TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner and particularly to an air conditioner
that uses a refrigerant having a low global warming potential (GWP) (Global Warming
Potential).
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Recently, use of the refrigerants having low global warming potentials (GWP) is being
considered in terms of stop of global warming. In
JP-A-H11-37619 (Patent Literature 1), an air conditioner using a hydrocarbon natural refrigerant
has been proposed. Additionally, in Patent Literature 1, refrigerant leakage detection
means is provided to detect leakage of a hydrocarbon natural refrigerant, which is
flammable. When the refrigerant leakage detection means detects the refrigerant leakage,
the leaking refrigerant is stirred and diffused by a fan and the like to prevent the
leaking refrigerant from residing and forming a flammable area.
[0003] A conventional air conditioner is described in
JP-A-2002-61996 (Patent Literature 2) in consideration of a measure against refrigerant leakage.
In Patent literature 2, a gas detector is provided to detect refrigerant leakage in
a room in which an indoor unit is arranged. An alert system provided to the indoor
unit generates an alert in case of refrigerant leakage. Then, a compressor and an
outdoor blower fan are operated, an outdoor expansion valve is closed, a four-way
switching valve is switched to a cooling operation, an indoor expansion valve is opened,
and an outdoor unit collects refrigerant.
JP S62 218745 A (Patent Literature 3) describes an outdoor unit for an air conditioner with an air
blow-off port and atmosphere suction ports, arranged at both sides of the blow-off
port, are arranged on the front surface of the outer casing of an outdoor machine
on substantially the same line horizontally while a heat exchanger and a fan are provided
on the same horizontal plane at the back surface side of the blow-off port in the
outer casing.
JP S62 218745 A thereby discloses an air conditioner according to the preamble of claim 1.
[0004] In
EP 2679921 A2 (Patent Literature 4) a refrigeration cycle apparatus is described which includes
a compressor having a compression mechanism section in an enclosed container and configured
to compress and discharge a refrigerant so as to circulate the refrigerant in a refrigerant
circuit, and an outdoor unit installed outdoors and having a housing divided by a
partition plate into a fan chamber and a machine chamber including the compressor.
The refrigerant is a flammable HFC refrigerant.
PRIOR ART LITERATURES
PATENT LITERATURES
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
[0006] In Patent Literature 1, since a hydrocarbon natural refrigerant is used as a refrigerant
for the air conditioner, the global warming potential (GWP) is small. However, the
hydrocarbon natural refrigerant has a strong flammability, and is therefore difficult
to use as a refrigerant for air conditioners.
[0007] In Patent Literature 2, use of a refrigerant having a low global warming potential
(GWP) is not taken into consideration.
[0008] As refrigerants having low global warming potentials (GWP), refrigerants such as
HFO1234yf (GWP = 4) and HFO1234ze (GWP = 6) are being noted in these days. When using
a refrigerant such as HFO1234yf and HF01234ze as a refrigerant for air conditioners,
there is a problem that the refrigerants HF01234yf and HFO1234ze have low densities
and large volumes in vapor condition. For example, in comparison with the refrigerant
R410A, the vapor specific volume of HF01234yf is 180% of R410A and the vapor specific
volume of HF01234ze is 240% of R410A, the vapor specific volumes assuming an inlet
portion of a compressor. Thus, there is a problem that the refrigerant pressure loss
on the low pressure side of the air conditioner increases (for example, three times
or more when compared to R410A under the same condition) to increase power consumption
of the compressor of the air conditioner.
[0009] The refrigerant R32 (GWP = 675) also is being considered as a refrigerant having
a relatively low global warming potential (GWP). However, each of these refrigerants
(HFO1234yf, HFO1234ze, and R32) is flammable while having low flammability (a refrigerant
having a lower flammability than those of hydrocarbon refrigerants is hereinafter
called a slightly flammable refrigerant).
[0010] Patent Literatures 1 and 2 describe measures against refrigerant leakage when the
leakage is detected. A refrigerant leakage detector is needed to be provided to each
of the outdoor unit and indoor unit to detect leakage of a flammable or slightly flammable
refrigerant and to prevent the fire. There is therefore also a problem that cost increases.
