EP4585869A1

EP4585869A1 - Heat pump system

Info

Publication number: EP4585869A1
Application number: EP23862337.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Xiening QIU; Aihua JIANG; Fanfei ZENG; Yawei Wu
Original assignee: Tyco Fire and Security GmbH; York Guangzhou Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Co Ltd
Current assignee: Tyco Fire and Security GmbH; York Guangzhou Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-09-05
Filing date: 2023-09-04
Publication date: 2025-07-16
Also published as: WO2024051643A1; CN115597249A

Abstract

Provided in the present application is a heat pump system, comprising a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a third heat exchanger and a valve device. The valve device comprises a first port, a second port, a third port, a fourth port, a fifth port and a sixth port, wherein the first port and the third port are connected to a suction port of the compressor; and the sixth port, the second port and the fourth port are respectively connected to a first port of the first heat exchanger, a first port of the second heat exchanger and a first port of the third heat exchanger. When the heat pump system is operated in a refrigeration mode, the first port of the first heat exchanger is in unidirectional communication with the suction port; and when the heat pump system is operated in a heating mode or a defrosting mode, the first port of the second heat exchanger is in unidirectional communication with the suction port. When the heat pump system is operated in a simultaneous refrigeration and heating mode, the first port of the third heat exchanger is in unidirectional communication with the suction port. The heat pump system of the present application can limit the unidirectional flow of a refrigerant in the heat exchanger, which is not in a refrigerant circulation loop, to the compressor without affecting the pressure drop in the refrigerant circulation loop.

Description

Technical Field

The present application relates to a heat pump system.

Background Art

A heat pump system comprises a compressor, two heat exchangers, a throttling device and a four-way valve, which can achieve the provision of a refrigeration capacity for air conditioning and a heating capacity for air conditioning for users. However, such heat pump system has fewer working modes. Therefore, there is a need for a heat pump system that can achieve multiple working modes of providing a refrigeration capacity, providing a heating capacity and providing a heating capacity while providing a refrigeration capacity for users.

