JP6638266B2 - Air conditioning indoor unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner indoor unit.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed an air-conditioning indoor unit that constitutes a refrigerant circuit, has a refrigerant leakage sensor, and forcibly operates a blower to diffuse a leakage refrigerant when a refrigerant leak occurs. For example, the air conditioner indoor unit disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-13348) has a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature distribution state of a target space, and when the refrigerant leakage sensor detects refrigerant leakage, a blower is provided. , And adjusts the wind direction to a region other than the high-temperature region in order to suppress stagnation or the like of the leaked refrigerant in the high-temperature region.

  Here, in the air-conditioning indoor unit, it is conceivable that refrigerant leakage may occur due to breakage of a pipe joint or a bent pipe disposed at an end of the heat exchanger.

  However, in Patent Literature 1, even in such a case, since the blower is driven, the leaked refrigerant is blown out to the living space immediately after the leakage from the pipe, and depending on the wind direction of the blower and the amount of the refrigerant leaked, a part of the living space is leaked. In this case, it is also assumed that the concentration of the leaked refrigerant increases and the security is not sufficiently secured.

  Then, an object of the present invention is to provide an air-conditioning indoor unit excellent in security.

  An air conditioner indoor unit according to a first aspect of the present invention is an air conditioner indoor unit installed in a target space, and includes a heat exchanger, a drain pan, a guide member, and a casing. The heat exchanger has a heat transfer tube and a heat exchanger end. The refrigerant flows inside the heat transfer tube. The heat exchanger ends extend transversely to the direction in which the heat transfer tubes extend. The drain pan is arranged below the heat exchanger. The drain pan receives dew water. The guide member includes a guide surface. The guide surface extends along the length of the heat exchanger end. The casing houses a heat exchanger, a drain pan, and a guide member. The heat transfer tubes extend in a curved or bent manner at the end of the heat exchanger. The guide surface covers the end of the heat exchanger. The guide surface forms an induction flow path with the end of the heat exchanger. The induction flow path is a flow path that guides the leaked refrigerant to the drain pan when the refrigerant leaks.

  In the air conditioner indoor unit according to the first aspect of the present invention, the heat exchanger has a heat exchanger end portion where the heat transfer tube extends in a curved or bent manner, and the guide surface of the guide member has a longitudinal length of the heat exchanger end portion. The heat exchanger extends along the direction to cover the end of the heat exchanger, and forms an induction flow path between the end of the heat exchanger and the leak refrigerant to the drain pan. In this way, when a pipe joint or a bent pipe located at the end of the heat exchanger is damaged and the refrigerant leaks, the leaked refrigerant is drained through the induction flow path formed by the guide surface of the guide member. It is guided to. As a result, the leaked refrigerant flows toward the drain pan installed below, and the leaked refrigerant that has reached the drain pan is stored in the space above the drain pan, or falls further down in the casing and is stored therein. That is, the leakage refrigerant is stored in the casing and is prevented from flowing out of the casing. In other words, when a pipe joint or a bent pipe located at the end of the heat exchanger is damaged and the refrigerant leaks, the leaked refrigerant is prevented from flowing out of the casing through the outlet and the inlet. Thus, the increase in the concentration of the leaked refrigerant in the living space is suppressed. Therefore, it is excellent in security.

  The refrigerant used in the “refrigerant circuit” here is not particularly limited. For example, a slightly flammable refrigerant such as R32, a flammable refrigerant such as propane, or a toxic substance such as ammonia is used. It is assumed that the refrigerant has

  As for “covering the heat exchanger end”, it is not always necessary to cover all of the heat exchanger end, and a part of the heat exchanger end (for example, outside the heat exchanger end). (50% or more) is interpreted as “covering the end of the heat exchanger”.

  An air conditioning indoor unit according to a second aspect of the present invention is the air conditioning indoor unit according to the first aspect, further including a refrigerant leakage sensor. The refrigerant leak sensor is arranged near the drain pan. The refrigerant leakage sensor detects refrigerant leakage. Thereby, the security is further improved and the increase in cost is suppressed.

  That is, when a refrigerant leak occurs, it is desired to detect the leaked refrigerant as soon as possible and take measures such as notification. However, even when the refrigerant leak sensor is installed, the refrigerant leaks at a position far from the refrigerant leak sensor (a position where the distance from the refrigerant leak sensor is large enough that the leaked refrigerant is difficult to reach the refrigerant leak sensor quickly). Occurs, it is difficult to detect the leaking refrigerant without delay. In this regard, according to the present invention, when refrigerant leaks due to breakage of a pipe joint or a bent pipe disposed at the end of the heat exchanger, the leaking refrigerant is guided to the drain pan by the guide member, Reach the refrigerant leak sensor located nearby without delay. That is, when a pipe joint or a bent pipe disposed at an end of the heat exchanger is damaged and refrigerant leakage occurs, the refrigerant leakage can be detected and responded to without delay. Therefore, the security is further improved.

  In addition, if a plurality of refrigerant leakage sensors are installed to detect the refrigerant leakage without delay, the cost increases. In this regard, according to the present invention, it is possible to detect refrigerant leakage without delay without installing a plurality of refrigerant leakage sensors. Therefore, an increase in cost is suppressed.

  Therefore, the security is further improved and the increase in cost is suppressed.

  Here, “in the vicinity of the drain pan” refers to a position (for example, around 1 m from the drain pan) where the refrigerant leak sensor can detect the leaked refrigerant overflowing (or falling) from the drain pan around the drain pan. That is, the lower space, the side space, or the upper space of the drain pan may correspond to “near the drain pan”.

  The air-conditioning indoor unit according to a third aspect of the present invention is the air-conditioning indoor unit according to the second aspect, wherein the heat exchanger has a heat exchanger first end as a heat exchanger end, and a heat exchanger second end. And two ends. The second end of the heat exchanger is an end opposite to the first end of the heat exchanger. The guide member includes a first guide member. The first guide member has a guide surface extending along the longitudinal direction of the first end of the heat exchanger. The guide surface of the first guide member covers the first end of the heat exchanger. The guide surface of the first guide member forms an induction flow path with the first end of the heat exchanger. The refrigerant leak sensor is arranged at a position closer to the second end of the heat exchanger than to the first end of the heat exchanger. Thereby, an induction flow path is formed between the first end of the heat exchanger and the first guide member. As a result, even if a refrigerant leak occurs at the first end of the heat exchanger at a position distant from the refrigerant leak sensor, the leaked refrigerant is guided to the drain pan by the first guide member, and is located near the drain pan. As a result, the refrigerant reaches the refrigerant leak sensor arranged near the second end of the heat exchanger without delay. Therefore, the refrigerant leak sensor detects the leaked refrigerant without delay.

  The air conditioning indoor unit according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioning indoor unit according to the third aspect, wherein the guide member further includes a second guide member. The second guide member has a guide surface extending along the longitudinal direction of the second end of the heat exchanger. The guide surface of the second guide member covers the second end of the heat exchanger. The guide surface of the second guide member forms an induction flow path with the second end of the heat exchanger. Thereby, an induction flow path is formed between the second end of the heat exchanger and the second guide member. As a result, no matter which of the two ends of the heat exchanger leaks, the leaked refrigerant flows toward the drain pan installed below and is stored in the casing. That is, in the case where the refrigerant leaks at any of the two end portions of the heat exchanger, the leaked refrigerant is suppressed from flowing out of the casing through the outlet and the suction port, and the concentration of the leaked refrigerant in the living space is reduced. The increase is suppressed. Therefore, the security is further improved. In addition, even if the refrigerant leaks at any of the two end portions of the heat exchanger, the refrigerant leak sensor detects the leaked refrigerant without delay.

  The air-conditioning indoor unit according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the air-conditioning indoor unit according to any of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the guide surface extends from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the end of the heat exchanger. Cover. As a result, an induction channel is formed based on the longitudinal dimension of the heat exchanger end. As a result, when the refrigerant leaks at the end of the heat exchanger, the leaked refrigerant is surely guided to the drain pan.

  An air-conditioning indoor unit according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the air-conditioning indoor unit according to any of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the guide surface extends to an upper surface of the drain pan. Thereby, the guide flow path is formed without interruption to the drain pan. As a result, when the refrigerant leaks at the end of the heat exchanger, the leaked refrigerant is surely guided to the drain pan.

