WO2023095418A1

WO2023095418A1 - Heat medium circulation device

Info

Publication number: WO2023095418A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/033867
Authority: WO
Inventors: 繁男青山; 由樹山岡; 俊二森脇; 潤吉田; 和人中谷
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2021-11-29
Filing date: 2022-09-09
Publication date: 2023-06-01
Also published as: JPWO2023095418A1; EP4443079A1

Abstract

Provided is a heat medium circulation device comprising a heat source-side circuit 20, an outdoor blower 26, a utilization-side circuit 30, and an electrical box 27, wherein: a combustible refrigerant is enclosed in the heat source-side circuit 20; a heat medium is enclosed in the utilization-side circuit 30; the combustible refrigerant and the heat medium flow to the intermediate heat exchanger 23; heat medium piping 31 has at least a gas discharge device 50 made of an air vent valve 51 and a pressure relief valve 52; the gas discharge device 50 is stored in a space C; the space C and the electrical box 27 are isolated from each other by at least one partition wall, thereby reducing the risk that the electrical box 27, which has a high risk as an ignition source, ignites, and further improving safety in an outdoor unit 11 formed from the heat source-side circuit 20 using the combustible refrigerant, the refrigerant/heat medium heat exchanger 23, and the air vent valve 51 or pressure relief valve 52, which is a part of the utilization-side circuit 30.

Description

Heat medium circulator

The present invention relates to a heat medium circulating device having a heat source side circuit and a utilization side circuit.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a heat pump device that includes a heat source side circuit and a user side circuit that use a combustible refrigerant. In this heat pump device, an outdoor unit accommodates a heat source side circuit, a heat medium heat exchanger, and a user side circuit, and the user side circuit is provided with a refrigerant release valve comprising at least one of a pressure relief valve and an air purge valve.
The outdoor unit has a first space in which at least the compressor of the heat source side circuit is provided, and a refrigerant release valve is provided in a second space separated from the first space.

EP3312531B1 (WO2018/047265A1)

The present invention provides an outdoor unit comprising a heat source side circuit using a flammable refrigerant, a refrigerant/heat medium heat exchanger, and an air vent valve and a pressure relief valve that are part of the user side circuit. To provide a heat medium circulating device excellent in safety by assuming the case of leakage, and preventing an electric equipment box from becoming an ignition source even in such a case.

A heat medium circulation device according to the present invention includes a heat source side circuit in which a compressor, an intermediate heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a heat source side heat exchanger are sequentially connected in a circular manner by refrigerant pipes, and blows air to the heat source side heat exchanger. A utilization side circuit in which an outdoor fan, a conveying pump for conveying a heat medium, the intermediate heat exchanger, and the utilization side heat exchanger are sequentially connected by heat medium piping in a circular manner, the compressor, the expansion device, and the an electrical box comprising a control board for controlling the operation of the outdoor fan and power supply parts; the heat source side circuit is filled with a combustible refrigerant; the user side circuit is filled with the heat medium; The combustible refrigerant and the heat medium flow through the intermediate heat exchanger, the heat medium pipe has a gas discharge device comprising at least an air vent valve or a pressure relief valve, and the gas discharge device is provided in a space. C, and the space C and the electrical equipment box are separated by at least one or more partition walls.

In the heat medium circulation device according to the present invention, when the combustible refrigerant enclosed in the heat source side circuit leaks from the intermediate heat exchanger or mixes into the utilization side circuit via the intermediate heat exchanger, gas Even if the refrigerant is discharged from the discharging device, the probability that the refrigerant reaches the power supply terminal or the contact point of the electronic component inside the electrical box, which can be an ignition source, is extremely low. As a result, the risk of ignition in the electrical box can be eliminated, and safety can be further improved.

