Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a leakage diagnosis apparatus that determines, by using leakage determination means, whether a refrigerant leakage has occurred in a refrigerant circuit, based on a leakage index value calculated by index value calculation means. <CIT> relates to a leakage diagnosis apparatus for diagnosing presence or absence of refrigerant leakage in a refrigerant circuit using the amount of refrigerant exergy loss in a circuit component, and discloses a refrigerant leakage determination system according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

However, the leakage determination means may determine that the refrigerant leakage has occurred although the refrigerant leakage has not actually occurred. This is an erroneous determination.

A refrigerant leakage determination system according to a first aspect of the invention includes a refrigerant circuit, a first determination unit, and a second determination unit. The refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, and an evaporator. The first determination unit determines that refrigerant has leaked from the refrigerant circuit, by using a first state amount of refrigerant as a determination index, the first state amount including at least one of an outlet temperature of the condenser, a suction temperature of the compressor, and a discharge temperature of the compressor. The second determination unit determines that refrigerant has leaked from the refrigerant circuit, based on information different from the first state amount. A determination result of the first determination unit is verified by using a determination result of the second determination unit.

In the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the first aspect, even if the first determination unit determines that refrigerant has leaked, it is possible to prevent a determination from being made that refrigerant has leaked when the second determination unit does not determine, based on other information, that refrigerant has leaked. Thus, an accuracy of a determination result of the first determination unit can be increased by the second determination unit, and an erroneous determination of refrigerant leakage can be reduced.

A refrigerant leakage determination system according to a second aspect is the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the first aspect, in which the first determination unit uses, as the first state amount, a degree of subcooling or a value corresponding to the degree of subcooling, the degree of subcooling being a temperature difference between a condensation temperature of a refrigerant in the condenser and the outlet temperature of the condenser.

The above "value corresponding to the degree of subcooling" includes a value obtained by correcting, with another state amount, a difference in physical property value, such as entropy or enthalpy, and also a difference in degree of subcooling or physical property value, between a refrigerant in a saturation state in the condenser and a refrigerant at an outlet of the condenser.

In the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the second aspect, a degree of subcooling or a value corresponding to the degree of subcooling is used as a determination index, and thus an accuracy with which the first determination unit detects a refrigerant leakage can be increased.

A refrigerant leakage determination system according to a third aspect is the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the second aspect, in which the value corresponding to the degree of subcooling is a value corrected by a temperature of outdoor air.

In the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the third aspect, the value corresponding to the degree of subcooling corrected by at least the temperature of outdoor air is used. Thus, an accuracy of detecting a refrigerant leakage can be increased compared to a case of using the degree of subcooling.

A refrigerant leakage determination system according to a fourth aspect is the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the first to third aspects, in which the refrigerant leakage determination system further includes a condenser outlet temperature sensor that measures the outlet temperature of the condenser. The second determination unit detects, by using a value of the condenser outlet temperature sensor, whether the condenser outlet temperature sensor has a failure, to determine that refrigerant has leaked.

In the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the fourth aspect, the second determination unit detects whether the condenser outlet temperature sensor, which is used by the first determination unit to determine that refrigerant has leaked, has a failure. Thus, even if the first determination unit determines that refrigerant has leaked, it is possible to prevent a determination from being made that refrigerant has leaked if the second determination unit detects that the condenser outlet temperature sensor has a failure. Thus, an erroneous determination of a refrigerant leakage can be further reduced.

A refrigerant leakage determination system according to a fifth aspect is the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the first to fourth aspects, in which the refrigerant leakage determination system further includes a discharge pressure sensor that measures a discharge pressure of the compressor. The second determination unit detects, by using a value of the discharge pressure sensor, whether the discharge pressure sensor has a failure, to determine that refrigerant has leaked.

In the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the fifth aspect, the second determination unit detects whether the discharge pressure sensor, which is used by the first determination unit to determine that refrigerant has leaked, has a failure. Thus, even if the first determination unit determines that refrigerant has leaked, it is possible to prevent a determination from being made that refrigerant has leaked if the second determination unit detects that the discharge pressure sensor has a failure. Thus, an erroneous determination of a refrigerant leakage can be further reduced.

A refrigerant leakage determination system according to a sixth aspect is the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the first to fifth aspects, in which the refrigerant leakage determination system further includes an accumulator that stores surplus refrigerant. The second determination unit detects, based on a degree of discharge superheating or a value corresponding to the degree of discharge superheating, whether refrigerant remains inside the accumulator, to determine that refrigerant has leaked, the degree of discharge superheating being a difference between the discharge temperature of the compressor and a condensation temperature of a refrigerant in the condenser.

In the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the sixth aspect, the second determination unit makes it possible to reduce an erroneous determination of a refrigerant leakage resulting from refrigerant remaining inside the accumulator.

A refrigerant leakage determination system according to an seventh aspect is the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the sixth aspect, in which in a case where the degree of discharge superheating or the value corresponding to the degree of discharge superheating is smaller than or equal to a threshold value, the second determination unit determines that refrigerant has not leaked.

In the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the seventh aspect, the second determination unit makes it possible to reduce an erroneous determination of a refrigerant leakage resulting from the degree of discharge superheating or the value corresponding to the degree of discharge superheating being smaller than or equal to the threshold value.

A refrigerant leakage determination system according to a eigth aspect is the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the first to seventh aspects, in which the evaporator is an indoor heat exchanger mounted in an indoor unit. The refrigerant leakage determination system further includes at least one of an evaporator inlet temperature sensor that measures an inlet temperature of the evaporator and an evaporator outlet temperature sensor that measures an outlet temperature. The second determination unit detects, by using a value of at least one of the evaporator inlet temperature sensor and the evaporator outlet temperature sensor, whether at least one of the evaporator inlet temperature sensor and the evaporator outlet temperature sensor has a failure, to determine that refrigerant has leaked.

In the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the eigth aspect, the second determination unit makes it possible to reduce an erroneous determination of a refrigerant leakage resulting from refrigerant remaining inside the accumulator, which is caused by a decrease in the value of the evaporator inlet temperature sensor due to a failure and an increase in the value of the evaporator outlet temperature sensor due to a failure.

A refrigerant leakage determination system according to a ninth aspect is the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the first to eigth aspects, in which the evaporator is an indoor heat exchanger mounted in an indoor unit. The expansion mechanism includes an indoor-side expansion valve mounted in the indoor unit. The second determination unit detects, by using a degree of superheating at an outlet of the indoor heat exchanger and an opening degree of the indoor-side expansion valve, whether the indoor-side expansion valve has a failure, to determine that refrigerant has leaked, the degree of superheating at the outlet of the indoor heat exchanger being a difference between an outlet temperature of the evaporator and an evaporation temperature of a refrigerant in the evaporator.

In the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the ninth aspect, the second determination unit detects whether the indoor-side expansion valve, which is used by the first determination unit to determine that refrigerant has leaked, has a failure. Thus, even if the first determination unit determines that refrigerant has leaked, it is possible to prevent a determination from being made that refrigerant has leaked if the second determination unit detects that the indoor-side expansion valve has a failure. Thus, an erroneous determination of a refrigerant leakage can be further reduced.

A refrigerant leakage determination system according to an tenth aspect is the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the first to ninth aspects, in which the condenser is an outdoor heat exchanger mounted in an outdoor unit. The refrigerant leakage determination system further includes a subcooling heat exchanger disposed at an outlet side of the condenser. The second determination unit determines that refrigerant has leaked, based on a state amount of refrigerant passing through the subcooling heat exchanger.

In the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the tenth aspect, the second determination unit is capable of grasping a change in the amount of refrigerant, based on a state amount of refrigerant in the subcooling heat exchanger. Thus, the second determination unit is capable of detecting a refrigerant leakage based on information different from the first state amount, and thus an erroneous determination can be further reduced.

A refrigerant leakage determination system according to a eleventh aspect is the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the tenth aspect, in which the refrigerant leakage determination system further includes a bypass pipe and a subcooling-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor. The bypass pipe connects the subcooling heat exchanger and the compressor. The subcooling-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor is disposed at the bypass pipe and measures an outlet temperature of the subcooling heat exchanger. The second determination unit detects, by using a value of the subcooling-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor, whether the subcooling-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor has a failure, to determine that refrigerant has leaked.