  An air-conditioning indoor unit according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the air-conditioning indoor unit according to any of the second to sixth aspects, wherein the refrigerant leakage sensor is disposed at a height of the drain pan or lower. The refrigerant leak sensor detects the leaking refrigerant overflowing from the drain pan when the refrigerant leaks. Thereby, when a refrigerant leak occurs at the end of the heat exchanger, the leaked refrigerant guided to the drain pan more easily reaches the refrigerant leak sensor, and is detected by the refrigerant leak sensor with high accuracy without delay.

  An air-conditioning indoor unit according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the air-conditioning indoor unit according to any of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the drain pan is formed with an opening functioning as a drain port or an exhaust port. The drain pan has a drain hose connected to the opening. The drain hose extends out of the target space. Thereby, the leaked refrigerant stored in the casing flows out of the target space via the drain hose. As a result, it is further suppressed that the leaked refrigerant stored in the casing flows out into the living space to increase the concentration. Therefore, the security is further improved.

  In the air-conditioning indoor unit according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the pipe joint or the bent pipe disposed at the end of the heat exchanger is damaged and the refrigerant leaks, the air-conditioning indoor unit is formed by the guide surface of the guide member. The leaked refrigerant is guided to the drain pan via the induction flow path. As a result, the leaked refrigerant flows toward the drain pan installed below, and the leaked refrigerant that has reached the drain pan is stored in the space above the drain pan, or falls further down in the casing and is stored therein. That is, the leakage refrigerant is stored in the casing and is prevented from flowing out of the casing. In other words, when a pipe joint or a bent pipe located at the end of the heat exchanger is damaged and the refrigerant leaks, the leaked refrigerant is prevented from flowing out of the casing through the outlet and the inlet. Thus, the increase in the concentration of the leaked refrigerant in the living space is suppressed. Therefore, it is excellent in security.

  In the air conditioner indoor unit according to the second aspect of the present invention, the security is further improved and the increase in cost is suppressed.

  In the air-conditioning indoor unit according to the third aspect of the present invention, even when a refrigerant leak occurs at the first end of the heat exchanger located at a position distant from the refrigerant leak sensor, the leaked refrigerant is delayed by the refrigerant leak sensor. Not detected.

  In the air-conditioning indoor unit according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the event that refrigerant leakage occurs at any of the two end portions of the heat exchanger, the leaked refrigerant may flow out of the casing via the outlet and the suction port. The concentration of the leaked refrigerant in the living space is suppressed from increasing. Therefore, the security is further improved. In addition, even if the refrigerant leaks at any of the two end portions of the heat exchanger, the refrigerant leak sensor detects the leaked refrigerant without delay.

  In the air-conditioning indoor unit according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when refrigerant leaks at the end of the heat exchanger, the leaking refrigerant is reliably guided to the drain pan.

  In the air conditioner indoor unit according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when refrigerant leaks at the end of the heat exchanger, the leaking refrigerant is reliably guided to the drain pan.

  In the air-conditioning indoor unit according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when a refrigerant leak occurs at the end of the heat exchanger, the leaked refrigerant guided to the drain pan more easily reaches the refrigerant leak sensor. Detected with high precision and without delay.

  In the air-conditioning indoor unit according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is further suppressed that the leaked refrigerant stored in the casing flows out into the living space to increase the concentration. Therefore, the security is further improved.

The schematic block diagram of the air conditioner which has the indoor unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The front external view of an indoor heat exchanger. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the indoor unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement mode of indoor units in a target space. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of the indoor unit according to the first embodiment. The perspective view of the indoor unit in the state where the front panel was removed. The schematic diagram which showed roughly the positional relationship of an indoor heat exchanger, a cover member, and a drain pan, and the leakage refrigerant | coolant guidance flow path. FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a cover member. The schematic diagram which showed the arrangement aspect in the target space of the indoor unit which concerns on the modification 1A. The schematic diagram which showed roughly the indoor heat exchanger which concerns on the modification 1L, the positional relationship of a cover member, and a drain pan, and the leakage refrigerant | coolant guidance flow path. The external appearance perspective view of the indoor unit which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The schematic diagram which showed roughly the internal structure of the indoor unit which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The following embodiments are specific examples of the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the following embodiments, directions such as up, down, left, right, front (front) and back (rear) mean the directions shown in FIGS.

<First embodiment>
Hereinafter, the indoor unit 30 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(1) Air conditioner 100
The indoor unit 30 is applied to the air conditioner 100. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioner 100 having an indoor unit 30.

  The air conditioner 100 is a device that performs cooling and heating in a target space SP included indoors such as a house. The air conditioner 100 includes a refrigerant circuit RC, and achieves cooling or heating (air conditioning) of the target space SP (living space) by performing a vapor compression refrigeration cycle by circulating the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit RC. . The air conditioner 100 mainly includes an outdoor unit 10 as a heat source unit, an indoor unit 30 as a use unit, a remote controller 50 as an input device, a refrigerant leak sensor 55, a refrigerant leak notification unit 58, and a drain hose 60. And

  In the air conditioner 100, the refrigerant circuit RC is configured by connecting the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 30 by the gas communication pipe GP and the liquid communication pipe LP. In the refrigerant circuit RC, for example, a refrigerant having a specific gravity higher than that of air, such as a slightly flammable refrigerant such as R32 or a flammable refrigerant such as propane, is sealed as a refrigerant.

(1-1) Outdoor unit 10
The outdoor unit 10 is installed outside the room (outside the target space SP). The outdoor unit 10 mainly includes a plurality of refrigerant pipes (first pipe P1 to sixth pipe P6), a compressor 11, a four-way switching valve 12, an outdoor heat exchanger 13, an expansion valve 14, an outdoor fan 15 and an outdoor unit control unit 16.

  The first pipe P1 is a refrigerant pipe that connects the gas communication pipe GP and the four-way switching valve 12. The second pipe P2 is a suction pipe that connects the four-way switching valve 12 and a suction port (not shown) of the compressor 11. The third pipe P3 is a discharge pipe that connects a discharge port (not shown) of the compressor 11 and the four-way switching valve 12. The fourth pipe P4 is a refrigerant pipe that connects the four-way switching valve 12 and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 13. The fifth pipe P5 is a refrigerant pipe that connects the liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger 13 and the expansion valve 14. The sixth pipe P6 is a refrigerant pipe that connects the expansion valve 14 and the liquid communication pipe LP.

  The compressor 11 is a mechanism that sucks, compresses, and discharges a low-pressure gas refrigerant. The compressor 11 has a hermetic structure in which a compressor motor 11a is built. In the compressor 11, a rotary-type or scroll-type compression element (not shown) accommodated in a compressor casing (not shown) is driven using the compressor motor 11a as a drive source. During operation, the compressor motor 11a is subjected to inverter control, and the number of revolutions is adjusted according to the situation. When driven, the compressor 11 draws refrigerant from a suction port, compresses the refrigerant, and discharges it from a discharge port.

  The four-way switching valve 12 is a switching valve for switching the flowing direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit RC. The four-way switching valve 12 is individually connected to the first pipe P1, the second pipe P2, the third pipe P3, and the fourth pipe P4. During the cooling operation, the four-way switching valve 12 switches the flow path so that the first pipe P1 and the second pipe P2 are connected, and the third pipe P3 and the fourth pipe P4 are connected (FIG. (See the solid line of the four-way switching valve 12). Further, during the heating operation, the four-way switching valve 12 switches the flow path so that the first pipe P1 and the third pipe P3 are connected and the second pipe P2 and the fourth pipe P4 are connected. (Refer to the broken line of the four-way switching valve 12 in FIG. 1).

  The outdoor heat exchanger 13 is a heat exchanger that functions as a condenser or a radiator of the refrigerant during the cooling operation and functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant during the heating operation. The outdoor heat exchanger 13 includes an outdoor heat exchanger heat transfer tube (not shown) through which the refrigerant flows. The outdoor heat exchanger 13 is arranged so that the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger heat transfer tubes and the airflow generated by the outdoor fan 15 can exchange heat during operation.

  The expansion valve 14 is an electric valve whose opening can be adjusted. During operation, the opening of the expansion valve 14 is appropriately adjusted according to the situation, and the pressure of the refrigerant is reduced according to the opening.