Schematic configuration diagram of a heat medium circulation device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Schematic configuration diagram of a heat medium circulation device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention Schematic configuration diagram of a heat medium circulation device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention

(Knowledge, etc. on which the present invention is based)
In general, a heat medium circulator is equipped with an air vent valve for removing air when equipment is installed, and a pressure relief valve as a safety device when the heat medium pressure rises above a predetermined pressure in the user side circuit. ing. Therefore, when the flammable refrigerant flows into the utilization side circuit, the flammable refrigerant is released outside the circuit via the air vent valve and the pressure relief valve.
Therefore, in this industry, as an issue to improve the safety of the heat medium circulation device using the flammable refrigerant, the heat source side circuit, the refrigerant / heat medium heat exchanger, and the air vent valve which is a part of the user side circuit In the outdoor unit, which consists of an air conditioner and a pressure relief valve, the general product design is to increase the explosion-proofness of each electronic component with a high ignition risk to reduce the probability of ignition even if a potential refrigerant exists.
Under such circumstances, the inventors have hinted that the ignition probability of a flammable refrigerant can be expressed as the product of three elements (probability of refrigerant leakage, probability of ignition source existence, and probability of encounter between flammable refrigerant and ignition source). Therefore, in order to improve safety, we thought it necessary to reduce the ignition probability of the flammable refrigerant. As a measure for that, we got the idea that it is possible to deal with it by reducing the encounter probability between the combustible refrigerant and the ignition source of the above elements.
In order to realize the idea, the inventors have found that there is a need to pursue a multiple safety design so that the combustible refrigerant and the ignition source do not come into contact with each other as much as possible. Then, in order to solve the problem, the main subject of the present invention was constructed.

Therefore, the present invention provides a heat source side circuit in which a compressor, an intermediate heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a heat source side heat exchanger are sequentially connected in a circular manner by refrigerant pipes, an outdoor fan that blows air to the heat source side heat exchanger, A control that controls the operation of a user-side circuit in which a transfer pump that transports the heat medium, an intermediate heat exchanger, and a user-side heat exchanger are sequentially connected by heat medium piping in a circular fashion, a compressor, an expansion device, and an outdoor fan. an electrical box comprising a circuit board and power supply parts, a flammable refrigerant is sealed in the heat source side circuit, a heat medium is sealed in the user side circuit, and the intermediate heat exchanger contains the flammable refrigerant and heat. The heat medium pipe has a gas release device consisting of at least an air vent valve or a pressure relief valve, the gas release device is housed in the space C, and there is at least one space between the space C and the electrical box. To provide a heat medium circulation device isolated by one or more partitions.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters or redundant descriptions of substantially the same configurations may be omitted.
It should be noted that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided for a thorough understanding of the invention by those skilled in the art and are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter thereby.

(Embodiment 1)
[1-1. composition]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a heat medium circulation device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1 , a heat medium circulation device 10 is composed of an outdoor unit 11 and an indoor unit 12 .
In the heat source side circuit 20 , a compressor 22 , an intermediate heat exchanger (refrigerant/heat medium heat exchanger) 23 , an expansion device 24 , and a heat source side heat exchanger 25 are annularly connected in sequence by a refrigerant pipe 21 . The outdoor air blower 26 blows air to the heat source side heat exchanger 25 . A combustible refrigerant is sealed in the heat source side circuit 20 .
In the utilization side circuit 30 , a transfer pump 32 that conveys the heat medium, an intermediate heat exchanger 23 , and a utilization side heat exchanger 33 are sequentially connected in a loop by a heat medium pipe 31 . A heat medium is enclosed in the utilization side circuit 30 . A combustible refrigerant and a heat medium flow through the intermediate heat exchanger 23 .

The refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside air in the heat source side heat exchanger 25 , is compressed to a high temperature and high pressure in the compressor 22 , and releases heat in the intermediate heat exchanger 23 . The heat medium is heated by exchanging heat with the combustible refrigerant in the intermediate heat exchanger 23 , circulates through the utilization side circuit 30 by the conveying pump 32 , and radiates heat in the utilization side heat exchanger 33 . A terminal device 41 is connected to the indoor unit 12, and the terminal device 41 is used for hot water heating and hot water supply. Water or antifreeze is used as the heat medium.