[0011] An object of the present invention is to obtain an air conditioner able to avoid
the risk of fire and able to have a reduced number of refrigerant leakage detectors
while using a refrigerant having a low global warming potential (GWP).
MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM
[0012] The above object is achieved by the invention according to the appended claims. An
air conditioner of the present invention is, in particular, provided with a heat source
unit configured so as to use a flammable refrigerant having a low global warming potential,
and configured by housing, inside a case, refrigeration cycle components such as a
heat exchanger in which the refrigerant flows, an electric part box in which electric
parts and the like are housed, and a blower driven by a motor. Airflow is formed by
the blower in the case. The refrigeration cycle components in which the refrigerant
flows are arranged in the airflow in the case. The electric part box and the electric
parts such as the motor of the blower are arranged upstream from the refrigeration
cycle components in the airflow.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECT OF THE INVENTION
[0013] According to the present invention, an air conditioner able to avoid the risk of
fire and able to have a reduced number of refrigerant leakage detectors while using
a refrigerant having a low global warming potential (GWP) is obtained.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014]
Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram explaining Embodiment 1 of an air conditioner
of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner illustrated
in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a top view illustrating a ceiling embedded type heat source unit in Embodiment
1 of the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view explaining an example of a ceiling embedded type heat
source unit as a conventional air conditioner; and
Fig. 5 is a top view explaining airflow of in the ceiling embedded type heat source
unit illustrated in Fig. 4.
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0015] Hereafter, a specific embodiment of an air conditioner of the present invention is
explained using the drawings. In each figure, the portions having the same reference
numerals illustrate the same or corresponding portions.
EMBODIMENT 1
[0016] Embodiment 1 of an air conditioner of the present invention is explained in reference
to Figs. 1 to 3. Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram explaining Embodiment 1 of the
air conditioner of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a refrigeration
cycle of the air conditioner of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top view of a ceiling embedded
type heat source unit in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. An example of a conventional
air conditioner also is explained using Figs. 4 and 5 for comparison.
[0017] The present embodiment explains an example of an air conditioner using HFO1234yf
or HF01234ze, which are slightly flammable refrigerants (for example, slightly flammable
refrigerants having burning velocity of 10 cm/s or less). The slightly flammable refrigerants
are less flammable than hydrocarbon refrigerants such as propane and isobutane, which
are flammable refrigerants. Refrigerants having relatively low global warming potentials
(GWPs) include R32, as described above. In the present embodiment, an example using
HF01234yf or HF01234ze as the refrigerant is explained.
[0018] The refrigerants HFO1234yf and HFO1234ze in vapor state have low densities and large
volumes, as mentioned above. Therefore, there is a problem that the refrigerant pressure
loss is large on the low pressure side to increase power consumption of a compressor
of an air conditioner. In the present embodiment, for reduction of the refrigerant
pressure loss on the low pressure side, the heat source unit is a ceiling embedded
type heat source unit that is arranged to a ceiling portion and the like in a building
to shorten the distance between the heat source unit and an indoor unit (namely, the
length of refrigerant piping) and that introduces outside air to perform heat exchange.
Hereafter, this specific configuration is explained using Fig. 1.
[0019] Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram explaining an example of an arrangement of the
air conditioner of the present embodiment having the ceiling embedded type heat source
unit. Fig. 1 illustrates a building 1 and a heat source unit 2 that includes, inside
a case, refrigeration cycle components such as a heat exchanger in which the refrigerant
flows, an electric part box in which electric parts and the like are housed, and a
blower driven by a motor. In the present embodiment, this heat source unit 2 is the
so-called ceiling embedded type heat source unit arranged to a ceiling portion 1a
(attic) in the building 1. An indoor unit 3 conditions air in a room 1b. This indoor
unit 3 and heat source unit 2 are connected to one another by refrigerant pipes 4
and 5 (4: gas side refrigerant pipe, 5: liquid side refrigerant pipe).
