JP2019184090A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to reduce the rate of refrigerant discharge from an indoor unit to a room when the refrigerant leaks from a junction of a heat transfer tube of an indoor heat exchanger in which a refrigerant heavier than air flows. Provided is an air conditioner capable of suppressing formation of a region having a high refrigerant concentration. An air conditioner according to the present invention includes an indoor unit housing (40) installed in a room, and a power transmission unit that is housed inside the indoor unit housing (40) and through which a refrigerant that is heavier than air at atmospheric pressure flows. And an indoor heat exchanger 3 having a heat tube 13. The heat transfer tube 13 includes a plurality of straight portions 13b and a U-shaped portion 13a connecting the straight portions 13b to each other. Then, a discharge port 33 is formed, which hermetically covers the vertically lower portion of the joint X between the straight portion 13b and the U-shaped portion 13a below the uppermost joint Y, and is disposed vertically above the uppermost joint Y. The storage unit 30 is further provided. The diameter of the discharge port 33 is larger than the pipe diameter of the joint X. [Selection diagram] FIG.

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

  An indoor heat exchanger disposed in the indoor unit and having a welded portion in the refrigerant flow path, a cover that covers the welded portion of the indoor heat exchanger, receives the refrigerant leaking from the welded portion, and discharges the refrigerant in the cover For this reason, there is known an air conditioner including a discharge flow path provided at a lower portion of a cover (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-292066 A

  However, in an air conditioner as disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a refrigerant heavier than air is used, a refrigerant heavier than the air ejected from the welded portion (joint portion) into the cover is discharged from the lower portion of the cover. There is a possibility of erupting vigorously from the road. For this reason, the leaked refrigerant is discharged from the indoor unit of the air conditioner into the room at a high speed, and there is a possibility that a region having a high refrigerant concentration is formed in the room in a short time.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems. The purpose is to reduce the refrigerant discharge rate from the indoor unit to the room when the refrigerant leaks from the joint of the heat exchanger tube of the heat exchanger in which refrigerant heavier than air circulates at atmospheric pressure. The object is to obtain an air conditioner that can suppress the formation of a region having a high refrigerant concentration in the room.

  An air conditioner according to the present invention includes an indoor unit casing installed indoors and a heat exchange tube housed in the indoor unit casing and having a heat transfer tube in which a refrigerant heavier than air flows under atmospheric pressure. And the heat transfer tube includes a plurality of straight portions and a U-shaped portion that connects the straight portions to each other, and a joining portion of the straight portion and the U-shaped portion, The exhaust port further includes a storage portion that airtightly covers a vertically lower side than the uppermost joint portion that is most vertically above the joint portion, and is formed with a discharge port that is disposed vertically above the uppermost joint portion. Is larger than the pipe diameter of the joint.

  According to the air conditioner of the present invention, when the refrigerant leaks from the joint portion of the heat exchanger tube of the heat exchanger in which the refrigerant heavier than air circulates at atmospheric pressure, the refrigerant discharge rate from the indoor unit to the room This is advantageous in that it is possible to suppress the formation of a region having a high refrigerant concentration in the room within a short time.

It is a figure which shows the structure outline of the refrigerant circuit with which the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is provided. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the whole structure of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the heat exchanger tube with which the indoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is provided. It is a figure which shows typically the internal structure of the indoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows typically the structure of the storage part with which the indoor unit which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is provided. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the indoor space in the experiment regarding Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the result obtained from the experiment regarding Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the internal structure of the indoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the internal structure of the indoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the internal structure of the indoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows typically the structure of the storage part with which the indoor unit of the air conditioner concerning Embodiment 5 of this invention is provided.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are simplified or omitted as appropriate. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 to 7 relate to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a refrigerant circuit provided in an air conditioner. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the overall configuration of the air conditioner. FIG. 3 is a view showing a configuration of a heat transfer tube provided in the indoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the indoor unit of the air conditioner. FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a storage unit included in the indoor unit. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the indoor space in the experiment. And FIG. 7 is a figure which shows an example of the result obtained from experiment.

