JP2013204871A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

Even if a low-cost compressor capable of controlling the rotational speed is employed, it is possible to determine refrigerant leakage.
An air conditioner includes an outdoor unit 1 having a compressor 9, an outdoor heat exchanger 11 and an outdoor expansion valve 12, and an indoor unit 2 having an indoor heat exchanger 6, and the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are refrigerant. The refrigeration cycle is configured by connecting with piping. Also, the outside air temperature detector 13, the discharge side temperature detector 14 of the compressor, the control device 15 for controlling the compressor and the outdoor expansion valve, and the initial stage compressor start-up after the air conditioner is installed The storage device 17 for storing the outside air temperature and the discharge side temperature of the compressor when the air conditioner is operated under predetermined conditions, and the outside air temperature and the air conditioner at the time of starting the compressor thereafter Computation device 16 that determines refrigerant leakage by comparing the discharge side temperature of the compressor that has been operated under the predetermined conditions with the initial outside air temperature and the discharge side temperature of the compressor that are stored in the storage device. With.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly to an air conditioner having a refrigerant leak detection function.

  An air conditioner constituting a refrigeration cycle generally includes an indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger and the like, an outdoor unit having an outdoor heat exchanger and a compressor, and the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are connected to a refrigerant pipe at an installation site. It functions as an air conditioner by connecting with and configuring a refrigeration cycle.

  In order to function as an air conditioner, it is necessary to enclose an appropriate amount of refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle (refrigerant circuit), or pre-enclose the necessary amount of refrigerant in the outdoor unit when the outdoor unit is assembled, Or the refrigerant | coolant is enclosed with the said refrigerant circuit at the time of piping connection construction which connects the said outdoor unit and the said indoor unit with refrigerant | coolant piping.

  The outdoor unit has a built-in container that needs to be sealed, such as a condenser (heat exchanger), a compressor, and an accumulator. However, the outdoor unit has insufficient sealing, or a pipe connection that connects the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. If the sealing of the part is insufficient, the refrigerant sealed in the refrigerant circuit may leak into the atmosphere (this refrigerant leakage is also called gas leakage).

  After the installation of the air conditioner, a careful refrigerant leak inspection is performed, but the minute leak of the refrigerant called slow leak is difficult to find because it is a minute leak. In many cases, it is not detected until the amount of refrigerant enclosed is significantly reduced. When refrigerant is released into the atmosphere in this way, not only is there a concern about the impact on the environment, etc., but an appropriate amount of refrigerant as an air conditioner cannot be obtained. Insufficient heating capacity or insufficient cooling by the refrigerant inside the compressor due to a decrease in the suction pressure of the compressor may cause the compressor temperature to rise abnormally, impairing the reliability of the air conditioner.

  For this reason, what was described in patent document 1 (Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 6-185837) is proposed as an air conditioner provided with the function which detects a refrigerant | coolant leak (gas leak). .

  In the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, a compressor, a four-way valve, an indoor heat exchanger, an electric expansion valve, and an outdoor heat exchanger are sequentially connected by a refrigerant pipe to constitute a refrigeration cycle. Further, a pressure detector that detects the pressure of the gas refrigerant and a temperature detector that detects the temperature of the suction gas are provided on the suction side of the compressor. Alternatively, a pressure detector that detects the pressure of the discharge gas refrigerant and a temperature detector that detects the temperature of the discharge gas are provided on the discharge side of the compressor. For example, when the discharge pressure detected by the detector becomes lower than a reference value determined based on the discharge temperature, a control unit is provided that determines that the circulating refrigerant is out of gas.

JP-A-6-185837

  In the air conditioner of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide a pressure detector and a temperature detector on either the discharge side or the suction side of the compressor, and there is a problem that the air conditioner becomes expensive.

  In recent years, energy-saving compressors that are driven by inverters have been increasingly adopted as more efficient compressors. In such a compressor, since the rotation speed can be controlled by the inverter, refrigerant leakage (gas leakage) occurs, the refrigerant amount becomes insufficient, and even if the compressor reaches an abnormal temperature rise, It will be controlled so that a protection device operates and a compressor speed falls. For this reason, even when refrigerant leakage occurs, the refrigerant leakage determination described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it is difficult to determine refrigerant leakage.

