EP3124890B1 - Heat-generating unit - Google Patents
Heat-generating unit Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3124890B1 EP3124890B1 EP16179998.6A EP16179998A EP3124890B1 EP 3124890 B1 EP3124890 B1 EP 3124890B1 EP 16179998 A EP16179998 A EP 16179998A EP 3124890 B1 EP3124890 B1 EP 3124890B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- water
- hot
- supply
- heat exchanger
- heat
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- 239000003507 refrigerant Substances 0.000 claims description 234
- 238000004378 air conditioning Methods 0.000 claims description 126
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 52
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 51
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 40
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 35
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 34
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 20
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 20
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 description 15
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 13
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 13
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 13
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 13
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 description 11
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 9
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 9
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 5
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 238000007664 blowing Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000003651 drinking water Substances 0.000 description 4
- 235000020188 drinking water Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 4
- LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethylene glycol Chemical compound OCCO LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229920006328 Styrofoam Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000002528 anti-freeze Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000008261 styrofoam Substances 0.000 description 2
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H4/00—Fluid heaters characterised by the use of heat pumps
- F24H4/02—Water heaters
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F5/00—Air-conditioning systems or apparatus not covered by F24F1/00 or F24F3/00, e.g. using solar heat or combined with household units such as an oven or water heater
- F24F5/0007—Air-conditioning systems or apparatus not covered by F24F1/00 or F24F3/00, e.g. using solar heat or combined with household units such as an oven or water heater cooling apparatus specially adapted for use in air-conditioning
- F24F5/001—Compression cycle type
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
- F24F13/30—Arrangement or mounting of heat-exchangers
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F5/00—Air-conditioning systems or apparatus not covered by F24F1/00 or F24F3/00, e.g. using solar heat or combined with household units such as an oven or water heater
- F24F5/0096—Air-conditioning systems or apparatus not covered by F24F1/00 or F24F3/00, e.g. using solar heat or combined with household units such as an oven or water heater combined with domestic apparatus
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
- F24H9/00—Details
- F24H9/02—Casings; Cover lids; Ornamental panels
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B29/00—Combined heating and refrigeration systems, e.g. operating alternately or simultaneously
- F25B29/003—Combined heating and refrigeration systems, e.g. operating alternately or simultaneously of the compression type system
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B31/00—Compressor arrangements
- F25B31/002—Lubrication
- F25B31/004—Lubrication oil recirculating arrangements
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B41/00—Fluid-circulation arrangements
- F25B41/20—Disposition of valves, e.g. of on-off valves or flow control valves
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B41/00—Fluid-circulation arrangements
- F25B41/20—Disposition of valves, e.g. of on-off valves or flow control valves
- F25B41/22—Disposition of valves, e.g. of on-off valves or flow control valves between evaporator and compressor
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B41/00—Fluid-circulation arrangements
- F25B41/20—Disposition of valves, e.g. of on-off valves or flow control valves
- F25B41/24—Arrangement of shut-off valves for disconnecting a part of the refrigerant cycle, e.g. an outdoor part
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B7/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, with cascade operation, i.e. with two or more circuits, the heat from the condenser of one circuit being absorbed by the evaporator of the next circuit
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
- F24D15/00—Other domestic- or space-heating systems
- F24D15/04—Other domestic- or space-heating systems using heat pumps
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
- F24D17/00—Domestic hot-water supply systems
- F24D17/02—Domestic hot-water supply systems using heat pumps
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F2221/00—Details or features not otherwise provided for
- F24F2221/18—Details or features not otherwise provided for combined with domestic apparatus
- F24F2221/183—Details or features not otherwise provided for combined with domestic apparatus combined with a hot-water boiler
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
- F25B2313/023—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units
- F25B2313/0231—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units with simultaneous cooling and heating
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
- F25B2313/023—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units
- F25B2313/0233—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units in parallel arrangements
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2339/00—Details of evaporators; Details of condensers
- F25B2339/04—Details of condensers
- F25B2339/047—Water-cooled condensers
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to heat-generating units, and more particularly, to a heat-generating unit which is used in an air-conditioning hot-water-supply system capable of simultaneously supplying high-temperature heat and low-temperature heat for cooling, heating, and hot water supply and which includes a refrigeration cycle that generates hot water to be supplied.
- Air-conditioning hot-water-supply systems capable of simultaneously supplying high-temperature heat and low-temperature heat for cooling, heating, and hot water supply generally include a heat-generating unit including a refrigeration cycle that generates hot water to be supplied.
- the heat-generating unit includes a hot-water-supply heat exchanger (heat medium-refrigerant heat exchanger), a hot-water-supply compressor, and a cascade heat exchanger (refrigerant-refrigerant heat exchanger).
- a technology for arranging the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and the cascade heat exchanger in the heat-generating unit is disclosed in, for example, WO2010/109620 .
- the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and the cascade heat exchanger are arranged on a bottom plate member such that bonding portions of pipes that connect the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and the cascade heat exchanger face each other. Accordingly, piping installation is simplified in the manufacturing process, and the heat-generating unit can be reduced in size.
- a refrigeration/heat pump system which comprises a compressor, condenser, evaporator and expansion valve all of which are mounted within a rectangular housing for convenient layout and accessibility.
- the components are arranged in the housing with the compressor centrally of the housing, the evaporator along one side, the condenser along the opposed side and with the system connections in the rear wall.
- the electrical components are provided in a vertical compartment on one side of the front wall which can be accessed by an opening door.
- a removable panel in the front wall and in the rear wall allows access to the components.
- the techniques disclosed here feature a heat-generating unit including a hot-water-supply compressor that compresses a hot-water-supply refrigerant; a hot-water-supply heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the hot-water-supply refrigerant and a hot-water-supply heat medium; a cascade heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the hot-water-supply refrigerant and an air-conditioning refrigerant; and a casing that includes a bottom plate member and that houses the hot-water-supply compressor, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger, and the cascade heat exchanger, wherein the hot-water-supply heat exchanger is disposed on the bottom plate member of the casing such that the hot-water-supply heat exchanger is fixed to the top of the bottom plate member, and the hot-water-supply compressor and the cascade heat exchanger are disposed above the bottom plate member of the casing.
- the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and the cascade heat exchanger, as well as the hot-water-supply compressor are heavy objects. Therefore, when the heat exchangers are arranged as described in WO2010/109620 , the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and the cascade heat exchanger are disposed next to the hot-water-supply compressor on the bottom plate member.
- the hot-water-supply compressor vibrates significantly during operation, in particular, when the operation is started and stopped. Therefore, in general, the hot-water-supply compressor is fixed to the bottom plate member with vibration isolation members interposed therebetween by using three or more fixing members.
- a low temperature heat medium at a temperature of 10°C to 20°C may flow through the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and the heat medium pipes even in summer, and dew forms on the surfaces of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and the heat medium pipes.
- the dew may fall directly from the surfaces of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and the heat medium pipes to the bottom plate member, which is part of a casing of the heat-generating unit.
- the dew may move along the surfaces of the heat medium pipes and fall onto the bottom plate member from the bottom surfaces of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and a heat medium pump.
- the hot-water-supply heat exchanger is made of copper, which is highly conductive, and is connected to the heat medium pipes with connecting portions that are also made of copper.
- connecting portions of the heat medium pump are not made of copper, and are generally made of a highly workable resin.
- the vibration of the hot-water-supply compressor during operation is transmitted to the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and the heat medium pipes through the refrigerant pipe.
- the vibration causes loosening of the connecting portions provided with the sealing member, and the heat medium containing water as the main component may leak from the connecting portions.
- the leakage of the heat medium is more likely to occur when the operation is started or stopped and when a large vibration occurs than in a steady operation.
- the heat medium that has leaked moves along the surfaces of the heat medium pipes and falls onto the bottom plate member from the bottom surfaces of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and the heat medium pump.
- the cascade heat exchanger disposed on the bottom plate member and the fixing members that fix the hot-water-supply compressor to the bottom plate member may become soaked with the water generated at the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and the heat medium pipes. This may cause rusting and corrosion of the soaked components, and the durability of the heat-generating unit is affected.
- a drain pan or the like needs to be provided to receive the water, as described in WO2010/109620 . Therefore, the cost will be increased.
- the present disclosure has been made in light of the above-described circumstances, and one non-limiting and exemplary embodiment provides a heat-generating unit capable of preventing rusting and corrosion due to water generated at the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and the heat medium pipes and increasing the durability thereof.
- a first aspect of the present disclosure as defined in claim 1 provides, amongst others, a heat-generating unit including:
- a heat-generating unit including:
- dew or the like formed in the heat-generating unit does not easily adhere to the hot-water-supply compressor and the cascade heat exchanger, so that rusting and corrosion of the hot-water-supply compressor and the cascade heat exchanger can be prevented and the durability of the heat-generating unit can be increased.
- a second aspect of the present disclosure provides the heat-generating unit according to the first aspect, wherein at least one of a lower end surface of the hot-water-supply compressor and a lower end surface of the cascade heat exchanger is disposed above an upper end surface of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger.
- a third aspect of the present disclosure provides the heat-generating unit according to the first or second aspect, wherein the casing further houses a heat medium pump that discharges the hot-water-supply heat medium, and the lower end surface of the hot-water-supply compressor and the lower end surface of the cascade heat exchanger are disposed above a lower end surface of the heat medium pump.
- a fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides the heat-generating unit according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the hot-water-supply heat exchanger is a double pipe heat exchanger.
- a fifth aspect of the present disclosure provides the heat-generating unit according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the cascade heat exchanger is a plate heat exchanger.
- the heat transfer efficiency is increased.
- the heat exchanger can be reduced in size and maintenance thereof can be facilitated.
- the hot-water-supply heat exchanger is disposed on the bottom plate member of the casing, and the hot-water-supply compressor and the cascade heat exchanger are disposed above the bottom plate member. Therefore, dew or the like formed in the heat-generating unit does not easily adhere to the hot-water-supply compressor and the cascade heat exchanger, so that rusting and corrosion of the hot-water-supply compressor and the cascade heat exchanger can be prevented and the durability of the heat-generating unit can be increased.
- Fig. 1 is a cycle block diagram of an air-conditioning hot-water-supply system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the air-conditioning hot-water-supply system illustrated in Fig. 1 includes an outdoor unit 10, indoor devices 30, and a heat-generating unit 40.
- two indoor devices 30 and a single heat-generating unit 40 are connected to a single outdoor unit 10.
- the structure of the refrigeration cycle is not limited to that illustrated in Fig. 1 .
- two or more outdoor units 10, one or three or more indoor devices 30, and two or more heat-generating units 40 may be connected in parallel.
- the outdoor unit 10, the indoor devices 30, and the heat-generating unit 40 are connected with pipes through which an air-conditioning refrigerant flows.
- the outdoor unit 10 is connected to each indoor device 30 with a gas pipe 25 through which a high-temperature, high-pressure air-conditioning refrigerant in the gas state flows; a suction pipe 26 through which a low-pressure air-conditioning refrigerant flows; and a liquid pipe 27 through which a high-pressure air-conditioning refrigerant in the liquid state flows.
- the indoor devices 30 are connected to the three pipes in parallel. Similar to the indoor devices 30, the outdoor unit 10 and the heat-generating unit 40 are connected to the pipes in parallel.
- the outdoor unit 10 is connected to the heat-generating unit 40 with the gas pipe 25 and the liquid pipe 27.
- the outdoor unit 10 includes an air-conditioning compressor 11 that compresses the air-conditioning refrigerant.
- An accumulator 12 that supplies a gas refrigerant to the air-conditioning compressor 11 is connected to the suction side of the air-conditioning compressor 11.
- An oil separator 13 that removes refrigeration oil from the gaseous air-conditioning refrigerant discharged from the air-conditioning compressor 11 is connected to the discharge side of the air-conditioning compressor 11.
- the refrigeration oil removed by the oil separator 13 is returned to the air-conditioning compressor 11 through an oil returning pipe 14.
- the flow of the refrigeration oil through the oil returning pipe 14 is controlled by opening or closing an oil-returning-pipe on-off valve 15.
- the outdoor unit 10 also includes an outdoor heat exchanger 16.
- An outdoor blowing fan 17 that supplies the air around the outdoor unit 10 to the outdoor heat exchanger 16 is disposed near the outdoor heat exchanger 16.
- the outdoor heat exchanger 16 is configured to exchange heat between the air supplied by the outdoor blowing fan 17 and the air-conditioning refrigerant.
- a fin tube heat exchanger or a micro tube heat exchanger may be used.
- the outdoor unit 10 also includes an outdoor refrigerant flow regulating valve 18 that regulates the flow of the air-conditioning refrigerant supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 16; an outdoor gas-pipe on-off valve 19 that regulates the flow of the air-conditioning refrigerant through the gas pipe 25; and an outdoor suction-pipe on-off valve 20 that regulates the flow of the air-conditioning refrigerant through the suction pipe 26.
- an outdoor refrigerant flow regulating valve 18 that regulates the flow of the air-conditioning refrigerant supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 16
- an outdoor gas-pipe on-off valve 19 that regulates the flow of the air-conditioning refrigerant through the gas pipe 25
- an outdoor suction-pipe on-off valve 20 that regulates the flow of the air-conditioning refrigerant through the suction pipe 26.
- Each indoor device 30 includes an indoor heat exchanger 31; an indoor blowing fan 32 that supplies the air around the indoor device 30 to the indoor heat exchanger 31; and an indoor refrigerant flow regulating valve 33 that regulates the flow of the air-conditioning refrigerant supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 31.
- the indoor heat exchanger 31 is configured to exchange heat between the air supplied by the indoor blowing fan 32 and the air-conditioning refrigerant.
- a fin tube heat exchanger or a micro tube heat exchanger may be used.
