for example, 1 in category of ASHRAE34) can
also be used. Those refrigerants have a density larger than that of
air under, for example, an atmospheric pressure.
[0021] The compressor 3 is a fluid machine configured to compress a
sucked low-pressure refrigerant and to discharge the low-pressure
refrigerant as high-pressure refrigerant. The refrigerant flow
switching device 4 is configured to switch a flow direction of the
refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 40 during a cooling
operation and during a heating operation. As the refrigerant flow
switching device 4, for example, a four-way valve is used. The heat
source-side heat exchanger 5 is a heat exchanger configured to
function as a radiator (for example, condenser) during the cooling
operation and to function as an evaporator during the heating
operation. In the heat source-side heat exchanger 5, heat is
exchanged between the refrigerant circulated through an inside of
the heat source-side heat exchanger 5 and outdoor air sent by an
outdoor air-sending fan 5f described later. The pressure reducing
device 6 is configured to reduce the pressure of the high-pressure
refrigerant such that the high-pressure refrigerant becomes the
low-pressure refrigerant. As the pressure reducing device 6, for
example, an electronic expansion valve having an adjustable opening
degree is used. The load-side heat exchanger 7 is a heat exchanger
configured to function as an evaporator during the cooling
operation and to function as a radiator (for example, condenser)
during the heating operation. In the load-side heat exchanger 7,
heat is exchanged between the refrigerant circulated through an
inside of the load-side heat exchanger 7 and air sent by an indoor
air-sending fan 7f described later. In this case, the cooling
operation represents an operation of supplying low-temperature and
low-pressure refrigerant to the load-side heat exchanger 7, and the
heating operation represents an operation of supplying
high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant to the load-side
heat exchanger 7.
[0022] The outdoor unit 2 accommodates the compressor 3, the
refrigerant flow switching device 4, the heat source-side heat
exchanger 5, and the pressure reducing device 6. Further, the
outdoor unit 2 accommodates the outdoor air-sending fan 5f
configured to supply outdoor air to the heat source-side heat
exchanger 5. The outdoor air-sending fan 5f is installed so as to
be opposed to the heat source-side heat exchanger 5. When the
outdoor air-sending fan 5f is rotated, an airflow passing through
the heat source-side heat exchanger 5 is generated. As the outdoor
air-sending fan 5f, for example, a propeller fan is used. The
outdoor air-sending fan 5f is arranged, for example, on downstream
of the heat source-side heat exchanger 5 along the airflow
generated by the outdoor air-sending fan 5f.
[0023] The refrigerant pipes arranged in the outdoor unit 2 include
a refrigerant pipe configured to connect between an extension pipe
connection valve 13a on the gas side during the cooling operation
and the refrigerant flow switching device 4, a suction pipe 11
connected to a suction side of the compressor 3, a discharge pipe
12 connected to a discharge side of the compressor 3, a refrigerant
pipe configured to connect between the refrigerant flow switching
device 4 and the heat source-side heat exchanger 5, a refrigerant
pipe configured to connect between the heat source-side heat
exchanger 5 and the pressure reducing device 6, and a refrigerant
pipe configured to connect between an extension pipe connection
valve 13b on the liquid side during the cooling operation and the
pressure reducing device 6. The extension pipe connection valve 13a
is formed of a two-way valve capable of switching between open and
close, and has one end to which a flare joint is mounted. Further,
the extension pipe connection valve 13b is formed of a three-way
valve capable of switching between open and close. The extension
pipe connection valve 13b has one end to which a service port 14a
is mounted, which is used at a time of vacuuming being a
preliminary work of filling the refrigerant circuit 40 with
refrigerant, and an other end to which a flare joint is
mounted.