[0020] The heat source unit 2 is configured so as to draw outdoor air as illustrated by
an arrow 6, exchange heat between the outdoor air and refrigerant, and blow the air
after this heat exchange out of the room as illustrated by an arrow 7.
[0021] The indoor unit 3 draws the air in the room 1b as illustrated by an arrow 8. A heat
exchanger provided inside the indoor unit 3 exchanges heat between the indoor air
and refrigerant and blows the air cooled (in cooling) or heated (in heating) after
the heat exchange into the room as illustrated by an arrow 9 to condition the air
in the room 1b in which an occupant 10 is present.
[0022] Generally, the heat source unit 2 is often arranged, e.g., to the rooftop of the
building 1 or outside a wall of the building 1 as an outdoor unit, but arranged to
a ceiling portion (an attic 1a in the present embodiment) nearer to the indoor unit
3 than to the rooftop and outside the building as the ceiling embedded type heat source
unit 2 to enable the refrigerant pipes 4 and 5 that connect the indoor unit 3 and
heat source unit 2 to one another to be shorter than those for the heat source unit
arranged outside the room. In the present embodiment, the refrigerant pipes 4 and
5 that connect the heat source unit 2 and indoor unit 3 to one another are 10 m or
less in length. Thus, the refrigerant pipes 4 and 5 can be made short to enable the
refrigerant pressure loss to be reduced on the low pressure side of the compressor
of the air conditioner.
[0023] That is, since the refrigerants HFO1234yf and HFO1234ze have low densities and large
volumes in vapor state, the refrigerant pressure loss on the low pressure side easily
becomes high. With the configuration as in the present embodiment, the refrigerant
pressure loss on the low pressure side can be reduced, and power consumption of the
compressor can be reduced. Even when using HFO1234yf and HF01234ze, which are refrigerants
having low global warming potentials, an efficient air conditioner can be obtained.
[0024] The embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 has been explained using the heat source unit
2 in direct contact with the air outside the building 1. It can be also considered
that the heat source unit 2 is provided inside the building, e.g., to further shorten
the distance to the indoor unit 3. In such a case, since the heat source unit 2 is
not in direct contact with the air outside the building, the outdoor air may be introduced
to the heat source unit 2 via an air duct. In such a configuration, the lengths of
the refrigerant pipes 4 and 5 that connect the heat source unit 2 and indoor unit
3 to one another can be easily 10 m or less. Thus, the refrigerant pressure loss on
the low pressure side can be reduced easily even when HFO1234yf and HF01234ze are
used as the refrigerant.
[0025] Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner illustrated
in Fig. 1, and illustrates the heat source unit 2 and indoor unit 3. These heat source
unit 2 and indoor unit 3 are connected by a gas side refrigerant pipe (gas side connection
pipe) 4 and a liquid side refrigerant pipe (liquid side connection pipe) 5. In the
heat source unit 2, a compressor 20, a four-way switching valve 21, a heat source
side heat exchanger 22, and an expansion device 23 are sequentially connected by the
refrigerant piping. A blower 24 draws outdoor air from outside the building and blows
the air to the heat source side heat exchanger 22. The heat source side heat exchanger
22 exchanges heat between the drawn outdoor air and the refrigerant that flows inside
the refrigerant piping of the heat exchanger 22 to condense the refrigerant (in cooling)
and evaporate the refrigerant (in heating).
[0026] The indoor unit 3 is configured to connect the indoor heat exchanger 30 and expansion
device 31 by the refrigerant piping. A blower 32 draws indoor air and blows the air
to the indoor heat exchanger 30. The indoor heat exchanger 30 exchanges heat between
the drawn indoor air and the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant piping of the
heat exchanger 30 to evaporate (in cooling) and condense (in heating) the refrigerant.
Thus, cool air and warm air can be supplied into the room to condition air in the
room.
[0027] The present embodiment describes that a refrigerant leakage detector (refrigerant
leakage detection means) 33 is arranged in the indoor unit 3 and can detect refrigerant
leakage immediately when the leakage occurs. This refrigerant leakage detector 33
may be arranged outside the indoor unit 3 or in the room in which the indoor unit
3 is arranged.