  That is, the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1 determines refrigerant leakage based on the discharge-side pressure and the discharge-side temperature or the suction-side pressure and the suction-side temperature when a compressor having a constant rotation speed is used. No consideration is given to refrigerant leakage determination in an air conditioner that employs a compressor capable of controlling the rotational speed by driving an inverter.

  An object of the present invention is to obtain an air conditioner capable of determining refrigerant leakage (gas leakage) even when a low-cost compressor capable of controlling the rotational speed is employed.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a compressor capable of controlling the rotation speed, an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor unit having an outdoor expansion valve, and an indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger, and the outdoor unit and the indoor unit In an air conditioner that constitutes a refrigeration cycle by connecting machines with refrigerant piping, an outside air temperature detector that detects an outside air temperature, a discharge side temperature detector that detects a discharge side temperature of the compressor, and the compression And a control device for controlling the outdoor expansion valve, the outside air temperature at the time of starting the compressor in the initial stage after the installation of the air conditioner, and the discharge of the compressor when the air conditioner is operated under predetermined conditions A storage device for storing the side temperature, an outside air temperature at the time of starting the compressor, and a discharge side temperature of the compressor when the air conditioner is operated under the predetermined condition in the storage device. Memorized early air Compared to the discharge side temperature in degrees and the compressor, characterized in that it comprises a determining arithmetic unit refrigerant leakage.

  Another feature of the present invention is an air conditioner for detecting an outside air temperature in an air conditioner that constitutes a refrigeration cycle by connecting a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, a decompression means, and an indoor heat exchanger with refrigerant piping; A discharge-side temperature detector for detecting a discharge-side temperature of the compressor, an outside air temperature at the time of starting the compressor at an initial stage after the air-conditioner is installed, and when the air-conditioner is operated under predetermined conditions A storage device for storing the discharge side temperature of the compressor, the outside air temperature at the time of starting the compressor, and the discharge side temperature of the compressor when the air conditioner is operated under the predetermined condition And an arithmetic unit that determines refrigerant leakage in comparison with the initial outside air temperature and the discharge side temperature of the compressor stored in the storage device.

  Still another feature of the present invention includes an outdoor unit having a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor expansion valve, and an indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger, wherein the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are connected by a refrigerant pipe. In the air conditioner constituting the refrigeration cycle, an outside air temperature detector for detecting the outside air temperature, a discharge side temperature detector for detecting the discharge side temperature of the compressor, the compressor and the outdoor expansion valve are provided. A control device to be controlled, an opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve at the time of starting the compressor at an initial stage after the installation of the air conditioner, and a discharge side temperature of the compressor when the compressor is operated under a predetermined condition The storage device, the opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve at the time of starting the compressor, and the discharge side temperature of the compressor when the compressor is operated under the predetermined condition. Stored in the initial stage of the outdoor expansion valve And an arithmetic unit for determining refrigerant leakage in comparison with the discharge side temperature of the compressor, and the degree of opening of the outdoor expansion valve is a predetermined degree of opening determined in advance according to the outside air temperature when the compressor is started. It is that it is configured to be controlled.

  Still another feature of the present invention includes a compressor capable of controlling the number of revolutions, an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor unit having an outdoor expansion valve, and an indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor expansion valve. In an air conditioner that configures a refrigeration cycle by connecting the indoor units with refrigerant pipes, an outside air temperature detector that detects an outside air temperature, a discharge side temperature detector that detects a discharge side temperature of the compressor, The control device for controlling the compressor and the indoor expansion valve, and the outside air temperature at the time of starting the compressor in the initial cooling operation after the air conditioner is installed, and the opening of the indoor expansion valve are set to the outside air temperature. A storage device for storing the discharge side temperature of the compressor when the compressor is operated with a predetermined opening degree determined in advance and fixed at a constant rotation speed for a certain period of time, and a subsequent compressor The outside air temperature and the indoor inflation at startup The discharge side temperature of the compressor when the valve is opened at a predetermined opening determined in advance according to the outside air temperature and the compressor is operated at a constant rotational speed for a certain period of time is stored in the memory. And an arithmetic unit that determines refrigerant leakage in comparison with an outside air temperature at an initial stage stored in the apparatus and a discharge side temperature of the compressor.