[0024] During both the cooling operation and the heating operation,
high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant compressed by
the compressor 3 flows through the discharge pipe 12. During both
the cooling operation and the heating operation, low-temperature
and low-pressure gas refrigerant or two-phase refrigerant subjected
to an evaporation action flows through the suction pipe 11. The
suction pipe 11 is connected to a low-pressure-side service port
14b with a flare joint, and the discharge pipe 12 is connected to a
high-pressure-side service port 14c with a flare joint. The service
ports 14b and 14c are used to connect a pressure gauge to measure
the operating pressure at a time of installation of the
air-conditioning apparatus 100 or at a time of a trial run for a
repair.
[0025] The indoor unit 1 accommodates the load-side heat exchanger
7. Further, the indoor air-sending fan 7f configured to supply air
to the load-side heat exchanger 7 is installed in the indoor unit
1. When the indoor air-sending fan 7f is rotated, an airflow
passing through the load-side heat exchanger 7 is generated. As the
indoor air-sending fan 7f, a centrifugal fan (for example, sirocco
fan or turbofan), a cross flow fan, a mixed flow fan, an axial-flow
fan (for example, propeller fan), or an other fan is used depending
on a shape of the indoor unit 1. The indoor air-sending fan 7f in
this embodiment is arranged on upstream of the load-side heat
exchanger 7 along the airflow generated by the indoor air-sending
fan 7f, but may be arranged on downstream of the load-side heat
exchange 7.
[0026] Of the refrigerant pipes of the indoor unit 1, a gas-side
indoor pipe 9a is provided, in a connection portion to the gas-side
extension pipe 10a, with a joint portion 15a (for example, flare
joint) for connection to the extension pipe 10a. Further, of the
refrigerant pipes of the indoor unit 1, a liquid-side indoor pipe
9b is provided, in a connection portion to the liquid-side
extension pipe 10b, with a joint portion 15b (for example, flare
joint) for connection to the extension pipe 10b.
[0027] Further, the indoor unit 1 includes, for example, a suction
air temperature sensor 91 configured to detect a temperature of
indoor air sucked from the indoors, a heat exchanger entrance
temperature sensor 92 configured to detect a refrigerant
temperature at an entrance portion of the load-side heat exchanger
7 during the cooling operation (exit portion during the heating
operation), and a heat exchanger temperature sensor 93 configured
to detect a refrigerant temperature (evaporating temperature or
condensing temperature) of a two-phase portion of the load-side
heat exchanger 7. In addition, the indoor unit 1 includes a
refrigerant detector 99 (for example, a semiconductor gas sensor)
described later. Those sensors are configured to output a detection
signal to a controller 30 configured to control an entirety of the
indoor unit 1 or the air-conditioning apparatus 100.
[0028] The controller 30 includes a microcomputer including, for
example, a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM),
a random access memory (RAM), and an input/output (I/O) port. The
controller 30 is capable of performing data communications to/from
an operation unit of a remote controller described later, The
operation unit is configured to receive an operation performed by a
user and output an operation signal based on the operation to the
controller 30. The controller 30 in this embodiment is configured
to control the operation of the entirety of the indoor unit 1 or
the air-conditioning apparatus 100 including an operation of the
indoor air-sending fan 7f based on an operation signal received
from the operation unit, the detection signal received from the
sensors, or other signals. Further, the controller 30 in this
embodiment is capable of switching between energization and
de-energization of the refrigerant detector 99. The controller 30
may be provided inside a casing of the indoor unit 1, or may be
provided inside a casing of the outdoor unit 2. Further, the
controller 30 may include an outdoor unit controller provided to
the outdoor unit 2 and an indoor unit controller provided to the
indoor unit 1 and capable of performing data communications to/from
the outdoor unit controller.
[0029] Next, description is made of the operation of the
refrigerant circuit 40 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100.
First, the operation during the cooling operation is described. In
FIG. 1, the solid arrows indicate flow directions of the
refrigerant during the cooling operation. The refrigerant circuit
40 is configured so that, during the cooling operation, a
refrigerant flow passage is switched by the refrigerant flow
switching device 4 as indicated by the solid line, and the
low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant flows into the
load-side heat exchanger 7.