- Each indoor device 30 also includes an indoor gas-pipe on-off valve 34 that controls the presence/absence of flow of the air-conditioning refrigerant to/from the gas pipe 25, and an indoor suction-pipe on-off valve 35 that controls the presence/absence of flow of the air-conditioning refrigerant to/from the suction pipe 26.
- the air-conditioning compressor 11, the accumulator 12, the oil separator 13, the outdoor heat exchanger 16, the outdoor refrigerant flow regulating valve 18, the outdoor gas-pipe on-off valve 19, the outdoor suction-pipe on-off valve 20, the indoor heat exchangers 31, the indoor refrigerant flow regulating valves 33, the indoor gas-pipe on-off valves 34, and the indoor suction-pipe on-off valves 35 form a second refrigeration cycle.
- the heat-generating unit 40 includes a hot-water-supply compressor 41 that compresses a hot-water-supply refrigerant; a hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 that exchanges heat between the hot-water-supply refrigerant and a heat medium that contains water as the main component; and a hot-water-supply refrigerant flow regulating valve 43 that regulates the flow of the hot-water-supply refrigerant.
- the heat-generating unit 40 also includes a cascade heat exchanger 44 that exchanges heat between the air-conditioning refrigerant supplied from the gas pipe 25 and the hot-water-supply refrigerant; a heat-generating-unit refrigerant flow regulating valve 45 that regulates the flow of the air-conditioning refrigerant supplied to the cascade heat exchanger 44; and a heat medium pump 46 that supplies the heat medium to the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42.
- the hot-water-supply compressor 41, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, the hot-water-supply refrigerant flow regulating valve 43, the cascade heat exchanger 44, the heat-generating-unit refrigerant flow regulating valve 45, and the heat medium pump 46 form a first refrigeration cycle.
- the hot-water-supply refrigerant may be, for example, R134a, CO 2 , R1234yf, or R1234ze.
- the heat medium can be boiled at 60°C to 80°C by the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42.
- the hot-water-supply refrigerant is CO 2
- the heat medium can be boiled at 60°C to 90°C by the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42.
- Service water is generally used as the heat medium; however, an antifreeze obtained by dissolving ethylene glycol or alcohol in water may instead be used in cold areas.
- the heat medium that has been boiled at 70°C to 90°C by the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 is stored in a hot water tank (not shown).
- the heat medium is directly supplied when the heat medium is drinking water.
- the heat medium is an antifreeze or the like and is not drinking water
- the heat medium is supplied to a radiator or the like placed indoors and used for heating purposes. Alternatively, heat is transferred to drinking water at the hot water tank, and the drinking water is supplied.
- Fig. 2 is a front view of the inner structure of the heat-generating unit 40 according to the first embodiment.
- Fig. 3 is a plan view of the inner structure of the heat-generating unit 40 according to the first embodiment.
- the heat-generating unit 40 includes a casing 50 that houses the refrigeration cycle formed of the hot-water-supply compressor 41, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, the hot-water-supply refrigerant flow regulating valve 43 (see Fig. 1 ), and the cascade heat exchanger 44; the heat-generating-unit refrigerant flow regulating valve 45 (see Fig. 1 ); and the heat medium pump 46.
- the casing 50 includes a bottom plate member 51 disposed at the bottom; a pair of side plate members 52 that stand on the bottom plate member 51 at both sides thereof so as to face each other; and a side plate member 53 that stands on the bottom plate member 51 at the rear end thereof and extends between the rear ends of the side plate members 52.
- a double pipe heat exchanger for example, is used as the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42.
- the double pipe heat exchanger is a heat exchanger in which one or more pipes (inner pipes) are inserted into a pipe (outer pipe) having a substantially circular cross section.
- the inner pipes are inserted into the outer pipe in a helically twisted state.
- the carbon dioxide refrigerant flows through the inner pipes of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, and the heat medium flows through the space between the outer pipe and the inner pipes.
- the double pipe heat exchanger is generally composed of copper pipes with a high thermal conductivity.
- an oxidation film is formed on the surface of the copper and corrosion due to adhesion of water or the like can be prevented.
- the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 may instead be composed of, for example, a plate heat exchanger or a shell and tube heat exchanger.
- the cascade heat exchanger 44 is composed of, for example, a plate heat exchanger or a shell and tube heat exchanger.
- the heat exchanging performance of the double pipe heat exchanger is proportional to the length of the double pipes. Therefore, to maximize the heat exchanging performance in the limited installation space, the double pipes are formed in a wound shape. When the double pipe heat exchanger is installed, the double pipes are made as horizontal as possible to prevent a significant reduction in the heat exchanging performance due to accumulation of air in a portion of the double pipes through which the heat medium flows.
- the hot-water-supply compressor 41 is fixed to a compressor fixing base 57, which is fixed to the top of the bottom plate member 51, with vibration isolation members 60, such as rubber, interposed therebetween.
- Reference numeral 67 denotes fixing members used to fix the hot-water-supply compressor 41 to the compressor fixing base 57.
- the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 is also fixed to the top of the bottom plate member 51, and the cascade heat exchanger 44 is fixed to the top surface (upper end surface 42b) of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42.
- At least one of a lower end surface 41a of the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and a lower end surface 44a of the cascade heat exchanger 44 (lower end surface 44a of the cascade heat exchanger 44 in this case) is disposed above the upper end surface 42b of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42.
- the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and the cascade heat exchanger 44 are disposed above the bottom plate member 51 so as not to be in contact with the bottom plate member 51, and at least one of the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and the cascade heat exchanger 44 is disposed above the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42.
- the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 is made of copper, corrosion can be prevented even when dew is formed on the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42.
- a material other than copper is used to form the cascade heat exchanger 44, there is a possibility that rusting and corrosion of the cascade heat exchanger 44 will occur when dew is formed thereon.
- a material that may cause rusting and corrosion is used to form the hot-water-supply compressor 41. Therefore, the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and the cascade heat exchanger 44 are arranged in the above-described manner so that formation of dew or the like on the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and the cascade heat exchanger 44 can be suppressed. As a result, rusting and corrosion can be prevented, and the durability of the heat-generating unit 40 can be increased.
- the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 and the cascade heat exchanger 44 each include a heat insulator, such as Styrofoam or thick felt, and a structural member that covers the heat insulator.
- a heat insulator such as Styrofoam or thick felt
- a strong iron plate is provided to cover and protect the surface of the heat insulator to prevent the heat insulator from being deformed by the weight of the cascade heat exchanger 44 placed on the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42.
- the cascade heat exchanger 44 is not necessarily in contact with the structural member that surrounds the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42.
- the cascade heat exchanger 44 and the heat insulator around the cascade heat exchanger 44 may be fixed to one of the side plate members 52 of the heat-generating unit 40 in such a state that they are surrounded by a structural member that is strong enough to support the weight thereof.
- the heat medium pump 46 is fixed to the side plate member 53 at the rear of the casing 50. As illustrated in Fig. 2 , a lower end surface 46a of the heat medium pump 46 is disposed below the lower end surface 41a of the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and the lower end surface 44a of the cascade heat exchanger 44.
- the heat medium pump 46 may be arranged such that an upper end surface 46b thereof is below the lower end surface 41a of the hot-water-supply compressor 41. In other words, the heat medium pump 46 may be disposed below the hot-water-supply compressor 41. In this case, the heat medium pump 46 may be disposed in the compressor fixing base 57.
- the bottom plate member 51 has a drainage hole 62 in the region where the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 and the heat medium pump 46 are present when they are projected onto the bottom plate member 51 vertically from above.
- the top surface of the bottom plate member 51 is appropriately inclined toward the drainage hole 62 so that water can be quickly discharged out of the heat-generating unit 40 through the drainage hole 62.
- the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 and the cascade heat exchanger 44 each include a heat insulator, such as Styrofoam or thick felt, and a structural member that covers the heat insulator.
- a strong iron plate is provided to cover and protect the surface of the heat insulator thereof to prevent the heat insulator from being deformed by the weight of the cascade heat exchanger 44 placed on the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42.
- the cascade heat exchanger 44 is not necessarily in contact with the structural member that surrounds the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42.
- the cascade heat exchanger 44 and the heat insulator around the cascade heat exchanger 44 may be fixed to a side surface of the heat-generating unit 40 in such a state that they are surrounded by a structural member that is strong enough to support the weight thereof.
- Reference numerals 63, 64, and 65 denote heat medium pipes through which the heat medium flows.
- the flow of the heat medium through the heat medium pipes 63, 64, and 65 is generated by the operation of the heat medium pump 46.
- the heat medium that has flowed into the heat-generating unit 40 flows into the heat medium pump 46 through the heat medium pipe 63, and is discharged to the heat medium pipe 64.
- the heat medium enters the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, where the heat medium is heated to a temperature of 70°C to 90°C by the hot-water-supply refrigerant, and is discharged out of the heat-generating unit 40 through the heat medium pipe 65.
- the heat medium pipes 63, 64, and 65 are mostly composed of copper pipes with high workability, a resin material is also used.
- a heat-medium suction portion and a heat-medium discharge portion of the heat medium pump 46 are generally made of a resin material.
- the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 which is a double pipe heat exchanger, is generally made of copper as described above, and connecting portions thereof are also made of copper pipes.
- the passage through which the heat medium flows (the heat medium pipe 63, the heat medium pump 46, the heat medium pipe 64, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, and the heat medium pipe 65 in that order) is formed of both the resin material and copper, and includes sections where connecting portions made of different materials are connected together. The connecting portions are fixed together with a sealing member (not shown) interposed therebetween to prevent leakage of the heat medium.
- the outdoor gas-pipe on-off valve 19 is opened and the outdoor suction-pipe on-off valve 20 is closed in the outdoor unit 10
- the indoor gas-pipe on-off valve 34 is closed and the indoor suction-pipe on-off valve 35 is opened in each indoor device 30, and the heat-generating-unit refrigerant flow regulating valve 45 is fully closed in the heat-generating unit 40.
- the high-temperature, high-pressure air-conditioning refrigerant compressed by the air-conditioning compressor 11 flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 16 through the outdoor gas-pipe on-off valve 19, and is cooled and liquefied by the air around the outdoor unit 10.
- the liquefied air-conditioning refrigerant flows into the liquid pipe 27 through the outdoor refrigerant flow regulating valve 18 in the fully open state, and reaches the indoor devices 30.
- the air-conditioning refrigerant that has reached each indoor device 30 is decompressed by the indoor refrigerant flow regulating valve 33 so that the state thereof is changed to a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two phase state. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into the indoor heat exchanger 31, and absorbs heat from the indoor air to perform cooling. During this process, the air-conditioning refrigerant evaporates. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into the suction pipe 26 through the indoor suction-pipe on-off valve 35, and returns to the outdoor unit 10. The air-conditioning refrigerant that has returned to the outdoor unit 10 flows through the accumulator 12 and returns to the air-conditioning compressor 11.
- the outdoor gas-pipe on-off valve 19 is closed and the outdoor suction-pipe on-off valve 20 is opened in the outdoor unit 10
- the indoor gas-pipe on-off valve 34 is opened and the indoor suction-pipe on-off valve 35 is closed in each indoor device 30, and the heat-generating-unit refrigerant flow regulating valve 45 is fully closed in the heat-generating unit 40.
- the high-temperature, high-pressure air-conditioning refrigerant compressed by the air-conditioning compressor 11 flows into the gas pipe 25, and reaches the indoor devices 30.
- the air-conditioning refrigerant that has reached each indoor device 30 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 31 through the indoor gas-pipe on-off valve 34, and radiates heat into the indoor air to perform heating. During this process, the air-conditioning refrigerant is condensed and liquefied. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into the liquid pipe 27 through the indoor refrigerant flow regulating valve 33 in the fully open state, and returns to the outdoor unit 10.
- the air-conditioning refrigerant that has returned to the outdoor unit 10 is decompressed by the outdoor refrigerant flow regulating valve 18 so that the state thereof is changed to a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two phase state. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant enters the outdoor heat exchanger 16, where the air-conditioning refrigerant is heated by the air around the outdoor unit 10 and is evaporated. The evaporated and gasified air-conditioning refrigerant returns to the air-conditioning compressor 11 through the outdoor suction-pipe on-off valve 20 and the accumulator 12.
- the outdoor gas-pipe on-off valve 19 is closed and the outdoor suction-pipe on-off valve 20 is opened in the outdoor unit 10
- the indoor gas-pipe on-off valve 34 and the indoor suction-pipe on-off valve 35 are both closed in each indoor device 30, and the heat-generating-unit refrigerant flow regulating valve 45 is opened in the heat-generating unit 40.
- the high-temperature, high-pressure air-conditioning refrigerant compressed by the air-conditioning compressor 11 flows into the gas pipe 25, and reaches the heat-generating unit 40.
- the hot-water-supply compressor 41 of the heat-generating unit 40 is operated so that the hot-water-supply refrigerant circulates through the hot-water-supply compressor 41, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, the hot-water-supply refrigerant flow regulating valve 43, and the cascade heat exchanger 44 in that order.
- the air-conditioning refrigerant that has reached the heat-generating unit 40 heats the hot-water-supply refrigerant in the cascade heat exchanger 44, and is cooled and liquefied. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into the liquid pipe 27 through the heat-generating-unit refrigerant flow regulating valve 45, and returns to the outdoor unit 10.
- the air-conditioning refrigerant that has returned to the outdoor unit 10 is decompressed by the outdoor refrigerant flow regulating valve 18 so that the state thereof is changed to a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two phase state. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant enters the outdoor heat exchanger 16, where the air-conditioning refrigerant is heated by the air around the outdoor unit 10 and is evaporated. The evaporated and gasified air-conditioning refrigerant returns to the air-conditioning compressor 11 through the outdoor suction-pipe on-off valve 20 and the accumulator 12.