In the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the eleventh aspect, the second determination unit makes it possible to reduce an erroneous determination resulting from a decrease in the discharge temperature of the compressor, which is caused by refrigerant remaining inside the accumulator due a failure of the subcooling-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor.

A refrigerant leakage determination system according to a twelfth aspect is the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, in which the refrigerant leakage determination system further includes a bypass pipe and a subcooling-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor. The bypass pipe connects the subcooling heat exchanger and the compressor. The subcooling-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor is disposed at the bypass pipe and measures an outlet temperature of the subcooling heat exchanger. The expansion mechanism includes a subcooling-heat-exchanger-side expansion valve that decompresses a refrigerant which flows through the bypass pipe and which is to enter the subcooling heat exchanger. The second determination unit detects, by using either an outlet temperature of the subcooling heat exchanger or a degree of superheating at an outlet of the subcooling heat exchanger, the degree of superheating at the outlet of the subcooling heat exchanger being a difference between the outlet temperature of the subcooling heat exchanger and an evaporation temperature of a refrigerant in the subcooling heat exchanger, and an opening degree of the subcooling-heat-exchanger-side expansion valve, whether the subcooling-heat-exchanger-side expansion valve has a failure, to determine that refrigerant has leaked.

In the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the twelfth aspect, the second determination unit makes it possible to reduce an erroneous determination of a refrigerant leakage resulting from refrigerant remaining inside the accumulator, which is caused by a failure of the subcooling-side expansion valve.

A refrigerant leakage determination system according to a thirteenth aspect is the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the first to twelfth aspects, in which the evaporator is an indoor heat exchanger mounted in an indoor unit. The second determination unit detects dirt of a filter that traps dust in air that is prior to pass through the evaporator, to determine that refrigerant has leaked.

In the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the thirteenth aspect, the second determination unit makes it possible to reduce an erroneous determination resulting from a decrease in the discharge temperature of the compressor, which is caused by refrigerant remaining inside the accumulator due dirt of the filter.

A refrigerant leakage determination system according to a fourteenth aspect is the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the first to thirteenth aspects, in which at least one of the first determination unit and the second determination unit is stored in an external apparatus.

The external apparatus herein is an apparatus outside an apparatus mainly including the refrigerant circuit.

In the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the fourteenth aspect, data required by at least one of the first determination unit and the second determination unit can be accumulated in the external apparatus.

A refrigerant leakage determination system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a refrigerant leakage determination system <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a system that determines that refrigerant has leaked from a refrigerant circuit <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the refrigerant leakage determination system <NUM> includes the refrigerant circuit <NUM>, a first determination unit <NUM>, a second determination unit <NUM>, and a verification unit <NUM>. The refrigerant circuit <NUM> includes a compressor <NUM>, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, and an evaporator. The condenser corresponds to an outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> mounted in an outdoor unit <NUM> during a cooling operation, and corresponds to indoor heat exchangers 52a and 52b respectively mounted in indoor units 5a and 5b during a heating operation. The expansion mechanism includes an outdoor-side expansion valve <NUM>, a subcooling-heat-exchanger-side expansion valve <NUM>, and indoor-side expansion valves 51a and 51b. The evaporator corresponds to the indoor heat exchangers 52a and 52b respectively mounted in the indoor units 5a and 5b during a cooling operation, and corresponds to the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> mounted in the outdoor unit <NUM> during a heating operation.

An air conditioner is constituted mainly by the refrigerant circuit <NUM>. The air conditioner includes the outdoor unit <NUM>, the plurality of indoor units 5a and 5b, a liquid-refrigerant connection pipe <NUM>, and a gas-refrigerant connection pipe <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the plurality of (two in <FIG>) indoor units 5a and 5b are connected in parallel to each other. Alternatively, a single indoor unit may be provided. The liquid-refrigerant connection pipe <NUM> and the gas-refrigerant connection pipe <NUM> connect the outdoor unit <NUM> and the indoor units 5a and 5b to each other.

The refrigerant circuit <NUM> is filled with, for example, chlorofluorocarbon-based refrigerant. The refrigerant with which the refrigerant circuit <NUM> of the present disclosure is filled is not particularly limited.

The indoor units 5a and 5b are installed inside a building or the like. The indoor units 5a and 5b are connected to the outdoor unit <NUM> via the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe <NUM> and the gas-refrigerant connection pipe <NUM>, and constitute a part of the refrigerant circuit <NUM>.

Next, the configurations of the indoor units 5a and 5b will be described. The indoor unit 5a and the indoor unit 5b have configurations similar to each other. Thus, only the configuration of the indoor unit 5a will be described here. As for the configuration of the indoor unit 5b, a reference symbol "b" is attached instead of a reference symbol "a" indicating individual components of the indoor unit 5a, and a description of individual components will not be repeated.

The indoor unit 5a mainly includes the indoor-side expansion valve 51a, the indoor heat exchanger 52a, an indoor liquid-refrigerant pipe 53a, an indoor gas-refrigerant pipe 54a, an indoor fan 55a, and a filter 56a.

The indoor-side expansion valve 51a is an electric expansion valve that performs adjustment or the like of a flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 52a and whose opening degree is adjustable. The indoor-side expansion valve 51a is provided in the indoor liquid-refrigerant pipe 53a.

The indoor heat exchanger 52a performs heat exchange between a refrigerant and indoor air. The indoor heat exchanger 52a functions as an evaporator for a refrigerant to cool indoor air during a cooling operation, and functions as a condenser for a refrigerant to heat indoor air during a heating operation.

The indoor liquid-refrigerant pipe 53a connects a liquid-side end of the indoor heat exchanger 52a and the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe <NUM>. The indoor gas-refrigerant pipe 54a connects a gas-side end of the indoor heat exchanger 52a and the gas-refrigerant connection pipe <NUM>.

The indoor fan 55a sucks indoor air into the indoor unit 5a, causes the indoor air to exchange heat with refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger 52a, and then supplies the indoor air as supplied air into a room. The indoor fan 55a supplies, to the indoor heat exchanger 52a, indoor air serving as a heating source or cooling source of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger 52a.

The filter 56a is disposed upstream from the indoor heat exchanger 52a. The filter 56a traps dust in air that is prior to pass through the indoor heat exchanger 52a.

The indoor unit 5a is provided with various sensors. Specifically, the indoor unit 5a includes an indoor-heat-exchanger inlet temperature sensor 57a, an indoor-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor 58a, and a filter sensor 59a.

The indoor-heat-exchanger inlet temperature sensor 57a detects a temperature TH2 of a refrigerant at the liquid-side end of the indoor heat exchanger 52a. When the indoor heat exchanger 52a is used as an evaporator, the indoor-heat-exchanger inlet temperature sensor 57a serves as an evaporator inlet temperature sensor that measures an inlet temperature of the evaporator. When the indoor heat exchanger 52a is used as a condenser, the indoor-heat-exchanger inlet temperature sensor 57a serves as a condenser outlet temperature sensor that measures an outlet temperature of the condenser.

The indoor-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor 58a detects a temperature TH3 of a refrigerant at the gas-side end of the indoor heat exchanger 52a. When the indoor heat exchanger 52a is used as an evaporator, the indoor-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor 58a serves as an evaporator outlet temperature sensor that measures an outlet temperature of the evaporator. When the indoor heat exchanger 52a is used as a condenser, the indoor-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor 58a serves as a condenser inlet temperature sensor that measures an inlet temperature of the condenser.

The filter sensor 59a detects dirt of the filter 56a. The filter sensor 59a detects, for example, how much dust has been trapped in the filter 56a. The filter sensor 59a is provided in the filter 56a.

The outdoor unit <NUM> is installed outside a building or the like. The outdoor unit <NUM> is connected to the indoor units 5a and 5b via the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe <NUM> and the gas-refrigerant connection pipe <NUM>, and constitutes a part of the refrigerant circuit <NUM>.