[0030] The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant
discharged from the compressor 3 first flows into the heat
source-side heat exchanger 5 after passing through the refrigerant
flow switching device 4. During the cooling operation, the heat
source-side heat exchanger 5 functions as a condenser. That is, in
the heat source-side heat exchanger 5, heat is exchanged between
the refrigerant circulated through the inside and the outdoor air
sent by the outdoor air-sending fan 5f, and heat of condensation of
the refrigerant is transferred to the outdoor air. With this
operation, the refrigerant that has flowed into the heat
source-side heat exchanger 5 is condensed to become high-pressure
liquid refrigerant. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flows into
the pressure reducing device 6, and is reduced in pressure to
become low-pressure two-phase refrigerant. The low-pressure
two-phase refrigerant passes through the extension pipe 10b, and
flows into the load-side heat exchanger 7 of the indoor unit 1.
During the cooling operation, the load-side heat exchanger 7
functions as an evaporator. That is, in the load-side heat
exchanger 7, heat is exchanged between the refrigerant circulated
through the inside and the air (for example, indoor air) sent by
the indoor air-sending fan 7f, and heat of evaporation of the
refrigerant is received from the sent air. With this operation, the
refrigerant that has flowed into the load-side heat exchanger 7
evaporates to become low-pressure gas refrigerant or two-phase
refrigerant. Further, the air sent by the indoor air-sending fan 7f
is cooled by a heat receiving action of the refrigerant. The
low-pressure gas refrigerant or two-phase refrigerant evaporated by
the load-side heat exchanger 7 passes through the extension pipe
10a and the refrigerant flow switching device 4, and is sucked by
the compressor 3. The refrigerant sucked by the compressor 3 is
compressed to become the high-temperature and high-pressure gas
refrigerant. During the cooling operation, the above-mentioned
cycle is repeated.
[0031] Next, the operation during the heating operation is
described. In FIG. 1, the dotted arrows indicate flow directions of
the refrigerant during the heating operation. The refrigerant
circuit 40 is configured so that, during the heating operation, the
refrigerant flow passage is switched by the refrigerant flow
switching device 4 as indicated by the dotted line, and the
high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flows into the
load-side heat exchanger 7. During the heating operation, the
refrigerant flows in a direction reverse to that of the refrigerant
flow during the cooling operation, and the load-side heat exchanger
7 functions as a condenser. That is, in the load-side heat
exchanger 7, heat is exchanged between the refrigerant circulated
through the inside and the air sent by the indoor air-sending fan
7f, and the heat of condensation of the refrigerant is transferred
to the sent air. With this operation, the air sent by the indoor
air-sending fan 7f is heated by a heat transferring action of the
refrigerant.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a front view for illustrating a configuration of
an outer appearance of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning
apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a
front view for schematically illustrating an internal structure of
the indoor unit of the air-conditioning apparatus in the embodiment
of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a side view for schematically
illustrating the internal structure of the indoor unit of the
air-conditioning apparatus in the embodiment of the present
invention. The left side of FIG. 4 indicates a front surface side
(that is, indoor space side) of the indoor unit 1. In this
embodiment, as the indoor unit 1, the indoor unit 1 of a floor
type, which is installed on a floor surface of an indoor space
being an air-conditioned space, is described as an example. In the
following description, positional relationships (for example,
top-bottom relationship) of components are, in principle, exhibited
when the indoor unit 1 is installed in a usable state,
[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, the indoor unit 1
includes a casing 111 having a vertically elongated rectangular
parallelepiped shape. An air inlet 112 configured to suck air
inside the indoor space is formed in a lower portion of a front
surface of the casing 111. The air inlet 112 in this embodiment is
provided at a position close to the floor surface below a center
portion of the casing 111 along a vertical direction thereof. An
air outlet 113 configured to blow off the air sucked from the air
inlet 112 indoors is formed in the upper portion of the front
surface of the casing 111, that is, at a position higher than the
air inlet 112 (for example, above the center portion of the casing
111 along the vertical direction).