  According to the air conditioner of the present invention, it is possible to obtain an air conditioner capable of determining refrigerant leakage (gas leakage) even when a low-cost compressor capable of controlling the rotational speed is employed. The effect that can be obtained.

The refrigeration cycle block diagram explaining Example 1 of the air conditioner of this invention. The flowchart explaining the refrigerant | coolant leak determination in Example 1, The figure explaining the flow at the time of the compressor starting of an initial stage. The flowchart explaining the refrigerant | coolant leak determination in Example 1, The figure explaining the flow at the time of subsequent compressor starting.

  Hereinafter, specific examples of the air conditioner of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a refrigeration cycle configuration diagram illustrating Embodiment 1 of an air conditioner of the present invention.
The air conditioner 50 includes an outdoor unit 1, an indoor unit 2, a gas connection pipe 3 and a liquid connection pipe 4 that connect the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 2. The gas connection pipe 3 is provided so as to communicate between the gas blocking valve 5 of the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor heat exchanger 6 of the indoor unit 2. The liquid connection pipe 4 is provided so as to communicate between the liquid blocking valve 7 of the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor expansion valve 8 of the indoor unit 2. Therefore, the indoor unit 2 is connected to the outdoor unit 1 via the gas connection pipe 3 and the liquid connection pipe 4 to constitute a refrigerant circuit.

  The outdoor unit 1 is filled with a refrigerant in advance, and the gas blocking valve 5 and the liquid blocking valve 7 seal the refrigerant filled in the outdoor unit 1 before the air conditioner 50 is installed. It is for stopping. The gas blocking valve 5 and the liquid blocking valve 7 are always opened after the air conditioner 50 is installed and the gas connection pipe 3 and the liquid connection pipe 4 are connected.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the outdoor unit 1 includes a compressor 9, a switching valve 10, an outdoor heat exchanger 11, an outdoor expansion valve 12, an outdoor fan (not shown), and an outdoor temperature detector 13 that detects the outdoor temperature. The discharge side temperature detector 14 for detecting the discharge side temperature of the compressor 9 and the control device (control board) 15 provided in the outdoor unit 1 are provided.

  The discharge side temperature detector 14 only needs to be able to detect the temperature of the portion through which the discharge gas discharged from the compressor 9 passes. For example, the refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant gas discharged from the compressor flows or at the compressor temperature. The temperature may be detected.

  In the present embodiment, the compressor 9 is composed of a variable capacity compressor whose operating frequency is controlled by an inverter. The switching valve 10 is a valve for switching the flow direction of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 9 and the flow direction of the refrigerant sucked into the compressor 9, and is constituted by a four-way valve in this embodiment. The switching valve 10 is switched by the control device 15 so that the refrigerant flows as shown by a solid arrow in FIG. 1 during heating operation and the refrigerant flows as shown by a dotted arrow during cooling operation. Be controlled.

  In the present embodiment, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 uses a finned tube heat exchanger composed of a large number of fins juxtaposed at narrow intervals and a meandering refrigerant pipe passing through the fins. ing. The indoor heat exchanger 11 is configured such that heat is exchanged between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe and the outside air (outdoor air) ventilated by the outdoor fan.

  The outdoor expansion valve 12 is an electronic expansion valve for depressurizing the refrigerant flowing through the main circuit of the refrigeration cycle, and is provided between the outdoor heat exchanger 11 and the liquid blocking valve 7 (or the liquid connection pipe 4). It is installed between.

  In the present embodiment, the discharge side temperature detector 14 is attached to a container (casing) that forms the outline of the compressor 9, and the refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 9 and having a raised temperature passes therethrough. The temperature of the outer surface of the container is detected.

  The outside air temperature detector 13 is for detecting the outside air temperature. In the present embodiment, the outside air temperature detector 13 is attached to the outer plate of the outdoor unit 1 so as not to be affected by heat generation inside the outdoor unit 1. The outside air temperature is detected.

  The control device 15 is based on signals detected by detectors such as the outside air temperature detector 13 and discharge-side temperature detector 14, signals set by operation switches such as a remote controller (not shown), and the like. Control of the devices constituting the air conditioner 50 is performed.