- the hot-water-supply refrigerant heated by the air-conditioning refrigerant in the cascade heat exchanger 44 is gasified and enters the hot-water-supply compressor 41.
- the hot-water-supply refrigerant is compressed by the hot-water-supply compressor 41 so that the temperature and pressure thereof are increased, enters the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, and heats the heat medium to a temperature of 70°C to 90°C.
- the hot-water-supply refrigerant is cooled and liquefied.
- the hot-water-supply refrigerant is decompressed by the hot-water-supply refrigerant flow regulating valve 43, and returns to the cascade heat exchanger 44.
- the outdoor gas-pipe on-off valve 19 and the outdoor suction-pipe on-off valve 20 are both closed in the outdoor unit 10.
- the indoor gas-pipe on-off valve 34 is closed and the indoor suction-pipe on-off valve 35 is opened in the indoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation, and the indoor gas-pipe on-off valve 34 is opened and the indoor suction-pipe on-off valve 35 is closed in the indoor device 30 that performs a heating operation.
- the heat-generating-unit refrigerant flow regulating valve 45 is fully closed in the heat-generating unit 40.
- the high-temperature, high-pressure air-conditioning refrigerant that has been compressed by the air-conditioning compressor 11 flows into the gas pipe 25 and reaches the indoor device 30 that performs a heating operation.
- the air-conditioning refrigerant that has reached the indoor device 30 that performs a heating operation flows into the indoor heat exchanger 31 through the indoor gas-pipe on-off valve 34, and radiates heat into the indoor air to perform heating. During this process, the air-conditioning refrigerant is condensed and liquefied. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into the liquid pipe 27 through the indoor refrigerant flow regulating valve 33 in the fully open state.
- the air-conditioning refrigerant in the liquid state that has flowed into the liquid pipe 27 reaches the indoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation.
- the air-conditioning refrigerant that has reached the indoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation is decompressed by the indoor refrigerant flow regulating valve 33 so that the state thereof is changed to a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two phase state.
- the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into the indoor heat exchanger 31, and absorbs heat from the indoor air to perform cooling. During this process, the air-conditioning refrigerant evaporates.
- the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into the suction pipe 26 through the indoor suction-pipe on-off valve 35, and returns to the outdoor unit 10.
- the air-conditioning refrigerant that has returned to the outdoor unit 10 flows through the accumulator 12 and returns to the air-conditioning compressor 11.
- the liquid refrigerant supplied from the indoor device 30 that performs a heating operation to the indoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation is insufficient. Therefore, additional liquid refrigerant is generated by the outdoor heat exchanger 16 of the outdoor unit 10. More specifically, the outdoor gas-pipe on-off valve 19 is opened while the outdoor suction-pipe on-off valve 20 is closed, and part of the refrigerant discharged from the air-conditioning compressor 11 is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 16 and liquefied. Then, the liquefied refrigerant is supplied to the indoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation through the outdoor refrigerant flow regulating valve 18 and the liquid pipe 27.
- the heating load is greater than the cooling load
- the liquid refrigerant supplied from the indoor device 30 that performs a heating operation cannot be fully evaporated in the indoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation. Therefore, part of the liquid refrigerant is evaporated by the outdoor heat exchanger 16 of the outdoor unit 10. More specifically, the outdoor suction-pipe on-off valve 20 is opened while the outdoor gas-pipe on-off valve 19 is closed, and the liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor device 30 that performs a heating operation is returned to the outdoor unit 10 through the liquid pipe 27.
- the liquid refrigerant that has returned to the outdoor unit 10 is decompressed by the outdoor refrigerant flow regulating valve 18, and is evaporated by the outdoor heat exchanger 16.
- the evaporated air-conditioning refrigerant returns to the accumulator 12 and the air-conditioning compressor 11 through the outdoor suction-pipe on-off valve 20.
- the outdoor gas-pipe on-off valve 19 and the outdoor suction-pipe on-off valve 20 are both closed in the outdoor unit 10.
- the indoor gas-pipe on-off valve 34 is closed and the indoor suction-pipe on-off valve 35 is opened in the indoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation, and the heat-generating-unit refrigerant flow regulating valve 45 is opened in the heat-generating unit 40.
- the high-temperature, high-pressure air-conditioning refrigerant compressed by the air-conditioning compressor 11 flows into the gas pipe 25, and reaches the heat-generating unit 40.
- the hot-water-supply compressor 41 of the heat-generating unit 40 is operated so that the hot-water-supply refrigerant circulates through the hot-water-supply compressor 41, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, the hot-water-supply refrigerant flow regulating valve 43, and the cascade heat exchanger 44 in that order.
- the air-conditioning refrigerant that has reached the heat-generating unit 40 heats the hot-water-supply refrigerant in the cascade heat exchanger 44, and is cooled and liquefied. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into the liquid pipe 27 through the heat-generating-unit refrigerant flow regulating valve 45.
- the air-conditioning refrigerant in the liquid state that has flowed into the liquid pipe 27 reaches the indoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation.
- the air-conditioning refrigerant that has reached the indoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation is decompressed by the indoor refrigerant flow regulating valve 33 so that the state thereof is changed to a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two phase state.
- the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into the indoor heat exchanger 31, and absorbs heat from the indoor air to perform cooling. During this process, the air-conditioning refrigerant evaporates.
- the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into the suction pipe 26 through the indoor suction-pipe on-off valve 35, and returns to the outdoor unit 10.
- the air-conditioning refrigerant that has returned to the outdoor unit 10 flows through the accumulator 12 and returns to the air-conditioning compressor 11.
- the hot-water-supply refrigerant heated by the air-conditioning refrigerant in the cascade heat exchanger 44 is gasified and enters the hot-water-supply compressor 41.
- the hot-water-supply refrigerant is compressed by the hot-water-supply compressor 41 so that the temperature and pressure thereof are increased, enters the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, and heats the heat medium to a temperature of 70°C to 90°C.
- the hot-water-supply refrigerant is cooled and liquefied.
- the hot-water-supply refrigerant is decompressed by the hot-water-supply refrigerant flow regulating valve 43, and returns to the cascade heat exchanger 44.
- the cooling load is greater than the hot-water-supply load
- the liquid refrigerant supplied from the heat-generating unit 40 to the indoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation is insufficient. Therefore, additional liquid refrigerant is generated by the outdoor heat exchanger 16 of the outdoor unit 10. More specifically, the outdoor gas-pipe on-off valve 19 is opened while the outdoor suction-pipe on-off valve 20 is closed, and part of the refrigerant discharged from the air-conditioning compressor 11 is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 16 and liquefied. Then, the liquefied refrigerant is supplied to the indoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation through the outdoor refrigerant flow regulating valve 18 and the liquid pipe 27.
- the hot-water-supply load is greater than the cooling load
- the liquid refrigerant supplied from the heat-generating unit 40 cannot be fully evaporated in the indoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation. Therefore, part of the liquid refrigerant is evaporated by the outdoor heat exchanger 16 of the outdoor unit 10. More specifically, the outdoor suction-pipe on-off valve 20 is opened while the outdoor gas-pipe on-off valve 19 is closed, and part of the liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat-generating unit 40 is returned to the outdoor unit 10 through the liquid pipe 27.
- the liquid refrigerant that has returned to the outdoor unit 10 is decompressed by the outdoor refrigerant flow regulating valve 18, and is evaporated by the outdoor heat exchanger 16.
- the evaporated air-conditioning refrigerant returns to the accumulator 12 and the air-conditioning compressor 11 through the outdoor suction-pipe on-off valve 20.
- the outdoor gas-pipe on-off valve 19 is closed and the outdoor suction-pipe on-off valve 20 is opened in the outdoor unit 10
- the indoor gas-pipe on-off valve 34 is opened and the indoor suction-pipe on-off valve 35 is closed in each indoor device 30, and the heat-generating-unit refrigerant flow regulating valve 45 is opened in the heat-generating unit 40.
- the high-temperature, high-pressure air-conditioning refrigerant compressed by the air-conditioning compressor 11 flows into the gas pipe 25, and reaches the indoor devices 30 and the heat-generating unit 40.
- the air-conditioning refrigerant that has reached each indoor device 30 flows into the indoor heat exchanger 31 through the indoor gas-pipe on-off valve 34, and radiates heat into the indoor air to perform heating. During this process, the air-conditioning refrigerant is condensed and liquefied. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into the liquid pipe 27 through the indoor refrigerant flow regulating valve 33 in the fully open state.
- the air-conditioning refrigerant that has reached the heat-generating unit 40 heats the hot-water-supply refrigerant in the cascade heat exchanger 44, and is cooled and liquefied. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into the liquid pipe 27 through the heat-generating-unit refrigerant flow regulating valve 45.
- the liquid refrigerant merges with the liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor devices 30, which perform a heating operation, and returns to the outdoor unit 10.
- the liquid refrigerant that has returned to the outdoor unit 10 is decompressed by the outdoor refrigerant flow regulating valve 18, and is evaporated by the outdoor heat exchanger 16.
- the evaporated air-conditioning refrigerant returns to the accumulator 12 and the air-conditioning compressor 11 through the outdoor suction-pipe on-off valve 20.
- the hot-water-supply refrigerant heated by the air-conditioning refrigerant in the cascade heat exchanger 44 is gasified and enters the hot-water-supply compressor 41.
- the hot-water-supply refrigerant is compressed by the hot-water-supply compressor 41 so that the temperature and pressure thereof are increased, enters the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, and heats the heat medium to a temperature of 70°C to 90°C.
- the hot-water-supply refrigerant is cooled and liquefied.
- the hot-water-supply refrigerant is decompressed by the hot-water-supply refrigerant flow regulating valve 43, and returns to the cascade heat exchanger 44.
- the outdoor gas-pipe on-off valve 19 and the outdoor suction-pipe on-off valve 20 are both closed in the outdoor unit 10.
- the indoor gas-pipe on-off valve 34 is closed and the indoor suction-pipe on-off valve 35 is opened in the indoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation, and the indoor gas-pipe on-off valve 34 is opened and the indoor suction-pipe on-off valve 35 is closed in the indoor device 30 that performs a heating operation.
- the heat-generating-unit refrigerant flow regulating valve 45 is opened in the heat-generating unit 40.
- the high-temperature, high-pressure air-conditioning refrigerant compressed by the air-conditioning compressor 11 flows into the gas pipe 25, and reaches the indoor device 30 that performs a heating operation and the heat-generating unit 40.
- the hot-water-supply compressor 41 of the heat-generating unit 40 is operated so that the hot-water-supply refrigerant circulates through the hot-water-supply compressor 41, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, the hot-water-supply refrigerant flow regulating valve 43, and the cascade heat exchanger 44 in that order.
- the air-conditioning refrigerant that has reached the indoor device 30 that performs a heating operation flows into the indoor heat exchanger 31 through the indoor gas-pipe on-off valve 34, and radiates heat into the indoor air to perform heating. During this process, the air-conditioning refrigerant is condensed and liquefied. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into the liquid pipe 27 through the indoor refrigerant flow regulating valve 33 in the fully open state.
- the air-conditioning refrigerant that has reached the heat-generating unit 40 heats the hot-water-supply refrigerant in the cascade heat exchanger 44, and is cooled and liquefied. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into the liquid pipe 27 through the heat-generating-unit refrigerant flow regulating valve 45.
- the air-conditioning refrigerant that has reached the indoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation is decompressed by the indoor refrigerant flow regulating valve 33 so that the state thereof is changed to a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two phase state. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into the indoor heat exchanger 31, and absorbs heat from the indoor air to perform cooling.
- the air-conditioning refrigerant evaporates. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into the suction pipe 26 through the indoor suction-pipe on-off valve 35, and returns to the outdoor unit 10. The air-conditioning refrigerant that has returned to the outdoor unit 10 flows through the accumulator 12 and returns to the air-conditioning compressor 11.
- the hot-water-supply refrigerant heated by the air-conditioning refrigerant in the cascade heat exchanger 44 is gasified and enters the hot-water-supply compressor 41.
- the hot-water-supply refrigerant is compressed by the hot-water-supply compressor 41 so that the temperature and pressure thereof are increased, enters the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, and heats the heat medium to a temperature of 70°C to 90°C.
- the hot-water-supply refrigerant is cooled and liquefied.
- the hot-water-supply refrigerant is decompressed by the hot-water-supply refrigerant flow regulating valve 43, and returns to the cascade heat exchanger 44.
- the liquid refrigerant supplied from the heat-generating unit 40 and the indoor device 30 that performs a heating operation to the indoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation is insufficient. Therefore, additional liquid refrigerant is generated by the outdoor heat exchanger 16 of the outdoor unit 10. More specifically, the outdoor gas-pipe on-off valve 19 is opened while the outdoor suction-pipe on-off valve 20 is closed, and part of the refrigerant discharged from the air-conditioning compressor 11 is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 16 and liquefied. Then, the liquefied refrigerant is supplied to the indoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation through the outdoor refrigerant flow regulating valve 18 and the liquid pipe 27.
- the liquid refrigerant supplied from the indoor device 30 that performs a heating operation and the heat-generating unit 40 cannot be fully evaporated in the indoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation. Therefore, part of the liquid refrigerant is evaporated by the outdoor heat exchanger 16 of the outdoor unit 10. More specifically, the outdoor suction-pipe on-off valve 20 is opened while the outdoor gas-pipe on-off valve 19 is closed, and part of the liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of the indoor device 30 that performs a heating operation and the heat-generating unit 40 is returned to the outdoor unit 10 through the liquid pipe 27.
- the liquid refrigerant that has returned to the outdoor unit 10 is decompressed by the outdoor refrigerant flow regulating valve 18, and is evaporated by the outdoor heat exchanger 16.
- the evaporated air-conditioning refrigerant returns to the accumulator 12 and the air-conditioning compressor 11 through the outdoor suction-pipe on-off valve 20.
