HEAT PUMP CYCLE DEVICE

Abstract

 [Object] It is an object of the present invention to provide a heat pump cycle device capable of discharging leaked flammable refrigerant not into an outdoor machine including a machine chamber and a valve chamber but into a space outside the outdoor machine, and capable of swiftly diffusing the refrigerant at the time of energization.
[Solving Means] In the heat pump cycle device of the invention, a gas-liquid separator 30 is placed in a heat medium circuit 20 which is located downstream of a use-side heat exchanger 12, the heat pump cycle device further comprises a flow path pipe 80 for discharging gas separated by the gas-liquid separator 30, and a flow path pipe exit 81 of the flow path pipe 80 is placed in an air suction surface 14i of a heat source-side heat exchanger 14.

Description

[TECHNICAL FIELD]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat pump cycle device which circulates heat medium through a use-side terminal by a heat medium circuit having a gas-liquid separator.

[BACKGROUND TECHNIQUE]

[0002] Patent document 1 describes a hydronic heater including a pressure relief valve and an air vent valve in a pipe of a water circuit of a heat pump cycle device having an outdoor machine and an indoor machine. The patent document 1 discloses a configuration in which the hydronic heater is provided outside of a casing of the outdoor machine, in a valve chamber which is different from a machine chamber, in a valve chamber in the machine chamber or in a blower device chamber.

[PRIOR ART DOCUMENT]

[PATENT DOCUMENT]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Translation of PCT international Application Publication No.2018/047265

[SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION]

[PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION]

[0004] However, when the pressure relief valve and the air vent valve are placed outside of the casing of the outdoor machine, or in the valve chamber which is different from the machine chamber, or in the valve chamber in the machine chamber, a structure thereof becomes complicated and it requires time and effort to perform maintenance to separate the machine chamber and the valve chamber from each other, and since refrigerant is diffused naturally at the time of both energization and non-energization, the refrigerant cannot be diffused sufficiently.

[0005] Further, when the pressure relief valve and the air vent valve are placed in a blower device chamber, it is necessary to seal the same by passing a conduit pipe through a divider between the blower device chamber and the machine chamber, a structure thereof becomes complicated, and when refrigerant leaks at the time of other than energization, there is a possibility that refrigerant remains in the outdoor machine.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a heat pump cycle device capable of discharging leaked flammable refrigerant not into an outdoor machine including a machine chamber and a valve chamber but into a space outside the outdoor machine, and capable of swiftly diffusing the refrigerant especially at the time of energization.

[MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM]

[0007] A heat pump cycle device of the present invention described in claim 1 includes: a refrigerant circuit 10 formed by annularly connecting a compressor 11, a use-side heat exchanger 12, expansion means 13 and a heat source-side heat exchanger 14 to one another, and refrigerant being circulated through the refrigerant circuit 10; a heat medium circuit 20 for circulating heat medium cooled or heated by the use-side heat exchanger 12 through a use-side terminal 1 by means of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11; a blower device 16 for flowing air through the heat source-side heat exchanger 14; an electric component box 90 for accommodating a control board therein; and a gas-liquid separator 30 for separating gas in the heat medium circuit 20 from the heat medium; in which flammable refrigerant is used as the refrigerant, wherein the gas-liquid separator 30 is placed in the heat medium circuit 20 which is located downstream of the use-side heat exchanger 12, the heat pump cycle device further comprises a flow path pipe 80 for discharging the gas separated by the gas-liquid separator 30, and a flow path pipe exit 81 of the flow path pipe 80 is placed in an air suction surface 14i of the heat source-side heat exchanger 14.

[0008] According to the invention described in claim 2, in the heat pump cycle device described in claim 1, the flow path pipe exit 81 is located lower than a flow path pipe entrance 82 of the flow path pipe 80.

[0009] According to the invention described in claim 3, in the heat pump cycle device described in claim 1, the flow path pipe exit 81 is located lower than the electric component box 90.

[0010] According to the invention described in claim 4, in the heat pump cycle device described in claim 1, a gas-venting valve 50 through which the gas separated by the gas-liquid separator 30 is discharged is provided in an upper portion of the gas-liquid separator 30.

[0011] According to the invention described in claim 5, in the heat pump cycle device described in claim 1, a pressure relief valve 40 is provided in the heat medium circuit 20 which is located downstream of the use-side heat exchanger 12.