  The control device 15 includes an arithmetic device 16, a storage device 17, a display device 18, and the like. The storage device 17 detects the outside air temperature detector 13, the discharge side temperature detector 14, and the like. The signal (temperature information) detected by the vessel is stored. In addition, the arithmetic unit 16 is configured so that various devices (compressor 9, switching valve 10) constituting the air conditioner 50 are based on temperature information detected by the outside temperature detector 13, the discharge side temperature detector 14, and the like. The outdoor expansion valve 12, the indoor expansion valve 8 and the like are controlled.

  The display device 18 is controlled by the arithmetic device 16 to display information stored in the storage device 17, input information to the arithmetic device 16, control information, judgment information, and the like. For example, a plurality of 7-segment displays can be combined.

  The indoor unit 2 includes an indoor heat exchanger 6, an indoor expansion valve 8, an indoor fan (not shown), and the like. The indoor heat exchanger 6 and the indoor expansion valve 8 are connected in series between the gas connection pipe 3 and the liquid connection pipe 4.

  Like the outdoor heat exchanger 11, the indoor heat exchanger 6 is a fin-tube heat exchanger composed of a large number of fins and a meandering refrigerant pipe passing therethrough. I use it. The refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant pipe and the indoor air ventilated by the indoor fan are configured to exchange heat.

The indoor expansion valve 8 is an electronic expansion valve for depressurizing the refrigerant flowing through the main circuit of the refrigeration cycle, and is installed between the indoor heat exchanger 6 and the liquid connection pipe 4.
In this embodiment, only one indoor unit 2 is shown, but two or more indoor units 2 may be installed in parallel and connected to the outdoor unit 1 in the same manner. Is possible.

Next, operation | movement of the refrigerating cycle of the air conditioner 50 shown in FIG. 1 is demonstrated.
First, the heating operation will be described. During the heating operation, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 9 is caused to flow to the gas blocking valve 5 side by the switching valve 10 as shown by the solid line arrow, and passes through the gas connection pipe 3 and the indoor unit. 2 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 6. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the indoor heat exchanger 6 is condensed by exchanging heat with the indoor air, and becomes a liquid refrigerant. 7 passes through the outdoor expansion valve 12 and is decompressed by the outdoor expansion valve 12 to become a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid mixed refrigerant. The decompressed refrigerant flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 11 and exchanges heat with the outside air (outdoor air) to evaporate to become a gas refrigerant, and returns to the compressor 9 after passing through the switching valve 10. It is.

  In the case of the cooling operation, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 9 is caused to flow toward the outdoor heat exchanger 11 by the switching valve 10 as indicated by a dotted arrow, and the outdoor heat exchanger 11 is condensed by exchanging heat with the outside air and becomes a liquid refrigerant. This liquid refrigerant flows into the indoor unit 2 through the fully-expanded outdoor expansion valve 12, the liquid blocking valve 7, and the liquid connection pipe 4, and is decompressed by the indoor expansion valve 8 to become a low-temperature and low-pressure gas-liquid mixed refrigerant. The decompressed low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant flows into the indoor heat exchanger 6, exchanges heat with room air, and evaporates to become a gas refrigerant. Thereafter, the gas refrigerant passes through the gas connection pipe 3, the gas blocking valve 5, and the switching valve 10 and is returned to the compressor 9.

  Next, the gas leak determination during the heating operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts for explaining refrigerant leakage determination in this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the flow at the time of starting the compressor in the initial stage, and FIG. 3 is thereafter (after the start of the compressor at the initial stage). It is a figure explaining the flow at the time of the compressor starting of. The control of the gas leak determination shown in these flowcharts is performed by the control device (control board) 15 including the arithmetic device 16, the storage device 17, the display device 18, and the like.

First, referring to FIG. 2, the flow of operation control at the time of starting the compressor at the initial stage after installation of the air conditioner 50 (for example, at the start of the first normal operation) (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the initial start-up) will be described. To do.
Here, the control example of the gas leak determination when the air conditioner 50 shown in FIG. 1 is started in the heating operation mode during the first normal operation after the installation (first time activation) will be described.

