JP2000337702A - Heat pump water heater for bath - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make uniformizable such temperature distribution that the temperature at the bottom of a bathtub is low but the temperature at the upper portion in the bathtub is high, and further utilize warm heat of bathtub water for heating of supply water effectively with high efficiency when the warm heat of the bathtub water is used to perform heating operation for the water to be supplied. SOLUTION: By providing a control means 15 for a bypass circuit opening/ closing valve 14 for opening and closing a bypass circuit 13 for coupling a bathtub water inlet portion and a bathtub water outlet portion of a bath heat exchanger 7, the temperature distribution in the bathtub formed during operation can be uniformized. Thereby, warm heat of the bathtub water is useable for effective heating of hot water supply and high efficiency of an apparatus is ensured.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus which utilizes a heat pump to utilize atmospheric heat, solar heat or the like for heating bath water, or to utilize atmospheric heat, solar heat or the heat of bath water for heating hot water. It is related to the improvement of.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been provided an apparatus which absorbs heat from an external heat source using a heat pump cycle to supply hot water and heat bathtub water.

[0003] Fig. 11 shows a configuration of a conventional apparatus for heating hot water or heating bath tub water by a heat pump using heat or atmospheric heat of bath tub water as a heat source. The heat pump water heater of FIG. 11 includes a compressor 1, expansion valves 2a and 2b, a refrigerant circuit 3, a hot water supply heat exchanger 4, a hot water supply circuit 5, a hot water storage tank 6, a bath heat exchanger 7, A bathtub water circuit 8, a bathtub 9, a heat collector 10 for collecting atmospheric heat or solar heat, refrigerant circuit on / off valves 11a, 11b, 11c for opening and closing the refrigerant circuit 3, and a bathtub water pump 12 for circulating bathwater. Have been.

[0004] When a hot-water supply heating operation is performed using the heat of bathtub water in a bathtub, the following operation is performed. First,
Bathtub water circulation pump 12 circulates bathtub water in bathtub 9 to bathtub water circuit 8 and bath heat exchanger 7. Then, the compressor 1 is operated to pressurize the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 3 to a high temperature and a high pressure, and send the hot water supply heat exchanger 4, the expansion valve 2a, and the bath heat exchanger 7 in this order. The refrigerant absorbs the heat of the bathtub water in the bath heat exchanger 7,
Thereafter, the water is sucked into the compressor 1 and pressurized to a high temperature and a high pressure, condensed in the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 and heated.

[0005] When heating the bathtub water in the bathtub 9,
Operate as follows. First, the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 is supplied to the bathtub water circuit 8 by the bathtub water pump 12 and the bath heat exchanger 7.
Circulate. Then, the compressor 1 is operated to operate the refrigerant circuit 3.
The refrigerant inside is pressurized to a high temperature and a high pressure and sent to the bath heat exchanger 7, the expansion valve 2b, and the heat collector 10 in this order. The refrigerant absorbs the heat of the atmosphere in the heat collector 10, and is then pressurized to a high temperature and a high pressure in the compressor 1,
The water is condensed in the bath heat exchanger 7 to heat the bath water.

In this conventional heat pump bath water heater, in order to efficiently cool and heat bath water,
For example, a method as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-27079 has been proposed. Further, as an application development of a heat pump, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-159267 describes that the temperature of bathtub water is used for heating.

[0007]

However, in the above-described conventional configuration, it is difficult to effectively use the temperature of bathtub water for heating hot water for the following reasons.

That is, since the temperature of the bath water absorbed from the refrigerant in the bath heat exchanger 7 is lower than the temperature of the bath water in the bath 9, there is a density difference between the two bath waters, and the low temperature of the bath water is large. Of the bathtub flows toward the bottom of the bathtub 9. Therefore,
The low temperature bath water returned from the bath heat exchanger 7 forms a low temperature layer at the bottom of the bath 9 without being sufficiently stirred with the high temperature bath water of the bath 9. Therefore, the bathtub water in the bathtub has a temperature distribution in which the temperature at the bottom of the bathtub 9 is low and the temperature at the top of the bathtub is high, as shown in FIG. As the operation continues, the low-temperature layer at the bottom of the bathtub 9 increases in thickness, and when the bathtub reaches the outlet of the bathtub water, the temperature of the bathtub water flowing into the bath heat exchanger 7 drops significantly. I do. When the temperature of the bath water flowing into the bath heat exchanger 7 decreases, not only does the efficiency of the heat pump decrease, but also the circulating bath water freezes after absorbing heat, so that the heat at the upper part of the bath tub is effectively supplied. The operation of the heat pump must be terminated without being able to use for heating. Therefore, in order to effectively use the heat of the upper part of the bathtub for heating the hot water supply, the problem is that the temperature distribution formed in the bathtub 9 shown in FIG. 12 must be uniform.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided a hot water supply system comprising a heat pump circuit having a compressor, a bathtub, and a hot water supply heat exchanger for exchanging heat between hot water and refrigerant in the heat pump circuit. A water circuit, a bath water pump having a bath water pump, and a bath heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the bath water in the heat pump circuit; and a bypass connecting the bath water inlet and the bath water outlet of the bath heat exchanger. A heat pump bath water heater comprising a circuit, a bypass circuit opening / closing valve for opening / closing the bypass circuit, and control means for controlling the bypass circuit opening / closing valve based on an operation time.

