JP-2026074732-A - Air conditioner, detection device, refrigerant leak detection method, program, and storage medium

JP2026074732AJP 2026074732 AJP2026074732 AJP 2026074732AJP-2026074732-A

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an air conditioner, a detection device, a refrigerant leak detection method, a program, and a storage medium that can detect the rapid leakage of a flammable refrigerant. [Solution] The air conditioner uses a flammable refrigerant. The air conditioner includes refrigerant piping through which the refrigerant flows, a pressure sensor, and a control unit. The pressure sensor is installed in the refrigerant piping and acquires pressure information related to the pressure of the refrigerant in the refrigerant piping. The control unit acquires the pressure information from the pressure sensor and, based on the pressure information, determines whether the pressure change within a predetermined time is greater than a change threshold, and based on the determination result, detects rapid leakage of the refrigerant. [Selection Diagram] Figure 3

Inventors

山田裕也
鶸田晃

Assignees

パナソニック株式会社
株式会社ゼネラル
ボッシュホームコンフォートジャパン株式会社

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20241021

Claims (18)

An air conditioner that uses a flammable refrigerant, Refrigerant piping through which refrigerant flows, A pressure sensor is provided in the refrigerant piping and acquires pressure information related to the pressure of the refrigerant in the refrigerant piping. A control unit, The pressure information is acquired by the pressure sensor, Based on the aforementioned pressure information, it is determined whether the pressure change within a predetermined time is greater than the change threshold. Based on the judgment result, rapid leakage of the refrigerant is detected. The control unit and, including, Air conditioner.
The change threshold is set based on at least one of the following: the type of refrigerant, the internal volume of the refrigerant piping, and the amount of refrigerant charged in the air conditioner. The air conditioner according to claim 1.
The aforementioned change threshold is set according to a leakage rate of 7.5 kg/h or more. The air conditioner according to claim 1.
The predetermined time is 30 seconds or less. The air conditioner according to claim 1.
The control unit performs a first response measure in response to the detection of rapid leakage. The first response measure includes issuing a notification or alarm representing at least one of the following: detection of a rapid leak and/or a suggestion to evacuate. The air conditioner according to claim 1.
The air conditioner includes a shut-off valve provided in the refrigerant piping. The control unit performs a first response measure in response to the detection of rapid leakage. The first countermeasure includes operating the shut-off valve to block the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigerant piping. The air conditioner according to claim 1.
The air conditioner includes an indoor fan, The control unit performs a first response measure in response to the detection of rapid leakage. The first countermeasure includes operating the indoor fan, The air conditioner according to claim 1.
The aforementioned air conditioner is Indoor unit and A gas sensor for detecting the refrigerant is provided inside the indoor unit and outside the refrigerant piping, Includes, The control unit, If the pressure sensor does not detect a rapid leak, and the gas sensor determines that the refrigerant has been detected, then a minute leak of the refrigerant is detected. In response to the detection of a minute leak, the second response measure will be taken. The air conditioner according to claim 1.
The second response measure includes outputting a notification or alarm indicating at least one of the following: detection of a minute leak, a suggestion to discontinue use of the air conditioner and ventilate, and a suggestion to repair the air conditioner. The air conditioner according to claim 8.
The aforementioned air conditioner is Indoor unit and A gas sensor for detecting the refrigerant is provided inside the indoor unit and outside the refrigerant piping, Includes, The control unit, If the pressure sensor detects a rapid leak and the gas sensor determines that the refrigerant is not detected, then the outdoor leak of the refrigerant is detected. In response to the detection of an outdoor leak, the third response measure will be taken. The air conditioner according to claim 1.
The aforementioned air conditioner includes an outdoor fan, The third countermeasure includes operating the outdoor fan, The air conditioner according to claim 10.
The aforementioned air conditioner includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The pressure sensor is provided in the refrigerant piping in the portion located inside the indoor unit. The air conditioner according to claim 1.
The aforementioned air conditioner includes a refrigeration cycle, The refrigeration cycle includes the refrigerant piping, a compressor, and an indoor heat exchanger. The pressure sensor is located in the refrigerant piping, specifically in the portion located inside the indoor unit, and between the indoor heat exchanger and the compressor. The air conditioner according to claim 12.
A detection device for detecting refrigerant leaks in an air conditioner, A communication unit that acquires pressure information related to the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant piping of the air conditioner, A control unit, which determines whether the pressure change within a predetermined time is greater than a change threshold based on the pressure information, and detects rapid leakage of the refrigerant based on the determination result, including, Detection device.
A detection method for detecting refrigerant leaks in an air conditioner, The steps include: obtaining pressure information related to the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant piping of the air conditioner using a pressure sensor installed in the refrigerant piping of the air conditioner; Based on the aforementioned pressure information, the step of determining whether the pressure change within a predetermined time is greater than a change threshold, Based on the judgment result, a step of detecting the rapid leakage of the refrigerant, including, Refrigerant leak detection method.
A detection method for detecting refrigerant leaks in an air conditioner, The steps include obtaining pressure information related to the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant piping of the air conditioner, Based on the aforementioned pressure information, the step of determining whether the pressure change within a predetermined time is greater than a change threshold, Based on the judgment result, a step of detecting the rapid leakage of the refrigerant, including, Refrigerant leak detection method.
A program that causes an air conditioner to execute the refrigerant leak detection method described in claim 15, or a detection device to execute the refrigerant leak detection method described in claim 16.
A non-temporary, computer-readable storage medium on which computer programs are stored, The refrigerant leak detection method according to claim 15 or 16 is performed when the computer program is executed by the processor. A non-temporary, computer-readable storage medium.

