JP2001235252A - Air-conditioning and hot water feeding system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air-conditioning and hot water feeding system having both a superior energy saving characteristic and a superior economical characteristic capable of performing a high efficient heating of water contained in an electrical hot water heater under utilization of a heat pump type freezing cycle for an air conditioner and further capable of increasing an operating rate of the air conditioner. SOLUTION: A heat pump type freezing cycle is provided with a stored hot water branch unit 2. Either one of a refrigerant, circulating cycle connecting an outdoor device 1 with an indoor device 3 and a refrigerant circulating cycle for connecting the outdoor device 1 with a fed hot water heat exchanger 26 is selected through this stored hot water branch device 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioning / hot water supply system provided with an air conditioner and an electric water heater.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an electric water heater operates an electric heater at night using inexpensive late-night electric power, and heats water in a hot water storage tank by the heat generated by the electric heater to store hot water. Is a device used for hot water supply during the day.

An air conditioner, a so-called air conditioner, has a heat pump refrigeration cycle installed in an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. In summer, heat is taken from indoor air to release it to the outside, thereby cooling the room. Heating is performed by drawing heat from the air and releasing it into the room.

[0004]

Since the electric water heater is heated by the heater, the heating efficiency is about 0.9, which is slightly higher than the efficiency of gas or oil water heaters.

[0005] On the other hand, air conditioners are mainly used for cooling and heating. In many cases, the air conditioners are stopped during the interim period.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
The objective is to use the heat pump refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner to heat the water of the electric water heater with high efficiency, and to increase the operation rate of the air conditioner. Air-conditioning with excellent economy
It is to provide a hot water supply system.

[0007]

An air conditioning / hot water supply system according to the present invention is connected to an air conditioner having an outdoor unit and an indoor unit equipped with a heat pump refrigeration cycle, and connected to the heat pump refrigeration cycle. A hot-water supply branch unit having a hot-water supply heat exchanger having a hot-water supply water pipe and a refrigerant pipe for exchanging heat with a refrigerant of a refrigeration cycle to heat hot-water circulating water, a hot-water supply heat exchanger and a water pipe of the hot-water storage branch unit And an electric water heater provided with a hot water storage tank connected with the water heater. And the hot water storage branching unit is connected to the connection pipe from the outdoor unit and the indoor unit in the heat pump refrigeration cycle, and connects the outdoor unit and the indoor unit in the heat pump refrigeration cycle to the first.
A refrigerant circulation cycle or a second refrigerant circulation cycle connecting the outdoor unit and the hot water supply heat exchanger, and a refrigerant flow path switching means for switching each refrigerant circulation cycle; and any one of the refrigerant circulation cycles Selecting means for selecting one of the flow paths.

[0008] In an air conditioning and hot water supply system according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the electric water heater has an electric heater for heating water in the hot water storage tank. The selecting means of the hot water storage branching unit makes a selection based on an operation mode set for the air conditioner and an energized state of the electric heater.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioning / hot water supply system according to the first aspect, the electric water heater has an electric heater for heating water in the hot water storage tank. The hot water storage branching unit connects an electric wiring connecting the controller of the indoor unit and a controller of the outdoor unit, an operation signal line connected to the controller of the electric water heater, and a power supply line from a power supply. Input terminal, an output terminal connected to the input terminal, a power supply line connecting the output terminal to the electric water heater, and a current sensor provided on a line between the input terminal and the output terminal. And

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioning / hot water supply system according to the third aspect, the hot water storage branch unit includes a water circulation pump interposed in a water pipe connecting the hot water supply heat exchanger and the electric water heater, and a refrigerant. It further includes a refrigerant temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the pipe, a water temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of circulating water flowing through the water pipe, and a branch controller. The branch controller controls the refrigerant flow switching means and the water circulation pump based on an operation mode signal from the indoor unit and a detection result of the current sensor.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a hot water storage branch unit 2 is connected to an outdoor unit 1 by a refrigerant pipe, an indoor unit 3 is connected to the hot water storage branch unit 2 by a refrigerant pipe, and an electric water heater 4 is connected to a hot water supply water pipe. Electric water heater 4
Has an operation unit 5 for driving operation on the outer peripheral surface of the housing.

The outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3 form an air conditioner, and the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3 are equipped with a heat pump refrigeration cycle. Further, the pipe of the heat pump refrigeration cycle between the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3 is configured to communicate with a hot water supply heat exchanger 26 described later in the hot water storage branching unit 2.

FIG. 2 shows a specific configuration of the heat pump refrigeration cycle, the hot water storage branching unit 2, and the electric water heater 4.