  The air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes an indoor unit 1 and an outdoor unit 2 as shown in FIG. The indoor unit 1 is installed inside a room that is subject to air conditioning. The outdoor unit 2 is installed outside the room. The indoor unit 1 includes an indoor heat exchanger 3 and an indoor fan 5. The outdoor unit 2 includes an outdoor heat exchanger 4 and an outdoor fan 6. The indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 2 are connected by a refrigerant pipe 10. The refrigerant pipe 10 is circulated between the indoor heat exchanger 3 and the outdoor heat exchanger 4. A refrigerant is sealed in the refrigerant pipe 10.

  From the viewpoint of protecting the global environment, it is desirable to use a refrigerant with a small global warming potential (GWP) as the refrigerant sealed in the refrigerant pipe 10. Moreover, the refrigerant | coolant enclosed in the refrigerant | coolant piping 10 is combustible. This refrigerant has a higher average molecular weight than air. That is, the refrigerant has a higher density than air and is heavier than air at atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the refrigerant has the property of sinking downward in the direction of gravity in the air.

  Specific examples of such refrigerants include tetrafluoropropene (CF3CF = CH2: HFO-1234yf), difluoromethane (CH2F2: R32), propane (R290), propylene (R1270), ethane (R170), and butane (R600). ), Isobutane (R600a), 1.1.1.2-tetrafluoroethane (C2H2F4: R134a), pentafluoroethane (C2HF5: R125), 1.3.3.3-tetrafluoro-1-propene (CF3- A (mixed) refrigerant composed of one or more refrigerants selected from CH = CHF: HFO-1234ze), carbon dioxide (CO2: R744), and the like can be used.

  A compressor 7 is provided via a four-way valve 9 in the refrigerant pipe 10 on one side of the refrigerant circulation path between the indoor heat exchanger 3 and the outdoor heat exchanger 4. The compressor 7 is a device that compresses the supplied refrigerant to increase the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant. As the compressor 7, for example, a rotary compressor or a scroll compressor can be used. An electromagnetic expansion valve 8 is provided in the refrigerant pipe 10 on the other side of the circulation path. The electromagnetic expansion valve 8 is, for example, a linear electronic expansion valve (LEV: Linear Electric expansion Valve). The electromagnetic expansion valve 8 expands the refrigerant that has flowed in and reduces the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant. The four-way valve 9, the compressor 7 and the electromagnetic expansion valve 8 are provided in the outdoor unit 2.

  The indoor refrigerant pipe 10a which is the refrigerant pipe 10 on the indoor unit 1 side and the outdoor refrigerant pipe 10b which is the refrigerant pipe 10 on the outdoor unit 2 side are connected via a joint made of metal or the like. Specifically, an indoor side pipe joint portion 11 is provided in the refrigerant pipe 10 of the indoor unit 1. The refrigerant pipe 10 of the outdoor unit 2 is provided with an outdoor pipe joint 11. A refrigerant pipe 10 for connection is connected between the pipe joint part 11 on the indoor side and the pipe joint part 11 on the outdoor side.

  A refrigerant circulation path is formed by the refrigerant pipe 10 configured as described above. The refrigerant circulation path formed by the refrigerant pipe 10 and the indoor heat exchanger 3, the outdoor heat exchanger 4, the four-way valve 9, the compressor 7 and the electromagnetic expansion connected to the circulation path by the refrigerant pipe 10 are provided. The valve 8 constitutes a refrigeration cycle (refrigerant circuit).

  The refrigeration cycle configured in this way performs heat exchange between the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 2 by performing heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air in each of the indoor heat exchanger 3 and the outdoor heat exchanger 4. It works as a heat pump that moves. At this time, by switching the four-way valve 9, it is possible to reverse the refrigerant circulation direction in the refrigeration cycle and switch between the cooling operation and the heating operation.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the indoor unit 1 is installed on the indoor side of the wall 20 of the building. Moreover, the outdoor unit 2 is installed in the outdoor side of the wall part 20 of a building. A through hole is formed in the wall portion 20. The refrigerant pipe 10 is passed through the through hole and connects the indoor unit 1 and the outdoor unit 2 installed with the wall portion 20 interposed therebetween. Further, in order to suppress heat exchange between the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe 10 and the outside air, the outer periphery of the refrigerant pipe 10 is covered with a heat insulating material.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the indoor unit 1 includes an indoor unit housing 40. The indoor unit housing 40 is installed indoors. The indoor unit housing 40 is formed with a suction port (not shown) and an air outlet 12. The blower outlet 12 is arrange | positioned below the center part of the vertical direction in the indoor unit housing | casing 40. As shown in FIG. From the blower outlet 12, the air which performed air conditioning is ventilated indoors.

