The present disclosure relates to a refrigerant leakage detection sensor for a heat pump. Moreover, the disclosure relates to an air conditioning apparatus, in particular an indoor unit of a heat pump, comprising such a refrigerant leakage detection sensor.
As described in EP 3 396 261 A1 is described an indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus including: a casing; a drain pan, which is provided inside the casing, and is configured to receive condensate water generated in the load-side heat exchanger; and a refrigerant detection unit 99 provided below the drain pan inside the casing. The refrigerant detection unit 99 includes: a sensor 200 configured to detect leakage of the refrigerant; and a sensor cover 230 configured to cover the sensor 200 from a front surface side of the sensor. The sensor cover 230 includes: a roof portion 231 arranged above the sensor; and a side surface portion 232 arranged on the front surface side or a side surface side of the sensor below the roof portion 231. The roof portion has an eaves portion projecting outward with respect to the side surface portion, and a plurality of opening ports 234a, 234b, 234c configured to introduce air to the inside of the sensor cover 230 are provided in the side surface portion(s) 232. Each of the opening ports 234a, 234b, and 234c has a slit-like opening.
The opening ports 234a, 234b, and 234c are provided so that air or gas can easily glow through the cover 230 in order to ensure a reliably detection of a gas leakage without a delay in time. However, providing the opening ports 234a, 234b, and 234c, which allow air or gas to circulate through the cover 230, inevitably leads to an exposure of the sensor 230, in particular of the printed circuit board 210 (PCB), to condensed water and moisture form the humidity in the air. Leading to a low durability of the sensor 200 and the printed circuit board 210, due to oxidation.
Moreover, as the sensor 200 is provided within the sensor cover 230, even though there are opening ports 234a, 234b, and 234c provided, the detection efficiency/reliability is reduced. Additionally, as surrounding air is continuously circulated through the opening ports 234a, 234b, 234c, dust may cover the ports over time, leading to a deterioration of the reliability of the detection of a gas leakage. Yet, since there is a steady airflow through the slits of the opening ports 234a, 234b, and 234c, there might be an unpleasant noise, which is particularly in case of indoor units undesired.
[PTL 1] EP 3 396 261 A1
In view of the above, there is the desire to provide a refrigerant leakage detection sensor for a heat pump allowing an improved detection efficiency/accuracy and detection reliability, while avoiding contact with moisture from air and condensed water, thereby improving durability of the detection sensor.
This aim may be achieved by a refrigerant leakage detection sensor for a heat pump as defined in claim 1 and an air conditioning apparatus, in particular an indoor unit of a heat pump, including such a refrigerant leakage detection sensor as defined in claim 15. Embodiments may be found in the dependent claims, the following description and the accompanying drawings.
According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerant leakage detection sensor for a heat pump includes a sensor casing, a circuit board enclosed by the sensor casing, and a gas sensor mounted on the circuit board. The gas sensor has a housing, a refrigerant reception area at an end of the housing allowing gaseous refrigerant to enter the housing and a sensing element in the housing, wherein the housing protrudes through an opening in the sensor casing so that the refrigerant reception area is arranged outside the sensor casing and the sensing element is positioned inside the sensor casing.
Since the refrigerant reception area of the gas sensor is provided outside the sensor casing and the sensing element is positioned inside the sensor casing, it becomes possible to provide a refrigerant leakage detection sensor capable of allowing an improved detection efficiency/accuracy and detection reliability, while avoiding contact of the sensing element with moisture from air and condensed water, thereby improving durability of the detection sensor.
Moreover, by the claimed arrangement it becomes possible that most part of the housing of the gas sensor is covered by the sensor casing, ensuring that most part of the housing does not come into direct contact with moisture and water. Additionally, as most part of the gas sensor is located inside the sensor casing, the heat generated by the gas sensor during operation is almost fully kept inside the sensor casing, leading to a so called “thermal capsule” or “thermal pocket” covering the gas sensor, in particular the circuit board of the gas sensor. Moreover, the “thermal capsule” or “thermal pocket” leads to the advantage that the temperature in the vicinity of the sensor becomes higher, reducing the humidity surrounding the sensor. Yet, as the refrigerant reception area is outside the sensor casing, meaning in direct contact with the surrounding air, detection sensitivity and detection reliability can be enhanced.