[0034] The casing 111 is a hollow box body, and a front opening
part is formed in a front surface of the casing 111. The casing 111
includes a first front panel 114a, a second front panel 114b, and a
third front panel 114c, which are removably mounted to the front
opening part, The first front panel 114a, the second front panel
114b, and the third front panel 114c all have a substantially
rectangular flat outer shape. The first front panel 114a is
removably mounted to a lower part of the front opening part of the
casing 111. In the first front panel 114a, the air inlet 112
described above is formed. The second front panel 114b is arranged
immediately above the first front panel 114a, and is removably
mounted to a center part of the front opening part of the casing
111 along the vertical direction. In the second front panel 114b,
the operation unit described above is provided. The third front
panel 114c is arranged immediately above the second front panel
114b, and is removably mounted to an upper part of the front
opening part of the casing 111. In the third front panel 114c, the
air outlet 113 described above is formed.
[0035] An internal space of the casing 111 is roughly divided into
a space 115a being an air-sending part and a space 115b being a
heat-exchanging part, which is located above the space 115a. The
space 115a and the space 115b are partitioned by a partition
portion 20. The partition portion 20 has, for example, a flat
shape, and is arranged approximately horizontally. In the partition
portion 20, at least an air passage opening part 20a is formed to
serve as an air passage between the space 115a and the space 115b.
The space 115a is defined to be exposed to the front surface side
when the first front panel 114a is removed from the casing 111, and
the space 115b is defined to be exposed to the front surface side
when the second front panel 114b and the third front panel 114c are
removed from the casing 111. That is, the partition portion 20 is
mounted at approximately the same height as a height of an upper
edge of the first front panel 114a or a lower edge of the second
front panel 114b. In this case, the partition portion 20 may be
formed integrally with a fan casing 108 described later, may be
formed integrally with a drain pan described later, or may be
formed separately from the fan casing 108 or the drain pan.
[0036] In the space 115a, there is arranged the indoor air-sending
fan 7f, which is configured to cause a flow of air from the air
inlet 112 to the air outlet 113 in the air passage 81 of the casing
111. The indoor air-sending fan 7f in this embodiment is a sirocco
fan including a motor (not shown) and an impeller 107. The impeller
107 is connected to an output shaft of the motor, and has a
plurality of blades arranged, for example, at regular intervals
along a circumferential direction of the impeller 107. A rotary
shaft of the impeller 107 is arranged substantially in parallel
with a depth direction of the casing 111. A rotation speed of the
indoor air-sending fan 7f is set at multiple levels (for example,
two or more levels) or set to be continuously variable by control
of the controller 30 based on a preset air volume set by the user
or other information.
[0037] The impeller 107 of the indoor air-sending fan 7f is covered
with the fan casing 108 having a spiral shape. The fan casing 108
is formed, for example, separately from the casing 111. A suction
opening part 108b for sucking the indoor air through the air inlet
112 into the fan casing 108 is formed near the center of a spiral
of the fan casing 108. The suction opening part 108b is located so
as to be opposed to the air inlet 112. Further, an air outlet
opening part 108a for blowing off the sent air is formed along a
direction of a tangential line of the spiral of the fan casing 108.
The air outlet opening part 108a is arranged so as to be oriented
upward, and is connected to the space 115b through the air passage
opening part 20a of the partition portion 20. In other words, the
air outlet opening part 108a communicates to the space 115b through
the air passage opening part 20a. An opening end of the air outlet
opening part 108a and an opening end of the air passage opening
part 20a may be directly connected to each other, or may be
indirectly connected to each other through a duct member or other
members.
[0038] Further, in the space 115a, there is provided an electrical
component box 25 accommodating, for example, a microcomputer
included in the controller 30, various electrical components, and a
board.