  The outdoor fan 15 is, for example, a propeller fan. The outdoor fan 15 is connected to an output shaft of the outdoor fan motor 15a, and is driven in conjunction with the outdoor fan motor 15a. When driven, the outdoor fan 15 generates an airflow that flows into the outdoor unit 10 from outside, passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 13, and then flows out of the outdoor unit 10.

  The outdoor unit control unit 16 is a microcomputer including a CPU, a memory, and the like. The outdoor unit controller 16 controls the operation of each actuator in the outdoor unit 10. The outdoor unit control unit 16 is connected to an indoor unit control unit 33 (described later) of the indoor unit 30 via a communication line, and transmits and receives signals to and from each other.

(1-2) Indoor unit 30 (air conditioning indoor unit)
In the present embodiment, the indoor unit 30 is a floor-standing air-conditioning indoor unit installed on the floor F1 of the target space SP. The indoor unit 30 and the outdoor unit 10 constitute a refrigerant circuit RC. The indoor unit 30 mainly includes an indoor heat exchanger 31, an indoor fan 32, an indoor unit control unit 33, a drain pan 34, and a cover member 35.

  The indoor heat exchanger 31 (corresponding to the “heat exchanger” in the claims) functions as a refrigerant evaporator during a cooling operation, and functions as a refrigerant condenser or a radiator during a heating operation. is there. In the present embodiment, the indoor heat exchanger 31 is a so-called cross-fin tube heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger 31 has a gas side connected to a refrigerant pipe extending to the gas communication pipe GP, and a liquid side connected to a refrigerant pipe extending to the liquid communication pipe LP. The indoor heat exchanger 31 is arranged so that the refrigerant in the heat transfer tube 31a (described later) and the airflow AF (described later) generated by the indoor fan 32 can exchange heat during operation. Details of the indoor heat exchanger 31 will be described later in “(3) Details of indoor heat exchanger 31”.

  The indoor fan 32 is, for example, a blower such as a turbo fan, a sirocco fan, a cross flow fan, or a propeller fan. The indoor fan 32 is connected to an output shaft of an indoor fan motor 32a. The indoor fan 32 is driven in conjunction with the indoor fan motor 32a. The indoor fan motor 32a is inverter-controlled by the indoor unit control unit 33. When driven, the indoor fan 32 generates an airflow AF that is sucked into the indoor unit 30, passes through the indoor heat exchanger 31, and is blown out to the living space.

  The indoor unit control unit 33 is a microcomputer including a CPU, a memory, and the like. The indoor unit control unit 33 controls the operation of the actuator in the indoor unit 30. The indoor unit control unit 33 transmits and receives signals to and from the outdoor unit control unit 16. The indoor unit controller 33 performs wireless communication with the remote controller 50. Further, the indoor unit control unit 33 is electrically connected to the refrigerant leak sensor 55 and the refrigerant leak notification unit 58, and transmits and receives signals. When the indoor unit control unit 33 receives the refrigerant leakage signal described below, the indoor unit 32 stops driving the indoor fan 32, closes the outlet 41 by the flap 45 (described later), and transmits a predetermined signal to the refrigerant leakage notification unit 58. And output information related to the notification.

  The drain pan 34 is disposed below the indoor heat exchanger 31, and receives and stores dew water generated in the indoor heat exchanger 31. A drain pan having an appropriate capacity is appropriately selected according to the size of the indoor heat exchanger 31, the capacity of the compressor 11, and the like. In addition, the drain pan 34 also has a function of storing the leaked refrigerant (leakage refrigerant RF) when the refrigerant leaks in the casing 40. The function of the drain pan 34 will be described later. The drain pan 34 has a drain port 341 (see FIG. 5) functioning as a drain port for discharging the dew condensation water accumulated on the drain pan 34 or an exhaust port for discharging the leaked refrigerant RF.

  The cover member 35 (corresponding to a “guide member” in the claims) is a plate-like member that covers a part of the indoor heat exchanger 31. Specifically, the cover member 35 is disposed so as to cover an end of the indoor heat exchanger 31 (an indoor heat exchanger end 312 described later). The cover member 35 has a role of guiding the leaked refrigerant to the drain pan 34 when the refrigerant leaks in the indoor heat exchanger 31 (a heat transfer tube 31a described later). That is, the cover member 35 has a function of forming a flow path (a leaked refrigerant guide flow path RP described later) for moving the leaked refrigerant RF to the drain pan 34 when the refrigerant leaks. Details of the cover member 35 will be described later.

(1-3) Remote control 50
The remote controller 50 is a user interface having a remote controller controller (not shown) including a microcomputer including a CPU and a memory, and input keys (not shown) for inputting commands to the air conditioner 100. is there.

  The remote controller 50 performs wireless communication with the indoor unit control unit 33 of the indoor unit 30 using infrared rays and radio waves. When a command is input to the input key by the user or the administrator, the remote controller 50 transmits a predetermined signal to the indoor unit control unit 33 according to the input command.

(1-4) Refrigerant leak sensor 55
The refrigerant leakage sensor 55 is a sensor that is disposed in the target space SP and detects refrigerant leakage in the target space SP. In the present embodiment, a known general-purpose product is used as the refrigerant leak sensor 55. In the present embodiment, the refrigerant leak sensor 55 is disposed in the indoor unit 30 (more specifically, a casing 40 described later) (see FIG. 5).

  The refrigerant leak sensor 55 is electrically connected to the indoor unit control unit 33 of the indoor unit 30. Upon detecting the leaked refrigerant (leakage refrigerant RF), the refrigerant leak sensor 55 outputs an electric signal (hereinafter, referred to as “refrigerant leakage signal”) indicating that the refrigerant has leaked to the indoor unit control unit 33. .

(1-5) Refrigerant leak notification unit 58
The refrigerant leak notification unit 58 is an output unit for notifying the user when a refrigerant leak occurs in the target space SP. In the present embodiment, the refrigerant leak notification unit 58 is a light-emitting unit that lights up when a predetermined voltage is supplied, and is, for example, an LED light or the like. The refrigerant leak notification unit 58 is disposed in the indoor unit 30 (more specifically, in the upper portion on the front side of the casing 40 described later) (see FIG. 3).

(1-6) Drain hose 60
The drain hose 60 is a tube made of a synthetic resin or the like. The drain hose 60 plays a role of discharging the dew condensation water and the leaked refrigerant RF discharged from the drain pan 34 to the outside of the indoor unit 30 (outside the target space SP). One end of the drain hose 60 is connected to the discharge port 341 of the drain pan 34 and communicates with the space on the drain pan 34, and the other end extends to the outside (ie, outside the target space SP) and communicates with the outdoor space. That is, the drain hose 60 constitutes a discharge flow path for moving the dew condensation water and the leaked refrigerant RF stored on the drain pan 34 to the outside.

(2) Each operation of the air conditioner 100 In the air conditioner 100, when an operation start command is input to the remote controller 50, the four-way switching valve 12 is switched to a predetermined state according to the operation mode, and the compressor 11 Then, the outdoor fan 15 and the indoor fan 32 are activated, and the expansion valve 14 is opened at an appropriate opening.

(2-1) Cooling Operation During the cooling operation, the four-way switching valve 12 is switched to the cooling cycle state (the state indicated by the solid line of the four-way switching valve 12 in FIG. 1). When each actuator is started in such a state, the refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 11 via the second pipe P2 and is compressed. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 13 through the third pipe P3, the four-way switching valve 12, and the fourth pipe P4. The refrigerant that has flowed into the outdoor heat exchanger 13 exchanges heat with the airflow generated by the outdoor fan 15 and condenses. The refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 13 flows into the expansion valve 14 through the fifth pipe P5. The refrigerant flowing into the expansion valve 14 is decompressed in accordance with the opening of the expansion valve 14. The refrigerant flowing out of the expansion valve 14 flows into the indoor unit 30 through the sixth pipe P6 and the liquid communication pipe LP.

  The refrigerant flowing into the indoor unit 30 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 31, and exchanges heat with the airflow AF generated by the indoor fan 32 to evaporate. The refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 31 flows into the outdoor unit 10 through the gas communication pipe GP.

  The refrigerant that has flowed into the outdoor unit 10 passes through the first pipe P1, the four-way switching valve 12, and the second pipe P2, is sucked into the compressor 11 again, and is compressed.