Summary of the Invention

To achieve the above objective, the present application provides a heat pump system. The heat pump system comprises a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a third heat exchanger and a valve device. The compressor comprises a suction port and an exhaust port. The valve device comprises a first port, a second port, a third port, a fourth port, a fifth port and a sixth port, the first port is connected to the suction port, the second port is connected to a first port of the second heat exchanger, the third port is connected to the suction port, the fourth port is connected to a first port of the third heat exchanger, the fifth port is connected to the exhaust port, and the sixth port is connected to a first port of the first heat exchang er. The heat pump system has a refrigeration mode and/or a heating mode, and the heat pump system is configured such that when the heat pump system is operated in the refrigeration mode, the first port of the second heat exchanger is in communication with the suction port, the first port of the third heat exchanger is in communication with the exhaust port, and the first port of the first heat exchanger is in unidirectional communication with the suction port; and when the heat pump system is operated in the heating mode, the first port of the first heat exchanger is in communication with the suction port, the first port of the third heat exchanger is in communication with the exhaust port, and the first port of the second heat exchanger is in unidirectional communication with the suction port.
According to the above heat pump system, when the heat pump system is operated in the refrigeration mode, a fluid is capable of flowing unidirectionally to the suction port through the first port of the first heat exchanger. When the heat pump system is op erated in the heating mode, a fluid is capable of flowing unidirectionally to the suction port through the first port of the second heat exchanger.
According to the above heat pump system, when the heat pump system is operated in the refrigeration mode, a one-way valve is not provided on a communication pipeline between the first port of the second heat exchanger and the suction port; and when the heat pump system is operated in the heating mode, a one-way valve is not provided on a communication pipeline between the first port of the first heat exchanger and the suction port.
According to the above heat pump system, the valve device comprises a first four-way valve and a second four-way valve, the first four-way valve comprises a first connection port, a second connection port, a third connection port and a fourth connection port, and the second four-way valve comprises a fifth connection port, a sixth connection port, a seventh connection port and an eighth connection port. The first connection port is the first port, the second connection port is the second port, the third connection port is the third port, the fourth connection port is connected to the eighth connection port, the fifth connection port is the fourth port, the sixth connection port is the fifth port, and the seventh connection port is the sixth port. The first four-way valve comprises a first flow channel and a second flow channel, and has a first four-way valve first state and a first four-way valve second state; when the first four-way valve is in the first four-way valve first state, the first flow channel is capable of making the second connection port in fluid communication with the third connection port, and the second flow channel is capable of making the first connection port in fluid communication with the fourth connection port; and when the first four-way valve is in the first four-way valve second state, the second flow channel is capable of making the first connection port in fluid communication with the second connection port, and the first flow channel is capable of making the third connection port in fluid communication with the fourth connection port. The second four-way valve comprises a third flow channel and a fourth flow channel, and has a second four-way valve first state and a second four-way valve second state; when the second four-way valve is in the second four-way valve first state, the third flow channel is capable of making the fifth connection port in fluid communication with the sixth connection port, and the fourth flow channel is capable of making the seventh connection port in fluid communication with the eighth connection port; and when the second four-way valve is in the second four-way valve second state, the third flow channel is capable of making the sixth connection port in fluid communication with the seventh connection port, and the fourth flow channel is capable of making the fifth connection port in fluid communication with the eighth connection port.
According to the above heat pump system, the first four-way valve comprises a first housing and a first valve body, and the second four-way valve comprises a second housing and a second valve body. Among them, the first valve body is capable of achieving switching between the first four-way valve first state and the first four-way valve second state by rotating/moving relative to the first housing, and the second valve body is capable of achieving switching between the second four-way valve first state and the second four-way valve second state by rotating/moving relative to the second housing.
According to the above heat pump system, the heat pump system further comprises a one-way valve, and the one-way valve is provided on a connection pipeline between the third port and the suction port.
According to the above heat pump system, the heat pump system further comprises a one-way valve, and the one-way valve is provided in the first four-way valve and is provided in the first flow channel.
According to the above heat pump system, the heat pump system has a simultaneous refrigeration and heating mode, and the heat pump system is configured such that when the heat pump system is operated in the simultaneous refrigeration and heating mode, the first port of the second heat exchanger is in communication with the suction port, the first port of the first heat exchanger is in communication with the exhaust port, and the first port of the third heat exchanger is in unidirectional communication with the suction port.
According to the above heat pump system, the heat pump system has a defrosting mode, and the heat pump system is configured such that when the heat pump system is operated in the defrosting mode, the first port of the first heat exchanger is in communication with the suction port, the first port of the third heat exchanger is in communication with the exhaust port, and the first port of the second heat exchanger is in unidirectional communication with the suction port.
According to the above heat pump system, the heat pump system further comprises a first flow path, a second flow path and a third flow path, the first heat exchanger is provided in the first flow path, the second heat exchanger is provided in the second flow path, and the third heat exchanger is provided in the third flow path. A first end of the first flow path, a first end of the second flow path and a first end of the third flow path are the first port of the first heat exchanger, the first port of the second heat exchanger and the first port of the third heat exchanger, respectively. A second end of the first flow path, a second end of the second flow path and a second end of the third flow path are communicated to a common path intersection.
The heat pump system of the present application is not provided with a one-way valve in a pipeline that is returned to the compressor after passing through the evaporator, and thus the pressure drop of a refrigerant in a refrigerant circulation loop is lower. Meanwhile, for the heat exchanger that is not in the refrigerant circulation loop, the heat exchanger is capable of being in fluid communication with the suction port of the compressor, and a one-way valve is provided in a communication pipeline thereof, so that the unidirectional flow of a refrigerant in the heat exchanger, which is not in the refrigerant circulation loop, to the compressor without affecting the pressure drop in the refrigerant circulation loop can be limited.
Other features, advantages and embodiments of the present application may be set forth or become apparent by considering the following specific implementations, drawings and claims. Furthermore, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following specific implementations are exemplary and are intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the present application as claimed. However, the specific implementations and specific examples are merely indicative of preferred embodiments of the present application. Various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present application will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the specific implementations.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The features and advantages of the present application may be better understood by reading the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, and same reference numerals represent same components throughout the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a system diagram of a first embodiment of a heat pump system of the present application;
FIG. 1B is a system diagram of a first embodiment of a valve device of the heat pump system shown in FIG. 1A;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a communication connection between a control device and various components in the heat pump system shown in FIG. 1B;
FIG. 3 is a schematic internal structural diagram of the control device in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a system diagram of the heat pump system shown in FIG. 1B in a refrigeration mode;
FIG. 5 is a system diagram of the heat pump system shown in FIG. 1B in a heating mode;
FIG. 6 is a system diagram of the heat pump system shown in FIG. 1B in a simultaneous refrigeration and heating mode;
FIG. 7 is a system diagram of the heat pump system shown in FIG. 1B in a defrosting mode;
FIG. 8A is a system diagram of a second embodiment of the heat pump system of the present application;
FIG. 8B shows a second four-way valve first state of a second four-way valve shown in FIG. 8A;
FIG. 8C shows a second four-way valve second state of the second four-way valve shown in FIG. 8A;
FIG. 9A is a system diagram of a third embodiment of the heat pump system of the present application, wherein the heat pump system is in a refrigeration mode;
FIG. 9B is a system diagram of the third embodiment of the heat pump system of the present application, wherein the heat pump system is in a heating mode;
FIG. 10A is a system diagram of a fourth embodiment of the heat pump system of the present application, wherein the heat pump system is in a refrigeration mode; and
FIG. 10B is a system diagram of the fourth embodiment of the heat pump system of the present application, wherein the heat pump system is in a heating mode.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