[0028] The heat source unit 2 and indoor unit 3 are connected to one another by the gas
side refrigerant pipe 4 and liquid side refrigerant pipe 5. A gas side prevention
valve 25 is provided to the gas side refrigerant pipe 4. A liquid side prevention
valve 26 is provided to the liquid side refrigerant pipe 5. Usually, these prevention
valves 25 and 26 are provided to the heat source unit 2 side. In the heat source unit
2, an arrow A in the heat source unit 2 illustrates a flow of the refrigerant in heating,
and an arrow B illustrates a flow of the refrigerant in cooling.
[0029] Next, a configuration of the heat source unit 2 is explained using Fig. 3. Before
that, a configuration of a conventional ceiling embedded type heat source unit is
explained using Figs. 4 and 5 for comparison. Fig. 4 is a perspective view explaining
an example of a ceiling embedded type heat source unit as the conventional air conditioner.
Fig. 5 is a top view explaining airflow in the ceiling embedded type heat source unit
illustrated in Fig. 4.
[0030] Fig. 4 illustrates the conventional ceiling embedded type heat source unit 2 corresponding
to the ceiling embedded type heat source unit 2 illustrated in Fig. 1, and illustrates
a case 2a. The inside of the case 2a is partitioned to an upstream space 2c and a
downstream space 2d by a partition plate 2b. An air inlet 2e is to draw outdoor air
(open air). An air outlet 2f is to blow the heat-exchanged air out of the downstream
space 2d to outside the building.
[0031] The upstream space 2c includes the heat exchanger (heat source side heat exchanger)
22 that exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing in a heat transfer tube and
the outdoor air introduced from the air inlet 2e, a blower 24 that draws the outdoor
air to supply the outdoor air to the heat exchanger 22, the compressor 20 that compresses
the refrigerant, and a receiver 27 that receives an excess refrigerant condensed by
the heat exchanger 22 and the like. A motor 24a is to drive the blower 24.
[0032] On the other hand, the downstream space 2d houses an electric part box 28 that houses
electric parts such as a control substrate mounting electronic parts and a terminal
base. The conventional the heat source unit 2 uses R407C, R410A, and the like as a
refrigerant. In Fig. 4, the compressor 20, heat exchanger 22, and receiver 27 are
refrigeration cycle components in which the refrigerant flows. The four-way switching
valve 21 and expansion device 23 illustrated in Fig. 2 but not illustrated in Fig.
4 are also refrigeration cycle components in which the refrigerant flows.
[0033] Next, airflow in the conventional ceiling embedded type heat source unit illustrated
in Fig. 4 is explained using Fig. 5. In Fig. 5, an arrow C illustrates airflow within
the case 2a of the heat source unit 2. In the conventional ceiling embedded type heat
source unit 2, the refrigeration cycle components such as the compressor 20, heat
exchanger 22, and receiver 27 are arranged upstream from airflow C formed by the blower
24, and the blower 24 and electric part box 28 are arranged downstream from the airflow
C. Therefore, when the refrigerant leaks from any of these refrigeration cycle components,
the leaking refrigerant flows along the airflow C.
[0034] When a refrigerant such as HFO1234yf and HFO1234ze having low global warming potentials
(GWPs) or a refrigerant such as R32 having a relatively small GWP, these refrigerants
being slightly flammable refrigerants, is used as the refrigerant, the slightly flammable
refrigerant is entrained in the airflow C and contacts the motor 24a of the blower
24 and the electric part box 28. It has been found that there is the risk of combustion
of a flammable refrigerant when the refrigerant is present around the electric parts
in the event of heat generation and current leakage of the electric parts because
the electric parts are housed in the electric part box 28. The same may occur also
with respect to the motor 24a of the blower 24.
[0035] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the device arrangement inside the ceiling embedded
type heat source unit 2 is configured as illustrated in Fig. 3. In the ceiling embedded
type heat source unit illustrated in Fig. 3, the configuration corresponding to the
conventional ceiling embedded type heat source unit illustrated in Figs. 4 and Fig.