[0012] According to the invention described in claim 6, in the heat pump cycle device described in claim 1, a machine chamber 3b where the compressor 11 is placed and a heat medium chamber 3a where the use-side heat exchanger 12 is placed are divided by a first divider 71, the first divider 71 is provided with an opening 70, and the flow path pipe 80 is placed in the opening 70.

[EFFECT OF THE INVENTION]

[0013] In the present invention, a flow path pipe exit of a flow path pipe through which gas separated by a gas-liquid separator is discharged is placed in an air suction surface of a heat source-side heat exchanger. According to this, leaked refrigerant can be discharged into a space outside of an outdoor machine not into the outdoor machine. Further, refrigerant can swiftly be diffused by suction action of a blower device during energization.

[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS]

[0014] 

Fig. 1 is a refrigerating circuit diagram of a heat pump cycle device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing essential portions as viewed from a front surface of an outdoor unit of the heat pump cycle device;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view as viewed from a rear surface of the outdoor unit of the heat pump cycle device;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a heat medium circuit of the outdoor unit; and

Figs. 5 are conceptual configuration diagrams showing the outdoor unit of the heat pump cycle device.

[MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION]

[0015] In a heat pump cycle device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the gas-liquid separator is placed in the heat medium circuit which is located downstream of the use-side heat exchanger, the heat pump cycle device further comprises a flow path pipe for discharging the gas separated by the gas-liquid separator, and a flow path pipe exit of the flow path pipe is placed in an air suction surface of the heat source-side heat exchanger. According to this embodiment, the flow path pipe exit of the flow path pipe through which gas separated by the gas-liquid separator is placed in the air suction surface of the heat source-side heat exchanger. Therefore, the leaked refrigerant can be discharged into a space outside of the outdoor machine not into the outdoor machine, and the refrigerant can swiftly be diffused by suction action of the blower device during energization.

[0016]  According to a second embodiment of the invention, in the heat pump cycle device of the first embodiment, the flow path pipe exit is located lower than a flow path pipe entrance of the flow path pipe. According to this embodiment, flammable refrigerant is easily discharged from the flow path pipe exit, and it is possible to prevent rainwater or dew condensation water from collecting in the flow path pipe.

[0017] According to a third embodiment of the invention, in the heat pump cycle device of the first embodiment, the flow path pipe exit is located lower than the electric component box. According to this embodiment, heat medium or water discharged from the flow path pipe does not splash on an electric component box in which a control board as an ignition source is accommodated.

[0018] According to a fourth embodiment of the invention, in the heat pump cycle device of the first embodiment, a gas-venting valve 50 through which the gas separated by the gas-liquid separator is discharged is provided in an upper portion of the gas-liquid separator. According to this embodiment, separated gas can be collected efficiently, and the gas can be discharged without reversely flowing.

[0019] According to a fifth embodiment of the invention, in the heat pump cycle device of the first embodiment, a pressure relief valve is provided in the heat medium circuit which is located downstream of the use-side heat exchanger. According to this embodiment, when pressure of the heat medium rises, the heat medium can be discharged, and when ability of the gas-liquid separator is insufficient, gas in the heat medium circuit can be discharged from the pressure relief valve together with heat medium.

[0020] According to a sixth embodiment of the invention, in the heat pump cycle device of the first embodiment, a machine chamber where the compressor is placed and a heat medium chamber where the use-side heat exchanger is placed are divided by a first divider, the first divider is provided with an opening, and the flow path pipe is placed in the opening. According to this embodiment, by securing air permeability by the opening in which the flow path pipe is placed, the heat medium chamber is not filled with leaked refrigerant.

[EMBODIMENT]

[0021] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a refrigerating circuit diagram of a heat pump cycle device of the embodiment.

[0023] The heat pump cycle device of the embodiment includes a refrigerant circuit 10 and a heat medium circuit 20.

[0024] The refrigerant circuit 10 is formed by annularly connecting a compressor 11, a use-side heat exchanger 12, expansion means 13 and a heat source-side heat exchanger 14 to one another through a refrigerant pipe, and refrigerant circulates through the refrigerant circuit 10.

[0025] The heat medium circuit 20 circulates heat medium heated by the use-side heat exchanger 12 through a use-side terminal 1 by refrigerant which is discharged from the compressor 11.

[0026] The heat medium circuit 20 includes a gas-liquid separator 30 which separates gas in the heat medium circuit 20 from the heat medium, and a transportation pump 21 for circulating the heat medium.

[0027] The heat medium circuit 20 further includes a pressure relief valve 40. In this embodiment, the pressure relief valve 40 is connected to the gas-liquid separator 30. A gas-venting valve 50 which discharges gas separated by the gas-liquid separator 30 is connected to the gas-liquid separator 30.

