Air conditioner

Abstract

An air conditioner that avoids the risk of fire and has a reduced number of refrigerant leakage detectors while using a refrigerant having a low global warming potential (GWP). The air conditioner is provided with a heat source unit configured to use a flammable refrigerant having a low global warming potential, and configured by housing inside a case refrigeration cycle components such as a heat exchanger in which the refrigerant flows, an electric part box in which electric parts are housed, and a blower driven by a motor. Also, airflow is formed by the blower in the case, and the refrigeration cycle components in which the refrigerant flows are arranged in the airflow in the case, and the electric part box and electric parts such as the motor of the blower are arranged upstream from the refrigeration cycle components in the airflow.

1 . An air conditioner comprising a heat source unit,
 the heat source unit using a flammable refrigerant having a low global warming potential,   the heat source unit housing inside a case:   refrigeration cycle components such as a heat exchanger in which the refrigerant flows;   an electric part box housing electric parts and the like; and   a blower driven by a motor,   wherein airflow is formed in the case by the blower, the refrigeration cycle components in which the refrigerant flows are arranged in the airflow in the case, and the electric part box and the electric parts such as a motor of the blower are arranged upstream from the refrigeration cycle components in the airflow.   
     
     
         2 . The air conditioner according to  claim 1  wherein the refrigerant has a smaller flammability than a hydrocarbon natural refrigerant and is slightly flammable. 
     
     
         3 . The air conditioner according to  claim 2  wherein the slightly flammable refrigerant is at least any one of HFO1234yf, HFO1234ze, and R32. 
     
     
         4 . The air conditioner according to  claim 3  wherein the slightly flammable refrigerant is at least any one of HFO1234yf and HFO1234ze, and the heat source unit is a ceiling embedded type heat source unit arranged to a ceiling portion and the like in a building, and introduces outside air to perform heat exchange. 
     
     
         5 . The air conditioner according to  claim 4  wherein the ceiling embedded type heat source unit is connected, by refrigerant piping, to an indoor unit that conditions air in a room, and a length of the refrigerant piping that connects between the heat source unit and the indoor unit is 10 m or less. 
     
     
         6 . The air conditioner according to  claim 5  wherein refrigerant leakage detection means is provided to the indoor unit or in a room in which the indoor unit is arranged. 
     
     
         7 . The air conditioner according to  claim 1  wherein the blower of the heat source unit is periodically driven even during shutdown of the air conditioner.