According to the present invention, when performing the heating operation of hot water supply using the heat of the bathtub water, the temperature distribution at the bottom of the bathtub is low and the temperature at the top of the bathtub is high is made uniform. Can be done.

Therefore, the temperature of the bath water can be effectively and efficiently used for heating the hot water supply.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS By adopting the constitution described in each claim of the present invention, a heat pump bath water heater of an embodiment which has achieved the object of the present invention can be realized.

That is, as set forth in claim 1, a heat pump circuit having a compressor, a bathtub, a hot water supply circuit having a hot water supply heat exchanger for exchanging heat between hot water and refrigerant of the heat pump circuit, and a bath water pump. And a bath water circuit having a bath heat exchanger in which the refrigerant and bath water of the heat pump circuit exchange heat, a bypass circuit connecting a bath water inlet and a bath water outlet of the bath heat exchanger, and the bypass circuit. The object of the present invention can be realized by a heat pump bath water heater characterized by comprising a bypass circuit opening / closing valve that opens and closes, and control means for controlling the bypass circuit opening / closing valve based on an operation time.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heat pump circuit having a compressor, a bathtub, a hot water supply circuit having a hot water supply heat exchanger for exchanging heat between hot water and a refrigerant in the heat pump circuit, and a bath water pump. And a bath water circuit having a bath heat exchanger in which the refrigerant and bath water of the heat pump circuit exchange heat, a bypass circuit connecting a bath water inlet and a bath water outlet of the bath heat exchanger, and the bypass circuit. A bypass circuit opening / closing valve for opening / closing, a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of bathtub water in the bathtub water circuit, and control means for controlling the bypass circuit opening / closing valve based on a temperature detected by the temperature sensor. The object of the present invention can be realized by using a heat pump bath water heater.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heat pump circuit having a compressor, a bath, a hot water supply circuit having a hot water supply heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and hot water in the heat pump circuit, and a bath water pump. And a bath water circuit having a bath heat exchanger in which the refrigerant and bath water of the heat pump circuit exchange heat, a bypass circuit connecting a bath water inlet and a bath water outlet of the bath heat exchanger, and the bypass circuit. A bypass circuit on-off valve for opening and closing, a pressure at a bath water outlet of the bath heat exchanger, or a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure difference between a bath water inlet and an outlet of the bath heat exchanger, and a detection pressure of the pressure sensor. The object of the present invention can be realized by a heat pump bath water heater characterized by comprising a control means for controlling the bypass circuit opening / closing valve based on the heat pump bath water heater.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heat pump circuit having a compressor, a bathtub, a hot water supply circuit having a hot water supply heat exchanger for exchanging heat between refrigerant and hot water in the heat pump circuit, and a bathtub water pump. And a bath water circuit having a bath heat exchanger in which the refrigerant and bath water of the heat pump circuit exchange heat, a bypass circuit connecting a bath water inlet and a bath water outlet of the bath heat exchanger, and the bypass circuit. A bypass circuit on / off valve for opening and closing, a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of a refrigerant inlet or an outlet of the bath heat exchanger, and control means for controlling the bypass circuit on / off valve based on a temperature detected by the temperature sensor. By providing a heat pump bath water heater characterized by the above, the object of the present invention can be realized.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heat pump circuit having a compressor, a bathtub, a hot water supply circuit having a hot water supply heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and hot water in the heat pump circuit, and a bathtub water pump. And a bath water circuit having a bath heat exchanger in which the refrigerant and bath water of the heat pump circuit exchange heat, a bypass circuit connecting a bath water inlet and a bath water outlet of the bath heat exchanger, and the bypass circuit. A bypass circuit on-off valve for opening and closing, a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure at a refrigerant inlet or an outlet of the bath heat exchanger, and a control unit for controlling the bypass circuit on-off valve based on a pressure detected by the pressure sensor. By providing a heat pump bath water heater characterized by the above, the object of the present invention can be realized.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of a heat pump bath water heater in an embodiment of the present invention. The heat pump bath water heater of the present embodiment has a compressor 1, expansion valves 2a and 2b, a refrigerant circuit 3,
In addition to the hot water supply heat exchanger 4, the hot water supply circuit 5, the hot water storage tank 6, the bath heat exchanger 7, the bathtub water circuit 8, the bathtub 9, the heat collector 10, the refrigerant circuit opening / closing valves 11a, 11b, 11c, and the bathtub water pump 12. And a bypass circuit 13 for connecting the bath water inlet and outlet of the bath heat exchanger 7, a bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14, and control means 15. The control unit 15 is a control unit that opens and closes the bypass circuit on-off valve 14 based on the operation time.