The outdoor unit 11 is provided with a compressor 22 , an intermediate heat exchanger 23 , an expansion device 24 , a heat source side heat exchanger 25 , an outdoor fan 26 and an electrical box 27 .
A conveying pump 32 and a user-side heat exchanger 33 are installed in the indoor unit 12 .
The outdoor unit 11 and the indoor unit 12 are connected by a heat medium pipe 31 .
The electrical equipment box 27 is composed of a control board and power supply parts for controlling the operation of the compressor 22, the expansion device 24, and the outdoor fan 26. FIG.
The heat medium pipe 31 has a gas release device 50 comprising at least an air vent valve 51 or a pressure relief valve 52 . The air vent valve 51 discharges gas phase components contained in the utilization side circuit 30 . The pressure relief valve 52 operates when the pressure in the utilization side circuit 30 rises excessively.

A space A, a space B, and a space C are formed in the outdoor unit 11 .
In the space A, a compressor 22 and an expansion device 24 are installed. In the space B, a heat source side heat exchanger 25, an outdoor fan 26, and an electrical box 27 are installed. In the space C, a utilization side heat exchanger 33 and a gas discharge device 50 are installed.
The electrical equipment box 27 is covered with a housing 27a, and the housing 27a functions as a first partition.
A space A in which the compressor 22 is installed and a space B in which the electrical box 27 is arranged are separated by a soundproof plate 28, and the soundproof plate 28 functions as a second partition wall.
A partition wall 29 separates the space A and the space C, and the partition wall 29 functions as a third partition wall.
Thus, the electrical equipment box 27 and the space C are separated by the first partition 27 a , the second partition 28 , and the third partition 29 . The intermediate heat exchanger 23 and the gas discharge device 50 are accommodated in the space C, and the space C and the electrical equipment box 27 are separated by at least one or more partition walls. By doing so, the combustible refrigerant enclosed in the heat source side circuit 20 leaks from the intermediate heat exchanger 23 or mixes into the utilization side circuit 30 via the intermediate heat exchanger 23, resulting in gas Even if the refrigerant is discharged from the discharge device 50, the probability of the refrigerant reaching the power supply terminals and the contacts of the electronic parts inside the electrical equipment box 27, which can be an ignition source, is extremely low. As a result, the risk of ignition in the electrical box 27 can be reduced, and safety can be further improved.
The electrical equipment box 27 is installed at the top of the space B, and the space C is installed at the bottom of the space A. Thus, it is preferable to arrange the electrical equipment box 27 above the space B and arrange the space C below the space A. As shown in FIG.

The indoor unit 12 is installed in a space to be air-conditioned, and is composed of a carrier pump 32 that carries a heat medium and a use-side heat exchanger 33 that exchanges heat with the heat medium.
The outdoor unit 11 is physically separated into three spaces A, B and C by

partition walls

27a, 28 and 29, respectively.
A space A in which the compressor 22 is housed and a space B in which the electric equipment box 27, the heat source side heat exchanger 25, and the outdoor fan 26 are housed are partitioned by a soundproof plate 28. FIG. In addition, the electrical equipment box 27 is installed upward in the space B. As shown in FIG.
The pressure relief valve 52 has a communication pipe 62a for releasing gas. The communicating pipe 62a releases the gas to the outside of the outdoor unit 11 without passing through the space A and the space B.