  An indoor heat exchanger 3 and an indoor fan 5 are housed inside the indoor unit housing 40. The indoor heat exchanger 3 includes a heat transfer tube 13 and fins 14. The heat transfer pipe 13 is connected to the indoor refrigerant pipe 10a by, for example, welding. A refrigerant flows through the indoor refrigerant pipe 10 a inside the heat transfer tube 13.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the heat transfer tube 13 includes a straight portion 13b and a U-shaped portion 13a. The straight portion 13b has a linear shape. A plurality of straight portions 13b are provided. The plurality of straight portions 13b are arranged in parallel to each other and in the vertical direction. Each of the straight portions 13b is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is horizontal.

  The U-shaped part 13a is bent in a U-shape. The U-shaped part 13a connects the ends of the adjacent straight parts 13b. The connecting portion between the straight portion 13b and the U-shaped portion 13a is joined by brazing, for example. That is, the joint portion X between the straight portion 13b and the U-shaped portion 13a is a brazed portion. As described above, since each straight portion 13b is arranged in the vertical direction, the joint portion X is also arranged in the vertical direction on one end side of the straight portion 13b. Of these joints X, the one located at the top in the vertical direction is referred to herein as the top joint Y.

  A plurality of fins 14 are provided. Each fin 14 is a flat metal plate. The plurality of fins 14 are arranged side by side so as to be parallel to each other at intervals. Each fin 14 is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is vertical. The straight portion 13 b of the heat transfer tube 13 is provided through the plurality of fins 14.

  The indoor fan 5 is a line flow fan, for example. However, the indoor fan 5 is not limited to a line flow fan. Depending on the form of the indoor unit 1, for example, a propeller fan, a sirocco fan, or the like may be used as the indoor fan 5.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the indoor unit 1 according to this embodiment includes a storage unit 30. The configuration of the storage unit 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 in addition to FIG. The storage unit 30 includes a storage chamber 31 and a discharge pipe 32. The storage chamber 31 is accommodated in the indoor unit housing 40. The storage chamber 31 is a hollow box-shaped member. The external appearance of the storage chamber 31 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example. All the joint portions X including the uppermost joint portion Y are accommodated in the storage chamber 31. The storage chamber 31 is configured to be airtight except for a portion connected to a discharge pipe 32 described below.

  In the configuration example of this embodiment, the straight portion 13 b of the heat transfer tube 13 is disposed through the side surface portion of the storage chamber 31. At this time, the penetrating portion may be sealed with a sealing material such as rubber so that there is no gap between the side surface portion of the storage chamber 31 and the straight portion 13b.

  The discharge pipe 32 is a hollow cylindrical member. One end of the discharge pipe 32 is connected to the upper surface portion of the storage chamber 31. The inside of the storage chamber 31 and the inside of the discharge pipe 32 communicate with each other through this connection portion. A discharge port 33 is formed at the other end of the discharge pipe 32. The discharge pipe 32 is arranged extending upward from the upper surface portion of the storage chamber 31. The other end side of the discharge pipe 32 including the discharge port 33 is disposed so as to protrude upward from the indoor unit housing upper surface 41.

  In addition, you may provide the lid | cover for preventing the entrance of foreign materials, such as dust and garbage, in the discharge port 33. FIG. Further, a mesh filter may be provided at the discharge port 33. Further, in the configuration example shown here, the direction of the discharge port 33 is vertically upward, but the direction of the discharge port 33 is not limited to this. In addition, for example, the direction of the discharge port 33 may be vertically downward, or may be directed horizontally.