Next, the configuration of the outdoor unit <NUM> will be described. The outdoor unit <NUM> mainly includes the compressor <NUM>, a switching mechanism <NUM>, the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>, the outdoor-side expansion valve <NUM>, an outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe <NUM>, a suction pipe <NUM>, an accumulator <NUM>, a discharge pipe <NUM>, a first outdoor gas-refrigerant pipe <NUM>, a second outdoor gas-refrigerant pipe <NUM>, a liquid-side shutoff valve <NUM>, a gas-side shutoff valve <NUM>, an outdoor fan <NUM>, a bypass pipe <NUM>, the subcooling-heat-exchanger-side expansion valve <NUM>, and a subcooling heat exchanger <NUM>.

The compressor <NUM> is a device that compresses low-pressure refrigerant to high-pressure refrigerant. Here, a compressor used as the compressor <NUM> has a hermetic structure in which a positive-displacement compression element (not illustrated), such as a rotary or scroll compression element, is driven to rotate by a compressor motor <NUM>. Here, the number of rotations of the compressor motor <NUM> can be controlled by an inverter or the like, and accordingly the capacity of the compressor <NUM> can be controlled.

The switching mechanism <NUM> is a four-way switching valve capable of switching a flowing direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit <NUM>. The switching mechanism <NUM> is a mechanism capable of performing switching, during a cooling operation, to cause a suction side of the compressor <NUM> to communicate with the gas-refrigerant connection pipe <NUM> through the suction pipe <NUM> and the second outdoor gas-refrigerant pipe <NUM>, and cause a discharge side of the compressor <NUM> to communicate with a gas-side end of the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> through the discharge pipe <NUM> and the first outdoor gas-refrigerant pipe <NUM>. Thus, the refrigerant circuit <NUM> is capable of, by switching of the switching mechanism <NUM>, performing switching to a cooling cycle state (see the solid lines in the switching mechanism <NUM> in <FIG>) in which the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> functions as a condenser for a refrigerant and the indoor heat exchangers 52a and 52b function as an evaporator for a refrigerant. The switching mechanism <NUM> is a mechanism capable of performing switching, during a heating operation, to cause the suction side of the compressor <NUM> to communicate with the gas-side end of the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> through the suction pipe <NUM> and the first outdoor gas-refrigerant pipe <NUM>, and cause the discharge side of the compressor <NUM> to communicate with the gas-refrigerant connection pipe <NUM> through the discharge pipe <NUM> and the second outdoor gas-refrigerant pipe <NUM>. Thus, the refrigerant circuit <NUM> is capable of, by switching of the switching mechanism <NUM>, performing switching to a heating cycle state (see the broken lines in the switching mechanism <NUM> in <FIG>) in which the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> functions as an evaporator for a refrigerant and the indoor heat exchangers 52a and 52b function as a condenser for a refrigerant. The switching mechanism <NUM> is not limited to a four-way switching valve, and may have a configuration in which a plurality of electromagnetic valves and a refrigerant pipe are combined to perform the above-described switching of a flowing direction of the refrigerant.

The outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> performs heat exchange between a refrigerant and outdoor air. The outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> functions as a condenser for a refrigerant during a cooling operation, and functions as an evaporator for a refrigerant during a heating operation. The outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> has a liquid-side end connected to the outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe <NUM>, and a gas-side end connected to the first outdoor gas-refrigerant pipe <NUM>.

The outdoor-side expansion valve <NUM> is an electric expansion valve that performs adjustment or the like of a flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> and whose opening degree is adjustable. The outdoor-side expansion valve <NUM> is provided in the outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe <NUM>.

The outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe <NUM> connects the liquid-side end of the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> and the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe <NUM>. The suction pipe <NUM> connects the switching mechanism <NUM> and the suction side of the compressor <NUM>.

The suction pipe <NUM> is provided with the accumulator <NUM> that temporarily stores refrigerant that is to be sucked by the compressor <NUM>. In other words, the accumulator <NUM> stores surplus refrigerant.

The discharge pipe <NUM> connects the discharge side of the compressor <NUM> and the switching mechanism <NUM>. The first outdoor gas-refrigerant pipe <NUM> connects the switching mechanism <NUM> and the gas-side end of the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>. The second outdoor gas-refrigerant pipe <NUM> connects the gas-refrigerant connection pipe <NUM> and the switching mechanism <NUM>. The liquid-side shutoff valve <NUM> is provided at a connection portion between the outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe <NUM> and the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe <NUM>. The gas-side shutoff valve <NUM> is provided at a connection portion between the second outdoor gas-refrigerant pipe <NUM> and the gas-refrigerant connection pipe <NUM>. The liquid-side shutoff valve <NUM> and the gas-side shutoff valve <NUM> are valves that are opened or closed manually.

The outdoor fan <NUM> sucks outdoor air into the outdoor unit <NUM>, causes the outdoor air to exchange heat with a refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>, and then discharges the outdoor air to the outside of the outdoor unit <NUM>. The outdoor fan <NUM> supplies, to the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>, outdoor air serving as a cooling source or heating source of the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>.

The outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe <NUM> is connected to the bypass pipe <NUM> and is provided with the subcooling heat exchanger <NUM>. The bypass pipe <NUM> is a refrigerant pipe that causes a part of the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe <NUM> to branch off and return to the compressor <NUM>. The subcooling heat exchanger <NUM> cools the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe <NUM> by using low-pressure the refrigerant flowing through the bypass pipe <NUM>. The subcooling heat exchanger <NUM> is provided, in the outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe <NUM>, between the outdoor-side expansion valve <NUM> and the liquid-side shutoff valve <NUM>.

The bypass pipe <NUM> connects the subcooling heat exchanger <NUM> and the compressor <NUM>. The bypass pipe <NUM> is a refrigerant return pipe that sends the refrigerant branched from the outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe <NUM> to the suction side of the compressor <NUM>. The bypass pipe <NUM> includes a refrigerant return inlet pipe <NUM> and a refrigerant return outlet pipe <NUM>.

The refrigerant return inlet pipe <NUM> is a refrigerant pipe that causes a part of the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe <NUM> to branch off and sends the part of the refrigerant to an inlet on the bypass pipe <NUM> side of the subcooling heat exchanger <NUM>. The refrigerant return inlet pipe <NUM> is connected to the outdoor-side expansion valve <NUM> and the subcooling heat exchanger <NUM>.

The refrigerant return inlet pipe <NUM> is provided with the subcooling-heat-exchanger-side expansion valve <NUM> that performs adjustment or the like of a flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the bypass pipe <NUM>. The subcooling-heat-exchanger-side expansion valve <NUM> decompresses the refrigerant that flows through the bypass pipe <NUM> and that is to enter the subcooling heat exchanger <NUM>. The subcooling-heat-exchanger-side expansion valve <NUM> is an electric expansion valve.

The refrigerant return outlet pipe <NUM> is a refrigerant pipe that sends the refrigerant from an outlet on the bypass pipe <NUM> side of the subcooling heat exchanger <NUM> to the suction pipe <NUM> connected to the suction side of the compressor <NUM>.

The bypass pipe <NUM> may be a refrigerant pipe that sends the refrigerant to a point in a compression process of the compressor <NUM>, not to the suction side of the compressor <NUM>.

The outdoor unit <NUM> is provided with various sensors. Specifically, the outdoor unit <NUM> includes a suction pressure sensor <NUM>, a suction temperature sensor <NUM>, a discharge pressure sensor <NUM>, a discharge temperature sensor <NUM>, an outdoor-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor <NUM>, a subcooling-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor <NUM>, and an outdoor temperature sensor <NUM>. The suction pressure sensor <NUM>, the suction temperature sensor <NUM>, the discharge pressure sensor <NUM>, and the discharge temperature sensor <NUM> are provided around the compressor <NUM> of the outdoor unit <NUM>.

The suction pressure sensor <NUM> detects a suction pressure Lp of the compressor <NUM>. The suction temperature sensor <NUM> detects a suction temperature Ts of the compressor <NUM>. The discharge pressure sensor <NUM> detects a discharge pressure Hp of the compressor <NUM>. The discharge temperature sensor <NUM> detects a discharge temperature Td of the compressor <NUM>.