[0039] The load-side heat exchanger 7 is arranged in the air
passage 81 within the space 115b. The drain pan (not shown)
configured to receive condensed water that is condensed on a
surface of the load-side heat exchanger 7 is provided below the
load-side heat exchanger 7. The drain pan may be formed as a part
of the partition portion 20, or may be formed separately from the
partition portion 20 and arranged on the partition portion 20.
[0040] The refrigerant detector 99 is provided at a position near
and below the space 115a. As the refrigerant detector 99, an
energization-type refrigerant detector including an
energization-type gas sensor such as a semiconductor gas sensor or
a hot-wire type semiconductor gas sensor is used. The refrigerant
detector 99 is configured to detect, for example, a refrigerant
concentration in the air around the refrigerant detector 99 to
output a detection signal to the controller 30. The controller 30
executes processing for the leakage of the refrigerant based on the
detection signal received from the refrigerant detector 99.
[0041] In the indoor unit 1, leakage of refrigerant is liable to
occur at a brazed portion of the load-side heat exchanger 7 and at
the joint portions 15a and 15b. Further, the refrigerant used in
this embodiment has a density larger than that of the air under the
atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the refrigerant detector 99 in
this embodiment is provided at a position lower in height than the
load-side heat exchanger 7 and the joint portions 15a and 15b
within the casing 111. With this arrangement, the refrigerant
detector 99 can reliably detect the leaked refrigerant at least
when the indoor air-sending fan 7f is stopped. In this embodiment,
the refrigerant detector 99 is provided at the position below the
space 115a, but an arrangement position of the refrigerant detector
99 may be another position.
[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a remote controller 26 is provided
on the front surface of the casing 111 above the air inlet 112 and
below the air outlet 113. Specifically, the remote controller 26 is
provided on a design surface of the casing 111. FIG. 5 is a front
view of the remote controller for the indoor unit of the
air-conditioning apparatus in the embodiment of the present
invention. The remote controller 26 includes a display unit 26a and
an operation unit 26b. When the user operates the operation unit
26b of the remote controller 26, an operation for starting the
operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 and an operation
for ending the operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 100,
switching of an operation mode, setting of a set temperature and
set air volume of the air-conditioning apparatus, and other
operations are performed.
[0043] The display unit 26a of the remote controller 26 includes a
state display region 261, an abnormality code display region 262, a
current time display region 263, and a countermeasure information
display region 264, on which information for enabling determination
of a procedure of coping with the refrigerant leakage is to be
displayed. When the controller 30 determines that the refrigerant
is leaking, a character string indicating the refrigerant leakage
is displayed on the state display region 261. In FIG. 5, a state in
which characters "REFRIGERANT LEAKAGE" are displayed is illustrated
as an example. When an abnormality occurs in the air-conditioning
apparatus 100, a code that is specified in advance to correspond to
details of the abnormality is displayed on the abnormality code
display region 262. In FIG. 5, a double-digit code is displayed as
an example of the code, The code is found in, for example, a manual
to be used by a serviceperson who is responsible for maintenance
and repair of the air-conditioning apparatus 100. The serviceperson
checks the code displayed on the abnormality code display region
262 in the manual to verify what kind of abnormality has occurred
in the air-conditioning apparatus 100, to thereby determine how to
cope with the abnormality. For example, under a situation in which
the character string indicating the refrigerant leakage is
displayed on the abnormality display region 261, a code indicating
the refrigerant leakage is displayed on the abnormality code
display region 262. Specifically, the information having the same
content is displayed on the state display region 261 and the
abnormality code display region 262.
[0044] FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of the indoor unit of the
air-conditioning apparatus in the embodiment of the present
invention. Information corresponding to the details of the
operation on the operation unit 26b of the remote controller 26,
which is performed by the user, and a result of detection by the
refrigerant detector 99 are input to the controller 30. Control
signals for controlling the display unit 26a of the remote
controller 26 and the indoor air-sending fan 7f are output from the
controller 30. An elapsed time measured by a timer 101 is input to
the controller 30. The elapsed time is displayed on the
countermeasure information display region 264 of the display unit
26a of the remote controller 26 by control of the controller 30.