Next, the operation and operation will be described. Bathtub 9
When the hot water is heated using the hot water of the bathtub, the same operation as in the conventional example is performed. At the start of operation, the bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14 is closed, and the bathtub water is supplied to the bypass circuit 13. Absent. The temperature distribution as shown in FIG. 12 is formed in the bathtub 9 as the heating operation of the hot water is continued by utilizing the heat of the bathtub water. At this time, the control circuit 15 changes the bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14 from the closed state to the open state, and opens the bypass circuit 13. Therefore, part of the bathtub water flows through the bypass circuit 13 and the bathtub water flow rate circulating in the bath heat exchanger 7 decreases, but the pressure loss in the bathtub water circuit 8 decreases. The total circulating flow rate of the bath water conveyed by the tub increases. If the flow rate of the bathtub water circulating in the bathtub water circuit 8 increases, the convection of the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 is promoted, and the low-temperature bathtub water at the bottom of the bathtub 9 is effectively combined with the high-temperature bathtub water at the surface layer. Is stirred by convection. Therefore, the temperature distribution in the bathtub 9 gradually becomes uniform. When the temperature distribution becomes nearly uniform, the control circuit 15 switches the bypass circuit on-off valve 14 from open to closed. FIG. 2 shows the temperature change of the circulating bath water when the above operation is repeated. By repeatedly controlling the bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14, the temperature of the entire bathtub water in the bathtub 9 gradually decreases, and if the system can be operated until the temperature of the bathtub 9 drops below a certain predetermined temperature, the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 will be reduced. This means that the heat of water could be used effectively for heating hot water. The control of the control means 15 reduces the flow rate of the bathtub water flowing to the bath heat exchanger 7 and lowers the heat exchange capacity. However, the temperature of the bathtub water returning to the bathtub 9 increases, so that the temperature distribution of the bathtub 9 is easily uniformed. .

In the present embodiment, the time a during which the bypass circuit on / off valve 14 is closed by the control means 15 is the time until the temperature distribution as shown in FIG. Time b is open
Was set to a value required until the temperature difference between the upper layer portion and the lower layer portion of the bath water reached a predetermined temperature difference.

In this embodiment, the present invention can be applied to a case where bath water is heated. That is, the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 can be uniformly heated. Accordingly, a highly efficient heating operation of the bathtub can be performed.

When the bath tub water heating operation is started, the control unit 1 keeps the bath tub water pump 12 stopped.
If the bypass circuit 13 is opened by 5, the bath water heating operation utilizing natural convection via the bypass circuit 13 can be performed. After that, when the bathtub water pump 12 is operated,
Although the initial heating characteristics of the bathtub 9 are lowered, the heat pump cycle is stabilized early, so that the bathtub water can be heated to a high temperature relatively quickly.

Although one bypass circuit is provided in this embodiment, a plurality of bypass circuits may be provided.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 schematically shows a configuration of a heat pump bath water heater in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The heat pump bath water heater of the present embodiment has, in addition to the conventional configuration, a bypass circuit 13 that connects an inlet and an outlet of bath water of the bath heat exchanger 7, a bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14, and a temperature sensor 16, Control means 17 is provided. The temperature sensor 16 is a means for detecting the bathtub water temperature of the bathtub water circuit 8. The control unit 17 is a control unit that opens and closes the bypass circuit on-off valve 14 based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 16. In the present embodiment, a thermistor is used as the temperature sensor 16, but a thermocouple, a resistance temperature detector, or the like may be used instead. The installation position is the bathtub water circuit 8, and any location may be used as long as the bathtub water temperature can be measured.

Next, the operation and operation will be described. Bathtub 9
When the hot water is heated using the hot water of the bathtub, the same operation as in the conventional example is performed. At the start of operation, the bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14 is closed, and the bathtub water is supplied to the bypass circuit 13. Absent. The temperature distribution as shown in FIG. 12 is formed in the bathtub 9 as the heating operation of the hot water is continued by utilizing the heat of the bathtub water. At this time, when the temperature of the temperature sensor 16 becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature T1, the control circuit 17 opens and closes the bypass circuit on-off valve 14 to close the bypass circuit 13 connected to the inlet and outlet of the bath heat exchanger 7. To release.

Accordingly, a part of the bath water flows from the bath outlet 8a to the bath inlet 8b through the bypass circuit 13, and the flow rate of the bath water flowing through the bath heat exchanger 7 decreases. Since the pressure loss of the circuit 8 is reduced, the total circulating flow rate of the bath water conveyed by the bath water pump 8 is increased. If the flow rate of the bathtub water circulating in the bathtub water circuit 8 increases, the convection of the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 is promoted, and the low-temperature bathtub water at the bottom of the bathtub 9 is effectively combined with the high-temperature bathtub water at the surface layer. Is stirred by convection.

Therefore, the temperature distribution in the bathtub 9 gradually becomes uniform. As the temperature distribution becomes uniform, the temperature of the circulating bath water becomes higher. Therefore, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 16 becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature T2, the temperature distribution of the bath water in the bathtub 9 becomes uniform. Judgment and control means 17
Thereby, the bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14 is changed from open to closed.
FIG. 4 shows a temperature change of the circulating bath water when the above operation is repeated. By repeatedly controlling the bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14, the temperature of the entire bathtub water in the bathtub 9 gradually decreases, and if the system can be operated until the temperature of the bathtub 9 drops below a certain predetermined temperature, the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 will be reduced. This means that the heat of water could be used effectively for heating hot water. Control means 16
, The flow rate of the bathtub water flowing to the bath heat exchanger 7 decreases, and the heat exchange capacity decreases. However, the temperature of the bathtub water returning to the bathtub 9 increases, so that the temperature distribution in the bathtub 9 is easily uniformed.

In the present embodiment, the predetermined temperatures T1 and T2 are fixed values, but may be specified as a function of the number of repetitions or the operation time, and the same effect can be obtained.