[1-2. motion]
The operation and action of the heat medium circulation device 10 configured as described above will be described below.
Based on FIG. 1, the operation of the heat medium circulation device 10 will be described.
Even if a flammable refrigerant leaks in the heat source side circuit 20 of the heat medium circulation device 10, the refrigerant reaches the power supply terminals and contacts of electronic parts installed inside the housing 27a of the electrical box 27, which can become an ignition source. less likely to do so.
A plurality of heat transfer partitions (not shown) are also provided between the refrigerant and heat medium in the refrigerant/heat medium heat exchanger 23 . If some of the plurality of heat transfer partitions are damaged for some reason, there is a risk that the refrigerant in the heat source side circuit 20 with high pressure will flow into the utilization side circuit 30 with low pressure. Further, if the heat medium side passage in the refrigerant/heat medium heat exchanger 23 freezes and expands and cracks occur, there is a risk that the refrigerant will leak to the space C side of the refrigerant/heat medium heat exchanger 23 .
Even in such a case, the air vent valve 51, the pressure relief valve 52, and the refrigerant/heat medium heat exchanger 23 in the utilization side circuit 30 in the space C are isolated from the space A by the partition wall 29, and the space A and the space are separated from each other. B is separated by a soundproof wall 28 . Therefore, the combustible refrigerant flows into the utilization side circuit 30 and is released from the air vent valve 51 and the pressure relief valve 52 . Alternatively, even if the flammable refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant/heat medium heat exchanger 23, the electrical equipment box 27, which has a high risk of becoming an ignition source, is in the space B, and the electrical equipment box 27 is located in the housing 27a of the electrical equipment box 27. The space C is isolated from the power supply terminals and electronic components in the space C by the housing 27a of the electrical equipment box 27, the partition wall 29 of the space C, and the

triple partition walls

27a, 28, and 29 of the soundproof plate . Therefore, the probability that the flammable refrigerant diffused in the space C reaches the electrical equipment box 27 via the

triple partition walls

27a, 28, 29 is greatly reduced.
Furthermore, when the combustible refrigerant used in the heat source side circuit 20 of the heat medium circulation device 10 has a higher specific gravity than air, the space C is installed at the bottom in the space A, and the electrical box 27 is installed at the top in the space B. is installed in Therefore, the probability that the refrigerant heavier than air diffused in the space C reaches the electrical equipment box 27 positioned above is even lower.

[1-3. effects, etc.]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the electrical equipment box 27 is installed at the top of the space B isolated from the space A in which the compressor 22 is stored. A space C surrounded by a partition wall 29 is installed at the lowest part of the space A, and accommodates an air vent valve 51, a pressure relief valve 52, and a refrigerant/heat medium heat exchanger 23 in the space C.
As a result, even if a flammable refrigerant leaks in the heat source side circuit 20, the refrigerant will not leak to the power supply terminals and electronic component contacts inside the housing 27a of the electrical box 27, which can become an ignition source in the user side circuit 30. less likely to arrive.
In addition, even when the flammable refrigerant is released from the air vent valve 51, the pressure relief valve 52, and the refrigerant/heat medium heat exchanger 23, the flammable refrigerant heavier than air passes through the gaps of the

triple partition walls

27a, 28, and 29. The probability (probability of encountering an ignition source) that the coolant reaches the power supply terminals and the contacts of the electronic components in the housing 27a of the electrical box 27 installed at the top of the space B rather than the space C is significantly smaller. Become. In addition, the probability that the combustible refrigerant from the space C reaches the compressor 22 in the space A and the power supply part of the refrigerant parts through the gap of the single partition wall and reaches the lower limit of combustion concentration (LFL) (ignition source encounter probability) is significantly reduced.
Therefore, regardless of whether the device is in operation or not, the risk of ignition in the electrical box 27, the compressor 22, and the refrigerant parts is reduced, so that the heat medium circulation device 10 with further improved safety can be provided.

(Embodiment 2)
[2-1. composition]
FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a heat medium circulation device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. That is, the heat medium circulation device 10 is composed of an outdoor unit 11 and an indoor unit 12, the outdoor unit 11 has three spaces A, B, and C, and the spaces A, B, and C are each They are physically isolated by

partition walls

27a, 28, and 29. FIG.
In Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the air outside the outdoor unit 11 is introduced into the space C, and the air in the space C is discharged to the outside of the outdoor unit 11 with

vents

61a and 61b.
A first ventilation port 61a capable of introducing and ventilating outside air is provided above the space C in FIG.
The air vents 61a and 61b do not allow the space C and the space A to communicate with each other, and do not allow the space C and the space B to communicate with each other.