The outdoor-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor <NUM> is provided, in the outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe <NUM>, closer to the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> than to the subcooling heat exchanger <NUM> (in <FIG>, closer to the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> than to the outdoor-side expansion valve <NUM>). The outdoor-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor <NUM> detects a temperature Tb of a refrigerant at the liquid-side end of the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>. When the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> is used as a condenser, the outdoor-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor <NUM> serves as a condenser outlet temperature sensor that measures an outlet temperature Tb of the condenser. When the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> is used as an evaporator, the outdoor-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor <NUM> serves as an evaporator inlet temperature sensor that measures an inlet temperature of the evaporator.

The subcooling-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor <NUM> is provided in the refrigerant return outlet pipe <NUM>. The subcooling-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor <NUM> measures an outlet temperature Tsh of the subcooling heat exchanger <NUM>. Specifically, the subcooling-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor <NUM> detects a temperature Tsh of a refrigerant flowing through the outlet on the bypass pipe <NUM> side of the subcooling heat exchanger <NUM>.

The outdoor temperature sensor <NUM> is provided around the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> and the outdoor fan <NUM>. The outdoor temperature sensor <NUM> measures a temperature Ta of outdoor air to be sucked into the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>.

The liquid-refrigerant connection pipe <NUM> and the gas-refrigerant connection pipe <NUM> are refrigerant pipes that are installed on a site when the air conditioner including the refrigerant circuit <NUM> is installed in an installation place, such as a building, and the lengths or pipe diameters thereof vary according to an installation condition, such as an installation place or a combination of the outdoor unit <NUM> and the indoor units 5a and 5b.

The refrigerant flowing through the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe <NUM> may be liquid or may have two phases of gas and liquid.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked from the refrigerant circuit <NUM>, by using a first state amount of refrigerant as a determination index. The first state amount includes at least an outlet temperature of a condenser, a suction temperature of the compressor <NUM>, or a discharge temperature of the compressor <NUM>. As the first state amount, a degree of subcooling (SC), a degree of suction superheating (suction SH), a degree of discharge superheating (DSH), and a value corresponding thereto can be used.

The degree of subcooling is a temperature difference between a condensation temperature Tc and an outlet temperature Tb of a refrigerant in the condenser, and is expressed by Tc - Tb. A value corresponding to the degree of subcooling (hereinafter also referred to as an "SC corresponding value") is, for example, (Tc - Tb)/(Tc - Ta).

The SC corresponding value herein is not limited to the value expressed by the above expression, and may be a value corrected by another parameter. For example, the SC corresponding value includes a value corrected by a frequency of the compressor, a value corrected in consideration of a physical property value, a value corrected through conversion into a Mollier diagram, and the like.

Preferably, the SC corresponding value is a value corrected by at least a temperature Ta of outdoor air. More preferably, the SC corresponding value is a value corrected by a temperature Ta of outdoor air and a condensation temperature Tc, or a value corrected by a temperature Ta of outdoor air and an outlet temperature Tb of a condenser.

The degree of suction superheating is a difference between a temperature Ts of the refrigerant sucked into the compressor <NUM> and an evaporation temperature Te, and is expressed by Ts - Te. A value corresponding to the degree of suction superheating (hereinafter also referred to as a "suction SH corresponding value") is, for example, (Ts - Te)/(Ta - Te).

The degree of discharge superheating is a difference between a discharge temperature Td of the compressor and a condensation temperature Tc, and is expressed by Td - Tc. A value corresponding to the degree of discharge superheating (hereinafter also referred to as a "DSH corresponding value") is, for example, (Td - Tc)/(Tc - Te).

Specifically, during a cooling operation in which the indoor heat exchangers 52a and 52b are used as an evaporator and the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> is used as a condenser, at least one of an outlet temperature Tb of the condenser, a suction temperature Ts of the compressor <NUM>, and a discharge temperature Td of the compressor is acquired from at least one of the outdoor-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor <NUM>, the suction temperature sensor <NUM>, and the discharge temperature sensor <NUM>. Subsequently, a degree of subcooling or an SC corresponding value is calculated as the first state amount from the outlet temperature Tb of a refrigerant in the condenser. Alternatively, a degree of suction superheating or a suction SH corresponding value is calculated as the first state amount from the temperature Ts of the refrigerant sucked into the compressor <NUM>. Alternatively, a degree of discharge superheating or a DSH corresponding value is calculated as the first state amount from the discharge temperature Td of the compressor <NUM>. Subsequently, the first determination unit <NUM> determines whether refrigerant has leaked in the refrigerant circuit <NUM>, by using the first state amount and a value of a reference state (reference value) in which a refrigerant leakage has not occurred in the refrigerant circuit <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the first determination unit <NUM> uses, as the first state amount, a degree of subcooling or an SC corresponding value. In this case, the first determination unit <NUM> calculates a condensation temperature Tc from a discharge pressure Hp of the discharge pressure sensor <NUM>. Also, the first determination unit <NUM> acquires an outlet temperature Tb of the condenser from the condenser outlet temperature sensor. Subsequently, the first determination unit <NUM> calculates, as the first state amount, a degree of subcooling or an SC corresponding value from the condensation temperature Tc and the outlet temperature Tb. Furthermore, the first determination unit <NUM> acquires a reference value of the degree of subcooling or the SC corresponding value. The reference value is estimated based on, for example, an outdoor temperature, the number of rotations of the compressor, a current value, or the like. If the difference between the calculated degree of subcooling or SC corresponding value and the estimated reference value is larger than a predetermined value, the first determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked. On the other hand, if the difference between the calculated degree of subcooling or SC corresponding value and the reference value is smaller than or equal to the predetermined value, the first determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has not leaked.

At least one of the first determination unit <NUM> and the second determination unit <NUM> described below is stored in an external apparatus. The external apparatus is an apparatus outside the air conditioner mainly including the refrigerant circuit <NUM>. Specifically, the external apparatus is outside the apparatus constituted by the outdoor unit <NUM>, the indoor units 5a and 5b, the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe <NUM>, and the gas-refrigerant connection pipe <NUM>. The external apparatus of the present embodiment is a cloud server. In this case, information on each sensor and each expansion valve is accumulated in the cloud server.

The second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked from the refrigerant circuit <NUM>, based on information different from the first state amount. Here, as illustrated in <FIG>, the second determination unit <NUM> acquires information from at least one of the outdoor-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor <NUM>, the indoor-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensors 58a and 58b, the discharge pressure sensor <NUM>, the indoor-heat-exchanger inlet temperature sensors 57a and 57b, the indoor-side expansion valves 51a and 51b, the subcooling-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor <NUM>, the subcooling-heat-exchanger-side expansion valve <NUM>, and the filter sensors 59a and 59b. The second determination unit <NUM> may determine, by using acquired information, whether refrigerant has leaked, whether the various sensors or valves have broken down, or whether a wet operation described below is being performed in which the degree of discharge superheating or the DSH corresponding value is smaller than or equal to a normal value.

The verification unit <NUM> verifies whether refrigerant has leaked from the refrigerant circuit <NUM>, based on a determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> and a determination result of the second determination unit <NUM>. The verification unit <NUM> outputs a verification result as a determination result of the refrigerant leakage determination system <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the verification unit <NUM> verifies the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> by using the determination result of the second determination unit <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, a determination method of the second determination unit <NUM> and a verification method of the verification unit <NUM> will be described by using examples. In the following description, individual sensors during a cooling operation in which the indoor heat exchangers 52a and 52b are used as an evaporator and the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> is used as a condenser will be put in parentheses. <FIG> schematically illustrates an example of behaviors of various parameters in a case where the first determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked and the second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has not leaked. In <FIG>, the vertical axis represents ΔSc, which is a difference between a degree of subcooling and a reference value; a degree of discharge superheating; a measurement value and a true value of an outlet temperature Tb of the condenser; an inlet temperature TH2 of the evaporator; an outlet temperature TH3 of the evaporator; opening degree instruction values of the indoor-side expansion valves 51a and 51b; an outlet temperature Tsh of the subcooling heat exchanger <NUM>; and an opening degree instruction value of the subcooling-heat-exchanger-side expansion valve <NUM>, and the horizontal axis represents elapsed time.