  The storage unit 30 configured as described above covers the joints X in an airtight manner with the storage chamber 31 on the lower side vertically than the uppermost joint Y. Further, the discharge port 33 formed in the storage unit 30 is arranged vertically above the uppermost joint Y.

  In the air conditioner configured as described above, a case where a refrigerant leaks from a certain joint X is considered. As described above, the refrigerant used here has a higher average molecular weight than air, that is, a higher density than air under atmospheric pressure. Therefore, this refrigerant has a property of sinking vertically downward in air under atmospheric pressure. Therefore, in such a case, the leaked refrigerant flows vertically downward from the leaked portion.

  Here, the vertically lower side from the uppermost joint Y is airtightly covered by the storage chamber 31. Therefore, whatever refrigerant leakage occurs at any joint X, the leaked refrigerant falls into the storage chamber 31 and accumulates from the bottom in the storage chamber 31. When the interface of the leaked refrigerant stored in the storage chamber 31 reaches the upper end of the storage chamber 31, the leaked refrigerant enters the discharge pipe 32 and is discharged from the discharge port 33 to the indoor space. Here, the diameter of the discharge port 33 is configured to be larger than the tube diameter of the joint portion X. Therefore, the outflow speed of the refrigerant discharged from the discharge port 33, that is, the amount of refrigerant per unit time passing through the unit cross-sectional area is smaller than the outflow speed of the refrigerant leaking from the joint X.

  As described above, according to the air conditioner according to this embodiment, when the refrigerant leaks from the junction X of the heat transfer tube 13 of the indoor heat exchanger 3 in which the refrigerant heavier than air flows under atmospheric pressure. The refrigerant discharge speed from the indoor unit 1 to the room can be reduced. For this reason, it can suppress that the area | region where a refrigerant | coolant density | concentration is high is formed in a room within a short time.

  Moreover, in the prior art which does not include the storage part 30 as described above, the refrigerant leaked from the joint part X is discharged into the indoor space from the air outlet 12 arranged on the lower side of the indoor unit housing 40. On the other hand, according to the air conditioner according to this embodiment, the refrigerant leaked from the joint X is vertically above the outlet 12 and is further above the indoor unit housing upper surface 41. Is discharged into the indoor space. Thus, the storage chamber 31 that accommodates the joint X does not communicate with the air outlet 12 and communicates with the outlet 33 that is vertically above the air outlet 12. Therefore, the leaked refrigerant can be discharged into the indoor space from a position higher than the outlet 12.

Here, the higher the discharge position of the refrigerant into the indoor space, the lower the refrigerant concentration in the vicinity of the indoor floor. This will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 shows an example of an experimental apparatus for confirming the relationship between the height of the refrigerant discharge position into the indoor space and the indoor refrigerant concentration. In this experiment, the indoor unit 1 was installed on one wall surface in the room, and the refrigerant leaked M [kg] from the air outlet 12 into the room. The indoor space is a sealed space having a volume V [m ^ 3]. As the refrigerant, R290 (propane) having a gas specific gravity of 1.6 was used. A plurality of gas sensors 15 were arranged in the vertical direction at the center of the floor surface, and the concentration of the leaked refrigerant 16 at each height was measured. The experiment was performed under three conditions in which the installation height of the indoor unit 1 from the floor surface was h ₀ , h ₁ , h ₂ [m] (h ₀ <h ₁ <h ₂ ). After leaking M [kg] of refrigerant under each condition, open the sealed space and ventilate thoroughly before starting the experiment under the following conditions, and start the experiment after setting the refrigerant concentration to the same value as before the experiment. did.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing an example of the result of the experiment performed as described above. The horizontal axis of the graph represents the refrigerant (R290) concentration [vol%]. The vertical axis of the graph is the floor height [m]. The solid line in the graph represents the refrigerant concentration at the installation height h ₀ [m] of the indoor unit 1, the broken line is h ₁ [m], and the alternate long and short dash line is h ₂ [m]. It can be seen that the refrigerant concentration suddenly increases in a region closer to the floor than a certain height when the installation height of the indoor unit 1 is h ₀ , h ₁ and h ₂ [m]. This is because the leaked refrigerant 16 heavier than air settles and accumulates near the floor surface. Further, when the concentration of the leaked refrigerant 16 in a region close to the floor surface is compared, the following can be understood. That is, especially in the area close to the floor, the highest concentration of leaked refrigerant 16 when installation height of the indoor unit 1 of the lowest h _0, leakage when installation height of the indoor unit 1 is the highest h ₂ The concentration of the refrigerant 16 is the lowest. When the installation height of the indoor unit 1 is h ₁ , the concentration of the leakage refrigerant 16 is intermediate. This is because the higher the discharge position of the leaked refrigerant 16 into the room, the more turbulent flow occurs until the leaked refrigerant 16 settles on the floor surface, and the leaked refrigerant 16 is agitated so that the leaked refrigerant spreads more widely. This is because 16 is diffused and thinned.