Additionally, the term “refrigerant reception area” concerning the “gas sensor” defines in the present disclosure that the housing of the gas sensor, in particular the end or top of the housing is provided with an area or surface that allows refrigerant, in particular gaseous refrigerant, to penetrate the reception area and thereby enter the housing of the gas sensor. In this way the refrigerant reception area makes it possible that on one hand gaseous refrigerant can enter the housing and thereby reach the sensing element arranged inside the housing, on the other hand the refrigerant reception area prevents moisture and water, in particular condensed water, to enter the housing. In other words, the refrigerant reception area, which is preferably a membrane, is impermeable to liquids like moisture and water but permeable to air. Alternatively, the refrigerant reception area could include an upper layer made of a silica filter and a lower layer made of active charcoal.
Furthermore, the term “sensor element” defines in the present disclosure any means that is able to detect a physical parameter like temperature, pressure or humidity or resistance, particularly the existence of a gaseous refrigerant (gas sensor).
According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the sensor casing may have a mounting surface for mounting the sensor casing to a structural element, wherein the opening is provided in a first wall, preferably a bottom wall, of the sensor casing and the housing of the gas sensor protrudes toward the mounting surface.
Moreover, the sensor casing may include legs connecting the sensor casing to the mounting surface, whereby a passage having opposite open ends is formed below the first wall and between the legs.
In this way it become possible to provide a sensor casing having a passage or space through which the surround air of the sensor casing can easily flow, particularly flow by the refrigerant reception are of the gas sensor. Accordingly, gaseous refrigerant can move more freely around the sensor casing and get easier in contact with the gas sensor. Hence, a faster and more efficient detection of leaked refrigerant can be achieved.
Furthermore, a lip may be provided at a free edge of the outer circumference of the first wall, the lip protruding toward the mounting surface. In a standard mounting position of the refrigerant detection sensor, the lip of the first wall or a body of the sensor casing, protrudes downward, thereby, the lip helps to avoid any dripping water or condensed water to get into the sensor casing through the opening in the sensor casing or reach the refrigerant reception area. It ensures that dripping water falling on the top of the sensor casing only flows along the side wall of the casing downwards and does not soak towards the bottom wall of the sensor casing.
Additionally, a first portion of the first wall having the opening may be arranged further away from the mounting surface than a second portion of the first wall. In this way the overall height of the sensor housing is decreased in the area of the gas sensor, thereby reducing the space surrounding the gas sensor inside the sensor housing. As the surrounding space is reduced, the temperature inside the casing, particular close to the sensor element can be increased.
According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the first portion of the first wall and the second portion of the first wall are connected by an inclined surface. By the inclined surface, surrounding air flowing through the passage below the bottom wall can more easily flow, enhancing the air circulation effect of the passage.
The refrigerant leakage detection sensor for a heat pump may further include a through hole that is provided in a second wall, preferably a side wall, of the sensor casing for passing an isolated electrical cable to be connected to the circuit board through the second wall, particularly in a sealed manner.
Moreover, the through hole in the second wall tapers toward the outside of the sensor casing. As the electrical cable is usually covered or isolated by a plastic tubing with tie wrap, the sealing effect between the through hole of the sensor casing and the electrical cable can be improved, thereby stopping moisture and condensed water to enter the inside of the sensor casing. In situations, where the refrigerant leakage detection sensor faces fast temperature variations, an additional sealing material/insulating element can be provided to improve the efficiency in creation of the thermal pocket.
According to a further aspect a socket or plug may be mounted on the circuit board for releasably connecting a plug or socket at an end of the isolated electrical cable, wherein the socket or plug on the circuit board is accommodated in the sensor casing, preferably on a side of the circuit board facing the first wall.
Additionally, the second wall having the through hole may be located closer to the second portion of the first wall than to the first portion of the first wall.
Moreover, the housing of the gas sensor may protrude through the opening in the sensor casing in a sealed manner. In this way it becomes possible to further stop moisture or condensed water to enter the sensor casing.