In a first method, the second determination unit <NUM> detects, by using a value of a condenser outlet temperature sensor (outdoor-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor <NUM>), whether the condenser outlet temperature sensor has a failure, thereby determining that refrigerant has leaked. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the condenser outlet temperature sensor has a failure and a value of the outlet temperature Tb of the condenser greater than a true value is output, a degree of subcooling and an SC corresponding value that are calculated are smaller than a reference value. If ΔSc, which is the difference between the degree of subcooling or the SC corresponding value and the reference value is greater than a predetermined value, the first determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked. In contrast to this, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has not leaked, in response to detecting that the condenser outlet temperature sensor has a failure. The verification unit <NUM> that has received determination results of the first determination unit <NUM> and the second determination unit <NUM> determines that the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> is wrong and determines that refrigerant has not leaked. On the other hand, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked, in response to detecting that the condenser outlet temperature sensor does not have a failure. The verification unit <NUM> determines that the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> is correct and determines that refrigerant has leaked.

Now, a description will be given by using specific examples illustrated in <FIG> illustrates ΔSc, which is a difference between a degree of subcooling and a reference value of one air conditioner in the years <NUM> and <NUM>. In <FIG>, the vertical axis represents the difference between the degree of subcooling and the reference value, and the horizontal axis represents the time of measurement. <FIG> illustrates an outlet temperature Tb of the condenser in the same air conditioner as in <FIG>, and a condensation temperature Tc calculated from a discharge pressure Hp of the discharge pressure sensor <NUM>. In <FIG>, the vertical axis represents the outlet temperature Tb and the condensation temperature Tc of the condenser, and the horizontal axis represents the time of measurement.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in the year <NUM>, there is a time in which ΔSc, which is the difference between the degree of subcooling and the reference value, significantly decreases. In this time, the amount of decrease in ΔSc exceeds a predetermined value, and thus the first determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked. Actually, however, the condenser outlet temperature sensor has a failure and thus an outlet temperature Tb that is very higher than a true value is output, as illustrated in <FIG>. In response to detecting that the condenser outlet temperature sensor has a failure, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has not leaked. The verification unit <NUM> that has received determination results of the first determination unit <NUM> and the second determination unit <NUM> determines that the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> is wrong and determines that refrigerant has not leaked from the refrigerant circuit <NUM>.

In a second method, the second determination unit <NUM> detects, by using a value of the discharge pressure sensor <NUM>, whether the discharge pressure sensor <NUM> has a failure, thereby determining that refrigerant has leaked. When the discharge pressure sensor <NUM> has a failure and outputs a value of the discharge pressure Hp of the compressor <NUM> smaller than a true value, a condensation temperature Tc that is calculated decreases in the first determination unit <NUM>, and thus the degree of subcooling and the SC corresponding value are smaller than the reference value. When the difference between the degree of subcooling and the reference value, and the difference between the SC corresponding value and the reference value, are greater than a predetermined value, the first determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked. In contrast to this, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has not leaked, in response to detecting that the discharge pressure sensor <NUM> has a failure. In this case, the verification unit <NUM> determines that the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> is wrong and determines that refrigerant has not leaked from the refrigerant circuit <NUM>. On the other hand, if the second determination unit <NUM> detects that the discharge pressure sensor <NUM> does not have a failure, the verification unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked. In this case, the verification unit <NUM> determines that the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> is correct and determines that refrigerant has leaked from the refrigerant circuit <NUM>.

In a third method, the second determination unit <NUM> detects, based on a degree of discharge superheating or a DSH corresponding value, whether refrigerant remains inside the accumulator <NUM>, thereby determining that refrigerant has leaked. Here, the second determination unit <NUM> detects whether a wet operation is being performed in which the degree of discharge superheating or the DSH corresponding value is smaller than or equal to a normal value, and detects whether an erroneous determination has been made due to refrigerant remaining inside the accumulator <NUM> because of a wet operation.

Specifically, a decrease in the inlet temperature TH2 of the evaporator output from the evaporator inlet temperature sensor (indoor-heat-exchanger inlet temperature sensors 57a and 57b) or an increase in the outlet temperature TH3 of the evaporator output from the evaporator outlet temperature sensor (indoor-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensors 58a and 58b) causes the degree of superheating at the evaporator outlet to be higher than a reference value. Accordingly, to overcome excessive superheating, the opening degrees of the indoor-side expansion valves 51a and 51b are wrongly controlled to be increased. As a result, a circulation amount of refrigerant increases, and refrigerant that failed to evaporate remains inside the accumulator <NUM>. Because the circulation amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit <NUM> decreases, the first determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked. At this time, the wetness of the refrigerant sucked by the compressor <NUM> is high. Thus, a wet operation is performed, and the degree of discharge superheating or the DSH corresponding value decreases. In contrast to this, the second determination unit <NUM> detects, based on the degree of discharge superheating or the DSH corresponding value, the refrigerant remaining inside the accumulator <NUM>, and utilizes the detection for determination.

Specifically, in response to detecting that the refrigerant remaining inside the accumulator <NUM> is a predetermined value or more based on the degree of discharge superheating or the DSH corresponding value, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has not leaked. In this case, the verification unit <NUM> determines that the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> is wrong and determines that refrigerant has not leaked. On the other hand, in response to detecting that the refrigerant remaining inside the accumulator <NUM> is less than the predetermined value based on the degree of discharge superheating or the DSH corresponding value, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked. In this case, the verification unit <NUM> determines that the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> is correct and determines that refrigerant has leaked from the refrigerant circuit <NUM>.

Here, when the degree of discharge superheating or the DSH corresponding value is smaller than or equal to a threshold value, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that a wet operation is being performed and refrigerant has not leaked. The threshold value is, for example, <NUM>, and is preferably <NUM>. As described above, in the third method, attention is focused on that the degree of discharge superheating or the DSH corresponding value decreases resulting from a wet state, and the second determination unit <NUM> detects a state in which the degree of discharge superheating or the DSH corresponding value is lower than a normal value.

In a fourth method, the second determination unit <NUM> detects, by using a value of an evaporator inlet temperature sensor (indoor-heat-exchanger inlet temperature sensors 57a and 57b), whether the evaporator inlet temperature sensor has a failure, thereby determining that refrigerant has leaked. When the evaporator inlet temperature sensor has a failure and outputs a value of the inlet temperature TH2 of the evaporator smaller than a true value, the degree of superheating at the evaporator outlet becomes higher than a reference value. Accordingly, to overcome excessive superheating, the opening degree of the indoor-side expansion valve is wrongly controlled to be increased. As a result, a circulation amount of refrigerant increases, and refrigerant that failed to evaporate remains inside the accumulator <NUM>. Because the circulation amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit <NUM> decreases, the first determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked. In contrast to this, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has not leaked, in response to detecting that the evaporator inlet temperature sensor has a failure. In this case, the verification unit <NUM> that has received determination results of the first determination unit <NUM> and the second determination unit <NUM> determines that the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> is wrong and determines that refrigerant has not leaked. On the other hand, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked, in response to detecting that the evaporator inlet temperature sensor does not have a failure. In this case, the verification unit <NUM> determines that the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> is correct and determines that refrigerant has leaked from the refrigerant circuit <NUM>.