[2-2. motion]
The operation and action of the heat medium circulation device 10 configured as described above will be described.
When the combustible refrigerant is released from the air vent valve 51, the pressure relief valve 52, and the refrigerant/heat medium heat exchanger 23 in the space C, outside air flows in through the first vent port 61a and the second vent port 61b. , the air and the leaked refrigerant are mixed in the space C. As shown in FIG.
There are two

vents

61a, 61b. Therefore, an airflow in which the outside air flows in from one of the vents, and an airflow in which the mixed gas of the air in the space C and the leaked refrigerant flows out of the outdoor unit 11 from the other vent is generated.

[2-3. effects, etc.]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the first vent 61a capable of introducing and ventilating the outside air is provided above the space C, and the second vent 61b capable of introducing and ventilating the outside air is provided below the space C. ing.
As a result, even if the combustible refrigerant is released from the air vent valve 51, the pressure relief valve 52, and the refrigerant/heat medium heat exchanger 23 in the space C, either the first ventilation port 61a or the second ventilation port 61b Outside air flows in from either one, and leaked refrigerant mixed with air in the space C is discharged from the other to the outside of the outdoor unit 11 .
Therefore, the amount of combustible refrigerant staying in the space C decreases, the refrigerant concentration in the space C decreases, and the power source of the compressor 22 in the space A and the power terminals and electronic parts in the electrical box 27 in the space C The probability that the refrigerant concentration reaching the junction of will reach the lower flammability limit (LFL) is greatly reduced. Therefore, the risk of ignition in the electrical equipment box 27 can be further reduced.
Further, the space C in which the air vent valve 51, the pressure relief valve 52, and the refrigerant/heat medium heat exchanger 23 are accommodated is separated from the space A in which the compressor 22, which causes noise during operation, is partitioned. isolated. Therefore, the operating sound of the compressor 22 does not propagate to the outside of the outdoor unit 11 from the first vent 61a and the second vent 61b of the space C.
Therefore, even if the refrigerant leaks to the utilization side circuit 30 and the combustible refrigerant diffuses into the space C, the operating noise of the compressor 22 does not propagate outside the apparatus, and the ignition probability in the electrical box 27 can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to ensure both safety and quietness.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a heat medium circulation device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. That is, the heat medium circulation device 10 is composed of an outdoor unit 11 and an indoor unit 12, the outdoor unit 11 has three spaces A, B, and C, and the spaces A, B, and C are each They are physically isolated by

partition walls

27a, 28, and 29. FIG.
A communication pipe 62b is provided in the space C in FIG. 3 to communicate the exhaust port of the air vent valve 51 with the outside air. As described above, the gas discharge device 50 has

communication pipes

62a and 62b for discharging gas, and the

communication pipes

62a and 62b discharge gas to the outside of the outdoor unit 11 without passing through the space A and the space B.

[3-2. motion]
The operation and action of the heat medium circulation device 10 configured as described above will be described.
When the flammable refrigerant is released from the air vent valve 51 in the space C, the refrigerant is not discharged into the space C, but is discharged directly to the outside of the outdoor unit 11 via the communicating pipe 62b.

[3-3. effects, etc.]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the space C is provided with the communication pipe 62b that communicates the exhaust port of the air vent valve 51 with the outside air.
As a result, even if the flammable refrigerant is discharged from the air vent valve 51 in the space C, the refrigerant is not discharged into the space C, and is directly discharged to the outside of the outdoor unit 11 through the communication pipe 62b. be done.
Therefore, since the combustible refrigerant does not stay in the space C, the refrigerant released from the usage side circuit 30 is discharged from the power source of the compressor 22 in the space A and the power source in the electrical box 27 in the space C. It is no longer possible to reach terminals and contacts of electronic components.
As a result, even if the combustible refrigerant is discharged through the air vent valve 51 in the space C, the power source of the compressor 22, the power terminals in the electrical box 27, and the contacts of the electronic components become ignition sources. disappears. Therefore, it is possible to provide the heat medium circulation device 10 with further improved safety.