- the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and the heat medium pump 46 are operated when only a hot-water-supply operation is performed, when a cooling operation and a hot-water-supply operation are performed simultaneously, when a heating operation and a hot-water-supply operation are performed simultaneously, and when a cooling operation, a heating operation, and a hot-water-supply operation are performed simultaneously.
- the heat medium pump When the heat medium pump is operated, the heat medium flows into the heat-generating unit 40 from, for example, a water supply pipe that is outside the heat-generating unit 40, and enters the heat medium pump 46 through the heat medium pipe 63.
- the heat medium that has flowed into the heat medium pump 46 flows into the heat medium pipe 64 through a discharge hole, and enters the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42.
- the heat medium exchanges heat with the high-temperature hot-water-supply refrigerant discharged from the hot-water-supply compressor 41 in the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, which is a double pipe heat exchanger, and is heated to a temperature of 70°C to 90°C. Then, the heat medium is discharged from the heat-generating unit 40 through the heat medium pipe 65.
- a low temperature heat medium at a temperature of 10°C to 20°C may flow through the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 and the heat medium pipes 63, 64, and 65 even in summer, and this causes dew to form on the surfaces of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 and the heat medium pipes 63, 64, and 65.
- the dew may fall directly from the surfaces of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 and the heat medium pipes 63, 64, and 65 to the bottom plate member 51.
- the dew may also move along the surfaces of the heat medium pipes 63, 64, and 65 and fall onto the bottom plate member 51 from the bottom surfaces of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 and the heat medium pump 46.
- the passage through which the heat medium flows (the heat medium pipe 63, the heat medium pump 46, the heat medium pipe 64, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, and the heat medium pipe 65 in that order) is formed of both the resin material and copper, and includes sections where connecting portions made of different materials are connected together.
- the refrigerant pipe of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 is directly connected to the hot-water-supply compressor 41, vibration of the hot-water-supply compressor 41 during operation is transmitted to the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 and the heat medium pipes through the refrigerant pipe.
- the vibration causes loosening of the connecting portions with the sealing member, and the heat medium, which contains water as the main component, may leak from the connecting portions.
- the heat medium that has leaked moves along the surfaces of the heat medium pipes and falls onto the bottom plate member 51 from the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 and the lower end surface 46a of the heat medium pump 46.
- the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and the cascade heat exchanger 44 are disposed above the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 and the heat medium pump 46, even when dew is formed or when the heat medium containing water as the main component leaks, the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and the cascade heat exchanger 44 will not be soaked with water. The dew and the heat medium that has leaked are quickly discharged out of the heat-generating unit 40 through the drainage hole 62 after falling onto the bottom plate member 51.
- the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 which is a double pipe heat exchanger, is disposed on the bottom plate member 51, and the cascade heat exchanger 44, which is a plate heat exchanger, is disposed on the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42. Therefore, the installation area of the heat-generating unit 40 is smaller than that in the case where the heat exchangers 42 and 44 are arranged such that the connection pipes thereof face each other.
- the installation positions of the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and the cascade heat exchanger 44 illustrated in Fig. 2 may be switched.
- the hot-water-supply compressor 41 may be disposed on the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 placed on the bottom plate member 51
- the cascade heat exchanger 44 may be disposed on a cascade-heat-exchanger fixing base (not shown) provided in place of the compressor fixing base 57.
- the structural member that covers the heat insulator of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 is a heavy object and sufficiently strong so that the hot-water-supply compressor 41, which vibrates during operation, can be reliably secured thereto.
- Fig. 4 is a front view of the inner structure of a heat-generating unit according to a second embodiment.
- Fig. 5 is a plan view of the inner structure of the heat-generating unit according to the second embodiment.
- components that are the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are thus omitted.
- a heat-generating unit 80 included in an air-conditioning hot-water-supply system includes a hot-water-supply compressor 41, a hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81, a hot-water-supply refrigerant flow regulating valve 43 (see Fig. 1 ), a cascade heat exchanger 44, a heat-generating-unit refrigerant flow regulating valve 45 (see Fig. 1 ), and a heat medium pump 46.
- the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81 exchanges heat between a hot-water-supply refrigerant and a heat medium that contains water as the main component, and basically has the same structure as that of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 (see Fig. 2 ).
- the heat medium pump 46 supplies the heat medium to the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81.
- the hot-water-supply compressor 41, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81, the hot-water-supply refrigerant flow regulating valve 43, the cascade heat exchanger 44, the heat-generating-unit refrigerant flow regulating valve 45, and the heat medium pump 46 form a first refrigeration cycle.
- the heat-generating unit 80 includes a casing 90 that houses the refrigeration cycle formed of the hot-water-supply compressor 41, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81, the hot-water-supply refrigerant flow regulating valve 43, and the cascade heat exchanger 44; the heat-generating-unit refrigerant flow regulating valve 45; and the heat medium pump 46.
- the casing 90 includes a bottom plate member 91 disposed at the bottom; a pair of side plate members 52 that stand on the bottom plate member 91 at both sides thereof so as to face each other; and a side plate member 93 that stands on the bottom plate member 91 at the rear end thereof and extends between the rear ends of the side plate members 52.
- the hot-water-supply compressor 41 is fixed to the top surface (upper end surface 81b) of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81 with vibration isolation members 60, such as rubber, interposed therebetween.
- the hot-water-supply compressor 41 is fixed to the top surface of the water-supply heat exchanger 81 with fixing members 67.
- the cascade heat exchanger 44 is also fixed to the top surface of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81.
- the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and the cascade heat exchanger 44 are both disposed on top of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81.
- a lower end surface 46a of the heat medium pump 46 is disposed below a lower end surface 41a of the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and a lower end surface 44a of the cascade heat exchanger 44, that is, below the top surface (upper end surface 81b) of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81.
- the structure of the refrigeration cycle of the air-conditioning hot-water-supply system including the heat-generating unit 80 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is thus omitted.
- dew may be formed on the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81 and heat medium pipes 63, 64, and 65, and the heat medium, which contains water as the main component, may leak from connecting portions of the heat medium pipes 63, 64, and 65.
- the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and the cascade heat exchanger 44 are disposed on the top surface of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81 and above the heat medium pump 46, even when dew is formed on the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81 and the heat medium pipes 63, 64, and 65 or when the heat medium containing water as the main component leaks, the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and the cascade heat exchanger 44 will not be soaked with water. The dew and the heat medium that has leaked are quickly discharged out of the heat-generating unit 80 through a drainage hole 62 after falling onto the bottom plate member 51.
- the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81 which is a double pipe heat exchanger, is disposed on the bottom plate member 91, and the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and the cascade heat exchanger 44, which is a plate heat exchanger, are disposed on the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81. Therefore, unlike the first embodiment, the bottom plate member 91 is not required to have an installation area for the hot-water-supply compressor 41. As a result, the installation area of the heat-generating unit 80 can be reduced.
- the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and the cascade heat exchanger 44 are disposed above the bottom plate member 91 so as not to be in contact with the bottom plate member 91.
- the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and the cascade heat exchanger 44 are both disposed above the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81.
- the heat-generating unit 40, 80 includes the casing 50, 90 that houses the hot-water-supply compressor 41 that compresses the hot-water-supply refrigerant, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, 81 that exchanges heat between the hot-water-supply refrigerant and the hot-water-supply heat medium, and the cascade heat exchanger 44 that exchanges heat between the hot-water-supply refrigerant and the air-conditioning refrigerant.
- the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, 81 is disposed on the bottom plate member 51, 91 of the casing 50, 90, and the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and the cascade heat exchanger 44 are disposed above the bottom plate member 51, 91.
- dew or the like formed in the heat-generating unit 40, 80 does not easily adhere to the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and the cascade heat exchanger 44, so that rusting and corrosion of the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and the cascade heat exchanger 44 can be prevented and the durability of the heat-generating unit 40, 80 can be increased.
- At least one of the lower end surface 41a of the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and the lower end surface 44a of the cascade heat exchanger 44 is disposed above the upper end surface 42b, 81b of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, 81. Therefore, even when the drainage hole 62 or a drainage pipe is clogged, rusting and corrosion of at least one of the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and the cascade heat exchanger 44 can be prevented as long as the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, 81 is not completely immersed in the water, and the durability of the heat-generating unit 40, 80 can be increased.
- the casing 50, 90 houses the heat medium pump 46 that discharges the hot-water-supply heat medium, and the lower end surface 41a of the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and the lower end surface 44a of the cascade heat exchanger 44 are disposed above the lower end surface 46a of the heat medium pump 46. Therefore, also when the heat medium pump 46 is mounted in the heat-generating unit 40, 80, rusting and corrosion of the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and the cascade heat exchanger 44 can be prevented and the durability of the heat-generating unit 40, 80 can be increased.
- the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, 81 is a double pipe heat exchanger. Since a double pipe heat exchanger is used, even though the installation space is limited, the heat exchanging performance and the heat exchange efficiency can be increased, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. In addition, the pressures of the hot-water-supply refrigerant and the hot-water-supply heat medium can be increased.
- the cascade heat exchanger 44 is a plate heat exchanger. Since a plate heat exchanger is used, the heat transfer efficiency is increased. In addition, the heat exchanger can be reduced in size and maintenance thereof can be facilitated.
- the cascade heat exchanger 44 is not limited to this, and a double pipe heat exchanger, for example, may instead be used.
- the present disclosure is suitable for a heat-generating unit of an air-conditioning hot-water-supply system capable of simultaneously supplying high-temperature heat and low-temperature heat for cooling, heating, and hot water supply.
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Description
- The present disclosure relates to heat-generating units, and more particularly, to a heat-generating unit which is used in an air-conditioning hot-water-supply system capable of simultaneously supplying high-temperature heat and low-temperature heat for cooling, heating, and hot water supply and which includes a refrigeration cycle that generates hot water to be supplied.
- Air-conditioning hot-water-supply systems capable of simultaneously supplying high-temperature heat and low-temperature heat for cooling, heating, and hot water supply generally include a heat-generating unit including a refrigeration cycle that generates hot water to be supplied.
- The heat-generating unit includes a hot-water-supply heat exchanger (heat medium-refrigerant heat exchanger), a hot-water-supply compressor, and a cascade heat exchanger (refrigerant-refrigerant heat exchanger).
- A technology for arranging the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and the cascade heat exchanger in the heat-generating unit is disclosed in, for example,
WO2010/109620 . According to this technology, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and the cascade heat exchanger are arranged on a bottom plate member such that bonding portions of pipes that connect the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and the cascade heat exchanger face each other. Accordingly, piping installation is simplified in the manufacturing process, and the heat-generating unit can be reduced in size. - From
CA patent application 2,197,541 disclosing a heat-generating unit according to the preamble of claim 1, a refrigeration/heat pump system is known which comprises a compressor, condenser, evaporator and expansion valve all of which are mounted within a rectangular housing for convenient layout and accessibility. The components are arranged in the housing with the compressor centrally of the housing, the evaporator along one side, the condenser along the opposed side and with the system connections in the rear wall. The electrical components are provided in a vertical compartment on one side of the front wall which can be accessed by an opening door. A removable panel in the front wall and in the rear wall allows access to the components. - In one general aspect, the techniques disclosed here feature a heat-generating unit including a hot-water-supply compressor that compresses a hot-water-supply refrigerant; a hot-water-supply heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the hot-water-supply refrigerant and a hot-water-supply heat medium; a cascade heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the hot-water-supply refrigerant and an air-conditioning refrigerant; and a casing that includes a bottom plate member and that houses the hot-water-supply compressor, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger, and the cascade heat exchanger, wherein the hot-water-supply heat exchanger is disposed on the bottom plate member of the casing such that the hot-water-supply heat exchanger is fixed to the top of the bottom plate member, and the hot-water-supply compressor and the cascade heat exchanger are disposed above the bottom plate member of the casing.
- Additional benefits and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent from the specification and drawings. The benefits and/or advantages may be individually obtained by the various embodiments and features of the specification and drawings, which need not all be provided in order to obtain one or more of such benefits and/or advantages.
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Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a refrigeration cycle of an air-conditioning hot-water-supply system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; -
Fig. 2 is a front view of the inner structure of a heat-generating unit according to the first embodiment; -
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the inner structure of the heat-generating unit according to the first embodiment; -
Fig. 4 is a front view of the inner structure of a heat-generating unit according to a second embodiment; and -
Fig. 5 is a plan view of the inner structure of the heat-generating unit according to the second embodiment. - In the heat-generating unit according to the related art, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and the cascade heat exchanger, as well as the hot-water-supply compressor, are heavy objects. Therefore, when the heat exchangers are arranged as described in
WO2010/109620 , the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and the cascade heat exchanger are disposed next to the hot-water-supply compressor on the bottom plate member. The hot-water-supply compressor vibrates significantly during operation, in particular, when the operation is started and stopped. Therefore, in general, the hot-water-supply compressor is fixed to the bottom plate member with vibration isolation members interposed therebetween by using three or more fixing members. - There is a constant risk that water will be generated at the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and at heat medium pipes that extend from the outside of the heat-generating unit to the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and through which a heat medium, which contains water as the main component, flows. A low temperature heat medium at a temperature of 10°C to 20°C may flow through the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and the heat medium pipes even in summer, and dew forms on the surfaces of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and the heat medium pipes. The dew may fall directly from the surfaces of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and the heat medium pipes to the bottom plate member, which is part of a casing of the heat-generating unit. Alternatively, the dew may move along the surfaces of the heat medium pipes and fall onto the bottom plate member from the bottom surfaces of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and a heat medium pump.
- The hot-water-supply heat exchanger is made of copper, which is highly conductive, and is connected to the heat medium pipes with connecting portions that are also made of copper. In contrast, connecting portions of the heat medium pump are not made of copper, and are generally made of a highly workable resin. Thus, the heat medium pipes included in the heat-generating unit are connected such that components made of different materials are connected together with a sealing member provided therebetween to prevent leakage of the heat medium.