(2-2) Heating Operation During the heating operation, the four-way switching valve 12 is switched to the heating cycle state (the state indicated by the broken line of the four-way switching valve 12 in FIG. 1). When each actuator is started in such a state, the refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 11 via the second pipe P2 and is compressed. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 flows into the indoor unit 30 through the third pipe P3, the four-way switching valve 12, the first pipe P1, and the gas communication pipe GP.

  The refrigerant flowing into the indoor unit 30 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 31, and exchanges heat with the airflow AF generated by the indoor fan 32 to condense. The refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 31 flows into the outdoor unit 10 through the liquid communication pipe LP.

  The refrigerant flowing into the outdoor unit 10 flows into the expansion valve 14 through the sixth pipe P6. The refrigerant flowing into the expansion valve 14 is decompressed in accordance with the opening of the expansion valve 14. The refrigerant flowing out of the expansion valve 14 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 13. The refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger 13 exchanges heat with the airflow generated by the outdoor fan 15 and evaporates. The refrigerant flowing out of the outdoor heat exchanger 13 passes through the fourth pipe P4, the four-way switching valve 12, and the second pipe P2, is sucked into the compressor 11 again, and is compressed.

(3) Details of Indoor Heat Exchanger 31 FIG. 2 is a front external view of the indoor heat exchanger 31. The indoor heat exchanger 31 has a heat exchange section 311 and an indoor heat exchanger end 312 (specifically, a right end 313 of the heat exchanger and a left end 314 of the heat exchanger).

  The heat exchange section 311 is a region where the airflow AF and the refrigerant exchange heat, and occupies most of the indoor heat exchanger 31. The heat exchange section 311 includes a heat transfer tube 31a forming a flow path of the refrigerant, and a plurality of heat transfer fins 31b. In the heat exchange unit 311, the heat transfer tubes 31a extend in the horizontal direction (left-right direction) and form a row in the vertical direction.

  The heat transfer fins 31b have a role of increasing the heat exchange area. The heat transfer fins 31b have a plate shape and extend in the up-down direction (that is, the direction intersecting with the direction in which the heat transfer tubes 31a extend). The heat transfer fins 31b are penetrated by the heat transfer tubes 31a.

  The right end 313 of the heat exchanger (corresponding to the “first end of the heat exchanger” or the “second end of the heat exchanger” in the claims) is an area occupying the right end of the indoor heat exchanger 31. The left end 314 of the heat exchanger (corresponding to the “first end of the heat exchanger” or the “second end of the heat exchanger” in the claims) is an area occupying the left end of the indoor heat exchanger 31. is there. The heat exchanger right end 313 and the heat exchanger left end 314 are located on opposite sides.

  The heat exchanger right end 313 and the heat exchanger left end 314 each include a tube sheet 31c for fixing the heat transfer tube 31a. The tube sheet 31c extends along the longitudinal direction of the heat transfer fin 31b (that is, the vertical direction). At the right end portion 313 of the heat exchanger and the left end portion 314 of the heat exchanger, a pipe joint portion and a bent portion of the heat transfer tube 31a (hereinafter, these are referred to as "return portions R1") are arranged. It is curved or bent and extends.

(4) Details of Indoor Unit 30 FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the indoor unit 30. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement mode of the indoor units 30 in the target space SP. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of the indoor unit 30. As shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the indoor unit 30 with the front panel 401 removed.

  The indoor unit 30 has a casing 40 forming an outer shell. The indoor unit 30 is arranged on the floor F1 of the target space SP. More specifically, the indoor unit 30 is configured such that the bottom surface portion of the casing 40 is adjacent to the floor surface F1, the back surface portion of the casing 40 is adjacent to the side wall W1, and the front side faces the living space side in the target space SP. Are located.

(4-1) Casing 40
The casing 40 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The casing 40 has a front panel 401, a main body 402, and a bottom plate 403.

  The front panel 401 constitutes a front portion and a part of a side portion of the casing 40. The main body 402 constitutes a rear part, a part of a side part, and a top part of the casing 40. The bottom plate 403 forms a bottom surface portion of the casing 40.

  The casing 40 has an opening (hereinafter, referred to as an “outlet 41”) that functions as an outlet of the airflow AF generated by the indoor fan 32, and a plurality of openings (hereinafter, “inlet 42”) that functions as a suction port. ) Is formed. Specifically, the suction port 42 includes a front suction port 42a and a side suction port 42b.

  The outlet 41 is a large opening formed in the front panel 401 at a position higher than the center of the casing 40. The outlet 41 has a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the width direction (left-right direction) of the casing 40. The opening and closing of the air outlet 41 is switched by a flap 45 (described later).

  The front suction port 42 a has a rectangular shape that is long in the width direction of the casing 40. A plurality of front suction ports 42a are formed in the front panel 401. The front suction ports 42a are formed so as to form a line in the vertical and horizontal directions at a height position higher than the center of the casing 40 and lower than the outlet 41.

  The side suction port 42b has a rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction. A plurality of side suction ports 42b are formed from the upper part to the lower part of the side part of the front panel 401. The side suction ports 42b are formed so as to form a line in the up-down direction and the front-back direction at a height position lower than the outlet 41.

  As shown in FIG. 5, devices such as the indoor heat exchanger 31, the indoor fan 32, the drain pan 34, a part of the drain hose 60, the refrigerant leak sensor 55, and the refrigerant leak notification unit 58 are housed in the casing 40. ing.

  Specifically, the indoor heat exchanger 31 is arranged close to the front panel 401 such that the front portion faces the front panel 401 of the casing 40. The indoor fan 32 is disposed behind the indoor heat exchanger 31 and close to the main body 402 of the casing 40.

  The drain pan 34 is disposed below the indoor heat exchanger 31 and receives dew water generated in the indoor heat exchanger 31. The drain hose 60 is connected to the outlet 341 of the drain pan 34, extends through the main body 402 of the casing 40, and extends outside (outside the target space SP).

  The refrigerant leakage sensor 55 is disposed near the bottom plate 403 of the indoor unit 30 in the vicinity of below the drain pan 34. More specifically, the refrigerant leak sensor 55 is disposed at a position closer to the heat exchanger left end 314 than the heat exchanger right end 313 in a space equal to or lower than the height position of the drain pan 34. That is, the shortest distance from the refrigerant leak sensor 55 is greater at the right end 313 of the heat exchanger than at the left end 314 of the heat exchanger.

  The “near the lower part of the drain pan 34” is a position below the drain pan 34 where the refrigerant leak sensor 55 can detect the leaked refrigerant RF overflowing (or falling) from the drain pan 34 (for example, a position within 1 m from the drain pan 34). ). In the present embodiment, the coolant leakage sensor 55 is disposed at a height of 10 cm below the bottom of the drain pan 34.

  The refrigerant leak notification unit 58 is disposed above the indoor heat exchanger 31, and is exposed to the living space side through an opening formed on the upper part of the front panel 401 (more specifically, on the left side of the outlet 41). ing.

(4-2) Flap 45
The indoor unit 30 has a flap 45. The flap 45 plays a role of switching the opening and closing of the outlet 41 and adjusting the blowing direction of the airflow AF at the outlet 41. The flap 45 is disposed around the outlet 41 on the front panel 401 so as to cover the outlet 41. From a different viewpoint, it can be said that the flap 45 constitutes a part of the casing 40.

  The flap 45 is mechanically connected to a rotating shaft (not shown). The flap 45 rotates up and down within a predetermined angle range in accordance with the rotation of the rotation shaft (see a broken arrow in FIG. 5). The operation of the flap 45 is controlled by the indoor unit control unit 33.

  The flap 45 is turned up and down depending on the situation. Specifically, when the air conditioner 100 is stopped and when a refrigerant leakage signal is received (at the time of refrigerant leakage), the front end of the flap 45 is set to the lowest angle, and the flap 45 is set at the outlet 41. Close. During operation of the air conditioner 100, the flap 45 is rotated upward to open the outlet 41, and the angle is appropriately controlled so as to assume a posture corresponding to the blowing direction of the airflow AF.

(4-3) Air flow path FP
As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of air flow paths FP (FP1, FP2) are formed in the indoor unit 30 (casing 40). The air flow path FP is a flow path through which the air flow AF generated by the indoor fan 32 passes.