The outdoor unit 1 includes a compressor 11, a four-way valve 12, an electric expansion valve (PMV: pulse motor valve) 13, an outdoor heat exchanger 14, and the like. The indoor unit 3 includes an indoor heat exchanger 31 and the like.

An indoor heat exchanger 31 is connected to the discharge port of the compressor 11 via a four-way valve 12 by piping, and an electric expansion valve (PMV: pulse motor valve) 13 is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 31.
The outdoor heat exchanger 14 is connected via a pipe. Then, the outdoor heat exchanger 14 is connected to the suction port of the compressor 11 via the four-way valve 12 to constitute a heat pump refrigeration cycle.

In the hot water storage branching unit 2, an on-off valve (two-way valve) 21 is provided in a pipe between the four-way valve 12 and the indoor heat exchanger 31, and a pipe between the indoor heat exchanger 31 and the electric expansion valve 13 is provided. Is provided with an on-off valve 22. Further, the four-way valve 12 and the two-way valve 2
1 is connected to one end of a refrigerant pipe 25, and an open / close valve 23 is provided at one end thereof, and the other end of the refrigerant pipe 25 is connected to a pipe between the open / close valve 22 and the electric expansion valve 13. An opening / closing valve 24 is provided at the other end.

In the refrigerant pipe 25, the on-off valve 2
A refrigerant pipe (primary side pipe) of the hot water supply heat exchanger 26 is communicated between the pipes 3 and 24. The hot water supply heat exchanger 26 further includes a hot water supply water pipe (secondary pipe) for heating the circulating water for storing hot water, and the hot water supply water pipe 27 communicates with the hot water supply water pipe 27. Pump 2 for water circulation at one end
8 and the other end of the hot water supply water pipe 27 is connected to the hot water tank 41 in the electric water heater 4.
Connect to The hot water supply heat exchanger 26 performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and lubricating water for storing hot water.

The on-off valves 21, 22, 23, and 24 are connected to a refrigerant pipe connected to a connection pipe from the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3 together with a first refrigerant circulation cycle connecting the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3. Alternatively, it constitutes a second refrigerant circulation cycle connecting the outdoor unit 1 and the hot water supply heat exchanger 26, and functions as a refrigerant flow switching means for switching each refrigerant circulation cycle.

A refrigerant temperature sensor Tr for detecting a refrigerant temperature is attached to the refrigerant pipe 25, and a water temperature for detecting a circulating water temperature is supplied to a water supply water pipe 27 between a secondary pipe of the hot water supply heat exchanger 26 and a water circulation pump 28. The sensor Tw is attached.

In the electric water heater 4, one end of the hot water supply pipe 27 communicates with a drain port (not shown) through an open / close valve 43 for draining water, and the other end of the hot water supply pipe 27 is used for hot water supply control. It is led out through the on-off valve 44.

FIG. 3 shows an outdoor unit 1, a hot water storage branch unit 2,
This is a control circuit mounted on the indoor unit 3 and the electric water heater 4. The outdoor unit 1 includes an outdoor controller 10, and a compressor motor 11 </ b> M, a four-way valve 12, and an electric expansion valve 13 are connected to the outdoor controller 10.

The hot water storage branch unit 2 includes a branch controller 20, and the branch controller 20 includes on-off valves 21, 22, 23,
24, a pump motor 28M, a refrigerant temperature sensor Tr, and a water temperature sensor Tw are connected.

The indoor unit 3 includes an indoor controller 30, and an operation display unit 31 for setting and displaying an operation mode is connected to the indoor controller 30. The electric water heater 4 includes an electric temperature controller 40
And an electric heater 42 and on-off valves 43 and 44 are connected to the electric temperature controller 40. Further, the electric temperature controller 4
0 and the branch controller 20 are connected by an operation signal line 50.

The indoor controller 30 is connected to a commercial AC power supply 100V, and extends from the indoor controller 30 to the outdoor controller 10 via a branch controller 20 to a power supply line ACL for supplying a power supply voltage and an electric signal for transmitting and receiving data. Wiring (serial signal line) SL is connected.

The branch controller 20 is connected to a dedicated commercial AC power supply 100 V via power supply wiring. It also has an input terminal 54a and an output terminal 54b for a power supply, the input terminal 54a is connected to a commercial AC power supply 200V by a power supply wiring, and the output terminal 54b is connected to the electric temperature controller 4 by a power supply wiring 51.
Connected to 0. In the branch controller 20, the input terminal 54
a and the output terminal 54b, the current sensor 29 is attached to the wiring, and the output of the current sensor 29 causes the electric water heater 4
Of the electric heater 42 is detected.

The branch controller 20 has a CPU 52 and a memory 53, and stores the operation mode determination conditions shown in FIG.