It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present invention, and various modifications, replacements, additions, omissions, etc. can be made within the scope of the claims or equivalents thereof.

According to the present invention, even if a flammable refrigerant leaks in the heat source side circuit, the probability that the refrigerant reaches the power supply terminal or the contact point of the electronic component in the electrical box, which can be an ignition source, in the heat medium circulation device is reduced. . In addition, even if the combustible refrigerant leaks from the heat source side circuit to the utilization side circuit via the intermediate heat exchanger and the combustible refrigerant is released from the air vent valve, the pressure relief valve, and the intermediate heat exchanger, it will not ignite. The probability that the coolant will reach the power supply terminals in the electrical equipment box and the contacts of the electronic parts, which can be the source of the coolant, is further reduced.
Therefore, in a heat medium circulation device using a flammable refrigerant, the risk of ignition in the electrical equipment box can be reduced, and the safety can be further improved to provide the device. Therefore, the present invention includes heating equipment that heats a heat medium such as water or antifreeze liquid and uses the generated hot water or hot air, or a device that uses a heat medium such as water or antifreeze liquid for cooling or freezing. , refrigeration, air conditioning, hot water supply, and the like.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 heat medium circulation device 11 outdoor unit 12 indoor unit 20 heat source side circuit 21 refrigerant pipe 22 compressor 23 intermediate heat exchanger (refrigerant/heat medium heat exchanger)
24 Expansion device 25 Heat source side heat exchanger 26 Outdoor fan 27 Electrical box 27a Case (first partition wall)
28 Soundproof plate (second partition)
29 partition (third partition)
30 use-side circuit 31 heat medium pipe 32 transfer pump 33 use-side heat exchanger 41 terminal device 50 gas release device 51 air vent valve 52 pressure relief valve 61a first vent 61b

second vent

62a, 62b communicating pipes A, B , C space

Claims

a heat source side circuit in which the compressor, the intermediate heat exchanger, the expansion device, and the heat source side heat exchanger are sequentially connected in a circular manner by refrigerant piping;
an outdoor fan that blows air to the heat source side heat exchanger;
a utilization-side circuit in which a conveying pump for conveying a heat medium, the intermediate heat exchanger, and the utilization-side heat exchanger are sequentially connected in a circular manner by heat medium piping;
an electrical box comprising a control board for controlling the operation of the compressor, the expansion device, and the outdoor fan, and power supply parts;
with
A combustible refrigerant is sealed in the heat source side circuit,
The heat medium is enclosed in the utilization side circuit,
the combustible refrigerant and the heat medium flow through the intermediate heat exchanger;
The heat medium pipe has a gas discharge device consisting of at least an air vent valve or a pressure relief valve,
housing the gas discharge device in the space C,
A heat medium circulation device, wherein the space C and the electrical equipment box are separated by at least one or more partition walls.
having a first partition, a second partition, and a third partition as the partition,
The housing of the electrical box is the first partition wall,
A space A in which the compressor is installed and a space B in which the electrical box is arranged are separated by the second partition,
The space A and the space C are separated by the third partition,
2. The heat medium circulation device according to claim 1, wherein the electrical box and the space C are separated by the first partition, the second partition, and the third partition.
disposing the electrical box above the space B,
3. The heat medium circulation device according to claim 2, wherein the space C is arranged below the space A.
forming the space A, the space B, and the space C in an outdoor unit;
having a vent for introducing the air outside the outdoor unit into the space C and discharging the air in the space C to the outside of the outdoor unit;
3. The heat medium circulation device according to claim 2, wherein the ventilation port does not allow the space C and the space A to communicate with each other, and does not allow the space C and the space B to communicate with each other.
forming the space A, the space B, and the space C in an outdoor unit;
The gas release device has a communicating pipe for releasing gas,
3. The heat medium circulation device according to claim 2, wherein the communicating pipe releases the gas to the outside of the outdoor unit without passing through the space A and the space B.