In a fifth method, the second determination unit <NUM> detects, by using a value of an evaporator outlet temperature sensor (indoor-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensors 58a and 58b), whether the evaporator outlet temperature sensor has a failure, thereby determining that refrigerant has leaked. When the evaporator outlet temperature sensor has a failure and outputs a value of the outlet temperature TH3 of the evaporator greater than a true value, the degree of superheating at the evaporator outlet becomes higher than a reference value. Accordingly, to overcome excessive superheating, the opening degree of the indoor-side expansion valve is wrongly controlled to be increased. As a result, a circulation amount of refrigerant increases, and refrigerant that failed to evaporate remains inside the accumulator <NUM>. Because the circulation amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit <NUM> decreases, the first determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked. In contrast to this, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has not leaked, in response to detecting that the evaporator outlet temperature sensor has a failure. In this case, the verification unit <NUM> determines that the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> is wrong and determines that refrigerant has not leaked. On the other hand, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked, in response to detecting that the evaporator outlet temperature sensor does not have a failure. In this case, the verification unit <NUM> determines that the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> is correct and determines that refrigerant has leaked from the refrigerant circuit <NUM>.

In association with the fourth and fifth methods, the second determination unit <NUM> detects, by using a value of the evaporator inlet temperature sensor (indoor-heat-exchanger inlet temperature sensors 57a and 57b), whether the evaporator outlet temperature sensor (indoor-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensors 58a and 58b) has a failure, thereby determining that refrigerant has leaked. In addition, the second determination unit <NUM> detects, by using a value of the evaporator outlet temperature sensor (indoor-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensors 58a and 58b), whether the evaporator inlet temperature sensor (indoor-heat-exchanger inlet temperature sensors 57a and 57b) has a failure. In addition, the second determination unit <NUM> detects, by using values of the evaporator inlet temperature sensor (indoor-heat-exchanger inlet temperature sensors 57a and 57b) and the evaporator outlet temperature sensor (indoor-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensors 58a and 58b), whether the evaporator inlet temperature sensor (indoor-heat-exchanger inlet temperature sensors 57a and 57b) and the evaporator outlet temperature sensor (indoor-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensors 58a and 58b) have a failure.

When the value of the evaporator inlet temperature sensor (indoor-heat-exchanger inlet temperature sensors 57a and 57b) decreases or the value of the evaporator outlet temperature sensor (indoor-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensors 58a and 58b) increases due to a failure of the sensor, refrigerant remains inside the accumulator <NUM>. Thus, for example, when the evaporator outlet temperature sensor has a higher failure occurrence rate than the evaporator inlet temperature sensor, the second determination unit <NUM> may detect at least whether the evaporator outlet temperature sensor has a failure by using a value of the evaporator inlet temperature sensor and/or the evaporator outlet temperature sensor.

In a sixth method, the second determination unit <NUM> detects, by using a degree of superheating at the outlet of the indoor heat exchanger, which is a difference between outlet temperatures of the indoor heat exchangers 52a and 52b and evaporation temperatures of the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchangers 52a and 52b, and values of the opening degrees of the indoor-side expansion valves 51a and 51b, whether the indoor-side expansion valves 51a and 51b have a failure, thereby determining that refrigerant has leaked. When a failure in the indoor-side expansion valves 51a and 51b causes the opening degrees thereof to be fixed in a large value or causes actual opening degrees to be higher than an opening degree instruction value, excessive the refrigerant flows into the indoor heat exchangers 52a and 52b and the outlets thereof become wet. Thus, refrigerant remains inside the accumulator <NUM>, and the circulation amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit <NUM> decreases. Thus, the first determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked. At this time, a degree of superheating is not obtained at the outlet of the indoor heat exchanger, and control is performed to close the indoor-side expansion valves 51a and 51b. Thus, the opening degree instruction value thereof becomes minimum. In contrast to this, the second determination unit <NUM> detects whether the indoor-side expansion valves 51a and 51b have a failure, by using the degree of superheating at the outlet of the indoor heat exchanger and the opening degree instruction value of the indoor-side expansion valves 51a and 51b. In response to detecting that the indoor-side expansion valves 51a and 51b have a failure, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has not leaked. In this case, the verification unit <NUM> determines that the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> is wrong and determines that refrigerant has not leaked. On the other hand, in response to detecting that the indoor-side expansion valves 51a and 51b do not have a failure, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked. In this case, the verification unit <NUM> determines that the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> is correct and determines that refrigerant has leaked from the refrigerant circuit <NUM>.

In a seventh method, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked, based on a state amount of refrigerant that passes through the subcooling heat exchanger <NUM>. When the value of the outlet temperature Tsh of the subcooling heat exchanger output as a result of a failure in the subcooling-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor <NUM> increases, the opening degree of the subcooling-heat-exchanger-side expansion valve <NUM> is controlled to increase. Otherwise, a mechanical failure may occur in the subcooling-heat-exchanger-side expansion valve <NUM>, and the opening degree of the subcooling-heat-exchanger-side expansion valve <NUM> may be fixed to a large value. As a result of the above, refrigerant remains inside the accumulator <NUM> and the circulation amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit <NUM> decreases. Thus, the first determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked. At this time, the wetness of the refrigerant sucked by the compressor <NUM> is high. Thus, a wet operation is performed, and the degree of discharge superheating or the DSH corresponding value decreases. In contrast to this, the second determination unit <NUM> makes a determination by using a state amount of refrigerant in the subcooling heat exchanger <NUM>. Specifically, when a difference between the state amount of the refrigerant that passes through the subcooling heat exchanger <NUM> and a predetermined value is outside an allowable range, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has not leaked. In this case, the verification unit <NUM> determines that the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> is wrong and determines that refrigerant has not leaked. On the other hand, when the difference between the state amount of the refrigerant that passes through the subcooling heat exchanger <NUM> and the predetermined value is within the allowable range, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked. In this case, the verification unit <NUM> determines that the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> is correct and determines that refrigerant has leaked from the refrigerant circuit <NUM>.

In association with the seventh method, the second determination unit <NUM> detects, by using a value of the subcooling-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor <NUM>, whether the subcooling-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor <NUM> has a failure, thereby determining that refrigerant has leaked. When the subcooling-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor <NUM> has a failure and outputs a value of the outlet temperature Tsh of the subcooling heat exchanger greater than a true value, the opening degree of the subcooling-heat-exchanger-side expansion valve <NUM> is controlled to increase, refrigerant remains inside the accumulator <NUM>, and the circulation amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit <NUM> decreases. Thus, the first determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked. In contrast to this, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has not leaked, in response to detecting that the subcooling-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor <NUM> has a failure. In this case, the verification unit <NUM> determines that the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> is wrong and determines that refrigerant has not leaked. On the other hand, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked, in response to detecting that the subcooling-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor <NUM> does not have a failure. In this case, the verification unit <NUM> determines that the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> is correct and determines that refrigerant has leaked from the refrigerant circuit <NUM>.

In association with the seventh method, the second determination unit <NUM> detects, by using either an outlet temperature of the subcooling heat exchanger <NUM> or a degree of superheating at the outlet of the subcooling heat exchanger, which is a difference between the outlet temperature of the subcooling heat exchanger <NUM> and an evaporation temperature of the refrigerant in the subcooling heat exchanger <NUM>, and also using the opening degree of the subcooling-heat-exchanger-side expansion valve <NUM>, whether the subcooling-heat-exchanger-side expansion valve <NUM> has a failure, thereby determining that refrigerant has leaked. When the subcooling-heat-exchanger-side expansion valve <NUM> has a failure and a large value of the opening degree is output, refrigerant remains inside the accumulator <NUM> and the circulation amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit <NUM> decreases. Thus, the first determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked. In contrast to this, the second determination unit <NUM> detects whether the indoor-side expansion valves 51a and 51b have a failure, by using (a degree of superheating at the outlet of the subcooling heat exchanger or a value of the subcooling-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor <NUM>), and (the opening degree of the subcooling-heat-exchanger-side expansion valve <NUM>). In response to detecting that the subcooling-heat-exchanger-side expansion valve <NUM> has a failure, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has not leaked. In this case, the verification unit <NUM> determines that the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> is wrong and determines that refrigerant has not leaked. On the other hand, in response to detecting that the subcooling-heat-exchanger-side expansion valve <NUM> does not have a failure, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked. In this case, the verification unit <NUM> determines that the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> is correct and determines that refrigerant has leaked from the refrigerant circuit <NUM>.