Various specific implementations of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification. It should be understood that ordinal words such as "first" and "second" used in the present application are only used for distinction and identification, and do not have any other meanings, which neither indicate a specific order, nor have specific relevance unless otherwise specified. For example, the term "first heat exchanger" itself does not imply the presence of a "second heat exchanger", and the term "second heat exchanger" itself also does not imply the presence of a "first heat exchanger".
FIG. 1A is a system diagram of one embodiment of a heat pump system of the present application, to show various components and connection relationships thereof in the heat pump system. As shown in FIG. 1A, the heat pump system comprises a compressor 108, a first heat exchanger 101, a second heat exchanger 102, a third heat exchanger 103, a valve device, a first throttling device 131, a second throttling device 132, a third throttling device 133, and several other valves that will be introduced below. Connection lines between various components (including the compressor 108, the three heat exchangers, the valve device, the three throttling devices and various other valves) shown in FIG. 1A represent connection pipelines.
The heat pump system comprises a first flow path, a second flow path and a third flow path. Among them, the first flow path, the second flow path and the third flow path are parallel paths. The first heat exchanger 101 and the first throttling device 131 are provided in series in the first flow path, the second heat exchanger 102 and the second throttling device 132 are provided in series in the second flow path, and the third heat exchanger 103 and the third throttling device 133 are provided in series in the third flow path. Specifically, a second port 114 of the first heat exchanger 101 is connected to a first throttling outlet of the first throttling device 131, a second port 116 of the second heat exchanger 102 is connected to a second throttling outlet of the second throttling device 132, and a second port 118 of the third heat exchanger 103 is connected to a third throttling outlet of the third throttling device 133.
A first end of the first flow path, a first end of the second flow path and a first end of the third flow path are all connected to the valve device. A second end of the first flow path, a second end of the second flow path and a second end of the third flow path are connected to a common path intersection A. Specifically, the valve device comprises six ports, namely: a first port 141, a second port 142, a third port 143, a fourth port 144, a fifth port 145 and a sixth port 146. The first port 141 is connected to a suction port 111 of the compressor 108, the second port 142 is connected to the first end of the second flow path, the third port 143 is connected to the suction port 111 of the compressor 108, the fourth port 144 is connected to the first end of the third flow path, the fifth port 145 is connected to an exhaust port 112 of the compressor 108, and the sixth port 146 is connected to the first end of the first flow path. A first throttling inlet of the first throttling device 131, a second throttling inlet of the second throttling device 132 and a third throttling inlet of the third throttling device 133 are in communication with the path intersection A. In the embodiment of the present application, the first throttling device 131, the second throttling device 132 and the third throttling device 133 are all capable of being controlled to be opened or closed.
The heat pump system further comprises a first bypass and a third bypass. A first end of the first bypass is connected between the second port 114 of the first heat exchanger 101 and the first throttling outlet of the first throttling device 131, to make the first end of the first bypass in communication with the second port 114 of the first heat exchanger 101. A first end of the third bypass is connected between the second port 118 of the third heat exchanger 103 and the third throttling outlet of the third throttling device 133, to make the first end of the third bypass in communication with the second port 118 of the third heat exchanger 103. A second end of the first bypass and a second end of the third bypass are connected to a common bypass intersection B, to make the second port 114 of the first heat exchanger 101 and the second port 118 of the third heat exchanger 103 in communication with the bypass intersection B through the first bypass and the third bypass, respectively. In the present embodiment, the path intersection A and the bypass intersection B are the same point.
The heat pump system further comprises a first control valve 121 provided in the first bypass and a third control valve 123 provided in the third bypass, which are used to control the connection and disconnection of the first bypass and the third bypass, respectively. The first control valve 121 is capable of making a fluid (e.g., a refrigerant) flow from the second port 114 of the first heat exchanger 101 to the bypass intersection B through the first bypass. The third control valve 123 is capable of making a fluid (e.g., a refrigerant) flow from the second port 118 of the third heat exchanger 103 to the bypass intersection B through the third bypass.
However, those skilled in the art can understand that although the first control valve 121 and the third control valve 123 in the present application are both one-way valves, they can also be provided as other types of valves in other embodiments, as long as they are capable of achieving controllable connection or disconnection of upstream and downstream valves.
The heat pump system further comprises a one-way valve 151, which is provided on a connection pipeline between the third port 143 and the suction port 111 of the compressor 108, and is configured to make the third port 143 in unidirectional communication with the suction port 111.
In the embodiment of the present application, the first heat exchanger 101 is a water-side heat exchanger. When serving as a condenser, the first heat exchanger can be used to provide a heating capacity (e.g., used to provide hot water for air conditioning and/or used to provide domestic hot water) for users. The first heat exchanger can also serve as an evaporator for use in a defrosting mode. The second heat exchanger 102 is a water-side heat exchanger. The second heat exchanger can serve as an evaporator and is used to provide a refrigeration capacity (e.g., used to provide cold water for air conditioning) for users. The third heat exchanger 103 is an air-side heat exchanger. The third heat exchanger comprises a fan 104. The third heat exchanger can serve as a condenser/evaporator and is used to dissipate a heating capacity/refrigeration capacity to the outside world.
Those skilled in the art can understand that types of the first heat exchanger 101, the second heat exchanger 102 and the third heat exchanger 103 mentioned above are only illustrative, and in other examples, the first heat exchanger 101, the second heat exchanger 102 and the third heat exchanger 103 can be any forms of heat exchangers. For example, the third heat exchanger 103 may be a ground source type heat exchanger, a water source type heat exchanger, etc.
FIG. 1B is a system diagram of a first embodiment of the valve device of the heat pump system shown in FIG. 1A. As shown in FIG. 1B, the valve device comprises a first four-way valve 161 and a second four-way valve 162. In addition, the heat pump system further comprises a gas-liquid separator 163. The first four-way valve 161 comprises a first connection port 401, a second connection port 402, a third connection port 403 and a fourth connection port 404, and the second four-way valve 162 comprises a fifth connection port 405, a sixth connection port 406, a seventh connection port 407 and an eighth connection port 408. Among them, the first connection port 401 is the first port 141, the second connection port 402 is the second port 142, the third connection port 403 is the third port 143, the fourth connection port 404 is connected to the eighth connection port 408, the fifth connection port 405 is the fourth port 144, the sixth connection port 406 is the fifth port 145, and the seventh connection port 407 is the sixth port 146. Specifically, the gas-liquid separator 163 is provided with a gas-liquid separator inlet and a gas-liquid separator outlet. The fourth connection port 404 is connected to the gas-liquid separator outlet, and the eighth connection port 408 is connected to the gas-liquid separator inlet.