- However, since a refrigerant pipe of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger is directly connected to the hot-water-supply compressor, the vibration of the hot-water-supply compressor during operation is transmitted to the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and the heat medium pipes through the refrigerant pipe. The vibration causes loosening of the connecting portions provided with the sealing member, and the heat medium containing water as the main component may leak from the connecting portions. The leakage of the heat medium is more likely to occur when the operation is started or stopped and when a large vibration occurs than in a steady operation. Similarly to the dew, the heat medium that has leaked moves along the surfaces of the heat medium pipes and falls onto the bottom plate member from the bottom surfaces of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and the heat medium pump.
- As a result, the cascade heat exchanger disposed on the bottom plate member and the fixing members that fix the hot-water-supply compressor to the bottom plate member may become soaked with the water generated at the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and the heat medium pipes. This may cause rusting and corrosion of the soaked components, and the durability of the heat-generating unit is affected.
- To prevent the cascade heat exchanger and the hot-water-supply compressor from becoming soaked with the water generated at the hot-water-supply heat exchanger, a drain pan or the like needs to be provided to receive the water, as described in
WO2010/109620 . Therefore, the cost will be increased. - The present disclosure has been made in light of the above-described circumstances, and one non-limiting and exemplary embodiment provides a heat-generating unit capable of preventing rusting and corrosion due to water generated at the hot-water-supply heat exchanger and the heat medium pipes and increasing the durability thereof.
- A first aspect of the present disclosure as defined in claim 1 provides, amongst others, a heat-generating unit including:
- a hot-water-supply compressor that compresses a hot-water-supply refrigerant;
- a hot-water-supply heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the hot-water-supply refrigerant and a hot-water-supply heat medium;
- a cascade heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the hot-water-supply refrigerant and an air-conditioning refrigerant; and
- a casing that includes a bottom plate member and that houses the hot-water-supply compressor, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger, and the cascade heat exchanger, wherein
- the hot-water-supply heat exchanger is disposed on the bottom plate member of the casing, and
- the hot-water-supply compressor and the cascade heat exchanger are disposed above the bottom plate member of the casing.
- In other words, the first aspect of the present disclosure as defined in claim 1 provides, amongst others, a heat-generating unit including:
- a hot-water-supply compressor that compresses a hot-water-supply refrigerant;
- a hot-water-supply heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the hot-water-supply refrigerant and a hot-water-supply heat medium;
- a cascade heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the hot-water-supply refrigerant and an air-conditioning refrigerant; and
- a casing that includes a bottom plate member and that houses the hot-water-supply compressor, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger, and the cascade heat exchanger, wherein
- the hot-water-supply heat exchanger is disposed on the bottom plate member of the casing, and
- a lower end surface of the hot-water-supply compressor is disposed above a lower end surface of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger in a gravity direction, and a lower end surface of the cascade heat exchanger is disposed above the lower end surface of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger in the gravity direction.
- With this structure, dew or the like formed in the heat-generating unit does not easily adhere to the hot-water-supply compressor and the cascade heat exchanger, so that rusting and corrosion of the hot-water-supply compressor and the cascade heat exchanger can be prevented and the durability of the heat-generating unit can be increased.
- A second aspect of the present disclosure provides the heat-generating unit according to the first aspect, wherein at least one of a lower end surface of the hot-water-supply compressor and a lower end surface of the cascade heat exchanger is disposed above an upper end surface of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger.
- Accordingly, even when a drainage hole or a drainage pipe is clogged, rusting and corrosion of at least one of the hot-water-supply compressor and the cascade heat exchanger can be prevented as long as the hot-water-supply heat exchanger is not completely immersed in the water, and the durability of the heat-generating unit can be increased.
- A third aspect of the present disclosure provides the heat-generating unit according to the first or second aspect, wherein the casing further houses a heat medium pump that discharges the hot-water-supply heat medium, and the lower end surface of the hot-water-supply compressor and the lower end surface of the cascade heat exchanger are disposed above a lower end surface of the heat medium pump.
- Accordingly, also when the heat medium pump is mounted in the heat-generating unit, rusting and corrosion of the hot-water-supply compressor and the cascade heat exchanger can be prevented and the durability of the heat-generating unit can be increased.
- A fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides the heat-generating unit according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the hot-water-supply heat exchanger is a double pipe heat exchanger.
- Since a double pipe heat exchanger is used, even though the installation space is limited, the heat exchanging performance and the heat exchange efficiency can be increased, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. In addition, the pressures of the hot-water-supply refrigerant and the hot-water-supply heat medium can be increased.
- A fifth aspect of the present disclosure provides the heat-generating unit according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the cascade heat exchanger is a plate heat exchanger.
- Since a plate heat exchanger is used, the heat transfer efficiency is increased. In addition, the heat exchanger can be reduced in size and maintenance thereof can be facilitated.
- According to the heat-generating unit of the present disclosure, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger is disposed on the bottom plate member of the casing, and the hot-water-supply compressor and the cascade heat exchanger are disposed above the bottom plate member. Therefore, dew or the like formed in the heat-generating unit does not easily adhere to the hot-water-supply compressor and the cascade heat exchanger, so that rusting and corrosion of the hot-water-supply compressor and the cascade heat exchanger can be prevented and the durability of the heat-generating unit can be increased.
- Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.
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Fig. 1 is a cycle block diagram of an air-conditioning hot-water-supply system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. - The air-conditioning hot-water-supply system illustrated in
Fig. 1 includes anoutdoor unit 10,indoor devices 30, and a heat-generatingunit 40. In the present embodiment, twoindoor devices 30 and a single heat-generatingunit 40 are connected to a singleoutdoor unit 10. The structure of the refrigeration cycle is not limited to that illustrated inFig. 1 . For example, two or moreoutdoor units 10, one or three or moreindoor devices 30, and two or more heat-generatingunits 40 may be connected in parallel. - The
outdoor unit 10, theindoor devices 30, and the heat-generatingunit 40 are connected with pipes through which an air-conditioning refrigerant flows. - The
outdoor unit 10 is connected to eachindoor device 30 with agas pipe 25 through which a high-temperature, high-pressure air-conditioning refrigerant in the gas state flows; asuction pipe 26 through which a low-pressure air-conditioning refrigerant flows; and aliquid pipe 27 through which a high-pressure air-conditioning refrigerant in the liquid state flows. In the case where twoindoor devices 30 are provided, as illustrated inFig. 1 , theindoor devices 30 are connected to the three pipes in parallel. Similar to theindoor devices 30, theoutdoor unit 10 and the heat-generatingunit 40 are connected to the pipes in parallel. Theoutdoor unit 10 is connected to the heat-generatingunit 40 with thegas pipe 25 and theliquid pipe 27. - A refrigerant that is commonly used in home use air conditioners or building air conditioners, such as R22, R410A, and R32, is used as the air-conditioning refrigerant.
- The
outdoor unit 10 includes an air-conditioning compressor 11 that compresses the air-conditioning refrigerant. Anaccumulator 12 that supplies a gas refrigerant to the air-conditioning compressor 11 is connected to the suction side of the air-conditioning compressor 11. Anoil separator 13 that removes refrigeration oil from the gaseous air-conditioning refrigerant discharged from the air-conditioning compressor 11 is connected to the discharge side of the air-conditioning compressor 11. The refrigeration oil removed by theoil separator 13 is returned to the air-conditioning compressor 11 through anoil returning pipe 14. The flow of the refrigeration oil through theoil returning pipe 14 is controlled by opening or closing an oil-returning-pipe on-offvalve 15. - The
outdoor unit 10 also includes anoutdoor heat exchanger 16. An outdoor blowingfan 17 that supplies the air around theoutdoor unit 10 to theoutdoor heat exchanger 16 is disposed near theoutdoor heat exchanger 16. Theoutdoor heat exchanger 16 is configured to exchange heat between the air supplied by the outdoor blowingfan 17 and the air-conditioning refrigerant. In general, a fin tube heat exchanger or a micro tube heat exchanger may be used. - The
outdoor unit 10 also includes an outdoor refrigerantflow regulating valve 18 that regulates the flow of the air-conditioning refrigerant supplied to theoutdoor heat exchanger 16; an outdoor gas-pipe on-offvalve 19 that regulates the flow of the air-conditioning refrigerant through thegas pipe 25; and an outdoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 20 that regulates the flow of the air-conditioning refrigerant through thesuction pipe 26. - Each
indoor device 30 includes anindoor heat exchanger 31; anindoor blowing fan 32 that supplies the air around theindoor device 30 to theindoor heat exchanger 31; and an indoor refrigerantflow regulating valve 33 that regulates the flow of the air-conditioning refrigerant supplied to theindoor heat exchanger 31. Theindoor heat exchanger 31 is configured to exchange heat between the air supplied by theindoor blowing fan 32 and the air-conditioning refrigerant. In general, a fin tube heat exchanger or a micro tube heat exchanger may be used. - Each
indoor device 30 also includes an indoor gas-pipe on-offvalve 34 that controls the presence/absence of flow of the air-conditioning refrigerant to/from thegas pipe 25, and an indoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 35 that controls the presence/absence of flow of the air-conditioning refrigerant to/from thesuction pipe 26. - The air-
conditioning compressor 11, theaccumulator 12, theoil separator 13, theoutdoor heat exchanger 16, the outdoor refrigerantflow regulating valve 18, the outdoor gas-pipe on-offvalve 19, the outdoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 20, theindoor heat exchangers 31, the indoor refrigerantflow regulating valves 33, the indoor gas-pipe on-offvalves 34, and the indoor suction-pipe on-offvalves 35 form a second refrigeration cycle. - The heat-generating
unit 40 includes a hot-water-supply compressor 41 that compresses a hot-water-supply refrigerant; a hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 that exchanges heat between the hot-water-supply refrigerant and a heat medium that contains water as the main component; and a hot-water-supply refrigerantflow regulating valve 43 that regulates the flow of the hot-water-supply refrigerant. - The heat-generating
unit 40 also includes acascade heat exchanger 44 that exchanges heat between the air-conditioning refrigerant supplied from thegas pipe 25 and the hot-water-supply refrigerant; a heat-generating-unit refrigerantflow regulating valve 45 that regulates the flow of the air-conditioning refrigerant supplied to thecascade heat exchanger 44; and aheat medium pump 46 that supplies the heat medium to the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42. - The hot-water-
supply compressor 41, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, the hot-water-supply refrigerantflow regulating valve 43, thecascade heat exchanger 44, the heat-generating-unit refrigerantflow regulating valve 45, and theheat medium pump 46 form a first refrigeration cycle. - The hot-water-supply refrigerant may be, for example, R134a, CO2, R1234yf, or R1234ze. When the hot-water-supply refrigerant is R134a, R1234yf, or R1234ze, the heat medium can be boiled at 60°C to 80°C by the hot-water-
supply heat exchanger 42. When the hot-water-supply refrigerant is CO2, the heat medium can be boiled at 60°C to 90°C by the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42. - Service water is generally used as the heat medium; however, an antifreeze obtained by dissolving ethylene glycol or alcohol in water may instead be used in cold areas.
- The heat medium that has been boiled at 70°C to 90°C by the hot-water-
supply heat exchanger 42 is stored in a hot water tank (not shown). The heat medium is directly supplied when the heat medium is drinking water. When the heat medium is an antifreeze or the like and is not drinking water, the heat medium is supplied to a radiator or the like placed indoors and used for heating purposes. Alternatively, heat is transferred to drinking water at the hot water tank, and the drinking water is supplied. - The inner structure of the heat-generating
unit 40 according to the first embodiment will now be described. -
Fig. 2 is a front view of the inner structure of the heat-generatingunit 40 according to the first embodiment.Fig. 3 is a plan view of the inner structure of the heat-generatingunit 40 according to the first embodiment. - As illustrated in
Figs. 2 and3 , the heat-generatingunit 40 includes acasing 50 that houses the refrigeration cycle formed of the hot-water-supply compressor 41, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, the hot-water-supply refrigerant flow regulating valve 43 (seeFig. 1 ), and thecascade heat exchanger 44; the heat-generating-unit refrigerant flow regulating valve 45 (seeFig. 1 ); and theheat medium pump 46. - The
casing 50 includes abottom plate member 51 disposed at the bottom; a pair ofside plate members 52 that stand on thebottom plate member 51 at both sides thereof so as to face each other; and aside plate member 53 that stands on thebottom plate member 51 at the rear end thereof and extends between the rear ends of theside plate members 52. - In the present embodiment, a double pipe heat exchanger, for example, is used as the hot-water-
supply heat exchanger 42. The double pipe heat exchanger is a heat exchanger in which one or more pipes (inner pipes) are inserted into a pipe (outer pipe) having a substantially circular cross section. In the case where a plurality of inner pipes are provided, the inner pipes are inserted into the outer pipe in a helically twisted state. In the case where a carbon dioxide refrigerant is used as the hot-water-supply refrigerant, the carbon dioxide refrigerant flows through the inner pipes of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, and the heat medium flows through the space between the outer pipe and the inner pipes. - The double pipe heat exchanger is generally composed of copper pipes with a high thermal conductivity. When the entirety of the hot-water-
supply heat exchanger 42 is made of copper, an oxidation film is formed on the surface of the copper and corrosion due to adhesion of water or the like can be prevented. - The hot-water-
supply heat exchanger 42 may instead be composed of, for example, a plate heat exchanger or a shell and tube heat exchanger. Thecascade heat exchanger 44 is composed of, for example, a plate heat exchanger or a shell and tube heat exchanger. - The heat exchanging performance of the double pipe heat exchanger is proportional to the length of the double pipes. Therefore, to maximize the heat exchanging performance in the limited installation space, the double pipes are formed in a wound shape. When the double pipe heat exchanger is installed, the double pipes are made as horizontal as possible to prevent a significant reduction in the heat exchanging performance due to accumulation of air in a portion of the double pipes through which the heat medium flows.