Whether the condenser outlet temperature sensor, the discharge pressure sensor <NUM>, the evaporator inlet temperature sensor, the evaporator outlet temperature sensor, the indoor-side expansion valves 51a and 51b, the subcooling-heat-exchanger outlet temperature sensor <NUM>, and the subcooling-heat-exchanger-side expansion valve <NUM> have a failure is detected in a generally known method by using values of the individual sensors and values of opening degrees of the individual expansion valves. For example, whether a failure has occurred can be detected by estimating normal values from a plurality of pieces of normal data of the individual sensors and the individual expansion valves and comparing the normal values with current values.

In an eighth method, the second determination unit <NUM> detects dirt of the filters 56a and 56b that trap dust in air that is prior to pass through an evaporator (indoor heat exchangers 52a and 52b), thereby determining that refrigerant has leaked. When the degree of dirt of the filters 56a and 56b of the indoor heat exchangers 52a and 52b increases, heat exchange capacity decreases, a large amount of liquid refrigerant is accumulated in the indoor heat exchangers 52a and 52b, and liquid refrigerant that has failed to evaporate in the indoor heat exchangers 52a and 52b remains inside the accumulator <NUM>. Accordingly, the circulation amount of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit <NUM> decreases, and thus the first determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked. At this time, the wetness of the refrigerant sucked by the compressor <NUM> is high. Thus, a wet operation is performed, and the degree of discharge superheating or the DSH corresponding value decreases. In contrast to this, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has not leaked, in response to detecting that the degree of dirt of the filters 56a and 56b is high and is outside an allowable range. In this case, the verification unit <NUM> determines that the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> is wrong and determines that refrigerant has not leaked. On the other hand, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked, in response to detecting that the degree of dirt of the filters 56a and 56b is low and is within the allowable range. In this case, the verification unit <NUM> determines that the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> is correct and determines that refrigerant has leaked from the refrigerant circuit <NUM>.

The refrigerant leakage determination system <NUM> executes, by using the refrigerant circuit <NUM>, a heating operation and a cooling operation.

A cooling operation will be described with reference to <FIG>. In a cooling operation, an operation frequency of the compressor <NUM> is controlled so that a value of low pressure of a refrigeration cycle (a detection value of the suction pressure sensor <NUM>) is a constant value, and the opening degrees of the indoor-side expansion valves 51a and 51b are adjusted so that the degree of superheating of the refrigerant is a predetermined target value (for example, <NUM>) at the outlets of the indoor heat exchangers 52a and 52b.

In response to an instruction of a cooling operation provided by input from a remote controller (not illustrated) or the like, the switching mechanism <NUM> is switched to bring the refrigerant circuit <NUM> into a cooling cycle state (the state indicated by the solid lines of the switching mechanism <NUM> in <FIG>). Accordingly, the compressor <NUM>, the outdoor fan <NUM>, and the indoor fans 55a and 55b are activated, and the outdoor-side expansion valve <NUM>, the subcooling-heat-exchanger-side expansion valve <NUM>, the indoor-side expansion valves 51a and 51b, and so forth perform predetermined operations.

Accordingly, low-pressure gas refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit <NUM> is sucked and compressed by the compressor <NUM> and becomes high-pressure gas refrigerant. The high-pressure gas refrigerant is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> through the switching mechanism <NUM>.

In the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> functioning as a condenser for the refrigerant, the high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> exchanges heat with outdoor air supplied by the outdoor fan <NUM> so as to be cooled and condensed, and becomes high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant is sent to the subcooling heat exchanger <NUM> through the outdoor-side expansion valve <NUM>.

At this time, a part of the high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing through the outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe <NUM> branches into the bypass pipe <NUM> and is decompressed by the subcooling-heat-exchanger-side expansion valve <NUM>. The refrigerant decompressed by the subcooling-heat-exchanger-side expansion valve <NUM> is sent to the subcooling heat exchanger <NUM>, exchanges heat with the high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing through the outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe <NUM> so as to be heated and evaporated, becomes gas refrigerant, and is returned to the compressor <NUM>.

The high-pressure liquid refrigerant sent to the subcooling heat exchanger <NUM> exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing through the bypass pipe <NUM> so as to be further cooled, and is sent from the outdoor unit <NUM> to the indoor units 5a and 5b through the liquid-side shutoff valve <NUM> and the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe <NUM>.

The high-pressure liquid refrigerant sent to the indoor units 5a and 5b is decompressed by the indoor-side expansion valves 51a and 51b and becomes low-pressure refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state. The low-pressure refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state is sent to the indoor heat exchangers 52a and 52b.

In the indoor heat exchangers 52a and 52b functioning as an evaporator for refrigerant, the low-pressure refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state sent to the indoor heat exchangers 52a and 52b exchanges heat with indoor air supplied by the indoor fans 55a and 55b so as to be heated and evaporated, and becomes low-pressure gas refrigerant. The low-pressure gas refrigerant is sent from the indoor units 5a and 5b to the outdoor unit <NUM> through the gas-refrigerant connection pipe <NUM>.

The low-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the outdoor unit <NUM> is sucked by the compressor <NUM> again through the gas-side shutoff valve <NUM> and the switching mechanism <NUM>.

A heating operation will be described with reference to <FIG>. In a heating operation, an operation frequency of the compressor <NUM> is controlled so that a value of high pressure of a refrigeration cycle (a detection value of the discharge pressure sensor <NUM>) is a constant value, and the opening degrees of the expansion valves are adjusted so that the degree of subcooling of a refrigerant is a predetermined target value (for example, <NUM>) at the outlets of the indoor heat exchangers 52a and 52b.

In response to an instruction of a heating operation provided by input from a remote controller (not illustrated) or the like, the switching mechanism <NUM> is switched to bring the refrigerant circuit <NUM> into a heating cycle state (the state indicated by the broken lines of the switching mechanism <NUM> in <FIG>). The compressor <NUM>, the outdoor fan <NUM>, and the indoor fans 55a and 55b are activated, and the outdoor-side expansion valve <NUM>, the subcooling-heat-exchanger-side expansion valve <NUM>, the indoor-side expansion valves 51a and 51b, and so forth perform predetermined operations.

Accordingly, low-pressure gas refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit <NUM> is sucked and compressed by the compressor <NUM> and becomes high-pressure gas refrigerant. The high-pressure gas refrigerant is sent from the outdoor unit <NUM> to the indoor units 5a and 5b through the switching mechanism <NUM>, the gas-side shutoff valve <NUM>, and the gas-refrigerant connection pipe <NUM>. The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the indoor units 5a and 5b is sent to the indoor heat exchangers 52a and 52b.

In the indoor heat exchangers 52a and 52b functioning as a condenser for refrigerant, the high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the indoor heat exchangers 52a and 52b exchanges heat with indoor air supplied by the indoor fans 55a and 55b so as to be cooled and condensed, and becomes high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant is sent from the indoor units 5a and 5b to the outdoor unit <NUM> through the indoor-side expansion valves 51a and 51b and the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe <NUM>.

The refrigerant sent to the outdoor unit <NUM> is sent to the outdoor-side expansion valve <NUM> through the liquid-side shutoff valve <NUM> and the subcooling heat exchanger <NUM>, and is decompressed by the outdoor-side expansion valve <NUM> so as to become low-pressure refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state. The low-pressure refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>.

In the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> functioning as an evaporator for a refrigerant, the low-pressure refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state sent to the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM> exchanges heat with outdoor air supplied by the outdoor fan <NUM> so as to be heated and evaporated, and becomes low-pressure gas refrigerant. The low-pressure gas refrigerant is sucked by the compressor <NUM> again through the switching mechanism <NUM>.

A refrigerant leakage determination method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to <FIG>. The refrigerant leakage determination method is a method for determining, during the above-described cooling operation or heating operation, whether refrigerant has leaked from the refrigerant circuit <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, first, the first determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked from the refrigerant circuit <NUM>, by using a first state amount of refrigerant as a determination index. The first state amount includes at least an outlet temperature of a condenser, a suction temperature of a compressor, or a discharge temperature of the compressor (step S1). In the present embodiment, as a determination index, a degree of subcooling or an SC corresponding value is used as the first state amount. The first determination unit <NUM> determines whether refrigerant has leaked in the refrigerant circuit <NUM>, by using the first state amount and a reference value in which refrigerant leakage has not occurred in the refrigerant circuit <NUM>.