The timer 101 may be built into the controller 30 or into the
remote controller 26.
[0045] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for illustrating an example of
refrigerant leakage detection processing to be executed by the
controller 30 of the air-conditioning apparatus 100 in the
embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerant leakage
detection processing is repeatedly executed at predetermined time
intervals in a constant manner regardless of whether the
air-conditioning apparatus 100 is in operation or stopped or only
when the air-conditioning apparatus 100 is stopped.
[0046] In Step S1 of FIG. 7, the controller 30 acquires information
on the refrigerant concentration around the refrigerant detector 99
based on the detection signal output from the refrigerant detector
99. Next, in Step S2, the controller 30 checks whether the
refrigerant concentration around the refrigerant detector 99 is
equal to or larger than a preset threshold value. After it is
verified that the refrigerant concentration around the refrigerant
detector 99 is equal to or larger than the threshold value, the
processing proceeds to Step S3. For example, when the refrigerant
enclosed in the refrigerant circuit 40 is flammable, the threshold
value is set to, for example, one-fourth of a lower flammable limit
(LFL).
[0047] Therefore, when the refrigerant concentration around the
refrigerant detector 99 is equal to or larger than the threshold
value, it is determined that the refrigerant is leaking from a
brazed portion of the load-side heat exchanger 7 or the joint
portions 15a and 15b. In Step S3, when the indoor air-sending fan
7f is stopped, the controller 30 starts the operation of the indoor
air-sending fan 7f. When the indoor air-sending fan 7f is already
in operation, the operation is continued. That is, the controller
30 forcedly brings the indoor air-sending fan 7f into the operation
state so as to prevent an air concentration from becoming
unsuitable for a working environment due to the leakage of the
refrigerant. Further, when the leaking refrigerant is a flammable
refrigerant, the controller 30 forcedly brings the indoor
air-sending fan 7f into the operation state so as to prevent the
refrigerant concentration from reaching a flammable concentration
region.
[0048] Next, the processing proceeds to Step S4, and the controller
30 starts the timer 101 to start the measurement of the elapsed
time. The order of Step S3 and Step S4 is interchangeable.
Specifically, the controller 30 may start the operation of the
indoor air-sending fan 7f after starting the timer 101 to start the
measurement of the elapsed time. Then, in Step S5, the controller
30 displays the character string for informing of the leakage of
the refrigerant on the state display region 261 of the display unit
26a of the remote controller 26. Further, the controller 30
displays the abnormality code indicating the refrigerant leakage on
the abnormality code display region 262. Further, the controller 30
displays the elapsed time acquired from the timer 101 on the
countermeasure information display region 264.
[0049] Meanwhile, in Step S2, when the refrigerant concentration
around the refrigerant detector 99 has not reached the threshold
value, it is determined that the refrigerant is not leaking. In
this case, the processing is terminated without executing Step S3
to Step S5 described above.