  Specifically, the air flow path FP <b> 1 is a flow path that extends from each suction port 42 through the indoor heat exchanger 31 to the indoor fan 32. The air flow path FP2 is a flow path extending from the indoor fan 32 to the outlet 41.

(4-4) Cover member 35
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the positional relationship between the indoor heat exchanger 31, the cover member 35, and the drain pan 34, and the leakage refrigerant guide flow path RP. FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of the cover member 35.

  The indoor unit 30 includes a first cover member 35a (corresponding to a "first guide member" or a "second guide member" in claims) and a second cover member 35b (claims) as the cover member 35. "Corresponding to" first guide member "or" second guide member "described above). The cover member 35 is a plate-like member having a substantially semicircular or U-shaped cross section. The cover member 35 extends in the vertical (up and down) direction (that is, the longitudinal direction of the heat transfer fins 31b of the indoor heat exchanger 31). The cover member 35 includes an outer surface 351 and an inner surface 352 (corresponding to a “guide surface” in the claims) extending in the vertical direction (the longitudinal direction of the indoor heat exchanger end 312 and the heat transfer fins 31b). In.

  The cover member 35 is fixed to the indoor heat exchanger end 312 (more specifically, the tube sheet 31c) with a screw or an adhesive. Specifically, the first cover member 35a is fixed to the right end 313 of the heat exchanger. The second cover member 35b is fixed to the left end 314 of the heat exchanger.

  The length of the cover member 35 in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) is longer than the longitudinal direction of the indoor heat exchanger end 312, and the inner surface 352 of the cover member 35 extends to the upper surface of the drain pan 34. The inner surface 352 of the cover member 35 covers from the upper end to the lower end of the indoor heat exchanger end 312. In other words, the inner surface 352 of the cover member 35 covers the heat transfer tube 31a (more specifically, the folded portion R1 of the heat transfer tube 31a) included in the indoor heat exchanger end 312.

  By arranging the cover member 35 in such a manner, as shown in FIG. 7, the leaked refrigerant induced flow that guides the leaked refrigerant RF to the drain pan 34 between the inner surface 352 and the indoor heat exchanger end 312 as shown in FIG. 7. A path RP (corresponding to the “induction channel” described in the claims) is formed. That is, the inner surface 352 functions as a guide surface for guiding the leaked refrigerant RF to the drain pan 34 when the refrigerant leaks.

  Specifically, the first cover member 35a is covered by its inner surface 352 from the upper end to the lower end of the right end 313 of the heat exchanger, and forms a leaking refrigerant guide flow path RP with the right end 313 of the heat exchanger. are doing. In addition, the second cover member 35b is covered by the inner surface 352 from the upper end to the lower end of the heat exchanger left end 314, and forms a leaking refrigerant guide flow path RP with the heat exchanger left end 314. I have.

(5) Function of Indoor Unit 30 (5-1) Leakage Refrigerant Storage Function In the indoor unit 30, in the longitudinal direction of the indoor heat exchanger end 312 (corresponding to the “heat exchanger end” in the claims). The inner surface 352 of the cover member 35 (the first cover member 35a or the second cover member 35b) extending along the inner heat exchanger end 312 (the right end 313 of the heat exchanger or the heat exchange end) including the folded portion R1 of the heat transfer tube 31a. A leakage refrigerant guide flow path RP that guides the leakage refrigerant RF to the drain pan 34 is formed between the end portion 314) and the indoor heat exchanger end 312 (see FIG. 7).

  Thereby, when the folded part R1 arranged at the indoor heat exchanger end 312 is damaged and the refrigerant leaks, the leaked refrigerant RF flows through the leaked refrigerant guiding flow path RP formed by the inner surface 352 of the cover member 35. Through the drain pan 34. That is, when a refrigerant having a specific gravity larger than that of air, such as R32, leaks at the indoor heat exchanger end 312, the leaked refrigerant RF falls downward by its own weight. Therefore, when a refrigerant leak occurs at the indoor heat exchanger end 312, the leaked refrigerant RF flows through the leaked refrigerant guiding flow path RP to the drain pan 34 installed below the indoor heat exchanger end 312. It is set to go automatically.

  The leaked refrigerant RF reaching the drain pan 34 is temporarily stored on the drain pan 34. Further, the leaked refrigerant RF overflowing from the drain pan 34 falls further downward from the drain pan 34 and is stored in the casing 40.

(5-2) Leaked refrigerant discharge function Further, the leaked refrigerant RF that has reached the drain pan 34 (that is, below the indoor heat exchanger end 312) is pushed by the leaked refrigerant RF that falls later, as shown in FIG. Flows along the upper surface of the drain pan 34 toward the discharge port 341. Then, a part of the leaked refrigerant RF stored on the drain pan 34 flows out to the drain hose 60 through the outlet 341 and flows through the drain hose 60 to automatically go outside (outside the target space SP). Is discharged. That is, the discharge port 341 of the drain pan 34 functions as an exhaust port for discharging the leaked refrigerant RF, and the drain hose 60 forms a discharge path for the leaked refrigerant RF. As described above, in the indoor unit 30, the leaked refrigerant RF leaked at the indoor heat exchanger end 312 is automatically guided to the drain pan 34 and discharged outside.

(5-3) Leaked Refrigerant Detecting Function The leaked refrigerant RF that has fallen from the drain pan 34 further into the lower space falls down when it overflows from the drain pan 34, and a part of the leaked refrigerant RF is installed near the lower part of the drain pan 34. The refrigerant reaches the refrigerant leak sensor 55. For this reason, in the indoor unit 30, the leaked refrigerant RF leaked at the indoor heat exchanger end 312 is detected by the refrigerant leak sensor 55 with high accuracy and without delay.

  In particular, even when the folded portion R1 disposed at the end 312 of the indoor heat exchanger (ie, the right end 313 of the heat exchanger) remote from the refrigerant leak sensor 55 is damaged and the refrigerant leaks, even if the refrigerant leaks, The RF is guided to the drain pan 34 by the first cover member 35a, and is detected without delay by the refrigerant leakage sensor 55 disposed near the drain pan 34.

(6) Features of the indoor unit 30 (6-1)
In the indoor unit 30, it is conceivable that any part of the indoor heat exchanger end 312 in which the folded portion R1 of the heat transfer tube 31a is arranged may be damaged, causing refrigerant leakage. In this regard, according to the conventional air-conditioning indoor unit, in order to drive the blower when the refrigerant leaks, the leaking refrigerant RF in the casing 40 is blown out to the living space immediately after the leak, and the wind direction of the air flow AF and Depending on the amount of the leaked refrigerant RF, it may be assumed that the concentration of the leaked refrigerant RF is increased in a part of the living space and the security is not sufficiently secured.

  On the other hand, in the indoor unit 30, the inner surface 352 of the cover member 35 (the first cover member 35a or the second cover member 35b) extending along the longitudinal direction of the indoor heat exchanger end 312 is formed by the folded portion of the heat transfer tube 31a. It covers the indoor heat exchanger end 312 (the right end 313 of the heat exchanger or the left end 314 of the heat exchanger) including R1 and guides the leaked refrigerant RF to the drain pan 34 between the end 312 and the end 312 of the indoor heat exchanger. A leakage refrigerant guide flow path RP is formed (see FIG. 7).

  Thus, when the folded portion R1 or the like is broken at the indoor heat exchanger end 312 and the refrigerant leaks, the leaked refrigerant flows through the leaked refrigerant guiding flow path RP formed by the inner surface 352 of the cover member 35. The RF is guided to the drain pan 34.

  As a result, the leaked refrigerant RF moves toward the drain pan 34 provided below, and the leaked refrigerant RF that has reached the drain pan 34 is stored in the space above the drain pan 34 in the casing 40, or is further removed than the drain pan 34. It falls into the lower space and is stored. That is, the leakage refrigerant RF is stored in the casing 40 and is prevented from flowing out of the casing 40. That is, when the refrigerant leaks at the indoor heat exchanger end 312, the leaked refrigerant RF is suppressed from flowing out of the casing 40 through the outlet 41 and the suction port 42, and the leaked refrigerant in the living space is suppressed. An increase in the RF concentration is suppressed. Therefore, it is excellent in security.

(6-2)
In the indoor unit 30, a refrigerant leakage sensor 55 for detecting refrigerant leakage is disposed near the drain pan. Thereby, security is improved and cost increase is suppressed.