The first four-way valve 161 comprises a first flow channel and a second flow channel, and has a first four-way valve first state and a first four-way valve second state. When the first four-way valve 161 is in the first four-way valve first state, the first flow channel is capable of making the second connection port 402 in fluid communication with the third connection port 403, and the second flow channel is capable of making the first connection port 401 in fluid communication with the fourth connection port 404. When the first four-way valve 161 is in the first four-way valve second state, the second flow channel is capable of making the first connection port 401 in fluid communication with the second connection port 402, and the first flow channel is capable of making the third connection port 403 in fluid communication with the fourth connection port 404. The second four-way valve 162 comprises a third flow channel and a fourth flow channel, and has a second four-way valve first state and a second four-way valve second state. When the second four-way valve 162 is in the second four-way valve first state, the third flow channel is capable of making the fifth connection port 405 in fluid communication with the sixth connection port 406, and the fourth flow channel is capable of making the seventh connection port 407 in fluid communication with the eighth connection port 408. When the second four-way valve 162 is in the second four-way valve second state, the fourth flow channel is capable of making the sixth connection port 406 in fluid communication with the seventh connection port 407, and the fourth flow channel is capable of making the fifth connection port 405 in fluid communication with the eighth connection port 408.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a communication connection between a control device 202 and various components in the heat pump system shown in FIG. 1B. As shown in FIG. 2, the heat pump system further comprises the control device 202. The control device 202 is in communication connection with the compressor 108, the first four-way valve 161, the second four-way valve 162, the first throttling device 131, the second throttling device 132, the third throttling device 133 and the fan 104 through connectors 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, respectively. Among them, the control device 202 is capable of controlling the compressor 108 to be turned on and turned off, controlling the first four-way valve 161 to be in the first four-way valve first state or the first four-way valve second state, controlling the second four-way valve 162 to be in the second four-way valve first state or the second four-way valve second state, controlling the first throttling device 131, the second throttling device 132 and the third throttling device 133 to be opened and closed, and controlling the fan 104 to be turned on and turned off.
FIG. 3 is a schematic internal structural diagram of the control device 202 in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 202 comprises a bus 302, a processor 304, an input interface 308, an output interface 312, and a memory 318 with a control program. Various components, including the processor 304, the input interface 308, the output interface 312 and the memory 318, in the control device 202 are in communication connection with the bus 302, so that the processor 304 is capable of controlling the operation of the input interface 308, the output interface 312 and the memory 318. Specifically, the memory 318 is used to store programs, instructions and data, and the processor 304 reads the programs, the instructions and the data from the memory 318 and is capable of writing the data into the memory 318. By performing the programs and the instructions that are read from the memory 318, the processor 304 controls the operation of the input interface 308 and the output interface 312. As shown in FIG. 3, the output interface 312 is in communication connection with the compressor 108, the first four-way valve 161, the second four-way valve 162, the first throttling device 131, the second throttling device 132, the third throttling device 133 and the fan 104 through the connectors 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, respectively. The input interface 308 receives an operation request and other operation parameters of the heat pump system through a connector 309. By executing the programs and the instructions in the memory 318, the processor 304 controls the operation of the heat pump system. More specifically, the control device 202 is capable of receiving an operation request to control the heat pump system through the input interface 308 (e.g., the request is sent through a control panel), and sending control signals to various controlled components through the output interface 312, thereby enabling the heat pump system to be operated in multiple working modes and to be switched between various working modes.
The heat pump system of the present application achieves multiple working modes through specific control of the first four-way valve 161, the second four-way valve 162, the first throttling device 131, the second throttling device 132, the third throttling device 133 and the fan 104. Various components in the heat pump system of the present application have a simple connection relationship and a simple control logic.
FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 are system diagrams of the heat pump system shown in FIG. 1B, to show a refrigerant circulation loop when the heat pump system is operated in different working modes, in which arrows indicate flow directions and flow paths of refrigerants. The various working modes shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 are described in detail below:
FIG. 4 is a system diagram of the heat pump system shown in FIG. 1B in a refrigeration mode. As shown in FIG. 4, through the control of the control device 202, the first four-way valve 161 is in the first four-way valve second state, the second four-way valve 162 is in the second four-way valve first state, the second throttling device 132 is opened, the first throttling device 131 and the third throttling device 133 are closed, and the fan 104 is turned on.
Specifically, a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant flowing out of the exhaust port 112 of the compressor 108 flows to the third heat exchanger 103 through the sixth connection port 406 and the fifth connection port 405 of the second four-way valve 162 in sequence. In the third heat exchanger 103, the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant exchanges heat with air, so as to convert the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant into a high-pressure liquid refrigerant. After flowing out of the third heat exchanger 103, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant sequentially passes through the third control valve 123, the path intersection A and the second throttling device 132. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant becomes a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant after flowing through the second throttling device 132, and then flows to the second heat exchanger 102. In the second heat exchanger 102, the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant exchanges heat with a higher-temperature fluid on a user side, so as to decrease the temperature of the fluid on the user side and to provide a lower-temperature fluid (i.e., provide a refrigeration capacity) to the user side. The low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant becomes a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant after exchanging heat with the fluid on the user side in the second heat exchanger 102. After flowing out of the second heat exchanger 102, the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant sequentially passes through the second connection port 402 and the first connection port 401 of the first four-way valve 161, and then enters the compressor 108 from the suction port 111 of the compressor 108 to become a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, so as to complete circulation of the refrigerant.