If an existing temperature sensor is installed to detect the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub 9, the present embodiment can be implemented by using the existing temperature sensor.

In this embodiment, the present invention can be applied to a case where bath water is heated. That is, the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 can be uniformly heated. Accordingly, a highly efficient heating operation of the bathtub can be performed.

When the bath tub water heating operation is started, the control means 1 keeps the bath tub water pump 12 stopped.
If the bypass circuit 13 is opened by 6, the bath water heating operation utilizing natural convection via the bypass circuit 13 can be performed. After that, when the bathtub water pump 12 is operated,
Although the initial heating characteristics of the bathtub 9 are lowered, the heat pump cycle is stabilized early, so that the bathtub water can be heated to a high temperature relatively quickly.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 5 schematically shows a configuration of a heat pump bath water heater in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The heat pump bath water heater of the present embodiment has a bypass circuit 13, a bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14, a pressure sensor 18, and a pressure sensor 18, which connect the inlet and outlet of the bathtub water of the bath heat exchanger 7, in addition to the conventional configuration. Control means 19 is provided. The pressure sensor 18 is a means for detecting a pressure difference between the bathtub water inlet pressure and the outlet pressure of the bath heat exchanger 7. The control unit 19 is a control unit that opens and closes the bypass circuit on-off valve 14 based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 18. In this embodiment, the pressure sensor 18 is installed as a differential pressure gauge of the bath heat exchanger 7, but may be an absolute pressure at the inlet or outlet of the bath water of the bath heat exchanger, or a gauge pressure.

Next, the operation and operation will be described. Bathtub 9
When the hot water is heated using the hot water of the bathtub, the same operation as in the conventional example is performed. At the start of operation, the bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14 is closed, and the bathtub water is supplied to the bypass circuit 13. Absent. The temperature distribution as shown in FIG. 12 is formed in the bathtub 9 as the heating operation of the hot water is continued by utilizing the heat of the bathtub water. When the temperature of the bath water flowing into the bath heat exchanger 7 decreases, the viscosity of the bath water increases, and the pressure loss of the bath water in the bath heat exchanger 7 increases. That is, the temperature of the circulating bath water is reflected on the detected pressure of the pressure sensor 18. Therefore, when the differential pressure of the pressure sensor 18 becomes equal to or more than the predetermined value P1, the bypass circuit on-off valve 14 is closed to open by the control means 19, and the bypass circuit connected to the inlet and outlet of the bath heat exchanger 7 is connected. 13 is released.

Therefore, part of the bath water is supplied to the bypass circuit 13.
And the flow rate of the bath water flowing through the bath heat exchanger 7 decreases. However, since the pressure loss of the bath water circuit 8 decreases, the total circulation flow rate of the bath water conveyed by the bath water pump 8 becomes To increase. If the flow rate of the bathtub water circulating in the bathtub water circuit 8 increases, the convection of the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 is promoted, and the low-temperature bathtub water at the bottom of the bathtub 9 is effectively combined with the high-temperature bathtub water at the surface layer. Is stirred by convection.

Accordingly, the temperature distribution in the bathtub 9 gradually becomes uniform. When the temperature of the circulating bath water rises,
The viscosity of the bath water is reduced, and the pressure loss of the bath water in the bath heat exchanger 7 is reduced. When the pressure difference detected by the pressure sensor 18 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value P2, it is determined that the temperature distribution of the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 has become uniform, and the control circuit 19 switches the bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14 from open to closed. I do. FIG. 6 shows the temperature change of the circulating bath water when the above operation is repeated. By repeatedly controlling the bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14, the temperature of the entire bathtub water in the bathtub 9 gradually decreases, and if the system can be operated until the temperature of the bathtub 9 drops below a certain predetermined temperature, the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 will be reduced. This means that the heat of water could be used effectively for heating hot water. The control of the control means 17 reduces the flow rate of the bathtub water flowing to the bath heat exchanger 7 and lowers the heat exchange capacity. However, the temperature of the bathtub water returning to the bathtub 9 increases, so that the temperature distribution of the bathtub 9 is easily uniformed. .

In this embodiment, the predetermined pressures P1 and P2 are fixed values, but may be specified as a function of the number of repetitions or the operation time, and the same effect can be obtained.

In this embodiment, the present invention can be applied to a case where bath water is heated. That is, the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 can be uniformly heated. Accordingly, a highly efficient heating operation of the bathtub can be performed.

When the heating operation of the bathtub water is started, the control means 1 keeps the bathtub water pump 12 stopped.
If the bypass circuit 13 is opened by 9, the bath water heating operation using natural convection via the bypass circuit 13 can be performed. After that, when the bathtub water pump 12 is operated,
Although the initial heating characteristics of the bathtub 9 are lowered, the heat pump cycle is stabilized early, so that the bathtub water can be heated to a high temperature relatively quickly.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 7 schematically shows the configuration of a heat pump bath water heater according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The heat pump bath water heater of the present embodiment has, in addition to the conventional configuration, a bypass circuit 13 that connects an inlet and an outlet of bath water of the bath heat exchanger 7, a bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14, and a temperature sensor 20, Control means 21 is provided. The temperature sensor 20 is a means for detecting the refrigerant inlet temperature of the bath heat exchanger 7. The control unit 21 is a control unit that opens and closes the bypass circuit on-off valve 14 based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 20. In this embodiment, a thermistor is used for the temperature sensor 20, but a thermocouple, a resistance temperature detector, or the like may be used instead. The installation position may be a refrigerant outlet of the bath heat exchanger.