The operation mode determination condition is to determine the contents of the operation mode signal sent from the indoor controller 30 to the outdoor controller 10 and the detection result of the current sensor 29 (the state of energization of the electric heater 42 of the electric water heater 4). The operation mode of the air conditioner and the operation mode of the electric water heater 4 are associated with the reference.

The CPU 52 has the following means [1] and [2] as main functions. [1] Capturing the contents (cooling, heating, dry, etc.) of the operation mode signal sent from the indoor controller 30 to the outdoor controller 10 and taking the contents and the detection result of the current sensor 29 (the state of energization to the electric heater 42). Determining means for determining the operation mode of the air conditioner and the operation mode of the electric water heater 4 by referring to the operation mode determination conditions in the memory 53 accordingly.

[2] The opening / closing valves 21, 22, 23, 24 and the water circulation pump 28 of the hot water branch unit 2 are controlled in accordance with the content of the determination by the determining means, and the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3 are connected. Selection means for selecting one of the flow paths of the first refrigerant circulation cycle and the second refrigerant circulation cycle connecting the outdoor unit 1 and the hot water supply heat exchanger 26.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. If the content of the operation mode signal transmitted from the indoor controller 30 to the outdoor controller 10 is any of cooling, heating, and dry, the branch controller 20 controls the circulation of the refrigerant between the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3. At the same time, an operation command is sent to the outdoor controller 10 to execute any of the air conditioning operations of cooling, heating, and drying.

For example, when the content of the operation mode signal is "heating", the branch controller 20 opens the on-off valves 21 and 22 of the hot-water storage branch unit 2 and opens the on-off valve 2 as shown in FIG.
3 and 24 are closed (shown in black), a refrigerant circulation cycle is formed between the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 3 in the direction of the arrow, and a heating operation command is sent to the outdoor controller 10.

Thus, the heat of the outside air is pumped up by the outdoor heat exchanger 14, and the pumped heat is supplied as heating heat from the indoor heat exchanger 31 to the room to be air-conditioned.

At nighttime, when the power is in the middle of night, the electric water heater 4 activates the electric heater 42 and heats the water in the hot water storage tank 41 by the heat generated by the electric heater 42. This is a so-called heater hot-water storage operation.

At this time, the branch controller 20 and the electric temperature controller 4
The heater operation current flows through the power supply wiring 51 between 0 and 0, and the output signal of the current sensor 29 becomes logic "1". The branch controller 20 detects that the electric heater 42 has entered the operating state when the output of the current sensor 29 becomes logic “1”.

When the operation mode signal is stopped during the operation of the electric heater 42, the branch controller 20 closes the open / close valves 23 and 24 of the hot water storage branch unit 2 as shown in FIG. ), Open the on-off valves 21 and 22 and open the outdoor unit 1
A refrigerant circulation cycle in the direction of the arrow is formed between the water heater and the hot water tank heat exchanger 26 (no refrigerant flows through the indoor heat exchanger 31), and the circulating water pump 28 is started to activate the electric water heater 4
In the hot water storage tank 41 is circulated through the hot water supply water pipe 27 and the hot water supply heat exchanger 26. Further, the branch controller 20
Sends a heater stop command to the electric temperature controller 40 to stop the operation of the electric heater 42.

Thus, the heat of the outside air is pumped up by the outdoor heat exchanger 14, the pumped heat is supplied to the water in the hot water storage tank 41 via the hot water supply heat exchanger 26, and the water in the hot water storage tank 41 is heated. . This is a so-called heat pump hot water storage operation.

At this time, the heater operating current stops flowing through the power supply line 51, and the output signal of the current sensor 29 becomes logic "0".

In this heat pump hot water storage operation, the efficiency (COP) is "3" as is known for heat pump heating.
To "4", which makes it possible to perform heating with higher efficiency than in the case of electric heater heat generation.

Also, when the heat pump hot water storage operation is performed, the hot water storage tank 4
When the temperature of the circulating water from 1 is detected by the water temperature sensor Tw, and the detected temperature rises to a predetermined set value, for example, 55 ° C. or more, the branch controller 20 sends a stop command to the outdoor controller 10 and Then, the heater stop command to the electric temperature controller 40 is released. This ends the heat pump hot water storage operation. FIG. 6 shows the flow of the refrigerant during cooling.