Thus, when the heat pump system is in the refrigeration mode, the compressor 108, the third heat exchanger 103, the second throttling device 132 and the second heat exchanger 102 are connected in a refrigerant loop. Among them, the third heat exchanger 103 serves as a condenser, and the second heat exchanger 102 serves as an evaporator. The first heat exchanger 101 is not in a refrigerant circulation loop. The one-way valve 151 is provided at an upper portion of a communication pipeline between a first port 113 of the first heat exchanger 101 and the suction port 111 of the compressor 108.
It should be noted that since the first throttling device 131 is closed at this time, the refrigerant will not flow into the first heat exchanger 101 from the second port 114. In addition, since the first port 113 of the first heat exchanger 101 is capable of being in fluid communication with the suction port 111 of the compressor 108 through the seventh connection port 407, the eighth connection port 408, the gas-liquid separator 163, the fourth connection port 404, the third connection port 403 and the one-way valve 151 in sequence, the refrigerant accumulated in the first heat exchanger 101 is capable of flowing unidirectionally from the suction port 111 of the compressor 108 into the compressor 108 through the first port 113 of the first heat exchanger 101.
FIG. 5 is a system diagram of the heat pump system shown in FIG. 1B in a heating mode. As shown in FIG. 5, through the control of the control device 202, the first four-way valve 161 is in the first four-way valve first state, the second four-way valve 162 is in the second four-way valve second state, the third throttling device 133 is opened, the first throttling device 131 and the second throttling device 132 are closed, and the fan 104 is turned on.
Specifically, a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant flowing out of the exhaust port 112 of the compressor 108 flows to the first heat exchanger 101 through the sixth connection port 406 and the seventh connection port 407 of the second four-way valve 162 in sequence. In the first heat exchanger 101, the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant exchanges heat with a lower-temperature fluid on a user side, so as to increase the temperature of the fluid on the user side and to provide a higher-temperature fluid (i.e., provide a heating capacity) for users. The high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant becomes a high-pressure liquid refrigerant after exchanging heat with the fluid on the user side in the first heat exchanger 101. After flowing out of the first heat exchanger 101, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant sequentially passes through the first control valve 121, the path intersection A and the third throttling device 133. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant becomes a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant after flowing through the third throttling device 133, and then flows to the third heat exchanger 103. In the third heat exchanger 103, the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant exchanges heat with air, so as to convert the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant into a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant. After sequentially passing through the fifth connection port 405, the eighth connection port 408, the gas-liquid separator 163, the fourth connection port 404 and the first connection port 401, the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant enters the compressor 108 from the suction port 111 of the compressor 108 to become a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, so as to complete circulation of the refrigerant.
Thus, when the heat pump system is in the heating mode, the compressor 108, the first heat exchanger 101, the third throttling device 133 and the third heat exchanger 103 are connected in a refrigerant loop. Among them, the third heat exchanger 103 serves as an evaporator, and the first heat exchanger 101 serves as a condenser. The second heat exchanger 102 is not in a refrigerant circulation loop. The one-way valve 151 is provided at an upper portion of a communication pipeline between the first port 115 of the second heat exchanger 102 and the suction port 111 of the compressor 108.
It should be noted that since the second throttling device 132 is closed at this time, the refrigerant will not flow into the second heat exchanger 102 from the second port 116. In addition, since the first port 115 of the second heat exchanger 102 is in fluid communication with the suction port 111 of the compressor 108 through the second connection port 402 and the third connection port 403 of the first four-way valve 161 and the one-way valve 151, the refrigerant accumulated in the second heat exchanger 102 is capable of flowing unidirectionally from the suction port 111 of the compressor 108 into the compressor 108 through the first port 115 of the second heat exchanger 102.
FIG. 6 is a system diagram of the heat pump system shown in FIG. 1B in a simultaneous refrigeration and heating mode. As shown in FIG. 6, through the control of the control device 202, the first four-way valve 161 is in the first four-way valve second state, the second four-way valve 162 is in the second four-way valve second state, the second throttling device 132 is opened, the first throttling device 131 and the third throttling device 133 are closed, and the fan 104 is turned off.
Specifically, a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant flowing out of the exhaust port 112 of the compressor 108 flows to the first heat exchanger 101 after passing through the sixth connection port 406 and the seventh connection port 407 of the second four-way valve 162. In the first heat exchanger 101, the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant exchanges heat with a lower-temperature fluid on a user side, so as to increase the temperature of the fluid on the user side and to provide a higher-temperature fluid (e.g., that is, provide a heating capacity) for users. The high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant becomes a high-pressure liquid refrigerant after exchanging heat with the fluid on the user side in the first heat exchanger 101. After flowing out of the first heat exchanger 101, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant sequentially passes through the first control valve 121, the path intersection A and the second throttling device 132. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant becomes a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant after flowing through the second throttling device 132, and then flows to the second heat exchanger 102. In the second heat exchanger 102, the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant exchanges heat with a higher-temperature fluid on a user side, so as to decrease the temperature of the fluid on the user side and to provide a lower-temperature fluid (e.g., provide cold water for air conditioning) for users. The low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant becomes a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant after exchanging heat with the fluid on the user side in the second heat exchanger 102. After sequentially passing through the second connection port 402 and the first connection port 401, the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant enters the compressor 108 from the suction port 111 of the compressor 108 again to become a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, so as to complete circulation of the refrigerant.
Thus, when the heat pump system is in the simultaneous refrigeration and heating mode, the compressor 108, the first heat exchanger 101, the second throttling device 132 and the second heat exchanger 102 are connected in a refrigerant loop. Among them, the first heat exchanger 101 serves as a condenser, and the second heat exchanger 102 serves as an evaporator. The third heat exchanger 103 is not in a refrigerant circulation loop. The one-way valve 151 is provided at an upper portion of a communication pipeline between a first port 117 of the third heat exchanger 103 and the suction port 111 of the compressor 108.