Next, the operation and operation will be described. Bathtub 9
When the hot water is heated using the hot water of the bathtub, the same operation as in the conventional example is performed. At the start of operation, the bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14 is closed, and the bathtub water is supplied to the bypass circuit 13. Absent. The temperature distribution as shown in FIG. 12 is formed in the bathtub 9 as the heating operation of the hot water is continued by utilizing the heat of the bathtub water. When the temperature of the bath water flowing into the bath heat exchanger 7 decreases, the temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the bath heat exchanger 7 also decreases because the evaporation pressure of the heat pump circuit decreases. That is, the temperature of the circulating bath water is reflected on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 18.

Therefore, when the temperature of the temperature sensor 20 becomes lower than the predetermined temperature T3, the bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14 is changed from the closed state to the open state by the control means 21, and the bypass connected to the inlet and outlet of the bath heat exchanger 7 is connected. The circuit 13 is opened.
Accordingly, part of the bathtub water flows through the bypass circuit 13 and the flow rate of the bathtub water flowing through the bath heat exchanger 7 decreases, but the pressure loss of the bathtub water circuit 8 decreases, so that the bathtub water pump 8 The total circulating flow rate of the bath water conveyed by the tub increases. If the flow rate of the bathtub water circulating in the bathtub water circuit 8 increases, the convection of the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 is promoted, and the low-temperature bathtub water at the bottom of the bathtub 9 is effectively combined with the high-temperature bathtub water at the surface layer. Is stirred by convection.

Accordingly, the temperature distribution in the bathtub 9 gradually becomes uniform. As the temperature distribution becomes uniform, the temperature of the circulating bath water becomes higher. Therefore, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 20 becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature T4, the temperature distribution of the bath water in the bathtub 9 becomes uniform. The control means 21
Thereby, the bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14 is changed from open to closed.
FIG. 8 shows a temperature change of the circulating bath water when the above operation is repeated. By repeatedly controlling the bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14, the temperature of the entire bathtub water in the bathtub 9 gradually decreases, and if the system can be operated until the temperature of the bathtub 9 drops below a certain predetermined temperature, the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 will be reduced. This means that the heat of water could be used effectively for heating hot water. Control means 21
, The flow rate of the bathtub water flowing to the bath heat exchanger 7 decreases, and the heat exchange capacity decreases. However, the temperature of the bathtub water returning to the bathtub 9 increases, so that the temperature distribution in the bathtub 9 is easily uniformed.

If the temperature sensor is installed at the refrigerant inlet or outlet of the bathtub water heat exchanger in order to control the heat pump cycle, this embodiment can be carried out using this. Conversely, when the heat pump cycle is not installed, the heat pump cycle can be controlled using the temperature sensor installed in this embodiment.

In this embodiment, the predetermined temperatures T3 and T4 are set to constant values, but may be specified as a function of the number of repetitions or the operation time, and the same effect can be obtained.

In this embodiment, the present invention can be applied to a case where bath water is heated. That is, the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 can be uniformly heated. Accordingly, a highly efficient heating operation of the bathtub can be performed.

When the heating operation of the bathtub water is started, the control means 2 keeps the bathtub water pump 12 stopped.
When the bypass circuit 13 is opened by 1, the bath water heating operation using natural convection via the bypass circuit 13 can be performed. After that, when the bathtub water pump 12 is operated,
Although the initial heating characteristics of the bathtub 9 are lowered, the heat pump cycle is stabilized early, so that the bathtub water can be heated to a high temperature relatively quickly.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 9 schematically shows the configuration of a heat pump bath water heater according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. The heat pump bath water heater of the present embodiment has, in addition to the conventional configuration, a bypass circuit 13 that connects an inlet and an outlet of bath water of the bath heat exchanger 7, a bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14, and a pressure sensor 22, Control means 23 is provided. The pressure sensor 22 is a means for detecting the refrigerant inlet pressure of the bath heat exchanger 7. The control unit 23 is a control unit that opens and closes the bypass circuit on-off valve 14 based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 22. In this embodiment, the pressure sensor 22 is installed at the refrigerant inlet of the bath heat exchanger 7,
The installation position may be a refrigerant outlet of the bath heat exchanger.

Next, the operation and operation will be described. Bathtub 9
When the hot water is heated using the hot water of the bathtub, the same operation as in the conventional example is performed. At the start of operation, the bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14 is closed, and the bathtub water is supplied to the bypass circuit 13. Absent. The temperature distribution as shown in FIG. 12 is formed in the bathtub 9 as the heating operation of the hot water is continued by utilizing the heat of the bathtub water. When the temperature of the bath water flowing into the bath heat exchanger 7 decreases, the pressure at which the refrigerant in the heat pump circuit evaporates decreases. That is, the temperature of the circulating bath water is
This is reflected on the detection pressure of the pressure sensor 22.