[0050] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the
refrigerant is leaking, on the display unit 26a of the remote
controller 26, the character string indicating that the refrigerant
is leaking is displayed on the state display region 261, the code
indicating the condition of the leakage is displayed on the
abnormality code display region 262, and the elapsed time from the
start of the operation of the indoor air-sending fan 7f after the
detection of the leakage of the refrigerant is displayed on the
countermeasure information display region 264. That is, in addition
to the information indicating that the refrigerant is leaking, the
elapsed time from the start of the operation state of the indoor
air-sending fan 7f after the detection of the leakage of the
refrigerant is provided to the user. Therefore, when the user, who
has checked the display of the character string indicating the
refrigerant leakage on the state display region 261, informs the
serviceperson of the code displayed on the abnormality code display
region 262 and the elapsed time displayed on the countermeasure
information display region 264 in advance, the serviceperson can
precisely determine a condition of the refrigerant leakage in the
air-conditioning apparatus 100. Information to be used for
determination of the details indicated by the abnormality code and
the condition of the refrigerant leakage are found in the manual to
be used by the serviceperson. For example, a time T from a time
point at which the refrigerant starts leaking from the brazed
portion of the load-side heat exchanger 7, the joint portions 15a
and 15b, or other portions to a time point at which all the
refrigerant enclosed in the refrigerant circuit 40 finishes leaking
can be calculated by: T=m/v, where m represents an amount (kg) of
the refrigerant enclosed in the refrigerant circuit 40 and v
represents a predicted leakage speed (kg/h) of the refrigerant. The
above-mentioned refrigerant amount m, predicted leakage speed v,
and time T, and other parameters are also found in the manual for
the serviceperson. Further, even when the serviceperson is informed
by the user only of the leakage of the refrigerant, the
serviceperson, who has arrived at the work site, can precisely
determine the condition of the refrigerant leakage in the
air-conditioning apparatus 100 by checking the above-mentioned
information displayed on each of the display regions of the display
unit 26a and the manual to be used by the serviceperson. As a
result, the serviceperson can quickly make an appropriate initial
response at the time of refrigerant leakage.
[0051] When the elapsed time is not equal to or larger than the
above-mentioned time T, an elapsed time shorter than the time T is
displayed on the countermeasure information display region 264. The
serviceperson, who has obtained the information on the elapsed time
from the user, can understand that the refrigerant remains and the
flammable concentration region may be formed as a result of
subsequently continued leakage when the refrigerant is flammable.
Therefore, the serviceperson can determine that the serviceperson
is required to instruct the user to ventilate the indoor space.
Further, even when the serviceperson arrives at the work site
without obtaining the above-mentioned information in advance, the
serviceperson understands that it is required to immediately
ventilate the indoor space due to the possibility that the
refrigerant may remain and to close the extension pipe connection
valves 13a and 13b of the outdoor unit 2 to prevent further
leakage, for example. Therefore, an inappropriate action, for
example, turning off a breaker to stop the operation of the indoor
air-sending fan 7f even though the refrigerant remains and
continues leaking, can be prevented.
[0052] When the elapsed time is equal to or longer than the
above-mentioned time T, the character string indicating that the
refrigerant is leaking is displayed on the state display region 261
and the elapsed time equal to or larger than the time T is
displayed on the countermeasure information display region 264. The
serviceperson, who has obtained the information described above,
can make the following determination. Specifically, a full amount
of the refrigerant having been enclosed in the refrigerant circuit
40 has been released, and therefore the refrigerant does not leak
any more. Thus, in a case where the leaking refrigerant is
flammable, even when the indoor air-sending fan 7f is stopped, the
flammable concentration region is not formed. Therefore, the
serviceperson turns off the breaker to stop the operation of the
indoor air-sending fan 7f so as to start checking the portion at
which the leakage occurs without complicated work, for example,
closing the extension pipe connection valves 13a and 13b for
prevention of further leakage.
[0053] In this embodiment, the remote controller 26 including the
display unit 26a configured to present the information about the
refrigerant leakage is provided on the design surface of the casing
111. Therefore, the user and the serviceperson can easily visibly
check and acquire the information about the refrigerant
leakage.
[0054] In this embodiment, the indoor unit 1 may include a battery.
When the breaker is turned off to stop supply of a commercial power
supply, the indoor air-sending fan 7f is stopped. When the indoor
unit 1 includes the battery, however, the operation of the indoor
air-sending fan 7f, the measurement of the elapsed time by the
timer 101, and the display of the information about the refrigerant
leakage on the display unit 26a can be continued with supply of
power from the battery of the indoor unit 1 even after the supply
of commercial power is stopped.
[0055] In this embodiment, the timer 101 is started after the
leakage of the refrigerant is detected and the operation of the
indoor air-sending fan 7f is started. However, the order of the
operation of the timer 101 is not limited thereto. The control may
be performed so that the timer 101 is first started based on the
detection of the leakage of the refrigerant and the operation of
the indoor air-sending fan 7f is then started.