5 is given the same reference numerals, the overlapped portions are not explained,
and only the different portions are explained.
[0036] In the ceiling embedded type heat source unit 2 of the present embodiment, when the
blower 24 is activated, the drawn airflow of the outdoor air illustrated by an outline
arrow 6 flows from the air inlet 2e into the case 2a, and flows inside the case 2a
and is blown from an air outlet 2f to outside the building as illustrated by the airflow
C.
[0037] In the present embodiment, the refrigeration cycle components such as the compressor
20, heat exchanger 22, and receiver 27 in which the refrigerant flows are arranged
to the downstream space 2d in the case 2a, and the blower 24 and electric part box
28 are arranged to the upstream space 2c in the case 2a.
[0038] With such a configuration, the refrigeration cycle components are downstream from
the airflow and the electric part box 28 and blower 24 are arranged upstream from
the refrigeration cycle components in the airflow. Thus, even when refrigerant leakage
occurs from any of the refrigeration cycle components, the leaking refrigerant can
be entrained in the airflow C and flown out of the building without contacting the
electric part box 28 and blower 24. Therefore, even when a slightly flammable or flammable
refrigerant leaks from the refrigeration cycle components, this refrigerant can be
prevented from contacting the electric components in the electric part box 28 and
the electric components such as the motor 24a of the blower 24, the electric components
being capable of being ignition sources. Then, the risk of combustion can be avoided.
[0039] Further explanation will be made in detail. In the present embodiment, since HFO1234yf,
HF01234ze, and the like, which are slightly flammable refrigerants, are used and the
heat source unit is the ceiling embedded type heat source unit, the following risks
are present in case of refrigerant leakage of the heat source unit. These include
the risk of combustion inside the heat source unit, the risk of combustion in the
building when the refrigerant may flow into the building such as the attic in the
event of the refrigerant leakage from the heat source unit, and the risk of oxygen
deficiency when the leaking refrigerant enters the room. In the present embodiment,
to deal with such problems, the electric part box 28 and blower 24 are arranged upstream
from the refrigeration cycle components in the airflow. Thus, even when refrigerant
leakage occurs in the ceiling embedded type heat source unit, the leaking refrigerant
can be discharged out of the building without contacting the electric part box 28
and blower 24. The advantageous effect that combustion and oxygen deficiency due to
refrigerant leakage from the ceiling embedded type heat source unit is preventable
can be obtained.
[0040] Since the refrigerant leakage detector 33 is provided to the indoor unit to deal
with refrigerant leakage from the indoor unit, the risks of combustion and oxygen
deficiency can be avoided. That is, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in Fig.
2, the refrigerant leakage detector 33 is provided to the indoor unit 3. Thus, when
refrigerant leakage occurs in the indoor unit 3, the refrigerant leakage detector
33 can detect the leakage, and generate an alert and the like to enable prevention
of combustion and oxygen deficiency caused by deposition of the refrigerant in the
indoor unit 3 and room 1b.
[0041] The refrigerant detector is expensive. In the present embodiment, the combustion
and oxygen deficiency caused by the refrigerant leakage from the heat source unit
can be prevented. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a refrigerant leakage
detector in the heat source unit. Therefore, the number of expensive refrigerant detectors
can be reduced and an inexpensive air conditioner can be obtained accordingly. That
is, in the present embodiment, since the heat source unit 2 is configured as explained
in Fig. 3, it is not necessary to arrange a refrigerant leakage detector in the heat
source unit 2. Therefore, the number of expensive refrigerant detectors can be reduced,
and an inexpensive air conditioner can be realized by suppressing increase in cost.
[0042] In the present embodiment, since HFO1234yf and HFO1234ze, which are refrigerants
having low global warming potentials (GWPs), are used as a refrigerant of the air
conditioner, there is a problem that the refrigerant pressure loss on the low pressure
side of the air conditioner becomes large easily. Since the heat source unit 2 is
the ceiling embedded type heat source unit in the present embodiment to handle the
problem, the length of the refrigerant piping that connects the indoor unit and heat
source unit to one another can be short, for example, 10 m or less. Therefore, while
using the refrigerant such as HFO1234yf and HF01234ze, having low densities and large
volumes in vapor state, the refrigerant pressure loss on the low pressure side of
the air conditioner can be reduced. As a result, an efficient air conditioner that
can also reduce power consumption can be obtained.