[0028]  The transportation pump 21 is placed in an indoor unit 2.

[0029] It is preferable that the refrigerant circuit 10 includes a four-way valve 15 for switching flow of refrigerant.

[0030] A blower device 16 is provided at a position opposed to the heat source-side heat exchanger 14. The blower device 16 flows air through the heat source-side heat exchanger 14.

[0031] As the refrigerant, propane which is flammable refrigerant is used. Instead of the flammable refrigerant, it is possible to use any of R1234yf, R1234ze and R32 which are mildly flammable refrigerants.

[0032] Water or antifreeze liquid is used as the heat medium.

[0033] The gas-liquid separator 30 and the pressure relief valve 40 are placed in the heat medium circuit 20 located downstream of the use-side heat exchanger 12.

[0034] An outdoor unit 3 is divided into a heat medium chamber 3a (see Fig. 2), a machine chamber 3b and a blower chamber 3c.

[0035] At least a portion of the use-side heat exchanger 12, the gas-liquid separator 30, the pressure relief valve 40 and the gas-venting valve 50 are placed in the heat medium chamber 3a. The compressor 11, the expansion means 13 and the four-way valve 15 are placed in the machine chamber 3b. The heat source-side heat exchanger 14 and the blower device 16 are placed in the blower chamber 3c.

[0036] It is possible to heat or cool the heat medium by switching of the four-way valve 15.

[0037] When the heat medium is heated, refrigerant which is compressed by the compressor 11 flows through the use-side heat exchanger 12, the expansion means 13 and the heat source-side heat exchanger 14 in this order, the refrigerant is decompressed by the expansion means 13, and the refrigerant which absorbs heat in the heat source-side heat exchanger 14 is sucked into the compressor 11. By flowing the refrigerant which is compressed by the compressor 11 to the use-side heat exchanger 12 in this manner, heat medium can be heated.

[0038] When heat medium is cooled, refrigerant which is compressed by the compressor 11 flows through the heat source-side heat exchanger 14, the expansion means 13 and the use-side heat exchanger 12 in this order, the refrigerant is decompressed by the expansion means 13, and the refrigerant which absorbs heat in the use-side heat exchanger 12 is sucked into the compressor 11. By flowing the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 11 into the heat source-side heat exchanger 14 in this manner, the heat medium can be cooled.

[0039] The heat medium which is cooled or heated by the use-side heat exchanger 12 is transported to the use-side terminal 1 by the transportation pump 21, and the heat medium which is heat-absorbed or heat-radiated in the use-side terminal 1 is returned to the use-side heat exchanger 12.

[0040] Especially when a plat-type heat exchanger is used as the use-side heat exchanger 12, there is a possibility that refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 10 is mixed into the heat medium circuit 20 due to damage of the use-side heat exchanger 12.

[0041] Refrigerant which leaks into the heat medium circuit 20 in this manner can be discharged from the discharge gas-venting valve 50 by separating the refrigerant from liquid phase heat medium by the gas-liquid separator 30.

[0042] The gas-venting valve 50 is provided with a flow path pipe 80 which discharges gas separated by the gas-liquid separator 30. A flow path pipe exit 81 of the flow path pipe 80 is placed in an air suction surface 14i of the heat source-side heat exchanger 14.

[0043] Sine the gas-liquid separator 30 is placed in the heat medium circuit 20 which is located downstream of the use-side heat exchanger 12 in the outdoor unit 3, refrigerant which leaks into the heat medium circuit 20 is prevented from flowing into the use-side terminal 1.

[0044] The gas-liquid separator 30 separates the leaked refrigerant from heat medium. Further, the gas-liquid separator 30 can also separate air existing in the heat medium circuit 20. Especially when the heat pump cycle device is installed, the gas-liquid separator 30 is utilized for air-venting from the heat medium circuit 20 at the time of charging heat medium into the heat medium circuit 20.

[0045] Although the transportation pump 21 is placed in the indoor unit 2 in this embodiment, the transportation pump 21 may be placed in the outdoor unit 3. When the transportation pump 21 is placed in the outdoor unit 3, it is preferable that the transportation pump 21 is placed in the heat medium chamber 3a.

[0046] Figs. 2 and 3 are perspective views showing essential portions of the outdoor unit of the heat pump cycle device, wherein Fig. 2 is the perspective view as viewed from a front surface of outdoor unit and Fig. 3 is the perspective view as viewed from a rear surface thereof.