  Thus, if the discharge position of the leaking refrigerant 16 into the room is increased, the concentration of the leaking refrigerant 16 near the floor can be reduced. Therefore, according to the air conditioner of this embodiment, when the refrigerant leaks from the joint X in the indoor unit housing 40, the leaked refrigerant can be discharged indoors from vertically above the joint X. It is possible to suppress an increase in the refrigerant concentration in the vicinity of the floor surface.

  In the configuration example described here, the storage chamber 31 of the storage unit 30 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and the discharge pipe 32 has a cylindrical shape, but these shapes are not limited to those described here. In the configuration example described here, the indoor unit 1 is installed on the wall, but the installation location of the indoor unit 1 is not limited to that described here. In addition, for example, the indoor unit 1 may be suspended from the ceiling or embedded in the ceiling.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 8 relates to Embodiment 2 of the present invention and is a diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of an indoor unit of an air conditioner.

  The second embodiment described here is configured such that a part of the storage unit 30 is configured using a part of the indoor unit housing in the configuration of the first embodiment described above. Hereinafter, the air conditioner according to the second embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment. The configuration whose description is omitted is basically the same as that of the first embodiment.

  The air conditioner according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention includes a first partition wall 34 and a second partition wall 35 in an indoor unit housing 40 as shown in FIG. The first partition 34 divides the internal space of the indoor unit housing 40 into two. The first partition 34 is disposed between the fin 14 disposed on the most U-shaped portion 13a side and the joint portion X. The indoor heat exchanger 3 and the indoor fan 5 (not shown in FIG. 8) are accommodated in one space (hereinafter simply referred to as “one space”) divided by the first partition wall 34. This one space communicates with the air outlet 12. On the other hand, the other space (hereinafter simply referred to as “the other space”) divided by the first partition wall 34 does not communicate with the air outlet 12. A storage chamber 31 is formed in this other space.

  In the configuration example shown here, the electrical component box 17 is accommodated in the other space. The space in which the electrical component box 17 is accommodated is isolated from the storage chamber 31 by the second partition wall 35. By doing in this way, it can prevent that the refrigerant | coolant leaked in the storage chamber 31 and the electric circuit of the electrical component box 17 contact.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the storage chamber 31 is formed by the first partition wall 34, the second partition wall 35, and a part of the indoor unit housing 40. That is, a part of the storage unit 30 is a part of the indoor unit housing 40. One end of a discharge pipe 32 is connected to a part of the upper surface 41 of the indoor unit housing forming the storage chamber 31. A discharge port 33 is formed at the other end of the discharge pipe 32.

  Even in the air conditioner configured as described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, by configuring a part of the storage unit 30 using a part of the indoor unit housing 40, it is possible to reduce the number of members necessary for the storage unit 30.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 9 relates to Embodiment 3 of the present invention and is a diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of an indoor unit of an air conditioner.

  The third embodiment described here is such that the discharge pipe of the storage section is bent inside the indoor unit housing in the configuration of the first embodiment described above. Hereinafter, the air conditioner according to the third embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment. The configuration whose description is omitted is basically the same as that of the first embodiment.