The sensor casing of the refrigerant leakage detection sensor may include a body and a lid detachably fixed to the body, wherein mating surfaces of the body and the lid overlap in a direction perpendicular to a fixation direction of the sensor casing, when fixing the lid to the body. As the mating surface of the lid surrounds the mating surface of the body at the outer circumference, the sealing of the sensor casing can be enhanced. Moreover, as in the standard mounting position of the refrigerant leakage detection sensor the outer mating surface of the lid reaches further down in the fixation direction then the inner mating surface of the body, in particular further down as the interface between the body and the lid, moisture and water are stopped entering the sensor casing.
Moreover, the corners of the sensor casing may be rounded, wherein a radius of curvature of the rounded corners preferably is at least 2 mm. Thereby, it becomes possible to avoid any unpleasant whistling noise caused by air flowing around the sensor casing.
According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the circuit board may be arranged in the sensor casing, preferably parallel to the first wall, further away from the first wall than from a third wall, preferably a top wall, opposite to the first wall.
Additionally, the sensor casing may be at least partly thermally insulated. The thermal insulation can be achieved by an insulation member, which in particular can be arranged on the top and bottom wall of the sensor casing. The insulation member can be made of an elastic material, for example polyethylene foam. Thereby, the thermal insulation of the sensor casing, in particular of the gas sensor, can be enhanced, thereby the temperature inside the sensor casing can be increased. As the temperature inside the sensor casing, in particular near the gas sensor, can be further increased, the possibility of moisture or humid air inside the sensor casing reaches the dew point, can be significantly reduced.
When an insulation member is provided, the insulation member is preferably provided with an opening, through which at least partially the housing of the gas sensor is protruding, in particular in a sealed manner. The sealing can be achieved by press-fitting the housing into the insulation member, particularly when the insulation member is formed of an elastic material.
Yet, according to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the casing is sealed, preferably airthight and/or waterthight.
The disclosure further provides an air conditioner apparatus, in particular an indoor unit of a heat pump, comprising the refrigerant leakage detection sensor as described above.
The refrigerant leakage detection sensor for a heat pump, can be used for the air conditioning apparatus, in particular the indoor unit of a heat pump. Therefore, the further features disclosed in connection with the above description of the refrigerant leakage detection sensor may also be applied to the air conditioning apparatus, in particular the indoor unit of a heat pump of the disclosure. The same applies vice versa for the air conditioner apparatus, in particular for the indoor unit of a heat pump.
A more complete appreciation of the present disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Several embodiments of the present disclosure will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the field of air-conditioning apparatus from this disclosure that the following description of the embodiments is provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
As can also be taken from
Moreover, in order to better show the location of the gas sensor 4 within the sensor casing 2, the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 1 is shown in
In the refrigerant detection sensor 1 shown in
The circuit board 3 of the gas sensor 4 is arranged inside the sensor casing 2 and parallel to a first wall 2a of the sensor casing 2. In the standard mounting position of the sensor 1 shown in
Moreover, as shown in
As can also be taken from
The sensor casing 2 of the refrigerant detection sensor 1 shown in
The insulation member 20 is provided with an opening 21, through which the housing 5 of the gas sensor 4 partially protrudes. In the shown embodiment it is preferred that the housing 5 protrudes through the opening 21 in a sealed manner, making it possible that the housing 5 can protrude through the opening 7 of the sensor casing 2 with clearance, in particular in a not sealed manner. The sealing between the insulation member 20 and the housing 5 of the gas sensor 4 can be achieved by a press-fitting, which is particularly advantageous or easy to realize in case the insulation member 20 is made of an elastic material like polyethylene foam.
1 Refrigerant leakage detection sensor
2 Sensor casing
2
a fist wall (bottom wall)
2
b Second wall (side wall)
2
c Third wall (top wall)
3 Circuit board (PCB)
4 Gas sensor
5 Housing (of gas sensor)
6 Refrigerant reception area
7 Opening (in the sensor casing)
8 Mounting surface(s)
9 Legs
10 Lip(s)
12 Through hole (in side wall)
13 Isolated electric cable
14 Socket or plug
15 Plug or Socket
16 Body
17 Lid
20 Insulating member
21 Opening (in insulating member)
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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20171306.2 | Apr 2020 | EP | regional |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/JP2021/016408 | 4/23/2021 | WO |