[0047] The outdoor unit 3 includes a wall surface material 60 between a bottom surface material outer periphery 3d and a ceiling surface material outer periphery 3e. The wall surface material 60 includes a first wall surface material 61 and a second wall surface material 62 which is adjacent to the first wall surface material 61.

[0048] The heat medium chamber 3a and the machine chamber 3b are divided from each other by a first divider 71. The first divider 71 is provided with an opening 70 (see Figs. 5), and the flow path pipe 80 is placed in the opening 70. Air permeability is secured between the heat medium chamber 3a and the machine chamber 3b by the opening 70. The machine chamber 3b and the blower chamber 3c are divided from each other by a second divider 72. According to this, the outdoor unit 3 is divided into the heat medium chamber 3a, the machine chamber 3b and the blower chamber 3c. The first divider 71 prevents heat medium which leaks from the use-side heat exchanger 12 of the heat medium circuit 20
and the pressure relief valve 40 and the like from scattering to the compressor 11 and the like placed in the machine chamber 3b.

[0049] The opening 70 is formed between one side 71x of the first divider 71 and the second wall surface material 62, and the other side 71y (see Figs. 5) of the first divider 71 abuts against the first wall surface material 61.

[0050] The heat medium chamber 3a is formed from a space which is surrounded by the first divider 71, the first wall surface material 61 and the second wall surface material 62.

[0051] As described above, by forming the heat medium chamber 3a in the corner portion of the outdoor unit 3 utilizing the first wall surface material 61 and the second wall surface material 62 which are adjacent to each other, the heat medium chamber 3a in which the use-side heat exchanger 12, the gas-liquid separator 30 and the pressure relief valve 40 are placed is divided from the machine chamber 3b and the blower chamber 3c. Therefore, even if heat medium leaks, the heat medium does not exert an effect on the compressor 11, the expansion means 13 and the heat source-side heat exchanger 14.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 3, the flow path pipe exit 81 of the flow path pipe 80 is placed in the air suction surface 14i of the heat source-side heat exchanger 14.

[0053] By placing the flow path pipe exit 81 of the flow path pipe 80 in the air suction surface 14i of the heat source-side heat exchanger 14 in this manner, leaked refrigerant can be discharged from the outdoor unit 3. Further, the refrigerant can swiftly be diffused by suction action of the blower device 16 during energization.

[0054] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the heat medium circuit of the outdoor unit.

[0055] A heat medium first connection port 22x is formed in a lower portion of a side surface of the use-side heat exchanger 12, and a heat medium second connection port 22y is formed in an upper portion of the side surface of the use-side heat exchanger 12.

[0056] A refrigerant first connection port 17x is formed in a lower portion of the side surface of the use-side heat exchanger 12, and a refrigerant second connection port 17y is formed in an upper portion of the side surface of the use-side heat exchanger 12.

[0057] Heat medium is introduced into the use-side heat exchanger 12 from the heat medium first connection port 22x, and the heat medium introduced into the use-side heat exchanger 12 flows out from the heat medium second connection port 22y.

[0058] When heat medium is heated, refrigerant compressed by the compressor 11 is introduced into the use-side heat exchanger 12 from the refrigerant second connection port 17y, and the refrigerant introduced into the use-side heat exchanger 12 flows out from the refrigerant first connection port 17x.

[0059] The heat medium second connection port 22y and a gas-liquid separation inlet 32 are connected to each other through a gas-liquid separation inflow pipe 35.

[0060] The gas-liquid separation inlet 32 is located at a position higher than the heat medium second connection port 22y.

[0061] By placing the gas-liquid separator 30 above the use-side heat exchanger 12 in this manner, it becomes easy by the gas-liquid separator 30 to collect gas which is mixed in heat medium, and gas-liquid separating efficiency can be enhanced.

[0062] An exit joint 36 is connected to a gas-liquid separation outflow of the gas-liquid separator 30, and a heat medium first connection pipe 23 is connected to the heat medium first connection port 22x. An entrance joint 37 is connected to the heat medium first connection pipe 23.

[0063] The exit joint 36 and the entrance joint 37 outwardly project from the second wall surface material 62 which is located in the heat medium chamber 3a. The exit joint 36 and the entrance joint 37 are connected to the use-side terminal 1 which is provided inside of the chamber through a heatinsulated tube.