  First, when the user starts the operation of the air conditioner 50 (step S1), the outside air temperature detector 13 detects the outside air temperature (step S2). Next, based on the outside air temperature detected in Step S2, in Step S3, the opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve 12 is determined, and the opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve 12 is set to the determined predetermined opening degree. Be controlled. Here, the relationship between the outdoor temperature and the opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve 12 is stored in advance as a table in the storage device 17, and the outdoor expansion valve 12 is controlled by the control device 15 (calculation device 16). Is controlled to a predetermined opening degree corresponding to.

  Next, the compressor 9 is operated at a predetermined rotational speed for a predetermined time (step S4), and then the compressor temperature, that is, the compressor discharge side temperature is detected by the discharge side temperature detector 14 (step S5). Various parameters obtained in steps S2 to S5 are stored in the storage device 17 (step S6).

  Thereafter, in step S7, the air conditioner 50 is operated normally, that is, the rotation speed control of the compressor according to the load and the opening degree control of the outdoor expansion valve 12 are performed, and the operation of the air conditioner 50 is stopped by the user. The operation of the air conditioner 50 is continued until the air conditioner 50 is performed, and the air conditioner 50 is operated so that the room temperature becomes a predetermined set temperature. When the operation stop command for the air conditioner 50 is issued by the user, the compressor 9 is stopped and the operation of the air conditioner 50 is ended.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, the flow of operation control at the time of starting the compressor after the end of the operation control in the flow shown in FIG.
When the operation of the air conditioner 50 is started by the user (step S8), the outside air temperature is detected by the outside air temperature detector 13 (step S9). Next, based on the outside air temperature detected in step S9, in step S10, the opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve 12 is determined, and the opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve 12 is set to the determined predetermined opening degree. Be controlled. Also here, the outdoor expansion valve 12 is controlled by the control device 15 (arithmetic device 16) based on the relationship between the outdoor temperature stored in advance in the storage device 17 as a table and the opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve 12. It is controlled to a predetermined opening corresponding to the outside air temperature.

  Next, the compressor 9 is operated at a predetermined rotational speed for a predetermined time (step S11), and then the compressor temperature, that is, the compressor discharge side temperature is detected by the discharge side temperature detector 14 (step S12).

  Next, in step S13, the outside air temperature (initial outside air temperature) stored in step S6 in FIG. 2 is compared with the outside air temperature detected in step S9 at the time of the current start-up (current outside air temperature). If the detected outside air temperature is the same as the initial outside air temperature stored in step S6 of FIG. 2, the process proceeds to step S14. Here, it is assumed that the current outside air temperature is the same as the initial outside air temperature, in addition to the same temperature, if the temperature difference is within a predetermined range set in advance.

  In step S14, the compressor discharge side temperature (initial discharge side temperature) detected in step S5 of FIG. 2 and the compressor discharge side temperature (current discharge side temperature) detected in step S12 at the time of the current start-up. And compare. As a result of the comparison in step S14, it is determined whether or not the temperatures are the same. The determination of whether or not they are the same here is the same as long as the temperature difference is within a predetermined allowable range in addition to the case where the current discharge side temperature is the same temperature as the initial discharge side temperature. And it is determined that there is a refrigerant leak when the temperature difference exceeds a predetermined temperature difference.

  That is, as a result of the determination in step S14, if the temperatures are the same (less than a predetermined temperature difference) (YES), it is determined that there is no refrigerant leakage, the process proceeds to step S15, and the operation of the air conditioner 50 is stopped. Until normal operation continues. Further, if the result of determination in step S14 is that the temperature is greater than or equal to a predetermined temperature difference (NO), it is determined that refrigerant leakage (gas leakage) has occurred, the process proceeds to step S16, and the display device 18 indicates that a gas leak has been detected.

  When refrigerant leakage occurs and the amount of refrigerant sealed in the refrigeration cycle decreases, the air under the same conditions, that is, the same outside air temperature, at the time of starting the compressor in the initial stage after the air conditioner 50 is installed (at the first startup) The conditioner 50 is operated under a predetermined condition (the opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve 12 is fixed at a predetermined opening degree corresponding to the outside air temperature, and the compressor 9 is fixed at a constant rotational speed for a certain period of time. When the operation is performed), the discharge side temperature of the compressor detected by the discharge side temperature detector 14 becomes higher than that in the case where no refrigerant leakage occurs. Therefore, when the outside air temperature is the same condition (YES in step S13), the first discharge side temperature detected at the first start and the current discharge side temperature detected at the current start are compared (step S14). The presence or absence of refrigerant leakage can be determined.