[0043] In the present embodiment, the blower 24 of the ceiling embedded type heat source
unit 2 is driven periodically even while the air conditioner does not operate. That
is, even during shutdown of the air conditioner, the blower 24 is rotated periodically,
for example, for several seconds to several minutes once to several times a day by
use of a timer and the like to generate the airflow C in the case 2a of the heat source
unit 2. Thus, even when the refrigerant leakage occurs during shutdown of the air
conditioner, the leaking refrigerant can be discharged out of the building periodically.
As a result, gradual deposition of the leaking refrigerant in the case 2a to increase
the risk of combustion can be prevented.
[0044] When the blower is not operated periodically during shutdown of the air conditioner
unlike in the present embodiment, the slightly flammable refrigerant remains in the
heat source unit 2 and increases in density in case of the refrigerant leakage to
increase the risk of fire. When the leaking refrigerant moves from the heat source
unit 2 into the room 1b (see Fig. 1) through the attic and the like, the risks of
combustion and oxygen deficiency arise in the room.
[0045] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the blower 24 is periodically driven
even during shutdown of the air conditioner as mentioned above. Thus, since the leaking
refrigerant can be prevented from remaining in the heat source unit 2 to increase
in density and from entering the room 1b, the combustion and oxygen deficiency due
to the leakage of the slightly flammable refrigerant can be prevented certainly.
[0046] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the risk of fire can be
avoided while using the slightly flammable refrigerant having a low global warming
potential (GWP), and cost reduction can be achieved because the number of the refrigerant
leakage detectors can be reduced. Since the refrigerant pressure loss on the low pressure
side of the air conditioner can also be reduced, an advantageous effect that the efficient
air conditioner can be obtained is also obtained.
[0047] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but includes various
modifications. For example, the above embodiment explains the example using HF01234yf
and HFO1234ze, which have low global warming potentials (GWP) and are slightly flammable,
as the refrigerant, but is applicable also when R32, which has a relatively small
GWP and is slightly flammable, is used or when other refrigerants and mixed refrigerants
having a similar property are used. The heat source unit has been explained as the
ceiling embedded type heat source unit. The heat source unit is not limited to a ceiling
embedded type. The technical concept of the present invention is also applicable to
an outdoor unit arranged outside a building. Further, the above embodiment has been
explained in detail for understanding the present invention, but is not necessarily
limited to having all the explained configurations.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0048]
- 1:
- building
- 1a:
- ceiling portion (attic)
- 1b:
- room
- 2:
- ceiling embedded type heat source unit
- 2a:
- case
- 2b:
- partition plate
- 2c:
- upstream space
- 2d:
- downstream space
- 2e:
- air inlet
- 2f:
- air outlet
- 3:
- indoor unit
- 4:
- gas side refrigerant pipe
- 5:
- liquid side refrigerant pipe
- 6:
- airflow drawn into heat source unit
- 7:
- airflow blown out of heat source unit
- 8:
- airflow drawn into indoor unit
- 9:
- airflow blown out of indoor unit
- 10:
- occupant
- 20:
- compressor
- 21:
- four-way switching valve
- 22:
- heat source side heat exchanger
- 23:
- expansion device
- 24:
- blower
- 24a:
- motor
- 25:
- gas side prevention valve
- 26:
- liquid side prevention valve
- 27:
- receiver
- 28:
- electric part box
- 30:
- indoor heat exchanger
- 31:
- indoor expansion device
- 32:
- blower
- 33:
- refrigerant leakage detector (refrigerant leakage detection means)
- A:
- refrigerant flow in heating
- B:
- refrigerant flow in cooling
1. An air conditioner comprising a heat source unit (2), the heat source unit (2) housing
inside a case (2a):
refrigeration cycle components including a heat exchanger (22) in which the refrigerant
flows and a compressor (20);
an electric part box (28) housing electric parts and the like; and
a blower (24) driven by a motor (24a),
characterized in that
a flammable refrigerant having a low global warming potential is used by the heat
source unit (2); and
airflow is formed in the case (2a) by the blower (24), wherein
the inside of the case (2a) is partitioned with a partition plate (2b) into an upstream
space (2c) and a downstream space (2d) in the airflow, and
the electric part box (28), electric parts such as a motor (24a) of the blower (24)
and the blower (24) are arranged upstream from the refrigeration cycle components
in the airflow in the upstream space (2c), the refrigeration cycle components including
the heat exchanger (22) in which the refrigerant flows and the compressor (20) are
arranged in the airflow in the downstream space (2d).