- The hot-water-
supply compressor 41 is fixed to acompressor fixing base 57, which is fixed to the top of thebottom plate member 51, withvibration isolation members 60, such as rubber, interposed therebetween.Reference numeral 67 denotes fixing members used to fix the hot-water-supply compressor 41 to thecompressor fixing base 57. - The hot-water-
supply heat exchanger 42 is also fixed to the top of thebottom plate member 51, and thecascade heat exchanger 44 is fixed to the top surface (upper end surface 42b) of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42. - More specifically, at least one of a
lower end surface 41a of the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and alower end surface 44a of the cascade heat exchanger 44 (lower end surface 44a of thecascade heat exchanger 44 in this case) is disposed above theupper end surface 42b of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42. - Namely, the hot-water-
supply compressor 41 and thecascade heat exchanger 44 are disposed above thebottom plate member 51 so as not to be in contact with thebottom plate member 51, and at least one of the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and thecascade heat exchanger 44 is disposed above the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42. - As described above, since the hot-water-
supply heat exchanger 42 is made of copper, corrosion can be prevented even when dew is formed on the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42. However, since a material other than copper is used to form thecascade heat exchanger 44, there is a possibility that rusting and corrosion of thecascade heat exchanger 44 will occur when dew is formed thereon. Similarly, a material that may cause rusting and corrosion is used to form the hot-water-supply compressor 41. Therefore, the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and thecascade heat exchanger 44 are arranged in the above-described manner so that formation of dew or the like on the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and thecascade heat exchanger 44 can be suppressed. As a result, rusting and corrosion can be prevented, and the durability of the heat-generatingunit 40 can be increased. - The hot-water-
supply heat exchanger 42 and thecascade heat exchanger 44 each include a heat insulator, such as Styrofoam or thick felt, and a structural member that covers the heat insulator. In particular, in the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, a strong iron plate is provided to cover and protect the surface of the heat insulator to prevent the heat insulator from being deformed by the weight of thecascade heat exchanger 44 placed on the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42. - The
cascade heat exchanger 44 is not necessarily in contact with the structural member that surrounds the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42. In this case, thecascade heat exchanger 44 and the heat insulator around thecascade heat exchanger 44 may be fixed to one of theside plate members 52 of the heat-generatingunit 40 in such a state that they are surrounded by a structural member that is strong enough to support the weight thereof. - As illustrated in
Fig. 3 , theheat medium pump 46 is fixed to theside plate member 53 at the rear of thecasing 50. As illustrated inFig. 2 , alower end surface 46a of theheat medium pump 46 is disposed below thelower end surface 41a of the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and thelower end surface 44a of thecascade heat exchanger 44. - The
heat medium pump 46 may be arranged such that anupper end surface 46b thereof is below thelower end surface 41a of the hot-water-supply compressor 41. In other words, theheat medium pump 46 may be disposed below the hot-water-supply compressor 41. In this case, theheat medium pump 46 may be disposed in thecompressor fixing base 57. - When the
heat medium pump 46 is arranged in this way, even when theheat medium pump 46 is mounted in the heat-generatingunit 40, rusting and corrosion of the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and thecascade heat exchanger 44 can be prevented and the durability of the heat-generatingunit 40 can be increased. - As illustrated in
Fig. 3 , thebottom plate member 51 has adrainage hole 62 in the region where the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 and theheat medium pump 46 are present when they are projected onto thebottom plate member 51 vertically from above. The top surface of thebottom plate member 51 is appropriately inclined toward thedrainage hole 62 so that water can be quickly discharged out of the heat-generatingunit 40 through thedrainage hole 62. - Referring to
Figs. 2 and3 , the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 and thecascade heat exchanger 44 each include a heat insulator, such as Styrofoam or thick felt, and a structural member that covers the heat insulator. In particular, in the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, a strong iron plate is provided to cover and protect the surface of the heat insulator thereof to prevent the heat insulator from being deformed by the weight of thecascade heat exchanger 44 placed on the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42. - The
cascade heat exchanger 44 is not necessarily in contact with the structural member that surrounds the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42. In this case, thecascade heat exchanger 44 and the heat insulator around thecascade heat exchanger 44 may be fixed to a side surface of the heat-generatingunit 40 in such a state that they are surrounded by a structural member that is strong enough to support the weight thereof. -
Reference numerals heat medium pipes heat medium pump 46. The heat medium that has flowed into the heat-generatingunit 40 flows into theheat medium pump 46 through theheat medium pipe 63, and is discharged to theheat medium pipe 64. Then, the heat medium enters the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, where the heat medium is heated to a temperature of 70°C to 90°C by the hot-water-supply refrigerant, and is discharged out of the heat-generatingunit 40 through theheat medium pipe 65. - Although the
heat medium pipes heat medium pump 46 are generally made of a resin material. The hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, which is a double pipe heat exchanger, is generally made of copper as described above, and connecting portions thereof are also made of copper pipes. - Thus, the passage through which the heat medium flows (the
heat medium pipe 63, theheat medium pump 46, theheat medium pipe 64, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, and theheat medium pipe 65 in that order) is formed of both the resin material and copper, and includes sections where connecting portions made of different materials are connected together. The connecting portions are fixed together with a sealing member (not shown) interposed therebetween to prevent leakage of the heat medium. - A refrigerant that is commonly used in home use air conditioners or building air conditioners, such as R410A, R32, and R407C, is used as the air-conditioning refrigerant, and a carbon dioxide refrigerant is used as the hot-water-supply refrigerant.
- The operation of the
outdoor unit 10, theindoor devices 30, and the heat-generatingunit 40 will be described with reference to the refrigeration cycle diagram ofFig. 1 . - In the case where only a cooling operation is performed, the outdoor gas-pipe on-off
valve 19 is opened and the outdoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 20 is closed in theoutdoor unit 10, the indoor gas-pipe on-offvalve 34 is closed and the indoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 35 is opened in eachindoor device 30, and the heat-generating-unit refrigerantflow regulating valve 45 is fully closed in the heat-generatingunit 40. - The high-temperature, high-pressure air-conditioning refrigerant compressed by the air-
conditioning compressor 11 flows into theoutdoor heat exchanger 16 through the outdoor gas-pipe on-offvalve 19, and is cooled and liquefied by the air around theoutdoor unit 10. The liquefied air-conditioning refrigerant flows into theliquid pipe 27 through the outdoor refrigerantflow regulating valve 18 in the fully open state, and reaches theindoor devices 30. - The air-conditioning refrigerant that has reached each
indoor device 30 is decompressed by the indoor refrigerantflow regulating valve 33 so that the state thereof is changed to a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two phase state. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into theindoor heat exchanger 31, and absorbs heat from the indoor air to perform cooling. During this process, the air-conditioning refrigerant evaporates. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into thesuction pipe 26 through the indoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 35, and returns to theoutdoor unit 10. The air-conditioning refrigerant that has returned to theoutdoor unit 10 flows through theaccumulator 12 and returns to the air-conditioning compressor 11. - In the case where only a heating operation is performed, the outdoor gas-pipe on-off
valve 19 is closed and the outdoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 20 is opened in theoutdoor unit 10, the indoor gas-pipe on-offvalve 34 is opened and the indoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 35 is closed in eachindoor device 30, and the heat-generating-unit refrigerantflow regulating valve 45 is fully closed in the heat-generatingunit 40. - The high-temperature, high-pressure air-conditioning refrigerant compressed by the air-
conditioning compressor 11 flows into thegas pipe 25, and reaches theindoor devices 30. The air-conditioning refrigerant that has reached eachindoor device 30 flows into theindoor heat exchanger 31 through the indoor gas-pipe on-offvalve 34, and radiates heat into the indoor air to perform heating. During this process, the air-conditioning refrigerant is condensed and liquefied. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into theliquid pipe 27 through the indoor refrigerantflow regulating valve 33 in the fully open state, and returns to theoutdoor unit 10. - The air-conditioning refrigerant that has returned to the
outdoor unit 10 is decompressed by the outdoor refrigerantflow regulating valve 18 so that the state thereof is changed to a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two phase state. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant enters theoutdoor heat exchanger 16, where the air-conditioning refrigerant is heated by the air around theoutdoor unit 10 and is evaporated. The evaporated and gasified air-conditioning refrigerant returns to the air-conditioning compressor 11 through the outdoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 20 and theaccumulator 12. - In the case where only a hot-water-supply operation is performed, the outdoor gas-pipe on-off
valve 19 is closed and the outdoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 20 is opened in theoutdoor unit 10, the indoor gas-pipe on-offvalve 34 and the indoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 35 are both closed in eachindoor device 30, and the heat-generating-unit refrigerantflow regulating valve 45 is opened in the heat-generatingunit 40. - The high-temperature, high-pressure air-conditioning refrigerant compressed by the air-
conditioning compressor 11 flows into thegas pipe 25, and reaches the heat-generatingunit 40. The hot-water-supply compressor 41 of the heat-generatingunit 40 is operated so that the hot-water-supply refrigerant circulates through the hot-water-supply compressor 41, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, the hot-water-supply refrigerantflow regulating valve 43, and thecascade heat exchanger 44 in that order. - The air-conditioning refrigerant that has reached the heat-generating
unit 40 heats the hot-water-supply refrigerant in thecascade heat exchanger 44, and is cooled and liquefied. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into theliquid pipe 27 through the heat-generating-unit refrigerantflow regulating valve 45, and returns to theoutdoor unit 10. - The air-conditioning refrigerant that has returned to the
outdoor unit 10 is decompressed by the outdoor refrigerantflow regulating valve 18 so that the state thereof is changed to a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two phase state. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant enters theoutdoor heat exchanger 16, where the air-conditioning refrigerant is heated by the air around theoutdoor unit 10 and is evaporated. The evaporated and gasified air-conditioning refrigerant returns to the air-conditioning compressor 11 through the outdoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 20 and theaccumulator 12. - The hot-water-supply refrigerant heated by the air-conditioning refrigerant in the
cascade heat exchanger 44 is gasified and enters the hot-water-supply compressor 41. The hot-water-supply refrigerant is compressed by the hot-water-supply compressor 41 so that the temperature and pressure thereof are increased, enters the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, and heats the heat medium to a temperature of 70°C to 90°C. During this process, the hot-water-supply refrigerant is cooled and liquefied. Then, the hot-water-supply refrigerant is decompressed by the hot-water-supply refrigerantflow regulating valve 43, and returns to thecascade heat exchanger 44. - In the case where a cooling operation and a heating operation are simultaneously performed, when the cooling load and the heating load are substantially equal, the outdoor gas-pipe on-off
valve 19 and the outdoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 20 are both closed in theoutdoor unit 10. The indoor gas-pipe on-offvalve 34 is closed and the indoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 35 is opened in theindoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation, and the indoor gas-pipe on-offvalve 34 is opened and the indoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 35 is closed in theindoor device 30 that performs a heating operation. The heat-generating-unit refrigerantflow regulating valve 45 is fully closed in the heat-generatingunit 40. - The high-temperature, high-pressure air-conditioning refrigerant that has been compressed by the air-
conditioning compressor 11 flows into thegas pipe 25 and reaches theindoor device 30 that performs a heating operation. The air-conditioning refrigerant that has reached theindoor device 30 that performs a heating operation flows into theindoor heat exchanger 31 through the indoor gas-pipe on-offvalve 34, and radiates heat into the indoor air to perform heating. During this process, the air-conditioning refrigerant is condensed and liquefied. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into theliquid pipe 27 through the indoor refrigerantflow regulating valve 33 in the fully open state. - The air-conditioning refrigerant in the liquid state that has flowed into the
liquid pipe 27 reaches theindoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation. The air-conditioning refrigerant that has reached theindoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation is decompressed by the indoor refrigerantflow regulating valve 33 so that the state thereof is changed to a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two phase state. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into theindoor heat exchanger 31, and absorbs heat from the indoor air to perform cooling. During this process, the air-conditioning refrigerant evaporates. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into thesuction pipe 26 through the indoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 35, and returns to theoutdoor unit 10. The air-conditioning refrigerant that has returned to theoutdoor unit 10 flows through theaccumulator 12 and returns to the air-conditioning compressor 11. - When the cooling load is greater than the heating load, the liquid refrigerant supplied from the
indoor device 30 that performs a heating operation to theindoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation is insufficient. Therefore, additional liquid refrigerant is generated by theoutdoor heat exchanger 16 of theoutdoor unit 10. More specifically, the outdoor gas-pipe on-offvalve 19 is opened while the outdoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 20 is closed, and part of the refrigerant discharged from the air-conditioning compressor 11 is supplied to theoutdoor heat exchanger 16 and liquefied. Then, the liquefied refrigerant is supplied to theindoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation through the outdoor refrigerantflow regulating valve 18 and theliquid pipe 27. - Conversely, when the heating load is greater than the cooling load, the liquid refrigerant supplied from the
indoor device 30 that performs a heating operation cannot be fully evaporated in theindoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation. Therefore, part of the liquid refrigerant is evaporated by theoutdoor heat exchanger 16 of theoutdoor unit 10. More specifically, the outdoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 20 is opened while the outdoor gas-pipe on-offvalve 19 is closed, and the liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of theindoor device 30 that performs a heating operation is returned to theoutdoor unit 10 through theliquid pipe 27. - The liquid refrigerant that has returned to the