  In step S13, the outside air temperature (initial outside air temperature) stored in step S6 in FIG. 2 is compared with the outside air temperature detected in step S9 at the time of the current start-up (current outside air temperature). If the detected outside air temperature is different from the initial outside air temperature, the process proceeds to step S15, and the refrigerant leakage is not determined in step S14, and the normal operation is stopped until the operation of the air conditioner 50 is stopped. Driving continues.

  The outside air temperature detected in step S9 and the compressor discharge side temperature data detected in step S12 are temporarily stored in storage means such as the storage device 17 of the control device 15, When it is determined that no refrigerant leakage has occurred, the refrigerant may be deleted or stored without being erased, and the operation state of the air conditioner 50 may be continuously recorded.

  According to the present embodiment, the parameters (outside air temperature and compressor discharge side temperature) stored at the time of first start after installation of the air conditioner 50 (at the time of starting the compressor at the initial stage), and the subsequent air conditioner By comparing the parameters at the start of 50 operation (at the time of starting the compressor), it is possible to continuously determine the presence or absence of refrigerant leakage (gas leakage).

  Further, in the present embodiment, unlike the one disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is not necessary to provide a pressure detector and a temperature detector on the discharge side and the suction side of the compressor 9, respectively, so that it is manufactured at low cost. Therefore, the operation control for determining refrigerant leakage can be simplified.

  Furthermore, according to the air conditioner of the present embodiment, not only can it be manufactured at a low cost, but also when the compressor is started, the air conditioner is subjected to predetermined conditions, for example, the opening of the outdoor expansion valve is predetermined according to the outside air temperature. The compressor is operated at a fixed rotational speed for a certain period of time, and the compressor discharge side temperature is detected and refrigerant leakage is determined. Even when a compressor that can be controlled by several numbers is employed, an air conditioner capable of determining refrigerant leakage can be obtained.

  Therefore, according to the air conditioner of the present embodiment, an air conditioner that can determine refrigerant leakage (gas leakage) even when a low-cost compressor that can control the rotation speed is employed. Can be obtained.

  In the above-described embodiment, the gas leakage determination during the heating operation has been described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. However, the gas leakage determination during the cooling operation can be performed in the same manner. When the operation is started in the cooling operation mode, the outdoor expansion valve 12 is fully opened, and the other flows are the same except that the indoor expansion valve 8 is used as a pressure reducing means.

  That is, in step S3 shown in FIG. 2 and step S10 shown in FIG. 3, the opening degree of the indoor expansion valve 8 is determined in accordance with the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature detector 13 so as to be the opening degree. The opening degree of the indoor expansion valve 8 may be controlled. Other steps shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are the same as those in the heating operation. Therefore, the present invention can be similarly applied even during cooling operation or in a dedicated cooling machine.

  Moreover, even when the initial outside temperature and the initial discharge side temperature used for the refrigerant leak determination are stored in the heating operation mode at the first startup after the air conditioner 50 is installed, If the initial outside air temperature and the initial discharge side temperature used for the refrigerant leakage determination are also stored at the time of starting in the first cooling operation mode after that, even if the air conditioner 50 is subsequently started up in the heating operation mode. Even in the case of being started in the cooling operation mode, it is possible to determine the refrigerant leakage in any case.

  In the above embodiment, it is determined in step S13 in FIG. 3 whether or not the initial outside air temperature and the current outside air temperature are the same. However, when the compressor is started, the opening of the outdoor expansion valve is determined in advance according to the outside air temperature. In step S13, instead of comparing the outside air temperature, the opening of the outdoor expansion valve may be compared.