  In the air conditioner according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, the exhaust pipe 32 is bent inside the indoor unit housing 40 as shown in FIG. Specifically, here, one end of the discharge pipe 32 is connected to the upper surface portion of the storage chamber 31. An intermediate portion of the discharge pipe 32 is bent so as to be folded up and down inside the indoor unit housing 40. The other end side of the discharge pipe 32 is exposed to the outside of the indoor unit housing 40 from the upper surface 41 of the indoor unit housing.

  Even in the air conditioner configured as described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, by bending the discharge pipe 32, the speed at which the leaked refrigerant passes through the discharge pipe 32 can be reduced. Therefore, the speed of the refrigerant discharged from the discharge port 33 into the indoor space can be further reduced.

  Further, it is possible to lengthen the time from the occurrence of refrigerant leakage until the refrigerant is discharged into the room. For this reason, after the user or worker in the room recognizes the leakage, a sufficient time can be secured for taking measures such as ventilation.

  In the configuration example described here, the discharge pipe 32 is bent so as to be folded down, but the bending direction of the discharge pipe 32 is not limited to that described here. In addition, for example, the discharge pipe 32 may be bent in the horizontal direction or bent so as to be spirally wound.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 10 relates to Embodiment 4 of the present invention and is a diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of an indoor unit of an air conditioner.

  In the fourth embodiment described here, in the configuration of the first embodiment described above, a partition wall in which a through hole is formed is provided inside the storage section. Hereinafter, the air conditioner according to the fourth embodiment will be described based on the configuration of the first embodiment as an example, with a focus on differences from the first embodiment. The configuration whose description is omitted is basically the same as that of the first embodiment.

  In the air conditioner according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 10, the partition wall 18 is provided inside the storage chamber 31 of the storage unit 30. The partition wall 18 is disposed between the portion where the discharge pipe 32 is connected to the storage chamber 31 and the joint X in the storage chamber 31. A through hole 19 is formed in the partition wall 18. The refrigerant leaking from the joint X reaches the discharge pipe 32 through the through hole 19 and is discharged from the discharge port 33 to the indoor space.

  In the configuration example of this embodiment, a plurality of partition walls 18 are provided. These partition walls 18 are arranged in parallel. The through holes 19 of each partition wall 18 are arranged so as not to overlap each other when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the wall surface of the partition wall 18.

  Even in the air conditioner configured as described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, the partition wall 18 can inhibit the refrigerant that has leaked from the joint X into the storage chamber 31 until it reaches the discharge pipe 32. Therefore, the speed of the refrigerant discharged from the discharge port 33 into the indoor space can be further reduced. In addition, compared with the configuration of the third embodiment, it is possible to increase the capacity of the refrigerant that can be stored in the storage unit 30 by using the space inside the indoor unit housing 40 more effectively.

  In the configuration example shown in FIG. 10, the through holes 19 are alternately arranged at the upper end portion and the lower end portion of each partition wall 18. By doing in this way, the moving distance until the leaked refrigerant passes through the through hole 19 of one partition wall 18 until it passes through the through hole 19 of the next partition wall 18 can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to further inhibit the flow of the leaked refrigerant.

  In the configuration example described here, the wall surface of the partition wall 18 is arranged vertically, but the arrangement of the partition wall 18 is not limited to that described here. In addition, for example, the wall surface of the partition wall 18 may be arranged horizontally or may be inclined.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
FIG. 11 relates to Embodiment 5 of the present invention and is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a storage section provided in an indoor unit of an air conditioner.

  In Embodiment 5 described here, in any of the configurations of Embodiments 1 to 4 described above, the discharge pipe can be expanded and contracted in the vertical direction, and the discharge pipe extends when the refrigerant leaks into the storage chamber. It is what you do. Hereinafter, the air conditioner according to the fifth embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment, taking as an example a case based on the configuration of the first embodiment. The configuration whose description is omitted is basically the same as that of any one of the first to fourth embodiments.

  In the air conditioner according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 11, the discharge pipe 32 includes a telescopic structure including a plurality of cylinders having slightly different diameters, for example. With this telescopic structure, the discharge pipe 32 can be expanded and contracted in the vertical direction. The discharge pipe 32 is not limited to a telescopic structure as long as it can extend and contract. In addition, for example, the discharge pipe 32 may have a bellows structure.