Description

This disclosure relates to an air conditioner, a detection device, a refrigerant leak detection method, a program, and a storage medium. Conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1, a technique is known for detecting whether or not a flammable refrigerant is leaking from an air conditioner using a refrigerant detection sensor placed inside the air conditioner's casing. This refrigerant detection sensor is a gas sensor that detects the presence of a specific type of refrigerant. Patent No. 6065962 specification Block diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of an air conditioner in Embodiment 1.Schematic diagram of the refrigeration cycle in Embodiment 1Flowchart of an example of a refrigerant leak detection method in Embodiment 1Schematic diagram of refrigerant pressure changes under normal conditionsSchematic diagram of refrigerant pressure change during rapid leakage.Another flowchart of the refrigerant leak detection method in Embodiment 1Schematic diagram of the refrigeration cycle in Embodiment 1Flowchart of an example of a refrigerant leak detection method in Embodiment 2Schematic diagram of refrigerant pressure change during minute leakageFlowchart of an example of a refrigerant leak detection method in Embodiment 3Block diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the detection device in Embodiment 4.Block diagram showing another example of the schematic configuration of the detection device in Embodiment 4.Flowchart of an example of a refrigerant leak detection method in Embodiment 4 《Technical concept》 Before describing specific embodiments of the air conditioner, detection device, refrigerant leak detection method, program, and storage medium relating to this disclosure, we will first explain the technical concepts described in this disclosure using an example. In this example, the air conditioner performs its air conditioning function using a flammable refrigerant (i.e., a flammable refrigerant). In recent years, from the perspective of preventing global warming, there has been a demand for the use of refrigerants with low global warming potential (GWP). For example, propane (R290) is being considered as a refrigerant with a low GWP. Because refrigerants such as propane are flammable, there is a risk of ignition if the refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant piping. When the refrigerant leaks at a relatively high rate, a large flammable area is more likely to form in a shorter time compared to when the leak rate is relatively low. Therefore, the probability of ignition increases when a rapid leak of a flammable refrigerant occurs. The main concept of the refrigerant leak detection method of this disclosure is to detect rapid leakage of flammable refrigerant in an air conditioner. Rapid refrigerant leakage in this disclosure refers to leakage progressing at a leakage rate greater than a predetermined value. The refrigerant leak detection method of this disclosure determines whether or not rapid refrigerant leakage is occurring based on changes in the pressure of the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant piping of the air conditioner. For example, if a pressure sensor determines that the pressure of the refrigerant gas in the refrigerant piping is rapidly decreasing, rapid leakage can be detected. Because rapid leakage can be detected by the technology of this disclosure, appropriate countermeasures can be taken in response to the detection of rapid refrigerant leakage. Such a refrigerant leak detection method can be implemented by an air conditioner. Furthermore, the refrigerant leak detection method can also be implemented by a detection device other than an air conditioner, such as a server or terminal device connected to the air conditioner. Each of the embodiments described below is an example of this disclosure. The numerical values, shapes, configurations, steps, and order of steps shown in each of the following embodiments are illustrative and not limiting to this disclosure. Among the components in Embodiment 1 below, those not described in the independent claim representing the highest-level concept are described as optional components. In each of the embodiments described below, variations may be shown for specific elements, and for other elements, arbitrary configurations may be combined as appropriate, with each combined configuration producing its respective effect. In each embodiment, combining the configurations of each variation produces the effects of that respective variation. In the following detailed explanation, terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used solely for illustrative purposes and should not be understood as expressing or implying relative importance or ranking of technical features. Features designated as "first" or "second" express or imply that they include one or more such features. Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the air conditioner, detection device, refrigerant leak detection method, program, and storage m