  Moreover, in the said Example, although it comprised so that the refrigerant | coolant leakage determination might be performed with the control apparatus 15 with which the outdoor unit 1 was equipped, the control apparatus which determines refrigerant | coolant leakage is limited to what is provided with the outdoor unit 1. Alternatively, a control device may be provided in the indoor unit 2 or the remote controller to determine the refrigerant leakage or display the refrigerant leakage, or the refrigerant leakage may be determined by a separately installed control device or a remote monitoring device that is remotely controlled. You may make it display a refrigerant | coolant leak.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which an inverter-driven compressor capable of controlling the rotational speed is used as the compressor has been described. However, the same applies to an air conditioner using a constant speed compressor with a fixed rotational speed. Can be implemented. Moreover, although the case where the outdoor expansion valve or the indoor expansion valve uses an electronic expansion valve capable of controlling the opening degree has been described, it can be similarly applied to an air conditioner using a pressure reducing means such as a capillary tube. It is. In the case of such a constant speed type compressor or an air conditioner using pressure reducing means that cannot control the opening degree, the expansion valve control in steps S3 and S10 is not necessary, and the compression is not performed in steps S4 and S11. Control that only operates the machine for a certain period of time is sufficient.

1 ... outdoor unit, 2 ... indoor unit,
3 ... Gas connection piping, 4 ... Liquid connection piping,
5 ... Gas stop valve, 6 ... Indoor heat exchanger,
7 ... Liquid blocking valve, 8 ... Indoor expansion valve,
9 ... Compressor, 10 ... Switching valve (four-way valve),
11 ... outdoor heat exchanger, 12 ... outdoor expansion valve,
13 ... Outside air temperature detector, 14 ... Discharge side temperature detector,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Control apparatus, 16 ... Arithmetic apparatus, 17 ... Memory | storage device, 18 ... Display apparatus,
50 ... Air conditioner.

Claims (14)