Accordingly, when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 22 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value P3, the control circuit 23 changes the bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14 from the closed state to the open state, and connects the inlet and outlet of the bath heat exchanger 7 to each other. The opened bypass circuit 13 is opened. Therefore, part of the bath water flows through the bypass circuit 13 and the flow rate of the bath water flowing through the bath heat exchanger 7 decreases, but the pressure loss of the bath water circuit 8 decreases.
The total circulating flow rate of the bath water conveyed by the bath water pump 12 increases. If the flow rate of the bathtub water circulating in the bathtub water circuit 8 increases, the convection of the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 is promoted, and the low-temperature bathtub water at the bottom of the bathtub 9 is effectively combined with the high-temperature bathtub water at the surface layer. Is stirred by convection.

Therefore, the temperature distribution in the bathtub 9 gradually becomes uniform. As the temperature distribution becomes uniform, the temperature of the circulating bath water becomes higher. Therefore, when the detected pressure of the pressure sensor 22 becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined value P4, the temperature distribution of the bath water in the bathtub 9 becomes uniform. After the determination, the control circuit 23 changes the bypass circuit on-off valve 14 from open to closed. FIG. 10 shows the temperature change of the circulating bath water when the above operation is repeated. By repeatedly controlling the bypass circuit opening / closing valve 14, the temperature of the entire bathtub water in the bathtub 9 gradually decreases, and if the system can be operated until the temperature of the bathtub 9 drops below a certain predetermined temperature, the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 will be reduced. This means that the heat of water could be used effectively for heating hot water. Control means 23
, The flow rate of the bathtub water flowing to the bath heat exchanger 7 decreases, and the heat exchange capacity decreases. However, the temperature of the bathtub water returning to the bathtub 9 increases, so that the temperature distribution in the bathtub 9 is easily uniformed.

If a pressure sensor is installed at the refrigerant inlet or outlet of the bath water heat exchanger to control the heat pump cycle, the present embodiment can be implemented using this. Conversely, when the heat pump cycle is not installed, the heat pump cycle can be controlled using the pressure sensor installed in this embodiment.

In this embodiment, the predetermined pressures P3 and P4 are fixed values, but may be specified as a function of the number of repetitions or the operation time, and the same effect can be obtained.

In this embodiment, the present invention can be applied to a case where bath water is heated. That is, the bathtub water in the bathtub 9 can be uniformly heated. Accordingly, a highly efficient heating operation of the bathtub can be performed.

When the bath tub water heating operation is started, the control unit 2 keeps the bath tub water pump 12 stopped.
If the bypass circuit 13 is opened by 3, the bath water heating operation using natural convection via the bypass circuit 13 can be performed. After that, when the bathtub water pump 12 is operated,
Although the initial heating characteristics of the bathtub 9 are lowered, the heat pump cycle is stabilized early, so that the bathtub water can be heated to a high temperature relatively quickly.

[0056]

As described above, the following effects can be obtained in the heat pump bath water heater configured as described above.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heat pump circuit having a compressor, a bath, a hot water circuit having a hot water heat exchanger for exchanging heat between refrigerant and hot water in the heat pump circuit, a bath water pump and the heat pump. A bath water circuit having a bath heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant of the circuit and bath water, a bypass circuit connecting a bath water inlet and a bath water outlet of the bath heat exchanger, and a bypass for opening and closing the bypass circuit A heat pump bath water heater comprising a circuit opening / closing valve and control means for controlling the bypass circuit opening / closing valve based on an operation time.

With this configuration, the temperature distribution of the bath tub water, which is disadvantageous to the operation efficiency in the depth direction of the bath tub, is different between the case where the hot water supply heating operation is performed using the temperature of the bath tub water and the case where the bath tub water is heated. Even if formed, the temperature distribution of the bathtub can be made uniform by controlling the flow of bathtub water through the bypass circuit. Therefore, since the heat of the bathtub water can be effectively used for heating the hot water supply, the efficiency of the heating operation of the hot water supply using the heat of the bathtub water can be improved.

Further, when the bypass circuit is opened, the circulating flow rate is increased, so that dirt hardly adheres to the bathtub and the bathtub water circuit.

Further, when the bypass circuit is opened at the time of starting the bath heating operation, the heat pump cycle is stabilized at an early stage, and the bathtub water can be efficiently heated.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a heat pump circuit having a compressor, a bathtub, a hot water supply circuit having a hot water supply heat exchanger for exchanging heat between refrigerant and hot water in the heat pump circuit, a bath water pump and A bath water circuit having a bath heat exchanger for exchanging heat between refrigerant and bath water in the heat pump circuit, a bypass circuit connecting a bath water inlet and a bath water outlet of the bath heat exchanger, and opening and closing the bypass circuit A bypass circuit opening and closing valve, a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of bathtub water in the bathtub water circuit, and control means for controlling the bypass circuit opening and closing valve based on a temperature detected by the temperature sensor. It is a heat pump bath water heater.

With this configuration, the temperature distribution of the bath tub water, which is disadvantageous to the operation efficiency in the depth direction of the bath tub, is obtained when the heating operation of the hot water supply is performed by using the temperature of the bath tub water and when the bath tub water is heated. Even if formed, the temperature distribution of the bathtub can be made uniform by controlling the flow of bathtub water through the bypass circuit. Therefore, since the heat of the bathtub water can be effectively used for heating the hot water supply, the efficiency of the heating operation of the hot water supply using the heat of the bathtub water can be improved.

Further, when the bypass circuit is opened at the time of starting the bath heating operation, the heat pump cycle can be stabilized at an early stage, and the bathtub water can be efficiently heated.