outdoor unit 10 is decompressed by the outdoor refrigerantflow regulating valve 18, and is evaporated by theoutdoor heat exchanger 16. The evaporated air-conditioning refrigerant returns to theaccumulator 12 and the air-conditioning compressor 11 through the outdoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 20. - In the case where a cooling operation and a hot-water-supply operation are simultaneously performed, when the cooling load and the hot-water-supply load are substantially equal, the outdoor gas-pipe on-off
valve 19 and the outdoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 20 are both closed in theoutdoor unit 10. The indoor gas-pipe on-offvalve 34 is closed and the indoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 35 is opened in theindoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation, and the heat-generating-unit refrigerantflow regulating valve 45 is opened in the heat-generatingunit 40. - The high-temperature, high-pressure air-conditioning refrigerant compressed by the air-
conditioning compressor 11 flows into thegas pipe 25, and reaches the heat-generatingunit 40. The hot-water-supply compressor 41 of the heat-generatingunit 40 is operated so that the hot-water-supply refrigerant circulates through the hot-water-supply compressor 41, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, the hot-water-supply refrigerantflow regulating valve 43, and thecascade heat exchanger 44 in that order. - The air-conditioning refrigerant that has reached the heat-generating
unit 40 heats the hot-water-supply refrigerant in thecascade heat exchanger 44, and is cooled and liquefied. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into theliquid pipe 27 through the heat-generating-unit refrigerantflow regulating valve 45. - The air-conditioning refrigerant in the liquid state that has flowed into the
liquid pipe 27 reaches theindoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation. The air-conditioning refrigerant that has reached theindoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation is decompressed by the indoor refrigerantflow regulating valve 33 so that the state thereof is changed to a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two phase state. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into theindoor heat exchanger 31, and absorbs heat from the indoor air to perform cooling. During this process, the air-conditioning refrigerant evaporates. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into thesuction pipe 26 through the indoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 35, and returns to theoutdoor unit 10. The air-conditioning refrigerant that has returned to theoutdoor unit 10 flows through theaccumulator 12 and returns to the air-conditioning compressor 11. - The hot-water-supply refrigerant heated by the air-conditioning refrigerant in the
cascade heat exchanger 44 is gasified and enters the hot-water-supply compressor 41. The hot-water-supply refrigerant is compressed by the hot-water-supply compressor 41 so that the temperature and pressure thereof are increased, enters the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, and heats the heat medium to a temperature of 70°C to 90°C. During this process, the hot-water-supply refrigerant is cooled and liquefied. Then, the hot-water-supply refrigerant is decompressed by the hot-water-supply refrigerantflow regulating valve 43, and returns to thecascade heat exchanger 44. - When the cooling load is greater than the hot-water-supply load, the liquid refrigerant supplied from the heat-generating
unit 40 to theindoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation is insufficient. Therefore, additional liquid refrigerant is generated by theoutdoor heat exchanger 16 of theoutdoor unit 10. More specifically, the outdoor gas-pipe on-offvalve 19 is opened while the outdoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 20 is closed, and part of the refrigerant discharged from the air-conditioning compressor 11 is supplied to theoutdoor heat exchanger 16 and liquefied. Then, the liquefied refrigerant is supplied to theindoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation through the outdoor refrigerantflow regulating valve 18 and theliquid pipe 27. - Conversely, when the hot-water-supply load is greater than the cooling load, the liquid refrigerant supplied from the heat-generating
unit 40 cannot be fully evaporated in theindoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation. Therefore, part of the liquid refrigerant is evaporated by theoutdoor heat exchanger 16 of theoutdoor unit 10. More specifically, the outdoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 20 is opened while the outdoor gas-pipe on-offvalve 19 is closed, and part of the liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of the heat-generatingunit 40 is returned to theoutdoor unit 10 through theliquid pipe 27. - The liquid refrigerant that has returned to the
outdoor unit 10 is decompressed by the outdoor refrigerantflow regulating valve 18, and is evaporated by theoutdoor heat exchanger 16. The evaporated air-conditioning refrigerant returns to theaccumulator 12 and the air-conditioning compressor 11 through the outdoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 20. - In the case where a heating operation and a hot-water-supply operation are simultaneously performed, the outdoor gas-pipe on-off
valve 19 is closed and the outdoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 20 is opened in theoutdoor unit 10, the indoor gas-pipe on-offvalve 34 is opened and the indoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 35 is closed in eachindoor device 30, and the heat-generating-unit refrigerantflow regulating valve 45 is opened in the heat-generatingunit 40. - The high-temperature, high-pressure air-conditioning refrigerant compressed by the air-
conditioning compressor 11 flows into thegas pipe 25, and reaches theindoor devices 30 and the heat-generatingunit 40. The air-conditioning refrigerant that has reached eachindoor device 30 flows into theindoor heat exchanger 31 through the indoor gas-pipe on-offvalve 34, and radiates heat into the indoor air to perform heating. During this process, the air-conditioning refrigerant is condensed and liquefied. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into theliquid pipe 27 through the indoor refrigerantflow regulating valve 33 in the fully open state. - The air-conditioning refrigerant that has reached the heat-generating
unit 40 heats the hot-water-supply refrigerant in thecascade heat exchanger 44, and is cooled and liquefied. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into theliquid pipe 27 through the heat-generating-unit refrigerantflow regulating valve 45. The liquid refrigerant merges with the liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of theindoor devices 30, which perform a heating operation, and returns to theoutdoor unit 10. The liquid refrigerant that has returned to theoutdoor unit 10 is decompressed by the outdoor refrigerantflow regulating valve 18, and is evaporated by theoutdoor heat exchanger 16. The evaporated air-conditioning refrigerant returns to theaccumulator 12 and the air-conditioning compressor 11 through the outdoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 20. - The hot-water-supply refrigerant heated by the air-conditioning refrigerant in the
cascade heat exchanger 44 is gasified and enters the hot-water-supply compressor 41. The hot-water-supply refrigerant is compressed by the hot-water-supply compressor 41 so that the temperature and pressure thereof are increased, enters the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, and heats the heat medium to a temperature of 70°C to 90°C. During this process, the hot-water-supply refrigerant is cooled and liquefied. Then, the hot-water-supply refrigerant is decompressed by the hot-water-supply refrigerantflow regulating valve 43, and returns to thecascade heat exchanger 44. - In the case where a cooling operation, a heating operation, and a hot-water-supply operation are simultaneously performed, in the case where the cooling load is substantially equal to the sum of the heating load and the hot-water-supply load, the outdoor gas-pipe on-off
valve 19 and the outdoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 20 are both closed in theoutdoor unit 10. The indoor gas-pipe on-offvalve 34 is closed and the indoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 35 is opened in theindoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation, and the indoor gas-pipe on-offvalve 34 is opened and the indoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 35 is closed in theindoor device 30 that performs a heating operation. The heat-generating-unit refrigerantflow regulating valve 45 is opened in the heat-generatingunit 40. - The high-temperature, high-pressure air-conditioning refrigerant compressed by the air-
conditioning compressor 11 flows into thegas pipe 25, and reaches theindoor device 30 that performs a heating operation and the heat-generatingunit 40. The hot-water-supply compressor 41 of the heat-generatingunit 40 is operated so that the hot-water-supply refrigerant circulates through the hot-water-supply compressor 41, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, the hot-water-supply refrigerantflow regulating valve 43, and thecascade heat exchanger 44 in that order. - The air-conditioning refrigerant that has reached the
indoor device 30 that performs a heating operation flows into theindoor heat exchanger 31 through the indoor gas-pipe on-offvalve 34, and radiates heat into the indoor air to perform heating. During this process, the air-conditioning refrigerant is condensed and liquefied. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into theliquid pipe 27 through the indoor refrigerantflow regulating valve 33 in the fully open state. - The air-conditioning refrigerant that has reached the heat-generating
unit 40 heats the hot-water-supply refrigerant in thecascade heat exchanger 44, and is cooled and liquefied. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into theliquid pipe 27 through the heat-generating-unit refrigerantflow regulating valve 45. - The liquefied air-conditioning refrigerant that has flowed into the
liquid pipe 27 from theindoor device 30 that performs a heating operation and the liquefied air-conditioning refrigerant that has flowed into theliquid pipe 27 from the heat-generatingunit 40 merge and reach theindoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation. The air-conditioning refrigerant that has reached theindoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation is decompressed by the indoor refrigerantflow regulating valve 33 so that the state thereof is changed to a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two phase state. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into theindoor heat exchanger 31, and absorbs heat from the indoor air to perform cooling. During this process, the air-conditioning refrigerant evaporates. Then, the air-conditioning refrigerant flows into thesuction pipe 26 through the indoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 35, and returns to theoutdoor unit 10. The air-conditioning refrigerant that has returned to theoutdoor unit 10 flows through theaccumulator 12 and returns to the air-conditioning compressor 11. - The hot-water-supply refrigerant heated by the air-conditioning refrigerant in the
cascade heat exchanger 44 is gasified and enters the hot-water-supply compressor 41. The hot-water-supply refrigerant is compressed by the hot-water-supply compressor 41 so that the temperature and pressure thereof are increased, enters the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, and heats the heat medium to a temperature of 70°C to 90°C. During this process, the hot-water-supply refrigerant is cooled and liquefied. Then, the hot-water-supply refrigerant is decompressed by the hot-water-supply refrigerantflow regulating valve 43, and returns to thecascade heat exchanger 44. - When the cooling load is greater than the sum of the heating load and the hot-water-supply load, the liquid refrigerant supplied from the heat-generating
unit 40 and theindoor device 30 that performs a heating operation to theindoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation is insufficient. Therefore, additional liquid refrigerant is generated by theoutdoor heat exchanger 16 of theoutdoor unit 10. More specifically, the outdoor gas-pipe on-offvalve 19 is opened while the outdoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 20 is closed, and part of the refrigerant discharged from the air-conditioning compressor 11 is supplied to theoutdoor heat exchanger 16 and liquefied. Then, the liquefied refrigerant is supplied to theindoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation through the outdoor refrigerantflow regulating valve 18 and theliquid pipe 27. - When the sum of the heating load and the hot-water-supply load is greater than the cooling load, the liquid refrigerant supplied from the
indoor device 30 that performs a heating operation and the heat-generatingunit 40 cannot be fully evaporated in theindoor device 30 that performs a cooling operation. Therefore, part of the liquid refrigerant is evaporated by theoutdoor heat exchanger 16 of theoutdoor unit 10. More specifically, the outdoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 20 is opened while the outdoor gas-pipe on-offvalve 19 is closed, and part of the liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of theindoor device 30 that performs a heating operation and the heat-generatingunit 40 is returned to theoutdoor unit 10 through theliquid pipe 27. - The liquid refrigerant that has returned to the
outdoor unit 10 is decompressed by the outdoor refrigerantflow regulating valve 18, and is evaporated by theoutdoor heat exchanger 16. The evaporated air-conditioning refrigerant returns to theaccumulator 12 and the air-conditioning compressor 11 through the outdoor suction-pipe on-offvalve 20. - The movement of the heat medium in the heat-generating
unit 40 will now be described with reference toFigs. 2 and3 . - The hot-water-
supply compressor 41 and theheat medium pump 46 are operated when only a hot-water-supply operation is performed, when a cooling operation and a hot-water-supply operation are performed simultaneously, when a heating operation and a hot-water-supply operation are performed simultaneously, and when a cooling operation, a heating operation, and a hot-water-supply operation are performed simultaneously. When the heat medium pump is operated, the heat medium flows into the heat-generatingunit 40 from, for example, a water supply pipe that is outside the heat-generatingunit 40, and enters theheat medium pump 46 through theheat medium pipe 63. - The heat medium that has flowed into the
heat medium pump 46 flows into theheat medium pipe 64 through a discharge hole, and enters the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42. The heat medium exchanges heat with the high-temperature hot-water-supply refrigerant discharged from the hot-water-supply compressor 41 in the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, which is a double pipe heat exchanger, and is heated to a temperature of 70°C to 90°C. Then, the heat medium is discharged from the heat-generatingunit 40 through theheat medium pipe 65. - As described above, there is a possibility that dew will form on the hot-water-
supply heat exchanger 42 and theheat medium pipes supply heat exchanger 42 and theheat medium pipes supply heat exchanger 42 and theheat medium pipes supply heat exchanger 42 and theheat medium pipes bottom plate member 51. The dew may also move along the surfaces of theheat medium pipes bottom plate member 51 from the bottom surfaces of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 and theheat medium pump 46. - In addition, as described above, the passage through which the heat medium flows (the
heat medium pipe 63, theheat medium pump 46, theheat medium pipe 64, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42, and theheat medium pipe 65 in that order) is formed of both the resin material and copper, and includes sections where connecting portions made of different materials are connected together. - Since the refrigerant pipe of the hot-water-
supply heat exchanger 42 is directly connected to the hot-water-supply compressor 41, vibration of the hot-water-supply compressor 41 during operation is transmitted to the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 and the heat medium pipes through the refrigerant pipe. The vibration causes loosening of the connecting portions with the sealing member, and the heat medium, which contains water as the main component, may leak from the connecting portions. Similarly to the dew, the heat medium that has leaked moves along the surfaces of the heat medium pipes and falls onto thebottom plate member 51 from the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 and thelower end surface 46a of theheat medium pump 46. - According to the present embodiment, since the hot-water-