A compressor capable of controlling the rotational speed, an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor unit having an outdoor expansion valve;
An indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger;
In the air conditioner that constitutes a refrigeration cycle by connecting the outdoor unit and the indoor unit with a refrigerant pipe,
An outside temperature detector for detecting the outside temperature;
A discharge side temperature detector for detecting a discharge side temperature of the compressor;
A control device for controlling the compressor and the outdoor expansion valve;
A storage device that stores an outside air temperature at the time of starting the compressor at an initial stage after the air conditioner is installed, and a discharge side temperature of the compressor when the air conditioner is operated under a predetermined condition;
After that, when the compressor is started, the outside air temperature and the discharge side temperature of the compressor when the air conditioner is operated under the predetermined condition are stored in the storage device at the initial stage outside temperature and compression. An air conditioner comprising: an arithmetic unit that determines refrigerant leakage in comparison with a discharge side temperature of the machine.   In the air conditioner according to claim 1, the opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve provided upstream of the outdoor heat exchanger serving as an evaporator during heating operation is as follows: An air conditioner that is controlled to a predetermined opening degree that is predetermined according to the outside air temperature.   3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the operation of the air conditioner under the predetermined condition when the compressor is started is a predetermined opening in which an opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve is predetermined according to an outside air temperature. The air conditioner is characterized in that the compressor is operated at a fixed rotational speed at a constant rotational speed for a certain period of time. 4. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the storage device has the outdoor expansion at the time of starting the compressor at the initial stage, instead of or together with the outside air temperature at the time of starting the compressor at the initial stage. Remember the valve opening,
The computing device uses the opening of the outdoor expansion valve instead of the outside air temperature at the time of starting the compressor, and operates the opening of the outdoor expansion valve and the air conditioner under the predetermined condition. The refrigerant leakage is determined by comparing the discharge side temperature of the compressor with the opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve in the initial stage and the discharge side temperature of the compressor stored in the storage device. Machine.   The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control device is provided in the outdoor unit, and a display device that displays a determination result of refrigerant leakage in the arithmetic device is provided on the control device. An air conditioner characterized by being provided.   6. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the control device is provided in the outdoor unit, and the control device is provided with the storage device and the arithmetic device. Harmony machine. In an air conditioner that configures a refrigeration cycle by connecting a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, a decompression means, and an indoor heat exchanger with refrigerant piping,
An outside temperature detector for detecting the outside temperature;
A discharge side temperature detector for detecting a discharge side temperature of the compressor;
A storage device that stores an outside air temperature at the time of starting the compressor at an initial stage after the air conditioner is installed, and a discharge side temperature of the compressor when the air conditioner is operated under a predetermined condition;
After that, when the compressor is started, the outside air temperature and the discharge side temperature of the compressor when the air conditioner is operated under the predetermined condition are stored in the storage device at the initial stage outside temperature and compression. An air conditioner comprising: an arithmetic unit that determines refrigerant leakage in comparison with a discharge side temperature of the machine.   8. The air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein the compressor is a constant speed type with a fixed rotation speed, the pressure reducing means is a capillary tube, and the predetermined condition of the air conditioner when the compressor is started up. The operation of is an air conditioner characterized in that the compressor is operated for a certain period of time.   8. The air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein the compressor is a compressor capable of rotating speed control, and the pressure reducing means is an electronic expansion valve capable of opening degree control, and the air conditioner at the time of starting the compressor. The operation of the machine under the predetermined condition is to fix the opening of the electronic expansion valve to a predetermined opening determined in advance according to the outside air temperature, and to fix the compressor at a constant rotational speed for a certain period of time. An air conditioner characterized by operating conditions.   10. The air conditioner according to claim 9, further comprising a switching valve that enables switching between a heating operation and a cooling operation on a discharge side of the compressor, wherein the storage device is a first heating operation after the air conditioner is installed. The outside air temperature at the time of starting the compressor and the discharge side temperature of the compressor when the air conditioner is operated under a predetermined condition are stored, and at the time of starting the compressor in the first cooling operation after the air conditioner is installed The outside air temperature of the compressor and the discharge side temperature of the compressor when the air conditioner is operated under a predetermined condition are stored, and the arithmetic unit is in any of the subsequent heating operation start and cooling operation start However, the air conditioner is characterized by being configured to be able to determine refrigerant leakage. An outdoor unit having a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an outdoor expansion valve;
An indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger;
In the air conditioner that constitutes a refrigeration cycle by connecting the outdoor unit and the indoor unit with a refrigerant pipe,
An outside temperature detector for detecting the outside temperature;
A discharge side temperature detector for detecting a discharge side temperature of the compressor;
A control device for controlling the compressor and the outdoor expansion valve;
A memory for storing an opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve and a discharge side temperature of the compressor when the compressor is operated under a predetermined condition at the time of starting the compressor at an initial stage after the air conditioner is installed. Equipment,
In the initial stage of the outdoor operation, the opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve and the discharge side temperature of the compressor when the compressor is operated under the predetermined condition are stored in the storage device. An arithmetic unit for determining refrigerant leakage in comparison with the opening of the expansion valve and the discharge side temperature of the compressor;
The opening degree of the outdoor expansion valve is configured to be controlled to a predetermined opening degree determined in advance according to the outside air temperature when the compressor is started. A compressor capable of controlling the rotational speed, an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor unit having an outdoor expansion valve;
An indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor expansion valve;
In the air conditioner that constitutes a refrigeration cycle by connecting the outdoor unit and the indoor unit with a refrigerant pipe,
An outside air temperature detector for detecting an outside air temperature, a discharge side temperature detector for detecting a discharge side temperature of the compressor, and
A control device for controlling the compressor and the indoor expansion valve;
At the time of starting the compressor in the initial stage cooling operation after the air conditioner is installed, the compressor is set to a predetermined opening degree determined in advance according to the outside air temperature and the opening degree of the indoor expansion valve. A storage device that stores the discharge side temperature of the compressor when the motor is operated at a constant rotational speed for a certain period of time;
After that, when the compressor is started, the outside air temperature and the opening degree of the indoor expansion valve are set to a predetermined opening degree that is predetermined according to the outside air temperature, and the compressor is operated at a constant rotational speed for a certain period of time. And an arithmetic unit that determines refrigerant leakage by comparing the discharge side temperature of the compressor of the firewood with the outside air temperature at the initial stage stored in the storage device and the discharge side temperature of the compressor. Air conditioner.   13. The air conditioner according to claim 12, wherein the opening of the indoor expansion valve provided upstream of the indoor heat exchanger that serves as an evaporator during cooling operation depends on the outside air temperature when the compressor is started. An air conditioner that is controlled to a predetermined opening degree.   14. The air conditioner according to claim 12, wherein the temperature of the liquid pipe is detected between the outdoor heat exchanger and the outdoor expansion valve instead of the discharge-side temperature detector of the compressor. An air conditioner characterized in that a detector is provided, and the temperature detected by the liquid pipe temperature detector is used in place of the discharge side temperature of the compressor to determine refrigerant leakage.

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