Further, since the added temperature sensor can be used as a means for detecting the safety of the apparatus, the safety of the apparatus is improved.

If a temperature sensor is already installed to control the temperature of the bathtub water, the configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced by using the temperature sensor.

Further, since the temperature sensor is used, it is possible to more accurately control the bathtub water pump than to control the bathtub water pump by time, and to cope with a wide variety of bathtub types.

When the bypass circuit is opened, the circulating flow rate increases, so that dirt hardly adheres to the bathtub and the bathtub water circuit.

The invention of claim 3 provides a heat pump circuit having a compressor, a bathtub, a hot water supply circuit having a hot water supply heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and hot water in the heat pump circuit, a bath water pump and A bath water circuit having a bath heat exchanger for exchanging heat between refrigerant and bath water in the heat pump circuit, a bypass circuit connecting a bath water inlet and a bath water outlet of the bath heat exchanger, and opening and closing the bypass circuit A bypass circuit opening and closing valve, a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure at a bath water outlet of the bath heat exchanger, or a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure difference between a bath water inlet and an outlet of the bath heat exchanger, based on a detection pressure of the pressure sensor. And a control means for controlling the bypass circuit opening / closing valve.

With this configuration, when the hot water supply heating operation is performed by utilizing the heat of the bathtub water, even if a bathtub water temperature distribution that is disadvantageous to the operation efficiency is formed in the depth direction of the bathtub, the bathtub is formed in the bypass circuit. By controlling the flow of water, the temperature distribution in the bathtub can be made uniform. Therefore, since the temperature of the bathtub water can be effectively used for heating the hot water supply, the efficiency of the apparatus can be improved.

Further, when the bypass circuit is opened at the time of starting the bath heating operation, the heat pump cycle is stabilized at an early stage and the bathtub water can be efficiently heated.

Further, when the bypass circuit is opened, the circulating flow rate increases, so that dirt hardly adheres to the bathtub and the bathtub water circuit.

When dirt adheres to the bath heat exchanger and the pressure loss in the bathtub water flow path increases, this state can be detected by the pressure sensor. Therefore, a function of notifying the maintenance time can be provided.

The invention of claim 4 provides a heat pump circuit having a compressor, a bathtub, a hot water supply circuit having a hot water supply heat exchanger for exchanging heat between hot water and refrigerant in the heat pump circuit, a bath water pump and A bath water circuit having a bath heat exchanger for exchanging heat between refrigerant and bath water in the heat pump circuit, a bypass circuit connecting a bath water inlet and a bath water outlet of the bath heat exchanger, and opening and closing the bypass circuit A bypass circuit opening and closing valve, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant inlet or the outlet of the bath heat exchanger, and control means for controlling the bypass circuit opening and closing valve based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. A heat pump bath water heater characterized in that:

With this configuration, when the hot water supply heating operation is performed using the heat of the bathtub water, even if a bathtub water temperature distribution disadvantageous to the operation efficiency is formed in the depth direction of the bathtub, the bathtub is formed in the bypass circuit. By controlling the flow of water, the temperature distribution in the bathtub can be made uniform. Therefore, since the temperature of the bathtub water can be effectively used for heating the hot water supply, the efficiency of the apparatus can be improved.

Further, when the bypass circuit is opened at the time of starting the bath heating operation, the heat pump cycle is stabilized at an early stage, and the bathtub water can be efficiently heated.

Further, when the bypass circuit is opened, the circulating flow rate increases, so that dirt hardly adheres to the bathtub and the bathtub water circuit.

Further, since the added temperature sensor can be used as a means for sensing the safety of the device, the safety of the device is improved.

Further, since the installed temperature sensor can be used for heat pump cycle control, the use of the temperature sensor can increase the efficiency of the apparatus.

In addition, since a temperature sensor is used, control can be performed with higher accuracy than a method in which control is performed based on operation time, and a wide variety of bathtubs can be handled.

If a temperature sensor is already provided for controlling the heat pump cycle of the bath water, the configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced by using the temperature sensor.

The invention of claim 5 provides a heat pump circuit having a compressor, a bathtub, a hot water supply circuit having a hot water supply heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and hot water in the heat pump circuit, a bath water pump and A bath water circuit having a bath heat exchanger for exchanging heat between refrigerant and bath water in the heat pump circuit, a bypass circuit connecting a bath water inlet and a bath water outlet of the bath heat exchanger, and opening and closing the bypass circuit A bypass circuit opening and closing valve, a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure at a refrigerant inlet or an outlet of the bath heat exchanger, and control means for controlling the bypass circuit opening and closing valve based on a pressure detected by the pressure sensor. The feature is a heat pump bath water heater.

With this configuration, when a hot water supply heating operation is performed using the heat of the bathtub water, even if a bathtub water temperature distribution that is disadvantageous to the operation efficiency in the depth direction of the bathtub is formed, the bathtub is formed in the bypass circuit. By controlling the flow of water, the temperature distribution in the bathtub can be made uniform. Therefore, since the temperature of the bathtub water can be effectively used for heating the hot water supply, the efficiency of the apparatus can be improved.

If the bypass circuit is opened at the time of starting the bath heating operation, the heat pump cycle can be stabilized early and the bathtub water can be efficiently heated.