If the first determination unit <NUM> determines in step S1 that refrigerant has not leaked, the verification unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has not leaked from the refrigerant circuit <NUM> (step S2).

On the other hand, if the first determination unit <NUM> determines in step S1 that refrigerant has leaked, the process proceeds to determination by the second determination unit <NUM> in step S3.

Subsequently, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked from the refrigerant circuit <NUM>, based on information different from the first state amount (step S3). Step S3 is executed, for example, in accordance with the above-described first to eighth methods of the second determination unit <NUM>.

The determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> in step S1 and the determination result of the second determination unit <NUM> in step S3 are transmitted to the verification unit <NUM>. The verification unit <NUM> that has received the determination results of the first determination unit <NUM> and the second determination unit <NUM> verifies the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> by using the determination result of the second determination unit <NUM>.

If the second determination unit <NUM> determines in step S3 that refrigerant has not leaked, the verification unit <NUM> determines that the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> is wrong and determines that refrigerant has not leaked from the refrigerant circuit <NUM> (step S4). On the other hand, if the second determination unit <NUM> determines in step S3 that refrigerant has leaked, the verification unit <NUM> determines that the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> is correct and determines that refrigerant has leaked from the refrigerant circuit <NUM> (step S5).

In the refrigerant leakage determination system <NUM> of the present embodiment, even if the first determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked, by using a degree of subcooling, a degree of suction superheating, a degree of discharge superheating, and a value corresponding thereto as a determination index, it is possible to prevent a determination from being made that refrigerant has leaked when the second determination unit <NUM> does not determine, based on other information, that refrigerant has leaked. For this purpose, the second determination unit <NUM> has a function of eliminating a factor causing an erroneous determination resulting from a failure or the like of the sensor used for determination by the first determination unit <NUM>, an expansion valve, or the like. Thus, the refrigerant leakage determination system <NUM> is capable of reducing an erroneous determination of a refrigerant leakage. Verifying of the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> using the determination result of the second determination unit <NUM> makes it possible to further reduce an erroneous determination of a refrigerant leakage.

In the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the above-described embodiment, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked, by using all the first to eighth methods. Alternatively, the second determination unit <NUM> of the present disclosure may adopt one of the above-described first to eighth examples alone, or may combine them as appropriate. However, it is preferable that the second determination unit <NUM> detect whether each of information acquisition means used by the first determination unit <NUM> to determine refrigerant leakage (devices such as a sensor and an expansion valve) has a failure, thereby determining that refrigerant has leaked. For example, in a case where the first determination unit <NUM> determines that a refrigerant has leaked by using a degree of subcooling, which is a temperature difference between a condensation temperature Tc and an outlet temperature Tb of a condenser, or an SC corresponding value as a determination index, the second determination unit <NUM> detects whether the condenser outlet temperature sensor and the discharge pressure sensor <NUM> have a failure, thereby determining that refrigerant has leaked.

The second determination unit <NUM> of the present modification does not adopt a method having a small influence on a refrigerant leakage. For example, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked, by using the first to seventh methods.

The refrigerant leakage determination system according to the above-described embodiment includes the verification unit <NUM> that verifies a determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> and a determination result of the second determination unit <NUM>. However, the verification unit <NUM> may be omitted. A refrigerant leakage determination system of the present modification is configured so that determination results of the first determination unit <NUM> and the second determination unit <NUM> are recognized.

In the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the above-described embodiment, the second determination unit <NUM> detects a failure of a predetermined sensor, and determines, based on whether a failure has occurred, that refrigerant has leaked. However, the second determination unit <NUM> of the present disclosure may have only a function of detecting whether a failure has occurred. In the present modification, in the case of the above-described first method, the second determination unit <NUM> detects whether a condenser outlet temperature sensor has a failure by using a value of the condenser outlet temperature sensor. Specifically, the first determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked. In contrast to this, the second determination unit <NUM> detects that the condenser outlet temperature sensor has a failure. The verification unit <NUM> determines, from the detection result of the second determination unit <NUM>, that the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> is wrong and determines that refrigerant has not leaked. On the other hand, the second determination unit <NUM> detects that the condenser outlet temperature sensor does not have a failure. The verification unit <NUM> determines, from the detection result of the second determination unit <NUM>, that the determination result of the first determination unit <NUM> is correct and determines that refrigerant has leaked.

In the refrigerant leakage method using the refrigerant leakage determination system according to the above-described embodiment, a step of determination by the first determination unit <NUM> (step S1) is performed, and then a step of determination by the second determination unit <NUM> (step S3) is performed. However, the method is not limited thereto. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, a step of determination by the second determination unit <NUM> (step S11) may be performed, and then a step of determination by the first determination unit <NUM> (step S13) may be performed.

Specifically, first, the second determination unit <NUM> detects whether a device for calculating a first state amount used as a determination index by the first determination unit <NUM> has a failure (step S11). If it is detected in step S11 that the device has a failure, the device having a failure is repaired (step S12). On the other hand, if it is detected in step S11 that the device does not have a failure, a cooling operation or a heating operation is started.

In step S11, it is preferable that the second determination unit <NUM> detect whether each of all devices used for calculating a first state amount used as a determination index by the first determination unit <NUM> has a failure. For example, in a case where the first determination unit <NUM> uses a degree of subcooling or an SC corresponding value as a first state amount, the second determination unit <NUM> detects whether the condenser outlet temperature sensor and the discharge pressure sensor <NUM> have a failure. If it is detected in step S11 that at least one device has a failure, the second determination unit <NUM> determines that the first determination unit <NUM> is incapable of determining leakage of refrigerant. In this case, the device having a failure is repaired (step S12). On the other hand, if it is detected in step S11 that all devices do not have a failure, the process proceeds to determination by the first determination unit <NUM> in step S <NUM>.

Subsequently, the first determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked from the refrigerant circuit <NUM>, by using, as a determination index, a degree of subcooling or an SC corresponding value as a first state amount of a refrigerant including at least an outlet temperature of a condenser (step S13). In step S13, the first determination unit <NUM> determines whether refrigerant has leaked in the refrigerant circuit <NUM>, by using the first state amount and a reference value in which a refrigerant leakage has not occurred in the refrigerant circuit <NUM>. If the first determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has not leaked, the verification unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has not leaked from the refrigerant circuit <NUM> (step S14). On the other hand, if the first determination unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked, the verification unit <NUM> determines that refrigerant has leaked from the refrigerant circuit <NUM> (step S15).

In the outdoor unit <NUM> according to the above-described embodiment, the subcooling heat exchanger <NUM> is provided, in the outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe <NUM>, between the outdoor-side expansion valve <NUM> and the liquid-side shutoff valve <NUM>. In the outdoor unit <NUM> according to the present modification, the subcooling heat exchanger <NUM> is provided, in the outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe <NUM>, between the outdoor-side expansion valve <NUM> and the outdoor heat exchanger <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A refrigerant leakage determination system (<NUM>) comprising:
a refrigerant circuit (<NUM>) including a compressor (<NUM>), a condenser (<NUM>, 52a), an expansion mechanism (<NUM>, 51a), and an evaporator (52a, <NUM>),
the refrigerant leakage determination system (<NUM>) further comprising
a first determination unit (<NUM>) that is configured to determine that refrigerant has leaked from the refrigerant circuit (<NUM>), by using a first state amount of refrigerant as a determination index, the first state amount including at least one of an outlet temperature of the condenser, a suction temperature of the compressor, and a discharge temperature of the compressor; and
a second determination unit (<NUM>) that is configured to determine that refrigerant has leaked from the refrigerant circuit (<NUM>), based on information different from the first state amount,
characterized in that a determination result of the first determination unit (<NUM>) is verified by using a determination result of the second determination unit (<NUM>).