It should be noted that since the third throttling device 133 is closed at this time, the refrigerant will not flow into the third heat exchanger 103 from the second port 118. In addition, since the first port 117 of the third heat exchanger 103 is in fluid communication with the suction port 111 of the compressor 108 through the fifth connection port 405, the eighth connection port 408, the gas-liquid separator 163, the fourth connection port 404, the third connection port 403 and the one-way valve 151, the refrigerant accumulated in the third heat exchanger 103 is capable of flowing unidirectionally from the suction port 111 of the compressor 108 into the compressor 108 through the first port 117 of the third heat exchanger 103.
FIG. 7 is a system diagram of the heat pump system shown in FIG. 1B in a defrosting mode. As shown in FIG. 7, through the control of the control device 202, the first four-way valve 161 is in the first four-way valve first state, the second four-way valve 162 is in the second four-way valve first state, the first throttling device 131 is opened, the second throttling device 132 and the third throttling device 133 are closed, and the fan 104 is turned off.
Specifically, a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant flowing out of the exhaust port 112 of the compressor 108 flows to the third heat exchanger 103 through the sixth connection port 406 and the fifth connection port 405 of the second four-way valve 162 in sequence. In the third heat exchanger 103, the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant transfers a heating capacity to frost condensed on the third heat exchanger 103, so as to achieve defrosting. At this time, the fan 104 in the third heat exchanger 103 is not turned on. After becoming a high-pressure liquid refrigerant in the third heat exchanger 103, the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant sequentially passes through the third control valve 123, the path intersection A and the first throttling device 131. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant becomes a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant after flowing through the first throttling device 131, and then flows to the first heat exchanger 101. In the first heat exchanger 101, the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant exchanges heat with a fluid on a user side in the first heat exchanger 101, so as to convert the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant into a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant. After sequentially passing through the seventh connection port 407, the eighth connection port 408, the gas-liquid separator 163, the fourth connection port 404 and the first connection port 401, the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant enters the compressor 108 from the suction port 111 of the compressor 108 to become a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, so as to complete circulation of the refrigerant.
Thus, when the heat pump system is in the defrosting mode, the compressor 108, the third heat exchanger 103, the first throttling device 131 and the first heat exchanger 101 are connected in a refrigerant loop. Among them, the third heat exchanger 103 serves as a condenser, and the first heat exchanger 101 serves as an evaporator. The second heat exchanger 102 is not in a refrigerant circulation loop. The one-way valve 151 is provided at an upper portion of a communication pipeline between the first port 115 of the second heat exchanger 102 and the suction port 111 of the compressor 108.
It should be noted that since the second throttling device 132 is closed at this time, the refrigerant will not flow into the second heat exchanger 102 from the second port 116. In addition, since the first port 115 of the second heat exchanger 102 is in fluid communication with the suction port 111 of the compressor 108 through the second connection port 402 and the third connection port 403 of the first four-way valve 161 and the one-way valve 151, the refrigerant accumulated in the second heat exchanger 102 is capable of flowing unidirectionally from the suction port 111 of the compressor 108 into the compressor 108 through the first port 115 of the second heat exchanger 102.
In a conventional four-pipe heat pump system, for a refrigerant in a refrigerant circulation loop, in order to ensure the unidirectional flow of the refrigerant from an evaporator to the compressor 108, a one-way valve is provided in a suction pipeline through which the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation loop passes. However, due to the presence of the one-way valve, the pressure drop of the suction pipeline through which the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation loop passes is higher.
In the heat pump system of the present application, a one-way valve is not provided on a pipeline that is returned to the compressor 108 after passing through the evaporator (e.g., when the heat pump system is operated in the refrigeration mode or the simultaneous refrigeration and heating mode, a one-way valve is not provided on a communication pipeline between the first port 115 of the second heat exchanger 102 and the suction port 111; when the heat pump system is operated in the defrosting mode, a one-way valve is not provided on a communication pipeline between the first port 113 of the first heat exchanger 101 and the suction port 111; and when the heat pump system is operated in the heating mode, a one-way valve is not provided on a communication pipeline between the first port 117 of the third heat exchanger 103 and the suction port 111), so that the pressure drop of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation loop is lower. Meanwhile, for the heat exchanger that is not in the refrigerant circulation loop, the heat exchanger is capable of being in fluid communication with the suction port 111 of the compressor 108, and the one-way valve 151 is provided on a communication pipeline thereof, so that the unidirectional flow of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger, which is not in the refrigerant circulation loop, to the compressor 108 can be limited without affecting the pressure drop in the refrigerant circulation loop (e.g., when the heat pump system is operated in the refrigeration mode, the first port 113 of the first heat exchanger 101 is in unidirectional communication with the suction port 111, so that a fluid flows unidirectionally from the first port 113 of the first heat exchanger 101 to the suction port 111; when the heat pump system is operated in the heating mode or the defrosting mode, the first port 115 of the second heat exchanger 102 is in unidirectional communication with the suction port 111, so that a fluid flows unidirectionally from the first port 115 of the second heat exchanger 102 to the suction port 111; and when the heat pump system is operated in the simultaneous refrigeration and heating mode, the first port 117 of the third heat exchanger 103 is in unidirectional communication with the suction port 111, so that a fluid flows unidirectionally from the first port 117 of the third heat exchanger 103 to the suction port 111).
It should be noted that, although the four working modes of the heat pump system of the present application are introduced in conjunction with FIG. 4 to FIG. 7, other working modes that can be implemented by the heat pump system of the present application also fall within the scope of protection of the present application.