[0064] The gas-venting valve 50 is provided on an upper portion of the gas-liquid separator 30. A flow path pipe entrance 82 for connecting the flow path pipe 80 is provided on an upper end of the gas-venting valve 50. The gas-venting valve 50 is provided therein with a float. When gas does not exist in the gas-venting valve 50, the float is located on a lower end of the gas-venting valve 50. If gas separated by the gas-liquid separator 30 exists, the float moves to an upper portion in the gas-venting valve 50 so that the gas is discharged.

[0065] According to this, the separated gas can be discharged without flowing reversely.

[0066] The pressure relief valve 40 is connected to a pipe which branches off from a side of the gas-liquid separator 30, and the pressure relief valve 40 is placed above the use-side heat exchanger 12.

[0067] According to this, it becomes easy to collect gas which is not separated by the gas-liquid separator 30 and which remains in heat medium.

[0068]  The first divider 71 is provided with the opening 70. The flow path pipe 80 is placed in the opening 70, and air permeability is secured by the opening 70. By securing the air permeability by the opening 70 in which the flow path pipe 80 is placed, the heat medium chamber 3a is not filled with leaked refrigerant. The opening 70 may be provided in a portion of the first divider 71 as shown in Fig. 5(a), or the opening 70 may be a space between an end of the first divider 71 and the second wall surface material 62 as shown in Fig. 5(c). Including these configurations, it is said that the first divider 71 is provided with the opening 70. It is also possible to provide a space 70' in an upper portion of the first divider 71 to secure the air permeability.

[0069] Figs. 5 are conceptual configuration diagrams showing the outdoor unit of the heat pump cycle device, wherein Fig. 5(a) is a plan view, Fig. 5(b) is a rear view and Fig. 5(c) is a plan view which is different from Fig. 5(a).

[0070] As shown in Figs. 5, an electric component box 90 is placed in upper portions of the machine chamber 3b and the blower chamber 3c. A control board and the like are accommodated in the electric component box 90.

[0071] The flow path pipe exit 81 of the flow path pipe 80 is located lower than the flow path pipe entrance 82 of the flow path pipe 80, and the flow path pipe 80 is inclined. The flow path pipe 80 is inclined so that the flow path pipe exit 81 is located lower than the flow path pipe entrance 82, and the flow path pipe 80 is not directed upward in this manner. According to this, flammable refrigerant is easily discharged from the flow path pipe exit 81, and it is possible to prevent rainwater and dew condensation water from collecting in the flow path pipe 80.

[0072] The flow path pipe exit 81 is located lower than the electric component box 90. Therefore, heat medium or water discharged from the flow path pipe 80 does not splash on the electric component box 90 in which the control board becoming an ignition source is accommodated.

[Configuration supported by the above-described embodiment]

[0073] The above-described embodiment supports the following configurations.

(Configuration 1)

[0074] A heat pump cycle device including: : a refrigerant circuit formed by annularly connecting a compressor, a use-side heat exchanger, expansion means and a heat source-side heat exchanger to one another, and refrigerant being circulated through the refrigerant circuit; a heat medium circuit for circulating heat medium cooled or heated by the use-side heat exchanger through a use-side terminal 1 by means of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor; a blower device for flowing air through the heat source-side heat exchanger; an electric component box for accommodating a control board therein; and a gas-liquid separator for separating gas in the heat medium circuit from the heat medium; in which flammable refrigerant is used as the refrigerant, wherein the gas-liquid separator is placed in the heat medium circuit which is located downstream of the use-side heat exchanger, the heat pump cycle device further comprises a flow path pipe for discharging the gas separated by the gas-liquid separator, and a flow path pipe exit of the flow path pipe is placed in an air suction surface of the heat source-side heat exchanger.

[0075] According to this configuration, the flow path pipe exit of the flow path pipe through which gas separated by the gas-liquid separator is discharged is placed in the air suction surface of the heat source-side heat exchanger. Therefore, leaked refrigerant can be discharged to outside of the outdoor machine not into the outdoor machine, and the refrigerant can swiftly be diffused by suction action of the blower device during energization.

(Configuration 2)

[0076] The heat pump cycle device according to the configuration 1, wherein the flow path pipe exit is located lower than a flow path pipe entrance of the flow path pipe.

[0077] According to this configuration, flammable refrigerant is easily discharged from the flow path pipe exit, and it is possible to prevent rainwater or dew condensation water from collecting in the flow path pipe.

(Configuration 3)

[0078] The heat pump cycle device according to the configuration 1 or 2, wherein the flow path pipe exit is located lower than the electric component box.