2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant has a smaller flammability
than a hydrocarbon natural refrigerant and is slightly flammable.
3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the slightly flammable refrigerant
is at least any one of HFO1234yf, HFO1234ze, and R32.
4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the slightly flammable refrigerant
is at least any one of HFO1234yf and HFO1234ze, and the heat source unit (2) is a
ceiling embedded type heat source unit (2) arranged to a ceiling portion (1a) and
the like in a building (1), and introduces outside air to perform heat exchange.
5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the ceiling embedded type heat source
unit (2) is connected, by refrigerant piping (4, 5), to an indoor unit (3) that conditions
air in a room (1b), and a length of the refrigerant piping (4, 5) that connects between
the heat source unit (2) and the indoor unit (3) is 10 m or less.
6. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein refrigerant leakage detection means
(33) is provided to the indoor unit (3) or in a room (1b) in which the indoor unit
(3) is arranged.
7. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the blower (24)
of the heat source unit (2) is periodically driven even during shutdown of the air
conditioner.
1. Klimaanlage, die eine Wärmequelleneinheit (2) umfasst, wobei die Wärmequelleneinheit
(2) in einem Gehäuse (2a) Folgendes enthält:
Kühlungszykluskomponenten, die einen Wärmetauscher (22), in dem das Kühlmittel strömt,
und einen Kompressor (20) umfassen;
einen Kasten (28) für elektrische Komponenten, der elektrische Komponenten und dergleichen
aufnimmt; und
ein Gebläse (24), das durch einen Motor (24a) angetrieben wird,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
von der Wärmequelleneinheit (2) ein entflammbares Kühlmittel mit einem niedrigen Potential
für globale Erwärmung verwendet wird; und
durch das Gebläse (24) im Gehäuse (2a) ein Luftstrom gebildet wird, wobei
der Innenraum des Gehäuses (2a) mit einer Trennplatte (2b) in einen stromaufseitigen
Raum (2c) und einen stromabseitigen Raum (2d) im Luftstrom unterteilt ist und
in dem Kasten (28) für elektrische Komponenten elektrische Komponenten wie etwa ein
Motor (24a) des Gebläses (24) und das Gebläse (24) stromaufwärts der Kühlungszykluskomponenten
im Luftstrom im stromaufseitigen Raum (2c) angeordnet sind und die Kühlungszykluskomponenten,
die den Wärmetauscher (22), in dem das Kühlmittel strömt, und den Kompressor (20)
umfassen, in dem Luftstrom im stromabseitigen Raum (2d) angeordnet sind.
2. Klimaanlage nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Kühlmittel eine kleinere Entflammbarkeit als
ein natürliches Kohlenwasserstoffkühlmittel aufweist und geringfügig entflammbar ist.
3. Klimaanlage nach Anspruch 2, wobei das geringfügig entflammbare Kühlmittel HFO1234yf
und/oder HFO1234ze und/oder R32 ist.
4. Klimaanlage nach Anspruch 3, wobei das geringfügig entflammbare Kühlmittel HFO1234yf
und/oder HFO1234ze ist und die Wärmequelleneinheit (2) eine in der Decke eingebettete
Wärmequelleneinheit (2) ist, die an einem Deckenabschnitt (1a) und dergleichen in
einem Gebäude (1) angeordnet ist und Außenluft einbringt, um einen Wärmeaustausch
durchzuführen.