As described above, the hot water branching unit 2 is provided in the heat pump type refrigeration cycle, and the outdoor unit 1 and the electric water heater 4 are controlled by the hot water branching unit 2. The water inside can be heated with high efficiency. As a result, the running cost of the electric water heater 4 can be reduced, and the operation rate of the outdoor unit 1 can be increased, resulting in excellent energy saving and economic efficiency.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, an air conditioner in which a heat pump refrigeration cycle is mounted on an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, and refrigerant and heat of the refrigeration cycle connected to the heat pump refrigeration cycle. A hot water supply branch unit having a hot water supply heat exchanger provided with a hot water supply water pipe and a refrigerant pipe for exchanging and heating hot water storage circulating water, and hot water storage connected to the hot water supply heat exchanger and the hot water supply water pipe of the hot water storage branch unit An electric water heater having a tank, and the hot water storage branch unit is connected to a connection pipe from the outdoor unit and the indoor unit in the heat pump refrigeration cycle,
A first refrigerant circulation cycle connecting the outdoor unit and the indoor unit in the heat pump refrigeration cycle or a second refrigerant circulation cycle connecting the outdoor unit and the hot water supply heat exchanger, A refrigerant flow switching means for switching the refrigerant circulation cycle, and a selection means for selecting any one of the refrigerant circulation cycles, the electric water heater using a heat pump refrigeration cycle of an air conditioner. Water can be heated with high efficiency,
In addition, it is possible to provide an air-conditioning and hot water supply system that can improve the operation rate of the air conditioner and that is excellent in energy saving and economy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of one embodiment and a flow of a refrigerant during heating.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control circuit according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a format of an operation mode determination condition in one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing flows of a refrigerant and circulating water during a heat pump hot water storage operation according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flow of a refrigerant during cooling in one embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Outdoor unit 2 ... Hot water storage branching unit 3 ... Indoor unit 4 ... Electric water heater 11 ... Compressor 12 ... Four-way valve 14 ... Outdoor heat exchanger 21, 22, 23, 24 ... On-off valve 26 ... Hot water supply heat exchanger 27 ... Hot water supply water pipe 28 Water pump 31 Indoor heat exchanger 41 Hot water tank 42 Electric heater

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Toshiro Kurokawa 2-182 Watanabe-dori, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City Inside Kyushu Electric Power Company (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Hamada 2-chome Watanabe, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture 1-82 Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. (72) Inventor Eiji Kuwahara 336 Tatehara, Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture Toshiba Carrier Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasuji Ogoshi 336 Tatehara, Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture Toshiba Carrier Co., Ltd. Reference) 3L060 AA08 CC01 CC05 CC10 DD07 EE09 EE10 EE23 EE34 3L092 AA02 CA02 DA19 EA02 EA20 FA22

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An air conditioner having an outdoor unit and an indoor unit equipped with a heat pump refrigeration cycle, and connected to the heat pump refrigeration cycle to exchange heat with refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle and heat circulating water for storing hot water. A hot water supply branch unit having a hot water supply heat exchanger provided with a hot water supply water pipe and a refrigerant pipe, and an electric water heater having a hot water storage tank connected to the hot water supply heat exchanger of the hot water supply branch unit by a hot water supply water pipe. A hot water storage branching unit that is in contact with a connection pipe from the outdoor unit and the indoor unit in the heat pump refrigeration cycle and connects the outdoor unit and the indoor unit in the heat pump refrigeration cycle to the first refrigerant circulation cycle or A second connecting the outdoor unit and the hot water supply heat exchanger;
Air conditioning characterized by comprising: a refrigerant flow cycle switching means for switching the respective refrigerant circulation cycles; and a selection means for selecting one of the flow paths of the refrigerant circulation cycle.・ Hot water supply system. 2. The electric water heater has an electric heater for heating water in a hot water storage tank. The means for selecting a hot water storage branch unit includes an operation mode set for the air conditioner and the electric heater. 2. The selection is made based on the current supply state.
The air conditioning and hot water supply system according to 1. 3. The electric water heater has an electric heater for heating water in a hot water storage tank. The hot water storage branching unit connects an electric controller connecting a controller of the indoor unit and a controller of the outdoor unit. Wiring, an operation signal line connected to a controller of the electric water heater, an input terminal for connecting a power supply line from a power supply, an output terminal connected to the input terminal, and an output terminal connected to the input terminal. The air conditioning / hot water supply system according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply line for connecting to a water heater, and a current sensor provided on a line between the input terminal and the output terminal. 4. The hot water storage branch unit includes a water circulation pump interposed in a water pipe connecting the hot water supply heat exchanger and the electric water heater, a refrigerant temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe, and a water pipe. A water temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of circulating water flowing through the air passage, and a branch controller. The branch controller is configured to control the refrigerant flow path based on an operation mode signal from the indoor unit and a detection result of the current sensor. The air conditioning / hot water supply system according to claim 3, wherein the switching means and the water circulation pump are controlled.