[0056] Further, the indoor air-sending fan 7f, which is started to
operate in Step S3 of FIG. 7, may be stopped after elapse of preset
predetermined time. For example, a length of the predetermined time
may be set so that the released refrigerant is prevented from being
diffused by the indoor air-sending fan 7f so as not to form a
flammable concentration. Through the control described above, the
action of stopping the indoor air-sending fan 7f to be taken by the
serviceperson can be omitted, and hence a burden of the
serviceperson is reduced.
[0057] Although the elapsed time measured by the timer 101 is
displayed on the countermeasure information display region 264 of
the display unit 26a of the remote controller 26 in this
embodiment, time to be displayed on the countermeasure information
display region 264 is not limited thereto. For example, a remaining
time to a preset predetermined time at which the refrigerant is
entirely released, a remaining time to a preset predetermined time
at which the above-mentioned indoor air-sending fan 7f is stopped,
and other kinds of time may be displayed.
[0058] Although the information about the refrigerant leakage and
the information that allows the serviceperson to determine the
procedure of coping with the refrigerant leakage are displayed on
the display unit 26a of the remote controller 26 in this
embodiment, a portion on which the above-mentioned information is
to be displayed is not limited to the display unit 26a, The
above-mentioned information may be displayed on a display device, a
display, or other devices, which are to be additionally connected
to the air-conditioning apparatus 100.
[0059] The display device to be additionally connected may be, for
example, a centralized-management type system controller or
personal computer, which can collectively manage a plurality of
air-conditioning apparatus. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the
display device to be additionally connected may be a segment
display 301, which is connected to the air-conditioning apparatus
100 by the serviceperson at the time of inspection to allow the
operation state to be checked. The above-mentioned system
controller, personal computer, and segment display may be
wirelessly connectable.
[0060] Further, although the information about the refrigerant
leakage and the information that allows the serviceperson to
determine the procedure of coping with the refrigerant leakage are
informed of as character display in this embodiment, a method of
informing of the above-mentioned information is not limited to the
character display. The above-mentioned information may be informed
of by lighting and flashing of a lamp or may be informed of with
voice.
[0061] Although the indoor unit 1 of the air-conditioning apparatus
100 has been described as an example in this embodiment, the
location at which the display unit 26a is provided is not limited
to the indoor unit 1. The above-mentioned display unit 26a may be
provided to the outdoor unit 2. Further, although the
air-conditioning apparatus 100 has been described as an example in
this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the
air-conditioning apparatus 100. Other refrigeration cycle apparatus
and refrigeration cycle systems such as a heat pump water heater, a
chiller, and a showcase may be configured as described above so as
to display the information about the refrigerant leakage.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0062] 1 indoor unit 2 outdoor unit 3 compressor 4 refrigerant flow
switching device 5 heat source-side heat exchanger 5f outdoor
air-sending fan
[0063] 6 pressure reducing device 7 load-side heat exchanger 7f
indoor air-sending fan 9a, 9b indoor pipe 10a, 10b extension pipe
11 suction pipe 12 discharge pipe 13a, 13b extension pipe
connecting valve 14a, 14b, 14c service port 15a, 15b joint portion
20 partition portion 20a air passage opening part 25 electrical
component box 26 remote controller
[0064] 26a display unit 26b operation unit 30 controller 40
refrigerant circuit 81 air passage 91 suction air temperature
sensor 92 heat exchanger entrance temperature sensor 93 heat
exchanger temperature sensor 99 refrigerant detector 100
air-conditioning apparatus 101 timer 107 impeller
[0065] 108 fan casing 108a air outlet opening part 108b suction
opening part
[0066] 111 casing 112 air inlet 113 air outlet 114a first front
panel
[0067] 114b second front panel 114c third front panel 115a, 115b
space
[0068] 261 state display region 262 abnormality code display region
263 current time display region 264 countermeasure information
display region 301 segment display
* * * * *