  That is, when a refrigerant leak occurs, it is desired to detect the leaked refrigerant RF as soon as possible and to take measures such as notification. However, even if the refrigerant leakage sensor 55 is installed, if refrigerant leakage occurs at a position distant from the refrigerant leakage sensor 55, it is difficult to detect the leakage refrigerant RF without delay. In this regard, according to the present invention, even when the refrigerant leaks at the indoor heat exchanger end 312 (particularly, the right end 313 of the heat exchanger) distant from the refrigerant leak sensor 55, the leaked refrigerant RF can cover the cover member 35. Accordingly, the refrigerant is guided to the drain pan 34, and is detected without delay by the refrigerant leakage sensor 55 disposed near the drain pan 34. That is, even when the refrigerant leaks at the indoor heat exchanger end 312 distant from the refrigerant leak sensor 55, it is possible to detect the leaked refrigerant RF without delay and take measures such as notification. Therefore, it is excellent in security.

  Further, if a plurality of refrigerant leakage sensors 55 are provided to detect the refrigerant leakage without delay, the cost increases. In this regard, the indoor unit 30 can detect the refrigerant leakage without delay without installing the plurality of refrigerant leakage sensors 55. Therefore, an increase in cost is suppressed.

(6-3)
In the indoor unit 30, the first cover member 35a has an inner surface 352 extending along the longitudinal direction of the right end 313 of the heat exchanger, and covers the right end 313 of the heat exchanger with the inner surface 352, and the right end 313 of the heat exchanger. A leakage refrigerant guide flow path RP is formed between the two. Further, the refrigerant leak sensor 55 is disposed at a position closer to the left end portion 314 of the heat exchanger than to the right end portion 313 of the heat exchanger. As a result, a leaking refrigerant guide passage RP is formed between the right end 313 of the heat exchanger and the first cover member 35a. As a result, even if a refrigerant leak occurs at the right end 313 of the heat exchanger farther from the refrigerant leakage sensor 55 than the left end 314 of the heat exchanger, the refrigerant leakage sensor 55 RF is detected without delay.

(6-4)
In the indoor unit 30, the second cover member 35b has an inner surface 352 extending along the longitudinal direction of the left end portion 314 of the heat exchanger, and covers the left end portion 314 of the heat exchanger with the inner surface 352. A leakage refrigerant guide flow path RP is formed between the two. As a result, a leaking refrigerant guide channel RP is formed between the left end portion 314 of the heat exchanger and the second cover member 35b. As a result, regardless of which of the indoor heat exchanger ends 312 (the heat exchanger right end 313 and the heat exchanger left end 314) on both sides, the leaked refrigerant RF is installed below. It goes to the drain pan 34 and is stored in the casing 40.

  That is, in the case where the refrigerant leaks at any of the indoor heat exchanger ends 312 (the right end 313 of the heat exchanger and the left end 314 of the heat exchanger) on both sides, the leaked refrigerant RF flows through the outlet 41 and the inlet 42. Flowing out of the casing 40 via the casing 40 is suppressed, and an increase in the concentration of the leaked refrigerant RF in the living space is suppressed. Therefore, it is excellent in security. Further, even if the refrigerant leaks at any of the indoor heat exchanger ends 312 (the right end 313 of the heat exchanger and the left end 314 of the heat exchanger) on both sides, the refrigerant leak sensor 55 delays the leaked refrigerant RF. And it is surely detected.

(6-5)
In the indoor unit 30, the inner surface 352 of the cover member 35 covers the indoor heat exchanger end 312 from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction. Thereby, the leaked refrigerant guide flow path RP is formed based on the length of the indoor heat exchanger end 312 in the longitudinal direction. As a result, when the refrigerant leaks at the indoor heat exchanger end 312, the leaked refrigerant RF is reliably guided to the drain pan 34.

(6-6)
In the indoor unit 30, the inner surface 352 of the cover member 35 extends to the upper surface of the drain pan 34. As a result, the leaking refrigerant guide channel RP is formed without interruption to the drain pan 34. As a result, when the refrigerant leaks at the indoor heat exchanger end 312, the leaked refrigerant RF is reliably guided to the drain pan 34.

(6-7)
In the indoor unit 30, the refrigerant leak sensor 55 is arranged below the height position of the drain pan 34. Thereby, when the refrigerant leaks at the indoor heat exchanger end 312, the leaked refrigerant RF easily reaches the refrigerant leak sensor 55, and is detected by the refrigerant leak sensor 55 with high accuracy without delay. It has become.

(6-8)
In the indoor unit 30, the drain pan 34 has a discharge port 341 functioning as a drain port or an exhaust port, and the drain port 341 is connected to the drain hose 60 extending to the outside (outside the target space SP). Thus, the leaked refrigerant RF stored in the casing 40 flows out of the target space SP via the drain hose 60. As a result, it is suppressed that the leaked refrigerant RF stored in the casing 40 flows out into the living space and its concentration increases.

(7) Modifications The above embodiment can be appropriately modified as shown in the following modifications. Note that each modification may be applied in combination with another modification as long as no contradiction occurs.

(7-1) Modification 1A
In the above-described embodiment, the indoor unit 30 is a floor-standing type that is installed on the floor F1 of the target space SP. However, the indoor unit 30 does not necessarily have to be a floor-standing type. For example, like the indoor unit 30 ′ shown in FIG. 10, the indoor unit 30 may be a so-called base bag (top bag) installation type or a side wall embedded type installed in the side wall W1 of the target space SP. . Although not shown, the indoor unit 30 may be a wall-mounted type fixed to the side wall W1, or may be a buried floor type installed below the floor surface F1.

(7-2) Modification 1B
In the above embodiment, the indoor unit 30 has the outlet 41 and the inlet 42 (the front inlet 42 a and the side inlet 42 b) of the airflow AF formed in the front panel 401 of the casing 40. However, the indoor unit 30 does not necessarily need to have the outlet 41 and the inlet 42 formed in this manner. For example, in the indoor unit 30, the outlet 41 and / or the inlet 42 may be formed in the main body 402 (for example, a side surface portion, a back surface portion, or a top surface portion) of the casing 40. In the indoor unit 30, the outlet 41 may be formed at a position lower than the center of the casing 40. Further, the indoor unit 30 may be configured such that one of the front suction port 42a and the side suction port 42b is omitted as appropriate.

(7-3) Modification 1C
In the above embodiment, the refrigerant leak notification unit 58 is a light emitting unit that is turned on when a predetermined voltage is supplied, and is, for example, an LED light. However, the refrigerant leak notification unit 58 can be appropriately changed as long as it is an output unit that can notify that a refrigerant leak has occurred. For example, the refrigerant leak notification unit 58 may be a speaker that can output sound by being supplied with a predetermined voltage.

  Further, the refrigerant leak notification unit 58 was disposed at an upper portion on the front side of the casing 40. However, the refrigerant leak notification unit 58 may be installed at another position as long as the user or the administrator can recognize the refrigerant leakage. For example, the refrigerant leak notification unit 58 may be disposed in the remote controller 50 or another device, or may be disposed independently.

(7-4) Modification 1D
In the above embodiment, when the indoor unit control unit 33 receives the refrigerant leakage signal, the indoor unit 32 stops driving the indoor fan 32 and closes the outlet 41 by the flap 45. From the viewpoint of storing the leaked refrigerant RF in the casing 40 to suppress the outflow into the living space, it is preferable that such control be performed. However, even if such control is omitted, the object of the present invention is realized.

  That is, even when the indoor fan 32 is driven at the time of refrigerant leakage and the flap 45 is in the open state, the inner surface 352 of the cover member 35 forms the leaked refrigerant induction flow path RP between the indoor member 32 and the indoor heat exchanger end 312. Due to the formation, the leaked refrigerant RF is guided to the drain pan 34, and a predetermined amount of the leaked refrigerant RF is stored in the casing 40 and is prevented from flowing out of the casing 40. ing. Therefore, an increase in the concentration of the leaked refrigerant RF in the living space is suppressed.

(7-5) Modification 1E
In the above embodiment, the refrigerant leak sensor 55 is disposed at a position closer to the heat exchanger left end 314 than to the heat exchanger right end 313. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the refrigerant leak sensor 55 may be arranged at a position closer to the heat exchanger right end 313 than the heat exchanger left end 314. The refrigerant leak sensor 55 is located at an intermediate position between the left end 314 of the heat exchanger and the right end 313 of the heat exchanger (that is, a position where the shortest distances from the left end 314 of the heat exchanger and the right end 313 of the heat exchanger are substantially the same). ).