5. Klimaanlage nach Anspruch 4, wobei die in einer Decke eingebettete Wärmequelleneinheit
(2) durch ein Kühlmittelleitungssystem (4, 5) mit einer Inneneinheit (3) verbunden
ist, die die Luft in einem Raum (1b) klimatisiert, und eine Länge des Kühlmittelrohrsystems
(4, 5), das zwischen der Wärmequelleneinheit (2) und der Inneneinheit (3) eine Verbindung
herstellt, 10 m oder weniger beträgt.
6. Klimaanlage nach Anspruch 5, wobei ein Kühlmittelaustritts-Detektionsmittel (33) an
der Inneneinheit (3) oder in einem Raum (1b), in dem die Inneneinheit (3) angeordnet
ist, vorgesehen ist.
7. Klimaanlage nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, wobei das Gebläse (24) der Wärmequelleneinheit
(2) selbst während einer Abschaltung der Klimaanlage periodisch angetrieben wird.
1. Appareil de conditionnement d'air comprenant une unité de source de chaleur (2), l'unité
de source de chaleur (2) renfermant à l'intérieur d'un boîtier (2a) :
des composants de cycle de réfrigération incluant un échangeur de chaleur (22) dans
lequel le réfrigérant s'écoule et un compresseur (20) ;
une boîte de parties électriques (28) renfermant des parties électriques et similaires
; et
une soufflante (24) entraînée par un moteur (24a),
caractérisé en ce que
un réfrigérant inflammable ayant un faible potentiel de réchauffement global est utilisé
par l'unité de source de chaleur (2) ; et
un écoulement d'air est formé dans le boîtier (2a) par la soufflante (24),
dans lequel
l'intérieur du boîtier (2a) est cloisonné avec une plaque de cloisonnement (2b) en
un espace amont (2c) et un espace aval (2d) dans l'écoulement d'air, et
la boîte de parties électriques (28), les parties électriques, telles qu'un moteur
(24a) de la soufflante (24) et la soufflante (24), sont agencées en amont des composants
de cycle de réfrigération dans l'écoulement d'air dans l'espace amont (2c), les composants
de cycle de réfrigération, incluant l'échangeur de chaleur (22) dans lequel le réfrigérant
s'écoule et le compresseur (20), sont agencés dans l'écoulement d'air dans l'espace
aval (2d).
2. Appareil de conditionnement d'air selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le réfrigérant
présente une inflammabilité inférieure à celle d'un réfrigérant naturel hydrocarboné
et est légèrement inflammable.
3. Appareil de conditionnement d'air selon la revendication 2, dans lequel le réfrigérant
légèrement inflammable est au moins un réfrigérant quelconque parmi HFO1234yf, HFO1234ze
et R32.
4. Appareil de conditionnement d'air selon la revendication 3, dans lequel le réfrigérant
légèrement inflammable est au moins un réfrigérant quelconque parmi HFO1234yf et HFO1234ze,
et l'unité de source de chaleur (2) est une unité de source de chaleur de type intégré
au plafond (2) agencée dans une portion de plafond (1a) et similaire dans un bâtiment
(1), et introduit de l'air extérieur pour exécuter un échange de chaleur.
5. Appareil de conditionnement d'air selon la revendication 4, dans lequel l'unité de
source de chaleur de type intégré au plafond (2) est connectée, via une tubulure de
réfrigérant (4, 5), à une unité interne (3) qui conditionne de l'air dans une pièce
(1b), et une longueur de la tubulure de réfrigérant (4, 5) qui assure une connexion
entre l'unité de source de chaleur (2) et l'unité interne (3) est 10 m ou moins.
6. Appareil de conditionnement d'air selon la revendication 5, dans lequel un moyen de
détection de fuite de réfrigérant (33) est prévu sur l'unité interne (3) ou dans une
pièce (1b) dans laquelle l'unité interne (3) est agencée.
7. Appareil de conditionnement d'air selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6,
dans lequel la soufflante (24) de l'unité de source de chaleur (2) est entraînée périodiquement
même pendant l'arrêt de l'appareil de conditionnement d'air.