Further, since the temperature of the bathtub water changes periodically, heat shock is given to the bacteria and the like living in the bathtub water circuit and the bathtub, and propagation can be suppressed. Therefore, dirt hardly adheres to the bathtub.

Further, since the added pressure sensor can be used as a means for detecting the safety of the device, the safety of the device is improved.

Further, since the installed pressure sensor can be used also for heat pump cycle control, the use of the pressure sensor can increase the efficiency of the apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory view of a heat pump bath water heater in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between an operation time of the heat pump bath water heater and a bathtub water temperature.

FIG. 3 is a configuration explanatory view of a heat pump bath water heater in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between an operation time of the heat pump bath water heater and a bathtub water temperature.

FIG. 5 is a configuration explanatory view of a heat pump bath water heater in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship between an operation time of the heat pump bath water heater and a bathtub water temperature.

FIG. 7 is a configuration explanatory view of a heat pump bath water heater in Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a relationship between an operation time of the heat pump bath water heater and a bathtub water temperature.

FIG. 9 is a configuration explanatory view of a heat pump bath water heater in Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a relationship between an operation time of the heat pump bath water heater and a bathtub water temperature.

FIG. 11 is a configuration explanatory view of a conventional heat pump bath water heater.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a relationship between bathtub water depth and bathtub water temperature of the heat pump bath water heater.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Compressor 2a, 2b Expansion valve 3 Refrigerant circuit 4 Hot water supply heat exchanger 5 Hot water supply circuit 6 Hot water storage tank 7 Bath heat exchanger 8 Bath tub water circuit 9 Bath tub 10 Heat collector 11a, 11b, 11c Open / close valve 12 Bath water pump 13 Bypass Circuit 14 Bypass circuit on / off valve 15 Control means for controlling bypass circuit on / off valve based on operation time 16, 20 Temperature sensor 17, 21 Control means for controlling bypass circuit on / off valve based on temperature detected by temperature sensor 18, 22 Pressure Sensor 19,23 Control means for controlling a bypass circuit opening / closing valve based on a pressure detected by a pressure sensor

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A heat pump circuit having a compressor, a bath tub, a hot water supply circuit having a hot water supply heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant of the heat pump circuit and hot water, a bath tub water pump, and a refrigerant and a bath tub of the heat pump circuit. A bathtub water circuit having a bath heat exchanger in which water exchanges heat, a bypass circuit connecting a bathtub water inlet and a bathtub water outlet of the bath heat exchanger, and a bypass circuit opening / closing valve for opening and closing the bypass circuit. A heat pump bath water heater comprising a control means for controlling the bypass circuit opening / closing valve based on an operation time. 2. A heat pump circuit having a compressor, a bath tub, a hot water supply circuit having a hot water supply heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant of the heat pump circuit and hot water, a bath tub water pump, and a refrigerant and a bath tub of the heat pump circuit. A bathtub water circuit having a bath heat exchanger in which water exchanges heat, a bypass circuit connecting a bathtub water inlet and a bathtub water outlet of the bath heat exchanger, and a bypass circuit opening / closing valve for opening and closing the bypass circuit. A heat pump bath water heater comprising: a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of bathtub water in the bathtub water circuit; and control means for controlling the bypass circuit opening / closing valve based on a temperature detected by the temperature sensor. 3. A heat pump circuit having a compressor, a bathtub, a hot water supply circuit having a hot water supply heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and hot water in the heat pump circuit, a bathtub water pump, and a refrigerant and bathtub in the heat pump circuit. A bathtub water circuit having a bath heat exchanger in which water exchanges heat, a bypass circuit connecting a bathtub water inlet and a bathtub water outlet of the bath heat exchanger, and a bypass circuit opening / closing valve for opening and closing the bypass circuit. The pressure of the bath water outlet of the bath heat exchanger, or a pressure sensor that detects the pressure difference between the bath water inlet and the outlet of the bath heat exchanger, and the bypass circuit opening / closing valve based on the detected pressure of the pressure sensor. A heat pump bath water heater comprising control means for controlling. 4. A heat pump circuit having a compressor, a bathtub, a hot water supply circuit having a hot water supply heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant of the heat pump circuit and hot water, a bathtub water pump, and a refrigerant and bathtub of the heat pump circuit. A bathtub water circuit having a bath heat exchanger in which water exchanges heat, a bypass circuit connecting a bathtub water inlet and a bathtub water outlet of the bath heat exchanger, and a bypass circuit opening / closing valve for opening and closing the bypass circuit. A heat pump bath comprising: a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of a refrigerant inlet or an outlet of the bath heat exchanger; and control means for controlling the bypass circuit on-off valve based on a temperature detected by the temperature sensor. Water heater. 5. A heat pump circuit having a compressor, a bathtub, a hot water supply circuit having a hot water supply heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant of the heat pump circuit and hot water, a bathtub water pump, and a refrigerant and bathtub of the heat pump circuit. A bathtub water circuit having a bath heat exchanger in which water exchanges heat, a bypass circuit connecting a bathtub water inlet and a bathtub water outlet of the bath heat exchanger, and a bypass circuit opening / closing valve for opening and closing the bypass circuit. A heat pump bath water heater comprising: a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure at a refrigerant inlet or an outlet of the bath heat exchanger; and control means for controlling the bypass circuit on-off valve based on a pressure detected by the pressure sensor. .