(7-6) Modification 1F
In the above embodiment, the refrigerant leak sensor 55 is disposed in the casing 40 of the indoor unit 30. However, the refrigerant leakage sensor 55 does not necessarily need to be disposed in the casing 40, and may be disposed in another location as long as the refrigerant leakage sensor RF in the target space SP can be detected. For example, the refrigerant leak sensor 55 may be arranged in the remote controller 50 installed in the target space SP or another device. Further, the coolant leakage sensor 55 may be independently arranged in the target space SP. The object of the present invention is also realized in such a case.

  That is, regardless of whether the refrigerant leak sensor 55 is arranged inside the casing 40 of the indoor unit 30, the inner surface 352 of the cover member 35 transfers the leaked refrigerant RF between the indoor heat exchanger end 312 and the drain pan 34. When the turn-over portion R1 disposed at the indoor heat exchanger end 312 is damaged and the refrigerant leaks, the leaked refrigerant RF flows through the leaked refrigerant induced flow RP. It is guided to the drain pan 34 via the road RP. As a result, the leakage refrigerant RF is stored in the casing 40, and the concentration of the leakage refrigerant RF in the living space is prevented from increasing.

(7-7) Modification 1G
In the above embodiment, the indoor heat exchanger 31 is a so-called cross fin tube heat exchanger. However, the indoor heat exchanger 31 may be another type of heat exchanger. For example, the indoor heat exchanger 31 may have a header collecting pipe at the indoor heat exchanger end 312. In such a case as well, the inner surface 352 of the cover member 35 forms the leaking refrigerant guide flow path RP between the header collecting pipe and the indoor heat exchanger end 312 ′ including the joint between the header collecting pipe and the heat transfer pipe 31 a. By arranging the cover member 35 as described above, the effect of the present invention is realized.

  The indoor heat exchanger 31 may have a U-shaped or L-shaped bent or curved shape in a side view or a plan view. In such a case, the cover member 35 is formed into a shape (for example, a bent or curved shape) corresponding to the shape of the indoor heat exchanger 31 (the indoor heat exchanger end 312), and the inner surface 352 and the indoor heat exchanger end are formed. By arranging the cover member 35 appropriately so as to form the leaking refrigerant guide channel RP between the portion 312, the effect of the present invention is realized.

(7-8) Modification 1H
In the above embodiment, the indoor heat exchanger 31 is arranged in such a posture that the longitudinal direction of the indoor heat exchanger end 312 (the longitudinal direction of the heat transfer fins 31b) is the vertical direction (vertical direction). However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and the indoor heat exchanger 31 may be arranged in such a posture that the longitudinal direction of the indoor heat exchanger end 312 is horizontal. In such a case, by arranging the cover member 35 in such a manner that the inner surface 352 extends along the horizontal direction, a leaking refrigerant guide flow path RP is formed between the cover member 35 and the indoor heat exchanger end 312. Thus, the effect of the present invention is realized.

(7-9) Modification 1I
In the above embodiment, the inner surface 352 of the cover member 35 covers from one end (upper end) to the other end (lower end) of the indoor heat exchanger end 312 in the longitudinal direction. From the viewpoint that when the refrigerant leaks at the indoor heat exchanger end 312, the leaked refrigerant RF is reliably guided to the drain pan 34, the inner surface 352 extends from one end of the indoor heat exchanger end 312 in the longitudinal direction. It is preferable to cover up to the other end. However, in order to realize the effect of the present invention, the inner surface 352 of the cover member 35 does not necessarily need to cover from one end (upper end) to the other end (lower end) of the indoor heat exchanger end 312 in the longitudinal direction.

  That is, even when the inner surface 352 of the cover member 35 covers a part of the indoor heat exchanger end 312 from one end (upper end) to the other end (lower end) in the longitudinal direction, the inner surface 352 of the cover member 35 is formed. Accordingly, a leaked refrigerant guide flow path RP is formed between the end portion 312 and the indoor heat exchanger, so that the leaked refrigerant RF is guided to the drain pan 34. As a result, the leakage refrigerant RF is stored in the casing 40, and is prevented from flowing out of the casing 40. Therefore, an increase in the concentration of the leaked refrigerant RF in the living space is suppressed.

(7-10) Modification 1J
In the above embodiment, the inner surface 352 of the cover member 35 extends to the upper surface of the drain pan 34. From the viewpoint that the leaked refrigerant guide flow path RP is formed without interruption to the drain pan 34 to reliably guide the leaked refrigerant RF to the drain pan 34, the inner surface 352 of the cover member 35 extends to the upper surface of the drain pan 34. Is preferred. However, in order to realize the effects of the present invention, the inner surface 352 of the cover member 35 does not necessarily need to extend to the upper surface of the drain pan 34.

  That is, even when the inner surface 352 of the cover member 35 does not continuously extend to the upper surface of the drain pan 34, the leaked refrigerant guiding flow path is formed between the inner surface 352 of the cover member 35 and the indoor heat exchanger end 312. Since the RP is formed, the guidance of the leakage refrigerant RF to the drain pan 34 is promoted. As a result, the leakage refrigerant RF is stored in the casing 40, and is prevented from flowing out of the casing 40. Therefore, an increase in the concentration of the leaked refrigerant RF in the living space is suppressed.

(7-11) Modification 1K
In the above-described embodiment, the refrigerant leak sensor 55 is disposed near the lower portion of the drain pan 34 (at a height of 10 cm below the bottom surface of the drain pan 34). However, the refrigerant leak sensor 55 does not necessarily need to be arranged in such a manner, and the arrangement position of the refrigerant leak sensor 55 can detect the leaked refrigerant RF overflowing (or falling) from the drain pan 34 around the drain pan 34. The position can be changed as appropriate as long as the position is appropriate. For example, the refrigerant leak sensor 55 may be arranged in a space on the side of or above the drain pan 34.

(7-12) Modification 1L
The indoor unit 30 has a first cover member 35a and a second cover member 35b as the cover members 35, and between the right end 313 of the heat exchanger and the inner surface 352 of the first cover member 35a, and the heat exchanger. The leaked refrigerant guide flow path RP was formed both on the left end 314 and on the inner surface 352 of the second cover member 35b.

  As described above, the leakage refrigerant guide flow path is provided between the indoor heat exchanger ends 312 (heat exchanger right end 313 and heat exchanger left end 314) on both sides and the inner surface 352 of any of the cover members 35. By forming the RP, even if the refrigerant leaks at any of the indoor heat exchanger ends 312 on both sides, the leaked refrigerant RF goes to the drain pan 34 installed below and is stored in the casing 40. It is supposed to be.

  However, the indoor unit 30 does not necessarily have to have both the first cover member 35a and the second cover member 35b as the cover member 35, and one of them may be omitted as appropriate. In other words, in the indoor unit 30, the space between the right end 313 of the heat exchanger and the inner surface 352 of the first cover member 35a and the space between the left end 314 of the heat exchanger and the inner surface 352 of the second cover member 35b are not necessarily required. In both cases, it is not necessary to form the leaking refrigerant guide channel RP.

  That is, when the indoor unit 30 has only one of the first cover member 35a and the second cover member 35b as the cover member 35 (that is, between the heat exchanger right end 313 and the inner surface 352 of the first cover member 35a). , And between the left end portion 314 of the heat exchanger and the inner surface 352 of the second cover member 35b only in the case where the leaking refrigerant guide flow path RP is formed). When the refrigerant leaks at the disposed indoor heat exchanger end 312, the leaked refrigerant RF is guided to the drain pan 34 via the leaked refrigerant guide flow path RP formed by the inner surface 352 of the cover member 35. As a result, the leakage refrigerant RF is stored in the casing 40 and is prevented from flowing out of the casing 40.

  That is, even when only one of the first cover member 35a and the second cover member 35b is provided as the cover member 35, refrigerant leakage occurs at the indoor heat exchanger end 312 on the side where the cover member 35 is disposed. In this case, the leaked refrigerant RF is prevented from flowing out of the casing 40 through the outlet 41 and the suction port 42, and the concentration of the leaked refrigerant RF in the living space is suppressed from increasing.