In addition, it should also be noted that the first four-way valve 161 and the second four-way valve 162 shown in FIG. 1B are rotary four-way valves. Specifically, the first four-way valve 161 comprises a first housing and a first valve body, and the first valve body is capable of rotating relative to the first housing, so as to achieve switching between the first four-way valve first state and the first four-way valve second state of the first four-way valve 161. The second four-way valve 162 comprises a second housing and a second valve body, and the second valve body is capable of rotating relative to the second housing, so as to achieve switching between the second four-way valve first state and the second four-way valve second state of the second four-way valve 162. As one example, the housing of the rotary four-way valve is in a hollow cake shape, and four connection ports are evenly provided on the housing along a circumferential direction. The valve body is in a cake shape and is accommodated in the housing. The valve body is provided with two flow channels, and each fluid channel is roughly in a shape of an elbow at 90°. When the state of the rotary four-way valve needs to be switched, the valve body can be rotated by 90°.
FIG. 8A shows a system diagram of a second embodiment of the heat pump system of the present application. The main difference between the second embodiment of the heat pump system shown in FIG. 8A and the first embodiment of the heat pump system shown in FIG. 1B is that specific structures of the first four-way valve 161 and the second four-way valve 162 are different, that is: the first four-way valve 161 and the second four-way valve 162 shown in FIG. 8A are movable four-way valves. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C, the first four-way valve 161 comprises a first housing and a first valve body, and the first valve body is capable of moving relative to the first housing, so as to achieve switching between the first four-way valve first state and the first four-way valve second state of the first four-way valve 161. The second four-way valve 162 comprises a second housing and a second valve body, and the second valve body is capable of moving relative to the second housing, so as to achieve switching between the second four-way valve first state and the second four-way valve second state of the second four-way valve 162.
The specific structure of the movable four-way valve is described below with the second four-way valve 162 as one example:
FIG. 8B shows the second four-way valve first state of the second four-way valve 162 shown in FIG. 8A, and FIG. 8C shows the second four-way valve second state of the second four-way valve 162 shown in FIG. 8A. As shown in FIG. 8B to FIG. 8C, the housing of the movable four-way valve is roughly in a hollow cylinder shape, wherein one connection port is provided at an upper portion, three connection ports are provided at a lower portion, and the three connection ports are equally spaced apart. The valve body is an elbow at 180° and is accommodated in the housing. When the valve body is located at a left portion of the housing, the valve body is capable of communicating the connection port located on a left side with the connection port located in the middle, and the connection port at the upper portion is in communication with the connection port located on a right side through a cavity in the housing. When the valve body is located at a right portion of the housing, the valve body is capable of communicating the connection port located on the right side with the connection port located in the middle, and the connection port at the upper portion is in communication with the connection port located on the left side through the cavity in the housing. Thus, when the state of the movable four-way valve needs to be switched, the valve body can be moved along a length direction of the housing.
In addition, another difference between the second embodiment of the heat pump system shown in FIG. 8A and the first embodiment of the heat pump system shown in FIG. 1B is that the gas-liquid separator 163 is provided at a different position. In the heat pump system shown in FIG. 8A, the gas-liquid separator 163 is provided on a connection pipeline between the first connection port 401 of the first four-way valve 161 as well as an outlet of the one-way valve 151 and the suction port 111 of the compressor 108. Specifically, the gas-liquid separator inlet of the gas-liquid separator 163 is in communication with the first connection port 401 of the first four-way valve 161 and the outlet of the one-way valve 151, and the gas-liquid separator outlet is in communication with the suction port 111 of the compressor 108.
Those skilled in the art can understand that the position where the gas-liquid separator 163 is provided can be set according to specific needs of the heat pump system, and therefore, the gas-liquid separator 163 at any position is within the scope of protection of the present application.
FIG. 9A to FIG. 9B are system diagrams of a third embodiment of the heat pump system of the present application, wherein FIG. 9A shows that the heat pump system is in a refrigeration mode, and FIG. 9B shows that the heat pump system is in a heating mode. The main difference between the third embodiment of the heat pump system shown in FIG. 9A to FIG. 9B and the first embodiment of the heat pump system shown in FIG. 1B is that: the one-way valve 151 is provided in the first four-way valve 161 and is provided in the first flow channel. The one-way valve is capable of achieving unidirectional communication between the fourth connection port 404 and the third connection port 403 in the first flow channel. In other words, a fluid is capable of flowing unidirectionally from the fourth connection port 404 to the third connection port 403 in the first flow channel.
FIG. 10A to FIG. 10B are system diagrams of a fourth embodiment of the heat pump system of the present application, wherein FIG. 10A shows that the heat pump system is in a refrigeration mode, and FIG. 10B shows that the heat pump system is in a heating mode. The main difference between the fourth embodiment of the heat pump system shown in FIGS. 10A to FIG. 10B and the heat pump system shown in FIG. 8A is that: the one-way valve 151 is provided in the first four-way valve 161 and is provided in the first flow channel. The one-way valve is capable of achieving unidirectional communication between the fourth connection port 404 and the third connection port 403 in the first flow channel. In other words, a fluid is capable of flowing unidirectionally from the fourth connection port 404 to the third connection port 403 in the first flow channel.
It should be noted that the first four-way valve 161 shown in FIGS. 9A to FIG. 9B and the first four-way valve 161 shown in FIG. 10A to FIG. 10B are exemplary embodiments of the first four-way valve 161, to show that the one-way valve 151 is integrated in the first four-way valve 161. Those skilled in the art can also understand that in other embodiments, the one-way valve 151 can also be provided at other positions to achieve an integrated effect. For example, the one-way valve 151 can be provided at the third connection port 403. Integration of the one-way valve 151 into the first four-way valve 161 can make the overall volume smaller and reduce the number of installation joints (e.g., connectors between pipelines and valves).
Those skilled in the art can understand that although the embodiment, in which the valve device comprises the two four-way valves, is only shown in the present application, other valve devices that can achieve the connection and disconnection of the present application are all within the scope of protection of the present application.
Those skilled in the art can understand that the valves (e.g., four-way valves) shown in the valve device of the present application can be driven electrically or driven by means of a pressure difference of a fluid in the heat pump system.
Although the present disclosure has been described in conjunction with examples of the embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or now or shortly foreseen, may be apparent to those of at least ordinary skill in the art. In addition, technical effects and/or technical problems described in the specification are illustrative rather than restrictive; and therefore, the disclosure in the specification may be used to solve other technical problems and have other technical effects and/or can solve other technical problems. Accordingly, the examples of the embodiments of the present disclosure set forth above are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to comprise all known or earlier developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents.