[0079] According to this configuration, heat medium or water discharged from the flow path pipe does not splash on the electric component box in which a control board becoming an ignition source is accommodated.

(Configuration 4)

[0080] The heat pump cycle device according to any one of the configurations 1 to 3, wherein a gas-venting valve 50 through which the gas separated by the gas-liquid separator is discharged is provided in an upper portion of the gas-liquid separator.

[0081] According to this configuration, separated gas can efficiently be recovered, and the refrigerant can be discharged without flowing reversely.

(Configuration 5)

[0082] The heat pump cycle device according to any one of the configurations 1 to 4, wherein a pressure relief valve is provided in the heat medium circuit which is located downstream of the use-side heat exchanger.

[0083] According to this configuration, when pressure of heat medium rises, the heat medium can be discharged, and when ability of a gas-liquid separator is insufficient, gas in the heat medium circuit can be discharged from the pressure relief valve together with heat medium.

(Configuration 6)

[0084] The heat pump cycle device according to any one of the configurations 1 to 5, wherein a machine chamber where the compressor is placed and a heat medium chamber where the use-side heat exchanger is placed are divided by a first divider, the first divider is provided with an opening, and the flow path pipe is placed in the opening.

[0085] According to this configuration, air permeability is secured by the opening in which the flow path pipe is placed. Therefore, the heat medium chamber is not filled with leaked refrigerant.

[INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY]

[0086] The present invention is suitable for a heat pump cycle device using flammable refrigerant.

[EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS]

[0087] 

1

use-side terminal

2

indoor unit

3

outdoor unit

3a

heat medium chamber

3b

machine chamber

3c

blower chamber

3d

bottom surface material outer periphery

3e

ceiling surface material outer periphery

10

refrigerant circuit

11

compressor

12

use-side heat exchanger

13

expansion means

14

heat source-side heat exchanger

14i

air suction surface

15

four-way valve

16

blower device

17x

refrigerant first connection port

17y

refrigerant second connection port

20

heat medium circuit

21

transportation pump

22x

heat medium first connection port

22y

heat medium second connection port

23

heat medium first connection pipe

30

gas-liquid separator

32

gas-liquid separation inlet

35

gas-liquid separation inflow pipe

36

exit joint

37

entrance joint

40

pressure relief valve

50

gas-venting valve

60

wall surface material

61

first wall surface material

62

second wall surface material

70

opening

70'

space

71

first divider

71x

one side

71y

other side

72

second divider

80

flow path pipe

81

flow path pipe exit

82

flow path pipe entrance

90

electric component box

Claims

1. A heat pump cycle device comprising:

a refrigerant circuit (10) formed by annularly connecting a compressor (11), a use-side heat exchanger (12), expansion means (13) and a heat source-side heat exchanger (14) to one another, and refrigerant being circulated through the refrigerant circuit (10);

a heat medium circuit (20) for circulating heat medium cooled or heated by the use-side heat exchanger (12) through a use-side terminal (1) by means of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (11);

a blower device (16) for flowing air through the heat source-side heat exchanger (14);

an electric component box (90) for accommodating a control board therein; and

a gas-liquid separator (30) for separating gas in the heat medium circuit (20) from the heat medium; in which flammable refrigerant is used as the refrigerant, wherein

the gas-liquid separator (30) is placed in the heat medium circuit (20) which is located downstream of the use-side heat exchanger (12),

the heat pump cycle device further comprises a flow path pipe (80) for discharging the gas separated by the gas-liquid separator (30), and

a flow path pipe exit (81) of the flow path pipe (80) is placed in an air suction surface (14i) of the heat source-side heat exchanger (14).

2. The heat pump cycle device according to claim 1, wherein the flow path pipe exit (81) is located lower than a flow path pipe entrance (82) of the flow path pipe (80).

3. The heat pump cycle device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flow path pipe exit (81) is located lower than the electric component box (90).

4. The heat pump cycle device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a gas-venting valve (50) through which the gas separated by the gas-liquid separator (30) is discharged is provided in an upper portion of the gas-liquid separator (30).

5. The heat pump cycle device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a pressure relief valve (40) is provided in the heat medium circuit (20) which is located downstream of the use-side heat exchanger (12).

6. The heat pump cycle device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a machine chamber (3b) where the compressor (11) is placed and a heat medium chamber (3a) where the use-side heat exchanger (12) is placed are divided by a first divider (71),

the first divider (71) is provided with an opening (70), and

the flow path pipe (80) is placed in the opening (70).

Drawing