  In normal times, the discharge pipe 32 is degenerated. In a state where the discharge pipe 32 is degenerated, the entire discharge pipe 32 is accommodated in the indoor unit housing 40. That is, the discharge port 33 is located vertically below the upper surface 41 of the indoor unit housing.

  The discharge port 33 is provided with a lid. The cover of the discharge port 33 is normally closed. The lid of the discharge port 33 opens when a force having a preset size is applied from the inside. The force required to open the lid of the discharge port 33 is greater than the force required to extend the telescopic structure of the discharge pipe 32.

  Therefore, when the refrigerant leaks from the joint X and the pressure inside the storage chamber 31 and the discharge pipe 32 rises, first, the discharge pipe 32 extends while the cover of the discharge port 33 is closed. When the discharge pipe 32 extends, the discharge port 33 side of the discharge pipe 32 protrudes above the upper surface 41 of the indoor unit housing. That is, in this embodiment, the discharge pipe 32 extends upward when the pressure in the storage unit 30 is equal to or higher than a preset reference. When the refrigerant continues to leak after the discharge pipe 32 reaches the maximum length and the pressure inside the storage chamber 31 and the discharge pipe 32 further rises, the cover of the discharge port 33 opens, and the refrigerant flows from the discharge port 33. Discharged.

  Also in the air conditioner configured as described above, the same effects as in any of the first to fourth embodiments can be achieved. Furthermore, since the discharge pipe 32 can be accommodated inside the indoor unit housing 40 during normal times, the design of the indoor unit 1 can be improved. Further, the discharge pipe 32 that does not normally protrude protrudes from the indoor unit housing 40 when the refrigerant leaks, so that it is possible to notify the surrounding users or workers that the refrigerant has leaked.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, for example, a sensor that detects the pressure in the storage chamber 31 may be provided to detect the occurrence of refrigerant leakage. And when generation | occurrence | production of refrigerant | coolant leakage is detected using a sensor, you may make it alert | report by lighting of LED, a sound ringing, etc., for example.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Indoor unit 2 Outdoor unit 3 Indoor heat exchanger 4 Outdoor heat exchanger 5 Indoor fan 6 Outdoor fan 7 Compressor 8 Electromagnetic expansion valve 9 Four-way valve 10 Refrigerant piping 10a Indoor refrigerant piping 10b Outdoor refrigerant piping 11 Pipe joint part 12 Outlet 13 Heat transfer tube 13a U-shaped portion 13b Straight portion 14 Fin 15 Gas sensor 16 Leakage refrigerant 17 Electrical component box 18 Partition wall 19 Through hole 20 Wall portion 30 Storage portion 31 Storage chamber 32 Discharge pipe 33 Discharge port 34 First partition wall 35 Second partition 40 Indoor unit casing 41 Indoor unit casing upper surface X joint Y uppermost joint

Claims (5)

An indoor unit housing installed indoors;
A heat exchanger housed inside the indoor unit housing and having a heat transfer tube in which a refrigerant heavier than air flows under atmospheric pressure,
The heat transfer tube includes a plurality of straight portions and a U-shaped portion connecting the straight portions,
The joint part between the straight part and the U-shaped part is airtightly covered vertically below the uppermost joint part of the joint part that is most vertically above the joint part, and is disposed vertically above the top joint part. And further comprising a storage part formed with a discharge port,
An air conditioner in which the diameter of the discharge port is larger than the tube diameter of the joint.   The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a part of the storage unit is a part of the indoor unit casing.   The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a partition wall in which a through hole is formed is provided inside the storage unit. The storage section includes a discharge pipe having the discharge port formed at one end thereof.
The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the discharge pipe is bent inside the indoor unit casing. The storage section includes a discharge pipe having the discharge port formed at one end thereof.
The discharge pipe is
It can extend and contract in the vertical direction,
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air conditioner extends upward when the pressure in the storage section is equal to or higher than a preset reference.

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