Claims

A heat pump system, wherein the heat pump system comprises:
a compressor (108), wherein the compressor (108) comprises a suction port (111) and an exhaust port (112);

a first heat exchanger (101);

a second heat exchanger (102);

a third heat exchanger (103); and

a valve device, wherein the valve device comprises a first port (141), a second port (142), a third port (143), a fourth port (144), a fifth port (145) and a sixth port (146), the first port (141) is connected to the suction port (111), the second port (142) is connected to a first port (115) of the second heat exchanger (102), the third port (143) is connected to the suction port (111), the fourth port (144) is connected to a first port (117) of the third heat exchanger (103), the fifth port (145) is connected to the exhaust port (112), and the sixth port (146) is connected to a first port (113) of the first heat exchanger (101);

the heat pump system has a refrigeration mode and/or a heating mode, and the heat pump system is configured such that when the heat pump system is operated in the refrigeration mode, the first port (115) of the second heat exchanger (102) is in communication with the suction port (111), the first port (117) of the third heat exchanger (103) is in communication with the exhaust port (112), and the first port (113) of the first heat exchanger (101) is in unidirectional communication with the suction port (111); and when the heat pump system is operated in the heating mode, the first port (113) of the first heat exchanger (101) is in communication with the suction port (111), the first port (117) of the third heat exchanger (103) is in communication with the exhaust port (112), and the first port (115) of the second heat exchanger (102) is in unidirectional communication with the suction port (111).
The heat pump system according to Claim 1, wherein:
when the heat pump system is operated in the refrigeration mode, a fluid is capable of flowing unidirectionally to the suction port (111) through the first port (113) of the first heat exchanger (101);

and when the heat pump system is operated in the heating mode, a fluid is capable of flowing unidirectionally to the suction port (111) through the first port (115) of the second heat exchanger (102).
The heat pump system according to Claim 1, wherein:
when the heat pump system is operated in the refrigeration mode, a one-way valve is not provided on a communication pipeline between the first port (115) of the second heat exchanger (102) and the suction port (111); and when the heat pump system is operated in the heating mode, a one-way valve is not provided on a communication pipeline between the first port (113) of the first heat exchanger (101) and the suction port (111).
The heat pump system according to Claim 2, wherein:
the valve device comprises a first four-way valve (161) and a second four-way valve (162), the first four-way valve (161) comprises a first connection port (401), a second connection port (402), a third connection port (403) and a fourth connection port (404), and the second four-way valve (162) comprises a fifth connection port (405), a sixth connection port (406), a seventh connection port (407) and an eighth connection port (408);

the first connection port (401) is the first port (141), the second connection port (402) is the second port (142), the third connection port (403) is the third port (143), the fourth connection port (404) is connected to the eighth connection port (408), the fifth connection port (405) is the fourth port (144), the sixth connection port (406) is the fifth port (145), and the seventh connection port (407) is the sixth port (146);

the first four-way valve (161) comprises a first flow channel and a second flow channel, and has a first four-way valve first state and a first four-way valve second state; when the first four-way valve (161) is in the first four-way valve first state, the first flow channel is capable of making the second connection port (402) in fluid communication with the third connection port (403), and the second flow channel is capable of making the first connection port (401) in fluid communication with the fourth connection port (404); when the first four-way valve (161) is in the first four-way valve second state, the second flow channel is capable of making the first connection port (401) in fluid communication with the second connection port (402), and the first flow channel is capable of making the third connection port (403) in fluid communication with the fourth connection port (404);

the second four-way valve (162) comprises a third flow channel and a fourth flow channel, and has a second four-way valve first state and a second four-way valve second state; when the second four-way valve (162) is in the second four-way valve first state, the third flow channel is capable of making the fifth connection port (405) in fluid communication with the sixth connection port (406), and the fourth flow channel is capable of making the seventh connection port (407) in fluid communication with the eighth connection port (408); and when the second four-way valve (162) is in the second four-way valve second state, the third flow channel is capable of making the sixth connection port (406) in fluid communication with the seventh connection port (407), and the fourth flow channel is capable of making the fifth connection port (405) in fluid communication with the eighth connection port (408).
The heat pump system according to Claim 4, wherein:
the first four-way valve (161) comprises a first housing and a first valve body, and the second four-way valve (162) comprises a second housing and a second valve body;

wherein the first valve body is capable of achieving switching between the first four-way valve first state and the first four-way valve second state by rotating/moving relative to the first housing, and the second valve body is capable of achieving switching between the second four-way valve first state and the second four-way valve second state by rotating/moving relative to the second housing.
The heat pump system according to Claim 4, wherein the heat pump system further comprises:
a one-way valve (151), wherein the one-way valve (151) is provided on a connection pipeline between the third port (143) and the suction port (111).
The heat pump system according to Claim 4, wherein the heat pump system further comprises:
a one-way valve (151), wherein the one-way valve (151) is provided in the first four-way valve (161) and is provided in the first flow channel.
The heat pump system according to Claim 1, wherein:
the heat pump system has a simultaneous refrigeration and heating mode, and the heat pump system is configured such that when the heat pump system is operated in the simultaneous refrigeration and heating mode, the first port (115) of the second heat exchanger (102) is in communication with the suction port (111), the first port (113) of the first heat exchanger (101) is in communication with the exhaust port (112), and the first port (117) of the third heat exchanger (103) is in unidirectional communication with the suction port (111).
The heat pump system according to Claim 1, wherein:
the heat pump system has a defrosting mode, and the heat pump system is configured such that when the heat pump system is operated in the defrosting mode, the first port (113) of the first heat exchanger (101) is in communication with the suction port (111), the first port (117) of the third heat exchanger (103) is in communication with the exhaust port (112), and the first port (115) of the second heat exchanger (102) is in unidirectional communication with the suction port (111).
The heat pump system according to Claim 1, wherein:
the heat pump system further comprises a first flow path, a second flow path and a third flow path, the first heat exchanger (101) is provided in the first flow path, the second heat exchanger (102) is provided in the second flow path, and the third heat exchanger (103) is provided in the third flow path;

a first end of the first flow path, a first end of the second flow path and a first end of the third flow path are the first port (113) of the first heat exchanger (101), the first port (115) of the second heat exchanger (102) and the first port (117) of the third heat exchanger (103), respectively;

and a second end of the first flow path, a second end of the second flow path and a second end of the third flow path are communicated to a common path intersection.