  Therefore, for example, when there is a high possibility of refrigerant leakage due to breakage or deterioration of only one indoor heat exchanger end 312, only the indoor heat exchanger end 312 is covered with the cover member 35 and the leakage refrigerant is guided. The flow path RP may be formed.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, only the indoor heat exchanger end 312 (here, the heat exchanger right end 313) on the side (far) from the refrigerant leak sensor 55 is covered with the cover member 35 (here, the The leakage refrigerant guide flow path RP may be formed by covering with one cover member 35a). In such a case, even if a refrigerant leak occurs at the indoor heat exchanger end 312 at a position distant from the refrigerant leak sensor 55, the effect that the leaked refrigerant RF is detected by the refrigerant leak sensor 55 without delay is also realized. Is done.

(7-13) Modification 1M
In the above embodiment, the cover member 35 is a plate-like member having a substantially semicircular or substantially U-shaped cross section. However, the cross section of the cover member 35 does not necessarily have to be substantially semicircular or substantially U-shaped. That is, the shape of the cover member 35 is not particularly limited as long as the cover member 35 has the inner surface 352 (guide surface) that constitutes the leakage refrigerant guide flow path RP. For example, the cross section of the cover member 35 may be substantially triangular or substantially trapezoidal.

<Second embodiment>
Hereinafter, an indoor unit 30a according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the parts common to the first embodiment is omitted. Further, in the following embodiments, the matters described in the first embodiment and the modifications may be combined and applied within a range in which no contradiction occurs.

  FIG. 12 is an external perspective view of the indoor unit 30a. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the indoor unit 30a.

  The indoor unit 30a has a casing 40a that forms a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shell instead of the casing 40.

  The casing 40a has a plurality of openings (hereinafter, referred to as “lower outlets 43”) that function as outlets for blowing out the airflow AF, in addition to the outlets 41 and the inlets 42. Specifically, each lower outlet 43 has a long rectangular shape in the width direction (left-right direction) of the casing 40a. The lower outlets 43 are formed in the front panel 401 of the casing 40a so as to form a line in the vertical and horizontal directions at a position lower than the lowermost side inlet 42b. More specifically, each lower outlet 43 is formed at a position lower than the bottom surface of the drain pan 34.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the casing 40a, an air flow path FP3 is formed in addition to the air flow paths FP1 and FP2. The air flow path FP3 is a flow path that extends from the indoor fan 32 to the lower outlet 43.

  The indoor unit 30a has a damper 46 for switching the opening and closing of the lower outlet 43. The damper 46 is mechanically connected to an output shaft of a damper motor (not shown), and rotates with the rotation of the damper motor. The damper 46 can take a closed state in which the lower outlet 43 is closed (a state shown by a broken line in FIG. 13) and an open state in which the lower outlet 43 is opened (a state shown by a solid line in FIG. 13). The operation of the damper 46 is controlled by the indoor unit control unit 33.

  The indoor unit control unit 33 switches the damper 46 to the closed state when the operation is stopped, and switches the damper 46 to the open state during the operation. In addition, when receiving the refrigerant leakage signal (that is, when refrigerant leakage occurs), the indoor unit control unit 33 switches the damper 46 to the closed state.

  In the indoor unit 30a, similarly to the indoor unit 30, when the refrigerant leaks at the indoor heat exchanger end 312, the leaked refrigerant RF flows through the leaked refrigerant guiding flow path RP formed by the inner surface 352 of the cover member 35. It is guided to the drain pan 34.

  As a result, the leaked refrigerant RF is directed to the drain pan 34 provided below, and the leaked refrigerant RF that has reached the drain pan 34 is stored in the space above the drain pan 34 or falls further down in the casing 40a. Is stored. That is, when the refrigerant leaks at the end of the indoor heat exchanger 31, the leakage of the leaked refrigerant RF to the outside of the casing 40a via the outlet 41 and the suction port 42 is suppressed, and the leakage in the living space is suppressed. An increase in the concentration of the refrigerant RF is suppressed.

  In the indoor unit 30a, a plurality of lower outlets 43 are formed at a position lower than the bottom surface of the drain pan 34. However, when refrigerant leaks, the damper 46 is switched to the closed state, and each lower outlet 43 is closed. Closed. Accordingly, the leakage refrigerant RF stored in the casing 40a is prevented from flowing out of the casing 40a via the lower outlet 43. Therefore, even when the lower outlet 43 is formed at a position lower than the bottom surface of the drain pan 34, the leakage refrigerant RF is suppressed from flowing out into the living space via the lower outlet 43, and the leakage refrigerant RF leaks in the living space. An increase in the concentration of the refrigerant RF is suppressed.

  The present invention is applicable to an air conditioner indoor unit.

10: outdoor unit 30, 30 ', 30a: indoor unit (air conditioning indoor unit)
31: Indoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger)
31a: heat transfer tube 31b: heat transfer fin 31c: tube plate 32: indoor fan 33: indoor unit control unit 34: drain pan 35: cover member (guide member)
35a: First cover member (first guide member / second guide member)
35b: Second cover member (first guide member / second guide member)
40, 40a: casing 41: outlet 42: inlet 42a: front inlet 42b: side inlet 43: lower outlet 45: flap 46: damper 50: remote controller 55: refrigerant leak sensor 58: refrigerant leak notification unit 60: Drain hose 100: air conditioner 311: heat exchange unit 312: indoor heat exchanger end (heat exchanger end)
313: right end of heat exchanger (first end of heat exchanger / second end of heat exchanger)
314: left end of heat exchanger (first end of heat exchanger / second end of heat exchanger)
341: Discharge port (opening)
351: Outer surface 352: Inner surface (guide surface)
401: Front panel 402: Main body 403: Bottom plate AF: Air flow FP (FP1 to FP3): Air flow path R1: Turnback portion RF: Leaked refrigerant RP: Leaked refrigerant induction flow path (induction flow path)
SP: Target space

JP 2012-13348 A

Claims (6)

An air-conditioning indoor unit (30, 30 ', 30a) installed in the target space (SP),
A heat exchanger (31) having a heat transfer tube (31a) through which a refrigerant flows, and a heat exchanger end (312) extending crossing the direction in which the heat transfer tube extends;
A drain pan (34) disposed below the heat exchanger and receiving dew water;
A guide member (35) including a guide surface (352) extending along a longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger end;
A casing (40, 40a) accommodating the heat exchanger, the drain pan, and the guide member;
A refrigerant leakage sensor (55) disposed near the drain pan and detecting refrigerant leakage;
With
The heat transfer tube extends in a curved or bent manner at the end of the heat exchanger,
The guide surface covers an end of the heat exchanger, and has an induction flow path (RP) between the end of the heat exchanger and the refrigerant refrigerant (RF) leading to the drain pan when a refrigerant leaks. formed,
The heat exchanger includes, as the heat exchanger end, a heat exchanger first end (313, 314) and a heat exchanger second end which is an end opposite to the heat exchanger first end. Ends (313, 314);
The guide member extends along the longitudinal direction of the first end of the heat exchanger, covers the first end of the heat exchanger, and forms the guide flow path with the first end of the heat exchanger. A first guide member (35a, 35b) having the guide surface;
The refrigerant leak sensor is disposed at a position closer to the heat exchanger second end than the heat exchanger first end .
Air conditioning indoor units (30, 30 ', 30a). The guide member extends along the longitudinal direction of the second end of the heat exchanger, covers the second end of the heat exchanger, and forms the guide flow path with the second end of the heat exchanger. A second guide member (35a, 35b) having the guide surface;
The air-conditioning indoor unit (30, 30 ', 30a) according to claim 1 . The guide surface covers the end of the heat exchanger from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction,
The air-conditioning indoor unit (30, 30 ', 30a) according to claim 1 or 2 . The guide surface extends to an upper surface of the drain pan,
The air-conditioning indoor unit (30, 30 ', 30a) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The refrigerant leakage sensor is disposed below the height position of the drain pan, and detects leakage refrigerant (RF) overflowing from the drain pan when refrigerant leakage occurs.
The air-conditioning indoor unit (30, 30 ', 30a) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . The drain pan has an opening (341) functioning as a drain port or an exhaust port, and a drain hose (60) extending to outside the target space is connected to the opening.
The air-conditioning indoor unit (30, 30 ', 30a) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 .

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