supply compressor 41 and thecascade heat exchanger 44 are disposed above the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 and theheat medium pump 46, even when dew is formed or when the heat medium containing water as the main component leaks, the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and thecascade heat exchanger 44 will not be soaked with water. The dew and the heat medium that has leaked are quickly discharged out of the heat-generatingunit 40 through thedrainage hole 62 after falling onto thebottom plate member 51. - As is clear from the above description, according to the present embodiment, water that causes rusting or corrosion of the
cascade heat exchanger 44 and the hot-water-supply compressor 41 if thecascade heat exchanger 44 and the hot-water-supply compressor 41 are soaked therewith is quickly discharged out of the heat-generatingunit 40. Therefore, the durability of the heat-generatingunit 40 can be increased. - The hot-water-
supply heat exchanger 42, which is a double pipe heat exchanger, is disposed on thebottom plate member 51, and thecascade heat exchanger 44, which is a plate heat exchanger, is disposed on the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42. Therefore, the installation area of the heat-generatingunit 40 is smaller than that in the case where theheat exchangers - As a modification of the present embodiment, the installation positions of the hot-water-
supply compressor 41 and thecascade heat exchanger 44 illustrated inFig. 2 may be switched. Namely, the hot-water-supply compressor 41 may be disposed on the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 placed on thebottom plate member 51, and thecascade heat exchanger 44 may be disposed on a cascade-heat-exchanger fixing base (not shown) provided in place of thecompressor fixing base 57. In this case, the structural member that covers the heat insulator of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 is a heavy object and sufficiently strong so that the hot-water-supply compressor 41, which vibrates during operation, can be reliably secured thereto. - Also in this modification, water that causes rusting or corrosion of the
cascade heat exchanger 44 and the hot-water-supply compressor 41 if thecascade heat exchanger 44 and the hot-water-supply compressor 41 are soaked therewith is quickly discharged out of the heat-generatingunit 40. Therefore, the durability of the heat-generatingunit 40 can be increased. In addition, the installation area of the heat-generatingunit 40 is smaller than that in the case where theheat exchangers -
Fig. 4 is a front view of the inner structure of a heat-generating unit according to a second embodiment.Fig. 5 is a plan view of the inner structure of the heat-generating unit according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, components that are the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are thus omitted. - As illustrated in
Figs. 4 and5 , a heat-generatingunit 80 included in an air-conditioning hot-water-supply system includes a hot-water-supply compressor 41, a hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81, a hot-water-supply refrigerant flow regulating valve 43 (seeFig. 1 ), acascade heat exchanger 44, a heat-generating-unit refrigerant flow regulating valve 45 (seeFig. 1 ), and aheat medium pump 46. - The hot-water-
supply heat exchanger 81 exchanges heat between a hot-water-supply refrigerant and a heat medium that contains water as the main component, and basically has the same structure as that of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 42 (seeFig. 2 ). Theheat medium pump 46 supplies the heat medium to the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81. - The hot-water-
supply compressor 41, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81, the hot-water-supply refrigerantflow regulating valve 43, thecascade heat exchanger 44, the heat-generating-unit refrigerantflow regulating valve 45, and theheat medium pump 46 form a first refrigeration cycle. - The heat-generating
unit 80 includes acasing 90 that houses the refrigeration cycle formed of the hot-water-supply compressor 41, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81, the hot-water-supply refrigerantflow regulating valve 43, and thecascade heat exchanger 44; the heat-generating-unit refrigerantflow regulating valve 45; and theheat medium pump 46. - The
casing 90 includes abottom plate member 91 disposed at the bottom; a pair ofside plate members 52 that stand on thebottom plate member 91 at both sides thereof so as to face each other; and aside plate member 93 that stands on thebottom plate member 91 at the rear end thereof and extends between the rear ends of theside plate members 52. - The hot-water-
supply compressor 41 is fixed to the top surface (upper end surface 81b) of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81 withvibration isolation members 60, such as rubber, interposed therebetween. The hot-water-supply compressor 41 is fixed to the top surface of the water-supply heat exchanger 81 with fixingmembers 67. - The
cascade heat exchanger 44 is also fixed to the top surface of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81. - In other words, the hot-water-
supply compressor 41 and thecascade heat exchanger 44 are both disposed on top of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81. Alower end surface 46a of theheat medium pump 46 is disposed below alower end surface 41a of the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and alower end surface 44a of thecascade heat exchanger 44, that is, below the top surface (upper end surface 81b) of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81. - The structure of the refrigeration cycle of the air-conditioning hot-water-supply system including the heat-generating
unit 80 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is thus omitted. - As described in the first embodiment illustrated in
Figs. 2 and3 , when the heat-generatingunit 80 is operated, dew may be formed on the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81 and heatmedium pipes heat medium pipes - According to the present embodiment, since the hot-water-
supply compressor 41 and thecascade heat exchanger 44 are disposed on the top surface of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81 and above theheat medium pump 46, even when dew is formed on the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81 and theheat medium pipes supply compressor 41 and thecascade heat exchanger 44 will not be soaked with water. The dew and the heat medium that has leaked are quickly discharged out of the heat-generatingunit 80 through adrainage hole 62 after falling onto thebottom plate member 51. - Even when the
drainage hole 62 is clogged and the dew and the heat medium that has leaked accumulate in the heat-generatingunit 80, since the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and thecascade heat exchanger 44 are both disposed on top of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81, the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and thecascade heat exchanger 44 will not be soaked with water as long as the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81 is not completely immersed in the water. - As is clear from the above description, according to the present embodiment, water that causes rusting or corrosion of the
cascade heat exchanger 44 and the hot-water-supply compressor 41 if thecascade heat exchanger 44 and the hot-water-supply compressor 41 are soaked therewith is quickly discharged out of the heat-generatingunit 80. Therefore, the durability of the heat-generatingunit 80 can be increased. - Even when the
drainage hole 62 is clogged, rusting and corrosion of the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and thecascade heat exchanger 44 can be prevented as long as the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81 is not completely immersed in the water. Thus, the durability of the heat-generatingunit 80 can be increased. - The hot-water-
supply heat exchanger 81, which is a double pipe heat exchanger, is disposed on thebottom plate member 91, and the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and thecascade heat exchanger 44, which is a plate heat exchanger, are disposed on the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81. Therefore, unlike the first embodiment, thebottom plate member 91 is not required to have an installation area for the hot-water-supply compressor 41. As a result, the installation area of the heat-generatingunit 80 can be reduced. - As described above, the hot-water-
supply compressor 41 and thecascade heat exchanger 44 are disposed above thebottom plate member 91 so as not to be in contact with thebottom plate member 91. Preferably, the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and thecascade heat exchanger 44 are both disposed above the hot-water-supply heat exchanger 81. - By arranging the hot-water-
supply compressor 41 and thecascade heat exchanger 44 in this way, rusting and corrosion of the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and thecascade heat exchanger 44 can be prevented and the durability of the heat-generatingunit 80 can be increased. - As illustrated in
Figs. 2 and4 , the heat-generatingunit casing supply compressor 41 that compresses the hot-water-supply refrigerant, the hot-water-supply heat exchanger cascade heat exchanger 44 that exchanges heat between the hot-water-supply refrigerant and the air-conditioning refrigerant. The hot-water-supply heat exchanger bottom plate member casing supply compressor 41 and thecascade heat exchanger 44 are disposed above thebottom plate member - With this structure, dew or the like formed in the heat-generating
unit supply compressor 41 and thecascade heat exchanger 44, so that rusting and corrosion of the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and thecascade heat exchanger 44 can be prevented and the durability of the heat-generatingunit - At least one of the
lower end surface 41a of the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and thelower end surface 44a of thecascade heat exchanger 44 is disposed above theupper end surface supply heat exchanger drainage hole 62 or a drainage pipe is clogged, rusting and corrosion of at least one of the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and thecascade heat exchanger 44 can be prevented as long as the hot-water-supply heat exchanger unit - The
casing heat medium pump 46 that discharges the hot-water-supply heat medium, and thelower end surface 41a of the hot-water-supply compressor 41 and thelower end surface 44a of thecascade heat exchanger 44 are disposed above thelower end surface 46a of theheat medium pump 46. Therefore, also when theheat medium pump 46 is mounted in the heat-generatingunit supply compressor 41 and thecascade heat exchanger 44 can be prevented and the durability of the heat-generatingunit - The hot-water-
supply heat exchanger - The
cascade heat exchanger 44 is a plate heat exchanger. Since a plate heat exchanger is used, the heat transfer efficiency is increased. In addition, the heat exchanger can be reduced in size and maintenance thereof can be facilitated. - Although a plate heat exchanger is used as the
cascade heat exchanger 44 in the above-described embodiments, thecascade heat exchanger 44 is not limited to this, and a double pipe heat exchanger, for example, may instead be used. - The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
- The present disclosure is suitable for a heat-generating unit of an air-conditioning hot-water-supply system capable of simultaneously supplying high-temperature heat and low-temperature heat for cooling, heating, and hot water supply.
Claims (5)
- A heat-generating unit (40) comprising:a hot-water-supply compressor (41) that compresses a hot-water-supply refrigerant;a hot-water-supply heat exchanger (42) that exchanges heat between the hot-water-supply refrigerant and a hot-water-supply heat medium;a cascade heat exchanger (44) that exchanges heat between the hot-water-supply refrigerant and an air-conditioning refrigerant; anda casing (50) that includes a bottom plate member (51) and that houses the hot-water-supply compressor (41), the hot-water-supply heat exchanger (42), and the cascade heat exchanger (44), wherein the hot-water-supply compressor (41) and the cascade heat exchanger (44) are disposed above the bottom plate member (51) of the casing (50),characterized in that the hot-water-supply heat exchanger (42) is disposed on the bottom plate member (51) of the casing (50) such that the hot-water-supply heat exchanger (42) is fixed to the top of the bottom plate member (51).
- The heat-generating unit according to claim 1, wherein
at least one of a lower end surface (41a) of the hot-water-supply compressor (41) and a lower end surface (44a) of the cascade heat exchanger (44) is disposed above an upper end surface (42b) of the hot-water-supply heat exchanger (42). - The heat-generating unit (40) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
the casing (50) further houses a heat medium pump (46) that discharges the hot-water-supply heat medium, and
a lower end surface (41a) of the hot-water-supply compressor (41) and a lower end surface (44a) of the cascade heat exchanger (44) are disposed above a lower end surface (46a) of the heat medium pump (46). - The heat-generating unit (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hot-water-supply heat exchanger (42) is a double pipe heat exchanger.
- The heat-generating unit (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cascade heat exchanger (44) is a plate heat exchanger.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2015150670A JP6643627B2 (en) | 2015-07-30 | 2015-07-30 | Heat generation unit |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP3124890A1 EP3124890A1 (en) | 2017-02-01 |
EP3124890B1 true EP3124890B1 (en) | 2019-06-19 |
Family
ID=56842589
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP16179998.6A Active EP3124890B1 (en) | 2015-07-30 | 2016-07-18 | Heat-generating unit |
Country Status (3)
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EP (1) | EP3124890B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP6643627B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN106403095B (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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CN110770516A (en) * | 2017-06-23 | 2020-02-07 | 大金工业株式会社 | Heat transfer system |
WO2019167136A1 (en) * | 2018-02-27 | 2019-09-06 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Heat pump apparatus |
CN109442752B (en) * | 2018-11-26 | 2024-02-13 | 江苏天舒电器有限公司 | Overlapping type hot air system |
Family Cites Families (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA2197541C (en) * | 1997-02-13 | 2000-10-10 | Walter E. Lehmann | Refrigeration/heat pump module |
DE19820818C2 (en) * | 1998-05-09 | 2002-12-05 | Viessmann Werke Kg | heat pump |
JP2003254692A (en) * | 2002-02-27 | 2003-09-10 | Sanyo Electric Co Ltd | Heat exchanger and heat pump type water heating device using the same |
JP4203663B2 (en) * | 2004-09-22 | 2009-01-07 | 日立アプライアンス株式会社 | Heat pump water heater |
EP1959204B1 (en) * | 2007-02-13 | 2011-08-03 | Mitsubishi Electric Corporation | Air/water heat exchange apparatus |
CN101440981B (en) * | 2007-11-23 | 2011-06-22 | 松下电器产业株式会社 | Air conditioner |
WO2010109620A1 (en) | 2009-03-26 | 2010-09-30 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Load-side relay unit and compound air conditioning/hot water supply system mounting load-side relay unit thereon |
JP5637053B2 (en) * | 2011-04-07 | 2014-12-10 | パナソニック株式会社 | Refrigeration cycle apparatus and hot water heating apparatus including the same |
JP5838295B2 (en) * | 2011-05-31 | 2016-01-06 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | Heat pump water heater |
JP2013044507A (en) * | 2011-08-26 | 2013-03-04 | Panasonic Corp | Heat pump hot water apparatus |
JP5761857B2 (en) * | 2011-09-19 | 2015-08-12 | 東芝キヤリア株式会社 | Dual refrigeration cycle equipment |
CN202254010U (en) * | 2011-10-19 | 2012-05-30 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Air condensing units heating system and air condensing units |
EP2801763B1 (en) * | 2011-12-19 | 2017-06-21 | Mitsubishi Electric Corporation | Outdoor unit and refrigeration cycle device with outdoor unit |
IN2014DN08932A (en) * | 2012-04-25 | 2015-05-22 | Hitachi Ltd | |
CN202835784U (en) * | 2012-05-10 | 2013-03-27 | 谢惠茹 | Natural circulation type heat-pump water heater |
JP2013257105A (en) * | 2012-06-14 | 2013-12-26 | Panasonic Corp | Refrigeration cycle device and hot water generating device having the same |
JP6028221B2 (en) * | 2012-07-12 | 2016-11-16 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | Heat exchanger unit and heat pump hot water heater equipped with the same |
JP6070273B2 (en) * | 2013-02-28 | 2017-02-01 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Heat pump hot water outdoor unit and heat pump hot water system |
-
2015
- 2015-07-30 JP JP2015150670A patent/JP6643627B2/en active Active
-
2016
- 2016-07-18 EP EP16179998.6A patent/EP3124890B1/en active Active
- 2016-07-29 CN CN201610617149.3A patent/CN106403095B/en active Active
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JP6643627B2 (en) | 2020-02-12 |
EP3124890A1 (en) | 2017-02-01 |
CN106403095A (en) | 2017-02-15 |
CN106403095B (en) | 2020-10-23 |
JP2017032184A (en) | 2017-02-09 |
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